Buffy walked up the stairs to her apartment. The elevator was taking too long, and she grew impatient. Besides, she needed the work out. It had been a few days since she'd trained for slaying, and although she wasn't out of shape, she felt it.

She was going to see Giles tonight, but now those plans would have to go on hold. The chance of going to the Bronze with Willow, Angel and the gang was something she couldn't pass on.

They were really nice people, and she had felt a strong connection with Willow. It was like they'd been friends for forever.

Buffy opened the door with the number "6" printed on it. She sighed as she walked into the small hallway, her aparment in the distance. She could hear voices yelling, and televisions blaring as she walked by different rooms.

It's an ordinary day in the neighbourhood, she thought.

"Buffy?"

She stopped when she heard the familiar voice of Angel behind her. Turning, she smiled when she saw him.

"Oh, hey Angel. What's up?"

"I just came from downstairs..." he said. "Do you want me to take that?"

She looked down at the binder she held in her hand. She knew she could carry it, and the hallway was only a short distance away, but it still made her smile and feel weak in the knees.

"I'm sure I can carry it for a few more steps," she said. "But thanks for the offer. It won't be forgotten."

He nodded as the two continued walking. "What time do you want to leave tonight?"

"What? Huh? What?"

"The Bronze..." he said. "You are going, aren't you?"

"Oh, right," she said, laughing. "The Bronze. Um... What time is the usual?"

He shrugged. "It varies."

"Well, whenever you're up and ready to go, just come knockin' on my door."

"Ok."

"Well, this is my stop," she said, stopping in front of her door. "See ya."

"Bye," he said, waving slightly before turning and continuing down to his apartment.
Buffy was sprawled out on the sofa in the living room that her mother had bought earlier today. It was comfortable, but affordable, and although it didn't match, it didn't really matter. As long as it was furniture, it was ok.

The door opened, and Buffy stayed still. "Hey mom."

"Honey, sit up," Joyce said, tapping her daughter's feet. "There's someone I want you to meet."

"Meet? Me? Who? Why? Are they a stalker..." Buffy said, as she sat up.

Joyce laughed. "This is Ted, my boss. He's, well... He's came over for dinner."

Buffy raised her eyebrow. She knew it didn't come over for "dinner". How could she move on so quickly? And what did her mother think she was, two? How could Buffy not realize a lie like that?

"So Ted, you a big fan of soup? Cause, you know, with my dad just recently leaving us, that's all we can afford. Oh, and sometimes mac and cheese. But only on special occasions."

Joyce walked over to Buffy, and gently pulled her up off the sofa. She smiled at Ted, before leading Buffy into the bathroom.

"Are you trying to ruin this for me? Buffy, this is a great opportunity. I can finally afford to get a better house. If you'll be nice."

"What if I don't want a better house?" Buffy asked, sitting on the toilet. "I'm starting to like this place."

"This place? Or the boy three doors down?"

Buffy laughed. "You're one to talk. You don't think I know that he's over here to get more then dinner? Maybe you'll be his desert."

"Buffy, how dare you?" Joyce asked. "I thought you had faith in me to know that I would never do something so low as that. I am not a slut."

Buffy looked down to the floor. "I know. But... God. Didn't you ever think what bringing home... Ted, would do to me?"

"I didn't think you'd..."

"Mind? Whatever," Buffy said, standing. "I have to get ready. I'm going out soon."

"Where to?" Joyce asked, following her as she left the room.

"The Bronze, it's a club. The three doors down boy is picking me up and we're going to meet up with some of his... Our friends. Don't worry. You won't miss me. You have Ted to entertain you," Buffy said, closing the door in her mother's face.
"Can I come in Buffy?"

Buffy looked up from her magazine when she heard a deep voice at her door. "Ted?"

"Yes, it's me. Can I come in?"

Buffy sighed. "Do as you please..."

The door opened, and he stepped inside, a smile on his face. "Don't you think you should apologize to your mother for speaking to her that way?"

"Since when is my relationship with my mother any of your business? You aren't a part of this family."

"Not yet, anyway. But, I see big things for me and your mother in the future," he said. "She's a lovely woman."

"Yeah, well she's still married. So she's hands off," Buffy said.

"Oh, I see what this is about," he said, closing the door. "You think I'm going to try and replace your father."

"My father was never there to replace," she said coldly. "And even if he was, you'd never be a part of my life."

"I don't think I like that tone," he said, walking closer to her.

"Too bad. It's my room."

"Well I'm the higher authority," he said. "And you won't talk back to me as long as I'm here."

Buffy stood. "Higher authority?" she laughed. "You couldn't lay a hand on me if you tried."

He smirked. "Why would I want to do something such as that?"

"Because you're a physco (?)."

"Name calling? Someone really needs to show you your place."

"I know my place thanks. And I like my place. My place suits me just fine. And someone like you is not going to tell me my place."

"Is that a threat?" he asked.

"In some people's eyes, yes, it would be, wouldn't it? And if you don't get out of my room right now, I'll do more then threaten. Now that, is a promise."

"Ted?!" Joyce called from the kitchen.

"Coming!" he yelled back, then turned to Buffy. "We're not finished."

She rolled her eyes and followed him out. "Mom, I'm going. Bye."

"But what about..."

Buffy didn't wait for her mother to finish before slamming the door behind her. Once outside of the apartment, she slid down the wall, a tear escaping. She didn't want to cry. She didn't know why she was. She wasn't scared of Ted. She was the Slayer, hello. But there was something about him that just wasn't right... And it wasn't the fact that he was trying to replace her father. It was more.

She looked up at the door when she heard it open. It wasn't to her apartment however, it was Angel's. He stepped outside, and when he saw her, quickly closed the door before bending down by her side.

"Buffy? Are you crying?" he asked, wiping away a tear.

"No. I was... My contacts, they..."

"You don't wear contacts," he said, sitting down beside her. "Do you want to talk?"

"It's my... Well, she... My mom brought home this guy," she said, before she could stop herself. "She says that he's just her boss, but he's there for so much more then dinner. We got into this fight, me and my mom, then he comes in ordering me around, telling me to apologize... It's just a big mess."

Angel didn't know what to say, what to do. He wanted to take her in his arms, but knew that it was too much. Right? He just met the girl, he couldn't do that.

"Did he threaten you?" he asked.

"Nothing I couldn't handle... There's just something not right there..." she said. "But, enough about my lame problems. Are we bronzing?"

He nodded, and stood up, offering her his hand. "We are."