Warning: here there be the switching of POVs…try not to get dizzy.

Apologies for the lateness!

Chapter 8

Distractions

Several thoughts went through his head at the same time, a mental Rolodex of demonology and supernatural facts that he sorted through to find some explanation (other than the obvious) because there was no way that The Slayer would ever-

Would she?

Sam looked at Angel's face as Buffy introduced them.

Grudgingly, he could see the appeal that the older brunette had for a girl like Buffy. It was rare when he saw a guy as pretty as his brother and the tall, muscled guy that stood beside his friend could give his brother a run for his money in the looks department. Yet, good looks did not explain why the blonde slayer was holding hands with …something that was not human.

As they exchanged polite nods, he remembered something that Dean told him once.

"The more experienced I get with Hunting, the more I realize that we develop a kind of perception. Sometimes, Sammy, I can look at a guy and just know that he isn't human."

Strangely, with Angel, he didn't get a demon vibe. He figured that it was his lack of experience and, in fact, if he hadn't been watching Buffy in the mirror as she went to meet him, Sam probably wouldn't have noticed anything amiss.

Yet, the mirror on the wall didn't lie. Sam turned toward the table again on the pretense of taking a sip of his drink, stealing a small glance in the mirror as he did so; he clearly saw Buffy, Xander, Willow and himself but there was no image for Angel.

Angel was not human.

Sam studied his friends, hoping for some enlightenment.

Xander was wary, and kept his distance from Angel. In addition, from the snide, under-the-breath comments that he made, it was also apparent that he did not like Buffy's boyfriend and Sam felt a wave of affection for his new friend. Perhaps they had more in common than comic books?

Willow seemed friendlier towards Buffy's dark-haired companion. She blushed prettily when he complemented her on her outfit, but she got a little jumpy when Angel stood too close and, as she told a story with her hands waving about, she flinched when she accidentally bumped Angel's hand, then flushed apologetically.

If Angel noticed, he gave no indication.

Did they know the truth?

Did Giles?

If they knew the truth, why did they accept Angel? He couldn't see Buffy putting her friends in danger.

So many conflicting emotions - jealousy, curiosity, protectiveness, and hurt - bubbled up inside of him that for a moment Sam could hardly think.

He was torn between wanting to find out more about the (vampire? gotta be a vampire, but How? Why?) guy - there had to be something different if Buffy dated him - and wanting to give in to his hunting instincts (according to Buffy, decapitation, sunlight and stakes through the heart will eliminate the threat…nearby pool cues when snapped would make an adequate stake, but there were too many people around and Sam did not want to risk any civilians getting injured…if needed, he would have to find a way to get Angel out the back…).

Still, he couldn't look at Buffy; he felt as if something was squeezing all of the air from his chest. He had opened up to her more than he had to any other non-family person before and it hurt when he realized that he had been kidding himself when he thought that he had finally found a place where he could belong.

He was still the outsider.

Angel studied the youngest Winchester.

Earlier, he had searched the kid's face for some sign of recognition and had found none. He supposed he shouldn't have been surprised, the last time they had met face to face had been years ago and the kid couldn't have been more than four or five years old.

He leaned down and murmured something quietly into Buffy's ear, who nodded in response and looked at her friends.

"Guys, we will be right back."

Angel didn't have to have eyes in the back of his head to know that the young Hunter watched as he and Buffy walk toward the back of the club. He couldn't help the small, smug smile flitted across his face before he hid it.

As they stepped into the shadows at the back, Sam watched the pair lean against the wall facing each other. Since Buffy was turned away, Sam could see the back of her head while he had a clear view of Angel.

He caught a movement from the corner of his eye and turned to see Xander and Willow looking at each other.

"I don't know why he always wants to talk to her alone when he knows she is just going to tell us anyway, especially if it had to do with The Mast-"

"Xander!" Willow interjected.

Guiltily, Xander and Willow looked at him and just as quick their eyes slid away.

Great, more secrets Sam thought.

He needed to get away. He needed to –

"Dance with me." A voice in his ear demanded.

Sam looked at the new arrival to their table and recognized her as a fellow Sunnydale High classmate. Her name was-

"Hello Katy." He greeted her with a warm smile.

Beside him, Willow gave surprised inhale and Xander snickered. The flush that stained the newcomer's (Carrie?) cheeks and the tightening of her mouth indicated that he had gotten her name wrong.

"Cordelia," Xander began, "So what brings Her Royal Highness –"

Sam mentally slapped his forehead. Cordy. That's what she called herself. He felt like an ass for embarrassing her, but he wanted to politely decline her request for a dance when he glanced over at Buffy.

