***
Finally, and update for the SiT series! I apologize for taking forever to get this written and posted...I had a really horrible case of writers block, and if it hadn't been for my fabulous beta *Stars* I'd still be nowhere near ready to post.
But anyway, here it is, part 1 in the 3rd fic of the SiT series. This fic starts off a little slow, but there will be a lot happening in it! Make sure to read the Author's Note below.
Enjoy,
~Isis
To read the other parts in this series, use the following URL:
http://www.geocities.com/flyersgagne_12/sit.htm
***
Title: A Chance to Survive Today - #3 in the 'Shadows in Time' series
Author: Isis Blue
Feedback: vagabond_angel@comcast.net
Disclaimer: must this be stated every time? But to answer the question, no I don't own them…I'm borrowing them because certain writers are cruel and heartless.
Rating: PG-13 ish?
Pairing: indirectly B/A, C/?, W/O
Series Summary: post-s3 (BTVS) AU…departs from canon after the s3 finale and jumps into my own universe. From there, almost everything will be different. A few characters and concepts will pop-up, but really, this doesn't relate at all to the seasons that followed s3.
Fic Summary: Buffy begins her new life in Seattle with the help of some new, and old, friends.
Spoilers: The first 2 fics in the series, and anything through the end of s3 of BTVS, but mostly the end of s3, and also mild generic spoilers for AtS.
Distribution: my site (Vagabond Soul), and if you already have any of my fics, you may take this one, if not, please ask first.
Author's Notes: This is the 3rd fic in the SiT series, the first 2 can be found here:
http://www.geocities.com/flyersgagne_12/sit.htm
Anyways, this fic starts two months after Buffy left Sunnydale to go to Seattle with Cordy. From here on out, this fic/series jumps way out of canon, *but* there will be things/characters here and there that I've borrowed from the actual shows. You'll know them when you see them. Even so, the things I borrowed may not be exactly as they existed on the show...I made some modifications. Also, the pregnancy is a big part of the fic, but not entirely the focus. I didn't detail it as much as I should have, but it was kinda hard to write because I've never been pregnant and not been around many pregnant woman. Hopefully it's not overly noticeable!
Thank yous: To *Stars* for being a wonderful beta, and also to PigPimping for the help with pregnancy research.
Warnings: mild angst (not as bad as the first 2 fics in the series)
^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^
Part 1
^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^
~two months after Buffy and Cordelia left Sunnydale~
Looking up the six flights of stairs, Buffy frowned unhappily. Why couldn't the apartment building have a *functioning* elevator? Didn't they understand that stairs and pregnant women just did not mix? Well, the landlord probably knew it, but just didn't care. Slimy bastard, it would serve him right if he got snacked on by a cadre of vampires, Buffy thought. Okay, so she wouldn't go that far, but the guy really did need to be put in his place.
With an annoyed sigh, Buffy again looked toward the numerous stairs. At four months pregnant it wasn't that she was huge and waddling like a duck, but the extra weight she had gained so far had thrown off her balance somewhat, and never mind the aching back and feet. Those were the reasons that she dreaded the six flights of stairs. Unfortunately, they were her only option, so Buffy begrudgingly began her hike up the many stairs. Hopefully, if she ever moved to a nicer place, they'd have a working elevator.
A short while later she arrived at her floor. Her nose wrinkled in distaste as it almost always did when she viewed the sight before her. The walls of the hallway were a dirty white, interspersed with an occasional crack. On the floor was a ragged, faded beige carpet that looked to be over thirty years old, and she really didn't want to know how the reddish-brown stain had gotten there. Then there was that smell that she didn't want to think too much about. The hallway just gave one the impression of a slum, but it wasn't that bad...exactly. The landlord of the building was just a lazy jerk-off who couldn't ever be bothered to do anything. The man had a serious aversion to work.
At least it was a place to live, though. She had a roof over her head, one that thankfully didn't leak, and for that she was grateful. Things could definitely be worse. She could be homeless and pregnant. She'd managed to avoid the homeless part so far. The tiny apartment she lived in may not be much, but it was a welcome comfort. For now, it was the best she could do. Maybe in a few months she'd be able to upgrade her living conditions, but until then, she just had to take what she could get.
