Part 2

Buffy found herself rushing out of Lindsey's office as soon as she could. She even ran past Harmony without making some sarcastic comment, all in an effort to get away from Angelus. She knew she was being ridiculous, but it had finally hit her what she had done - that she had signed herself over to a man who did care about her, a man who simply wished to use her for an incubator for his seed. So she'd had to get out of there, away from him, at least for now.

When she finally reached the street outside she forced herself to slow down and tried to calm herself, to get rid of the blinding panic that had momentarily overwhelmed her. She stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and debated whether to head to her mother's gallery and deal with her mother's probing questions or to head home and deal only with an empty house. Buffy hadn't had a chance to decide when she found herself spun around and facing the one man she could happily never see again, but had to do so.

"We have things to discuss," Angelus said authoritatively.

"So?" Buffy answered feeling the need to be as perverse as possible.

"So... be at my office at three to discuss them," he ordered walking away.

Buffy stood there in shock for a few minutes, unable or unwilling to believe that the arrogant shit-head had actually had the nerve to order her to do something already and they weren't even married yet. Deciding that after the run in with her *future* husband that she wasn't in any condition to answer her mother's questions, she headed home. All the time hoping that the peace and quiet of an empty house would help her get her wits back, before the afternoon when she faced the devil once again.

After an exhausting fifteen minute walk home, Buffy really wished she taken her car to Lindsey's office instead of allowing her mother to drop her off that morning. She had done it to save on petrol money, but now she couldn't help but berate herself for it. Now she had signed her very soul away, it didn't look as though she was going to have to economize any time soon. Also her feet were killing her because of her stupid idea about wearing extremely high heels, so Angelus wouldn't tower over her as much. On the positive side, at least the walk had given her time to cool down and start to think logically once again, if she hadn't been able to do so she would be at a distinct disadvantage when she met with *him* later on.

As she unlocked the door to her home and stepped over the threshold she heard a loud noise coming from upstairs, a noise that sounded suspiciously like crying. She slowly climbed the stairs and walked softly down the hallway until she was outside of Dawn's room. Buffy being Buffy just barged straight in and saw her baby sister lying on her bed crying, instead of being at school.

"Dawnie?"

Dawn didn't even look up, she just said, "Go away."

Buffy ignored her and walked over to the bed, "What's wrong?"

Dawn didn't say anything; she simply lifted her face from her pillow and looked at Buffy. Dawn's left eye was swelling up and a bruise starting to form; together they promised to be one hell of a black-eye.

"Who did it?" Buffy demanded, upset that her sister had been hit by someone.

Dawn was silent for a moment before sighing and then saying, "Sam and Missy. Some great taste in friends I have, huh?"

Buffy sat down and hugged her younger sister to her, not saying a single word. Dawn lay her head on Buffy's shoulder and used her sister's comfort to finish out her crying until eventually there was silence.

A little while later Dawn spoke, "Do we have to tell mom about this?"

"Somehow I don't think we're gonna be able to hide this from her," Buffy replied as she examined Dawn's eye more closely.

"I hate being poor," Dawn sighed wistfully, obviously remembering a time when they were anything but.

"Don't worry. Everything will okay," Buffy whispered to her.

"You don't know that," Dawn answered.

"Maybe I'm psychic."

"More like you're full of shi-" Dawn started to say.

Buffy cut her off, "Dawnie!"

They both started giggling and then Dawn said, "Maybe you're right. As long as you, I and mom stick together... then we'll be okay."

"Yeah," Buffy replied somewhat sadly.

Dawn didn't notice and Buffy was glad, she didn't want to lie to her baby sister and her mom any more than she had to. She couldn't wait for this all to be over, but she knew that it would be a long time coming. For now though she just sat there with her sister and pretended that nothing had changed.

Just before her meeting with Angelus, Buffy dropped Dawn off at the gallery. Dawn was going to tell their mom what had happened and some other things that she hadn't really wanted to talk about but needed too. Buffy wished that she could be there for her sister, but she knew that she had to keep to the agreement and dealing with Angelus now and after they were married was an important part of it all.

Ten minutes later she pulled up in front of a large building, just outside of Sunnydale, that was the headquarters for Angelus' corporate operations. Taking a deep, in part to calm herself and in part to give her courage, she walked towards the building's main entrance and went inside.

The interior of building was just how she had imagined it, cold. Not in temperature or anything like that, but in atmosphere, just like a corporation should be and exactly like the man who ran it. She moved towards the security desk, where two burly security guards were posted and a pleasant looking older woman carried on about her reception duties.

"Buffy Summers to see Mr. McKenna," she told them, hoping that she had concealed her nervousness about being in the enemy's camp.

