Title: Devastating Past
Author: Valerie
E-mail: funbreath@msn.com
Disclaimer: they don't belong to me
Summary: AU Angel is new at Sunnydale High. He meets Buffy and the gang. They think he's just a regular kid. Not likely.
Timeline: during season 2 of BTVS...sorta. Let's just say that Buffy and the gang are in their Junior year in Sunnydale High.
Spoilers: as far as alternate universe goes...almost nothing. References on demons from BTVS and Angel from time to time, but that's about it
Rating: R
Distribution: You can take it but ask me first please.
Feedback: That's a big big big yes!!!!! It's my first fic, so please?
*********
23.
Buffy and Angel were walking hand in hand in the streets of Sunnydale, under the moonlight. There was a tension between them that made Buffy very uneasy. She couldn't bear it any longer, it was killing her. She wanted more than anything else to tell Angel that she was the slayer, but she was afraid he'd hate her for showing him the true face of the world. "Angel...I need to tell you something."
"What is it?" He asked gently, facing her.
"I...er...let's go to sit in the park, ok?" He nodded and they walked to the small park, and sat under a tree next to each other.
"Take your time my love."
"I didn't really tell you everything you need to know about me." She started hesitantly and looked into his eyes. He was looking at her, a confused expression on his face. "I'm not like everyone else...but no one can know about it. Only Willow, Xander, Oz, Cordy and Giles know about my secret. I've been meaning to tell you for a while, but...I was scared you would reject me."
"Tell me, it's ok."
"I'm...I'm a vampire slayer."
"A what?"
"A vampire slayer. The slayer. I fight vampires and demons. It's...complicated."
He frowned, confused. "What are you talking about Buffy?"
"Angel...I'm sorry I have to tell you about that, it'd be better if you didn't know about the truth, but if we want to have a future together, I can't keep lying to you. Vampires are real. And demons, witches...all that stuff is true."
"It's not funny Buffy, why are you telling me that?" He asked a little harshly.
"Please don't be mad, I'm not kidding, this is serious." She pleaded, taking his hands and staring into his eyes.
"You actually believe that? Vampires are myths. Legends. Stories made up to scare little kids."
"No, I swear Angel, I'm telling you the truth. They're real, and I fight them. I have...supernatural powers that make me able to kill them."
"You're crazy!" He spat at her, standing up, looking at her in disbelief.
"Look, I can show you I'm not lying. We can go to the cemetery, you'll see vampires there." She kept on, standing up also.
"I'm not going anywhere with you! There's obviously something wrong with you, and I don't go out with insane girls. Just forget about it ok?" He started to walk away, and panic rose in Buffy's body. It wasn't supposed to go on that way.
Suddenly, a vampire jumped right in front of Angel and shoved him aside, fangs out and growling. Buffy ran to them, stake in hand, and after a short fight with the vampire, she dusted him. After a beat, she looked over at where Angel was sitting, looking at her with anger and betrayal in his eyes.
"Did you really believe I had to know about that? What made you think I wanted to see that disgusting side of you?" He yelled at her.
"Angel, please calm down" She had tears in her eyes.
"You better not come anywhere near me. I want a normal girlfriend, not a freak like you!"
...not a freak like you...normal girlfriend...freak like you...freak, freak...normal...
Buffy's eyes shot open and she woke up from her nightmare. She was in her bed...nothing had happened. Angel didn't know...*Oh god, what am I gonna do? I can't tell him! If he finds out...he'll hate me...please no* With tears rolling down her cheeks because of the harshness of what Angel told her in her dream, she laid back in bed and waited for the sun to rise.
*****
While Buffy had been dreaming of telling Angel about her secret, he was discussing the same matter with Kristin, during their patrol in the cemetery.
"Do think she'd understand?" He asked his sister, fingering with his stake.
"Well...I think so. She's cool, and she loves you, I don't know why"
"WOW WOW WOW!! Hold it there! What did you say?"
"She's cool?"
"No, the loving me part." He told her, his eyes wide.
"Oh...right. So?"
"H-how...how do you...why do you say that? Did she tell you...something?"
"No, but I talked with Willow about it."
"B-but what makes you think she loves me?"
"Come on, it's obvious. One look at you and she's completely out in wonderland! She talks about you non stop when you're not there and when you are, she doesn't talk because her mouth is glued to yours. You guys talk on the phone for hours every night and from what I saw, you don't talk about the weather." She winked at him as she kept walking, and he followed her, confused.
