Spellbound

By: spoiledsquish

Email: spoiledsquish@gmail.com

Disclaimer: Not mine. If you don’t believe me, then watch Waiting In The Wings or A Hole In World for further indication that I don’t, nor never will, own them!

Author's Note: Just another AU fic. You know how I am with them suckers!

Summary: AU fic. Boy meets girl. Chaos ensues.

Pairings: B/A, for now. Other pairings may come later.

Rating: NC-17. I hope to provide an actual plot within this somewhere.

Spoilers: None, it's AU. I did take some lines from "The Sweetest Thing", because they just fit in so well!

Distribution: My site, Love's Eden, PPA, Enchanting Place, Fanfiction.net, WTTS, PFYL, TEF, Sempiternal Beloved...If you host my fics regularly, feel free. If you don’t, just ask and most likely you shall receive.

Dedication: For Annjilla, who’s birthday over a week ago. I would have had it out then if not for my trip to San Francisco. Hope you like your present nonetheless, sweetie!

Feedback: It soothes my soul.

***

~Los Angeles, California: Present Day~

Specks of blonde locks infiltrated his vision. She moved with grace and ease, pure unadulterated sin, swaying to the blaring rock music pounding throughout the speakers.

Her friend, whom he assumed to be her lover thrust beside her. Her brunette hair flipped back and forth, her own body full of sheen and sweat, pulsating to the erotic beat.

They moved as one, yet they were two separate entities, two hot blooded woman full of young teenagers’ dreams and desires.

The blonde was the one who captured his eye though. He’d seen the brunette before, possibly familiarizing himself with her through a sexual encounter; the dark haired man was unaware.

He wanted her, of that he was certain.

It appeared as though she was calling to him, as if she was using some magnetic pull to tie him to her. She was a devil, he knew that much. No woman should be able to attract a man, a bachelor who’d become known as a player, at that.

Her body moved throughout the darkness, the honey colored skin reflecting off the dim colored lights. Her sexual prowess penetrated off her like waves splashing from a cold storm. She was the vixen all men knew her to be, and the ones who didn’t were a fool all in the same.

“Angelus?” a voice called to him, and for a brief moment, he wished for it to be escaping from the blonde goddess’ sultry lips.

“What, Wesley?” he ground out, disappointed that his friend excused him from the erotic images of the blonde that were displaying in his head.

“I asked you what the status was on the Murphy account.” he explained. “You know we can’t afford to have things go wrong. Quentin will…”

“I know what Travers will do, Wes.” Angel sighed. “God, can you just lay off of work for one fucking night already?”

Wesley watched as his best friend resumed his search on the dance floor. His dark colored eyes stood still as he found the object of his affection: a slender blonde who was dancing seductively with her friend.

Wesley smirked inwardly to himself. Angelus would never change. He’d always been a sucker for the blonde women, but this one, Wesley knew, she was different. He would bet odds that she wasn’t one for the one nighters. She was distinctive in her own right. And that would be his downfall.

***

Buffy felt his eyes piercing her body. Her skin became flushed for an unknown reason, her palms getting all sweaty.

Who was he? Why did she feel this tingling, indulgent reaction when he was gazing at her?

“I’m gonna get a drink!” Faith called over the blaring speakers. “You’ll be okay by yourself?”

“Faith. I’m twenty four years old, I’ll be fine.” Buffy rolled her eyes.

Faith moved towards the bar as Buffy kept her body pulsating to the rhythmic beat. Suddenly, she felt her hips being grasped upon, her lower body swaying against his already engorged member.

She knew it was him: the mystery man with pools of chocolate who had been watching her. He was the only one who ignited this unspoken feeling in her. She couldn’t explain it, nor did she want to.

She’d never felt this vibration that he awoke in her, not even when it was with…

“Who are you?” she asked him, her mind not liking where this was headed.

“A friend.” He whispered, his enthralling voice echoing in her head like a soothing mantra.

“I have friends, and none of them look like you, believe me.” she smirked.

“Is that a good thing?” the voice chuckled.

“Maybe,” she mumbled playfully, turning her body to look him in the eye.

His grip on her didn’t lessen, and Buffy didn’t seem to mind or notice. She was captured deep within his eyes, their dark essence entrancing her.

“Who are you?” she asked again, looking into his eyes.

“Why boggle either of our minds down with such hapless information?” he told her. “Are you really going to remember it in the morning?”

“Maybe I want to know the name of the person whose name I’m going to be screaming.” she suggested.

“Who said you’ll be doing all the screaming?” he teased.

“You are presumptuous if you are assuming that I mean to sleep with you.” Buffy spoke.

“Why do you think either of us will be sleeping?” he chuckled at her.

“Your sexual innuendos aren’t exactly a turn on at this point.” Buffy stated.

“What does turn you on then?” Angel asked, his hands moving lower to grab her butt.

“Remove your hands, please.” Buffy told him. “As for my turn on’s, you’ll just have to figure that out on your own. Goodbye, Mystery Man.”

Buffy removed herself harshly from his grasp, and progressed towards Faith. She met up with her friend at the bar, flirting with the guy behind the counter.

“Who’s the hottie?” Faith pondered, as she took a sip of her glass of Merlot.

“What?” Buffy asked.

“The hottie you were thrusting against out there on the dance floor. Don’t play coy with me, B. You aren’t that cynical.” Faith rolled her eyes. “So, I’ll ask you again. Who’s the hottie?”

“I didn’t catch his name.” Buffy shrugged.

