5<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cKeep your kilt on, Wes, we got him,\u201d Faith said into her hand-phone, walking briskly down the pavement. The sun had set barely a half hour ago and on the other end of the line, Wesley was voicing his annoyance at being informed of the result so late after the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cKilt? Bloody hell Faith, I\u2019m English.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah well, either way.\u201d Faith shrugged. \u201cNobody wants to see that.\u201d<\/p>\n
She grinned when she heard Wes take a deep breath. \u201cAlright. I\u2019ll see you girls at the office tomorrow. We need to discuss how we\u2019re going to go about this. If he\u2019s a team player now he might be able to give us easy access to files and information.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure.\u201d Faith said, smiling when she saw the apartment block she was looking for. \u201cJust get Cordelia to ask him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuff and I think he has a thing for her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight.\u201d Wesley cleared his throat. \u201cWell, what she does on her own time – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe didn\u2019t think it was very professional.\u201d Faith shrugged. \u201cEither that or she wasn\u2019t interested.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWasn\u2019t she seeing that banker a few weeks ago?\u201d Wesley seemed to be contemplating. \u201cOne needs a scorecard to keep track with you girls.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSpeaking of \u2026\u201d Faith said, checking the palm of her hand for the flat number she\u2019d written down. \u201cI gotta go. I have to see a hot fireman about a hose\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Wesley sounded appalled. \u201cBut – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGotta go Wes.\u201d Faith snapped the phone shut, glancing up at the building. She made a clicking sound with her tongue. \u201cMind blowing sex, here I come.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
The music blaring through the bar was a little too loud for Cordelia\u2019s taste. This was supposed to be a classy joint for goodness sake. There were barely any left in Los Angeles that weren\u2019t ridiculously expensive.<\/p>\n
Not that she couldn\u2019t afford it. But she enjoyed company. And apparently, company had different taste altogether.<\/p>\n
Speaking of which \u2013<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, Chase. You got your guy, what are you wearing creases into your forehead for?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia turned her head and glared at her companion. Riley Finn shot her a shit-eating grin, tipping his beer bottle in her direction. Ass. He was supposed to be her best friend, which meant he was supposed<\/i> to know that you NEVER mentioned or even implied<\/i> \u2018wrinkles\u2019 around Cordelia Chase.<\/p>\n
Knowingly, Riley brought the bottle to his lips, taking a swig before he spoke again. \u201cSeriously Cor, what\u2019s your trauma?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, don\u2019t even – \u201d Cordy raised her hand and shoved it in his face, shaking her head indignantly. \u201cDo NOT use my<\/i> lingo against me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Riley laughed. \u201cAlright, my bad. But what\u2019s got you so riled?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cory sighed, sipping her cosmopolitan. \u201cI just – I don\u2019t know for certain that this guy trusts us. And I\u2019m definitely not sure we can trust him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a vampire.\u201d Riley said, \u201cOf course he can\u2019t be trusted.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not all black and white Ri, he has a soul<\/i>.\u201d<\/p>\n
Riley frowned. \u201cSo?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, he was a perfectly nice guy. *Really* nice actually.\u201d Cordy said, remembering the way Angel had smiled and apologized for yelling.<\/p>\n
Riley\u2019s eyebrows shot up and he crossed his arms, smirking. \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia glanced at him. \u201cDon\u2019t start with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, I\u2019m just sayin\u2019,\u201d Riley chuckled, a glint in his eye, \u201cThat\u2019s all it really took for you to fall for my charms.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yes, she had been involved with Riley briefly. Years ago – they\u2019d dated for a while, had fun and found friendship instead. They were better off this way and neither could be happier. And oddly enough, Cordelia had discovered that, despite what society assumed, there were occasions when it wasn\u2019t that difficult to remain close friends with someone who\u2019d seen you naked (and vice versa).<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, but now I find you repulsive and sexless.\u201d Her smile took the bite out of her words and Riley grinned, covering his heart with his hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cOuch.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy hid her own grin behind her glass as she sipped her drink, flicking her hair over her shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, what are you gonna do?\u201d Riley asked, slouching in his seat.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout what?\u201d<\/p>\n
