DISCLAIMER: I dont own Buffy, Angel, Xander, Willow..yadda yadda yadda. They all belong to the totally spiffy Joss Whedon. Barry Cox comes from I Know What You Did Last Summer, who belongs toKevin Williamson, as far as I know. I own everything I created and you can post this with my permission. Dont sue!
Summary:Buffy's in her senior year and the new kid Barry Cox seems pretty tempting. Angels got his soul back and he's definitley working on his brooding skills. Lets just say theres some definite jealousy goin on.
Buffy pulled the covers over her head, hoping to mask the sound of her annoying alarm clock. "Ehh..its too early.." she muttered as she slammed her fist against the alarm. It was the first day of Senior year and Buffy was more than happy to start new. The past year was hell. First she lost her boyfriend in some weird freakish fate, then she was almost killed by him. Her watcher had lost his love interest, Ms.Calendar and after weeks of sulking he finally moved on. She had defeated Spike and Drusilla the same day she turned her ex into the same vampire he was before. It was a hectic year and now it was her turn to have some fun, maybe even study. She swung the covers over her legs and got ready for school. Buffy ran downstairs in a tan colored halter top, a black skirt and her knee highs. She stood in front of her mother and twirled. "Senior enough?" Joyce's eyes ran up and down her daughter. "Maybe a little too old to be a senior.." she murmered. "Ah exactly the reaction I wanted." Buffy quipped."I'll be back at 3. See ya!" she exclaimed and flew out the door.
Buffy waved at her two friends who seemed to be involved in an arguement at their lockers. "My tan is way better than yours!" Willow whined. Xander rolled his eyes."Yeah I would have that tan too if I blew my whole budget on a self tanner." Buffy walked up behind them. "Guys..come on..by December all of our lovely tans..real or artificial will be officially faded." Willow sighed. Xander put his arm around Buffy. "Hey Buddy! Ready for a day of boring teachers and cafeteria food?" Buffy smiled at him. "Actually Xand, thats exactly what I need." Willow and Xander shared a look and looked back at her quizzically. "OH come on guys. All last year I had to fight demons, one in which being my ex- boyfriend. Right now I need to experience what its like to be a real teenage girl..with vampires on the side." Buffy explained as she took a seat in homeroom. Willow took a seat next to her. "So are we gonna go to the Bronze tonight..Oz is playing." Willow said with a glow on her face. "Sure! Sounds like fun." Buffy agreed. Xander seemed to be staring across the room at Cordelia. Buffy and Willow rolled their eyes. "You'd think she was completley naked the way he's gawking." Willow quipped to Buffy. But the blondes eyes seemed to be fixated at the door. "Buffy? Yoo hoo?" Willow turned her head and saw a gorgeous blond male walk in. Buffy's eyes followed him to his seat. Willow elbowed her friend. "Who's he?" she whispered. "I dont know...but he's really ,really cute." Buffy answered smiling. His eyes met Buffy's for a second and he smiled at her. Buffy nervously turned the other way. "Oh-my-god" she whispered to herself and slouched in her seat.
Buffy tried her best to pay attention the rest of the day but her mind kept drifting back to the guy from homeroom. She met up with Willow at her locker. "Do you know who he is? I mean..you've been here longer than me," Buffy asked. "I told you..I have no idea. Hey why dont you ask him?" Willow suggested. "Uh uh..no way girl. He's to hot to even notice someone like me." "Dont be that way Buffy..your pretty..and.." Xander walked up behind Willow. "Who's pretty?" he asked butting in. "Buffy..she's self conscious about that new kid in homeroom. Do you know him?" "Oh yea..Barry Cox..we go way back old buddies from kindergarten." "Really?!" Buffy exclaimed. "Yeah really..although he might not notice me now..ya know I kinda grew out of the superman overalls phase." "Yeah now he's into superman pajamas." Willow joked. Xander shot her a dirty look. "Their not superman..their snoopy." Buffy rolled her eyes and spotted Barry down the hall. "Ohmigosh there he is!" she whispered. "HEY BARRY! COME OVER HERE! THIS WOMAN THINKS YOUR VERY ATTRACTIVE!" Xander yelled pointing to Buffy. "Xander shut up!" Buffy screamed hitting Xander on the arm with her book. "Buffy he's coming over here.." Willow whispered, giggling as he walked up to stand next to Xander. "Barry..Barry Cox. It's Xander Harris. Remember Ms.Amper's kindergarten class..the sandbox scandal." Xander greeted. "Xander Harris..oh yeah! Third grade too. Your the one who stuck the pin on Mrs.Ashers chair. I thought you looked familiar." Barry said with a smile. "He still remembers..I'm so touched! Anyway me and Bar went to school in Sunnydale before he moved..to wherever you moved to?" Xander joked. "Yeah I moved to Boston...and then I just moved back to finish Senior Year." Barry explained. His eyes seemed to be fixated on Buffy. "Anyway..onto the new and hormonal." Xander said, grinning happily. Buffy glared at him. "I'm gonna kill you..one night in your sleep..a slit throat..or maybe a screwdriver to your temple. Be ready." Buffy threatened, crossing her arms. "With that lovely death threat...let's get you
introduced. This is Buffy Summers, the delinquent...and Willow Rosenberg." Barry shook Willows hand then stopped to smile at Buffy. "Hey I saw you in homeroom right?" Buffy took a breath. "Yeah that was me." They shook hands and Buffy got a closer glimpse at his face. He had baby blue eyes and blond curlish hair. "Well..gosh darn it..look at the time Willow and I have to go..study..ya know." Xander said smiling. "You mean copy right Xander?" Willow joked picking up her book bag. "Nice seeing you Barry." Xander said as he ran off with Willow.
