Title: Not Nearly Perfect Part 1/? Author: Ashley Russo Rating: PG13- MAYBE to NC-17 Disclaimer: Ugh! Come on, don't make me!...Fine! No they're not mine, only the storyline is. All the characters, unless stated otherwise belong the the creator of the show Joss Whendon, and all that stuff. Happy now?!?!? Couples: B/A thats all i know right now Summary: AU. Buffy's the new girl at Sunnydale High, and she's the person that everyone wants to be, but some people know better, because Buffy not nearly perfect at all! ( like how i dropped the title in there?) Distribution: Anywhere, just email me first, and when you get permission, email me when the fic(s) get onto the site. Dedication: All the B/A fans Feedback: OMIGOSH i would love you forever if you'd send me some, it would really help my confidence too. ooo plus if you do i'll give you a shout-out in my author's notes. (email me either at Morghanna_1@l... or taurewanus@y...) Authors Note: I got pissed at the way i was writing the other perfect, it felt meaningless when i read it over, so this one will hopefully be much better! ****"Bye Uncle Giles!" Buffy Summers called out as she stumbled out of the door, on her way to school. It had taken her nearly an hour to find the perfect outfit. Most of her stuff hadn't arrived at the new house yet. She was wearing a sky blue skirt that casually draped over her ankles, and had two long slits on both sides. Under her dark blue jean jacket, she wore a creamy white, spagetti strap top. Her almost shimmering golden, hair was piled on top of her head, in a messy bun. A few strands fell out of place, and were left to dance with the wind upon her almost perfectly placed cheekbones. People were always telling her how beautiful she was. When she went to Ireland during the summers, she was known throughout the town as 'Brinneall a' �iteag' 'Beautiful and shy.' She wasn't a shy person at all. With her friends she was the center of attention, outgoing and fun, but she distrusted certain people, especially guys. She was beautiful and she knew it, but she wasn't cocky, she even looked upon her beauty as a curse at times. She didn't date because guys took one look at her and saw 'brinneall' 'a beautiful lady,' and nothing more. 'Sunnydale,'she thought,'definitely not LA! but it's kinda nice.' The ringing of a loud bell brought her away from her thoughts. "Damn, i'm gonna be late!" she shouted, starting at a run toward the steps of Sunnydale High. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< "Class, this is our newest student Buffy Summers," The teacher announced. "I trust you will all make her feel welome and a home here," and with that she directed Buffy to a seat in the back of the room. Sitting down, Buffy inspected the girl seated next to her. She was absorbed in a Cosmo magazine that was laid atop of her textbook. Not one strand of her beautiful, long brown hair was out of place. 'Exotic. She's an exotic beauty, and I bet she knows it too.' Buffy thought. Forcing herself away from these thoughts, she began to lose herself in her teachers words. History had always been her best, and favorite subject. Her grandmother always said she had an old soul, Buffy liked to believe that, it sounded so....romantic. The teacher asked a question, and turned to Buffy saying," You'll find that you may be a little behind Buffy so just come to me after class and we'll figure out how to get you caught up okay." Now she turned to a small redhead in the front of the class to answer the question, but the she never got to even begin her answer. "Although the early Celts were composed of a number of different races and tribes, and at the height of their power they spread across wide tracts of Europe, they did have a uniformity of religious idiom that enables historians to speak of a Celtic religion. They were linked by common origins and language (P-Celtic spoken in Gaul and Britain, and Q-Celtic spoken in Ireland), common religious traditions, and a close similarity of laws." Buffy stated answering the teacher's question. Her answer had grabed the class' attention, many of their mouths forming o's, while a certain redhead in the front of the room turned around stunned and annoyed. Buffy looked around the classroom wondering why everyone seemed surprised. In her old school this was how class was; The teacher asks a question, someone gave a complete, exact answer, and an intellectual debate was begun. But then, �Sunnydale High School� obviously wasn�t �Los Angeles� College Prepatory School for the Gifted�. Just then the bell rang, signaling the end of the class. As Buffy was gathering her books when the redhead from the front of the room came storming toward her. Looking up, Buffy�s face brightened with the prospect ofmeeting someone new. "Hi, i'm Buffy.