"Angel." Cordelia tapped his shoulder before leaning across the aisle to whisper in his ear.

He nodded his approval and turned back to Buffy. "Alright. Well, we can't *force* you to go. If you'd rather meet your friends at the Bronze, then we won't try to change your mind."

Buffy picked up her gym bag as the bus came to a stop. "Gee... how nice of you."

"That's us pet." Spike agreed as he watched Angel stand up to get off the bus and Buffy follow him.

"Hey Cor," Parker called as he stepped into the parking lot. "You need any help?"

Angel turned away from his car to look at the brunette that was staring after Buffy. "Parker," he shouted over the noise as a few cars started to leave, "why don't you ride with us?"

Spike rolled his eyes as he climbed into the Plymouth's front seat. "Why are we taking him with us?"

Angel climbed into the driver's side and closed the door before watching the blonde walk down the sidewalk. "Because Buffy's human... and Parker's a jerk."

Spike nodded as his gaze slid to her as well. "But you don't mind doing what we have planned for tonight?"

"Why would I?" he asked innocently. "We're just carrying out a time-honored Blood Sucker tradition."

"Uh-huh," Spike answered before frowning as Parker climbed into the back seat. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" the bleached blonde snapped. "Do you really think she'd get into a car with you?"

"Hey," Parker shot back as Angel started the engine and headed out of the parking lot, "I just asked the girls if they needed help. It seems kind of cold to leave them to handle her on their own."

"They'll manage," Angel answered dryly as he sped down the main drag and headed out of town.


Cordelia watched Angel peel out of the parking lot before turning her stare on Buffy. Her eyes narrowed before she and Harmony climbed into her car.

"Can you believe Parker wanted to ride with us?" Harmony rolled her eyes as Cordelia started the car and began to ease it out of the parking lot. "You'd think he was interested in *her*."

"They all seemed pretty interested in her tonight," Cordy growled before grinning unpleasantly. "Knowing Luke, Parker, and Nest, they probably wanted to experiment on something that couldn't get away from them."

Harmony laughed. "That's got to be it."

"Okay," Cordy breathed a few seconds later. "Let's do this fast so we can get back to the guys."

Harmony nodded, and Cordelia turned the car toward the blonde and rolled down the window as they neared. "Buffy," she called in a hard voice.

Buffy didn't even slow down. "Cordelia," she greeted coolly. "Don't want to be late for the party now do you?"

"No," the brunette huffed, "which is why you need to get in the car."

She snorted, adjusted her gym bag, rolled her eyes. "You've got to be kidding."

"Buffy," Cordelia's second call brought her to an irritated stop, and she turned to watch the brunette ease the car closer. "Our principals are in the parking lot right now discussing if it's possible for you to take *all* of your classes with us."

"What?" Buffy paled.

"They think it'll be beneficial to all concerned." Cordelia mockingly rolled her eyes before looking back and narrowing them. "Snyder even mentioned having your cooks leave food for you in the cafeteria... and you're *insane* if you think we want to watch you eat."

Buffy stared at her in shock as she took it in. "They can't do that. I can't go to school with you."

"Yeah, that's what I've been saying from the start," Cordelia muttered before tapping the steering wheel with a fingernail. "Get in, and we'll see if we can minimize the damage *you* caused tonight."

She hesitated. She didn't trust Harmony or Cordelia, but could really use some allies right now. "Okay," she finally agreed before opening the door and sliding into the back seat.

"Finally," Harmony muttered as they pulled away from the curb. "I didn't think she'd ever get in. And just for the record," she looked back at Buffy, "there's no way our principals would be cruel enough to make us take all of our classes with you."

"What?" Buffy asked as both relief and irritation flooded her.

Harmony rolled her eyes before glancing at Cordy. "I hope she doesn't talk the entire way there."

"The entire way where?"

"To the party." Cordelia slowed down to make a turn. "I think we all told you you'd be there."

"Yeah," Harmony agreed, "and you're going to deserve everything you're going to get."


Angel parked the Plymouth beside Penn's van before shutting off the engine and joining the Blood Suckers that were rapidly filling the parking space. "Angel," Doyle called as the shorter vampire made his way through the taller ones. "I talked to my uncle and he's got some leftover paint we can use for the Freak's sign. He said he's got some black, yellow, white, and red. Does that sound good?"

"Yeah," Angel murmured before falling into step with Doyle as they started down the steps that led to the beach. "I can work with that."

Doyle smiled before looking down the stairs intently. A few girls were gathering in bikinis, and his grin widened as he looked at them. "Something else that's workable is the girls showing up tonight."

Angel glanced over them with some interest. "What kind of party would it be without them?" His glance slid to Doyle. "Of course some of them want to be here more than others."

"Buffy?" Doyle shook his head. "She put on quite a show tonight."

"Yeah, she did." Angel's eyes glinted with gold. "One thing about her is she's not boring. I imagine she'll be all kinds of fun tonight."

Doyle laughed at the slow smirk Angel gave. "If I didn't know better, I'd think she was getting under your skin."

"Under *my* skin? I think you've got me confused with Luke... or maybe the whole Freaky Fang senior class," he answered with a scowl.

"Hey," Spike called as he caught up with them. "Clear the way, will you? We've got blood coming through." The two moved to the side and watched as the guys carrying the kegs and old wooden table moved past them before Spike fell in at their side. "I don't know how to bring this up mates, but we've got company up top."

"What?" Doyle asked as he shot Angel another glance. "Are the Freaky Fangs here?"

Angel growled before casting Spike a hopeful look. "Is it human?"

"If only..." the bleached blonde muttered before rolling his eyes. "It's Flutie. For some unknown reason, he feels like crashing our party so he can put a damper on it."

"Flutie..." Angel stopped walking, "but this isn't a school-sponsored event."

"Yeah, but do you really want to tell him to leave?" Spike asked before they started walking again.

"No," Doyle murmured darkly as he frowned at the steps. "Can't say I like detention that much."