She still had he back to him and was facing Angel.

Briefly, he and Angel made eye contact then Angel bent his head down and kissed Buffy. He must have imagined the slight stiffening of her spine before she put her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

The little green-eyed monster inside of him reared its ugly head and head-butted him on the face.

Cordelia had turned away and was speaking over her shoulder to Xander.

"…certainly wouldn't with the like of you, Harris!" her voice dripped with scorn as she walked away.

Desperate for a distraction, Sam followed her. For someone in impossibly high heels, she moved quickly; when he caught up to her, she was halfway across the dance floor.

"Cordelia." She paused and looked at him over her shoulder, eyes narrowed in displeasure. Undeterred, Sam continued.

"I am sorry that I did not remember your name," he said with sincerity, "you have been very helpful to me over the last few days."

It was the truth. Since he had arrived at Sunnydale, she had always been around to give him directions to a class or walk with him to a class. Embarrassed, he realized she had introduced herself a few times and he kicked himself for not paying more attention.

Cordy could hold a grudge and make a person's life miserable when she put her mind to it however she thought that Sam Winchester could get a free pass – he was too cute for her to keep her distance. Since he had arrived at Sunnydale, he had been the topic of discussion and speculation, especially by the female students. He had hardly looked at any girl (and Cordy refused to consider the morbid Buffy Summers a girl, much less competition).

What a coup it would be, she thought, if she once again managed to reign supreme…and caught the most mysterious guy at Sunnydale.

Aware of the eyes of her clique watching her, she listened to his apology and flashed him her most flirtatious smile.

"I guess you are just going to have to convince me." She purred.

"That was nice." Smiling softly, Buffy tilted her head and looked at Angel as she pulled back from his embrace.

He smiled as he tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear while inwardly he hoped that the frustration he was feeling inside didn't show. Nice? A couple of weeks ago, his kisses made her breathless and made her eyes sparkle. They used to make her heart pound…now his kisses were nice.

He looked over again to the table. Xander and Willow were now sitting at the table, talking to each other and Sam was absent from the table, however his height made him easy to spot beside the dance floor, talking to Cordelia.

Damn. Angel had hoped he would take off.

Once again, that surreal feeling came over him. Sam was a kid, of all things and, though Angel had done things the kid couldn't even imagine (sexual and otherwise), yet, he was still jealous.

The old adage came to mind. All's fair, in love and war…

He kissed Buffy on the forehead and smiled at her. She smiled back at him, happily. The music changed and the band played a slow song.

"Let's dance."

Buffy laughed. "You never want to dance."

"I do now." He clasped her hand in his and tugged her on to the dance floor.

Buffy grinned, delighted at the rare invitation to dance with Angel, who was always so careful to keep distance between them. The pair wove their way on to the crowded dance floor; the band playing on stage had been to Sunnydale many times and was popular.

Angel stopped and he held her in his arms and together they swayed to the music. Buffy stepped close to him, put her head on his chest, closed her eyes and tried to relax.

Since she had arrived in Sunnydale the man who held her had occupied most of her waking thoughts and dominated a majority of her dreams. It had felt like she had spent forever trying to convince him that they could make a relationship work.

This, she thought, this is what I have been waiting for.

The pulsing bass reverberated throughout the club and she opened her eyes to watch some of the other people near her, happy to note so many happy couples were dancing together. Even Sam and Cordy looked like they were having a good time.

Sam and Cordy?

Buffy blinked, sure she was hallucinating, but the scene remained unchanged.

Cordelia had just threaded her hands around his neck when Sam and Buffy looked at each other. Before she could blink, Sam directed his attention to Cordy and smiled a kind of smile Buffy had never seen him use. This smile was slow, sexy and full of promises.

A knot formed in her gut...

Don't look at her. Don't look at her.

Sam chanted the phrase over and over in his mind, until he couldn't help it any longer and he looked. He had seen them walk over to the dance floor and positioned himself so he could watch them over Cordelia's shoulder. He felt stupid for doing it, but he couldn't help himself.

He watched as Angel wrapped his arms around her and she pressed up against him, her head on his chest. Again, Sam felt the air being sucked out. He needed to do something, anything to take his mind off of Buffy.

What would Dean do?

Out of his element, he looked at some of the guys near him for inspiration. Some of the guys, like Angel, had pulled the girl close to them and just swayed to the music, while other guys gyrated against their partner. As most of the girls looked uncomfortable being part of such a display, he decided against the gyration. His eyes wandered a little further around the room.

Don't look at – he reminded himself quickly, but it was too late.

Buffy's eyes were open, a soft smile on her face as she gazed contentedly at the people around her and, exposed as he was, it was only a matter of time before she saw him.

