TITLE: I Wanna Be With You

AUTHOR: Kelly Rowe

RATING: PG

DISCLAIMER: Buffy, Angel and all other characters (except those I make up) are the absolute property of Joss Whedon, Fox, Mutant Enemy and Warner Bros (If I owned them, the events of Buffy season 4 or most of season 3 wouldn't have occurred).

SPOILERS: General (if any)

TIMELINE: AU season 4 (BTVS).

NOTES: The song is "I Wanna be with You" by Mandy Moore.

Buffy Summers raced across campus from her dorm room to her psyche class, she knew she was gonna be late and tried to increase her pace. She arrived only a couple of minutes into the class, but was trying to catch her breath as she entered the room.

"Well..." Professor Walsh said, "Miss Summers... what time is it in the world that *you* live in".

Hearing the sarcasm and the general nit picking at Buffy's arrival time, Buffy apologised and quickly took her seat next to her best friend Willow.

Professor Walsh stood at the front of the class and said, "This next assignment is to be done in groups of two. So quickly get into your groups and give me your names at the end of the session".

Buffy quickly looked at her friends but they'd already paired up, leaving Buffy alone again.

A few minutes later Professor Walsh asked, "Is there anyone without a partner?"

Buffy raised her hand self-conscientiously.

"Yes, Miss Summers?" Professor Walsh said.

"I don't have a partner," Buffy told her.

Professor Walsh was about to tell Buffy to work alone, when another student rushed in late. "Mr. McKellen take your seat immediately. While you were so obviously still catching up on your beauty sleep, we picked partners for the next assignment. So since there is only one other person left, you'll be working with Miss Summers".

Angel quickly surveyed the room trying to see whom this Summers-woman was, when he saw a petite blonde holding her head in her hands, shaking with humiliation he knew he'd found his partner. When class was over he walked over to her and introduced himself, "Hi I'm Angel McKellen, your supposed partner in the next scholastic folly".

"Hey, I'm Buffy Summers," she replied.

"So... I guess we need to get together and discuss this thing and make a start?" Angel said. He was nervous, he didn't like talking to strange people, he liked being alone and brooding when his friends would let him.

"Yeah. How about tomorrow?" Buffy suggested.

"Sure. Three o'clock at the library?" Angel said.

"I'll be there" Buffy replied as she walked away to catch up with her friends. She didn't know why but she had the feeling he was watching her and it didn't bother her in the slightest.

The next afternoon went smoothly (well as smoothly as two strangers working together can go) and they'd been working for about four hours, when Angel checked his watch and was shocked at the amount of time that had gone by. "Sorry Buffy, I've gotta go. I have a date," Angel told her.

"No problem. Meet again tomorrow?" she asked.

"Sure, same time," Angel said as he gathered up his stuff. "Bye".

"Bye. Have fun on your date," Buffy told him as he left.

After he'd gone, Buffy slowly made her way back to the dorm room that she shared with Willow and found it empty but also a note on the message board inviting her to come to the Bronze and hear The Dingoes play. Since she had nothing better to do she got dressed up and headed to the Bronze, when she got there it took her maybe 30 seconds to spot her friends and to take a seat.

"Hi," she said.

"Hey Buffster!" Xander replied, as the others mumbled a greeting and turned their attention back to the band, so Buffy did the same.

A couple of tables away Angel was sitting with his date, Kate and his friends. "So... Kate, what's the police force like?" he asked. He didn't really want to know but he was extremely uncomfortable with the silence.

"Fine," Kate replied staring at him.

Angel knew he had to escape, she'd been driving him slowly insane since he'd picked her up by giving him one word answers to every question and staring at him. He wished that his friends would stop setting him up on dates, all he wanted was to be left alone. He looked at the group he was with and knew the chances of escape were slim to none, so he settled for the temporary escape that came with going to the snack bar.

Buffy was having a good time just hangin' with her friends, when Willow suddenly said, "Oh, look there's Riley".

Buffy couldn't believe it, Willow was still trying to fix her up with Riley, even after she'd made it clear she wasn't interested. So Buffy excused herself from the table when he sat down and headed to the snack bar to get away from them. When she got there she spotted Angel, "Hey. How's your date going?" she asked him.

"Does the phrase 'I wish the ground would open up and swallow me' mean anything to you," Angel replied.

"Guess it's not going so well then?" Buffy replied trying not to smile.

"No, it's not," Angel confirmed.

"Well... at least your friends aren't meddling in your love life, mine seem to think it's their mission," Buffy told him. "Since they all have a significant other... they think I should too."

"You're kidding right? My friends tonight arranged my date and she's the cousin of one of them too. They're always fixing me up, it's driving me nuts," Angel replied.

