~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~Part: 21~
Cordelia heard the voice and said, "Willow? What do you want? Is Buffy with you? Because, you both aren't in school today and it's rather a coincidence that you're both sick on the same day and it happens to be a Friday. I don't buy it. You're not sick, are you?"
Willow rolled her eyes, making a face at Buffy before she said, "It's nice to talk to you, too, Cordy. I'm fine, thanks for asking."
"Whatever," Cordelia said, wondering why Willow was calling her. It was a known fact that they had never really been friends. True, she'd been dating Xander for the last few months and things had started to become a bit better between her and the redhead that she'd verbally tortured for years, but there was still a bit of tension between her and the other two girls. She was trying, though, for Xander's sake and because she actually did like Willow and Buffy, not that she'd admit that to anyone. "What do you want?"
"Actually, you're right. Buffy and I aren't sick," Willow admitted, knowing that she was making the right choice by at least asking Cordelia to their slumber party, She had to say that the popular girl had been attempting to be part of their group since she had been caught making out with Xander, risking losing her others friends and her popularity by hanging out with them. And, underneath it all, she wasn't all that bad.
"I knew it!" Cordelia said, smiling triumphantly. "I told Xander this morning that you were both just taking the day off. Is that why you're calling? To gloat that you're both not here having to eat this horrible cafeteria food and probably laying around watching soap operas or trashy talk shows? Or did you need to talk to Xander? Because, if so, he's in line getting food and it will be a little while before he's back at the table."
"I didn't call to talk to Xander," Willow said, "I called to ask if you wanted to stay over at my house tonight. We're going to have a slumber party tonight, no patrol and no research, and thought you might want to come over. It's girls only, though, so Xander's on his own."
The smirk faded from Cordelia's face as she said quietly, "You're asking me to a slumber party? With you and Buffy? You want me there?"
"Of course," Willow said, only lying slightly, almost laughing as Buffy made faces at her while she was trying to be sincere. "You're part of our group now. It's nothing special, just friends hanging out and all, but you're welcome to come if you want."
"Friends?" Cordelia repeated, a slow smile crossing her pretty face. "We are friends, aren't we?"
"Yeah, we are," Willow agreed, frowning as she heard the tone of Cordelia's voice. Suddenly, she felt guilty for having been so reluctant to include the popular girl in their plans. Cordelia had lost most of her friends after she'd gone public with dating Xander, staying with him despite the risk of losing everything that seemed to mean so much to her. Willow guessed that maybe they'd been wrong about what really mattered to the cheerleader. Maybe good friends and the guy she had started to care about were what was most important. She decided she'd do her best to be more accepting of the girl and her flaws. Heck, she had befriended a crazy vampire that had killed who knows how many people in the last century and a half, surely she could be friends with a girl who liked to shop that just happened to be sarcastic and bitchy sometimes. "We're just hanging at my place so you can come over whenever you want, if you wanted to attend the slumber party that is."
"You know what?" Cordelia made her decision, knowing that a part of her had always wanted to be accepted by Xander's friends. She wanted them to like her for her and not just because she was dating their best friend, wanted to be their friend and have private jokes and silly secrets and just be a part of something that was real. This invitation was a gesture on their parts, a gesture that she was going to accept and try her best to make the most of. She wanted to do some bonding, damn it, and she wanted Buffy and Willow to like her.
"What?" Willow asked, her green eyes watching as Drusilla began to put Buffy's hair up in a variety of, well, interesting was a safe word ways, rather relieved that the vampire had kept her hair simple with a nice clip. The blonde slayer currently had four scrunchies securing bits of hair and it looked like Dru had more planned. Buffy mouthed the words Help Me as Dru started to braid one of the bits of hair.
"I think I'm starting to feel sick," Cordelia said with a smile as she got to her feet. "Yes, I'm definitely catching something. I probably caught it from you and Buffy. It's all your fault that I'm now going to have to go to the nurse and get a pass to leave school for the rest of the day. I'll tell Xander that he can stay home and watch cartoons tonight and then I'll head over. I should be at your place within a half-hour. We can drive by my place later to pick up my stuff."
"You're coming over now?" Willow looked at Buffy, shrugging as the blonde gave her a questioning look. "You're just going to leave school?"
"Hey, now, don't take that tone with me little Miss. Skipper," Cordelia said, "besides, it's only a few classes. I'd much rather hang out with my friends and do whatever it is you guys are doing than sit in class and listen to Mr. Beasley drone on and on about whatever war it is we're discussing right now."
"No need to get defensive, Cordy," Willow had to smile, "I was just surprised that you'd want to come over so early. We're just sitting around, but you're more than welcome to fake an illness and leave school early to come join us."
"I'm on my way to talk to Xander right now and then I'll leave," Cordelia confirmed, relaxing a bit when she heard Willow laugh, knowing that the redhead actually didn't care if she came over and really did want her to participate in their little slumber party. "Oh, and Willow?"
"Yeah?" Willow replied.
Cordelia neared where Xander was standing in line, answering softly, "Thanks for asking me. I'll see you guys soon. Bye."
Willow hung the phone up and looked at Buffy and Dru, having to smile at Cordelia's enthusiastic response to the slumber party idea as well as her words of thanks for being included, deciding that maybe Cordy wasn't so bad after all. She told them, "Well, Drusilla, it looks like you're going to get to meet someone else. Cordelia will be here soon."
~Part: 22~
"Xander, would you listen to me!"
"Sorry, Cor," Xander looked away from the dessert choices to look at his girlfriend. "I thought you were getting us a table?"
"Why do I bother?" Cordelia muttered, having spent over a minute telling Xander that she was going home before realizing that he was engrossed in visions of chocolate cake and jello and hadn't heard a word she'd said.
Xander smiled sheepishly at her tone, "You know how I am around dessert. I'm trying to decide if I want to chocolate cake or the pumpkin pie or both."
Cordelia had to smile, rolling her eyes as she said, "Yeah, I should have known better than to try to have a conversation with you when you're around food."