Suddenly, he knew exactly what Dean would do. Buffy's eyes wandered over the people near her. Just as he felt her gaze, Cordy reached up and Sam knew that Dean wouldn't be looking at another girl, not when he had a smoking hot (distraction) opportunity in his arms.

If Sam wanted to walk away with an ounce of pride he needed to become his brother.

"You know, I have been trying to get your attention all week Sam Winchester. I have to tell you, I have never had to work this hard to get a guy to pay attention to me." Cordelia lowered her eyes and looked at him through her lashes, pouting slightly.

Sam looked away from Buffy and slowly smiled at Cordy, just like he knew Dean would. He deepened his voice and said, "Well, sweetheart, now that you have my attention, what are you going to do with me?"

Cordelia pressed closer to Sam. "The possibilities are endless…"

He bent his head down until his lips were near her ears.

"Enlighten me." He said.

"It's disgusting is what I mean, c'mon Will…it's Cordelia! What does he see in her?"

Buffy and Angel had left the dance floor at the end of the song; Angel had gone to get Buffy a soda and she had gone to find Willow to exclaim over Sam's fatal error in judgment.

"You mean besides the" she gestured the universal sign for breasts, "and the" another universal gesture for a voluptuous woman.

Buffy narrowed her eyes at her friend, and then she glanced back at the dance floor. Cordelia had turned her body and was dancing with her back pressed up to Sam. She looked over her shoulder at Sam and gave him a smile. Sam returned her smile with another slow sexy smile, while his hands skimmed down the sides of her body and rested upon her hips.

"Ugh!" Buffy exploded in disgust. "She is such a hag!"

Willow picked up her drink and was bringing it to her lips when she paused. She tilted her head and looked at Buffy speculatively. She was beginning to think that this was more than the usual "Cordelia is such a hag" speech.

Buffy didn't notice. She was still watching Sam and Cordelia (Cordelia-of all people!) dance.

"Look at her- she is all over him."

Unable to tear her eyes away, she watched as Cordelia rose up on her tip-toes and pulled Sam's head down to whisper in his ear. She grasped one of Sam's hands, turned and walked off the dance floor, pulling Sam behind her. They wove through the crowd and then - she couldn't see them anymore.

Buffy paused mid-rant.

"Where did they go? Are they leaving?" she asked disbelievingly.

Willow said nothing, but continued to watch her friend.

Angel stood at the bar, watching Buffy. He didn't need to have vampire super-hearing to know what she was talking about with Willow. Her agitated body language said it all. She hadn't even noticed when he walked away from the table earlier all of her attention was focused on Sam (and Cordelia).

One phone call, his inner voice whispered and Angel fought against the urge to listen yet, he looked down at his hands at the small, plain business card. He didn't even remember pulling it from his pocket. The only writing on the cream colored surface was a name and phone number scrawled in ink. Holding the card between his thumb and forefingers, he tapped it against the table.

One little phone call is all it will take, his inner voice whispered.

Making a decision, he went over to Buffy and told her that he had to go. He frowned over her distracted "Okay. Call me." but merely nodded and left.

From the Bronze, he walked down the street and into a nearby bar. He didn't own a phone and the Bronze was too noisy; this bar, smaller and less busy than the Bronze, catered to an altogether different clientele.

Towards, the back, there was a phone booth. Angel picked up the phone and dropped in a couple of quarters. He didn't need to look at the card to remember the number.

The voice that picked up on the other end was gruff.

"John. It's Angel." He began with a smile.

Be convincing, the voice urged. He frowned and his next words were filled with concern.

"We need to talk."

Sam followed Cordelia as she pulled him off the dance floor, her hand felt (wrong) cool in his and he resisted the urge to pull out of her grasp. He had to be crazy, of course, because she was making her interest in him plain to see. With a twinge of guilt, he knew he never would have flirted with her if he hadn't been so desperate for a distraction and now he regretted his impulse. She seemed nice and did not deserve to be treated this way.

They went to a side exit and stood in the alley between the Bronze and an empty building beside it. She backed up and leaned against the wall.

"It was so hot in there! This is much better." She fanned herself with her hand and grinned at him.

Awkwardly, Sam smiled back. It was easier, when he was inside, to play a part. The loud music, the dancing crowd, made it easier to pretend, but outside in the cool air, the music was just a muffled beat coming through the walls of the Bronze. In the silence, he searched for words to say and came up with nothing.

Cordelia, however, did not have the same problem. She reached up and grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him toward her.

"You know, there is no reason to stand so far away." with a tug, she pulled her fisted hand down and brought his head toward hers.

