A Trio Of Four: Part 3
by R A S
I don't own anything but the story. Joss and the WB own everything else. It's been awhile since I've added to this story, but it still does take place before all of the "sad things" happened, (when Cordy didn't know Angel was really a vamp, she wouldn't believe Buffy, around the Halloween episode, etc.) that I would like to choose to deny. Enjoy. :0)
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Part Three
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"Buff, you really gave those vamps-" Xander started.
"Something to talk about," Willow replied for him. "Xander, are you going to go to 'Untold Treasures' first?"
"Yeah, Will. Which never interested you before. Why the sudden change in heart?"
"Maybe Will's looking to understand and observe why men do the things they do." Buffy frowned. "Which brings up the question. Why do men do the things they do?"
"Our gender is advanced in areas of technology-" Xander proclaimed, or tryed to.....
"Yeah right!!! In what?"
"Well, for starters, let's begin with Socrates. The man who chose to answer a question with a question, and challenged the mind of the government."
"You want to challenge the mind of the government?" Buffy asked, confused.
"Wow, Xander," Willow confessed. "Have you and Giles been comparing notes?"
"Nah, I heard that on some commercial awhile back. Television works wonders with your brain. Especially one like mine. But the point is, I have to proceed with my need to shop, Buff. Willow and I will meet you back here in 30, alright?"
"Sure, just keep an eye on him, will you Willow?" Buffy urged her friend.
"Oh," she smiled brightly at her opponent. "He always gets like this, when he's realized a fairly smart idea has suddenly taken shape, in his normally empty mind."
"Oh, that clears everything up," Buffy told her, still completely dumbfounded.
"Where are you off to so soon?" Xamder questioned suspiciously.
"Oh, you know. The usual browsing."
"Well, don't get too caught up." he told her. "And remember to be on the look-out for-"
"Trouble-"
"Right. Because then you can show Giles you stuck to your duties at least halfway. Saving your friends for the one-hundreth time deserves a real round of applause-"
"I got it. I got it." Buffy nodded, and collapsed onto an unoccupied bench, as she watched them go. Frowning, she pulled out a map of the entire mall and attempted to plot her plan of action.
"Is this seat taken?" A soft, but deep voice brought forth.
Buffy looked up and immediately broke into a grin. "Angel."
The handsome 242-year-old vampire took a seat beside her. "You're here with Xander and Willow?"
"Yes. I'm avoiding Giles' meeting place kick, for probably what will be the only time in my career as a slayer. How'd you know I was-"
"I lurk," he smiled at her. "I saw you kill all those vamps outside. You know, technically we are invited due to the-"
"I saw the sign," she interrupted. "I just think it's odd to see you here having-"
"A good time?" he questioned.
"Why is she always with him?" Buffy suddenly picked up behind her. Cordelia Chase brushed swiftly past, one of her loyal Cordette's tagging along. "Her and her looney friends-"
"I think you mean loser," the wannabe corrected cheerfully. Buffy recognized her right away as being that who called herself Harmony.
"Right. Whatever. I should be dating a guy that hot. I should get the best. Well," she looked at Harmony indicating she wanted a fast response. "Shouldn't I?"
"Sure, um, definitely," Harmony agreed brightly.
"Hi Cordy," Buffy offered. "Care to be introduced?"
"Ugh," the 'queen' of Sunnydale High breathed a sigh of defeat and continued walking, Harmony still hanging at her beck and call.
"Is she even human?" Angel countered, smiling, as he slowly put an arm around her shoulders.
"Sometimes I wonder," Buffy muttered softly and moved in closer to him.
Meanwhile, Xander and Willow had found their destination. Xander immediately moved toward the guns, while Willow chose to linger somewhat behind. She seemed to be interested in every one thing that wasn't in any way connected to the subject men called the army.
"Private Harris reporting for duty," Xander shouted in his best mimic of a powerful figure. He carefully saluted Willow, who laughed and moved toward a shelf of old artifacts.
"Xander?" She called, holding something of amazement within her grasp.
"Hmmm?" He came over to her, already disguised in his "temporary" attire.
Willow smiled. "What do you suppose this is?" And held up her prize, proud of herself, as if finding the oddest ornament in a Christmas tree, full of disappointments.
"It looks like a lamp," he replied casually. "Will, could you possibly find anything more wonderful?"
"Sorry," she muttered. "But it has an inscription written on the bottom and I thought-"
"That a thousand year old genie would come out and grant your three wishes?"
"Well, this being the hellmouth and all-" she started.
"Will, give it a rest and come over by me. We'll get dressed up and go scare Buffy," he offered her a small smile. How she adored that smile. "It probably costs a fortune anyway."
"Not really. Only $31.14. But look at all the intricate-"
"Will?"
"I'm going to buy it," she brought forth. "Then I can do research and ask Giles if there's a legend-"
"I give up," he shrugged and moved away from her. Glancing out into the main corridor of the mall, he groaned. "Looks like Buffy has found someone to keep her from spending."
Willow followed his gaze. "Angel," she murmured, half caught up in the sentimental scene before her. She only wished she could find someone that sweet for her very own. Then, mindlessly studying her treasure, she went to pay for it at the front counter...
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