"Yeah, I totally agree with the nuts statement. In fact my best friend Willow, thinks that Riley is perfect for me, unfortunately I can't stand him," Buffy said.

Angel got a disgusted look on his face and said, "Riley Finn? The fishboy".

"I know. That's why I'm over here I'm playing avoidance girl," Buffy answered.

Angel looked back over at his friend's table and saw that they were staring at him and Buffy. "I'd better get back. See you tomorrow," Angel, said walking away.

"Bye," Buffy told him as she lined up to get her drink.

The next afternoon, Buffy and Angel were back at the library working on their assignment, when Buffy suddenly had an idea. "Angel?"

"Yeah," Angel answered distractedly.

"You know what we were talking about last night?" she pressed.

"Yeah," he repeated.

"I have an idea about how to stop our friends from continually trying to fix us up, especially with people we don't like," Buffy told him.

Angel was curious about her idea, so he asked "What?"

"We tell them... that we're dating," Buffy said quickly.

"Buffy, are you on some sort of medication that you've forgotten to take? That's the sickest idea I've heard in a while," Angel replied.

"It'll stop them from bugging us and if either of us meet someone, we simply say we're taking a break. And really what's the harm, it'll make them happy and it'll give us some peace and quiet," Buffy explained.

"I don't know..." Angel began.

"Come on, if it doesn't work we can tell them it's a joke," Buffy replied.

Angel thought about it for a minute, he really did want his friends off his back... he finally made up his mind. "Alright, we'll try it," Angel said still with a few doubts.

"You'll see it'll totally work," Buffy said as they both got back to work.

When Angel arrived back at the dorm room that he shared with his best friend Wesley, he found all of his friends there waiting for him. "Hi guys..." he said wondering what they wanted.

It didn't take long for him to find out, almost instantly Dru asked, "What did you think of Kate?" She was curious since Kate was her cousin and Kate had said that she'd really liked Angel.

{Here goes nothing} he thought to himself. Out loud he said, "Kate... is a really... interesting person... but it wouldn't work out between us."

"Why not?" Dru whined while Spike comforted her.

"Well... you see I'm kind of already seeing someone," Angel replied praying that his plan of Buffy's would work.

"Since when, man?" Spike asked wondering if Angel had finally gone insane and was now imagining women.

"Never mind that. Who is she?" Cordy, Wesley's girlfriend asked, curious about the girl.

"I want to know why you didn't tell me about her?" Wesley said hurt. "I thought I was your best friend".

"Calm down," Angel told them. Then he answered the questions, "Spike, she and I just started dating. Cordy, her name is Buffy and Wes, I didn't say anything because we wanted some time alone before we told everyone we're a couple".

"So when do we meet this girl?" Dru asked still upset that Angel didn't like Kate.

"Soon..." Angel said vaguely. Angel suddenly realised that if he didn't distract them, they'd pump him for information on Buffy all night. He quickly suggested that they all go hang out at the Bronze, when they all agreed he felt relieved, like he'd escaped a horrible fate.

Buffy arrived late to meet her friends at Giles' apartment; it was time for their monthly get together. They met once a month (at least) because during high school they'd all grown close to Giles, who'd been the only adult to really believe in them and they didn't want to lose touch with him now they were all in college.

"Hi everyone," Buffy called out as she headed into the apartment.

"Hello Buffy," Giles greeted her warmly. Of all of the kids she was his favourite, the one he knew was destined to do great things with her life. Buffy gave Giles a quick hug and took a seat next to Xander and it was then that she noticed that they were staring at her.

"So... what's up?" she asked in confusion.

"Nothing much," Willow answered. "Did you happen to see Riley today?"

"No. Why would I? There was no psych class today, "Buffy said. Then asked in panic, "Was there?"

"No," Anya replied. "Willow just arranged for him to ask you out".

"Wils!" Buffy said angrily. "How could you? I have repeatedly told you I'm not interested in him".

"I only want you to be happy Buffy, not moping around because you don't have anyone," Willow answered her close to tears.

"I know you mean well Wils, but I am perfectly capable of finding my own special someone," Buffy told her.

"Ha-ha," was Anya's response to that.

{All right, just to annoy Anya I'm going to tell them about Angel} Buffy thought. "In fact I kinda already have," Buffy hinted.

"Who?" Oz asked shocking everyone since he was usually so quiet.

"Well... ummm... Angel and I are kinda dating," Buffy whispered trying to seem as though she was revealing a major secret.

Anya's mouth dropped open and she said, "Wow, you landed a total hottie." That comment gained her an evil look from Xander, which caused her to say, "Xander you're hot, but he's hotter."

"And why haven't we heard about this guy that is apparently so hot he outshines *me*," Xander said totally offended.