“Oh, so he’s one of those.” Faith nodded. “So, I’m assuming I’m staying elsewhere this evening, so that you and Mister Well-Endowed can be alone.”

“I’m not taking him home with me!” Buffy argued.

“No? Didn’t look that way to the obvious outsider.” Faith smirked. “You two were very much with the urged looks of groping. So, when are you going to jump him, may I ask?”

“Faith, there’s going to be no groping!” Buffy exclaimed.

“Maybe not tonight, no.” Faith wiggled her brows. “Come on, B. Lighten up. Stop being such a tightwad all the time. Get out, live a little. Jump the bones of a few good men before settling down.”

“Hey, I live quite nicely, thank you.” Buffy said, somewhat offended by her callousness. “I came with you tonight now, didn’t I?”

“And you rejected the first guy who’s at least feigned some sort of attraction to you.” Faith reminded her.

“I’m not ready for a relationship at this stage in my career, Faith.” Buffy reminded her.

“Oh yes, because designing clothes for a living is so damned hard!” Faith scoffed. “B, you work nine to five, five days a week. You have no social life. All your friends are married, save for me. What exactly do you spend your free time doing? We all know you’re not getting any. That’s obvious; probably why you’re so cranky most of the time anyway.”

“I’m not cranky.” Buffy disputed.

“You so are.” Faith told her. “Or do I need to remind you of the ‘Cisco incident?”

“Shut up!” Buffy replied.

“So, will you go home with Mr. Luscious then?” Faith asked.

“No, Faith!” Buffy said, grabbing her coat. “And now, I really should get home.”

“B, it’s Friday night!” Faith remarked. “You know, time to party.”

“I have to work tomorrow, Faith.” Buffy told her. “The Fall line is due in three weeks. I don’t have time to go gallivanting around town all night long. I have to work, some of us weren’t born with a silver spoon in our mouths.”

“I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I didn’t even though my uncle was that rich, honest!” Faith gave a pained look. “Come on, B! It was a joke. Stay another hour?”

“I can’t. Goodnight, Faith.” Buffy hugged her, and walked out into the darkened night.

All the way, the man with the chocolate pools had been watching them converse. Slipping out of the shadows, he trailed after the object of his desire.

***

She felt him behind trailing after her as she turned the corner on 5th and State. It was the tingling feeling creeping up into her skin once more, drawing her essence to his.

“Unbelievable.” she muttered as she purposely wandered into a darkened alley.

She hid behind one of the dumpster bins, waiting for her mystery stalker to approach. She heard the pitter patter of footsteps approaching the alley, and walking slowly, silently towards her exact location.

“Stalker much?” she rammed into him, knocking them both to the ground.

“That hurt.” he complained.

“Why the hell are you following me?!” Buffy inquired vehemently.

“I was walking home.” he remarked.

“Oh, so you live in a dumpster now?” Buffy asked.

“No, I live at the Hyperion just around the block.” he smiled.

“Well, you sure went out of your way to get back to your place, didn’t you?” Buffy retorted. “Look, I don’t know what type of sick front you use on other girls, but I’m not one of them. I won’t swoon at your feet with some pretty words of poetry and fabrications of loving that one person forever.”

“Do you wanna have sex?” he asked straightforwardly.

“Okay.” she surrendered immediately. “Your place or mine?”

***

The door slammed at their invasion of her loft. He slammed her against the door, and nipped at her neck. She moaned in response trying to find the will to at least lock the door during their rousing sexual encounter.

Buffy managed to lock the loft without making a sound or movement out of his grasp. She could feel the heat of his breath on her skin, giving her whole body goose bumps.

His touch was soothing, a medicine for the ache that ceased to subside. She was hungry for him, her lower regions creating moistness every time she felt his tongue on her.

“Bedroom?” he murmured against her skin.

“Upstairs and to the left.” she whispered as he bit playfully on her ear lobe.

The pair managed to make it upstairs, despite stopping at various intervals to playfully nibble, suck, or bite the other person. At one point, Buffy even pushed Angel into the wall and proceeded to rip off his clothes, but he pulled her closer to him and led her into the bedroom.

Buffy crushed him against the inside wall of her bedroom. It’d been months, even years, since she felt something warm against her skin.

“I want you…” Buffy sighed softly into his lips as he parted them for better access.

His tongue probed the roof of her mouth, while his hands continued their ministrations on her lower back. His hands roamed the small of her back, creating soothing circular motions that almost made Buffy melt on site.

“I thought you didn’t sleep with presumptuous strangers.” He muttered as his tongue moved to her neck, suckling the base of it.

“Bed…” she sputtered, licking the inner shell of his ear.

The couple glided towards the canopy bed, where Angel lifted her up gently and laid her down softly against the pillows. He hovered over, leaving small, open mouthed kisses along exposed patches of skin.

“You taste delectable. Like vanilla and peaches all messed into one. It’s intoxicating.” Angel explained to her, upon capturing her mouth once more.

Buffy moaned silently into his mouth as the large hands of her lover unbuttoned the clasp of her pants. Angel slipped her pants from her body, tossing the garment to a vacant spot on the nearby floor.

Buffy propped her forehead against his, as his prodigious arms grasped her waist, pulling her closer to him. His arms pursued a slow and tantalizing path down to the firm globes of her buttocks, squeezing them delicately.

Buffy’s own hands were shivering. In all her youthful years of intimacy, she’d never been so nervous, not even when she lost her virginity to Parker close to ten years ago, at the tender age of sixteen.

This man, her one night stand, invoked a passion inside her. He made her savor emotions that had been pent up for so long, Buffy herself wasn’t even aware that such sentiments existed within her mind or body.

