Buffy and Cordeila

"Season 5"

Chapter 3: The replacement

A/N: I DON'T OWN IT!

Buffy's house

Buffy woke up this morning from the sun shinning in her eyes. I could have sworn I closed those last night. Buffy thought about the blinds as she sat up in bed. She looked over at the sleeping figure next to her. She couldn't help but laugh because Cordeila had pulled the covers over her head so the sun couldn't get in her eyes. Buffy slowly got out of bed so she didn't wake her girlfriend.

As she walked into the bathroom she couldn't help but wonder how the hell she got here. From the Buffy in High School that moped over Angel, to the Buffy now that couldn't imagine her life with out Cordeila Chase. There relationship itself was a mystery. Neither one of them thought that they would be into that kind of thing…yet here they are three months later.

At first her friends didn't like the idea but later they got used to it. Mostly because Cordeila was always around so they just learned to tolerate her…just like they did in High School when she was with Xander. Xander was the hardest to convince. He couldn't understand why Buffy had sworn off men completely, mostly because he still loved her.

Buffy could understand that because even though she is with Cordeila now she still holds a special place for Angel in her heart. Buffy was broken away from her thought by a loud knock at the door. "Are you done in there; there are people out here who need to pee." Dawn yelled.

"Great time to start another wonderful day in the life of Buffy Summers." Buffy mumbled to herself. "I'll be right out," Buffy yelled. "Freak," she added under her breathe. Buffy looked herself in the mirror and asked the question that has been bugging her all morning. "How did I get here?"

"Well you stumbled across this extremely sexy brunette and you just couldn't keep away." Buffy looked over and saw Cordeila walk through the door that leads to their bedroom. "And ever since then you just couldn't keep yourself away." She added as she gave Buffy a kiss on the cheek. Buffy whimpered and gave her a look. "Oh please," Cordeila pointed to her mouth. "This isn't a romance novel; I do wake up with morning breath."

Buffy just smiled and looked back in the mirror. Then she heard the knock again. "Come on Buffy if you don't hurry I am going to pee my pants." Buffy could see her sister dancing around the hallway just to get her mind off going to the bathroom.

Buffy walked over to the door and whipped it open. She saw relief was over her sister's face as she walked out followed by Cordeila who still had the toothbrush in her mouth. "After you," Buffy said as she gestured to the door. Dawn slammed the door in their faces and Buffy looked at Cordeila. "You're Welcome!" She yelled loud enough so Dawn would hear her. She heard Dawns snort on the other side of the door. Did she just snort? Oh she is so gonna pay…just wait till you get in the shower Dawnie. Buffy thought as she walked back into her and Cordeila's bedroom.

Cordeila closed the door behind them and walked over to the closest and she got herself and Buffy out something to wear. Buffy just crossed her arms and looked at her. "What?" Cordeila asked.

"You're dressing me now?" Buffy asked as she put a hand over her heart. "Am I that bad a dresser?" She said in mock hurt.

"Buffy just shut up and get dressed," Cordeila said as she started to get dressed. After letting her eyes linger on Cordeila Buffy decided that she really should get dress and get over to the Magic Box to see who the new badie is.

Magic Box

Buffy walked into the Magic Box expecting to see the whole gang there. Yet the only person she saw was Giles standing in the middle of the room with a very strange hat on. It took all of her strength to keep the laughter inside. He just looked so ridiculous.

After a few minutes of just standing there looking at Buffy; Giles finally took of the hat. He walked over to the counter and Buffy walked over to the research table. "What are you doing her Buffy?" Giles asked.

"Excuse me for intruding," Buffy said a little mad at his tone of voice. Giles simply glared at her. "Okay, okay. I came to see if there was anything dyer happening in the next few day." Giles looked at her confused. "It is mine and Cordeila's anniversary and I want to do something special." Buffy explained.

"Oh I see," he said as he walked over to the table and sat next to her. "Buffy we live on the Hellmouth. Nothing may be happening today but tomorrow and apocalypse could start. All I am trying to say is that you can never be sure if something bad is going to happen or not." He explained. "I'm sorry but if I where you than I wouldn't make any plans." He said as he got up and walked back over to the counter.

"Well you aren't me!" Buffy yelled as she stud up and glared at her. Giles couldn't help but wonder if that glare was a slayer thing or Summers' thing. "If I want to do something special for my anniversary that I am going to do it. The world be damned."

"Buffy…"

"No Giles! I never get to have any days of and just this once I want to spend a whole day with Cordeila. Why? Because I want to celebrate the say she came into my life." Without giving Giles time to argue Buffy turned on her heal and walked out the door. She had to head over to Xander's place because he was going apartment hunting…apparently Anya didn't like the basement.

Giles jumped when Buffy slammed the door. "I will never understand her." he said as he turned around to get something out of the box. Yet when he turned back around her saw and ugly looking demon standing before him. A Toth.