"Well... maybe I wanted to have a normal relationship for a while before he met you and went running for the hills," Buffy replied sarcastically.

Anya on the other hand began drooling and asked when she would get a personal introduction to Angel, much to Xander's obvious discomfort.

"Anya, we already have kinda met him... I think... Isn't he in our psych class?" Willow said barely pausing to take a breath.

"I promise to introduce you all soon," Buffy said unaware that soon was closing in.

They changed the topic away from Buffy's love life and entertained Giles with stories of the hardships of college life for a couple of hours, before they all (except Giles) headed to the Bronze.

Angel and his friends had been at the Bronze for the last few hours and Angel was bored out of his mind. He was sitting alone at his table while his friends were out on the dance floor, he was going to give up and go home when he saw Buffy. She was sitting at a table with some other people around their age; he guessed they were her friends. He was about to go over there when his friends returned.

"Hey Angel, What's wrong?" Spike asked.

"Buffy's over there, isn't she?" Dru asked in a determined voice.

"Nothing's wrong and yes she is," Angel replied.

"Well then let's meet her," Wesley suggested curious about the girl who'd stolen his best friend's heart.

Angel looked around but realised he was trapped. "Sure, let's go meet Buffy," he said with a false cheerfulness. The group of them headed towards where Buffy and the gang were sitting unobserved, when they arrived, Angel cleared his throat. "Hey Buffy," he said.

Buffy looked up from her conversation with Willow and saw Angel. "Hey," she said back as she gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

Angel looked kind of embarrassed by the kiss, but Buffy ignored it. Angel pointed to the group behind him and said, "These are my friends". He pointed to a blonde guy who was kind of scowling, "That's Spike," he moved on to a brunette who looked like she was in a daze, "That's Dru. She's Spike's girlfriend", and then he pointed to a tall guy wearing glasses, "And this is my best friend Wesley."

He was about to introduce Cordy when he heard Buffy say, "Cordy?"

"Hi," Cordy answered obviously embarrassed.

"You know each other?" Angel asked.

"Yeah," Buffy replied.

She was about to say how when Cordy jumped in. "We went to the same high school," Cordy said.

"Great. So what was my Cordelia like in high school?" Wesley asked taking a seat.

"You don't want to know," Willow said. "By the way I'm Willow, Buffy's best friend."

"Oh, right..." Buffy said coming out of her staring at Angel session. "That's Willow as she's already said," Buffy told them pointing at the redhead that had just spoken. "And this is Oz, Willow's boyfriend and guitarist of Dingoes Ate My Baby," she pointed to a guy with purple hair sitting close to Willow. "That's Anya," she pointed to a girl who was looking at Angel as though he was a piece of meat, "And that's Xander, Anya's boy toy," Buffy pointed to a goofy looking guy.

"Hi," Angel said to them all feeling uncomfortable from Anya's intense stare.

"Hey," was the general reply from the table.

Then Xander said, "How's it going Cordy? See you're tastes are changing".

"Blow it out your ear," Cordy replied shooting daggers at Xander.

They all stood there uncomfortable for a few minutes before Angel said, "We should get back to our table." He leaned in close to Buffy and whispered "See you tomorrow." It was totally innocent conversation but to the others it looked as though he was telling her an intimate secret.

When they got back to the table, everyone was bursting with an opinion. Wesley said, "I like her. She'll be good for you, since she's grounded".

Cordy said, "Are you nuts? Buffy and those freaks she calls friends *were* and still *are* total losers".

"So?" Angel asked wondering what Cordy was getting at.

Cordy looked at him and said, "I give up men just don't understand".

Dru nodded her understanding to Cordy and left three men wondering what that was all about.

Spike told Angel, "She's cute, but Dru's cuter".

And finally Dru chimed in with, "She's no Kate".

{Thank God for that} Angel thought. "Dru, whom I date is my business," Angel told her.

However that didn't shut her or Cordy up and Angel spent the rest of the night listening to them criticise Buffy.

Meanwhile...

"I don't like him," Xander told the group for the twentieth time since they'd left the table.

"Oh, get over it. You have me now, let Cordy date the weird looking one," Anya replied.

"I wasn't talking about Cordy's so-called date. I was talking about that Angel guy," Xander corrected Anya.

"Why don't you like him, he's so hot!" Anya said looking over in Angel's direction.

"He's to good to be true, he's probably a drug dealer," Xander told Buffy.

Buffy looked at Xander as if he'd suddenly grown a second head. "Nah, if he was Wils and I would've seen him at the secret drug dealer parties," Buffy teased.

"Ha-ha," Xander said. "Don't come crying to me after you O. D in some alleyway because you find out his secret plan for world domination." Xander grabbed Anya and they left the Bronze.