Snapping out of her internal musings, Buffy trudged down the hall to her apartment. Her steps halted in front of the door labeled '68'. As usual, the number '6' had come loose and turned sideways again. She'd have to find a screwdriver and tighten the screw sometime. Maybe she'd go ask the middle-aged man who lived in '61' if she could borrow one. Buffy couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. Ever since the time when, a week after moving in, the sleazy asshole had come on to her and she'd forcefully shoved him into a wall and kneed him in the crotch, he'd avoided her at all costs. Nothing like slayer strength to ward off obnoxious men.
Buffy reached up and straightened the crooked '6' before putting her key in the lock and opening the door. She walked tiredly into the small apartment, tossing her keys onto the uneven table to the left of the door. The sound of the television blaring caught her attention and she turned and walked around the corner toward the living room.
"Hey Cordy," greeted Buffy, causing the brunette to jump slightly.
"Jeez! Do you always have to sneak up on people?" huffed Cordy, capping the bottle of nail polish in her hand.
"Sorry, I thought you heard me come in," apologized Buffy with a sweet smile.
"Where were you anyway? I thought you had today off?" Cordy questioned as she turned down the volume on the tv and focused her attention on the weary looking blonde.
Buffy shrugged, putting down the bags in her hand. "I was supposed to, but Tara called and asked if I could come in to help sort through a new shipment of stuff. I figured why not? Plus, it's more money."
"Good point," conceded Cordelia with a nod. Anything that involved more money was definitely a good thing. Hopefully, they'd be able to get out of their rat-trap apartment sometime in the near future.
Not long after arriving in Seattle, Buffy had found a job at an occult store owned by a shy, sweet girl named Tara. The shop was right around the corner from her apartment and Buffy had wandered into it one day, curious about what it sold. That's when she'd met Tara and taken an instant liking to her.
Buffy hadn't known at first that the dirty blonde was a witch, and not just someone who liked the occult. The witch part hadn't come out until about a week after meeting Tara. After Buffy had found that out, she'd told Tara about her destiny being the Slayer. The young woman had taken the news in stride having already known a great deal about the supernatural world. She'd offered Buffy a job, saying it was hard to find people to work in a store such as hers. Buffy, though, later came to believe that Tara seemed a bit lonely, and also seemed to somehow sense Buffy's dire situation. Either way, it was a nice job, and she was grateful for it.
"I brought dinner," Buffy pointed to one of the bags sitting on the floor.
"Oooh! Goody! I'm starving. What did you get?" asked Cordy, eagerly getting off the couch that they'd gotten from a Salvation Army store. The thing was a hideous yellow-orange color, but Tara had saved them from having to look at it by making a navy blue slipcover.
"Chinese from the restaurant next to Crescent Moon," Buffy replied referring to Tara's store.
"Cool," Cordy stated, pulling cartons out of the bag and setting them on the coffee table, which also served as a dining table.
The two sat on the floor and ate off their make-shift table while exchanging friendly banter about their day. It was a strange sight to say the least; two people who'd never really liked each other, now living together and engaged in a comfortable companionship. Yes, it was definitely strange, and not in the least expected. The camaraderie was appreciated by both, though. Neither was sure where they'd be right now without the other.
They hadn't planned on sharing an apartment once they arrived in Seattle. Both figured they'd go their separate ways after reaching their destination, but during the long drive, they'd bonded over their situations and formed an easy alliance. The loss of their lives as they knew them gave them a common bond that allowed them to push aside past grievances. And although neither would actually admit it out loud, they didn't really want to be alone.
Initially, they thought they would just help each other shop for apartments, but the unfortunate realities of life soon set in. Both came to the realization that affording rent on their own right away was going to be nearly impossible, at least if they wanted to live in a tolerable apartment. So they'd sat down soon after arriving in Seattle and pooled their finances. Cordy had worked the numbers out (Buffy was still shocked that the quintessential cheerleader was a bit of a math whiz) and then they'd figured out a plan for their near futures, one that involved them sharing a place to live.