"I'll just get both," Xander decided, grabbing both plates and putting them on his already full tray. He continued moving in line, his attention now firmly on Cordelia. "What were you telling me? I'm listening now."
"I said that you can put my salad back because I'm leaving," Cordelia said, her eyes moving to look at the slice of chocolate cake. She had to admit that it looked pretty good.
"Leaving?" Xander frowned, "Why? Are you okay? Do you need to go to the nurse?"
"Willow called me," Cordelia smiled, her pleasure obvious. "She invited me to a girls' night sleep over type thing with her and Buffy tonight. Can you believe it? They actually included me. Willow said they wanted me to hang out with them."
"Of course they did," Xander smiled softly, enjoying the sparkle that had entered his girlfriend's eyes as she spoke about being included in the get together by his best friends. He'd have to remember to thank Buffy and Willow for being thoughtful enough to ask Cordelia. He knew they'd been having some difficulty adjusting to his new relationship but they were both trying and he owed them a lot for that. He also knew that Cordelia wanted to be friends with them all, even if she'd never admit it. Suddenly, he realized, "Wait, they weren't sick today? They really were just skipping?"
"Shhh," Cordelia rolled her eyes, "not so loud! I told you this morning that it was highly unlikely that they were both sick on a Friday. I was right. They just needed a day off, which I personally think they both deserve. Anyway, I'm going to go to Willow's and hang out and whatever else it is that they have planned for tonight. I haven't had a sleep over since junior high. I don't even know if I can remember what we used to do at them. I remember tons of junk food and acting really silly. Oh, and makeovers. Wait, that's a great idea. Maybe I can talk Willow into letting me do a make over. I'd love to get my hands on her closet. She could be so gorgeous with the right clothes and some confidence. Maybe Buffy and I can gang up on her and use the whole peer pressure thing until she breaks down and lets us fix her up."
"First, Willow isn't the type to break down because of peer pressure. She's the strongest person that I know. She'd only relent and let you do your silly make over if she wanted you to do it. Second, I like Willow just the way she is. I don't really see what the problem is with how she dresses, though I do agree that she could use some confidence. Third, you can stop all the girly talk," Xander groaned, "I so need some friends that don't talk about clothes and make-up."
"I like Willow, too, but I think a better presentation would showcase the beauty that is both internal and external. By the way, my make over would not be silly but I'll excuse that comment because you're a guy," Cordelia declared loftily, a smile on her pretty face as Xander laughed and paid for his food. "It is a girls only night, Xan, so you're on your own tonight. I'll call you tomorrow when I get home."
"I'll probably just hang around the house tonight," Xander decided as he walked with Cordelia towards a table near the door. "Watch some TV and maybe catch up on my sleep. You want to go to a movie tomorrow night? A new comedy opened that looked pretty funny."
"A movie sounds good," Cordelia said, "we can go to the Bronze afterwards. Maybe Buffy and Willow can meet us there after patrol. I'll talk to them about it today. I'd better get going. I told Willow I'd be over there soon, though I'm not really sure what we're going to be doing all day and night. Maybe we can go shopping. Shopping is always fun and there's a sale at Clarissa's this weekend. I saw the cutest blouse there the other day. It would look great on Buffy. And there was a silk top that would be fantastic on Willow."
"Cordelia, honey, didn't you mention something about needing to leave?" Xander asked with a helpful smile, wanting to stop the shopping talk before she started in on shoes. He adored Cordelia, could very well love her, but he had sat through several conversations about shopping since they'd started dating and he just wasn't in the mood to go from make overs and clothes to shopping and shoes. He wanted to enjoy his lunch before he had to get back to class, since he was attending all of his classes that day unlike his friends. He was so teasing Willow and Buffy when he saw them again about their sudden 'illness', knowing he'd be able to get Willow easily when reminding her that she'd skipped class to hang out and be lazy, something she had never done in the decade that they'd been friends.
"Oh, right," Cordelia drifted off, her mind still thinking about the pretty green shirt she'd seen. When she'd first seen it, she'd thought it would look good on Willow. Now, with her plans to make over the cute redhead, she knew they'd so need to go buy it. She gave Xander a kiss before leaving the cafeteria and heading to the nurse's office. Xander was right. Willow would probably not agree to a make over if a big deal was made of it. It would probably be smart to suggest a group make over or something like that. It would be fun and silly and they could all have fun with it, plus they'd be able to persuade Willow easier if they were all having one done.
The cheerleader entered the nurse's office and put her acting skills to test. She complained of a stomach virus, whimpering and groaning where needed. Luckily, the school nurse wasn't very strict, asking a few questions before signing a pass excusing Cordelia from her afternoon classes. Cordelia left the school, a smile on her face as she thought about spending time with her new friends and just having a worry free, fun night with the girls.
~Part: 23~
It took Cordelia less than fifteen minutes to reach Willow's house after she left the school. During the short drive, she found herself having doubts for the first time since the phone conversation not a half before. She began to wonder if this really was a good idea. She wanted to be part of the group, wanted Willow and Buffy to call her friend without making a face, wanted them to accept her for herself and not just because she was dating their best friend. She admired Buffy, though she wouldn't admit it, and she had always liked Willow, even if she'd picked on the girl since they had met. Buffy was strong and beautiful and could get things accomplished without really caring what anyone thought of her. Willow was the smartest person she'd ever met, her age at least, and she was pretty and cared about her friends in a way that always made Cordelia a bit envious. Neither of the girls was perfect, Buffy not being the smartest apple in the barrel, Cordelia borrowed an expression her grandmother often used, and Willow was shy and lacked confidence in her beauty and intelligence, but Cordelia knew that they were both people she would trust with her life.
Her worries centered around what they would think of her. She wasn't strong like Buffy and she wasn't smart like Willow. What was she going to bring to the friendship? She always felt a bit useless when she was with them. They didn't need her. Cordelia liked to surround herself with people that needed her. It made her feel important and she really did like helping people, even in matters as mundane as what lipstick best matched a dress. Xander needed her. That was one reason she had begun to fall in love with him, surprising everyone including herself. At first, it had been an attraction that had confused her but that she couldn't really ignore. She liked kissing Xander Harris. She liked that he listened to her, that he thought about what she said and didn't judge her about anything. He was so accepting and just wanted her happy. She'd never had anyone like that before. Her parents were rarely around, but, when they were, there were expectations of what their daughter should be. Cheerleader, May Queen, homecoming queen, most popular girl. That was her parents' dream more than hers. Okay, so she had always liked being popular, liked knowing that the boys wanted her and that the girls wanted to be friends with her.
