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?
********* 34.
"Goodie, you got donuts!" Buffy exclaimed as she came in the kitchen.
"I knew you liked that." Angel stated as he handed one to her.
"Thank you" She replied sweetly before slipping her arms around his waist and kissing him. When they pulled away, Buffy sat down on the counter, facing Spike and Faith who were feeding each other with muffins. "So did you guys came together?"
"Yeah, but my man was hungry so he left me here and left to get food." Faith answered, licking off a bit of chocolate from her finger.
"I ran into Spike at the store" Angel added. He slipped his arms around Buffy's waist, holding her back against his chest, standing behind where she was sitting on the counter. He pressed a kiss behind Buffy's ear, making her giggle, and she fed him with a bit of donut.
"So, tell me again what's the plan for today." Buffy asked her boyfriend, who was nuzzling her neck absently.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you. Spike found a way to stop the ritual."
Spike and Faith looked up in surprise. "She knows?" They asked at the same time incredulously.
"Yeah, Buffy's the slayer" Angel nodded, with a smile as he kissed Buffy on the cheek.
"Aren't you all proud now to introduce me to your friends" Buffy teased him.
"I have a good reason to be proud. How many guys can brag that they're dating the slayer?"
"True" They smiled at each other before exchanging a deep long kiss. Until they were interrupted by Spike.
"What's a slayer?"
"She's like me" Angel answered simply, threading his fingers in her blonde hair.
"Oh, she's a v-" Faith started but stopped when she saw Angel's panicked look and the gestures he made behind Buffy to tell her not to say any more. "a warrior, too?"
"Kinda yeah" The slayer nodded, without noticing Angel's sigh of relief. "So what did you guys find?"
"A spell on an amulet. We need to find the amulet of Kishfar." Faith replied, but her eyes were on Angel, clearly showing her disapproval of his situation.
"Alright, I'll go to the library, meet the others and we'll start researching." She informed Angel as she jumped down the counter.
"I've got to go work at the magic shop for a couple hours. We'll meet you guys at school later."
"That's a plan" She agreed with a grin
"See you later sweetie" He murmured before kissing her and walking her to the door.
"Bye" They kissed some more and after a few minutes she was gone.
"He's bloody whipped." Spike stated when Angel closed the door.
"Got that right buddy." Faith nodded, watching Angel closely.
"What can I say?" He smiled at them and took a deep breath. He was gonna say it aloud for the first time. "I'm in love."
*****
"Angel, would you mind closing the shop after work? I need to go to Los Angeles right away." Mr Schreiber instructed his employee as he put on his coat.
"Sure thing boss." The dark haired boy replied, not looking up from the inventory he was doing of all the amulets he had found around the shop and in the basement.
"It was nice meeting the two of you" Mr Schreiber added, smiling politely at Faith and Spike.
"Same here sir!" Faith grinned as she played with the amulets Angel had already discarded.
"You know Peaches, I'm thinking you made a bloody good deal when you decided to work here" Spike commented once the owner of the magic shop was gone.
"Yeah, it helps a lot with the research, and Schreiber's not a curious guy, so it's all good." Angel agreed with a smile, then let out a big frustrated sigh. "It's not here. Do we know how many copies exist?"
"Six, mate. Six. Which by my standards...is not a lot. I mean, we're talking 6 in the whole wide world."
"I'll check the computer" Angel mumbled as he rolled his chair to the other side of the counter to reach the computer.
"So, while you're doing your computer thing here, how about we go back to the subject you smoothly changed after you dropped that little bomb shell on us." Faith suddenly reminded him of their earlier conversation.
Trying to focus on his search on the net and not the face that popped up in his mind hearing Faith's words, Angel shrugged. "How about not?"
"How 'bout yes?"
"How 'bout not?"
"How 'bout yes?"
"How 'b-"
"BLOODY HELL PEOPLE!!!" A British accented voice made them stop their game.
"I just wanna be sure if I wasn't dreaming. He said he was in love goddamnit!" Faith defended herself, glaring at Angel, who acted as if nothing happened.