"So Buffy.." "So Barry..Ya know talking used to be so much easier for me.." Buffy joked. Barry laughed, "How bout if we walk home together..that might break the tension." "Sounds good." Buffy said and followed Barry outside. "How do you like Sunnydale so far?" Buffy asked as she slipped on her sunglasses. "It's..interesting. Sorta small." "That pretty much sums up Sunnydale..minus the interesting part. It's small with the exception of a few graveyards and one dance club." "So theres actually a club in this town?" Barry joked, shifting his bag to his other shoulder. "Yeah as shocking as it seems, theres this place called The Bronze. It's in the bad part of town." "If I go..ya know I might need a little help finding it.." Barry said with a smirk. "Oh you might..well I'd be happy to help you." Buffy said trying to mask her nervousness. "So I'll pick you up at 7? Right here?" Barry asked as they approached her house. "Yeah that sounds good. Maybe something exciting in
Sunnydale might happen for once." Buffy said smiling. "Who knows..anythings possible." Barry smiled back. "I'll see you tonight." He said as he walked away. "Yea..tonight."
"I cant believe he asked me out!" Buffy exclaimed, falling back on her bed. "Wasnt your last breathing date with Owen Stadeel?" Willow asked sitting on the floor. "Yeah, that went well. We ended up invading a funeral home and we totally altered Owen's personality from Charles Dickens to Evil Kaneeval." Willow laughed. "Yeah and he wouldnt speak to you for a week. Do you think something undead might pop up tonight?" "I hope not..right now I'm in full see
no evil mode. The only evil I'm facing right now is the lack of clothes in my closet. What do you think I should wear?" Willow shrugged. "How bout this?" Willow suggested holding up a speghetti strap burgundy dress. "Ah good pick." Buffy said grabbing the dress and running into the bathroom to change.
An hour later Buffy came out and spun around. "How do I look?" "Beautiful." Willow commented. The two girls walked downstairs. "Remember..fun!" Willow joked as she walked out the door. Buffy closed the door and leaned against it. "Fun." Buffy jumped as the doorbell rang. "Ohmygod..ok..fun..breathing..and fun." She whispered as she smoothed out her dress. She took one deep breath and opened the door. "Angel?!"
"Hey. Can I come in?" Buffy looked at the clock behind her. "Yeah..sure." she sighed and opened the door further. "So..you're here because? We all know you have the worst timing ever." Angel's eyes ran up and down her dress. "You were going out?" "Yes..and I am still going out." she said through her teeth. "I wanted to see you about the vampire Giles' was researching." "Oh her..whats her name..." "Angela." he answered for her. "Yeah she's the one who annoys the hell out of people when they have other things to be doing." she whispered quietly. Angel looked as if he'd been slapped in the face. "Look Buffy. I know you've been avoiding me and I dont blame you. But we still have to work together." "No we dont Angel. Giles and I do perfectly fine." "Your still mad..thats understandable but I think theres more to this. Are you mad because you gave your virginity to a vampire that turned on you? I've thought alot about that night..and what I said. and -" Buffy's eyes filled with tears as she spun around to face him. "Yeah that may be half of it..because believe me the words you said to me the morning after arent exactly forgivable, and dont give me that 'it wasnt me' crap. Because part of you did feel that way." "Buffy..that night was the best night of my life..but...you cant keep blaming me." "Yeah the hell I cant. Leave Angel. I have a DATE. Yes a date." she already knew what he would say so she quickly added the words that would hurt him the most. "I'm moving on." Angel looked down hurt and walked out the door. Buffy slammed it behind him and slumped down and cried.