She'd changed. There more important things in life than what color was the new black and what shoes matched what skirt. She had never been as stupid or superficial as most of the school saw her as being, but she'd perfected the act of Queen Bitch years ago and never bothered to stop acting. Until Xander. That wasn't exactly right. It had been Buffy's arrival that had made her start questioning her life and purpose. She'd been dragged into several battles by mistake and seen first hand what true friendship really was. She'd seen how a team could work together to defeat things that she'd only thought existed in books. She'd seen how real friends didn't care how you looked or what lipstick you were wearing or how mean you could be to those less important than you. She'd also seen that those people once considered less important risked their own lives to save the world over and over. She had been forced into realizing that she wasn't very happy with the direction her life had taken. She had admitted that she was far happier in the musty old library insulting Buffy and flirting with Xander and teasing Willow than she was with Harm and the girls. She'd started hanging around them more often, trying to be subtle because she hadn't wanted them to figure out that she wanted to be their friend. That subtle plan had been thrown out the window when she'd kissed Xander. They'd tried to keep it a secret, her scared that she'd lose Harm and the girls and end up with nothing and him worried about what his best friends would think.
She wished they hadn't bothered with the secrets. She could still remember the hurt look that had been in Willow's eyes when the redhead had realized what was going on between her and Xander. Cordelia had felt guilty for the first time. She hadn't liked it. Had, in fact, vowed to never feel that way again. She'd lost Harm and the girls, but she had Xander and he was far more important than those twits had been. She also had started to become part of the group, had started to be accepted by Buffy and Willow. Hell, Angelus had even threatened her months ago so she knew she was part of the group. God, she had to laugh as she realized that receiving threats from a vampire had made her finally feel part of the group. Only in Sunnydale. Luckily, Angelus seemed to have moved on from the threats. She was on the side of believing that he'd gotten bored with Buffy and was just content to exist and make the slayer's life a hell by running the town. That was something she and Willow did agree on.
She was nearing Willow's house. She was nervous and it annoyed her. It was just Buffy and Willow. They'd asked her, had included her in their plans for a girls night. They wanted her there. The phone call from Willow ranked right underneath Angelus' threats as a sign that she was actually part of the group now. This wasn't research sessions, it wasn't studying for a test, it wasn't using her car to get supplies for some battle. It was them hanging out and enjoying a friendship that she was now a part of. A smile crossed her pretty face as she felt the anxiety start to fade. She didn't need to be nervous. This was a chance for them to get to know her, the real her that Xander knew and that they had seen glimpses of. She knew that she had hurt Willow throughout the years with her rude comments and admired the redhead so much for giving her a chance, for extending her friendship despite their past. She didn't have any plans of letting the redhead regret her decision, knowing that Willow's friendship was one of the greatest gifts that could be given. She'd never really had friends before, not true friends that stuck by you no matter what and didn't judge you and were always there when you needed them.
Cordelia pulled into Willow's driveway, no longer nervous but excited. She was looking forward to being with Buffy and Willow, to relaxing and having fun without worrying about demons and vampires. She wanted to eat some junk food and watch some movies and laugh and just be silly. If she was able to talk Willow into a makeover, all the better. She got out of her car and started to walk towards Willow's door. She raised her hand to knock but didn't get a chance before the door was opened.
"Cordelia, you're here!" Buffy greeted with a smile, a bit eager to see what Cordelia's reaction to Drusilla would be. She decided she'd place her money on screaming and hiding, though Willow seemed to believe the cheerleader would be cool with it.
"Yes, I am," Cordelia said, her eyes moving over the slayer's hair, biting her tongue from making a sarcastic remark about the many loops of hair that were fastened with various clips and ribbons. Instead, she said, "I think I saw a style like that in Vogue last month. Very cutting edge."
"You did?" Buffy asked in shock, having seen what Dru had done to her hair when she'd passed the mirror on the way to answer the door. She had to smile as she realized that Cordelia seemed to think she had deliberately done that to her hair and was just trying to be nice. Goodness, what was the world coming to? A slayer showing a powerful vampire the joys of chocolate doughnuts, Willow befriending said powerful vampire, and now Cordelia Chase being nice. Buffy had to laugh as she said, "Thanks, Cordy. Come on in and join the party."
~Part: 24~
Cordelia walked past the slayer, calling out a greeting to the redhead she noticed sitting on the sofa as she entered the living room, "Hi Willow."
"Hey, Cordelia," Willow called out, glancing at Drusilla who was sitting in the chair watching everything with interest.
Cordelia noticed Willow look away and her eyes followed, widening in surprise when she found herself looking at Drusilla. Drusilla, as in evil vampire, childe of Angelus, wanted them all dead, that Drusilla. Sitting in a comfy chair beside the sofa in Willow's living room. With a slayer. What the fuck was happening? She glanced at Willow and saw the redhead nervously chewing her bottom lip, her green eyes looking from Cordelia to Drusilla. Cordelia noticed the three glasses on the table and a nearly empty box of chocolate covered doughnuts. They'd had breakfast. A slayer, a vampire, and a budding witch. God, what was she supposed to do? She had all these questions but knew it wasn't the time to ask them yet. Not with Drusilla sitting a few feet away. She turned her attention to the evil psycho vampire that she'd only seen a few times and then only briefly. The vampire that didn't really seem all that evil as she smiled and looked at Cordelia with a hopeful expression. Okay, the psycho part could be a good description because that was the only excuse that Cordelia would accept for what she was wearing.
