"It's already done that for the past 16 years.  I think it needs just a
little bit of help," Cordelia explained as she pulled up in front of the
Summers residence.
 

"Cordy?  Why are you so eager to help them?"  Buffy had to admit that
Cordelia wasn't as bad as she used to be, but she still didn't understand
this sudden need to play Cupid.  Especially considering that they were
talking about her ex-boyfriend.
 

Cordelia sighed.  "When Xander and I broke up, I was really crushed.  I
guess I didn't realize how much I loved him until he told me that he
loved Willow.  I knew that he loved her all along, and that it was just a
matter of time until he figured it out.  But still I wasn't really
prepared for it to hurt as much as it did.  Anyway, after we talked, I
vowed that I was going to do whatever it took to make him happy.  And
Willow makes him happy.  Happier than I could ever hope to.  That's why I
have to do this."
 

Buffy was shocked.  She had no idea that Cordelia had felt so strongly
for Xander.  "Cordy, I don't know what to say…"
 

"It's okay.  We just weren't meant to be.  I'm sure I'll find someone
else.  Someday…" her tone was wistful.  Buffy sensed a loneliness that
she hadn't expected to come from Cordelia.  Impulsively she reached out
and grabbed the other girl's hand.  "Cordy, why don't you stay over
tonight.  We can do the girly stuff that I never get to do."
 

Cordelia thought about refusing, but looking into Buffy's eyes she saw
something that she really wasn't expecting.  Friendship.  She smiled.
 

"Okay, but I don't want to talk about anything that has to deal with
blood, death, or corpses.  Deal?"
 

Buffy laughed.  "Deal."

************
 

Xander watched quietly as Willow finished up on the computer.
<italic>God, could I be a bigger idiot?  It took me, like, forever to
realize just how wonderful a person Willow is.  She's so beautiful.  I
don't deserve someone like her.  </italic>Under the pretense of
straightening up the books that covered the table, Xander continued to
study the girl.  <italic>I've known her forever, yet sometimes I feel
like I'm seeing her for the very first time.  When did her eyes get so
big?  Or her hair so shiny?  And when did she turn into a woman?  Did I
blink?  </italic>Xander sighed to himself.<italic>  No, you moron.  You
just weren't paying any attention.  Well, no more.  You have one chance
at happiness here.  Don't screw up.

</italic>

Willow was aware of Xander's scrutiny.  She typed randomly on the
keyboard, pretending to be busy so she could try and gather her thoughts
before they attempted to talk to one another.  <italic>I love him.  It's
that simple.  And that complicated.  I thought that I could get over
this.  That I could get over him.  I think it would be easier to amputate
my arm.  I would probably miss it less than I would miss Xander.  I have
to be strong.  I don't want to screw this up.

</italic>

Claudia watched the two young people and tried very hard not to laugh
aloud.  They were both obviously trying not to watch the other.  They
were both failing miserably.  Claudia sighed; wishing that she had this
kind of relationship with someone, with anyone.  <italic>Oh who am I
kidding?  I wish I had that kind of relationship with Rupert.  I wish
that we were the best of friends.  And I wish that one day we would wake
up and realize that we loved each other.  Well, I wish he would wake up
and realize that.  I already know that I love him.</italic>  As if drawn
by thoughts of him, Giles stepped out of his office and walked over to
the remaining Slayerettes.
 

"How are you two getting home tonight?"
 

"I'm driving them Rupert," the words were out of Claudia's mouth before
she had even thought it through, but she had questions and knew that
these two could provide her with the answers.  Three pairs of eyes turned
and regarded her curiously.  Willow recovered first.
 

"Oh, yeah… that's right, I forgot.  I didn't tell Xander yet…"
<italic>Ugh, I'm a really bad liar.

</italic>

"Oh.  Umm…okay…you will get them home safely?"  It was phrased as a
question but Claudia could here the command implicit in his voice.  She
knew that he was just concerned for their safety, but his distrust of her
rankled.
 

"No Rupert, I'm planning on putting them in much danger as humanly
possible.  What do you think I'm going to do?"  Her tone told him that
she was getting angry, as did the darkening of her eyes.  Giles stood his
ground.
 

