Chapter 3
The sun was well hidden behind the many clouds that moved across the sky. She drew her knees up slightly, easing her feet out of her sandals, relishing the way the grass on the knoll felt between her toes.
“That cloud definitely looks like Janet Jackson.”
“You’re insane! It’s clearly Gavin Rossdale.”
“I think you’re biased Buffy, you simply refuse to see Janet’s amazing body carved out in that cloud…”
“I see Gavin’s amazing body…”
“Oz, as the only other guy here, please tell me that cloud looks like Janet Jackson.”
“I can kinda see that enormous headset she wears…”
“Thank you.”
“What about you, Will?”
“Well…I was thinking it sorta looked like Cary Grant, but I guess that’s not the answer you wanted, huh Xand?”
The group laughed, relaxing even more if that were possible. It was moments like this, just taking in some lazy time with her friends that made Buffy regret leaving…
She, Willow, and Xander had become instant best friends once she and her mom moved into town, making life without Sunnydale and Angel a little more bearable. Oz had joined the group later on in high school, once he began dating Willow, and had become a silent staple ever since. For practically twelve years they had been inseparable, all even opting to attend Ithaca College together, and now Buffy was leaving her friends behind to spend the summer with her virtually absentee father, who suddenly had the desire to see his ‘little girl’ again. She should have said no, laughed at him over the phone, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it, god she hated being so sweet sometimes.
Buffy sighed lazily, sitting up. Her golden blonde hair fell over her bare shoulders in waves, as she absently tugged at her halter-top.
“Anyone up for a quick round of ‘anywhere but here’?” She asked, gently rolling her head, working out a few of the tiny kinks that had settled in her neck.
“Sure, Buffster.” Xander sighed, sitting up as well. “As if we didn’t already know what your fantasy is…”
Buffy rolled her eyes at him. “Why don’t you go first.”
“Easy.” Xander nodded, his dark brown locks flopping down in his face. “Amy Yip at the…”
“At the waterslide park.” Will finished his sentence, copying Buffy’s eye roll. “As if we already didn’t know.”
“What? I’m a simple man. Oz?”
“I’m enjoying being here actually.” Oz smiled, wrapping his arms around his girlfriend.
Xander smirked, shaking his head. He was going to have to find a better partner in crime. “You’re completely whipped.”
“I know, but it has its benefits.” Willow giggled as Oz planted a chaste kiss on the back of her neck.
Buffy smiled brightly, running a hand through her hair. “My turn. Okay, I’m back in Sunnydale, and after dancing the entire night at one of their lavish parties, Angel and I slip away for a more private session out on the tennis court. Great conversation and two glasses of champagne later, we’re dancing again, and he looks into my eyes, tells me how much he’s missed me…how beautiful I am, we kiss and it’s slow and amazing…”
The fantasy vividly played out in her minds eye, whisking her away from reality for a brief moment. The tingly feelings that had settled in her stomach quickly went away at the sight of the bemused faces of her friends.
“Sorry.” Buffy shrugged, smiling sheepishly. “Got kinda carried away.”
“Hey!” Willow excitedly slapped Buffy’s leg. “Maybe it’ll happen, your dad does still live next door to them…”
“I heard that guy was getting married.” Xander grunted. “Besides, I think Buffy should use her time back in her home town to do some catching up with her dad and Auntie Cecilia.” He added, jealousy practically dripping from his voice.
“You mean Auntie Tammy.” Buffy said with a mock cheeriness.
“What happened to Auntie Cecilia?”
“Auntie Tammy happened.”
The car horn sounded loudly, and Buffy sighed reluctantly climbing to her feet. She grabbed her bag, slinging it over her shoulder as she slipped her sandals back on. The rest of the gang stood as well, pulling her into tight goodbye hugs.
“God, I’m gonna miss you guys! I’ll call as soon as I get there, and Xander, don’t forget to feed George. If I come back and find him floating upside down at the top of his bowl, I’m staking you.”
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He walked purposely out of the elevator, the long leather duster flowing behind him. Just wanted to get to the office, dying for a fag and his office was the only place without one of those Nazi ‘No smoking’ signs.
“Oh, good morning Mr. Giles!”
He stopped briefly at the secretaries desk, giving her a devilish grin. “Good morning, Lola. Any messages, luv?”
“Yes sir.” She giggled in spite of herself, Mr. Giles was quite possibly the sexiest boss she’d ever had… “You’re meeting with the investors was pushed from four o’clock to ten o’clock.”
“Ten o’clock!” He groaned, running a hand through his curly platinum blonde locks. “That’s a bloody hour from now!”
“I’m really sorry, sir. Oh, your father also called, something about an engagement party…”
“Thanks, Lola.” He sighed, resuming his quick pace towards his office. “Oh! And your brother’s here, sir!” Lola called out, as the office door slammed loudly in his wake.
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Spike frantically dug through the inner pockets of his duster, a wave of relief washing over him as he pulled out the pack of Marlboro Reds and his lighter. He shrugged the jacket off of his shoulders, tossing it aside, his face darkening as he finally noticed that his brother was occupying the chair at his desk.
“Oh for Christ…what the bleeding hell do you want?!” He snapped, lighting a cigarette. Angel frowned slightly, climbing to his feet, you’d think his own brother would greet him with a little more warmth in his time of need…
“I can’t do it, Spike…” He sighed heavily, flopping down on the couch dramatically.
“What can’t you do now? I’ve got a meeting in an hour to prepare for so make this quick…”
“I just can’t marry Cordy.” Spike groaned loudly, dropping down into his chair, and quickly grabbed the ashtray he kept inside of his desk.
“It’s too much pressure. She wants me to help with the planning, pick out flowers, and china patterns, and places to register…she’s driving me fucking nuts and we haven’t even made it to the damn church yet!”
“Mr. Giles, Hank Summers is here to see you.” Lola’s voice called over the intercom. “Send him in.”
“I should just break it off…” Angel moaned, trying desperately to hold his brother’s attention.
“Angel, I really don’t have time for your sh–…Hank!” He smiled brightly, maybe a little too bright. “Come in, what can I do for you?”
“I’m really sorry to bother you, Spike…”
“Oh, it’s no bother, really, gives me an excuse to stop listening to Peaches for a while…” Spike grinned, lighting another cigarette.
“Listen, I heard about the meeting getting pushed up to ten, and I can’t make it.”
“You can’t make it?! What do you mean…”
“My daughter’s flying in to LAX, she should be here at around ten thirty, and she’s counting on me to pick her up.”
His daughter? Oh yeah, Spike had almost forgotten about that little monster, just the thought of that awful Summers girl made him want to reach for his inhaler…
“Here’s a thought. Why don’t you let Angel pick up dear Betty…”
“Buffy.” Hank corrected.
“Right, Buffy, and you can stay here and help me out with this meeting.” Spike’s smile stretched painfully across his face, it looked as if his lips would crack and bleed at any second, his eyes pleading with Hank.
“I, I guess that’s fine.”
“Great! It’s settled, Hank you’ll stay here, and Angel you’ll go to the airport and pick up Betty…”
“Buffy.”
“Right, Buffy.” Angel quickly shot up to his feet. “I don’t have time to go to LAX…!”
“Nonsense.” Spike smiled, getting out of his seat, walking over to him. He slid a sly hand around his shoulders, flashing him that killer grin, his salesman techniques evident. “It’s like killing three birds with one stone in this case…Hank’s daughter gets a lovely ride home from the airport, you get away from Cordelia for a while, and I get to see your arse walk out of my office never to return. It’s an all round win, win situation.”
Hank smiled somewhat smugly in Angel’s direction. “She’ll be at Gate 17.”