By Felicity
What do you think of my pic? I was just bored so I thought I'd make it...
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story; the ones from Buffy belong to Joss Whedon and the WB and Fox and so forth, and I don't know who the Cruel Intentions ones belong to, but not me so don't sue! I'm just playing with them for a little while...like Kathryn with everyone she's ever met, except nicer.
Author's Note: This is (kinda obviously) and Buffy/Cruel Intentions crossover. You probably don't have to have seen the movie to understand this, since the events in this story take place months before and have nothing to do with it, you might just understand the characters better if you saw the movie. And yes, the fact that Buffy and Kathryn look exactly alike but for hair color is going to be part of the story. This takes place right after "Bewitched, Bewildered and Bothered" in the Buffyworld and since Cruel Intentions the movie takes place at the end of the summer, this is right before that summer begins...everyone got that? I love comments, email me!
********************
Part 1
"Giles, I’m warning you now; Slaying better be at a lull for a while,"
Buffy announced, walking into the library. Her Watcher blinked in suprise.
"I can’t really . . . can’t really control that Buffy," he pointed out.
"Well my cousin’s coming to visit for some odd reason and her stepbrother’s
coming too, and they’re going to think it rather odd if I’m out walking around in
graveyards at late hours," Buffy explained.
"They might also think it odd if Angelus leaves a dead body on your doorstep,"
Giles said gently. Buffy stopped and swallowed.
"Well I can see your point," she said slowly, trying to turn it into a
joke.
"Hey Buffster!" Xander’s voice exclaimed cheerfully. "What’s the up?
Any evil prophecies to combat? Cause I’m in a prophecy mood myself!"
"Xander, do you have to be a freak?" Cordelia asked. "Is it
like, genetic?"
"You haven’t met his parents," Willow said.
"I resent that comment! I think." Buffy stifled a smile.
"Okay guys, no evil prophecies, sorry Xander, but we do have visitors. Or will
have visitors."
"Visitors?" Willow asked.
"This could be promising," Oz murmured.
"Cousins," Buffy said. "Kathryn Mertueil and her stepbrother Sebastien
Valmont. I haven’t met Sebastien and I haven’t seen Kathryn for ages. She’s . . .
interesting."
"Wait, Kathryn Mertueil? Of New York?" Cordelia demanded. Buffy blinked.
"Yeah. How’d you know that?"
"She’s only like the role model of the entire country!" Cordelia exclaimed.
"She’s your cousin?"
"Don’t sound so suprised!" Buffy muttered. "And Kathryn’s the
country’s role model?"
"What’a wrong with that?" Willow asked.
"She just . . . I don’t know. I can’t explain it. I always get this weird vibe
from her," Buffy explained. "It’s probably nothing really."
"I’m gonna make a guess and say she’s way rich," Xander said. Buffy made
a face.
"Good guess."
"So how are you related to her? Is there something you’re not telling us Buff?"
Xander inquired. Buffy laughed.
"I wish! We’re cousins on her mom’s side and her mom married into money–we’re
talking major money. Like the Donald Trump kind. Except not Donald Trump.
She got half when they divorced. And that’s a pretty penny. And then her new hubby’s
about as rich," Buffy explained. Xander whistled.
"Don’t ya love divorce settlements?" he asked.
"Excuse me, are we going to just stand around discussing this for a while?"
Giles asked. "Because there is actual work to be done."
"Work?" Buffy asked.
"Why do I hang out with you people?" Cordelia asked. "Who works at
lunch? It’s lunch."
"Time for food," Xander said, an inspired gleam coming into his eyes.
"No dunce! Time for make-up touch-ups!" Cordelia exclaimed.
The scary thing was, she wasn’t kidding.
Buffy sighed and jumped up and down a little to start loosening herself up. She wondered
again why this Sebastien was coming with Kathryn, and what he would be like.
Her mother had been a little over-enthusiastic about the whole thing. They only had
one extra bedroom, so Kathryn had to stay in hers . . . something she was really
not looking forward to, and somehow, thinking of her spoiled cousin, she doubted
she was either . . .
********************
"Tell me again why I agreed to come with you?" Sebastien Valmont asked,
sipping the cocktail the first class stewardess had provided.
