Part 3
It was hell.
It was the worst hell, complete with Britney Spears songs vibrating off the walls
This was Angel's Sunnydale Vacation, and not even Chevy Chase could have made good out of the day that he had just had.
"Oh!" Angel started slightly as Fred came up behind him. "This is such a lovely gym! The whole school just looks terrific."
"Yeah, it is kinda tight," Gunn agreed as he, Connor, and Wes joined them at the entrance of the auditorium.
"Ah, yes. The taxpayers' money put to its best use," Angel said.
"You don't pay taxes, Angel," Wes reminded him.
"Right." Angel glanced over at Connor. "You'll be starting up at high school next week. I'm sure you can hardly wait."
"Why do I have to go to school?" Connor responded, a slight whine edged in his voice. His eyes scanned quickly over his surroundings, obviously not liking what they were seeing. "I have a destiny. I have a purpose. I should be training further, not wasting my time with this thing you call school."
"Connor!" Fred exclaimed, her expression set in outrage. "How can you even say anything like that? School is so incredibly important! You get to learn new things and meet new people. School will open up a whole new world for you. It's so incredibly important!"
"I've already experienced a few new worlds, thanks." Connor gazed back a Fred with the stony expression he'd worn all day. "I think I've had my fill."
"Yeah, well. I'm the parent and parents get to say things like 'go to school' and 'do your homework,'" Angel told him, letting a small smile settle on his lips. "So, that's why you have to go. Because I say so."
Glancing over at the dark expression that crossed his son's face, Angel decided that he should probably amend that. "Or, you have to go because knowledge is power. If you want to be a great warrior, you have to have some brain behind that brawn. no matter what Cordy wants to say about Groo."
"Man, you already got the girl." Gunn slapped him across the back. "I think its time to let all the anti-Groo feelings go."
"What? I have let them go," Angel protested. "I was just being honest."
"I actually liked Groo," Wes broke in. "He seemed a good enough guy."
"What's that grumpy face for, mister?" Fred asked, smiling at the annoyed look that crossed over Angel's face at Wesley's comment. "Aren't you having a good time?"
"Sorry, Fred." Angel pulled at his collar, feeling uncharacteristically warm. "It's just all these confined spaces. Makes me a little edgy."
"What confined spaces, man?" Gunn slapped him on the back. "We're in the middle of a gigantic auditorium."
"Yeah, but with all the people. And, you know, spending all day, all of us in the tiny hotel room together," Angel mumbled in return.
"Didn't you have fun playing poker, Angel?" Fred smiled up at him, her eyes glowing with the memory of having beaten all the guys.
"I still say you cheated, girl," Gunn grumbled teasingly, pulling Fred back against him and dropping a soft kiss on her temple.
Fred giggled, elbowing him good-naturedly. "And anyway, we always spend all day in a hotel together."
"But, Fred, there's a big difference between a great big empty hotel and a tiny hotel room with five people crammed in," Angel returned. "And while poker may have been alright at first, I still don't understand the appeal of the little pancake kisses you insisted on adding in."
Fred rolled her eyes as though she though he were just being silly. "That's because you don't eat pancakes, Angel."
"I eat pancakes, and I'm having a bit of difficulty grasping the idea as well," Wesley put in dryly.
"That's because you don't have anyone to do the pancake kissin' with." Gunn's tone was light, but his eyes narrowed in a silent warning.
And here it was, Angel thought to himself. The arguing that had plagued the group all throughout their little vacation was about to rear its ugly head once again. He didn't know much more he could take.
Fred smiled tightly, looping her arm through Gunn's and pulling him in the direction of the long line forming in front of the concession stand. Apparently she had picked up on the same vibe as Angel. "Right. Enough of that. We're gonna go get some grub. Angel, you should go find us some seats before the place fills up."
"Yes," Wes agreed, turning to follow the other two. "And be sure to find us good seats."
"Yeah, yeah," Angel muttered, turning to scan the stands, but was surprised to find that Connor was still standing there. "Aren't you going to go get something to eat?"
"Yes." Connor raised up an open palm, looking at his father expectantly.
Angel glanced down at the waiting hand before quirking a curious eyebrow up at his son's serious expression.
"Cordelia says that you are to give me money for things like this."
