Chapter 4
Buffy opened her front door to the view of Angel O'Connor, reputed womaniser and all round cad, passionately kissing Cordelia Chase, right there on her front doorstep.
Buffy cleared her throat.
There was no response from either party. Neither of them seemed to notice.
She tried again with a stronger cough, only louder
Nothing. What was she? Invisible?
Finally, in a desperate attempt to gain their attention before she got old, or more importantly, the curl dropped from her hair, she spoke the words guaranteed to make both the couple in front of her spring apart as if burned.
"Angel, your father's heading this way."
It had the desired effect, as both of them pulled back and tried to make themselves look presentable. In the midst of re-tufting his hair Angel finally looked around and sheepishly smiled, realising that, omnipresent as his father appeared to be, it was unlikely he was camped out on Buffy Summers doorstep watching him kiss Cordelia.
"Hey, Buffy."
"Was that really necessary?" Angel's beautiful companion grabbed her compact out of her handbag and began re-applying her lipstick.
"Hello to you too Cordy. And for your information I tried subtle. Not of the working."
"So you just aimed below the belt?"
"It worked didn't it." Buffy smiled unrepentantly. " Besides if I'd left the two of you any longer it would've been your hand below the belt."
The tall brunette raised her eyebrows as she checked her hair in the little mirror in her hand. "Very funny."
"I thought so."
"You look nice Buffy," said Angel softy.
"Thanks."
She turned, locked the front door and headed down the stoop followed by her visitors.
"Yeah, finally took my advice and tried a colour other than black. 'Though gotta say your skin looks a little dry. Have you been neglecting to moisturise again?"
Buffy simply took her friend's comments in her stride. At Angel's gesture she headed to the waiting taxicab as she contemplated the rudeness that was Cordelia Chase. Once upon a time, a high school prom queen, cheerleader and all round social climber. Back at Sunnydale High she had been queen bitch to Buffy's art-loving geek but was now her good friend. Sometimes Buffy had to pinch herself to believe that little irony.
She'd re-met Cordelia not long after her father's demand that she would be Angels escort. Hank had packed her off to the largest most exclusive department store in LA with strict instructions, and a gold credit card, to make herself as presentable to LA society as possible.
She had run across Cordelia in the lingerie department and struck up a conversation with the strangely nervous Cordy, inquiring what she was up to these days. The usually outspoken Cordelia had given very evasive replies until the reason for her nervousness became obvious. A stern looking woman had approached them demanding that Cordelia "cease gossiping" with her friend and get back to work.
After her boss had headed back to the sales counter, Cordelia had been very snappy and demanded that Buffy just take her best shot at poking fun at her situation, but Buffy had simply asked what had happened.
Long answer short. Cordelia had been left virtually penniless when her father had been done for tax evasion. She hadn't been able to go to any of the colleges she been accepted to and was in LA as an aspiring actress, or more realistically a Shop Assistant. Buffy didn't laugh, for which Cordelia was greatly appreciative, and after a word with Cordy's superior where Buffy explained that she required her assistance as a personal shopper for a day, the two of them began a firm friendship. Since then Cordy had been Buffy's personal grooming advisor for such events as tonight's ball.
"Cordy." The gentle tones of the tall man next to her reprimanded her fondly for her forthright comments, as he helped the two glamorous women into the backseat of the taxi and instructed the driver to their destination.
After they were settled Buffy glanced quickly at the man in the front seat.
Yep, there he was. Angel O'Connor. Still tall. Still handsome. Still broad of shoulder.
Still not remotely attracted to him.
It had come as a bit of a surprise to her that the notorious Angel O'Connor, with his reputation as lady's man with no sense of honesty or decency, had been the polar opposite of the gossip mongers' tales. Yes he was well built, if a little too bulky for her liking, and good looking. But he also had a certain vulnerability to him that no one had ever seemed to notice.
On their first meeting, he'd been oddly relieved when she'd made it clear that these dates, set up by her father and his, were never going to be any more than a business arrangement. His sigh of relief had been so forceful she'd been afraid he' d sprung a leak
It had been a case of mutual like, with neither party interested in the other, as anything other than a friend and that had suited the both of them.
For three years Buffy and Angel had quite happily accompanied each other to functions, their individual freedom to live their own personal lives given to them under the umbrella of their "dates". Even with both sets of parents pushing them for some kind of official commitment, it was an advantageous arrangement.
The arrangement had developed from a family arranged annoyance, to a mutually beneficial agreement and now it was a necessity. A necessity that neither of them liked and one that Cordelia Chase hated.
Over a year ago Buffy had taken Cordy with her on a shopping trip and they had run into Angel.
Cordelia and Angel together - now that had been love at first sight. Buffy had realised things were going to get tricky as soon as Angel had taken Cordy's hand in greeting.
Before the imprisonment and social disgrace of her father, Cordelia Chase would have been considered a good match for the heir of the O'Connor family fortune. Now however, she was a social disgrace and both she and Angel knew that if they were to go public with their new relationship she'd be pegged a gold digger and he would be cut off from the family fortune.
Buffy personally thought the whole thing incredibly stupid. If they wanted to be together they should just be together. But Angel had never done a proper days work in his life, and Cordelia wouldn't ask him to give up everything that she had been forced to. But they wouldn't part from each other either.
So this was where Buffy found herself. Sitting in a cab, heading toward the charity ball, with her date in the front seat, and his wife sat in the back with her.
Five months after her friends' first meeting, Buffy had found herself standing in a small chapel in Las Vegas as a witness to their impromptu marriage. The other witness was a drunk Angel had found in the hotel bar mourning his losses at the gambling tables.
She was pretty sure this wasn't the wedding that Cordelia had always dreamed of, but the couple standing at the guitar shaped altar, in front of the worse Elvis impersonator she had ever seen, looked ridiculously happy.
"Heir to the O'Connor Fortune wed by Elvis." Buffy had visions of the headlines. But neither the media nor the groom's family had found out and everything had gone back to normal. *Well, * Buffy remembered thinking at the time, *as normal as my life ever gets. *
"Please excuse Cordelia," begged Angel with a teasing smile, ".she doesn't mean what she says."
