Settling into the bedside chair, Angel listened as she rambled on from one subject to another. Avoiding, he knew, the one thing they should be talking about. What happened between them tonight was not something to skip over. Even though it had not gone beyond kisses and chaste caresses, it was only because Angel had forced himself to hold back.<\/p>\n
He had been playing with fire and he knew it. Making certain that Cordelia knew it, too, seemed necessary. It was the right thing to do.<\/p>\n
Angel leaned back in the chair, watching her talk, noting the way the light played across her face and the way her lips glistened when she paused to lick them. He counseled himself to say something to convince her that there could be no repeat of tonight, no more kisses without consequences, but he could not bring himself to say the words when he did not want to believe them. Instead, saying nothing, Angel listened to her story, more attuned to her voice than the words themselves.<\/p>\n
Scene 55<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe only thing I learned tonight,\u201d Buffy told the gang as she plunked into a chair at the research table, \u201cwas that Willy has a special on chocolate-covered locusts.\u201d<\/p>\n Cordelia scrunched up her nose, \u201cEew, gross.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDisgusting,\u201d Willow agreed, momentarily turning her attention away from the website on Ritual Sacrifices and its detailed jpeg files. \u201cThough, I have read about places that consider that kind of thing a delicacy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s still some pizza left, Buffster,\u201d Xander tapped the box. \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind the anchovies.\u201d<\/p>\n Her stomach rolled at the thought. Post-patrol hunger was not an issue after watching Willy prepare bags of insects for tonight\u2019s bar crowd. \u201cI\u2019ll skip the snackage.\u201d<\/p>\n Except for dealing with demons with unusual taste in munchies, Buffy\u2019s patrol had been fairly routine. Giles had kept the rest of them at the library researching stuff on Cordy\u2019s Crosathnam demon. As usual, Faith was nowhere to be found tonight. After dropping Cor at the library, she had taken off again just when Angel showed up.<\/p>\n It was not Buffy\u2019s business to keep tabs on Faith, but it was weird that she just took off whenever she felt like it. That had to irritate Giles, but he refused to talk about Faith\u2019s behavior.<\/p>\n Buffy was more concerned about Angel\u2019s behavior than she was about the other Slayer. As soon as the sun went down, he was stuck like superglue to Cordelia\u2019s side. She had been out of the hospital for two days. She was totally fine. There were no signs of any kidnapping demony cops or trouble-making vampires around and yet everyone was hovering over her like Cor was some damsel-in-distress.<\/p>\n Lately, Buffy just had a weird vibe every time Cordelia and Angel were together. It was not anything she could lay her finger on. They stuck to their spot on the steps as usual, researching. Talking quietly, too quietly. Buffy frowned in their direction as she realized Angel was actually having a conversation with Cordelia.<\/p>\n Casually getting out of her chair, she stretched her arms over her head, her pert breasts moving beneath her thin sweater. She was about to walk over to join them when Xander asked again, \u201cYou sure you don\u2019t want some pizza?\u201d<\/p>\n It seemed like the only person who had noticed her attempt at gaining a little deserved attention was Xander. Giles\u2019 nose was turned into a book and Willow was again focused on her computer screen.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Buffy sighed. Dropping the act, she walked over to the steps. \u201cWhat are you two up to?\u201d<\/p>\n Simultaneously, Angel and Cordy lifted their heads to focus on her. \u201cJust talking,\u201d Angel answered quietly though he was the picture of guilt.<\/p>\n Buffy noticed that he shut the book they had been looking at together, holding his finger between the pages to save their place. \u201cAbout what? I think we have covered all there is to know about Crosathnam demons. I could kill one blindfolded.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAssuming we find it,\u201d Xander pointed out, eavesdroppin<\/p>\n Glaring at him briefly, Buffy muttered an agreement, \u201cYeah,\u201d before turning back to the two huddled shoulder to shoulder on the steps. \u201cSo what\u2019s the research on tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed at the book that had a modern glossy blue binding instead of the usual frayed cloth or worn leather of Giles\u2019 ancient book collection. It had come directly off the library shelves.<\/p>\n \u201cNosy much?\u201d Cordelia huffed irritably only to turn toward Angel who had given a gentle nudge. Snorting, \u201cWell, she is.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel held up the book so she could see the cover, still holding his place as if he was anxious to get back to the conversation. Surprised, Buffy felt her jaw gape open and quickly shut it. \u201cTai chi? What\u2019s that got to do with the demon cop or the prophecy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCordy and I were going over some defensive techniques,\u201d Angel explained with a shrug. \u201cI promised\u2014 considering the circumstances, I want her to be prepared.\u201d<\/p>\n Cordelia was smiling again. What was it about being a potential demon sacrifice that made a girl like Cordelia Chase smile so much? \u201cGiles and I can show Cor a few moves. Not that she\u2019ll need them with one of us around all of the time.\u201d<\/p>\n Having heard his name mentioned, Giles offered, \u201cWe can certainly include you in our training sessions, Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks,\u201d Cordelia stood up next to Buffy so that her natural height gave her the tiniest advantage, \u201cbut Angel plans to show me all of the moves I\u2019ll need.