Nothing But You
by Whedonist
Chapter 14
[reviews]
Disclaimer: They all belong to The Man.
A/N: Nada, zip, Zilch. No words with which to use to speak my mind.
Chapter 14
They arrived at Angel's with 2 minutes to spare. As they climbed out of the car, Buffy noticed a strange car parked in the driveway.
"Wonder who else is here." Buffy thought out loud.
"Dunno, let's go see."
They walked right in the door and went to the living room. Everyone was spread through out the room. Buffy looked around to see a blonde woman and a blue haired guy that she didn't know. After everyone had got their hello's in, conversation continued.
Walking up to Faith, Buffy tapped her on her shoulder, "Hey you. Who's the blonde and the short blue haired guy?"
"Angel introduced them as business associates. Dunno. I think they may have something to do with the big secret he's been keeping the past week or so."
"There any food left? We kinda didn't have anything to eat after breakfast this morning."
"Yeah, come on." Faith excused herself from Kate and led the two girls to the food.
Angel smiled as Buffy and Willow re-entered with Faith. Everyone was finally here and he could get on with the evening.
"Guys, can I have everyone's attention for a few minutes?" Angel moved to stand in front of the fireplace. All eyes turned to him and he winked at Cordelia. "Now that Buffy and Willow are finally here, I wanted to talk to you all about some very very good news. Cordy you want to take the first leg."
Faith elbowed Buffy and shot her a 'what the fuck'expression.
Buffy leaned over and whispered, "They aren't...he didn't propose did he?"
"No, he so would have told me."
Cordy moved to stand next to her boyfriend and said, "So you guys know that I've been going to L.A and auditioning. Well I read for a part and we shot the pilot episode. The great news is, is that it got picked up by the network and I am going to be playing one of the leads. So I'm moving to L.A."
There was a round of congratulation's before Angel stepped in and held up his hand. "With Cordy moving, that made me do some thinking. I'm not really interested in having to commute to see her. So I'll be moving with her."
Faith was out of her chair in an instant, "What?"
"Faith please, this is a good thing so hold on and let me explain. Cordy can you get the envelopes from the dresser in our room?"
As she departed, Angel continued, "You get the house all to your self and there are some other changes. Kate, I'm putting you in charge of the Sunnydale branch of Angel Investigations. You're being promoted to partner.
The rest of you have had the opportunity to meet our guests. Willow, Buffy this is Anya Jenkins and Daniel "Oz" Osborne, they will be taking over the Bronze in a management capacity. Faith the club will be belong to you as the primary benefactor with shares of the profits going to Rupert, Joyce, Dawn, Buffy, Xander and Willow. Now the catch to getting control of the club, Faith, is that you have to complete college in four years. I've taken the liberty of enrolling you at UCSD with your friends for the spring semester."
Everyone stared wide eyed. To say that the group had a deer caught in head light look would have been a gross understatement. As predicted by Angel, Faith was up and pacing the length of the room. Her face was red and she was muttering under her breath.
Angel walked up to her, took her arm and led her into the kitchen. "Faith?"
"I can't believe you. What the fuck are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking this is a great opportunity for everyone. Faith you need to go back to school. You're smarter than you let on and I know it and so does everyone else. You, mei mei, are going back to school and you'll do good."
"But why do you hafta go? Can't you stay here?"
"It's time."
"You promised."
Angel thought back to their first day together after the papers were signed and Faith moved in to his apartment in South Bend. She was still so angry and scared. He'd never seen someone so scared and it broke him when he finally received a clear understanding of all the shit her mother had put her through. He made a promise to her that day that he wasn't like the woman that had reared her for 12 years. He wouldn't abandon her. Angel felt that he made good on his promise thus far. He smiled and despite their usual rules of no touchy he wrapped her in a hug.
"Do you trust me?"
Faith just looked up at him like he was crazy.
"Alright then. Do what I'm asking you to do. It's gonna work out for the best. You need to give it time. I'm not leaving you. Not really. I'll be up to visit every couple of weeks and you can come down and visit and besides all you have to do is pick up of the phone and let me know that you need me. I'll be here as fast my car can go."
Faith let go a shuddery breath, "It's just that I don't want to be alone. I don't want to stay in this house all alone. It's too big for just me."
