A/N- More Reviews! Woo hoo! Okay! So you want more...I can do that. By the way...this isn't supposed to sound like a *teenybopper-`nsyncy-fan-meeting* fic...if it even borders on that *please stop me*.
Also, my other fic is still my first priority (read it as well, while you're waiting. Tell me what you think)
I think one of you asked whether Australians eat vegemite a lot (although what that has to do with my story, I'll never know ^_^) ummm...well, it's an acquired taste. I think pretty much everyone eats it here...at one point or another (unless you don't like it which *is* understandable)...it's a nationwide thing. I don't know...personally its too strong for my liking so when I have it, its spread very very thinly... :) But yeah...its pretty popular...probably the reason to its fame...
Okay, well in relation to the fic, somebody wanted to know if I can email as a notification on an update...I think I can manage that. If you want me to, just ask in your reviews (with an email address) and I'll gladly do it. But all I ask is one small favour...TELL ME HOW YOU THINK THE FIC IS DOING. (I don't care if you've already reviewed...I'm addicted to feedback) Ta.
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"What? What's new?" I ask for like the thousandth time. Lorne just looks confused. His green forehead crinkled in concentration.
Gunn (whom I'm developing I huge crush on, even though we haven't really spoken) looks at Angel in frustration. "Yo...he's you're demon-friend-soul-reading-guy...GET HIM TO TALK!"
"I'm trying." The vampire replies. He turns back to his demonic companion. "This *is* around the time you tell us what's going on."
"Yeah..." I add. "On the show...I mean, you *usually* tell people what's happening after they sing. I didn't sing for nothing. I hate singing. Plus, these poor people..." I gesture to the fang gang members sitting around the room "...had to sit through it...they got tortured. And you're only coming up with `this is new'?"
"Your singing wasn't that bad." Cordelia says. I smile gratefully. She adds, "Especially after you compare it to Angel's."
Angel sighs pointedly. (Oh God, he's soo gorgeous. Great. Now all I need to do is develop a crush on Wesley and Lorne...)"I can't sing. I got it. Stop bringing it up." He pauses. "Plus, I only do it to save lives."
I can feel the grin spreading across my face. I mean... he is soo sweet. And the scene I'm watching is so funny... I still can't believe this is actually happening. He looks over at me, his big brown eyes looking me over. I turn to hide my smile, but it's too late.
"What's so funny?" He queries.
"Nothing." I respond, the goofy smirk still plastered on my face. I'm obviously not very convincing `cos he raises his eyebrows.
Crossing his arms over his chest, he repeats, "What?"
"Okay, okay..." I start, feeling my face flush again.(Its been doing that all day.) "I just...its funny watching you guys all interact for real. I mean, its still weird `cos I'm still stuck thinking that you're TV characters...and I know all your background stories and everything...so watching you in the flesh is trippy...I'm, uh, overwhelmed...Plus when you're on TV..." He just looks at me. Now he's smirking. "What?"
"Nothing." I clear my throat and copy his arched eyebrows. He breaks into that rare smile. The one that every time I see it on TV makes me go weak at the knees. The one that made me oh so very jealous of SMG when he was still on Buffy. The one...oh you get the point. "You're not telling the complete truth."
"I don't lie." I state clearly, taking offence at his comment.
"Neither do I." He retorts. "But, if you know me as well as you think you do...you'd know that I can-"
"Sense emotions and all that stuff." I finish for him. "Yeah, yeah, yeah..." He stares at me, expecting me to continue. "Oh, come on! I'm not saying the rest."
"Why?"
" 'cos its embarrassing."
"So?"
"Fine." I look at him defiantly, avoiding everyone else's eyes. "I think its cute to watch you all interact...especially *you* `cos I... I really like your character. Without sounding pathetic...I love Angel. Not in the `can't-eat-can't-sleep kinda' way...but in the watching him...or you...or whatever...especially when humour is involved...it cheers me up...I can't explain it without sounding insane, but I think I had a crush on you...him...whatever...hence the tongue-tiedness when I thought you were David Boreanaz `cos...well...he's sexy...and you look JUST like him...which I guess you have to...but...when you didn't exist in reality...it made sense for me to like him `cos me and dating don't mix...so my own imagination suffices...get it?"
His smile widens devilishly. "There, wasn't that better?"
I burst into a fit of hysterics. "No."
"So let me get this straight," A slightly dejected Gunn begins. "You're favourite character...as in to crush on...was a 247 year old vampire whose soul would eventually get in the way? *Not* the young, charming, strikingly handsome black guy...or even the uptight, yet *human* watcher...? "
"Hey! What's wrong with non-humans?" Cordy asks him, narrowing her eyes.