� �So, what you want a biscuit for it or something?!?!" Willow Rosenberg began sarcastically, "You really have to learn your place around here Buff, and learn it fast. You can't just waltz in here and actually" "What and actually know a thing or two about history? Oh yes, God forbid, i was acting like we were in an actual history class or something!" Buffy shot back. "Willow, I hope you weren�t giving my new friend Buffy here a hard time. That could have a really tragic ending for you. " the brunette who had sat beside Buffy said, "Now, why don't you just scamper along." she finished, clearly dismissing the redhead, but Willow would have none of it. � Was that a threat?� she asked dangerously. �Now Willow,� the brunette began her eyes now cold and mocking, �You�ve been a real good g irl this year. So far you�ve stayed out of the way of me and mine, and you must be really grateful I�ve decided not to make Senior year hell for you. So I�ve been a bit�.generous. You�ve got a little rep now, sort of the bitchy good girl, people kinda thinkin you�re pretty cool, and I�ve allowed it cause I�ve been in a good mood so far, but don�t let it get to your head. Don�t start thinking you have some sort of power around here, because trust me, you�ll rue the day you ever toed the line.� By now Willow�s skin had lost all its color, and she didn�t trust herself to speak. She would Not let Cordelia Chase make her look weak again. Not after all this time. So she simply turned around and walked away. Now, turning to Buffy she introduced herself. "Hi, i'm Cordelia Chase. You're from LA right?" "Umm...Yeah LA." Buffy answered surprised. "Ugh, God what i wouldn't give to live near all those shoes!" �So what was up with little miss.i�m trying way too hard to be a bad girl.� Buffy said to Cordy at lunch. It turned out that Cordy and her had all their periods except 2 together, and they were finding that they were amazing compatible friends. Cordy laughed at Buffy�s name for Willow. She also realized that she laughed at a lot of things Buffy said. She was funny, stylish, smart, most definitely NOT fake, and the kind of friend Cordy missed having. �We kind of used to be�..friends. Scratch that, we were actually best friends. Things happened and she decided to try getting high and mighty. So I decided to try high and mighty right back, and of course I was better at it than she.� Buffy nodded beginning to understand where this story was going. �In junior high we were both really popular, and it was the same freshman year, except she started to up the stakes. She was totally outta control, and she wanted to crush me. Totally destroy everything that was me. I wouldn�t let her. I didn�t let her, and in the process I crushed her. Ironic huh? I didn�t mean to, I never had any intention to hurt her, because she was the only REAL friend I had ever had. Everyone else was too fake; they weren�t friends. Suddenly I was this co ld hearted ruthless bitch in everyone�s eyes, and that made me cool.� � Drama of the worse kind,� Buffy said sympathetically. Cordy smiled almost bitterly. She didn�t know why she needed Buffy to know the whole story, but she did know that she didn�t want Buffy thinking she was like the rest of her clique. � I just don�t get why she started the whole high and mighty routine. When did she start hating you so much?� Buffy asked. Once the question was out of her mouth Buffy regretted asking it. Cordy looked like she could break down any moment. Not on the outside of course, pain like that cuts too deep. You have to really look into someone�s eyes to catch that kind of pain and hurt. Buffy knew all to well about the work it took to keep smiling when you were dieing on the inside. She still did it now. Cordy turned her head to the other side of the cafeteria. She looked at her usual table, filled up with all the popular people. One chair was empty, and that was hers. She had told her clique she wouldn�t be sitting with them today. No one would question her of course, but she knew she�d have explaining to do later, or people would talk. She pointed to a guy with brown hair and a goofy smile on his face. He was wearing khaki pants and a green shirt. Everything about him screamed popular and rich. �See that guy over there?� she asked Buffy, �that�s Xander Harris. Most popular guy in school. Richest guy in school. Funniest guy in school. Biggest Jerk in school.� �Aren�t they usually?