Title: The Babysitter

Author: Azure K Mello

Part: 19?

Pairing: Angel/Spike

Rated: R

Type: AU

Summery: Larry talks to Will. Angel gets a call from Mr. Wood and talks to his favourite teacher.

Thank you to snowpuppies for the plot bunny inspired by On the Other Side. I need more of that!

Disclaimer: I don't own BtVS.

"Word is that you and Cordy broke up." Skipping his morning fags had put Will in a foul mood. Taking out his anger on his books had done nothing to soothe him. So he had slammed his locker and stood silently as Larry came to lean on the locker next to his.

Will just sighed as he heard the boy's opener. Rumors had been flying around school the day before. "Yeah, apparently I killed her cat, or eviscerated my own brother, because I worship Satan. Or it was because her father caught me deep throating their pool boy. I like to think his name is Enrique, it makes me feel manly."

"So who was the guy at the club?"

"Angel."

Larry waited for more details but upon seeing that none were to be offered he prompted, "Who's Angel?"

"My boyfriend," said Spike hurriedly, "I have to get to class."

"What are you doing Friday?"

Will couldn't stem the manic laughter that bubbled from his chest. "You kicked me when I needed a friend. But now that I'm in a cool band, now that I'm Cordelia Chase's ex, you want me? Dating me now would be salacious. I'm outside the high school hierarch because I sing for the hottest college band and I dumped the prettiest girl in school? I'm interesting now; back then I was just your friend. Fuck you, Larry. I have a boyfriend. And you're a loser."

Applause came from behind him and he turned to see Cordy smiling her brightest smile, "Walk me to class before we're late?"

"Hello? Xander, don't put that in your mouth! Sorry, hello?" said a young, haggard voice.

"Angel? This is the principal from Elizabeth's school, Robin Wood."

"What can I do for you, Mr. Wood?" asked the college boy as he confiscated his keys from the toddler. He hated driving but knew he couldn't get Xander to class and get to his morning class if he walked. So he had gotten his father's Cadillac out of storage.

"Elizabeth was late this morning. The note from her brother said there was a crisis and I wanted to make sure everything was ok."

Angel paused, "That's very thorough of you. I mean, the principal doesn't usually call for lateness."

"Liz is a special girl."

The laugh came before Angel could think to stop it, "Is it true she burnt down the gym?"

"No," Woods' scandalized tone made it seem as though the very idea was ridiculous. "It was just the girls' locker room. Liz just needs a little guidance."

"Well, we had a rough morning but everything's alright now."

"If there is anything you need while the Gileses are away don't hesitate to call the school."

His morning class dragged. It seemed somehow surreal. He went to his lecture, compared notes with his classmates, and went to buy milk and "fruit snacks" for the Giles kids. On Tuesdays Angel had two classes with a large gap in between them. Sadly he would have to miss his second class, a lecture he always enjoyed, as it clashed with the pick up time of Xander's playschool.

Thankfully he knew the teacher well. Sunnydale U used the Donning system of mentors and students. Angel was quite close to his Don, Professor Mackeever, so he felt no apprehension in seeking the man out. Professor Mackeever had helped him with his schedule, had put him in contact with Joyce, had been the first person Angel had spoken to when he had started having "freakish, frightening" feelings for Penn.

The art department was where Angel lived when at school. If he wasn't at work, in bed, or in a cemetery he was invariably cordoned off from the world in his own little studio. He promised himself he would stop dallying with art once he finished school. That he would only indulge his fantasy until it became time to pretend to be a grown up. Professor Mackeever smiled widely at him. "Angel, what can I do you for?"

"I'm going to be missing class today and I was hoping you had the notes for today's lecture." Mackeever was one of those bless-ed teachers who handed out the notes to his classes before he even began talking.

"Sure, follow me to the risograph machine and I'll give you a copy. Is there an emergency?"

"No, I'm paying Joyce by babysitting. She's out of town right now and I need to pick up her youngest from daycare."

"Xander's a nice kid," said Mackeever gathering up his notes and walking towards the office. "So how are her other kids?"

"Liz can be difficult at times but we rub along. I really like Will."

The man noted the lilt of Angel's voice and studied his student for a moment. He placed the first sheet into the risograph as he asked, "Angel? Isn't he 15? He used to sit in his mother's gallery and sulk while doing his homework."

"He's 17 and he doesn't sulk that much."

"Does Joyce know?"

"She knows, she likes me."

"Be careful, ok?" The man's tone became lighter as he said, "You look good, happy and well rested. I like it when my undergrads are healthy."

"Well rested?" Angel smirked at Mackeever's paternal words, "Xander climbed into bed after a nightmare."

"Cute," said the man with a small smile as he handed the student 15 pages of notes.

"Very domestic." Angel waved the pages, "Thank you for this."

"Read chapter 40 for next week."