A few minutes later there was another knock on the door. *Barry..* she thought to herself as she wiped her eyes with the back of her She sniffled and opened the door. "Hi Barry." she whispered trying to mask the strain of tears in her voice. Barry picked up on her voice and walked closer to her, he saw her tear covered face. "You ok Buffy?" She shook her head. "No I'm not ok." she said, barely audible. He put his arms around her and held her in a tight hug. "It's ok...can you tell me what happened?" he whispered. "I..I just ..," she racked her brain to think of an excusable lie. "had a fight with my mom." Barry guided her over to the couch and sat next to her. "I'm sorry about this. We can still go out." she said, feeling comfort with him next to her. "You sure? I mean we can stay here." he suggested. Buffy smiled. "No..come on I promised to show you The Bronze and I'm a lady of my word." She said as she got up. Barry followed her out the door and walked closely behind her as they headed towards the Bronze.
Angel had been looking on through the window. He felt his heart being crushed as they walked together. The boy she was with seemed to be as happy as he was when he was with her. Angel hung his head and walked solemnly to his apartment.
*I want you now, I'll show you how I can be the man you need me to be I've been around, but now I've found That you're the only one for me*
As Buffy walked she couldnt help but think about Angel. *What exactly did Angel mean by I'm not forgiving him for taking my virginity. Thats the last thing on my mind right now..* "Is this the bronze?" Barry asked, touching her lightly on the elbow to wake her. She jumped slightly. "Oh yeah..sorry I was thinking." "It's ok..if you want to leave I'm sure I can find my way back. You seem a little..distant." "No. Really I'll be fine. Trust me." Buffy smiled and moved a little closer. Barry smiled back and took her hand in his. Buffy sighed quietly and her smile broadened. His hand was warm and firm, a major difference from Angel's usually ice cold fingers. It made her feel safe.
She squeezed his hand and walked to where Willow and Oz were. "Hey guys!" Buffy greeted. *They seem to be really happy together.* Buffy thought looking at the two. "And you are?" Oz asked curiously, looking at Barry. "Oh yeah. Sorry this is Barry Cox..my date." Buffy explained. The two shook hands. "Oz is the drummer of Dingoes Ate My Baby. It's the local Sunnydale band." Willow said, smirking happily. "So this place has a band too. Wow I'm impressed. You guys playing tonight?" Barry asked. "Yeah in a few..." Oz's voice drifted off. "Something wrong?" Buffy asked. Oz's eyes traveled around the room. "Angel's over there..sorry he just kinda makes me on edge. Actually I sorta relate to him..with ya know..my *situation*." Buffy rolled her eyes and looked over to him. "Who's Angel and what situation?" Barry asked. "Well..uh..I suffer from ..lepracy..so does he. It's an on and off thing.." "Oh..lepracy? I'm sorry.." "Yeah it can get pretty bad...but we all have our skin problems." Willow said, hoping to back up Oz's story. "And Angel is some guy... that I know..from..uh ..work." Buffy muttered. "Hold on. He shouldnt take long.." Buffy let go of Barry's hand and walked over to Angel.
"Now what? You havent spoiled my night enough have you?" Buffy asked glaring at him through the darkness of The Bronze. "Gile's called me and said he needed to talk to us." "Great. Perfect. Who was I kidding? I can never have a normal life, or a normal boyfriend!" Angel opened his mouth to respond but Buffy had walked back over to Barry. "Sorry Bar..um..Angel..well I work at..the mall..in Contempo..no not Contempo..in Bakers..the shoe store. And Angel was just explaining to me how he needs some back up. Back up..being me." Barry looked down. "Oh..so what your saying is that your ditching me for him?" "No. It's not like that at all! Barry if I could tell you the half of it I would..but it's just too complicated." "No actually I seem to get it. This is the pity date for the new kid. Look Buffy I dont know if you thought you were being nice..but I dont need artificial friends." Barry got up from the table and stormed out. Buffy watched Barry leave. *I knew it..something's written somewhere that says a slayer can't have a boyfriend.* "Buffy it'll be ok..just explain to him later." Willow comforted. "No it's not gonna be ok...has it ever really been ok? First Owen, now Barry. Whats next huh? Do I even dare to ask.." Buffy shook her head and walked angrily to Angel. "Lets go. Oh, and just to let you know you officially ruined all my chances of having a boyfriend. No matter what form your in, Angel or Angelus you always have a way of screwing up my life. And all I have to say to you is congragulations asshole." "Buffy that was the last thing on my mind..why do you.." "SAVE IT FOR SOMEONE WHO CARES! OR MAYBE FOR SOMEONE WHO HASNT HEARD IT A THOUSAND GOD DAMN TIMES! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" Buffy screeched walking out of the Bronze.
