Title: A Model Romance
Author: Ashley K.
Disclaimer: I own nothing BTVS or A:tS.
Chapter Three:
Lying in Angelus' embrace, Buffy was perfectly still. They had made love on and off for who knew how long. She wondered when, exactly, would be the best time to tell him that he had been her first. Then she remembered his reaction to her virginity five years ago and decided that, unless it was absolutely vital, she would not.
"Morning," Angelus whispered, kissing her temple gently. "You must be hungry."
Nodding, Buffy realized that she was, in fact, starving. Angelus got up and put on a robe. Buffy watched him walk out of the room and was shocked by the instant feeling of isolation she experienced.
Buffy knew Angelus, probably better than any of his other girlfriends, including Darla. She knew what size socks he wore, mainly because, for the last year of their parents' marriage that was the only gift she gave him. She knew that he was a brilliant artist, but would never show anyone else his work. Angelus hated the dentist and would make up any excuse not to go for his biyearly check-up, despite the fact that he had never had a cavity nor had worn braces. She knew all the little insignificant things about him, as well as the bigger aspects of him.
He was quick to anger and was vastly protective of what he considered his. Angelus was a ruthlessly businessman and had, in his own right, become a very wealthy man. Add the Kalderash fortune to that and he was one of the world's richest men. He graduated from Oxford at the age of nineteen and had gone on to study at various universities around the world. Angelus was fluent in about six languages and could read another three.
But she did not know that he could cook, a fact that Angelus surprised her with when he walked back into the bedroom thirty minutes later. "Maria's up?" Buffy asked.
"No, it's late," Angelus said, sitting down next to her. "I made this myself."
Buffy smiled her appreciation at the simple, but delicious, meal of salad, mashed potatoes, and chicken. "What time is it?"
"A little after midnight. You were arrested last night," he clarified, giving her both the day and time.
"What time is my flight home?" Buffy asked, innocently. She did not expect the reaction she received.
"Can't wait to get rid of me, huh?" Angelus caustically sniped. "Just like every other man you slept with."
Her pride hurt, especially since he was the first man she had ever slept with, and being confused as to what had set him off, Buffy settled into old habits. "That's right," Buffy coldly said.
"I just regret the fact that I forgot about protection," Angelus said, "I wouldn't want to have…well, let's just say that I've heard all the stories about Parker Abrams."
Buffy blinked, shocked at what he just said. She ignored his thinly veiled insult. Protection. How could she have been so naïve? Angelus must have assumed that she was on the Pill or some other contraceptive, which she was not. Oh God, please, Buffy thought. "Go to Hell," she whispered as she gathered her clothes and left the room.
She barely registered the sound of breaking glass as she hurried into her room.
"How was the shoot?" Rona asked, smiling sweetly at Buffy. Buffy fought the urge to roll her eyes. She had just got back into the States the night before. Angelus had, about an hour after their fight, apathetically came into her room, gave her her passport and return ticket, and called a cab. Buffy had been looking forward to relaxing all day, when Rona called and insisted that they talk about her contract right then.
"It went fine," Buffy tersely answered.
"Good," Rona smiled. "Apparently you being out of the country was a good thing. We have about five job offers for the course of the next three months. They're not quite what you're used to, but…I think that we're just going to have to adapt and use this Abrams' situation to our advantage."
Buffy frowned. "What type of work are we talking about? I refuse to do Playboy or Hustler or any of those porno mags."
"No, no, no," Rona agreed, "It wouldn't do for a model of mine to be in one of those magazines. No, it's more of the same; companies that want a little skin showing in their ads. After all, sex does sell."
"Wait a second. The next three months? But my current contract ends next month…" Buffy trailed off, the implications of Rona's statement finally registering. "I can keep my job?!"
"Buffy, honey, if we dropped every model who had a scandal…well, we'd run out of models," Rona explained. "You're a great model; easy to work with, amazing bones, clothes look great on you. Why would we get rid of you?"
Looking pointedly at the tabloid sitting on Rona's desk, Buffy smirked. "That's not the impression you were giving me a week ago."
"Hush, child," Rona chided. "Here's a copy of the contract that we've drawn up. It's the same as last time; we get 15% of your profit for the next three years. I know, I know, you're going to want the copy and you'll get back to me."
Smiling, Buffy took the copy of the contract to have Anya read it over. Her brother's fiancée was very adept with business legalities. Actually, Anya was very adept with anything that dealt with money.
Buffy and Rona shook hands and Buffy left the office, feeling a hundred times lighter. Job security really made a difference, she thought, amused.
"Buffy!" Buffy's best friend, Willow Rosenberg, greeted, giving her a huge hug. "I'm so glad you made it!"
"Will," Buffy said, "do you really think I'd miss your shower?"
