A/N: For those who haven't read the intro... Which would be kind of odd, since that's the first chapter, technically.... This is "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered", only with the addition of Dawn. Also, obviously, much of this credit goes to the BB&B writer.
The heart necklace dangled.
"So, what do you think?" asked Xander.
"It's nice," answered Buffy. Personally, she thought it was great--probably the kind of thing that Angel would have gotten for her. But now, Angel was...
"Yeah, but do you think Cordelia will like it?"
He came closer to her. She was sitting on a headstone, but she held her hand out for the necklace anyway. She looked at it again.
"I don't know." She was silent for a moment, thinking... "Does she know what one of these is?"
"Ha, ha, very funny. When are you guys going to stop making fun of me for dating Cordelia?"
"I'm sorry." She watched him coil it back up again and carefully put it away. "But never," she added. "I just think you could find somebody more--better."
"Yeah. Sure. But the only other person I'm really interested in is, um... Unavailable." They were both silent for a moment, thinking.
"Besides, Cordy and I are really getting along. We're not fighting as much, and yesterday we sat together, not even speaking. You know, just enjoying a comfortable silence." He smiled, then looked back at Buffy. "Man, was that dull."
"Don't worry about the gift," Buffy reassured him. "She'll love it."
"This is all new for me. Dating, valentines--my valentines are usually met with heartfelt restraining orders. I wish dating was simple--like slaying." He turned, walking around again. "Just a direct stake to the heart. No muss, no fuss."
At that, a new vampire made its way out of the ground. It was, as usual, in full vampface and growling. Xander was bowled over backwards, watching as Buffy fought with it for a few moments before she staked it--after having a few more close calls.
She walked over to him and helped him up. "Sorry to say, Xand, slaying is a tad more perilous than dating," she pointed out.
"Well, you're obviously not dating Cordelia."
They walked away.
**
Cordelia Chase (herself) walked up the stairs to the school. She could see her group--the Cordettes--and she could not wait to tell them about her fab new outfit. But as soon as they saw her, they all gathered up their books and began walking away.
"Wait up! Hey, wait up!" She sped up, still moving after them. "S'cuse me! Where's the fire sale?"
They turned around. "Oh, sorry," said Harmony--who was probably second in coolness. Second to her, of course. "Didn't see you."
"Well, why didn't you call me back last night? We need to talk about our outfits for the dance. I'm wearing red and black, so you need to switch," she said, directing her attention to one of the other groupies.
"Red and black? Is that what Xander likes?" said the girl, laying a little too much emphasis on Xander's name.
"Xander? What does he have to do with this?" She looked around at them, really not getting the joke.
"Well," said Harmony mock-earnestly, "a girl wants to look good for her geek." There were a few loose giggles. Cordelia started frowning.
"Xander's just--"
"When are you two gonna start wearing cute little matching outfits?" asked Harmony, interrupting her. "'Cause I'm planning to vomit." Turning her attention back to the Cordettes--the Harmonettes--she said, "Let's go."
They all flounced away in perfect unison, leaving Cordy more than a little stung.
**
The bell rang. "Leave the papers on my desk," said the teacher, turning around. "Anyone that tries to leave without a paper has a failing grade."
Xander looked at her from the back of the room, grinning. "I'm ready for ya. No 'F' for Xander today--no, this baby's my ticket to a sweet 'D minus'," he said, looking at his paper.
"Hey, Amy," said Willow, looking at Amy.
"Hey. You guys going to the Valentine's Day dance at the Bronze?"
Willow turned, smiling happily, to look at Buffy. "Go ahead, you know you want to say it," she urged her friend.
"My boyfriend's in the band," said Willow, practically bursting with pride.
"Cool!" Amy grinned, happy for her. Willow turned back to Buffy, still beaming.
"I think you've now told everybody," Buffy pointed out.
"Only in this hemisphere," Willow corrected her.
"What about you?" Amy looked at Buffy.
"Nope. I mean, Valentine's Day is just a cheap gimmick to sell cards and chocolate. Besides, I'm baby-sitting Dawn. There's a big show at the gallery."
Amy focussed on the first part of her statement. "Bad breakup, huh?"
"Believe me when I say, uh-huh." They started walking to the front of the class, handing in their papers. "Thank you.... Thank you...."
The room was nearly empty. Xander and Amy were the only ones left. Amy stood and stared into Miss Beakman's eyes for a moment. Finally, she smiled and held out her hand, saying, "Thank you, Amy," smiling again. She put it down, acting like she'd accepted Amy's paper--even though Xander had noticed that nothing had gone between them.
Amy smiled and walked out. Xander stared after her, barely noticing when he turned in his own paper.