Riley rolled his eyes. \u201cAbout the vamp with the girly name?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy laughed. \u201cOh. I don\u2019t know. Just go with the flow I guess. See where the situation takes us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure.\u201d Riley shrugged. \u201cThat\u2019s what I would have said.\u201d<\/p>\n
A disbelieving smirk curled Cordelia\u2019s lips but she let the comment slide. \u201cAfter all, there\u2019s nothing the girls and I can\u2019t handle.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll drink to that.\u201d Riley clinked her glass with his bottle. \u201cYou want another one?\u201d<\/p>\n
She shook her head. \u201cThanks, but I gotta head home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSuit yourself gorgeous.\u201d Riley stood, grabbing his wallet. \u201cI\u2019m gonna hang around. There\u2019s a sweet little redhead at the bar who\u2019s been eyeing me for the past five minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy swivelled in her seat, searching for the girl. Her eyes landed on a barely-clad redhead in the centre of the bar, leaning against the counter, her large breasts pushed out in an inviting gesture. Her eyes caught Cordelia\u2019s and she quickly looked away.<\/p>\n
Cordy turned around. \u201cYou\u2019re a pig.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can take the boy off the farm\u2026 etc, etc,\u201d Riley laughed and leaned closer, a definite sparkle in his eyes. \u201cBesides, you know I\u2019m only into animals of the two-legged, high-heeled and gorgeous variety.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy\u2019s eyes narrowed at the gesture, especially in front of the girl. \u201cSharing your barnyard fantasies with me isn\u2019t going to win you any points with your bosom pal at the bar.\u201d Riley walked around the table and pressed a kiss to Cordy\u2019s forehead, then swiftly walked past her towards the bar. \u201cYou must be losing your touch!\u201d She threw over her shoulder.<\/p>\n
Riley didn\u2019t turn around. \u201cCall me in the morning and find out!\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia stepped out of the bar, nodding her head to the bouncer as she wrapped her coat around her. She was so beautiful, so elegant and sophisticated in the way she spoke, the way she moved. She glanced over her shoulder almost suspiciously, and for a moment he panicked, stepping back from the ledge. Could she sense him?<\/p>\n
But just as quickly, she faced forward again, walking towards the end of the street.<\/p>\n
Watching silently from the rooftops above, Angel followed.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Buffy stood at the DVD counter, tapping her fingers while she waited for the clerk. The sound from the TV above the counter blared over the noisy voices in the store. It was clearly a talk show of some sort. An attractive middle-aged woman with blonde hair and a camel coloured suit was giving her views on relationships.<\/p>\n
\u201cI truly believe that without love, life is miserable. Love is the true essence of character. Certainly one may try and go about their daily duties, but a lack of love can easily affect one\u2019s thoughts, moods and actions. School, home, work \u2013 one can become unwittingly distracted and unfocused on what they\u2019re doing. Love is the key to undoing that, and a happy and motivated lifestyle.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy frowned in dismay, then mentally chastised herself for listening to such psychobabble. She snorted, rolling her eyes. The clerk appeared behind the counter and she handed him the DVDs, dismissing the talk show\u2019s theory.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia frowned, looking over her shoulder for the third time since leaving the bar.<\/p>\n
Nothing.<\/p>\n
What the hell? The back of her neck was tingling, as though someone was watching her. She\u2019d been all set to throw her fists up but she couldn\u2019t see anyone or anything. And there was the fact that the presence itself didn\u2019t feel dangerous \u2013 it felt oddly comforting. Like some sort of guardian angel\u2026<\/p>\n
Cordy snorted. \u201cYou\u2019re going crazy, Cor.\u201d<\/p>\n
She drew the coat tighter around her, feeling for the small knife and stake she was carrying in her right pocket. Maybe she really was going crazy. But she could have sworn \u2013<\/p>\n
There it was again. The tingling at the back of her neck. And it was getting worse. If no one was following her, then – oh God, maybe something terrible had happened to Buffy, or Faith, or Wes \u2013 or Riley. What if that skanky redhead had really been a demon? Those breasts certainly looked evil\u2026<\/p>\n
A few feet behind her, something glided swiftly through the air, landing with a barely audible tap on the ground. Cordy turned swiftly, her weapons drawn. It took a few seconds for her eyes to make out the figure in the darkness \u2013 it was nearly camouflaged in its black ensemble.<\/p>\n