"I heard what the bloke said, but he obviously doesn't want to say more, ok? Just back off Faith!" Spike spat at his girlfriend and moved so that he was sitting next to Faith and in front of Angel. "So pet," He said softly, leaning over Angel. "How's Blondie in bed?"
"Spike! We're talking about LOVE here!" Faith exclaimed, offended. Then she looked at Angel and murmured casually "She did look like the good cock- sucker type."
Angel just glared at them and shook his head. "We don't have time for this."
"Fine, what did you find?" Faith relented, not without sharing a smile with Spike. There was no way they were gonna drop the subject forever.
"The amulets were created by some monk guy around the 15th century, to stop the massacres of Saint Vigious Night. He made six of them, that he gave to six of his pals to go around the countries and do their saving-the-day job. Two of the six were lost in the 17th and 19th century, no one knows where they are. One of them was sold and is currently on the art market, and I won't even say the price because that would just make me sick. An other one is owned by some Italian dude. The two others, I'm not sure. I'm thinking one is currently exposed at a museum in LA, the description kinda fitted what we're looking for."
"But it's in a museum" Faith repeated with a sigh.
"Not anymore it's not." A familiar voice was suddenly heard, and they all turned around to see four of their friends standing in the doorway on the shop. "Angel man, you're one lucky dude we're here to help your sorry ass, ya know?"
"Jeez Gunn, did you break into that museum?" Angel replied with a teasing grin.
"Wasn't hard, my girl helped us out. She works there." The Afro-American boy answered, hugging his girlfriend with a proud grin, which made her blush slightly.
"It's really not that big a deal, as long as we get the amulet back when we're done, we" Fred started rambling about laws and shame and order, only to be stopped by a quick kiss by Gunn.
"Guys, I'm so glad you came." Angel told them truthfully, hugging them one by one.
"Ya well, we'd have let you get killed any day, but we were bored, so..." Penn trailed off, earning a slap on the chest by his girlfriend Carrie.
"Shut up dumbass" Carrie rolled her eyes and went to hug Angel. "You know we're always here if you need us Angel"
"That'd be a good thing cos I need you now." Angel winked at the petite girl in his arms and went back to the books they had found that mentioned to ritual.
"Here's the amulet bro" Gunn handed it to his friends who thanked him, then started examining the object.
*****
As they got back to the library from Willow's house where they'd eaten lunch, Buffy and Willow were talking about Angel and his reaction about the slayer thing. "He was the sweetest sweetie of all the sweetness in the sweet world of sweeties." Buffy murmured with a happy sigh and a dreamy look in her eyes.
"Oh, I didn't get it, what did you say he was? Sweet, right?" The red-head teased her best friend.
"Sorry Will, I get a little carried away whenever I think about him. He called me HIS SLAYER!!"
"Yay, that's so cute!!" Willow giggled, Buffy's good mood was obviously contagious.
"I know, and then this morning...god I thought I was gonna die of embarrassment."
Willow raised a surprised eyebrow. "Why?"
"Well, I kinda...saw him...clothes-less" Buffy admitted, still blushing by saying the words.
"Really? Did you walk on him in the shower or something? How is he? Is he...you know...big?"
"WILLOW!!" The slayer cried out in shock. "I can't believe you just asked me the size of my boyfriend's... ...thing."
"Just curious" Willow mumbled under her breath. "Is he?" Buffy glared at her playfully before giggling uncontrollably
"I dunno, I only saw his butt. He thought I was still asleep and he started changing clothes and I saw his backside. All of it."
"And?" Willow pressed the question, grinning from ear to ear.
"First thought that crossed my mind? 'Don't go over there and bite his ass' " She paused for a second as Willow burst into a fit of giggles. "I mean he's like a Greek god or something! His body is so freakin' perfect, I can't think correctly whenever he's not wearing at least three sweaters and two pairs of pants and a huge coat. Which is NEVER!"
"What did he do afterwards? Did he see you checking him out?"
