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Disclaimer: They aren’t mine. Simple as that. They love me though, because I’m nicer than Joss, who’s their official owner. Mutant Enemy and Twentieth Century Fox also own them. They’re mean too. But not as mean as Joss. I own Katrina and Adia. You can’t have them, they’re mine!!!
Author’s Notes: This is the fifth story of my fluff series. It’s set in my happy dimension, where there’s no pesky curse or anything. And everybody is happy, no one cries or anything!!! You’ll want to read my trilogy and the other fluff stories so you know what the hell is going on here. Feedback is always welcome, in fact it’s mandatory. You read, you write. E-mail me!!!!
Angel sat in the kitchen the morning of his job interview, sipping coffee and reading the morning paper. Buffy was in the shower, getting ready for school. She didn’t know yet where it was, he had gone to quite a few after getting his GED and she lost track. Which was probably a good thing, because if she found out he was applying for the Guidance Office job she’d flip on him. Make him sleep on the couch or some horrible thing like that. Now *that* would be torture.
Adia trotted into the room, looking for someone to play with. She carried one of her toy mice in her mouth, her tail up and her ears pricked. She spotted Angel at the table and went over to him, rubbing up against his legs and purring. When he didn’t respond she jumped into his lap, circling around before plopping down. He reached a hand down absentmindedly, patting her black head.
Buffy walked into the kitchen, her hair wet and clinging. She gave her boyfriend a good morning kiss and went to the refrigerator to get something to eat. Pouring herself a cup of coffee, she pulled out some cantaloupe and brought the container and a fork to the table.
“That’ll stunt your growth,” Angel said as he observed her spooning sugar into the hot liquid. She shrugged.
“Doesn’t exactly look like I’m gonna be reaching Cindy’s height anyway,” she said as she sipped it and winced slightly at the taste. “We need a cappuccino machine.”
Angel took note of it. “You mean we actually *don’t* have something for this house?” he asked wryly. She laughed.
“You spoil this house more than you spoil me,” she pouted, spearing a piece of the juicy fruit with her fork and popping it in her mouth.
“Somehow I find that hard to believe,” he said as he closed the paper and pushed it to the other side of the table. He leaned over, his mouth open, silently begging for a piece of fruit. She obliged, feeding him one and leaning over to lick the extra juice off his lips. He kissed her gently as he took the fork from her and pierced another piece of cantaloupe, breaking away to pop it into his mouth. She grinned at him as she grabbed the fork back. Adia sat up, poking her head up over the table top to watch her owners. Buffy reached over to pat the kitten and was rewarded with a lick.
“She’s getting so big!” Buffy squealed as Adia jumped down off Angel’s lap and picked up her mouse. She walked over to her food dish and began to lap at the water. Angel gave her a look.
“She’s seven weeks old, Buff, she’s not exactly big yet. She can still pretty much fit in my hand,” Angel said as he sipped at his coffee.
“Yeah, but you have big hands,” she pointed out.
“Are you complaining about them?” he challenged.
“Are you kidding me? I know what they can do,” she grinned wickedly. Angel groaned and pulled her in for a kiss. She broke it off and stood, draining the rest of her coffee and putting the cantaloupe container back in the fridge. Angel watched as she worked, moaning softly as she shifted in her miniskirt.
“Are you sure that’s allowed at school?” he asked as he stood as well, bringing his cup to the sink. She looked down at her blue skirt and nodded.
“Sure, it’s regulation length. See?” she said as she let her arms hang down. Her fingertips fell several inches below the hemline and she giggled, adjusting them until they touched the bottom of the skirt.
“Yeah, regulation length. I have a feeling that’s not exactly what they meant,” he replied as he adjusted her white scoop-neck shirt so she was not revealing as much to the pervs that went to her school. She grinned at him as she saw what he was doing.
“You’re so cute,” she said as she reached up and drew him in for a kiss.
“Go get your stuff, I’ll drop you at school. I have an interview in the area,” he told her as he turned to the sink and washed out the two mugs and the fork and put them in the drying rack. She nodded and went upstairs to pull on her blue platforms and grab her bag. She came back downstairs to see Angel leaning against the doorframe of the dining room, watching her.
“Stop trying to look up my skirt,” she teased as she stepped off the last stair and stood before him. He gave her a smile that melted her heart and opened the door for her.
“Well, if I can see up it, so can those little boys at your school. Why can’t you buy turtle necks and those long gypsy skirts?” Angel asked as he closed and locked the door behind them.
“Oh, you love it. Stop complaining about it, will you?” Buffy shot back, giving him a long kiss as he opened the door to the car for her. “Have I mentioned how much I love these little cute 18th century manners of yours?” she asked as she got into the car and Angel shut the door before she could reach for it.