� Buffy asked amused. �He and Willow used to be best friends too. They started dating in Junior high, and that�s when Willow started to get popular. She was with the ideal guy to be with. The summer before Freshman year they drifted apart, and he drifted toward me. Now Willow and I weren�t friends any more, but I still didn�t want to betray her like that. So Xander and I decided to be strictly friends. Except we couldn�t exactly be just friends cause he had feelings for me�and I started having feelings for him. Not even butterflies in ya tummy feelings. I�m talking about full blown feelings I never believed you could have that young. �We started sneaking kisses here and there, and by the end of the summer you couldn�t not realized how much we were into eachother. School started and Willow didn�t know anything about this, cause she�d been away all summer. By then we were officially an item, and she hated me for it. She never blamed Xander at all, just me.� They didn�t say anything to eachother for a while. �Wanna go shopping after school?� Buffy asked, needing to break the silence, and sensing Cordelia needed a shift in conversation. �Hell ya, I saw the new coach bag in the catalogue yesterday, and I absolutely need it.� Cordy answered automatically, making both of them laugh. �Right then,� Buffy�s face was serious, but her eyes were laughing �shopping it is then.� �Are you sure your uncle won�t mind me staying over for the night?� Cordy asked her voice a bit nervous, and edgy. �Please, no prob, he�s totally in the know!� Buffy answered smiling. It was sad to see someone like Cordelia, who looked so confident on the outside, be so lonely and hungry for real friendship, whether she knew it or not. Maybe it was so sad because Buffy used to be just like that. Snapping away from her thoughts, she realized that Cordy had just asked her something. �I�m sorry, could you repeat? I was off wandering. � Buffy asked. �Translation please.� Seeing Buffy�s blank look she added,� you said your uncle was in the know, translation?� �Oh.� Buffy shook her head. �Sorry LA slang. I just meant that I called him on my cell to let him know, but anyways he would�ve been cool with it even without the call.� She smiled wistfully as she walked down the hall and led Cordelia to her room. Once they were inside she let her hair out, and threw her jacket onto the floor with a sigh. Making herself comfortable, she motioned for Cordy to do the same. �He�s really cool like that ya know. Some people were just made to be parents. Uncle Giles is right up there with the best of them. Like right now he�s about to leave the office, and he�s wondering what to bring us to eat. He knows I could just whip us up something, and that I would, but if he brings home pizza, we can go into the den and eat it while we talk about something completely random, or even just sit there in silence. It�s more homey.� �You guys are really close huh?� Cordy asked, longing and envy evident in her voice. �Yeah, we are.� Buffy answered as she changed into her pajamas. �How about your parents? Are you guys close?� Cordy asked as she carefully folded her clothes. Her back was turned and she couldn�t see the way Buffy stiffened up, or the tears that welled up in her eyes, so she continued. �I can only imagine what your parents are like considering how awesome your uncle sounds. You guys must be even closer. Do they live here with you guys?� Buffy took a deep breath, and chose her next words carefully, trying not to let bitterness creep into her voice. �I wouldn�t know how awesome they are considering I didn�t have a whole lotta time to find out.� Turning around she made certain she avoided Cordy�s eyes, busying herself with putting away all the things she�d bought this afternoon. After a few moments she lifted her gaze to Cordy�s, and let out a tired sigh, her eyes troubled and sad. �My parents were killed when I was almost 7. Killed by a man who claimed to love my mother dearly. A man who felt that if he couldn�t have her, then no one could. A man who till this day claims to be my true father.� Giles had come home to find two teenage girls holding onto eachother for dear life, and crying their eyes out. Now Buffy and her were fast asleep, in bed. With a headache that demanded to be treated but would receive no aid from him, Giles retreated to the liquor cabinet. With a fine glass of whiskey laying on the table beside him Giles let out a strangled moan. Would she forever be haunted by the ghosts of the past? Would Jack Finn never leave her be? Curling his fist, his anger boiled to the surface. What had Joyce been thinking, getting involved with him? True, he had been charming, and interested (far too interested to do any good), and he knew Joyce had begun to feel dissatisfied with her marriage, but why would she turn to scum like Jack? What had drove her to feel the need to turn to Jack? And when she had finally come to her senses, it had been too late. Too late for her marriage, and entirely too late for her. And now, he comes looking for Buffy, and what better way to get the daughter he wanted, then through the son he already had? �Yes,� Giles thought,� Riley Finn is the key. I pray to God he can�t finish where his father left off.