Buffy, Willow and Oz stared after them in silence, until Buffy said, "I think he's thought way too much about that".

"Yeah," Willow and Oz said in unison.

Ten minutes later Buffy headed back to the dorm while Willow and Oz partied on. Her last thought as she left the Bronze was {Anya's totally right. Angel is a hottie}.

It wasn't until the afternoon that Buffy and Angel saw each other again and had a chance to discuss the previous night. "So how did your friends like me?" Angel asked curiously.

"You'll be happy to know that everyone, but Xander liked you, and his objection is mainly based on the fact that his girlfriend called you a hottie," Buffy told him. "So your friends..."

"Wesley liked you, says you'll be a good influence on me. Spike doesn't care, said you were kinda cute and Cordy and Dru hate you," Angel replied.

"I don't believe it, she *still* has it in for me?" Buffy said, when she saw the look Angel was giving her she elaborated. "Ever since she and Xander broke up in high school, Cordy has blamed me for it."

"Cordy dated that Xander guy?" Angel asked in disbelief.

"Yep. For most of junior year and part of senior year," Buffy said. "Didn't she tell you?"

"No, she didn't..." Angel replied looking shocked. "Why'd they break up?"

"She kinda caught Willow and Xander making out. Oz forgave Willow, but Cordy couldn't forgive Xander. Hence the hating of us," Buffy told him.

"Wow," Angel said. He was silent for a few seconds then asked, "You are sure that it was Cordy who dated him right? She wasn't like temporarily insane at the time or something?"

"Yes, it was her. I had to put up with her for over a year, I know it was her," Buffy replied still somewhat traumatised over that time.

"Okay, okay. I believe you," Angel told her. "Maybe we should do some work?"

"Yeah," Buffy replied unenthusiastically.

When they finally finished for the day, they left the library together and were about to go their separate ways when Buffy spotted Cordy headed straight for them. Buffy did the only thing her panicked mind could think of, she kissed Angel. Angel was confused by Buffy's actions but understood them when he heard Cordy's voice.

"Hi Angel," Cordy yelled happily at her friend until she noticed his latest appendage, "...and Buffy."

"Cordy," Buffy said in acknowledgment, then she turned to Angel and said, "I'll see you later Honey."

"Later..." Angel answered still in shock over the kiss. He watched Buffy walk away and probably would've stood there like a dope if Cordy hadn't snapped him out of it by hitting him.

"My God, she's gotten to you. You are just so totally doomed," Cordy told him in a disgusted voice.

"So?" Angel asked not really caring if at this moment Buffy turned out to be a serial killer and chopped him into little bitty pieces, all he could think or care about was that kiss.

Buffy was still off balance from that kiss she'd given Angel, the worst thing was she was beginning to like him and that wasn't part of the deal. {Why is it always me who ends up with the complications?} Buffy thought laying on her bed waiting for Willow and Anya to come back to the room with the junk food and movies. She was just about to depress herself even further when they arrived back.

"Let the female bonding begin," Willow shouted upon entering the room.

"I'd rather be at Xander's having sex," Anya replied.

"Then why don't you go and leave us in peace," Willow answered smarmily. It was no secret that she and Anya hated each other and only put up with hanging out because of the strong friendship between Buffy, Willow and Xander.

"Can't, he's at Giles' for dinner with Oz. Male bonding!" Anya said looking bored.

"Maybe you should go over there and have sex with him on the table after dinner," Willow suggested sarcastically.

"Giles told us not to try to do that again," was Anya's reply.

Since Willow had been rendered speechless, Buffy used this opportunity to put on one of the movies they'd gotten. After the movie had been on a few minutes they turned it off.

"Was it just me or was that a bad movie?" Buffy asked. "Who picked it?"

Willow immediately pointed to Anya, who answered by saying, "The guy on the cover was hot."

"Hey Anya, if it's in pants and is male, do you automatically think it's hot?" Willow asked nastily.

Buffy was about to break in, when Anya answered, "No."

"No?" Buffy asked in shock.

"No. For example, Riley is male and definitely not hot. He is *cold*," Anya told them.

"Actually, he's that and fishy," Buffy added.

"Buffy! I expect that type of behaviour from Anya but you?" Willow said shocked.

"What? Anya and I were expressing an opinion on a fellow student," Buffy replied trying to act all innocent like.

"I give up," Willow exclaimed.

"Good," Anya replied. "You know who else is hot?" Anya continued her version of girl-talk.

"Who?" Buffy asked kinda curious.

"Your hottie Angel's friend Spike," Anya replied.

"Agreed," said Willow.

"Willow Rosenberg?" Buffy said mocking a shocked voice.

