Reveal
by DawnBTVS
Chapter 9
[reviews]
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Mutant Enemy, Fox, Joss, etc.
Rating: PG or PG-13
Time Frame: Early Season 2 around Some Assembly Required
Pairings: B/A, G/J
A/N: Song of Choice for this Chapter = "Hello" by Oasis. Just an aside thing, there. Might make it a theme thing... like, listen to this song while reading or maybe not. Angsty turmoil coming up in this chapter and possibly some of the following ones as well (not that there wasn't angst before but it's about to hit overdrive). Enjoy!
Buffy tapped her pencil against the note card, feet kicking in the air as she tried to remember what made up sulfuric acid. She stole a glance at Mr. Gordo perched upon the pillow but he offered no answers. "Um... H+ and SO4," Buffy asked herself, flipping over the card to reveal the answer.
"Wrong," Willow chimed up from her position on the floor, back pressed against the bed. Buffy threw the card down next to Willow and pouted, pressing her forehead against the few note cards she had kept for getting correct. "It's really not difficult, Buffy. By the way, it's H2SO4," Willow clarified, handing the next note card to Buffy while keeping her focus on the bright blue highlighting of notes on the notebook settled on her lap. Buffy snatched the card with a loud groan.
"Who had the bright idea of combining science and math? They should be force fed to a pen of human eating pigs," the blonde complained, eyeing the new note card with scrutiny, lips pursed. She exhaled and flipped the card over, her pleased smile disappearing into a scowl. "How are we supposed to memorize Nitroglycerin? It has like... four different elements alone, not to mention all the little numbers too."
"C3H5N3O9," Willow rattled off while the highlighter stroked through another line of notes. Buffy stared at her note card, glanced at the back of Willow's head, then back to the note card. She began crumpling it up, before just discarding on the growing pile next to Willow's feet that was slowly extending towards the doorway. "The trick is remembering the numbers and using a phrase to remember the words. I'll give you an example, okay? For Nitroglycerin, just remember that Cordelia Has No Opinion... I know," Willow interrupted, lifting a hand to stop Buffy's comment, "that is an untruth but it works." Willow handed the next card to Buffy, going so far as to turn her head to watch Buffy this time.
Buffy gritted her teeth, eyes lifting to the ceiling in thought. "Citric Acid is CHO... with 6, 7, and 8 but not in that order... okay. C6H8O7 and if I'm wrong, don't tell me," Buffy warned, looking at the redhead. Willow just grinned back, giving a nod of her head, before returning back to the notebook. Buffy whirled the card around and smiled. "Cool, that makes number," Buffy glanced at the pile of note cards on the bed, "6 that I've gotten right."
"See? You're on your way to doing well. Just hope a fire burns the school down because we only have a half hour to get ready and you said you wanted to catch Angel early."
"I'm doomed," commented Buffy, scooting so she was half leaning off the bed, peering over Willow's shoulder at the notes now distinct with three colors. Light blue, yellow, and lime green. Willow lifted her eyes at the invading presence before quickly deflecting them upon the closeness of Buffy's breasts to her head.
"We can meet in the library right before class, okay? Now you know, no more procrastinating Buffy because it only leads to a world of badness, right?"
Buffy expertly propelled herself into a handstand before easing herself into a forward tumble, and rising to her feet. She turned and gave a nod at Willow. "Right," she grumbled, stepping towards the bedroom door. "I'm gonna freshen up. I could make some toast or something if you want," Buffy offered.
Willow grimaced at the thought of eating burnt toast. She shook her head. "I'm good. Still a little jittery from the coffee, actually, but thanks." Buffy nodded, closing the bedroom door. Willow exhaled, closing her notebook, and shoving it into her backpack. She leaned over, collecting the disposed note cards into a neat pile before placing them on the bed. Willow sat on the bed, staring down at Mr. Gordo. She picked up the stuffed pig and held it in her lap, staring at the black beady eyes. "You're not helping me, Piggy. It's Xander all over again, huh? Well, at least Buffy's happy with Angel rather than just ignoring me." Willow set the pig back on the pillow and bent over, tugging the zipper tight, and lifting the backpack onto the bed next to her.
Buffy paused, hand pressed against the bedroom door. She closed her eyes, hearing the exclamation through the wood from Willow. She lowered a hand to the doorknob then thought better, turning, and heading towards the bathroom.
~~~BTVS~~~
Buffy peeked her head into the bedroom, just admiring the vampire sprawled over the bedcover, limbs strewn with one arm hanging over the side. He looked moments away from falling completely over the side. "Buffy," Angel greeted, his eyes opening. Buffy crept forward, nodding her head as Angel repositioned himself into sitting up.
"Sometimes I forget you can hear me... or smell me, or whatever it is you do that makes you know it's me no matter how quiet I try to be," Buffy admitted, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. Angel gave a small smile.
"I try not to... use my senses. It's been ages since anybody was able to sneak up on me but you managed to that first night we met," Angel recalled. Buffy nodded her head at the memory, a sly smile spreading.
"You said you didn't bite," Buffy murmured, scooting back onto the bed. She turned, crawling up to Angel, and kissing him on the lips briefly. "Morning."
