His eyes followed the seductive roll of her hips from side-to-side. "I need a cold shower and a large drink not particularly in that order."
Buffy met Lindsey at Laines. It was an exclusive restaurant where only members could dine. It set secluded behind the Beverly Hill Hotel. Buffy loved their food and never had to worry about photographers. She was an anonymous woman meeting a handsome young man. Little did she know someone did see her? Cordelia drove around LA taking in the sites. She told Angel she needed to pick up a few things but really was pretending she was still Queen C.
Pointing the convertible up the hill towards the Hollywood sign, she remembered her farther talking of Laines. With the money Angel gave her for groceries, Cordelia decided she could diet the rest of the month. She wanted to sit in the restaurant and have an agent discover her and make her a big star. Angel would notice her if all of LA decided she was the newest 'It' girl. She parked the classic convertible herself not wanting to waste money on a valet. Cordelia strutted into Laines as if she belonged.
"May I help you Miss?" the maitre de asked. He had seen a million girls like this, all of them Hollywood hopefuls.
"Yes, I would like a table please." She gave here best smile.
"Are you meeting a member miss? What name would your access be under?" he said politely.
"No, I'm alone. You know how it is with people always hounding you."
He nodded. "I'm sorry but only members and their guests are allowed at Laines perhaps another time." He quickly dismissed her turning to the woman walking in the door. A huge smile crossed the man's face. Cordelia stepped out of the way not wanting to continue to haggle in front of an audience. "Ah, Miss Watson, it is so lovely to see you again. Mr. McDonald is already at your table. May I say Miss Watson you look tre chic as always."
Buffy smiled. "Thank you Thomas. If only you were single we could run away from this heat." They laughed talking like old friends.
Cordelia couldn't believe her eyes, it was Buffy Summers. Not the girl she picked on but a beautifully dressed elegant Buffy. Cordy recognized her dress as a Dolce and Cabana runway original. Her hair styled in a darker shade of blond with pale highlights surrounding, her face, Buffy looked elegant, sophisticated and 'rich'. Cordy quickly left as the image of Buffy flashed in her mind. It couldn't have been Buffy she's dead. That woman had to be her double. Even if it was Buffy, Cordy did not intend to tell Angel. He was finally getting over Buffy and Cordelia planned to help the handsome vampire with all of his needs.
Lindsey stood when Buffy approached the table. Every head in the room turned to follow her as she glided towards him. He was instantly attracted to the young woman since he had first met her. She was far more mature than her years not to mention the power she controlled. He bent forward to kiss her check. As his hand slid to her back, he met bare skin. As he helped her to her seat, his hand brushed the base of her spine.
Buffy smiled at him slyly. "How are you Lindsey? I hope you haven't been waiting long."
He looked at her as she sat down; heat flooded into his eyes. "It was worth the wait. You look good enough to eat." His eyes and voice let her know exactly what his words meant to imply.
"Well, I do try to please," Buffy huskily replied.
That night when Angel patrolled, he was surprised to see so few vampires or hostile demons. Curious, he caught a young vampire and hauled him back to the office. Cordelia protested him bringing 'monsters' into the house but Angel ignored her. Pushing the vampire into a chair, Angel tied him into place.
"Now I'm new in town but couldn't help but notice there aren't many of us here. Why's that?" he demanded.
"Not telling you anything" the vampire's chin went out in answer.
"Well we will just see if you feel that way in a moment. Cordelia, bring me a cross and some holy water." She moved over to a large cabinet to pull out what he requested.
"Fine but it won't do you any good to know. My advice, if you think you're going to set up shop here, move on while you still can. She controls this whole town."
"Who is she? Where do I find her?" Angel asked. Cordelia felt a shiver go down her back.