Cordelia relaxed, sliding into her element easily as she moved forward, a large smile crossing her face as she said, "Drusilla, isn't it? My name is Cordelia, but you can call me Cordy. May I just say that that color is stunning on you, but Willow's closet is *so * not the place to use for dress up. I love Willow to death, but she doesn't have the best clothes around. You know, I saw a shirt at the mall, at Elena's, a few days ago that was a bit darker shade of orange that would look marvelous with your hair and skin. It was on sale and they had the most adorable silk skirts to match. They also had a set in the prettiest shade of green that would look darling on Willow. Maybe we can go shopping later."
"You're a pretty pet," Drusilla said with a soft smile, running her hand over the arm of the sweater she had taken from Willow's closet, "I like fuzzy, smells like Willow, apples and vanilla. Silk is pretty and soft on your skin. Kitten, may we go shopping later?"
"Shopping?" Willow repeated, glancing at Buffy and seeing the stunned look on the slayer's face. She had to smile as she looked back at Cordelia, respect in her green eyes as she said, "Shopping might be fun. Wow, I think hell must have frozen over."
"Why?" Buffy asked as she moved to sit on the sofa beside Willow, wondering how Cordelia had managed to bring up shopping within five minutes of meeting Drusilla. She'd been speechless for far longer, yet Cordelia had breezed in with a smile and clothing suggestions. She looked at Cordelia and saw the confused look in the girl's brown eyes, realizing that the cheerleader wasn't nearly as calm as she projected.
"Because, I just agreed to go shopping with Cordelia Chase!" Willow said with a groan, relieved when she saw Cordelia relax and glare at her in a way she was familiar with.
"Very cute, Rosenberg," Cordelia said, sticking her tongue out at the redhead before loftily saying, "see if I let you use me for my expertise on colors and textures and bargain hunting."
"You're all silly," Dru declared with a giggle as she smiled at Willow. She'd been apprehensive about this Cordelia girl, hearing the tone in Buffy's voice and not knowing exactly what it meant. She was happy to find that the girl was nice and friendly. Cordelia was curious, questions burning in her brown eyes as she slowly relaxed and teased Willow. Drusilla enjoyed the teasing, liked hearing the laughter and seeing the smiles on her new friends' faces. She wondered if Cordelia would become her friend, too. The girl was pretty, though not as pretty as her kitten, and she had long brown hair that was shiny and soft.
"You should talk, Dru," Buffy said with a smirk as she looked at the vampire, "you're the one wearing that funny hat!"
"I think we're all a bit silly," Willow declared with a smile, "you have to be to survive in this town. Dru, have you ever been to a mall before?"
Dru shook her head, having to ask, "What exactly is a mall?"
"Oh my God!" Cordelia gasped, looking at the vampire with sincere shock.
"She'd never had chocolate covered doughnuts either," Buffy added, sharing an amused look with Willow regarding Cordelia's love of the mall.
"The mall is a place where there are tons of different stores in one place," Willow explained to Dru. "It's not one of my favorite places, but Delia loves it. She's a great shopper and I guess that's why she always looks so put together."
"I used to spend a couple of days a week there," Cordelia admitted with a sheepish smile. "I love clothes. Willow is right, I am a great shopper. It's a gift. It takes a lot of skill and talent to be a great shopper. It's not nearly as easy as you seem to think."
"Hey, we've all got something we're good at," Buffy said with a laugh. "I'm a slayer, Willow's a smart ass, Dru can see things in a way that no one else can, and you're a shopper. It's good to have a special talent."
~Part: 25~
"Why did you use to?" Dru suddenly asked Cordelia, curiosity in her eyes.
"Use to what?" Cordelia asked, not following the conversation after listening to Buffy and watching as Willow threw a pillow at the blonde for her smart ass remark. She was laughing as she looked at Dru, suddenly remembering that this woman was a vampire.
"You used to spend a couple of days a week there, you said," Drusilla reminded, watching as the brunette smiled softly.
"Well, I have better things to do now. I still love shopping, but I love Xander and helping out with research and being part of the gang a little more so I shop when I have extra time or need to buy something. I used to go to the mall because shopping was about the only thing I had in common with my old friends or because I didn't want to be sitting at home by myself. Things changed when I started hanging around with Willow and Buffy and started dating Xander," Cordelia explained truthfully.
"That's sweet," Willow said with a smile, "I didn't realize that you'd rather research with us than go shoe shopping."
"Now you know," Cordelia gave her a slight smile before looking back at Dru. "You look adorable in your creative ensemble there, but I think we might need to find you something a bit more casual to wear when we go out later. Willow, I don't suppose you have any clothes that aren't oversized or fuzzy, do you?"
"And Buffy calls me a smart ass," Willow muttered with a glare at the cheerleader who was smirking at her.
"It's not my fault you have such horrible taste in clothing, Will," Cordelia said with a smile. "If you'd listen to me once in a while and buy things that flatter instead of conceal, you'd be so much more attractive. I mean, you're cute even in the horrible yellow overalls you wore last week, but good grief. This is Sunnydale, not a farm in the middle of Kansas. Overalls have been over for a few years now. I'm not suggesting you go all turbo slutty like Buffy, but a little leg or hint of cleavage would make you feel so much more desirable and confident."
"I hate to say it, but she's right, Willow," Buffy said, having found a partner in her plans to get Willow into some attractive clothes and help her best friend find some confidence in her own beauty. Suddenly, she said, "wait a minute. What do you mean turbo slutty?"
"Please," Cordelia rolled her eyes, "you could gain an inch on most of your skirts and you honestly don't have enough bust for some of those plunging shirts you wear. You've got great legs and a nice ass, but the skirts that barely cover it are just a bit on the side of slutty more than on the side of sexy."
"I often wondered how she could slay in such short skirts," Drusilla remarked, looking at Cordelia with amusement and interest as she heard the girl talking so seriously.
"Great. Even the vampires are talking about my short skirts," Buffy grumbled, looking at Willow who was now smirking as the attention was turned away from her and her enjoyment of comfort clothes to dwell on the ever shortening skirts of Buffy. "Do I look slutty, Will?"
"Um, well, Buffy, slutty might be a strong word but yeah, it's a little too much Pretty Woman before the shopping spree," Willow admitted with a smile.
