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"This is all wrong! This is a merger party, not merry Christmas ripper! It’s creepy in here!" Cordelia drilled the temp's, who were decorating for tonight's social engagement.
Cordelia rolled her eyes, hearing her cell phone ring. "Hello?"
"No. Angel, these people have got to go! Ok. See you in a bit. Bye." Cordelia hung up the phone, smiling at everyone.
"Congratulations, we have found someone more worthy of this challenge, which by the way wasn't much... You're all fired. Now get out." Cordelia pointed toward the large double doors, and didn't put it to her side until every last employee was out of sight.
"Man, no slack. huh?" Buffy's voice thickened the empty air.
Cordelia only looked back, smiling slightly. "Well, you know what they say... Just because you work hard, doesn't mean you're the one getting the big bucks... They are normally the people who just sit on their ass, like for example *me.*" She smiled at Buffy, then began walking away.
"If only all of us were so lucky." Buffy rolled her eyes.
"Don't forget Buffy, this *is* a formal party. Which means, I'm afraid, overalls and boots just aren't going to cut it." With that sting, Buffy winced. *So cruel...*
Buffy bounced up to her room, turning on her stereo. Digging through her closet, she finally found something she thought would be suitable for this *so-called* 'party.'
"We'll just see about that..." Buffy picked up the phone and began to dial numbers.
~*~
"Perfect." Cordelia stood in the middle of the entryway, marveling at the job the *newly hired* decorator's had done.
The halls had been decorated with green as far as the eye could see, weaving in and out through the rails, also perched high on the doorways. The white lights, seemed to shine through the green, just enough.
A table of refreshments, sat to their left. On the right, is where you found the food, at least the non-eatable food.
Xander smoothed down his tux, making sure every last detail was perfect. Cordelia did the same with her designer, diamond studded, dress. Angel had chosen a dark blue tux, giving his eye a certain sparkle.
The doorbell rang, from that moment on, silence no longer was allowed.
As the people mingled, gawking at the lovely view, Buffy stepped out into the hallway. A sudden rush of anxiety ran through her, she tugged self-consciously at her skirt and button up shirt. As she moved forward, she felt her black heel give, shrieking the girl went flying forward. Getting up, ignoring the snotty snickers, the girl smoother back her hair (which she had curled and swept back.) and proceeded into the crowd.
Trying to be polite as possible, Buffy smiled at everyone she came to face. That was until she came face to face with Cordelia.
"Wow, you know I've got you all wrong, you really *are* the fashionable sort." Cordelia rolled her eyes, smiling she turned her back.
"Don't mind her. I think you look very becoming." Xander's voice filled Buffy's ear. She twirled around, only to find him inches away from her neck.
She groaned walking toward the kitchen, once she got there she spotted a nice cold beer.
"Just what I need." Buffy smiled to herself, opening the can and nearly finishing it in the same time. Grabbing for another, she rubbed her neck, things seemed less tense already.
She felt arms wrap around her, she smiled. "Spike."
"You weren't going to start the party without me, were you baby?" Spike grinned, grabbing a beer from Buffy's case.
"Come on' everyone's waiting for you outside!"
Spike and Buffy made their way through the crowd, Spike pushing and people glaring. Buffy only laughed, Spike and beer always had the effect on her.
Angel watched from the corner of the room, before turning back to his partner.
~*~
"Will!" Buffy rushed over to the dirty redhead, who was wearing cut jean shorts and a wife beater.
"Hey, Buffy! So this is really where you have been living?" Willow looked at the giant house in awe, before taking a swig of her vodka.
"Yeah, but don't go all Cinderella on me, its not all that its cracked up to be." Buffy rolled her eyes.
"It’s got mirrors, man!" Spike slapped fives with Oz, who like usual wasn't joining in on the convoy.
"Let's get going then! I haven't partied with you forever!" Willow smiled, hugging her best friend.
"What's with the heels?" Spike asked.
Buffy groaned, "Be right back."
Buffy quickly came back, wearing a green halter, black boots and leather pants.
"Heir's my girl!" Spike smiled, passionately kissing her, before getting into the car.
::2 hours later::
Buffy slammed down her last beer, screaming some song on the radio. Her head spun in and out of reality. The words her friends spoke to her, seemed to echo.
"Thanks guys! It’s been fun!" Buffy suddenly regretted sharing that bottle of Vodka with Willow. She made her way into the house.
Buffy winced, realizing half the guests were still present. Buffy's hair lay snarled against her swollen skull. Suddenly dying of hunger, she ran for the food.
"A little under dressed, aren't we?" Angel's voice, rang through her head like a bell. His voice didn't sound angry, instead enlightened.
"Buffy smiled at the image of the dark man, wavering in her sight. "Angel." She sighed, before landing right on his shoulder.
~*~
Buffy woke with a pang in her head, and an incredible thirst. *damn, vodka!* She made her way down to the kitchen, fixing herself something to eat. She noticed the time *1:23 must have had a late night.* Not really remembering the night before, just remembering crawling into a nice warm bed.
Buffy could hear the sound of Angel's footprints gliding down the hall.
"Oh great." Buffy moaned pulling the covers over her head, ready for anything.
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::UNDECLARED::SPLASH::PROLOGUE::ONE::END TWO::THREE::FOUR::