"No one knows her real name, some say she's a demon, others say she has Mafia connection. Only thing you need to know is Lady B owns this town. Any demon coming here to cause trouble is taken out quick. She has eyes and ears everywhere. All types of demons work for her, you need to know more, go to Caritas. Now let me go man. Thanks to you, I'll have to leave town." He pulled against the ropes finally breaking free. He ran for the door only to explode into dust from a stake in the back.
Angel moved towards the door. "Where are you going?" Cordy called out.
"To Caritas, I need to find out about this Lady B. Maybe this is what Whistler meant, I'm supposed to help get rid of her. If she controls all the demons in LA, there is no telling what she is capable of." He was out the door before she could form a protest. Cordy rushed to try to catch him but he was long gone.
One of the girls was running late at the Coyote so Buffy stepped in to help. She wore a small leather bra and shorts with tall boots. She always kept several outfits in her office in case this ever happened. Buffy danced sensually with Rachel on the bar as the crowd went wild.
Rachel still loved Buffy but had started dating Tara and found her quiet ways a perfect foil for her own loudness. They were cute to watch together as the rowdy brunette mellowed from just the gentle blonde's touch.
Tara walked with Buffy to the office after the other waitress finally should up. "How have you been, Buffy?" Tara worried a lot about Buffy, her aura pounded in the shy witch's mind.
"Tara you know how it is some days are better than others. You and Rach seem to be doing well."
"You know she's still in love with you, Buffy."
Buffy looked away already knowing her friends feelings. "I know Tara but you can't choose who you love. If I were smart, I would love her back but I never said I was smart. I don't think love and me are mixy things anymore. I will have to live vicariously through you two. Not to mention, Doyle and Cammie, those two are a hoot."
Before more could be said, Oz walked through the tunnel door. "Buff, Lorne needs you says it's important. Gotta say, I'm digging this look."
Buffy laughed, Oz had gotten more vocal since coming to LA. Buffy thought it was the wolf in him slipping out. "If you are good boy, I'll show you the whip that came with it." She teased.
"Aarrh ooooh" he faked a howl with a grin.
"Come on let's see what the newest disaster is. Bye Tara." The two friends walked arm-in-arm through the tunnel to Caritas. "Do you ever want to go back, Oz?"
He shook his head. "No, I feel more in control away from the Hellmouth. I miss Willow but I can't rewrite what happened. Devon told me she is dating a lot. Seems, college is agreeing with her."
Buffy clasped his hand. "Sometimes the best you can do is move on. Change things. Start fresh." Oz didn't say a word but he thought Buffy should take her own advice.
Walking into Lorne's office Buffy felt Angel in the club outside. She sat down on a wildly striped couch and waited. Buffy heard some demon caterwauling to "What's love got to with it." She didn't know how Lorne could stand it some nights but who was she to judge anyone.
Oz sat on the end of the couch watching the different emotions play over Buffy's face. His love for Willow blinded him to everything else so he never took a 'long; look at Buffy before coming to LA. Oz saw the differences in her though not just the ones on the outside. He would have to be blind not to respond to her physically. It was the way she controlled herself at every moment. Buffy never did or said anything without weighing it in her mind for optimal effect. Oz wished she would let go a little more which from the laid-back werewolf was a surprising sentiment. Seeing her body stiffen, he knew the situation was not of the good.
She tensed when she felt Angel directly outside the office then relaxed after hearing Lorne tell him to leave. The door opened and in walked Lorne wearing a canary yellow suit with a turquoise shirt and tie. Buffy was used to his wardrobe but this outfit caused her to squint her eyes from its brightness.
Lorne smiled at Buffy then did a double take when he took in her outfit. "Wow, sweet cheeks did you have to water down the crowd to cool them down?"
Buffy smiled at her green friend's way with words. "One of the girls was late. I just filled in until she got there." She tried to stay behind the scenes as much as possible. Although, if anyone talked about her or caught a picture, she didn't think they would associate her with Buffy Summers. Buffy felt that part of her was dead. It died with Lil. The woman she was now was so far from that clueless teenager. She remained cautious but wasn't too worried about anyone recognizing her, not like after it had all happened. "What's the scoop or do I even need to ask?"
