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Title: Kiss and Tell(... for now)
Author: Desdemona
Rating: probably R for some course language, etc. There will be a minimum of one NC-17 bit. (You know what thatmeans...SMUT!)
Summary: A challenge from Amy. AU. I don't want to give away too much, but they aren't having a conventional relationship.
Spoilers: As I said AU
Disclaimer: They ain't mine. If they were mine, you think anything after season 3 would have happened. Well...yeah, IWRY would have happened but that's it. After that Angel would head back to Sunnydale where he belongs, preferrably still human.
Distribution: Want it? No, don't joke with me. You want it? Fine, take it! It's yours, just tell me where it's going.
Still grumbling at the unfairness of it all Buffy sank into her seat. Giles had picked her to head all the way to London for a fashion shoot. `Why me? That leaves the Jameson accountcompletely open to Faith.' The worst part was the whole trip was nearly a month in length, with a layover, both ways, in New York. She frowned and pulled down the tiny desk in front of her. `At least Giles is considerate enough to splurge for first class' Buffy began to type furiously on her laptop, quickly creating a web portfolio she could e-mail to the Jameson company, detailing all the wonderful things she'd do to market their product. `Just because I'm away in drizzly old England doesn't mean I can't give Faith a run for her money.' "Excuseme, Miss?" a stewardess interrupted her work. Buffy spun in her seat to face the other girl. "Yes?" she asked. "The plane is about to take off, you need to buckle your seatbelt and turn off your laptop" the stewardess told her, gesturing to the light at the front of the cabin, flashing to tell them to fasten their seatbelts. Buffy smiled apologetically and did as the stewardess asked. `And so this horrible, God forsaken business adventure starts...'
"Another Icy tea" she slurred, an hour and a half into the trip. "Don't you think you've had enough, Miss Summers. We're about to land in New York" the same stewardess told her. Buffy frowned and flopped back against the seat, obediently fastening her seatbelt once again. After they had reached the right altitude and were told they could take off their seat belts and turn on electrical devices once again, Buffy had attempted to work on her bid for the Jameson account. However, her laptop hadn't worked. She'd cursed and nearly broken into tears, at the pure frustration of the whole fucking project she was about to work on. After that, she'd resorted to alcohol. She'd had at least five long island ice teas by now and she was really feeling the warm and comforting buzz they left her with. Buffy zoned out through most of the landing. As mos other people got of to stretch their legs or merely got of, she sat in her seat watching the world go by. The layover was shorter than expected, only a half hour instead of the hour and a half that had been predicted. Buffy watched as people boarded the plane once again. Some New Yorkers were replacing the empty seats that had been there before. Much like the New Yorker who took the empty seat next to her. She watched in a haze as the man threw a bag into the overhead compartment then sat in his seat beside her. He was handsome to be sure. In the moonlight and runway lights streaking in the window behind her, he looked incredibly pale. His hair was a rich shade chestnut brown, in the minimal light it looked nearly black. Buffy watched him for what must have been too long because he turned to face her, presenting her with the chance to look into his beautiful chocolate eyes.
Angel had just thrown his camera bag into the overhead compartment when he felt a pair of eyes on him. It wasn't like this was the first time he'd ever been ogled in public, but it was still disconcerting. Angel sa in his seat, careful to not show too much interest. He hadn't really noticed who was sitting beside him, but with his luck it was probably some horny old cougar, looking for a good time. He had been suckered into this by Lionel, his editor, but by god, he didn't have t like it. One month in England when he could be partying with the rich and famous in New York. `Yeah, this'llbe great fun. I hardly believe that the new image from Versaci is worth a month in England.' Angel shifted uncomfortably as the eyes continued to stare at him. Already frustrated from the trip in itself Angel turned to give this old woman a piece of his mind. Instead he found a beautiful young blonde with the clearest green eyes staring at him. She was perfect, nearly heavenly. He could barely take his eyes away from her. Barely, he did notice the large assortment of glasses all over the little tray in front of her. He could smell the alcohol on her, and leered appreciatively. `This trip just got a hell of a lot more fun.'
Part 2
"Uh...Janine. We'd like another scotch on the rocks and a margarita, for the lady" Angel said. A little too loudly for the taste of the other passengers, trying to sleep near by. Angel wasn't completely drunk yet but his counterpart certainly was. Granted, she'd had a head start. Janine returned with their drinks then disappeared once again. "So why's a pretty thing like you going to dreary old London" he asked, a drunken smirk adorning his face. "Work" she grumbled, throwing back another gulp of her drink. "Same here" he replied, finishing off his scotch. They sat quietly for a moment, then she broke the stillness, "wanna go have sex?" Angel chuckled, "we're joining the `mile high club', are we?" he leered. "What, you're not already a member?" she retorted. Angel laughed a little louder, stood and offered his hand to the gorgeous woman beside him. She accepted and followed him as he lead them to the small bathroom. `Yeah, this trips getting a little better.'
She shoved him into the small compartment then locked the door after him. "A little impatient" he teased as she nearly attacked him, not that he was complaining. She grunted her response pressing herself against him. She nipped along his neck and the shell of his ear as her hands roamed down his chest. He was a little shocked at the demanding behaviour she was exhibiting but it was easy to turn the tables on a drunken woman who really wants you. Though that thought was not so true once her lips found the spot at the base of his neck where he was most sensitive. She bit, not hard, but enough to cause him to instantly want her as bad as she seemed to need him. He responded to all her rough treatment in kind, his hands slid down to find purchase on her ass and to roughly pull her body fully against his own. She sobered slightly when she felt the proof of his desire against her stomach. Before she could protest, her lips were dragged into a heated kiss that left her panting and once again in his thrall. His hands were impatiently hiking her skirt up, inch by inch, and gently kneading her backside. She fumbled with his belt as she kissed him strongly once again. She felt his hands pushing her lace panties down her legs and she finally pulled the belt off his and quickly got his fly undone. "If e ever do this again, don't wear a belt" she whispered huskily. His reply was another deep and passionate kiss. They were too drunk to really worry about foreplay and she was quickly pressed against a wall. Her legs wrapped around his waist at what seemed to be their own accord. "Oh God" Angel moaned as she once again suckled at his neck. He didn't wait for her assent he just shoved himself home, and stilled as he felt her velvet heat surround him. Her head was back against the wall in a silent wail of pleasure and he happily bent his head to kiss and suckle along the ample amounts exposed flesh from her tank top. When the feeling was too much he slowly pulled out of her and then thrust back . He continued this until she met his own thrusts with more demanding ones of her own. Soon they were so caught up in the rapture of the experience that he was pounding her into the wall. He felt himself reaching the height of his pleasure but he refused to go over without her, so his hand moved from it's perch on her hip, in between their bodies, and too the tiny pearl of the flesh that commanded all her desires. She moaned loudly and arched against him sharply as her flesh rippled around his own. His thrust became uneven as his own release came. She milked every drop of his seed from him, as she pulled his lips back for another kiss. As their ardour cooled so did their bodies and Angel felt her legs unwrap from around him and he gently placed her on her feet once more. Their lips parted and they panted harshly, staring at each other, in their dishevelled state. "We should get going, we're probably landing soon" Angel said, far from ready to admit, that she had shown him something he'd never felt before. She nodded and grabbed her discarded panties and yanking them on. He watched as she rearranged her skirt, her back was to his and she was checking herself out in the mirror. He ignored the effect she was having on him. He was hard again simply watching her get dressed after their little romp. He was so preoccupied with her body he almost missed what she said, " the plane's supposed to be landing in five minutes" He nodded and quickly fixed himself up as well.
She left the bathroom first, heading back to their seats, so it would seem they were merely at the bathroom, but not together. After a long moment Angel arrived back at their seats, just in time to hear the announcement that they would be landing now. Buffy and Angel sat in their seats, eyes straight ahead, not daring to glance over at the other. `I don't even know the guys name, and we just had the most incredible sex I've ever experienced.' Finally working enough courage to look over at Angel she saw him checking out the red headed girl that was across the aisle and two rows up. `Apparently, it wasn't so special to him.' Once the plane had landed Buffy quickly brushed past him and left the plane, practically running to put distance between them. She collected her baggage and was in a cab, headed for her hotel, before he even made it through customs.
