AN: Well a couple of things were brought to my attention. Firstly Connor O'Connor. Ummm yeah, I've told you all I am not a very good writer and one of the things I do particularly badly is remembering little details. So for the sake of this fiction I looked up some Gaelic names and decided to rename him Cayden O'Connor because I think it's pretty. As for him and Kathy they will come back in the story (no Mr. O'Connor did not get custody) but it'll be after Joyce's surprise. HINT HINT HINT! Second Oz playing base as opposed to lead guitar. It is kinda irrelevant and since this is my au fiction I will pretend like I mean to do that.
When Buffy had gotten home the evening of the O'Connor dinner she didn't speak to her mother once. It wasn't that she was particularly angry; she was just confused by the most recent events in her life. But right before she got into bed something occurred to her that with all the stress of meeting Angel had caused her to forget.
"MOM!" she yelled.
Joyce came running into her bedroom. "Buffy what!"
"Where were Kathy and Cayden, why weren't they at home? Did Mr. O'Connor keep them because that would just tear Angel and Kalie apart, I swear if…"
"Buffy, stop! No Mr. O'Connor did not get custody over Kathy, Caden and Angel. Although he does have visitation rights. They spend every third week with him. Angel often stays home because he has obvious issues with his father leaving Kalie, but the little ones still go."
"So he still lives in Sunnydale?"
"Sure, but on the other side. It seems he is only around for that third week though because he is always off in L.A. watching over his company."
"Oh."
"See nothing to worry about, I am sure you will see them in the weeks to come."
"Yeah I'm sure you're right."
"Now I will be leaving early in the morning tomorrow, you don't mind walking to school do you?" Joyce asked with caution, not wanting her daughter to get upset again.
"Yeah, I guess. I mean I walked home today."
"Okay, night sweetie."
"Night mom."
Buffy slept very little that evening. She couldn't believe in 24 hours time she would be staying over at Angel's house. Not that it was anything-new right? I mean she'd done it tons of times before. 'Yea that was before he became all muscle and hottieness. Bad Buffy. No it isn't going to be very odd. He probably won't even speak to me for embarrassment of his recent actions.' And with that thought Buffy was able to roll over and fall asleep.
Next Morning at Sunnydale High School
Angel stood off in the shadows of SHS purposely not attracting any attention. He knew the moment he saw his group of friends he was going to be bombarded with questions and he wanted to hold off that moment for as long as possible. He was watching the parking lot. He was watching for her. 'Great not only have I made a fool of myself in front of her, but I can now add stalking to my list.' He didn't have any idea what he would say to her, or if he should say anything at all. When his mom told him that she would be staying at his house for two nights he felt a rush of excitement. He couldn't believe his luck the most beautiful girl in school is going to stay at my house over night twice! Then he had to mentally hit himself, that is your best friend (or was) and you have made a fool of yourself in front of her. She hates you and will probably stay at the other end of your house at all times.
But Buffy was only one of his problems. He knew he'd have to deal with Cordelia sooner or later and no matter how much he hoped it'd be later he still had to do it. 'I am going to break up with her that's a given, but will that really make Buffy happy?' He had asked himself this question over and over again last night and still didn't have an answer. He laughed inwardly at the fact at one time he would have known exactly what Buffy was thinking and feeling or how she would react. Now she was a completely new and independent person. And if he was honest with himself one he could fall in love with. 'Wait, did I just say that. I am Angelus O'Connor I don't fall in love. Oh my God what is this girl doing to me?'
Buffy chose that moment to walk onto campus. She walked right by Angel with out glancing over and made her way to Willow's group. Buffy didn't need to look to know Angel was there and watching her. The idea that he was watching her freaked her out, but it also excited her. 'Stop it Buffy.' Buffy saw Willow and everyone standing with her. She knew she'd have to explain herself and she decided to just get it over and done with.
"Hey Willow, hey guys." Buffy said brightly. When she came upon the group everyone stopped talking.
"Hey Buff, nice to see you again after FOUR years." Xander responded.
"Look I know you guys are upset that I lied. But I did it for a common good."
"So you could find out how gullible and stupid we small towners are?" Anya asked.
"Always the bluntest, hello Anya. No I did it to annoy the hell out of Cordelia."