"Yeah, and he was so nice and all...I was deadly embarrassed and he just laid down on the bed with me and told me that if I wanted to see him I could, that he wouldn't mind." They had entered the library, which was empty of any of their friends, and they resumed their conversation sitting around the table.
"Would you ask him?" Willow asked with a frown. She just couldn't picture herself asking Oz to take off his clothes so that she could see him naked.
"Maybe. It's not like he'd feel uncomfortable. He already had sex a lot and I'm sure he didn't mind the girls watching his naked body. But even though I know he'd be really nice and all, I can't help feeling embarrassed. I mean we're talking about making a pretty big step forward, and I don't know how I feel about moving forward, even though I'm convinced it's better than moving backwards because I don't want to lose what we have and" She stopped in mid-sentence, when she noticed the amused look on Willow's face. "I was babbling, right?"
"Hmm hmm" Willow nodded.
"Ugh! I don't know what to do! I like him so much and I want him so badly! Plus, I know he wants me too. He told me he wanted to have sex with me and he also said he would wait and all...but god he must be so frustrated around me. I'm not sure I'm really comfortable about that. What if he's sick of the situation before I'm ready to sleep with him and he leaves? Or worse, he could cheat on me or something! Faith talked about" Then she remembered that Willow didn't know Faith, so she clarified what she was saying "She's one of Angel's New Yorker friends. I met her this morning. Angel didn't tell them about me, and she assumed I was Angel's fuck buddy or something. She sounded like it was common knowledge that Angel had friends like that, so what if he hooks up with one of them to have sex...a part of me think that he'd never do that to me because he never gave me any reason to doubt his faithfulness and stuff, but then maybe he doesn't have the same conception of love, and he just consider sex a hobby..." Buffy groaned loudly, her own speech pissed her off. "Maybe I should tell him I'm ready and have sex with him."
"Don't do that"
Both girls turned around, to see Jenny walking toward them. "Jenny, I didn't see you here..." Buffy murmured sheepishly.
"Well, I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your conversation, but I just couldn't help but overhear." The computer teacher went to sit next to the girls and looked at Buffy seriously. "Don't do something stupid Buffy. It's not my place to tell you this, but I'm gonna say it nonetheless. Don't give him your virginity because you think he would leave you. If he does leave you because you weren't ready, then he's a jackass and he's not worth staying with you."
"I agree with her Buffy." Willow added with a smile.
"But he looks so sad when I don't let him go too far." Buffy almost whined, without knowing who she was trying to convince. Them or her?
"Did he ever in any way make you think he wouldn't wait for you to be ready?" Jenny asked
"No"
"I thought so. Look, I don't know him very well, but I know that he's a great guy. He's had many problems in his life that made him shy away from other people and tend to rebel against authority, but that doesn't mean he can't be sweet and understanding, you know that. He shows that side of himself when you're around, and it's clear to me he cares too much about you to lose you over sex. Try to believe in him."
"Try to believe in who?" Cordelia asked as she entered the library.
"No one" Buffy replied, while Willow blurted "Angel" The slayer rolled her eyes, knowing Cordelia would press the issue.
"What's wrong with Angel?" The brunette asked.
"Nothing, nothing's wrong. I just need to talk to him about something." Buffy answered with a big sigh.
"So it's a sexual problem, huh?" All three girls looked at Cordelia. "What? Just because I'm dating XANDER doesn't mean I'm still a virgin! Jeez, I know when someone's talking about sex, thank you very much!" She acted offended, but was actually glad of their surprise. At least they didn't think she was a slut. Which she wasn't, she just had sex a few times with her previous boyfriend.
"Sort of," Buffy nodded sheepishly.
"Then just talk about it with him. He's not the kind to be easily scared off by any conversation that revolves around sex."
"And how would you know that Cordelia?" Jenny asked, raising an eyebrow.
"He's my lab partner, we talk." Cordy shrugged innocently, creating a little ache in Buffy's stomach that she recognized as jealousy. It was just too easy for Cordelia to talk with men. URGH.