� "Sorry for the drama session last night." Buffy told Cordelia from her spot on the bed, as she watched her prepare her makeup for school. Keeping her eyes down on the floor and her head bowed she let out a sigh. "I don't�well I've never�."she turned her head toward the window. "I don't like to talk about it, because if I don't, I can pretend its all a dream." "Will you please shut up!" Cordy said exasperated. Buffy's eyes shot up."You have absolutely nothing to apologize for. Nothing. And as your new best friend, its my duty to make you forget all your worries, if you'll excuse me for adding that cheesy line." Buffy gave a weak smile. "Anyways Summers, you can't walk into school all mopey and stuff. You have an image to uphold." She laughed ," plus, everyone thinks you're perfect." "Not nearly" Buffy added with a wry smile. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< "I want you to want me, I need you to need me, I love you to love me, oh and I'm beggin you to beg me---" The blond-haired boy listened to the sweet voice at the doors to the library, preparing himself for the inevitable encounter. "Letters to Cleo, huh? Too soft rock for me personally." He said as he walked confidently through the double doors. Buffy stopped singing and looked toward the door, surprisingly unstartled by his unexpected arrival. She grimaced. "I'm sorry. Was I singing to loud? I assumed no one was still around considering the fear of acquiring knowledge the people here seem to have." She said, humor in her voice. "And considering that its 5:30 and classes ended at 2:20." The boy said joking right back. Waving her hand dismissively she added, "that too." Anyways I have to go, so the library's all yours." She said more serious as she collected her books and prepared to leave. Turning once more to him, she held out her hand. "It was nice meeting you�" "Rye. Rye Fisherman." He supplied. "and you are�." "Buffy Summers. Anyhoo, I'll see you around sometime Rye, Rye Fishermn. Bye." And with that teasingly flirtatious response she walked out of the library. "Yeah real soon Buffy , real soon,." <<<<<<<<< Buffy and Cordelia walked into art class chatting away, not seeing the change in the room. As they went to take their usual seats, they realized that a new seating arrangement had been made. So Buffy moved over to the 1st seat near the teacher�s desk with a sad glance over at Cordy. It was then that she noticed the tall, dark, and handsome man sitting on the window sill, quietly staring at her. A quick frown made its way across her face before she recovered and gave him a bright smile, and reached for her cell phone. �Hello?� �Who is mister oh so yummy?� Cordy�s excited voice asked. Ignoring the question, Buffy�s voice was amused and teasing. �Why are you calling me on my cell during class?� Cordy sighed. �Class hasn�t started yet, and I couldn�t wait to ask, now spill!� The bell rang loudly. �Cell-phones off please!� a smooth, and sexy voice called to the class. Mesmerized all the girls snapped their heads around and stared, mouths open wide. All previous conversations were forgotten instantly. The man smirked, and all the girls smiled, their knees going weak. All except one, the very on whose attention he wanted the most. Buffy Summers was looking back and forth between the window, and her sketch book, her brows scrunched in concentration. �Miss. Summers?� he called out. �Mmmm?� she answered absently. �Are you enjoying your world very much? I personally would love to be graced with your awesome presence in ours.� Some people in the back snickered. She looked up from her work with a frown. Looking down, she silently collected her books, got up, and walked out of the classroom, as calm and graceful as a swan. Seemingly unaffected he walked to her desk and picked up her sketch book, studying her work, while the class looked on shocked and confused. She had drawn a picture of a beautiful woman sitting under the shade of a large tree. The work of art was titled �Mother.