"The slayer is not here," the Toth stated.

Giles looks around desperately for some kind of weapons yet he sees none. When he turned back around the Toth is gone. Yet the voice still lingers. "My fight is not with you feeble man, I am here for the slayer and the slayer alone." And then Giles was alone again.

"So much for Buffy's quite anniversary date…because it looks like something has just come up." Giles said to himself as he walked over to the phone. He picked it up and dialed Buffy's number. Of course he got no answer so he just left a message for her and Cordeila to meet at his apartment around six that night. He called and left the same messages for Willow, Tara, Xander and Anya.

Xander's future apartment

Buffy stood next to Cordeila in one of the many apartments Xander was looking at. This one was big and spaceish. It was a lot of window so the natural light in it was phenomenal. The furniture and things where all light colors and the carpet was a nice light grey. The apartment was a two room apartment with a balcony which Buffy thought was very romantic.

Anya really wanted the apartment, Buffy could tell. But Buffy didn't know if Xander was going to be able to afford it. I mean his construction job was closing down and he soon was going to have no money coming in.

Xander and Anya where over on the far side of the apartment arguing about why it was going to be difficult for Xander to rent this apartment. The next thing Buffy knew Anya was storming out of the apartment. The real estate agent looked at the weirdly and Buffy just gave her a smile, not really knowing what to say.

Xander walked back over to the group and looked at the real estate agent. "What do I have to do to get this apartment?" he asked.

"First I am going to need you to fill out this application to see if you have enough credit. Also I am going to have to ask you a few questions." Xander just nodded as he took the paper from the lady and began to fill it out. "What do you do for a living Mr. Harris?"

"I am in construction," he said not looking up from what he was doing. He was going to get this apartment, if not for him, then for Anya.

"How much do you make a year?" she asked. This question will decide if he can have the apartment. He needs to make over at least twenty-two thousand a year. She thought to herself.

"I make about twelve thousand a year," he said looking up at her knowing that it wasn't enough money.

"I'm sorry Mr. Harris but…"

"Xander did you forget about me!" Buffy said walking over to him. Willow, Cordeila and Xander where all giving her a weird look. She couldn't help it, she knew how much Xander wanted out of his parent's basement and she knew that he wanted this apartment…for Anya. "I'm sorry he must have forgotten to mention that I am also renting this apartment…you see we are going to co-rent it. As in together," Buffy stated.

"Yes and you are?" The real estate agent asked.

"Buffy Summers," Buffy said as she extended her hand.

"Right and what do you do for a living?"

"I am a school consular," Buffy said as she took a set next to Xander.

"And how much do you make?"

"Around twelve thousand a year," Buffy said,

The real estate agent did the math in her head and figured that they had more than enough to rent out this apartment. Now it isn't too bad because the blonde is pretty cute. She thought letting her eyes linger on Buffy for a moment. Cordeila caught this and walked over to Buffy and put a hand on her shoulder as she glared at the real estate agent. Buffy and Xander each sighed papers and soon they where each handed the keys to their new apartment.

When the real estate agent closed the door behind her Xander, Willow and Cordeila each turned to stare at Buffy. "What the hell do you think your doing!" The all asked in unison.

"I was helping Xander escape the horror that is his parent's basement." Buffy said. Then she turned to Xander. "You're welcome by the way."

"Thanks," he said as he brought Buffy in for a hug. "You're my bestest friend, that is next to Willow if course." He said.

"Of course," Buffy said. Xander took Willow by the hand and led her out of the apartment in search for Anya. That just left Cordeila and Buffy. "What?" Buffy asked when Cordeila wouldn't stop looking at her.

"You just bought an apartment," she stated.

"Actually I rented and apartment." Buffy clarified.

"Same difference," Cordeila said. "The fact is that you just bought an apartment…are we gonna live together here or am I gonna have to get an apartment. Because if we live together than that is a big step in our relationship." She paused. "Are you ready for that kind of commitment?" Cordeila asked.

"I don't think I could be more ready that I am right now," Buffy said. "Cordeila I am ready for the next step, I mean come on you practically live at my house as it is."

"Buff that isn't the point."

"I know, I know. If you want the truth, I am ready. I want to live with you because the truth is I can't imagine my life with out you right now." Buffy said as she stepped closer.

"Really?"

"Yeah…creepy isn't it?" Buffy joked.

"Yeah because I feel the same about you."

"Good than we move in on Saturday?" Cordeila nodded. This indeed was a big step in their relationship and Buffy was ready. Because no matter what she knew that Cordeila would be by her side. After all what is the worst that could happen? She ends up getting called to L.A. for business and having to move there…yeah right like that is ever going to happen.

Buffy house

As soon as Buffy got home she went and checked the messages on the answering machine. As soon as she heard the one from Giles she quick picked up the phone and dialed Cordeila's number. She told about the demon and Cordeila said that she would be over in about ten minutes.

