TITLE: Burgandy
AUTHOR: Ben Is Glory
RATING: PG-13
PAIRING: B/S
DISCLAIMER: Joss, for being so cool and everything. Common Rotation for the title. Ghost of the Robot for the song and general wonderfulness.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I overcame an incredible bout of laziness to write this chapter. Aren't you proud? Lol. Apologies for any formatting craziness, because that's courtesy of this new QuickEdit thingamabobber that FFN insists on. Also, sorry for any Angel-bashing. It's all in fun, I swear. I like Angel and everything, it's just some things are too damn funny not to joke about. Yeah. Okay, onto the story.
FEEDBACK: Come on, don't make me beg.
---
Buffy walked up to the front of the room after her usual Saturday morning writing class. "Hi, Mr. Giles."
"Oh," he said as he looked up from collecting his things. "Hello, Buffy. Do you have a question?"
The young girl shifted her weight from foot to foot. "Well, I was wondering where Will was," she blurted out uncomfortably. He hadn't been present in class today, and Buffy just could not keep her curiosity bottled up any longer.
"It seems he had a prior engagement," he told her. "I believe he called it, a, a…" He took off he glasses, wiping them thoroughly as he stammered. "Oh! A gig. Yes, that's what it was."
A gig? Buffy thought. Since when does Will have gigs? "Um, okay. Thank you," she thanked him quickly and started to walk out.
"Hope I could help you!" Giles called after her. He wasn't sure, either, what William was up to. Whatever it is, though, it must be good.
---
"That's so weird, Buff," Willow confessed to her best friend. The two girls sat in a small café to have lunch.
The blonde reviewed her story trying to figure out what was going on. She didn't like being in the dark. "I know! I didn't know what to think because, well, what the hell, ya know?"
Nodding, her roommate said, "I'm sure it's nothing. Not important at all. A big vat of nada." She smiled supportively at Buffy.
"Thanks, Wills."
"Pssh. That's the best friend's job. I'm Support-o Gal."
Letting out a sigh, Buffy replied, "I have a feeling I'll be needing all the support I can get."
---
Oh my God, oh my God, oh my GOD! It was six forty-five, and Angel would be there to pick her up in fifteen minutes for their date. Date. Daaate. Oh my God! Calm down, Buffy. You have to stop freaking out.
"Buffy!" her best friend shouted. "You have to stop freaking out!"
"I know, Wills. I know. It's just… I can't help it. This was a bad idea. Big bad idea. Full of badness." The blonde continued babbling until Willow planted her hands firmly on Buffy's shoulders.
"Look, this is not that scary. Sure, it's a date. But it's a date with a really cute guy. And there's going to be plenty of people there. Including me, remember? I'll be there to watch the band play and to keep an eye on you. Everything will be swell, okay?"
She nodded.
"Okay. And if he starts getting fresh, well then I'll just show up and put a stop to it!" Willow exclaimed. This got a giggle from her terrified friend.
"You know what? You're right. I've got this. I've got this," Buffy repeated. There was a knock at the door, and she shrunk back down on her bed. "I don't got this," she croaked.
The redhead let out an exasperated grunt and pulled her to her feet. "You look great," she said as Buffy straightened her 'little black dress' that every girl should have. Continuing, Willow said, "You feel, uh, almost great. Everything will be great. Now go!" She gave the girl a little push towards the door, hoping she wouldn't chicken out and not answer it.
Buffy took a deep breath and opened the door. Outside stood Angel, clad in black pants and a black shirt. He also wore a long black coat. Wow. He kind of dresses like Will. she thought. No! Don't think of Will. This is your night with Angel. Heh. Look at how his hair sticks straight up. A smile appeared on her face, and she hoped it was a convincing 'oh-you-look-nice' expression and not a 'I-was-just-making-fun-of-you-inside-my-head' one. That's enough thinking for now, Buffy.
"You look amazing," Angel complimented her. "Gorgeous."
Feeling her cheeks flush, she responded, "Thanks. So do you." Catching her flub, she added, "Um, I mean, in a guy way."
Willow popped up at the door, wishing the couple a good time. "You crazy kids have fun, okay?"
Angel flashed her a patronizing smile and led Buffy out of the doorway. The blonde turned around for one last look of support from her friend. She got a smile and a wave as the door shut behind her.
---
As their cab pulled up outside of the Bronze, it started raining; plump drops of rain fell from the sky. Angel took off his jacket and held it over his date to keep her from getting wet. They made it to the building reasonably dry, and he grinned.
"Thanks for the umbrella." Buffy groaned. "Ugh, my hair must be so incredibly attractive right now," she said sarcastically.
"I think you look great." There was an awkward pause, and he offered, "Can I get you something to drink?"
"Yeah, that'd be nice. I'll have a soda, please."
He began to walk away and then asked her to get a table.
"Sure, no problem." She looked around for some place to sit, wishing that Willow or anyone with a familiar face could come rescue her from the night of uneasy silences and first date drama. No such luck.
---
Around eight, Willow showed up. However, she seemed to be carefully avoiding Buffy and Angel. Some best friend. Buffy thought angrily.
Conversation had been pleasant but fleeting, so Angel decided maybe it was time for something different. Holding out his hand, he raised the question, "Do you want to dance?"
She hesitated for a second before answering, "Sure." Taking his hand, they walked out to the dance floor.
Angel kept her hand in his and moved the other to the small of her back. They swayed slowly, letting the music flow over them. Shortly one song was over, and someone came up on stage to announce the next band.
"Next up," the announcer broadcasted, "is Dingoes Ate My Baby with special guest singer, Spike."
Spike? What kind of name is Spike? Buffy wondered.Her back was to the stage, so she didn't see him walk out. Angel was too wrapped up in Buffy, so he didn't see him either. But they both heard him.
The sound of a solo guitar filled the room followed by his voice. "Are we done for now, or is this for good? Will there be something in time? With us there should. Only girl for me is you, there can be no other one. If I didn't have faith I would come undone."
The dancing couple stopped and turned toward the stage. Realization washing over his features, Angel asked, "Is that…?"
"Will," she finished for him. Will was up on stage singing a song for her. To her. Only to her.
His soothing voice continued, "So much promise in your eyes, seems that I can only see. It always makes me wonder if you save it all for me. Maybe you do. Maybe you don't. Maybe you should. Probably won't. 'Cause there will be…"
At that moment, Will's eyes found hers and locked with them. Everyone else fell away, and he sang words that shattered her heart into a million pieces. "There will be other guys who will whisper in your ear. Say they'll take away your sadness and your fear. They may be kind and true, they may be good for you. But they'll never care for you more than I do."
Buffy shut down, eyes welling up with tears, but she willed herself to calm down and listen to the rest of the song. This was important.
Will's words soon reassured her, "I'll be always there, there to the end. I can't do much but be your one true friend. To the end, through the end. Our lives to spend with each other till the end, of time…"
He lowered his head as Oz played a short guitar solo. Once it was time for his part again, he lifted his gaze back up to meet hers, never breaking the thrall. Sadly, he sang the last verse. "Still see the promise in your eyes and still wonder if it's for me, but I know it's still there even when you sleep. So I say, good night sweet girl."
The song ended, and he hopped off the stage. Eyes never leaving the ground, he quickly moved to the exit.
Leaving Angel behind, Buffy ran after Will out of the club and into the rain.
-TBC-
---
A/n: What'd you think? Last chapter should be up next Saturday and the epilogue the Saturday after that. If I stay on schedule, that is. And if the Angel finale doesn't kill me ;/ So, what are you waiting for? Review!