"Just 'cause I'm with Oz, doesn't mean I can't look," Willow replied. She then changed the subject to another of her least favourite people, Cordy. "So what's up with Cordy? Did you see her boyfriend?"

"Definitely not all that hot, compared to the other guys," Anya replied.

"I think it's great she's moved on," Buffy said. "And Wesley seems like a decent guy."

"Whatever," Willow said. "Where would she even meet a guy?"

"Obviously around here," Anya said.

"Well, duh. It's not like she's been anywhere since she went from the female version of Richie Rich to kin of Kenny from South Park," Willow said nastily.

Buffy stared at them and wondered how two people who disliked each other so much could suddenly rally together to destroy another. They continued like this for another hour or so until Anya left and Willow went to sleep. Buffy laid in bed and thought about how everyone she'd known for years was changing right before her eyes and she seemed to have stopped in high school mode, not knowing if she'd ever catch up or after tonight's display whether she wanted to.

Angel was awoken by the sound of the telephone. "Hello?" he said answering it so it didn't wake up Wes.

"Angel," said a weak voice down the phone.

"Hi Darla. How are you?" Angel asked politely all the time wondering what his ex-girlfriend wanted.

"Good, the doctors released me yesterday and I couldn't wait to call you so you could come see me," Darla said excitedly.

Angel didn't want to go see her, in fact he wanted to move on with his life and forget the nightmare that was high school and Darla, but he couldn't risk her recovery by telling her so. "Soon Darla okay. I'm busy with school at the moment," he found himself telling her.

"Okay, but make it soon. I miss you," she told him.

Angel suddenly found himself feeling guilty not only because he was lying to Darla, but also because in a way he felt like he was cheating on Buffy. {Oh My God} he thought, {I think I'm in love with Buffy}.

"Angel... Angel..." Darla was calling down the phone trying to get his attention.

"Yeah," he answered.

"I gotta go. Bye," she told him.

"Bye," he said distractedly. He hung up the phone and stared at the ceiling, {How could this of happened? It wasn't part of the deal}. The thoughts kept on coming, {But she did kiss me. Did it mean something? Maybe she likes me too? No, she was only doing it to fool Cordy. I think I'm an idiot}.

Wesley looked over at his best friend and saw the look of concentration on his face. "Hey," he said startling Angel, "Don't you have a class?"

Angel looked at the time and realised that he was running late again. "Trust me to forget psych again, Professor Walsh is going to kill me," Angel said as he ran around getting dressed.

"Yep, well next time you won't spend so long on the phone to Darla," Wes told him.

"You heard?" Angel asked in surprise.

"Yes," Wesley answered. He was silent for a moment and then asked, "Have you told Buffy about Darla, yet?"

"No," Angel replied, "It's my problem, not hers".

"Actually it will be Buffy's problem if Darla finds out about her, and decides to do to her what she did to Faith," Wesley said wisely.

"She's not going to find out unless someone here opens their big mouth," Angel snapped back. "Sorry Wes. I'm going to tell her, I promise," he said in his normal voice.

"Good, but you better do it before Cordy or Dru do," Wesley warned him.

"Alright. I'll tell her," Angel replied knowing that he wasn't going to do that.

He left for class and arrived just as Professor Walsh was about to start, he saw there was an empty seat next to Buffy and sat down in it.

"Hey," he said in greeting.

"Hi," Buffy said giving him a smile.

At the front of the room Riley noticed the way Buffy was looking at that Angel-guy that Professor Walsh had teamed her up with. He got mad, how was it that he Riley Finn could lose out to a guy like Angel McKellen? It shouldn't be possible. Buffy and Angel were oblivious to Riley's scrutiny and were busy talking about their assignment, although from the way they were sitting it looked as though they were discussing something personal.

"What's wrong?" Angel asked a minute later.

"Girl's night," was Buffy answer.

"And that depressed you?" Angel asked confused. He put aside his own feelings and concentrated solely on Buffy.

"No, but what happened at it did," she replied.

"Which was?" Angel prompted.

"Willow and Anya sniped at each other and then banded together to destroy Cordy through gossip," Buffy told him. "I've never heard Wils like that, maybe I don't know her at all, or something. It's confusing."

"I know the feeling. Ever since Wes met Cordy, he's like a totally different person," Angel said.

"Not quite the same thing, but it'll do," Buffy told him.

They turned their attention back to Professor Walsh and actually paid attention to the work.

After class Angel was grabbed by Buffy. "What's up?" he asked.

"You want to be accepted by my friends right?" Buffy asked him.

"Yeah," Angel answered confused by this conversation.

"Then you have to meet Giles," Buffy told him as she dragged him off campus.

"Wait a second. Who or what is a Giles?" he asked.

