They'd been meeting half an hour before school started at the Sunnydale Park, and Angel was there 10 minutes earlier than that on Sunday night. He raised an eyebrow when he saw she was already there. It looked like they both wanted to talk. He parked the car before walking over to where she was sitting on one of the swings. "Hey," he murmured as he looked at her curiously. "Are you okay?"

"Um... yeah." She looked up before dropping her eyes to her tennis shoes. "Angel... I like you, but I can't... I mean, what we saw last night... I can't do that. Is this something you still want to do?"

"This... meaning us?" he asked carefully. She nodded. "Yeah, I want to try, and I'll follow your rules, Buffy. No biting."

Silence fell before he sat down on a swing. "I bought some condoms."

She looked up with interest. "Are... um... are they here?"

"In the glove box."

"Most guys put them in their wallets."

"In their wallets?" he asked curiously.

"Just one or two in case they need them."

Angel nodded and stared at his shoes. "You're going to have to show me what to do."

She turned to look at him. "I'm pretty sure you already know."

He shrugged and looked up. "Our sex pretty much consists of kisses, bites, and thrusts. We straighten our clothes and go back to what we were doing."

"That's... um... the short version, right?"

"No, not really. I mean, sometimes there's some talking... and a little more blood play than others, but..." he broke off and looked at her.

"Okay, we've got some work to do then," she stated slowly.

His eyes lit with amusement. "Think you can help me?"

"It might take time," she answered with a faint scowl.

He grinned before sobering. "There's... um... one more thing, but I might need..." he broke off uneasily. "I might need *normal* sex once in a while."

"Normal?"

"With biting," he answered carefully.

Silence fell, and she looked at him accusingly. "You said you wouldn't bite me."

He gave a slow shake of his head. "I'm not talking about with you."

"Are you serious?" she almost exploded.

"It won't be often. Maybe 3 or 4 times a year, but I promise my commitment will be to you."

"And what about me?" she challenged. "What if I need normal... Maybe with a guy that doesn't make me feel like a freak?"

He rubbed at the back of his neck. "I thought we could see if we could make it work," he muttered.

"You just told me you wanted to sleep around... and now you're telling me you want to see if we can make it work?" She stared at him angrily before starting toward the Jeep.

Angel grabbed her arm, and she stopped but didn't turn to look at him. "We're going to try, right?"

She stood still for several long moments before suddenly trying to shake him off with quick violent movements that took him by surprise. He quickly released her and watched with a frown as she climbed into the Jeep and left without a backward glance.


Angel finished his laps and sat down beside Buffy. He'd tried to talk to her a couple of times since the park, but she'd only ignored him, and he'd decided the best thing to do was back off.

Doyle sat down beside him. "Did you know Kakistos was in town over the weekend?"

"Yeah," Angel answered even as he tensed.

Doyle laughed. "I heard he walked into the Blood Barn, hit on some of the girls and then got into a fight with Nest."

"You're kidding?"

"No. I mean, wouldn't you have loved to have been there?"

Angel nodded before casting a glance at Buffy. She was scowling at the ping pong tables set up in the gym, and he turned back to Doyle. "He never did like the Freaks."

Buffy snorted, and Doyle looked at her curiously. "How are you today, Buffy?"

She shot him a hard look before turning away, and Doyle looked at Angel curiously.

"Drop it," he muttered with a shake of his head before glancing up when the teachers started to explain the rules of ping pong. A couple of minutes later, everyone was finding partners. Knowing she didn't have many options, Buffy reluctantly glanced at Angel before getting to her feet and heading toward a table. Relief ran through her when he quietly followed.


It was Thursday night, the last night of the Blood Sucker's school week when Jonathan glanced at the label on the back of a book and slid it into its correct spot before moving back to the blonde that was taking books out of cardboard boxes. "That one was out of place."

"It's not my fault," Buffy answered as she cleaned out the last of the books in the box and headed toward the empty shelves. "I'm taking them out in the same order they were put in the boxes."

"I'm not implying you're stupid," he told her. "Flunking gym doesn't even mean you're stupid... I mean, I don't like gym either... but you might not be keeping track of the proper order."

She rolled her eyes and went to line up the small stack of books she was carrying on the empty shelf before walking out of the stacks to move the empty box out of the way.

"Buffy," Andrew walked up to her with a frown. "I'm pretty sure some of the books are out of order."

"Maybe you should talk to Jonathan."

"He's not the one messing them up."

"I don't work here," she answered with annoyance. "I just offered to help Mrs. Manning with shelving the books."

"You've been here for 4 nights in a row, 45 minutes before school starts... Why pretend you don't want us?"

She scowled as she grabbed another box and started to pull out books.

"That's the wrong one," Andrew told her as he rolled his eyes. "You need the box marked 12... not 13..."

Buffy looked at the boxes before finding the one marked 12 and starting to take out the books.

"No," Jonathan told her. "You're taking them out in the wrong order. You need to start at the other end of the box."

The blonde straightened before glaring at the clock. There was still half an hour before classes started. It was too much time in her opinion, but for the last four days she'd been successfully dodging Angel and his friends by coming to school early, spending time in the library, and walking into class without any time to spare. In all of that time she'd barely said 10 words to any of them... Not that Angel didn't try to stay close to her... He still walked her to gym class and waited with her at the doors to the parking lot after gym. "Give me a stack of books," she ordered, "and I'll put them on the shelf."

Andrew handed her five, and she raised an eyebrow and looked at him. "Is it too many?" he asked. "I can carry them if they're too heavy."

She sighed and took the 5 books back to the empty shelf before glancing up as Jonathan put a much larger stack beside the one she'd just put down. She waited for him to move out of the way and frowned when he didn't. "You know Andrew's right," he told her. "You don't have to be shy around us." She stared at him, and he continued. "Jocks are pretty Buffy, but they're not as detail-oriented as we are."