"Because, brother dearest, we’ll have a whole town to play with," Kathryn
Mertuil purred, tucking a strand of chestnut hair back. "And you must meet dear
Buffy."
"What kind of a name is Buffy anyway?" Sebastien asked. "It’s so,
so . . ."
"So L.A. It’s short for Elizabeth," Kathryn replied. "I’ve told you
this already."
"Yes well, I still don’t understand the sudden whim to visit a cousin you haven’t
seen in years and obviously dislike." Kathryn laughed softly, her green eyes
gleaming.
"I don’t dislike her! Au contraire. There’s something rather appealing about
her. She’s so fresh and innocent. Of course, last time I saw her she was also a valley
girl, but I believe she grew out of that. She may have grown out of the innocence
as well–she was expelled from her last school." Sebastien’s eyebrows arched
elegantly.
"Indeed? Quite a piece of work. I see why you’re curious about her," he
murmured.
"Besides, I get to miss school. Well, I suppose we have to go to this Sunnydale
High, but I’m sure it’s a joke of a school. And that’s always a plus after all,"
Kathryn replied. "Isn’t that why you’re along?" Sebastien shrugged.
"Sweet sis, it’s more than that. I haven’t been to California in ages. My journal
needs updating." A flash of something came across Kathryn’s eyes and vanished
at once. Sebasiten smiled. "Still jealous?"
"Never," she snapped. He only laughed, and gestured to the stewardess to
bring his stepsister a drink.
**********************
"Thanks for coming you guys," Buffy said. "Not really looking forward
to this one." Her mother hadn’t been able to get away from the gallery, so she’d
sent Buffy to meet Kathryn and Sebastien at the airport. Her friends had opted to
come along as well, except for Xander who had regretfully been grounded. Buffy didn't
really get why, since he spent as many nights out as he did at home . . . more probably,
and he'd never gotten iun trouble before, but oh well . . .
"Of course! Is Kathryn smart?" Willow asked.
"She gets like straight As," Buffy replied. "I think."
"You guys seem like a really close knit family," Cordelia put in. Buffy
frowned.
"Well I haven’t seen her in y–" she broke off in the middle of her sentence
and stared. Because emerging from the terminal in a low cut, slim black dress and
black heels was Buffy. With dark hair.
"I’m guessing that would be Kathryn," Willow breathed, her eyes riveted
to the newcomer.
"I hope so, or that’d be just way too weird!" Cordelia exclaimed. Beside
her walked a young man about their age with tightly curled dark blond hair. A gorgeous
young man. Buffy took a deep breath and stepped forward, smiling and waving slightly
to catch their attention. Kathryn saw her and stopped. A second later so did Sebastien,
who stared with intense dark eyes. Kathryn summoned a charming smile and walked over
to Buffy, embracing her and kissing her cheek softly.
"Buffy! It’s been ages!" Kathryn exclaimed. Buffy smiled, still in shock
at the resemblance.
"Yes it has. Welcome to Sunnydale," she said. She turned to greet the young
man, smiling brightly. "You must be Sebastien. Buffy Summers. Nice to meet you,"
Buffy said, holding out her hand. He shook it, his palm slightly carressing against
hers. She pulled her hand away, losing her smile for a second, then summoning it
back. She turned to her friends. "This is Willow Rosenburg, Cordelia Chase–"
"I’ve heard so much about you," Cordelia said to Kathryn, interupting.
Kathryn smiled charmingly and Buffy went on.
"–And Oz, our local band-man" Kathryn and Sebastien exchanged a little
glance and Buffy appealed to her friends with her eyes.
"Why don’t we go pick up your bags?" Willow suggested.
"Excellent idea," Sebastien said, a smile on his sculpted lips. "Shall
we?" he asked, extending his arm to Buffy. Wondering what was up with him, she
took the offered arm.
