Real Estate
(or, "A Unique Fixer Upper")
by Cynamin and NutMeg

The road into Sunnydale
The perfect vacation spot...
...if your lifestyle choices are demonic

"I *never* thought I'd be glad to see that sign again," Cordelia said with a sigh as they passed the "Welcome to Sunnydale" sign.

"I honestly never thought I'd see it again," Wesley replied.

Angel didn't say anything.

"Angel?" Cordelia prompted, eager to hear his own thoughts on the subject.

He didn't say anything for another long moment. "What am I doing here?" he asked finally. He looked, and sounded, very nervous.

"You're leading this little expedition," Cordelia pointed out. "So keep driving, brood boy!"

Angel gave her a withering look, but quickly averted his eyes back to the road. They didn't need to crash on top of everything else that had happened on this little adventure. He hoped Giles would have some answers by the time they arrived.

The town looked just like it had when Angel had last been there, and in his heart he still knew every corner and shrub. It was only a few minutes later when they pulled up outside the former-Watcher's home. There was a small light on in the downstairs window, telling the LA group that someone was awake, but that the whole gang was *not* inside.

Angel pulled his car into the driveway, feeling even more nervous as he went to get out. He'd almost forgotten what it was like last time he returned to Sunnydale. Like then, he was standing outside the ex-Watcher's house, knowing something was going on but not quite sure what. Unlike then, he promised himself he wasn't going to lurk like last time. Well, not *too* much... he might just stand here for a minute...make sure he was welcome...

Cordelia shot him a look and brushed past him. Before Angel could stop her, she was knocking firmly on Giles' door.

The door creaked open and a tired but dressed Giles opened the door. His eyebrows shot up when he saw who was standing at the door. "He..hello. What an...unexpected surprise. Do come in," he said, a little dazed. "I was just making myself a cup of tea. Would you like some?"

"I would please," Wesley said. The others politely declined. When they were all sitting down, Cordelia and Wesley on the couch and Angel and Giles in chairs, things became awkwardly silent.

"Surprise!" Cordelia smiled, shrugging at Giles.

"That is an understatement," the ex-librarian replied. "Would you all mind telling me what you're doing here? And at three in the morning!"

"We've been visited by a goddess," Angel said straight out. "She wears black, likes to appear when you're the least decent, and warned us *not* to come to Sunnydale. But you know that much already. We decided we'd come see what was really going on. We weren't getting anywhere in LA."

Giles leaned back in his chair for a moment in thought. "So you want to know what's going on in Sunnydale?"

"Yes," Angel replied. "I want to know why she didn't want me here."

"And you couldn't have done this over the phone?"

Angel looked a bit sheepish, and Cordelia gave him an odd smile. "He doesn't like using the phone. I think it has something to with being around before they were invented."

Angel shrugged. "Listen...I'm sorry we disturbed you so early in the morning. And I should have called. But since you're awake anyway, I assume that something *is* going on?"

"Well, yes, as usual," Giles replied, straightening his glasses and sipping his tea. "The other two goddesses are out right now with the others hunting down Adam and the Initiative." He briefly explained both of them to the others, leaving out mention of Riley. Now was not the time for that. "Anyway, the campus lights are out, everything is chaos, and I'm waiting for them to return, which should be shortly."

Angel was quiet for a moment, thinking. So much for things being quiet in Sunnydale. "Should I go help?" he wondered aloud.

"That might not be the best idea," Giles said shortly. "The Initiative is out there tonight as well. You don't want them mistaking you for..."

He left the sentence hanging, but Angel could figure out well enough what he meant. "A vampire?"

"Yes...well..."

"I can't just sit around and do nothing, Giles!"

"You can stay here and look through these books," he replied. "I'm trying to figure out what was done to create Adam. Maybe there's something we can do to stop him."

Angel looked dubious, but he agreed. "Fine, but Cordelia and Wesley are going out to find them. They can be of help."

"Ummm...is this a *big* demon?" Cordelia asked.