"What did you actually see? And heard?"
"Er...I saw you laying on your bed, clad only in boxers, and obviously quite aroused by what you were talking about with her."
"I..."
"Where do you think it would have gone if I hadn't interrupted you?" She asked suspiciously.
"I don't know. I hadn't planned it...we just...you know...It didn't feel weird so neither of us stopped it."
"Then lemme give you a piece of advice. Have sex with her, but NOT by phone! Keep that for when you'll have been intimate for a while."
"Ok...why?"
"Because you may be experienced, but she's not" Kristin told him, raising an eyebrow at his question.
"I don't know about that."
"I'm telling you. She's a virgin. It's obvious and also she's only 16."
"So what? You're 15 and you already had sex. And I'm 18, and I've been having sex for years."
"Fine. Talk about it with her. You'll see." She smiled sweetly at him and sighed. *I can't believe I'm giving him advice for his love life! How many times did that happen in the past? Close to never? He never needed me before...why is it that he's so scared of his relationship with Buffy?* "Angel, I know I shouldn't ask you that, but...do you love Buffy?"
Angel stared at his sister for a long time, without saying anything. She regretted asking him that, because she recognized that look of pain in his eyes. She had seen him that way after Julie got killed, and after Steven got killed. Even though that night it wasn't as intense as it had been before, that look scared her, because she knew her brother could make stupid decisions when he was hurting.
Eventually, he broke the silence. "No. I don't love her. I can't. I won't. Never."
She knew perfectly well she shouldn't ask that..."why not?"
"Because I don't want her to die." Without much more than a second, he was on his way out of the cemetery to go home.
*****
"Hi man!" Hogan greeted Angel the next day. He and Percy were walking towards the locker room when they spotted Angel.
"Hey." He nodded to the two of them.
"I'd like to warn you man, the coach is back. And he's gonna be hyper, 'cause the game is in two weeks. My advice? Come to practice. Every time. Especially on Wednesday and Saturday."
"Yeah, well I won't." Angel told them simply, shrugging.
"Why?"
"I've got stuff to do."
"You're a dead man." Percy made a face, and they reached the changing room.
A little later, they arrived on the court with the others. The coach was already there, and also Brad. When Angel spotted him, he clenched his teeth to control his anger. What was HE doing talking with his girlfriend? Buffy was sitting on the benches next to the court, and Brad was standing in front of her, touching her on the shoulder, on the arm.
"What the fuck is that bastard doing with my girl?" He almost growled, but he kept control and didn't slip into vamp face. He really didn't like that guy.
"Hitting on her." A guy called Pete told him.
"Yeah, he's been all over her for the past 10 minutes." An other one added with a smirk as Angel was walking towards Buffy and Brad.
"I'm not interested Brad." Buffy told him once more, trying to get him to stop bothering her.
"Come on honey, you're so hot, I can't stay away from you."
"Just stop, ok? In case you didn't get it, I'm with Angel."
"That fucking loser will dump you as soon as he gets between your thighs. You need someone good looking, sweet, popular at school."
"And that dream guy would be YOU, right?" She spat at him with disgust.
"You want someone who's gonna make you" Brad started seductively, only to be interrupted by Buffy's pissed boyfriend behind him.
"Who's gonna make you what?" He asked menacingly to catch their attention.
"Angel!" Buffy exclaimed with a smile. She stood up, brushed past Brad and took refuge in Angel's strong arms encircling her small waist.
"Hi" He greeted her with a quick kiss.
"I'm so glad you arrived. Couldn't take it anymore." She whispered as she pressed her face against his chest, seeking comfort.
"Do you want me to kick his ass?" He whispered back and kissed the top of her head.
"No thanks, I'm ok. Just hold me." Angel glared angrily at Brad, who was fuming inside.
"Yo! Brad and the new guy! Come over here!" The coach yelled suddenly.
"I'll see you after baby."
"I'll wait here." They kissed briefly, then Buffy sat back and watched her boyfriend cross the court with Brad.
"If you think I'm afraid of you, you're dead wrong." Brad muttered under his breath.
"If you say so." Angel answered him in a way that showed he didn't believe him at all.
"I have popularity. I have power at school and in the team. You're nothing for them. If I want to, I can make your life miserable. Nobody cares for what happens to a loser like you. You'll see."