He looked at her closely noticing the changes in her face and eyes. They were subtle but Lorne knew what to look for, the slight dilation of her pupils and a small muscle pulsed in the base of her throat. He thought she looked ready to explode but to anyone else Buffy looked calm. There was a bored expression on her face. Lorne worried about her always holding her emotions under such a tight rein. The only time she seemed to relax was when she was alone with her friends and even then, they knew where the lines were drawn.
"Well my little queen pin, you're right. He showed up about an hour ago but I put him off until he started singing. That man shouldn't do that very often, my horns hurt. Anyhoo, it appears the Powers have sent him here. I read you there in his heart and saw that his destiny is going to unfold here. I'm not sure what to do my little Bumble B." Lorne waited for an explanation but was disappointed.
"Don't' do anything. As long as possible, I want him kept in the dark. Damn the Powers, why won't they leave me alone? I know Whistler is behind this. If I ever see that excuse for a messenger again, I WILL wear his rib cage as a hat."
Oz and Lorne both felt the hairs on the back of their necks stand on end. Neither had ever seen Buffy this angry or heard that hard tone in her voice. The only ones that had seen her explode were Spike and Gunn. The two men sitting with her now weren't sure what to do.
"Send the word out Lorne; no one is to talk about me, not even a whisper. I will speak to Angel when I decide the time is right not a moment before. If he wants to patrol let him, he won't have much luck. I want someone watching him at all times and reporting to me. Angel is going to find that whatever destiny the Powers have in mind won't be easy to get, not in my town. If he is supposed to patrol there won't be anything to slay. If he is supposed to do something else, I want to know about it because he won't succeed there either. With any luck he will be gone in a month, he isn't too good about sticking around." Buffy didn't another word just swept out of the office.
Lorne heaved a big sigh then poured himself a martini. "I think I'll join you," Oz said from the couch. He poured the young werewolf a much smaller glass and handed it to him. He sat down in his office chair gulping down the strong alcohol, quickly empting his glass. "I am going to have to get larger glasses. Maybe just one of those big straws and I could drink from the pitcher. So my hairy little comrade what do we do?"
"I'm not sure there is anything to do. What exactly did you see when Angel sang?" Oz had a feeling Lorne hadn't told Buffy everything. "She is inside that vampire so deep it is a wonder he didn't take a sunbath when he was told she died. Our little Xena is all he dreams about. He is trying to let her go but just can't shake her. The Powers want him here and I think it's because of her. What I don't know is if he is supposed to stop her or help her."
They heard a lighter flare and turned to see Spike standing in the tunnel entrance. "Won't rightly matter what they have planned. Nothing is going to stop Buffy. She is getting close chaps, so close she can taste it. Once the bit is in her mouth that chit isn't letting go till it's done. Probably get herself killed in the doing of it but I don't think she bloody well cares. Peaches being here is only going to make her push harder not be more cautious. It's up to us to make sure he doesn't push her over the edge." Spike disappeared as quickly as he appeared while Oz and Lorne looked at each other helplessly.
Angel's frustration grew every night he went out and found nothing - no vamps, no demons, not even a mugger. It was as if all violence and evil had come to a screeching stop in LA. He knew LA had a large demon population. He remembered seeing several demons that lived in large groups at Caritas. With a determined squaring of his shoulders, Angel picked up his keys to return to the demon bar and confront the owner once more.
Cordelia watched Angel as night after night he returned from patrol even more broody. Seeing him about to leave she straightened quickly and called out. "Angel, can I go with you? I haven't been anywhere in weeks. I'm so bored especially since we can't even get one client that patrolling even sounds exciting." In perfect Cordelia fashion, she tactlessly brought up the subject of his frustration.
Her words instantly darkened his mood even more. He sighed not wanting to take her along, the truth was the only good about his useless patrols was the fact she didn't go with him. He cared for Cordelia as a friend but her constant talking and complaining wore on his nerves.