Buffy ran up to her room and started to gather some things…weapons when she mom and sister walked in. Her sister was giving her a dirty look and her mom was giving her the "what the hell are you doing look." Buffy looked down and saw that she had a suitcase on her bed filled with clothes. She must think I am running away again.

"Mom this isn't what it looks like," Buffy said as she grabbed the axe out of her closet. "I am not running away again…in fact I have some important news to tell you…the both of you." Buffy said as she sits down on the end of her bed. Her mom and sister each folded there arms over their chest signaling for her to continue. "Well you see Xander wanted to buy this apartment but he doesn't make enough money."

"And the important thing is?" Dawn asked.

Yup Cordeila defiantly has had an impression on her. "Well I kinda lied and said that Xander and I where co-renting the apartment. So I guess the important thing is that I am moving out." At their blank expressions Buffy continued. "I bought an apartment." They still didn't answer so Buffy shuck her head she stood. "Okay since you guys went all non-verbal on me I guess we can talk about it later." Buffy said as she walked past the two confused people.

A few minutes later Dawn was the first to find her voice. "Did she just say what I think she said?" Dawn asked being the first to talk.

"I think so, yeah." Joyce said.

"Does that mean I get her room!" Dawn asked all excited. Joyce just shot her a look and turned around and walked away. "What!" Dawn yelled after her mother. "Does it!"

"No it doesn't because I am going to talk Buffy out of it." Joyce said as she turned into the living room and sat on the couch.

Dawn walked over to her and sat down next to her. "Why are you going to do that? Buffy is ready to live on her own I mean look at her she is old and she shouldn't live with her mother anymore." Dawn said.

"Old? Dawn she is twenty three." Joyce looked at her youngest daughter. "I don't think Buffy and Cordeila are ready for that kind of commitment." Joyce stated. Was her daughter ready? What if one day Cordeila decided to get up and leave what would Buffy do than? At least her she has a loving family.

"Mom is it really you decision to make?" Dawn asked as she got up of the couch and walked up the stairs to her room.

When the hell did Dawn become so insightful? Joyce thought as she looked at the blank TV screen. It really wasn't her decision to make and she didn't understand why she was making such a big deal out of it. If Buffy thought she was ready than that must mean she's ready…right? Joyce just sat on the couch just thinking about if she was ready to give her daughter the freedom that she dissevered

Junkyard

They went to a junkyard with garbage and everything. Why the hell didn't Giles tell them over the phone that they would be going to a junkyard? There are mountains of garbage and well junk all over the place and Cordeila can't help but scowl.

Cordeila looked ahead of her and saw that Giles, Xander and Buffy where all staring at her. "What?" she asked as she continued to walk. "I don't like the junkyard."

"Then why did you come?" Xander asked. He was shocked to hear that Cordeila Chase was coming with them to the junkyard.

"Because unlike your girlfriend I care," Cordeila spat.

"Cordeila!" Buffy yelled.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean!" Xander asked getting angry.

"I am here in the junkyard with the person I love. Anya is at the Magic Box with what she loves most…her money." Cordeila said. "Why isn't she here with you Xander?" Cordeila asked and Xander had the smarts to look away. "Yeah that is what I thought…she doesn't love you."

"Cordeila!" Buffy yelled again this time she made sure people listened. Buffy walked over and grabbed her by the arm. "Why did you say that!"

"Because it's true! Here I am tromping through garbage for you and she isn't even here!"

"I can't believe this." Buffy said. "I can't believe I am actually going to have to say this again to you."

"What?" Cordeila asked confused.

"You're being a bitch." Buffy said.

But before Cordeila could say anything Xander pushed Buffy into Cordeila when he saw a bright green light coming toward them. He was hit with the light and thrown into a huge mountain of garbage. The demon turned and ran away not even waiting to see if he hit the right person. Giles and Willow ran after him as Buffy and Cordeila went to Xander's side. He opened his eyes and got up really slowly.

"Don't worry I'm fine," Xander said as they walked toward where Willow and Giles ran. "Did you get him?" Xander asked when he saw Giles round the corner. "Did you get him or it?" Xander asked again. This time Buffy and Cordeila let go of him.

"No," Giles said as he looked at his feet. "But Willow can do a spell tomorrow to find out where he is and then we can go after him again." Giles said looking back up at everyone.

"Good," Xander said. "I just want to go home and take a nice long hot shower," he said as he walked away from the group. "In my new apartment," he added. "Good night everyone." He said.

Buffy just shot Cordeila a look and walked away with the rest of the group. Cordeila soon caught up with them and they walked the rest of the way to their houses in silence.