"If you don't get out of my way, I'm going to have Mrs. Manning come back here so I can get her opinion on our work."

He scowled and stepped out of the way, and she started out of the stacks before suddenly stopping when the doors to the library were pushed open as someone entered.

"What do you want?" Andrew snapped.

"Maybe I want to study," Angel answered.

"Why here?"

"Why not?"

Buffy sighed. Her science book, gym bag, and his coat were pretty much in plain sight... She started out of the stacks again with resignation and did her best to ignore the gorgeous brunette that had taken a seat beside her gym bag.

"Andrew," she started, "give me another stack... and I want more than 5 books this time."

Angel glanced up and watched as Andrew handed her a stack of 7 books. She headed back into the stacks, and he hesitated before getting up to follow her.

"Can we talk?" he asked as he watched her set some of the books from her old school on the shelf.

She frowned before turning to look up at him. "I'm mad, Angel. Can't you take a hint?"

"Probably better than Andrew and Jonathan can," he murmured. "This isn't the safest place for you to be spending time Buffy."

She looked away uncomfortably. "They're strange... but," she wrinkled her nose, "not... too... dangerous."

"They wouldn't be dangerous at all if you stayed away from them."

She looked at him before rolling her eyes. "Why do you care?"

"Don't do this. If we need to have sex once in a while with our own kinds, then let's do that, but let's see if we can make it work."

"Yeah... because it's every girl's dream to have that offer," she stated sarcastically.

Angel rubbed at his forehead with annoyance before looking back at her. "I can take a hint," he told her finally. "You want space, and I'll try to give it to you, but don't hide from me, Buffy. I can keep you safe." A moment later, he went back to his books before starting to do some homework.


She was still angry when she dropped onto the bleachers after finishing her 10 laps... and after a few seconds, Angel finished his 25 and sat down beside her. She knew he expected them to be ping pong partners like they'd been for the last 4 nights, and she absently stared at the tables with irritation before deciding she was going to try to change that.

The coach called for them to pair off, and she walked over to the shy blonde girl whose friend hadn't shown up. "Want to be partners?" she asked hopefully.

"Um... yeah," Amy answered with a grateful smile before she looked over to where Angel was watching and quickly turned back. "I mean, I would if you didn't already have one."

Buffy glanced over at Angel before giving a shake of her head. "Are you kidding?" She turned back to the sophomore. "Angel will love having a chance to win a game. You, on the other hand, let's just say we probably won't be winning a lot."

Amy smiled, and they walked onto the floor to claim a table.

Buffy was glaring at Parker and Larry ten minutes later. The brunette spiked the ball across to her side and she managed to hit it back... barely. The fast-moving ball hit the center of the guy's side, and Parker sent it back toward them. Amy spiked it, and Larry swung and missed.

Buffy held up her hand with a grin, and Amy high-fived her. The shy vampire starting to enjoy Buffy's enthusiastic sniping back and forth with their opponents.

"Yeah," Parker spoke up. "Nice one... The problem is it isn't going to win you the game."

"Maybe not," Buffy answered, "but at least in a few minutes we won't have you across the table from us." She rolled her eyes. "That's reason enough to celebrate."

Parker smirked as Larry came back with the ball and tossed it to Amy. She hit it over the net, and Parker sent it back with enough speed that Buffy missed it. She watched it go across the gym with a frown before turning to look at her partner. "See? I knew we'd have a reason to celebrate... and look, now we do." Amy gave her a smile as Parker and Larry dropped their paddles on the table and headed for the bleachers.

Curious to see who their next opponents were, Buffy glanced over to see Larry and Parker exchange places with Angel and Doyle. She frowned and went after the ball.

When she got back to the table, she glanced at Angel who gave her a warm amused smile, before she turned to Amy. "I told you he'd win if I wasn't his partner."

"It's Doyle," Angel told her. "The guy's a maniac with a paddle."

His partner snorted. "It probably had more to do with the fact we were playing Todd and Brad than anything else." He gave a slow shake of his head. "Now these two... we're going to have to watch."

Angel's eyes lit up. "Think if we're nice to them they'll take it easy on us?"

Buffy snorted. "And here I've been told vamps like things a little more on the rough side."

"Is that why you're trying to make things so difficult?" Angel answered without missing a beat.

Doyle turned to look curiously at his partner, and Buffy's face flushed before she put the ball over the net. The guys weren't ready for it, and she couldn't stop from exchanging grins with Amy when Doyle took an awkward swing and missed.


The ball had been in play with a speed that didn't come close to the games around them, but it was still enough to keep Buffy from noticing Angel and Doyle's smiles. She was too slow when it came down on the edge of the table, and she back-peddled before making a hard hit that sent it spiking down on Doyle's side. He sent it back, and Buffy lunged for it before scowling when she missed.

She unconsciously wiped at the light sweat on her face before going to get the ball and was returning to the table when she noticed Angel, Amy, and Doyle looked like they could have just gotten off the bleachers. Her steps slowed as she self consciously tugged at the bottom of her damp tee shirt... and she didn't meet their eyes when she tossed the ball over to their side of the net.

Doyle frowned when she didn't make a witty comment. "You ready, Buff?"

"Yeah," she answered as she tried to push away the realization they were taking it easy on her. Doyle hit the ball toward Amy, and they started the same slow rhythm that had Buffy struggling to keep up. The ball went high again, and she took a couple of steps back before running into the hard body behind her.

"Careful pet," Spike murmured as he steadied her.

She turned to glare at him, and Lindsey laughed as he looked her over before looking back at Angel and Doyle. "You should play that one again. I think she'd have pulled it off if Spike hadn't gotten in the way."

"Unless it's the final point you need to win," Spike disagreed. "In which case, you can just hand Linds and me your paddles."