So, no need to talk then, Sam thought, partly relieved and partly discomfited.

Willow sipped her soda and continued to watch Buffy. She was up on her tip toes, eyes trying vainly to scan the dance crowd. Irritation flashed across the Slayer's face as she realized she was not tall enough.

"They were there. Where did they go?" she muttered to herself.

Willow kept silent.

Instinctively, she knew she would probably get more information from Buffy regarding her unusual behavior if she didn't talk. She wanted to ask questions, in fact she was dying to ask questions, but she kept her mouth closed.

"Erg." Buffy said in frustration.

Xander walked up and regarded Buffy curiously as she pulled her chair out from the table and stood on it. He looked at Willow and raised an eyebrow. Willow furrowed her eyebrows and gave a head tilt in Buffy's direction.

"Uh Buff? What's the sitch?"

Buffy ignored him and looked around the room.

"Buffy? Buffy?" his voice louder on the second repetition. Startled, Buffy looked sheepishly at Xander and Willow as she jumped down from the chair.

"Thought I saw a Vampire." She mumbled, somewhat embarrassed.

"Ah- the eighties hair band-wannabe?" Xander nodded knowingly. "You know, I saw him and I thought so too!"

Buffy nodded absently and Xander, confused at her inaction, looked at her, then at Willow.

Willow shrugged.

"Uh, Buff?"

"Yeah?"

"Uh, he went out the side door with a girl."

"He did?"

"Uh-huh. Although, I don't see what any girl would see in him."

"You don't? I don't know…could be the way he looks at you when you talk to him. Or the way his hair seems to fall across his eyes…you just want to reach out and brush it away…and that strange heat you feel when he tou-" Buffy's voice drifted off for a moment and she looked at Xander and Willow. Willow's eyes sparkled and Xander looked bemused.

"Huh," Xander hummed, "I never figured you for a David Lee Roth type."

Buffy's eyes widened and her cheeks turned pink. She cleared her throat.

"Vamp went out the side door you say?" Xander nodded, "Okay, I'll go check it out. No-" she waved at Xander and Willow, "you guys stay here. It won't take long."

Grateful for a distraction, Buffy walked away.

"Angel?" John's voice repeated his name for the third time.

What am I doing? Angel asked himself, not sure what had possessed him to call John Winchester.

Liar, the voice retorted snidely. Jealousy, plain and simple.

Angel sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

"I'm here." He spoke into the phone.

"Is everything okay? Is Sam-" John's voice held a note of panic and Angel felt a twinge of guilt. If John thought for one moment that his son was in danger, he would hightail it back to Sunnydale and whisk his son away before the sun rose. Angel knew firsthand how protective John was toward Sam.

On the other hand, if John Winchester thought Sam was in danger, he would hightail it back to Sunnydale.

Just tell him.

Angel made his decision.

"Sam is fine. I have been keeping an eye on him, as you had asked."

"Oh. For a moment I thought – well never mind." John's relief was apparent.

Angel's guilt increased.

What am I becoming? He asked himself and his inner voice chuckled maliciously.

"But John, I think there is something you should know..."

Sorry Kid. Angel thought, all's fair in love and war.

It wasn't his first kiss- it wasn't his second either – but when it came to girls, Sam didn't exactly fall into the "experienced" category. He had always felt self-conscious around girls. Of course, the fact that he never really stayed in one town longer than a month or two meant that just as he worked up enough courage to ask a girl out, go on a date and kiss someone, it was time to leave.

Yet, he had kissed enough to know when a kiss was good and when a kiss – wasn't.

There was no reason why this kiss wouldn't be a good one. The girl was gorgeous, had an amazing body and was every teen-aged boy's fantasy.

One touch of her lips and his every thought should have been focused on how to skip second and third base hit a home run. Her hands were in his hair and running over his shoulders, his hands were on her trim waist. So, why did it feel so – so…?

She pulled back from him and they looked at each other. Her face held the same quizzical expression that he was certain mirrored his own.

The door opened and another couple stumbled out into the alley. The girl bumped into them and giggled.

"Sorry." She said, breathlessly. She and the guy she was with moved up the alley, toward the back of the building.

"Strange…" she murmured, "I didn't …" She started

"I didn't either." Sam said quietly.

Her eyes opened wide, her expression incredulous.

"Impossible." She whispered. "Nothing?"

Sam shook his head, with some regret.

"I'm sorry?" he asked the last part as a question.

"But- I'm Cordelia Chase!" she protested. "I'm popular. I'm beautiful…"

Her expression looked so forlorn that Sam felt the need to reassure her.

"You are. You are." He agreed on both points. "You are every guy's fantasy!"

