Title: Louisville Slugger
Author: See Jane Conform
E-mail: seejaneconform@msn.com
Category: BtVS/WWE
Pairing: Willow/Matt Hardy
Disclaimer: I don't own or have any affiliation with BtVS or the WWE. This is being written for the sole purpose of enjoyment and I am in no way making a profit from it.
Rating: This is a hard one since I'm not actually done with the story, but I'm going for a strong PG-13 as it deals with some adult situations and there might be some language in it. If the rating looks to change at any time I'll clearly make note of it.
Spoilers: None really for the WWE as it's not taking too much part in it, for BtVS it's up to season 6. I watched the episodes all out of order so I'm not too sure how far into this takes place. Like, you know the episode with Buffy's birthday party? Anything up to there is fair game.
Summary: Willow gets an interesting job proposition… as if that told you anything. I'll try again… Willow's house sitting for a certain yummy male wrestler and chaos ensues.
Notes: Inspired by y'all wwe/btvs crossover pioneers that have gone before me. There really isn't much of… well, anything in this part but don't get too discouraged. It's kind of boring but needed to set up the plot, the next few installments should prove more interesting.
Chapter One: Part I
"So Faith, want to come clubbing with me tonight?"
Cordelia figured it had been sufficient time for the recent parolee to readjust to life in the free world and she was anxious to have a single friend to party with again. True, the friend –and wasn't friend a bit strong of a word?- in question used to be an evil skanky ho, but she served her time. Besides, the seer was desperate. The more involved with Angel Investigations she had become, the more her involvement with normal people tapered off. It was hard to form or even keep up relationships with the odd schedule she worked.
"Nah, that's cool but I think I'm just going to chill here tonight."
"Color me surprised," she said under her breath.
Ever since Faith had been released, it was always 'Angel this' or 'Angel that'. She knew what 'chill here tonight' really meant. It roughly translated into 'I'm planning on staying up all night with Angel talking about redemption and salvation and a bunch of other really pretentious words.' Fine, Faith just made the decision for her on the matter she had been debating for the better part of the week. "Oh well, I'm sure Willow will want to party with me when she comes to visit."
Three heads popped up at the casual remark, but Angel was the first to question it.
"Willow's coming to visit?"
"That's what I said wasn't it?" Cordelia couldn't help her snide tone even though she knew she shouldn't be upset at him. It wasn't Angel's fault he had so much in common with the brunette slayer.
"Red's coming? Does she know about me? You know, that I'm out and all." Faith kept her voice casual, despite her keen interest in the answer to her question. She wasn't sure she was ready to face any of the 'scooby gang' yet.
"Not yet."
"Well when is she due to arrive?" The former-watcher was the last to comment on Cordelia's surprise announcement.
"I'm not sure."
"How long is she staying?"
"I don't know."
"Do you know why she's coming?"
"Do you really need a reason to leave the hellmouth?" she shot back, annoyed at being forced to play twenty questions.
"Well what exactly did she say?"
"She didn't exactly say anything."
"Cordelia…" Angel used his best I-may-not-be-your-father-but-I-can-still-take-you-over-my-knee tone of voice and combined with his perfected you're-not-going-anywhere-until-you-tell-the-truth-the-whole-truth-and-nothing-but-the-truth-so-start-spilling glare, she crumbled quickly.
"Ok, I haven't actually talked to her about it yet but that doesn't matter. She's still coming. I mean, if what we've heard is half the stuff going on down there, she needs a break. Besides, what girl would turn down a chance to visit LA while getting paid to stay in a gorgeous house?" At their blank looks she continued on. "You guys never do listen to me do you? Y'all aren't the only ones with connections. I happen to know someone –I really can't name names- who's looking for someone to house sit for one of his clients."
"Clients?"
"Some big-shot actor, though I shouldn't even be telling you that much."
"And you think Willow is just the person for the job?"
"Do you know anyone more responsible? I mean, my reputation's on the line too here. Do you know what an in it would be if I recommend her and it works out? The way I figure, as long as she stays away from magic we're all set. I mean, she gets a vacation and some extra spending money, the house gets watched, and I get someone fun up here who I don't need to make excuses to about my job."
They had to admit, all in all it sounded like a fairly good idea. She was sure convincing the red-head at the center of her plans would be just as simple.
Part II.