Even with combining their money, they still couldn't afford much, which was how they ended up in their current apartment. The place wasn't that bad, but it wasn't that great either. It had a short entranceway that opened into small, windowless living room. The kitchen, well it wasn't exactly a kitchen as much as it was an open space on one side of the living room that featured a refrigerator, stove, sink and counter space, was functional enough for two people who didn't really know how to cook. There were two closet-sized bedrooms, each with a tiny window, which connected to a joint bathroom. The one amenity the apartment had that Buffy was glad for was the cracked fiberglass bathtub. She knew it would come in handy as her pregnancy progressed.
So their situation wasn't exactly great, but it could have definitely been worse. They hoped that in a few months they'd be able to afford something better. Cordy was working at a small, but expensive, boutique a few blocks away, and Buffy had her job at Tara's occult shop. Together, maybe they'd be able to save up enough money to move.
"So what's on the menu for tonight?" Buffy sighed, pushing away the nearly empty large carton of sweet and sour chicken. Her pregnancy had certainly upped her appetite, and although money was tight, she was at least eating better than before.
Ever since finding out that she was pregnant, Buffy had put a great deal of effort into taking care of herself. She'd been in horrible shape the first two months after Angel had left, and she knew that continuing on that path wasn't healthy. So she made sure she ate at least two meals a day, which really wasn't that hard. The growing child within her seemed to make her more and more hungry every day.
She still had trouble sleeping, but not as much as before. The strains of her pregnancy, plus the numerous hours of work she put in almost every day, tended to wear her down and let her sleep at night. The dreams were still there, and often were of Angel. Many nights she'd wake up crying out for him, only to find him not there. She'd usually end up shedding silent tears until she finally drifted back to sleep. All in all, she wasn't in tip-top shape, but at least it was better than before.
In response to Buffy's question, Cordelia picked up the TV Guide and flipped through the pages. She read through the listings, looking for something worthwhile to watch. It had sort of become a ritual to them; watching tv at night. They couldn't afford to go out anywhere, and Buffy had given up slaying, at least for now, because of her pregnancy. So they tended to stay in, most times watching tv, but other times Buffy would read, something she'd never really had time for before, and Cordy would practice some of her beauty habits that she just couldn't quite give up despite the changes in her life.
"Hmm...oh, hey! Ferris Buehler's Day Off is on tonight!" Cordy exclaimed happily.
"Cool! I love that movie!" laughed Buffy. She was in the mood for a good comedy, and really, neither of them wanted to watch a sappy romance.
The two cleaned up the remains of their dinner and went to change into their pajamas. Buffy made some popcorn and grabbed a couple of sodas while Cordy turned on the tv and switched the channels. Soon, they were both settled on the fairly comfortable couch, laughing at the classic teen comedy.
Neither would ever admit it to the other, but both were immensely grateful to have the other in their life. They may have settled into a routine in their new home, but the scars of their pasts still held strong in their minds. For Cordelia, going from rich to poor, and from popular to an outcast was an everyday struggle. She used to have everything, and now she could barely afford food and a place to live. But she was getting by, and she'd had time to get used to her new status in life.
Buffy, however, even though she hid it well, was still deeply hurting over the way her life had changed in one horrible day. Despite the way they'd treated her, she missed her family and friends. She couldn't just stop loving them because they'd rejected her. As much as she wished she could forget them, she didn't have it in her heart to do so. And then there was Angel. She tried so hard to not think about him, but that was absolutely impossible. Especially since she was carrying his child. More often than not, she cried herself to sleep with her fingers stroking the taught skin of her abdomen, wishing he were there with her.
Despite both of their inner turmoil's, they were surviving, and they were doing it together. Neither really wanted to think about where they would be if they'd had to start their new lives on their own, and thankfully, they didn't have to think about it.
^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^
Forty-five minutes into the movie, a knock on the door sounded through the apartment. Cordelia and Buffy looked at each with frowns etched on their faces. No one ever knocked on their door, which was why they were wary of whoever had come to pay them a visit. Buffy knew that even though she kept her true identity low-key since moving to Seattle, there could still be any number of demons standing outside their door.
Slowly, both girls got off the couch and looked toward the door when another knock sounded. Buffy reached under the sofa and pulled out an axe she kept stored there. Once it was safely in her hands, she nodded for Cordy to go open the door. The brunette waited until Buffy was tucked away behind the entry before opening it to see who was on the other side.
