Title: The Babysitter

Author: Azure K Mello

Part: 24?

Pairing: Angel/Spike

Rated: R

Type: AU

Summery: Will tries to help Faith make friends.

Thank you to snowpuppies for the plot bunny inspired by On the Other Side. Wes needs to tell Xan what's going on (for serious now).

Disclaimer: I don't own BtVS.

Maria, you suck. But I love you.

He saw Fred in the hall and waved to her. He liked Wes' girlfriend. She was a senior but she and the sophomore were practically joined at the hip. They thought on the same wavelength and it was sometimes frightening to listen to them talk. In the fall she would be going to Stanford on a full scholarship for physics.

Smiling widely she said, "I heard yer gonna sit with us?"

"Yeah, my friend Faith and I. I hope that's alright?"

"That's fine. The more the merrier!" she said in her chirpy southern accent. Her father had moved the family to Sunnydale from somewhere in the bible belt only the year before. "Anyway, I gotta get to class. But I'll see you at lunch!"

Lunch was alright. He introduced Faith to Fred and Wes. The pair were interested in Faith. She told them that she was a nationally ranked jujitsu fighter and that she had moved in with the Gileses so that she could study under Sensei Giles as she called him.

"His father?" asked Wesley skeptically as he pointed at Will.

"Hell yes. He's a legend in the making," said Faith. "He's practically God like." She pulled her hair behind her ears, "You mean you didn't know? We have to do some school stuff after lunch but last period and after school we'll be sparing. You should check it out." She smiled warmly and Will walked her back to the library, "You're not really friends with them."

"Wes is my band mate."

"Yes, but he isn't really your friend. You eat lunch by yourself. You don't need to impress me."

"I'm trying to help you make friends," said Will.

"Thanks," Faith said, "but Fred doesn't like me and I scare Wesley. It was kind of you to try. I've never really been a friends forever type girl."

"I eat alone at lunch," admitted Will, "Or with my ex. You wouldn't like her friends."

"You don't need to do all this."

"I know but I just want to make sure you're okay."

"Thank you," said Faith as they reached the library.

"I should go to math. Have fun with Da." Will headed off and Cordy fell into step with him.

"What's the sitch with the new girl?"

"The slayer," he said softly and Cor stopped walking. "What?"

"She's so little."

"So was Dru. If you get 'em young you can get a couple of years out of 'em before they croak."

"That's awful."

"So is forcing little girls to fight evil."

"Did you do that math homework?"

"No, did you?"

"No."

"Bugger."

"This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius!" Angel sang along softly with the tape that was playing in the coffee shop. He was well aware of how flat he was but he liked the song and there was a lull in customers. He sat behind the counter drinking coffee and drawing.

"Cute," said a soft voice, "but I don't suck my thumb."

Angel smiled as he looked up at his boyfriend, "Never," he agreed easily as Will leaned over the counter to steal a kiss. "Good day?"

"Better and better. I have to go in a second: Buffy's waiting in the car."

"Want free coffee?"

"Well, if you make her a latté she's less likely to bitch about my hanging about." He watched as his boyfriend moved to the machines, "For the movie tonight: bank robbery and crazy people or zombies?"

"I don't want realism: no zombies, get the robbers."

With a laugh Will leaned over for another kiss as Angel handed him Buffy's coffee, "I think that's a good choice. I'll see you later."

"I'm glad you came to see me. I'll see you in a few hours." And then he grabbed the boy and kissed him hard, "I get bored when you're not here."