"I mean it Stormy.  You will get them home safe."  It was a command this
time.  Claudia couldn't help but smile.
 

"Yes m'lord," she said mockingly as she gracefully curtsied in front of
him.  Giles turned and headed back to his office, missing the fact that
Claudia was sticking out her tongue.  Xander and Willow fought to keep
their giggles under control.  They failed.  Giles turned back around
briefly, looking at the three faces smiling innocently.  <italic>I want
to trust her.  I want to trust her.</italic>  He repeated his silent
mantra as his old friend lead the others out of the library and out into
the night.  <italic>I want to trust her.

</italic>**********
 

Claudia drove slowly through the darkened streets of Sunnydale.  She used
the excuse that she wasn't used to driving on the right side of the road.
 This was true, but she also wanted to talk with her two passengers,
especially the girl.  Considering her options carefully, and knowing what
she did, she decided that an honest approach would be the best way to get
answers.  First however, they engaged in the inevitable small talk that
accompanies people who are just getting to know one another.  Claudia was
amazed at how much she liked these two.  Xander, as usual, had shifted
into joke mode, and was keeping both she and Willow amused.  Willow,
Claudia noted, laughed easily, but not without a touch of sadness.
<italic>She still thinks she's the Vessel.  And I don't know how to
reassure her, since she may be right.

</italic>

Before long they had reached the Rosenberg house.  Placing a stalling
hand on Willow's arm, Claudia asked the question that had been burning in
her head all evening.  The question she wasn't sure she wanted the answer
to.
 

"Who's Jenny?"
 

The silence stretched out for what felt like hours as Claudia watched
Willow and Xander struggle with what to tell her.  After a few moments
Willow sighed.
 

"You better come in.  This is a complicated story."
 

"Won't your parents wonder who I am?"  Claudia was eager to learn the
story, but unwilling to cause problems for the girl.
 

"It's okay.  They're out of town this week.  C'mon, I'll even make you
some tea."
 

Claudia smiled and the three piled out of the car and walked into the
house.  From across the street, Angel watched.  <italic>If she tries
anything, I'll kill her.</italic>  The thought blazed across his mind as
he watched the older woman walk into the house with Willow and Xander.
He cared too much for them to allow them to come to any harm.
<italic>Well, Willow anyway.  I might let Xander get beat up a bit.
</italic> He smiled darkly and watched as lights went on in the front
rooms of the house.  He crossed the street and took up position outside
the open living room window.  He could hear them moving around, getting
settled.  When they began talking, Angel felt tears of guilt and shame
begin to surface yet again.
 

"Now, who's Jenny?"  Claudia repeated the question carefully, aware that
whoever she was, she had obviously been a friend and very important to
the others.  <italic>And to Rupert.

</italic>

"Jenny Calendar was the computer teacher at Sunnydale High.  She knew
about Buffy and she helped us with prophecies and stuff.  And," Willow
swallowed past the lump that formed in her throat every time she thought
of her old friend, "she and Giles were together.  I mean I don't know if
they were actually ever together, but umm…"
 

"It's okay Willow.  I understand."  Claudia smiled ruefully.  "Just
because I've been waiting for Rupert, doesn't mean he's been waiting for
me."
 

"What?"  Xander interjected.  He had been sitting back listening to the
two women talk, happy just to be near Willow.  <italic>What the heck is
going on with me?  This is Willow.  My best bud.  My oldest friend.  A
hottie.  Hey, where did that thought come from?  Of course now that I
think about it… I mean look at her.  She's beautiful.  Okay, so my best
friend is a babe.  Where does that leave me?  I'm just the idiot who
hurts her all the time.</italic>  His train of thought was interrupted by
Claudia's wistful tone as she talked about Giles.
 

"You and Giles.  He's like old enough to be your dad.  Ick!"
 

Both women turned and cast baleful glares at the boy.  "No, he isn't old
enough to be my father.  He's just barely ten years older than I am.  A
perfectly acceptable age difference."
 