The former cheerleader instantly scowled when she saw a short, sloppily dressed man staring back at her. "Can I help you?" she asked nervously.
"Quite possibly," the gentleman smiled warmly at her. "I'm lookin' fer Buffy Summers. Does she live 'ere?"
Cordelia heard Buffy's breath hitch and forced herself not to look at the blonde. "Why are you asking?"
"I'll take that as a yes then," he replied with a raised eyebrow.
"And I'll repeat my question," Cordy stated in annoyance over the strangers cocky attitude. "Why are you asking?"
The teasing smirk left the man's face, replaced by a serious countenance. "It's important that I talk ta 'er."
His change in demeanor was not lost on Cordy. She glanced at Buffy who gave a slight nod of her head. Stepping back, she opened the door wider to reveal Buffy standing behind it, axe still in hand.
The tackily dressed man stared at Buffy for a moment before speaking. "Slayer," he spoke in the form of a greeting.
Buffy's eyes narrowed at the word. She focused her senses on the man and immediately tensed. Taking a defensive stance, she replied forcefully, "You're a demon."
"Only half demon, and non-violent," he clarified, looking pointedly at the axe in Buffy's hand. "Name's Allan Francis Doyle, but everybody calls me Doyle," he introduced himself and held out his hand.
Buffy made no move to accept the handshake while Cordy eyed him with distaste.
"I don't suppose you'd invite me in?" the man now known as Doyle asked politely, hoping they wouldn't turn him away. It was imperative that he speak to Buffy.
"You're not a vamp, you don't need an invite," Buffy spoke slowly, trying to get a beat on the supposed half-demon named Doyle.
"I know, I jus' don't make it a habit ta enter people's homes without permission," he explained with a sigh. "Look, I'm not 'ere ta cause trouble or ta try an' kill yer. I jus' need ta speak ta the Slayer."
Buffy thought for a moment, and exchanged a look with Cordy before stepping to the side. "Come in, but if you try anything, you'll have an up close and personal meeting with my axe."
^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^
TBC!!
Finally, and update for the SiT series! I apologize for taking forever to get this written and posted...I had a really horrible case of writers block, and if it hadn't been for my fabulous beta *Stars* I'd still be nowhere near ready to post.
But anyway, here it is, part 1 in the 3rd fic of the SiT series. This fic starts off a little slow, but there will be a lot happening in it! Make sure to read the Author's Note below.
Enjoy,
~Isis
To read the other parts in this series, use the following URL:
http://www.geocities.com/flyersgagne_12/sit.htm
***
Title: A Chance to Survive Today - #3 in the 'Shadows in Time' series
Author: Isis Blue
Feedback: vagabond_angel@comcast.net
Disclaimer: must this be stated every time? But to answer the question, no I don't own them…I'm borrowing them because certain writers are cruel and heartless.
Rating: PG-13 ish?
Pairing: indirectly B/A, C/?, W/O
Series Summary: post-s3 (BTVS) AU…departs from canon after the s3 finale and jumps into my own universe. From there, almost everything will be different. A few characters and concepts will pop-up, but really, this doesn't relate at all to the seasons that followed s3.
Fic Summary: Buffy begins her new life in Seattle with the help of some new, and old, friends.
Spoilers: The first 2 fics in the series, and anything through the end of s3 of BTVS, but mostly the end of s3, and also mild generic spoilers for AtS.
Distribution: my site (Vagabond Soul), and if you already have any of my fics, you may take this one, if not, please ask first.
Author's Notes: This is the 3rd fic in the SiT series, the first 2 can be found here:
http://www.geocities.com/flyersgagne_12/sit.htm
Anyways, this fic starts two months after Buffy left Sunnydale to go to Seattle with Cordy. From here on out, this fic/series jumps way out of canon, *but* there will be things/characters here and there that I've borrowed from the actual shows. You'll know them when you see them. Even so, the things I borrowed may not be exactly as they existed on the show...I made some modifications. Also, the pregnancy is a big part of the fic, but not entirely the focus. I didn't detail it as much as I should have, but it was kinda hard to write because I've never been pregnant and not been around many pregnant woman. Hopefully it's not overly noticeable!
