Title: This Magic Moment

Rating: K+

Summary: Living in New York, Buffy runs into Jack Montgomery yet again. Literally.

Disclaimer: I claim ownership of nothing except the plot. Buffy belongs to Whedon, and the Montgomery's and Taggert's belong to Jude Deveraux.

Feedback: I would most certainly appreciate it!

Note: Thanks to fairieangel, Dreamweaver, Dr. Shubert, and Catlimere for reviewing!

Dreamweaver: Oops, my mistake. Well, let's just pretend that he still is. Yeah, I bet at least someone has come across the "night world", especially if one of them was a Slayer or Watcher. Well, Jack doesn't have a clue about it, and no one in his family has said anything. Maybe I'll work someone in later on. Thanks for the review.

Dr. Shubert: A camcorder. Yes! I love it. I really have to work that one in. Considering the Montgomery and Taggert clans have all served in wars, I think the hero gene is in their blood.

Catlimere: I was planning on one of the Montgomery or Taggert's being invited into the new Council. Can you imagine if they meet Buffy without realizing who/what she is, then goes for a meeting at the Council and seeing her there? Great. I'll have to think about that.

Twisted Magic

It had been two weeks since that embarrassing moment in the park. Buffy was more worried about being humiliated than the people at the park finding out about demons. After all, humans were basically oblivious and they lived in denial. She had no doubt that the witnesses to the other night's mishap were the same. Thankfully, it had been dark and the nearby lighting had been sucky and they hadn't seen her face. The bad thing was that she hadn't really seen their faces, despite her Slayer senses. If she had, she would make sure she avoided them in case they recognized her. Luckily, New York was a big city, and so far she hadn't run into anybody she recognized.

Which meant she hadn't seen hide nor tail of the handsome man named Jack from the bookstore. Now, there was a male specimen worthy of a second glance. Unfortunately, she hadn't had the chance to give him a second glance. Giving a regretful sigh, Buffy grabbed her bag and walked out of the hotel room she was staying at with Council money. After the destruction of Sunnydale, Giles had taken over the Council and subsequently the Council funds, which was quite a lot. He was starting a new generation of Watchers, and this time things were going to go better.

However, Buffy didn't really want to deal with the Council or any of the business that entailed. She wanted to travel the world, kill demons and shop for new clothes. If Giles wanted her to do a few things for him when she was in a city, then fine. As long as she got to use Council money, then she was happy. Dawn wanted to stay in England and go to school, and Buffy was okay with that. She wanted Dawn to have as normal a life as she could get, and if that meant being away from Buffy, then that was the way things had to be. She couldn't blame her.

Now that she was in New York, Buffy loved it. It was so busy, full of self-absorbed people, making her job easier to go unnoticed. Giles had readily agreed to her idea about her staying there to find rare books and kill the many vampire and demons. She had even come up with the idea to open up a school of self-defense. That way, Giles could send some Slayers over to her to receive special training, and she can help normal people so they can protect themselves better, making her job that much easier.

Right then, she was heading out to find some place to house her self-defense school. She wanted someplace big and lofty, with large walls to place mirrors up so her students could practice moves. Buffy wanted a place with an office and an upstairs that she could make into an apartment.

"Maybe I should go to a real estate agent," Buffy muttered an hour later, standing next to a run-down building that was located near some seedy looking houses. The hour was filled with fruitless searching. Every place that she had come across wasn't right. She was ready to give up.

At that thought, she straightened her shoulders and stiffened her back. Buffy was a Slayer, and Slayers never gave up! She would find a place, and the place would be perfect, dammit! Even if she had to kill someone. Getting into her rental car, she headed towards a payphone with a phone book.

Two hours later, a very satisfied Buffy walked out of a Taggert Real Estate. After talking with a very nice woman named Julie Taggert, they had made an appointment for the next day. Soon, she would have her very own place.

Smiling, she glanced across the street and stopped in her tracks. There was a very familiar man stepping into a taxi. Taking a step forward, Buffy's eyes widened when she realized it was Jack. About to call out, she stifled the urge, feeling foolish. She had seen the man once, for goodness sake! And he probably wouldn't even remember her. Shaking her head and feeling disappointed, Buffy turned to her rental car and got in. She would just have to forget Jack and go shopping. Brightening at the idea, Buffy maneuvered her car backwards, then cursed when she hit something with a loud crunch.

Eyes wide, she looked behind her, then groaned when she saw a taxi and a very angry driver. Then she banged her head when the passenger stepped out. It was Jack. Great, she thought, just great. Sighing, she stepped out of her car.

Giles was going to kill her.

Jack yelped when the taxi he was in came to a sudden, crunched stop. Cursing at the idiot who had slammed into him, he leaped out of the car, ready to give them a peace of his mind. That was before he saw who it was.

Grinning foolishly, he watched the woman from the bookstore step out of her car, a pretty flush on her cheeks. Considering that he couldn't get her out of his mind in the last few weeks, he had to pinch himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming. He wasn't.

Waving of her apologies, Jack looked her over. Oh Lord, he hoped he wasn't dreaming.

…………

End

Tell me what you think!