Disclaimer: I own very little, and Buffy, Angel and their respective television series are most definitely (and unfortunately) NOT included in that "very little".

A/N: Okay, I've decided to finally finish this story up; there will be one more chapter after this and that should be up within the week. If it isn't, I totally authorize you guys to harass me about it via e-mail.

Part 11– Interlude

Angel and Buffy spent a very… interesting hour with Faith, which involved a steady stream of insinuations that flowed back and forth between the two Slayers. Buffy had even managed to force a blush from Faith with a particularly devious line of questioning relating to Faith's recent weekend away with 'Robbie' (formerly known as Principal Wood of Sunnydale Highschool now, as Buffy referred to him, 'Faithy's fiancé to-be').

Faith had eventually threatened to bring up the 'Tour Guide Incident' which instantly resulted in a tomato-hued Buffy screeching to a halt in her verbal tracks and hurriedly changing the topic. Angel sent Faith a querying look to Faith, who grinned before mouthing "I'll show you the video". Angel got the distinct impression that this little battle of witticisms and innuendoes was a normal part of Buffy and Faith's strange new relationship. The clearly competitive and almost-but-not-quite malicious nature of their banter lead Angel to believe this is where the antagonistic energy of their old relationship had been channeled. He silently wondered which was more disturbing.

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"Have a nice afternoon," Angel said to Faith as they left the café.

"You too!" Faith said with a cheeky grin, looking pointedly at the couple, "Call me tomorrow, B," she added over her shoulder, winking.

"Of course!" Buffy replied cheerfully.

"What?" Angel asked them, looking uneasy.

Buffy took one look at Angel's face and laughed, before hooking her arm through his and leading the way to the next attraction.

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Later that day, Angel found himself waiting for Buffy to finish getting ready so they could go to the party Willow had insisted they attend. Angel had grabbed a tux from the hotel he had yet to make use of before walking with Buffy to her apartment so she could change. Angel glanced at his watch for the umpteenth time wondering what could possibly take seven thousand, four hundred and thirty-eight seconds to do (yes, he had resorted to mathematics to pass the time, after reading all the magazines on the coffee table, including the two latest editions of Cosmo).

"How do I look?" Buffy called at that moment, signaling the end of her preparations. Angel looked up to see her enter the room wearing a stunning deep blue dress. The delicately embroidered garment fell to just below her knees and suited her perfectly.

"You look… amazing." Angel informed her when he regained his power over speech, eyes sweeping up over her satin-clad form, delicately made-up features and carefully arranged blonde locks. And definitely worth the wait, he added to himself, knowing that it would be extremely unwise, not to mention painful, to voice that thought aloud, no matter how complimentary it seemed to him.

Buffy grinned, her eyes sparkling, "Good boyfriend!"

Angel smirked, "Well I have had a couple of centuries' practice at flattering women…"

Buffy gave him a truly dangerous look.

"But none nearly as beautiful as you." Angel backtracked smoothly, throwing a charmingly boyish grin in for good measure.

"Hmmph," Buffy acknowledged, and despite her best efforts, sounded a little pleased at the compliment.

A/N: Okay, just one more chapter to go!