Giles' apartment (next day)

A whole day had passed and Buffy hadn't so much as talked to Cordeila, She didn't come home last night and Buffy just assumed that's she went back to her house…maybe she just need space. But what scared Buffy most is that Cordeila could be lying dead some where and she wouldn't even know about it.

Yet on a more important matter Xander came to Giles' and said that he was attacked by someone that looked like him…no wait he said he got attacked by his clone…as those where his exact words. Sometimes he watches to many sic-fi movies.

Cordeila stood outside Giles apartment debatingif she should go inor not to go in. She and Buffy had a little fight last night…okay maybe it was just a disagreement. Over weather or not Anya was in love with Xander or not. And speaking of Xander he looks good today. Cordeila made up her mind and walked into the apartment. As soon as she walked in everyone looked her way and she suddenly felt like she was in the spot light. Because out of everyone in the world this is the only group that she cares if they are made at her or not. Cordeila took a seat next to Willow and Giles and across from Buffy and Xander.

"So what the what?" Cordeila asked trying to get attention off of her and on someone else.

"Xander got in a fight with his clone," Buffy stated bluntly. "Those are his words no mine." She added.

"Good because I wouldn't want you going all geeky on me," Cordeila joked and she was rewarded with a smile. "So Xander what is with the clothes…I mean why so dressed up. Do you feel like feeling like someone important?" Cordeila thought about what she just said. "Did that make any since?" Buffy smiled.

"Yeah actually it does make since," Giles said looking up from his book. He received blank stairs from everyone. "The Toth demon simple spited Xander in two. So in realty Xander was right when he said he fought his clone."

"Okay let's try not to say that too many time," Cordeila said.

"What?" Willow asked confused.

"That Xander was right," Cordeila stated and Willow nodded.

"Okay standing right here!" Xander said. And Buffy patted him on the back. "Thanks Buff."

Buffy smiled and then looked at Giles. "Continue."

"Anyway as I was saying they are both Xander. One is the more confidant Xander and the one is the less confidant Xander."

"Again with always using toO many words. Couldn't you have just said that the two different Xander's are pro and cons. All my positive qualities and all my negative qualities." Xander said.

"Yup that is defiantly Xander," Buffy said. "Now Giles how do we merge Xander back together?" Buffy asked and then she looked at Cordeila and back at Giles. "Merge? Okay I have been spending way too much time around you." Buffy said.

Giles smiled. "It is a simple spell but we will need both Xander's to do it." Buffy nodded and grabbed Cordeila arm before they where on there way to find Xander number two. They where soon followed by Willow and Xander number one. Giles was going to stay and get the spell ready.

Xander's and Buffy's apartment

Anya was sitting on the floor with Xander while he was telling her how he got the apartment. She didn't like the idea that they had to share it with Cordeila and Buffy but Xander explained that it was the only way they would be able to afford it.

Then he explained to her about his clone and how it attacked him. She was kinda confused about that part and she was going to asked him about it when the door burst open and in walked Xander's clone.

Xander was going to charge it but then he saw Buffy, Cordeila, and Willow come walking in past him. "What's going on her guys…he's evil." Xander number two asked.

"No he isn't nimrod," Cordeila said. "You two are both the same Xander accept with different qualities. Know all you have to do is come with us and we will put you two….back together." She said.

"No way he's evil!" Xander number two screamed as he pulled out a gun and pointed it at Xander number one. "He has to die."

But before he could get a shot of Buffy grabbed him and throw him against the counter and then she grabbed the other Xander and throw him over there as well. Buffy looked them both dead in the eye. "You are going to come with us because personally it is way to freaky having two Xander's."

"Yeah it's hard enough with one," Cordeila mumbled.

"Cordy shut up. So you are both coming with us to Giles' apartment so we can put Xander back to together or am I going to have to knock you out and do it the hard way?" Buffy asked.

"We'll come peacefully," Xander number one said.

"Yeah, we promise," Xander number two said.

"Good now lets go," Buffy said as the group of six walked out of the apartment. Today had to have been the weirdest day in Buffy's life and it wasn't even over yet.

Buffy's new room

Today had to have been the suckest day of Cordeila life yet she would have changed it for the world. And the reason for that was lying on the bed out like a light. Cordeila was sitting at the window looking over at Buffy.

How does she change someone's life so dramatically? Look at what she did with Angel…he was nothing without her. Even when he was evil all her thought about was her. I used to think he was a loser who couldn't find someone his own age. But now I know how he feels because all I think about is Buffy. I don't know about the age part because I am only one year older than Buffy so that really doesn't matter.

Then you look at Riley and see that he gave up everything to be with her. His military career, his life basically. Yeah sure he still ended up in the military yet I bet he still thinks about her. On those lonely nights I am sure he thinks what it would be like to hold Buffy in his arms again. Oh well he will never now the feeling again because Buffy is all mine.

And I wouldn't have it any other way. Cordeila thought as she turned back to looking out the window.