She sprinted forward, abruptly slamming into the creature before it had a chance to react. It yelped in surprise and she threw her fist at it, catching it in the nose. It stumbled slightly and she lunged at it again, only to have it move around and grab her from the back.<\/p>\n
Cordy blinked. She barely even saw it move.<\/p>\n
The creature put one arm around her waist and one around her shoulders, pushing her back into a hard, muscular chest. Its anatomy seemed human – male. Vampire, Cordy thought, struggling against his hold as he gripped her tight.<\/p>\n
\u201cCalm down!\u201d His lips brushed her ear and she was disconcerted to realize that she vaguely recognised the voice. More<\/i> disturbing was the shiver that went through her at the contact.<\/p>\n
\u201cScrew that!\u201d Cordy kicked her right leg all the way up and above her shoulder, catching him in the nose. He released her and she pivoted on her heel, reaching blindly for his collar and shoving him against the wall, her stake held high. The moon emerged from behind a cloud, shining light on the scene.<\/p>\n
That was when she knew why she\u2019d recognized the voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel?\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel raised his hands in the air, eyeing Cordelia\u2019s stake nervously. Well, this wasn\u2019t going well. He inwardly smacked himself for not being more stealthy. He certainly hadn\u2019t meant to startle her. Or get caught like a complete novice, for that matter.<\/p>\n
And now she was looking at him as though she wanted to drive a stake through his heart. Or as though he was completely mad. Which, unfortunately, wasn\u2019t too far off the mark. The woman had breezed into his office and, through absolutely no conscious thought of her own, managed to turn him into an untrained, undisciplined pup. It was embarrassing enough that he had to think it to himself. Then he\u2019d gone and let himself get caught acting like a hormonal imbecile.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell are you doing?\u201d Cordelia asked, her voice angry as she lowered her stake. \u201cI nearly skewered you!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry!\u201d Angel said, and he genuinely meant it. For startling her, not for watching and following her, though he was smart enough not to bring that up \u2013<\/p>\n
\u201cWere you following me?\u201d<\/p>\n
And now he\u2019d have to fumble his way through an explanation that he wasn\u2019t sure he\u2019d believe himself. Was there no end to the mortification?<\/p>\n
Cordelia narrowed her eyes suspiciously. \u201cWell?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course not,\u201d Angel said, shaking his head. \u201cI was just\u2026I was in the neighbourhood and – \u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia let out a disbelieving snort and Angel wanted the ground to swallow him up. Why the hell did he always have to act like such a moron around her?<\/p>\n
\u201cRight\u2026\u201d She said, hands on her hips. \u201cI don\u2019t believe you, Angel. Not only that, I nearly staked you, which by the way? Would have turned out a LOT worse for me than for you!\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s jaw dropped in confusion. \u201cWh\u2026what? How?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia took a step closer to him. Still glaring, she padded him down with her hands. She was checking for weapons, he realized. He could feel the warmth of her hands as they pressed against him, over his shoulders, his upper biceps, his wrists, his chest, his waist \u2013<\/p>\n
Angel closed his eyes, stifling a moan. She had no idea what she was doing to him. This felt way too good for a weapons check. If she didn\u2019t stop –<\/p>\n
He grabbed both her wrists and quickly set her from him. Cordelia\u2019s brows knitted together in question, but she drew her hands away, crossing her arms. Angel opened his eyes then, feeling relieved and disappointed all at once. He quickly abandoned the thought of throwing her up against the wall.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause,\u201d Cordelia answered, \u201cI have a job to do. I have to help you and protect you and set you back on track. Killing you doesn\u2019t quite fit the criteria.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to protect me?\u201d Angel felt strangely warm.<\/p>\n
\u201cSure I do. You may be a big, badass vampire but everyone needs someone to look after them once in a while.\u201d She didn\u2019t notice the way his eyes softened, or the way his lips curled up just slightly at the edges. \u201cAnd what thanks do I get?\u201d The smile disappeared instantly when she poked him in the chest with her finger. \u201cYou nearly made me lose my job!\u201d<\/p>\n
When Angel\u2019s brow creased in confusion, Cordelia cleared her throat. \u201cWell, maybe the Powers can\u2019t fire me, but they can sure as hell do something bad!\u201d<\/p>\n
