Disclaimer – Yes, they all belong to me. Note sarcasm

Dedication – To all the readers of this story. You've made me feel guilty, happy and sad all at the same time. Good on you.

Reviews – Um… duh.

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Chapter 11 -

Buffy adjusted the clip in her hair and smoothed out the wrinkles in her cream dress.

She hadn't seen Angelus since they decided to go ahead and have their affair. Or rather she'd decided. Angelus was pretty much all for it.

It had been a week since her and Angelus had agreed to have a relationship and frankly, Buffy was bored already. The whole week had been stressful and both hadn't had any time to see the other.

Tonight would be the tester she'd decided. If he didn't ask her to meet up with him later on in the week, it was over. She couldn't hang around waiting for something to happen.

"B? You okay?"

Buffy looked up quickly and smiled at her sister, "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just…" She looked around the large modern kitchen for inspiration. She spotted some salmon wraps, "Checking that the salmon hasn't gone off." She made up, walking over to the expensive snacks and looking carefully at them.

Faith raised an eyebrow, "So you're not hiding from Claudia like everyone thinks?" She asked, smirking slightly.

Buffy gasped in outrage and whirled round, "They think that?" She demanded.

Faith nodded.

Buffy's eyes narrowed, "Well, I'll show them I'm not hiding from anyone."

"That's my girl." Faith said, smiling, as Buffy stormed past her.

-

Buffy entered the sitting room with what she would have called a slight nervousness. Others of a less defiant nature would have called it a tidal wave of sudden pure blank terror that clouded every other thought and feeling.

But whatever.

The nervousness of seeing Angelus again for the first time after their decision was not what Buffy expected.

She expected excitement and, yes, a little nervousness at seeing Angelus but not this. She felt no excitement or anticipation. Was that a sign?

Buffy shook her head slightly. She really needed to get one of those self-help books. Or an appointment with a good psychiatrist. Either one.

"Come on, B. You holding up the queue."

Buffy rolled her eyes at both her sister and her inner thoughts. She needed no help. She could do this. She was strong. She was super-Buffy. She opened the door, squinting her eyes against the harsh light coming from the chandeliers.

"Buffy! My baby girl!"

Buffy smiled slightly as Joyce Summers half ran up to her and swept her up into a tight hug, "Hey Mom." She greeted quietly.

"Have you heard the news?" Joyce asked in excitement, proudly glancing at Faith.

Buffy frowned, "What news?"

Joyce beamed, "Faith has a job!" She burst out.

Buffy looked blankly at her mother, "Mom, I know Faith has a job. That's old news." She paused, "Actually, that's not even news." She commented thoughtfully.

"Oh, but our sister dear has a new job." Darla interrupted sharply, stressing the 'new' very clearly.

Buffy stared at Faith, confusion glazing over her hazel-green eyes, "You have a new job?" She asked, "Did you get fired again? 'Cause, seriously, if you want to move in with me then you're going to have to pay the rent, otherwise you're out."

Joyce looked back and forth at her two youngest daughters, "Oh! Are you moving in with Buffy, Faith?"

Faith nodded silently.

"Next we'll be hearing she has a new boyfriend." Darla snarled, glaring at her sister.

Faith nodded slightly, "Mmm, probably." She studied her elder sibling with interest, "How's your boyfriend doing, sis?"

Buffy stifled a laugh and escaped before she burst out giggling. Trust Faith to have the best comebacks.

The blonde frowned slightly. The news of her sister's new job was in fact news to her, surprisingly, considering she would have thought that she would have been the first person Faith would tell. Buffy shook her head. Trust Faith to be unpredictable.

"Hey."

Buffy looked up to find the nightmare of her thoughts in front of her, "Hey?" She repeated, glaring at him, "That's all you've got to say?"

A frown marred Angelus' otherwise perfect face, "What am I supposed to say?" He asked innocently.

Buffy scowled; her anger at being ignored and abandoned over powering her, "How about 'sorry I haven't called all week because I was injured in hospital with TB'?"

He smirked, "If I had TB, I'd be dead by now."

"That's my point." She snapped, snatching a tall flute of sparkling champagne from a passing waiter.

Angelus bowed his head, "I haven't called because I've been busy." He said, after a moment, the amusement evident in his voice.

"Right." Buffy snarled, her tone disbelieving and cold.

"Buffy, listen to me," He pleaded, the desperation and want so deep in his eyes that it made her shudder, "I haven't called because I've been busy night and day. If I had time I swear I would have called you. I texted you but you never answered."

Buffy shifted, the guilt clear on her face, "I broke my cell phone."

"How?"

"I threw it out my apartment window."

Angelus stared at her in a mixture of disbelief and amusement, "Why?"

Buffy shrugged. She'd thrown it out in frustration because he hadn't called. Not that she was going to tell him that, "I felt like it."

He laughed.

Buffy stared at him as he did, not entirely certain that her body was not meant to react to a laugh with warm butterfly feelings in her lower stomach.