I ignore her question. "Don't get me wrong, Wesley has that whole `suave' thing going on..." I smile. "And Gunn, I mean you have that young `roguish' charm...but I was in love with Angel's character from day one on Btvs. From the second Buffy knocks him to the ground after he'd been apparently stalking her...he had me hooked. I mean, this pint-sized blonde ambushes him in a dark ally and he gets up and calmly asks `Can I help you, ma'am?' It was gorgeous..." I stop and blush again. " Of course...I *did* know that he was only a TV character...I'm not some crazed overly obsessed fan...well...my imagination was enough to keep me sane...but now you're real...as in non-actor, but real vampire with a soul...but I can only think of you as a TV character `cos...well...that's what I always thought you were..."
"Where you come from he still *is*." Lorne suddenly interrupts. "But that's in another dimension...or reality. You somehow got into this one. But, you're story...it checks out." He looks around at everyone. "Guys...she's telling the truth. We're on TV in another realm or something...I don't know about you, but I want royalty payments."
"Okay..." Cordy starts slowly. "You're telling the truth. Wow. This is freaky. Its weird. Its worse than weird its...its wrong."
"You're telling me." I answer. "I don't know how long I'm stuck here...not that it's a bad thing...I love you guys more than you know....But..." I have to think quickly"...I have no other clothes. I'm left with one outfit for the PTBs know how long..." I do that a lot too. Substitute God with the PTBs. Another habit picked up from watching Angel.
"You know about them?" She asks, her eyes widening. Everyone looks at her, knowing how ditzy she just sounded. "Oh...Of course you do...'cos its all on TV...and they're a pretty important part of our lives here...so you'd know...Anyhow... shopping I can help with. Do you have any money?"
I look in my purse. "Only a few Australian bills. Nothing helpful."
"Well, I'm sure we can work something out." She shoots Angel a `please can I borrow your credit card' kinda look.
"No." I state firmly. "I'm fine in the one outfit. Really. I don't want to put you out or anything..."
"Nonsense. Cordelia enjoys shopping, and we can't have you running around in one outfit for who knows how long..." Wesley interjects.
"No. Really. I don't need-"
This time its Angel who interrupts. "Its okay. Really. Don't argue with Cordy when it comes to clothes or shopping. It doesn't really work out that well..." She stakes him with her eyes and he defensively (and comically) argues, " What? You can insult my singing but I can't say you have a passion for shopping or clothes?"
She rolls her eyes. "That's not what you meant and you, I and the entire room know it." He opens his mouth to protest, but I think he knows that it won't get him anywhere.
"So girl..." Gunn starts up again "We're not real?"
"Not in my dimension. So this is really very weird and ...well, kinda impossible. Unless you were the actors and I somehow met you all..."Oh, I'm starting to sound like some sort of deranged fan...better start getting back to being me. "...but it doesn't explain the me getting to LA in under 5 minutes...It doesn't really explain anything."
"Then...what's that dimension really like?" Fred chirps. She's been pretty quiet all day.
"The same as this one...only without Hellmouths and demons and vampires and Sunnydale and-"
"Hold up." Cordy cuts in. "There's no Sunnydale? But...where did I grow up? Oh, no wait...I'm fictional...keep forgetting that part..."
I chuckle slightly. "Yeah...well, other than that...everything else is the same..."
"Cool." Gunn says. "Hey, wait...You said before that you know our background stories..." I nod. "Well...how much *do* you know?"
"Oh...umm...well, lets see...who should I start with?" I smile. Facts on Angel and all the characters within. This I can do. I do it well, too.
"Uh...Well, what about me?" Cordy says.
"Sure...Oh...but one thing I have forgotten. I haven't seen season 3 of Angel yet...stupid Australian TV stations...give us that wanker Steve Erwin, the Croc Hunter dude but when it comes to *good* TV shows...where was I? Oh yeah...I'm not as upto date on you as the fans in America and stuff...so there's probably some issues I don't know...but I've read some spoilers...although I don't know how much I can count on them..."
"C'mon...tell me about me already!" She whinges.
I catch Gunn whisper "There's something we don't do often." Both Angel and I let out a snort of laughter. I catch his eyes. Oh God, he's adorable.
Tearing my direction back towards Cordelia, I begin."Hmm...well...I know bits and pieces `cos Cordy...I mean...you weren't exactly the main character in `Buffy the Vampire Slayer'...But...you grew up in Sunnydale and knew Xander and Willow from a young age they even started the `We Hate Cordelia' Club. Typical kids...Uh...You came from a rich, kinda spoilt, childhood and thought that you could rule Sunnydale high..." I babble on about all the Cordelia information I know. It takes a little while, but she's obviously rapt up in my extensive knowledge of her. "...So there you have it. Uh...just a question. The last spoiler I read about you says you've become part demon...is that true?"