Though the theory was ridiculous, Angel had the courtesy to look sheepish. \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia glared at him for a few seconds, but then seemed to relent. She sighed, rolling her eyes. \u201cWhat were you doing following me, anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shrugged, playing with his fingers. \u201cI just\u2026wanted to make sure you got home safely.\u201d<\/p>\n
There was a silence and when he looked up she seemed to be fighting a smile. But she couldn\u2019t hide the softness in her eyes. \u201cThat\u2019s sweet. I\u2019m a big girl though. I can take care of myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know you can.\u201d He looked her directly in the eye, allowing a smile to curl his lips. \u201cBut everyone needs someone to look after them once in a while.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia opened her mouth, then closed it again, biting her lip as the smile she\u2019d been fighting escaped. A pretty blush coloured her cheeks and her neck and Angel had the sudden urge to kiss her there.<\/p>\n
He took a step forward but she looked away, breaking their gaze. He sighed disappointedly, watching her as she took a step back, and then another. But when she looked up, she was smiling.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho knew the stoic vampire had a sense of humour?\u201d She whispered, her smile widening when he grinned. She raised a finger, taking another step back. \u201cI\u2019m going home now. And there shall be no more following.\u201d<\/p>\n
When he didn\u2019t respond, she raised an eyebrow. \u201cOkay?\u201d<\/p>\n
He shrugged half-heartedly. \u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood.\u201d She stopped in her tracks, cocking her head. \u201cGoodnight Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGoodnight Miss Chase.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia. Or Cordy. Whatever you\u2019re comfortable with.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGoodnight Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
She grinned, shaking her head. Then she turned and walked away.<\/p>\n
Angel smiled, blending into the shadows as he watched her retreating form.<\/p>\n
He followed her of course.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Buffy held the bucket of ice cream in one hand as she strolled towards her car, her latest DVD rentals in the other. It was slightly chilly out and the street was lit by dim streetlights, giving it an almost eerie glow. Buffy placed the ice cream on the ground for a moment, zipping up her brown leather jacket.<\/p>\n
She bent to retrieve the ice cream, pausing as her senses tingled. Something didn\u2019t feel right. Slowly, she turned around. She barely had a second to widen her eyes in shock before –<\/p>\n
\u201cOuch!\u201d Buffy went flying a few feet, landing hard on her ass. The DVDs flew away from her, clattering noisily to the ground. She groaned, pushing herself up on her elbows, glaring at her opponent.<\/p>\n
The demon was large, the horns on its head giving it an extra foot of height at least. Its talons were sharp, like its teeth and it snarled at her, crouching as though ready to pounce. Its skin was a deep burgundy colour, and appeared to be creased with wrinkles. Its face was covered in ugly, crater like gashes.<\/p>\n
Buffy sprang up, dusting herself off and realizing with dismay that she didn\u2019t have a weapon on her. \u201cDammit!<\/p>\n
The demon charged forward, lashing out with its talons. Buffy ducked, swiftly punching up against its jaw. She felt something crack and the demon stumbled backwards.<\/p>\n
\u201cGuess I\u2019ll just have to settle for breaking your neck.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy performed a spin kick, knocking the distracted demon off its feet. It landed on the pavement and Buffy kicked it again in the side, sending it flying against a lamppost. The glass overhead detached from the frame and dropped, crashing over the demon\u2019s head.<\/p>\n
Buffy stalked forward, her hands stretched out to grab the demon\u2019s head. She reached out, yelping when the demon grabbed her wrists, shoving her backward. She threw a fist in its face, raising a leg to kick out but the demon caught her leg, spinning her around twice before throwing her against a wall.<\/p>\n
Buffy felt the world spin, saw the ground move rapidly beneath her before she slammed sideways against the wall, falling down onto the closed lid of a large dumpster. She moaned, closing her eyes against the dizziness, only to find that that made it worse.<\/p>\n
When the demon began walking towards her, she quickly sat up, wincing. The demon reached out and Buffy bent both legs, pushing them out suddenly into its chest. It growled, falling back and she jumped off the dumpster, clutching her injured side.<\/p>\n
She couldn\u2019t break its neck. She had to get to her car – there were weapons inside.<\/p>\n
She moved around the demon as fast as she could, searching her pockets wildly for her car keys.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, come on!\u201d<\/p>\n
Finally, she got her hands on them, a few feet away from the car. She reached for the door handle \u2013<\/p>\n
She was grabbed by the hair and pulled back. The demon threw her to the ground with unrivalled force and Buffy felt her lip split open. Before she could recover, she was grabbed again and hurled through the air once more. She landed against the sharp edge of the pavement, a whimper escaping her.<\/p>\n