"I know!" she agreed.

They looked at each other for a moment.

"And you!" Cordelia pointed at Sam. "You are gorgeous. You are mysterious. You have a great" she rolled her 'r' in the word like a growl and ran her hands up his chest, "body. Every girl has been talking about you ever since you showed up at school."

"Really?" Sam asked. Huh. Go figure. He thought to himself.

"You must have noticed."

"Huh-uh." Sam shook his head.

"My point is-there must be a mistake." Cordelia said firmly. "I think we just need to put some more effort into this. At the very least, you should feel something. Perhaps, if I just…" and with that, she pulled Sam up to her body, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again.

Still kissing him, she said "Anything?" against his lips.

"No. You?" he said against hers.

"No. Put your hands on my boobs." He pulled back from her.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yes!" She hissed, "My breasts are spectacular! I think we just need to turn up the heat a little."

"Maybe we should just stop and …"

"Are you a quitter, Sam? 'Cause I'm not a quitter!" She pulled Sam roughly toward her, plastered herself up against him, "Now touch my boobs dammit!"

Sam obeyed. Cordelia ground her lips against his and he felt her up.

Buffy strode outside and scanned the alleyway looking for the wannabe rocker vampire. Although the alley was not lit up like a Superdome, there was plenty of light to provide a clear view of Sam and Cordelia smashed up against each other kissing passionately.

And was that his hand on her breast? Buffy felt the knot in her gut tighten even more.

A girl ran toward her and looked behind her. She crashed into Sam and Cordelia, causing Sam to pitch sideways into Buffy. The girl stumbled toward Cordelia and then continued on her way.

"Omf." Buffy said, as they lost their balance and tumbled toward the ground with Sam on top of her.

Her body was immediately flooded with heat; every part of her body that was touched by him burned.

"Buffy?" he said, shocked. He twisted his body until, instead of lying sideways on her they were now face to face. Sam looked into her startled eyes

Her heart started to pound and she put her hands on his shoulders.

"Buffy?" A female voice said in disbelief.

Embarrassed, Buffy looked at Sam and then at Cordelia.

She couldn't say that she was stalking a vampire in front of Cordelia. Obviously, the brunette was irritated at the interruption and, as she felt the obvious evidence of the effect their kissing had on Sam against her hip, Buffy was certain Sam felt the same.

Disappointment (jealousy dammit!) coursed through her. She pushed back on Sam's shoulders and tried to sit up. Sam rocked back on his heels and stood, holding a hand toward Buffy.

Reluctantly, she put her hand in his and felt that familiar rush of heat flow from her hand to hers. She stood quickly and pulled her hand from his. As soon as she lost contact, her palm tingled. Again.

Buffy heard a sound further down the alley.

Vampire! Buffy - Focus! She told herself.

"Uh...I need to go check something out," She told them," you guys might want to take your-" unwillingly her eyes traveled down Sam's body and stopped on his groin. Sam shifted uncomfortably and her eyes flew back to Sam's. "-selves somewhere more private."

It's not any of my business! Buffy told herself fiercely. She walked down the alley toward the back of the Bronze. Her slayer hearing, however, picked up Cordelia's hissed words.

"Cm'here."

She heard Sam's surprised "Hey!"

"You have got to be kidding me! Her? Seriously? You have been making out with me and - nothing! But you fall on top of that freak and now- well that's just great!"

What? Surprised, Buffy stopped.

She had reached the back wall of the building. She turned her head and glanced back down the alley towards Sam and Cordelia just in time to see the girl stalk back inside the nightclub. Sam leaned against the wall and banged the back of his head against the wall.

"Way to go Winchester. Buffy thinks you are a pervert and Cordelia," Buffy heard him sigh, "needs an explanation." He took a deep breath, opened the door to the Bronze and went back inside.

What? Buffy asked herself again.

A strangled noise drew her attention and she looked at the wall. The vamp stood with his head flat against the wall, his game face was on and his eyes were wide.

"Ow. Ow. OW." he was saying.

Buffy rolled her eyes.

"Oh you are making this way too easy!" she exclaimed.

She walked closer to the Vamp, trying to get a look at the back of his head. He was wearing skin-tight spandex pants, a spandex tank top and his long hair appeared to be caught in the spinning blades of a large screened in fan.

"Uh...do you think you could...no?" his face went from hopeful to disappointed as she staked him. Dust flew around her and, feeling unsettled, Buffy turned back into the alley and walked into the Bronze.

Angel hung up the phone. He walked up the bar and took a seat at the stool.

It won't be long, now. He thought to himself.

John and his son would be returning to Sunnydale before the sun rose.