"Actually it is. Pretty cool, huh? Although...it makes my life just that tiny bit harder...But I'm a trooper. I'll live...Actually...that was the whole reason for my becoming half demon..."
I wave my hand, forcing her to stop. "If you don't mind..." I say sheepishly "...I was hoping that I could avoid more spoilers until I see the episodes..."
"Oh," She smiles. "I see. But, what if you're stuck here. Don't you think you need to know the whole story?"
"If I'm stuck here...I'll catch on."
"Okay...my turn, girl. What d'ya know `bout me?" Gunn enquires.
"Well..." I begin. "You were in a gang of street kids that slew?...slayed?...well, killed vamps. And then Angel came along and you trapped him `cos you thought he was bad..." And I go on from there. I try not to linger on his sister's turning into a vamp then staking when I get to it...and from there I cruise on about his joining the AI gang and so forth. "...And that's most of what I know about you."
"Wow...that was cool. It's almost like your psychotic or something..."
Angel smirks and nudges him. "I think you meant *psychic*, Gunn."
"That's what I said." He argues.
"Nope." I say, pretending to pout. "You called me psychotic."
"Oh...oops." He chuckles. "Sorry."
"But...I can be psychotic every so often..." I muse "...One of the reasons my friends nickname me Angelus...after the original of course." I look over at him again and smirk. "But I *think* there's a difference between soul-less vampire and PMS..."
Gunn leans in and whispers to me again, gesturing to Cordelia. "Not in this place."
"I heard that." She states, glaring at him.
"So..." Fred interrupts. "What can ya tell me about me?"
"Well, I'm ashamed to say, not much. You see...you were in the last 2 episodes of season 2...and I haven't seen season 3 yet...so all I know is that you are a pretty and bubbly personalitied physicist that Angel and the others helped rescue from slavery and execution in Pylea. And now you're a member of the AI gang...Oh! And you like Tacos...But, other than that...I don't know very much. I'm sorry..."
"That's all right." She smiles warmly. "I like it better that way `cos you can get to know me as a friend instead of a character...that's if ya want to...I'd understand if ya didn't..."
"No...I'd really like to get to know you better." I look around at everyone. "I'd like to get to know everyone personally...If it's possible."
"I'd say it is." Cordelia tells me. "Now...what about Wes?"
Here we go again... "Well...Wesley Whyndam Pryce arrives on the scene in Sunnydale during season 3 of Btvs..." And off I go again. Every so often, I've noticed Angel leave the room for a few minutes. I have an inkling as to what he's doing, but I can't be sure. Not just yet.
Once I've finished talking about Wesley, I'm instructed to do the same about Lorne...Then its Angel's turn.
"Ummm...this *could* take a while." I tell them. "I mean...I've gotta cover around 247 years here...you guys already know his story and when I tell it...I get all dreamy eyed...oh, did I just say that out loud?"
They all nod at me. The ghost of a smile brushes across Angel's lips.
"Oh...kay...well, lets just forget that I just said that...hmm...well like I said, first time Angel graced the TV screen he was following Buffy down a dark ally and she was waiting for him on a rooftop or beams or something...then she knocks him to the ground and this gorgeous guy..." I grin sheepishly, flush a little and clear my throat. "I mean...*Angel* gets up and calmly asks how he can help her. From that second you knew he would play a key role...and no...he wasn't even noted as a main character until later that season..." I glide over the rest of his story, stating my favourite episodes that he starred in and so forth. Then I get to present day. "...So, now there's this spoiler that he had a son with Darla. That's true isn't it?" I state. That's right, I'm not asking `cos I already know the answer. I know that it's the truth...I mean, that's where he keeps disappearing to. To check on his baby.
He nods. I smile back at him. "Congratulations. It looks like everyone loves the idea of Mr. Tall-Dark-And-Broody with a baby. I mean...there are sooo many fanfiction stories that-"
"Fan Fiction?" He says...slightly entrigued.
"Yeah...there's this site on the net...a few sites actually...where writers can post some of the stories they've written and stuff like that...There's sections for original ideas and also movies, and TV shows...etc. Its so easy to get addicted to both reading and writing them...I *love* the Angel and Btvs ones...dah...but...that's probably gonna change...I mean, now that I've met you guys for real...It'd be weird...But that's where I've read a lot of the spoilers..." I explain.
"Oh..." He responds. "Have you written any?"
"Fics? Ummm..." I feel my face start to burn again. "That's not an important issue...I've heard that Connor looks like you...Can I see him?"
"Nice try." Cordelia tells me. "But you gotta answer the question."