"We'll replay it," Angel stated before shooting Spike a pointed look, "and we could use our ball back since it's your fault it's across the gym."

Spike smirked before going to get it. He tossed it to Angel as he walked by on his way to the bleachers.

The predictable rhythm started again, and Buffy concentrated on the game. It seemed every hit they made was slower than it had been before, and deciding she was tired and annoyed, she spiked it at a hard angle on Angel's side. He hit it but hadn't expected the hard spike and the ball hit the floor. Buffy watched thoughtfully as he headed across the gym to get it before turning her attention to Doyle. They were tied now at 4 to 4 with the game being called on the fifth point, and seeing a chance to win, she walked over to his side of the table. "You wanted to know what happened at Cordelia's party," she stated quietly. "Angel and I used a towel."

He looked at her curiously. "But you weren't wet." She looked at him with amusement, and he fully turned to her. "You used a towel?" he repeated sounding lost.

Buffy moved back to her side of the table, and Doyle turned a frown on Angel when he came back. "What?" the taller brunette asked as he took his spot.

"You used a towel?" Doyle asked pointedly.

"What are you talking about?"

"At the party."

Angel's eyes sparked with gold a moment before he looked back at the girls. "Your serve," he told them as he tossed the ball over the net.

Amy caught it, and they started playing again. Buffy turned her concentration back to the ball. Of course," she told them, "I've been told by just about every guy I've ever dated that a towel isn't nearly as good as a throat." The ball came at her and she spiked it over the net for the winning point.

She dropped her paddle triumphantly before glancing up at the two guys watching intently from the other side of the table. Angel's eyes were digging into her, and she met them challengingly before heading toward the bleachers with Amy in tow. They got closer, and a couple of guys Buffy didn't know got up and headed toward the table they'd just left.


"Spike," Lindsey elbowed his partner and motioned to the bleachers.

"Alright then," Spike quickly turned to the guys they were playing against. "Would one of you serve the damn ball?" he snarled impatiently.

The ball came over the net, and neither Spike or Lindsey tried to hit it. It gave the guys they were playing against the winning point, and they dropped their paddles before heading toward the bleachers as Buffy and Amy took their places.

"Hello again," Lindsey murmured with a smile as Spike came back from chasing down the ball.

Buffy rolled her eyes before turning to her partner. "I guess it could be worse... we could have to play Cordelia and Harmony."

Amy gave a shy smile and nodded. "That um... wouldn't be fun," she agreed.

Spike tossed the ball across the net with a smirk, and Buffy served it back. It took a couple of minutes before she realized they were going at about the same speed Angel and Doyle had used earlier.

"So," Lindsey started. "About the party, Cordy had the other night... Just what happened in the basement, Buff?"

"We played pool," she answered as she concentrated on the ball.

Spike snorted. "That must have been some game because I'd swear when you two came upstairs he'd had sex."

She missed the ball and stared at Spike uneasily. "What?"

"The ball darling," Lindsey motioned to the other side of the gym, and Buffy turned away from Spike's smirk to stare uncomprehendingly at Lindsey. "We'll need the ball, Buff," he tried again as he smiled at her. She shook it off and went to get it, tossed it over the net to their side when she got back. Lindsey served it, and the easy rhythm started again.

"You know Spike's right," Lindsey started. "I mean, I got the impression he'd had sex too."

She was silent for several moments as she watched the ball. "He told you that I suppose?"

"He didn't have to," Spike answered. "I mean, it's pretty easy to tell."

Buffy frowned as she hit the ball over the net. "Is it Amy?"

"Y... yeah Buffy... You can tell," she answered quietly.

"So I'm thinking straightening clothes and fixing hair isn't that important to you guys," she answered.

"Nice dodge Buff," Lindsey murmured as he hit the ball across to Amy.

"Do you think they'd like to know about the towel, Amy?"

"Um... They might."

"Towel?" Spike asked with a snort... "I'm pretty sure we want to know about something more interesting than that."

Buffy barely managed to return the ball when it came down toward the side of the table.

"Spike's right," Doyle almost purred as he and Angel stopped at the table while on their way to the bleachers. "Angel and I want to know about the throats."

Spike missed the ball before turning to look at Doyle. "Throats?" he asked. No one answered, and he scowled before going to get the ball.

Angel grinned and looked at the guys sitting on the bleachers before motioning to the table they'd just left. The guys got up to play another game, and he glanced back at Buffy. "You know we're both curious about that one Buff."

"Don't leave me out," Lindsey spoke up as Spike rejoined them and tossed the ball across the net. Amy caught it, and the game started again.

"What's there to know about throats?" Buffy asked almost absently as she watched the ball. "Guys like them... and it doesn't matter if they're vamps or humans."

"I think it matters a little, don't you?" Angel challenged quietly.

"Only if the vampire can't keep their fangs to themselves," she hissed.

Lindsey missed the ball and cast a quick appraising look at Angel before going to get it.

The ball was tossed over the net and Amy caught it before the game started again. "You know," Buffy started quietly as she put the ball over the net, "I guess Parker was right..." she broke off and back-peddled, just managing to get the ball to the other side. Spike returned the slightly wild hit to Amy and she straightened it out when she returned it. Deciding she wanted a break, Buffy slammed it over the net the next chance she got, and Spike missed it. She wiped at her face with her shirt sleeve not caring if they were watching or not.

"Parker was right about what Buff?" Lindsey asked.

"About Angel," she answered as she watched Spike walk back and toss the ball over the net.

"What about me?" Angel asked with narrowed eyes as the ball went back into play.

She shrugged. "You're not really all that interested, and he didn't think you would be. Why else would you practically break up with me?"

Spike missed the ball again, and Buffy and Amy laid down their paddles and headed for the bleachers as Doyle and Angel took their places.