"Actually it was my idea so you guys shouldn't be too mad at Buffy." Willow added sheepishly.
"What do you mean?" Xander asked.
"Well, we knew if she appeared at the Bronze and left no hints of her identity other than her full name Cordelia would be burning to know who the this mystery girl was. Especially since we knew EVERYONE in Sunnydale would be talking about her. Then when she found out on Monday Elizabeth was Buffy, she would totally freak. But it would be too late because Buffy would already be too popular for even Cordy to destroy." Willow explained.
"Wow that's devious Will," Xander said, "What happened to my little innocent -see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil Willow."
"One of her friends was treated badly by the Queen Bit…"
"WILLOW!" Buffy exclaimed.
"Sorry, I get a little worked up when it comes to Cordelia bashing."
"Um, Willow who is that girl?" Buffy asked calling the group's attention to a leather clad brunette who had just walked on campus.
"Oh that's Faith, you remember her, right?"
"The one who used to wear bright red lipstick in like the 2nd grade?"
"That's the one."
"Jeez I guess she hasn't changed much."
"Oh quite the contrary," Xander said, "Then she actually WENT to school."
"Coming back to the Buffy deceiving us thing…Well I guess we can forgive you since you were pulling an innocent trick on Cordy," Fred said smiling, "Besides, Buffy, it's good to have you home."
"Thanks Fred."
"Well you got what you wanted, and I must say that little act with Angel was genius, was that your idea Buffy?" Gunn went on.
"What act with Angel?" Buffy asked.
"That little sexy dance. Getting him all worked up and then leaving him dry, ha I laughed my ass off. But it was smart to attract Cordelia's boyfriend so even he'd stop thinking about her." Gunn said laughing all over again.
"Yea," Buffy murmured, "All part of the plan."
"Hey Buffy."
"Speak of the devil," and Gunn was roaring with laughter all over again.
"Um, Gunn, Fred, Xander, Anya," Angel said with a nod in everyone's direction, "Willow…where's Oz?"
"Around" Willow answered. Everyone in the group had gotten quite and tense at Angel's appearance, except for Gunn who was still laughing his head off. No one missed how close Angel stood next to Buffy or the fact she refused to look him in the eye.
"Well Angelus," Xander began sarcastically, "Seeing as how you haven't talked to us once in almost four years, for some reason I don't think you are hear to catch up on ol' times. So why don't we leave you and Buffy alone."
Buffy looked up shocked and almost angry, at Xander. But he and Anya had already started to walk away. Fred and Gunn as well, except Fred was having to pull him away from the 'Buffy and Angel show' that had him almost in tears from laughing so hard. Willow was the only one who was hesitant to leave. But as fate would have it Oz walked on campus and was beckoning her towards him.
"Buffy…" Willow started. She really needed to go see Oz, but she didn't want to leave her friend stranded either.
"It's ok, Will, go see Oz." Willow gave her a quick hug that she hoped gave encouragement and ran off. Angel was still standing slightly behind Buffy waiting his opportunity to talk to her. At this time he lightly put his hand on her left arm to turn her around. When Buffy did turn and look up into his face she found herself mere inches from his body and face. She made her first mistake of looking into his eyes and found herself lost. Neither knew what to say. There was so much to say but both had lost their ability to speak. They stood there with Angel's hand on her arm staring into each other's eyes.
"ANGEL!" Cordelia's scream was heard anywhere within a one mile radius. Angel swore he saw Buffy jump three feet away from him. He knew he had to talk fast because once Cordelia got here niether would get a chance to speak. He grabbed her arm and pulled her close.
"Listen she's going to get over here in a minute and I don't want you to have to deal with her. After school today meet me out front I drive a '96 Ford Explorer, Blue, I'll take you to your house to pick up your stuff and then over to mine. Now go before she starts yelling at you to."
Buffy looked in his eyes for a mere second before turning and going into school.
Angel watched her go and didn't turn around when he heard Cordelia approach. "Cordelia I will not deal with this right now. We will talk at lunch. But I want to warn you, I have given you the benefit of the doubt for years now loosing any true friends I might have ever had in the process. But I swear if you do one thing to hurt that girl that just walked away from me I will make your life a living hell." With that he walked away with out giving her any chance to speak.