"But you already know the answer. It's embarrassing...then again...It wouldn't exist in this reality...so that's okay." I laugh. "Yeah...I have, but they're not that good... `cos of the pairing up that I did in one of them...but I was trying to be different...especially since Lindsey was evil at one stage and Angel *really* hated him...but-"
"Who'd you hook *Lindsey* up with?" She asks, narrowing her eyes at me suspiciously. I gulp and open my mouth to answer, but I'm interrupted by sounds coming from the baby monitor. (Where is the baby monitor? Oh...attached to Angel's belt. He probably just turned it on.) Before anyone can react, Angel's already headed out the door. He comes back in a few minutes later, carrying the most gorgeous baby that I've ever seen.
"He's soo beautiful..." I breathe.
Angel swells with pride. "Thanks. He is, isn't he?" He hesitantly offers him for me to hold. I back away.
"Umm...no...I'm fine just looking at him...Babies don't like me soo much...they do this screaming thing...we don't get along..."
Angel laughs. "Its okay. Go on. Take him. I'm right here, so he should be fine."
"Why do you trust me so much?" The words escape my lips before I know what I'm doing. "Seriously. I mean, I could be some bad guy or something and you're supposed to be ultra-protective and-"
"Because I can tell you're trustworthy. You haven't really *lied* or given off any dangerous vibes...and I can sense those things pretty well..."
"Hey...then why did I have to *sing* ? That was to prove I was telling the truth and you already knew..."
"You had to sing so we could work out the entire truth...or get clues on how to do it. Plus, if you'd had amnesia or something, you wouldn't have been lying to me and I wouldn't have picked anything up...so singing was definitely on the cards." That's probably the most he's said to me all day.
"Oh..." Is all I can manage. I don't know how to reply.
He holds Connor out again. I take him into my arms and cradle him there. He sighs contentedly and I let him play with my thumb. I've never really been a kid person...but this moment seems to be changing my views...Okay, so I do want to have kids one day...but not anytime soon. I mean, I'm only 16...17 in a couple of days...
Oh...I'm going to miss spending my 17^th with my mum and friends...That is unless the gang here can help me work out how I got here and how I can get back in time. Knowing the kind of schedules they run...I doubt it. Oh well, its not like spending my 17^th with Angel and his crew is bad...come to think of it...I like the idea.
After a few minutes of fawning over the baby, I give him back to his dad. It's the weirdest sight...I mean...Angel going ga-ga (pun intended) over a baby. I'm not used to the idea...but I read the spoiler months ago...you think I'd be over it by now. But I'm not.
He starts to whimper. Angel glances at his watch. "Okay...I guess you can have your bottle now. Are you ever not hungry..."
Come to think of it, *I'm* starved...haven't eaten all day. Its almost as if Cordy read my mind (*Can* she do that?), because she immediately suggests that we order some dinner. Everyone agrees.
The pizzas finally arrive an hour later and we dig in. Everyone talks about cases and stuff like that. I sit back in silence and observe. I swear its like watching the TV show...only better.
"So..." Fred starts, after finishing her 2^nd piece. "How old are you? If ya don't mind my askin'..."
I swallow my food before I answer. "I'm turning 17 in a couple of days." Silence falls over the large dining table. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No...not at all, but when you say a couple of days...?" Wesley responds.
"Well...before I was transported here somehow...it was 3."
"Oh..." He replies.
"Look. Its okay...so I miss spending it with my mum and my friends...but I'll live...just as long as I get back home somehow." I assure him. "Plus, letting you in on a secret...I think it'd be cool spending it with you guys...I mean...I'm a big fan of the show...I'd like to get in on the action...and this is the perfect way..." At their doubtful looks I smile. "I mean it. Its fine. And after seeing how Fred got transported to Pylea and how she had to spend years as a slave there...This is PARADISE."
"You make a good point." Gunn tells me.
My smile widens. "Thanks."
After discussing my life story with them, I find myself yawning. Promptly, Angel guides me upstairs and shows me to the room across the hall from his. He shows me where everything is and I thank him. Then he realises that I have nothing to sleep in so he disappears into his room and emerges with one of his own big black tee-shirts.
I thank him even more and put it on after he leaves. It smells like him. Ah...I'm in heaven, if there is such a place. It's only just long enough to cover my butt. Oh, well...its not like anyone's gonna see me in it.
I pull back the blankets on the bed and tuck myself in. The second my head hits the pillow, I start to drift off...not noticing the dark figure on my balcony, peering in through the window...
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A/N(2)- C'mon guys...you know what you gotta do. It doesn't take long. PLEASE REVIEW! I'm so totally addicted to feedback...you have no idea...