"Fine but I'm going to Caritas for information," Angel started to explain.
Cordy jumped up and rushed towards the elevator almost knocking him over. "Just give me a second, I'll be right back."
Sighing heavily, Angel sat down to wait. Why didn't I just sneak out? Now I'll be waiting here for an hour.
Cordelia undressed in the elevator. She streaked to their combined closet; well hers since Angel's clothes only had three inches. Cordelia clothes took up the rest of the oversized area. Looking at her clothes critically, she remembered the dress the Buffy look alike wore and gritted her teeth. She pulled out a tiny red strapless dress and wiggled her way into it. After finally getting it zipped, she searched for the matching shoes. Cordy said a silent thank you the IRS didn't take her clothes, even if they were last year's fashions.
Looking at herself critically in the mirror, she turned from side to side admiring the improvement made to her chest. Angel hadn't even noticed but he would tonight. Their first week here, Cordy found a plastic surgeon. When Angel went to Sunnydale to bring, back more of his precious knick-knacks she had her breast enlarged. She pawned a small figurine positive he would never miss it and that he would more than get his money's worth. When he returned, he found her in bed complaining of a sever case of the flu. Cordelia gave the doctor a piece of her mind when Angel didn't even notice the improvements. She calmed down when he gave her a slight refund and she promised never to come to his office again, 'as if' she huffed.
She teetered on tall heels towards the elevator with a knowing smile that Angel would notice her before the night was over. Looking down at her chest, she pulled the dress down as far as the straining zipper would allow. Stepping out of the elevator with a megawatt smile, "Let's go, I'm ready. Do I look all right?" She did a slow turn for Angel.
He glanced at her thinking may be her dress had shrunk at the cleaners. She looked ready to pop out of the top. Not sure of today's fashions and not wanting to hurt his friend's feelings if the dress wasn't suppose to look like that, he went for a safe answer. "You look fine. We need to go. Last time it took me over an hour finally to get a chance to talk to the owner and then he made me sing."
Angel held the door for her, as she walked by, Cordy put some extra swing in her walk. He didn't say a word the entire ride to the club. Turning off the car, he turned to her, "Cordy."
"Yes, Angel." She responded in a husky whisper.
"There are a lot of demons in there but no one can fight so you should be safe. If you get cold let me know and you can borrow my jacket since you didn't bring one." Angel got out of the car. His mind already full of all the questions he had for the Host. Cordelia sat in the car waiting for him to open her door and realized he was about to enter the club without her rushed to catch up. Getting out on her own, once again she tugged on the dress. Angel came out of his daze when he heard the clicking of her heels behind him. Cordy linked her arm in his and pressed against his side as close as possible.
Angel looked down at Cordelia wondering at her clinginess. Maybe she is scared and doesn't want me to know. Something is different about her tonight but I'm not sure what it is. She looks different, if she ate more, I'd say she was gaining weight but that's not it. I'll have to figure it out another time.
He led her inside Caritas saw to his amazement - Spike. Spike was singing onstage and doing a good job of it from all the shouts. Angel remembered when the younger vampire would sing to Dru to calm her down. Spike sang Billy Idol's, 'Rebel Yell.' His voice was deep and his hips and fist gyrated to the music. The females in the audience screamed. Angel looked out at them then did a double take. The Furies sat a table front and center and cheered the loudest. At the end of his song, Spike jumped down to pull the youngest against him suggestively.
"Ooh Spike!" could be heard chorusing from the other sisters. The other two quickly joined their sister in caressing Spike for all to see.
"That is disgusting," Cordy said loudly. "I mean, ewe, three women at one time."
Angel tried to shake free of Angelus' memories of those particular three. His pants became very uncomfortable. Putting his hands in his jacket, he pulled it together to hide the evidence.