She caught the eye of Darla who was eyeing them suspiciously. "Darla's looking." She muttered in a low voice.

Angelus nodded, "Okay, I'll talk to you later."

Buffy nodded her agreement and watched him walk towards his wife.

"Aw, how pathetic."

Buffy stiffened but refused to acknowledge the presence of Cordelia at her elbow.

"The little blonde girl has found someone she can tumble with. But don't worry, Blondie. He won't be yours forever. I've heard the rumours of you and trust me, you are not going to get your claws into my brother."

-

The dinner went by fairly uneventful. Presents were given and opened, dinner was served and eaten, and Buffy didn't talk to Angelus once.

She knew she had little reason to be angry. It wasn't like she had a claim on him or anything.

The whole family looked up as Dawn stumbled into the room, a near empty bottle of vodka clutched in her small hands.

"Hey guys!"

Angelus frowned and stood up, "May I ask who you are?" He demanded in such a cold, uninviting tone that even Dawn, in her intoxicated state, flinched.

"I'm Dawn…" Dawn slurred, "I'm…"

Darla cast Buffy a pleading look.

Her sister floundered for a moment before coming up with the perfect excuse, "It's getting late guys, I should go home, but who…?" Buffy turned large, innocent eyes up to her nightmare. "Angelus, I came in a taxi. Could you give me a lift home?"

-

Getting Angelus outside and to the car without him finding out or asking who Dawn was had been less than easy.

But, Buffy concluded, Darla was probably having the worst of it. Joyce had been assured that Darla had told her husband about Dawn and finding out that she hadn't would ignite the Summers temper for sure.

Buffy glanced over at Angelus who was staring at the road in grim silence. The silence that had been placed the moment she said that Dawn was no one. He could read her like a book, which terrified her.

She sighed, half amused, half irritated at his stubborn nature, "Are you going to drive in silence the whole way?" She asked quietly.

His hands clenched the steering wheel, "You're lying to me." He replied coldly, "You know who this Dawn person is."

The blonde sighed and leant her head up against the window and watched the buildings fly past, "Okay, she's not a no one. She's our cousin from LA. She's been in rehab and, well, Darla is ashamed of her so didn't tell you about her."

He glanced at her, "You sure that's the truth?" He demanded.

Buffy stared at him, "Are you calling me a liar?"

"No, no."

Buffy turned back to look out the window.

Five minutes had passed and the stony silence had crept back in.

Buffy sighed. It was as if they had nothing to talk about. Never a good sign, Buffy thought wearily.

"We're here." Angelus announced, pulling the car up at the sidewalk.

Buffy unbuckled her seatbelt and sat for a moment, wrestling with her common sense, "Do you want to come up for coffee?" She blurted out, common sense having been flung out the window.

"Is that all you want me to come up for?" Angelus drawled, smirking.

"Ego much?" Buffy quipped, her eyes blazing in anger, frustration and shame.

He laughed, sending the butterflies a flying in her stomach again.

"If you want to come up then come." She growled, "This was affair was your idea after all."

"I'll come up."

Buffy nodded and got out of the car, slamming the door behind her.

A minute later, Buffy was making coffee in the kitchen with Angelus leaning against a counter, watching her.

"I don't really want coffee." He said after a moment.

Buffy stopped and looked at him, "Do you want tea?" She asked, "I didn't think you were a tea kind of guy, but you know, if you, I can-"

She was cut off by Angelus' mouth on hers. She whimpered in pleasure and grabbed his shoulders to stop from falling as her knees wobbled dangerously.

"I want you." He breathed; moving away from her lips and making a hot trail down to her neck where he continued to lick and nibble.

Buffy breathed deeply and tugged on his hair, making him pause his ministrations and look up at her.

The blonde swallowed deeply at the image of his chocolate brown eyes glazed over with desire. "We can't do this now." She told him, licking her lips.

His eyes followed the trail her lips made, "Why not?" He asked hoarsely.

Her eyes widened, "What about Darla?" she asked, trying to put order in something they shouldn't be doing.

He backed away from her and dug through his pockets, "I'll call her." He announced, brandishing the cell phone.

Buffy nodded slowly, running a hand through her hair.

"Darla, sweetie? It's Angelus… No, I'm I the car. I got a call from Harold at work and he needs me urgently. I'm going to have to go… Yes, I know the family's there, but this is urgent… No, I don't need Spike. Just tell him I'll handle it… No, I'll spend the night at the office… Yes, okay. Love you too."

Buffy looked up at that, the rage and jealously coursing through her. She swallowed and licked her chapped lips. Let's face facts, she thought, he's here with me. Not with her.

She gazed at Angelus who was smiling slightly back at her.

"We have all night." He murmured, caressing her face.

Buffy closed her eyes and leaned into his hand, relishing the smell of him.