"No? What do you mean no? Do you know how many girls would kill for this opportunity?" The brunette was dumbfounded at her friend's refusal of the invitation.
"Then why don't you ask one of them?" She sighed, immediately regretting snapping at her friend, "It's not that I don't appreciate the offer, I just can't." Willow's voice was laced with sadness as she thought about the many reasons she couldn't accept.
"I'm not asking anyone else because you're going to do it. You need this. Don't forget, I've lived my share of years on the hellmouth too."
Willow thought of all the reasons why she couldn't. Truthfully, she didn't have quite the number of responsibilities she used to. She hadn't enrolled back into school after she dropped out when Buffy died. She didn't have a job either. She didn't even help out as much with research or watching Dawn since she started recovering from her… problem. But there it was, in big glowing neon letters, the reason she couldn't go.
"I can't be trusted by myself. It's been thirty-nine days, but in some ways it feels like an hour hasn't even passed by. What if I slip?"
"You won't slip, for one, I've never known anyone stronger then you. Besides, maybe some alone time is exactly what you need to. Not that you'd really be alone, I'd be ten minutes away if you needed me." She paused a moment before adding the closer, "If you're really committed to beating this, it would make sense to get out of Sunnydale. I mean it is the Hellmouth after all. Alcoholics don't try to sober up in New Orleans, do they?"
She was right, not about the New Orleans thing, she wasn't sure where that came from, but right about the Hellmouth calling out to her. It was like a constant reminder of what she was desperately trying not to think about. And it wasn't like she was moving away forever, right? A month isn't so long of a time. Everyone would understand, Buffy herself had briefly suggested the idea of a vacation a while back. Maybe this wasn't such an absurd idea.
"Ok."
"Ok?"
"Ok, I'll do it."
"Great! Rio's expecting you on the 9th, he wants to meet with you and go over some stuff."
"That's like two days away!"
"Yeah, well I better let you go so you can start packing, I'll have him call you with the details. You're not going to regret this!"
"I'm beginning to already-"
"Don't be so pessimistic. Oh, by the way. Faith's been released from prison and moved in with Angel. Bye!" Cordelia shut off the phone before the redhead could reply and stared at it in her hands, willing it not to ring. When she was satisfied that her stunned friend would not be calling her back demanding answers, she placed the cordless phone into it's cradle and hummed a merry tune as she turned to go up to bed. That wasn't too hard.
Part III:
Willow's residual doubts about the issue receded monumentally at her friends' easy acceptance of her announcement. Not that they didn't assure her of how much she would be missed, but they had come to a general consensus that this would be the best thing for their troubled comrade. She also caught the relief they tried to keep out of their voices at the idea of her impromptu vacation. So with that easing her mind, it was with a much lighter heart that she answered the phone for what would be the second significant conversation in as many days.
"Willow Rosenberg?"
"Yes, this is she."
"This is Rio Cruz. You were recommended to me through Cordelia Chase."
"Oh, yeah. She said you'd call."
"Good, you know the what, that'll save time and time is one thing in my business that isn't cheap."
"Business?"
"I'm an agent. It's one of my clients that you'll actually be working for, I'm merely taking care of the details as he's far too busy."
"I see."
"He's a very important client as well, so you must understand why I'm critical of who I select for this job. The application process is usually much more exhaustive but this is an emergency. The lazy good-for-nothing lout that was your predecessor left suddenly leaving us in a lurch."
"What happened?"
"He got himself shot! I trust I can expect more from you. In any event, as we are pressed for time I'm basing much of this on Cordelia Chase's recommendation. Still, I'd like to interview you to hopefully validate my faith in her, as well as give me a chance to answer any questions you might have and negotiate a number."
"Sounds good."
"You'll receive a package tomorrow morning with all the information as well as plane tickets. I've booked you on a flight in the early afternoon. I suggest you get familiar with the information during your flight so we can discuss it when you arrive. I'm afraid I have to let you go now. I'll see you tomorrow Ms. Rosenberg."
He hung up before she could say anything else, something she desperately hoped wasn't going to become a habit. She tried to go over what exactly he had said to her, as he talked so fast and so much she had had problems just trying to keep up with the conversation, never mind voicing the several concerns and questions she had. She supposed some of them would be addressed in the package she was to receive the following day, and what was left she could ask him in person later. It was with mixed feelings though, that she slipped between the sheets of her bed to wait for morning.
*