"She said that, did she?" Angel hesitated at the nod that Connor sent his way. He and Cordelia were really going to have to sit down soon and have a little talk about the things that she was telling his impressionable young boy.
Coming to a decision, Angel rolled his eyes and reached back into his pocket to out a single bill. Plopping it down onto Connor's hand, he moved around the boy. "Don't spend it all in one place."
Connor looked down at the one-dollar bill he was holding before calling out to Angel's retreating back, "But she said not to be cheap about it!"
Weaving in and out of the throng of people, Angel thought once again about how much he absolutely hated crowds. Sunnydale was a small town and something as big as the reopening of the high school was sure to draw a lot of people. It seemed as though the entire population was there. And, as Angel grunted loudly as a small woman with three kids in tow rammed into him, it seemed as if the entire population had decided to block his path to the stands.
What was it about walkways that turned people into complete morons? Did they not understand that walkways were there for the purpose of walking?
And when exactly had the dark brooding look become as fluffy as bunnies and not as intimidating as it used to be?
Sighing heavily as yet another group of people stopped to chat, effectively blocking his path; Angel turned his gaze back to the stands, scanning for a place for them to sit. His body froze as his eyes landed on a Buffy, laughing at some joke Xander had made.
This sight was not something that was new to Angel. Not all that long ago, the sight before him had been a common one, leaving him feeling empty and alone, his heart clenching with jealousy and wanting.
Now, his heart was clenching with dread.
God, how he did not want to have to go over there and face her. However, this was his life, and as yet another Britney song blared up over the loud speakers, Angel realized that he very rarely got what he wanted.
Might as well just get it over with, he told himself, taking a deep calming breath. How bad could it really be?
"Hey!" came the loud complaint in Angel's ear as yet another man slammed into his side. "Walkways are for walking, moron. Get moving!"
***********
"Isn't this exciting?" Dawn bounced lightly in her seat. "The new high school is opening! I'm going to go here!"
"What are you feeding this girl?" Xander asked. "Cause, I don't really remember being this excited about going to school on the Hellmouth."
"I don't think you would have been excited to go to school anywhere," Willow said with a small smile, nudging him in the shoulder. Xander turned to her, shrugging as if to concede her point.
"But this is exciting," Dawn persisted. "I am going to be a student, and Buffy is going to be a counselor, and Xander is going to be construction guy, and it's all going to be so much fun!"
"As the new counselor of this school, I must tell you that I find it extremely disturbing that you're this excited. It's unnatural, Dawn." Mischief gleamed in Buffy's eyes. "I may be forced to give you detention."
"See, now that's just not cool," Dawn shot back.
The Scoobies had arrived early, and as such, found relatively good seats near the middle of the court. Their wait was now nearing its end, and nearly all of their snack food was gone. As happy as Buffy was to be there, with her family, she really hoped that the show would start soon.
While they were all together and relatively without violence of any kind, any peace had been short-lived and fleeting for their group. After all of the events of the last year, tensions still ran high, and it didn't take much to give said tension an outlet.
That's why short conversations were good, and long, drawn out, heart to hearts were bad.
"That's right, Buff," Xander agreed. "As much times as both you and I spent in detention, I find it appalling that you would even consider threatening your sister with such a thing. You should be modeling yourself to be the anti-Snyder, not the mini-Snyder."
"Oh!" Anya giggled, jostling Buffy slightly from behind with her knees. "Sorry. I just had a sudden picture of Buffy in a little gray suit and no hair. Couldn't you just see her walking around, telling all the kids to go to class?" Nodding at the horrified looks the group shot her, she continued on with a broad smile. "Funny."
"Or not so much," Buffy pouted, reaching up to pat her loose bun protectively.
"I little scary if you ask me," Xander said.
"Well, that's what you get for threatening me with the after-hours school." Dawn turned to grin back at Anya.
"See, Xander." Anya raised an eyebrow. "Some people get my humor."
And here it goes, Buffy thought, placing a hand on Xander's forearm in a futile attempt to keep him from responding.
Xander leaned toward Anya threateningly. "Why are you even here?"
"Come on now guys," Willow tried to intercede.
