Title: Closing Time
Author: AngelSummers

Disclaimer: If Only...

Author's Note: Here's a wee bit 'o pot… I mean plot kiddies

Chapter 11: All of This

"Buffy...Buffy it's time to get up."

"Go away."

"Didn't we have this 'conversation' last night?"

Angel heard her grumble something about hair gel at him from under her pillow and watched as she pulled the covers over her head.

"Don't grumble at the man with pancakes."

"-cakes?"

"Baby cakes with bananas on top."

"This is why I love you."

"I thought it was because I'm your hot and sexy man servant."

"Mmm, that too. Now give me my cakes."

Angel set the tray of pancakes on her lap and kissed her softly, "Good morning by the way."

Angel sat down beside her and unfurled the newspaper, "Huh, there was another attack last night. Cops say it was another gang member on PCP."

"Again with the PCP. Can't the cops come up with a few new reasons for why they get their asses kicked? I mean aren't steroids supposed to be really big right now?"

"It says their faces were distorted."

"They have a sketch?"

"Why would you want to see one? Are you planning on going on tracking them down or something? Do you have a secret night life I don't know about?"

Buffy shrugged and replied as she stuffed her mouth full of pancake, "Curious mind."

"Eat your cakes. I'm going to go take a shower." Angel replied, kissing her on the lips lightly. As he started to pull away, Buffy grabbed the sides of his head and pulled him to her lips once more.

"Buffy, I don't think the Senior Partners would appreciate me coming to work smelling like sex and maple syrup."

"Sounds kinky."

"It was."

Buffy sobered immediately, "With who?"

Angel scampered away wondering out loud, "I wonder what happened to that other crate."

"What exactly did you do in college? Or should I say who?"

"I never said it was in college."

Angel's eyes grew wide as his own confession reverberated back at him. As Buffy scrambled off the bed, Angel swore that the world went into slow motion. He spun around quickly running for the safety of the bathroom.

Angel skidded around the corner of the hallway and leapt toward the bathroom as he was caught hard against the waist. They rolled onto the floor, with Buffy managing to straddle his waist. She grabbed his hands and held them tightly above his head.

Buffy leant down and looked him straight in the eye, "Who was it?"

Knowing that she could easily wound certain important parts of his male anatomy, Angel quickly confessed, "It was one of those Cinemax late night movies. I thought it was about food, there was food though…in that one scene. Lots and lots of food…in creative places."

"Yeah, so why didn't you just stop watching it?"

Angel shrugged and murmured, "I was curious."

"You're such a pervert."

"You weren't complaining last night."

"What do you think all that screaming was about?"

"Kinky."

The sound of the doughnut box falling hadn't even registered until jelly splattered across Angel's face. Buffy's face contorted in confusion.

It was Angel who dared to look up first. One word fell out of his mouth slow enough for every syllable to echo around the now silent room. It was the implications that failed to register.

"Xander?"

"I, um, hope you wanted jelly."

They scurried to their feet, leaving at least a foot between them. Xander looked between the two of them, watching as they did their best to avoid eye contact and as they shuffled their feet like guilty children. In an instant, Xander felt as if someone had pried his eyes open. Memories raced through his mind, signs screamed at him in every one. The gentle touches and the glances they stole at every chance. When had they started? A month ago? A year ago? Questions whirled around his mind. All leading back to how could he not know. What about Cordy and Riley? What about their marriages? They had promised to love, honor, and obey their spouses. They had promised to love other people. So what were they thinking? What were they doing? He could never imagine doing that to Anya. How could they live with themselves? Anger washed through him as he considered the implications of their actions. How could they do this?

"How in the fuck could you do this?"

"Xander—"

"You're just being fucking selfish, the two of you. You've created this bubble, this happy little place where nothing has changed. You're still Buffy and Angel. The two kids voted most likely to find their happy ever after ending. Well, I hate to tell you but this isn't high school. You've fucked up. You're destroying two innocent people. This isn't the Buffy/Angel-verse. You don't get to rewrite it all. You've both made your choices and you were happy. What is it, Buff, your beloved champion comes galloping back into your life and as soon he gives you half a fucking glance, you swoon and just like that you're on your back. You're selfish; you're a fucking selfish whore."

Angel's harsh laugh caught Xander off guard. Angel started towards him and suddenly Xander was scared. "She's a whore. Look at you. You're so pathetic. You let every one control you, always panting after Buffy and Cordy. Look at Willow, you couldn't even see a good thing right in front of you. You were too obsessed with Buffy. 'Oh, why doesn't she love me? Buffy, my dearest Buffy, can't she see what a catch I am?' You're addicted to rejection. That's why you never wanted to be with Willow, it was too simple. You love the chase. So who next, Xander? Are you going to go after Willow, now that she is finally over your sorry ass, because she's finally unattainable? Well fuck you. Don't stand there and call her a whore. You're not even worthy to breathe the same air as her. Fuck you, Xander."

Angel stopped his rant as he heard the soft sobbing of Buffy's cries. Turning around, he folded her in his embrace. He couldn't say that he wasn't surprised when she pushed him away. She ran down the hallway and into Angel's room. Shoving her clothes on, Buffy left the room and headed towards the door.

Angel called out to her as she reached the door, "Buffy will you just wait a second."

She whispered back to him, "You can't let me forget anymore."

Angel let the door click shut, knowing that she needed her space.

"You know Xander, I've always known that you've had a thing for her and for years I tried to ignore it because I knew that she would never return you're feelings. I watched you pine after her for years in high school and when you met Anya I thought you might finally been given the chance to get over her and I thought you had, until a second ago. But this isn't about you're deep desire to be with her, it's about her happiness. I make her happy and you know deep down that I'm the only one that can do that. Don't make a mistake here, Xander. Don't let her slip through you're fingers. Believe me, I speak from experience."

Xander stared at Angel for a minute and then he turned and ran after his best friend.