Fic info.
Millenium: Players and Pawns
Some say that were are players.
Some say that we are pawns,
But we've been making money since the day that we were born.
Giles looked down at the chessboard situated in an isolated corner of the living room and wondered why it was here. He knew Buffy didn't play chess, and Joyce didn't strike him as the type.

"God, you're still wearing tweed," a female voice commented from behind him. He whirled around to face Cordelia who had a teasing smile on her face. She looked down at the chess board. "You play?" she asked, taking a seat on the black side of the board. Giles nodded and took a seat opposite her.

"I didn't realize you did though," he replied, moving one of his pawns forward.

"I live with a two hundred year old man; it was either learn chess or how to brood," she shrugged, countering his move.

"If you don't won't to answer, then by all means don't," Giles began, moving another piece. "But why are you at this party? You tried so hard to forget about our little group after Xander...."

"It was either this party or hang around the office listening to Angel wail about his pour tortured soul or beat Doyle with a large stick every time he hit on me," she replied, using one of her pawns to capture his. "And besides, I kinda missed you guys."

"You missed us?" Giles asked, continuing the game.

"Yeah," she replied, countering his move, "Even while I was hanging with Harmony, I missed you guys."

"That is not something I ever expected you to say," he commented.

"Well, don't let it get out, okay?" she asked with a teasing grin. "I'm cultivating the bitch queen look. So how are things on the Hellmouth?"

"Odd, actually. Spike's on our side now," he answered.

"I noticed that. Very much a creep factor."

"Buffy was seeing a young man, Riley Finn, who turned out to be the one who killed Mr. Platt and that other boy."

"Instead of Pete?" Giles nodded. "Uh, always proves that Buffy has a thing for the murdering type. What happened to him?"

"Spike claims that Riley, and I quote, 'Fell into my teeth, he did. Hellmouth fluke, love.'" Giles mimicked. Cordelia laughed out loud, and turned to look up at the room.

"Looks like she and Spike are getting cozy," she commented.

"God, that's the last thing we need. That'll really top off my life!" he exclaimed, watching as she moved her queen forward. "You're good at this," he commented.

"I try," she shrugged, smiling. "Any news from the bitch Slayer?"

"'Bitch Slayer?'"

"Faith," she clarified.

"Oh, no, actually, the last we heard was she was still in a coma at Sunnydale General."

"Still?" she asked, silently counting the months from Graduation to the present time. "Damn," she whispered. as the countdown on TV began.

*10!*

"How are things in LA?"

*9!*

"Boring. Same old demons everyday."

*8!*

"Sounds quite boring."

*7!*

"We found out that LA's the second Hellmouth."

*6!*

"Really? I mean, I knew there were more, but I didn't think there was one so close."

*5!*

"Maybe Hellmouth's just crop up wherever I am. Maybe I'm actually a center for whatever you called it."

*4!*

"Mystical Convergence?"

*3!*

"That's it. Or maybe I'm a Slayer."

*2!*

"Why am I suddenly frightened for the safety of mankind?" Cordelia shot him a mock glare.

*1!*

"Checkmate," she whispered, rising to her feet and stretching across the board to reach her queen. They're eyes met.

* Happy New Year! *

Giles raised a hand and cupped her cheek; he pulled her gently forward until their lips touched. Giles opened his mouth urging Cordelia to do the same. The kiss lasted several seconds, and Cordy noted in the back of her mind that the room was strangely silent.

"Happy New Year," he whispered as the kiss broke. She smiled at him and resumed her seat on the opposite side of the board. He rose to his feet, looking visibly shaken and joined the rest of the group.

"Definitely missed this place," Cordelia muttered before rising as well and joining the group in the middle of the living room.