Part 3
She threw her things down on the large bed in the centre of the room. `I can't believe I just did that. What was I thinking?' Buffy's throbbing head tried hard to work through the alcohol cloud in her head and get to the start of the whole odd affair she just endeavoured in. Buffy glanced out the window where the sun was just starting to rise. `With the time difference and a hangover I don't think I'm going to get much sleep.' Buffy threw her things off the bed and pulled back the covers, she slid between the lavish silk sheets the hotel provided and tried to sleep off the worst part of her sickness before she had to arrive at work that afternoon. `At least I know, I'll never have to see that jerk again.'
`Why do I keep thinking about her?' Angel O'Leary mused to himself while getting himself ready to head to work. He'd reached his hotel and tried to sleep some before meeting the heads of the Versaci company this afternoon. Unfortunately, he hadn't kept his mind off the delectable blonde on the plane to get some truly restful sleep. `What is wrong with me? I'm one of the most attractive guys in New York, and I'm known all across Manhattan Island as the biggest player, but I can't keep my mind off one girl long enough to get a couple hours of sleep?' Angel tried to push those thoughts from his mind as he hailed a cab and headed was driven towards the Versaci offices in London. He was paying the driver and so he missed the small, blonde beauty heading into the building before him. By the time he turned around all he saw was a soft grey frockcoat weaving threw the crowd in the store. Angel glanced up at Big Ben, who could be seen clearly from the front of the building, and then hurried inside the building, determined not to be late for the meeting he had to attend.
Angel stepped off of the elevator and looked toward the desk where a secretary would usually sit. The desk was oddly empty. He noticed a young blonde girl hunched over a notebook, her golden curls falling around her to cover her face. She was inside an office that had walls of glass surrounding a large meeting table in front of the windows overlooking London's shopping district. Angel carefully opened the door and knocked softly on it to get her attention. She quickly straightened, almost startled to have been interrupted. Again he was looking into the clearest green eyes he'd ever seen. "You" she whispered, her eyes large from shock of seeing him again. `So much for keep her out of my mind. I'm never going to get my mind off those tanned, perfectly toned legs, wrapped around my waist...' "What are you doing here?" she asked, pulling his mind from his questionable thoughts. "I, uh, I'm the photographer. What about you?" he asked, trying to pull together the last of his dignity to make it through this conversation. She laughed bitterly, "I'm the advertising executive" she told him with a wry smile. "No way, you're the Barbie they pulled in all the way from the sunshine state?" he teased, placing his bag down on the conference table. "That's Florida" she told him, going back to sorting through, what he now knew was her portfolio. "So what are you're plans?" he asked trying to look across the table at her sketches. She snapped the book closed and looked him square in the eye, in a very serious and professional tone she replied, "You'll have to figure that out when I tell you what to take pictures of." Their bickering ended as soon as the company heads arrived filling up many of the seats around the table then calling the meeting to order.
"Ladies and Gentleman, I present Miss Buffy Summers from Los Angeles, and Mr. Angel O'Leary from New, York. Both are sent with high esteem from their respectable agencies" the older gentleman, Mr. Elliott Kensington, announced. Mr. Kensington gestured to Buffy to start her part of the meeting. "Thank you, sir" she stated standing to deliver her presentation. "I understand I was requested personally after you saw the ads I did for Hugo Boss, which are currently running magazines all across the United States and here in the UK as well. I presented an image with the advertising for Hugo Boss. They were looking to attract a younger market and from our statistics their advertising of their newest, far more casual line has had the desired effect. I hope to have the same good results with this contract. From what I have seen of your line for the coming fall I want to make look accessible to the regular woman." She paused and glanced around the table to take in the faces that greeted her, many were thoughtful and open, while Angel resented a cool mask, but his eyes seemed pensive and distracted with following the line of her short skirt as she moved. She cleared her throat to grab his attention then smiled politely and continued, "far too often people believe that your clothes are made for the models and not for the average working woman. I'd like to remedy this with out advertising campaign. I'm hoping to bring a little realism into the `fanciful world of Versaci.'" Buffy concluded, plastering on her `sincere, confident and supportive' smile. The rest of the table looked between each other, sharing rather hesitant glances. Angel looked around him, he had to admit, he hadn't been listening to a word she said, but still for some reason, oddly moved to help her seal this deal, only if it was so he could keep catching glances of her perfect body. "I like it" he announced, "It's edgy and new." The directors still looked torn but their faces but they relented slightly, "we'd like to see your preliminary sketches and notes before we agree completely" Mr. Kensington stated. Buffy nodded and smiled, "I have hem hear." She shuffled through the papers on the table in front of her, giving Angel, who sat across from her a nice view of her chest. The younger man, shifted forward slightly in his seat, tying to see all of the tanned flesh he could from the top of her V-necked sweater. Suddenly, he noticed what he was doing and flopped back in his chair, uttering a quiet but deep sigh. `This is going to a be a long month...particularly if she keeps dressing like that.'
Part 4
As soon as the meeting was concluded Buffy threw on her coat and breezed from the office. Angel had to jog to catch up with her. `Why am I trying to catch up with her? I want to get her out of my head?' A small voice in his head answered, `no you don't' "Hey, where you going?" he asked, as they waited for an elevator. "Back to my hotel room," she remarked, "why?" The doors slid open in front of them and they entered. "Well, I was going to go for a couple of drinks if you wanted to join me" he invited. She turned to face him, "wouldn't that take away the one night stand-ness, of our one night stand?" she quipped dryly. "Hey, it's not a date" he replied, a little too sharply, "it's just coworkers going to get in on some of the `English pub' action." She smiled slightly, despite the pain of him bluntly denying he had any interest in her, "what's so special about a pub anyway?" she asked. He shrugged, "don't know, we'll have to figure that out together" he replied, taking her hand and pulling her out of the elevator. They both tried in vain to ignore the warm sensation they felt when their hands touched. Neither really noticed as their hands stayed interlocked while they rode in the cab to the closest pub.
"So what about her?" Angel asked looking across the room to the raven haired beauty across the bar from them. "She's all your's, but I bet you twenty bucks her ego makes it a threesome" Buffy returned nursing on her beer. "Okay, but you need to find someone too" Angel agreed. They'd been sitting here for the past two hours grading the men and women in the bar. Eventually, Angel had decided that they needed to have some fun and find some other
companions. "I'm spoken for, back home" she told him with a smile. "Ah, so, our little tryst's going to put you in some hot water, with lover boy?" Angel teased. "It was hardly a tryst, it was us, totally trashed, mutually coping a feel, nothing more. Besides, I have no intention of telling Riley" Buffy explained. Angel grinned, "ooh, keeping secrets, naughty, naughty" he mock chastised. "Oh screw off" she returned teasingly. Angel sank back into his seat, and appraised her thoughtfully, "so, what's so special about your Riley?" he asked, taking a large swig of his beer. Buffy shrugged, "he's sweet, and kind, and loyal-" "So's a dog" Angel interrupted. His partner scowled and returned her attention to her drink. "No, seriously, are you guys a serious thing?" he asked. She smiled, "we were trying to have a baby before I got shipped over here." Angel gulped another swig of his beer, "so you're pretty serious then." She shrugged again, "Riley's the old-fashioned Iowa guy, and I just want a baby. I know Riley will stick around even if we're not together..." she stated. "So you're using him" Angel surmised. Buffy ignored the comment. `Wouldn't be the first time I heard it.' "So, are you going to ask the pretty young thing out or not?" she redirected his attention. Angel caught on to her diversion, but went with it. `Obviously, she's not going to talk about it.' "I'm going" he stated and threw back the rest of his beer. Buffy watched from their darkened corner booth, as Angel smooth talked to the girl and eventually lead her out of the pub.