� He looked up at the class and smiled. �Hi, I�m Angelus, and I�m your new art teacher. <<<<<<<<<< After calmly walking out of art class and down the hall to the bathroom, Buffy slid to the floor as tears streamed down her face. She had neglected to tell Cordy one thing; today was the anniversary of her parents death. Every year she hoped it would get easier, hoped that somehow something really great in her life could overshadow the pain, and she�d realize that everything would be okay. But every year it was the same. She�d hurt, she�d ache, and she�d die just a little more. She wondered what would happen when she had nothing left in her to give, when she became just an empty shell who couldn�t feel. Strong arms encircled her, and she buried her head into the person�s chest and wept; wept for the parents that she never really knew, and wept for the child inside of her that had died when they did. <<<<<<<<<<< Angel�s POV>>>>>>>> I was harsh. Of course I knew the significance of this day, but dammit I wasn�t prepared for her. Of course that�s not an excuse. As a Federal Agent, I should always be prepared, and I thought I was. I know things about this girl that she doesn�t even know about herself. How is that right? She�s soft, beautiful, and amazingly sweet. Her picture did her no justice, and when she smiled, I realized an undeniable fact- I. Want. Her. I shouldn�t; she�s too young, and her life�s too messed up already, but I can�t deny the passions she�s ignited in me. I know passion. I�m a man that enjoys woman, and I know woman enjoy me. But I always keep my head. I never left myself get passion swept, because then you get caught off guard. But when she smile��. �God, I�m so sorry!� Buffy choked out, as she disentangled herself from strong arms. When she looked up she gasped. �Angelus.� A fresh flood of tears welled up in her eyes, but she somehow managed to keep her voice firm and the flood from falling. �I�m terribly sorry about my behavior here and in the classroom.� She began as she smoothed out her skirt and blouse. �If you decided to punish me, as is your right�" �Please shut up� Angelus said as she brushed tears from her cheeks. Buffy abruptly pulled away. �Why does everyone keep telling me that?!?!? I don�t want to shut up! Maybe I�ll just sit here and keep crying!� she all-but shouted, suddenly very angry. �Okay. Fine, you go do that.� He said, as he sat on the floor. �I�ll just sit here and wait till you�re done.� Buffy sighed, trying desperately to control her temper. �And now you make me feel like a child.� She whispered with a frown, as she too slid down to the floor. �I�m sorry� �Don�t be sorry, I was acting like a child. I would apologize for it, but you�d probably just tell me to shut up again, and where would that leave us.� Buffy�s lips curved slightly, feeling lighter. �I meant, I�m sorry for being harsh in class. It was uncalled for� Angel said sincerely. �Oh, umm forgiven.� Buffy said. They sat in silence for a moment. �You�re beautiful.� Angelus said softly, seductively. �Mmm. Who�s watching the class?� she asked, disregarding his statement. �The TA. What do you mean �Mmmm�?� Angel asked with disbelief as he watched her get up and rinse her face, and comb a hand through her hair. She turned and regarded him with interested eyes. �I know I�m beautiful. I�ve been told that enough times to know it, but what difference does it make? You�re beautiful. What does that tell me about you? Nothing. Though, if you took the time to come and apologize and comfort me, you must be a good person to some extent.� Turning back to the mirror above the sinks, she continued. �I wish I weren�t beautiful. People treat you differently. They always seem to want something from you.� Watching the mirror intensely she say Angelus walk up behind her. �So the question is Angelus, What do you want from me?� CHAPTER 5 �Did you have a good day at school?� Giles asked his niece as she walked into the mansion. �Uncle Giles! You didn�t tell me you�d be home early. I would have come home earlier, and began supper.� Giles dismissed the statement with a wave of his hand and set to cleaning his glasses. Buffy watched the familiar process with affection evident in her eyes and dreamy smile. �I began supper and your voice teacher should be here in an hour and a half or so, but that is not the topic I would like to discuss. How was your day? And be truthful.� �Could I be anything else with you Uncle?� she said evading the inevitable question with a smile and gave him an affectionate pat on the cheek. �Now go into the living room, and put your feet up, I�ll prepare some tea.� �Alright,� he gave in �you�d rather not speak of it yet, I understand, but we�ll talk later yes?� �Yes Uncle, we�ll talk later.� <<<<<<<<<<<< �Please continue with the lesson ladies, I�ll see to the door.� Giles said his English accent more dignified and prim because Madame Dupree, Buffy�s voice teacher and grandmother, was present. He waited until he heard Buffy�s sweet voice singing and Aria once again, to open the door. �Ah Mr. Angelus please do come in.� <<<<<<<<<<< Giles escorted Angelus into the music room, and both men sat down to stare at the beautiful young woman pouring her heart into the song. �She�s beautiful.