"Yes she does."
"Yes I do."
As both woman spoke in unison they turned to each other and smiled. It was an unlikely friendship but it worked.
The short journey continued with Cordelia and Buffy catching up, but Buffy couldn't help but feel the underlying tension in the air. Angel and his wife were being their normal couply selves but there seemed to be just something hovering unspoken between them.
As the tall building of O'Connor Holdings rose into view they all grew quiet and readied themselves for the charade that was about to begin.
"Shall we?" asked Buffy, as the cab pulled up to the curb and she and Cordelia got out while Angel paid the cabby.
He turned to his wife and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead as she smoothed out her floor length burgundy dress.
"After you my love." He gestured for her to go ahead, a small sad smile on his face.
"Be good you two, and Buffy, keep him out of trouble, " Cordelia ordered as she headed into the building to take the elevator to the penthouse function room.
Angel watched his wife go with hooded eyes as Buffy commented, "She seems a bit upset and you look tense."
Angel looked surprised that she'd had noticed it. "Is it that obvious?"
"Only to those that know you. What's up?"
There was a slight pause before he spoke again, "We're pregnant."
"Oh." *Oh wow! A baby? * Buffy damped down the instant flash of jealously and pain as she tried to read his expression.
When she couldn't, she went for the direct approach. "Isn't she happy about the baby? Aren't you?"
"God Buffy." Angel ran his hands through his hair, as they moved into the building reception area to await the next lift.
"We're both so damned happy about it, but. "
"But what?"
"We were going to tell my parents tonight. About us I mean. The whole marriage thing."
"And now you're not?" Buffy followed him into the newly arrived elevator.
Another frustrated and annoyed sigh filled the car as he stared up at the ceiling. "We had it planned. Cordy just got promoted. Her new Manager recommended her for a transfer to the Purchasing Department when he realised how much she knew about fashion..."
Buffy was a little hurt that Cordy hadn't mentioned such good news but didn't interrupt as Angel continued.
" .and I've saved some money from my job at Dad's firm, but we were relying on Cordy's money to allow us to finally live together. Damn it Buffy I can't even support my own wife! I have no talent. No skills. The only thing I ever learnt in school was that my father would have a job waiting for me. I'm wasting my life and now not only mine. I'm wasting Cordy's and the baby's as well. They deserve better than me. Why'd she let me do this to her?" Angel sagged his shoulders and bent his head low to avoid her searching eyes.
Buffy reached up and placed a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder. She had no words to make everything right. She had no control over her own life, so couldn't comment on anyone else's, but she did know one thing.
"Angel." She squeezed his shoulder to try and gain his attention. Nothing.
"Angel. Look at me."
Slowly his head rose and he met her compassionate eyes.
"Its very simple. Cordelia loves you. The baby will love you."
"But I can't give them anything."
"Can you give them love?"
Angel stared at her. "Always." He stated at least he looked convinced of that.
Buffy smiled softly "Well, doesn't that seem like anything?"
*Okay *, she thought as Angel finally gave her a tight smile, * That didn't exactly solve the problem* but it was the best she could do at short notice because right then they reached the penthouse.
The function room was decorated in a startling array of bad taste. Amid the fancy decorations and flower displays, Cordelia stood at the refreshment table watching overweening rich men and their little trophy wives mingling with the matrons and patriarchs of the wealthiest families, the so called cream of LA society.
She couldn't help the thought that it wasn't only cream that rises to the top. And to think this used to be what she aspired to. Funny how selling underwear to these people had given her a different perspective on them.
Instinctively knowing where her love was, she turned towards the elevator as her husband and friend exited. As she caught Buffy's eye and received a small smile and nod, she realised that she knew about the baby. She was a little mad she'd not got to be the one to tell her, but she had other things on her mind right now.
She had been so happy that finally Angel was going to be honest and tell his parents about their marriage. She had been fine with the whole secrecy bit at first. It had been exciting and romantic to hide their love. The clandestine meetings and furtive glances had been exhilarating, but now she was just tired of it. She loved Angel but living apart, watching him cosy up with Buffy even if it was an act, having him pass her in a roomful of people without a glance, was enough to break her heart.
Unconsciously her hand drifted to her stomach. And now this, this beautiful everyday miracle was stopping that honesty. She didn't know what to feel. She was so happy to be pregnant, but a little resentment toward the life growing inside her had snuck in. If it wasn't for this baby Angel would be telling his parents all about her right now. Letting them know that he was finally breaking free of their controlling influence, getting on with living his life and being with the woman he loved.
Although the baby wouldn't prevent her taking the new job offer, it would put a serious crimp in their income while she was on maternity leave, and increase those pesky little household bills. That was the other reason she was annoyed. Angel seemed to have no real thought to getting a job of his own. He was too busy being, "Oh poor me. I'm a little rich boy. I never learnt to do anything." What did he think? That she woke up one day and said 'Hey whoopee, I'll be a shop assistant!' Really not.
As she watched Angel and Buffy approach Mr & Mrs O'Connor to make their hellos she reached for the Beluga caviar. It would probably make her feel ill, but then hey, these days what didn't? She was jolted out of her reverie when the person standing next to her jostled her arm. Perfect, she so needed someone to gripe at.
"Hey lamebrain, what's your major." as she turned the man's face came into view ".malfunc." and her voice drifted off in contemplation of the attractive features in front of her.
As she stared open mouthed at the blond man in the tuxedo who just oozed self-confidence and predatory sex appeal, a little voice in the back of her head kept prodding at her. * You're married. You are married. Actually, to be accurate, you're married and pregnant. So he looks good in a tux. Any man can look good in well tailored, form flattering, expensive formal wear. Close mouth. Stop drooling. Remember to breathe. *
The instructions were just about to have the take hold when he smirked. The bleached bombshell with the lickable cheekbones actually smirked. At her! Nobody smirked at Cordelia Chase-O'Connor. No-one. She opened her mouth to give him a piece of her mind when he spoke.
"Sorry Luv. 'S my fault. Just dazzled by your beauty is all."
* Oh boy. This guy doesn't play fair. A British accent. So, so not fair. *
"Lovely lady like you shouldn't be getting her own plate. Where's your lucky bloke?"