She unbuttoned his maroon silk top, roaming her fingers over the sleek contours of his chest. Absentmindedly, her mouth latched onto a nipple, and bit down playfully.

Angel himself took that as a signal that she wanted to move forward with their coupling. She hadn’t told him to stop yet, or even put up a struggle to move away from him. It was obvious to him that she was aroused by his caresses, and she didn’t seem to notice when he ripped her ivory lace thong from her body.

His lips departed from her own, and he dragged his tongue down to her breasts, nipping at them lightly. When he felt her nudge up against his protruding member, Angel enclosed a dusky peak onto his awaiting lips.

He swirled his tongue around the areole, feeling the nipple harden under his pliable embrace. While his tongue soothed one breast, his fingers massaged her other breast, making the tenderized skin stiffen at the flick of his tender caress.

He glanced up at her as he diverted his attention to the opposing, and previously unattended breast. Her facial expression was contorted in pleasure, her head positioned against the soft pillows, constructing herself to appear like a wanton lover.

She was perfect, a pliable source until his gaze. He wanted to know what she tasted like, if that musky vanilla scent that she wore resided within her. He licked around the pebbled nipple one last time, before proceeding a slow and languid trail to her tanned thighs.

He dipped his tongue teasingly into her moist center, silently thanking the gods for allowing him one night with her. She tasted like the same vanilla as her skin, combined with the faintest aroma of lilacs.

He thrust his tongue in and out of her, starting off slowly and then speeding up faster with every moan he heard. He felt her give way, and heard her thrashing above him.

After her third orgasm, he moved his mouth away from her thighs, and towered himself above her.

His aroused member pressed lightly into her stomach, and she felt him pull her closer to him.

“What do you want now?” he teased, already knowing her reply.

“I want you inside me.” she whispered.

He entered her slowly, feeling her body protest at the intrusion. Before, Angel would have thought her to be a virgin, but after overhearing the conversation between the two friends earlier, he knew that fact not to be true.

After feeling her inner muscles loosen their hold on him, Angel started moving at a slow pace, wanting his writhing lover to set the tone. He nibbled lightly on her bare skin, suckling lightly.

He felt her shift, uncomfortable with their present sexual position. Buffy shifted them, so that she was on top of his aroused member.

Buffy pressed him back into the pillows, and felt him grasp her hips. She started gyrating his hips, feeling his hardened member delve deeper into her inner core.

He seized her hips, jerking her forward. He entwined his hands in her hair, and pressed her lips to his in a passionate kiss, grazing her lower lip slightly.

Buffy pulled away from him moments later, resting the palms of her hands on his chest, while she ground onto his erection.

They came together, moments later, reveling in their blissful session of great sex. The pair had mad passionate sex three more times that night, before falling asleep, with Angel’s arms tightened around Buffy’s waist.

***

When Buffy roused herself from slumber the following morning, she felt strong arms wrapped around her waist, and something hard rubbing up against her lower back.

She groaned inwardly, recollecting the course of events that had happened the previous night. Her mind didn’t want to believe those memories, but the ache in her lower regions confirmed the suspicion.

She’d slept with the sexy man from the club. The same sexy man who was in bed, sleeping right beside her, with his arms wrapped around her, and his member right…

*Oh god!* Buffy scolded herself. *You slept with the sexy man from the club, a total stranger!*

Looking to the other side of her, she saw the man in question. His brow was furrowed as if he was in deep thought, and he kept caressing the empty part of the bed, as if he’d been missing her, as if they were a couple.

Buffy moved around the loft slowly, donning a silk charmeuse top, pinstrip black pants and a pair of stiletto heels, exiting the room silently. She crept downstairs, and poured herself a glass of orange juice, so as not to disturb anyone.

“Someone was up late last night.” Faith’s voice echoed through her head. “Did Mr. Luscious keep you up late?”

“Shut up, Faith!” Buffy grumbled.

“Did you find that pent up release you were looking for?” Faith raised an eyebrow suggestively.

“Stop it.” Buffy retorted, glaring menacingly at her.

“So, what’s Mr. Hottie’s real name?” Faith asked.

“I--I didn’t ask.” she replied sheepishly.

“Oh, this is classic.” Faith chuckled mockingly, and then quickly sobered up. “Fortunately for you, I was able to find your mystery man’s name from a few willing and able participants.”

“I really don’t need to hear about your sexcapades.” Buffy groaned. “Just tell me.”

“Well, according to his friend and fellow co-worker, your boy, who I’m assuming is upstairs sleeping after his little “up with people” meeting, is named Angelus O’Connor, also known as Angel. Not to mention the fact that his chosen profession is that he’s a lawyer, which is very ironic in my book.”

“A lawyer?” Buffy sputtered out, her eyes bulging.

“Yes, a lawyer.” Faith repeated. “You do remember all about lawyers, don’t you? Stingy men.”

“I remember.” She nodded, her face turning solemn.

“So, what do you plan on doing exactly?” Faith asked her?

“Faith, why are you acting like what he and I had was a relationship?” Buffy inquired. “We had some casual sex, that’s it. No strings attached.”

“No?” Faith wondered. “Not from how it looked like last night.”

“Then you read too much into it.” Buffy quirked an eyebrow. “I’m late for work. Make sure Angel sees himself out.”

“Oh my god! You’ve named the puppy.” Faith chortled.

“Excuse me?” Buffy stopped mid walk to the apartment door. “I did not!”

“You just called him Angel.” Faith cornered her.