"Unless I'm wrong, not everyone knows who you are. Not the ones who don't give a damn about basketball. You're not the captain of the team, that would be Hogan. You're not dating the most popular girl at school and head cheerleader. Remember? Cordy hates you, and she's my friend, not yours. And also, last time I checked...you weren't dating the hottest chick around, Buffy's my girl, and you better stop bothering her. Don't live in denial, you're not what you think you are." Angel told him with a dangerous seriousness in his voice and in his eyes.
"Fuck you" Brad mouthed at him as they reached the rest of the team.
The coach started his speech. "All right guys! First of all, I've got good news. You guys remember Harry Crowe?"
"Yeah, he was in the team last year but he switched to football this year." Percy answered loud enough so that everyone could hear.
"But the thing is, he sucks at football, and the coach told him he'd better switch back. Which he did. He'll be back next week and will play at the game in two weeks." The coach continued. "That means we'll have only one replacement for the next game, but we'll have one, it's better that none, right? Now, the new one." He looked over at where Angel was standing, looking bored. "Angel Connelly, isn't it?" Angel nodded. "How do you play?"
"I think I know the rules." Angel answered coldly. He didn't like that guy. Jack, Hemery High's basketball team's coach, was a hell of a good coach, he missed him in situations like that. And every other of his previous team mates for that matter.
"Don't play the smart ass with me boy, you'll regret it." He smirked at Brad. "Anyway everyone, since Harry is gonna be there, I figured we wouldn't need Angel. He'll make an amazing replacement, I'm sure."
Most of the guys in the team, who remembered very well Angel's performance from a few weeks ago, were ready to protest, and Hogan spoke first. "But coach, you haven't seen him in action. You can't make that kind of decision without testing him!"
"Do you know why he joined the team?" The coach looked at Hogan and the others, except Angel with a sadistic grin. "I believe Principal Snyder made him do it. Because it was that or no team at all. NOT because he's any good. And as a coach of this team, I only want the best."
Everyone was silent for a moment, until Angel's chuckle broke the silence. "I am SO out of here." He mumbled with a bored mocking smile. As he started to walk away, he heard some other player asking the coach a question.
"Are you sure we'll be able to beat Hemery at the next game, coach? The have a big reputation." Angel stopped abruptly and walked right back to the others.
"You'll be playing Hemery High from LA?" He demanded with a frown.
"Yes. Why, afraid someone will get hurt, so you'll have to play and we'll actually see how bad you are?" Brad challenged him, making a couple of his best friends chuckle.
Angel smirked at him. "Oh, usually I would have just quit the team, I don't like being to guy who stays on the bench, but now...I wouldn't miss it for the world." With that cryptic comment, he left the group and walked back to the locker room with his worried girlfriend.
*****
"So you're not gonna do anything about it?" Buffy asked Angel incredulously. They were sitting at a table at the Expresso Pump and Angel had just finished telling Buffy the whole story.
"What do you want me to do? He doesn't want me to play, he's the coach. There's nothing I can do." He shrugged and sipped on his coffee.
"You can tell Snyder. He's the one who made you join the team in the first place. He had good reasons to think you should join, right?" She suggested, trying to help. He just glared at her. "What? You gotta stop being so anti- social with everyone at school!"
"Can you please drop the subject? I'm really not in the mood." Angel snapped at her suddenly.
She looked at him in surprise, and when she saw the anger in his eyes she looked down at her lap, trying not to look hurt. "Sorry."
Hearing her soft innocent voice reflecting hurt and sadness, Angel's anger melted instantly. He reached out and took her hand in his, bringing it to his lips and kissing it softly. "Excuse me baby, I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Well...maybe you can make it up to me." Buffy stated with a sweet smile.
"Do you think a kiss is gonna be enough?" He asked as he leaned forward over the table to reach her lips.
"Go ahead, I'll let you know." She replied seductively, and he kissed her sweetly, letting his lips linger on hers a little longer than necessary before pulling apart. He then looked at her expectantly, but she wore an expression of mock boredom.
"Nope, didn't work, I'm still mad at you." She exclaimed after a moment.
"Damn. Er...how about that?" He leaned forward once more and this time kissed her on the shoulder. He trailed soft kisses from her shoulder to her neck, delighted by her little moan of pleasure when he started nibbling at her earlobe. He cupped her face with one hand, reaching for her hand with his other hand, and his lips found their way back to her mouth in a passionate kiss.