Willow blushed and turned towards her fiancé, Daniel Osborne. Daniel, or Oz as he liked to be called, was the lead guitarist of the famous band, Dingoes Ate My Baby. They had been dating for as long as Buffy could remember and were deeply in love, save that nasty incident with Veruca from the girl-band Shy. During that time, Buffy had been torn between her best friend and her best friend. She was, in fact, the one who introduced Oz to Willow, Willow to Oz, after meeting Oz during a brief relationship with Devon, the lead singer of the Dingoes.
"How was the shoot?" Willow asked, changing the topic from her and onto Buffy. Buffy turned away, not really wanting to lie to her best friend, but, at the same time, not really willing to tell all, not yet at least.
"It went," Buffy skirted. "I'm getting resigned!"
"Buffy, that's great!" Willow gushed, proud of her friend. Oz, in his typical non-verbal fashion, nodded his approval, flashing Buffy a rare smile. Linking her arm through both of her friend's, Buffy led Willow to her present. "Oh, Buffy," Willow murmured, staring at the framed picture of her and Oz's wedding invitation.
"Don't even think that that's all that I got you," Buffy smiled, handing Willow a sealed envelope. "I know that you and Oz were having issues with getting into a hotel for your honeymoon."
"Buffy, you didn't," Oz said, watching his fiancée open the envelope.
Laughing softly, Buffy shook her head. "No, not even I could get you guys into that particular hotel."
Jaw dropping as she read the piece of paper, Willow wordlessly handed it to Oz. "Buffy! How could you?" Willow chided.
"Will, you and Oz are my two best friends. I wanted to do something…nice for the two of you," Buffy said, chuckling a bit at her own pun. She arranged for Oz and Willow to stay in Nice, France for three weeks for their honeymoon. "However, I didn't get your plane tickets, not yet at least. It's been hectic lately."
"Shut up," Willow said, still dazed, "we can handle that much. Buffy, I don't…"
Willow was cut off by Buffy's cell phone ringing. "Excuse me," Buffy politely said, walking away from Oz and Willow. "Hello?" she asked. Her caller ID hadn't recognized the number and Buffy was hoping that it was her new client.
"Where are you?" Buffy's face paled. Angelus.
"None of your damned business," she snapped, face still pale. She did not want to deal with Angelus tonight. Not in the least. "Leave me alone!"
"If you're not home in twenty minutes, lass, heads will roll."
"Oh, is that a threat?" Buffy mocked, "Newsflash, Angelus, I'm twenty-three years old. You're not my stepbrother, right now, hell, you're not anything to me right now. I do not have to listen to you and your insignificant threats!"
Buffy growled as she flipped her phone shut, slightly shaken by the conversation. She was going to kill her mother for giving Angelus her number. Headed back into the hall, Buffy was preoccupied as she preformed her maid of honor duties. Willow, being observant as always, watched her friend with a contemplative stare. "Buffy, you should go home," she gently insisted, "You don't look very well. Mom and I can handle the rest of the gifts by ourselves."
"Thanks, Will," Buffy said, smiling. Willow always looked after Buffy. "As soon as I can get a cab…"
"Oh, shush," said Willow, as she handed Buffy her purse, "Oz can drive you. He's bored out of his mind anyway."
Buffy glanced over at Oz, not quite sure how Willow was able to tell that the quiet man was bored. Apparently his 'bored' expression differed from his 'interested' expression, exactly how they differed, however, Buffy was clueless to. "Are you sure?" she asked, uncertain.
"Positive," Willow grinned, "Look at the poor man…he's practically bored to tears."
"Thanks, Oz," Buffy said, kissing her friend on the cheek.
"No prob," Oz stoically said, hugging her in return. "Back to the wedding stuff."
Laughing, Buffy jumped out of Oz's van, something that he had owned for as long as Buffy could remember. The first time that she had ridden in the van, however, the Dingoes were barely known. Now, the entire world was crazy about them. "Have fun!" She called, waving to him as he pulled out.
"I thought I told you to be back in twenty minutes."
"Stalking is illegal, Angelus," Buffy countered, not bothering to look at him as she walked into her apartment building. She barely acknowledged his ever-present gentleman-like attitude as he held the door open for her. "What are you doing here?"
"Who was that?" Angelus bit out, as the elevator doors slide to a gentle close. Buffy nearly laughed. Angelus seemed…jealous? Over Oz? About her? She shook her head slightly, to clear that ridiculous notion out of her mind.
"If I told you he was my newest lover, would you go away?" she tauntingly asked, watching the numbers above the elevator doors, urging them to hurry. Buffy did not want to spend another second trapped with her…something.
