PART 13
##I hope he's not out. Where is he? I doubt he would go out. He knows he can't risk being seen. Besides, he's not strong enough. I bet he's in the garden. Dammit that means he's probably tai-chiing, does that verb exist? Anyway he- oh yes he is. Does he have to do that half naked all the time? I just love his torso. Always did. He knows that. Could it be why he does that? No, no certainly not, not his style and he knows we can't... So, no temptation. It's probably just more efficient, or relaxing that way. But still, that torso... Ok, I gotta get this thought out of my head or I'd better go home right now.##
“Buffy?”
##Oops, too late.##
“Hi.”
Angel relaxed from his position. He was sweating.
“Do you do that like, every evening?”
“I try. It really helps, the mind and the body.”
He slightly bent to hold himself against the wall beside. She went to help him, putting one hand around his waist while he put his arm around her shoulder. She slightly shivered.
“Are you sure about that?”
He slightly smiled and they headed inside.
“Yes it does, so I tend to do it a lot because I can feel its good work through my body and then I guess I get a little too focused then.”
“You should rest now.” ##Ok I need to pull a little away from him NOW. God dammit I never should have come here after patrolling with Faith. I mean, patrolling. Alright, now I have this Gwendolyn Post in mind again. Good thinking Buffy.”
“Something's wrong?”
“Oh err, well, no, I mean.”
He frowned, she looked upset.
“It's just that woman. But it's nothing.”
“What woman?”
“A new watcher.”
He frowned, “What about Giles?”
“Not for me. For Faith. That uptight woman spoiled our patrol tonight and she took Faith away. I mean, she criticized Giles, my punches, our whole life scheduling, everything and she acted like she owned Faith now.”
Buffy crossed her arms on her chest with a pout that Angel didn't resist too and slightly smiled at.
“Don't you think maybe it's a good thing that she has her own watcher? I mean I don't know her, but maybe it's not easy to be the outcast one. You have family and friends, and a watcher that is a little both of that. Maybe she will like having her own watcher.”
Buffy pouted even more. ##She didn't seem to like it more than I did. Ok I hate that. He's maybe right. But... don't like that woman.##
“Maybe but... this woman is... I don't feel her. She's so not like Faith. Faith is gonna mess her around.” Buffy slightly laughed at the thought. But then stopped at Angel's inquiring gaze.
“Anyway, so what's new?”
He raised his eyebrows.
“Ok, obviously not much on your side I guess.”
“I'm starting to feel really edgy, in here all day.”
“I know. But, it's better for now. No one must see you, it would only create problems.”
“I know. Don't worry I know. So what about you? What are the news?”
“Nothing much. Oh yes the other night, Faith and I found a nest living in the abandoned house near Kane’s street. And I bet they were the ones responsible for the increase of disappearances in the area. That was fun. I mean, it was a good thing that we busted them.”
He nodded, “And what about non Faith related news?”
“Why do you say that?” ##Why does he say that?##
Buffy felt a sudden wave of heat, and felt her cheek slightly flush despite her will.
“I'm just curious about the rest, school, your mother, your.... well, life, apart from the slaying.”
“No, I'm, well, there's nothing much to say.”
“I know it can be hard sometimes, loneliness, but don't focus entirely on the slaying because you and I, or because you broke up with your new boyfriend. There's more to life than this.”
“It's not the reason, really. Like I told you, Scott and I, it didn't really matter much. No honestly everything goes smoothly on the normal side of my life and I guess... maybe that's why I talk about the rest, the bumpy side. You and Faith. I mean, you and the slaying which she’s a part of, you know.”
He frowned, giving her an intense stare as she looked aside. She got up.
“Well, I guess I should go home now.”
He was about to talk but she turned around. “Goodnight.”
He nodded, “Be careful.”
She glanced at him with a smile, “Don't worry. Bye.”
“Good night Buffy.”
~
Buffy was waiting for her two friends to come into the class. The teacher was late. Buffy was sulking. Xander arrived first, Willow was behind him.
“Hey Buff. Ok, what did you do this time?”
“What, huh? What?”
“You must have done something to Giles to put him in that state? And so he scolded you and that’s why you're brooding now.”
“What state?” Buffy queried.
Willow walked closer, “Well, he looked kinda mad this morning.”
“Oh that. Well, he had another refreshing dose of Miss Gwendolyn Post earlier.” She spoke the name with disdain.