"No," Anya interrupted, her voice hard and biting. "I was invited to come. By my friends, because you know, they are my friends, too. Plus, this is like a high school reunion. There will lots of scorned women here, ready for vengeance on their crappy high school boyfriends."
"Anya, there will be no vengeance here." Buffy regarded her with uncompromising eyes.
The warning was lost on Anya, however. "Who knows? Maybe Cordelia will show up, Xander. Then where will you be?"
"Don't you threaten him," Dawn spoke up, an angry spark in her eyes.
"And in case you didn't know, Cordelia and I parted on good terms, Anya. So, you'd be barking up the wrong tree," Xander shot back. "Anyway, I don't think she'll be coming back to Sunnydale anytime soon. She couldn't wait to get out of this place."
Yes, Buffy cheered to herself. This was just the opening she needed to stop the argument. "Actually, guys. It's funny you should bring that up, but I saw Cordelia yesterday. She's here."
"What?" Xander asked. "Why?"
"Well, I can't believe I forgot to tell you, but she's here to participate in the ceremony." Buffy smiled as her distraction seemed to have the desired effect. "They invited a bunch of former cheerleaders to do something, and she came."
"You talked to her," Willow questioned.
"No." Buffy scrunched her nose. "They were in here practicing while Principal Wood was giving me the tour. He told me about it."
"How did she look?" Dawn asked. "Did she look good?"
"This is Cordelia we're talking about." Xander grinned as the memories of his high school sweetheart washed over him. "She always looks good."
"I wonder if she'll bring Angel with her," Willow said.
Quiet settled over the group.
"Why would Angel come with Cordelia?" Xander asked finally.
"Yeah, Will," Buffy agreed, trying to ignore the nervous jitter that seemed to spring up in her tummy. "I don't thing Angel would come all the way up here just to watch Cordy perform in a cheerleading reunion. And it's not like the school brings back a lot of good memories for him, either. The giant man-eating snake was probably enough to keep him away from here for good. And besides, he's probably got better things to do."
"The memory of the giant man-eating snake wasn't enough to keep us away, and what better things would he do?" Xander's voice was incredulous as his gaze shifted to Buffy. "All he's ever done is fight and brood. Oh, and maim and kill. That leaves a lot of time to come and stalk Buffy. Which he has been known to do."
"He only did that once," Buffy protested.
"That we know of," Xander shot right back.
"It's been three years, Xander. Look at how much we've changed in the past three years. Is it inconceivable that he has changed too?" Buffy's expression seemed forcefully cheery as she tried to bring a smile back onto her friends face.
"Yes."
"Are you sure not just still stuck on Spike, Xander?" Anya asked pointedly. "You do seem to have trouble with projecting the problems of one person onto another."
Xander rose quickly from his seat, an uncharacteristic anger flashing in his eyes, Buffy's restraining hand on his arm the only thing keeping him from stepping over the line. "I was never the one stuck on Spike, Anya.
"Whatever." Anya rolled her eyes as Xander sat back down. "Anyway, Buffy. Men never change. It's pretty much impossible."
"Thank you, Anya." Buffy grinned despite herself, patting Xander's arm comfortingly, trying to calm him down. "But I haven't seen Angel in almost a year, and I don't think he'd come all the way up here to see me with just a cheerleading routine as his excuse."
"I don't know, Buffy," Willow spoke up. "The last time I saw him, he and Cordelia seemed pretty close. They seemed like they were good friends. I wouldn't be surprised if she dragged him all the way up here to see her do her thing."
Buffy felt that nagging jitter start to spread. "Okay, I get that Angel and Cordelia are probably friends now after all of these years, but he has a life and a business in L.A. He wouldn't just drop it to come here for a few days of opening ceremony goodness."
"He's done it before," Xander reminded her.
"That's because I was in danger."
"Buffy, look. This is Angel we're talking about-"
"I know, but we don't really know Angel all that much anymore," Buffy interrupted. "And this conversation pretty much doesn't matter anyway because he is NOT going to be here."
"So," Dawn spoke up for the first time since the conversation had started. "When you say that he's not going to be here, do you mean that in the sense that he's walking over here right now?"
Buffy's stunned gaze followed the direction of Dawn's finger. She gasped suddenly as his deep chocolate eyes met hers.
The jitters took flight.