It was late in the afternoon before Angel arrived at the offices. He fund that he'd been assigned an office, and headed directly there. Like the boardroom the walls facing onto the street and into the hallway were both glass. Angel looked across the hall to see Buffy seated at her desk carefully scribbling over some notes. He knocked softly on the glass door to get her attention. She looked up and smiled at him. She was dressed smartly in a black pantsuit with a lilac coloured shirt underneath. She was wearing glasses today, but Angel found they only made her look more mature and intelligent, he'd long ago given up the pretense that she was another Californian air head. "I owe you twenty bucks" he remarked. She smiled, "you can keep it." Angel walked over to sit in the chair in front of her desk. "I guess Mr. Kensington and his lackies are taking your campaign" he stated. "More or less" was the reply she gave him. "How so?" "Well," she answered, "their idea of the `normal' woman still includes six, gorgeous runway models, so I had to make a few changes." Angel looked down at the portfolio on her desk, "so what am I snapping and when?" he asked. "I have to find a couple of models that are relatively normal looking and then I need to book a sound stage, but should everything work out, I'd say you'll be taking pictures by next Monday." Angel nodded, "any specific angles I have to cover, or special lenses I'm going to need?" he asked her. She shook her head, "I'm thinking of black and white for the visual punch when the clothing is coloured." "I like the way your mind works, Summers" he complimented. He stood and left her office, and entered his own. `This is going to be a long month' Angel fell into his large leather chair, turning so Buffy couldn't see him through the glass walls of their offices. Angel could still smell her perfume clinging to him. `A perfect scent, for a perfect woman.'
Part 5
She was right by the end of the week they were planning photo shoots starting on Monday. " I want a behind the scenes sort of look so we don't need to shell out too much on props just leave the racks and light stands in front of the camera as well as behind" she said. Angel had desperately trying to pay attention but he really couldn't. He gave her a blank glance but tried to nod reassuringly. She frowned, "you could at least try to pay attention" she remarked sinking back into her chair. `I'm trying I swear I'm trying but...does she have to wear those clothes' "I know you don't want to be here. Honestly, neither do I, but we are here so let's try and finish this quickly and then get home again" she said looking him in the eye. "Deal" he said giving her a slight smile. She went back into, whom she'd contacted about ad space, and again his mind wandered to their evening in the plane bathroom. He'd spent most of the week with a variety of different women but none stuck his mind like Buffy Summers did. "You're doing it again" she remarked, pulling him from his thoughts. "Doing what?" he asked, hoping he didn't make some sort of embarrassing statement or gesture in his daydreams. "You're off in la-la land. You know we have to get all these done in two weeks, we don't have time for your space cadet routine" she declared. He sighed, "sorry, I haven't been sleeping well." `It's not a total lie, I can't get more than two hours without waking up, from an unsatisfying dream of you' She grumbled, "well get yourself some coffee in the morning and don't slow me down like this" Angel was getting aggravated, she didn't have to share his feelings but she also didn't have to be some sort of bitch. "You seem to have all this sorted out" he answered, "I'll just show up on Monday and you can tell me where to look and I'll take the picture." "Don't get all up in my face. You're the one spacing out instead of helping. You're lucky you take amazing photos, if your attitude's like this" she retorted. "You're the one with some kind of bitch stick, up your ass. It's not my fault that you haven't got any since we got here, but don't get all prude on me" he retaliated. She huffed and glared at him, "I'd rather not get any than be one of the whores you're fucking every night." "Oh but you wish I was fucking you every night" he rebuked, grabbing his things preparing to storm from her office. "I could have you thrown off this project so fast" she threatened. He was heading for the door but turned back, "Do it. You said yourself I didn't want to be here. The sooner you get this done, you can get home to your little homespun surfer in California. In that case, I suggest you find another photographer, I'm heading back to New York" he hissed at her. "Oh no you're not" a stiff British voice interjected from behind him. Buffy looked over his shoulder and her eyes widened, " you two are going to sort this out now, or you're both going home" Mr. Kensington told them. Angel sighed and turned around to face the British man. "Really sir, I'd rather go home" he insisted. "Yes, we really don't work well together" Buffy added. "I don't believe that" their boss answered, "you got along fine in our preliminary meeting. In fact, you, Mr. O'Leary, stood up for Miss Summers, when we thought her ideas questionable. Do you now wish to abandon her plans as well as this deal?" he asked. Angel relented slowly but eventually agreed to stay on and sort things out with Buffy. Mr. Kensington left them to sort it out but promised he'd be watching them. "Bloody colonials, no work ethic" he grumbled as he left. "Look, I don't want anything except for you to pay attention and take good pictures" she told him. "I want to be able to do whatever I want, leave me alone. I'll show up for the shoot and except for that, I'm not doing anything for you" he answered, still angry and not willing to give into her demands. `Last time I gave into your requests, I ended up with a wholly unwanted infatuation.' "Okay," she agreed, "I'll see you on Monday, nine o'clock, at the warehouse on the corner of Fulham Rd and Sloane Ave." she stated before shifting her papers into her small briefcase. "Alright" he agreed, the fight coming out of him, and the realization that he was fighting viciously with the woman he wanted most, sank in. He moved to leave her office once again, "uh sorry about the whole bitch stick thing" he reluctantly apologized. "It's okay" she replied carelessly while brushing past him and out the door he was holding open. She quickly strode away from him, never once making any gesture that she was sorry at all for the equally cruel things she had said to him. Rage began to boil within him once again. `Why should I be sorry, if she's not?' A small voice answered, `because you love her, whether she loves you or not.'
`The weekend really started with a bang' Buffy thought to herself as she threw her things down in her suite provided by the company. It really was a nice room, full of old dark wood and antiques laces. `A real haven for newlyweds' Buffy grumbled unhappily and sank into one of the chairs that faced toward the large inviting fireplace on one wall. She pondered over what had just happened with Angel O'Leary. `You don't just fall in love with some random stranger who you fucked on a plane' Buffy glanced over at the small fridge that was against the opposite wall. She walked over to the mini bar and got herself a drink then ordered herself some diner. Buffy sank back into the chair with her fruity concoction and waited for her food to arrive. In the half hour she had to wait she went over minute detail of their argument. She had no idea what set her off like that. She usually couldn't care less if other's did their jobs, she'd get hers done and that was all that mattered but it was different with him. Her food arrived and she ate alone, leaving her to her thoughts once again. With nothing better to do Buffy decided to make a call home. After a couple of rings Riley finally answered. "Buffy! Hey, baby! I hoped I'd hear from you soon" he remarked with a false happiness on the other end of the line. Buffy was confused and the two glasses of brandy she'd already drank weren't helping. "What's up sweetie?" she asked. There was a short pause on the other end of the line. "Are you sitting down, baby?" Riley asked. Buffy sank into the convenient chair, "what is it Riley?" she asked. "Uh, I found someone else" he said without further preamble. "Wh..what?" she stuttered, "but we were going to have a baby. We've been together for five years Riley" A heavy sigh answered on the other of the line. "I know baby, but we want different things. Tiffany let's me have fun, you...you were too serious Buffy" Riley told her. Buffy threw back the rest of the drink she'd been nursing, "Tiffany? You're leaving me for a bimbo named Tiffany?" she asked, outraged. "I'm sorry, Buffy. When you get back I'll have moved out. I really have to go now Buffy. Bye, babe" he sped through his goodbye and before she could retort the line was dead. She slammed the receiver down once again. She grabbed the large bottle of brandy she'd ordered and filled her glass once again, then threw the drink back and refilled the glass yet again.
Twelve glasses of brandy and a sun set later, there was an angry pounding at her door. In her drunken stupor Buffy lifted herself from the couch to answer the door. "What?" she asked throwing open the door. Angel stood there, his breath reeked of alcohol as he panted harshly and stared at her hungrily. "You're such a stupid bitch" he told her. She didn't reply just stared up at him. He push past her and entered her suite. "You're drunk" she surmised in a drunken tongue as she stared back at him. Angel glanced at the empty or nearly empty liquor bottles spread around the hotel room floor. "You're not?" he asked taking a swig from the bottle of champagne that sat on the end table beside him. "Touche" she replied and staggered back to the couch, wrenching her alcohol from him. She poured herself a glass and sipped from it. "What did you want, Angel?" she asked. Angel's stare increased in intensity and it took on a hot lusty look. He didn't deem that with a response, nearly buried his head in the crevice between her shoulder and neck. Her drink tipped from her hands and spilt onto the white carpet beneath their feet. Buffy moaned under his ministrations and wrapped her arms around his waist to tug his shirt off. Angel had busied his own hands with pushing her skirt up her legs. "Bedroom" she hissed as his nibbled along her earlobe. Angel swept her up into his arms and took her into the room she gestured to. He placed her on the large white bed, and stilled his motions to look at her. "What am I doing?" he whispered. Buffy placed her hands around his neck and tried to pull his face to hers. He pulled her hands from their place on the back of his neck, "Not tonight Buffy" Angel instantly sobered, `She looks like a fallen angel on a bed of lace. I don't deserve her.' Her eyes took on a hard glint, "you didn't strike me as the kind of guy to have performance anxiety" she remarked. "And I don't" he answered, "but I'm not going to sleep with you tonight." She looked at him in disgust, "so you're just the kind of fucker who gets a girl all worked up and then leaves her cold" she teased. Angel growled but grabbed his discarded shirt and left the room. "Fine! Go! I can do better than you anyway!" she yelled after him. The only reply she got was the slamming of the door. As soon as she heard the door close, she burst into tears. "Men" she wailed, "I don't need this shit."