Buffy looked up in surprise when Cordelia pulled off the road about a mile away from the beach parking lot. The girls in the front seats started to get out, and she glanced out the back glass when an SUV stopped behind them, and almost bolted out of the car when she saw who was in it. "So... this is where the party's at?" she asked nervously as the 4 cheerleaders from the SUV joined the 2 already beside her.

"No," Harmony answered. "This is just where it begins."

A couple of the girls started to walk down a well used path, and Cordy motioned their way. "Want to walk with us?" she asked threateningly.

Buffy frowned before trying for a casual shrug as she started to walk. "So... what's on the agenda tonight? You going to get all wacky and have a few water fights with the guys?"

Cordy smirked. "Maybe. You know there's nothing better than having a strong, wet male body wrestling with you. Well... unless it would be getting your fangs into their throat." She glanced at the slayer and smirked. "Of course it's too bad you won't be able to join us for a while. I mean, with you having to find your way to the beach."

"So you're going to leave me here... and I'm supposed to find my way to your party," Buffy asked slowly as both irritation and relief ran through her. It was late, and Sunnydale was a few miles away, but jogging home was a better option than going to the Blood Sucker's party.

"You could put it that way."

The blonde rolled her eyes but abruptly stopped walking a couple of minutes later when they surrounded her with more speed than she could match.

"Where's a Freak when you need one? Cordelia taunted as the girls around her gave quiet laughs. Buffy didn't say anything, and Cordy looked at her. "Try to keep up now..." she said quietly as they locked eyes. "You're going to strip, or we're going to strip you."

"W... what?"

"It's not a big deal. It's what our mascot does every year. It's just usually the *guys* stripping them."

"I... why?" she asked as she tried to ignore the girls that were moving closer.

"Well," Dru started, "it's usually more about tradition than anything else... but this year..." her face shifted and she bared her fangs, "it's a lot more about payback."

"Payback," Buffy said slowly as she turned to look at Dru. "I was forced to go to the game. I wore a shirt with a mosquito on it, and I danced... And for that, *this* is the kind of payback I get?"

"Yes," Cordelia broke in, "and you're running out of time."

Buffy looked over the cheerleaders uneasily as a couple of them shifted closer. "Alright," she hissed and tried to keep from panicking as she slid out of her light coat before pulling off Luke's shirt. Her shoes and jeans followed before she made a show of pulling off her socks. When she was done, she looked at them with a frown. "Happy now?"

"No. Take it *all* off." Cordy picked up the Freaky Fang's tee shirt and scowled before wading it into a ball with Buffy's jeans. "You don't have a choice," she added when Buffy hesitated.

"You really don't," Harmony repeated meaningfully as a couple of the girls moved closer, and Buffy finished undressing.

Cordy smirked as she added the last of Buffy's clothes to the wad already in her hands. "Thanks," she murmured before turning when she heard her name called. "Angel?" she looked back up the path they'd just walked down.

"Yeah," he hollered back. "There's a change in plans."

She rolled her eyes. "Just... wait here," she hissed before walking back toward the small parking lot.

She was back about three minutes later.

"What's going on?" Harmony asked.

"They want to do it here, and we're supposed to leave her clothes."

"We're leaving her clothes?" Dru asked with a scowl.

Cordelia nodded before rolling her eyes. "Angel said there was some unexpected company at the beach."

"Who?"

"He didn't say, but the guys are waiting in the lot." She turned back to Buffy. "Looks like you lucked out."

"Doesn't seem like it to me," the blonde mumbled uneasily. "Just um... what," she broke off when Cordelia shoved her over a five foot ledge that separated the path they were on from the lake.

She came up sputtering, and Cordy looked down at her. "We're leaving your clothes on that sandbar," she pointed to it, "and that means you lucked out." She shook her head. "I don't know who showed up, but it sucks that they did."

The water was cold, and she glanced over at the sand bar that wasn't too far away before starting to swim toward it. She didn't get very far before there were shouts from the cliff, loud splashes and she was suddenly surrounded by the Blood Sucker's basketball team.

"Mascot dunk Buff," Doyle told her with an evil smile. "And you're the mascot."

He lunged, pushed her under before swimming away. Spike took his place, and she got a breath of air before being pushed under again.

Angel watched from the side as each of the team moved forward, let her get a breath of air before pushing her under and letting another team member take their place. He was the last one, and after she came up sputtering, he looked at the guys. "That's all of us, right?"

"Not quite," Parker yelled gleefully before disappearing under the water only to yank Buffy down with him as she struggled.

"Fuck," Angel growled before going under as well. When he resurfaced, Buffy was anchored at his side and taking deep breaths of much needed air.

Parker surfaced a few seconds later, and although some of the guys were laughing, not all of them were. "What the hell were you thinking?" Doyle ground out. "Humans need more air than we do idiot."

Spike swam closer to the Blood Sucker's mascot with a smirk. "I don't know... he may have the right idea. I mean, that wasn't much of a dunk."

"Hey..." Parker started to edge away. "I'm not the mascot anymore."

"But you're close enough." Spike lunged as did the rest of the team and Parker went under.

Angel gave a faint smirk as he watched the dogpile he knew would last a good ten to fifteen minutes, but it was the blonde the biggest end of his attention was focused on. "Are you okay?"

She coughed and gagged up water as she let him support her. "You're concerned about that now?" she managed to get out before wiping the water off her face that was mixed with tears. Turning his attention to her alone, he frowned as a shiver ran through her and he brushed wet tendrils of hair out of her face as he tried to make her more comfortable. Buffy's soft body rubbed lightly against his, and he desperately looked toward the shore as he tried to focus on something else, *anything* else.

"Your clothes are on the sandbar. Can you swim?" he asked.

She nodded, and he slowly released her, watching as she took her first strokes toward the beach with a frown. He wouldn't mind going with her but doubted she'd appreciate it. He turned back to watch the dunk a moment later, giving her as much privacy as he could.


She was *freezing*, but still hesitated when she got to the sandbar, reluctant to leave the water, even as she stared at the bundle of clothes a few feet from the waterline. She swallowed, took a deep breath and walked toward them when the water was shallow enough. She didn't mess with underwear or toweling off, just slid on her jeans and Luke's shirt before sliding into her coat and heading toward the road as her face burned with humiliation. A few minutes later, she was on the pavement and jogging toward Sunnydale before abruptly pulling away from the hand that grabbed her arm. She tripped, fell on her butt, looked up fearfully.