The demon bellowed, uncurling its fist to reveal three long talons, sharp like knives and just as deadly. It stopped in front of her, stepping down on her foot so she couldn\u2019t escape.<\/p>\n
Xander flashed through her mind, with his cheeky grin and boyish charm. Her mother and sister, with their unconditional affection. Cordelia, with her sharp tongue and beautiful heart. Faith, with her brazen manner and quiet kindness. Wes, with his stiff upper lip and genuine good nature –<\/p>\n
The demon reared its arm back for the killing blow.<\/p>\n
Buffy screamed.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Faith whistled to herself, slinging her bag over her shoulder as she walked away from the block of apartments.<\/p>\n
The block of apartments where she\u2019d just had mind-blowing sex.<\/p>\n
She grinned to herself, stretching her arms up and letting out a satisfied moan. Apartment 1221 to be exact. The guy \u2013 what was the name of the guy, again? Ah well, he was damn good.<\/p>\n
Something tingled at the back of her neck and she turned, checking to see if he was watching her from his bedroom window. Nope, no sign of the guy. Then what\u2026?<\/p>\n
Something was wrong.<\/p>\n
Close by, someone screamed.<\/p>\n
Faith sighed. \u201cThat would be it.\u201d<\/p>\n
She rounded the corner and broke into a sprint.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Buffy brought her fists up, preparing to grab his hands \u2013 or at least attempt to \u2013 before those talons touched her. She felt tiny droplets of blood on her face and she blinked several times, trying to establish where she\u2019d been hurt.<\/p>\n
But all she could feel were the bruises on her back and side \u2013 and those weren\u2019t bleeding.<\/p>\n
The demon howled, stepping off her foot and Buffy pulled her legs against her, staring at it. An arrow protruded from its chest, a thick sheen of the demon\u2019s blood covering the end of it.<\/p>\n
Buffy blinked in confusion. \u201cWhat\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey Pock-face!\u201d She vaguely recognized the voice. \u201cPick on someone your own size!\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy raised her head to see Faith, her fists raised, the crossbow she had just used at her feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, not that I\u2019m that much taller than B, but whatever.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy grabbed the back of her head, raising herself onto her palms. Faith punched the demon in the face, jumping on one foot and kicking high with the other, knocking its head back. The demon growled, attempting to grab her as she ducked, moving around it. She grabbed the arrow from the back and pulled it out sharply, making the demon cry out in pain.<\/p>\n
Buffy watched the scene. What the hell had happened? She\u2019d had control of the situation one moment, the next she was three talons away from death\u2019s doorstep. Her head swirled and she pressed her palm to her forehead, disappointed with herself.<\/p>\n
Faith kicked up a garbage can, sending it flying towards the demon. It caught it square in the face, knocking it backwards. Faith loaded the crossbow again, aiming at the demon. She pulled the trigger and the arrow went racing through the air, slicing through the demon\u2019s lower shoulder. The creature yowled, spinning around.<\/p>\n
Faith wasted no time. Pulling out a small knife from her jacket pocket, she threw it through the air. It spun rapidly across the short distance between them, solidly imbedding itself between the demon\u2019s eyebrows. The demon released a deep groan before its eyes rolled back in its head. It fell forward into its knees, then flat on its face, dead.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd THAT\u2019S kicking your ass!\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith put the crossbow down with a grin and jogged towards Buffy, helping her up. Buffy stood, rubbing her forehead and staring at the dead demon. \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo problem.\u201d Faith let her go. \u201cYou alright?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, just a little woozy. Good thing you showed up.\u201d Buffy glanced at her companion curiously. \u201cSpeaking of which, what are you doing here, anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAside from saving your ass?\u201d Faith asked, quickly continuing before Buffy had the chance to retort. \u201cWas just in the neighbourhood, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy looked suspicious. \u201cWhy? Your house is miles from here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, but the guy I just screwed lives around the block.\u201d Faith said shrugging. She knelt beside the dead demon, retrieving her knife and arrows with a sickening squelch.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Buffy was surprised at the sudden feeling of bitterness that went through her. That was odd. She knew all about Faith\u2019s unabashed love life. She\u2019d never resented it before.