"Something on your mind?" Angel queried, a questioning look playing on his face. Buffy leaned back, hands resting on Angel's thighs. She cocked her head slightly, a little confused at his reaction.
"Should there be something on my mind? I thought you'd be a little happier to see me but if you're gonna give me grief over a morning kiss..." Buffy lifted herself off Angel, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. She stood up and took a couple steps away, turning to cross her arms over her stomach as she stared at Angel. He made no attempt to get up to comfort her, but merely gazed back. Buffy bit her lip. "You seemed edgy last night. Was it because I was with Willow?"
Angel turned his head away. Buffy could see his arms tensing slightly and she sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I was just surprised she was out so late," Angel answered. Buffy shook her head in disbelief.
"If you're gonna lie, Angel, at least try to have some conviction with what you say. Every time this topic comes up, you tell me that I have to follow my heart. This isn't some situation that we can sweep under the rug. I-I can't just decide on the spot, Angel."
Angel swung himself onto his feet on the other side of the bed. Buffy watched this quietly. Angel walked over to his dresser, pulling out a black polo shirt, and pulled it on before turning to Buffy, his face back to an impassive, stoic look. "I'm not asking you to come to a decision, Buffy. I've just needed time to think about what has been going on."
Buffy began pacing, her hands relaxing from her stomach so they were now swinging by her side. "You've been growing distant," Buffy accused, her eyes flashing the growing anger she felt about the whole situation that had been gnawing at her since the realization came to light.
"Now I know how Spike must've felt," lamented Angel under his breath. At Buffy's quizzical look, Angel continued, "A lover's quarrel from my past but I had on a different pair of shoes then. This hasn't been easy on me either, Buffy. Willow's hard to dislike and I'm used to fighting for the love of my women. With Willow... She has something I can't offer you. You two can go to a picnic, the zoo, or eat at a restaurant on the patio overlooking the streets."
"So just because we can stand under the sun, you're suddenly having conflict over the fact you love me? Do you? Love me?"
Angel stepped past the bed, coming within a couple steps of Buffy. Buffy stilled, shoving her hands into her pockets. "It's more than standing beneath the sun, Buffy. You'll never have a normal life with me. We can't engage in marriage or bond physically. Do you really want to spend life resenting me for living eternally while you fade?"
Buffy bit her lip. "You could always..." she started but Angel shook his head, growling low in his throat.
"Don't."
"Don't what, Angel? Is this it? Do I not merit a say in my own love life?" At his silence, Buffy let out a bitter laugh. "I can't believe this. Normal life? Gay marriage isn't exactly on the horizon, Angel. There are places that are more accepting of what you and I would represent."
"You think I like saying this?"
Buffy shrug her shoulders, spreading her arms out. "I don't know, Angel. I don't know what to think anymore. Since you seem to be able to read my mind so well, why don't you tell me, huh?"
"Buffy..."
"I have to go. Willow's waiting for me at the library," Buffy bit off, marching out of Angel's room. Angel turned, gazing over his bed. Buffy bit her trembling lip as she made her way outside, quickly wiping away the falling tears.
~~~BTVS~~~
Willow tapped her foot impatiently at the table. Buffy still hadn't shown up and their class would be starting in only ten minutes. Giles stepped back out of his office, regarding Willow with some surprise. She glanced up at the sound of the door opening, only to sigh when it was Xander coming in and not Buffy. "Did I do something to relieve you of worshipping me?" Xander asked, smiling.
Willow shook her head. "Buffy hasn't shown up and we were supposed to just go over some things before our test," she clarified. Xander nodded his head in understanding, taking a seat at the table opposite the redhead. He looked at Giles.
"Is it me or do you have a bounce in your step, Giles?"
"A bounce?" Giles asked, stopping his walk up the steps. He glanced at Xander before checking his tweed jacket. Satisfied with how he appeared, Giles tried to compose himself in a more scholarly manner and continued up the steps. Xander shook his head, turning his eyes back to the redhead who was adamantly staring at the clock, following each tick of the little hand with her eyes. "You worried?"
"Yes! It's not like Buffy to renege on a pact like this. Besides, she all but said she'd be here with everything short of an 'I promise'... but she went to meet Angel first," Willow realized, wondering if something bad had happened. Maybe Buffy got attacked by some monsters? The panic was evident on her face as Xander leaned forward.
"Calm down, Will. Buff's a tomboy at heart. Well, she can pass for a tomboy now, anyway, but I'm sure she's fine. I'll bet you she's probably lost track of time," Xander implied, giving a small wink. Willow frowned. It was a plausible solution, even if it was one she didn't want to hear about.
"Well, if she doesn't hurry she's gonna risk failing this test. Buffy already said she was on thin ice grade wise. If you see her, you'll let me know?" Willow asked, rising from her chair. She scooped up her backpack.
"You betcha," remarked Xander, pointing a finger at Willow, and pulling the trigger in a simulation of a gun. Willow gave a half smile and turned, walking out of the library. It wasn't like Buffy to be late or miss something they had agreed to. Well, with any luck, Buffy would be sitting in her seat by the time Willow reached the classroom.
TBC