**
Willow and Buffy went down the stairs. "I just hate to think of you solo--on Valentine's Day!"
"I'll be fine. Watch a few movies with Dawn--ones that don't involve charismatic men--not discuss boys--wait for mom to get home. What's so bad about that?" They looked at each other.
Xander came up behind them. "Did you just see that?"
"See what?" Willow's eyes shot back to him.
"In class. I think Amy just worked some mojo on Miss Beakman."
"Like witchcraft?" Buffy turned to look at him, too.
"Her mom's a witch," Willow pointed out.
"An amateur psycho. Amy's the last person that should be messing with that stuff." Buffy looked back at Willow.
"Maybe I should go talk to her," said Xander, feeling vaguely uneasy.
"Buffy? Buffy?" Giles walked to them, looking inquisitive. "Might I have a word?"
"Have a sentence, even," she graciously offered.
"What? Oh.... Yes...." He smiled at her joke for a brief moment. Then the smile faded as Jenny--Ms. Calendar--Janna Calderash--the woman who had betrayed Buffy--the woman that he loved walked out of a room directly across from them.
Buffy looked down, not loving the tension.
Jenny spoke. "Rupert," she smiled.
"Ms. Calendar," he acknowledged her. Her smile faded, too. But she picked up all of her courage...
"I'm glad we ran into each other, actually. I was hoping we could talk--" she took a step forward, then walked a little more, bridging the physical gap, then looking at Buffy.
"Um, actually, not just now. I have a matter to discuss with Buffy."
Buffy looked up, at that, still avoiding Ms. Calendar. "Right. Let's go." She pushed forward, and Giles followed her to the library.
**
Buffy looked up at him sympathetically. "Are you okay?"
"Me? I'll.... I'll be fine." He took off his glasses, polishing them. "It's you that I'm worried about, actually." He sat down on the edge of a table. "Since Angel, erm, turned, I've been reading up on his earlier activities."
"And?" She stared at him expectantly. It had to be bad--maybe something worse than Angel had told her.
"Around Valentine's Day, he's rather prone to--well, brutal displays of what he would think of as affection, I suppose."
"Like what?"
"No need to go into details." He avoided her eyes.
"That bad?" He stood up, moving away.
"Suffice it to say, I think it would be best if you stayed inside for the next few nights. I'll, erm, patrol, keep an eye on things. Better safe than sorry," he finally added.
"It's a little late. For both."
**
Drusilla stared at the beautiful necklace that her darling boy had somehow managed to get for her. "Fancy it, pet?" asked Spike.
"It's beautiful."
"Nothing but the best for my girl."
Angelus dropped a heart. A real one, still warm and bloody. He smiled, first at Spike, then at Drusilla.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Dru," he told her. She stared at it, in awe--or maybe some kind of a trance, which was fairly likely for her.
"Oh! Angel. It's still warm." Spike and Angelus glared at each other over the crazy girl.
"I knew you'd like it." He closed his eyes for a moment. "I found it in a quaint little shopgirl."
He reached over her to pick up the necklace, staring at it disdainfully. "Cute," he said, before fastening it around her neck. "Here," he said, much more sweetly and respectfully to Drusilla.
Spike wheeled forward. "I'll get it."
Angelus backed away, looking at him. "Done." Spike crossed his arms. "I know Dru gives you pity access, but you have to admit it's so much easier when I do things for her!"
"You would do well to worry less about Dru and more about that Slayer of yours."
"Dear Buffy." Angelus looked around, thinking. "Hm. I'm still trying to decide the best way to send my regards."
"Why don't you rip her lungs out? That might make an impression." Spike was sick of the Slayer, and sick of Angelus's games.
"Lacks poetry." Angelus took a jab at Spike's life. The one where he had been alive.
"Doesn't have to. Let's see... What rhymes with lungs?"
"Don't worry, Spike. Angel always knows what speaks to a girl's heart," said Dru, as she looked at a girl's heart that he had doubtless spoken to.
**
Willow and Xander sat at one of many Bronze tables. He was looking around anxiously for Cordelia--some proof that she was really coming. She was just staring at Oz, on his guitar. They were playing "Pain"--one of their better ones, or at least more often played at the Bronze. He'd catch her eye every now and then, and smile.
"There she is!" Xander finally stood up, anxiety gone. He took the box with him.
"Hey." She looked at him, smiling just a little colder than usual.
"Hey. Look, before you say anything else--I got you this." He held out the box. "Open it."
She took it, a little reluctantly. As long as Xander had displayed his usually lack of taste, this might be a little easier. But... No, as she opened the box, she found that it was beautiful.