"Giles was the librarian at my old high school. Actually he was more like a father to me than anything else, he encouraged all of us when Principal Snyder insisted we were all doomed to be losers. You want acceptance then you must pass the Giles test," Buffy replied.

"I think I have a bad feeling about this..." Angel whispered as Buffy led him towards Giles'.

When they arrived Angel was shocked to meet a British man in his forties with a pleasant face. "Hello, I'm Giles and you must be Angel," the man said.

"Hello Sir" Angel answered politely. He was scared yet kind of happy, in a way Buffy was introducing him to a parental figure in her life and that might mean he stood a chance.

"Call me Giles," Giles said cheerfully.

"Hello Buffy," he said giving her a quick hug.

"Hi Giles," Buffy said.

They went inside and Giles made them tea. He asked Angel, "What is your major?"

"I haven't decided yet, but I was thinking about History," Angel told him.

Buffy looked at him and said, "History?"

"I like it!" Angel told her.

Giles watched the exchange and knew something wasn't right between these two. They didn't act like a couple; they acted like two people who were getting to know each other and liked each other but shied away. He was going to have to ask Willow what was going on there.

Buffy and Angel stayed for an hour and then left claiming to have classes to go to. Giles told Angel to come back anytime as they left.

"See that wasn't so bad, was it?" she asked as soon as she was sure they were out of earshot.

"No. I like him, he isn't the usual type of adult," Angel said.

They walked back to the campus and went their separate ways, both thinking that they'd accomplished something without the other knowing it. Buffy thought she'd gradually been introducing Angel into her life so that he probably wouldn't leave and Angel thought he was ingratiating himself into Buffy's life so she couldn't get rid of him.

Over the next few weeks, Buffy and Angel spent so much time together that even they began to forget that they weren't really a couple. The lines between their imaginary relationship and their real life one began to blur. Things between the two were rapidly getting out of control, each kiss was lasting longer (neither wishing to break away) and they were spending more and more time alone.

One such occasion of aloneness was when Buffy and Angel went over to take care of Joyce's plants while she was out of town. They went inside and Angel said, "Wow, nice house."

"It's okay, I mean it's a just a place to live," Buffy replied quickly doing her chores so that she could escape to do something fun with Angel. When she'd finished she asked him, "What do you wanna do?"

Wanting to be alone with Buffy, Angel said, "Why don't we watch a movie?"

"Sure," Buffy answered happily.

They put on a movie and settled down on the couch together, however a few minutes later the movie was forgotten as they snuggled up to one another. Angel leaned down and kissed her, and before either of them realised they were getting hot and heavy. Angel's hand was slipping under Buffy's shirt when his cell phone rang.

They broke apart and he answered it curtly, "Hello?"

"Angel," Spike answered, "You have to go to LA, like now".

"Why?" Angel asked confused.

"Darla's back in the hospital, she tried to kill herself again. Someone told her about you and Buffy," Spike explained.

"Alright, I'll swing by the dorm and get you guys," Angel told Spike as he hung up. He turned to Buffy and said "I gotta go".

"Sure, is everything okay?" she asked worried.

"No, but I don't need your help, you've done enough," Angel replied sarcastically. He knew it was irrational, but he couldn't help but think if Buffy hadn't of come up with this insane idea, Darla would be okay.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Buffy asked confused and angrily.

"You and your stupid idea. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't be in this mess," Angel told her, focusing all of his anger and frustration onto her.

"Well then you shouldn't have agreed," Buffy replied angry with him for yelling at her and other things.

"You made me," was his reply.

"You know what, if I'm the cause of all your problems, maybe you should leave," Buffy said.

"Don't worry, I'm going," Angel replied grabbing his jacket and heading out of the door.

Buffy watched him leave and wondered what had just happened. It was because of that phone call, whatever they had said had stared him off and she was the nearest target. Buffy sank back down onto the couch and began to cry; wondering how she could've ever been so stupid as to believe that Angel really liked her.

A few hours later Angel and his friends were sitting in the hospitals waiting room, waiting for news on Darla's condition. Angel was still so upset that he'd started to pace.

"Why would she do this? She seemed so much better," Angel asked.

"Same reason as always," Spike replied. "She's a spoiled selfish brat who doesn't like it when things don't go her way."

"I hate to agree with Spike, but he's actually right this time. She just uses you as an excuse," Wesley told him.

"You're right, I know you are," Angel said sitting down. "I am so stupid."

"Well... anyone could've been taken in by... umm, Darla..." Spike lied totally unconvincingly.

"Not that. I was mad at Darla and I kinda took it out on Buffy. She'll never forgive me or speak to me again," Angel moaned.