Part 6
Sunday could be labelled as uneventful at best, but by the time Monday rolled around things were in a whirlwind. It wasn't until nine thirty that Buffy dragged herself into the old warehouse. "Look who finally got off her drunken ass and showed up" Angel commented as shewalked slowly, her eyes still hidden behind large black shades. "Thank you Mr. O'Leary for that rousing welcome, now what progress have we made or have you been sitting on your own worthless ass waiting for me?" she retorted, never removing her sunglasses in the dim interior light while scanning theset. "Everything's all set up and the models are in make up right now Miss Summers" a young intern stated handing over a couple of documents for Buffy's approval. "Thank you, Laura" Buffy intoned walking away from Angel and the intern toward her own area at the back of the room. "Angel?" a young voice squealed from the other side of the room. All three of the people turned to see one of the models walking quickly to Angel's side. "Isabel" Angel greeted pressing European kisses to both her cheeks as she did the same for him. "I haven't you since...that night at Sunido" she remarked with a secretive smile. He returned her smile with a smirk of his own, "yeah, that was fun. We should do it again sometime" Buffy huffed irritably and turned to head back to her impromptu office.
"That's a wrap for today!" Buffy yelled from behind Angel as he finished taking the last picture. "So, I'll see you later, Angelus?" Isabel called as she headed back towards her changing room. "Absolutely" he replied smoothly with a smirk. Isabel grinned in response and then ran off to catch up with the rest of the models. Angel turned back to see Buffy's retreating back. "So when do you need these shots by?" Angel called after her. "I don't know, whenever you get a chance. Isabel should keep you occupied for the night. Whenever you want" she answered dismissively. "Is this about Saturday night?" he asked running to catch up to her, following as she walked back to her desk. She spun back to face him, "no, this is not about Saturday night. What happened on Saturday night? As I see it, you just couldn't perform and backed out. I just hope you don't disappoint your little Isabel" she taunted. "Whatever, bitch" he remarked. He turned to leave her office but her voice halted him, "oh, and Angel? You personal time, is just that, your time. Don't pick up your dates on my clock again" she told him, spitefully. "Have you ever thought of Prozac?" he returned. She smirked but didn't reply and turned her attention to the files in front of her. "Have you ever thought of dating girls out of high school?" she remarked, not lifting her head to look at him. "Done that, and I must say the benefits are not worth the trouble" he answered leaning in her doorframe. After a long moment of silence, she looked up at him, "you can go now" she reminded him. He stayed casually leaning in her office doorway, "the way I see it, your problems not with me." "What's that supposed to mean?" she asked. "I think something your little homebody in California did got your panties in a twist, why else would you have drank half of your mini bar in one sitting?" he commented. "Well, what's your excuse?" she retorted, packing her things into a briefcase quickly, trying to escape him. "Well, me? I'm a closet alcoholic" he whispered secretly, entering her office once again. "Well, isn't that just special for..." her sentence trail off as she stood up and then doubled over and sank back into her chair. Despite his pretense of hating her, he could tell something was seriously wrong. He quickly walked around the desk to help her back into the chair. "What's wrong?" he asked. "Nothing" she answered irritably, shaking off his arm and pressing her hand to her spinning head. "Have you eaten anything today?" he asked. "No," she grumbled, "food didn't look all that appetizing this morning." "I'll get you something" he offered but she swiftly declined and slowly stood on her own. "I'm fine. I just stood up too fast" she told him, confidently putting her shades on to cover her eyes once again and then strode from the room. Angel couldn't do anything but stare after her as she left. "Hey, get in a fight with the ice bitch?" Isabel asked coming to meet him just inside the desk. "Uh, yeah" he answered finally, deciding it was safer that way. "So wanna go get reacquainted" she offered with a lascivious grin. He smirked and nodded in response, taking her hand in his own, ignoring his brain that instantly set about comparing her graceful hand to Buffy's. `She doesn't want you, or your help, just leave it at that.'
Part 7
"Thank you Laura, I'll see to it tomorrow" Buffy said into her cell phone while wandering through her suite. She was dressed in an oversized plush robe and was headed into her bathroom for a long luxurious bath when there was a knocking at her door. "I have to go now, Bye" Buffy spoke to her assistance then shut off her phone and headed for the door. She spied out the peep hole to see a nervous man on the other side. She frowned and unlocked the door. "Hi" she remarked staring into his chocolate eyes. "Hey" he replied. "How do you know where I'm staying?" she asked still leaning in the doorway. "I asked downstairs" he answered with a smirk. "What did you need?" she whispered. "I just came to make sure you were okay" he answered honestly. "Well, I am, so I won't keep you from your little Isabel any longer" she commented. "Isabel passed out, upstairs, about an hour ago, so I don't think she'll miss me for a while yet" Angel returned. Buffy chuckled and gestured for him to enter, "little Issy doesn't know how to handle her alcohol?" she teased. "You could say that" Angel answered. She laughed again and he joined with her. "So, really, when do you want those pictures?" Angel asked, breaking the heavy silence that had descended over them. "I'd really like them by Thursday" she answered. "Is that just today's or tomorrow's, as well?" he asked, moving to lean against the back of her couch. "Is there a problem getting both?" she replied. He shook his head, "No, I was just asking." She smiled slightly, "you want something to drink?" she asked motioning to the bar. "No, thanks. I think we've both had enough of that stuff for a while?" he answered on a chuckle. "True" she deemed, returning his laughter. "So, what were you drinking to on Saturday?" he inquired. "To failed relationships, and misplaced love" she responded. "So this was about your boyfriend back home" he surmised. "Or lack there of, yes" she quipped while settling herself on the couch. "What did he do?" Angel asked, following her lead and seating himself beside her. "You know how I said he was loyal and I trusted him?" she asked, at his nod she added, "well, I take that back." "I take it, he didn't want to wait for you to get back" Angel remarked. Buffy shrugged her shoulders dismissively but didn't reply. A lone tear made it's way down her cheek, "five years" she whispered, "five years and he decides, while I'm gone for less than a week, that he can just push all that a side and go fuck his precious Tiffany" she vented. "I'm sorry" Angel commented, pulling her into his embrace, and he truly was sorry for her, his whole lack of relationships was to avoid that issue. She sobbed against his chest, as he stroked her back gently. Eventually she pulled back and looked him in the eye, "am I totally undesirable?" she asked, tears still welling inside her puffy, red eyes. He wiped a few of the stray tears away with his thumb caressing her cheek as he did so, "no, you're completely desirable, and he was a fool to let that slip away." Angel gave in to his urges and leaned in to kiss her. She responded all too eagerly, quickly shifting to press her barely clothed body against his. "I want you, Angel" she whispered in his ear as she nibbled along his earlobe and down his neck. Angel felt his body responding to her request. "Buffy please don't, you're just getting over a bad break up" he reminded her. "All the more reason to just let lose tonight, " she whispered. Angel tensed his body, trying to ignore the temptation she presented him with. She pulled back to face him, "don't you want me?" she asked, as she stared into his face. "Definitely" he responded, moving her hands down to feel his `want.' "But we can't, I'd be taking advantage of you" he whispered looking back at her. She nodded and shifted herself off his lap and away from him, to the other end of the couch. "You're right, maybe I just need some time to myself" she responded. `No! You don't!' Angel stiffly raised himself from the couch and looked down at her. The robe she wore had been loosely belt before, and their activities had caused the neck to open further expose more of her chest to his view. "Goodnight Buffy" he whispered as he headed to the door. "Goodnight Angel, and make sure Isabel gets to work tomorrow" Buffy teased as he left. Once the door was closed she rose and locked it then headed to the bath that had long been forgotten.