It was hell.
It was the worst hell, complete with Britney Spears songs vibrating off the walls
This was Angel's Sunnydale Vacation, and not even Chevy Chase could have made good out of the day that he had just had.
"Oh!" Angel started slightly as Fred came up behind him. "This is such a lovely gym! The whole school just looks terrific."
"Yeah, it is kinda tight," Gunn agreed as he, Connor, and Wes joined them at the entrance of the auditorium.
"Ah, yes. The taxpayers' money put to its best use," Angel said.
"You don't pay taxes, Angel," Wes reminded him.
"Right." Angel glanced over at Connor. "You'll be starting up at high school next week. I'm sure you can hardly wait."
"Why do I have to go to school?" Connor responded, a slight whine edged in his voice. His eyes scanned quickly over his surroundings, obviously not liking what they were seeing. "I have a destiny. I have a purpose. I should be training further, not wasting my time with this thing you call school."
"Connor!" Fred exclaimed, her expression set in outrage. "How can you even say anything like that? School is so incredibly important! You get to learn new things and meet new people. School will open up a whole new world for you. It's so incredibly important!"
"I've already experienced a few new worlds, thanks." Connor gazed back a Fred with the stony expression he'd worn all day. "I think I've had my fill."
"Yeah, well. I'm the parent and parents get to say things like 'go to school' and 'do your homework,'" Angel told him, letting a small smile settle on his lips. "So, that's why you have to go. Because I say so."
Glancing over at the dark expression that crossed his son's face, Angel decided that he should probably amend that. "Or, you have to go because knowledge is power. If you want to be a great warrior, you have to have some brain behind that brawn. no matter what Cordy wants to say about Groo."
"Man, you already got the girl." Gunn slapped him across the back. "I think its time to let all the anti-Groo feelings go."
"What? I have let them go," Angel protested. "I was just being honest."
"I actually liked Groo," Wes broke in. "He seemed a good enough guy."
"What's that grumpy face for, mister?" Fred asked, smiling at the annoyed look that crossed over Angel's face at Wesley's comment. "Aren't you having a good time?"
"Sorry, Fred." Angel pulled at his collar, feeling uncharacteristically warm. "It's just all these confined spaces. Makes me a little edgy."
"What confined spaces, man?" Gunn slapped him on the back. "We're in the middle of a gigantic auditorium."
"Yeah, but with all the people. And, you know, spending all day, all of us in the tiny hotel room together," Angel mumbled in return.
"Didn't you have fun playing poker, Angel?" Fred smiled up at him, her eyes glowing with the memory of having beaten all the guys.
"I still say you cheated, girl," Gunn grumbled teasingly, pulling Fred back against him and dropping a soft kiss on her temple.
Fred giggled, elbowing him good-naturedly. "And anyway, we always spend all day in a hotel together."
"But, Fred, there's a big difference between a great big empty hotel and a tiny hotel room with five people crammed in," Angel returned. "And while poker may have been alright at first, I still don't understand the appeal of the little pancake kisses you insisted on adding in."
Fred rolled her eyes as though she though he were just being silly. "That's because you don't eat pancakes, Angel."
"I eat pancakes, and I'm having a bit of difficulty grasping the idea as well," Wesley put in dryly.
"That's because you don't have anyone to do the pancake kissin' with." Gunn's tone was light, but his eyes narrowed in a silent warning.
And here it was, Angel thought to himself. The arguing that had plagued the group all throughout their little vacation was about to rear its ugly head once again. He didn't know much more he could take.
Fred smiled tightly, looping her arm through Gunn's and pulling him in the direction of the long line forming in front of the concession stand. Apparently she had picked up on the same vibe as Angel. "Right. Enough of that. We're gonna go get some grub. Angel, you should go find us some seats before the place fills up."
"Yes," Wes agreed, turning to follow the other two. "And be sure to find us good seats."
"Yeah, yeah," Angel muttered, turning to scan the stands, but was surprised to find that Connor was still standing there. "Aren't you going to go get something to eat?"
"Yes." Connor raised up an open palm, looking at his father expectantly.
Angel glanced down at the waiting hand before quirking a curious eyebrow up at his son's serious expression.
"Cordelia says that you are to give me money for things like this."