Thank yous: To *Stars* for being a wonderful beta, and also to PigPimping for the help with pregnancy research.
Warnings: mild angst (not as bad as the first 2 fics in the series)
^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^
Part 1
^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^
~two months after Buffy and Cordelia left Sunnydale~
Looking up the six flights of stairs, Buffy frowned unhappily. Why couldn't the apartment building have a *functioning* elevator? Didn't they understand that stairs and pregnant women just did not mix? Well, the landlord probably knew it, but just didn't care. Slimy bastard, it would serve him right if he got snacked on by a cadre of vampires, Buffy thought. Okay, so she wouldn't go that far, but the guy really did need to be put in his place.
With an annoyed sigh, Buffy again looked toward the numerous stairs. At four months pregnant it wasn't that she was huge and waddling like a duck, but the extra weight she had gained so far had thrown off her balance somewhat, and never mind the aching back and feet. Those were the reasons that she dreaded the six flights of stairs. Unfortunately, they were her only option, so Buffy begrudgingly began her hike up the many stairs. Hopefully, if she ever moved to a nicer place, they'd have a working elevator.
A short while later she arrived at her floor. Her nose wrinkled in distaste as it almost always did when she viewed the sight before her. The walls of the hallway were a dirty white, interspersed with an occasional crack. On the floor was a ragged, faded beige carpet that looked to be over thirty years old, and she really didn't want to know how the reddish-brown stain had gotten there. Then there was that smell that she didn't want to think too much about. The hallway just gave one the impression of a slum, but it wasn't that bad...exactly. The landlord of the building was just a lazy jerk-off who couldn't ever be bothered to do anything. The man had a serious aversion to work.
At least it was a place to live, though. She had a roof over her head, one that thankfully didn't leak, and for that she was grateful. Things could definitely be worse. She could be homeless and pregnant. She'd managed to avoid the homeless part so far. The tiny apartment she lived in may not be much, but it was a welcome comfort. For now, it was the best she could do. Maybe in a few months she'd be able to upgrade her living conditions, but until then, she just had to take what she could get.
Snapping out of her internal musings, Buffy trudged down the hall to her apartment. Her steps halted in front of the door labeled '68'. As usual, the number '6' had come loose and turned sideways again. She'd have to find a screwdriver and tighten the screw sometime. Maybe she'd go ask the middle-aged man who lived in '61' if she could borrow one. Buffy couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. Ever since the time when, a week after moving in, the sleazy asshole had come on to her and she'd forcefully shoved him into a wall and kneed him in the crotch, he'd avoided her at all costs. Nothing like slayer strength to ward off obnoxious men.
Buffy reached up and straightened the crooked '6' before putting her key in the lock and opening the door. She walked tiredly into the small apartment, tossing her keys onto the uneven table to the left of the door. The sound of the television blaring caught her attention and she turned and walked around the corner toward the living room.
"Hey Cordy," greeted Buffy, causing the brunette to jump slightly.
"Jeez! Do you always have to sneak up on people?" huffed Cordy, capping the bottle of nail polish in her hand.
"Sorry, I thought you heard me come in," apologized Buffy with a sweet smile.
"Where were you anyway? I thought you had today off?" Cordy questioned as she turned down the volume on the tv and focused her attention on the weary looking blonde.
Buffy shrugged, putting down the bags in her hand. "I was supposed to, but Tara called and asked if I could come in to help sort through a new shipment of stuff. I figured why not? Plus, it's more money."
"Good point," conceded Cordelia with a nod. Anything that involved more money was definitely a good thing. Hopefully, they'd be able to get out of their rat-trap apartment sometime in the near future.
Not long after arriving in Seattle, Buffy had found a job at an occult store owned by a shy, sweet girl named Tara. The shop was right around the corner from her apartment and Buffy had wandered into it one day, curious about what it sold. That's when she'd met Tara and taken an instant liking to her.