� Angelus whispered in awe of her magnificence. Buffy was dressed in an olive green gown that accented her tiny waist and softly billowed at her feet. Her hair was pulled away from her face into a tight bun; every strand in place. Around her neck she wore an olive green ribbon, with a gold pendant attached to it, that lay just above the rise of her breasts. Such outfitting was demanded of Buffy by her strict vocal teacher. Giles looked over at Angelus with a speculative look on his face. Could he really fault the boy for falling in love with his niece so quickly? She was an exquisite beauty with the most compassionate of hearts. �Couldn�t you have waited until your job was done to fall in love with my niece? She loves easily, perhaps too easily, and if she did fall in love with you now, it could only end in tragedy. She�s delicate, and I don�t want her spirit broken�.it�s too precious.� Angelus snapped out of the spell Buffy had woven on him. �I�m not in love with her, and if I was-which I�m not!!!!- I would never hurt her.� He whispered fiercely, annoyed that he had been caught off guard by the older man. Giles began to clap as the song ended and he whispered. �We never mean to hurt the one�s we love. It�s just that whatever we do, love hurts; one way or the other.� Part 6 _________ <<<<<<< Buffy dropped into a seemingly effortless curtsy, as Angelus too began to clap. With an athletic, but still supremely feminine grace, she walked over to the two men on the couch. �Mr. Angelus, to what do we owe this pleasure?� she asked sweetly. Angelus narrowed his eyes. Perhaps her voice was a little too sweet, to his ears it sounded as if she were angry. �Buffy, you will introduce me yes? We must not keep the lovely man waiting if he has business with Mr. Giles.� A sultry, feminine voice, laced with a French accent asked. From behind the piano, a woman, perhaps in her fifties �though she didn�t look it�came out to greet the newcomer. She was petite but lean (much the same body type as Buffy�s), with slightly wavy brown hair that framed a face sans-wrinkles. �No matter, I shall introduce myself. I am�� �Madame Dupree. I heard you singing when I was in Europe 2 summers ago. You took my breathe away with your song. What I hadn�t expected was for you to do the same with your beauty.� Angelus interrupted with a slight bow, and a kiss on her hand. Madame Dupree was amused. �Oh yes Elizabeth, stay far away from this one. He can flatter in a heartbeat.� She said before she turned to Giles and acknowledged him with a nod. Turning back to Buffy she studied her grand-daughter thoughtfully. �You�ll wear the scarlet gown to the concert; of course anything would look lovely on you, but tomorrow night you will dazzle them, with your song and the Dupree looks and charm.� Before Buffy could get a word, in her grandmother continued. �Though why you choose to continue using your mother�s name I will never know, but despite that you will be fabulous.� Kissing the woman on both cheeks, Buffy laughed. �You can turn anything into a compliment can�t you Grandmother?!?!?� �I am French, of course I can!� she said with a soft smile. �Au revoir everyone! Mr. Angelus you will join us at the concert tomorrow of course, and Mr. Giles will escort you backstage. I will come for my grand-daughter at her school, and she is to save her voice until then.� And with that she swept out of the room. <><><><><><><><><> Buffy had yet to change from her practice gown. Why she had to wear an actual gown for her lessons, she did not know. She only knew that it was her grandmother�s way, and that it had to be done. �So you�re saying that you�ve hired a babysitter for me who is disguising himself as one of my teacher�s�Angelus--because you believe an attack is going to be made on both of us because of a new deal with the Russian government your company made.� Rupert Giles nodded, hating to keep the whole truth from his niece. Buffy looked over at Angelus and studied him for a moment, then turned to her uncle and looked him in the eye, her doubts plain for all to see in hers. �If you think its necessary, of course I�ll cooperate. I�m glad you told me uncle, I know you could never keep secrets from me.