She drew back from him and took his hand with her own, "Well, we'd better get started then, hadn't we?" She asked innocently, leading him out of the kitchen and in the direction of the bedroom.

-

Thanks to everyone who reviewed chapter 10 –

vanillagigglez – Thanks for the review! I really should check your story out again to see if you've reviewed. I always forget! Anyway, am glad you like it and thanks for the vote thing. Though can't actually remember the options.

no1buffyangelfan – Haha! I wouldn't dream of running out of inspiration! Trust me, I have so many ideas for this story that you'll get bored with it. Anyway, thanks for your review and for the suggestion. You'll have to keep reading to find out what happens next.

Blondiegrl – Thanks and maybe.

buff – I'm trying, trust me, to make them longer, just, you know, bear with me. And I'm glad you like it. Thanks.

never look back – Mmmm, it would, wouldn't it? But I have something better (I hope) in mind. But we shall see. We shall see. Anyway, yay, thanks for you review: )

Nina – Whoa, you have a whole plot going there. And, yeah, that would be pretty interesting. But the idea have is on that basis but a lot more complicated and with more problems. Thanks for reviewing!

Buffynangelforever – Thanks! Hope you like it!

tina7610813 – Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!

lindsay e. – Mmmm, interesting. I'll think about it. Thanks for reviewing!

Giulia – Ah! Don't beat me up! Yes, I know I'm a crap updater and deserve to be beaten to death, but still! Don't you want to know what happens? I would. Jks. Anyway, yes, stop biting your nails. Get that lotion stuff that makes them taste bad. That should work. Thanks for reviewing! ; )

Buffy4592 – Mmm, another interesting concept. But, yeah, Angelus does need putting down a peg or two, doesn't he? I wonder how… Anyway, yes, updating, I know, I'm crap. Feel free to beat me. Thanks for reviewing!

mystripedskirt – I'm guessing you don't like Darla? Well, she ain't going to die. At least, not yet… Anyway, thanks for reviewing!

Almost Angelic – Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!

teehee32 – The only Buffy story? Wow, I feel honoured! Cool, anyway, yeah, I didn't mean straight away, but mmm, we shall see. Thanks!

bella – lover – Wow! You just gave me inspiration for a better storyline than I had planned. But, ah! I don't know if I'd want that. Anyway, sorry, ignore that. Yes, thanks for your review and your suggestion about the relationship thing. Thanks again.

nonsda05 – It's got nothing to do with Spuffy fans, don't worry. It's just that a plot I had for this story involved Spike, but that could be changing. I need to think about it. Anyway, thanks for your review and the suggestion!

urangel – Thanks a lot for the review and suggestion! I have no idea what I'm going to do. Thanks again!

ChampionOfLight – Yeah, I know. Feel free to beat me with a stick. Thanks for reviewing!

emerald sorceress – Mmm, yeah, I'm starting to change my mind about the whole Spike thing, but we shall see. Anyway, thanks for reviewing and I hope this chapter is long enough for you!

PunkRokPixie – Haha! I know! By the by love your penname. Thanks for reviewing!

melluvben – Thanks!

rhapsodysengima – Okay, this will be a reply for the review for chapter 10, since that was the longest etc. Anyway, no Spike and Buffy? We shall see, we shall see. And, yes, I'm trying to finish. But I have too many ideas so it might take along time. And aw, I love you too! And your review. ; )

Tariq – You think they should… God, I can't even remember the options. Hang on. Oh right, you'd want them to have a relationship but then it ends. Mmm, maybe. Oh! I'm going to introduce Wesley a little later. Don't you love me? Merci for the review. : )

italian senorita – Well, the Dawn thing is just that she's Darla's daughter, whom Angelus doesn't know about. Drama, drama! Anyway, yeah, at the mo we have no idea who the father is or why she's here. Thanks for the review and suggestion. And, yeah, I am only 15 but I'm not that good. I started this just over a year ago. Scary.

TK2 – I'm glad you like it and have kept reading all this time! And yeah, Angelus and Buffy will have a long road ahead, but in the end it'll be worth it. Dawn's father? Yeah, who knows? Maybe it will be Angelus'. You shall just have to keep reading. Anyway, thanks for reviewing and I hope you like it.

kim – Thanks! And I will!

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AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I love you guys!

229 reviews! That's so cool!

You realise that I haven't even finished the actual chapter yet.

Anyway, enough of hyperness, let's get down to business.

Emotions is continuing. Just give me time to, you know, actually write the next chapter.

And the whole Spuffy thing in this story. A lot of people weren't keen, so I have two other ideas with different characters. Unfortunately I can't ask what you guys think cause that would give it all away.

Oh well.

This chapter hasn't been betaed, so any mistakes, sorry.

So keep reviewing and the chapters will keep coming.

I'm on summer hols at the mo so I have about six weeks of writing ahead. Just give me some feedback.

Love WS xXx.

P.S Does anyone else not like this new set-up of the user area? It's so complicated.