At the mention of her absentee husband Cordelia felt a jolt of petty revenge coming on and turning, shot arrows with her eyes at Angel. Let's see how he liked being on the receiving end of this tedious arrangement.
"No 'bloke'. Just little me." She flashed her full wattage smile complete with award winning nose wrinkle.
Spike had seen the look she'd directed at the Neanderthal looking guy across the room. The dolt remained oblivious, deep in conversation with the little blonde number whose back was to him.
*Ah, so that's how it was *. He gave the attractive brunette a slow appreciative grin. "Well in that case luv, fancy a turn on the dance floor? I do a mean two-step. "
He stepped closer to the woman slightly lowering his head to whisper more intimately into her ear. " Satisfaction guaranteed."
Cordelia's inner voice kicked her again. *YOU'RE MARRIED. HELLO? *
She promptly muted it. *At the moment,* she screamed back at it, * I don't care. I'm going to dance with the yummy Englishman, make my husband jealous and when he's as green as a .a. a green thing I'm going to take him to my place and tie him up until he agrees to tell his parents about us. So there. And as a bonus I get to spend a little time with a gorgeous man who is making me feel like the most desirable woman here. So there. Again!*
"Love to."
She placed her hand in his and he led her to the dance floor. He pulled her into a close embrace and smoothly began to lead her in a slow dance to the ballad playing by the live Jazz band.
"So luv, who do I have the pleasure of dancing with?"
"Cordelia. Cordelia Chase. And you are.no don't tell me.let me guess. You would be James Bond. Right?"
Spike chuckled at that but it wasn't exactly an original comment. Stick an Englishman in a tux and that's all they could think of? All these American chits had no imagination. * Well, * he amended, * most of them had no imagination. *
"Nah luv. They call me Spike."
She was a little surprised. "They call you? Who they?"
He shrugged. "Just 'They'."
She raised her eyebrows a little at that. Okay so he wanted to be mysterious. Fine, it just added to the fun.
As Spike twirled her from him in a nifty little dance move, she took the opportunity to glance in Angel's direction. Yep, there he was still talking to his parents. God Buffy looked bored. That at least was one upside to his parents not knowing about her. As his secret wife, rather than public date she didn't have to have her ear chewed off by his dull mother.
Angel glanced in her direction. Oops he'd spotted her. She lowered her eyes.
"So tell me Cordelia. Has it worked?"
"Excuse me?" she looked back into her dance partner's eyes. *Ooh blue!*
"Has it worked?" he repeated.
At her continued bafflement he gestured toward Angel with his chin. "That moron you've been staring at since he got here and been trying to make jealous for the last five minutes. Has dancing with me had the desired effect?"
Cordelia stopped dancing instantly contrite. Keeping his hand in hers she pushed through the crowd and dragged him from the dance floor towards a secluded alcove. In the past she may have been able to trample all over someone's feelings, but having been on the receiving end she had learnt her lesson - okay so the earlier lamebrain comment had been a momentary lapse but she was pregnant dammit. "Spike I'm so sorry. I really did want to dance with you it's just that. well that is I.you see it's like this."
"You love him," he stated confidently, " but he's been ignoring you, so you wanted a little payback. "
She stared at him open mouthed. She really should stop doing that around him.
"No worries pet." He added smiling.
While she continued to stare at him, he took her hand and bent to kiss her cheek. As he brushed his lips across her skin, she heard a low whisper. "Yankin' me off the dance floor was a good move, pet. If tall, dark and broody is your man it worked just fine. He's heading this way."
With a genuine smile Cordelia nodded her thanks and turned to her approaching husband. *Oh yeah, paybacks a bitch, eh Angel? Actually no, that would be me. * She briefly noticed that Buffy was trying to head her way too but she was obviously having difficultly getting away from the 'mother-in-law'.
"Cordy, is this guy bothering you?" Angel tried to use his height over the shorter man as an intimidation tactic. Oddly it just made Spike look far more relaxed and at home than Angel did at his own party.
"Me? Nah mate. The lady and I were just having ourselves a little dance," Spike turned back to Cordelia completely unfazed, ".and a lovely one it was too. Goodnight Cordelia."
"Night Spike. Thank you." She called after him as he wandered off into the crowd with a final nod.
Cordelia saw the look on her love's usually passive face. "Uh ah mister. Don't give me the hurt puppy dog eyes. I didn't do anything wrong and neither did he. It was just a dance."
"But."
"But me no buts."
"'Lia, he had his arms around you. and our baby." He whispered as he went to gather her close into his body. She knew she'd gotten to him when he used his special nickname for her.
"Angel." Cordy pushed him away a little. "Everyone will see!"
"I don't care anymore."
She looked at him incredulously, as Buffy reached them after finally escaping Angel's mother.
"But you said. you said we had to wait."
He hung his head, deeply ashamed of himself for making her wait so long. "Not any more. Tonight we tell them. About you. About us. About the baby. We'll tell them everything."
"But what about the money? Honey, we'll have no income when the baby comes. We can't do this."
"Do you think you'll like your new job Lia?"
She was completely thrown by this apparent change in the direction of the conversation. "Huh? Angel what does.?"
"Do you think you'll like your job?"
"Are you kidding? Buying clothes all day, everyday. Getting to play with all those lovely accessories. What's not to love?"
"Fine then. You work. I'll look after the baby."
"Okay now I'm back to the Huh?"
"I'll look after the baby. Maybe if I'm around a little more than my dad was my son will be a better person than I am."
"You are a good person Angel. And hey, she might be a girl."
"No I'm not. Cordelia if I'd been good and strong, you wouldn't have to have waited so long for this. And he's going to be a boy. So, are you ready to give it a try?"
"Yes." Cordelia sent a thought of thanks in the direction of a certain bleached blonde miracle worker.
"Good, then we'll tell them tonight."
"Okay."
Buffy had watched this display of love with tears threatening to spill, she hadn't come over with the intention to eavesdrop on such an important conversation but only to keep up the façade as Angel's girlfriend for their sakes. Angel accosting a strange woman in a room full of his peers may have aroused suspicion from a bored crowd.