Willy approached him and slid an ornate, opaque bottle in front of him. The aroma made Angel's fangs poke through his gums. As he brought the blood to his lips, he remembered the boy he had rescued so long ago. In the past, Angel had always remembered the kid with fondness and hoped they would meet again. Now, he wished he had never set eyes on the kid, he would feel a hell of a lot less guilty, that was for certain.

Stop being such a pussy his inner voice chided once the kid is gone, the Slayer will be mi- ours again.

Shut up he told himself.

Make me the voice snarked.

Willow loved dancing.

When she danced, she never felt awkward or clumsy. She could jump, bounce, sway and move to the beat of the music, whether in a group or alone. When she danced, she never cared if eyes were watching her or judging her. She just felt…free.

Overhead the lights sent a spectrum of scattered colors spinning around the nightclub and her hair color changed from gold to sunset to burgundy depending on the hue of the lights. Xander waved at her to get her attention and pointed in the direction of the restrooms, letting her know where he was going. Smiling, she nodded and continued with her dancing.

She didn't notice the guy staring at her like he was caught in a trance nor feel his gaze as his eyes followed her as she moved around the floor with her eyes closed and a smile on her lips.

He ignored the girls that smiled at him, trying vainly for his attention. He moved when she moved, always the same distance away, like they were tied with an invisible cord and his attention was riveted on her.

Impossible! Cordelia fumed. She was Cordelia-fucking-Chase and every guy from here to Los Angeles drooled over her.

Still, she couldn't wrap her head around the fact that Sam Winchester, Mystery-Man-on-Campus, could kiss her without getting turned on, yet when he fell on that morbid freak Buffy Summers he got the monster of all erections.

She knew this, because she felt it.

She didn't even want to think about her reaction to Sam.

She was honest enough to admit that she had kissed a lot of guys and enjoyed most of them. She loved the desire that curled in her stomach, that feeling of anticipation and power. Anticipation of the possibilities - dates, dances, being wanted, being envied (and best of all more kissing!); and power - because the guys always wanted her, they drooled over her and swore they worshiped her.

She wasn't a slut though. In fact, she was still a virgin. Her refusal to go further than kissing, and the occasional groping, had some guys calling her a few choice names. She chose her boyfriends based on status and what they do for her social life; some might call it mercenary, she just called it practical.

The day she stopped caring about what others thought would be the day she knew she found Mr. Right, but she kept that thought to herself. She could only imagine how Harmony and the girls would treat her if they ever discovered what a romantic she was deep down.

She walked past the dance floor and almost collided with that oaf, Xander Harris. He steadied her with his hands and apologized. The merest brush of his fingers against her skin brought a knot of desire curling in her stomach. In alarm, she pushed him away.

"Watch where you are going, loser!" she said sharply.

As always, when she was around him, her voice was sharper than she normally was. Something in him brought out that reaction in her. If her friends were around, she knew she was downright vicious. When they were one-on-one, however, she actually enjoyed trading barbs with him.

There were few guys who could hold their own against her insults and he was one of them.

Cordelia walked toward the bar and ordered a Ginger Ale. She left the bartender a tip and then looked for a quiet spot where she could watch the dancers. Again, she thought about Sam and felt a spark of indignation (not panic).

Guys wanted her dammit!

She would prove it.

Sam walked through the doors and glanced around for Cordelia. When he didn't see her, he looked at the dance floor and saw Xander leave and head towards the men's room. Spying Willow alone on the dance floor, he walked toward her, the sweet expression on her face made Sam smile. He liked Buffy's red-haired friend.

He saw another familiar face on the dance floor and waved. After a moment, when he got no response, he put his hand down and a grin spread across his face.

Well, would you look at that! He chuckled to himself.

Sam stood near the edge of the floor and wondered what was going to happen.

Buffy walked back into the Bronze. Immediately, she spotted Sam and approached him, her stomach in knots.

She reached him just as the band stopped playing and the singer leaned toward the microphone.

"Okay Guys. Time for a blackout!"

The crowd cheered as the lights went out and a hazy blue light cast dim light over the club. Every person became a shadow, an indistinct figure and it was practically impossible to make out anyone's face.

"Now grab someone, head to floor and hope to hell you have the right person, cause in a blackout, it's hard to know for sure."

Before she could hesitate, Buffy grabbed Sam's hand and pulled him on to the dance floor. Heat surged at the contact and she smiled to herself in the dark. She was getting used to that.

Music started, she recognized the beginning strains of a cover of Pearl Jam's "Alive".

