Okay, so this isn't really a full part of the series, it's more like a vignette, but I call it 9 anyway, so the series runs smoothly. But it's not as long as the other parts were. The next will be long though, whenever I have time to write it. This was half-way finished already when I began Nothing To Loose. So I wrote the rest today. Happy reading!
Disclaimer: Sadly I have to admit, I do not own them, for this they have to suffer in the show and can only live happily in fanfic ... or not! (evil grin)
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: B/A (Duuuuh), W/Gi, X/A, C/Gu, F/?, We/?
Distribution: my site, Land of Denial, Sunlight&Shadow, ACS-Fanfictionrealm, several other sites, if you have any of my stories just take it, anybody else please tell me where it goes
Spoilers: the whole B/A-cannon, the previous stories in the series called "Hidden Words", "Hidden Away", "Hidden Friends", "Hidden Truth", "Hidden Demons", "Hidden Day", "Hidden Ceremony" and "Hidden Happiness"; if you need any of them go to
Summary: Jealousy can be a bad thing ... or not! (another - not so - evil grin)
Timeline: four weeks after "Hidden Happiness"
Feedback: it's like cookies, it's not really needed, but makes life much sweeter
Dedication: this goes to Ducks for her wonderful story "Worlds of Longing" ... Jill sighs happily reading it! And it get's by the minute...

It really shouldn't bother him, Angel told himself about the tenth time that day. There was nothing about it.

Then why couldn't he stop thinking of it? He blinked and focussed on the file he was holding in his hands, realising that he had been staring at the same page for over an hour.

With a frustrated sigh he put the papers down and rubbed his eyes with his index-fingers, then moved them to massage his temples, where he could feel a headache starting. God, he hated this. Humanity was a good thing - most of the time. He could see the sun, he could stroll along the beach, and last but by no means least it had given him the oportunity to get back together with Buffy. This was certainly the real award of redemption.

But sometimes ... now for example ... humanity sucked. Headaches were something he had to get used to again, he didn't have them often, but still. He thought about the many times Cordelia had suffered from them receiving the messages from the Powers and a frown appeared on his forehead. How had she managed to stand it?

The hotel was blessedly quiet. Faith had gone shopping, she'd decided she needed to be alone to find something *she* actually wanted. Wesley was in Sunnydale researching some demon with Giles and Cordy and Gunn had chosen to go out for lunch. As for Buffy ...

Angel stopped rubbing his temples and with a sigh leaned back in his chair closing his eyes. There wasn't a demon inside of him anymore and yet he could clearly remember all the different variations of tortures his other persona had inflicted throughout the centuries. Why on earth was he thinking about it now, he wondered but instantly grimaced. He knew exactly why and wanted to slap himself for it.

He wasn't a jealous person, he told himself. Yeah, sure, humor yourself! Not jealous, no, not at all.

He shook his head, got up and walked over to the kitchen to get himself a cup of coffee, then stopped his hand before pouring it. Maybe coffee wouldn't be the best choice right now. You're really pathetic, Angel! You're behaving as if something bad's going to happen.

Nothing is going to happen. She's just out for lunch. She'll be back in an hour and that's it then. Yeah, sure, whom are you kidding?

Sighing again he decided for a glass of water and walked back into his office. Of course he wasn't really jealous. Buffy and he were happy together, a marriage couldn't be any more perfect, they loved each other tremendously and still it bugged him.

You're behaving irrationally, he scolded himself staring out of the window and watching the cars and people pass by but not really seeing them. She's gone to have lunch with him. They talk. Period.

His thoughts were interrupted when he heard someone entering the hotel. He turned and walked into the lobby and did a double take when he saw Willow standing there, her face still wearing the traces of tears. "Angel," she sniffed.

"Willow? What happened?"

"I need to talk to Buffy," she told him with a quivering voice.

"Buffy isn't around, she's having lunch with ...," he inwardly winced, no, don't think about it. Willow is distressed, she needs your help. "She's out for lunch and won't be back for another hour."

"Oh," the red-head looked at him for a moment and then burst into tears.

Feeling helpless for a moment, Angel gently put a hand on her arm and guided her to one of large leather sofas he'd bought some years ago. "Now, now," he soothed her, "sit down, Willow. Can I get you something. Coffee, tea, some water?"