"Hey," Angel lifted his hands at the first scent of her fear. "I just want to talk."

"Well, I don't want to," she hissed before slowly getting to her feet and starting down the road again.

He sighed and fell in beside her. "Having you mascot was a prank Buffy... just a joke, right up until..." he broke off when he realized it was until she'd started making friends with Luke. "I'm sorry if you're cold," he changed gears. "I've never been around humans before, so you're kind of a new experience." Growing silent, he glanced at her before continuing, "And I didn't want to hurt you. It's just that you always seem to give as good as you get."

"I give as good as I get?" She stopped walking and turned to look at him incredulously. "How can you say that when I haven't done anything to you?"

"The game," he explained with a hint of irritation. "You were practically hooking up with our rivals... and our fans were *booing* our scores." He gave a shake of his head. "Let's just call it even okay?"

Buffy scowled as she wrapped her arms around her waist and tried to sink deeper into her coat. "Tell me how that makes us even? Where I'm sitting it puts you ahead by this idiotic mascot dunk." She shivered as the wind suddenly picked up, the chill seemed worse, and she started to walk again. Under the best of circumstances, she didn't pose much of a threat to him, but right now, he held all the cards. She looked up sharply at the sound of a car before quickly moving into the trees to sit against a tree trunk.

"Did you find her?" Spike called out the window as he hit the brakes.

"Yeah." Angel looked toward the woods with a troubled frown before walking over to the Plymouth to get his coat out of the backseat. "I think she's cold..." he stated quietly, "and maybe a little scared." He combed a hand through wet hair. "She wants to walk to Sunnydale."

Doyle looked at him from the passenger's seat. "Where is she?"

"Trees," he answered before hesitating and giving a shake of his head. "I was thinking maybe we should back off a little and start playing nice." Spike looked at him incredulously, and Angel shrugged. "We've been a little rough is all. Let's... just... call a truce."

"A truce... right. And what if she starts playing nice with the Freaky Fangs?" Spike asked with a snort.

Angel gave a slow nod. "Unless the Freaks get in the way, I'm willing to play nice." He hesitated. "Why don't you guys go back to the party... I'm going to talk to her." Spike rolled his eyes, before driving to a wide spot in the road, turning the car, and heading back for the beach. Angel watched before starting for the tree line.

Buffy got to her feet when he approached before trying to get past him as she started back toward the road. He caught her arm. "Here," he murmured as he offered his coat. She hesitated, wiped at tears, before reaching to pull it on over her own, snapping the front closed, letting the arms slide over her hands. It hung past her hips and she closed her eyes at the warmth the heavy material gave before starting back toward the road... and stopped when the moon went behind a thick cloud. There was total darkness, and she cautiously reached out to feel for obstacles as she tried to make her way out of the woods. A branch scraped across her cheek, and she stopped before carefully moving around it... and stopped again when she ran into another one.

Angel watched curiously before walking to her side and sliding an arm behind her back. "Come on," he murmured as he helped her back onto the pavement. She shook him off when he tried to turn her toward the party.

"I'm not going to the beach," she almost hissed.

"It's ten miles back to Sunnydale. Why don't you just... have a soda and watch the guys rough up Parker... and I'll take you home in an hour, okay?" Buffy didn't even try to look at him, and he watched as her anger seemed to be replaced with a weary tiredness as she stared blindly through the darkness. He moved closer. "No one's going to hurt you." He reached out and put a hand on the small of her back as he started to guide her back up the road. She went slowly but abruptly turned toward him after only a few steps.

"Don't think this is over. You can't just... give me a drink, and a ride home, and expect us to be even."

He studied her with interest before nodding and watched as she focused on him as the moon came out from behind a cloud. "Alright. Let's just... go back okay?"

She turned and started to make her way back before stopping when she heard quick movements from the tree line. "Hey," Doyle greeted as he moved toward them. "You okay Buff?"

She looked at him cautiously before looking behind him to see if he was alone. She didn't see anyone, and she looked back at him. "I'm just peachy," she finally hissed as she tightened the arms that were wrapped around her waist before beginning to walk down the road a moment later.


"You're kidding," Cordelia turned her glare from the back of Flutie's head to Harmony. "Angel's trying to make things right with her?"

"Spike told Drusilla she wanted to walk to Sunnydale, and Angel was trying to talk her out of it."

"He should let her go," Cordelia murmured scornfully as she sat down on the blanket beside her friend. "She probably got a mouthful of water and he's feeling guilty about it."

"I don't know," Harmony answered. "He seemed pretty upset with her earlier."

Cordy snorted. "I saw the way he looked at her. Honestly, Harm, it looked more like he was jealous of Luke than anything else."

"Not Angel..." Harmony sounded scandalized. "You don't think he'd..."

"I don't know," Cordelia snapped as she looked out over the dark lake. "It's not like it'd be a declaration of love or anything. It's more like she'd be a one time ride at an amusement park."

Harmony grinned. "Do you think their guys could handle us?" Cordy rolled her eyes, and Harmony settled back thoughtfully before noticing their principal was getting out of his chair. "Hey... Flutie's moving. If we're lucky he's decided to leave."


Buffy stopped walking when she realized there must be close to a hundred students at the beach, and she hesitated uneasily as she tried to find the courage to step off the path she was on and out into the open.

"Hey..." Angel murmured as he walked up on one side of her as Doyle walked up on the other. "It's just a party. Nothing to worry about." The look he gave her was somewhere between a faint smirk and a mischievous smile before it turned more serious. "We're even," he stated quietly. "If anyone thinks different, we'll set them straight. Okay?"

"We're *not* even," she answered.

"Angel," Doyle broke in, "we're going to have company."

Looking up at Doyle's warning, Buffy found herself pleasantly surprised. She smiled with relief as she started toward the Blood Sucker's principal. The two brunettes behind her winced.

"Ms. Summers," Flutie called as he made his way across the expanse of sand. "Are you alright?"