*****
"So, where's your boyfriend Buffy?" Giles asked Buffy, and she heard the bitter tone he had meant to hide. Didn't work...
"He said he would come soon." The slayer replied lamely, burying her face in a book. They had been researching the amulet and ritual for 2 hours and Angel had yet to make an appearance.
"Then we should stop researching and start your training Buffy. You will need to face those vampires tonight." The watcher stated as he closed the book he was reading.
"But what about the ritual?" Willow asked, exchanging a worried glance with Buffy.
"I highly doubt it even exists, and also this amulet. We don't know if we can trust Angel, and I won't waste time researching something that doesn't exist." Giles lectured the whole group, not just Buffy.
"You mean something like this?" A voice came behind Giles, and when he turned around he jumped in surprise, seeing Angel just behind him, holding a round object in his hand. Behind him, stood several other teens, completely unfamiliar to Giles.
"What is it?" Cordelia asked curiously.
"Looks old." Oz stated
"Yeah, well it was made over 600 years ago, so that's a pretty good guess." Angel nodded as he started throwing the amulet in the air and catching it back in his hand.
"Stop it!!" Fred rushed toward him and took the object in her hand while it was in the air. "I told you it was extremely fragile and old and precious and expensive! I'm gonna need to take it back and I can't take it back if it's broken!"
"It's not like I was gonna drop it." Angel mumbled, saddened by the loss of his new toy.
"Bad!" She pointed at him, as if she talked to a child.
"Fine" He relented, and sat next to Buffy after she gave him back the amulet.
"Angel, how about you stop being rude and introduce everyone?" Carrie replied from where she was standing in the arms of Penn.
"Guys, this is Fred, Carrie, Gunn and Penn" Angel started, pointing to each of them "and those two are Faith and Spike."
"Faith and Spike? What kind of names are those?" Xander muttered under his breath, although everyone heard him.
"If you were half as hot as Spikey here, I might acknowledge you. Right now, you'll just be the moron. How's that for a name?" Faith smirked at Xander and winked at Angel who was slightly chuckling, and also at the brunette sitting next to the boy, who was trying to suppress her laughter.
"Anyway, this is Cordelia, Willow, Oz, Xander, Geeves"
"Giles" the watcher corrected him automatically.
"Whatever" Angel shrugged and pointed at the next person. "This is Jenny and here's Buffy"
"So that's the girl, huh?" Carrie remarked as she smiled friendlily at Angel.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Faith exclaimed, looking at her friend oddly.
"Means girlfriend" Penn clarified, gaining a glare from the brunette.
"You guys knew?" Spike was confused. He exchanged a glance with his girlfriend, and then they looked over at Angel, who was acting innocent but he was nervous.
"I can't believe THEY knew!!!!" Faith almost yelled, stepping in front of Angel. "Why would you tell them and not me? Not US?"
"I...they...asked me?" Angel answered with a sheepish smile.
"They asked you my ASS! Why didn't you tell us?"
"I don't know! It's not a big deal"
"Not a big deal?" Faith snapped in disbelief. "Are you fucking kidding me? The guy who had so many different lovers that I couldn't even keep count has a GIRLFRIEND?? For fuck's sake Angel, you're in l-"
"FAITH!!" Angel cried out, glaring at his friend. He didn't want Buffy to learn about his feelings that way.
"Sorry, but I still don't understand. Why are you doing this to yourself? You know you'll only end up being hurt."
"Pet, let the bloke deal with his own crap. If he suddenly decided monogamy was his thing, let him be." Spike exclaimed, patting Angel on the shoulder as a mock 'your welcome' to the 'thanks' Angel didn't say and wouldn't say.
Turning his attention back to the amulet in his hands, Angel didn't see the confusion in Buffy's eyes, and when he looked at her in the eyes, it was gone. "I'm not sure I'll be able to perform the ritual, it seems pretty complicated and I'm not too good with magic. Would anyone of you guys know that stuff?"
