Author's Note: Wow...this is the longest chapter I think I have ever written. My eyes are all fuzzy and I literally think I am about to drop dead. I was really procrastinating with this story so I decided to get comfy over at my desk, turn up the Coldplay (it inspires me), crack open the dictionary and force myself to type nonstop till my hands cramped up. Three long nights later this chapter was born. Seriously, though the only thought that got me typing were you guys, the wonderful reviewers. It was all because of them I think I now have carpal tunnel syndrome. I love you guys. P.S this chapter picks up directly where Chapter 3 ended (the one before the flashback) so feel free to refresh. Also note that I did not proofread it because like I can't look at the computer monitor for one more second.

...And the award for most supportive reviewer is....IT'S A TIE!!!! Congratulations to: Imzadi, Piper-Envy 2365, Rain, Snoopy, Reese, Tariq, urangel, Krissy!



Angelus smirked and leaned in just as close as Buffy did, increasing the parallelism between the two, "Well it depends what kind of position would that be?" he rasped.

Buffy shook her head at Angelus's gauche innuendo. She should have known her stepbrother well enough to know that he was going to take full advantage over her choice of wording to twist it into some kind of vulgar sexual allusion.

"Would you mind, Angelus, for a single second to pull your depraved little head out of that oversexed world you live in where you rule as god to that crazy village of nymphomaniacs, and join in me in what we call an adult conversation," Buffy scolded playfully, but still insinuating impatience.

Angelus took a deep breath and appeared in thought for a moment before opening his mouth, "You know I could have made several different, equality debauch comments from that, right?"

"I am well aware," Buffy said dryly, "But there's time for that later. In the mean time there is still the matter of my proposition for us to discuss".

"Depends. What do I have to do?" Angelus said leaning back to situate himself more comfortably onto the plush velvet of the love seat.

Buffy's eyes widened to saucers and her face transformed into a huge grin, "What you do best of course: Seduce".

Buffy waited for her words to settle in and impact onto Angelus.

Across from her, Angelus continued to lean back against the couch, showing no sign of interest at Buffy's words. An apathetic expression plastered on his face.

Buffy saw no reaction from Angelus and her grin fell slightly in disappointment. She had been hoping she would have had made more of an impression on him than it seemed to have. She just had to try a little harder she thought.

Buffy rose up from her seat, picking up a folded magazine that was resting on the top of the end table. She took a few steps towards Angelus, the click of her sharp heels resonated in the study's lingering acoustics.

She tossed the magazine up towards Angelus and the periodical landed with a ruffle on his Armani clad lap.

Angelus glanced at Buffy and then to the glossy print of undoubtedly a piece of bubble gum teenage propaganda that cluttered the newsstands and checkout counters of drugstores everywhere.

"Aren't you a little too old to be reading this?" Angels arched his eyebrow up at Buffy.

"Just read it," Buffy commanded wryly.

He had no intention of taking up his stepsister's proposition whatever it may be. Hadn't she heard a word he just said? He was at his breaking point of teenage sex pots and quite frankly it was sad by the age of 20 he had conquered and reached the pinnacle of the sexual hierarchy. A part of him was even debating on whether it was time to settle down. He decided to humor her anyway and silently read the embellished article.

Buffy couldn't help looking on as he read. She would never admit it to herself but even when he was doing practically nothing there was this smoldering quality to him.

She moved behind the loveseat where he was seated so she could look over his shoulder. She stood behind him for a moment before placing her well manicured hand on Angelus's firm shoulder as he continued to take in the article. As the seconds ticked she slowly trailed her hand upwards slow and sensually. Once her hand had reached the nape of his neck she repeated her motions with her other hand on the corresponding shoulder.

Angelus tried desperately to concentrate on the article at hand. For some reason, whenever Buffy touched him he responded in a way even he couldn't describe. Other girls they could be practically huffing and puffing, blowing and sucking him like was no tomorrow and yet he still couldn't manage to find himself half as attentive to them as he was when he was with Buffy. He took deep breaths. Focusing all his will power in getting through the article, he finally took his last deep breath when he reached the end of the last excruciating sentence. He tossed the magazine onto to the coffee table in front of him and threw his head back meeting his gaze to Buffy's.