"The baggage claim is that way," Oz pointed out and they set off, Cordelia
beginning to drill Kathryn on New York. Buffy glanced up at Sebastien and smiled
slightly. He looked . . . serious. Gorgeous, but serious. And she’d had enough of
serious guys for a lifetime. Come to think of it, she’d had enough of guys
for a lifetime. Relationships were things of the past. Before Angel. With Angel,
it had been love, not dating. And now there was Angelus, and guys were absolutely
the last thing on her mind. Buffy closed her eyes momentarily and prayed he wouldn’t
decide to try anything while her cousin was there . . .
*******************
Part 2
"So what do you do for fun around here?" Kathryn asked, lounging on
Buffy’s bed.
"Did I mention how dull Sunnydale is?" Buffy asked. Her cousin smiled.
"There's one club. It’s kind of almost cool. Besides that . . . I think there’s
one Starbucks, one other cafe, and an ice cream parlor. Oh, and twelve graveyards."
"Twelve?" Sebastien repeated.
"We have a lot of crime around here. That’s the other thing . . . I would stay
off the streets at night unless you’re with me or another of my friends. There’s
all these gangs . . . these gangs on PCP . . . you have to be careful."
"I think Sunnydale’s a bit safer than New York," Kathryn said, amused condesencion
in her voice.
"You have no idea. Just be careful," Buffy repeated. "So you guys
up for the nightclub or is it jetlag city?"
"I could use some dark places," Kathryn said. "Brother dearest?"
"I’m in," Sebastien agreed. Buffy smiled.
"Great. If you’ll excuse us Sebastien, I have to change," she said. He
rose from his chair and bowed gracefully.
"As you wish," he murmured. "Kathryn." His stepsister nodded
to him as he left, closing the door behind him. Buffy walked over to her closet and
opened it. Behind her she heard her cousin getting slowly off the bed.
"So what do you think of Sebastien?" Kathryn asked, walking over to one
of her suitcases and popping it open.
"He seems nice," Buffy said. "And quite . . . what’s the word I’m
looking for?" Kathryn laughed deeply.
"I know what you mean," she said.
"But he’s your brother!" Buffy exclaimed.
"Stepbrother. And I can look, can’t I?" Kathryn inquired. Buffy smiled.
"Of course. I was just saying . . . mmm . . . what to wear?" Kathryn came
up beside her and peered over her shoulder.
"The blue dress with your hair up. I’ve always liked blond hair," she murmured.
"Well it’s a good that something’s different at least. Did we used
to look this twin-like?" Buffy asked, taking the blue dress out of the closet.
"I don’t know. I never remarked on it," Kathryn murmured, pulling a different
black dress from her suitcase. This one was strapless, with silver flowers hand-embroidered
on.
"Is there anyone I should watch out for around here? Any men I should be careful
of?" Kathryn asked in a bored tone as she shed her clothes. Buffy averted her
eyes, but not before catching a climpse of black teddy. She blinked and turned away.
"There is one guy actually. If he even talks to you, come get me right
away. His name’s Angel and he’s got the tall dark and handsome thing going,"
Buffy said, silently praying Kathryn would never meet her ex-beau. If anything happened
to her cousin while out with Buffy, Joyce would never forgive her. And that
was assuming she’d forgive herself . . .
********************
"It’s quite . . . adorable. Really," Kathryn said, her eyes sweeping over
the Bronze. "Is that your friend on stage? Oz, was it?"
"Yeah, he’s the lead guitar in ‘Dingoes Ate My Baby’," Buffy explained.
"Oh, there’s Willow. And oh goody, Cordelia."
"You’re not fond of Cordelia?" Sebastien asked as they made their way through
the crowd.
"It’s not that she doesn’t have her good points . . . I’m just not entirely
sure what they are," Buffy said, frowning. Kathryn laughed and Sebastien smiled
a little. Another thing that reminded her of Angel–those little half smiles. Time
to stop thinking about Angel. Definitely time to stop thinking about Angel.
"Hey! It’s the twins!" Willow cried, spotting them approaching. Kathryn
laid her jacket over one chair and slid into a seat. Buffy had been suprised when
she covered her low cut tube dress demurely before leaving the house, but had since
realized it was just for Joyce’s benefit. It had worked too . . . Joyce had asked
Buffy why she didn’t dress as nicely as her cousin.
"We’re not twins Will," Buffy said, sitting down as well.