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyway,\u201d Faith said, standing and collecting her bag. \u201cI gotta get going. You sure you\u2019re okay, honey?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I\u2019m fine.\u201d Buffy nodded, managing a smile. \u201cThanks Faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith winked at her, slinging her bag over her shoulder. \u201cI guess I\u2019ll see you tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat. Night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNight.\u201d Buffy watched as Faith disappeared behind the corner, releasing a heavy sigh. What the hell was wrong with her? She\u2019d felt fine earlier, and now she was angry, disgruntled and more than a little tired. She\u2019d nearly been killed tonight, and while that was a common risk in her line of work, tonight felt different. She felt as though she needed to wake up and smell something but she wasn\u2019t sure what.<\/p>\n
She recalled her thoughts when the demon had launched what she thought was its final attack. She\u2019d thought of her friends, her family \u2013 and yet she\u2019d felt as though something was missing, someone\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cI truly believe that without love, life is miserable. Love is the true essence of character. Certainly one may try and go about their daily duties, but a lack of love can easily affect one\u2019s thoughts, moods and actions. School, home, work \u2013 one could become unwittingly distracted and unfocused on what they\u2019re doing. Love is the key to undoing that, and a happy and motivated lifestyle.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
She heard the woman on the talk show\u2019s voice in her head, scrunching up her face in confusion. Was she letting a lack of love in her life affect her work? Was she being distracted without knowing it? Was she living some sort of unfulfilled existence?<\/p>\n
Buffy shook her head, tempted to laugh at herself. She was allowing some melodramatic psychobabble to upset her. The idea itself was ridiculous.<\/p>\n
She retrieved her fallen car keys off the ground and began walking towards her car. After all, Faith and Cordelia hadn\u2019t found love yet and they were perfectly fine.<\/p>\n
Buffy stopped in her tracks. Faith didn\u2019t really seem to want love; she had plenty of lust to fuel her. As for Cordelia, she seemed to have a new prospect. And even before that, she\u2019d never craved love or companionship the way Buffy had. They\u2019d all turned down their fair share of \u2018below their league\u2019 men, but Cordelia by far held the highest tally.<\/p>\n
Buffy sighed, opening the door and slumping into the driver\u2019s seat of her car. She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket, pressing 1 on her speed dial. The phone rang several times before it was picked up, and a sleepy voice yawned into the receiver.<\/p>\n
\u201cRiley, if you mention the words redhead, boobs, pigs or rolling, I\u2019ll kill you dead.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s Buffy.\u201d Buffy clarified, raising an eyebrow. \u201cThough wouldn\u2019t that make an interesting conversation\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
She heard a shuffle. \u201cBuff?\u201d Cordelia suddenly sounded worried, if not a little disorientated. \u201cAre you okay? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing, I just – \u201d She was interrupted by a loud yawn. \u201cWere you sleeping?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWere<\/i> being the operative word.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy glanced at her watch in confusion. \u201cWhat are you doing in bed at 11:30? I thought you were LA\u2019s party girl.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMental exhaustion.\u201d Cordy said matter-of-factly. \u201cI had drinks with Riley.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAah.\u201d Buffy smiled in understanding. \u201cWhat\u2019s all that about anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou woke me up and now you wanna discuss my best friend\u2019s sex life? That would be a big fat NO from my end.\u201d Cordelia sounded a little peeved and Buffy had to laugh. \u201cNow what\u2019s really going on?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I kindof wanted to discuss someone\u2019s sex life – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo Buffy! Faith\u2019s<\/i> interest in it is disturbing enough – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot yours!\u201d Buffy said, exasperated. \u201cMine!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Cordy sounded a little more awake now. \u201cWhat about it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, it doesn\u2019t really exist. It\u2019s odd, I\u2019ve had so many bad experiences when it comes to love and yet,\u201d Buffy sighed, fiddling with her fingers, \u201cI still really want it. With the right guy, I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n