"Oh please, like she won't forgive you. Anyone who's not stupid can see she's in love with you," Cordy said from her seat next to Wesley.

"Yeah and maybe this time, after you and she work it out of course. You could probably date for real," Dru chimed in.

Angel looked at his friends in shock. "You guys knew?" he asked.

"What do you think we are, stupid? Of course we knew, for one thing you and Buffy weren't very convincing in the beginning," Spike said.

"Plus the whole springing your relationship on us, it's so not your style," Cordy replied.

"They were fake dating?" Wesley asked Cordy. He was the only one of the four who hadn't figured it out.

The room fell quiet once more as they waited for the news. Angel used this time to plan his way back into Buffy's good graces.

Meanwhile back in Sunnydale...

Buffy had made it back to the dorm and was laying on her bed in the dark, sobbing. She'd been like that for an hour when Willow arrived back.

"Buffy?" Willow asked concerned.

"What?" Buffy replied trying to hide the fact that she'd been crying from Willow.

"What's wrong?" Willow pushed.

"Nothing... I mean, everything," Buffy said. "Wils, I am a total idiot."

"Why?" Willow said. "Because you fell for Angel and wanted a real relationship, instead of the pretend one."

Buffy looked shocked and asked, "Was it really that obvious?"

"Well... uh... no. Giles was the only one who guessed, you had the rest of us completely fooled," Willow told her. "I'm sorry I pushed guys at you, I just wanted you to find that special someone."

"And look what that got me?" Buffy tried to joke.

"Buffy, don't give up on him. Anyone with eyes can see he's in love with you," Willow said.

"I hope you're right Wils, I really do hope you're right," Buffy said before she turned to face away from her.

Willow quickly grabbed some stuff and headed over to Oz's to give Buffy some time to herself to think things through.

When Angel was finally allowed to see Darla, he wasn't sure he should or if he wanted to. Unfortunately he knew he needed to make sure that not only she was okay, but that she'd also stay out of his life from now on. He quietly entered her room and saw the bandages on her wrists and briefly wondered whether she'd actually meant it this time or whether she was throwing a tantrum. He was so absorbed with that thought that he didn't hear her stir.

"Hi," she said to him. "Guess you think I'm pretty dumb?"

"No. Just..." Angel started but decided not to finish.

"Just what? A psycho or a total bitch, take your pick," Darla said bitterly.

Angel shook his head and told her, "It doesn't matter to me anymore Darla. Next time you decide you’re not getting enough attention from anyone and do this, I won't be rushing to your side. I've done that for the last three years and until now it never really bothered me... but this time, your little trick may have cost me the one person who does matter and if it has, I'll never be able to forgive you." With that he strolled out of her room, leaving an open-mouthed Darla behind staring at the door. He stood in the doorway of the waiting room and said, "Time to go".

"So, how did she take it?" Wesley asked.

"Don't know and I don't care," Angel replied.

"Wes, leave the poor guy alone. Peaches here still has to figure out how to make it up to Buffy," Spike said.

They were all silent on the car ride back to Sunnydale, each with their own thoughts and agendas. Angel's thoughts were transparent and all of them knew that he wouldn't rest until he had his Buffy back.

Over the next few days Angel tried everything to get Buffy to talk to him. He sent her flowers, chocolates and he even tried perfume, which Cordy had assured him wouldn't fail. Cordy obviously hadn't taken Buffy's stubbornness into account when she'd said that because each and every one of his gifts was returned unopened. So he tried the direct approach, with that she either ignored him or Willow shot him an evil look and his attempt at passing her a note in psych, just got him in trouble with Professor Walsh and laughed at by the entire class. Angel had only one idea left and it was a long shot since he didn't know if he could arrange everything and also for the fact to pull it off he'd at least need Willow's help. After much begging Willow agreed to help him, but she made it abundantly clear she was doing this for Buffy's benefit and not his, and if it had been up to her she'd have seen him burn in hell for all eternity.

The next afternoon when Buffy got back from her classes, she found Willow sitting on her bed staring at the wall. After staring at her friend for a moment, Buffy asked, "What are you doing?"

"Waiting for the paint to peel," Willow responded. "Your mom called."

"Oh great," Buffy replied sarcastically. "What did her bitcaness want?"

"You're supposed to have dinner with her tonight. I think it was a command, rather than an invite."

"Wow. My social life has been downgraded to dinner with my mom," Buffy said. "Jeez, how'd I ever get so lucky?"

Willow was about to respond, when the phone rang. She answered it and after a weird conversation she left to go meet Oz. Since she had no other plans and didn't feel like spending another night there in the dorm room alone with only her textbooks for company, she decided to go to her mom's.