"No, he's itsy-bitsy," Giles said sarcastically. "Yes, he's rather large."

"Great!" she through up her hands. "Why can't we ever get a little demon?"

*You should have been here for Halloween,* Giles thought to himself. "Well, I need to get something from the magic shoppe. It's open all night now. So I'll point you in the direction of campus," he said as he escorted Wesley and Cordelia out the door.

Angel found himself left alone in the house with a pile of books. Going to the fridge he found -much to his surprise- a pint of blood. Then he remembered hearing something about Spike being more helpful of late and shrugged, poured it into a mug, and put it in the microwave. When it was done he took it out and tasted it. *Not bad.* He was just sitting down to the books when the doorbell rang. *Who could that be?* Thinking it might be Buffy and the gang made him nervous. Could he face her? But he knew he had no choice in the matter. He had to answer the door.

Still holding his mug, Angel crossed the room and turned the handle.

"Mr. Giles, I need to--" the other person stopped and stared at Angel. He was tall, blonde, and muscular. And he did *not* look happy to see Angel there instead of Giles.

"Who are you?" Angel asked. "And where's Buffy?" He couldn't imagine why this guy would be at Giles' door so early in the morning unless he had something to do with the gang.

The boy looked instantly wary. "Where's Mr. Giles?" he demanded, pushing his way into the apartment.

Angel stared at the boy intently. Vaguely, he remembered seeing him before...with Buffy. This wasn't making him feel any better about this visit. "He had something to do...and I do believe I asked you first. Who are you and where is Buffy?" He barely managed to suppress a frustrated growl.

"I'm Riley Finn and I don't know where Buffy is," he replied shortly. 'And you are?"

"Angel."

Riley looked at him very oddly. "Just Angel?" He sounded suspicious.

"Just Angel."

"What are you doing here? And how do you know Buffy?" he asked sharply.

Angel wasn't sure he liked where this track of conversation was going. "I'm here to find out what's going on. Giles went to run an errand and should be back soon. You can come in and wait if you want."

Riley was about to answer, but then he saw the mug in Angel's hand.

Angel saw Riley's gaze and silently cursed. This could *not* look good.

"I don't suppose you'd believe it was tomato soup?" Angel joked weakly.

Riley glared at him coldly. "Not a chance, vampire," he said. To Angel's surprise he pulled out a weapon and aimed it squarely at his chest. "What have you done with Mr. Giles?"

Angel sighed. *Great, he knows about vampires. Though obviously not enough to keep a stake on him.* "I told you, he's out running an errand at the magic shop." He very pointedly did *not* take a step in any direction. Instead he relaxed his muscles and stood easily. "You can put that down you know. If I *wanted* to hurt you you'd be dead already."

Riley did not lower the weapon. 'I hope you'll forgive me if I don't take your word on that," he said sarcastically. He kept his weapon aimed at Angel. "You...stay there. I'm...going to check the house for dead bodies."

"Go right ahead," Angel replied, trying not to smirk, and stepping out of his way.

Eyeing Angel all the while, Riley searched the place from top to bottom and, just as the vampire had known would happen, he found nothing. He looked at Angel. "Where'd you get the blood?"

"In the fridge," he motioned towards the kitchen and took a sip from his mug.

Riley looked disgusted. "Mr. Giles keeps blood in the fridge?"

"Sure he does," Angel smiled calmly. He still wanted to know how this guy knew Giles, and Buffy. And it was sadistically fun to keep the college boy off guard.

"You lie," Riley said. "Why would he keep blood in the fridge?"

"For visitors," Angel replied, and this time he did smirk. "You could ask him yourself when he gets back."

Riley still looked doubtful.

"Sit down," Angel encouraged. "I promise I'm not going anywhere."

"I think I'll stand," the blonde guy replied, leaning against the kitchen counter and *not* managing to look very calm. "Wanna tell me why you're really here?"

This was going to be a *long* few minutes. "I told you. I talked with Giles the other day when some weird things started to happen. So I and my crew came down to check it out."

