Chapter Twenty-Nine

Buffy headed into the kitchen, finding her sister at the island. "How you enjoying your break from school?"

Dawn swallowed her bite of cereal. "Best vacation ever."

Buffy scoffed a little. "Won't be for long."

"Hey, no sad faces," Dawn reprimanded her, waving her spoon in front of her sister's face. "We still have a long way before any real action starts, and that plan is going really well."

"You're right," nodded Buffy. "I should look on the bright side. We probably still have a good…two months before the battle of Armageddon."

"That's the attitude!" smiled Dawn, getting up and rinsing her empty bowl out.

"Speaking of Armageddon, I'm gonna check on the boys," said Buffy as she spotted Sam and Dean out in the backyard.

"See ya later," said Dawn, heading out the doorway into the dining room.

Buffy opened the back door, heading out onto the patio and closing the door behind her. As she stepped towards the stairs, she looked up to see Sam drawing a knife across his forearm.

Buffy broke into a run, bolting down the stairs. "What are you doing?!"

Dean held a hand out reassuringly. "Relax, relax, we're practicing."

Buffy frowned questioningly at the blood trickling from the cut across Sam's arm. "Practicing?"

"Yeah," said Dean.

He reached forward and placed a hand over Sam's cut. He closed his eyes and concentrated for several moments before removing his hand. Sam's cut was completely gone, blood and all.

Dean smiled over at Buffy. "Practicing."

Buffy nodded knowingly. "Where'd Cas stuff his body this time?"

"Cot in the basement," said Dean. "Looks less suspicious if someone walks by."

Buffy nodded. "True."

"Oh, hey, check this out," smiled Dean suddenly.

He immediately disappeared in the blink of an eye. There was a tap on Buffy's shoulder, and she turned to see Dean smirking behind her.

"Wow, you're catching on quick," commented Buffy. "How'd you convince Sam to practice healing?"

"No easily," said Dean.

"How would you react to your brother asking you if he could impale you to see if he could use an angel's fading powers to heal you?" Sam piped up.

"I didn't say impale," Dean defended himself.

"But you did say stab," Sam pointed out.

"Whatever," grumbled Dean, disappearing again.

Sam sighed. "I guess we're done. Shall we?" He walked with Buffy back towards the house.

Sam headed in the direction of the living room as Buffy began heading towards the stairs to the second floor. The doorbell rang, and Buffy turned to the front door, opening it to find a man in a suit on the doorstep.

"Can I help you?" Buffy asked.

The man gripped his Bible in front of him. "Is your soul rapture ready?"

Buffy frowned. "Huh?"

"In these dark times, we must focus on our spiritual welfare," the man continued. "Have you ever taken the time to consider God's plan for you?"

"Um…" began Buffy, unsure how to approach this guy.

"Hey."

Buffy turned to see Dean exiting the basement doorway with Castiel.

"Where's Sam?" asked Dean. "We gotta have a little chat."

"Living room," Buffy told him with a point towards said room.

Dean immediately headed that direction, Castiel following behind him.

Buffy turned back to the Bible-thumper at the door to see him staring into the house with wide eyes. She waved a hand in front of his face. "Hello?"

The man shook himself out of his stare, looking back at Buffy. "Would you be interested in hearing the Good News God has to offer you?"

Buffy smiled politely. "Thanks, but I've kinda already heard it."

"Okay, God bless," said the man, turning back towards the road as she shut the door.

Buffy headed into the living room to find Castiel and the Winchesters deep in conversation.

"Any sign of demonic attack?" asked Sam.

"Nope," said Dean. "Guy leaves the garage. When he comes back, his buddy has Christine's windshield halfway through his head. What do ya say? Wanna check it out?"

Sam shrugged. "Could be nice working a non-apocalypse case."

"Got a case?" asked Buffy.

"Yep, big time," said Dean.

"Need some help?" asked Buffy.

"Nah, this sounds kinda small-fry," said Dean. "We can handle it. Besides, don't you have combat training later? Gotta get the new girl through orientation. She makes how many, now?"

"Ten," Buffy told him. She sighed. "Ten Potentials, all looking to me for guidance."

"You'll do great," Sam assured her. "You've been at this for seven years now. And these girls really look up to you."

"They do?" asked Buffy.

"Oh, yeah," Sam nodded. "I see the way they are around you. You'll be fine."

"Alright, Sammy, pack your crap," said Dean, heading towards the basement.

"I will stay here and watch over the others," Castiel told the brothers.

"Whatever floats your boat," said Dean, still walking towards the basement as Sam followed him.