Cordelia couldn't believe the way he'd just spoken to her. No one talked to her that way. 'She's in town not even a week and watch out it's Hurricane Buffy. If he thinks I am just going to stand idly by and allow her to take him away from me, he is very wrong.'
Cordelia sat in her first period classroom next to Angel. They hadn't spoken once all period and the only noise from their section of the classroom was Spike occasionally looking back and laughing at them. Currently Angel was asleep and Cordelia was staring aimlessly out the window. It was then that she saw Buffy walk down the hall. 'Probably on her way to the bathroom, well that's funny I have a sudden great need to use the bathroom myself.' She thought smiling evilly. She raised her hand, signed out of class, and quickly rushed after Buffy.
Buffy heard footsteps behind her, but didn't think anything of them. She heard Cordelia's voice and sighed clearly annoyed.
"I see not much about you has truly changed, you can fool everyone else but you cannot fool me."
"What do you mean by that." Buffy said with out turning around.
"Oh well you see, you can change your hair and gain some sort of dress sense which will establish yourself among the people that matter, but when it comes down to the real competition you still hide behind Angelus like the puny, ugly, pathetic 6th grader you once were and forever will be."
"And Cordelia, I see you are still talking about things you don't know anything about."
"Stay the hell away from Angelus."
"Gladly. You don't get it, there isn't anything between Angel and me…"
"Damn right there isn't."
"Cordelia there NEVER was. We were friends nothing more."
"Right, Friends you say? That's funny because as soon as you were gone he came running to me for comfort and you and I weren't exactly on the best of terms at the time," Cordelia saw Buffy flinch and smiled evilly. "But I am sure you were great friends, just like you said."
"Hey Cordy," both Buffy and Cordelia turned at the sound of the new voice.
"Faith," Cordelia voiced with a face that looked like she had just stepped in something disgusting, "What is this your 3rd time being at school this year."
"4th and I am damn proud of it. Now why don't you wipe that ugly smirk off your face before I do it for you."
"Like you'd dare."
"Oh trust me, nothing would please me more than messing up that precious face of yours… except maybe holding your hands behind your back so that B here can do it for me." Cordelia looked at Buffy and saw no sympathy in her eyes.
"Fine," she huffed. "I swear it's trash like you that ruin a perfectly respectably school like Sunnydale High," then she leaned in close to Buffy's face, "I believe I was telling Angel that just yesterday." Buffy didn't say anything instead she raised her fist as if to punch Cordelia. Cordy turned quickly to find Faith right in her face "BOO" Faith said and Cordelia actually shrieked before she walked away grumbling.
Faith and Buffy couldn't quite laughing.
"Did you hear her shriek," Buffy exclaimed 'maybe today isn't going to be so bad after all.'
"God what I wouldn't give to let lose on that stuck up Bitch, but I really can't give Snider more of a reason to kick me out."
"You know, I could have handled her myself."
"Oh I was sure of it, I can see despite your little frame you definitely could kick some ass, but your emotions don't seem as intact so I thought I'd jump in and save you from a suspension on your first week of school."
"I can handle my emotions just fine," Buffy said with dignity.
Faith laughed, "B calm down, just look at it like I was selfish and couldn't allow you to have all the fun terrorizing Cordy."
Buffy laughed, "Well I got to get to class, but I'll see you around?"
"Sure."
"Oh and Faith?"
"Yeah?"
"This has been fun, we should do it again some time."
"Anytime B," Faith laughed and the girls went their separate ways.
Lunch Time
When Cordelia had arrived back in class it turned out she'd been gone for 15 minutes. The teacher gave her lunch detention, much to Angel's dismay. 'Great, so much for dumping her at lunch.' Currently Angel was in the cafeteria looking for a certain blond girl. He couldn't find her anywhere, but did see Willow. He walked up to the group tentatively.
"Buffy isn't here," Xander said the moment Angel got within hearing range of their group.
"Hello to you to Xander," 'The rest I never really minded, but God that Harris kid grates on my nerves.'
"Well, you are looking for Buffy aren't you?"
"Yes, as it turns out I am looking for her… Willow…have you seen her?"
"She has detention." Willow said.
"It's her second day of school," he laughed. "What could she possibly have gotten detention for?"