When he sat back on his chair, without letting go of her hand, she couldn't help but grin. "That was better."
"I try." Angel stood up and walked around the table, standing behind Buffy. He lowered his head to her neck once more, licking and kissing the sensitive skin there. "What do you say we go back to my place and I show you what else I can do?" He suggested in a deep sexy voice that made Buffy tingle all over, just imagining what exactly he could be talking about.
"Oh god, I want so much" She murmured sadly, making him stop.
"What?"
"I..." She looked into his eyes, and felt guilty that she already had plans. But she was supposed to go over to Willow's with the guys and research on the net about Saint Vigious night, then she had to go patrol. "I've got plans with the gang... I can't go out with you tonight." *Another lie. Again. God, if he learns that I lied to him so often...*
"Come on Buff, I know your friends, and I don't think they hate me. Whatever it is you're doing I can come, right? I just want to spend time with you. I miss you like crazy when I'm alone at home." He pleaded with puppy dog eyes. She was crushed by what he told her about his feelings for her, and still she couldn't do anything about tonight. She stood up and hugged him tightly kissing his temple.
She decided to be honest...but she couldn't say much anyway. "I'm sorry sweetie, I've got...stuff to do that you wouldn't understand...it's too complicated to have you there. I want to spend as much time as I can with you too, I don't ever want to say goodbye to you but...I just don't have a choice."
"Ok. I understand, I won't ask anymore questions about it." *Hell yeah I understand, I would have said the exact same thing than she did if the situation had been inversed...of course, it's not like she had some dark secret like...well me.*
"I have to go meet Will and the others. Then I'll be home late, but I'll call you tomorrow, ok?"
"I have stuff to do anyway, so it's fine. Tomorrow I was supposed to work at the garage the whole afternoon, but we'll work something out." He assured her with one of his trade-mark half smile.
"You're the perfect boyfriend." She murmured as she kissed him on the lips. "Bye"
*Perfect...right, except the fact that I'm a half-vampire demon hunter and keep lying to you day after day. How perfect is that?* He thought sadly as he watched her go. *Oh well, at least I'll have time to go to the magic shop*
*********
Author: Valerie
E-mail: funbreath@msn.com
Disclaimer: they don't belong to me
Summary: AU Angel is new at Sunnydale High. He meets Buffy and the gang. They think he's just a regular kid. Not likely.
Timeline: during season 2 of BTVS...sorta. Let's just say that Buffy and the gang are in their Junior year in Sunnydale High.
Spoilers: as far as alternate universe goes...almost nothing. References on demons from BTVS and Angel from time to time, but that's about it
Rating: R
Distribution: You can take it but ask me first please.
Feedback: That's a big big big yes!!!!! It's my first fic, so please?
*********
23.
Buffy and Angel were walking hand in hand in the streets of Sunnydale, under the moonlight. There was a tension between them that made Buffy very uneasy. She couldn't bear it any longer, it was killing her. She wanted more than anything else to tell Angel that she was the slayer, but she was afraid he'd hate her for showing him the true face of the world. "Angel...I need to tell you something."
"What is it?" He asked gently, facing her.
"I...er...let's go to sit in the park, ok?" He nodded and they walked to the small park, and sat under a tree next to each other.
"Take your time my love."
"I didn't really tell you everything you need to know about me." She started hesitantly and looked into his eyes. He was looking at her, a confused expression on his face. "I'm not like everyone else...but no one can know about it. Only Willow, Xander, Oz, Cordy and Giles know about my secret. I've been meaning to tell you for a while, but...I was scared you would reject me."
"Tell me, it's ok."
"I'm...I'm a vampire slayer."
"A what?"
"A vampire slayer. The slayer. I fight vampires and demons. It's...complicated."
He frowned, confused. "What are you talking about Buffy?"
"Angel...I'm sorry I have to tell you about that, it'd be better if you didn't know about the truth, but if we want to have a future together, I can't keep lying to you. Vampires are real. And demons, witches...all that stuff is true."
"It's not funny Buffy, why are you telling me that?" He asked a little harshly.
"Please don't be mad, I'm not kidding, this is serious." She pleaded, taking his hands and staring into his eyes.
"You actually believe that? Vampires are myths. Legends. Stories made up to scare little kids."