Castiel headed in the direction of the backyard. He seemed to favor the outdoors on a sunny day when he wanted to be alone. Buffy glanced over towards the foyer when she heard footsteps down the stairs.

Cordelia entered the living room. "Anybody awake yet?"

Buffy nodded. "Dawn and a few of the others. Any news from the Powers That Be?"

Cordelia shook her head. "No. It's been strangely quiet. I'd usually have a vision by now."

"Maybe they're taking it easy on you 'cause of everything you've been through recently," Buffy suggested.

"Gee, where was that hospitality when my head was about to explode?" muttered Cordelia irritably.

Buffy frowned at her.

"Don't ask," Cordelia waved off. She glanced around surreptitiously. "Is, uh…Dean one of the people awake?"

Buffy smiled knowingly. "Why do you ask?"

Cordelia shrugged. "Just curious."

Buffy stared at her, waiting for her to crack.

"Okay!" Cordelia gave in. "He's cute, alright! And he's brave and sexy and heroic—"

"Well, Cordy, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you have a thing for our resident Slayer," said Buffy.

"A thing?" scoffed Cordelia, making a "pfft" sound as she waved her hand. Her smile faded when she looked back at Buffy. "Really?"

Buffy nodded. "I haven't seen you this into anyone since Xander."

Cordelia shrugged, looking down at the floor. "You just haven't been around to see it."

Buffy frowned. "You've been seeing someone?"

"Well…not really seeing them," Cordelia went on. "It's been more of a…mutual flirting…kind of. But we work together, and I'm starting to see now that we just don't fit."

Buffy stared in surprise. "Oh, you and Wesley decided to go for it?"

Cordelia made a face. "Ew, no! I won't deny that he was gotten more ruggedly handsome since moving to L.A., but…ew!"

"Gunn, then?" asked Buffy.

"No, he's with Fred," Cordelia told her.

Buffy made a disgusted face. "It's not Connor, is it? Because that would be—"

"No!" Cordelia exclaimed. "God, no!"

"Well, then, who…" began Buffy before she realized just who Cordelia meant. "Oh…" She glanced dejectedly down at the floor.

"Hey, nothing happened. If there was any inkling of something still being between you two, I would never do that to you."

Buffy frowned confusedly. "That's actually…really nice of you. When did that happen?"

"When did what happen?"

"You losing your 'Queen Bitch' crown you so loved in high school."

Cordelia chuckled. "Long story." She stared at Buffy a moment longer. "He still loves you, you know."

Buffy stared at her, intrigued.

"I can practically feel he lovey-dove feelings coming back between you two," Cordelia went on. "What me and Angel have is…friendship, camaraderie. But, you…you two have the stuff romance novels are written about…The kind you find in those annoyingly popular vampire movies."

Buffy laughed a little.

"Don't let him go this time," Cordelia told her. "You never know when you might not have another chance."

Footsteps sounded from the basement, and Dean and Sam headed up and into the main floor.

"Don't tell me that!" Dean told Sam. "You get whatever snacks you want, but I am buying my licorice."

"Oh, come on," moaned Sam.

"It is perfect road trip food!" said Dean.

"No," said Sam as they entered the living room. "Licorice belongs exactly where you always find it: on the floor of the movie theatre."

"Now, that is a waste of a good snack," said Dean.

"It really is," said Cordelia. "Nothing beats the licorice."

Dean pointed at Cordelia, still looking at Sam. "Ha! See?" He looked at Cordelia. "Thank you!"

"Any time," smiled Cordelia. "So, what's this about a road trip?"

"Caught a case up in Canton, Ohio," Dean told her. "We'll be gone, maybe, a week."

"Well…" Cordelia smiled at him, "hope you hurry back."

Dean smiled back at her. "Definitely." He hauled his duffel up onto his shoulder. "Let's hit the road, Sam." He headed for the front door as Sam followed him. "Oh—" he turned back to Buffy, "and if Bobby calls, let him know where we'll be. We might stop by his place on the way back."

Buffy nodded. "Will do."

Dean's gaze moved over to Cordelia as she approached him, suddenly slightly nervous. "And, uh…if anyone wants to…check up on us, you have our numbers."

"I'll be sure to call so you don't fall asleep at the wheel," said Cordelia.

"You kidding?" said Dean, seemingly more at ease now that he had a topic of conversation to roll with. "I've been on the road since I was four." He smirked at her. "I live for long road trips."

Sam rolled his eyes and opened the door, heading out to the Impala.