“Who?”
“Miss Post. She showed up during patrol last night. Do you know what she called him? Too American.”
“Ooh I get it why he's mad.”
“Yes, and she took Faith with her!”
Willow slightly frowned at Buffy's exclamation.
“And what did Giles say?”
“Nothing. She's her watcher now apparently.”
“Then it's normal she left with her.”
“No. I mean, I guess. But she did that today too! She came in, pissed Giles off over some books he didn't have and some Lagos demon and then took off with Faith. I barely saw her ten minutes.”
“Well, she wasn't gonna go to school with you anyway.”
“Why does everybody keep bringing this up? She doesn't go to school, big deal, what does a slayer need school for anyway?”
Buffy realised her friends were giving her querying stares.
“Err, sorry. That Gwen Post really pissed me of too. I'm not making sense.”
##I can' believe how much it bugs me that she took her with her. I don't want... God I don't want her to get close to her. Ok, I'm just being selfish then. If that woman ever gets close then it's good for Faith, right? Alright, I'm gonna try to see it that way; it's another person who cares about Faith. It's good. Ok. She's never gonna get close anyway.##
“And that was the evil smile of?” Xander asked and she realized she'd smiled at that wicked thought.
“Err, nothing. Oh, teacher’s here. We should probably...”
Xander raised his brows and so did Willow as they sat at the desk beside Buffy’s while the classroom slowly became quieter.
##Yep. Really should shut your big mouth up Buffy....##
~
Angel kept looking at Buffy; she looked fairly irritated and agitated.
“I was just doing some tai chi, do you want to do some with me?”
“No thanks, but go ahead if you’re not done.”
“I'm not gonna go to the garden while you're here, Buffy.” He told her with a smile, she returned it but then turned back to her previous mood state.
“Alright what is wrong?”
“Nothing.”
He gave her an unconvinced frown.
“It's... the same. I swear that woman is insufferable.”
He sighed, “Gwendolyn Post. What did she do today?”
“Don't take it like that?? I swear that woman is a witch, or rather, you can replace the ‘w’ by-”
“Buffy.”
“Ok. But really. And even Giles was pissed off, in his own calm British way, but still, I could tell.”
“What did she do that was so horrible?”
“She made Giles look like a novice. Criticized his methods, his books. And she left with Faith again!! I mean, come on she's not her dog.”
“Buffy I think.... You were at school, right?”
“Yes, at the library, before school. Why?”
“Well, then I think maybe she just did her job. Faith doesn't go to school from what I know, so obviously, while you're all in classes she doesn't have anything to do there. Better spend time training. I think, you should put yourself in Miss Post’s shoes. If she wants to have a minimum of credibility she needs to make her mark and have some hold on her just like Giles does. Probably more.” He sarcastically added.
“Fine. Everyone agrees then.” She crossed her arms on her chest and pouted again.
“Buffy, I'm not against you. I'm just trying to give you other perspectives.”
##How could you? How could he? He doesn't know that lady. He doesn't know Faith... Faith and I... together.... ##
She closed her eyes and opened them again, shaking the thoughts away
“What were you thinking about just now?”
She stared at him. Their faces inches apart.
##Right now, my mind is kinda blank.##
He slightly moved his face forward and so did Buffy until she pulled apart very fast before their lips touch....
“Ugh I gotta go. Big night for us slayer types.”
Angel turned away with a confused look. Buffy pulled her backpack on.
“People to see. Demons to kill. I'd better hurry before somebody figures out what we're doing.”
“What are we doing?” He said, not really asking.
“Training, talking.” She frowned, “Almost kissing.” She said quieter.
He looked at her and stepped forward while buttoning his shirt.
She turned back and smiled, “Sorry. It's just... old habit. Bad, bad habit to be broken.”
“It's hard.”
“It's not hard. Cold turkey. That's the key to quitting.”
They gave each other an unconvinced glance.
“Do you think they make patches for that?”
##I'm really serious there. It's the second time we almost kiss. It can't happen.##
“You have to go.”
“I really do.”
She turned around, “I'm gonna try and vent a little hormonal angst by going out there and killing a Lagos, whatever that is.”
“Lagos?” Angel looked suddenly thoughtful then worried.
“Some demon looking for some all-powerful thingamabob, and I gotta stop him before he unleashes unholy havoc, and it's another Tuesday night in
Sunnydale.”
“Be careful.”
She left.