PS- someone said something about this being a self insertion fic...you're close, but not quite. She's roughly based on me but names and stuff are different...but by how much? Lol...I know it doesn't matter...I wish it were me though...although, what I might put her through changes my opinion again...:) you might just have to read to find out what's in my incredibly twisted brain. And then you might need to tell me what you think...no...you HAVE to tell me what you think...:)
Also, my other fic is still my first priority (read it as well, while you're waiting. Tell me what you think)
I think one of you asked whether Australians eat vegemite a lot (although what that has to do with my story, I'll never know ^_^) ummm...well, it's an acquired taste. I think pretty much everyone eats it here...at one point or another (unless you don't like it which *is* understandable)...it's a nationwide thing. I don't know...personally its too strong for my liking so when I have it, its spread very very thinly... :) But yeah...its pretty popular...probably the reason to its fame...
Okay, well in relation to the fic, somebody wanted to know if I can email as a notification on an update...I think I can manage that. If you want me to, just ask in your reviews (with an email address) and I'll gladly do it. But all I ask is one small favour...TELL ME HOW YOU THINK THE FIC IS DOING. (I don't care if you've already reviewed...I'm addicted to feedback) Ta.
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"What? What's new?" I ask for like the thousandth time. Lorne just looks confused. His green forehead crinkled in concentration.
Gunn (whom I'm developing I huge crush on, even though we haven't really spoken) looks at Angel in frustration. "Yo...he's you're demon-friend-soul-reading-guy...GET HIM TO TALK!"
"I'm trying." The vampire replies. He turns back to his demonic companion. "This *is* around the time you tell us what's going on."
"Yeah..." I add. "On the show...I mean, you *usually* tell people what's happening after they sing. I didn't sing for nothing. I hate singing. Plus, these poor people..." I gesture to the fang gang members sitting around the room "...had to sit through it...they got tortured. And you're only coming up with `this is new'?"
"Your singing wasn't that bad." Cordelia says. I smile gratefully. She adds, "Especially after you compare it to Angel's."
Angel sighs pointedly. (Oh God, he's soo gorgeous. Great. Now all I need to do is develop a crush on Wesley and Lorne...)"I can't sing. I got it. Stop bringing it up." He pauses. "Plus, I only do it to save lives."
I can feel the grin spreading across my face. I mean... he is soo sweet. And the scene I'm watching is so funny... I still can't believe this is actually happening. He looks over at me, his big brown eyes looking me over. I turn to hide my smile, but it's too late.
"What's so funny?" He queries.
"Nothing." I respond, the goofy smirk still plastered on my face. I'm obviously not very convincing `cos he raises his eyebrows.
Crossing his arms over his chest, he repeats, "What?"
"Okay, okay..." I start, feeling my face flush again.(Its been doing that all day.) "I just...its funny watching you guys all interact for real. I mean, its still weird `cos I'm still stuck thinking that you're TV characters...and I know all your background stories and everything...so watching you in the flesh is trippy...I'm, uh, overwhelmed...Plus when you're on TV..." He just looks at me. Now he's smirking. "What?"
"Nothing." I clear my throat and copy his arched eyebrows. He breaks into that rare smile. The one that every time I see it on TV makes me go weak at the knees. The one that made me oh so very jealous of SMG when he was still on Buffy. The one...oh you get the point. "You're not telling the complete truth."
"I don't lie." I state clearly, taking offence at his comment.
"Neither do I." He retorts. "But, if you know me as well as you think you do...you'd know that I can-"
"Sense emotions and all that stuff." I finish for him. "Yeah, yeah, yeah..." He stares at me, expecting me to continue. "Oh, come on! I'm not saying the rest."
"Why?"
" 'cos its embarrassing."
"So?"
"Fine." I look at him defiantly, avoiding everyone else's eyes. "I think its cute to watch you all interact...especially *you* `cos I... I really like your character. Without sounding pathetic...I love Angel. Not in the `can't-eat-can't-sleep kinda' way...but in the watching him...or you...or whatever...especially when humour is involved...it cheers me up...I can't explain it without sounding insane, but I think I had a crush on you...him...whatever...hence the tongue-tiedness when I thought you were David Boreanaz `cos...well...he's sexy...and you look JUST like him...which I guess you have to...but...when you didn't exist in reality...it made sense for me to like him `cos me and dating don't mix...so my own imagination suffices...get it?"
His smile widens devilishly. "There, wasn't that better?"
I burst into a fit of hysterics. "No."
"So let me get this straight," A slightly dejected Gunn begins. "You're favourite character...as in to crush on...was a 247 year old vampire whose soul would eventually get in the way? *Not* the young, charming, strikingly handsome black guy...or even the uptight, yet *human* watcher...? "
"Hey! What's wrong with non-humans?" Cordy asks him, narrowing her eyes.