Angelus was silent, following her to her apartment door. Buffy sighed as she dug through her purse, searching for her keys. The moment she unlocked the door, Angelus grabbed her, pressing his lips onto hers, before pushing her away from him. "You are mine," he growled, "Remember that!"
"I am not your's, you medieval asshole!" Buffy fumed, before taking a deep breath. She knew the fastest way to get Angel out of her apartment was to pick a fight. "Angelus, surprisingly, I had fun in Tuscany with you. But it was a one-time deal, no strings attached. Just…a little fling," Buffy calmly said, fully knowing how bitchy she was being, but bitchiness was her last defense with Angelus. "Our parents are getting remarried. Do you know the field day the press would have if they found out about it?"
"You little slut," Angelus hissed, storming out of her apartment.
Buffy inhaled, closing her eyes briefly. She had thought about a relationship between herself and Angelus and realized that it would never be able to work out. First of all, Angelus had never shown an ounce of respect towards her, nor had he ever had a relationship, save his 'agreement' with Darla, that had lasted longer than five months. Then there really was the controversy that would occur. Even though they would just be stepsiblings, the general public would not view a romantic relationship favorably.
And, of course, there was the whole 'Angelus didn't love her' thing. Buffy was upset that she had given her virginity to Angelus. She had always hoped, wanted, for her first time to be with somebody that she loved, not with somebody that she was in lust over. But it was too late to change the past and Buffy was just going to have to deal with it.
If luck was with her for once, Buffy's little act for Angelus should erase any thoughts Angelus had of claiming Buffy as one of his possessions. She hoped, at least.
Two Months Later
Buffy frowned as she wiped her mouth off with the back of her hand. "Gross," she said, flushing the toilet. She hadn't been feeling all that great for about a week now; she was throwing up, had a general sense of fatigue. "Damnit," she cursed, "I so can't be getting sick now."
She had finished three of the five assignments that Rona had told her about two months ago, and the last two were simultaneous, finishing within three days of on another. Buffy hated having back-to-back photo shoots, but, after they were done, she would have a month long break.
Nodding to herself as she washed out her mouth, Buffy decided to tell her assistant to make her a doctor's appointment that afternoon. Hopefully it was something that could be cured with some antibiotics.
"…Took me to his new place in L.A. God, that man knows how to please a woman!" Buffy couldn't help but overhear the conversation between the two stalls in the ladies' room. "Angelus Giles…the man is a god."
Buffy's face fell at the mention of Angelus' name. She hadn't seen him since that night in her apartment, despite the fact that she had been to Giles' mansion many times with her mother. Buffy lingered in the bathroom, curious to see whom Angelus' newest conquest was.
"Drusilla, you're so lucky!" Buffy made a face. She knew who that voice was. Harmony Kendall was her former classmate and high school nemesis. And, now that she had a name, she knew who had been raving about Angelus. Drusilla Prague was another model and was…eccentric to be nice, psycho to be more accurate. Not wanting to talk to either of them, Buffy hurried out of the restroom.
"Sarah," Buffy called out to her assistant, smiling as the college student rushed over. "Could you make me a doctor's appointment? During my lunch break?"
"Sure thing, Buffy," Sarah said, writing herself a note about it. "Rona called; your due at the Zero Studio at six, your mom called; don't forget to pick up Anya tonight, and Willow called; she's spazzing out and she lost her shoes and Oz is making a terrible mistake and why did she agree to have such a long engagement?"
Buffy and Sarah exchanged a look at Willow's message and promptly started laughing. Willow and Oz's wedding wasn't for another two months and Willow was already suffering from pre-wedding jitters. She would call up Buffy once a day, looking for reassurance. "God, I hate to see her the hour before her wedding," Sarah laughed.
"Oz and I are planning on sedating her," Buffy seriously said. "I'm looking into tranquilizer guns, but they all completely knock people out and Oz does want a conscious bride."
Sarah looked at Buffy, unsure of whether or not Buffy was joking. Buffy managed to keep a serious face for a good ten seconds before laughing again. The two were still laughing when Frank, the photographer for this session, interrupted. "Buffy, we need you in make-up."
"Okay, Frank," Buffy said, giggling. "Sarah, please, don't forget to make my appointment."
"Well Ms. Summers," Doctor Walsh, Buffy's long-time GP, said, after reading over Buffy's test results. "Congratulations are in order."
"Oh, good, I'm not sick, then?" Buffy asked, smiling happily. It must have been that chicken that she tried to make the night before.
"No, not at all," Doctor Walsh agreed, "You're pregnant."
Buffy froze, stunned into silence. She blinked, once, twice, and shook her head to clear it. "Excuse me?" Buffy croaked out. "What did you say?"