"I'm okay," she answered, "but I'm kind of... stranded."

Flutie shot Angel and Doyle hard looks before looking back at her with sympathy. "You didn't drive here?"

"No. I... came with some of the... girls," she finished awkwardly.

"I see." He studied her shrewdly. "Tell me Ms. Summers... was the water to your liking? I'd always assumed humans would find sixty degree water to be chilly."

Silence fell, and Angel turned to Flutie. "I was about to offer her a ride home. I think she did get a little cold."

The look he received caused Angel's half smile to slip from his face. "I must apologize for my students. I understand how hard it must be for you to take classes with," he looked pointedly at the two boys beside her, "students that seem incapable of intelligent thought."

Doyle shifted uneasily, and cast Angel a worried glance before Buffy cast them a calculating one. "Really Mr. Flutie," she began with an innocence that made Angel and Doyle cringe. "I agreed to go through with their dunk because I wanted to make an effort to get along." She smiled at the Blood Sucker principal before giving a shake of her head. "I just wish our school activities could go on like normal."

"What's that Ms. Summers?"

"Well... we usually have a dance in February, but with everything going on this year, we forgot to set up an appointment to wash and wax the cars at Jake's Rentals." At his quizzical look, she explained. "Every year they offer our senior class $750.00 to clean the cars on their lot. It helps us pay for our events."

"Is that so?" Flutie looked at the two brunettes with her. "Maybe it's time for some of our senior class to help out with that. I'm sure they'd agree after all you've done for them." The warning was clear, and Doyle and Angel exchanged glances before looking back as Flutie broke the silence, "Isn't that right boys?"

Angel nodded as Doyle unenthusiastically agreed.

"Good... that's settled. I'm sure they'll have plenty of time to work on the cars tomorrow night... and will have no problem completing the task by Sunday morning."

"Right," Angel agreed as he watched his principal glare at him before turning to place a hand on Buffy's back and urge her toward the limestone steps. "Now Ms. Summers... can I interest you in a ride home?"


Riley stared at Buffy in disbelief. "They pushed you into the lake?"

The blonde took a breath before looking at him. She was filling her friends in on *most* of what happened the night before, but wasn't telling them everything... like the fact she'd been naked, and then dunked by the basketball team. "Yeah," she murmured as she stirred her drink with a straw. "But like I said, Flutie showed up and gave me a ride home."

"There's no way we can let this slide," Xander stated angrily as he looked over to see Riley nod in agreement.

"No," Buffy agreed, "we're not," she gave a faint smile as she remembered Flutie's offer of letting the Blood Suckers take care of washing and waxing the cars.


"*They're* the ones that have to wash and wax the cars?" Xander asked with disbelief.

"Not only that," Riley spoke up, "but they'll have to vacuum them too." He turned to Buffy. "How'd they take it?"

"They were agreeable... at least Angel and Doyle were." She hesitated, took a breath. "But I left with Flutie, so I didn't see the full impact."

Xander put his hands behind his head and grinned widely. "We've got this. I mean, paying back the Suckers and Initiatives on the same weekend? He gave a shake of his head. "If it wasn't for the dumping, I'd almost feel left out."

Willow shook her head. "It wasn't the most fun I've had, but at least we don't have to wash and wax 35 cars."

Riley glanced at Buffy. "You thought they'd be working on them tonight?"

"Yeah. Flutie said they'd have them done by Sunday morning."

The sandy haired guy nodded before turning to Xander. "Maybe we should make sure they're working on it... Besides," he added, "we could use some pictures for the Senior Beat."

Grins were exchanged, and Buffy couldn't stop from giving an uneasy one back. Tomorrow was some kind of vamp holiday, so the Blood Suckers weren't having school, but that didn't mean she wouldn't have to deal with them on Monday night... unless she could get out of it anyway. She looked around the smiles at the table before getting up with a sigh and heading for the bathroom. She'd just started her period and it was usually a little heavy for the first few days.


"Tell me again why we're doing this," Spike growled as he ran the wet rag over the car that looked like it had been driven in mud.

"Because we were set up," Penn answered as he shifted the water hose to spray over the fenders.

Spike scowled before giving a shake of his head. "I'm not sure we didn't get the better end of the deal mate. Dunking a naked female beats dunking a naked male anytime."

Penn nodded absently before elbowing the guy he was working with. "Look who's here."

Spike followed his gaze and raised an eyebrow. "I'm surprised they have the guts to face us." The two vampires moved toward the two humans that were standing under a dusk to dawn light. "Well now..." Spike murmured as Angel and Lindsey moved up beside them. "Look what we have here."

"Spike," Xander greeted coolly. "We wanted to come by and check on your work."

"Did you?" the bleached blonde asked. "I would have thought Bunny would have joined you. Seeing as how this is her game plan and all."

Riley stepped forward with narrowed eyes. "Like you guys don't deserve it?" he asked incredulously. "The water was what... about sixty degrees?"

Spike grinned and took a step forward. "She's a hot little number. How could we have known she couldn't handle the cold?"

Riley took another step forward and Angel stepped between them. "Spike," the brunette broke in warningly before looking at Riley. "The cars will be washed and waxed by sunup. Tell Buff we're even."

Xander stared at Spike angrily before looking at Angel and nodding. "Alright, but we want it done right, and that includes being vacuumed." He didn't give them time to comment before he looked at Riley. "Come on. Let's get out of here."

Spike slid into game face, Penn growled, and Angel just watched as they headed toward the parking lot across the street.

"So," Riley started after they were several feet away, "your camera would have gotten that right?"

"Yeah," Xander nodded. "I mean, we were standing under a light. Oz should have been able to get some decent pics."

"That works," Riley murmured with a faint smile.


Monday morning:

Ripper scowled as Ethan stopped at a stop sign. "I hate that we're going to school early."

"Tell me about it," the brunette breathed as he looked both ways before hitting the gas, "but copying Warren's homework is better than doing it ourselves."

Silence fell as Giles took a drag on his cigarette and slowly blew it out before giving a shake of his head. "Melissa walked past my house last night while I was putting subwoofers in my car."