"Did you really break up with her?" Doyle hissed 20 minutes later as they walked into the changing room.

Angel scowled. "Not... really. She's just mad at me."

"Not really? What does that mean?" Doyle asked.

Angel scowled and looked over the guys in the room before starting to strip. "It's kind of private."

"Everything's private now, isn't it?" Spike spoke up. "I mean, you had sex at Cord's party, but none of us know how."

Angel looked at him before grabbing his towel and heading for the shower.

He was back a couple of minutes later and redressing before grabbing his gym bag and books and heading out into the hall.

Buffy hesitated after dressing in her regular clothes. She wasn't in a hurry to see Angel, but she'd have to face him sooner or later. She wasn't expecting to see *all* of them waiting in the hall though, and she frowned before walking past them as she headed for the doors leading to the parking lot. Angel stopped her before looking at the guys around them. "Would you mind giving us some privacy?"

"Yes," Spike answered with a smirk.

Angel scowled at him before glancing down at Buffy. "We've been through this. You know I didn't break up with you."

She rolled her eyes. "You've got a funny way of showing it." She hesitated. "Um... Amy's partner will probably be back next week..." She looked up at him uneasily. "Are you going to keep Doyle as your partner?"

"No," he answered quietly.

She nodded with relief, knowing not many of her classmates would want her as a partner. "Alright. Then I guess I'll see you Sunday night."

Angel sighed and stepped into her path when she tried to go around him. "Meet me tomorrow night at the Bronze?" She scowled and he locked eyes with her. "Please," he emphasized carefully.

"Why?"

"Because we need to talk, and I'll do *anything* you want Buffy."

She looked at him appraisingly. "Does that mean you'll..."

"No." He locked eyes with her. "I'm sorry, but that doesn't change my terms."

"What terms?" Doyle asked.

"I'll do it," Lindsey broke in. "What do you want darling?"

Angel looked at him with annoyance before the bell rang, and he scowled as Buffy headed around him and out into the parking lot.

"So you've got girl trouble I take it," Lindsey asked with amusement.

"Not girl trouble. My problem is she's human."

"Didn't bother you before," Doyle answered.

"She's afraid," Angel gave a shake of his head, "and I think she's got good reason to be."

"Wait," Spike spoke up. "She's afraid of you?"

The brunette snorted before starting to walk away. "No. She's afraid of fangs."

"Angel," Doyle stopped him. "Humans and vampires can be together."

Angel turned back. "It's a game for us, but it's a lot more serious for them. Can you imagine wanting to be with a girl that physically hurt and weakened you whenever you were with her? That could make you physically addicted to her like a drug? Who do you think would have all of the power in that relationship?" He let a silence fall before shaking his head. "I didn't break up with her. She just doesn't like my terms."

"He decides to talk *now*," Spike hissed with irritation as Angel turned to walk away.

"At least he's talking," Lindsey answered as they headed for their third period classes and tried to dodge the steady stream of kids entering the gym.


Jonathan stared at the girl in front of him with frustration. He didn't understand why she was playing so hard to get when she had everything she could want in front of her.

"I suppose his hair tickles your inner thighs... Am I right?" he asked with a scowl as he tried to make his point.

"Or maybe she enjoys raking her fingernails across his big wide back," Andrew asked before lowering his voice. "You can draw our blood if you want to. We won't mind."

Angel froze before walking around the corner of the stacks to see Buffy against the wall with Andrew and Jonathan in front of her.

"Have you fed off him yet?" Jonathan asked huskily before wrinkling his nose and looking at Andrew. "Humans eat the most disgusting stuff."

"Yeah, but it's supposed to feel really good," Andrew answered as he stared at Buffy. "Are you hungry, Buff? There's enough time before school starts that you can eat."

Buffy rolled her eyes and took a small step toward them. "There's no way I'm going to do that with you," she answered. "Now would you get out of my way?"

"Why not with us?" Jonathan asked before leaning toward her. "McCormick might be cute, but he's a *jock*. He won't give you what we can. The only thing he's into is sex, Buff... not anything else," he broke off as he eyed her. "He's not even smart enough to know there's anything more than blood and a quicky."

"Oddly enough, this is something I already know," Buffy stated with exasperation. "Now will you get out of my way?"

"Buffy," Angel murmured as if he'd just come around the corner. "I've been looking for you." He pushed the other two seniors out of the way and looked at her expectantly. She dropped her eyes in embarrassment before walking past all of them and heading back to her table. A moment later, she gathered her books and headed for the science room with Angel on her heels.

They took their seats 30 minutes early, and Buffy kept her attention on the table as Angel studied her intently. "I know you're mad," he started slowly, "but what were they talking about?"

"Nothing," she answered firmly.

"Okay... Can we meet at the park tomorrow?"

She sighed and looked up at him bleakly. "It wouldn't change anything, would it?"

"Buffy... There's *one* thing I'm asking you for, just *one*. Why are you fighting me so hard on it?"

"Because in order to have a relationship with me, you want to have sex with other girls."

He was silent for a moment."Would it help if we were friends with benefits?"

She looked at him with a faint scowl. "Still not..." she broke off when Flutie's voice came over the loudspeaker.

"I've just received news from mayor Drac that Sunnydale has been approved for the UV Dome." Cheers erupted in the halls, and Buffy looked at Angel, who was starting to give a slow infectious grin. She couldn't stop from studying him before giving a reluctant one back. "He wanted me to inform you the council has decided to celebrate by hosting a high school dance for all 4 Sunnydale schools." Boos followed the announcement, and Flutie continued. "The time and date of the dance will be posted by the beginning of next week. You will all be expected to be on your best behavior." A moment later, the loudspeaker went silent.

Angel laughed as he turned to her with a wide smile. "So... friends with benefits?" he asked hopefully.

She rolled her eyes before scowling.