"You're pregnant, Buffy. About two months, as far as I can tell," Doctor Walsh said, smiling at her patient. Her smile faded as Buffy's face fell. This was not a planned pregnancy. "Do you know who the father is?" she asked, quietly remembering the articles she had read two months ago about Buffy.
The only person she ever had sex with, Buffy bitterly thought. Of course she would be pregnant and of course it would be with Angelus' child. Her life just liked to throw those curve balls. "Yes," Buffy said, shock slowly fading.
"Okay, then," Doctor Walsh nodded, handing Buffy a packet of information. "Here you'll find some information about your pregnancy, but I suggest you see your gynecologist soon." She handed Buffy a thick packet of stapled paper. "Have a good day, Ms. Summers, and congratulations again."
Still in a daze, Buffy accepted the stack of papers and allowed herself to be ushered out the door. Climbing into her sensible sedan, Buffy slowly dialed Sarah's number. "Sarah, tell Frank that I can't make it back. Call up Rona and tell her to tell Zero that I won't be in tonight. No, I'm fine; it's nothing bad. I-I just need to take the day off. Thanks. Yeah, I'll call you if I need you. Bye."
Buffy started up her car and drove around aimlessly. Before she realized where she was going, she was already there. Her mother's house. Buffy inhaled, deeply, gathering the strength to tell her mother that her only daughter was pregnant. Stepping out of her car, Buffy let herself into the house she had helped her mother pick out. "Mom?" she called out cautiously. "You home?"
"I'm in the kitchen, sweetie," Joyce answered. Buffy slowly walked the few steps into the kitchen, where her mother was making a sandwich. "Hungry?"
"Mom," Buffy started, then chickening out, "I'd love one, thanks."
Watching her mother efficiently make two sandwiches, Buffy listened as her mother told her all about the plans that Giles and her had made for their wedding. "We're just going to have a real small wedding ceremony; just family, and no reception. There will, however, be a short honeymoon," Joyce explained, blushing slightly. "Here you go, baby."
Buffy had just taken a big bite of her sandwich, when suddenly her nausea came back. Turning an interesting shade of green, Buffy bolted for the bathroom, with Joyce on her heels. "Mom," she croaked, knowing that this was probably not the best of ways to tell her, "Leave me alone!"
"Buffy, you're sick! Do you want me to call a doctor?" Joyce asked, cordless phone already in hand.
Dry heaving a couple times, Buffy sat there, not moving, until she was positive that her nausea was done. "No, no doctor. I'm fine," she said, slowly standing up.
"Buffy Anne, you have got to stop this doctor-phobia," Joyce scolded, "I'm calling Doctor Walsh."
"It's not a doctor-phobia. It's a hospital-phobia," Buffy corrected, annoyed that her mother couldn't remember that. "And don't bother. I've already seen her today. I'm not sick; I'm pregnant," Buffy snapped.
"Oh dear," Joyce said, staring at her daughter with shock. "Do you know who the father is?"
"Why does everybody keep asking me that?" Buffy exploded "Do you all think I'm this monster-slut who goes around sleeping with anything that'll take her?!"
"Oh, Buffy, honey," Joyce tried to placate, "I'm sorry; this is all just a shock."
Pouting, Buffy debated telling her mother that it was Angelus who fathered her child. "Well, er," Buffy stalled, willing to tell. Especially since she just heard a car, most likely Giles on his lunch hour, pull into the drive. "It's Angelus," she rushed out, grabbing her purse and rushing out the door, "Bye!"
"Buffy Anne Summers," Joyce called after her. "Get back in here."
Freezing in her steps and hating how, even at twenty-three, her mother's use of her full name could fill her with a feeling of dread. Buffy winced, and, before turning around, opened the door for Giles. "Hi, Giles," she said, waving sheepishly.
"Hello, Buffy," Giles greeted, kissing her on the top of her head. "What a pleasant surprise."
"My daughter was just telling me how her and your son have actually been able to do something together," Joyce sarcastically said. Buffy bit her lip. Giles was not going to take this well. "Well, go on, tell him, Buffy."
"Er, I'm kinda…pregnant," Buffy said, smiling hopefully at Giles.
"How can one be kinda pregnant?" Giles asked, smiling reassuringly at Buffy.
"Wait," Buffy said, "There's kinda more… It's Angelus'."
Stunned silence reigned as Giles stared, dumbly, at Buffy. "What?" he finally said.
"It was a one time thing and I don't really think that it's necessary to tell him and I'll be fine because I've been saving money lately and yeah, I've got things to do and I'll be seeing you," Buffy rushed out, taking Giles' shock to her advantage and quickly running out of the door.
She knew that that was the coward's way out, especially since Giles and her mother's engagement party was that night, but she needed time to herself, to adjust to the fact that, in seven short months, she would be a mother.