"She said that, did she?" Angel hesitated at the nod that Connor sent his way. He and Cordelia were really going to have to sit down soon and have a little talk about the things that she was telling his impressionable young boy.
Coming to a decision, Angel rolled his eyes and reached back into his pocket to out a single bill. Plopping it down onto Connor's hand, he moved around the boy. "Don't spend it all in one place."
Connor looked down at the one-dollar bill he was holding before calling out to Angel's retreating back, "But she said not to be cheap about it!"
Weaving in and out of the throng of people, Angel thought once again about how much he absolutely hated crowds. Sunnydale was a small town and something as big as the reopening of the high school was sure to draw a lot of people. It seemed as though the entire population was there. And, as Angel grunted loudly as a small woman with three kids in tow rammed into him, it seemed as if the entire population had decided to block his path to the stands.
What was it about walkways that turned people into complete morons? Did they not understand that walkways were there for the purpose of walking?
And when exactly had the dark brooding look become as fluffy as bunnies and not as intimidating as it used to be?
Sighing heavily as yet another group of people stopped to chat, effectively blocking his path; Angel turned his gaze back to the stands, scanning for a place for them to sit. His body froze as his eyes landed on a Buffy, laughing at some joke Xander had made.
This sight was not something that was new to Angel. Not all that long ago, the sight before him had been a common one, leaving him feeling empty and alone, his heart clenching with jealousy and wanting.
Now, his heart was clenching with dread.
God, how he did not want to have to go over there and face her. However, this was his life, and as yet another Britney song blared up over the loud speakers, Angel realized that he very rarely got what he wanted.
Might as well just get it over with, he told himself, taking a deep calming breath. How bad could it really be?
"Hey!" came the loud complaint in Angel's ear as yet another man slammed into his side. "Walkways are for walking, moron. Get moving!"
***********
"Isn't this exciting?" Dawn bounced lightly in her seat. "The new high school is opening! I'm going to go here!"
"What are you feeding this girl?" Xander asked. "Cause, I don't really remember being this excited about going to school on the Hellmouth."
"I don't think you would have been excited to go to school anywhere," Willow said with a small smile, nudging him in the shoulder. Xander turned to her, shrugging as if to concede her point.
"But this is exciting," Dawn persisted. "I am going to be a student, and Buffy is going to be a counselor, and Xander is going to be construction guy, and it's all going to be so much fun!"
"As the new counselor of this school, I must tell you that I find it extremely disturbing that you're this excited. It's unnatural, Dawn." Mischief gleamed in Buffy's eyes. "I may be forced to give you detention."
"See, now that's just not cool," Dawn shot back.
The Scoobies had arrived early, and as such, found relatively good seats near the middle of the court. Their wait was now nearing its end, and nearly all of their snack food was gone. As happy as Buffy was to be there, with her family, she really hoped that the show would start soon.
While they were all together and relatively without violence of any kind, any peace had been short-lived and fleeting for their group. After all of the events of the last year, tensions still ran high, and it didn't take much to give said tension an outlet.
That's why short conversations were good, and long, drawn out, heart to hearts were bad.
"That's right, Buff," Xander agreed. "As much times as both you and I spent in detention, I find it appalling that you would even consider threatening your sister with such a thing. You should be modeling yourself to be the anti-Snyder, not the mini-Snyder."
"Oh!" Anya giggled, jostling Buffy slightly from behind with her knees. "Sorry. I just had a sudden picture of Buffy in a little gray suit and no hair. Couldn't you just see her walking around, telling all the kids to go to class?" Nodding at the horrified looks the group shot her, she continued on with a broad smile. "Funny."
"Or not so much," Buffy pouted, reaching up to pat her loose bun protectively.
"I little scary if you ask me," Xander said.
"Well, that's what you get for threatening me with the after-hours school." Dawn turned to grin back at Anya.
"See, Xander." Anya raised an eyebrow. "Some people get my humor."
And here it goes, Buffy thought, placing a hand on Xander's forearm in a futile attempt to keep him from responding.
Xander leaned toward Anya threateningly. "Why are you even here?"
"Come on now guys," Willow tried to intercede.