"Oh God," Buffy cringed, "why didn't you tell me?"
Willow shrugged, "I thought that was the look you were aiming for. And it's not always. Most the time you look sexy and confident. There are just a few skirts and shirts you wear that look hookerish."
"From now on, tell me!" Buffy said, making a face. She looked at Cordelia and said, "We are *so* going shopping later. I want you to show me what you're talking about with the skirt thing because I never realized they were too short."
"Of course I'll help," Cordelia beamed, looking at Willow as she asked, "Will you take me upstairs to your closet? I'd like to see if I can find something for Drusilla to change into and I though we could have a little chat while I look."
"Sure, follow me," Willow said as she stood up, knowing exactly what that chat would consist of. Explanations as to what Drusilla was doing in her living room and other various questions about Buffy's acceptance of the vampire and who knew what else. She looked at Dru and smiled, "I'll be back in a few minutes. Play nice with Buffy."
"Yes, Mum," Drusilla giggled, sharing a smile with Buffy as Cordelia followed Willow out of the room. She took off the funny hat and asked, "Will you brush my hair, Buffy-pet?"
Buffy smiled, knowing that it would take a little time for Willow and Cordelia since she was pretty sure the cheerleader would have a lot of questions to ask the redhead. She nodded at Dru, moving to sit on the sofa and pick up the brush as she motioned to the area in front of her, "Of course," taking the hat from Dru and putting it on her head over the various loops and designs that Dru had fixed. She began to tell Drusilla stories about various demons she and her friends had faced and defeated as she brushed the vampire's hair.
~Part: 26~
Cordelia waited until they entered Willow's room before facing the redhead and demanding, "What the heck is happening?"
"I thought we were trying to find something for Dru to wear," Willow said with a smile. She knew what Cordelia meant but deliberately misunderstood her as she moved to the closet.
"Willow," Cordelia heard herself whine and cringed slightly. She glared at the redhead as she moved to sit on the girl's bed, "Why is Drusilla downstairs? And what's up with Buffy being nice to her instead of slaying? And what is all this kitten business? And…"
"Okay, breathe," Willow laughed softly as she decided to stop teasing Cordelia and give the cheerleader some real answers. She sat down in her desk chair and shrugged, "I don't really know what's happening, Delia."
"You've never called me that before," Cordelia observed with a small smile, "You said it downstairs, too. I kind of like it."
"I think it suits you better than Cordy. Cordy is a selfish cheerleader that is only concerned about the next big party. Delia is a caring cheerleader that is concerned about so much more than popularity and parties," Willow said softly, a slight smile on her face as she watched Cordelia's smile grow.
"Really? You think I'm more than a brainless bimbo in a cheerleading costume?" Cordelia asked, her question sincere.
"Yeah, I do," Willow admitted. "You've changed the last year, Cordelia, and I personally think it's for the better. I know we've been enemies since forever, but I'd like to think we're friends now."
"We are friends," Cordelia said softly, "you and Buffy are my only real friends. Well, besides Xander, but he's a boyfriend so he doesn't really count. Thanks for telling me you think I've matured and that you consider me a friend. You don't know how nervous I've been since I started dating Xander."
"Actually, that's why I thought I should break down and finally tell you," Willow smiled, "I realized that you were trying and that you had changed and that I really needed to just forget the past and move on. You're part of our group now, Delia. You're good for Xan, and you make him happy. That's what is most important. I'm sorry if Buffy and I have taken a while to warm up to you."
"It's okay," Cordelia said, "I can understand. It's not like I was the nicest person in the world to either of you and you don't know how happy I am that you two have let me in, have let me become part of the group. It means a lot."
"I know," Willow said softly, having no doubts now that she had made the right decision by calling Cordelia and including her in their day. She'd just seen a side of Cordelia that she didn't think a lot of people saw. Vulnerable and nervous and lacking the usual confidence that surrounded the May queen. She liked the Cordelia that she had gotten to know over the last few months, and honestly did consider the brunette a friend now.
"So, what about Drusilla? I mean, I'm still shocked at finding her in your living room. What happened?" Cordelia relaxed and leaned back on Willow's bed, her brown eyes on the redhead as she waited for an explanation.
"I don't know," Willow laughed, running a hand through her hair. "I'm not kidding. It just happened and I still can't understand how. Last night, I was walking home from the library and took a different path. I found Dru by the water and she was injured. Poisoned by some demon that she'd killed, losing a lot of blood, and a bit delirious. She was talking about the stars and how I was supposed to take care of her and that there was no one else to help her and she just seemed so alone that I couldn't leave her."
"What about Angelus and Spike?" Cordelia asked, not at all surprised that Willow would feel sympathy for the hurt vampire. Willow's compassion and large heart were two of her many great qualities.
"They're not here," Willow frowned, "from what I can understand from Dru's ramblings, they go away together to get a break from everything and leave her with the minions. She doesn't like the minions and they don't like her, so she has it kind of rough. She's alone with no one to talk to, and, even when they're around, I get the feeling that they don't really understand her, you know? She's a bit crazy, but she's not at all like I would have expected. Anyway, Spike and Angelus are gone to visit angels, whatever that means, and aren't coming back until the end of the weekend. At least, I think that's what she was saying."
"Angelus and Spike go off together? Without Dru? I thought she was involved with them. So, it's them without her," Cordelia's eyes widened slightly as she sighed, "Wow…that's kind of yummy….kinky, but they're both hotties and….wow…"
"Ahem, yeah, well," Willow looked away before Cordelia could see her flushed face for fear that the cheerleader would somehow know she often thought of that yummy image and found it arousing. She pushed the forbidden thoughts to the back of her head mind as she continued, "so, anyway, Dru was alone and hurt so I decided to bring her home to take care of her."
"She looks healthy now," Cordelia said, a slight smile crossing her lips as she looked at Willow and noticed the blush that was covering the redhead's cheeks. Well, well, well…it looked like she wasn't the only one that found the idea of Spike and Angelus together a pretty yummy thought.