"Well as it turns out," Xander jumped in mocking Angel's earlier words, "Buffy was cornered in the hallways by the Queen Bitch herself, who I believe is currently going under the title of Your Girlfriend, and this coincidence caused her to be late to class and landing detention."
"Cordelia cornered Buffy?"
"Isn't that what I just said, what are you deaf?"
"Xander, please," Willow started. "Cordelia cornered Buffy but it wasn't anything Buffy couldn't handle."
"Willow what did Cordelia say to her?"
"Buffy wouldn't want me to talk about it with you."
"Willow…"
"Angel please," Willow cut him off. "I think you should walk away now, people are beginning to notice you here talking to us."
The group began to turn their backs to him, "Guys?" But Angel stopped and walked away. 'Is this really what people think of me. Have I truly been this big of an ass? When did I lose it, I wasn't always like that, I used to get along with Willow and Xan…no I never got a long with Xander, but he never hated me. When did it start?' But Angel knew exactly when he'd begun to change…when Buffy left. She truly was his best friend, his better half. With out her, he was a shell. 'I am going to make things right with her if it's the last thing I do.' With that confidence he walked into his speech classroom to wait for Buffy, completely forgetting that Cordelia had that class as well.
When the class finally filtered in after lunch Cordelia got to the seat next to Angel first.
"Baby I am sorry about what I said lets just forget that Buffy ever came back and return to the way we were. We were so happy…remember? Trust me I'll make it worth your while." Cordelia had snaked herself around him and was whispering in his ear as she playfully bit his earlobe.
'This is it,' Angel thought as soon as she walked in the classroom, 'break up with her.' But as soon as Cordelia had begun her attempt at seduction Buffy had walked in to the classroom. She saw Cordelia crawling on Angel and met his eyes. Angel saw hurt, betrayal, and sadness. He felt his heart break in two. He wanted to push Cordelia off, do anything, but he was powerless, as he got lost in her hazel green eyes.
When Buffy walked into the room she felt like she'd been slapped across the face. She knew all about Angel and Cordelia's relationship, but to see it displayed in all its glory right in front of her was another thing completely. Then she made her biggest mistake by making eye contact with Angel. She became paralyzed to the spot. 'Move Buffy, God do something! Anything. You can not just stand here and watch them.' But she didn't know how to move.
Luckily the teacher chose that moment to intervene. First she cleared her throut and it caused Buffy to jump but finally broke the connection Angel and she had shared. "Miss Chase, when you weren't here yesterday I move your seat. Buffy sits in that chair now, you may sit in the front corner next to Jonathon.
"WHAT!" Cordelia shrieked. "There is no way I am sitting next to that freak."
"Mrs. Manchester (an: random name off the top of my head) I do not mind sitting next to Jonathon." Buffy said tentatively.
"Miss Summers, although I appreciate your good sportsmanship I evaluated your ease of speaking in front of people and it established you in the top of the class. Angel is as well, so I would like you two to work closely together, I believe you will connect very well and when we get to debates you will be a very interesting pair to watch. Miss Chase move now or leave my class room."
Cordelia's eyes shot back and forth between Buffy, Mrs. Manchester, and Angel and seeing that no one was going to make any other moves to stop the seating change from happening she stormed out of the classroom.
"Now Miss Summers, if you'd have a seat?"
Buffy crossed the room to her seat refusing to make eye contact with Angel. The tables that they sat at only seated two people and the chairs were pushed close to each other. When Cordelia had gotten up she had somehow managed not to move her chair from its place almost on top of Angels. So when Buffy slid in her bare thigh (AN: she is wearing a skirt) brushed against Angel's leg. Buffy didn't notice but Angel sure did and immediately his body felt as if it were on fire. Although Buffy hadn't noticed the touch, she did notice how close they were and almost immediately scooted her chair as far away from him as possible. Angel scooted his chair in hoping Buffy hadn't noticed his reaction to her touch. For fear she would see his continuous discomfort in the lower part of his body, Angel kept his gaze firmly on the teacher not scooting back from the table once. Neither spoke to each other during the period.