“No, I didn’t.” Buffy denied, her face turning a shade of red.

“Okay, I’m just psychic and I knew his name was Angel.” Faith rolled her eyes. “Face it. You like him, and this isn’t some fling to you.”

“Goodbye Faith.” Buffy called, waiving her hand briefly as she left the apartment.

Faith just smirked coyly and shook her head, knowing that things were about to get complicated.

***

Angel arose mid day, caressing the vacant spot next to him, expecting to find the vivacious blonde that inhabited the bed alongside him the night before. All he found was a half made bed and no blonde haired woman.

He jerked up out of bed, and set about retrieving his clothes. Where was she and why was he so concerned about her said whereabouts?

He was just a guy who’d had casual sex with a pretty lady, no strings involved. He wasn’t about to get all wrapped up in some woman just because she had a pretty smile and a gorgeous body.

Once dressed in last night’s attire, Angel literally leaped down the stairs to the lower level of the loft. He was about halfway to the door when a voice stopped him.

“So, did you have fun last night?” the voice chuckled, and Angel turned around.

He came face to face with a stunning brunette who had her arms crossed, and was trying hard not to laugh. He vaguely remembered her from the club last night, where some of his and Wesley’s coworkers had hit on her to no avail.

“Excuse me?” he asked.

“Did you have fun last night? God knows, I’m still reeling from the fact that my best friend can actually cut loose once in a while.” Faith smirked. “I could hear you two lustbunnies from all the way down the hall. You really should try and be a bit more silent next time.”

“Next time?” Angel repeated.

“Well, assuming there is a next time, of course.” Faith raised an eyebrow. “Come on, lighten up. You really aren’t charming or attractive with that morbid scowl on your face. Must be why she likes you so much. You two are so similar, it’s ironic.”

“I have to go.” he told her, annoyed with her questions.

“Oh, sure. I have a feeling that you and I will be seeing more of each other.” Faith laughed. “Goodbye O’Connor. Hope you have an upbeat day!”

Angel just shuddered and slammed the door shut on his way out. He was going to kill whoever told that brunette his name.

***

Buffy tried to focus on her latest design prints. Every time she tried to focus, all her mind kept thinking about were his hands that had been on her hours ago.

God, a man with those kind of hands should have been damned. They could do all sorts of sinful things, as Buffy herself had experienced firsthand.

She herself wondered throughout the course of the day why she was still thinking about this. It had only been a one night stand, right?

And since that was all that it was, why couldn’t she get the image of their coupling out of her head?

No, no. This was insane. He was just a casual fuck, and that’s it. He’d be erased from her mind by the end of the week, of that Buffy was sure.

Because she sure as hell couldn’t be developing feelings for her lover for one night, could she?

***

Angel stumbled through the door of his loft. She was still in his head, smiling, torturing him.

Why was that happening?

He’d gotten what he wanted from her last night. He’d taken her to bed, and that should have been the end of it.

Somehow, she was still in his head, and he couldn’t get her out. He still sensed the faintest aroma of vanilla coursing through his veins, driving him insane with jealousy.

He needed to get her out of his head. He couldn’t be boggled down with thoughts of the one woman who’d ignited a burning desire in him that he’d never felt before. She’d only been his lover for one night, so why was it that he could remember every sordid detail about their coupling?

Angel shook his head one final time. He needed a drink. A long, stiff drink. Maybe then he could erase her from his memory altogether.

He sure as hell couldn’t be falling for his one night stand, right?

***

Buffy arrived home to see Faith sitting on the couch, reading a book. Her eyes almost died of shock.

Faith…book reading?

In all the years that the two had been friends, not once had Buffy ever known Faith to pick up that sort of knowledge, not even when they were in school.

Buffy still pondered how the hell Faith had managed to graduate from high school without ever opening a textbook, let alone skipping class half the time.

“Hey.” Faith remarked, not looking up from her book.

“Hi.” Buffy said awkwardly. “What’re you reading?”

“A book on pregnancy, actually.” Faith murmured, shutting the book silently.

“What?” Buffy asked, trying to comprehend what Faith had just said.

“I’m pregnant.” Faith replied, looking up at her with tear stained eyes. “I just found out this morning.”

“So, what else did the doctor say?” Buffy asked.

“I didn’t go to a doctor. I took a home pregnancy test after your boy left today. It was positive.” Faith replied shamefully, her puffy eyes darting to the floor.

“Faith, you know those things aren’t always one hundred percent effective.” Buffy remarked, trying to lift her friend’s spirits, at least until they knew for certain. “You need to see a doctor.”

“I can’t.” Faith shook her head.

“Faith, you have to.” Buffy argued. “If it turns out you are, in fact, pregnant, a doctor can tell you what prenatal care you need to provide so that you can take care of yourself and your baby. Doctors won’t judge you. If you want, I’ll go with you.”

“I can’t have a baby.” Faith protested. “I can barely take care of myself, let alone a child. I have a hard enough time paying my half of the rent every month. How am I supposed to afford having a child?”

“I’ll help you. You know you are not alone in this, Faith.” Buffy comforted her. “I’ll just work some extra hours at the office. We’re supposed to be getting that new client, Ella, the one I talked to you about? We’ll make it work. It might be tight for a while, but we’ll manage it.”

“You’d do that?” Faith asked.

“You’re my best friend, Faith. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.” Buffy smiled.

“What about that guy, though? Mr. O’Connor?” Faith asked.

“I told you already it was a fling. No strings attached.” Buffy shrugged off.