"I got her some blood and she slept for hours," Willow looked back at Cordelia when she was sure that her momentary wave of lust had passed, "when I woke up this morning, she was all better. The poison worked itself through her system as she was sleeping and the blood healed her all up. In fact, by the time I woke up, she'd already been in my closet and looking around my room. She's definitely a curious creature."
~Part: 27~
"I can't believe she's never been to a mall," Cordelia shook her head. "I mean, she's over a hundred years old. She was alive, well, undead, when the first mall ever opened."
"There are a lot of modern things that she's totally unfamiliar with," Willow mentioned, "I guess she spent a lot of time in areas that didn't have malls and chocolate snack food. From what I read in the watcher's journals, she spent a lot of time traveling during the early part of the century and a lot of time hiding in the latter part. Her life changed after Angelus received the soul. It was just her and Spike. He protected her and kept her safe for decades. I doubt she spent a lot of time with humans at all unless they were dinner."
"Okay, so she was isolated and never got to experience most the things we take for granted," Cordelia said, watching as Willow smiled at her, "See, I can pay attention!"
"I'm proud of you," Willow laughed, "You and Buffy have both surprised me today. I mean, Buffy has been great. I wasn't so sure this morning but she's taken to Dru in a way I never would have expected. Heck, she let Dru fix her hair and didn't once whine about how silly it looked."
"Buffy not whining is definitely a minor miracle," Cordelia said dryly, before smiling, "You're her best friend, Will. If you asked her to try to walk on water or to run over hot coals, she'd do it without hesitation because you asked. I figure accepting Dru is a lot easier than the hot coals thing."
"I'd do the same for her, for any of you guys," Willow smiled, "whatever her reasons, she kept an open mind and I think she actually likes Dru now. And Dru? Well, she's loving it all. She's been giggling and laughing and just seems really happy. I hate to say it, but I think it's something new for her, to be carefree and happy and acting silly. She really likes having friends and seems so scared that she's going to upset us and we'll leave her or forget her."
"Poor thing," Cordelia sighed, "I guess vampires aren't known for being carefree and silly, huh?"
"Can you see Angelus letting Dru fix his hair?" Willow asked with amusement in her eyes.
"Hell, no," Cordelia laughed, imagining Angelus with his hair put up with colored rubber bands and laughing even more.
"Come on, we need to get something for Dru to wear and get back downstairs before they send out a search party," Willow laughed.
Cordelia stood, wiping tears from her face as she stopped laughing and opened the closet door. Her face became serious as she studied the contents. She glanced at Willow and arched a brow, "You so need new clothes, Willow."
"Just pick out something," Willow rolled her eyes before spinning in her chair, wondering how long it could possibly take for Cordelia to pick out something for Dru to wear that would be a bit more appropriate than a sweater over her nightgown. Ten minutes later, she was staring at Cordelia impatiently, "What is taking so long?"
"Hey, don't rush a master," Cordelia said sharply, frowning as she studied each piece of clothing and imagined it on Drusilla. She glanced at Willow and smiled sheepishly, "Sorry, I just want to find something perfect for her to wear since it will be her first trip to the mall and her first time hanging out with the girls. You know?"
"It's okay," Willow said, "have you found anything promising yet?"
"Yes," Cordelia nodded, "you have a pretty dark blue shirt that still has the tags on it that would look great with her hair and complexion."
"Oh, yeah, I remember that shirt. Buffy made me buy it last year, but I didn't like it. It was too tight," Willow said, making a motion over her chest, "it molded and pushed things that I didn't want molded and pushed."
"That's because it's not two sizes too big for you," Cordelia muttered, before adding, "I was thinking of pairing it with this long skirt you've got. The material is so pretty and the blue matches the background behind the flowers perfectly."
"The skirt is too long on me so I don't wear it that often, but I love the material," Willow said as she saw what Cordelia was talking about. "It hits the floor when I wear it, but on Dru it would be perfect. She's about an inch or so taller than I am."
"That's what I was thinking," Cordelia smiled, "every time we've seen her, she's always wearing these old fashioned empire waist dresses that are very long. I thought the length would be comfortable for her."
"That's very considerate," Willow smiled, having to say, "and I've never really noticed what she was wearing before because she was usually on the opposite side that was trying to kill us."
"What can I say? Even when faced with death, I pay attention to fashion," Cordelia said loftily, having to laugh as Willow rolled her eyes. "So, you think this is a good choice?"
"I don't think she'll mind that the shirt fits tight," Willow said as she remembered the previous evening when Drusilla was ready to sleep naked. "And the skirt is very pretty. I think she'll love it."
"Great," Cordelia beamed, "shall we go back downstairs then and see what the slayer and the vampire have been up to while we were gone?"
"Sounds like a plan," Willow said as she followed Cordelia out of her room and back down the stairs.
~Part: 28~
"You have such pretty hair," Buffy said as she ran the brush through Dru's hair. "It's so thick and soft."
"Really?" Dru turned to look at the slayer and smiled shyly, "Your hair is pretty, too, Buffy."
"Thanks," Buffy smiled as she went back to brushing, "I'm not so sure about the color, though. I wanted something sort of honey blonde but I think it went a bit too light. Maybe I should just quit with the coloring and let it go back to normal. My regular color is just a bit darker than a honey blonde, anyway."
"I like the color," Drusilla said thoughtfully, "my William likes to change his color, too. I remember when I first saw him. He was so pretty, my sweet boy. His hair was the prettiest shade of brown and curled ever so slightly around his lovely face and fell just above his shoulders. As soon as I saw him, I knew that he was special. So pretty and so innocent. I looked into his eyes and I knew that I wanted him with me always."
"Really?" Buffy finally managed to say, having trouble believing that Spike had ever been pretty or innocent. Okay, so he was gorgeous and attractive in a way, but he was also sarcastic and annoying as hell and one of the strongest vampires she'd ever faced.
"Daddy was not at all pleased with my choice, at first," Drusilla sighed softly as she remembered, "My William was different and Daddy did not like that at all. William loved me, he was my sweet boy. Daddy decided that I could not properly teach my boy, though, and he became William's sire. He taught him how to survive, how to hunt, things that I could not."