*********
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?
********* 34.
"Goodie, you got donuts!" Buffy exclaimed as she came in the kitchen.
"I knew you liked that." Angel stated as he handed one to her.
"Thank you" She replied sweetly before slipping her arms around his waist and kissing him. When they pulled away, Buffy sat down on the counter, facing Spike and Faith who were feeding each other with muffins. "So did you guys came together?"
"Yeah, but my man was hungry so he left me here and left to get food." Faith answered, licking off a bit of chocolate from her finger.
"I ran into Spike at the store" Angel added. He slipped his arms around Buffy's waist, holding her back against his chest, standing behind where she was sitting on the counter. He pressed a kiss behind Buffy's ear, making her giggle, and she fed him with a bit of donut.
"So, tell me again what's the plan for today." Buffy asked her boyfriend, who was nuzzling her neck absently.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you. Spike found a way to stop the ritual."
Spike and Faith looked up in surprise. "She knows?" They asked at the same time incredulously.
"Yeah, Buffy's the slayer" Angel nodded, with a smile as he kissed Buffy on the cheek.
"Aren't you all proud now to introduce me to your friends" Buffy teased him.
"I have a good reason to be proud. How many guys can brag that they're dating the slayer?"
"True" They smiled at each other before exchanging a deep long kiss. Until they were interrupted by Spike.
"What's a slayer?"
"She's like me" Angel answered simply, threading his fingers in her blonde hair.
"Oh, she's a v-" Faith started but stopped when she saw Angel's panicked look and the gestures he made behind Buffy to tell her not to say any more. "a warrior, too?"
"Kinda yeah" The slayer nodded, without noticing Angel's sigh of relief. "So what did you guys find?"
"A spell on an amulet. We need to find the amulet of Kishfar." Faith replied, but her eyes were on Angel, clearly showing her disapproval of his situation.
"Alright, I'll go to the library, meet the others and we'll start researching." She informed Angel as she jumped down the counter.
"I've got to go work at the magic shop for a couple hours. We'll meet you guys at school later."
"That's a plan" She agreed with a grin
"See you later sweetie" He murmured before kissing her and walking her to the door.
"Bye" They kissed some more and after a few minutes she was gone.
"He's bloody whipped." Spike stated when Angel closed the door.
"Got that right buddy." Faith nodded, watching Angel closely.
"What can I say?" He smiled at them and took a deep breath. He was gonna say it aloud for the first time. "I'm in love."
*****
"Angel, would you mind closing the shop after work? I need to go to Los Angeles right away." Mr Schreiber instructed his employee as he put on his coat.
"Sure thing boss." The dark haired boy replied, not looking up from the inventory he was doing of all the amulets he had found around the shop and in the basement.
"It was nice meeting the two of you" Mr Schreiber added, smiling politely at Faith and Spike.
"Same here sir!" Faith grinned as she played with the amulets Angel had already discarded.
"You know Peaches, I'm thinking you made a bloody good deal when you decided to work here" Spike commented once the owner of the magic shop was gone.
"Yeah, it helps a lot with the research, and Schreiber's not a curious guy, so it's all good." Angel agreed with a smile, then let out a big frustrated sigh. "It's not here. Do we know how many copies exist?"
"Six, mate. Six. Which by my standards...is not a lot. I mean, we're talking 6 in the whole wide world."
"I'll check the computer" Angel mumbled as he rolled his chair to the other side of the counter to reach the computer.
"So, while you're doing your computer thing here, how about we go back to the subject you smoothly changed after you dropped that little bomb shell on us." Faith suddenly reminded him of their earlier conversation.
Trying to focus on his search on the net and not the face that popped up in his mind hearing Faith's words, Angel shrugged. "How about not?"
"How 'bout yes?"
"How 'bout not?"
"How 'bout yes?"
"How 'b-"
"BLOODY HELL PEOPLE!!!" A British accented voice made them stop their game.
"I just wanna be sure if I wasn't dreaming. He said he was in love goddamnit!" Faith defended herself, glaring at Angel, who acted as if nothing happened.