“You like him.” Faith said, yawning and falling back asleep on the couch. “Cute boy.”

“Sweet dreams.” Buffy kissed her forehead. *Everything will be all right, Faith. I promise you that.*

***

“Her name is Buffy Summers.” Doyle told his friend, slamming the file gently down on his desk at work the following Monday. “Has a twin sister named Tara, who hasn’t been heard from since the late 90’s. Mommy and Daddy told Buffy her sister was dead. Buffy’s been living with Faith since she was 19, just after high school.”

“Thanks Doyle. You’ll keep searching on any new information that comes up?” Angel pondered.

“You know I will.” Doyle nodded. “Just ask me something. You sure about this girl?”

“She gets to me. I can’t explain it. It’s like she’s in my every waking thought when I’m not with her.” Angel told him. “I know it sounds crazy, considering I only knew her for a few short, but yet informative hours, but I feel that she’s the one.”

“You’re such a pussy.” Doyle chuckled. “This is priceless. Angelus O’Connor’s first one night stand in months has got him pussy whipped.”

“Says the man whose high maintenance fiancée has him wrapped around her little finger. If she asked you to dress up like a puppy, you would.” Angel retorted.

“Touché.” Doyle smirked. “You really should try to forget about her, man. Girl like that probably has a big, bulky boyfriend at home. Move on.”

“I can’t.” Angel sighed. “You’d feel the same way if it was Cordelia.”

“True.” Doyle nodded.

“So, find out everything you can about her.” Angel eyed him intently before dismissing him.

“Hey.” Doyle greeted Wes as the other man walked into the room.

“Hey Doyle.” Wes smiled as he left, and turned his focus back to Angel. “Just stopped by for a friendly chit chat, did he?”

“Something like that.” Angel shrugged it off.

“ ‘Buffy Summers’.” Wesley read the labeling on the manila folder before Angel snatched it out of his hands. “I take it you haven’t given up on your obsession with this girl then?”

“It’s not an obsession.” Angel vehemently insisted.

“No?” Wesley asked. “You haven’t taken a shower, changed clothes, and I presume slept since you met this girl. You need to let it go, Angel. It was a one night thing, that’s it. I think she made it pretty clear that she wants nothing to do with you, no?”

“I can’t accept that.” Angel explained.

“Can’t or won’t?” Wesley asked.

“What are you saying?” Angel grumbled.

“Maybe you’re trying to find a replacement for Darla.” Wesley concluded.

“Don’t you dare fucking accuse me of that!” Angel growled. “You know what happened. You heard the whole conversation.”

“Let me go!” Darla screamed at him. “Get away from me, you arrogant bastard!”

“I didn’t do anything!” he yelled back.

“You slept with that whore! I saw you two together, so don’t even try and deny it!” Darla raged.

“Tina and I were just talking, that’s it.” Angel explained. “I don’t know what you saw but you’re wrong!”

“You lie!” Darla spat at him, breaking out of his grasp. “You ruined my life, Angelus. You deserve to suffer an eternity of torment, because you sure as hell don’t know the first thing about love!”

“I love you.” Angel replied sincerely.

“No, you never did. You just wanted a pretty blonde on your side to get ahead in your career. You don’t know how to love, much less how to feel anything.” Darla accused. “I feel sorry for the woman you actually fall in love with because once you finds out the truth about you, I hope she takes your heart and stomps on it! You don’t deserve love!”

Darla pushed him out of her way, and ran from his office. She never looked back, and was never heard or seen from again.

“That’s not what I meant.” Wesley shrugged off the recollection. “I just meant that is that what this Buffy girl is to you, as Darla once put it? A pretty blonde by your side to help you get ahead in your career?”

“Of course not.” Angel shook his head. “She’s more than that. I’m in love with her.”

“How can you be in love with a girl you just briefly met for a few short hours? Love blossoms with time, Angel. And you two barely knew each other a few short hours.” Wesley sighed. “I know you may think you’re in love with her, but let me ask you this. Ten years down the line, are you sure you’re going to feel that way? Can you imagine yourself with this woman that far down the line, perhaps even for the rest of your life? Let’s face it, you aren’t exactly celibate in the art of intimate flesh.”

“What are you suggesting?” Angel asked. “That I just let her go?”

“Do you really want her put her through all that if you don’t?” Wesley asked, leaving him to rationalize his thoughts.

Could he really leave her be? What did he really know about her? Did he really want to be tied down for the rest of his life?

Angel pondered these thoughts for the rest of the day. He knew what he had to do.

***

“How are you feeling?” Buffy asked the following morning.

“I’m fine. A little somber, but overall all right.” Faith nodded. “How are you today?”

“Good, I have a meeting at the office at noon. Ella wants to discuss the terms of her agreement with the company. Flutie wants me there since she will be my account.”

“You make her sound like a bitch.” Faith chuckled.

“Oh look, she can smile.” Buffy complimented her. “Ella is…let’s just say a handful.”

“Sorry, I know I haven’t been Miss Upbeat lately.” Faith sighed.

“You’ve barely come out of your room since you found out you were pregnant, Faith. That’s not healthy for you or the baby you are carrying. You should be taking better care of yourself.” Buffy advised her. “After all, you are providing for two people now.”

“I know. I will.” Faith nodded in agreement.

“You seem glum. You sure you’re okay?” Buffy inquired.

“I’ll be fine. Probably just a pregnancy thing.” Faith shrugged it off. “You should get going. Don’t want to be late for your meeting.”

“I know. I’ll be back later.” Buffy promised. “And then you and I will have a nice, quiet dinner at Hollands.”