Spike's head came up to spy his grand-sire standing with the brunette on his arm, Cornflakes or some other weird name. He whispered to his lovers, who turned as one in Angel's direction.
Buffy had seen all of this from her table in the shadows. While Angel's focused his attention on Spike, she faded out of sight and into the office. The anger that ran up her spine at seeing him walk in with Cordelia made her eyes spark with heat. He had been in town for over a month now. Why was he sticking around? He should have packed up his 'woman' and leave.
She paced the confined space, whirling around when the door opened. Doyle walking in with worry clear on his face. "What's wrong Doyle?"
He wasn't sure how to tell her. "Um, lass, I just had a vision." Buffy waited impatiently, her skin felt as if it was on fire. "It was about your man out there."
Her eyes blazed even brighter. "He is not, my man!" She growled softly.
"Okay, okay, whatever he is then. It showed him in big trouble. Like exploding into dust trouble, if you don't step in. Someone is going to decide that you want him gone, permanently and do the honors for you."
Buffy stood perfectly still. "Who would dare?" Her voice left no doubt that she wouldn't tolerate such a move without her approval.
"It didn't show me that, lass, just what I told you. Someone staking him for you."
Her pacing started again this time with an air of barely control violence. Buffy had to decide how she wanted to handle this. "All right, Doyle, go and get hi. Bring him here and make it clear to everyone that I asked to see him."
He looked at her, his concern deepening by the minute. "Are you sure, Buffy? Maybe there is another way to handle this."
She shook her head. "No, if I wanted him dead I'd do it myself. I need to send a clear message that his death wouldn't make me happy."
Doyle heard something in her voice but her face was set in stone. He walked out to get the souled vampire, unhappy with the whole situation and the Powers for that matter. Doyle tapped Angel on the shoulder causing him to turn and look at the smaller man.
"Boss wants to talk to you in the office, follow me."
Angel heard the brogue in his voice. "Good, I need to find out some answers from him too."
Doyle didn't correct Angel's misconception of whom he would be meeting. Angel got up to follow the Irishman and Cordelia trailed behind. She was upset that he didn't even say a word to her just left their table.
At the door to the office, Doyle stopped looking at the brunette in the too small dress. "I don't think the boss wants an audience, lass. You should stay out here."
"Look buddy, where Angel goes I go so just open the door." Cordy demanded with her nose in the air.
"It's your funeral." He muttered to himself. Doyle led them into sit on the couch.
The chair behind the desk began to turn slowly until the person seated there became visible to the whole room. Cordelia gasped then her eyes narrowed. Damn it that was Buffy at Lines that day. She turned to watch Angel's face go even paler.
"Buffy." He whispered her name like a caress. Angel got up to move towards her until he looked in her eyes. The love he used to see shining from them had been replaced with a dark cold look. He sat down heavily in confusion. How could she be here? How is she even alive? Where is Lorne? Then Angel remembered the name he heard so often, Lady B. "You, you are Lady B? You run LA?"
"Don't look so shocked, Angel. I learned how to get what I wanted from the best. Why are you here in my city and what do you need to speak to me about so urgently?"
Angel almost couldn't form words; he sat drinking in the sight of her. If possible, she was even more beautiful than he remembered. All traces of childhood were gone from her leaving behind a sensuous, confident woman. "I'm working." Angel snapped out of his reverie.
He started to get angry thinking how much he mourned her. Buffy was alive and doing quite well for herself. Obviously, she didn't give him a second thought. With Spike being here, Angel knew she was aware he came back from hell.
"Sorry to pull you away from your busy schedule. I was sent here by the Powers. I thought it was to take out this Lady B, I've heard so much about. I'm still not sure that wasn't their intent." He threw out at her.
Spike and Doyle stiffened at the threat but Buffy just laughed. "You are more than welcome to try." She stood up and walked to the front of the desk. Leaning against it, she crossed her arms over her chest.