"No," Anya interrupted, her voice hard and biting. "I was invited to come. By my friends, because you know, they are my friends, too. Plus, this is like a high school reunion. There will lots of scorned women here, ready for vengeance on their crappy high school boyfriends."
"Anya, there will be no vengeance here." Buffy regarded her with uncompromising eyes.
The warning was lost on Anya, however. "Who knows? Maybe Cordelia will show up, Xander. Then where will you be?"
"Don't you threaten him," Dawn spoke up, an angry spark in her eyes.
"And in case you didn't know, Cordelia and I parted on good terms, Anya. So, you'd be barking up the wrong tree," Xander shot back. "Anyway, I don't think she'll be coming back to Sunnydale anytime soon. She couldn't wait to get out of this place."
Yes, Buffy cheered to herself. This was just the opening she needed to stop the argument. "Actually, guys. It's funny you should bring that up, but I saw Cordelia yesterday. She's here."
"What?" Xander asked. "Why?"
"Well, I can't believe I forgot to tell you, but she's here to participate in the ceremony." Buffy smiled as her distraction seemed to have the desired effect. "They invited a bunch of former cheerleaders to do something, and she came."
"You talked to her," Willow questioned.
"No." Buffy scrunched her nose. "They were in here practicing while Principal Wood was giving me the tour. He told me about it."
"How did she look?" Dawn asked. "Did she look good?"
"This is Cordelia we're talking about." Xander grinned as the memories of his high school sweetheart washed over him. "She always looks good."
"I wonder if she'll bring Angel with her," Willow said.
Quiet settled over the group.
"Why would Angel come with Cordelia?" Xander asked finally.
"Yeah, Will," Buffy agreed, trying to ignore the nervous jitter that seemed to spring up in her tummy. "I don't thing Angel would come all the way up here just to watch Cordy perform in a cheerleading reunion. And it's not like the school brings back a lot of good memories for him, either. The giant man-eating snake was probably enough to keep him away from here for good. And besides, he's probably got better things to do."
"The memory of the giant man-eating snake wasn't enough to keep us away, and what better things would he do?" Xander's voice was incredulous as his gaze shifted to Buffy. "All he's ever done is fight and brood. Oh, and maim and kill. That leaves a lot of time to come and stalk Buffy. Which he has been known to do."
"He only did that once," Buffy protested.
"That we know of," Xander shot right back.
"It's been three years, Xander. Look at how much we've changed in the past three years. Is it inconceivable that he has changed too?" Buffy's expression seemed forcefully cheery as she tried to bring a smile back onto her friends face.
"Yes."
"Are you sure not just still stuck on Spike, Xander?" Anya asked pointedly. "You do seem to have trouble with projecting the problems of one person onto another."
Xander rose quickly from his seat, an uncharacteristic anger flashing in his eyes, Buffy's restraining hand on his arm the only thing keeping him from stepping over the line. "I was never the one stuck on Spike, Anya.
"Whatever." Anya rolled her eyes as Xander sat back down. "Anyway, Buffy. Men never change. It's pretty much impossible."
"Thank you, Anya." Buffy grinned despite herself, patting Xander's arm comfortingly, trying to calm him down. "But I haven't seen Angel in almost a year, and I don't think he'd come all the way up here to see me with just a cheerleading routine as his excuse."
"I don't know, Buffy," Willow spoke up. "The last time I saw him, he and Cordelia seemed pretty close. They seemed like they were good friends. I wouldn't be surprised if she dragged him all the way up here to see her do her thing."
Buffy felt that nagging jitter start to spread. "Okay, I get that Angel and Cordelia are probably friends now after all of these years, but he has a life and a business in L.A. He wouldn't just drop it to come here for a few days of opening ceremony goodness."
"He's done it before," Xander reminded her.
"That's because I was in danger."
"Buffy, look. This is Angel we're talking about-"
"I know, but we don't really know Angel all that much anymore," Buffy interrupted. "And this conversation pretty much doesn't matter anyway because he is NOT going to be here."
"So," Dawn spoke up for the first time since the conversation had started. "When you say that he's not going to be here, do you mean that in the sense that he's walking over here right now?"
Buffy's stunned gaze followed the direction of Dawn's finger. She gasped suddenly as his deep chocolate eyes met hers.
The jitters took flight.