"Well?" Angelus asked staring at Buffy. He had read the article and found himself still as confused and in complete puzzlement as before. The article was an exposé on the sanctity of virginity, more precisely young girls who choose to preserve themselves till after marriage. The focal point of the article was an interview with one of those teenage girls choosing to wait, a girl named Cordelia Chase.

Buffy looked down, both hands still resting at the nap of his neck, "Do you accept?" she asked sweetly.

"I still don't what this proposition entails," Angelus questioned shaking his head.

"Isn't it obvious?" Buffy began innocently, "Your specialty lies in the art of seduction. I need you to work your magic and seduce Cordelia".

"And why is that?" Angelus wondered. He had found the article a slightly droll read, but not quite his type of magazine. For some reason he couldn't picture himself enjoying an article when on the next page was dedicated to getting the right support from your bra.

"Because she's exactly what her name implies: chaste. She's pure, innocent, a paradigm of virtue. Everything that is right with the world she embodies. It's almost sickening how much goodness she exuberates," Buffy bit out bitterly, tightening her grip on Angelus.

"And why does this concern me?" Angelus asked, boredom still clouding his face.

"Well you said you were looking for a challenge," Buffy crouched down so her lips could get closer to Angelus's ear, "I couldn't think of a more fitting challenge than Queen Virgin Mary herself," she murmured silkily.

Angelus was hooked. "Go on," he signaled for Buffy to continue.

"Well just think about what it could mean for your reputation. You would become infamous, idolized, a living legend...if you seduce our young precious Cordelia" Buffy cooed, her mouth becoming alarmingly close to Angelus's ear.

Angelus was miles pass the point of intrigue now, but then again it could be also attributed to the fact that his beautiful stepsister was just a few inches short of practically sticking her tongue in his ear. He had always loved the idea of being worshipped, held on the highest pedestal in front of all to adore. What man wouldn't? If he could conquer Cordelia, that would be his greatest victory, the crowning achievement to top off his reign of hedonistic exploits.

"Well what do say, tiger, are you up for it?" Buffy purred nuzzling the side of his face.

Angelus thought for a moment, ready to agree when the matter of geography crossed his mind, "Wait a minute princess, the article said Cordelia lived in Connecticut. How exactly am I suppose to seduce her if I am in Manhattan?"

Buffy crouched back up and walked over towards the other side to where she sat before, doing it all with an "I know something you don't know" type of grin on her face. She plopped back down on the canvas chair, "This is where the deal gets even sweeter. Remember how due to some unfortunate circumstances last semester Manchester lost their beloved headmaster?"

"I wouldn't call getting caught with a sixteen year old student in the girls' bathroom an unfortunate circumstance," Angelus thoughtfully noted.

"Well the board of trustees has selected his replacement who coincidentally happens to be Professor Gregory Chase, devoted educator and loving father to Cordelia, and beginning September, it appears that his precious little angel will be matriculating with the rest of the silver spoon scholars of Manchester," Buffy explained, a smile crossing her lips like a cat in cream. She knew Angelus would be all ears now. He could never resist nailing an object power or more accurately the treasures of powerful people.

Angelus's full attention was instantly snatched up. He couldn't believe what he just heard. His mind soared in the thought and in the wondrous possibilities. The headmaster's virginal only daughter? This was a fantasy come true for any boy at Manchester, but unlike the other boys at Manchester, he had a chance.

Angelus's eyes lighten like a kid. He'd be stupid not to take this up. Not only would he be hailed as one of the ultimate playboys who ever lived, but deflowering Cordelia would cement his mark in upper Manhattan's history forever.

This would be a once in lifetime chance...for him. He didn't quite understand why Buffy was so keen in having him seduce Cordelia. He knew her. Buffy wasn't the type of girl to present fortunate opportunities for other people without some kind of personal gain for herself. He had no clue what she was up to, but he intended to find out.

"What's in it for you?" Angelus questioned interrogatively, eyeing his stepsister suspiciously.

"Whatever do you mean?" Buffy replied with a faux gullibility.

"I mean I know you Buffy. You wouldn't tell me about Cordelia, queen of virgins, just so my reputation would get a big boost up. You are getting something out of it and I want to know what it is," Angelus ordered.