I ignore her question. "Don't get me wrong, Wesley has that whole `suave' thing going on..." I smile. "And Gunn, I mean you have that young `roguish' charm...but I was in love with Angel's character from day one on Btvs. From the second Buffy knocks him to the ground after he'd been apparently stalking her...he had me hooked. I mean, this pint-sized blonde ambushes him in a dark ally and he gets up and calmly asks `Can I help you, ma'am?' It was gorgeous..." I stop and blush again. " Of course...I *did* know that he was only a TV character...I'm not some crazed overly obsessed fan...well...my imagination was enough to keep me sane...but now you're real...as in non-actor, but real vampire with a soul...but I can only think of you as a TV character `cos...well...that's what I always thought you were..."
"Where you come from he still *is*." Lorne suddenly interrupts. "But that's in another dimension...or reality. You somehow got into this one. But, you're story...it checks out." He looks around at everyone. "Guys...she's telling the truth. We're on TV in another realm or something...I don't know about you, but I want royalty payments."
"Okay..." Cordy starts slowly. "You're telling the truth. Wow. This is freaky. Its weird. Its worse than weird its...its wrong."
"You're telling me." I answer. "I don't know how long I'm stuck here...not that it's a bad thing...I love you guys more than you know....But..." I have to think quickly"...I have no other clothes. I'm left with one outfit for the PTBs know how long..." I do that a lot too. Substitute God with the PTBs. Another habit picked up from watching Angel.
"You know about them?" She asks, her eyes widening. Everyone looks at her, knowing how ditzy she just sounded. "Oh...Of course you do...'cos its all on TV...and they're a pretty important part of our lives here...so you'd know...Anyhow... shopping I can help with. Do you have any money?"
I look in my purse. "Only a few Australian bills. Nothing helpful."
"Well, I'm sure we can work something out." She shoots Angel a `please can I borrow your credit card' kinda look.
"No." I state firmly. "I'm fine in the one outfit. Really. I don't want to put you out or anything..."
"Nonsense. Cordelia enjoys shopping, and we can't have you running around in one outfit for who knows how long..." Wesley interjects.
"No. Really. I don't need-"
This time its Angel who interrupts. "Its okay. Really. Don't argue with Cordy when it comes to clothes or shopping. It doesn't really work out that well..." She stakes him with her eyes and he defensively (and comically) argues, " What? You can insult my singing but I can't say you have a passion for shopping or clothes?"
She rolls her eyes. "That's not what you meant and you, I and the entire room know it." He opens his mouth to protest, but I think he knows that it won't get him anywhere.
"So girl..." Gunn starts up again "We're not real?"
"Not in my dimension. So this is really very weird and ...well, kinda impossible. Unless you were the actors and I somehow met you all..."Oh, I'm starting to sound like some sort of deranged fan...better start getting back to being me. "...but it doesn't explain the me getting to LA in under 5 minutes...It doesn't really explain anything."
"Then...what's that dimension really like?" Fred chirps. She's been pretty quiet all day.
"The same as this one...only without Hellmouths and demons and vampires and Sunnydale and-"
"Hold up." Cordy cuts in. "There's no Sunnydale? But...where did I grow up? Oh, no wait...I'm fictional...keep forgetting that part..."
I chuckle slightly. "Yeah...well, other than that...everything else is the same..."
"Cool." Gunn says. "Hey, wait...You said before that you know our background stories..." I nod. "Well...how much *do* you know?"
"Oh...umm...well, lets see...who should I start with?" I smile. Facts on Angel and all the characters within. This I can do. I do it well, too.
"Uh...Well, what about me?" Cordy says.
"Sure...Oh...but one thing I have forgotten. I haven't seen season 3 of Angel yet...stupid Australian TV stations...give us that wanker Steve Erwin, the Croc Hunter dude but when it comes to *good* TV shows...where was I? Oh yeah...I'm not as upto date on you as the fans in America and stuff...so there's probably some issues I don't know...but I've read some spoilers...although I don't know how much I can count on them..."
"C'mon...tell me about me already!" She whinges.
I catch Gunn whisper "There's something we don't do often." Both Angel and I let out a snort of laughter. I catch his eyes. Oh God, he's adorable.
Tearing my direction back towards Cordelia, I begin."Hmm...well...I know bits and pieces `cos Cordy...I mean...you weren't exactly the main character in `Buffy the Vampire Slayer'...But...you grew up in Sunnydale and knew Xander and Willow from a young age they even started the `We Hate Cordelia' Club. Typical kids...Uh...You came from a rich, kinda spoilt, childhood and thought that you could rule Sunnydale high..." I babble on about all the Cordelia information I know. It takes a little while, but she's obviously rapt up in my extensive knowledge of her. "...So there you have it. Uh...just a question. The last spoiler I read about you says you've become part demon...is that true?"
"Actually it is. Pretty cool, huh? Although...it makes my life just that tiny bit harder...But I'm a trooper. I'll live...Actually...that was the whole reason for my becoming half demon..."