"I heard what the bloke said, but he obviously doesn't want to say more, ok? Just back off Faith!" Spike spat at his girlfriend and moved so that he was sitting next to Faith and in front of Angel. "So pet," He said softly, leaning over Angel. "How's Blondie in bed?"
"Spike! We're talking about LOVE here!" Faith exclaimed, offended. Then she looked at Angel and murmured casually "She did look like the good cock- sucker type."
Angel just glared at them and shook his head. "We don't have time for this."
"Fine, what did you find?" Faith relented, not without sharing a smile with Spike. There was no way they were gonna drop the subject forever.
"The amulets were created by some monk guy around the 15th century, to stop the massacres of Saint Vigious Night. He made six of them, that he gave to six of his pals to go around the countries and do their saving-the-day job. Two of the six were lost in the 17th and 19th century, no one knows where they are. One of them was sold and is currently on the art market, and I won't even say the price because that would just make me sick. An other one is owned by some Italian dude. The two others, I'm not sure. I'm thinking one is currently exposed at a museum in LA, the description kinda fitted what we're looking for."
"But it's in a museum" Faith repeated with a sigh.
"Not anymore it's not." A familiar voice was suddenly heard, and they all turned around to see four of their friends standing in the doorway on the shop. "Angel man, you're one lucky dude we're here to help your sorry ass, ya know?"
"Jeez Gunn, did you break into that museum?" Angel replied with a teasing grin.
"Wasn't hard, my girl helped us out. She works there." The Afro-American boy answered, hugging his girlfriend with a proud grin, which made her blush slightly.
"It's really not that big a deal, as long as we get the amulet back when we're done, we" Fred started rambling about laws and shame and order, only to be stopped by a quick kiss by Gunn.
"Guys, I'm so glad you came." Angel told them truthfully, hugging them one by one.
"Ya well, we'd have let you get killed any day, but we were bored, so..." Penn trailed off, earning a slap on the chest by his girlfriend Carrie.
"Shut up dumbass" Carrie rolled her eyes and went to hug Angel. "You know we're always here if you need us Angel"
"That'd be a good thing cos I need you now." Angel winked at the petite girl in his arms and went back to the books they had found that mentioned to ritual.
"Here's the amulet bro" Gunn handed it to his friends who thanked him, then started examining the object.
*****
As they got back to the library from Willow's house where they'd eaten lunch, Buffy and Willow were talking about Angel and his reaction about the slayer thing. "He was the sweetest sweetie of all the sweetness in the sweet world of sweeties." Buffy murmured with a happy sigh and a dreamy look in her eyes.
"Oh, I didn't get it, what did you say he was? Sweet, right?" The red-head teased her best friend.
"Sorry Will, I get a little carried away whenever I think about him. He called me HIS SLAYER!!"
"Yay, that's so cute!!" Willow giggled, Buffy's good mood was obviously contagious.
"I know, and then this morning...god I thought I was gonna die of embarrassment."
Willow raised a surprised eyebrow. "Why?"
"Well, I kinda...saw him...clothes-less" Buffy admitted, still blushing by saying the words.
"Really? Did you walk on him in the shower or something? How is he? Is he...you know...big?"
"WILLOW!!" The slayer cried out in shock. "I can't believe you just asked me the size of my boyfriend's... ...thing."
"Just curious" Willow mumbled under her breath. "Is he?" Buffy glared at her playfully before giggling uncontrollably
"I dunno, I only saw his butt. He thought I was still asleep and he started changing clothes and I saw his backside. All of it."
"And?" Willow pressed the question, grinning from ear to ear.
"First thought that crossed my mind? 'Don't go over there and bite his ass' " She paused for a second as Willow burst into a fit of giggles. "I mean he's like a Greek god or something! His body is so freakin' perfect, I can't think correctly whenever he's not wearing at least three sweaters and two pairs of pants and a huge coat. Which is NEVER!"
"What did he do afterwards? Did he see you checking him out?"