"No, I swear Angel, I'm telling you the truth. They're real, and I fight them. I have...supernatural powers that make me able to kill them."
"You're crazy!" He spat at her, standing up, looking at her in disbelief.
"Look, I can show you I'm not lying. We can go to the cemetery, you'll see vampires there." She kept on, standing up also.
"I'm not going anywhere with you! There's obviously something wrong with you, and I don't go out with insane girls. Just forget about it ok?" He started to walk away, and panic rose in Buffy's body. It wasn't supposed to go on that way.
Suddenly, a vampire jumped right in front of Angel and shoved him aside, fangs out and growling. Buffy ran to them, stake in hand, and after a short fight with the vampire, she dusted him. After a beat, she looked over at where Angel was sitting, looking at her with anger and betrayal in his eyes.
"Did you really believe I had to know about that? What made you think I wanted to see that disgusting side of you?" He yelled at her.
"Angel, please calm down" She had tears in her eyes.
"You better not come anywhere near me. I want a normal girlfriend, not a freak like you!"
...not a freak like you...normal girlfriend...freak like you...freak, freak...normal...
Buffy's eyes shot open and she woke up from her nightmare. She was in her bed...nothing had happened. Angel didn't know...*Oh god, what am I gonna do? I can't tell him! If he finds out...he'll hate me...please no* With tears rolling down her cheeks because of the harshness of what Angel told her in her dream, she laid back in bed and waited for the sun to rise.
*****
While Buffy had been dreaming of telling Angel about her secret, he was discussing the same matter with Kristin, during their patrol in the cemetery.
"Do think she'd understand?" He asked his sister, fingering with his stake.
"Well...I think so. She's cool, and she loves you, I don't know why"
"WOW WOW WOW!! Hold it there! What did you say?"
"She's cool?"
"No, the loving me part." He told her, his eyes wide.
"Oh...right. So?"
"H-how...how do you...why do you say that? Did she tell you...something?"
"No, but I talked with Willow about it."
"B-but what makes you think she loves me?"
"Come on, it's obvious. One look at you and she's completely out in wonderland! She talks about you non stop when you're not there and when you are, she doesn't talk because her mouth is glued to yours. You guys talk on the phone for hours every night and from what I saw, you don't talk about the weather." She winked at him as she kept walking, and he followed her, confused.
"What did you actually see? And heard?"
"Er...I saw you laying on your bed, clad only in boxers, and obviously quite aroused by what you were talking about with her."
"I..."
"Where do you think it would have gone if I hadn't interrupted you?" She asked suspiciously.
"I don't know. I hadn't planned it...we just...you know...It didn't feel weird so neither of us stopped it."
"Then lemme give you a piece of advice. Have sex with her, but NOT by phone! Keep that for when you'll have been intimate for a while."
"Ok...why?"
"Because you may be experienced, but she's not" Kristin told him, raising an eyebrow at his question.
"I don't know about that."
"I'm telling you. She's a virgin. It's obvious and also she's only 16."
"So what? You're 15 and you already had sex. And I'm 18, and I've been having sex for years."
"Fine. Talk about it with her. You'll see." She smiled sweetly at him and sighed. *I can't believe I'm giving him advice for his love life! How many times did that happen in the past? Close to never? He never needed me before...why is it that he's so scared of his relationship with Buffy?* "Angel, I know I shouldn't ask you that, but...do you love Buffy?"
Angel stared at his sister for a long time, without saying anything. She regretted asking him that, because she recognized that look of pain in his eyes. She had seen him that way after Julie got killed, and after Steven got killed. Even though that night it wasn't as intense as it had been before, that look scared her, because she knew her brother could make stupid decisions when he was hurting.
Eventually, he broke the silence. "No. I don't love her. I can't. I won't. Never."
She knew perfectly well she shouldn't ask that..."why not?"
"Because I don't want her to die." Without much more than a second, he was on his way out of the cemetery to go home.
*****
"Hi man!" Hogan greeted Angel the next day. He and Percy were walking towards the locker room when they spotted Angel.
"Hey." He nodded to the two of them.
"I'd like to warn you man, the coach is back. And he's gonna be hyper, 'cause the game is in two weeks. My advice? Come to practice. Every time. Especially on Wednesday and Saturday."
"Yeah, well I won't." Angel told them simply, shrugging.
"Why?"
"I've got stuff to do."
"You're a dead man." Percy made a face, and they reached the changing room.