Ethan's lips curled with amusement. "She's a strange one."

"Tell me about it." The brown haired boy stared out the window. "I think she's a vamp junkie."

Ethan rolled his eyes before shooting a look at his friend. "Then why is she hitting on you?"

"She's not."

"Uh-huh."

Ripper scowled. "I've seen her hanging out with vampires."

"So? We're doing that."

"Yeah, because we're looking for a way to get at the Slayers. Melissa's just... weird."

Ethan grinned at Ripper's description of the girl that was following him around before he made the turn into the almost empty school parking lot and parked his car. A moment later, he changed the subject. "Good thing Warren's a geek, otherwise we'd have to run him down instead of finding him in the library."

Ripper dropped his cigarette in the lot before grabbing his books as they headed toward the entrance. Their steps slowed when they noticed the teachers standing in groups on the lawn before they cautiously approached them.

"School rivalry," Mrs. Evans stated with a shake of her head. "Did you see that mess?"

Mrs. Gilchrist nodded. "I don't see how we can have school. It's going to take at least a day to clean up."

Ethan smirked as he continued to the building before pushing through the doors and stopped when he saw the trash strewn throughout the hallway. There were napkins, empty cans, scattered containers with old food stuck to the sides... He did a double take when he noticed the used toilet paper.

"You've got to be kidding me," Ripper hissed as he looked at the mess. He looked closer and noticed an empty container of ex-lax before looking down to see a used condom.

"Of all the students I thought might come in early today, you two were not on the list," Walsh spoke coolly from behind them.

Ethan turned to face his principal as Rupert continued to study the garbage. "I guess there's no school today," he stated with a smirk.

"No there's not," she answered as she crossed her arms.

"Ah... Then we'll be going." Ethan grabbed Ripper's arm and headed for the exit before stopping when coach Blackburn stepped in front of him.

"The plastic gloves and trash bags are over there." He pointed to the boxes sitting on a chair near the door. "There's also mops, disinfectant, and bug killer in the janitor's closet."

"What the hell?" Ripper asked.

"Watch your mouth, Giles." The coach gave him a threatening look.

"Yes he's a charmer isn't he?" Walsh asked sarcastically as she walked over to where they were standing. "There are new rules starting today. School rivalries are cleaned up by the students. It's the only way to hopefully stop them." She looked up at the ceiling before pointing toward the trash filled hallway. "And since you're the only students here, clean it up."

"Oh now Ms. Walsh," the elderly cook broke in. "The boys will need more than gloves and trash bags. Just last night I washed our cooking aprons and was bringing them in today." She shook her head. "Can't be too safe with your health, you know." She frowned as she watched a cockroach scurry out of a peanut butter jar.

"Sounds like an excellent idea to me," Walsh murmured as she looked at the two boys that had given her headaches for years.

Mrs. Evans nodded grimly as she went over and dug aprons out of her box before holding them out to Ethan and Ripper. "It's just a horrible thing to have happen. I don't know what's wrong with kids these days." She hesitated after the boys reluctantly took the aprons before she looked at the coach. "You know they've thrown trash in my kitchen," she stated indignantly. "It'll all have to be sanitized."

Ethan abruptly went from scowling at the apron to raising his head. "It's not just the main hall?" he asked with disbelief.

"No," she answered. "It seems to be all over the school."

Ethan turned to stare wordlessly at Ripper who shook his head before turning away.


Monday Night:

Flutie walked down the hall in his usual no-nonsense manner. Tonight though he wasn't after a student for punishment, but he didn't think the three seniors he was looking for would see it that way. He rounded the corner to the senior lounge and quickly spotted two of the three he was searching for. "Mr. Pryce... Ms. Chase, I'd like to see you in the hall for a moment."

Stifled laughter ran through the room, and Spike and Cordelia both scowled as they moved to join their principal. "Whatever happened, I didn't have anything to do with it, Mr. Flutie."

"That's good to know Ms. Chase. I'd hate to think Ms. Summers was *forced* to jump into 60 degree water." He stared at her before looking at the bleached blonde. "Is McCormick here?"

Spike shrugged before smirking. "He's probably guarding our newest classmate. The chit's getting well known."

Flutie frowned into Spike's direct gaze before noticing Cordelia's scowl. He sighed. "I can see neither of you seems to have benefited from your previous associations with the Slayers. Hopefully this time, you will learn something." His eyes narrowed at their rebellious looks. "I was contacted by Mr. Snyder earlier today... and in light of what he feels was a disgraceful display put on by Ms. Summers at our game, he insists on formally inviting the Blood Sucker's senior class to the Slayer's Spring Fling dance."

Silence fell, and he took the opportunity to elaborate, "I'm not certain I agree with Mr. Snyder's reason for inviting you, but I must admit it would be a wonderful opportunity to put our community in a good light, especially with the town council's interest in an environmental dome."

"I don't want to go to their dance," Cordelia snapped as she crossed her arms.

"You don't have to Ms. Chase, but I must warn you, if anything happens at that dance because of our students, you, McCormick, and Williams will be held responsible whether you're there or not."

"Have you told the Slayers yet?" Spike almost growled, his displeasure clear.

"No. It's only just been decided for sure. Their principal will inform them tomorrow." He looked at the two seniors before centering his attention on Spike. "Have you taken care of the cars yet?" Spike nodded. "Good." Flutie turned to walk away. "I don't want any slip-ups, Mr. Williams."


"Buffy," Joyce began warningly, "if you think these kids are dangerous, then I'm going to school with you."

The teenager stared at the ceiling and gathered her strength before looking back at her mother. "I didn't say they were dangerous. I just said things didn't go well at the game, and principal Flutie brought me home." Her mother's expression didn't change, and Buffy stood up and began pacing restlessly around the room. "I just think it might be a good idea if I stopped going to classes with the Blood Suckers." She frowned before crossing her arms and turning to her mother. "I don't get why I have to go to school with them."

Joyce's expression instantly went from concern to disappointment. "Have you forgotten my business partner's a vampire? Belinda's a wonderful person, Buffy."