Angel took in the full affect of all the changes in her. She wore low-rise cream pants that fit as if they were tailor-made for her. Her top was a sleeveless silk blouse of golds and creams. It draped low in the front showing the curve of her breasts. Brown stiletto boots graced her feet that she crossed at the ankle. An armband tattoo on her upper arm with a sunburst in its very center circled her arm. Her hair was a darker blond with pail highlights near her face. She was a striking vibrant woman.
"Oh, my gosh, are those the new Fellini boots? Where did you find them? You can get them in Europe."
Buffy raised an eyebrow at the former cheerleader. "That is the important reason you needed to see me? To find out where I shop for clothes?" Buffy's voice was cold and condescending.
Cordelia's eyes narrowed, she wasn't used to Buffy speaking back to her, certainly not in that tone. She added up the exact amount that Buffy's outfit cost. It enraged her that Buffy could afford clothes she couldn't afford, even when she still had money.
"No, that isn't the reason 'I' wanted to meet Lady B." Angel finally absorbed the full situation but still wasn't sure how to react. His emotions ran the gamut. He was overjoyed Buffy was alive but also confused, hurt and angry. The strongest emotion though was betrayal. How could she not have let him know she was alive? She must not have loved him the way he loved her.
"Well are you going to tell me or not? I have a lot of business to take care of tonight, so if you don't mind." Buffy watched Angel's face as he sat in front of her beside his new lover. She looked Cordelia over, taking her in with a quick glance. Buffy noticed the enhancements the other woman made to her body. A blind person could hardly miss them. Buffy knew all about Cordelia's loss of money. She knew Angel came to her rescue with a place to live. Obviously, the arrangement suited him because he brought her to my city.
"I was concerned by the lack of vampires when I go out to patrol. When I got one to talk to me, they said the town was controlled by someone named Lady B. I wanted to know what Lady B planned to do with all the demons under her control. No one gathers that much power without a reason."
"You are right they don't. Don't worry about it Angel, it isn't your concern what I do. You have other priorities. My advice is to focus on them. If you want to find someplace to fight evil, you will have to leave LA. This city, my city is well-taken care of." Buffy was about to continue when Oz slipped in the office. Mere moments later a knock on the office door let Lorne and Gunn into the quickly crowded room.
The newcomers took in the situation and moved to stand beside Buffy. Doyle and Spike mirrored the other three's stance. There stood Buffy surrounded by five men. "As you can see, I have plenty of help. Yours isn't needed or wanted. So leave Angel, leave this club and leave my city." Her eyes had grown an even deeper shade showing her anger to the man she loved.
He looked into those eyes and felt helpless. "Just who do you think you are Buffy Summers? You can't tell us where we can and can't live." Cordy fumed at the other woman.
"I don't believe I was talking to you, Cordelia. But since you seem to be attached to Angel at the hip, what I said goes for you as well. This isn't Sunnydale, there are different rules here. My rules, so take the advice and leave. You won't find work here. You won't find anything to slay. You aren't needed."
Her phone rang and Buffy answered it. Her whole face changed as Angel watched. "What are you doing?" She asked in a tender voice full of love. "Did you just get in? Are you at the house? I'll be on my way as soon as I finish up here. Yes. Me too."
She hung up the phone and looked at the two intruders on her life. Angel was even more upset after listening to talk to whoever was on the phone. Angel could tell it was a man's voice but couldn't make out all of his words. He heard him tell Buffy he loved her and her reply.
Angel got up off the couch and moved towards the door. "I'm not leaving LA, Buffy. You will just have to get used to me being here. There is no way you can control everything in this city. I'll be there to take care of what you can't." He threw over his shoulder, not sure, he could look at her any longer.
He heard her cold laughter. "Be my guest, Angel. It will be entertaining to watch." She turned from him to look at her friends gathered around her. "I'm off guys. He's waiting for me at home. I will see you tomorrow." Buffy proceeded to kiss each man's cheek. Lorne and Doyle hugged her close.