Buffy turned her to the side to look at Angelus, "You've been with me for three years now, Angelus. You should already know what I'm receiving out of this".

"Humor me anyway"

"I'm getting the extreme perverse pleasure of watching sweet little Cordelia fall from grace. Like you I get bored. Unlike you I can't go around screwing and snorting it up. My repute would be... irreparable to say the least if anyone was to catch me. So I have to get off in other ways. Nothing sounds better watching Cordelia become humiliated, demoralize, and to top it all off turn into just another one of your whores," Buffy explained.

Angelus knew that his stepsister was being partly truthful in her intentions. She did things like this all the time, however, he felt there was more to it; there also had to be another reason, "I don't accept that answer," Angelus stated.

"Well you have to" Buffy snapped curtly, "Enough with 21 questions. Are you taking the challenge or not?"

"In that's the case: Not" Angelus replied back.

The answer startled Angelus as much as Buffy. He couldn't believe he said that. This was a prospect that had limitless power to solidify his reputation in gold forever. This was an opportunity no heterosexual male could deny, especially him and he had had chosen to reject it! That had been his instantaneously reply. He wondered what could have say that. Maybe he was growing a conscience? Nah, he knew why. He hated when Buffy kept stuff from him. He was the one who knew all her secrets and he was the one she'd go to when something was on her mind. They were completely open with one another. She was his soul mate...in the platonic sense of course.

Buffy couldn't believe her ears. Had she heard Angelus correctly? Did he just decline to deflower the headmaster's virginal daughter? This couldn't be right she thought. Angelus was intelligent when it came to matters like this. He knows what screwing Cordelia could do for him and he had out right refused it. Buffy thought fast, her mind running with a solution to make Angelus see what he was giving up. An idea lighted up in her head.

"You can't do it can you?" Buffy taunted.

Angelus's head snapped up. She had touched a nerve, "What did you just say?"

"You heard me. You're getting kind of old Angelus. I honestly don't really think you have what it takes anymore. You've been wasting all your time screwing girls like Winifred Burkle, an easy lay. Maybe you're finding yourself in a comfortable rut. If you ask me, a good girl like Cordy is out of the league of your usual parade of sluts and bimbos. Quite frankly, I don't think you can seduce her," Buffy continued her tirade and abuse on Angelus's ego.

Angelus got up angrily. He was fully aware he was playing into the trap Buffy set for him, but this was still a matter of his pride. As a male he felt obligated to protect it.

"I can seduce Cordelia," Angelus fumed, fists clenched. No one had ever doubted his skilled ability to make girls drop like flies and onto his bed because no one had ever had a reason to. He had succeeded in pretty much every girl he chose to have. He didn't understand why he felt such a nagging to prove himself to Buffy. He tried to placate the rage that was slowing rising in him. Anger, that's what she wanted and he couldn't let her have it.

Buffy smiled at the response she was evoking in Angelus with her sly comment. He may be a playboy prodigy even Hugh Hefner would be envious of, but in the end it still boiled down to the little fact was a typical male. A chiseled rugged gorgeous specimen of a man, yet a man no less.

Suddenly a brilliant idea entered Buffy's mind, "Care to make a little wager on that?"

Angelus was pretty much calm now, looking particularly intrigued and suspect of her motives at the same time, "What do you have in mind?"

Buffy took a deep breath and mused inwardly, she mulled over the vast inventory of Angelus, mentally picking out what she could take that'd suit her liking. She finally found something she could really enjoy.

After a few second Buffy began to speak slowly, "If you are not able to bed Cordelia I get that tasty little car of yours".

"You've got to be kidding me!" Angelus scoffed, "No deal, that car is a one of a kind, custom designed jaguar XKR convertible with a 4.2 liter V8 engine. It goes form zero to 60 in five seconds! I'd be crazy to give I up to you," Angelus explained to a car dyslexic Buffy. She just sat patiently as Angelus spoke, letting the automobile lingo bounce right off her unfazed. The only thing she knew about the car was that it was a jag, it was silver, and Angelus loved it, ergo she wanted it.