Fortunately for them, millionaire playboy Joshua Hamilton was trying to mediate a blazing row between current wife number four and his latest girlfriend. Although the consequences weren't as damaging as the possible outcome from anyone overhearing the scene in front of her, it had a lot more entertainment value with possible hair pulling and eye gouging, than the three of them huddled near the wall talking in hushed tones.
As it was this impending argument had been the only reason she'd been able to get away from Jennifer O'Connor in the first place. Having heard the conversation however Buffy couldn't help herself from making a comment.
"Guys. Look, not to be the poop to this party or anything, but how far along are you Cordy?"
"Ten weeks."
"Really? Congratulations." Buffy was excited for them but had to add, " But how about telling your parents later Angel? That way if they do react the way you think they will, what with the disinheritance and all, you'll have a little more money set aside before Cordelia has to stop work."
"Oh Buffy! Do you have to be so sensible?" Huffed Cordelia.
"I know it puts the kybosh on things a little. But babies are expensive. Think about it a bit." She couldn't help the little thought that added *10 weeks is still very early in a pregnancy and things sometimes go wrong. *
"Damn you for being so practical. The old Buffy was far more romantic."
*Yes she was, * Buffy mentally agreed *and look where that got her. *
"So we wait a little? That okay with you Lia?" Angel asked. He really did want to tell his folks now, but what Buffy had said did make sense.
"It's fine. So long as we do tell them. If you change your mind Angel, I'll hunt Spike down again. You hear me Mister?"
At his nod she let the subject drop as more pressing matters arose. "So how about something to eat I'm starved. Spike interrupted me before I could grab anything." She turned to her friend.
" Buffy? Buffy?"
Cordelia realised she had drifted off somewhere. Not physically because she was standing right next to her, but mentally she seemed a world away as she stared off in the direction Spike had taken.
"Buffy? Are you ok? Buffy?"
Buffy was trying very hard to process something. It had been something she'd seen. There was a strange little niggle at the back of her mind. Something had set her out of kilter and she couldn't place what it was. Or could she?
"Cordy who were you dancing with?"
"Some guy called Spike. Hey did you get a good look at him?"
When Buffy shook her head she continued. "Boy he was fine. Nicely muscled, lean, smelt great, not too sure about the bleached hair, but fabulous blue eyes and man could he move."
"Hey honey, I am standing right here you know." Stated Angel with a slightly hurt tone.
"I know. And I also know who I'm going home with, so shush." She smiled back at him.
"Oh and the best part, he had an accent."
The something in Buffy's mind nudged her to ask "What kind?"
"British, and his voice was low and so very sexy."
"Hey I am still standing right here!"
*So he was English so what? There were Englishmen all over the world. Okay, okay, so mostly they're in England but that wasn't the point. An Englishman in LA wasn't that unusual. It didn't mean it was him.* Besides she had told the truth to Cordy, she hadn't had a good look at him, but she had seen the shock of platinum blonde hair as he moved off into the crowd and she didn't know anyone stupid enough to dye their hair that colour. *So why did this niggle?*
Buffy suddenly realised what it was. The way he moved! When this Spike had disappeared into the crowd, she'd had a brief flash of recognition for the way he walked. But she didn't know a Spike. She'd met a lot of people in England, but she was fairly certain a bleached blonde with the name of Spike and the physical attributes Cordy had described would have stayed in her memory.
Was this Spike still here?* She scanned the crowd. * Where was he?*
She needed to circulate anyway and if she happened to see anyone meeting Cordy's description, she'd be able to thank him on behalf of her friends. Because whether he had meant to, or not, he had finally given them the strength to be together.
As he left Cordelia on the edge of the dance floor with the 'hair-gel' bloke, Spike headed towards the lift and pulled out his mobile phone.
Irritated with the bow tie he pulled it sharply to undo it and ripped the top few studs of his dress shirt open. *Bloody penguin suit. Fed up with the damn thing. * Too restricting and the damn shoes made his ankles swell. *Oh yeah Spike, * he told himself, *say that out loud. It's so very manly. *
He dialled and while he waited for the owner to answer he pressed the down arrow for the lift. He leant his back against the wall and ran his hands over his tired eyes. Bleedin' contacts. They would've been alright if he hadn't had to put them back in for the appointment he'd gone to earlier this evening. Vanity thy name is Spike. Just as he was about to give up on anyone answering the phone a sultry female voice answered.
"Hello, Jo speaking."
"'Lo luv it's me."
"Spike, how you doing handsome?"
"Just neat. Look, tell Mick I'm done here, I did this job as one last favour. So you tell him to get his poncy arse over here ASAP 'cos I'm done and his shift is due. I've just made one last lady very happy. So me? I'm all done now. Understand?"
"Understood sweetpea, but you can tell him yourself, he shoulda got there by now, he left thirty minutes ago."
Spike was just about to tell her that he hadn't seen him, when the strong voice of his now ex employer could be heard trying to control the fallout from some sort of scuffle in the Main Hall. "Yeah he's here luv, but I'm still going to let you tell him. I'm off."
"Okay sexy. I'll send your cheque onto you at your address. Okay babe?"
"Fine. Hey Jo thanks. Sorry I snapped at you luv."
"It's nothing, but if you want to make it up to me, you could come over and make me the last lady you make happy."
"Sorry luv, got me someone waiting at home."
"Fine, thrown over once again. Have a good night, you hear."
"Will do Jo. Bye."
"Bye Hon."
Just as he rang off, the lift arrived. He entered and selected reception, as his thoughts briefly flicked back to the situation with Cordelia.
Getting wandering boyfriends to pay attention to their girls wasn't exactly in his job description, but as of Monday he had a new job so he didn't care. Actually he hadn't cared before that. He hoped it had all worked out fine, but for some reason when ever he thought back to the look on Hair-gel's face, all he could picture was the back of the tiny fair-haired woman he'd been chatting away to. He'd only glanced that way once or twice, but for some reason her figure wouldn't leave his head. *That's it mate; you are officially off your bird. Home, bed and a relaxing weekend. Then let's see what we can do to accommodate the needs of the lovely Miss Rosenberg. *
Buffy opened her front door to the view of Angel O'Connor, reputed womaniser and all round cad, passionately kissing Cordelia Chase, right there on her front doorstep.