"Meet me Friday night at the Bronze," he urged. "We can celebrate the dome and talk more about us. Who knows... maybe you can even persuade me to give up biting."


It was almost 11:30 when Angel went to get her a cup of coffee, and Buffy watched curiously as another couple went through the door set off to the side of the Blood Well. She'd noticed it for the last two hours. A couple would go outside and come back about 12 minutes later. It seemed to her like almost everyone in the bar had been in the alley at one point or another.

She looked up as Angel set a drink in front of her. "Dance?" he asked after she'd taken a sip.

"Sure." She got to her feet and followed him to the dance floor.

Laughter burst out, and she looked over to see Parker toss a smaller guy away from a girl she didn't know. The girl stared at the smaller guy like he was a bug before heading toward the door with Parker on her heels. Buffy turned back to Angel curiously. "What's with the door?"

"What door?"

"That one," she motioned. "It's getting a lot of use tonight."

He was silent for a moment before shaking his head. "It's nothing."

She lifted an eyebrow before abruptly pulling away. She'd agreed to go out with him tonight, but that didn't mean everything was fine between them. It wasn't. She was still pissed, and his answer wasn't helping. "Alright. Guess I'll be leaving now," she murmured before turning to go.

He caught her arm a moment later. "They're celebrating the dome by having sex in the alley," he answered quietly.

She turned to stare at him. "You expect me to believe that?"

"It's the truth."

"They're only gone for like... ten minutes."

He looked at her curiously. "So?"

Her skeptical look turned into a frown. "Are you serious?"

He shrugged and released her. "What's the big deal?"

"Ten minutes," she hinted and stared at him as he looked curiously back at her.

"How long should it take?"

She shook her head before running a hand through her hair. "Longer than that." She grabbed his wrist a moment later and started pulling him through the Blood Well. He stopped walking when he figured out where they were headed.

"I'm not sure this is a good idea."

She rolled her eyes. "You said you'd do what I wanted you to," she emphasized quietly as she gave his wrist another tug... and I'm still pissed Angel. *Don't* make it worse."

He scowled before following her into the alley, and she headed down it, farther into the darkness before stumbling over a pothole. "Can they see us?" she asked quietly.

He glanced back at the couples before glancing into the darkness Buffy was leading him into. "Come on," he urged as he led her around a delivery truck that was parked against the side of a building. "They can't here."

"Alright." She shifted him toward the wall before pushing him against it. "We're not going to have sex."

"Then what are we doing out here?"

"We're making out."

"Making out?" he asked carefully.

"Yeah. I think you need a lesson," she answered grimly before pulling his head down to kiss him. He kissed her back, their tongues dueled, his body brushed hers, his palms flattened against the curve of her hips. Buffy shifted closer before dropping down to nip at his throat and then nuzzle into the v of his silk shirt. A moment later, she started to undo the buttons, kissing the smooth expanse of pale skin as she did. He was just so delicious... if only he didn't want to bite... or have girls on the side... She finished with the buttons and let her hands slide along his waist before starting to drag them up his back.

"This is making out?" he asked as he glanced down at her curiously, small flecks of gold in his eyes.

"Mm-hmm," she answered as she continued to explore him, "but maybe we can go a little further than that." Her hand slid down to his belt before she went lower to scrape nails across his tough blue jeans. He let out a soft sound, and she nipped his side before lowering herself to her knees.

He wanted blood with his sex, and maybe... just maybe, she could convince him he didn't need it. A surge of warmth ran through her at the thought, and she dropped her head down to nuzzle into his jeans as her hands gripped his slim hips. She'd been hesitant to swallow his cum before, but now she wasn't nearly as reluctant. Her nose slid along his length before she gave a startled cry of surprise when he lifted her to her feet.

"What's wro...?" she started before grabbing at him to keep her balance on the uneven concrete.

"And here Linds thought you two were out here having sex." Doyle's voice had her tensing a couple of seconds before she turned to face the two guys that were standing a few feet away.

She studied them in the faint light before scowling. "You know you two remind me of the little sisters I *don't* have," she stated grimly before starting to push her way through them.

Spike snorted before putting out an arm to stop her. "If you want to have sex with the guy you know it's the pants and not the shirt that needs to come off don't you pet?"

"Yeah, because that, fangs, and blood are all you need," she muttered sarcastically as she pushed him out of the way before starting down the alley.

"Am I missing something?" Spike called after her before turning back to Angel. "You know you really should do something about that sexual frustration mate... The girls are going to be all over you."

Angel rolled his eyes as he buttoned his shirt. "I was trying to, but then you two showed up." A moment later, he pushed away from the wall and looked at them with annoyance. "Why are you guys so interested in my love life anyway?"

"Hey," Doyle held up his hands. "We wouldn't have had to come out here if we thought you'd spill, but you've been so tight lipped we decided to check things out for ourselves."

Angel snorted before starting down the alley with Spike and Doyle on his heels.


Buffy opened the door to the Blood Well with irritation before walking over to get a sip of her drink. A moment later, she glanced over the room and noticed the guys watching her from a few feet away. They were in game face, and she frowned uneasily before setting her cup down and picking up Angel's coat as she decided to call it a night. She turned toward the door and stopped abruptly when she bumped into the body behind her. "Angel?" She looked up with surprise.

"Hey," he greeted as he continued to stare over her head at the two guys that had been watching her.

She hesitated before shifting to look behind him. "Where are Doyle and Spike?"

The sophomores he was staring at headed toward the pool tables, and Angel turned his attention back to her. "I locked them in the alley." His eyes were dark, and even though she couldn't stop from giving him a smile, she found herself studying him appraisingly. "So... " he started casually, "want to go to the park?"

"Um..." she stalled by glancing at her watch. Besides everything going wrong between them, spending more time alone with him wasn't really a hard decision. "Alright."

