Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Buffy The Vampire Slayer characters in this story, they are the property of Joss Whedon and the WB.
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Part Two
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Annette looked frantically around for Claire. The party had just started and the guests were piling in but where was her sister? if her mother finds out that Claire is missing she'll be furious and not to mention her father.
Across the room Jared approached her parents and then Annette decided to leave. She planned on avoiding her soon to be husband as much as possible.
As she walked through the hallway she heard a loud noise from Claire's room, obviously that squeaky window. At least she wouldn't have to give a false explanation to her parents and guests about Claire's disappearance.
Claire shut the window, wincing as it closed with a loud squeak. She stripped off her wet clothes before placing on new undergarments and a clean dress. After finishing her hair and makeup claire opened the door to see Annette waiting patiently for her.
"Well, it's about time and you, dear sister, have some explaining to do."
"An explanation that I'll give to you later, did they notice?" She asked, as they walked down the Main Hall.
"No. They're in the dining hall speaking with Jared and all the other guests."
"Jared... figures he would be here to celebrate his "darlings" birthday," She said with a grin.
"Don't you start with me. Besides my birthday, mother considers this to be my engagement party also."
"And no wonder...."
"So when do you plan on giving me your explanation so I can scold you?"
"Oh, I'm hurt," she said, giving her sister a wounded look. "Well, there's mother and father. I had better fade into the background like I always do."
"People notice you," Annette told her.
"Well, to mother I'm always just part of the scenary at parties and social events such as theses. And no one ever does speak to me besides you so I'll just disappear as always and kiss my dear future brother-in-law for me," She said, getting an annoyed look from her sister.
"That I won't do and for that last remark I might not even speak to you for the rest of the evening."
Claire smiled innocently and kissed her sister on the cheek before leaving Annette to her parents and Jared, the firing squad in claire's opinion.
Claire watched as other women surrounded Annette and her mother, Annette looked miserable and her mother looked both excited and proud, it was enough to make Claire sick.
"Fadin' in with the background, I see," came a voice from behind her, a very familiar voice.
Claire turned around to see Angelus. "I didn't expect you to be here," she said.
"Well I expected to see you here so I came. tell me, why is a pretty lady, such as yourself, standing alone in a corner of a room crowded with people."
Claire looked at him for a moment before answering,"I'm not exactly noticable by others and I'll tell you honestly that I don't feel very comfortable around people that I don't know."
Angelus understood partially. He definitely noticed her when he walked in.
"Well, in that case, will you care to take a walk with me outside in the gardens?" he asked.
"I'd be honored," she said as she looped her arm around his.
The two silently walked out of the house and into the garden. To Claire it was strange to be near him. Normally she felt uncomfortable and nervous around men but not with Angelus. she felt as if she knew him and she felt safe.
"Tell me, what do ya think of Ireland so far?"
"It's more beautiful here than in London but I don't know what to think of the people here, some don't really seem to accept us because of where we come from."
"I know it's not that many, everyone seems to like your family, especially your mother."
"She's not what she seems," Claire said, "The same goes with my father."
"what do you mean?"
"She might seem like a kind an loving woman but in truth she's spoiled and power-hungry. My father is selfish and is very much in love with money, they make a perfect match."
"Your sister seems to be happy but then again.... your parents set up the marriage didn't they?"
"Yes. and against Annette's will. They seem to use us as their way into wealth and power. After they're done with Annette they'll use me.... I don't know why I'm telling you this, I hardly know you."
"Well, I know that talking can sometimes help and I hope it makes you feel better, are you all right?" he asked, noticing that she squeezed his hand a little tighter.
"No, actually."
"I'm sorry if I had upset you-"
"No, it's not you," she said, as he lead her to a bench. "I just.... I suppose I feel used."
"Having parents such as that I suppose you do. But you'll do what you know is right, you're a very smart and brave woman, Claire."
"I'm not brave," she said, looking a the grass below her.
lifting up her chin with his finger, he said, "Yes, you are. Especially at the lake when you appeared half naked with a sword at my throat.
Claire smiled. "You never got over that did you?"
"No. Other than that I'd call it love at first sight."
"Are you going to babble all night or are you going to kiss me?"
"My Lady, I thought you would never ask."
Angelus lifted her chin with his finger as their lips met in a soft kiss. Angelus's arms snaked around her waist, pulling her more closely to him as he kissed her fiercely and she with incresing intensity.
"I hope the two of you know that you have to at least stop to breathe," said a familiar voice.
Claire reluctantly pulled her lips away from his to see Annette standing only a few feet away from them with an amused expression on her face.
"What are you doing out here?" Claire asked as Angelus slipped his arms from her waist.
"Well, I'm sorry to interrupt you moment of intimacy but I'm afraid mama is looking for you," She informed, "I suppose it's a good thing I found you before she did, God knows how her reaction would be to this.... I'll tell her that you're on your way."
Annette turned, a smile on her face as she walked away.
Claire stood up and looked at Angelus. "Will you meet me tommarow at the lake around noon?"
"I'll be there," he said, lightly kissing her lips before walking away.
* * *
"Okay, Claire, where were you today? who's that man? how did you meet? and where did you get him?" Annette asked.
"All right. Can I have one question at a time, please?"
"Okay. Where were you?"
"At the lake."
"Who's the man?"
"Angelus."
"How did you meet?"
Claire didn't look at her sister, to embarrassed as she said, "I met him at the lake where I was swimming at."
"In your undergarments no less," Annette muttered.
"I heard someone and I grabbed a sword and I had the blade at his neck."
"You what?!"
"I though he was spying on me."
"We talked and he handed me my dress and I got nervous around him and I ran home-"
"Your babbling again," Annette said, trying not to burst out laughing.
"You find this amusing, Annette, so just get it out of your system. Nothing has ever stopped you at laughing at humiliating experiences of mine before."
"Your right," She observed, " I do think it's sort of comical but I suppose I shouldn't laugh this time since your actually in a relationship with someone."
"Not exactly-"
"You like him, don't you? well, come on out and admit it... and if you tell me that you "greatly esteem him" like you did with Jeffery then I'm going to wrap my fingers around that pretty neck of yours, sister."
"Alright, so I like him, are you happy?"
"Very."
The two kept quiet as footsteps were heard near their door. The two breathed a sigh of relief as they passed the door.
"I better get to my own room and get some sleep. But I do have one more question."
"What?"
"Are you seeing him tommarow?"
"As a matter of fact, yes I am."
"Well, goodnight," Annette said before walking towards her own room.
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