The teenager closed her eyes. "I know." And she did like the brunette. It had almost doubled her mom's sales when the vampiress had agreed to open the gallery at night while Joyce handled it in the day. "I didn't mean anything by it."

Her mother sighed before glancing at the clock and picking up the car keys. "We'll talk about it later. Right now though, I'd better get you to school."

Buffy's eyes flashed open. "I can handle it." She quickly moved across the room and grabbed the keys before hastily pulling on her coat. "I'll be fine. Got to run." She was out the door before Joyce could launch much of a protest.


The stop sign was in the center of the street, and Buffy stopped at it before pulling into the school parking lot and glancing at her watch. She was 20 minutes early, and the blonde settled back into the driver's seat and wondered again why her mother wouldn't talk to Snyder about letting her go back to her old classes. It wasn't like she was asking for a car or a weekend with friends in Los Angeles. Her eyes narrowed as her fingertips drummed a tempo on the steering wheel. And having her mother come to school with her? That would have been beyond embarrassing.

She scowled before sighing as her thoughts turned to the next two hours. She could handle it, she assured, even after the mascot dunk... and being bloated from her period.

A knock on the window startled her, and she turned to see Angel standing beside the Jeep.

She narrowed her eyes before rolling down the window. "What do you want?"

"Now now, don't..." he started with amusement before breaking off. All of the windows had been rolled up before he'd knocked. The air in the car smelled like vanilla and her strawberry shampoo, but it also smelled intoxicatingly of blood. "Um..." he scrutinized her for any signs of injury. "Can..." he broke off with a frown as he turned his attention to her neck. He didn't see any bite marks, and relief ran through him before he realized he was being stared at. "Can um... I walk you to class?"

She studied him darkly. This was bizarre. Angel didn't stammer... and he didn't ask if he could walk her to class, not without an ulterior motive anyway. She looked at him suspiciously before gathering her items and stepping into the parking lot. "Yeah," she muttered, " because that's not weird at al..." she broke off when her name was called before slowly turning to the man stalking toward her. "Good evening, principal Snyder," she greeted with a sinking feeling.

He glared. "Your mother called me and seems to think you're in danger. Why would she think that?"

Buffy looked at him with surprise before paling when she remembered Angel's presence. "I felt a little sick earlier and she must have misunderstood," she finished lamely.

"Did she?" Snyder drilled. "Well, because of your *misunderstanding* I promised I'd make sure you were unharmed during your classes."

Buffy stared at him in horror. "Please don't. I'm fine."

"Unfortunately I take my job more seriously than you take your graduation. Now, if you're ready, we'll go talk to your teachers." He swept his arm toward the school, and Angel abruptly shifted in front of them.

"I can see Buffy to both of her classes... and take care of her welfare in them."

Snyder turned to her. "Is that acceptable?"

"Yes," she agreed before trying to calm as she studied her principal warily. He was looking at her with a frown, and she shifted uncomfortably before shooting a glance at Angel. He was watching her intently, and she looked back at her principal.

"Fine. You're now responsible for her safety," the older man looked at Angel. "That will include the Spring Fling going on Friday night as well."

"He won't be there," Buffy stated. "It's a Slayer's dance."

Eyeing both of them darkly, Snyder disagreed. "The dance will be a joint event attended by both schools. Mr. Flutie and I have already discussed the matter."

"But that's not..."

"No." Her principal held up a hand. "This is not debatable. He barely glanced at Angel before concentrating on her. "Your behavior at the game was intolerable. It was not only upsetting to the players, but also to the good people that came to support their team. That you then had them fund the dance by washing the cars at Jerry's Rental is more than reason enough for them to be included."

She scowled, and he glared before raising an eyebrow warningly. "Fine," Buffy reluctantly agreed.

"Very good. Now I should inform you that the Blood Sucker's gym classes have been canceled for the next couple of days. You're to report to the library for your second period class tonight, and to the gym to discuss the dance with the Blood Sucker's representatives tomorrow night." Buffy gave him a hard look, and Snyder looked at Angel. "I don't envy you your task." A moment later, he turned and stalked away.

Angel's attention turned back to Buffy after Snyder left. The information about the dance was interesting, but... He stepped closer. He could still pick up traces of her blood, although it wasn't as strong as when she'd opened the window. He leaned down to get a closer look at her neck, his nostrils flaring as he took a deep enough breath to realize the blood wasn't coming from her throat.

"Hey..." Buffy moved away before turning to glare. "What are you doing?"

He looked at her with frustration and a slightly annoyed frown before forcing himself to take a step back. "You think you're in danger Buff?"

She looked at him carefully. Being forced to strip by a group of girls that could probably beat up the Slayer's football team had scared her... along with the nude, cold dunking by Angel's basketball team. She didn't have to tell him that though. She looked away from the challenge in his eyes. "From what Angel? You, the bleached wonder... or maybe your squad of gorilla-like cheerleaders?" She snorted before turning to walk toward the door to the school.

His gaze slid over her before moving to follow. He'd just caught up when it struck him that he could sense her fear. It was mixed with anger, and defiance... and that mouth watering scent of blood. "Gorilla cheerleaders?" he asked as he opened the door for her. "I doubt they'd be flattered." Gods... he took another deep breath. Where was it coming from?

"Gorilla cheerleaders," Buffy confirmed as she walked into the building. "I mean, come on... Cordelia can probably lift two hundred pounds."

He shook his head. "Na... I'd say closer to 150." He shrugged. "Now me..." he smiled. "I can lift around 275."

"Just another reason it's so wonderful to be here," she muttered sarcastically before scowling. If the school boards had just waited a year... even half a year, she'd have graduated and missed all of the humiliating pain her senior year had become. She sighed and stared at the floor as they walked before almost cautiously entering the science room a few seconds later. It was only about half full, and she sat down and glanced at her watch. There were still ten minutes to go.

"So," Angel broke the silence, "do you have a date for the dance?"

"Owen."

"I don't think I've met him." He gave her a suspicious look. "He's human right?"

She rolled her eyes before looking at him like he was insane. "Totally human."

"Mm-hmm..." he nodded casually, "you're probably wise to play it safe... I mean, he's a nice normal human guy that you can control, isn't he? A date with him isn't exactly taking a walk on the wild side."