A little later, they arrived on the court with the others. The coach was already there, and also Brad. When Angel spotted him, he clenched his teeth to control his anger. What was HE doing talking with his girlfriend? Buffy was sitting on the benches next to the court, and Brad was standing in front of her, touching her on the shoulder, on the arm.
"What the fuck is that bastard doing with my girl?" He almost growled, but he kept control and didn't slip into vamp face. He really didn't like that guy.
"Hitting on her." A guy called Pete told him.
"Yeah, he's been all over her for the past 10 minutes." An other one added with a smirk as Angel was walking towards Buffy and Brad.
"I'm not interested Brad." Buffy told him once more, trying to get him to stop bothering her.
"Come on honey, you're so hot, I can't stay away from you."
"Just stop, ok? In case you didn't get it, I'm with Angel."
"That fucking loser will dump you as soon as he gets between your thighs. You need someone good looking, sweet, popular at school."
"And that dream guy would be YOU, right?" She spat at him with disgust.
"You want someone who's gonna make you" Brad started seductively, only to be interrupted by Buffy's pissed boyfriend behind him.
"Who's gonna make you what?" He asked menacingly to catch their attention.
"Angel!" Buffy exclaimed with a smile. She stood up, brushed past Brad and took refuge in Angel's strong arms encircling her small waist.
"Hi" He greeted her with a quick kiss.
"I'm so glad you arrived. Couldn't take it anymore." She whispered as she pressed her face against his chest, seeking comfort.
"Do you want me to kick his ass?" He whispered back and kissed the top of her head.
"No thanks, I'm ok. Just hold me." Angel glared angrily at Brad, who was fuming inside.
"Yo! Brad and the new guy! Come over here!" The coach yelled suddenly.
"I'll see you after baby."
"I'll wait here." They kissed briefly, then Buffy sat back and watched her boyfriend cross the court with Brad.
"If you think I'm afraid of you, you're dead wrong." Brad muttered under his breath.
"If you say so." Angel answered him in a way that showed he didn't believe him at all.
"I have popularity. I have power at school and in the team. You're nothing for them. If I want to, I can make your life miserable. Nobody cares for what happens to a loser like you. You'll see."
"Unless I'm wrong, not everyone knows who you are. Not the ones who don't give a damn about basketball. You're not the captain of the team, that would be Hogan. You're not dating the most popular girl at school and head cheerleader. Remember? Cordy hates you, and she's my friend, not yours. And also, last time I checked...you weren't dating the hottest chick around, Buffy's my girl, and you better stop bothering her. Don't live in denial, you're not what you think you are." Angel told him with a dangerous seriousness in his voice and in his eyes.
"Fuck you" Brad mouthed at him as they reached the rest of the team.
The coach started his speech. "All right guys! First of all, I've got good news. You guys remember Harry Crowe?"
"Yeah, he was in the team last year but he switched to football this year." Percy answered loud enough so that everyone could hear.
"But the thing is, he sucks at football, and the coach told him he'd better switch back. Which he did. He'll be back next week and will play at the game in two weeks." The coach continued. "That means we'll have only one replacement for the next game, but we'll have one, it's better that none, right? Now, the new one." He looked over at where Angel was standing, looking bored. "Angel Connelly, isn't it?" Angel nodded. "How do you play?"
"I think I know the rules." Angel answered coldly. He didn't like that guy. Jack, Hemery High's basketball team's coach, was a hell of a good coach, he missed him in situations like that. And every other of his previous team mates for that matter.
"Don't play the smart ass with me boy, you'll regret it." He smirked at Brad. "Anyway everyone, since Harry is gonna be there, I figured we wouldn't need Angel. He'll make an amazing replacement, I'm sure."
Most of the guys in the team, who remembered very well Angel's performance from a few weeks ago, were ready to protest, and Hogan spoke first. "But coach, you haven't seen him in action. You can't make that kind of decision without testing him!"
"Do you know why he joined the team?" The coach looked at Hogan and the others, except Angel with a sadistic grin. "I believe Principal Snyder made him do it. Because it was that or no team at all. NOT because he's any good. And as a coach of this team, I only want the best."
Everyone was silent for a moment, until Angel's chuckle broke the silence. "I am SO out of here." He mumbled with a bored mocking smile. As he started to walk away, he heard some other player asking the coach a question.