I wave my hand, forcing her to stop. "If you don't mind..." I say sheepishly "...I was hoping that I could avoid more spoilers until I see the episodes..."
"Oh," She smiles. "I see. But, what if you're stuck here. Don't you think you need to know the whole story?"
"If I'm stuck here...I'll catch on."
"Okay...my turn, girl. What d'ya know `bout me?" Gunn enquires.
"Well..." I begin. "You were in a gang of street kids that slew?...slayed?...well, killed vamps. And then Angel came along and you trapped him `cos you thought he was bad..." And I go on from there. I try not to linger on his sister's turning into a vamp then staking when I get to it...and from there I cruise on about his joining the AI gang and so forth. "...And that's most of what I know about you."
"Wow...that was cool. It's almost like your psychotic or something..."
Angel smirks and nudges him. "I think you meant *psychic*, Gunn."
"That's what I said." He argues.
"Nope." I say, pretending to pout. "You called me psychotic."
"Oh...oops." He chuckles. "Sorry."
"But...I can be psychotic every so often..." I muse "...One of the reasons my friends nickname me Angelus...after the original of course." I look over at him again and smirk. "But I *think* there's a difference between soul-less vampire and PMS..."
Gunn leans in and whispers to me again, gesturing to Cordelia. "Not in this place."
"I heard that." She states, glaring at him.
"So..." Fred interrupts. "What can ya tell me about me?"
"Well, I'm ashamed to say, not much. You see...you were in the last 2 episodes of season 2...and I haven't seen season 3 yet...so all I know is that you are a pretty and bubbly personalitied physicist that Angel and the others helped rescue from slavery and execution in Pylea. And now you're a member of the AI gang...Oh! And you like Tacos...But, other than that...I don't know very much. I'm sorry..."
"That's all right." She smiles warmly. "I like it better that way `cos you can get to know me as a friend instead of a character...that's if ya want to...I'd understand if ya didn't..."
"No...I'd really like to get to know you better." I look around at everyone. "I'd like to get to know everyone personally...If it's possible."
"I'd say it is." Cordelia tells me. "Now...what about Wes?"
Here we go again... "Well...Wesley Whyndam Pryce arrives on the scene in Sunnydale during season 3 of Btvs..." And off I go again. Every so often, I've noticed Angel leave the room for a few minutes. I have an inkling as to what he's doing, but I can't be sure. Not just yet.
Once I've finished talking about Wesley, I'm instructed to do the same about Lorne...Then its Angel's turn.
"Ummm...this *could* take a while." I tell them. "I mean...I've gotta cover around 247 years here...you guys already know his story and when I tell it...I get all dreamy eyed...oh, did I just say that out loud?"
They all nod at me. The ghost of a smile brushes across Angel's lips.
"Oh...kay...well, lets just forget that I just said that...hmm...well like I said, first time Angel graced the TV screen he was following Buffy down a dark ally and she was waiting for him on a rooftop or beams or something...then she knocks him to the ground and this gorgeous guy..." I grin sheepishly, flush a little and clear my throat. "I mean...*Angel* gets up and calmly asks how he can help her. From that second you knew he would play a key role...and no...he wasn't even noted as a main character until later that season..." I glide over the rest of his story, stating my favourite episodes that he starred in and so forth. Then I get to present day. "...So, now there's this spoiler that he had a son with Darla. That's true isn't it?" I state. That's right, I'm not asking `cos I already know the answer. I know that it's the truth...I mean, that's where he keeps disappearing to. To check on his baby.
He nods. I smile back at him. "Congratulations. It looks like everyone loves the idea of Mr. Tall-Dark-And-Broody with a baby. I mean...there are sooo many fanfiction stories that-"
"Fan Fiction?" He says...slightly entrigued.
"Yeah...there's this site on the net...a few sites actually...where writers can post some of the stories they've written and stuff like that...There's sections for original ideas and also movies, and TV shows...etc. Its so easy to get addicted to both reading and writing them...I *love* the Angel and Btvs ones...dah...but...that's probably gonna change...I mean, now that I've met you guys for real...It'd be weird...But that's where I've read a lot of the spoilers..." I explain.
"Oh..." He responds. "Have you written any?"
"Fics? Ummm..." I feel my face start to burn again. "That's not an important issue...I've heard that Connor looks like you...Can I see him?"
"Nice try." Cordelia tells me. "But you gotta answer the question."