Buffy cleared her throat.
There was no response from either party. Neither of them seemed to notice.
She tried again with a stronger cough, only louder
Nothing. What was she? Invisible?
Finally, in a desperate attempt to gain their attention before she got old, or more importantly, the curl dropped from her hair, she spoke the words guaranteed to make both the couple in front of her spring apart as if burned.
"Angel, your father's heading this way."
It had the desired effect, as both of them pulled back and tried to make themselves look presentable. In the midst of re-tufting his hair Angel finally looked around and sheepishly smiled, realising that, omnipresent as his father appeared to be, it was unlikely he was camped out on Buffy Summers doorstep watching him kiss Cordelia.
"Hey, Buffy."
"Was that really necessary?" Angel's beautiful companion grabbed her compact out of her handbag and began re-applying her lipstick.
"Hello to you too Cordy. And for your information I tried subtle. Not of the working."
"So you just aimed below the belt?"
"It worked didn't it." Buffy smiled unrepentantly. " Besides if I'd left the two of you any longer it would've been your hand below the belt."
The tall brunette raised her eyebrows as she checked her hair in the little mirror in her hand. "Very funny."
"I thought so."
"You look nice Buffy," said Angel softy.
"Thanks."
She turned, locked the front door and headed down the stoop followed by her visitors.
"Yeah, finally took my advice and tried a colour other than black. 'Though gotta say your skin looks a little dry. Have you been neglecting to moisturise again?"
Buffy simply took her friend's comments in her stride. At Angel's gesture she headed to the waiting taxicab as she contemplated the rudeness that was Cordelia Chase. Once upon a time, a high school prom queen, cheerleader and all round social climber. Back at Sunnydale High she had been queen bitch to Buffy's art-loving geek but was now her good friend. Sometimes Buffy had to pinch herself to believe that little irony.
She'd re-met Cordelia not long after her father's demand that she would be Angels escort. Hank had packed her off to the largest most exclusive department store in LA with strict instructions, and a gold credit card, to make herself as presentable to LA society as possible.
She had run across Cordelia in the lingerie department and struck up a conversation with the strangely nervous Cordy, inquiring what she was up to these days. The usually outspoken Cordelia had given very evasive replies until the reason for her nervousness became obvious. A stern looking woman had approached them demanding that Cordelia "cease gossiping" with her friend and get back to work.
After her boss had headed back to the sales counter, Cordelia had been very snappy and demanded that Buffy just take her best shot at poking fun at her situation, but Buffy had simply asked what had happened.
Long answer short. Cordelia had been left virtually penniless when her father had been done for tax evasion. She hadn't been able to go to any of the colleges she been accepted to and was in LA as an aspiring actress, or more realistically a Shop Assistant. Buffy didn't laugh, for which Cordelia was greatly appreciative, and after a word with Cordy's superior where Buffy explained that she required her assistance as a personal shopper for a day, the two of them began a firm friendship. Since then Cordy had been Buffy's personal grooming advisor for such events as tonight's ball.
"Cordy." The gentle tones of the tall man next to her reprimanded her fondly for her forthright comments, as he helped the two glamorous women into the backseat of the taxi and instructed the driver to their destination.
After they were settled Buffy glanced quickly at the man in the front seat.
Yep, there he was. Angel O'Connor. Still tall. Still handsome. Still broad of shoulder.
Still not remotely attracted to him.
It had come as a bit of a surprise to her that the notorious Angel O'Connor, with his reputation as lady's man with no sense of honesty or decency, had been the polar opposite of the gossip mongers' tales. Yes he was well built, if a little too bulky for her liking, and good looking. But he also had a certain vulnerability to him that no one had ever seemed to notice.
On their first meeting, he'd been oddly relieved when she'd made it clear that these dates, set up by her father and his, were never going to be any more than a business arrangement. His sigh of relief had been so forceful she'd been afraid he' d sprung a leak
It had been a case of mutual like, with neither party interested in the other, as anything other than a friend and that had suited the both of them.
For three years Buffy and Angel had quite happily accompanied each other to functions, their individual freedom to live their own personal lives given to them under the umbrella of their "dates". Even with both sets of parents pushing them for some kind of official commitment, it was an advantageous arrangement.
The arrangement had developed from a family arranged annoyance, to a mutually beneficial agreement and now it was a necessity. A necessity that neither of them liked and one that Cordelia Chase hated.
Over a year ago Buffy had taken Cordy with her on a shopping trip and they had run into Angel.
Cordelia and Angel together - now that had been love at first sight. Buffy had realised things were going to get tricky as soon as Angel had taken Cordy's hand in greeting.
Before the imprisonment and social disgrace of her father, Cordelia Chase would have been considered a good match for the heir of the O'Connor family fortune. Now however, she was a social disgrace and both she and Angel knew that if they were to go public with their new relationship she'd be pegged a gold digger and he would be cut off from the family fortune.
Buffy personally thought the whole thing incredibly stupid. If they wanted to be together they should just be together. But Angel had never done a proper days work in his life, and Cordelia wouldn't ask him to give up everything that she had been forced to. But they wouldn't part from each other either.
So this was where Buffy found herself. Sitting in a cab, heading toward the charity ball, with her date in the front seat, and his wife sat in the back with her.
Five months after her friends' first meeting, Buffy had found herself standing in a small chapel in Las Vegas as a witness to their impromptu marriage. The other witness was a drunk Angel had found in the hotel bar mourning his losses at the gambling tables.
She was pretty sure this wasn't the wedding that Cordelia had always dreamed of, but the couple standing at the guitar shaped altar, in front of the worse Elvis impersonator she had ever seen, looked ridiculously happy.
"Heir to the O'Connor Fortune wed by Elvis." Buffy had visions of the headlines. But neither the media nor the groom's family had found out and everything had gone back to normal. *Well, * Buffy remembered thinking at the time, *as normal as my life ever gets. *
"Please excuse Cordelia," begged Angel with a teasing smile, ".she doesn't mean what she says."