� Guilt laced itself around his heart. Buffy waited in silence for her uncle to say something. When nothing came, she rose from the table and swept out of the room without even looking back. Angelus tried to convince himself that the reason he couldn�t get the beautiful blonde out of his head was purely because she was such a big part of the case. That didn�t work��Not even for a moment Since he had turned 15 women had thrown themselves at his feet. He only had to ask and they gave. But Buffy glanced once at him with that cool disposition, dismissed his looks with a careless wave of her hand, and suddenly he wanted her with a passion that threatened to encompass his very being. When he had taken the case file, her picture of course had been present, and he could never deny that it had intrigued him, but she had meant nothing to him other than business, and another pretty face. Now she only had to walk into a room, and business flew from his mind. This feeling in the pit of his stomach was unlike anything he had felt for a woman before, and he couldn�t quite decide whether he liked it or not. <><><><><><><><><><> She had seen him exit the limo in front of the mansion through her bedroom window and refused to be shaken by his presence. She told herself that she was only taking extra time to primp because she was anxious and excited about her performance later in the evening. Plus, she was pissed! No, she was beyond pissed, she was furious, because she knew Giles and Angelus were holding back something from her. From Angelus she couldn�t expect the absolute truth, considering they had just met, but knowing that Giles was keeping a secret from her just hurt; perhaps more than she wanted to admit. Pushing her thoughts to the back of her mind for later contemplation, she studied herself in her full length mirror, before nodding in approval. She was wearing one of those cute little corsets that showed a little belly�which after speaking with a dozen or so designers during �Fashion Week� in London, she concluded were soon to be all the rage�an expertly tailored pair of brown slacks that rode low on the hips, a soft brown scarf, and a pink Burberry hat with Gucci shades. She looked good! As she walked into the kitchen, she kissed her Uncle on the cheek and smiled at Angelus in greeting as she sat down at the table for breakfast. �Ah good morning Buffy. You slept well?� Giles asked worriedly as he put plates in front of both Buffy and Angelus. He knew that Buffy was suspicious of his lies, and he didn�t think he could bare it if she was angry with him though her anger could be expected. �Hmmm very well, and you Uncle?� she answered sincerely as she got up to get some tea. She smiled when reaching for the teacups in the cupboard. He was trying to gauge her reaction of last night�s turn of events. Lovely. �I slept fine. I�ll admit I am a bit anxious, this being your entrance into �society�, but other than that I�m quite alright. � He continued watching her carefully. She was managing not to take the teapot and hit both men over the head with it. She took that as a good sign. �And you Angelus. Did you sleep well?� she asked looking over at him, penetrating him with those hazel eyes. Did she know? How could she possibly know he had spent the night wanting nothing more than for her to be there with him? �Actually no, I didn�t, I had a lot on my mind.� Angelus answered truthfully as he began to eat. �I�m sorry to hear that. Perhaps my witty comments and naturally stunning beauty might help you bear the day.� She said her voice light and teasing, as Giles laughed. �Your stunning beauty and witty comments which I like to believe you get from me, could help anyone bear the day.� Angelus said dryly, wanting to make her laugh. It was one thing he had fantasized about during the night; hearing her beautiful laugh in the morning when they were having breakfast, preferably in bed�and sans the Giles. It had been odd for him to sit through breakfast, watching and listening to Buffy and Giles, whose affection and love for each other was evident. There was strain from the night before, but that could be overlooked for now. They were amazingly open, drawing him into the conversation easily without him even realizing it. He had never had this when he was a child, or a teenager living in his parent�s home, and he realized that it was because that house he had lived in for the first 18 years of his life had been just that, a house. How was it that after only living in the mansion for 2 weeks Giles and Buffy had managed to make it into a home, when for 18 years he had been trying to make his house a home without any success? On the drive to Sunnydale High School he couldn�t help but think these thoughts, and he surprised himself by asking Buffy about it. �Home for me isn�t the place, it�s the person (or people) that you come back to, the person (or people) that you know you�ll always be able to come back to� Buffy answered him with sad eyes. �Have you found home yet Angelus?� she asked. He looked at her, really looked at her, and she couldn�t breathe. �Maybe I have.� <><><><><><><><><><><><><> TBC
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