"Just let me ring through," the woman told her picking up the phone. Less than a minute later the woman turned back to Buffy, "Take the elevator to the penthouse. That's where Mr. McKenna's office is."

"Thanks," Buffy replied as she walked towards the bank of elevators. She pressed the button for up and waited for one to arrive, growing more nervous and more anxious as the seconds ticked by. When an elevator finally arrived her feelings intensified instead of lessening, because she was getting closer to *him* and to whatever he wanted from her. As the doors closed she got the distinct feeling that the next minutes were not going to be pleasant.

The second that the doors finally opened, Buffy was shocked to find that Angelus' office wasn't just up on that floor - it was the floor. His desk was in the middle of the room and surrounding it, but hidden by glass bricks, was gym equipment, different types of leisure activities and to her horror there was even a bed. And much to her own personal embarrassment she began to hope the bed was merely for sleeping in when he worked late and not for his *business* meetings.

He looked up and as though he read her mind he said, "This is my private office. All of my business dealings are conducted downstairs."

Buffy wasn't exactly sure what to say, so she went with the obvious, "It's impressive."

As if suddenly remembering that he did in fact have manners, he offered her a seat, which she gratefully accepted. Sitting across from him she suddenly couldn't think of a thing to say, sarcastic or otherwise. All she did know was that sitting there in total silence with him staring at her was driving her nuts.

"So... you wanted to talk to me," Buffy said then cringed as she realized just how silly it sounded.

"Yes," he replied as stone faced as ever. "There are several details that need to be worked out. The actual ceremony and what to tell everyone for a start."

"Everyone?"

"The general public, my share holders and of course our respective families," Angelus informed her. At the look of surprise on her face he continued, "Did you think I appeared out of thin air? I do have a family."

"I..." Buffy immediately began to feel guilty. This man that sat before her was the cause of her degradation, of her losing most of her own self-respect and now he dared to make her feel something for him, even if it was only guilt. Sure she'd pretty much figured that he was the son of Satan or some sort of cold-blooded monster. The truth was she'd never given much thought to where he came from, or if there was already more than one of him.

"Well," Angelus finally said, exasperated by her silence. "What shall we tell the world? Shall we say that I bought you, or maybe we should say that it is a marriage and not a form of legalized prostitution."

"You fucking bastard," Buffy yelled finally losing her temper with him. "I can't believe that I almost felt sorry about some of the things I'd thought about you. You know what I wasn't even thinking evil enough - you aren't the spawn of Satan, you're the fucking devil himself."

"You should never underestimate a person," Angelus told her dryly. Then he continued on as if nothing had happened, "I think we should have the wedding next week at my mansion - it would be the best time for me."

"Next week?" Buffy squeaked out in a mixture of terror, anger and panic. "How am I supposed to explain it to *my* family? Shall I say, oh by the way next week I'm marrying Satan?"

"I'd suggest telling them that we'd been seeing each other secretly. It does sound so much more plausible," he told her.

Buffy looked at him as though he was crazy. "You've got to be kidding? If I tell my mom that I've been dating some guy in secret and we have to get married next week, she'll jump to two conclusions."

"And they are?"

"That I'm ashamed of you and that I'm obviously pregnant," Buffy said with a look of disgust.

Angelus smirked, "Part of our agreement pertained to pregnancy. Do you really find it so distasteful?"

"No," Buffy sighed, wondering why he always felt the need to twist her words around. "I have nothing against it. I've always wanted children. I just don't want my mom to think I'm some sort of giant slut."

"You're an adult. Why do you care what she thinks?"

"She's my mom," was all she said. "Don't you care what yours thinks?"

"My mother is dead."

"Oh."

"And even when she was alive, she cared more about drinking than she did about me or Kathy," he told her.

"Kathy?" Buffy asked curiously.

"My sister," Angelus informed her. "I have full custody of her."

"Your dad let you have her?"

Angelus stared at her, his eyes meeting hers. "Let had nothing to do with it. He's in jail and even if he wasn't I would not have allowed him to keep her."

Sensing that the subject was now closed, Buffy changed topics. "So what are you going to tell her about this?"

Angelus knew that he wouldn't have to explain his decision to marry Buffy to Kathy; she'd pretty much suspected it for a while.

"Never mind what I tell my sister," Angelus told her.

"Then never mind what I tell my mom. It is after all *my* business."

"It might be your business now, but soon everything about you will be *my* business."

Buffy simply stared at the man across from her, trying to figure out if that was a promise or a threat.

At dinner that night Buffy was so quiet that both Joyce and Dawn began to get worried about her. Towards the end of the meal Joyce finally couldn't stand the silence and spoke.

"Buffy. What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Buffy mumbled in reply. Although it was clear to all something was up with her, she was pushing all her food around her plate instead of wolfing down as per usual.