Buffy arrived at Joyce's an hour later and let herself inside. When she went into the living room she got a surprise... it wasn't Joyce standing in the middle of room but Angel.

"Hi," he said unsure of where to begin with his apology.

"Hi," she said back. By the look she saw on his face he was uncomfortable and she was still mad enough to make him suffer some more.

Angel saw her expression and said, "I suppose you're going to make me pay."

"That was the general idea," Buffy answered without hesitation.

"Fair enough..." he said. "Buffy, I owe you an explanation and an apology for my behaviour that night."

"Yeah, you do," was all she said.

"The phone call I got was from Spike and it was bad news and I was upset..." He looked up to see she was unimpressed. "Truth is... My old girlfriend, Darla... she tried to kill herself again and I was so mad at her for doing that... and so I took it out on you and I shouldn't have. Do you think you can forgive me?"

Buffy knew he was sincere and she really did want to forgive him, but there was still some doubts. "How do I know it won't happen again? I can't... won't live my life that way."

"I told her I wasn't going to be at her beck and call anymore. I also told her that I'd never forgive her if she cost me the most important person in my life," Angel told her, all the while hoping for another chance.

Buffy gathered her courage and stepped towards him. "I can forgive you, but can you forgive me?"

"What for?"

"For this whole stupid plan I came up with..." Buffy started.

Angel cut her off, "If you hadn't of come up with the plan, we might not be here right now."

Buffy noticed that somehow she was standing right in front of Angel. She was so nervous and afraid of her feelings she didn't know what to do. Angel made the decision for her.

"Dance with me?" he asked her.

She nodded and stepped into his arms, after he turned the CD on. Music filled the room as they started to move in time, holding each other close.

//I try but I can't get to seem to get myself to think of anything but you

Your breath on my face, your warm gentle kiss I taste the truth

I taste the truth

We know what I came here for

So I won't ask for more//

//I wanna be with you

If only for a night

To be the one, who's in your arms, who holds you tight

I wanna be with you

There's nothing more to say

There's nothing else I want more than to feel this way

I wanna be with you//

Buffy and Angel stood there in each other's arms swaying to the music. For the moment at least they were the only two people left on this Earth and that's all that mattered to them, that they had each other.

//So I'll hold you tonight like I would if you were mine to hold

Forever more

And I'll savour each touch that I've wanted so much to feel before

To feel before

How beautiful it is

Just to be like this//

//I wanna be with you

If only for a night

To be the one, who's in your arms, who holds you tight

I wanna be with you

There's nothing more to say

There's nothing else I want more than to feel this way

I wanna be with you//

Angel looked down at Buffy and gave into his impulse. He leaned down and gently kissed her, all the time still holding her as close to him as he could humanly get.

//Oh baby I can't fight this feeling anymore

Drives me crazy when I try to

So call my name

And take my hand

Can you make my wish?

Baby your command//

//Yeah... I wanna be with you

There's nothing more to say

There's nothing else I want more than to feel this way

I wanna be with you//

As the song finished, they continued to sway. After a few minutes they both looked into each other's eyes and said instantaneously, "I love you." When they both realised what the other had said, they sealed their bond with a loving and tender kiss...

When Buffy arrived back at the dorm the next morning, she found Willow waiting for her. "Where have you been?" Willow demanded.

Buffy looked at the smile on Willow's face and said, "Like you don't know."

"Alright, so I know. What happened?" she asked.

"Okay, but since we're gonna be late for class you only get the short version. He explained, he apologised, we danced, we kissed, we said I love you and then we spent the whole night talking," Buffy replied quickly changing her clothes.

"That's so great..." Willow told her, "I can't believe you have a boyfriend now, it seems like only yesterday that you were sitting in a bathrobe stuffing ice cream into your face."

Buffy stuck her head out of her closet and replied, "That *was* only yesterday."

"Oh yeah, so it was," Willow said smiling.

"Nut," Buffy told her as they left for class.

When they got to the class, they were surprisingly a few minutes early. They took their seats and within two minutes Oz and Angel were by their sides. Angel took Buffy's hand and they started their own private conversation, oblivious to the world around them. When the class ended they left the class together and headed off towards the future where they belonged, together.

THE END

Challenge Requirements:

Alternate universe (no vamps, etc.)

Buffy and Angel have never met each other

Somehow (you decide) they meet and get along great

They tell each other how they are sick of being set up by their friends

Buffy gets the sick idea to act like a couple to get their friends off their backs

They have to pretend in front of their friends (kissing, etc.)

They start to like each other but they both think that the other is pretending

Then there is angst and a fight

But in the end they get together

Buffy's Friends:

Willow, Oz, Xander, Anya, Giles

Angel's Friends:

Cordy, Wesley, Spike, Dru