"Wait a minute," Buffy was listening and trying to understand what Dru was saying, "What do you mean Angelus became Spike's sire? I thought you were a sire if you turned a vampire. You're Spike's sire, aren't you? Spike is William, right?"
"I am William's Mummy, but my Daddy took over his teaching because I was not able to show my boy how to survive," Drusilla looked at Buffy and smiled softly, "You look confused, pretty pet. Spike is the name that my William earned during his training with Daddy. I do not mind the name, but he is still my sweet William. I know that you do not understand our ways, as I do not understand many of your own. I love my William and my Angelus, and they love me. You seem surprised that I speak of love. Do you not think that we can have affection for one another? Just because we are lacking a soul does not mean that we do not love."
"It's just," Buffy frowned, wondering how to explain, "you're vampires. You kill people and torture and do horrible things. I thought you had to have a soul to love."
"A soul means nothing, slayer," Drusilla explained softly, "we have demons and we do kill for survival or for fun, but that does not mean that we can not love. It is rarely spoken of, even amongst my sire and childe, but it is there. It is easier to believe that we are monsters that are not capable of caring about anything except blood and sex, is it not?"
"Yes," Buffy admitted softly, "I've killed hundreds of vampires, Dru. I've looked into their eyes and never seen any type of humanity, never seen this caring that you're talking about."
"Minions and newly risen," Drusilla scoffed, "they do not understand their gift. They are not the ones of whom I speak. You are looking into my eyes now, Buffy. What do you see?"
"Affection," Buffy whispered, "I looked into Angelus' eyes and saw hatred, for me and for what I made him feel. When Angel would talk about you and Spike, I saw the love but figured it was the soul. He hates me, wants me to suffer, wants my friends to suffer because we cared about him, made him care about us."
"He did care," Drusilla acknowledged, "that is why he wanted to destroy you. Now, he is content to be master and rule this town."
"He doesn't want me dead anymore?" Buffy asked.
"Not specifically," Drusilla smiled, "as long as you do not interfere or seek him out, you and your friends are safe."
"That's nice to hear," Buffy sighed, wondering if she could believe Drusilla, knowing that she did. The vampire was so damn confusing. She would sit and talk about stars and just seem slightly crazy and then she could be so alert and intelligent and sane. They'd just had an entire conversation about serious subjects with no mutterings at all.
"I hear Willow laughing," Drusilla suddenly smiled as her eyes looked towards the stairs before looking back at Buffy, "I like the color you have chosen, slayer. It looks like sunshine."
"What?" Buffy was trying to bounce from the topic of Angelus and Spike and whether or not vampires could love even without a soul to Willow laughing and now it was back to hair color. She saw the look in Dru's eyes and realized that moment of serious discussion had passed for now and that she was probably lucky she'd been told so much by the vampire. Drusilla had given her a lot to think about, and Buffy knew that she'd be having a long conversation with Willow when they were alone and could discuss everything that Drusilla had talked about. She'd think about it later. She smiled at Dru and said, "Sunshine, huh? And that's good?"
"I like the light," Drusilla nodded before turning away from Buffy so that the slayer could continue with the brushing that had been forgotten during their discussion.
"Maybe I should bleach it like Spike. Shocking white," Buffy laughed as Drusilla giggled. "What do you think?"
"Buffy, you're silly," Drusilla giggled, imagining Buffy with hair as white blond as her William. She smiled, "William looks very handsome with that color. It brings out the lovely color of his eyes and compliments the angles of his face. It would not be that attractive for you, pretty pet."
"Okay, so no bleaching in my future then," Buffy smiled as she continued brushing, wondering what was keeping Willow and Cordelia. She began telling Drusilla a story about the first time she'd tried to dye her hair, and the mistake she'd made with the coloring.
~Part: 29~
"What are you two giggling about?" Willow asked with a pleased smile as she walked down the last of the stairs and entered the living room. Her green eyes were sparkling with amusement as she discovered Buffy and Dru laughing.
"I was telling Dru about the time I dyed my hair when I was twelve and it turned green," Buffy sighed dramatically, "and she finds it funny instead of realizing just how awful it was."
"Silly slayer," Dru smiled at Willow and confided, "she was laughing when she was telling me the story, kitten."
"I laughed when I heard it, too," Willow told Drusilla.
"So, did you find something nice for Dru to wear?" Buffy asked as Cordelia moved into the room and sat down in the chair that she had occupied earlier.
"Yep," Cordelia said with a smile as she said, "so your hair was green? Do you happen to have any photographic memories of that event? I'd love to see them."
"Mom took a couple of pictures to remind me why I shouldn't try to color my own hair, but I found them when we moved to Sunnydale. Funny thing, they just disappeared sometime when we were unpacking," Buffy smiled innocently.
"Joyce still has one in the photo book she keeps in her room," Willow whispered loudly to Cordelia, a wicked smile crossing her face as Buffy turned and looked at her in horror.
"You're kidding, right? I thought I got them all!" Buffy whined.
"It didn't look that bad," Willow said with an affectionate smile, "it wasn't really green. Just sort of greenish yellow. But, yeah, Joyce still has one. She probably figured you'd try to destroy the others so she put it where you couldn't find it."
"It was horrible," Buffy groaned though she gave the redhead a smile, "but thanks for lying and trying to make me feel better. And, no, Cordy, you can't see it!"
"Oh, yeah, sure Buffy," Cordelia smiled as she made a mental note to be extra sweet to Joyce the next time she visited so that she could get a look at Buffy with bad hair.
"Why did I bring that up?" Buffy asked the ceiling as she saw the smirk on Cordelia's face, knowing all too well that the cheerleader would not give up until she'd seen the evidence of her past humiliation.