Dawn looked at her, "Is what Harmony saying true?"

"Harmony?" Buffy yelped looking up at her family with a mixture of surprise and fear in her eyes.

Joyce had also heard what that vindictive little slut Buffy had gone to school with had said, but didn't believe a word of it.

"She was just..." Joyce trailed off unsure of how to tell her daughter about what was said.

"Just what?" Buffy pushed. She really didn't want to know, but figured she should find out what was being said by the bitch. After all it could ruin the deal and they'd be living on the streets.

Seeing that her mom wasn't going to fill Buffy in, Dawn decided she would.

"Actually Buffy," she began. "She was down at the Espresso Pump telling all her loser friends that you were going to jail. I don't know why, but she insists that it's true and she'd know because she works for the lawyer of the guy who is defending you."

Buffy's fork dropped to the table with a clatter, showing the state of shock Buffy was in. She couldn't believe that the slimy little whore had actually had the nerve to make up malicious gossip about her and spread it around.

"Of course we know it's not true," Joyce rushed in saying. ”You weren't at any lawyer's this morning. You were at a job interview."

Buffy realized that she didn't have much choice, she'd have to fess up that there was no interview and that she had in fact been at Lindsey McDonald's office and why she'd been there.

"Actually..." she started, "I was at Lindsey McDonald's office this morning."

Joyce looked confused, "Your big interview was at a lawyer's office?"

Before Buffy had a chance to set her mother straight, Dawn butted in. "Don't tell me that slime-ball asked you out again? You could do *so* much better."

"Actually..." she tried again.

This time she was cut off by the untimely ringing of the doorbell, causing Buffy to want to tear her hair out in frustration. She stood up and marched over to the door ready to destroy whoever was there, only changing her plan when she opened the door and found Willow there.

"Hi," Willow said.

Buffy moved out of the way and let her friend inside, "What's up?"

Willow hurried inside, "I did try to call, but your phone's been disconnected. I just wanted to know how today went."

Suddenly Joyce's voice drifted through, causing Buffy to swallow her answer. "Who is it?'

"It's just me, Mrs. Summers," Willow yelled back. "I just need Buffy for a minute."

"Okay," Joyce replied. "Are you sure you don't want some dinner?"

"I'm sure."

They waited a moment and when they heard nothing more they continued with their conversation.

"So? How did it go?"

Buffy sighed, "It was... okay."

Willow was overcome with sympathy, "That bad, huh?"

Buffy moved closer to Willow, who draped a sympathetic and comforting arm over her shoulder.

"It could've been worse," Buffy finally whispered.

"How?"

Buffy fell silent once more, trying desperately to blink back the tears that were once again threatening to fall. She was hesitant to tell Willow about what went on earlier, knowing that she'd only try to talk her out of the deal she'd made; but she knew that no matter how tempting the offer it was an impossibility. Not only because of Angelus' iron clad contract, but also because she wouldn't and couldn't allow anything to happen to her family.

"Nothing," she replied harshly. Then apologetically she looked at her one true friend, "I'm sorry Wils... I just can't talk about it now."

Something in Buffy's voice told Willow that her silence on the matter had more to do with her embarrassment over something that happened, rather than the fact that either Joyce or Dawn may overhear.

"It's okay, Buff," Willow told her. "I'd better get home; Tara has made plans for us."

"I'll see you later," Buffy answered. "I'll also tell you everything."

"I'll hold you to it. Good night," Willow said letting herself out.

Buffy made sure the door was firmly shut and locked and then leaned back against it, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. When she figured that she was calm enough she headed back to the table and her waiting inquisition.

"Did Willow go?" Joyce asked as Buffy sat back down.

Buffy shook her head, "She and Tara had plans."

"T-that's too bad," Joyce stuttered. She still wasn't completely comfortable with Willow's alternative lifestyle; in fact she still believed that it was some sort of silly phase and that she'd grow out of it.

"What were we talking about?" Joyce asked suddenly forgetting all the questions she'd had planned.

Buffy almost sighed in relief, "I can't remember."

"I think we were discussing why Buffy was in a lawyer's office," Dawn piped up.

"Thanks so much, Dawnie," Buffy replied through clenched teeth as she glared at her younger sibling.

"Well?"

Buffy gulped nervously as she searched her brain for the words to explain, but none came. How could she explain anything without telling the sordid truth? Suddenly Angelus' idea came rushing back to her and it seemed as a good an explanation as any.

She took a deep breath, "I met someone."

"Please let it be a guy," Joyce muttered under her breath.

At the exact same moment Dawn yelled, "Not Lindsey McDonald. Tell me you have better taste than that."

Joyce returned to reality and silenced Dawn with a glare. "Did this *someone* get you into some sort of trouble?"