Author: Ashley K.
Disclaimer: I own nothing BTVS or A:tS.
Chapter Three:
Lying in Angelus' embrace, Buffy was perfectly still. They had made love on and off for who knew how long. She wondered when, exactly, would be the best time to tell him that he had been her first. Then she remembered his reaction to her virginity five years ago and decided that, unless it was absolutely vital, she would not.
"Morning," Angelus whispered, kissing her temple gently. "You must be hungry."
Nodding, Buffy realized that she was, in fact, starving. Angelus got up and put on a robe. Buffy watched him walk out of the room and was shocked by the instant feeling of isolation she experienced.
Buffy knew Angelus, probably better than any of his other girlfriends, including Darla. She knew what size socks he wore, mainly because, for the last year of their parents' marriage that was the only gift she gave him. She knew that he was a brilliant artist, but would never show anyone else his work. Angelus hated the dentist and would make up any excuse not to go for his biyearly check-up, despite the fact that he had never had a cavity nor had worn braces. She knew all the little insignificant things about him, as well as the bigger aspects of him.
He was quick to anger and was vastly protective of what he considered his. Angelus was a ruthlessly businessman and had, in his own right, become a very wealthy man. Add the Kalderash fortune to that and he was one of the world's richest men. He graduated from Oxford at the age of nineteen and had gone on to study at various universities around the world. Angelus was fluent in about six languages and could read another three.
But she did not know that he could cook, a fact that Angelus surprised her with when he walked back into the bedroom thirty minutes later. "Maria's up?" Buffy asked.
"No, it's late," Angelus said, sitting down next to her. "I made this myself."
Buffy smiled her appreciation at the simple, but delicious, meal of salad, mashed potatoes, and chicken. "What time is it?"
"A little after midnight. You were arrested last night," he clarified, giving her both the day and time.
"What time is my flight home?" Buffy asked, innocently. She did not expect the reaction she received.
"Can't wait to get rid of me, huh?" Angelus caustically sniped. "Just like every other man you slept with."
Her pride hurt, especially since he was the first man she had ever slept with, and being confused as to what had set him off, Buffy settled into old habits. "That's right," Buffy coldly said.
"I just regret the fact that I forgot about protection," Angelus said, "I wouldn't want to have…well, let's just say that I've heard all the stories about Parker Abrams."
Buffy blinked, shocked at what he just said. She ignored his thinly veiled insult. Protection. How could she have been so naïve? Angelus must have assumed that she was on the Pill or some other contraceptive, which she was not. Oh God, please, Buffy thought. "Go to Hell," she whispered as she gathered her clothes and left the room.
She barely registered the sound of breaking glass as she hurried into her room.
"How was the shoot?" Rona asked, smiling sweetly at Buffy. Buffy fought the urge to roll her eyes. She had just got back into the States the night before. Angelus had, about an hour after their fight, apathetically came into her room, gave her her passport and return ticket, and called a cab. Buffy had been looking forward to relaxing all day, when Rona called and insisted that they talk about her contract right then.
"It went fine," Buffy tersely answered.
"Good," Rona smiled. "Apparently you being out of the country was a good thing. We have about five job offers for the course of the next three months. They're not quite what you're used to, but…I think that we're just going to have to adapt and use this Abrams' situation to our advantage."
Buffy frowned. "What type of work are we talking about? I refuse to do Playboy or Hustler or any of those porno mags."
"No, no, no," Rona agreed, "It wouldn't do for a model of mine to be in one of those magazines. No, it's more of the same; companies that want a little skin showing in their ads. After all, sex does sell."
"Wait a second. The next three months? But my current contract ends next month…" Buffy trailed off, the implications of Rona's statement finally registering. "I can keep my job?!"
"Buffy, honey, if we dropped every model who had a scandal…well, we'd run out of models," Rona explained. "You're a great model; easy to work with, amazing bones, clothes look great on you. Why would we get rid of you?"
Looking pointedly at the tabloid sitting on Rona's desk, Buffy smirked. "That's not the impression you were giving me a week ago."
"Hush, child," Rona chided. "Here's a copy of the contract that we've drawn up. It's the same as last time; we get 15% of your profit for the next three years. I know, I know, you're going to want the copy and you'll get back to me."
Smiling, Buffy took the copy of the contract to have Anya read it over. Her brother's fiancée was very adept with business legalities. Actually, Anya was very adept with anything that dealt with money.
Buffy and Rona shook hands and Buffy left the office, feeling a hundred times lighter. Job security really made a difference, she thought, amused.
"Buffy!" Buffy's best friend, Willow Rosenberg, greeted, giving her a huge hug. "I'm so glad you made it!"
"Will," Buffy said, "do you really think I'd miss your shower?"