"It's a date," she stated as she shot him a look. "Not a safari."

"Oh... and congratulations on playing Flutie and having us wash the cars. We didn't see it coming."

"Thanks," Buffy murmured. "I owed you you know." She frowned a moment later and tucked hair behind her ear. "Of course after what Snyder just did to our dance, I'm not sure you didn't come out ahead."

He smirked, but his reply was cut off when Cordelia's laughter ran through the room, the unmistakable click of heels moving toward their table. "Angel," Cordelia's voice cut through the normal chatter before she turned to Buffy, "and Bug..."

"Cor," Angel quickly cut in. "Class is getting ready to start." She looked at him curiously before raising an eyebrow in question. "Class is starting Cordelia," he told her again, his voice low and slow as he looked at her meaningfully.

She growled softly before starting toward her table.

The clank of something hitting one of the front tables had them looking up to see the science teacher laying out aluminum trays every two chairs. "You've got to be kidding," Cordelia growled. "We're dissecting something? I just ate breakfast."

Angel watched as a tray was dropped in front of him before looking at Buffy. She didn't look happy, and he gave a small smile. "Last year we dissected a locust. My partner was Spike." He rolled his eyes. "We were lucky to get a passing grade after he started dropping pieces of it in Harmony's hair." Buffy turned to him with interest, and he warmed to the subject. "She ran out of the room... Flutie saw her, and *we*, Spike and I," he clarified, "got detention and a D on the assignment."

She grinned, and he smiled back as the teacher walked back to the front of the room. "Today we're dissecting toads. You and your partner must identify all of the organs and draw them on the illustrated paper provided." He picked up a box and dropped a toad onto the first tray. "In the back of the room, you'll find the knives, one for each tray," he informed as he moved around the room handing out toads. "They're sharp, so handle them carefully."

"I'll get the knife," Angel offered as a toad was dropped into their tray.

He got to his feet, and Buffy stared at the large toad. Sudden laughter broke out in the back of the room, and she turned to see Harmony backing away as a guy pushed a toad at her. "Get that thing away from me," she growled before she noticed Buffy's smile. "Why don't you take it to the human? She'll probably eat it." The room erupted in laughter, and Buffy's face turned red with embarrassment before annoyance set in. "Only the legs," she answered loudly. They didn't have to know the thought made her sick... but she couldn't help smiling when they all started to gag in disgust.

"Quiet down," Mr. Rollens admonished as he finished passing out toads and moved back to the front of the room. "Frog legs are an acceptable human food. But right now you should be more concerned about completing your assignment... and a few of you need to improve your grades."

Angel dropped into his chair before turning to study her uneasily. "Buffy," he started before Flutie's voice came over the speaker system and cut him off.

"Coach Sullivan is taking a couple of vacation days. All students except seniors will be expected to report to study hall instead of your normal physical education courses."

A small cheer ran through the room before the teacher once again called for quiet.


Buffy grabbed her book and hurried from the room when the bell rang. Coming to school tonight had been hard enough without adding the harassment and dissection into it, but on top of that, she'd had to watch the other students drink toad's blood. The teacher had *playfully* added that into the lessons. The only consolation she had was listening to her classmates gag down the small amounts of reptile blood... that and being able to skip gym.

She made her way through the halls and turned into the girl's restroom before moving over to the Kotex machine and dropping some change in, turning the knob, and picking up the box before heading into a stall. She was in the middle of changing her pad when she heard voices coming from the sink.

"Can you believe he made us drink frog's blood?" Harmony's voice rang out. "I almost threw up. It was horrible... all thick and sludgy."

"I can hardly wait," Dru commented without enthusiasm. In the stall, Buffy grinned as she continued to change her pad. Maybe today hadn't been as bad as she thought. The next words Dru spoke though made her freeze. "Gods... Do you smell that? Someone must have spilled blood in here."

"Yeah," Harmony took a breath. "And it's making me want to get this taste out of my mouth. Come on, let's get something to drink and find Cordy."

The sound of the door closing signaled they'd left, but Buffy didn't move. Surely blood in a high school girl's restroom wasn't unusual, but that it could be so easily noticed was. She slowly got up and adjusted her outfit before stepping out of the stall. Her eyes automatically slid to the tampon and Kotex machines. She was washing her hands when she suddenly swung back around to get a closer look at them. There was a familiar dent... and she realized it was the same one from her old school. Why would they have moved them? Shouldn't there have already been machines here?

She was still puzzling out a riddle she wasn't sure she wanted the answer to when she walked into the hall and found Angel waiting for her. "What do you want?" she asked as he fell in at her side.

He smirked before turning to look at her innocently. "I was just wondering where the dance was going to be held." She shot him a frown, and he held up his hands. "Hey... how am I supposed to be there if I don't know where it's at?"

She sighed and rolled her eyes. "Our old school gym. Saturday night. It starts at 8:30."

He nodded before giving a wicked grin. "I'll make sure everyone knows."

"Great," she scowled at him before running into a hard chest.

"Well now..." Parker stared down at her as she took a couple of steps back, "what do we have here?" Angel took a step forward as the newly arrived brunette took a deep breath and shot him a look. "I smell blood. Have you been sampling the goods?"

Horrified at further proof they knew she was on her period, Buffy shifted uneasily before taking a few steps toward the library. "I've got to go," she mumbled.

"No, you don't." Angel carefully pulled Buffy to a stop before turning to Parker. "You know, Harmony's been telling the girls about your performance problems." He winked at Buffy, and she glanced at Parker half out of curiosity, and half out of relief the topic was off her.

"What the hell are you talking about? I don't..."

"According to Cordelia, you do." Angel leaned toward the other boy tauntingly. "You see, Harmony lost a dare at the mascot dunk and was supposed to screw you." He cocked his head and smirked. "I guess you've got an easy reputation." The brunette in question scowled, and Angel continued with seeming delight. "You told her you weren't sure about her break up with Bobby and wanted to wait a few more weeks to make sure he'd moved on."

