Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of BTVS.
They belong to Joss Whedon and Co.

Buffy was having a hectic day, it had been raining and
her children had not been able to play outside. She was
giving them lunch and then putting them down for a nap.
There was a knock at the door, she went to answer it with
the baby in tow on her hip.

Cordelia stood at the open door. "Come on in, Cordy" said,
Buffy as she led her to the kitchen. "You look busy"
Cordelia commented as she surveyed the lunch mess in the
kitchen. "Yeah, if you want to wait in the living room,
I'll put these kids down for a nap and we'll talk!" Buffy
started washing faces and led the children upstairs.
"Goodnight Aunt Cordy" said Kendra and Giles as they went
up the stairs.

Cordelia waited in the livingroom, she picked up the wedding
picture off the mantel. Buffy and Xander in her eyes were
the perfect couple with the perfect life. She wanted the
same kind of happiness that they had. She thought that maybe
she had finally found it. She sat the picture down,
as Buffy, entered the room.

The two women sat down, Cordelia started talking. "Buffy, I
need a favor."

"Sure, Cordelia. What do you need?" replied Buffy.

"I've already talked to Willow, she and Oz are meeting me
and someone special for dinner. I want you and Xander there
too. I want you to meet someone, I think I've finally found
him, the perfect man." said Cordelia dreamily.

Buffy smiled at her friend, Cordy had met the perfect man
no less then a dozen times since college. "What is Mr.
Perfects name?" she asked.

"Garrett, Garrett Lindsey, I met him at a cocktail party
that the desing firm was giving. We've been going out for
several months now. I didn't tell you sooner, because you
all think that I go from man to man on a whim. This time
its different."

Buffy tried to look anywhere but at Cordelia. "Uh, we just
worry about you Cordelia. I'll find a babysitter, we will be
there!" Cordelia gave her the details and they said their
goodbyes.

Buffy called Xander at work. Xander picked up the phone, he
still broke out in a smile at the sound of her voice. She
explained about dinner. "Okay, but whos going to babysit?
Both of our Moms are out of town" Xander asked.

"I'll find someone." said Buffy as she said goodbye. She
started dialing numbers with no luck. Even Giles wasn't
around the library today, there was a fieldtrip. She had
one more number to call, this one wouldn't let her down, he
always did what she asked. She dialed Angels number.

"Hello" answered a still sleepy Angel into the phone. He
immediately smiled at the voice on the other end. "Angel,
I know you are still sleeping, but I have a big favor." said
Buffy sweetly.

"Anything for you Buff. What do you need?" he asked her.

"I need a babysitter tonight, could you get here about 6:15?"
she asked.

"How can I turn down a night with the Harris trio of terror?"
he teased her "I'll be there, whats going on?"

She explained about Cordys new man. "I hope he is the
right one" said Angel. "Me too!" agreed Buffy.

Buffy was feeding the children when Xander got home, he
relieved her so she could go get dressed for dinner. He was
giving the baby her bottle when Angel knocked at the door.
"Hey Angel, we are going out in a little while, what can I
do for you?" asked Xander.

"Xander, I'm the babysitter. Didn't Buffy tell you?" said
Angel as he walked into the kitchen. "Uncle Angel, Uncle
Angel" the two oldest children sang out as he came in the
room.

"No she didn't tell me, but I am glad your here. You can
take over, while I go get dressed. Thanks man" he said as,
he handed Alexia to Angel and went upstairs.

"Buffy, the babysitter is here" he said as he entered the
bedroom. She was in a beautiful pale blue skirt and sweater
the skirt was a little longer then she used to wear, to
Xander she was as lovely as ever. "Oh! Angel, I forgot. He
was the only one available. You don't mind do you?" she
asked.

"No, I don't mind" he said as he put his arms around her and
held her close. He got dressed and they went downstairs
In the kitchen Angel was trying to clean up some faces,
Xander laughed and said "By the way there are chocolate
pudding cups for dessert" Buffy looked at him, "Xander you
know what a mess they make with pudding." She glanced at
Angel. "Its okay Buff. I can handle it" Angel said with a
smile.

Buffy and Xander met up with the other couples at the
restaurant. Cordelia introduced them to a beautiful dark
haired man, as they shook hands Buffy noticed a small half
moon shaped birthmark on the top of his left hand. He seemed
very charming, but she thought she felt something there. "I'm
being silly" she thought. She and Willow had excused
themselves to go to the ladies room.

"He's very nice." said Willow. "Yes, he does seem very nice"
agreed Buffy.

"And did you notice she hangs on his every word and really
pays attention when he speaks. Maybe this is the real thing?
Its time for her to settle down." said Willow. Buffy smiled
at her Willow was an angel, she assumed everyone should be
as happy as she and Oz. Buffy considered Willow and Oz the
perfect couple. "I hope shes happy" said Buffy.

The three couples ate their meal and enjoyed each others
company. Cordelia and Garrett excused themselves to leave
first. The other two couples followed shortly, Willow hugged
Buffy goodbye. They all left for home.

Angel was waiting for them in the rocking chair. Alexia was
asleep in his arms. Giles and Kendra were upstairs sleeping.
"They were all good, even after the pudding" Angel said
looking at Xander."How is everyone? Whats Cordelias new guy
like?" he asked them.