"Well, there are options. I mean some of the gang, like Buffy and Xander, maybe even Willow, would like to get out of the dorms. There's plenty of space here."
"Fine I'll think about it, but are you sure YOU have to go?"
"I think it's a good thing. I'm going to start a branch in L.A. And I've got some people all picked out to help."
"Fine, go leave wonderful SunnyD."
"Do you remember what you said about this place when we first moved here?"
"Yeah, it probably sits on a mouth to hell and it should be renamed Sunnyhell."
"But it grew on you?"
"Yeah, yeah." Faith ran her finger's through her hair, "Fine I'm fine. It's cool. Leave; go to L.A. You'll just end up coming back here."
Angel smiled, "Why?"
"Traffic sucks there."
"True, but it will be good."
They walked back in to the living room so that Angel could finish the rest of the announcements.
"So, now that Faith is squared away. The rest is pretty much business. You guys have all the paperwork needed to allow for the changes."
"Angel," Giles started in, "as generous as these business arrangements are. Are you sure this is the best thing?"
"I am. Look it's not everyday you find such a mismatched set of people to call family. You guys have become just that."
Buffy had a death grip on her girlfriend's hand. She couldn't believe Angel was going to pick up and move to L.A. She didn't want him to go. When Faith and her had first got together, Angel was the most supportive of them. He had become such a good friend she wasn't sure she would handle him not being around. Willow looked over at her girlfriend and saw the tears pooling in her eyes. Nudging her with her elbow, she motioned to the kitchen. Buffy nodded and walked back with Willow in tow.
"Buff?"
"I'm sorry. It's just...he's leaving. He can't leave. He's like my left arm. I need him here."
Willow wrapped Buffy in a hug and let the girl cry on her shoulder.
"Ya know he's only in L.A. We can go down and visit. I have my parent's house and Tare and Fred will be there to. It's not that big a deal."
"But he's moving. Away. Like not gonna be in Sunnydale anymore. When I'm not in school or with you or Xander I'm with him. He's my perspective guy."
Willow pulled back and smiled at her girlfriend. "There's the telephone and there's that nifty thing called e-mail. Text messages and oh, if you want we could get some Carrier Pigeons and pass notes that way. Kind of archaic, but hey you're datin' the girl that wants the abacus to make a comeback."
Buffy quirked an eyebrow and let a small smile play at the corner of her lips, "What am I gonna do with you Wills?"
"Uh, smooches are good and hugs to."
"Okay, I'm good," Buffy sighed. "It's fine. We'll visit, he'll visit."
"You bet."
"You're the best you know that?" Buffy pulled her in for a quick kiss.
Pulling away Willow had her best smile on, "Darn tootin'."
They walked back into the living room and heard Anya speaking.
"...so like I was saying. It's a pleasure to be in your employ and I hope we make lots of money together." Anya smiled brightly and nodded. "Also, as my employer's I would like to also add that I will take excellent care of the money. It's my thing. I can manage money down to the penny and it's never too early to give the newly hired manager a raise."
Willow watched the blue haired man stand there and even though he held it in, the laugh played over his face. She smiled and waved. He took the initiative and walked over to the couple.
"Hi." OZ said extending his hand.
"Hi I'm Willow and this is Buffy." Willow shook Oz's hand.
Buffy let a small tight smile cross her face. "Hi I'm Buffy. Nice to meet you."
"So OZ, what are you going to be doing at the Bronze?" Willow asked.
"Music. I'll be booking bands and handling the talent."
"Cool. Do you play; I mean are you in a band?"
"Yeah, Dingoes Ate My Baby. I play guitar. We've played the Bronze once or twice."
"Oh, I'm not from around here. But, Buff, have you ever seen them play?"
"Not sure. Maybe if I heard a coupla songs."
"We'll play there again I'm sure. So Willow what do you do?"
"School. I go to UCSD with Buffy, the brunette boy over there, Xander, and now I guess Faith."
"Hmmm, nice. Do you guys hang at the Bronze a lot?"
"Most of the weekends. We help with the opening's sometimes."
"Cool."
The two continued the conversation missing the looks the blonde was giving her girlfriend and the guitarist. Buffy unable to take much more excused herself and went to go talk to the rest of her family. The night winded down with Buffy growing more agitated as the night progressed. Oz and Willow had apparently hit it off like gang busters and although Buffy never considered herself a jealous person she found that the green eyed monster had reared its ugly head.