Willow blushed and turned towards her fiancé, Daniel Osborne. Daniel, or Oz as he liked to be called, was the lead guitarist of the famous band, Dingoes Ate My Baby. They had been dating for as long as Buffy could remember and were deeply in love, save that nasty incident with Veruca from the girl-band Shy. During that time, Buffy had been torn between her best friend and her best friend. She was, in fact, the one who introduced Oz to Willow, Willow to Oz, after meeting Oz during a brief relationship with Devon, the lead singer of the Dingoes.
"How was the shoot?" Willow asked, changing the topic from her and onto Buffy. Buffy turned away, not really wanting to lie to her best friend, but, at the same time, not really willing to tell all, not yet at least.
"It went," Buffy skirted. "I'm getting resigned!"
"Buffy, that's great!" Willow gushed, proud of her friend. Oz, in his typical non-verbal fashion, nodded his approval, flashing Buffy a rare smile. Linking her arm through both of her friend's, Buffy led Willow to her present. "Oh, Buffy," Willow murmured, staring at the framed picture of her and Oz's wedding invitation.
"Don't even think that that's all that I got you," Buffy smiled, handing Willow a sealed envelope. "I know that you and Oz were having issues with getting into a hotel for your honeymoon."
"Buffy, you didn't," Oz said, watching his fiancée open the envelope.
Laughing softly, Buffy shook her head. "No, not even I could get you guys into that particular hotel."
Jaw dropping as she read the piece of paper, Willow wordlessly handed it to Oz. "Buffy! How could you?" Willow chided.
"Will, you and Oz are my two best friends. I wanted to do something…nice for the two of you," Buffy said, chuckling a bit at her own pun. She arranged for Oz and Willow to stay in Nice, France for three weeks for their honeymoon. "However, I didn't get your plane tickets, not yet at least. It's been hectic lately."
"Shut up," Willow said, still dazed, "we can handle that much. Buffy, I don't…"
Willow was cut off by Buffy's cell phone ringing. "Excuse me," Buffy politely said, walking away from Oz and Willow. "Hello?" she asked. Her caller ID hadn't recognized the number and Buffy was hoping that it was her new client.
"Where are you?" Buffy's face paled. Angelus.
"None of your damned business," she snapped, face still pale. She did not want to deal with Angelus tonight. Not in the least. "Leave me alone!"
"If you're not home in twenty minutes, lass, heads will roll."
"Oh, is that a threat?" Buffy mocked, "Newsflash, Angelus, I'm twenty-three years old. You're not my stepbrother, right now, hell, you're not anything to me right now. I do not have to listen to you and your insignificant threats!"
Buffy growled as she flipped her phone shut, slightly shaken by the conversation. She was going to kill her mother for giving Angelus her number. Headed back into the hall, Buffy was preoccupied as she preformed her maid of honor duties. Willow, being observant as always, watched her friend with a contemplative stare. "Buffy, you should go home," she gently insisted, "You don't look very well. Mom and I can handle the rest of the gifts by ourselves."
"Thanks, Will," Buffy said, smiling. Willow always looked after Buffy. "As soon as I can get a cab…"
"Oh, shush," said Willow, as she handed Buffy her purse, "Oz can drive you. He's bored out of his mind anyway."
Buffy glanced over at Oz, not quite sure how Willow was able to tell that the quiet man was bored. Apparently his 'bored' expression differed from his 'interested' expression, exactly how they differed, however, Buffy was clueless to. "Are you sure?" she asked, uncertain.
"Positive," Willow grinned, "Look at the poor man…he's practically bored to tears."
"Thanks, Oz," Buffy said, kissing her friend on the cheek.
"No prob," Oz stoically said, hugging her in return. "Back to the wedding stuff."
Laughing, Buffy jumped out of Oz's van, something that he had owned for as long as Buffy could remember. The first time that she had ridden in the van, however, the Dingoes were barely known. Now, the entire world was crazy about them. "Have fun!" She called, waving to him as he pulled out.
"I thought I told you to be back in twenty minutes."
"Stalking is illegal, Angelus," Buffy countered, not bothering to look at him as she walked into her apartment building. She barely acknowledged his ever-present gentleman-like attitude as he held the door open for her. "What are you doing here?"
"Who was that?" Angelus bit out, as the elevator doors slide to a gentle close. Buffy nearly laughed. Angelus seemed…jealous? Over Oz? About her? She shook her head slightly, to clear that ridiculous notion out of her mind.
"If I told you he was my newest lover, would you go away?" she tauntingly asked, watching the numbers above the elevator doors, urging them to hurry. Buffy did not want to spend another second trapped with her…something.
