A/N Sorry if this isn't as good... I couldn't find my rhythm on this chapter. Hopefully the next one will be better. I've got plans.

Chapter 17

"So, you like it out here?" Bam asked, watching as Buffy moved around the kitchen at the mansion making sandwiches for them.

"I love it. Sometimes it's a little awkward with the stares and the whispers, but those will die down eventually." Buffy said.

"How's Angel?"

"Happy. He's at work right now."

"I figured."

"I had a run in with his ex today."

"Oh really?"

"She's very disgruntled. Said that Angel was only in it for the fame and the money and that he would come back to her." Buffy rolled her eyes. "They've been broken up forever."

"No chance of him wanting her?"

Buffy looked at Bam shocked. "No! God no! She was a real bitch. Wasn't ready for a mature relationship. Not to mention she had a 'convenient' miscarriage just before she broke up with him."

"Abortion?"

"Most likely. But she's not fessing up to it."

"So the baby was Angel's?"

"Would've been."

"Damn." Bam paused. "Ville says hey."

"Awe, I need to call him, but with the time difference and all..."

"Nah. It's cool. He says you shouldn't be worrying about talking to him."

"He's so sweet." Buffy set a plate with a sandwich and a pile of chips in front of him. "There ya go."

"Wow, you've been domesticated."

"Only slightly."
"Any idea when you're going home and getting back to work?"

"In about a week or so." She sighed. "I'm going to miss this place."

"I'm sure."

Buffy eyed him and then smiled. "So, what's been going on in West Chester? Anything exciting?"

"Oh, nothing worth mentioning."

"How are Ape and Phil?"

"They're good. They say hi."

"How's Missy doing?"

"She's... Missy."

"Are you ok? You seem kind of... Dodgy."

"Listen, Buffy..."

The phone rang and Buffy held up her finger, running to get it. "Hello. Hey! Now? Ok, I'll be there in a few. Love you too." She hung up. "Angel. I gotta go pick him up."

"Why?"

"He loaned me his car so I could come get mine and get you."
"Oh."

"You want to come?"

"Sure." Bam set down his half eaten sandwich and followed Buffy out.

Angel walked into the living room where Buffy and Bam were sitting in front of the fireplace. He handed them each a Guiness and then sat down behind Buffy. She scooted back and leaned against his chest and he wrapped his arm around her waist. "So, do you like Mexican food?"

"Some." Bam said. "Why?"

"Well, there's this really good authentic Mexican restaurant on the outskirts of town I thought we might go to for dinner."

"Only if you're up for it." Bam said to Buffy.

"Oh, sure. Bring on the spice." Buffy said. "Do they have enchiladas?"

"Yup." Angel said.

"Good. I'll go change." Buffy got up and headed into her and Angel's room.

Bam looked at Angel. "Hey, man, is there an ice skating rink around here?"

"Yeah, it's about ten miles from here. Why?"

"Well, I was gonna see about renting it tomorrow and taking B skating."

"Oh. She'll like that."

"I figure it'll help build her strength up some more. Get her ready to head back to LA."

"I can't believe it's been that long since she got here."

"Yeah. Ville and I miss her. It's gonna suck for all of us when she goes back to work."

"Why?"

"She won't be around as much. And it's hell trying to get a hold of her. Mandy answers her phone for her while she's working."

"Mandy?"

"Her PA. She's had the last few months off since B's been on tour with the band and all. Now that she's headed back to work, Mandy's working too."

"Mandy didn't have a job while Buffy was out?"

"No, B kept paying her so Mandy wouldn't be without money and so she wouldn't leave. If B didn't have Mandy, she'd be a lost soul."

"Really?"

"B's scatter brained when she's working. Mandy keeps her organized. She's also a good friend to B. When she doesn't have a guy to go to a primere or an award's ceremony with, Mandy is B's date."
"Oh, is Mandy that strawberry-blonde girl that stopped by here after Buffy first got home."

"Yeah, that's her." Buffy said, walking back in. "I told you about her."

"I just forgot. Please forgive my male brain."

"All's forgiven and forgotten. You guys ready?"

"You look nice." Bam said.

Buffy looked at her Genetic-jeans and purple and black corset top. "Thanks."

"Hey, you're wearing the boots I bought you."