Riley seemed to pale at that. "Your...crew?"

Angel tried not to laugh outright at the look on his face. The boy obviously thought the place was about to be invaded. Never mind that the image of Cordelia and Wesley invading anywhere was perposterous. Well, unless it was a shopping mall in Cordelia's case. He managed to keep his laughter contained, but just barely. "Yes. My friends. Perhaps Buffy's mentioned Cordelia? They went to school together." He doubted it, but it was worth a shot.

"Oh, well I've heard of her. But she's never mentioned *you,*" he said suspiciously. "Buffy doesn't talk about her past much. But she talks about her friends. What does that make you?"

Angel just smirked at him. He *really* didn't like this boy. "What do you think?" he said pointedly.

Riley paused for a moment. This vampire couldn't really mean what he was insinuating. There was no way Buffy was into that kind of thing! Not with a demon. "I don't believe you."

"I didn't say anything," Angel replied. *What a twit.* "So what's not to believe?"

Riley tried to stare him down, but Angel just returned the look, amused. *You think you're really tough, don't you?*

"You don't... You can't expect me to believe that you and Buffy were...involved..." Riley seemed to choke on the words.

Angel sighed inwardly. He really hadn't wanted to go there, but...*You asked for it.* "You could say that. We were...for three years."

Riley's face contorted into one of pure disgust. "I won't believe that about Buffy! She's such a sweet, innocent thing! She would never have...been involved...with a monster!"

Angel growled at him, not even trying to hide it anymore. "Watch it, boy," he said angrily, emphasizing *boy.* "I may have said I don't want to hurt you, but that doesn't mean I can't." He returned Riley disgusted look with one of his own. "You kiss Buffy with that mouth?"

Riley stared back, indignant and insulted. "Better me than you, beast. At least I'm not going to suck her blood! I saw the scar on her neck. That was you wasn't it? She'd never let a Vampire close enough to do that kind of damage."

This time Angel had enough. He couldn't help stepping forward angrily. It was bad enough that he had taken Buffy's blood he wouldn't put up with this boy condemning him for an act that had been freely given - something he hadn't wanted in the first place. "You have no idea what you're talking about," he snarled.

"Oh, don't I?" Riley snarled. "Do you really think Buffy would keep something like that from me? Or that she's weak enough to *let* you do those things to her? She's mine fang-face and I'm not letting you near her. You think I don't know what you're up to? Trying to get near the Slayer?"

"I'm not trying to get near the Slayer," Angel bit back. "Been there, done that. I'm not trying to *steal* her from you. I am here to make sure everything is all right." He gave the boy an appraising look. "Maybe you should wonder how much you really know about Buffy if she never told you about who she spent her nights with before you came along."

Angel knew it was a low blow, but this boy was *not* worthy of Buffy by any stretch of the imagination. Oh, he was normal all right! Normal as in plain. He was vanilla ice cream without toppings! Buffy wasn't a vanilla person. He knew that from personal experience.

"I don't invade people's personal space," Riley replied. "Buffy would tell me if she felt it were important. You must not have been worth mentioning."

Angel couldn't help a bark of laughter at that. "Oh, please. You think Buffy tells you everything? That you know everything that's important in her life? What has she told you about her past? Did she tell you about when she was called? When she got expelled from her first school for blowing up the gym? Or the second time, when she was suspected of killing her sister-Slayer? When she ran away for months? Or when it snowed on Christmas?" Angel smiled at the blank look he received. "She never told you. You don't know. I know. I was there."

Riley was speechless for a moment. Buffy had never mentioned any of those things to him. "Maybe she wanted to move on," he said at last. "To forget things like that. To move past her bad memories. Doesn't everyone want that?"

"Maybe," Angel had to agree. "But don't you think there were some good memories, too?" he pointed out. "Like the award she won at the senior prom? Or some of the funny moments, like when all the adults started acting like teenagers? Or when the kids in town, including herself, turned into their Halloween costumes? How much has she told you about the last three years?"