“No, you had yet to comment on them,” he said as he revved the engine and pulled easily into the street. Buffy sighed and leaned back into the leather seat.
“And I love this car,” she said as she fiddled with the radio, changing the classical station to her favorite pop music. Angel frowned.
“What was the matter with the music?” Angel asked. Buffy shot him a look.
“Oh, only that it was composed by someone who is now being eaten by worms,” she replied sweetly.
“Thank you so much for that lovely visual,” Angel said sarcastically.
“Welcome.”
They drove in silence to the school, the radio blaring in the background. Angel pulled up in front and turned to his girlfriend. She leaned over for a kiss and was rewarded. Angel brought his hands up to caress her cheeks as she sighed softly. He reluctantly broke it off, knowing she had to get inside. Buffy groaned.
“Do I have to go to school? I’d much rather stay here with you,” she whined. Angel laughed and gave her a quick kiss on the lips, but pulled away before she had a chance to deepen it. She gave him a pout, but he shooed her out the door. She leaned into the window, demanding one more kiss. He obliged.
“Get a room,” Harmony’s nasal voice snapped from behind Buffy. Buffy detached herself from Angel’s lips and turned around to face her.
“We have one, but it got really messed up last night so we have to use the car,” Buffy retorted, casting an evil look at the cheerleader before giving Angel a quick smile. “I love you. Good luck.”
“Thanks, I love you too,” he said as he pulled away from the curb.
“Angel, where’s you interview?” she asked suddenly, but he was too far away to hear. She shrugged and walked up the steps of Sunnydale High, ready for another day of torture.
“Hey, how’s our favorite Slayer this morning?” Xander asked as he and Willow walked up to Buffy.
“I’m the only Slayer, Xander,” she replied instantly, then frowned at her words. “Actually I’m not, am I? Well, I’m glad I’m your favorite,” she said cheerfully, pulling the door open to allow the three of them to enter the building.
“Why’re you so cheerful today?” he asked suspiciously as they moved down the hall in the direction of the library. She shrugged.
“What, I’m not allowed to be a morning person sometimes?” she teased as she pulled the library doors open and sauntered in.
“How’s Adia?” Willow asked, getting Buffy going off on her latest adventures.
Angel turned the corner and headed for the staff parking lot. He prayed he didn’t run into Buffy before he was done. Parking the Beamer in an empty spot, he locked the car and engaged the anti-theft system before pocketing his keys and making his way to the door. Opening it, he stepped into the air conditioned building, making his way to the principal’s office. He knew the way, Buffy had pointed it out to him one night. He moved inconspicuously through the halls. It was still early, so there weren’t many people loitering in them.
He walked into the secretary’s office and stood waiting for her to acknowledge his presence. She looked up and greeted him with a once over.
“Can I help you?” she asked in a bored voice. Angel swallowed.
“Yeah, I’m Angel Giles. I’m here for my interview,” he said. Giles had been the one to recommend Angel for the job, and they had decided Angel would pose as his nephew.
“Mr. Giles? Oh, right, the librarian. Have a seat, Principal Snyder will be with you shortly,” she said, turning back to her computer and typing away furiously. Angel did as he was told, taking a seat in one of the plush chairs and smoothing out his shirt. Against his will, Buffy had taken him shopping last weekend, and he now owned things like white dress shirts and khakis, his outfit of choice for the day.
“Angel,” Principal Snyder said as he walked out of his office, sipping coffee from a styrofoam cup. Angel stood quickly and offered his hand, which Snyder just looked at. He dropped his hand down to his side and followed the troll into his office. Snyder sat down at his desk.
“Are you going to sit or do you want to stand the entire time?” he snapped. Angel sat, mentally cursing the unhappy man. Snyder was gazing at something--his application, Angel guessed--and frowning. “So, Angel, you just got your GED, hmm? Why didn’t you go to college? Are you one of those slacker types?” he bombarded. Angel sat quietly until he was done.
“My mother was sick these past few years and I had to care for her. I didn’t have time to do that and go to school,” Angel replied swiftly, working the lie he and Giles had come up with.
“Isn’t that sweet,” Snyder said in a voice that sounded like he would puke. “So we have a do-gooder on our hands. You look familiar. Have I seen you before?” he asked, squinting. Angel repressed the urge to laugh, he really did look like a troll.
“Well, I’ve been staying with my uncle these past few months and my girlfriend and I just bought a house--” Angel said.
“Girlfriend? Who is she?” Snyder demanded. Angel mentally kicked himself, he *really* hadn’t wanted to bring Buffy into this.
“She goes to your school actually. Buffy Summers,” Angel said evenly. Snyder shook his head in disgust.
“What’s a nice looking boy like you doing with a trouble maker like her?”