Buffy hadn't known at first that the dirty blonde was a witch, and not just someone who liked the occult. The witch part hadn't come out until about a week after meeting Tara. After Buffy had found that out, she'd told Tara about her destiny being the Slayer. The young woman had taken the news in stride having already known a great deal about the supernatural world. She'd offered Buffy a job, saying it was hard to find people to work in a store such as hers. Buffy, though, later came to believe that Tara seemed a bit lonely, and also seemed to somehow sense Buffy's dire situation. Either way, it was a nice job, and she was grateful for it.
"I brought dinner," Buffy pointed to one of the bags sitting on the floor.
"Oooh! Goody! I'm starving. What did you get?" asked Cordy, eagerly getting off the couch that they'd gotten from a Salvation Army store. The thing was a hideous yellow-orange color, but Tara had saved them from having to look at it by making a navy blue slipcover.
"Chinese from the restaurant next to Crescent Moon," Buffy replied referring to Tara's store.
"Cool," Cordy stated, pulling cartons out of the bag and setting them on the coffee table, which also served as a dining table.
The two sat on the floor and ate off their make-shift table while exchanging friendly banter about their day. It was a strange sight to say the least; two people who'd never really liked each other, now living together and engaged in a comfortable companionship. Yes, it was definitely strange, and not in the least expected. The camaraderie was appreciated by both, though. Neither was sure where they'd be right now without the other.
They hadn't planned on sharing an apartment once they arrived in Seattle. Both figured they'd go their separate ways after reaching their destination, but during the long drive, they'd bonded over their situations and formed an easy alliance. The loss of their lives as they knew them gave them a common bond that allowed them to push aside past grievances. And although neither would actually admit it out loud, they didn't really want to be alone.
Initially, they thought they would just help each other shop for apartments, but the unfortunate realities of life soon set in. Both came to the realization that affording rent on their own right away was going to be nearly impossible, at least if they wanted to live in a tolerable apartment. So they'd sat down soon after arriving in Seattle and pooled their finances. Cordy had worked the numbers out (Buffy was still shocked that the quintessential cheerleader was a bit of a math whiz) and then they'd figured out a plan for their near futures, one that involved them sharing a place to live.
Even with combining their money, they still couldn't afford much, which was how they ended up in their current apartment. The place wasn't that bad, but it wasn't that great either. It had a short entranceway that opened into small, windowless living room. The kitchen, well it wasn't exactly a kitchen as much as it was an open space on one side of the living room that featured a refrigerator, stove, sink and counter space, was functional enough for two people who didn't really know how to cook. There were two closet-sized bedrooms, each with a tiny window, which connected to a joint bathroom. The one amenity the apartment had that Buffy was glad for was the cracked fiberglass bathtub. She knew it would come in handy as her pregnancy progressed.
So their situation wasn't exactly great, but it could have definitely been worse. They hoped that in a few months they'd be able to afford something better. Cordy was working at a small, but expensive, boutique a few blocks away, and Buffy had her job at Tara's occult shop. Together, maybe they'd be able to save up enough money to move.
"So what's on the menu for tonight?" Buffy sighed, pushing away the nearly empty large carton of sweet and sour chicken. Her pregnancy had certainly upped her appetite, and although money was tight, she was at least eating better than before.
Ever since finding out that she was pregnant, Buffy had put a great deal of effort into taking care of herself. She'd been in horrible shape the first two months after Angel had left, and she knew that continuing on that path wasn't healthy. So she made sure she ate at least two meals a day, which really wasn't that hard. The growing child within her seemed to make her more and more hungry every day.
She still had trouble sleeping, but not as much as before. The strains of her pregnancy, plus the numerous hours of work she put in almost every day, tended to wear her down and let her sleep at night. The dreams were still there, and often were of Angel. Many nights she'd wake up crying out for him, only to find him not there. She'd usually end up shedding silent tears until she finally drifted back to sleep. All in all, she wasn't in tip-top shape, but at least it was better than before.
In response to Buffy's question, Cordelia picked up the TV Guide and flipped through the pages. She read through the listings, looking for something worthwhile to watch. It had sort of become a ritual to them; watching tv at night. They couldn't afford to go out anywhere, and Buffy had given up slaying, at least for now, because of her pregnancy. So they tended to stay in, most times watching tv, but other times Buffy would read, something she'd never really had time for before, and Cordy would practice some of her beauty habits that she just couldn't quite give up despite the changes in her life.