"Are you sure we'll be able to beat Hemery at the next game, coach? The have a big reputation." Angel stopped abruptly and walked right back to the others.
"You'll be playing Hemery High from LA?" He demanded with a frown.
"Yes. Why, afraid someone will get hurt, so you'll have to play and we'll actually see how bad you are?" Brad challenged him, making a couple of his best friends chuckle.
Angel smirked at him. "Oh, usually I would have just quit the team, I don't like being to guy who stays on the bench, but now...I wouldn't miss it for the world." With that cryptic comment, he left the group and walked back to the locker room with his worried girlfriend.
*****
"So you're not gonna do anything about it?" Buffy asked Angel incredulously. They were sitting at a table at the Expresso Pump and Angel had just finished telling Buffy the whole story.
"What do you want me to do? He doesn't want me to play, he's the coach. There's nothing I can do." He shrugged and sipped on his coffee.
"You can tell Snyder. He's the one who made you join the team in the first place. He had good reasons to think you should join, right?" She suggested, trying to help. He just glared at her. "What? You gotta stop being so anti- social with everyone at school!"
"Can you please drop the subject? I'm really not in the mood." Angel snapped at her suddenly.
She looked at him in surprise, and when she saw the anger in his eyes she looked down at her lap, trying not to look hurt. "Sorry."
Hearing her soft innocent voice reflecting hurt and sadness, Angel's anger melted instantly. He reached out and took her hand in his, bringing it to his lips and kissing it softly. "Excuse me baby, I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Well...maybe you can make it up to me." Buffy stated with a sweet smile.
"Do you think a kiss is gonna be enough?" He asked as he leaned forward over the table to reach her lips.
"Go ahead, I'll let you know." She replied seductively, and he kissed her sweetly, letting his lips linger on hers a little longer than necessary before pulling apart. He then looked at her expectantly, but she wore an expression of mock boredom.
"Nope, didn't work, I'm still mad at you." She exclaimed after a moment.
"Damn. Er...how about that?" He leaned forward once more and this time kissed her on the shoulder. He trailed soft kisses from her shoulder to her neck, delighted by her little moan of pleasure when he started nibbling at her earlobe. He cupped her face with one hand, reaching for her hand with his other hand, and his lips found their way back to her mouth in a passionate kiss.
When he sat back on his chair, without letting go of her hand, she couldn't help but grin. "That was better."
"I try." Angel stood up and walked around the table, standing behind Buffy. He lowered his head to her neck once more, licking and kissing the sensitive skin there. "What do you say we go back to my place and I show you what else I can do?" He suggested in a deep sexy voice that made Buffy tingle all over, just imagining what exactly he could be talking about.
"Oh god, I want so much" She murmured sadly, making him stop.
"What?"
"I..." She looked into his eyes, and felt guilty that she already had plans. But she was supposed to go over to Willow's with the guys and research on the net about Saint Vigious night, then she had to go patrol. "I've got plans with the gang... I can't go out with you tonight." *Another lie. Again. God, if he learns that I lied to him so often...*
"Come on Buff, I know your friends, and I don't think they hate me. Whatever it is you're doing I can come, right? I just want to spend time with you. I miss you like crazy when I'm alone at home." He pleaded with puppy dog eyes. She was crushed by what he told her about his feelings for her, and still she couldn't do anything about tonight. She stood up and hugged him tightly kissing his temple.
She decided to be honest...but she couldn't say much anyway. "I'm sorry sweetie, I've got...stuff to do that you wouldn't understand...it's too complicated to have you there. I want to spend as much time as I can with you too, I don't ever want to say goodbye to you but...I just don't have a choice."
"Ok. I understand, I won't ask anymore questions about it." *Hell yeah I understand, I would have said the exact same thing than she did if the situation had been inversed...of course, it's not like she had some dark secret like...well me.*
"I have to go meet Will and the others. Then I'll be home late, but I'll call you tomorrow, ok?"
"I have stuff to do anyway, so it's fine. Tomorrow I was supposed to work at the garage the whole afternoon, but we'll work something out." He assured her with one of his trade-mark half smile.
"You're the perfect boyfriend." She murmured as she kissed him on the lips. "Bye"
*Perfect...right, except the fact that I'm a half-vampire demon hunter and keep lying to you day after day. How perfect is that?* He thought sadly as he watched her go. *Oh well, at least I'll have time to go to the magic shop*
*********