"Yeah, and he was so nice and all...I was deadly embarrassed and he just laid down on the bed with me and told me that if I wanted to see him I could, that he wouldn't mind." They had entered the library, which was empty of any of their friends, and they resumed their conversation sitting around the table.
"Would you ask him?" Willow asked with a frown. She just couldn't picture herself asking Oz to take off his clothes so that she could see him naked.
"Maybe. It's not like he'd feel uncomfortable. He already had sex a lot and I'm sure he didn't mind the girls watching his naked body. But even though I know he'd be really nice and all, I can't help feeling embarrassed. I mean we're talking about making a pretty big step forward, and I don't know how I feel about moving forward, even though I'm convinced it's better than moving backwards because I don't want to lose what we have and" She stopped in mid-sentence, when she noticed the amused look on Willow's face. "I was babbling, right?"
"Hmm hmm" Willow nodded.
"Ugh! I don't know what to do! I like him so much and I want him so badly! Plus, I know he wants me too. He told me he wanted to have sex with me and he also said he would wait and all...but god he must be so frustrated around me. I'm not sure I'm really comfortable about that. What if he's sick of the situation before I'm ready to sleep with him and he leaves? Or worse, he could cheat on me or something! Faith talked about" Then she remembered that Willow didn't know Faith, so she clarified what she was saying "She's one of Angel's New Yorker friends. I met her this morning. Angel didn't tell them about me, and she assumed I was Angel's fuck buddy or something. She sounded like it was common knowledge that Angel had friends like that, so what if he hooks up with one of them to have sex...a part of me think that he'd never do that to me because he never gave me any reason to doubt his faithfulness and stuff, but then maybe he doesn't have the same conception of love, and he just consider sex a hobby..." Buffy groaned loudly, her own speech pissed her off. "Maybe I should tell him I'm ready and have sex with him."
"Don't do that"
Both girls turned around, to see Jenny walking toward them. "Jenny, I didn't see you here..." Buffy murmured sheepishly.
"Well, I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your conversation, but I just couldn't help but overhear." The computer teacher went to sit next to the girls and looked at Buffy seriously. "Don't do something stupid Buffy. It's not my place to tell you this, but I'm gonna say it nonetheless. Don't give him your virginity because you think he would leave you. If he does leave you because you weren't ready, then he's a jackass and he's not worth staying with you."
"I agree with her Buffy." Willow added with a smile.
"But he looks so sad when I don't let him go too far." Buffy almost whined, without knowing who she was trying to convince. Them or her?
"Did he ever in any way make you think he wouldn't wait for you to be ready?" Jenny asked
"No"
"I thought so. Look, I don't know him very well, but I know that he's a great guy. He's had many problems in his life that made him shy away from other people and tend to rebel against authority, but that doesn't mean he can't be sweet and understanding, you know that. He shows that side of himself when you're around, and it's clear to me he cares too much about you to lose you over sex. Try to believe in him."
"Try to believe in who?" Cordelia asked as she entered the library.
"No one" Buffy replied, while Willow blurted "Angel" The slayer rolled her eyes, knowing Cordelia would press the issue.
"What's wrong with Angel?" The brunette asked.
"Nothing, nothing's wrong. I just need to talk to him about something." Buffy answered with a big sigh.
"So it's a sexual problem, huh?" All three girls looked at Cordelia. "What? Just because I'm dating XANDER doesn't mean I'm still a virgin! Jeez, I know when someone's talking about sex, thank you very much!" She acted offended, but was actually glad of their surprise. At least they didn't think she was a slut. Which she wasn't, she just had sex a few times with her previous boyfriend.
"Sort of," Buffy nodded sheepishly.
"Then just talk about it with him. He's not the kind to be easily scared off by any conversation that revolves around sex."
"And how would you know that Cordelia?" Jenny asked, raising an eyebrow.
"He's my lab partner, we talk." Cordy shrugged innocently, creating a little ache in Buffy's stomach that she recognized as jealousy. It was just too easy for Cordelia to talk with men. URGH.
