Disclaimer: They're not mine. Especially not the pansy farm boy... :::shudder:::
Spoilers: 'A New Man'.
Synopsis: The workout scene in 'A New Man' - the way it should've been.
Distribution: Take it - just let me know and keep my name attached.
Author's Notes: This is a nice old-fashioned Riley-bashing really really *bad*fic. I don't suggest you read on if you like him. I don't remember the exact lines from the scene, so I probably have it a bit messed up... oh yeah, this is *really* bad (in the sense that it makes... well, no sense... but it's B/A, so, at least you have that *g*).
Feedback: Please?
Rating: PG-13

She couldn't stand it.

She had wanted a work-out, she really had. Giles didn't train with her anymore, and... well, the only other person she had trained with was Angel.... and Angel was in L.A. - along with her heart and her slowly disintegrating sanity. But she really didn't want to think about him, because thinking about him led to moping, and moping led to crying, and crying led to - well, you get the picture.

So, in an attempt to stop the Buffy-brooding and to stop this idiot's whining and male insecurity, she had agreed to train with him.

But she couldn't stand it.

The feeling of this hulking farm boy's sweaty arms around her was too much. And he was panting. In her face.

He smelled like dog food.

Before she could toss him over her shoulder he threw her a cheesy grin. "You holding back?"

She pushed down the disgusted look that was soon to appear on her face, and instead plastered on a dazzling smile. "Maybe." Yeah, maybe... more like *completely*. Little wussy Iowa boy... God, I could have kicked your ass twenty times by now - even *Giles* stands a better chance... She knew even before she asked if he was holding back that he wasn't - but he'd say he was to keep up his non-existent male pride. Stupid icky-haired fish boy...

Growling inwardly, she threw him off of her, cursing the fact that she was going to stink of farmy dog smell the rest of the day.

"I'll go all out if you will."

She very nearly laughed out loud at that, but instead regained her composure and agreed.Someone's gonna get their ass kicked...

And then he lunged spasmodically her, trying his best to look like he could actually take her. She held back a giggle and struck back with a quarter of her actual strength. She caught the bug-eyed look of pain on his face before he attempted to hit her again.Sissy. After another minute of useless kicking and punching, she lashed out at him, kicking him across the room. He hit the mats on the other side, hard, and she swore she could have heard a loud crack. Feigning panic, she rushed across to him.

"Riley, are you okay?"

He wasn't moving.

And his neck was at a very odd angle.

She stared, wide-eyed at him. "I killed you from *that* kick? God, I barely even tried!"

She cursed again, this timed outwardly, annoyed that he had covered her in dog-smell and then gone and let himself die. How the hell was she going to finish working out now?

"Buffy?"

She froze over completely, unable to move or speak.

"Angel?"

Well, okay, she could speak. But she couldn't move.

She heard him walk towards her, his heavy footsteps ringing out in the gym.

"Are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine...."

She heard a dark chuckle. "I don't think your friend is."

She couldn't help but laugh at that. "Well, he's a little less than fine. Actually, I... well, I sorta killed him."

Finally able to regain sense in her limbs, she turned to face him, tears welling up in her eyes. In an instant he was by her side, gathering her in his arms. "It's okay, baby.... I know you didn't mean to..."

Abruptly she pulled out of his embrace. "You think I'm crying cuz I killed *him*?" She stared up at his puzzled face and whacked his chest. "I could care less about the stupid Farm Boy! I'm crying cos I missed you, you idiot! God!" With a growl she punched him in the face, sending him reeling backwards.

"And what are you doing here anyway? Is it time for my monthly heartbreak or what?"

He raised himself from the ground and rubbed his cheek. "Actually, I came here because I missed you more than I could bear, but if I'm just gonna get beaten up -" He looked up at her angry face and admonished himself, "-then I'd deserve it."

She smiled - a real smile - for the first time in months and flung herself at him, covering his face in tender kisses. After a few minutes, she raised her face and stared sternly down at him.

"If you ever leave me again, I *swear* I will hunt you down, rip off your testicles and make you *eat* *them*."

Angel frowned, taking in the threat, then nodded. "I think that's fair."

She grinned, taking his face in her tiny hands and kissing him softly on the lips, before punching him hard. He stumbled backwards, regaining his footing and stared up at her questioningly. She grinned unabashedly and lunged at him.

"I haven't had a good workout in months."

He smirked and blocked her next punch, sending one of his own as they began to fight again, reuniting for the first time in too long.

And neither one of them held back.

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