Angel noticed Buffy sulking in the garden. Saddling up next to her, he said, "Penny for your thoughts."
"Uh? Oh Angel hey."
"It's Christmas day and you're out here acting like somebody just ruined you're favorite shoes. What's up?"
"Nothing. I'm good." Buffy said lowering her head.
"And that would be called a convincing statement only when applying the word convincing as liberally as possible."
"It's nothing," not wanting to bother him with her jealous snit, she opted for disinformation, "It's just that wow with the changes. I mean you're leaving. I don't want you to go." Buffy laid her head on his shoulder. "Are you sure you want to move to L.A. Traffic sucks, and the smog. Phewey, the smog is horrendous."
He smiled down at her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Yeah I am. I did want to talk to you though about maybe coming on board for A.I when you're done with school. What would it take?"
"Dunno, what would you want me to do?"
"Well I'd like you take on cases. You've got a mind for that sort of thing, but somehow I don't think that's what's bugging you. So what's wrong?"
Sighing in defeat, Buffy pointed to Oz and Willow side by side talking to Xander and Anya.
"The conversation?"
"No the...he's looking at her all hungry like and she didn't even mention that we are girlfriends and then they started talking about bands and the clubs in L.A and she just ignored me."
"Oh, did you try talking with them or did you just come out here and sulk?"
"Uh maybe I did the later, but why hasn't she noticed?"
"You'd have to ask her."
"Fine be all smug."
Sighing Angel got up and left Buffy. A few moments' later Angel walked through the entryway with Willow in tow.
Willow looked down at Buffy and noticed the frown, "Baby?"
Angel turned and left immediately, leaving the two to get through Buffy's funk.
Willow pushed Buffy in to a more upright position and straddled her waist. Propping her arms on the blonde's shoulders she asked, "You're out here why?"
"Getting some air."
"Huh, and the pout helps you breathe?"
"I'm not pouting." Buffy said indignantly.
"And I'm not convinced. Buffy, baby what's wrong? Is it Angel?"
"No."
She gently grabbed Buffy's chin and forced Buffy to look at her. "Buff please talk to me. If it's me you should tell me. If I don't know what I did then I might do it again. And upsetting you isn't on my top list of things to do. In fact it's like on the top of my list of things to never do."
"You and Oz. What's up?"
"You mean the guitarist?"
"Yeah, he obviously likes you and you're all with the talkie talkie and you didn't even tell him I'm your girlfriend."
"Buff, I'm sorry. It's the meeting of the new people. Is that what's wrong you think I like Oz?"
A small nod did not go unnoticed by the redhead.
"Buffy I just met him. I don't even know him and besides I don't look at people like that especially when I'm in a relationship. I know we haven't been going out that long, but I would think you would trust me more than that."
"You guys started talking and it felt like you were ignoring me and not to sound whiny and needy, but it hurt."
"Okay. I'm sorry I did that. I didn't mean to honestly. What can I do to make it up to you?"
"It's okay. I'm fine, just ya know being jealous girl. Sorry."
"No, no apologizing from you. I can see why you're upset. I just wasn't thinking. What can I do to make it up to MY wonderful, brilliant and oh so sexy girl?" Willow leaned down and began placing small kisses along the neck line of the blonde. "Back massage, foot massage, moonlight stroll on the beach? Name it."
Buffy melted in to Willow. Trying to form words, she managed to get out a shuddery, "We could ah, go home. Cuddles are good and then maybe some smooches."
Willow pulled back and smiled the smile she reserved only for the blonde. In fact she didn't even know she had a smile like that until Fred had pointed it out to her at Halloween, but since knowledge is power and now that the redhead was in the know, she used the smile to her advantage. "Come on you let's beat feet and allow me to make amends for my indiscretion."
Buffy nodded and moved to get up, but was stopped by Willow.
"Buffy," Willow said commanding Buffy's gaze, "even if Oz may like me. It doesn't matter. I'm with you. I love you and to be really really honest, I think I'm kinda gay."
Buffy smiled and pulled her into a hug. They held on to each other for a few more moments and then walked away.