Riley's mouth opened and then closed again without a sound, making him look far too much like a fish. Angel found it very hard to hold in a laugh, but he managed. Then Buffy's new guy's eyes hardened. "And how do I know any of those things ever happened? How do I know you're not just trying to distract me?"

"If I was, wouldn't something I was trying to distract you from have *happened* by now?" Angel pointed out. "And there are plenty of ways to find out if I'm telling you the truth. Pictures. Photo albums. Or, here's a thought, *ask.*" He couldn't help but smile a bit mockingly at the boy. "She hasn't told you much of *anything* has she? Do you two ever *talk?*"

"Of course we talk," Riley replied. "Just...not about...those things."

"What do you do the other twenty-two hours of the day?" Angel snapped.

"Well, we..." Riley didn't finish the statement. "Hey, it's none of your damned business what we do together!" he glared at the vampire defensively.

Angel chuckled. He was enjoying this way too much. "You expect me to tell you everything, but you won't answer my questions in return? Well, so much for common courtesy."

"Fine," Riley glared at the vampire who was *way* too calm in his opinion. And too sure of himself. "We make love. Something she obviously didn't get from you!"

That was enough to make Angel positively livid. The curse was enough pain between him and Buffy, without it being thrown in his face by this...brat! "You have no idea what you're talking about," he growled.

To Angel's shock, someone else answered for him. "They bloody well did *make love,* soldier boy," came the familiar British accented voice. "Just once, though. It's got this tendency to suck the soul right out of him." Spike leaned in the open doorway, cigarette in hand, smirking at the scene playing out in front of him.

Angel and Riley stopped dead, so to speak, and stared at the blonde vampire. Both were surprised to see him, but the responses were vastly different.

"Spike," Angel simply nodded to his Child. He would deal with him later.

"Hostile 17!" Riley pulled the gun again. "Get in here with your friend. Make a move and you both die."

Spike just laughed at him. "You think you can manage that? You didn't kill me before, why should you now? Besides, I can't hurt a thing - your boys made sure of that. I'm not the dangerous one. Look at him, not me...'scourge of Europe' and all that."

"Spike," Angel said again, this time with a hint of threat in his voice. He was making things worse...and enjoying every minute of it.

"I haven't a clue what either of you are talking about," Riley said. "But I doubt you're any less dangerous than *he* is," he motioned at Angel, but was speaking to Spike. "Now move it."

"What are you going to do if I don't?" Spike quipped, not budging, and taking another drag of his cigarette.

Riley appeared to be completely at a loss. Almost as quickly as Angel noticed his indecision, though, Riley covered it up wit anger. He turned his weapon fully on Spike. "If you don't move it *now* I will send you back to the Initiative, and I doubt you'd like that. Actually, I might just send you back anyway. I doubt anyone will miss you."

Spike edged into the room and stood next to Angel...and a little behind.

"What's going on here?"

All three men turned at the sound of Xander's voice. Xander, Anya, and one of the goddesses stood in the still open doorway.

Riley turned his gun on Cynamin, only to find that the trigger was broken and he couldn't fire. Cynamin smiled at him with a knowing grin.

"You did this!" Riley yelled angrily.

Cynamin just smiled at him. "You know, you really should take cae of your weapons," she said. "Living on the Hellmouth, you never know when you'll need them.

Surrounded by a whole group of unfriendly faces, Riley was starting to get nervous. Before he could lash out again, though, Cynamin began to laugh.

"Get out of here," she said, amused.

"I don't take orders from you."

"Yeah, well, Buffy is right behind us and she might not take it kindly that you were pointing a weapon at her ex," Cynamin retorted. "You really don't want to have a repeat of earlier, do you? Because Buffy just might resort to physical violence this time."

"She has a tendency to do that when Angel's involved," Anya pointed out. "Or so I've been told. I didn't actually get to see any of the butt kicking, but that's how Faith ended up in her coma."

Riley glanced furtively around the room, then bolted for the door. They let him go.

Part Eight

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