"God, you just had to make this harder, didn't you," she murmered as she pulled the necklace out of its box.
"My getting something great for you makes things harder? Or is it awful?"
"No--it's gorgeous. But.... Xander, I'm breaking up with you."
"Not quite the reaction I was going for. Why?"
"Oh, do you even have to ask?"
"But--no. I'm not going to say it. But do you know what the best day to break up on is? Any day except Valentine's Day!" He was pissed, and he definitely had good reason. She was hurting even more from this than she had this morning. So, maybe she was making a mistake.... No.... Was she?
**
Buffy and Dawn sat watching a movie. And despite all that Buffy had been able to do, it was still a "chick flick". It wasn't too bad--as long as she managed to forget about her life itself.
The doorbell rang. Maybe their mom had forgotten the keys again--or maybe Giles had found something really useful. "I'll get it," she said, transferring the popcorn bowl in her lap to the table. "You stay here," she sternly said to Dawn.
"Yes, Buffy." She rolled her eyes at her older sister. She'd been so weird lately....
Buffy walked to the front door, then looked around outside. No one was there. She frowned. Maybe it was a practical joke. Then again, it might be a little more serious.... All things considered....
She closed the door and walked back in. She made to go into the living room, then stopped. Maybe someone was at the back door?....
She walked around to the kitchen, then opened the door. No one was out there--she almost felt foolish for being so paranoid. Maybe just some kid from school--or maybe some guy pulling a prank on Dawn. She looked down. It was a box--with her name on it. The paranoia all came rushing back as she picked it up to carry it inside.
She put it on the counter. It was thin--could be a neck tie or something. Or a baseball bat--she remembered Marcie Ross using one to beat on Mitch, last spring. An enchanted bat, they'd all thought for a bit.
Dawn came into the kitchen. "Dawn, I thought I told you--"
"Relax. We ran out of popcorn." She held up the empty bowl as proof. "Huh. Roses. Some guy's probably sweet on you."
She placed the bowl on the counter, going for the microwave popcorn in the counter. Buffy calmed down again. Roses. That was it. What a simple explanation. And here, she'd been wigging..... She opened the boxes. Several long-stemmed red roses stared back out at her--along with a card. She picked it up, staring at it. She fell into a near-trance....
"Buffy?" Dawn stared at her. The popcorn had already gotten popped--maybe she'd lost track of time. "What is it?"
"Nothing, Dawnie." She put the card back in the box, blank side up.
"Let's go finish the movie." The two of them walked back out into the living room, the roses still on the counter.
**
Xander looked around the hallway. This just sucked. Not only did everyone seem to know what happened with Cordelia, but his own buds couldn't talk to him. Yeah, Buffy's psycho ex was a good reason--and if he was doing stuff, there was a definite cause to find Giles. But still--he wished that someone could talk to him.
But the last straw came when he saw Cordelia and her Cordettes all laughing together....
He grabbed Amy by her arm and pulled her to the side. "What?--Xander, ow!" she protested.
"Amy. Good to see you." Then, he got down to business. "You're a witch," he said bluntly.
"No. That was my mom," she reminded him.
"Yeah. I'm thinking it runs in the family. I saw you working the mojo on Miss Beakman. Maybe I should go tell somebody."
"That's--that is so mean!" she hissed at him.
"Blackmail is such an ugly word."
"I didn't say blackmail." Her eyes were wide.
"No, but I'm about to blackmail you, so I thought I'd bring it up."
She crossed her arms, not backing down. "What do you want?"
He chuckled a little. "What do I want?" Then he got serious. "I want some respect around here. I want, for once, to come out ahead. I want the Hellmouth to be working for me. You and me, Amy." He turned around to stared at Cordelia again. She followed his eyes....
"We're gonna cast a little spell."
**
They walked into an empty classroom.
"A love spell?" she asked him skeptically. He closed the door.
"Yeah. You know, just the basic can't eat, can't sleep, can't breathe anything but little old moi."
"Well, that kind of thing is the hardest--I mean, to make someone love you for all eternity?"
"Whoa, whoa, back up. Who said anything about eternity? A man can only talk about self-tanning lotion for so long before his head explodes," he said.... With next to no bitterness.
"Well, then, I don't get it. If you don't want to be with her forever, then.... What's the point?" She was confused, more than a little.
"The point is, I want her to love me--desperately--so I can break up with her and put her through the same hell that she's been putting me through."
A/N: OKay, only the first half.... I'll add the last part later.... Must cater to my little brother, who is incapable of getting on the internet on his own. At which point, there will be Dawn-ness! Besides, the funniest part's (hopefully) going to be during the spell. This is just background for those who didn't see the episode.... Did anyone NOT see the episode???
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