Angel heard a noise, someone coming into the mansion. He was wearing only a towel as he stepped out, chuckling. "Cor… I thought I knew you better. We agreed to play our parts, which means you have to stay in school." He said as he stepped out of his room. He looked to Buffy, who was staring at him. "Buffy… I… what are you… doing… here?"

"Cor? Cor? As in Cordelia Chase? The girl you hadn't seen? What are you playing me for Angel? I saw it the moment she staked the vampire. She fights like you do, I know, I've seen it enough." Buffy argued, holding back from crying. Angel was hers. She knew Angel would never fall for Cordelia's act and here he was, almost naked and thinking she was Cordelia.

"Buffy… I… she wanted help. She needed help after what happened. She came to me and asked for my help. So I agreed. What does it matter if I train her?" Angel asked her, frowning. At this point in the timeline they weren't dating. This means he would play it as if they weren't dating. Not to mention Cordelia was the only one on his mind.

She didn't have a good reason. "You lied. That's what. Everyone knows you are training with me but no one told us about you two training together. You knew where she was last night, you were protecting her. How could you lie? And to me? I thought… I thought we were better than that…" She said, her voice going soft. She looked to Angel, hurt.

"Buffy. She's hurt; she doesn't want to share everything with you guys. She has the idea in her mind that it's you and the others who caused her to get hurt. This lifestyle, fighting and hunting demons." Angel explained as best he could. He knew he should be comforting Buffy but he felt it would be wrong to even touch her. Wrong to Cordelia. It didn't seem like he would ever get over Buffy. That he would love her forever. And he still loved her now… it's just he had a stronger love for Cordelia.

Buffy didn't know what to say. She figured Angel would just apologize and explain himself to her. Be nice and kind… but instead he was keeping his distance like she was a disease or something. Or… it was because he was naked save the towel, she couldn't tell. "Since when have you and Cordelia been best buddies! She wanted to kill you before just because you were the slightest threat!"

"I'm not arguing this with you Buffy. We aren't children and let's not play the jealousy game. Not to mention you just old me a few days ago you didn't want to see me anymore. There's nothing going on with us. I'm helping her learn to defend herself. Just like I'm teaching you how to defend yourself… from me…" Angel argued back, holding his hands on the towels. This felt uncomfortable, and reminded him of a certain liaison talking about getting some release. He had plenty release the night before… he and Cordelia had been waiting a very, very long time to be together.

"Why does it feel so different? Why is it when I look at you I don't recognize you? We share a connection Angel… but… but I don't feel it anymore. I look into your eyes and I see someone else. When you find my Angel, find me, I would like to speak to someone who wouldn't lie to my face."

Angel walked up to Buffy, staring down at her. Buffy had tears welling up in her eyes as they stared at each other intently. In all times in the past, she and Angel had embraced. She leaned up, putting her arm around him as she kissed him. Angel put his hands on her shoulders and moved her back. Buffy stared at him in shock. That had never happened before.

"Buffy…you broke up with me." He said, finding a reply. He hadn't kissed her back; he ignored feelings coming back within him as he imagined Cordelia's smiling face. Knowing face, she knew him better than he knew himself. And he loved her for that.

"I should go… I just… made a total… fool of myself. Not to mention you just… did that." Buffy started, tears streaming down her face. "Who is it Angel? I may be new when it comes to falling in love, all I've ever had was you but I can see it. You're in love with someone else. Who is it? Cordelia Chase? You are in love with Cordelia Chase, Sunnydale bitch? Who cares about no one but herself! She's a rich brat who's willing to hurt anyone for her own self gain-"

Buffy froze, hearing the noise that came from Angel. Her eyes narrowed. "Did you just growl at me?" She asked him flatly, her voice hurt and anger. Her body was almost shaking in anger over what Angel had done.

"Don't you ever speak about Cordelia like that. She's the most selfless person I've ever known. She's willing to give up everything she has, a normal, happy, rich life. And for what? Pain, heartbreak, loss, death. Me." Angel couldn't do it, he snapped. He couldn't stand there and let everyone assume Cordelia for a horrible person. And he would refuse to let Buffy stand before him and act like she was a better person.

"What? Angel, what the hell are you talking about! It seems like you and Cordelia took a vacation with each other and now you two are best friends! A few days ago Cordelia was just a girl to you, someone you've had to save; now you talk like you two are lovers."

Angel took a step closer to comfort her as she put a hand up. "No. Don't. Don't talk to me; I don't want to know if you two are. When you come back to your senses find me… you're breaking my heart Angel." She whimpered, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Cordelia and I aren't lovers."

"I don't care. Find me when you come to your senses."

Aw. Buffy and Angel fight-age. Sorry so short and sorry for the delay, REVIEW and I shall SPEED up my PROCESS. :)