He walked briskly to his suite above her own. He was uncomfortable and brooding. He could kill her bastard of an ex-boyfriend. `Does he even know about the sweet piece of ass he's leaving?' Angel was on edge, he was torn between heading back downstairs and easing both their pain, or following his own words and leaving her to sort out her issues and taking his comfort in the beautiful yet less tempting model waiting in his suite. Despite the conflicting emotions, Angel continued his steps toward Isabel, and away from the woman he loved. He slipped the key into the lock and opened the door. Before he could step inside the darkened room he was assaulted by a pair of demanding lips on his own. Isabel slammed the door after him and pressed her body against his. Angel fumbled for a light switch as she continued her deliberate assault on his body. "Isabel, you're tripped out on drugs and beer, go home" he whispered. "That's not what your body's telling me" she whispered in turn while stroking his erection through his pants. Angel tensed his body against her ministrations, "don't" he hissed. "You're a slave to your passions, darling, you always have been," she reminded him, continuing her molestations, "Don't play church boy on me now." Angel groaned, despite his mental reservations, his body was giving into her advancements. "That's it, baby, I can make this trip very enjoyable for you" she remarked resuming her kisses to his neck. Flipping the lights back off Angel backed the two of them toward the bedroom.
Angel walked onto the set at eight thirty the next morning, having Isabel as a new appendage much to his dismay. Thankfully, she soon had to leave his side to head to wardrobe, giving Angel a much needed break. Angel watched as she sauntered away swing her curves gracefully as she left. He headed to the tripod he'd left the day before and proceeded to set up for his day. Fifteen minutes later Buffy Summers strode into the building she didn't look much better than she had the day before but she was putting up false pretenses and listening attentively to her assistant. Angel took pity on her and headed in her direction, "Can I talk to you for a minute. in your office?" Angel asked her. She nodded slightly and slowly moved toward the former foreman's offices at the back of the warehouse. He noticed that her usual business suit had been replaced by simple, yet classy black pants and a sweater. She still looked professional and attractive, but it lacked some of her usual charm. Once they made it to her office he closed the door as she sank into her chair, "thank you" she said and flashed him a grateful smile. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked. "Yeah, if I can just make through the next couple of hours, I'll be fine" she replied. She looked drawn and pale, a far cry from the vibrance and beauty she'd shown last night, that's not to say he didn't still find her breath taking. "Do you want a coffee?" he suggested. She gagged slightly and declined trying to regain her composure. "You shouldn't be here" he retorted. "No, I'll be fine," she insisted, taking a few deep breaths. He looked her over, "will you at least lie down until we start shooting?" he asked. She looked up at him, and he could see the protests rising in her but she relented. Carefully, he helped her to the couch in the office. "I'll come get you in an hour or so" he told her as she nestled into the couch. She nodded, her eyes already closed, her face still slightly tensed in discomfort. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead and then left the room. Laura sat at a desk in front of the office, "Miss Summers isn't feeling well and is resting now, don't disturb her" Angel explained to the younger girl. She nodded and resumed filing the papers as he left to head back to the set.
"You can't go in there!" Laura called as Isabel stormed into the office. "What the hell is this?" the model ranted as she shook around a crumpled schedule in one of her hands. Buffy grunted and opened her eyes to stare at the girl, but didn't rise from her place on the couch. "What's what?" she grumbled as she pressed her arm over her eyes to block out the light. "Everyone else gets a single shot, and I don't, I'm in group shots only, what the hell is that?" Isabel screamed. "That's not true," Buffy sighed, "Michaela is in group shots only." "She's an amateur, she's nothing compared to me" the waif retorted. "You're not the image we're looking for" Buffy responded. "Well, either you make time for some singles or I'm not working" she retorted angrily. "Then you're not being paid, and you can get off my set" Buffy answered looking at the girl and sitting up on the couch, "What? You thought, because you're fucking my photographer you had some kind of leverage with me? Think again" Isabel sputtered angrily, threw the schedule back at Buffy, then stormed from the room, narrowly missing a collision with Angel. "What happened?" he asked but before she could respond, she doubled over and vomited on the floor. Angel was at her side instantly, and helped her as she collapsed back against the couch. "You're going back to the hotel" he insisted as he hoisted her into his arms. Not disposed to argue with him, she relented and leaned against his chest as he gathered her things and explained the situation to Laura. Her head was pounding and her vision was swimming dazedly as he carried her from the building and placed her across the seats of a vintage black convertible. Somewhere on the trip back to their hotel she fell asleep against him.
Angel carried her up the stairs, and then extracted her key from her purse. Angel fit the key into the lock and opened the door. He carried her to the bedroom and gently set her upon the frilly white coverlet. She groaned softly and opened her eyes. "Feeling better?" he asked. She shook her head and sank deeper into the bed. "Will you be okay on your own?" he asked. She nodded slowly, her eyes still heavy with sleep. Angel stood and placed her things down on one of the armchairs in the front room of her suite. "I'll check on you after the shoot" he called in. "You don't have to," came her muffled reply. Angel headed to the door, "if you need anything call me on the set" he answered. Angel left, taking her keys with him. `She can't go anywhere if she doesn't have her keys.' Buffy pulled the blankets around her and dozed off once again.
Part 8
"Buffy?" Angel called walking in at three o'clock. The was no reply and so her called again. This time he got and angry retort, "shut up!" He walked into her bedroom to see her sitting in mounds of pillows and blankets while watching a British soap opera. "Feeling better?" he teased. She flipped the TV off using the remote sitting in front of her. "Yeah, I'm of the healthy" she answered. Angel smiled, "so is there anything you need?" "Well, I'd like to go out" she remarked sarcastically, "but I seem to have misplaced my keys." Angel grinned mischievously then threw the keys to her. She caught them and then got out of bed. Angel looked on taking in her attire that consisted of a barely there tank top and some boxer shorts. `That's never going to leave my head.' "Uh, I need to get change" she commented gesturing to the door. Angel nodded dumbly and left the room. It was a long ten minutes until she reappeared in the doorway. "So where are we going?" he asked. "We?" she teased, "I don't know where we were going. I was going to go shopping." "You don't think I'm letting you go out on your own after your little hurling session this morning, do you?" he replied. She shrugged, and gestured for him to follow, while heading to the door, "whatever."
