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.
***
Buffy regarded Angel with a blank stare. Just seeing him there, looking so confident and casual, was enthralling. She was completely at a loss for words. Her sole motivation for facing the world this morning had been to come here and be with Angel, but now that they were face to face, she realized that she hadn’t given a single thought to what she would say to him.
Angel, perceptive as always, seemed to sense her anxiety. "Wouldn’t you be more comfortable sitting down, Miss Summers?" he asked, gesturing toward a chair on the opposite side of the desk.
Buffy nodded silently and sat. She looked down at her lap and fidgeted with her pocketbook for a few seconds, then she took a deep breath and began.
"Well, I kind of have this problem. There’s this new girl, see, and I guess she’s the next big thing, or something, and I feel like I’m being passed over."
Angel listened intently as Buffy told him about seeing Faith and Giles together on the street the day before. His piercing gaze distracted her, however, and she found it more and more difficult to remember her movie star persona. She had missed him so much, missed being able to confide in him, missed how he comforted her as no one else could.
"...and I just can’t believe Giles is doing this to me!" she concluded. "I mean, I’ve been the only one, the chosen one, The Slayer, for so long now—
Angel looked confused. "The what?" he interrupted. "Sorry, I didn’t catch that last part. Something about a slayer?"
Buffy bolted alert, as she realized that she had lapsed into talking to Angel about the real world—or whatever it was. It was beginning to seem less and less "real" by the minute. She thought fast.
"Um, yeah. A Christmas movie I was supposed to audition for. ‘The Sleigh.’ Nevermind about that, it’s not important. The point is that I think my agent is trying to sabotage me."
Angel nodded in understanding. He opened a drawer of his desk and took out several pieces of paper, which he handed to Buffy with a reassuring look.
"I’ll take the case," he said, with finality. "And don’t worry, Miss Summers. We’ll get to the bottom of this. I just need you to fill out these forms."
Buffy took out a pen and began filling in her name and address. As she wrote, Angel got up from his desk and moved toward the shuttered window.
"Awfully dark in here, isn’t it?" he observed, not really expecting an answer.
Buffy looked up from the paper in her lap just in time to see Angel pull open the shutters. She gasped in disbelief as beams of light streamed into the room, bathing Angel in yellow sunshine. He turned around and smiled at her, as if to say, "that’s better." Buffy held her breath, trying to take it all in. She had never seen Angel in the sunlight before. It was better than she’d ever dreamed. God, he’s beautiful, she thought.
Angel looked at her quizzically, and Buffy realized she had been staring at him. She looked down and quickly continued writing. She kept her eyes on her lap, afraid that if she looked at him again, he would notice the tear which threatened to fall from the corner of her eye.
Finally she finished. Angel put the completed forms on his desk and stood to escort her out of the office. "I’ll get in touch with you the minute I find out anything, Miss Summers," he said, as he held the door open for her. "And don’t worry," he added, winking. "Everything will be kept confidential. Strictly hush-hush."
Buffy smiled at Angel’s attempts to put her at ease. She shook his hand graciously and stepped out into the hallway. Then the door closed behind her and he was gone. She was alone again.
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