"Well, okay, it's just that you're really pretty," he blushed as he
spoke.   He rushed on not noticing the look on Willow's face.  "I just
don't understand why the school librarian sees more action than I do.
It's depressing.  Hey, what do you mean waiting for him?"  Xander's eyes
opened wide at the implications.
 

"Yes, well, that's a story for a different time.  Let's get back to the
matter at hand."  Claudia had no desire to talk about this now, and not
to Willow and Xander.  She had watched Willow as Xander had spoken.  The
hurt flashed across her face before she had once again schooled her
features into an indulgent smile.  A smile that did not reach her eyes.
<italic>Does that boy ever think before he opens his mouth?

</italic>

Turning to Willow, Claudia got back to the subject at hand.  "What
happened to Jenny?  You keep using the word 'was.'  I assume that means
she either left, or…" she left the question unfinished, the looks on the
two faces before her all the answer she needed.  <italic>Oh God, poor
Rupert.

</italic>

"How?" she asked, the tremor in her voice betraying her emotions.
 

"Angel."  The loathing in Xander's voice was almost palpable.  Outside
Angel cringed at the tone.  He listened as Willow interrupted.
 

"No, not Angel.  It was Angelus.  There's a difference Xander," she
sounded close to tears, but her voice also conveyed strength.  She would
not put up with any argument from Xander.  Turning back to Claudia she
gave the short version of the story.  "Okay, there's this vampire named
Angel.  He's good.  He has a soul and everything because of a gypsy
curse.  Anyway, he and Buffy were together.  Umm, on the night they
finally got <bold>together</bold> the curse ripped away his soul and he
became the evil demon Angelus.  He did some very bad things.  The worst
was Ms. Calendar.  He killed her and then left her in Giles' bed.  Giles
nearly got himself killed going after Angelus, but Buffy got there.
Anyway, Angel's soul was restored.  I restored his soul to him.  He was
gone for a while, which is whole other story, but now he's back.  None of
us has seen him except Buffy."
 

Claudia was shaken by the tale.  <italic>Oh my poor dear Rupert.  How can
I help you with this?  That explains the sadness.  Jenny must have been
amazing.  I already know that she had good taste.</italic>   Turning her
attention back to Xander she asked the question that had been forming
since Willow had begun her story.
 

"You don't like this Angel person.  Why?"
 

"He's a vampire," Xander replied petulantly.
 

Claudia raised her eyebrows at him and waited for more of an explanation.
 When it was obvious that Xander would offer no more, she sighed and
stood up.
 

"Okay, I'm going to go back to my hotel now.  Here's the address and
phone number if you need to get a hold of me for anything.  Anything at
all.  Willow, would you pass this information on to Rupert?  I didn't
want to give him the wrong idea by giving him my hotel room number."  She
smiled as she said it, but the truth was, she did want him to get the
wrong idea.  <italic>Or really the right idea.

</italic>

"Goodnight Willow.  Xander do you want a ride home?"
 

Xander blushed slightly.  "No, I was planning on staying here tonight.
Her parents asked me stay over and make sure she was okay," he lied.  He
glanced over at Willow, waiting for her to blow his cover.  Her eyes met
his and he felt his heart stop for a moment, until she smiled, letting
him know that it was okay.
 

Claudia watched the silent exchange.  <italic>You go girl!</italic>
Walking to the door she turned before stepping outside.  Xander had
turned toward the kitchen, so she was able to speak to Willow alone.
 

"He does care for you.  You do know that don't you?"  She waited for the
younger girl to speak.
 

Willow sighed.  "I know.  But it's mostly like a sister.  He's never
going to see me as a girl."
 

Claudia smiled as she moved down the walkway to her car.  Over her
shoulder she called back to the pretty redhead.  "Don't be too sure
Willow.  I believe that there's hope in this world for all of us.  And if
I can believe that I have a chance with Rupert, well then the two of you
are a sure thing."
 

Willow laughed and closed the door.  Claudia reached her car and began
fumbling in her purse for her keys.  She heard a noise behind her and
spun around.  A scream died in her throat as a hand closed around her
neck.  Her eyes widened in fear as the creature in front of her smiled.
In the moonlight Claudia could just make out the gleam of fangs.