"No, he didn't."

"Then why..." Joyce began.

Buffy lowered her eyes and whispered, "I was signing my prenuptial agreement."

It was Joyce's turn to drop her fork in shock, although she also looked as though she was going to fall off of her chair.

"I hope it's not Lindsey," Dawn muttered.

Buffy looked at her younger sister, "What's it with you and Lindsey?"

"I just don't like the guy..."

Joyce recovered and cut Dawn off, "You're getting *married*?"

"Yeah."

Joyce looked destroyed, "I didn't even know..."

"Know what?" Buffy asked gently.

"That you were seeing someone," Joyce replied. "What kind of mother doesn't realize her little girl is dating? That her little girl is dating someone seriously enough to think about marriage?"

"Mom..." Buffy wanted to say something to make it better, but couldn't think of anything.

"Are you pregnant?"

"NO!" Buffy yelled back.

"Who is it?" Dawn asked suspiciously. She didn't buy Buffy dating someone in secret, she usually told them everything. Hell, she'd even told them she was dumping that Riley Finn guy before she'd even told him.

Buffy cleared her throat nervously, "Angelus McKenna."

Dawn was the one who finally fell off of the chair. "The billionaire?" she called out from her position on the floor.

Buffy ignored Dawn, but she couldn't ignore her mother.

"You're not doing this because of us... are you?" Joyce asked her.

Buffy conjured up all of her drama skills to say what she did next.

"No mom," she said plastering on a fake smile. "I wouldn't marry some guy to starve off bankruptcy. What kind of marriage would that be?"

Joyce relaxed somewhat with that answer, but not totally. She didn't want her daughter marrying anyone at her age. Buffy was only twenty-one and probably thought marriage was some fairytale, but it wasn't.

"Do you love him?" Joyce questioned looking at her.

"Of course I do," Buffy lied once more.

Dawn finally picked herself up off of the floor and butted right back into the conversation. "Why didn't you tell us about him?"

"Yes," Joyce joined in with her youngest. "Why didn't you?"

Buffy thought quickly and came up with an answer, "I was going to when we first started dating... but then came that whole mess with dad and I-i guess that I just didn't want you to think I was after his money."

"Honey," Joyce said. "I'd never ever think that."

Buffy smiled sadly, knowing that her mother probably did think that and she was just trying to be nice about it.

Dawn glared at her, "Well, I think that and so will the rest of Sunnydale."

"Dawn!" Joyce warned her.

Dawn just stood up and ran upstairs.

Buffy just sat there shocked. She had expected that kind of reaction from all those losers in town, but not from her sister. It both confused and hurt her; those emotions combined with the intense guilt were driving her towards a nervous breakdown.

"I'm sorry," apologized for Dawn. "I'm sure that deep down she's happy for you."

Buffy looked at her mother, "Are you happy for me?"

"I'd like to say I am, but there are just so many unknowns. I guess you'd say a surprise factor," Joyce joked lamely. "You never spoke of him, I've never met him... it just all seems so sudden."

"Sudden?" Buffy squeaked. {If mom thinks that is sudden... wait until she hears the rest of it.}

Joyce smiled weakly at her daughter, "I guess I'll have plenty of time to get used to it. I mean it's not like you're getting married right away or anything."

{Oh fuck} Buffy thought.

Noticing her daughter's silence, Joyce spoke, "Buffy?"

"Mom... Angelus wants to get married rather -uh- quickly."

A look of suspicion crossed Joyce's face and her brow wrinkled as she drew her eyes closer together and stared at Buffy.

"How quick is quickly?"

"Next week," Buffy answered so softly that it was barely audible.

Joyce paled once more and shouted, "Oh God, you are pregnant!"

"No," Buffy denied. "Angelus and I... well, we've never..."

Catching Buffy's meaning Joyce became even more confused. "Then why the rush?"

"He's a very busy man," Buffy fudged up and explanation. "It's the only time he has available."

"He's treating his wedding like a business appointment? Did he treat your dates this way?"

Since she'd only had a few meetings with him she decided to go with the near-truth. "Sort of."

Joyce just shook her head and tried to tell herself that Buffy would come to her senses. "Are you sure he's the right one for you?"

Considering the situation there was only one possible answer to that question. "I'm sure he is."

Sighing in temporary defeat, "Okay then. When do I get to meet this man who stole my daughter's heart?"

"Soon."

"I hope it's before the wedding," Joyce said as she began to clear off the table. Her hands doing the mundane task and her mind working on a plan to rid her daughter of this *Angelus'* influence.

Buffy was none the wiser. She just watched her mom do her everyday chore and decided to go to bed. For tomorrow she was going to have to face *him* again and plead for him to spare her family's feelings, hopefully with no extra payment required from her.