Buffy took the sleeping baby from him and went upstairs.
Xander started telling Angel about Garrett. Angel had a
strange look on his face "Garrett Lindsey, are you sure
that is his name?" Xander nodded yes. "Does he have very
dark hair, and a birthmark in the shape of..." Angel didn't
get to finish his sentence. Buffy had overheard him coming
down the stairs "A birthmark shaped like a half moon on his
left hand?" she finished for him."Why do you ask?"

Angel looked at her with regret on his face. "I don't know
how to say this except hes a vampire. He is a good one as
far as vampires go, his soul was restored but I'm not sure
how. Do you think Cordelia knows?"

"Of course, she doesn't know" shouted Buffy as she went
out the door. Angel started after her. Xander put his hand
on his arm to stop him. "Don't. I've been married to her for
eight years, let her go." he said in a serious tone."She'll
be okay."

"Are you sure?" Angel asked as he got ready to leave. Xander
nodded "Thanks for keeping the kids tonight. Don't worry
about Buffy." Angel left and started off in the direction
of Cordelias apartment. He didn't think Buffy was okay. He
got to the door and could here the conversation inside.

Cordelia had just let Buffy in, she had been visibly upset.
"Whats wrong? Are the kids okay?" Coredelia had asked. "They
are fine, Cordelia, Garrett is a vampire. I hate to be the
one to tell you, but he is Angel says so." The words came
out before she could think about what she was saying.

Cordelia stared hard at Buffy "What? Are you nuts? Angel
says so it has to be true?" Buffy looked at her and quietly
said "Its true Cordelia"

"I think I love him Buffy, what am I going to do?" Cordelia,
said in an almost whisper. "You have to let him go, it won't
work. Trust me I know" said Buffy with a hint of sadness in
her voice.

Angel remained outside listening to the conversation. Garrett
entered the room with the two women. "Cordelia, shes telling
the truth, I am a vampire. But I don't just think, I know I
love you! And I have to disagree, I think we can make it
work!" he said somberly.

Cordelia smiled at him she was confused some, but one thing
was clear in her mind clearer then it had ever been, she
loved him. Before she knew it the words were out "Buffy, I
don't care, do you hear me? I don't care, I love him!" she
went to stand by Garrett and slightly hesitantly took his
hand.

"Cordelia, you can't do this? You'll never be happy" sighed
Buffy. "How do you know that?" replied Cordelia. She thought
for a moment and then spoke "Because I love, I, um, loved
Angel and look what happened?"

"You "love" Angel? Isn't that what you just said, you
changed it to loved. Does Xander know he has competition? And
I thought you were the perfect couple" Cordelia laughed, that
horrible laugh from high school. It made Buffy cringe then
and now. "You know I love Xander. I care for you Cordelia
I don't want you hurt."replied Buffy.

"Do you want me away from Garrett, because your my friend
or because you couldn't have your vampire, so I shouldn't
have mine?" asked Cordelia.

Garrett stood with Cordelias hand in his not knowing what
to say. He loved her but didn't want to break up her
friendship. He knew she would later resent that. Meanwhile
outside the door Angel couldn't help but smile. Buffy
even though it didn't change anything. She still had a family
with Xander. But she loved him.

"Cordy that is so unfair. You are my friend. Please think
about what you are doing. Please!" asked Buffy in a soft
voice.

"You should leave now Buffy. Now!" said Cordelia in a sad
voice.

Buffy turned to her and said "Goodbye" in a quiet small
voice. She opened the door to find Angel starting to knock.
"Why are you here?" she asked tiredly. "I had to come, Xander
said you would be okay. But I wanted to check" Angel replied.

"Xander was right, you shouldn't have come." said Buffy
sadly.

"I take it, it didn't go well" he asked her concerned.

"Great understatement, Angel. I've lost a friend" Buffy
said tearfully.

He walked her to her car. "Get in and I'll give you a ride,
the streets of Sunnydale aren't safe you know." she said
trying to smile.

"Okay" he climbed in. "Buffy, I have to confess I heard
part of the conversation. Buffy...I lov.." Buffy stopped the
car and put one finger on his lips. "Angel, don't, don't
say it out loud. If you say it, it changes everything. We
can't be friends anymore. I know, just don't say it, okay?"
she asked in a soft voice.

"Okay, Buffy. I am your friend, I want to stay that way."
said Angel sadly. She smiled at him "Angel, thanks" she
told him as he got out of the car. "I think I need to walk
the rest of the way. I'll see you soon" he said sadly.

Buffy got out of the car at her house. Xander was waiting up
for her. He met her at the door and hugged her close to him
"Well?" he asked already knowing it wasn't good. She
explained the whole mess to him. He took her upstairs, and
held her close all night, wiped away her tears and did what
he did best, he simply listened and loved her.

Buffy took the kids grocery shopping the next morning. When
she got home there was a message on the machine. It was from
Cordelia. "Buffy, its me. I am sorry for all the awful
things I said last night. I know you care, I've been doing
some thinking, maybe there is no such thing as a perfect
couple. Maybe we are all struggling one way or another. I
do know that I love him. And I love you, your my friend.
Pleaase forgive me, I'll talk to you soon. Bye"

Buffy smiled when she heard the message. She felt relieved
maybe Cordelia was going to be okay. She couldn't judge
everyones life by hers. And hers wasn't bad, she had a
husband who she loved and who loved her. And she had this
vampire who she loved and who loved her, her life wasn't
the least bit complicated! She picked up the phone to call
Xander to tell him the good news and that she loved him.

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