Desperate Acts: Part Nine
by Wravyn

They're not mine, and we all know it.



Cordelia stopped a foot away from Xander, suddenly shy. she realized. She looked at her ex-boyfriend, who seemed similarly nervous. she thought happily.

Xander looked at the girl in front of him. She looked like Cordy, and yet not like the Cordelia he knew. He wasn’t sure what to make out of that.

A slow song had just come on, and throughout the dance floor, couples were pairing up and moving slowly in time to the music. thought Cordelia triumphantly. “So, Xander, want to dance?” Cordelia’s face was obscured by the shadows, but he could make out her familiar smile as she held her hand out to him.

“Of course.” He decided that now was not the time to bring up her appearance. He took her in his arms, and they started swaying softly together.

Cordelia was happier than she had been in the past week. She was dancing with her beloved Xander. Except this wasn’t her real Xander. This Xander was better. This Xander never cheated on her. This Xander felt the same way she did – betrayed and brokenhearted. She tensed at the thought.

Xander felt Cordelia stiffen in his arms. He looked at her face in alarm. “What’s wrong, Cordy? She had a look of hopelessness all of a sudden.

Cordelia glanced up at him and smiled weakly. “Nothing, sorry. I was thinking of something else.” She was silent for a moment. “Xander? Do you still love her?”

He didn’t answer immediately. “No. Not after what she did.”

Cordelia was not sure if he was telling the truth, but she was satisfied. For now.


* * *
Angel felt truly free for the first time since his return from Hell. It was perfect. He didn’t know why Buffy was acting so lovingly towards him after the horrible crimes he had committed, but he wasn’t about to complain. Or at least, he didn’t plan on complaining. But he had to ask what made this Buffy act differently towards him. Just in case.

Angel ignored the demon’s taunts with difficulty and tried to concentrate on the moment. But Buffy had noticed his distraction and was concerned.

“Is everything okay? You look wigged.”

As Cordy had done with Xander just moments ago, Angel brushed off his worries and smiled at his dance partner. He pulled Buffy a little closer to him and said jokingly, “I’m Angel, Brooder Extraordinare, remember? I don my cape at night and drive off in the Vampmobile looking for pretty little Slayers who need my help. It helps me out of my depression.”

Buffy stared at him in surprise. “Did you just make a joke, Angel? A very bad joke, but a joke nonetheless.” She pulled away from him and put her hands to her cheeks in mock-horror. “You’re not my Angel!”

Angel cringed slightly at her words. He laughed nervously. “Of course I’m your Angel. Why wouldn’t I be your Angel? Do I look any different from your Angel?”

Buffy stepped back into his arms, but the skeptic expression remained on her face. “You’re babbling. You never babble. Are you sure you’re all right?”

Angel didn’t answer her question. “Buffy, how’s Giles?”

“Giles? Angel, that’s hardly a very romantic thing to say. In fact, that’s not romantic at all!”

“Buffy ...”

“He’s out on a date with Ms. Calendar. Ugh. I don’t even want to know what they’re doing. Ever since she restored your soul they’ve been all over each other. They’re like two teenagers, all gooey-eyed and stuff, not that teenagers wear tweed or teach computer classes or anything. Except maybe for Cordy. You know, she was acting ...” Buffy noticed that Angel wasn’t paying any attention to her words. In fact, he wasn’t even looking at her, and he had a very strange expression on his face.

“Angel? Hello? Are you still in there?” She waved her hand in front of his eyes, hoping to get a reaction.

“Jenny ... Calendar?” he said slowly, looking dazed.

“Yeah, her. Teaches computer at school, techno-pagan gypsy, or whatever she calls herself these days. You know. Her. Angel, you’re acting kinda weird.”

Angel’s gaze flew to Buffy’s, intent on finding some answers. “Buffy, what happened after Acathla opened?”

Buffy’s eyes clouded over in pain. “Why are you bringing this up, Angel? I thought we agreed to put this behind us?”

The romantic song that had been on was over and was replaced by a loud, thumping beat that shook the room. Angel pulled Buffy over to a corner where they could talk more privately. She followed him, clearly annoyed at his strange behavior.

“Refresh my memory, Buffy.” He caught her eyes, his desperation obvious. “Please.”

“Geez, does everyone have a case of temporary amnesia or something? First Cordelia, then ...” She sighed. “Cordy and Ms. Calendar found a permanent soul-restoring spell the week after you, um, lost it. No more happy clause. You had gone over to Spike and Drusilla by then, but we managed to get you back before you did anything too bad. Then you helped us stop them from opening Acathla. They left town before I could stake them.” She looked at Angel impatiently. “Is that what you wanted to hear?”

Angel smiled brilliantly. Buffy was amazed at the change that went over him. The tortured expression was gone, and he looked at her, more happy than she had ever seen him before. He picked her up and swung her around. Buffy squealed in surprise. “Angel! What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing’s wrong, Buffy!” he said exuberantly, pulling her out to the dance floor once more. “Nothing’s ever been more right!”


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