\u201d<\/p>\n Cordelia brushed past Buffy who tensed up as she read between the lines. She watched as Cor made her way over to the counter where the extra sodas were lined up. Popping the top of a Diet Coke, she took a long swig. A seemingly random comment followed, \u201cMmm, some things are just better cold.\u201d<\/p>\n Buffy could not help but make a connection to between those words and Angel\u2019s cool touch. Surely, Cordelia wasn\u2019t hinting, was she? The snappy comments and the weird vibes and those huddled conversations on the stairs were just too much. This all added up to something she didn\u2019t like, not one little bit.<\/p>\n No doubt Angel was just concerned for her wellbeing. He was just being protective of his patrol partner. Just look at the trouble she had already caused. Not only did they have a prophecy to prevent, they had to safeguard Cordelia from crazy vamps and melty-faced demons.<\/p>\n Poor Angel. Over-exposure to Cordelia Chase would cause anyone to act weird. It was just Cordelia\u2019s influence that had him acting strange. Obviously, she was just trying to make Buffy believe that Angel was actually interested in her. Just like she used to after they had first met him. It was funny how Cordelia used to embarrass herself over Angel, but kinda strange how it was not equally hilarious now.<\/p>\n Thinking about it now left a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. Besides, it was not like Angel could actually do anything about it even if he was interested. Not that he was. Nope. He could not be.<\/p>\n Unsettled, Buffy tried to remind herself of the many reasons why she broke up with Angel in the first place. Sometimes, it was hard to remember.<\/p>\n Scene 56<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI guess you\u2019re wondering why I called.\u201d Mayor Wilkins was smiling at her in that same way he did on the bulletin boards at the bus stops.<\/p>\n Faith shifted in the leather chair, feeling the weight of the cell phone in her front jacket pocket. \u201cI already told you, I\u2019m not interested.\u201d She pulled out the phone to hand it to him. \u201cMaybe you should take this back. No deal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be so hasty,\u201d the mayor tut-tutted. Reaching over to a sideboard against the wall of his office, he picked up a silver tray. \u201cCookie? My mother used to make the best chocolate-walnut cookies. There\u2019s nothing better than homemade cookies and a cold glass of milk.\u201d<\/p>\n Standing abruptly, Faith told him, \u201cI don\u2019t want your cookies or your phone.\u201d She dropped the silver cell phone on his desk. \u201cWhatever scam you\u2019re running, I don\u2019t want any part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n She was about to move away when the mayor\u2019s voice darkened authoritatively, \u201cSit down, Faith. You\u2019re not going anywhere, yet. Just remember what I told you will happen if you don\u2019t listen.\u201d<\/p>\n Faith\u2019s jaw tightened. Rage rose up fast. The anger flowing through her was close to uncontrollable. \u201cDon\u2019t threaten me,\u201d she panted through the urge to hurl the mayor against the wall and bash his head with his silver platter. \u201cYou leave them out of this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou should try some warm milk instead,\u201d the mayor tilted his head. \u201cI find it has a calming effect. As for your friends, you should have thought of that before.\u201d<\/p>\n Eyes blazing fury, she stood her ground, refusing to sit despite the order Richard Wilkins had given. Her hands curled into tight fists held at her side. One mistake and now he had her under his thumb.<\/p>\n \u201cCooperate with me, Faithy, and you\u2019ll be around to witness the birth of a god.\u201d<\/p>\n Sneering at him, Faith was not one hundred percent sure what he was getting at, but it didn\u2019t sound good. Was he mixed up with this whole prophecy deal? \u201cMaybe I don\u2019t like to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n The mayor simply smiled again. Opening the right-hand drawer of his desk, he pulled out a long, flat box tied up with a pink ribbon. \u201cGo ahead. Open it up.\u201d<\/p>\n Sensing that she had no choice but to comply, Faith snatched the box from the desk. With one tug of the ribbon, it fell loose. She dropped it on the floor and smirked at the way the mayor\u2019s eyes went wide as the ribbon curled up on his clean carpet.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d Faith demanded as she gazed at the contents of the box.<\/p>\n The answer he gave belied his matter-of-fact tone. \u201cAn ornate ceremonial dagger forged in the subterranean fires beneath Mount Hidaknui by the spawn of the demon lord Ornkadu. Just your typical pointy object. You do know how to use one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have a good idea,\u201d Faith glared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know you can\u2019t kill me,\u201d he reminded her. She\u2019d seen that much. \u201cNow take your present. You young people are so ungrateful these days.\u201d<\/p>\n Faith didn\u2019t bother to hide her sarcasm, \u201cThanks. What am I supposed to do with it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, there\u2019s a certain someone who could interfere with my plans,\u201d Wilkins let out a deep sigh. \u201cWe\u2019ll go over all of that as soon as we deal with the issue of that dreadful place you\u2019ve been living at. There are actually illicit things going on in that hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n Snorting, Faith shrugged, \u201cThat and all the screwing.\u201d A grin formed despite the fact that the mayor was still pissing her off.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s no place for my girl.\u201d<\/p>\n Her smile faded quickly. \u201cJust tell me what I gotta do.\u201d<\/p>\nThe Library, Sunnydale High School, Eastside, Sunnydale<\/h3>\n
The Mayor’s Office, City Hall, State Street, North Central Sunnydale<\/h3>\n