Angel and Buffy spent over two hours just strolling around Piccadilly Square before he treated her to dinner. They picked a quiet tavern near the hotel and stopped to get a light supper. "What would you like?" he asked as they glanced over the menus set before them. "Definitely not the blood pudding" she teased. Angel grinned but had to put his gaze back to the list in front of him before he got too distracted by her glorious smile. "Sorry about the whole Isabel incident" she said turning her attention to the paper in front of her as well. "No, I should be apologizing to you," he answered, "She just gets a little hot headed at times particularly when she hasn't had a lot of sleep" he added. She hid the twinge she felt at knowing that Isabel had spent the whole night with Angel. `He's not interested, face it. It was a one time deal. You always knew that.' Buffy smiled despite her heavy thoughts and went back to selecting her meal. "Have you made your choice?" an older woman asked as she came to their table. Her frizzy grey hair was pulled from her face. She was a large woman who looked to be in her sixties. "I'll have the shepherd's pie and a salad on the side, and a tea to drink" Buffy ordered. "Are you sure you should be eating that much, after you were sick this morning?" Angel asked her. Buffy rolled her eyes, "I told you, I feel fine" she assured him. "The girl looks like she needs to put weight, to me sir" the friendly waitress remarked. Angel shrugged his shoulders, "I'll have the same" he told her. The lady smiled happily and took their menus, she assured them she'd be back shortly and then left the couple alone. "So how did the shoot go today?" Buffy asked. "Everything was good, I got Issy calmed down and then things went according to your plans" he replied. Buffy nodded and smiled the gentle smile he loved so much. He couldn't tear his eyes from her face, and he knew she was nervous under his intense gaze as she tucked a stray hair behind her ear, yet his gaze continued. Much to her relief the older woman returned with their food and Angel's gaze was finally pulled from her. "Enjoy" she stated laying the dishes in front of them. Both of them smiled graciously and waited until she walked away again before digging into their meals. Their dinner was intermingled with polite, hushed conversation. To an outsider they looked like a happy couple in a love so deep they couldn't see anyone else. The fact of the matter would be that they were right, but the couple at the table were too proud and stubborn to tell each other, not to mention anyone else. Buffy was sipping at her warm tea as Angel explained the how the photos were looking. She wasn't really listening, just letting his gentle voice soothe her. She closed her eyes and let his voice wash over her. She was nearly at the point of dozing off when her pleasant haze was broken by the rowdy group piling into the tavern and heading to the bar. "Want to go?" Angel asked. She chuckled and nodded. Angel placed a tip and the payment for the dinner on the table and then helped her stand. They had to pass by the group of drunken louts at the bar to leave the tavern. Many were smoking and a heavy gray haze of cigarette smoke hung over them. As the approached Buffy got many a cat call as she walked passed, but the first whiff of smoke hitting her nostrils made her stomach lurch and burning bile to rise to the back of her throat. Angel noticed her gag and pulled her closer to his side, steering her out into the clear night air. Once they got outside Buffy sank back against the cool wall of the restaurant. "I warned you not to eat so much" Angel whispered stoking her shoulder as she took deep breaths to calm her stomach. "No, it was the smoke" Buffy answered pushing herself from the wall and taking his hand to start their walk back to his car.
As they pulled up in front of the hotel, Buffy turned back to Angel, her good mood had returned. "So how'd you get a sweet car like this, I hardly believe it's a rental" she asked. There was long heavy silence. "My family lives in Ireland, it's where I was born. They arranged for me to have it" he answered, his tone conveying he wasn't going to mention anymore about his mysterious family. She smiled at him again. He pulled the vintage convertible into a parking space and then shut the engine down. They made the trip upstairs to her room in silence, while he carried her bags for her. "Hey, want to join me for a slumber party?" she asked, only half kidding. "Excuse me?" he asked in return. "You heard me. They had a weird sounding Indian artistic film with subtitles on pay per view tonight. My friends and I used to have impromptu sleep overs and watch them when I was in highschool. It's a lot of fun" she coerced with breath taking smile. Angel chuckled and nodded his agreement. "C'mon" she urged grabbing his hand and opening the door then pulling him inside. "We bought some microwave popcorn so I'll make that, why don't you go grab some pyjama's from your room upstairs and then come on back down, I'll leave the door unlocked" she said sorting through her bags. Angel called, "I'll be back in a minute" as he left the suite. `I'm spending the night in her room, not how I want to granted, but still...It's better than nothing.'
Angel was more than a little surprised to see Isabel waiting in his room when he arrived there. "Issy, what are you doing here?" he asked. She smiled brightly, "I came to see you silly" she teased. She strode across the room and wrapped herself around him, "I thought we could have a repeat performance of last night" she whispered in husky tones against his neck. "I, um, was planning to go out tonight...actually" he whispered. "I'll join you" she answered still nipping along his neck and shoulders and fiddling with the buttons on his shirt. "No, it's just me and a friend" he answered trying to ignore the adverse effects her actions were causing. "Mmhmm" she murmured as she circled around him again and planted her lips against his own. She'd stated the truth the night before when she'd said he was a slave to his passions. He couldn't help but give in to the sensations her body invoked and before long he'd completely lost sight of his sleep over with Buffy, instead becoming more ferocious with his kisses and lowering Isabel to the floor.
Buffy sat downstairs wrapped in a blanket, clutching an empty popcorn bowl, looking at the confusing movie on the screen. Angel had yet to return and the movie was nearly over. Buffy lifted herself from her position on the bed and went to the door. She deftly flipped the lock and turned off the lights as she went. `He's not interested, accept it and move on.' She crawled into bed and tried to block out the pounding she heard on the floor above her.
Part 9
Angel waked into the offices and headed directly upstairs he took a moment to smile and chat amicably with the older secretary there and then moved down the glass hallway towards his office, across from Buffy's. He was surprised to note that she was already there and looking far better than she had for the past two days. She was back to her sharply tailored suits that gave a sophisticated and equally sexy air. "Hey" he called in to her. She smiled up at him, "I guess you got busy with Isabel last night, hunh?" she inquired. "What?" he responded. "We were supposed to have a little slumber party, but you kinda bailed" she told him. It finally dawned on him, "oh God, Buffy, I'm so sorry, I just got sidetracked" he replied. "With Isabel" she supplied for him. He nodded his answer giving her a sheepish look. "It's okay, you have someone. You should be with them" she remarked her eyes beginning to tear. "I mean, if I had someone I'd want be with them too" she continued a sob splitting through her last words. She crumbled unceremoniously, lying her head and arms on her desk as she cried. He felt worse now than ever, he'd made her cry on top of breaking their `date' last night. He quickly crossed the room to crouch beside her seated form. "Ssh" he whispered running his hand along her back, trying to soothe her tears. "You'll meet someone new" he assured her, trying to think of anything comforting to say, but he'd never had to do this before. She raised her head to look at him, he tears were still running down her face and her eyeliner was beginning to smudge. "I don't even know why I'm crying like this" she wailed as she threw herself into his arms. Angel was nearly knocked off his feet at the impact of her body hitting his own. He wasn't sure what was going on but something was odd about her, she didn't strike him as someone who cried at the drop of a hat. "Buffy, are you okay?" he whispered once her sobs had subsided once again. She stayed nestled closely against his chest, but nodded her head. "I don't know what came over me" she whispered back. "It's okay" he answered. She pulled herself from his embrace, denying herself the comfort it brought. "Are you hungry?" she asked, startling him with the abrupt change of topic. "Uh, no" he answered. "Okay, I'm gonna go get myself something to eat, are you sure you don't want anything?" she asked again as she grabbed her jacket and headed from the office. He shook his head and stood mesmerised by her retreating form. `I don't get her, at all.'
Angel watched from his office as she returned half an hour later. Her arms were loaded with what looked to be anything she could get her hands on. "Where'd you end up going?" Angel asked as he followed her across the hall and into the office. "I just went back to my hotel room, you know we went shopping last night and I haven't really touched the food yet" she remarked as she dropped the canisters onto her desk. "Did you bring all of it?" he asked, looking at the wide variety of items strewn over her work. She looked up at him with shocked and hurt eyes. "Sorry" he apologized quickly. She frowned but looked back down at her stash sorting through for her next item. "Ah, perfect" she commented as she fished the small jar of peanut butter out of the pile. She quickly unscrewed the lid and grabbed a chocolate bar to dunk into it. "Mmm, did you know, that there are like six hundred varieties of peanut butter, and each one tastes slightly different" she commented while chewing her mouthful and sitting down in her chair. Angel sank into one of the chairs across from her. "I take it, you're not feeling sick today" Angel remarked. She shook her head rapidly, swallowing and then going back for more of her gooey snack "Want some?" she asked, offering him a sliver of chocolate and her peanut butter jar. He shrugged and accepted, cautiously testing the mix in his mouth. She startled to chuckle as she looked at him, "you've never had this before, have you?" she asked. "No, but I'm gonna have to eat this more often" he commented savouring the last of the combination and then reaching forward for some more. She slapped his hand away, "Hey, get your own" she chastised. Angel laughed and withdrew his hand as she huddled protectively over her stash once again. Before he could comment further her office phone rang. Buffy looked at him sheepishly and tossed her last piece of chocolate into her mouth and hastily cleaned her hands, quickly swallowing before answering the phone. "Hello, Buffy Summers, how can I help you?" There was a long pause, "Hey Giles" she exclaimed finally, a large grin setting over her face. Angel looked on as she spoke rapidly with the man on the other end of the line. "So Faith didn't get the Jamieson account? I could still put my bid in?" she asked excitedly nearly bouncing out of her chair. Angel smiled slightly, she looked like an overanxious child, and it was absolutely endearing. "That's fine, I could be back in LA by the end of the week" she announced. The smile instantly vanished from his face. `Back in LA by the end of the week? We were supposed to be here for at least another week after this one.' "No, Giles, I'm done here, the shoot went great" she commented flashing Angel a large thankful grin, " and after that all the ads are set, I should have the finals by Thursday and then I could leave all the instructions with my assistant to carry out, and I could be back there by Monday at the latest, to put in my bid" Buffy gushed missing the look of absolute desperation that passed over Angel's features. He couldn't stand much more of that, so he silently stood and exited the room, crossing to his own office before sinking into his chair. Angel rotated the large black leather chair to face out on the street before hanging his head in his hands and sighing loudly.