"Yeah. I still love them." Buffy eyed Bam for a second. "You ok?"

"Just missed you, is all."

"Ok, then."

Buffy woke up the next morning to find a note on Angel's pillow. It told her he would be at work if she needed anything and for her to have a good time with Bam that day. She sat up and stretched. She guessed she was spending the day with Bam. Buffy headed out into the living room and found Bam sprawled on the couch going over a script. Her ice skates sat on the floor in front of the couch.

"I don't remember bringing those." She said, startling Bam.

"Fuck! Make noises before you sneak up on me."

"Sorry."

Bam picked up the skates. "I had Mandy overnight them here."
"Why?"

"We're going skating."

"We are?"

"I rented out the rink for today."

"Why?"

"Because I figured you'd like to do something other than sit around and be a housewife. Something you love. Something that will also help build your strength back up."

Buffy sighed. "Bam…."

"Don't argue. Go get changed and let's go." She just stood there. "Am I going to have to dress you myself?"

"I can do it." She glared for a second before turning and going into her room.

An hour later, Buffy was lacing up her skates while Bam waited on the ice, his hockey skates already firmly attached to his feet. He waited, trying to act impatient, but failing miserably. Buffy knew he was up to something and she hoped to make him nervous enough to make him spill the beans. So, she took her time lacing up her skates saying that she had to get the tightness around her ankles just right.

"It's never taken you this long." Bam said.

"It's been a while." She answered simply.

"B, come on."

"Bam, we have the place to ourselves all day. What's the rush?"

"I hate waiting."

"Then start skating. I'll be out there in a minute."

"B…."

Buffy's cell phone went off and she stopped lacing up her skates to answer it. "Hello?"

"Hey." Ville said.

"Ville! You're just in time to help me annoy Bam to death."

"Why? What're you doing?"

"Oh, I'm just lacing up my skates too slow for him. He's in a pushy mood today."

"So, you're skating?"

"Apparently." Buffy looked at Bam with a big smile and went back to her phone conversation. "So, how are you?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing."

"I'm good. I'll be back at work soon."

"That's good. We miss you on the tour. The guys say hello."

"Awe, tell them I miss them too. Maybe I can join you again when you're in Australia. I love it down there."

"That'd be nice. We'd love to have you with us."

"Awe, really?"

"Of course. Jonna says hello, by the way."

"Oh, tell her I say hey back."

"Well, I let you get back to Bam."

"You don't have to."

"No, I really do need to let you get back to Bam. He's got something he needs to tell you."
"What's that?"

"I'll let him tell you. I love you, Buffy."
"Love you too, Ville. Talk to you later?"

"Of course. Bye."

"Bye." Buffy hung up and quickly finished lacing her skates up like the ex-pro she was. Bam was still standing at the boards next to the entrance. She skated around the rink twice to get warmed up, packing on the speed and then gliding for a second or two before speeding up again. Bam just waited at the boards. She finally finished and then stopped dead in front of him. "Ok, you got me out here... So start talking."

"What?" Bam asked.

"Ville said you had something you needed to tell me."
"Fuck." Bam sighed.

"What's wrong?" She took his hands and started skating backwards, pulling him with her.

"I was going to get to it on my own time. I may have to kill Ville now."

"Nah. I knew something was going on and I would've made you fess up eventually."
"Yeah, but by then I would have worked up the guts."

"Brandon Cole Margera needing to work up the guts for something? Impossible. You're the gutsiest man I know."

"That's when it comes to pranks and skateboarding." Bam sighed and allowed Buffy to pull him along. "Buffy, I really don't know how to say this."

"Then just spit it out. Direct and to the point."

"Just how you like it."

"Damn skippy."

"See, I know you better than anyone."

"Yes, you do."

"And you know me better than anyone."

"At least I think I do. You can surprise me from time to time."

"Buffy, I love you."

"Awe, I love you too Bam!" Buffy went to hug him, but he held her back.

"No, Buffy. I LOVE you. I want you to marry me." Buffy's face reistered shock as she let go of her grip on Bam's hands. "Buffy!" Before he could reach her, she collided hard with the boards and fell to the ice on her hip.

"Ow!"

He skidded to a stop and dropped to his knees to help her up. "Are you ok?"