After School
Buffy got to Angel's car sooner than he did and had nothing else to do but wait. 'I could say to hell with it and walk to my house, it isn't like I need him…But that would probably make Kalie worry and I don't need to cause her anymore stress then she is already under.'
In her musings Buffy hadn't noticed Cordelia walking up to the Explorer.
"What the hell do you think you are doing?"
Buffy turned to find Cordelia a mere foot from her face with her hands on her hips. "Cordelia I am warning you, get out of my face."
"Or what? Come on Buffy you don't have your precious Angel here to protect you, what could you possibly do?"
Buffy had had enough. She reared back to punch Cordelia in the face. Cordelia shrieked but Buffy held her arm. After about 30 seconds she dropped it. "You know what Cordelia, you aren't even worth it." With that she turned her back on Cordelia and continued waiting for Angel.
"Just like I thought. Miss Buffy Summers all talk and no…"
"Cordelia enough," Angel said. He'd seen the entire encounter between the two and couldn't believe the two women in front of him. He didn't know either of them. On the one hand here was his once shy and timid best friend who had become an independent self-assured and mature young woman. On the other was his girlfriend who was just about as immature, snobby, and bitchy as one could get. For the second time today he mused at how his life had come to be the way it was.
"Angel this piece of baggage seems to think she is getting a ride with you and I was merely trying to explain to her it is Tuesday night."
"What does the day of the week matter?" Buffy said suddenly surprising herself.
"Well," Cordelia smirked, 'Ha she's fallen right into my trap.' "Tuesday nights are the one night a week my Angel's mother works late and his little brat siblings are off at their fathers. This gives us the entire house to ourselves, and well…to be frank we put that opportunity to good use."
Buffy was in shock. She couldn't believe what Cordelia was saying. She looked at Angel and saw shame in his eyes. She realized he wasn't even going to stick up for his own little brother and sister.
Angel read the emotions and thought racing through Buffy's head and if he'd had time to brood on it he might have even smiled at the fact he could still read her to some degree, but now was not the time.
"So Fluffy, if you will just go on your marry way Angelus and I will be on ours."
"Buffy," Angel growled. Both Buffy and Cordelia looked at him in shock. "Her name is Buffy. Cordelia I am going to do something right now that is WAY overdue. I am going to put you in your place. You are nothing special. You are an immature, stuck up, and spoiled brat who has always gotten her way and who's parents chose to buy her love through material things. I doubt you have an inch of kindness anywhere in that cold heart of yours. I don't know why the hell it has taken me this long to realize that. You look at Buffy and see someone inferior to you. Why? Because she has less money than you, because she hasn't always had the designer clothes? Let me tell you something. You will lucky if you are ever half the girl Buffy is. She is kind, smart, real, mature, god I cannot even explain her to you because she is so above your scale. I started this speech intent on forcing you to apologize to her for all the horrible things you've ever done. But, I've only just now realized it doesn't matter. Because she is so above you she doesn't need to be anywhere near your good graces and you should be begging to be in hers. You should be begging her forgiveness, as I am right now." he finished his speech staring straight into Buffy's eyes.
Buffy didn't know what to think. Her immediate thought was 'I think that is the most talking Angel's done in one moment than he ever has.' Once she got over that shock though, she began digesting all the compliments that Angel had given her. She knew he wanted her to say something he hadn't taken his eyes off her. All of this was making Buffy extremely uncomfortable. Finally she spoke.
"I think I'm going to walk home," and she turned away before Angel or Cordelia could say a word.
"Shit" was all Angel said before jumping into his car and speeding off after her, leaving Cordelia behind with her mouth gaped open. Only then did she notice the audience of half the school who had been watching the entire exchange out in the parking lot. Cordelia tried to laugh it off, but no one was laughing with her. It dawned on her, they were laughing at her. Very quickly she made it to her car and sped off. 'I will so get you back for this Buffy Summers.'
An: Sorry for not updating sooner. What can I say I'm selfish. I have been reading everyone else's fics that I leave no time for myself. I am trying to get out another chapter by tomorrow. It probably won't be as long, but it will have a lot of B/A one on one interaction. Sorry but Buffy isn't going to give in so easily to Angel just cuz he was all 'you are the greatest Buffy.' But we'll get to the fluffy stuff soon enough! Well review, cuz thats what all the cool kids are doing!