"Yes she does."
"Yes I do."
As both woman spoke in unison they turned to each other and smiled. It was an unlikely friendship but it worked.
The short journey continued with Cordelia and Buffy catching up, but Buffy couldn't help but feel the underlying tension in the air. Angel and his wife were being their normal couply selves but there seemed to be just something hovering unspoken between them.
As the tall building of O'Connor Holdings rose into view they all grew quiet and readied themselves for the charade that was about to begin.
"Shall we?" asked Buffy, as the cab pulled up to the curb and she and Cordelia got out while Angel paid the cabby.
He turned to his wife and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead as she smoothed out her floor length burgundy dress.
"After you my love." He gestured for her to go ahead, a small sad smile on his face.
"Be good you two, and Buffy, keep him out of trouble, " Cordelia ordered as she headed into the building to take the elevator to the penthouse function room.
Angel watched his wife go with hooded eyes as Buffy commented, "She seems a bit upset and you look tense."
Angel looked surprised that she'd had noticed it. "Is it that obvious?"
"Only to those that know you. What's up?"
There was a slight pause before he spoke again, "We're pregnant."
"Oh." *Oh wow! A baby? * Buffy damped down the instant flash of jealously and pain as she tried to read his expression.
When she couldn't, she went for the direct approach. "Isn't she happy about the baby? Aren't you?"
"God Buffy." Angel ran his hands through his hair, as they moved into the building reception area to await the next lift.
"We're both so damned happy about it, but. "
"But what?"
"We were going to tell my parents tonight. About us I mean. The whole marriage thing."
"And now you're not?" Buffy followed him into the newly arrived elevator.
Another frustrated and annoyed sigh filled the car as he stared up at the ceiling. "We had it planned. Cordy just got promoted. Her new Manager recommended her for a transfer to the Purchasing Department when he realised how much she knew about fashion..."
Buffy was a little hurt that Cordy hadn't mentioned such good news but didn't interrupt as Angel continued.
" .and I've saved some money from my job at Dad's firm, but we were relying on Cordy's money to allow us to finally live together. Damn it Buffy I can't even support my own wife! I have no talent. No skills. The only thing I ever learnt in school was that my father would have a job waiting for me. I'm wasting my life and now not only mine. I'm wasting Cordy's and the baby's as well. They deserve better than me. Why'd she let me do this to her?" Angel sagged his shoulders and bent his head low to avoid her searching eyes.
Buffy reached up and placed a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder. She had no words to make everything right. She had no control over her own life, so couldn't comment on anyone else's, but she did know one thing.
"Angel." She squeezed his shoulder to try and gain his attention. Nothing.
"Angel. Look at me."
Slowly his head rose and he met her compassionate eyes.
"Its very simple. Cordelia loves you. The baby will love you."
"But I can't give them anything."
"Can you give them love?"
Angel stared at her. "Always." He stated at least he looked convinced of that.
Buffy smiled softly "Well, doesn't that seem like anything?"
*Okay *, she thought as Angel finally gave her a tight smile, * That didn't exactly solve the problem* but it was the best she could do at short notice because right then they reached the penthouse.
The function room was decorated in a startling array of bad taste. Amid the fancy decorations and flower displays, Cordelia stood at the refreshment table watching overweening rich men and their little trophy wives mingling with the matrons and patriarchs of the wealthiest families, the so called cream of LA society.
She couldn't help the thought that it wasn't only cream that rises to the top. And to think this used to be what she aspired to. Funny how selling underwear to these people had given her a different perspective on them.
Instinctively knowing where her love was, she turned towards the elevator as her husband and friend exited. As she caught Buffy's eye and received a small smile and nod, she realised that she knew about the baby. She was a little mad she'd not got to be the one to tell her, but she had other things on her mind right now.
She had been so happy that finally Angel was going to be honest and tell his parents about their marriage. She had been fine with the whole secrecy bit at first. It had been exciting and romantic to hide their love. The clandestine meetings and furtive glances had been exhilarating, but now she was just tired of it. She loved Angel but living apart, watching him cosy up with Buffy even if it was an act, having him pass her in a roomful of people without a glance, was enough to break her heart.
Unconsciously her hand drifted to her stomach. And now this, this beautiful everyday miracle was stopping that honesty. She didn't know what to feel. She was so happy to be pregnant, but a little resentment toward the life growing inside her had snuck in. If it wasn't for this baby Angel would be telling his parents all about her right now. Letting them know that he was finally breaking free of their controlling influence, getting on with living his life and being with the woman he loved.
Although the baby wouldn't prevent her taking the new job offer, it would put a serious crimp in their income while she was on maternity leave, and increase those pesky little household bills. That was the other reason she was annoyed. Angel seemed to have no real thought to getting a job of his own. He was too busy being, "Oh poor me. I'm a little rich boy. I never learnt to do anything." What did he think? That she woke up one day and said 'Hey whoopee, I'll be a shop assistant!' Really not.
As she watched Angel and Buffy approach Mr & Mrs O'Connor to make their hellos she reached for the Beluga caviar. It would probably make her feel ill, but then hey, these days what didn't? She was jolted out of her reverie when the person standing next to her jostled her arm. Perfect, she so needed someone to gripe at.
"Hey lamebrain, what's your major." as she turned the man's face came into view ".malfunc." and her voice drifted off in contemplation of the attractive features in front of her.
As she stared open mouthed at the blond man in the tuxedo who just oozed self-confidence and predatory sex appeal, a little voice in the back of her head kept prodding at her. * You're married. You are married. Actually, to be accurate, you're married and pregnant. So he looks good in a tux. Any man can look good in well tailored, form flattering, expensive formal wear. Close mouth. Stop drooling. Remember to breathe. *
The instructions were just about to have the take hold when he smirked. The bleached bombshell with the lickable cheekbones actually smirked. At her! Nobody smirked at Cordelia Chase-O'Connor. No-one. She opened her mouth to give him a piece of her mind when he spoke.
"Sorry Luv. 'S my fault. Just dazzled by your beauty is all."
* Oh boy. This guy doesn't play fair. A British accent. So, so not fair. *
"Lovely lady like you shouldn't be getting her own plate. Where's your lucky bloke?"