They were halfway to the door when he abruptly stopped walking, and Buffy ran into his side. She looked up and frowned at the girl that had moved into their path.

"Angel," Gwen breathed as she looked him over with a smile. "Want to celebrate?"

He didn't respond, only looked at her for a couple of seconds before Buffy pushed between them. "He really doesn't," she answered coolly.

Gwen lifted an eyebrow before taking a step closer and changing into game face. "You're way out of your league. Maybe you should consider going back to your own kind."

"You know that's not very attractive, don't you?" Buffy crossed her arms and looked her over thoughtfully. "I mean, wrinkled face, teeth problems, and eyes that look like an animal caught in headlights." She leaned forward. "It's kind of *gross*."

Gwen reached for her, and Angel quickly grabbed her wrist. "Maybe later," he turned her down coolly before wrapping an arm around Buffy and pulling her out of the bar. She jerked away a few feet outside of the door.

"Maybe later?" she exploded as she turned to glare at him. "What the hell Angel?"

He looked at her with a neutral expression. She hit on me... and I turned her down. I thought that was what you wanted."

"Maybe later?" she repeated as she reached up and wrapped a hand in his shirt before jerking on the material. It put pressure on his throat, and he looked at her with faint gold flecks in his eyes.

"Are we making out again Buff?"

"What?"

"This... sort of... feels good," he answered, and she quickly released him with a scowl of irritation. He watched her before taking a deep calming breath and slowly shifting his face. It was the first time he'd done that in front of her, and Buffy had to force herself not to look away. He shifted back a moment later. "I want to try, but we need to be careful," he stated quietly.

Silence fell as she studied him uneasily. "Change back," she ordered just as quietly.

He looked at her with regret before shifting his face, and Buffy slowly reached up to run fingertips over his ridged forehead, across the hard angles of his vampire face. Angel closed his eyes before opening them when her hand was suddenly gone. "Buffy?" He shifted back and watched as she turned away.

"Yeah?" She pulled on his jacket and glanced at her watch.

"Want to go to the park?"

"Um... It's late... I think I'll just head home."

"I'll drive you."

"It's a nice night. I'll walk."

He caught her arm as she started to turn away. "The dance?" he asked quietly.

She hesitated. "Um...yeah." He let her go and watched with a frown as she walked away before turning back toward the Blood Well.


Buffy pulled into the school parking lot Sunday night and slowly walked over to where Angel was standing against the side of the building. "Hey," he greeted quietly.

She glanced up before looking away. "Um... Angel," her gaze dropped to the ground, "I think you were right."

"About?"

"About... *normal*." She looked back up. Silence fell, and she shook her head before dropping her gym bag on the ground and taking off his coat, holding it out to him.

He didn't make a move to take it. "Buffy?"

"You want normal... and I'm not it." She looked away before looking back. "I don't think either of us wants something different than we already know."

He frowned before slowly reaching to take his coat. "We can still try."

"Yeah, but I don't see how it can work."

Silence fell, and Angel reached out to stop her when she turned to head into the school. "The dance?" he asked quietly.

"It's next weekend, and I don't have a date," she answered without turning to him.

"I don't either," he answered. "Want to go together?"

She shot him a look over her shoulder. "Yeah, we can. I can meet you there... and we can have a couple of dances. Unless you want to go with someone else." She slowly turned back to him. "Gwen might be available."

"I don't want to go with Gwen."

She nodded. "But you had sex with her Friday night, didn't you?"

He looked away as a silence fell, and Buffy looked him over with regret. "I'll meet you at the dance, Angel... if you want me to." She didn't wait for a response before starting toward the door to the school.


"She broke up with you?" Doyle asked as he walked through the halls with Angel. School was over and the halls were rapidly emptying.

"I think so," he answered as he stopped at his locker. "We're meeting up at the dance though."

"You two have the weirdest relationship," Doyle murmured with a shake of his head.

Angel sighed as he worked the combination on his locker before throwing his books into it. "You don't have to tell me."


Buffy climbed out of Oz's van and fell into step with Willow as they headed toward the dance. She looked up with surprise when Angel walked up beside her.

"You made it," he murmured.

"Yeah." She glanced at Willow who had taken Oz's hand. "See you guys inside," she stated quietly and watched as Willow waved, and Oz nodded before continuing into the building.

She turned back to Angel and felt her heart drop at how gorgeous he looked in his suit before she looked into his eyes. "So... all four schools..." she broke off before shaking her head. "It's probably going to be a rough night."

He nodded as he glanced over her little black dress. "Don't forget the camera crew... town council, and mayors."

She nodded as a silence fell. "Angel... I'm sorry."

"About?"

"About ruining your night."

"How are you doing that?"

"You should have a real date, not be here with me," she answered.

"It can be a real date."

She frowned before looking away. "Yeah... it could, but it's probably best if it's not."

Silence fell as they neared the building and walked up the stairs. Angel pulled the door open, and Buffy entered and looked over the room with a frown as Angel walked in behind her. It looked like the Fangs had taken over the right side of the room, while the Blood Suckers were on the left, and she hesitated before walking away.


"My parents are here," Xander hissed as Anya tried to get him to do some moves from Dirty Dancing.

"Really?" She shoved him away before crossing her arms. "Why haven't you introduced us?"

The brunette sighed and barely managed to keep from running a hand through his hair. "Maybe because I don't want to fight my way through a crowd of people just so I can talk to my *parents*." Anya scowled, and he frowned before looking over her head. "Looks like Buffy made it." He glanced back at his girlfriend. "Why don't I get some punch and you can talk to her and Will for a while?"

"Fine," she huffed before turning away and leaving him on the dance floor.


"Where's Angel?" Willow asked. "I thought you two were coming in together."

"We did Will." Buffy shrugged. "He's with his friends."