She could almost see Cordelia rolling her eyes. \u201cDon\u2019t we all\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot as much as I do!\u201d Buffy said, wincing when she realized she sounded like a little girl. \u201cFaith has her casual sex, you have your fair share of boyfriends – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo do you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s all over too soon and I\u2019ve never really that all encompassing feeling of\u2026ya know?\u201d Buffy didn\u2019t really know how to describe it, but she hoped Cordelia understood. She found herself babbling, a little hysterical after the night\u2019s events.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe it\u2019s to do with the fact that I never really had a close relationship with my father and I\u2019ve always wanted that intimacy with a man. Obviously not in an incestuous way, but you know what I mean\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
When there was no response, Buffy frowned. \u201cDo you<\/i> know what I mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
Again, silence. Then \u2013 \u201cHave you been watching Oprah again?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you know when the last time I had sex was?\u201d Buffy burst out, aggravated that Cordelia wasn\u2019t understanding her.<\/p>\n
Cordy grimaced. \u201cNo, and I don\u2019t want to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy ignored her. \u201cI don\u2019t remember! That\u2019s how long ago it was!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, I think you\u2019re overreacting.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not, Cordy.\u201d Buffy said softly, throwing her hands up in defeat. \u201cI didn\u2019t really think about it before now, but it all makes sense. A demon attacked me tonight and I just fell apart. Thank God Faith showed up – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you okay?\u201d Cordy immediately sounded concerned.<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess.\u201d Buffy shrugged. \u201cNot really though. I think this whole not being in love thing might be affecting my work.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, generally, being in love<\/i> tends to affect your work.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot according to the psychologist I watched on TV – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA-ha! I KNEW you\u2019d been listening to psychobabble! I can\u2019t believe you let it get to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt made sense!\u201d Buffy protested, irritated. \u201cWe *need* love!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPfft!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYa know what? Never mind.\u201d Buffy growled. \u201cI should have called my mom.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia snorted. \u201cYou were gonna to talk to your mom about your sex life?\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy paused, contemplating that. She shrugged. \u201cTouch\u00e9.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLook Buffy,\u201d Cordelia suddenly sounded serious, and more importantly, sincere. \u201cYou are a smart, strong, beautiful woman. Every other woman in this city is looking for exactly the same thing you are. And eventually, they may even find it. But you don\u2019t need<\/i> a man – you want<\/i> one. And when the right one comes along, you\u2019ll know it. \u201d Buffy picked up a hint of amusement in her voice. \u201cHell, I think he\u2019s already under your nose.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you can\u2019t stop living your life. Quit worrying that you haven\u2019t found him yet, or that it\u2019s somehow affecting your work or your personality. You are perfect as you are, and the right guy is gonna love you for just that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy blinked, touched. \u201cWow. If I didn\u2019t know better, I\u2019d say you\u2019d been watching talk shows. Either that or you had a better night than I did.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou could say that.\u201d Cordy murmured, and there was something in her voice Buffy couldn\u2019t decipher. \u201cBut now that I\u2019ve given you my expert opinion and a pep talk, which I usually charge for by the way, I ask that you leave me in peace.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, yeah, get back to bed.\u201d Buffy chuckled. Her tone quickly turned serious. \u201cThank you, Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat am I here for?\u201d Cordy asked. \u201cThough I am gonna be a moody bitch in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can live with that.\u201d Buffy said with a smile, pulling the seatbelt across her chest and strapping herself in. \u201cNight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNight. Hey Buff?\u201d There was that hint of amusement again. \u201cHas it really been *that* long?\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy\u2019s jaw dropped. She opened her mouth to retort but was cut off by Cordelia hanging up the phone. She stared at her mobile, the engaged tone still ringing in her ear. Snapping it shut, she pocketed it, turning the on the ignition in her car with an annoyed jerk.<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn them, with their decent sex lives.\u201d<\/p>\n