Angelus was silent, following her to her apartment door. Buffy sighed as she dug through her purse, searching for her keys. The moment she unlocked the door, Angelus grabbed her, pressing his lips onto hers, before pushing her away from him. "You are mine," he growled, "Remember that!"
"I am not your's, you medieval asshole!" Buffy fumed, before taking a deep breath. She knew the fastest way to get Angel out of her apartment was to pick a fight. "Angelus, surprisingly, I had fun in Tuscany with you. But it was a one-time deal, no strings attached. Just…a little fling," Buffy calmly said, fully knowing how bitchy she was being, but bitchiness was her last defense with Angelus. "Our parents are getting remarried. Do you know the field day the press would have if they found out about it?"
"You little slut," Angelus hissed, storming out of her apartment.
Buffy inhaled, closing her eyes briefly. She had thought about a relationship between herself and Angelus and realized that it would never be able to work out. First of all, Angelus had never shown an ounce of respect towards her, nor had he ever had a relationship, save his 'agreement' with Darla, that had lasted longer than five months. Then there really was the controversy that would occur. Even though they would just be stepsiblings, the general public would not view a romantic relationship favorably.
And, of course, there was the whole 'Angelus didn't love her' thing. Buffy was upset that she had given her virginity to Angelus. She had always hoped, wanted, for her first time to be with somebody that she loved, not with somebody that she was in lust over. But it was too late to change the past and Buffy was just going to have to deal with it.
If luck was with her for once, Buffy's little act for Angelus should erase any thoughts Angelus had of claiming Buffy as one of his possessions. She hoped, at least.
Two Months Later
Buffy frowned as she wiped her mouth off with the back of her hand. "Gross," she said, flushing the toilet. She hadn't been feeling all that great for about a week now; she was throwing up, had a general sense of fatigue. "Damnit," she cursed, "I so can't be getting sick now."
She had finished three of the five assignments that Rona had told her about two months ago, and the last two were simultaneous, finishing within three days of on another. Buffy hated having back-to-back photo shoots, but, after they were done, she would have a month long break.
Nodding to herself as she washed out her mouth, Buffy decided to tell her assistant to make her a doctor's appointment that afternoon. Hopefully it was something that could be cured with some antibiotics.
"…Took me to his new place in L.A. God, that man knows how to please a woman!" Buffy couldn't help but overhear the conversation between the two stalls in the ladies' room. "Angelus Giles…the man is a god."
Buffy's face fell at the mention of Angelus' name. She hadn't seen him since that night in her apartment, despite the fact that she had been to Giles' mansion many times with her mother. Buffy lingered in the bathroom, curious to see whom Angelus' newest conquest was.
"Drusilla, you're so lucky!" Buffy made a face. She knew who that voice was. Harmony Kendall was her former classmate and high school nemesis. And, now that she had a name, she knew who had been raving about Angelus. Drusilla Prague was another model and was…eccentric to be nice, psycho to be more accurate. Not wanting to talk to either of them, Buffy hurried out of the restroom.
"Sarah," Buffy called out to her assistant, smiling as the college student rushed over. "Could you make me a doctor's appointment? During my lunch break?"
"Sure thing, Buffy," Sarah said, writing herself a note about it. "Rona called; your due at the Zero Studio at six, your mom called; don't forget to pick up Anya tonight, and Willow called; she's spazzing out and she lost her shoes and Oz is making a terrible mistake and why did she agree to have such a long engagement?"
Buffy and Sarah exchanged a look at Willow's message and promptly started laughing. Willow and Oz's wedding wasn't for another two months and Willow was already suffering from pre-wedding jitters. She would call up Buffy once a day, looking for reassurance. "God, I hate to see her the hour before her wedding," Sarah laughed.
"Oz and I are planning on sedating her," Buffy seriously said. "I'm looking into tranquilizer guns, but they all completely knock people out and Oz does want a conscious bride."
Sarah looked at Buffy, unsure of whether or not Buffy was joking. Buffy managed to keep a serious face for a good ten seconds before laughing again. The two were still laughing when Frank, the photographer for this session, interrupted. "Buffy, we need you in make-up."
"Okay, Frank," Buffy said, giggling. "Sarah, please, don't forget to make my appointment."
"Well Ms. Summers," Doctor Walsh, Buffy's long-time GP, said, after reading over Buffy's test results. "Congratulations are in order."
"Oh, good, I'm not sick, then?" Buffy asked, smiling happily. It must have been that chicken that she tried to make the night before.
"No, not at all," Doctor Walsh agreed, "You're pregnant."
Buffy froze, stunned into silence. She blinked, once, twice, and shook her head to clear it. "Excuse me?" Buffy croaked out. "What did you say?"