"Oh... So it's really not a date?"

Buffy looked at her before sighing. "It's really not. I mean, I've tried to help him. I even thought that maybe if I..." she broke off with a frown.

"Gave him a blow job?" Anya asked helpfully.

Buffy's face turned red as she looked around to see if anyone was paying attention to their conversation. It didn't look like anyone was, and she turned back to Anya. "I didn't do that. It was a hand job," she stated quietly.

"Yeah, but he liked it, right? I mean, you got him off?"

"Yes," Buffy answered with a scowl.

"Then why isn't he with you?"

"Because he wants to bite," Buffy informed.

"Maybe he won't if you give him a blow job. Xander likes it when I do that to him."

"I like what?" Xander asked as he handed her a cup of punch.

"Blow jobs as opposed to hand," Anya answered. "I think Angel would like them better." She turned to look at him. "Don't you think he would?"

"What?" he asked, his voice cracking slightly as he looked at Anya before looking at Buffy. "You gave that... *Blood Sucker* a blow job?"

"I need some punch, Will." Buffy turned toward her sympathetic friend before beginning to push her way through the crowd.


Just like the Blood Suckers and Freaky Fangs, the Initiatives and Slayers had staked out territory in the building. Buffy was perfectly happy with the fact the refreshment table was on the Slayer's side... until an hour and a half later when she needed to use the bathroom that was in Initiative territory.

She rolled her eyes before making her way through the Initiatives and into the bathroom, and couldn't stop from scowling at her reflection once she got there. The dance was a nightmare. She hadn't seen Angel since she'd left him at the door, and yeah... that was her fault, but he was still her date... Xander was upset with her, and to top everything off, she'd have to go back through the Initiatives to get to the slayers. She turned away from her reflection and tossed the paper towel she was wiping her hands on into the trash before leaving the bathroom and starting to weave her way through the rival school.

She was so close she could see Slayers just a few steps away when her path was blocked, and she scowled at the two boys in front of her.

"Well well..." Ethan murmured. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"Would you mind getting out of my way?" she asked with annoyance.

"Don't be that way," Rupert Giles spoke up with a look that rivaled hers before he leaned closer. "You know that we know what you did to our cars, right? Not to mention the trash in the school?"

"Your cars and school?" she asked as she turned to him innocently. "No, but I'd love to hear about it."

"Fat chance." Ethan shot Ripper a warning look before turning back to her. "Where's your date Buff? Aren't you with McCormick?" He leaned closer. "You know when I started that rumor, I didn't have a clue how kinky you really were." His eyes gleamed as he made a point of examining her neck. "Have you put out for him yet?"

She stepped back at the close examination, and Rupert stepped forward. "Ethan and I could remind you of what you're missing out on with humans, Buff."

Buffy snorted and leaned toward her antagonizer. "You... wish."

"I brought you some punch Buffy," a new voice broke in, and they all turned to look at the boy that had walked up to them and was now holding a plastic cup of punch out to the blonde.

"Um... thanks, Andrew." She looked at him uneasily before taking the cup. He was wearing a bow tie and a white suit, and Buffy scowled at Ethan and Ripper as she waited for their comments.

"I know humans sweat a lot," the geeky vampire told her, "and I thought you could use it before I asked you to dance."

Buffy stared at him as Ethan and Giles broke out into snorts of laughter. "Maybe we should uh... find our dates?" Ethan asked.

"Yeah," Ripper agreed before looking at Buffy. "See you around." He turned to Andrew. "And it was nice to meet you, Andrew." He grinned widely before walking away.

"Are you going to drink that?" Andrew asked. "They'll be starting another song in about," he looked at his watch, "three minutes."

Buffy glanced up at him. The nerdy vampire was looking at her with a hint of impatience. If he'd been human, she'd have left him standing there, but he wasn't, and she didn't want to antagonize him. "I just drank... several glasses of punch," she answered. He frowned, and Buffy added, "Have you seen Angel?"

"Don't worry about him," Andrew answered. "He can't do anything with the reporters and parents here."

She looked desperately over the room and noticed Ethan and Ripper had joined Jenny and Olivia and they were all watching with smirks. She frowned and continued to scan the room before stopping when she saw Luke. Their eyes caught before Buffy jumped back when Andrew touched her arm. "Do you know that song Fire and Ice?" he asked. "You feel so hot... I bet you could burn me."

"I spilled some punch," Buffy murmured as she looked at the small splash on the floor. "I should probably clean that up." She glanced at him. "I'll need a napkin."

"Who's your friend, Buff?"

Buffy glanced up quickly at the new arrival. "Andrew," she murmured as she looked gratefully at Luke.

"Hello Andrew," Luke looked at the scowling geek beside him. "I take it you're a Sucker."

"I'm a *Blood* Sucker," Andrew informed, "and you're a Freak."

"Freak... Fang... whatever," Luke told him with a shrug.

"She's not supposed to talk to you."

"Really?"

"Yes. If you don't leave, I'll tell McCormick what you're doing."

Luke snorted. "Somehow I think he'd be just as disturbed with you talking to her as he would be with me." Andrew scowled, and Luke laughed as he looked at the geeky vampire with amusement. "But as far as that goes, I guess I'll just have to take my chances."

"Buffy, come with me," Andrew ordered as he held out his hand.

"Uh... I'm good Andrew." She glanced at the small red spot on the floor. "I really should clean that up... Wouldn't want any of the Initiatives to slip and get hurt." She cast a scowl toward the four still watching her.

"Alright," he agreed, "but you should stay away from him." Andrew gave Luke a dark look before leaving.

"Geek," Luke murmured with distaste as he watched him leave.

Buffy gave a faint grin. "Thanks."

"Not a problem, though I'm surprised McCormick let him get that close."

She frowned. "Angel and I decided it's probably better to be friends."