Part 10
Angel disappeared into the dark room for most of the afternoon both to distance himself from Buffy and to get his work done. A soft knock at the door broke his concentration, "Come in" he called carefully inspecting his prints. Laura slipped into the darkened room. "Mr. O'Leary, Miss Summers, wanted to see you" she announced. "Tell her I'm busy" he returned much harsher than he'd intended, and even in the dark he could see Laura flinch. "She insisted you come, sir" Laura persisted wincing at the refusal she was sure to receive. Angel sighed loudly and leaned against one of the vats of chemical solution before him. "Did she say what she wanted?" Angel asked. "She didn't look very well, sir" Laura commented. Angel looked at her seriously, "She's in her office?" he asked softly. The timid young girl nodded. Angel walked past her and out of the dark room. "Make sure no one tampers with the prints" he asked of Laura who again agreed. Angel quickly made his way up to their offices upstairs. He poked his head into Buffy's office and saw her reflection in the glass as she stared out onto the bustling London streets. "You called?" he teased. She spun her chair around to face him, her eyes were glittering daggers, "why have you been avoiding me?" she criticised. He looked at her, lines of confusion etched on his face. "I mean you ditched me yesterday, and then today, after we talked briefly this morning, you run off and hide in the dark room to develop your precious pictures" she hissed spitefully. "I don't get it Buffy" he answered. "Of course you don't" she returned, "because you're a man, and it's okay for a man to do that. Ignore someone, if a woman does it she's a bitch and is being irrational but no, it's okay for almighty Angel O'Leary to hide with his pretty pictures." "I don't know why you're so pissed, but I really do need to finish the developing if you want the pictures by Thursday" he answered. "Okay" she returned dismissively and stalked back to her desk. Angel lingered longer than he should ignoring the way her shapely hips slid under her skirt and her legs were perfectly toned all over. "Well, go then" she reminded him as she looked back. Angel was only two feet away from her office door before her voice called him back once again. "Am I repulsive to men?" she asked hastily. "What?" Angel asked as he walked farther into her office to hover over her desk. "I mean, do all the guys run away because I'm horribly disfigured and I don't even know it?" she asked. "No, Buffy you're beautiful" he answered honestly. Tear welled up in her eyes, "no I'm not" she sobbed her lower lip quivering slightly. "You are" he answered and bent over the desk to look her in the eye. "Well, then why do all the guys run from me, I mean, you did it today" she grumped. "I'm busy" he justified, playing along with her quickly changing moods, now soothing her sadness rather than her rage. `I must say, I like her sadness over her unjustified rage.' "Oh," she whispered drying her eyes with her hand, "but I look okay?" He smiled softly, "you look amazing as always" he replied smoothly, tucking a loose golden strand behind her ear. She beamed happily. "Do you need anything else?" he asked before leaving her office. "Is there any of those scones left in the staff room?" she asked. "I don't know, I'll check" he answered, smiling softly. She grinned happily and went back to staring out and the people below her.
Mr. Kensington was less than pleased to hear that their highly over paid advertising executive would be leaving early but he wasn't inclined to get in a bitter war with her. He merely warned her that her finished campaign would have to be presented at the banquet for Donatella Versace's arrival on Friday before her own departure. Buffy was literally chained to her desk until Thursday because of it. She was down everyone's throats to get all of their work done. Angel had his pictures for her to approve by Wednesday and so now they were carefully scrutinizing each picture to pick the very best. "Do you really like that picture of Yasmine on the white background in the red vintage number?" she asked as she scrutinized the shot. "It's not my favourite" he confided. "I'm not crazy about it either" she answered and threw it into the reject pile. "This shot of Andrea and Christine is pretty good" Angel submitted, passing over the picture. Buffy looked at the black and white image with the two girls laughing sporting matching lilac and yellow dresses. "This perfect" Buffy offered and placed the picture with a few others in a folder spread on her desk. "So when does your flight leave?" Angel asked as he shuffled through some more pictures. Buffy leafed through the pictures in front of her. "I leave on Saturday afternoon" she replied not looking up. "So you're going to attend Donatella's party?" he asked. "Don't have much choice" she answered closing the file on her desk. "I think we've got the best of them. I'll show them to Elliot `I'm a tight wad' Kensington and then they can go to the presses to be ready for when I go" she added, packing her things up. Angel nodded sadly, but she never noticed. "I'm going to be at the printers all tomorrow and Laura's going to pack up my things for me, so I probably won't see you before the party and even then, we'll probably be lost in the crowd, so I'm gonna say goodbye right now" she answered, finally looking up at him. She offered her hand to him, "It was a pleasure to work with you, despite the rough beginnings. You're a very talented photographer and I'm sure you'll go far" Buffy remarked with a kind smile. Angel took her hand and shook it gently, "Have fun in the sun, back home" he teased, but inside his heart was breaking. "I hope to see you again someday, Angel" Buffy whispered as she kissed his cheek and left the office. Angel stayed rooted to the chair, his eyes stayed glued to the dying sun along the London skyline.
Part 11
Thankfully, Elliot liked the final product and the photos got of to the finishing company in time. Thursday night Buffy was ready to collapse in her suite. It was going on ten o'clock when she finally trudged in the door. She threw her portfolio down on the couch and kicked off her shoes and shed clothing as she walked to the bedroom. As soon as she reached the bed she flopped down on it. "Oh God" she muttered, flinging an arm over her eyes. The telephone ringing brought her from her reverie. She rolled over on the bed to get it, "Hello?" "Buffy, hey, It's Will" her best friend cheered on the other end of the line. "Willow? What is it?" she asked, too tired to even try to be cheerful. "I'm engaged," the other girl cheered on the other end of the line. A new found surge of adrenaline pumped through Buffy. "Oh my God! Oz actually popped the question?" Buffy asked excitedly. "Yeah, and it was so sweet and everything!" Willow replied dreamily. Twenty more minutes were spent gushing on everything from wedding preparations to house shopping. Eventually,Buffy just got too tired and Willow had to let her go, but they made a pact as soon as Buffy got home of Saturday they have lunch to celebrate. After hanging up the phone Buffy sighed happily and fell back against the bed. She smiled happily for her friend and her long time boyfriend. Unfortunately a disturbing thought broke her revelry, `I'm still alone.' Similar thoughts ran through her mind, on how less than a month ago Willow had envied her for having a steady boyfriend and hopefully a child soon, and now, Buffy had none of those, but Willow was well on her way. A depression fell over her, previously joyous mood. `It's horrible. I shouldn't be jealous of Willow but I can't help it. Everything I've ever wanted just got handed to her. And what do I get? The unrequited love of the century.'