"Sorry, I was just kidding." Buffy shrugged.
"It's fine."
"Did you see Oz?" Willow asked. "It’s my boyfriend. In the band."
"Willow gets a little excited about these things," Buffy said, laughing.
Kathryn smiled graciously.
"Well, it’s an exciting thing," she said. Willow grinned and turned her
attention back to the stage.
"So Buffy, I hear you used to live in L.A." She glanced sharply at Sebastien,
wondering why he asked.
"Yeah, we moved here during sophomore year," she said.
"Why’d you leave L.A.?" he inquired. Buffy stiffened and Kathryn gave him
a quelling look. "What?" he asked her innocently.
"Sebastien!" she hissed, then smiled at Buffy. "You must forgive him.
He sometimes lacks . . . tact."
"It’s all right. My parents divorced and I . . . I was expelled from my old
high school. It was a big mess up though. I didn’t really do anything! It was rats."
"Rats?" Kathryn echoed. Buffy nodded nervously.
"They, um, made the gym susceptible to fire . . . it burned down . . . but I
had nothing to do with it and I don’t know why they thought I did so–"
"It’s all right," Sebastien assured her, putting his hand over her nervously
tapping one. "We’ve all done things we’re not proud of." You have no
idea, Buffy thought, her mind going to the equally dark eyes of the man that
she had loved and destroyed. The man she was supposed to kill. The band started a
new song. "Would you like to dance?" he asked. Buffy blinked and nodded
automatically, then cursed herself for stupidity. What was done was done though and
she couldn’t go back.
"Sure," she said, standing up. He took her hand and shot an oblique look
at his stepsister before leading Buffy out onto the dance floor.
*******************
Sebastien Valmont could not figure Buffy Summers out. Most people were easy; he’d
been suprised in the past, but he usually at least had some idea of a person’s
true character. And Buffy he could not pin down.
It was mostly her astounding resemblance to Kathryn, he admitted that. Part of him
suspected that beneath the innocent facade, she was like her cousin in other ways.
But the clues weren’t there. She wasn’t perfect, as Kathryn seemed to be, she admitted
her flaws, even if they were few, which pointed to her not hiding larger ones. But
there was something hidden in her hazel eyes. Something he could not pinpoint . .
. every once in a while she would get the oddest look, like when he’d said everyone
did things they weren’t proud of. She was hiding something, that was certain. What,
he couldn’t figure out, and it was infuriating.
They really were too alike for comfort. Except for hair color, and some difference
in clothing styles, they could have been . . . each other. Were their personalities
as alike?
Buffy even wore a silver cross, though it was very different from Kathryn’s ornate
coke holder. Her cousin’s was much simpler, and flat, unable to hold anything.
"Are you religious?" he asked. She looked startled and opened her mouth
to answer, then stopped, her hand going to the cross.
"Yes," she said. "Well, I raised Catholic, but I don’t go to church
that much. Sometimes I still go to confession. A friend gave me this."
"Ah," Sebsatien murmured. "Anyone I’ve met?"
"No, we’re not really friends anymore," Buffy replied, her eyes getting
that dark, hidden look again. She sighed and her eyes returned to him. "I wear
it for memories sake, y’ know?" Sebastien nodded, though he didn’t especially.
"The song’s over," Buffy said, stopping. A slow song began to play.
"Come on, just one more," Sebastien asked. She bit her lip, but shrugged
and they began to dance once more.
********************
Kathryn sighed, bored and glanced around the crowded club. Pathetic. A gust of cold
air blew into the room and she shivered, looking up at the door. And stopped. Because
the most gorgeous man she’d seen in ages was walking in. And he perfectly fit Buffy’s
description of the man she should stay away from.
She made an excuse of getting fresh air and left the table, walking quickly over
to the man before he could find whoever he was looking for. Kathryn pulled her silver
cross off and dropped it on the floor, right beside his foot. He looked down, but
didn’t bend to pick it up. Kathryn sighed and did it herself, coming up to look him
straight in the face. He looked startled.
"You know, it’s very rude not to help a lady by picking something up,"
Kathryn murmured. He smiled, sending a shiver through her. There was something cruel
about his smile . . . recklessly, she decided she didn’t care and stayed right where
she was.