"Hmm...oh, hey! Ferris Buehler's Day Off is on tonight!" Cordy exclaimed happily.
"Cool! I love that movie!" laughed Buffy. She was in the mood for a good comedy, and really, neither of them wanted to watch a sappy romance.
The two cleaned up the remains of their dinner and went to change into their pajamas. Buffy made some popcorn and grabbed a couple of sodas while Cordy turned on the tv and switched the channels. Soon, they were both settled on the fairly comfortable couch, laughing at the classic teen comedy.
Neither would ever admit it to the other, but both were immensely grateful to have the other in their life. They may have settled into a routine in their new home, but the scars of their pasts still held strong in their minds. For Cordelia, going from rich to poor, and from popular to an outcast was an everyday struggle. She used to have everything, and now she could barely afford food and a place to live. But she was getting by, and she'd had time to get used to her new status in life.
Buffy, however, even though she hid it well, was still deeply hurting over the way her life had changed in one horrible day. Despite the way they'd treated her, she missed her family and friends. She couldn't just stop loving them because they'd rejected her. As much as she wished she could forget them, she didn't have it in her heart to do so. And then there was Angel. She tried so hard to not think about him, but that was absolutely impossible. Especially since she was carrying his child. More often than not, she cried herself to sleep with her fingers stroking the taught skin of her abdomen, wishing he were there with her.
Despite both of their inner turmoil's, they were surviving, and they were doing it together. Neither really wanted to think about where they would be if they'd had to start their new lives on their own, and thankfully, they didn't have to think about it.
^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^
Forty-five minutes into the movie, a knock on the door sounded through the apartment. Cordelia and Buffy looked at each with frowns etched on their faces. No one ever knocked on their door, which was why they were wary of whoever had come to pay them a visit. Buffy knew that even though she kept her true identity low-key since moving to Seattle, there could still be any number of demons standing outside their door.
Slowly, both girls got off the couch and looked toward the door when another knock sounded. Buffy reached under the sofa and pulled out an axe she kept stored there. Once it was safely in her hands, she nodded for Cordy to go open the door. The brunette waited until Buffy was tucked away behind the entry before opening it to see who was on the other side.
The former cheerleader instantly scowled when she saw a short, sloppily dressed man staring back at her. "Can I help you?" she asked nervously.
"Quite possibly," the gentleman smiled warmly at her. "I'm lookin' fer Buffy Summers. Does she live 'ere?"
Cordelia heard Buffy's breath hitch and forced herself not to look at the blonde. "Why are you asking?"
"I'll take that as a yes then," he replied with a raised eyebrow.
"And I'll repeat my question," Cordy stated in annoyance over the strangers cocky attitude. "Why are you asking?"
The teasing smirk left the man's face, replaced by a serious countenance. "It's important that I talk ta 'er."
His change in demeanor was not lost on Cordy. She glanced at Buffy who gave a slight nod of her head. Stepping back, she opened the door wider to reveal Buffy standing behind it, axe still in hand.
The tackily dressed man stared at Buffy for a moment before speaking. "Slayer," he spoke in the form of a greeting.
Buffy's eyes narrowed at the word. She focused her senses on the man and immediately tensed. Taking a defensive stance, she replied forcefully, "You're a demon."
"Only half demon, and non-violent," he clarified, looking pointedly at the axe in Buffy's hand. "Name's Allan Francis Doyle, but everybody calls me Doyle," he introduced himself and held out his hand.
Buffy made no move to accept the handshake while Cordy eyed him with distaste.
"I don't suppose you'd invite me in?" the man now known as Doyle asked politely, hoping they wouldn't turn him away. It was imperative that he speak to Buffy.
"You're not a vamp, you don't need an invite," Buffy spoke slowly, trying to get a beat on the supposed half-demon named Doyle.
"I know, I jus' don't make it a habit ta enter people's homes without permission," he explained with a sigh. "Look, I'm not 'ere ta cause trouble or ta try an' kill yer. I jus' need ta speak ta the Slayer."
Buffy thought for a moment, and exchanged a look with Cordy before stepping to the side. "Come in, but if you try anything, you'll have an up close and personal meeting with my axe."
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TBC!!