Chapter 8
It was night again. Willow and Dawn were watching tv when the front door opened.
"Buffy?" Dawn asked, standing.
"Hey mutchkin. Miss me?"
"No." Dawn said, rolling her eyes sarcastically. "I got an A on my history exam!" she said proudly. Buffy smiled and hugged her sister.
"That's good Dawn."
"Hey Angel, is it true that there was a 'vampire epidemic' after the English Revolution?" Willow asked. Angel smirked, thinking about that time. Buffy smacked him on the back of the head and went into the living room.
"Wil, we live on the Hellmouth. Who are you watching a show on vampires?"
"Because it's funny." Willow said with a pout. Buffy rolled her eyes. Willow would always be a little kid. "Besides, they talked about the Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice, which are good books."
"I agree." Dawn said, plopping into an armchair. "Especially Lestat. He's hot." Buffy rolled her eyes and looked at Angel for help.
"He's real." the vampire said with s shrug. All three of them stared. Giles came out of the kitchen, holding a mug of tea and a book.
"B-but how? I mean, they're fiction!" Buffy said. Angel nodded.
"Mostly. Claudia, Louis, Lestat, the Twins and Marius are real."
"Hmph." was the only response the Slayer would give. They all rolled their eyes. Giles headed upstairs and Angel sat next to Buffy on the couch.
Thirty minutes later, Buffy was clutching her sides as she laughed, Dawn was rolling on the floor, Willow was bent over a chair and Angel was trying very hard not to start laughing hysterically.
"Oh my god, that had to be the funniest thing I've ever seen." Dawn managed to gasp out. "Pink...tutus..." and laughter erupted once more.
"Angel, would you ever wear a pink tutu while we sparred?" Angel just raised and eyebrow. Buffy giggled before laughing once more. It took all three females a while to calm down enough to leave the living room to deal with the dished from the popcorn and ice-cream.
"Buffy?" Willow asked in a childish tone.
"No Will, I told you that yesterday."
"But today's a new day. And Tara's not here. Vicarious smooches are for best friends." Buffy threw a handful of leftover popcorn at Willow.
"No 'vicarious smooches' to tell."
"None? No cuddles?"
"You're corrupting Dawn's mind." Buffy said with a blush. Said teenager gave up all pretense of not listening and sat at the island.
"My business Willow."
"But-"
"Oh come on Buffy." Dawn said. The Slayer sighed.
"Not one word to anyone else." she warned. They other two nodded and hurriedly stood inches away from her. Buffy grinned, here eyes going glossy with memories of the gentle hands and soft lips...
"Buffy!" Willow said, flicking her on the forehead. "Focus, would ya? Vicarious smooches! NOW!"
"All right already." She began telling the small kisses, the cuddles and other things, completely unaware of two eavesdroppers–one who was amused and another who was enraged.
"Angel?"
"Yes?" Willow jumped as he stepped out of a shadowed doorway.
"Buffy's looking for you. She said she's ready to go." There was two hours before dawn.
"Where is she?"
"In the living room."
"Buffy?" Angel asked after seeing she was nearly asleep on the couch.
"Hmm?"
"Time to go."
"All right." she replied, standing. After hugging her sister and best friend, she took the offered shoulder and let Angel lead her from the house and down the road. No one noticed as someone in the shadows growled and began walking from the Summers' property.
AN: I'm running out of ideas as you can tell from the short chapter and long wait. If anyone has ideas, now would be the time to tell me!!