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Buffy stood in front of the mirror, tugging at the long gown, Cordelia had picked out for her. In light of this occasion, they were having a dinner party. Buffy told herself, she would have to do better than the last time. She smiled a little, frowning at herself, smiling only made her remember how happy Spike had made her.
"What kind of name is the anyway?" Buffy huffed, grumbling as she walked out of her room.
"You look perfect, now let me go over a few things with you. Lilah is what we all call, the bitch. Angel and her dated for a year, my father approved of her social status, in the end they married partially because dad was an egotistical father, who wouldn't have his son marry for anything but money. They stayed together until my father got sick, Angel then dumped the bitch and never looked back. But since she and my father were close, she thinks she has the right to claim the company, she will find anyway possible to take this from us." Cordelia shook her head vicariously.
"So what, I need to act like Angel's my honey and maybe she'll back off?" Buffy's voice was low and anything but enthusiastic.
"Well you see Lilah the kind of person who likes to reclaim things that were once hers..."
"Like Angel?"
"Exactly, once she knows he's devoted to you, she'll back off. That's just the way she plays."
"If she wants to play, I'll give her a fair fight..." Buffy stood up, avoiding the fact that the butterflies in her stomach weren't subsiding, all these unfamiliar people.
"Here we go." Buffy batted her eyes, put on her fakest smile and began down the stairwell.
Angel looked up her, with nervous eyes. "Buffy... you look amazing."
"So do you sweetie!" Buffy kissed Angel on the cheek.
"Don't worry she isn't here yet." Angel whispered into her ear.
*Don't worry? How do I not worry, we get this wrong and I am back living on the streets!* Buffy's head surfed on the possibilities of tonight. Buffy tried to shut up her butterflies, only to be overwhelmed by them all at once.
Buffy held her head, trying to stable it.
"Are you alright... because if this is about Spike..."
"It’s not about him! It was never about Spike!" Buffy's voice rose to anger. "He can sleep with the tramp.."
"Hello Angel..." A chilling female voice fell over the room, causing silence.
"Lilah." Angel averted her stare.
The woman had shoulder-length dark brown hair, her skin was fair and her body petite.
Buffy felt her face get numb, she could never be like this girl. Refined and prestigious.
"Hey, I'm Buffy. But I'm sure you already knew that, right?" Buffy didn't know where her words came from, somewhere deep down. She grabbed Angel, as if he were hers.
"Charmed I'm sure." Lilah's ice cold glare sent fear down Buffy's spine. But she kept her cool.
"And I'm sure, you would *love* to talk to my Angel here. But unfortunately he's busy. Bye now." Buffy batted her eyes innocently and dragged a surprised Angel away.
Cordelia beamed with approval, as if she had taught Buffy everything she knew.
[one hour later]
"Crazy for crying over you..." Buffy's voice pierced the audience's ears, as she reached for another drink.
Sniffling she wiped her tears. Angel stood by her side, trying to calm her down. Lucky for them, Lilah had gotten sick of their affection and left about twenty minutes before, Buffy got on stage.
Angel sighed, "whose idea was this anyway?" Angel whispered to his sister, who was also standing by the emotional girl.
"She said it would be something fun." Xander's small, sheepish voice met the others.
"Xander!" Cordy scolded her brother.
"What?! I just wanted to see her in the spotlight... all sweaty- ouch!" Xander retracted the arm, Cordelia had just hit.
"Sweaty? She is practically heading for a nervous breakdown. We should let everyone know, that this party is over." Cordelia walked away from her brothers, heading toward the crowd that had gather to watch the show.
"Everyone! Show's over! Go home!" Xander tried to shoe the people away.
"Ok, Buffy that's enough. Let's get you to bed." Buffy's exhausted self, nodded.
"Ok." She hoarsely answered. Letting Angel help her up the stairs.
Angel waited at the door while Buffy dressed, into her pajamas.
"Quite the gentlemen aren't we? I've never had a gentleman before." Buffy seemed to be talking to herself, as she clumsily climbed into bed.
Angel waited for her to lie down, before sitting on the bed next to her. Her hair was wet with sweat, he pushed her bangs away.
"Why do you do this to yourself?" He asked her, gently stroking her hair.
She looked up at him with big, innocent eyes. "Its always been this way."
"Shh... rest now. I'll see you in the morning." Before he knew it, he was kissing her lightly on the forehead. Confused he got up to leave, while walking away Buffy spoke to him.
"Angel?"
"Yeah."
"Thanks." Buffy had finally said it, and it felt so good. "I owe you so much." With that Angel smiled, saying nothing he walked out of the room.
Buffy heard the door shut and let her tears fall.
::END FIVE::