"No!" Buffy pushed him away and got up by herself, gripping the hip she'd fallen on. For a long moment she just stood there, staring at him.

"Say something!"

"What the hell is the matter with you? This is the stupidest thing you have ever done!" She shook her head. "I'm getting married, Bam! And not to you. I love you, but not in that way. You're my best friend. My partner in crime. The guy that's supposed to threaten to kill anyone who breaks my heart."

"And I can still be that... Just..."

"No. No 'just' Bam. I love Angel. I'm marrying Angel. What? Did you just expect me to forget about him and say, 'Oh, I love you that way too' and we'll go riding off into the sunset?"

"No."
"What did you expect then?"

"Well not you fucking going psycho on me, that's for damn sure."

"Then tell me. How am I supposed to act?" Bam shook his head. "Bam..." Buffy skated back to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, laying her head on his chest. "I do love you. But you're my best friend. Even though you want more, I can't give you more."

Bam sighed and wrapped his arms around her too. "I know. I didn't want to tell you, but..."

"No. No, I'm glad you did. No secrets between us, remember? We made that pact a long time ago."

"That's why I told you. That and Ville pressured me into it."

Buffy laughed. "Don't blame this on big brother Ville. He's not the one with feelings for me."

"Don't joke, B. I still love you."

"So, what are we going to do about it?"

"I don't know."

"Well, we'll just take it day by day. It's the best we can do, right?"

"How did you become so positive in a world where your friends are serious pranksters, drug addicts, and rock stars?"

"Because I've seen the people they really are when they're not those things and they're all pretty cool."

"So we're cool?"

"Of course! I'm sorry I acted so crazy."

"I'm surprised you didn't bitch slap me or kick me with your skates on."

"I still could."

"No. No, it's cool."

"Good, now that's out of the way, I need to ask you a favor."

"What's that?"

Buffy gave Bam an awkward smile. "I, uh... I want you to be the one to give me away."

"What?"

"Bam, you know how the father is the one who's supposed to give the bride away? Well, as far as I'm concerned, I don't have a father."
"You can borrow Phil. I'm sure he'd love to give you away."

"No. It has to be you."

"What about Justin... Or Lynn? Or your mom? Your mom will be pissed at you for not asking her to be the one to give you away."
"I've already talked to her about it. She agrees with me on this."

"Why me?"

"Bam, you're my best friend."

"I can't."

"Why?"
"Because... I can't give you away to another man.

"You've been the one person I've run to for the last thirteen years whenever I needed someone for comfort or fun... I've run to you for pretty much everything. It has to be you."

"Buff..."

"No. Stop. Listen to me. When I get married, I want and I need you to be the one to walk me down the aisle. It can't be anyone else."

Bam sighed. "I don't know."

"I do." She held his hands and smiled up at him. "I know that you're my best friend and you'll always be my best friend. That'll never change. I won't let it. Please Bam."

"Damn it. You know I can't resist that face. You just pile it on with that face."

"So, you'll do it?"
"Yeah, I'll do it."

Buffy squealed and threw her arms around Bam's neck. "Thank you Bam! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" After a moment, Buffy started skating again. Bam raced to catch up with her. She was moving fast and turning in every direction, looking like her old self. A noise at the entrance to the rink made them both stop and turn.

Angel walked in carrying a drink tray with three tall cups in it. "Thought I'd drop by for lunch."

"Angel!" Buffy skated over to the boards and pulled a T-stop.

"Whoa, don't hurt yourself."

"With that?"

"I thought you were going to trip yourself."

"Nah. I'm a pro." She leaned over the boards and kiss Angel lightly. "Awe, you brought... lunch! Yum."

"My friend Doyle, his wife Harry owns a little restaurant downtown. She made us lunch."

Bam skated over. "Whatcha got?"

"Burgers for us, fried chicken sandwich for the lady."

"French fries?" Buffy asked.

"Nice and crispy with a side of honey mustard just for you."
"You spoil me!"

"I try."

"After we eat, you should slap on some skates and come out here with us." Bam said.

"No, no... I'm good. Don't need to go back to work with a wet butt. But I think I can stick around for a few minutes to watch you guys."

Buffy smiled and got off the ice, going to sit on the bleachers and eat with her fiance and best friend.