Parker eyed Angel with a hint of anger, only giving Buffy a glance before turning back to his antagonizer. "I don't know anything about a bet. She came on to me, and I've got every right to turn her down." He hesitated before adding with a forced smirk, "And as for Cordelia, she's been jealous of my female companions ever since I got my fangs into her freshman year."

"Angel," Spike broke in, "and," he smirked at the blonde, "Buffy. I thought you'd be on your way home by now." He purposefully ignored Parker, having caught the argument between one of his best friends and his casual one. "And Parker," he finally acknowledged as he turned to look at him with mock sympathy. "Angel's right, you know. It's all over the school about your... problem." He deliberately left it to interpretation if he was referring to a physical problem or a cowardly one.

"They're lying," Parker growled before turning to stalk off as Angel and Spike watched with smirks and Buffy with disbelief that he was leaving in embarrassment instead of her.

"So..." Spike turned back to his companions. "Now that that's out of the way... why are you still here? Are we rubbing off on you?" He leered before sliding into game face and taking a step toward her. "Maybe you've been wondering what you missed out on at the dunk." He eyed her. "I know I've been."

"Spike," Angel broke in, "I seriously doubt she wants you... as hard as it is for you to believe, and she's here because Snyder caught her in the parking lot and told her she had to stay for the full 2 hours." He turned back to Buffy. "Looks like we've got a free hour. Maybe we can get a head start on discussing the dance?"

"Sounds like a good idea to me," Spike spoke up. "Cordelia will probably kill us if we don't get in some changes."

"Changes?" Buffy asked as she looked at him. "It's already been decided."

"Not according to Snyder," Angel said as he watched with a smile.

"We're still not going to discuss the Spring Fling."

Spike snorted. "Spring Fling," he grumbled. "It's still winter Slayer."

She shook her head as she headed for the library. "It's tradition," she called back.

"It's a daft one if you ask me," Spike called after her.

"No changes," she restated as she continued to the library, the strange feeling that she was just talking with annoying friends making her feel odd, but somehow good at the same time.

Spike snarled softly as he watched her before hollering after her. "Let's go to the lounge and talk about it, Blondie."Besides," he muttered to Angel when Buffy ignored him, "I could use some blood. I think someone spilled some around here and it's making me hungry."

Angel studied him for a moment. "It does smell good here doesn't it?"

"Yeah," Spike absently glanced over the hall before looking at the rows of lockers. "Probably some of that imported stuff Harmony and Cordy like so well."

"Good thing Buffy didn't notice it," Angel murmured, his eyes glinting with amusement.

Spike snorted. "Blondie wouldn't know good blood if it hit her in the face." He turned back to his friend. "Coming?" He motioned toward the senior lounge, and Angel shook his head before starting toward his locker. "There's something I need to do in the library."

Spike rolled his eyes... "The library riight..." he drew out before turning toward the senior lounge.


Buffy found a table and sat down before glancing up as the elderly librarian headed out of the room with a coffee mug. Silence settled, and she scowled at the empty room before sighing as she flipped open her science book.

She never heard the student making his way toward her table a few seconds later. "Hi. Buffy isn't it?"

She glanced up at the tall nerdy boy standing about five feet away. "Yeah." She frowned. He looked like the brainy type, not the kind she usually spent time with, but she had to admit he looked a lot less threatening than a jock... or a cheerleader.

"I'm Andrew." He sat across from her.

"Uh... hi." She looked him over curiously before reading the title of one of the books he'd put on the table. "Are you writing a paper on electronics?"

"No," he answered without elaborating. "So... you're flunking science and physical education."

She stared at him with disbelief. It was true she'd been intimidated by a group of girls and the Blood Sucker's basketball team, but that was a far cry from the geeky vampire in front of her. "I'm not flunking them... And it's not like I'm a nerd," she answered, "I do have a life." His response took her by surprise, as it did Angel, who'd just entered the library.

"Definitely not a nerd," Andrew murmured as his eyes slid over her slowly, "more like a sex goddess."

"What?" she asked.

"I've wanted my own human since Jonathan and I read about your sexual habits." Buffy blinked at the blunt statement, and oblivious to her shock, Andrew continued in a lowered voice. "You have trouble breathing during sex, your body offers free blood every month, you're hot to the touch, soft, weak, like to be touched... everywhere, and..." he leaned closer, his eyes blazing feverishly into hers, "capable of such addiction," he almost whispered as he stared at her longingly.

Buffy paled. She paled even more when they were interrupted.

"Andrew," Angel greeted as he stared at the boy sitting opposite Buffy. "Imagine finding you here."

"Angel." Andrew looked up with a frown. "We're busy if you don't mind."

The brunette raised an eyebrow incredulously before leaning down almost in his face. "Busy?" he repeated. "You're really not." Staring meaningfully into Andrew's eyes, Angel's shifted to gold. "Are you?" he threatened softly.

After a couple of seconds, Andrew reluctantly gathered his books as Angel's gold eyes turned brown. "We can talk later Buff?" Andrew asked as he glanced at the horrified blonde.

Any amusement Angel felt from Andrew's quick departure dropped away instantly. "Yes, *we* will," he answered, his patience wearing thin.

The smaller boy scowled but left the table, and Angel gracefully slid into his place. "Hey," he murmured as his dark eyes studied her. "You okay?"

Ignoring his question, she forced herself to meet his eyes. "You didn't... happen to... hear anything did you?"

He shrugged casually, even though he was torn between going after Andrew or staying with Buffy. "No. I just got here. Why? What did he say?"

"Oh... nothing." She looked away. "I thought you'd go to the lounge."

He frowned with disappointment when she didn't elaborate on Andrew's statements. "Where would be the fun in that?" he answered absently before sighing. "Look, I'm sorry for..." he broke off as a faint trace of blood wafted to him, and he couldn't stop Andrew's words from coming back, 'your body offers free blood every month'. He swallowed and looked at her searchingly as he remembered more of the geek's statements, 'you like to be touched everywhere... you have trouble breathing during sex'. What the hell did that mean? Clueless, Angel shook his head, trying to clear the erotic words playing through it. Oh yeah, he was definitely going to look Andrew up later.