She felt his arms wrap themselves around her, felt the heat surround her and relaxed into his embrace. She put her head against his chest and felt the thump-thump-thump of his heart beat against her face. She wasn't surprised to realize that his heartbeat matched hers exactly. She knew it was selfish, but in this moment, she never wanted to let him go.

She inhaled his scent deeply. The smell was pure Sam; he would never use cologne, just like she never wore perfume.

Never give the enemy the advantage of smelling you before you attack.

One of the first lessons Merrick had taught her. He had told her to throw away all of her perfume because it gave the enemy the advantage. At first, she hadn't listened to him but on her second night patrolling in the graveyards of LA, she got scared and tried running and hiding from a vamp. Like a cat with a mouse, the vampire found her time and again and let her escape, telling her she was making it too easy, the scent of her perfume led him right to her.

Although she might make mistakes, Buffy prided herself on never making the same mistake twice.

Her nose twitched as she smelled the faint scent of Cordelia's perfume though. She ignored that. For right now, Buffy was going to just live in the moment and enjoy it.

In this moment, nothing existed. No demands, no Angel, no un-met expectations and pressure to be the Slayer. Nothing.

Just Sam and his arms around her, holding her against him as if he would never let go.

He felt her hand slip into his, felt that comforting surge of heat and all thoughts left his head. Mutely, he followed her as the lights went out. He heard the band start to play a Pearl Jam song and he smiled as her arms slipped around his waist and his arms wrapped around her small frame.

God, it felt good.

As their bodies touched, he felt the slow burn that happened every time they connected. He stopped questioning the What? Why? How? and just accepted it.

At this moment, nothing else existed. No family that would take him away, no vampire (he knew it was a vampire) boyfriend, no Slayer, no Hunter.

Just Buffy, her arms around his waist and holding him against her as if she would never let go.

Xander walked out of the men's room and heard the singer's words. He sighed and stopped walking when the lights went out.

Experience taught him when the Bronze had one of their famous blackouts, it was best not to move too much. He had a bad habit of walking into couples, getting smacked (funny how easy it was to have a punch connect with his face in the dark) and getting shoved as couples hurried to the dance floors.

Besides, the best part of the Bronze version of Seven Minutes in Heaven was when the lights came on...the looks on people's faces when they had ended up with the wrong person was fun! Many a break-up happened following a Bronze blackout.

He was completely unprepared for the hand that grabbed his collar and pulled him forward. He had no time to utter anything other than a muffled "Mmpf". Suddenly, lips were being pressed against his.

Kissage.

Stranger In The Dark Kissage.

Intriguing.

His initial shock wore off and a reckless feeling overcame him.

What the hell, I might as well make it worth it.

Arousal coiled within as his hands went to the girl's waist (damn small waist it was too) and he pulled her body closer to his. Then he felt a surge of power within him.

Keep your eyes closed. Keep your eyes closed, he repeated to himself and tried to curb the panic within.

Forcefully, he turned them so her back was up against the wall. He felt her tense and her mouth opened and felt her lips move in protest against his mouth. He took the opportunity to slide his tongue in her mouth and he felt, rather than heard, the moan come from her. Her hands slid around to the back of his neck and she pulled his head towards hers.

Oh my God! He thought and pulled her closer.

Oh my God! Cordelia thought.

She heard the singer announce the blackout and just as the lights went out, she had grabbed Xander. She had seen him (HA! Waited for him, you mean, her inner voice mocked her) when he came out. She knew he had always had a crush on her and her ego needed a boost. She just meant to kiss him long enough to know that he wanted her then she was going to walk away.

She felt a spark of triumph when she felt his arousal, but, when his hands touched her waist, any thoughts of stopping flew out of her head.

She never expected to like it, never expected to feel that instant stab of desire course through her and she never expected the forceful way he would flip them and trap her against the wall, causing her to open her mouth and give him a chance to play tonsil hockey with her. She had every intention of pushing him away but her hands had a mind of their own. Instead of stopping at his (muscled!) chest, they continued upward behind his neck and she tightened her grasp, pulling him closer to her. She felt his legs, chest (when did Xander Harris get muscles?) and it wasn't enough.

The song stopped and Willow opened her eyes.

Oh no, she cringed when the band announced the blackout, her eyes searching for a path off the dance floor so she could leave when the lights went out. Blackouts were awful. Previously, she had been pushed, shoved and once she was pinched!

Of course, the worst part of a blackout was that no one ever pulled her out on to the floor.

The lights went out and she heard the first bars of "Alive" being played, one of her favorites.

Stupid blackout! She grumbled to herself as she moved toward the edge of the floor-

-and felt a hand grab hers and tug her backwards. She almost lost her balance, but a pair of strong arms caught her and spun her around. Then she felt the hands move and rest lightly on her waist.