*Say you'll never fall again You won't subject yourself to such pain If you give me half the chance I'll win I'll never leave you standing out in the rain But if you think that I can look in the face And lie right through my teeth Then turn around and walk away But cross my heart girl I care for you*
Buffy and Angel walked silently to the library, both staring at eachother without the other one looking. Buffy walked ahead of him at one point. "Buffy wait. We need to talk." "No we don't." She answered still walking. "Yes..come on." he grabbed her arm and turned her around. She yanked her arm away. "Dont touch me." Buffy ran the rest of the way to the library, Angel trailing far behind.
She saw Gile's hovered over books in his office. "I'm here Giles. What is it?" Buffy took a seat in a chair and looked at her watch, annoyed. "Where's Angel?" Gile's asked, running his hands through his hair. "Somewhere behind me." Seconds later he came trudging through the door. "Sorry..I uh..got lost." Angel whispered standing next to Giles. "Lost? How in the-" Giles started to say. "So what is it Giles? Huh. I mean you call me all the way over here for what?" Gile's cleared his throat. "It's about Angela. I was overlooking the text and came across a watcher diary. Angela was a past slayer...she was turned into a vampire by Spike and was supposed to be sent to take Drusilla's place if anything happened to her. The only thing is she has a tendency to put ultimate torchers on other slayers. Especially ones that destroy her family..like Spike. She's not very strong but she knows how to get someone upset and bothered. Just a word of caution for you." Giles explained. "Gee..sounds vaguely familar." She said glaring at Angel. "Buffy can we just work without fighting?" Angel asked. "No." Buffy answered coldly. Angel ignored her and went on. "So she's gonna try to attack Buffy by killing others?" "No shit sherlock. Where'd you get that idea from? Oh yeah..you tried it once before..on me." "Buffy..thats enough!" Giles scolded. "Listen, I can't take this anymore..it's not fair to me to work with him. It's making my job as a slayer 10 times harder, not to mention you both just killed what could of been the start of my new social life...but no, you both made it clear I cant do anything but slay. Maybe I should of let Angel kill me..it would of been better than this." Buffy screeched running out.
Buffy didnt know where she was going, she just needed to go. She ended up sitting on Ms.Calendar's grave, praying to every possible higher source to make all her problems go away. She knew her life would never be easy but right now she didnt know if she could take it. Buffy could hear rustling behind her. She automatically snapped into fighting mode. "Who's there?" The only response was a cynical laugh. "Guess?" the voice echoed. "I dont like guessing games..their for people who cant face what they're afraid of." "Fine then..we can just get to the killing part if you'd like." "Fine with me..but thats if your ready to face me." Buffy said, her voice filled with anger. Suddenly a female vampire dropped from a tree and kicked the back of Buffy's neck, sending her flying into a gravestone. Buffy shook her head, trying to rid herself of dizziness. *Come on girl...get up* she told herself and struggled to get to her feet. Her fists flung violently at the female vampire, but the cut on her head was draining all her energy. Before she knew what happened the vampire had her on the ground. She bent down towards Buffy's neck and smiled
silently to herself.
Out of no where a dark figure came and pulled the vampire off of Buffy, who was now shaking with fear. The two shadows fought until the female ran away, whimpering. The dark figure knelt down beside her and Buffy could tell who it was. "Angel?" she whispered. "It's me...you ok?" "What do you think?" she answered, getting up. Buffy stumbled back and was stopped by Angels arm around
her shoulder. "Lets get you to my place.." Buffy was to exhausted to protest. She let herself turn vulnerable and rested against Angel until they reached
his apartment.
Angel carefully shifted Buffy to the couch and walked to the refrigerator to get some ice. "Angel..." "Yeah?" "Thanks..you saved my butt back there...I owe you. Well I at least owe you an apology." "Buffy thats not necessary.." "No it is. I was a total jerk. I do have issues left from that whole ordeal with you, but thats no excuse. Losing you was the most tragic thing that has ever happened to me and I dont wish something like that on anyone. But it made me a stronger person. I proved to myself that I could get over anything, no matter how hard it was, or what it put me through. Angel I love you..I never really stopped..but I need time. I need time to heal.." Buffy didnt realize she was crying until she felt Angels arms around her. She turned her head into his shoulder and let out the river of tears that she had refused to cry before.
*I need you so, I can't let go
Gonna be all that I can be I want you still, I always will
'Cause you're the only one for me*