“So, let me get this straight. You’re with Spike to feel? You saw me; wasn’t that enough?”
“It wasn’t, because I couldn’t say, because I couldn’t tell you the truth, because we couldn’t stay there,” Buffy tried to explain.
“You could have told me. I would have listened. I wouldn’t have been happy, but I would have listened.”
“And you would have still gone right back to L.A.!” she shouted. “I needed someone who wasn’t going to leave me!”
“A soulless, evil, thing ?” He narrowed his eyes, almost in disgust.
“He isn’t evil.”
“No, he’s chipped. That makes him all better. Buffy, if he could, he would kill you! You think that if he lost that chip, he’d still be all loving? He’d murder you in a minute. He’s already killed two Slayers.”
“He saved my life,” she whispered. “I tried to die, let myself die, and he was the only one that came to save me.”
“You trying to tell me that you love him?” His words gave her pause. No, she didn’t love Spike. She…. used him, but she didn’t love him…. No, that didn’t feel right either…. Did she love Spike? Who knew?
“You do,” he said, taking her silence for an admission.
“I don’t know,” she said finally. “But…. He may be…. He may be in my heart.”
“That’ll work out well,” snorted Angel.
“Oh, and what was the highlight of our relationship? The time you broke up with me, or the time I sent you to hell?”
“I’m just saying… Spike? Come on. I’ve been given the brush-off for Captain Peroxide. Doesn’t exactly bring out the gentleman in me.” He glowered at the room in general.
“I’m not saying I love him. And I don’t feel the same way for him as I do for you, it’s just—” She struggled to explain, not finding the words.
“Angel? Man, we’ve got to go soon,” said Gunn. “And hurry up. Cordelia made a new friend. There’s some guy out here about to have a heart attack, and I’ve got to say, I’m about to follow. I hear much more about orgasms and weddings—” he trailed off, shaking his head.
Buffy and Angel walked back out through the living room, making a conscious effort not to look at each other. Willow and the girl—Maria—were trying not to laugh. Nibu, Xander, and even Gunn, were starting to look more than a little uncomfortable. Faith wasn’t bothering trying not to laugh. Cordelia and Anya were having a serious discussion about…
“Xander’s just so….”
“Shrimp-like,” said Anya. In response to Cordy’s questioning look, she said, “he doesn’t travel well.”
“Right. I remember that.”
“Ahn, honey, can we please change the subject?” asked Xander for what had to be the thousandth time.
“Why? I don’t mind discussing you with Cordelia. As long as she—and Faith—” she sent a dirty look at the other Slayer “—know that you’re mine and they can’t have you. Neither of them can.”
“Thus the ring on your finger. Signifying that we’re getting married. That you’ve only pointed out about a dozen times,” Xander retorted desperately. “That’s what’s going to keep them away.”
“It’s like a cross, then. With a vampire,” she decided.
“Ahn, please,” begged Xander.
“Oh, it’s alright,” said Cordelia. “I don’t mind.”
“I do,” he shot back.
“Ooh, look who got civilized,” she stated.
“Cordy—Ahn—can we just not be doing this? Please?”
“Fine,” Anya pouted. “But I do like having orgasms with you. And talking about our wedding. Which, you are invited to, by the way.” The last was directed to Angel Inc. at large.
“Thanks!” said Cordelia brightly. Angel just winced at the concept of going to Xander’s wedding. Gunn really didn’t care… And Faith expected that the invite didn’t extend to her. You kill enough people, try to kill others, you kind of lose your popularity. She’d accepted it. She was good with it.
“Let’s go,” said Maria to Nibu. He started out the door, avoiding Anya and Cordy. “Thanks for letting us stay here,” said Maria to Buffy, suspecting that Buffy wouldn’t care.
“Of course,” said Buffy. “Any friend of Cordy’s…” She left it hanging, not really sure what to tack on the end. Maria smiled at her a little, then followed Nibu out.
“So, bye. Nice seeing you again,” said Cordy, waving at Buffy a little and then leaving.
“Good to finally meet you,” said Gunn. “Heard enough about you…” He grinned a little at Angel before sensing the dour mood and left again.
“Bye, ‘B,” said Faith softly. She slunk around Buffy and the rest. Xander and Anya moved into the living room.
“I’ll… Leave you two alone,” said Willow finally, running up the stairs.
“So. This is goodbye,” said Angel.
“Not for always,” said Buffy.
“For quite a while.” He didn’t soften, didn’t loosen anything, even looking at her face…
“I’ll be seeing you,” he said finally, before pulling the cover over himself and going back out through her front door. She stood there for a while, watching him go.
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