She leaned forward and spoke into the guy's ear. "I think you have the wrong person!" she said. Expecting the guy to let go, she stepped backward-

-and found herself unable to move. His hands held her lightly, but firmly. Apprehension formed within her. She hadn't had good luck with strangers that showed interest. One guy had been a vampire who had lured Willow away when she tried to "Carpe Diem"; another time she had formed an exciting, online relationship with a psychotic demon that had first been trapped in a book, then in the school's computer system.

She was a freak magnet.

As if sensing her discomfort, the guy leaned forward. "If you want to leave, I'll let go. But I hope you will stay. I promise that you are safe."

Willow took a step backward and this time, his hands loosened; one hand fell away, the other remained on her waist. Willow paused and peered at the shadow in front of her as tried vainly to see his face.

Needing courage, she recalled one of her favorite movie quotes.

Sometimes, you just got to say "What the fuck!"

If it worked for a young Tom Cruise, it could work for her.

Taking a deep breath, Willow stepped forward and put her hands up on the stranger's shoulders.

Oz had been mesmerized from the first moment he had seen her. Something about the red-haired girl captured his attention and he couldn't look away.

Who is this girl? He had thought, transfixed while he watched her dancing with a guy he vaguely recognized from school. Her hair was long, straight, but it was her eyes, huge and expressive, that captured his attention. They telegraphed her every thought.

He watched her as she danced with the guy. Clearly, they were friends. The guy seemed to like this girl, but all of his glances conveyed friendship, not interest. The red-haired girl clearly had a crush on the guy. Every time her eyes fell on him, they showed her feelings...attraction, hope, disappointment.

The other guy was oblivious to her feelings - or worse- he didn't care. Either way, Oz thought he was a fool.

When the guy left, Oz continued to watch the girl. Unlike most girls, who had been left alone on the dance floor, she seemed comfortable and relaxed. Her body moved with grace and fluidity, capturing the rhythm of the music easily. Her eyes closed and her expression softened and he wondered what she was thinking.

He could have watched her all night.

When the music stopped, the girl stopped dancing and Oz moved closer until he was just behind her.

The band announced a blackout and her head whipped around.

She is going to leave he realized.

The lights went out and a blue haze covered the club. Impulsively, he reached out and captured her hand just as she stepped away. When he tugged, a little harder than he meant to, causing her to stumble backwards, he grasped her shoulders, meaning to help her catch her balance.

He knew he should let go, but instead he pushed gently on one of her shoulders, causing her to turn and face him.

He supposed he should have felt bad for manhandling her but he would have done it again just to feel her so close. Like a startled deer, she stilled as he dropped his hands to her waist and he hoped she wouldn't leave.

When she stepped forward and he felt elation course through him. She moved her head to the side of her face and he inhaled her fragrance, a combination of peaches and Ivory Soap.

Then, she told him that he had the wrong person. When she moved to step back, he realized she was leaving. He didn't tighten his grip, but he didn't loosen it either. She stopped and he felt her tense and he wished the lights were on so he could see her face, see her eyes.

A slight tremor coursed through her as she drew a shaky breath and then he realized he was scaring her.

Though it went against his desire to hold her close, he leaned forward told her that if she wanted to leave, she could. She took a step backwards and he forced himself to drop one hand. Again she paused and Oz tried very hard not to move because he really didn't want to scare this girl. Even though it was only a moment, to Oz it seemed to last an eternity.

Then she stepped forward and he felt her hands rest on his shoulders.

Oz gave a smile of relief.

Angel sipped his blood.

He hated that he had lied to John, hated what he was turning into, but it had to happen. The kid needed to leave. He knew he was making the wrong choices, but he couldn't stop himself. It was a trait of Angelus' that he thought was long gone, yet his obsession with Buffy was starting to consume him.

He turned to the demon in the chair next to him.

"I heard there was a Hunter in town. Ever hear the name Winchester?" He began.

It's all for you, Buffy, he told himself.

He also told himself that John would collect the kid and be on his way before anything bad would happen. He had already told the man that demons had heard that a Winchester was in town. He just didn't tell John that they heard it from him.

He hated this feeling.

Before being topside, he never gave any thought to Hell. Yet, the first time he glided across the earth above, he felt something. A freedom. Hell, it was just plain fun sometimes. Playing with people, possessing and forcing them to bend to his will, it was a powerful feeling.

Up there, he was always in motion. Now, when he was summoned below, he felt trapped, stagnant. He didn't let it show though. He pushed his impatience down as he waited. And waited...

A/N: So, I am a bit of a review whore. Thoughts?

Stay tuned…