At the mention of her absentee husband Cordelia felt a jolt of petty revenge coming on and turning, shot arrows with her eyes at Angel. Let's see how he liked being on the receiving end of this tedious arrangement.
"No 'bloke'. Just little me." She flashed her full wattage smile complete with award winning nose wrinkle.
Spike had seen the look she'd directed at the Neanderthal looking guy across the room. The dolt remained oblivious, deep in conversation with the little blonde number whose back was to him.
*Ah, so that's how it was *. He gave the attractive brunette a slow appreciative grin. "Well in that case luv, fancy a turn on the dance floor? I do a mean two-step. "
He stepped closer to the woman slightly lowering his head to whisper more intimately into her ear. " Satisfaction guaranteed."
Cordelia's inner voice kicked her again. *YOU'RE MARRIED. HELLO? *
She promptly muted it. *At the moment,* she screamed back at it, * I don't care. I'm going to dance with the yummy Englishman, make my husband jealous and when he's as green as a .a. a green thing I'm going to take him to my place and tie him up until he agrees to tell his parents about us. So there. And as a bonus I get to spend a little time with a gorgeous man who is making me feel like the most desirable woman here. So there. Again!*
"Love to."
She placed her hand in his and he led her to the dance floor. He pulled her into a close embrace and smoothly began to lead her in a slow dance to the ballad playing by the live Jazz band.
"So luv, who do I have the pleasure of dancing with?"
"Cordelia. Cordelia Chase. And you are.no don't tell me.let me guess. You would be James Bond. Right?"
Spike chuckled at that but it wasn't exactly an original comment. Stick an Englishman in a tux and that's all they could think of? All these American chits had no imagination. * Well, * he amended, * most of them had no imagination. *
"Nah luv. They call me Spike."
She was a little surprised. "They call you? Who they?"
He shrugged. "Just 'They'."
She raised her eyebrows a little at that. Okay so he wanted to be mysterious. Fine, it just added to the fun.
As Spike twirled her from him in a nifty little dance move, she took the opportunity to glance in Angel's direction. Yep, there he was still talking to his parents. God Buffy looked bored. That at least was one upside to his parents not knowing about her. As his secret wife, rather than public date she didn't have to have her ear chewed off by his dull mother.
Angel glanced in her direction. Oops he'd spotted her. She lowered her eyes.
"So tell me Cordelia. Has it worked?"
"Excuse me?" she looked back into her dance partner's eyes. *Ooh blue!*
"Has it worked?" he repeated.
At her continued bafflement he gestured toward Angel with his chin. "That moron you've been staring at since he got here and been trying to make jealous for the last five minutes. Has dancing with me had the desired effect?"
Cordelia stopped dancing instantly contrite. Keeping his hand in hers she pushed through the crowd and dragged him from the dance floor towards a secluded alcove. In the past she may have been able to trample all over someone's feelings, but having been on the receiving end she had learnt her lesson - okay so the earlier lamebrain comment had been a momentary lapse but she was pregnant dammit. "Spike I'm so sorry. I really did want to dance with you it's just that. well that is I.you see it's like this."
"You love him," he stated confidently, " but he's been ignoring you, so you wanted a little payback. "
She stared at him open mouthed. She really should stop doing that around him.
"No worries pet." He added smiling.
While she continued to stare at him, he took her hand and bent to kiss her cheek. As he brushed his lips across her skin, she heard a low whisper. "Yankin' me off the dance floor was a good move, pet. If tall, dark and broody is your man it worked just fine. He's heading this way."
With a genuine smile Cordelia nodded her thanks and turned to her approaching husband. *Oh yeah, paybacks a bitch, eh Angel? Actually no, that would be me. * She briefly noticed that Buffy was trying to head her way too but she was obviously having difficultly getting away from the 'mother-in-law'.
"Cordy, is this guy bothering you?" Angel tried to use his height over the shorter man as an intimidation tactic. Oddly it just made Spike look far more relaxed and at home than Angel did at his own party.
"Me? Nah mate. The lady and I were just having ourselves a little dance," Spike turned back to Cordelia completely unfazed, ".and a lovely one it was too. Goodnight Cordelia."
"Night Spike. Thank you." She called after him as he wandered off into the crowd with a final nod.
Cordelia saw the look on her love's usually passive face. "Uh ah mister. Don't give me the hurt puppy dog eyes. I didn't do anything wrong and neither did he. It was just a dance."
"But."
"But me no buts."
"'Lia, he had his arms around you. and our baby." He whispered as he went to gather her close into his body. She knew she'd gotten to him when he used his special nickname for her.
"Angel." Cordy pushed him away a little. "Everyone will see!"
"I don't care anymore."
She looked at him incredulously, as Buffy reached them after finally escaping Angel's mother.
"But you said. you said we had to wait."
He hung his head, deeply ashamed of himself for making her wait so long. "Not any more. Tonight we tell them. About you. About us. About the baby. We'll tell them everything."
"But what about the money? Honey, we'll have no income when the baby comes. We can't do this."
"Do you think you'll like your new job Lia?"
She was completely thrown by this apparent change in the direction of the conversation. "Huh? Angel what does.?"
"Do you think you'll like your job?"
"Are you kidding? Buying clothes all day, everyday. Getting to play with all those lovely accessories. What's not to love?"
"Fine then. You work. I'll look after the baby."
"Okay now I'm back to the Huh?"
"I'll look after the baby. Maybe if I'm around a little more than my dad was my son will be a better person than I am."
"You are a good person Angel. And hey, she might be a girl."
"No I'm not. Cordelia if I'd been good and strong, you wouldn't have to have waited so long for this. And he's going to be a boy. So, are you ready to give it a try?"
"Yes." Cordelia sent a thought of thanks in the direction of a certain bleached blonde miracle worker.
"Good, then we'll tell them tonight."
"Okay."
Buffy had watched this display of love with tears threatening to spill, she hadn't come over with the intention to eavesdrop on such an important conversation but only to keep up the façade as Angel's girlfriend for their sakes. Angel accosting a strange woman in a room full of his peers may have aroused suspicion from a bored crowd.