"That's his loss," Luke answered as he looked at her with a faint thoughtful smile before holding out a hand. "Dance?" he asked hopefully.

She grinned and took it.


"Hey," Angel murmured an hour later as he walked over to where Buffy was leaning against the wall.

She looked up before straightening. "Hey. How's it going?"

"Almost had a fight half an hour ago. We had to pull Spike away from Nest."

Buffy gave a faint grin. "That would not have made the politicians happy."

"No. Not really the way to go if we want a dome."

Silence fell, and Angel glanced away for a moment before frowning. "You're mom's blonde right?"

"Yeah."

"And she's wearing a blue dress?"

Buffy tried to follow his gaze before giving up. "Mostly blue, with a little white," she answered.

He nodded. "She's talking to Snyder."

"Great. That's always good to hear," Buffy stated sarcastically.

He gave a faint smile before holding out a hand. "Dance with me?"

She nodded, and he tugged her onto the dance floor.

The dance was slow and emotionally painful as Buffy felt a pull for something she couldn't have. The song ended, and Angel shifted away with a frown before looking up when Andrew walked over to them.

"Luke's not here now... and I'd like you to dance with me."

Angel looked at Andrew before looking at Buffy. "Luke?"

She gave a shake of her head before turning to Andrew. "I'm not done with Angel." She moved closer to the brunette as a new song started.

"Luke?" he asked again as he wrapped his arms around her.

She sighed and rolled her eyes. "Andrew was talking to me and Luke chased him away."

He scowled as they continued to dance before pulling her through the crowd and into the parking lot when they were done. "Want to celebrate?" he asked.

She frowned and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "This is a date... kind of," she added with a wrinkled nose, "but we're not *dating* Angel."

"Yeah," he stated quietly, "I know. How about a kiss then... for old times sake?"

"Fancy meeting you in the parking lot, Buff," Ethan murmured as he and Ripper walked out of the darkness. He glanced at Angel. "Has she clued you in on back door sex? There's been a rumor for years that she likes it." Ethan gave her a wicked smile before tossing an empty beer can toward the building.

"You might also like her deep throating," Ripper added before he turned to Angel. "From what I hear, she can take it all."

"Then there's the chains, blindfolds, and whips... can't forget those." Ethan quickly backed away when she started toward him. "Just kidding Buff."

"Yeah," Ripper agreed as he dodged her. "Besides I think you've probably learned by now how straight-laced vamps are." He laughed at her expression before glancing at Angel. A moment later, they headed back toward the building.

Buffy glared after them before looking up at the sky and giving a shake of her head. "This dance is a nightmare," she breathed before glancing at her watch and turning back to Angel. "It's almost two. Will and Oz will probably be leaving before much longer... So I guess I'll see you at school Sunday night?"

"Yeah," he agreed as he looked at her curiously. "Oh... and you don't need to bring your gym bag for the next couple of weeks... No gym for two weeks ahead of finals," he clarified.

"I'll remember." She gave him a warm smile before turning toward the Colosseum. "Goodnight Angel."

"Goodnight," he replied as he watched her head back up the steps.


Buffy was slipping off her coat when her mother called to her from the kitchen. "Yeah?" she called back.

"Did you have a good time?" Joyce asked as she came into the living room with a cup of juice in her hand.

"Um... yeah... sure," she murmured, "it was fun."

"It looked like you didn't lack for dancing partners," Joyce continued watching her, and Buffy frowned.

"I guess not."

"Angel's quite handsome," Joyce continued, "and Luke's Belinda's nephew. Did you know that?"

Buffy stared at her. "Angel's... a friend, and Luke's..." she broke off. "He's okay, I guess."

"Just a friend?" Joyce pressed before taking a seat on the sofa. "Are you sure that's all that's going on?"

"I think I would know." Buffy hung her coat in the closet before warily turning back to her mom.

Joyce sighed. "I'm not blind, Buffy. And I can understand why you might be attracted to a vampire." She raised a hand when the teenager started to protest. "Just hear me out, okay?" Buffy looked mortified as her mother continued, "Sex is a big step and one that shouldn't be taken lightly."

"We've discussed this already," Buffy answered with a scowl. "When I was in ninth grade."

"Well, consider this a reminder with an add on." Joyce looked at her searchingly. "I won't stand in your way if you want to date a vampire Buffy, but I will tell you that to them biting is sexual, and you have to realize it can be like a drug to a human."

"I can't do this..." Buffy rubbed at her forehead before looking up. "Mom... I'm not interested in vampires... " she broke off as her face flushed with embarrassment and she bent down to take off her shoes. "Angel's a friend... and Luke..." She slid out of her strapped sandals before picking them up. "He and Angel hate each other... You know the dance tonight wasn't the 'unified joining of Sunnydale' the mayors, principals, and news media made it out to be."

Joyce continued to watch her as she took a sip of juice before setting the glass down. "How do you feel about the dome?"

"Uh... It's fine. I mean, why shouldn't they be allowed to walk in the sun?" She flashed back to Angel's smile before shaking the image away. "Belinda seems happy about it."

"She is." Joyce smiled. "I hope we don't run into any trouble at the council meetings."

Buffy nodded, grateful for the change of subject. "The domes are safe, aren't they? I mean, they won't lose power someday and start frying vamps, will they?"

"They're perfectly safe," Joyce answered. "So far, the oldest one out there is going on twenty years without a problem."

Buffy nodded, but she didn't want to admit the relief that flooded her from her mother's assurances. She suddenly frowned and glanced at the clock. It was almost 2:30, and she raised an eyebrow. "I didn't think you could stay up this late," she teased before giving a tired shake of her head. "I know I'm ready to go to bed."

"Goodnight," Joyce called as the teenager turned toward the stairs. "And Buffy... remember what I said."