“Okay.” Faith agreed. “Have a good day at work, B.”

“Thanks, I’ll try.” Buffy smiled. “And you try to wipe that sad look off your face.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Faith rolled her eyes.

“And stop scowling at me!” Buffy remarked, exiting the apartment.

Faith stared out the window, making sure Buffy was gone before picking up the phone. Dialing the memorized number, Faith waited for the voice to greet her.

“Hey,” Faith replied coolly. “It’s me. I need to see you…”

***

Angel arrived home that night to a dark, and somewhat empty apartment. Turning on the light, he realized that everything was the same as he’d left it a week ago.

Empty beer cans and pizza boxes cluttered the floor and coffee table, clothes were strewn every which way across the couch and empty floor space. Angel snorted in disgust.

He actually lived like this? He wasn’t a pig, by any means, but couldn’t he at least clean up after himself?

He moved towards the bedroom, and loosened his jacket from his shoulders, throwing it on the lounge chair nearby. He heaved a sigh of discontent.

Why was she still there, in his mind? He’d made his decision to stay away from her, so why was it that she consumed him, no matter whether he was with her or not?

He knew he had to see her.

Donning some worn jeans and a navy blue polo shirt, Angel grabbed his keys and headed for Buffy’s apartment.

Maybe they could finally put a rest to this torment once and for all.

***

“I’m pregnant.” Faith blurted out over coffee that afternoon.

“What?” he gasped. “Is it…?”

“Yours?” Faith asked. “For all intents and purposes, yes.”

“But you…and I…” he stammered.

“I know we both used protection. But we both know that birth control and condoms always aren’t 100% effective.” Faith sighed. “The point is, you and I need to start discussing the future, with this baby. Assuming you want a future with your child.”

“Faith, it’s not about that. It’s just I’m…” he trailed off.

“Married. I remember you mentioning it after you knocked me up, yes. I think that was right before I kicked you out.” Faith rolled her eyes. “What does the wifey not approve of your consorts?”

“She doesn’t know.” His eyes cast a downward glance.

“Oh.” Faith muttered. “So, I guess that’s it, right? You have a bastard child that the wife does know about, so you want to pretend like it never existed. I can’t do that, William. We created this child together. It wasn’t all my doing, as I seem to recall. You have to make a choice. Call me when you do.”

Faith grabbed her purse, and ran out of the diner, tears forming on her eyelids.

Would William actually leave her alone in this? Would she be raising a bastard child all by herself? What man could possibly love her now that she had a baby?

***

Buffy came home to find Faith lounging on the sofa, watching some T.V. The brunette faked a smile at her friend, but Buffy wasn’t buying it.

“Thought I told you to wipe the morbid scowl off of that face.” Buffy shook her head. “What happened?”

“I had lunch with...my baby’s father.” Faith sighed.

“Oh?” Buffy sat down next to her in the empty chair. “How did it go?”

“He, umm…” Faith looked down at her feet. “Oh god.”

“Faith, just tell me what happened.” Buffy remarked.

“He’s married, B. His wife never knew about us. And I never told you because I thought you’d see me as what my family saw me…a used whore.” Faith cried.

“Faith, you’re my best friend. I could never see you that way. I’ll love you no matter what fuck ups you do.” Buffy hugged her. “So you got involved with a married man. That’s not entirely uncommon these days.”

“I don’t think he wants it...Our baby.” Faith blurted out. “He acted like he wanted nothing to do with me. He got what he wanted with me and now he’s just like everyone else.”

“Then he’s a fool.” Buffy comforted her. “If he can’t see what a great catch you are, then the bastard wasn’t worth it in the first place.”

“It’s not his fault.” Faith defended. “I mean, it took two of us to…I’m partially to blame.”

“Did he tell you that he was married before you had sex?” Buffy asked.

“No.” Faith shrugged. “Not until after.”

“Then how is it your fault? You thought he was single. You didn’t know at the time.” Buffy explained. “Don’t try and justify his actions to me, Faith. Cuz I can’t back you after his manipulations.”

“And I love you for that, but I can’t give up my baby.” Faith noted. “So, whether William is in my baby’s life or not makes no difference. I won’t have this child play second fiddle to his wife. A child should always come first. If he can’t do that, then he doesn’t need this child in his life.”

“You need some cheering up.” Buffy replied, changing the subject. “So, get up and get dressed. We have an eight o’clock reservation at Hollands, and I am not one for being fashionably late.”

“Party pooper.” Faith joked as she moved towards her bedroom.

***

Part 3

“Damn, this place is the shit, B.” Faith admired as they were seated at their table. “But we really can’t afford this.”

“Don’t worry about it, Faith. The boss is paying for it since I was able to land our big egotistical client.” Buffy smirked.

“Giles is letting you spend his money?” Faith scoffed. “Damn maybe I should have sucked up to him more often.”

“That’s my uncle, Faith. Please spare me.” Buffy told her, flipping her golden mane to one shoulder. So, order whatever you want.”

“Forty dollars a plate for fucking filet mignon?!” Faith screeched. “Fuck that.”

“Faith, could you please keep your voice down? We are in a restaurant.” Buffy told her. “Don’t worry about the cost. Order whatever you want.”

“Oh my God!” Faith glanced over at the table across the room and dipped her head in her menu. “Why is this happening to me?”

“What is it?” Buffy pondered.

“It’s William, and his wife.” Faith whispered. “They’re here. I need to get out of here before she sees me.”

“His wife? Why?” Buffy asked.