Angel controlled his temper and responded rationally. “I’d rather not get into that at the moment. Can we move on?” he asked in a low voice. Snyder frowned but didn’t press the issue.
“So why do you want this job, Angel?” he questioned, folding his hands over the application and smiling, an act that sent shivers down Angel’s back. The man was *way* too comfortable with his own power.
“Well, I need something to do during the day,” he replied.
“Your application looks okay, I suppose, nothing spectacular. Tannerson, I’ve never heard of the school,” he said thoughtfully.
“It’s in England, my parents sent me there to live with my aunt,” Angel responded quickly. “I had to come back to help my father care for my mother. My father’s brother, Mr. Giles, brought me out here after she passed away and I’ve been dealing with everything,” Angel said, sounding sincere. On the inside he was laughing hysterically.
“Yes, Mr. Giles has put in a good word for you. Not that I listen to the man, he’s so uptight about everything. And he spends too much time with that girlfriend of yours,” Snyder said. Angel felt like punching him in the head. “But, since we’re rather hard-pressed for time and we need someone right away, I suppose you’ll have to do.”
The arrogance that radiated off the man was incredible. Angel wondered how he had ever become principal of the school. “Thank you,” Angel said as he stood.
“And don’t listen to the stories about what happened to the last assistant, he was attacked by a gang on--”
“PCP. I’ve heard it before,” Angel said lightly, but his tone implied he knew more than he was telling. Principal Snyder stared hard at him for a long moment, then relaxed. Slightly.
“Well, I’ll let you go see Ms. Corrigan. Stupid woman, she talks your ear off all day. I’ll expect you here tomorrow at regular time,” he said as he turned back to his work. Angel opened the door and was about to step out when Principal Snyder spoke again. “And I don’t want to see you making out with your girlfriend around here. This is an institute of learning, not some place where everyone comes and gropes in the broom closet.”
Angel choked on his laughter as he nodded and closed the door. Snyder stared after him for a moment.
“Stupid kid. I didn’t like him. Have to keep an eye on him, anyone associated with Summers can’t be trusted,” he muttered as he went back to his crossword puzzle. “Superman’s alias is...”
Angel meandered through the halls, trying not to look like he didn’t know where he was going. The bell sounded and the stillness was replaced by hormonally-challenged teenagers rushing to get out of the dull rooms. He turned around to look for the Guidance Office and bumped into someone. Turning, an apology on his lips, he came face to face with his lover.
“Angel, what’re you doing here?” Buffy asked, confused. Her friends were with her, all wondering what he was doing. Busted...
“Where’s the Guidance Office?” he asked, glancing around. Buffy laughed and pointed down the hallway.
“What, you planning on enrolling?” she asked. Angel shook his head.
“Actually, I work there now,” Angel said. Buffy stared at him.
“That’s a joke, isn’t it?” she demanded. He shook his head.
“Surprise. I’m now a school employee,” he said, giving her a half smile.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked. Angel shrugged.
“I didn’t want you to get mad?” he replied uncertainly, his statement sounding like a question.
“Good answer,” Buffy retorted, then looked regretful. “Sorry, you just scared me. It’s pretty cool, I guess. How did you explain your past to the troll?”
“Giles and I made up some stuff. I’m his nephew. I’ll tell you the rest at home,” he said, glancing around. The halls were beginning to get less crowded and he knew the bell would ring soon.
“Giles was in on this? Figures,” Buffy muttered.
“You should get to class. I’ll meet you in the library after school,” he said. She nodded.
“Okay. You still owe me for not telling me, Angel,” she reminded him. He nodded. Grinning, she reached up to give him a kiss.
“Excuse me, Miss Summers, but kissing employees of this school is against the rules,” Principal Snyder said as he strolled past. Buffy shot him a look that would have sent the toughest vampire fleeing, then looked back at her boyfriend. She sighed.
“This sucks. I can see you, but I can’t even kiss you?” she whined. Angel took one of her hands and kissed the top of it.
“Anyone ever check the stacks?” he asked devilishly. She returned his grin and snatched her hand away as a teacher passed them.
The warning bell rang and Buffy moved off with her friends, shaking her hips a little more than necessary. Angel groaned and walked in the direction she had pointed to, overhearing what Cordelia told Buffy.
“Milk it for all it’s worth,” she said. Buffy giggled.
“Planning on it.”
The halls once again empty, Angel reached his destination without anymore interruptions. He was thinking of how he could make it up to Buffy when he walked up to what would be his office. He knocked on the door and was told to enter.
A blond woman sat at the desk, looking harried. She was talking on the phone and scribbling something down, all the while typing on the computer. She motioned for him to sit down as she hung up the phone and set the paper aside.
“What can I do for you?” she asked, brushing a piece of hair from her face.