"But you already know the answer. It's embarrassing...then again...It wouldn't exist in this reality...so that's okay." I laugh. "Yeah...I have, but they're not that good... `cos of the pairing up that I did in one of them...but I was trying to be different...especially since Lindsey was evil at one stage and Angel *really* hated him...but-"
"Who'd you hook *Lindsey* up with?" She asks, narrowing her eyes at me suspiciously. I gulp and open my mouth to answer, but I'm interrupted by sounds coming from the baby monitor. (Where is the baby monitor? Oh...attached to Angel's belt. He probably just turned it on.) Before anyone can react, Angel's already headed out the door. He comes back in a few minutes later, carrying the most gorgeous baby that I've ever seen.
"He's soo beautiful..." I breathe.
Angel swells with pride. "Thanks. He is, isn't he?" He hesitantly offers him for me to hold. I back away.
"Umm...no...I'm fine just looking at him...Babies don't like me soo much...they do this screaming thing...we don't get along..."
Angel laughs. "Its okay. Go on. Take him. I'm right here, so he should be fine."
"Why do you trust me so much?" The words escape my lips before I know what I'm doing. "Seriously. I mean, I could be some bad guy or something and you're supposed to be ultra-protective and-"
"Because I can tell you're trustworthy. You haven't really *lied* or given off any dangerous vibes...and I can sense those things pretty well..."
"Hey...then why did I have to *sing* ? That was to prove I was telling the truth and you already knew..."
"You had to sing so we could work out the entire truth...or get clues on how to do it. Plus, if you'd had amnesia or something, you wouldn't have been lying to me and I wouldn't have picked anything up...so singing was definitely on the cards." That's probably the most he's said to me all day.
"Oh..." Is all I can manage. I don't know how to reply.
He holds Connor out again. I take him into my arms and cradle him there. He sighs contentedly and I let him play with my thumb. I've never really been a kid person...but this moment seems to be changing my views...Okay, so I do want to have kids one day...but not anytime soon. I mean, I'm only 16...17 in a couple of days...
Oh...I'm going to miss spending my 17^th with my mum and friends...That is unless the gang here can help me work out how I got here and how I can get back in time. Knowing the kind of schedules they run...I doubt it. Oh well, its not like spending my 17^th with Angel and his crew is bad...come to think of it...I like the idea.
After a few minutes of fawning over the baby, I give him back to his dad. It's the weirdest sight...I mean...Angel going ga-ga (pun intended) over a baby. I'm not used to the idea...but I read the spoiler months ago...you think I'd be over it by now. But I'm not.
He starts to whimper. Angel glances at his watch. "Okay...I guess you can have your bottle now. Are you ever not hungry..."
Come to think of it, *I'm* starved...haven't eaten all day. Its almost as if Cordy read my mind (*Can* she do that?), because she immediately suggests that we order some dinner. Everyone agrees.
The pizzas finally arrive an hour later and we dig in. Everyone talks about cases and stuff like that. I sit back in silence and observe. I swear its like watching the TV show...only better.
"So..." Fred starts, after finishing her 2^nd piece. "How old are you? If ya don't mind my askin'..."
I swallow my food before I answer. "I'm turning 17 in a couple of days." Silence falls over the large dining table. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No...not at all, but when you say a couple of days...?" Wesley responds.
"Well...before I was transported here somehow...it was 3."
"Oh..." He replies.
"Look. Its okay...so I miss spending it with my mum and my friends...but I'll live...just as long as I get back home somehow." I assure him. "Plus, letting you in on a secret...I think it'd be cool spending it with you guys...I mean...I'm a big fan of the show...I'd like to get in on the action...and this is the perfect way..." At their doubtful looks I smile. "I mean it. Its fine. And after seeing how Fred got transported to Pylea and how she had to spend years as a slave there...This is PARADISE."
"You make a good point." Gunn tells me.
My smile widens. "Thanks."
After discussing my life story with them, I find myself yawning. Promptly, Angel guides me upstairs and shows me to the room across the hall from his. He shows me where everything is and I thank him. Then he realises that I have nothing to sleep in so he disappears into his room and emerges with one of his own big black tee-shirts.
I thank him even more and put it on after he leaves. It smells like him. Ah...I'm in heaven, if there is such a place. It's only just long enough to cover my butt. Oh, well...its not like anyone's gonna see me in it.
I pull back the blankets on the bed and tuck myself in. The second my head hits the pillow, I start to drift off...not noticing the dark figure on my balcony, peering in through the window...
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A/N(2)- C'mon guys...you know what you gotta do. It doesn't take long. PLEASE REVIEW! I'm so totally addicted to feedback...you have no idea...
PS- someone said something about this being a self insertion fic...you're close, but not quite. She's roughly based on me but names and stuff are different...but by how much? Lol...I know it doesn't matter...I wish it were me though...although, what I might put her through changes my opinion again...:) you might just have to read to find out what's in my incredibly twisted brain. And then you might need to tell me what you think...no...you HAVE to tell me what you think...:)