“Because she always suspected Will and I of having an affair. I think she eventually put two and two together and…” Faith sighed. “I can’t let Dru see me here, Buffy.”

“Everything’s going to be okay. You just stay here, and try and relax.” Buffy remarked, excusing herself.

Faith just tried to concentrate on the menu choices, instead of her ex across the room, who never saw her best friend coming in that direction.

“Excuse me.” Buffy tapped William’s shoulder.

“Can I help you?” William asked her. “I was in the midst of a lovely evening with my wife.”

“You’re William, right?” Buffy asked, ignoring his statement.

“Yes, William Kensington.” He flashed her a smile. “Have we met?”

“You wish.” Buffy rolled her eyes, and turned towards his wife, who presented a scowl, evident on her features.

“Hello, I’m Buffy Summers.” She greeted the woman.

“Drusilla Kensington, his wife.” Dru faked a chuckle. “Is there something you wanted with my husband?”

“Yes, actually.” Buffy nodded. “You see, Dru…May I call you Dru?”

“Everyone does.” Drusilla shrugged.

“Dru, your husband William here has created a very messy situation for me.” Buffy sighed. “I think he needs to take responsibility for creating those problems. Don’t you agree?”

“Yes.” Drusilla nodded. “I believe all men and woman should take responsibility for their actions.”

“Wonderful!” Buffy giggled sweetly. “Here’s my card, William. Call me on it tomorrow morning, and we’ll get down to business of what you owe me for the damages. Goodnight, Mr. and Mrs. Kensington. It was a wonderful pleasure to meet you.”

“And you, as well.” Drusilla answered for both of them as Buffy returned to her table. “Well, honey…what the hell was all that about?”

***

“What the fuck did you say to them?” Faith spat as Buffy sat down.

“Don’t worry, Faith.” Buffy smiled. “You are about to get everything you’ve wanted. And William is going to be the one left hanging.”

“I’m still jonesing to know what you said to him, B.” Faith replied.

“You’ll find out soon enough.” Buffy teased with an evil gleam in her eye.

“You’re evil, you know that?” Faith asked.

“You’ll be singing a different tune come tomorrow.” Buffy remarked. “William is going to be providing for you and your baby. I’m going to get that jackass to pay you every red cent he owes you and your baby for the lies he told and lives that his lies ruined. You both will be provided for and that’s all that matters. So, I think a celebration is in order.”

“B, we’re already at the most expensive restaurant in this side of town. What more is there?” Faith pondered.

“One last night at your favorite club, for old time’s sake.” Buffy told her.

“Wow.” Faith chuckled. “So, tell me. Are we really going there for me, or are we actually going there for you?”

“For me?” Buffy repeated. “Faith, you know I hate clubs.”

“I know. Let’s be real here, B.” Faith smirked. “You met that hunk of brooding chocolate-y goodness there, and you are dying to go there to see if you can run into him again, am I right?”

“N-No, of course not!” Buffy faltered.

“Whatever.” Faith rolled her eyes. “Fine, we’ll go, we’ll party.”

“Good girl.” Buffy smiled, as they enjoyed the rest of their meal together.

***

“Man, this place is packed tonight.” Faith remarked as they stepped into her favorite club.

“Yeah, a tad more so than regular, but hey, it’s your last fun club night together. Relax.” Buffy reassured her. “I’m gonna get a drink. You want anything.”

”I guess…mineral water?” Faith suggested. “Since I am with child, and all.”

“Good choice. I’ll be back.” Buffy promised and pushed her way through the crowd, and up to the bar.

“What can I do you for?” the bartender gave her the once over.

“One mineral water, and a club soda, please.” Buffy smiled, paying the bartender.

“You do know this is a bar, don’t you?” a voice breathed from behind.

“You are aware that your present actions could be misconstrued as stalking in all fifty states?” Buffy prodded.

“I can deal with that. A man in uniform has never kept me from a beautiful woman before.” Angel advanced.

“Hands off, smart ass.” Buffy turned around, removing his arms from her waist. “I have to get back to my friend, excuse me.”

“Where is she? I, for one, would love to meet her.” Angel taunted, producing his trademark smirk.

“What are you doing?” Buffy ignored his last statement.

“What do you mean?” Angel questioned innocently.

“You, acting like you and I are pals, or whatever.” she ground out. “We had sex once, that’s it. It’s called a one night stand; I’m sure you are very familiar with the term. So, you can take yourself right on out that door, and not look back.”

“You’re calling our relationship a farce?” Angel chuckled.

“Relationship?!” Buffy snorted. “What relationship? You and I aren’t in a relationship! We aren’t a couple, or whatever your delusional little mind thinks. God, can’t you go annoy some other girl whose pants you want to get into?”

“Oh, but sweetie, your pants are the only ones I want inside.” he mocked, pulling her closer.

“You are seriously disturbed!” Buffy pushed him away. “Leave me alone or I will get a restraining order against you.”

“Come back to my apartment tonight.” Angel pled, as she was walking away from him.

“You’re a fool if you expect me to sleep with you again.” Buffy shouted back.

“Who said anything about a sexual encounter? Isn’t it a little pretentious to assume that I want to indulge myself in an erotic display of intimacy with you?” Angel retorted.

“Pretentious?” Buffy echoed. “You are a delusional, self absorbed, shell of a man who lives just to bed down a different woman each night of the week. Do yourself a favor and stay away from me and my friend. I’m not like the other girls you’ve bedded and discarded. Unlike them, I go with my gut instinct, and that is to stay as far away from you as possible.”