Angel walked into the antique ballroom presenting a calm, cool demeanour with an elegant looking Isabel on his arm. He was pleased when Isabel quickly spotted some modelling agent and left him in peace. They had all congregated in an old mansion owned by the Versace family to host Donatella's arrival party. Europe's most elite were here to see the sneak peak of this years Versace line. Angel was used to the usual crowd of overdressed millionaires, who only came to get their pictures in to the society pages of the newspaper. He didn't see anyone he recognized milling around and was further disappointed to not see Buffy anywhere. Angel carefully blended himself into the shadowy corners of the room and moved along the fringe of the crowd. Somewhere he'd got himself a drink and he was standing at the back of the crowd watching the doors hoping to see Buffy. He was interrupted when he some movement in the room behind him. The door was open a crack and he heard someone swiftly enter from a different entrance and close the door after themselves. Alway the curious man, Angel poked his head inside the room, to see the object of his affections sitting on a large settee gazing into the burning hearth. He watched as the soft orange light danced along the floor and across her face. She was dressed in a dark blue silk dress that had no straps and hugged her in just the right places. She was a captivating sight for him and it took all his will power to break the trance he was in and actually announce his presence. "Buffy" he whispered. She looked up at him, he eyes lost and lonely. She'd been in depression since Willow phoned and she'd realized the life she'd been building for herself had just been crushed. If nothing else, Angel had learned that her eyes were very expressive, "What's wrong?" he whispered, moving closer to her on the large couch. She looked back into the flames and shook her head sadly, "Nothing." Angel sank down to sit beside her, "Something is wrong, and if you don't tell me I'll have to guess" he teased. She was silent and so he continued with his banter, "your secret affair with Elliot Kensington has just broken off" he suggested. Her eyes shot up and she gave a horrified look. He couldn't keep his face serious and began to chuckled, which she soon joined in. "So, what's wrong?" He repeated. Her upbeat mood receded once again, "I just realized I'm a horrible, horrible friend" she announced. Angel looked at her in silence once again, "I find that hard to believe. You're one of the best friends I've got, and I've only known you for three weeks." She laughed half heartedly, "Yeah, but it's not a good thing when you're so incredibly jealous of your best friend that you can't even think straight" Buffy answered. "So, what? People get jealous that's what happens" Angel told her wrapping and arm around her shoulder and drawing her to his chest. "But she's got everything I worked so hard to get, and I've got nothing. Willow has the perfect fiancé, and a bright, new shiny life to look forward to. It all fell apart for me, Angel. Riley left, and he's out of our house by now, so how much is there for me to come back to?" she asked. He couldn't answer that, no one could, really, so he just sat in silence, with her, and ran a soothing hand up and down her arm. "What time is it?" she asked suddenly. Angel was shaken out his quiet solitude and fumbled for his watch. "Uh... almost ten o'clock" he answered. "I should probably do a final mingling route and then I have to go back to the hotel and finish packing" she stated, lifting herself from the couch and his embrace. "Care to join me?" she asked with a soft smile. Angel just nodded dumbly and offered her his arm. As soon as they stepped out into the ballroom, someone called out to them, or more specifically Angel. "Angel! Darling!" Isabel called as she threaded through the crowd to them. Just before Isabel arrived Buffy discreetly disentangled herself from Angel and fled into the crowd. Angel was still looking for her when Isabel approached. "Angel you have to meet, Mr. Richard Huxely. He owns a large photography studio in Washington." Isabel introduced the older balding man beside her. Angel politely shook his hand while still searching the crowd for Buffy. "You know how I love Washington" Isabel added with a smile to Richard. Angel was forced to talk to the older man for half an hour while still discreetly searching for Buffy. He finally saw her exiting the room leaving with a young blonde man, just a little older than herself. She was smiling happily and laughing. Angel's blood boiled. `She moves fast.' He found a new interest in the conversation, as well as the drink. `If I'm lucky I can drink Buffy Summers out of my head.'
Part 12
He kissed her softly on the cheek. "It was a pleasure seeing you again" Josh whispered. She smiled in return, "It really was." "My brother has no idea what he's losing. Riley's always been kind of an ass" Josh confided in her. Buffy laughed, she had always like Riley's younger brother, who happened to be in the same business as her. "It's too bad I didn't meet you first" Buffy told him. "I have to agree" Josh returned. "Goodnight" Buffy finally whispered. "Take care" he insisted before heading toward the elevator. Buffy entered her suite and quietly shut the door behind her. She never saw the elevator doors open and a plaster Angel O'Leary stumble out only to glare at Joshua Finn. Josh ignored the drunk and walked into the elevator and descended. Angel quickly made his way to her door, or as quickly as he could in his drunken stupor. He pounded roughly on the door, the loud sounds echoing down the silent hallways. He heard her moving towards the door inside the suite. He waited as the mahogany door was swung open. She was clad in a flimsy silk robe which hung to her ankles and was belted at the waist. All his thoughts left his head, at this point, except for the thought of completely ravishing her. Before she could utter a word he swept her into a deep and demanding kiss. Despite her reservations, she was really lonely and she wanted this so badly, so she returned the kiss. He entered her rooms, kicking the door shut behind himself. His kisses made their way down to her neck while she fumbled with his coat. He shrugged it off and continued his kisses on her neck. She moaned loudly as he gently bit along her clavicle, before settling her own head in the crook if his neck. He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the master bedroom. Once again resting her onto the sea of white laces decorating the bed. However this time, he was too inebriated to even consider stopping what they had started tonight. Buffy was too needy, and lonely to care he was drunk and she was taking advantage of him. She simply let him divest her of the silk robe and then her bra and panties. She eagerly helped him get out of his own clothes, and then settled him against her body. She brought his mouth to hers so she could kiss him with a fierce passion. Their tongues duelled, as his hands caressed her body and her own traced random patterns down his back. He was driving her to the brink of insanity with his tender caresses, and she hurriedly flipped them over so she straddled his waist. Angel laughed drunkenly, "Feisty" he drawled. She smirked down on him, before sinking herself down on his manhood. Angel hissed in pleasure as she moaned loudly. She placed her hands on his chest and bent over to kiss him harder, her tongue delving into his mouth to play. Her lower body rocked gently against him, taunting him as he'd done to her. As she broke away from his mouth to nibble on his ear, he groaned. Again he flipped them so she was beneath him, he thrust against her roughly drawing a long keen from his lover. "Oh God Angel" she moaned as he continued to pound into her, drawing them both to a frenzy. He felt her body begin to quake around him, and she dug her fingernails into his shoulders as she came. He soon followed her, spilling his seed into her womb, and then collapsing on top of her. "You're amazing" he whispered into his ear before passing out from exhaustion and excess alcohol. She rolled them over and settled herself against his chest. She was still too tired and warm in the afterglow, to realize the mistake she'd made. She slipped into a contented sleep, with the man she loved.
Buffy woke late on Saturday morning as she usually did, but she hadn't recently been waking on top of a man's chest with his arm wrapped tightly around her waist. Buffy glanced up at his face, she knew what had happened last night but was still hoping she hadn't done what she knew she had.`Oh God, Isabel! I'm a Tiffany!' She struggled against his arm for a moment before she could roll away from him. And get herself out of the bed which suddenly seemed way too small and cramped. She grabbed the clothes she'd left out last night and hurried into the bathroom to change and shower. She spent half and hour in the bathroom, listening intently for the slightest movement in the bedroom. Thankfully she heard none, when she stepped out of the bathroom, he was still blissfully unconscious. Buffy quickly ran down to lobby and took care of paying for the room, and then headed back upstairs just as Angel came to. She was dressed and quickly grabbing her bags as he woke. "Hey baby" he groaned as he looked at her. She stared at him. He was completely oblivious to the wrongness of the situation they were now in, again. "Um, the room's all paid for, you can just lock up and bring the key down to the desk when you're done in here" she announced. Angel looked at her strangely, "I really have to go" she said, her voice hitching. `This is everything I've wanted for the last two weeks and I have to walk away.' Angel watched her grab the last of her bags and leave the room. "Yeah, Bye" he whispered after her. He watched her leave the suite and close the door after her, he never saw the stray tears that ran down her face.
Angel dressed quickly, he just wanted to get out of the room, and then shower to get her scent off of him. `She doesn't want you. She made a mistake last night, and now she's leaving to go back to LA where you'll never see her again. Get over her!' He grabbed his jacket and the key but he didn't make it to the door before breaking down. He pounded his fist into the wall and then sank down it until he was on the floor in a tight ball. "Fuck" he hissed as he tried to pull himself together.
Buffy sat on the plane staring out as the white clouds floated past her window and the sapphire blue ocean that was far beneath her. "Can I get you anything?" an overly cheerful flight attendant asked. Buffy glanced back at her, spare tears still rolling down her cheeks, she just shook her head. The flight attendant gave her a sad smile, and left. Buffy returned to her view of the world beneath her. She pressed her hand to the cool glass, "I'll miss you" she whispered to the man she'd left behind, though it wouldn't do much good now.
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