I did not create, nor do I own, the major characters in this story. Buffy, Giles, Faith, Xander, Oz, Angel, Cordelia, Willow, and Spike all belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. I did, however, create the storyline they now inhabit. This story takes place around 1/3 of the way through season 3, before Faith turns evil and Angel recovers from his stint in hell. Thanks to Laur, who originated the general idea for a "film noir" episode of Buffy. The title for this story comes from the excellent movie "LA Confidential." That’s it. Hope the lawyers are happy.
***
"Fifty-third and Vine," Xander told the driver. "Lakeshore Towers."
Buffy sighed with relief. Apparently Xander did know where she lived. Buffy thought longingly of how nice it would be to just be alone for a while and try to digest everything that had happened so far. She hoped it wouldn’t be a long ride.
Her reverie was interrupted by Xander, who leaned over and tried to get her attention by waving his hand in front of her face. "Hello? Buffy?"
Buffy turned to him, and she recognized the old familiar look of rapt attention and hope beyond hope that Xander had reserved for her in the past. Or rather, the future. Or...whatever it was. "Hmm?" she asked finally.
"So I was wondering," he began, "how come you can go to Europe for the Christmas show if you’re so busy with this big secret movie right now?"
Buffy was silent for what seemed like an eternity, trying to figure out what to say. She desperately wanted to tell Xander the truth, but which truth? The story that she was in danger of losing her studio contract, as Giles had said? Or the other story, which was that neither of them were supposed to be here, and they were really high school students in 1998? Neither one seemed very promising.
Buffy swallowed hard. "Uh, they’re pretty much done filming. They don’t need me on the set anymore."
"Ah, post-production," Xander said, nodding. "Gotcha."
Buffy smiled and nodded. She hoped Xander would drop this line of questioning, or it really was going to be a long cab ride.
"Okay, well then if you’re really not so busy after all, how about going with me to the Coconut Grove tonight to check out the band I booked for the USO show?" Xander’s faced shone with anticipation and hope. "Come on," he coaxed, "Music, drinks, dancing--it’s just what you need, I can tell."
Buffy considered the offer in silence. Ever since her mom had gotten on that classic movie kick, Buffy had always wondered what a swanky, swing-era evening on the town in the would have been like. Plus, she was feeling jipped out of her "night off" at the Bronze (which was starting to seem like a very long time ago). Then again, she didn’t want to give Xander the wrong idea. Just then her thoughts were abruptly terminated as the cab sharply pulled to the curb and stopped.
"Lakeshore Towers!" the driver announced. Buffy opened the door and stared at the very exclusive-looking building rising up in front of her. Wow, I live here, she thought. As she was about to step out of the cab, Xander reached out his hand and grabbed her arm.
"Buff? So, what about it?"
Buffy shrugged. What the heck, she thought. Nothing else is even remotely normal today, why not go with the flow? "Sure. Why not?" she answered.
Xander beamed. "Great!" he said. "I’ll pick you up at 8."
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