"You're pregnant, Buffy. About two months, as far as I can tell," Doctor Walsh said, smiling at her patient. Her smile faded as Buffy's face fell. This was not a planned pregnancy. "Do you know who the father is?" she asked, quietly remembering the articles she had read two months ago about Buffy.
The only person she ever had sex with, Buffy bitterly thought. Of course she would be pregnant and of course it would be with Angelus' child. Her life just liked to throw those curve balls. "Yes," Buffy said, shock slowly fading.
"Okay, then," Doctor Walsh nodded, handing Buffy a packet of information. "Here you'll find some information about your pregnancy, but I suggest you see your gynecologist soon." She handed Buffy a thick packet of stapled paper. "Have a good day, Ms. Summers, and congratulations again."
Still in a daze, Buffy accepted the stack of papers and allowed herself to be ushered out the door. Climbing into her sensible sedan, Buffy slowly dialed Sarah's number. "Sarah, tell Frank that I can't make it back. Call up Rona and tell her to tell Zero that I won't be in tonight. No, I'm fine; it's nothing bad. I-I just need to take the day off. Thanks. Yeah, I'll call you if I need you. Bye."
Buffy started up her car and drove around aimlessly. Before she realized where she was going, she was already there. Her mother's house. Buffy inhaled, deeply, gathering the strength to tell her mother that her only daughter was pregnant. Stepping out of her car, Buffy let herself into the house she had helped her mother pick out. "Mom?" she called out cautiously. "You home?"
"I'm in the kitchen, sweetie," Joyce answered. Buffy slowly walked the few steps into the kitchen, where her mother was making a sandwich. "Hungry?"
"Mom," Buffy started, then chickening out, "I'd love one, thanks."
Watching her mother efficiently make two sandwiches, Buffy listened as her mother told her all about the plans that Giles and her had made for their wedding. "We're just going to have a real small wedding ceremony; just family, and no reception. There will, however, be a short honeymoon," Joyce explained, blushing slightly. "Here you go, baby."
Buffy had just taken a big bite of her sandwich, when suddenly her nausea came back. Turning an interesting shade of green, Buffy bolted for the bathroom, with Joyce on her heels. "Mom," she croaked, knowing that this was probably not the best of ways to tell her, "Leave me alone!"
"Buffy, you're sick! Do you want me to call a doctor?" Joyce asked, cordless phone already in hand.
Dry heaving a couple times, Buffy sat there, not moving, until she was positive that her nausea was done. "No, no doctor. I'm fine," she said, slowly standing up.
"Buffy Anne, you have got to stop this doctor-phobia," Joyce scolded, "I'm calling Doctor Walsh."
"It's not a doctor-phobia. It's a hospital-phobia," Buffy corrected, annoyed that her mother couldn't remember that. "And don't bother. I've already seen her today. I'm not sick; I'm pregnant," Buffy snapped.
"Oh dear," Joyce said, staring at her daughter with shock. "Do you know who the father is?"
"Why does everybody keep asking me that?" Buffy exploded "Do you all think I'm this monster-slut who goes around sleeping with anything that'll take her?!"
"Oh, Buffy, honey," Joyce tried to placate, "I'm sorry; this is all just a shock."
Pouting, Buffy debated telling her mother that it was Angelus who fathered her child. "Well, er," Buffy stalled, willing to tell. Especially since she just heard a car, most likely Giles on his lunch hour, pull into the drive. "It's Angelus," she rushed out, grabbing her purse and rushing out the door, "Bye!"
"Buffy Anne Summers," Joyce called after her. "Get back in here."
Freezing in her steps and hating how, even at twenty-three, her mother's use of her full name could fill her with a feeling of dread. Buffy winced, and, before turning around, opened the door for Giles. "Hi, Giles," she said, waving sheepishly.
"Hello, Buffy," Giles greeted, kissing her on the top of her head. "What a pleasant surprise."
"My daughter was just telling me how her and your son have actually been able to do something together," Joyce sarcastically said. Buffy bit her lip. Giles was not going to take this well. "Well, go on, tell him, Buffy."
"Er, I'm kinda…pregnant," Buffy said, smiling hopefully at Giles.
"How can one be kinda pregnant?" Giles asked, smiling reassuringly at Buffy.
"Wait," Buffy said, "There's kinda more… It's Angelus'."
Stunned silence reigned as Giles stared, dumbly, at Buffy. "What?" he finally said.
"It was a one time thing and I don't really think that it's necessary to tell him and I'll be fine because I've been saving money lately and yeah, I've got things to do and I'll be seeing you," Buffy rushed out, taking Giles' shock to her advantage and quickly running out of the door.
She knew that that was the coward's way out, especially since Giles and her mother's engagement party was that night, but she needed time to herself, to adjust to the fact that, in seven short months, she would be a mother.