"One week, huh?" asked Cordelia, wishing it didn't have to be that long.

"Maybe less," shrugged Dean. "I am a Slayer now, after all." He stared at Cordelia for a moment as they smiled at each other. Snapping out of it, he glanced over at Buffy, giving her a wave. "See ya." He smiled at Cordelia before heading out the door and closing it behind him.

Cordelia let out the nervous breath she had been holding, feeling the butterflies subside. She hadn't felt that way around a guy in a long time. Sure, Groo had been a great relationship, but there had been more sexual attraction than anything else. And Angel, well…Cordelia was beginning to understand that what had happened between them was little more than a workplace crush. What she was beginning to feel for Dean, she hadn't felt since…

Doyle…

It had been one of her briefest, truest relationships, and she still felt stung by it every now and then. If she was starting to feel the same thing for Dean, she only hoped that he would feel the same for her.

Cordelia turned away from the door to see Angel standing in the dining room entryway, staring at the door Dean had just exited through. His eyes quickly skipped over to her, catching her gaze. His gaze shifted to the door and back before he offered a small, uncomfortable smile and headed towards the kitchen.

Cordelia opened her mouth to say something before she thought better of it and just sighed.

Oh, dear…

*************************************************SPN/BTVS*******************************************************************

Dean closed the door of the Summers' house, letting out his nervous breath before heading down the steps and onto the sidewalk.

What the hell was that?

Dean's best talent after hunting was his way with the ladies. Flirting usually came second nature to him, but here he was fumbling his words around a girl. He shouldn't really be surprised, though. He had acted the same way around Cassie the first few times they had gone out until he got comfortable with her. It was only natural; Dean wasn't in touch with his emotions, so when he got close to those emotions, it really threw him off his game.

Guess that means I care more about her than the other girls.

Dean glanced up at the Impala as he approached to find Sam leaning against the passenger door, hands in his jacket pockets and smile on his face. Dean refrained himself from an eye roll.

Great…

Sam had witnessed the whole embarrassing conversation. And if their visit to Cassie four years ago was any clue, Dean was about to get ribbed by his brother. So, in true Dean Winchester fashion, he chose to completely ignore the whole thing.

"What are you grinning at?" asked Dean.

"Nice chat, Romeo," Sam replied.

"I was trying to be nice," Dean shot at him.

"Oh, yeah, right," chuckled Sam. "You are so into her."

Dean looked over at the Impala as he rounded the trunk, avoiding Sam's eyes. "Shut up."

Sam chuckled as Dean climbed into the driver's seat.

*************************************************SPN/BTVS******************************************************************

Angel sat in the corner of the basement, staying with the shadows as the daylight coming in the small windows moved about the room. He flipped a page in the book he was reading until he heard footsteps on the stairs. He glanced up to see it was the person he would least like to talk to right now.

"You know, it is possible to go upstairs without burstin' into flames," Spike told him, hands in the pockets of his black leather duster. "Sun barely comes in the windows this time of day."

Angel shut his book in annoyance, sighing. "I prefer to keep to myself."

Spike huffed in annoyance, rolling his eyes. "You self-righteous wanker." He clenched his jaw before looking back at Angel. "Why you?"

Angel frowned. "Excuse me?"

"I mean, you're the one who gets everything," Spike shot at him. "It's not fair."

"What is your problem?" asked Angel, standing from his seat.

"You are, you ponce!" Spike shouted, getting into his grand-sire's face. "You got it too good." He paced away from Angel before turning back to him. "What moron out there looked at all the things you've done and decided you needed a soul, a home, friends, the love of the most amazing girl on the planet, and—as if that wasn't enough—they have you a kid. I mean, what is it about you that screams: 'I need to be rewarded'? You're not the only vampire out there fightin' the good fight. And I don't even have a soul!"

Angel was pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration by that point. "Spike, nobody chose any of this to happen. It has nothing to do with me or what I've done." He removed his hand to look at Spike. "It just happened."

Spike nodded. "Yeah, sure." He turned and headed up the stairs.

Angel shook his head as he watched Spike go through the door to the main floor. "Idiot."

Spike, Angel had noticed, was acting stranger than usual. Angel was used to a Spike that was cocky, arrogant, manipulative, and evil. Well, he was still a cocky bastard, but he was definitely different. Especially whenever he saw Angel and Buffy together…

Oh, my God…

That was it. That was the only thing that made sense.

"—the love of the most amazing girl on the planet—"

Angel's jaw dropped as he realized the motive behind Spike's new behavior:

Spike was in love with Buffy.