“My name’s Angel, Angel Giles. I just interviewed for the--”
“You’re my new secretary?” she asked, looking extremely relieved. Angel nodded. “Great. It’s so crazy here. Do you have any previous experience?”
“Nope, this is my first job, actually. I moved here from Philadelphia after my mother died and my uncle, Mr. Giles, took me in. I didn’t get to go to college because my mother was sick these past few years, but I got my GED the other day,” Angel responded quickly. She smiled at him sympathetically.
“I’m sorry about your mother,” Ms. Corrigan said.
“Thank you.”
“Well, I guess we should get started. You have a lot to learn, Angel,” she said as she stood and gestured to the chair. He sat in it and began learning all the things that were required of him.
The Slayer and her friends gathered in the library after school. Angel sat in the chair with Buffy comfortable in his lap. Giles was idly flipping through a book, trying to figure out why the Hellmouth was behaving so well for once.
“Giles, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Relax, take some time off,” Buffy urged at the sight of him. He gave her a look.
“I just wish to be prepared, should the need arise,” he replied huffily, taking his glasses off and wiping them on his handkerchief.
“Well, I for one am going to enjoy quiet. I’ve earned it,” she said smugly.
“How was your first day, Angel?” Giles asked, changing the subject. He shrugged.
“I don’t exactly have anything to compare it to. There’s a lot of stuff I have to do, and I’m in charge of report cards and stuff,” Angel replied. Buffy perked up.
“So, you could, like, change my grades to make me look smart?” she asked, hopeful. He gave her a look.
“If you want me to get fired, sure.”
She kissed his cheek and nuzzled his neck lightly. They stayed to talk with Giles and the gang for a half hour, then said their goodbyes and went home.
“Angel, look at Adia. She looks so cute!” Buffy squealed as they pulled up to the house. Adia was sitting on the living room windowsill, gazing out at the world. She watched her owners intently as they got out of the car and made their way up the walkway. Angel unlocked the front door and opened it for Buffy. Adia came bounding out of the living room, and Buffy dropped her books and bag on the table, scooping the kitten into her arms and giving her nose a kiss.
“How is my baby? Did you terrorize Mr. Gordo while we were gone?” Buffy asked as she cradled the kitten. Adia meowed and jumped down, running up the stairs.
“That cat is insane,” Angel said as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her body close. He kissed along the neckline of her shirt as the phone chose that moment to ring. Buffy gave him an apologetic look as she went into the living room and picked the portable up.
“Hello?...Hey Cordy, what’s up?...Yeah, I know, I know...This weekend?...Will’s going too?...Okay, yeah, I’ve got a couple hundred in the bank that my dad put in for me, I can spend some of it...Okay, sounds good. I’ll see you in school tomorrow...Later,” she said as she clicked the phone off and went in search of Angel, finding him in the kitchen guzzling Pepsi.
“What’d she want?” Angel asked as he put the can down on the counter and rooted around in the cabinet for some Oreos he had seen Buffy buy.
“We’re taking Will shopping this weekend,” Buffy replied as she accepted the Oreo he passed her.
“Oh. I’m gonna call the pool guys tomorrow,” he told her, glancing out the back window at the unfinished pool. She nodded.
“Good, it’ll come in handy this summer,” she replied. “I still can’t believe you got a job at school. I’m guessing you told Snyd-man we were dating...how’d he take it?” she asked as she walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs to the bedroom. Angel followed.
“His exact words were ‘what’s a nice looking boy like you doing with a trouble maker like her?’. I just told him I didn’t want to talk about it,” he said as he sat down on the bed, disturbing the kitten. She rolled over and stretched as Angel laid on his side, stroking her soft fur. Buffy pulled some shorts and a tank top out of the bureau and began to change.
“What do you say?” she asked when she was finished. Angel looked up at her questioningly. “Pizza for dinner? I don’t feel like cooking tonight.”
“Whatever you want, love,” he said as she tossed her clothes into the overflowing hamper.
“We should probably do some wash,” she said, wrinkling her nose at the pile of clothing. Angel agreed, looking at her expectantly. “I’m supposed to do it?”
“I don’t know how to use those washing things. We did everything by hand,” Angel shrugged.
“That excuse is getting old, sweetie,” Buffy said as she walked over and sorted the whites from the colors. She turned to him as she was about to walk out of the room. “Look at me. I cook, I clean, and now I do laundry. I so was not looking forward to becoming Little Miss Homemaker--but I suppose for you I’ll be able to make an exception,” she said, a sly smile on her lips. Angel returned it as he picked himself up of the bed, again disturbing Adia. The tiny kitten gave up trying to sleep and batted at Mr. Gordo.
“Let me help you with those,” he said, taking the load from Buffy and walking out the door. “You should probably teach me how to use this thing anyway.”
Buffy laughed and followed him out the door. “So tell me about your interview...”