"To make me smile," Drusilla said softly as she shared a smile with Willow. She had to admit that she had been nervous when her kitten had left her alone with the slayer to go upstairs. She was not scared of Buffy, and she did not believe that Buffy was scared of her, but it had worried her when they had been left alone. She had had no need to be concerned. Buffy spoke to her as if she was a friend, did not look at her as if she was the enemy, treated her as if she belonged. Drusilla had spent her years with Daddy and William and occasionally Darla, everyone else passing through her life while failing to make a lasting impression. She did not have friends, her dollies filling that void in her life.
She was unaccustomed to being surrounded by such affection and laughter and teasing, such light and happiness. She was loved and protected by her sire and her childe, they took care of her and treated her like a princess, would never let anyone harm her, but she was often lost in the darkness, listening to her dollies and the stars, lonely in the shadows.
Since meeting Willow, she was no longer alone. There was light in her life, laughter and smiles and teasing and friends. She had friends. People that cared about her, that did not look at her with fear in their eyes, that did not believe her to be insane, that wanted to make her comfortable and happy. And she was happy. She adored Willow, the redhead becoming the first real friend that Drusilla had ever had. Her pretty angel had not only taken care of her, as the stars had promised, but she had done far more than just give Drusilla enough blood to heal.
Willow had become her friend, had treated her like a person instead of a crazy monster, had brought warmth and happiness into her life. Willow had also introduced her to Buffy, her best friend that just happened to be the slayer. She had never really seen the slayer as a person, seeing her as an enemy that had tried to hurt her family. She had never given it much thought, that a slayer was human and far more than just a killer of demons and things evil. Willow had opened her eyes, had made her look at things differently. Drusilla had to honestly admit that, somewhere between chocolate doughnuts and stories of green hair, Buffy had become the second real friend that she had ever had. And now there was Cordelia, someone she had just met but a friendly girl that she thought she might like. A soft smile crossed the vampire's face as she listened to Buffy change the subject from hair to clothes, succeeding when Cordelia began to talk about the lack of attractive clothing she had found in Willow's closet as the redhead groaned. Willow moved to sit on the sofa beside Buffy, winking at Dru before she continued to argue with both Buffy and Cordelia about the contents of her closet. Drusilla listened to the girls, her smile growing as she moved to rest her head on Willow's leg. For the first time in a very long time, Drusilla felt like she finally belonged.
~Part: 30~
"My clothes are *not* that bad!" Willow defended with a laugh, rolling her eyes as Cordelia and Buffy disagreed with her. Personally, she didn't care what they thought about how she dressed, but it was amusing to see them work together in trying to persuade her that she should try something new. She liked how she dressed. She was comfortable and happy and that was all she really cared about. She didn't let their words bother her because she knew they were acting with her own best interests at heart. Well, their views of what her interests should be, that is. They seemed to think she would feel more confident if she wore tight shirts like Cordelia and short skirts like Buffy, if she showed off her rather nice bosom and flat tummy and long legs. What they didn't seem to understand was that she didn't feel comfortable dressing like they did. Sure, she knew that she could wear clothes like them and get masculine appreciation. Heck, the night before she'd had ogles from several men, well, they were demons and stuff but they had still ogled. All that had taken was jeans that fit and a tight shirt. They were right in that argument.
And the ogles had made her feel kind of nice, if she was honest. It had been pretty neat to know that guys in the bar thought she looked hot. She had felt more confident, but she'd also just been wearing jeans and a shirt. There had been no skirt slit up the side or a shirt that had been so low cut she'd be scared her breasts would fall out. If she'd been wearing something like that, she'd have been so nervous that something would rip or fall out that shouldn't that she would never have managed to get the blood and make the entire experience happen so smoothly. A speculative gleam entered her eyes as she interrupted and said, "What about a compromise?"
"A compromise?" Cordelia glanced at Buffy and arched a brow before looking back at Willow.
"What is this compromise of which you speak?" Buffy asked with a slight smile.
"We blend your tastes with mine," Willow smiled. "No super short skirts, no breast baring shirts, but maybe some clothes that aren't two sizes too big."
"I'd be content if you bought at least *one* outfit in the right size," Cordelia muttered. "I'm not saying you need to go buy an entirely new wardrobe, though I don't think it would be a great loss if you trashed nearly everything in your closet. I'm just saying that you have a great body and it seems such a shame that you constantly hide it behind baggy clothes."
"You're a hottie, Will," Buffy smiled at her best friend, "all you'd really need would be a couple of nice shirts, maybe some pants that don't look like they'd fit Xander, and no jumpers or overalls. Oh, and a couple of skirts to show of those gorgeous legs of yours. I don't think you should dress like I do, because we have different styles and it would appear that even the vampire world thinks my skirts are too short, and I just want you to be comfortable and happy."
"I love you guys," Willow smiled at her friends, glad to see that they were taking her own individual preferences into consideration. She didn't mind buying a couple of things that fit better if she felt as strong and confident and, well, sexy as she had the previous night when just wearing jeans and a shirt. She just didn't want to feel like she was playing dress-up or to get talked into buying things that she'd never wear because they were not her style.
"I'll find you some clothes that you like, Willow," Cordelia promised, knowing that it would easy to find some casual yet sexy clothes that the redhead would enjoy that would also make her look stunning without looking slutty or without making her uncomfortable. Personally, she thought Willow had looked great on Halloween in the mid-drift bearing shirt and tight leather skirt but she could see where that had been a bit more Buffy's style than Willow's. She smiled as she began to think of the stores they could visit, her mind already putting together various ensembles that were sexy and completely Willow-like.
"Uh oh," Buffy smiled, "she's gone into a clothes induced trance, I think."
"I can still hear you, slayer," Cordelia smiled sweetly at Buffy as she stuck her tongue out at the girl. "It was not a trance. I'm just overly excited at the idea of going to the mall and getting some new clothes for Willow and looking for some things for Drusilla and trying to de-sluttify your wardrobe a bit and seeing what's on sale that I might like."
"De-sluttify?" Willow repeated with a giggle. "Great word, Delia."
"I try," Cordelia said with a modest smile, though her brown eyes were sparkling with amusement. She glanced at the clock and saw that it was after one, asking, "Well, are we planning on going to the mall today or what? It should be pretty quiet at this time of the afternoon. No crowds and lots of time to just shop."