All Buffy rights go to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. All Nicky and Alex rights go to Full House and Warner Bro. Television.

Chapter 5

Back in the Library

"So how'd it go with Angel last night?" Willow asked Buffy as the two headed to the library after school the next day.

"It was good. We were able to bag a few scaries," Buffy replied opening the door to the library.

"Nicky get down off of there!" Giles cried. It sounded like he had said it more than once.

"No! Not today!" Nicky hollered down at Giles from atop one of the book carts. Alex ran up to Willow and buried his face in her legs.

"Aww, poor Alex," Willow said picking him up and holding him close. He hated it when Nicky was being scolded.

"Nicholas Katstopalis, you know better then to yell at your daddy like that," Oz scolded and set Nicky down on the floor.

"Sorry Daddy," Nicky said going up to Giles.

"I should hope so," Giles said, his voice softer then before as he lifted Nicky.

"You're getting to be a big boy," Giles said to him.

"Thank you Oz. I don't know what I'd do without you," Giles said gratefully.

"I don't know what any of us would do," Willow whispered into Oz's ear. Nicky and Alex (when ever he misbehaved which was never) had a tendency to listen to Oz. No one knew why.

"I have to take the boys home. My sisters coming into town and I'll be out for the remainder of the week," Giles reminded them. After Giles left, Willow, Oz, Buffy, and Xander made plans to go to the Bronze.

"You coming Cordy?" Oz asked her. She shook her head.

"Funny. She looks like Cordelia," Xander said poking Cordelia in the shoulder.

"I'm just going to go home tonight. Got the house to myself for a while since mom and dad are in Europe."

"Suit yourself," Xander said. He went out the door with Willow and Oz. Buffy lagged behind.

"You sure you'll be alright Cor?" she asked. Cordelia nodded.

"I'll be fine Buffy, go run into Faith." Faith was the groups crazy, out of control friend who was also a slayer. Buffy smiled and squeezed Cordelia's shoulder before leaving. Cordelia sat for a while and then Rose appeared from behind one of the bookcases with a large book in her arms. She plopped it down on the table. It took her a while to climb into the chair but once she did she sat down and opened the book. Cordelia smiled to herself. She had stayed behind hoping the little girl would come back.

"Whatcha' readin' today shorty?" Cordelia asked her.

"Shakespeare," Rose replied happily. She couldn't hide her smile. She was happy the girl was back.

"What's your name?" Rose asked.

"Cordelia Chase, and yours?" Cordelia asked coming and sitting across from Rose.

"Rose. Rose Mailey," Rose put out her hand and Cordelia shook it. Looking at Rose she noticed the fresh wound over her ear that hadn't been there the other day. She was cleaner today though. Her face had been washed and all that was noticeable were the bruises on her arms. She wore pants and a faded, blue, oversized sweatshirt.

"Do you come here often?" Cordelia asked her.

"No, I just found out about it the other day. I think I like it here."