"No," she shook her head, her face still burried in her hands. "But thanks," she sniffed and finally looked at him.

He gave her an encouraging smile and handed her a tissue, "Maybe you can tell me," he suggested.

"It's more of a girl thing really," she began and Angel felt himself blush.

"Oh ... I mean ... uh ... then you should probably wait for Buffy or ... Cordelia ... yes Cordelia should be here any minute."

Now she had to smile, "No, Angel. It's not what you think. Not *that* girl thing, but I thought it'll maybe easier to talk to another woman about it and Buffy's still my friend."

"Oh," he smiled a bit sheepishly. "Alright then. I'm good at listening."

She fought with fresh tears for a moment but then caught herself and with a deep breath the words came out in a rush, "I think Rupert might probably have an affair."

Angel could only stare at her. He blinked. Twice. And still couldn't completely proceed her words. Slowly he shook his head, "I can't believe that, Willow," he said finally. "Whatever made you believe it?"

"I found lipstick on one of his jackets a week ago. I didn't ask him about it, just thought he might have met an old friend of sorts. But then he had this handkerchief in his pocket, it was from a woman, I could still smell the perfume." She sniffed again and rubbed her nose with the tissue.

"Couldn't it have been yours..?" he mused.

"Angel," now she looked a bit offended. "Don't you trust me to know my own perfume? I can assure you it wasn't mine."

"But it's probably nothing. I mean, Rupert Giles having an affair is as likely as ...," his voice trailed off and he winced slightly.

"What?," she asked.

He sighed, "I wanted to say as a vampire becoming human, but it's not helping, is it?"

She gave him a pointed look, "No, maybe some years ago, but seeing you sitting right in front of me..."

"Yeah," he released a breath. "No, but honestly, Willow. Giles loves you. You've been married for four weeks only. He might have been Ripper once, but," Angel shook his head, "no way he's betraying you."

"You sure of this?," she asked not completely convinced but looking happier than before.

"Hundred percent," he replied and squeezed her hand. "He loves you. Thinking he's betraying you is no more likely than the thought of Buffy doing something like that to me," he told her and suddenly had to smile, then began to chuckle. At Willow's curious and slightly amused look he laughed, "Buffy's out for lunch with Brian. He called her yesterday to meet him and ever since she's left I can't do nothing but thinking what they might do together. They were engaged once and about to marry."

Now it was Willow's term to laugh, "No way. Buffy loves you. Angel...,"

He nodded, "I know. I know that, Willow. I know I was behaving irrationally, but I couldn't get it out of my head. Until now."

She smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "Good for you."

"Maybe you should call Giles and let him know where you are?," Angel suggested.

"I'm doing better than that. I'm going back to Sunnydale now. He and Wesley are so engrossed in some demon-stuff they probably haven't even noticed that I left. And I'm just going to ask him about the lipstick and the tissue. Give Buffy my love," she said on her way out and then was gone.

*

Only five minutes later the door opened again and Buffy stepped into the lobby. "Hi," she greeted him softly and put her arms around his neck.

"Hi," he said and smiled. "How was your lunch?"

"Nice," she replied and sighed, enjoying the closeness. "Brian told me he's met this great woman and that he was okay now with what happened between us."

"That's great," he pulled her close.

"You're awfully relaxed today," she looked at him sceptically. "Yesterday when I told you about Brian you were so tense, I thought you'd break if I touched you."

He smiled in response, "Sometimes things happen that tend to righten your perspective," he said cryptically.

"Huh?"

Angel just shook his head, "Willow says hi."

"Willow?," Buffy raised a brow.

"She came to see you. There were some ... uh ... problems. But as you weren't here, I could help her."

"Oh?"

"Hmmm," he made. "But you're back now and there's nobody around exept us," he said, a wicked expression entering his eyes.

"Angel?" She giggled.

"Whatever could we do with the whole hotel empty and us on your own?"

Now she grinned, "I guess you'll show me, won't you?"

"You can bet," he replied.

When Cordelia and Gunn reached the door of the Hyperion hotel all they heard was Buffy's loud shriek and Angel's deep laughter. The couple looked at each other and shook their heads, then backed away towards their car. No way they would risk to interrupt what was obviously happening behind that door.

Hope you enjoyed it. I have to go away tonight, so there won't be any more parts of "Nothing To Loose". Please tell me what you think of this!

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