"Buffy. You changed your hair. It’s not very nice to try and burn an old friend
either," he said. Kathryn’s mouth curved in her own rather cruel smile. He thought
she was Buffy. This should be fun.
"I didn’t try and burn you Angel," she purred. "I was just saying
hello."
"I was under the impression we weren’t on friendly terms anymore. I mean, I
didn’t get you a Valentine. I know you were devastated."
"Heartbroken. And why didn’t you get me a Valentine?"
"Oh I tried. I almost got you that friend of yours, but Dru . . . I really did
a good job, you know? She’s very insane." Kathryn laughed softly, wondering
who this "Dru" was. Kathryn glanced up and saw Buffy and Sebastien separating
as the song ended. She put her hand on Angel’s arm.
"You want to go somewhere more . . . private?" she asked, arching her brows
suggestively. He laughed.
"I knew you’d come around Buff. And don’t worry, you’ll improve with practice,"
he mocked. Kathryn looked up and saw Buffy, who had apparently just spotted Angel.
She gasped and pretended to cower from the stranger, just as Buffy grabbed his arm
and spun him around.
"Angel. So nice to see you. Do you have some kind of death wish?" Buffy
asked sweetly. Kathryn blinked, then reverted to her frightened act. She looked up
and met Sebastien’s eyes–he was laughing silently, knowing exactly what was really
going on. This Angel, apparently did not.
"Oh, this is what I really need," he muttered. "Two of you. Don’t
tell me you have a long lost twin sister. I’d have to die of the corniness."
"And how sad that would be. She’s my cousin, and if you come near her again–"
Angel cut off the young woman with a mocking smile.
"I know, I know. No need to go into detail. That can wait for when we’re alone
. . . and you can’t kill me. Again."
"It’ll come," Buffy promised, her eyes hard. "Watch your back, because
it’ll come." He laughed.
"Right. I’m scared. Well, it’s getting late, Dru will be worried," Angel
said.
"Wouldn’t want to keep little miss insane asylum waiting," Buffy agreed.
"Or even Peroxide Boy." Angel grabbed her hand and kissed it, then inclined
his head to Kathryn, his dark eyes glinting dangerously.
"Parting is such sweet sorrow . . ."
"That you better get the hell out of here before I get angry," Buffy interupted.
He bowed mockingly and was suddenly . . . gone. Just like that. Gone. Buffy sighed,
losing the fire that had possessed her a moment before and walked over to her cousin.
"Are you okay?" she asked. "I told you to come get me if you ran into
him."
"I tried!" Kathryn exclaimed. "I was going to the bathroom, and I
ran into him and he thought you were me. It was horrible! He kept saying the worst
things!" She clutched her silver cross, secretly wondering how soon she could
get away to the bathroom and use its secret hoard.
********************
"What was that man like, the one Buffy didn’t like?" Sebastien inquired.
Kathryn was lounging on the bed he was sleeping on while he changed into pajamas.
"He talked as if they were dating. Apologized for not getting her a Valentine.
I think they were and little miss goody-two-shoes decided she wasn’t fond
of him anymore," Kathryn mused, letting the slit of her dress fall open up to
her thighs and running a hand over one.
"She seemed a bit angry," Sebastien pointed out. Just a little bit of an
understatement. She had seemed livid.
"They had a spat. Maybe he wanted to go all the way and she didn’t . . . or
maybe they did and she turned into a prude," Kathryn murmured, her attention
focused on Sebastien’s eyes on her creamy thighs.
"Could be," he agreed, settling on the bed beside her. "You liked
him."
"He was . . . different," Kathryn admitted.
"And you wouldn’t mind seeing Buffy’s reaction when you show up on the arm and
the tongue of her sweet ex whom she loves so dearly." Kathryn nearly purred,
leaning forward until she was centimeters from him.
"You know she too well," she whispered, then was off the bed suddenly,
straightening out her dress. "Good night," she said. "Sleep well.
Don’t let the bedbugs bite."
"I wouldn’t dream of it," Sebastien murmured as she stole out the door,
casting an oblique glance at him as she left.