Fortunately for them, millionaire playboy Joshua Hamilton was trying to mediate a blazing row between current wife number four and his latest girlfriend. Although the consequences weren't as damaging as the possible outcome from anyone overhearing the scene in front of her, it had a lot more entertainment value with possible hair pulling and eye gouging, than the three of them huddled near the wall talking in hushed tones.
As it was this impending argument had been the only reason she'd been able to get away from Jennifer O'Connor in the first place. Having heard the conversation however Buffy couldn't help herself from making a comment.
"Guys. Look, not to be the poop to this party or anything, but how far along are you Cordy?"
"Ten weeks."
"Really? Congratulations." Buffy was excited for them but had to add, " But how about telling your parents later Angel? That way if they do react the way you think they will, what with the disinheritance and all, you'll have a little more money set aside before Cordelia has to stop work."
"Oh Buffy! Do you have to be so sensible?" Huffed Cordelia.
"I know it puts the kybosh on things a little. But babies are expensive. Think about it a bit." She couldn't help the little thought that added *10 weeks is still very early in a pregnancy and things sometimes go wrong. *
"Damn you for being so practical. The old Buffy was far more romantic."
*Yes she was, * Buffy mentally agreed *and look where that got her. *
"So we wait a little? That okay with you Lia?" Angel asked. He really did want to tell his folks now, but what Buffy had said did make sense.
"It's fine. So long as we do tell them. If you change your mind Angel, I'll hunt Spike down again. You hear me Mister?"
At his nod she let the subject drop as more pressing matters arose. "So how about something to eat I'm starved. Spike interrupted me before I could grab anything." She turned to her friend.
" Buffy? Buffy?"
Cordelia realised she had drifted off somewhere. Not physically because she was standing right next to her, but mentally she seemed a world away as she stared off in the direction Spike had taken.
"Buffy? Are you ok? Buffy?"
Buffy was trying very hard to process something. It had been something she'd seen. There was a strange little niggle at the back of her mind. Something had set her out of kilter and she couldn't place what it was. Or could she?
"Cordy who were you dancing with?"
"Some guy called Spike. Hey did you get a good look at him?"
When Buffy shook her head she continued. "Boy he was fine. Nicely muscled, lean, smelt great, not too sure about the bleached hair, but fabulous blue eyes and man could he move."
"Hey honey, I am standing right here you know." Stated Angel with a slightly hurt tone.
"I know. And I also know who I'm going home with, so shush." She smiled back at him.
"Oh and the best part, he had an accent."
The something in Buffy's mind nudged her to ask "What kind?"
"British, and his voice was low and so very sexy."
"Hey I am still standing right here!"
*So he was English so what? There were Englishmen all over the world. Okay, okay, so mostly they're in England but that wasn't the point. An Englishman in LA wasn't that unusual. It didn't mean it was him.* Besides she had told the truth to Cordy, she hadn't had a good look at him, but she had seen the shock of platinum blonde hair as he moved off into the crowd and she didn't know anyone stupid enough to dye their hair that colour. *So why did this niggle?*
Buffy suddenly realised what it was. The way he moved! When this Spike had disappeared into the crowd, she'd had a brief flash of recognition for the way he walked. But she didn't know a Spike. She'd met a lot of people in England, but she was fairly certain a bleached blonde with the name of Spike and the physical attributes Cordy had described would have stayed in her memory.
Was this Spike still here?* She scanned the crowd. * Where was he?*
She needed to circulate anyway and if she happened to see anyone meeting Cordy's description, she'd be able to thank him on behalf of her friends. Because whether he had meant to, or not, he had finally given them the strength to be together.
As he left Cordelia on the edge of the dance floor with the 'hair-gel' bloke, Spike headed towards the lift and pulled out his mobile phone.
Irritated with the bow tie he pulled it sharply to undo it and ripped the top few studs of his dress shirt open. *Bloody penguin suit. Fed up with the damn thing. * Too restricting and the damn shoes made his ankles swell. *Oh yeah Spike, * he told himself, *say that out loud. It's so very manly. *
He dialled and while he waited for the owner to answer he pressed the down arrow for the lift. He leant his back against the wall and ran his hands over his tired eyes. Bleedin' contacts. They would've been alright if he hadn't had to put them back in for the appointment he'd gone to earlier this evening. Vanity thy name is Spike. Just as he was about to give up on anyone answering the phone a sultry female voice answered.
"Hello, Jo speaking."
"'Lo luv it's me."
"Spike, how you doing handsome?"
"Just neat. Look, tell Mick I'm done here, I did this job as one last favour. So you tell him to get his poncy arse over here ASAP 'cos I'm done and his shift is due. I've just made one last lady very happy. So me? I'm all done now. Understand?"
"Understood sweetpea, but you can tell him yourself, he shoulda got there by now, he left thirty minutes ago."
Spike was just about to tell her that he hadn't seen him, when the strong voice of his now ex employer could be heard trying to control the fallout from some sort of scuffle in the Main Hall. "Yeah he's here luv, but I'm still going to let you tell him. I'm off."
"Okay sexy. I'll send your cheque onto you at your address. Okay babe?"
"Fine. Hey Jo thanks. Sorry I snapped at you luv."
"It's nothing, but if you want to make it up to me, you could come over and make me the last lady you make happy."
"Sorry luv, got me someone waiting at home."
"Fine, thrown over once again. Have a good night, you hear."
"Will do Jo. Bye."
"Bye Hon."
Just as he rang off, the lift arrived. He entered and selected reception, as his thoughts briefly flicked back to the situation with Cordelia.
Getting wandering boyfriends to pay attention to their girls wasn't exactly in his job description, but as of Monday he had a new job so he didn't care. Actually he hadn't cared before that. He hoped it had all worked out fine, but for some reason when ever he thought back to the look on Hair-gel's face, all he could picture was the back of the tiny fair-haired woman he'd been chatting away to. He'd only glanced that way once or twice, but for some reason her figure wouldn't leave his head. *That's it mate; you are officially off your bird. Home, bed and a relaxing weekend. Then let's see what we can do to accommodate the needs of the lovely Miss Rosenberg. *