*****
"So, where's your boyfriend Buffy?" Giles asked Buffy, and she heard the bitter tone he had meant to hide. Didn't work...
"He said he would come soon." The slayer replied lamely, burying her face in a book. They had been researching the amulet and ritual for 2 hours and Angel had yet to make an appearance.
"Then we should stop researching and start your training Buffy. You will need to face those vampires tonight." The watcher stated as he closed the book he was reading.
"But what about the ritual?" Willow asked, exchanging a worried glance with Buffy.
"I highly doubt it even exists, and also this amulet. We don't know if we can trust Angel, and I won't waste time researching something that doesn't exist." Giles lectured the whole group, not just Buffy.
"You mean something like this?" A voice came behind Giles, and when he turned around he jumped in surprise, seeing Angel just behind him, holding a round object in his hand. Behind him, stood several other teens, completely unfamiliar to Giles.
"What is it?" Cordelia asked curiously.
"Looks old." Oz stated
"Yeah, well it was made over 600 years ago, so that's a pretty good guess." Angel nodded as he started throwing the amulet in the air and catching it back in his hand.
"Stop it!!" Fred rushed toward him and took the object in her hand while it was in the air. "I told you it was extremely fragile and old and precious and expensive! I'm gonna need to take it back and I can't take it back if it's broken!"
"It's not like I was gonna drop it." Angel mumbled, saddened by the loss of his new toy.
"Bad!" She pointed at him, as if she talked to a child.
"Fine" He relented, and sat next to Buffy after she gave him back the amulet.
"Angel, how about you stop being rude and introduce everyone?" Carrie replied from where she was standing in the arms of Penn.
"Guys, this is Fred, Carrie, Gunn and Penn" Angel started, pointing to each of them "and those two are Faith and Spike."
"Faith and Spike? What kind of names are those?" Xander muttered under his breath, although everyone heard him.
"If you were half as hot as Spikey here, I might acknowledge you. Right now, you'll just be the moron. How's that for a name?" Faith smirked at Xander and winked at Angel who was slightly chuckling, and also at the brunette sitting next to the boy, who was trying to suppress her laughter.
"Anyway, this is Cordelia, Willow, Oz, Xander, Geeves"
"Giles" the watcher corrected him automatically.
"Whatever" Angel shrugged and pointed at the next person. "This is Jenny and here's Buffy"
"So that's the girl, huh?" Carrie remarked as she smiled friendlily at Angel.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Faith exclaimed, looking at her friend oddly.
"Means girlfriend" Penn clarified, gaining a glare from the brunette.
"You guys knew?" Spike was confused. He exchanged a glance with his girlfriend, and then they looked over at Angel, who was acting innocent but he was nervous.
"I can't believe THEY knew!!!!" Faith almost yelled, stepping in front of Angel. "Why would you tell them and not me? Not US?"
"I...they...asked me?" Angel answered with a sheepish smile.
"They asked you my ASS! Why didn't you tell us?"
"I don't know! It's not a big deal"
"Not a big deal?" Faith snapped in disbelief. "Are you fucking kidding me? The guy who had so many different lovers that I couldn't even keep count has a GIRLFRIEND?? For fuck's sake Angel, you're in l-"
"FAITH!!" Angel cried out, glaring at his friend. He didn't want Buffy to learn about his feelings that way.
"Sorry, but I still don't understand. Why are you doing this to yourself? You know you'll only end up being hurt."
"Pet, let the bloke deal with his own crap. If he suddenly decided monogamy was his thing, let him be." Spike exclaimed, patting Angel on the shoulder as a mock 'your welcome' to the 'thanks' Angel didn't say and wouldn't say.
Turning his attention back to the amulet in his hands, Angel didn't see the confusion in Buffy's eyes, and when he looked at her in the eyes, it was gone. "I'm not sure I'll be able to perform the ritual, it seems pretty complicated and I'm not too good with magic. Would anyone of you guys know that stuff?"
*********