Distribution: Angel of Mine; otherwise please ask.
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Characters don't belong to me. They belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. 'Look Away' is by Chicago. No copyright infringement intended.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It had been a year since she graduated high school, and Buffy was enjoying her sophmore year at college, and was meeting a lot of new people. There were even a couple guys that she would consider dating in the future. Although she'd never love anyone the way she loved Angel, Buffy knew it was time to try to move on. Her relationship with Angel would never work. That's why it had been best that Angel had left Sunnydale. They both needed time away from each other. It would be hard, but she needed to put her feelings for Angel in the past. All they could ever be was friends.
When you called me up this morning Told me about the new love you found I said I'm happy for you I'm really happy for you
Buffy was so caught up in her thoughts she nearly missed the phone ringing. Buffy grabbed it on the fourth ring.
"Buffy?"
Buffy's breath caught in her throat. "Angel? Is that you?"
"It's me. How are you doing?"
"I'm doing good. College has been a blast so far. Angel, is there something wrong? You sound different." Buffy asked.
"I'm fine, Buffy. There's just something I wanted to talk to you about and I'm not quite sure how to go about doing it. I'm not sure how you're going to take the news."
Buffy had a sinking suspicion that she knew what Angel wanted to tell her. She'd tried to prepare herself for this very moment, but she didn't know if she could handle it the way she wanted to.
Found someone else I guess I won't be coming round I guess it's over babe It's really over, babe
"Angel, I think I already know what you want to tell me. You've found someone new and you didn't know how to tell me."
"Buffy, that's........" Angel began.
"Angel, please just let me say this. I'll always love you, but we both know it can't work. I'd be lying if I said that thinking of you with someone else doesn't hurt, but it's something I'll have to deal with. I just want you to be happy."
The line was silent for several moments before Angel spoke. "Thank you for that Buffy, but you're only partly right. I am involved with someone, but she's someone I've known almost as long as I've known you. Buffy, I'm involved with Willow." Angel stated.
And from what you've said I know you've gotten over me It'll never be The way it used to be
Buffy dropped into the chair, and nearly lost the phone. Of all the things she'd expected him to say, that wasn't one of them. How was that possible? Angel and Willow had absolutely nothing in common. {How could she do this to me?} Buffy shook her head at her thoughts. Willow hadn't done anything to her. Everyone knew that she and Angel were just friends.
"Do you love her?" Buffy asked.
"Honestly, I don't know. We're still in the learning stage of our relationship. But we both wanted to let you know before you found out some other way. We never wanted to hurt you. I hope you believe that." Angel said.
"Angel, I do believe you. You and Willow are two of the most important people in my life, and if being together makes you both happy, then go for it. Just give me some time to deal with this myself, okay?"
"I understand. Willow really wants to talk to you about this, but I'll have her wait a couple weeks. She's been afraid that you'd hate her."
If you see me walking by And the tears are in my eyes Look away Baby, look away
Buffy took a deep breath. "Angel, tell her she'll always be my best friend. And I wish you both nothing but happiness. Angel, I need to go. Take care of Willow."
"I will. Bye Buffy."
Buffy clutched the phone as Angel hung up. "Goodbye, Angel."
And if we meet on the street someday And I don't know what to say, look away Baby, look away....Don't look at me I don't want you to see me this way
Buffy hung up the phone and threw herself on her bed. The tears she'd fought so hard to stop finally ran down her cheeks. She had meant everything she'd told Angel, but it still hurt to know that they'd never be together. To know that someone else would be in Angel's arms........and that someone was Willow.
When we both agreed as lovers We were better off as friends That's how it had to be Yeah, that's how it had to be
Later when she talked to Willow, Buffy would be ready to hear the details of how Willow and Angel had gotten together. She was curious as to how the two of them had hooked up after Angel left Sunnydale. But she wasn't ready for that yet. Buffy would take time to deal with her emotions before talking to Willow so that no harsh words were exchanged. Despite the fact that Willow was now with Angel, Buffy didn't want to lose her best friend. They would all have to find a way to deal with the situation.
I tell you I'm fine But sometimes I just pretend Wish you were holding me Wish you were still holding me
Buffy curled up and cried till she had no tears left. Memories of her time with Angel played through her mind, and she drifted into a fitfull sleep.
Angel leaned back against the couch and rubbed his hands over his face. The phone call had gone better then he'd thought.
"How did she take it?"
"Better then we thought. She's trying to be very adult about it, but I could hear in her voice how much it was hurting her to think of us together." Angel said.
Angel heard Willow cross the floor, and groaned softly when she straddled his lap and ran her fingers across his naked chest. He dropped his hands to her thighs and grinned at the expression on his lover's face.
"Well, that just won't do at all. What fun is it if she gives up willingly?" Willow asked.
Angel smirked and flipped them so that she was lying beneath him on the couch. "You little minx, you are really enjoying her pain, aren't you?"
Willow smiled up at him, as her hands roamed over his body. "Of course. Don't tell me that the great Angelus isn't enjoying it just as much as I am?"
Angelus leaned over her and captured her mouth. "You know I am, baby. And this is just the beginning. So far, we've had no trouble concealing the truth from everyone around here. No one realizes that I'm back, or that I've changed you. And that soul-boy is gone for good."
"Guess it works in our favor that Xander and Cordelia got back together and moved to New York. They could've caused some problems. But as long as I send the weekly e-mail telling how great school is, blah, blah, blah......they won't have a clue."
"Changing you was the best move I ever made. Now we get to play with the Slayer a little bit, before confronting her with the fact that not only are her ex-lover and best friend lovers.......they're both soulless monsters." Angelus said.
"You say the sweetest things. When do we make our next move?" Willow asked.
"Give her a week or so then call her. We're going to take our time with this and enjoy ourselves."
Willow nodded her agreement, and her hands moved across his back. "So, let's forget about the Slayer for now, and enjoy ourselves."
Angelus smirked and lowered himself onto Willow. Thoughts of revenge against the Slayer had put both vampires into a very pleasant state, and they pleasured each other long into the day.
Later as they laid curled up on the bed, Angelus thought about when Buffy found out the truth. When she learned that she had failed in protecting her best friend. That would be a time of celebration.......and he and Willow could both stop pretending to be someone they weren't. Life was good and it was only going to get better.
The End
read the sequal 'Looking Back'