“You’re a fierce one.” he laughed. “You have a wild tongue.”

“Stay away!” Buffy roared, leaving the area that he occupied.

“Wish I could.” He sighed, and resumed his previous position on the barstool, watching her.

***

“One mineral water for the pregnant woman.” Buffy smiled as she sat down across from her.

“Does Mr. Hottie O’Connor come with that, waitress?” Faith taunted.

“So very funny. Any moment I’m sure to laugh.” Buffy pouted angrily.

“I say you two bickering at the bar.” Faith admitted. “Once more with tension, please.”

“Did you know he was going to be here?” Buffy prodded.

“No, I didn’t.” Faith replied honestly. “Do you want my opinion?”

“Not really.” Buffy shrugged. “But, then again, I don’t ever really have a choice, do I?”

“Not really.” Faith chuckled. “My guess is that Mr. O’Connor has been inhabiting this building every night since you two got pelvic. He’s in lust with you, at the least. Hell, could be love. Who knows?”

“That man doesn’t know how to love.” Buffy sighed.

“What did your mother teach you about counting your chickens before they hatch?” Faith shook her head. “So, when are you seeing him again?”

“I’m not.” Buffy remarked. “He’s incorrigible, egotistical…”

“And you want to get in his pants again!” Faith finished for her. “Face it, B. You are so in lust with him.”

“No.” Buffy denied. “I’m wondering why I even had sex with him in the first place.”

“How was the sex, by the way?” Faith asked, sipping her water.

“Mind blowing, amazing. He did the most sinful things with his tongue, and…” Buffy paused mid sentence. “Focus! Focus! As the best friend, you should be consoling me, not prodding for the gory details of my sex life.”

“Now you have a sex life?” Faith gasped dramatically. “And we all thought you were just a tight ass who had a big old bug up her ass.”

“You’re quite the little sadist, aren’t you?” Buffy scoffed. “I don’t like him. He’s an arrogant ass that just uses women for sex.”

“But it’s good sex.” Faith deduced. “There’s really nothing wrong with that, is there? You both are consenting adults, who can frequent each other’s beds if they so desire. Is there really anything wrong with a relationship based on the heightened sexual needs of you both?”

“You aren’t seriously asking me this!” Buffy exclaimed. “Faith, after all we’ve both been through in the last month or so, you especially, I assumed you would be backing me on this…Not trying to convince me to sleep with the man.”

“It’s not like he’s married, B.” Faith mocked her own personal situation. “Besides, it is normal for two adults to resume a purely sexual relationship. It’s practically common these days, no?”

“I suppose so.” Buffy shrugged. “But I want more. I mean, what if the perfect guy comes along, and I miss him because I’m too busy boning every guy that comes my way. I don’t want to become like my most of the women in my family. A whore with two kids to raise all alone. I promised myself a better life than that.”

“As well you should.” Faith agreed.

“I remember when Daddy used cry in his sleep at night. He loved Joyce…Mom…but she’d cheat on him at least bi-monthly, but since he loved her, he stayed with her…until Tara disappeared. It all fell apart then, as you already know.”

“They got divorced.” Faith nodded.

“And then she ran off with some scumbag that she met when she was out whoring around, never heard from again. She ruined Daddy, and I promised myself that she wouldn’t ruin me or rule my life, ever.”

“But what does that have to do with Mr. Hottie over there?” Faith asked.

“I don’t want to become her, Faith.” Buffy sobbed. “And what if he is the one? You and I both know that in the long run, all he is gonna due is hurt me. And I can’t live through that. I can’t give me heart to someone who’s going to stomp on it once it’s in their grasp.”

“How can you be so sure he will?” Faith questioned. “People change, Buffy. And if you don’t act, you’ll never know. I mean, what if he’s the guy…The one you’ve been searching for all your life, but you never knew it because you held his past against him. You’ll still be miserable for the rest of your life, never knowing what could have been.”

“So, you think I should risk this, everything I’ve ever achieved, on the precedent that he’s the one?” Buffy pondered.

“That’s exactly what I am saying, Buffy.” Faith nodded. “You need to start taking risks, stop being so safe and narrow minded with your emotions.”

“It’s kept me sane this far.” Buffy defended herself. “That fact alone has kept me from making one of the biggest mistakes of my life…pregnancy.”

“Oh, I see.” Faith replied, feeling ashamed. “Are you insinuating that this life I am carrying around inside me, my child of my own flesh and blood, was a mistake? Granted, it’s conception wasn’t planned, but that doesn’t mean that I am going to look upon them with disdain or regret. It’s an innocent life here, B. Maybe if you weren’t so selfish, if you actually did something that you cared remotely about, you would figure that out. Instead, all you care about is how far you can make it in your career without failing. You’re a self absorbed baby, who only cares about her work ethic. That alone would turn off any man. No wonder you aren’t attached by now.”

“That was harsh.” Buffy sighed, feeling the tears rolling down her face.

“I’m going to call a cab to take me home.” Faith disregarded her prior statement. “I’ll see you at the house.”

Faith leapt off the chair and made her way to the phone booth intent on calling a cab. Buffy just continued to sit there and sulk, not fully accepting what Faith had conveyed to her.

Was that really all she was? Mentally screwed up, withholding the knowledge in her mind that if she wasn’t perfect, if she didn’t keep on the task of her career, that she would be nothing but a washed up failure?

Was that what people had once seen, and possibly still saw her as?

Buffy didn’t know. Maybe she never would. The only thing she knew was that she couldn’t afford to find out.

T.B.C.