"Oh come on, Angelus," Buffy begged playfully, "I would just love that silver bad boy to take around town on my shopping sprees".

Angelus didn't know if should be insulted by that comment. He looked at her lying on the chair, a sweet puppy dog expression and her hand together in a begging pose, at the same time pushing out her cleavage out. "Fine Buffy, I'll put my car at stake, only if what I get if I win is worth it"

Buffy shifted her head to the side thinking about what she could proffer. She didn't really possess anything he didn't already have a version of, except for an extensive closet of the most expensive designer clothing coming from every part of the world.

"How about my winter lodge in the Alps?"

"No way, that lodge isn't even worth half as much as the custom leather interior of my jag. I want something better," Angelus demanded, taking a step closer to Buffy.

Buffy sighed and threw her head back running over what she could give. This was harder than she thought. The one problem with bargaining with another rich kid was that they have everything you have when it came to objects and money. Buffy paused her train of thought, remembering one the few beneficial lessons her mother had ever taught her that did not involve some sort of alcoholic beverage: everybody wants something.

Buffy grinned and got up from her seat, "I know what I can give you that's worth just as much your precious car".

Angelus stared at her apprehensively. There was nothing in the world that could make him put his car on the line. He clearing his throat before speaking, "And what would that be?"

"Me," Buffy continued to grin getting closer and closer to Angelus.

Buffy wished she had a camera, to capture Angelus's face when she had told him what she was putting up. Mr. Play it cool became a misnomer for a moment. Wide eyed, the color rushed to his face and his mouth dropped. Shock graced his feature

Angelus swallowed hard, "Would you mind elaborating?"

"Of course," Buffy said as she slid her hands around his neck, "I become all yours for one night. You could do whatever your heart desires." She made sure to annunciate the word "whatever".

"What makes you think I'd want you?" Angelus countered, quickly losing any composure or sense left in him as her sweet Chanel perfume hit his nose, warning his body she was getting dangerously close.

"Don't try to be play with me Angelus. I know you've wanted me since the first time you laid your pretty little brown eyes on me," Buffy closed off the small gap between their two bodies. She leaned against him and got on her tip toes so she could whisper into Angelus's ear, "Admit it. It kills you that a goody two shoes like Riley Finn got there before you ever did".

Angelus's breathing became ragged. He did want her, he had always wanted her. What spilled from those lovely lips were truths he had kept bottled inside for three years. Riley Finn, Buffy's long time boyfriend, had indeed captured Buffy before him.

The two pair seemed fit for one another as far as the outside world was concern. Buffy was the student body president and Riley was the blue- blooded captain of the basketball team. Together they were the king and queen of Manchester, attending every single dance and pep rally hand in hand. Angelus simply hated Riley, everything about him pissed Angelus off. From the way Riley always felt the need to suck up to others like a stupid dog looking for praise, to the fact he was with Buffy. He was a gawking idiot with enough intelligence to fill a thimble.

Through time, Angelus was able to convince himself Riley was simply with Buffy for her reputation's sake, pure eye candy to further the good girl image she had going on for her. She was just using him like she used others. Buffy had never said anything to dispute that reasoning, however, she had never said anything to prove it either. That was the only thing Buffy never shared with him, the status of the relationship between Riley and her. Whenever he'd asked she would always grin and say that it was none of his business. He really hated Riley with an fiery passion.

He carefully moved his hands and put them at her waist. He had never been as close as he was now to Buffy. Even with his renowned reputation filled with plenty of gorgeous women, when he was with Buffy he was different. He couldn't concentrate on the seduction; he could only concentrate on her. His hormones raged as if he was fourteen year old boy and the coolness that once defined him was sent paddling the other direction.

Buffy slowly leaned in for a kiss. The moment their lips met, both of them became lost in one another. Reveling in the feel of each other, the kiss intensified. Their movements became more and more dramatic as they struggled to deepen the kiss.

Buffy wrenched herself away breathlessly, despite every protest from her body. She had no idea he was such a fantastic kisser. If she continued she'd lose the upper hand quickly and there would be no more incentive for the bet for her to offer. She had to catch her breath and put a stop to this.

"So what do say?" Buffy licked her lips, her breathing slowly becoming steadier.

"Deal".