Title: Deceptions and Betrayals 7/21
Author: Ness
Contact: sessa1_2@yahoo.com
Written: 09/08/2003
Spoilers: Nothing after "Wrecked" in season 6 on BtVS and anything before "Sleep Tight" on AtS. But this is completely AU.
Summary: This one is a sequel to "When You Least Expect It". If you didn't read that one, this will probably confuse you.
Pairings: Cordelia/Giles and Buffy/Wesley
Rating: PG most of the time but there are NC-17 parts.
Distribution: Anyone that already has permission. Anyone else, please ask first.

Disclaimer: We all know who owns 'em and it ain't me. Joss and Co. are gods in their universe, I'm just a peon in mine.
Thanks to Suzanne for the beta. It is much appreciated, Chica. *G* A/N: I did a bit of juggling with this after Suz saw it, so any and all mistakes are mine--as usual. ;-)
Dedication: This one is for Kerrie. She gave me the idea that ended an almost six month block. She read this puppy even though she didn't normally read these pairings. Now, I've corrupted her or that's what she says anyway. *G* Thanks darlin', you're the best.

Buffy knocked on Wesley's door a little after the agreed time.

Wesley opened the door and let her in. He had shaving cream slathered on his face and a towel around his neck--and no shirt.

"We did say five o'clock, right?" Buffy asked, trying not to look at his bare chest. It was hard, though. Even if the good body didn't catch your eye, the scars would.

"Yes we did." Wesley said as he turned back to his bedroom. "I was running a bit late today, I'm afraid."

"No biggie." Buffy sat down on the sofa. "Do you know where you want to go for dinner?"

"You're letting me choose?" Wesley's voice drifted out to her.

"Yeah. It's your thank-you present, so I thought I'd let you pick where we go."

Wesley came back into the living room as he finished buttoning his shirt. The shirt was a midnight blue that brought out his eyes. Buffy was struck again by how good-looking he was. She grinned to herself. If she hadn't met Quentin Travers, she would have been tempted to go to England just to see if all Englishmen were as handsome as Giles and Wesley.

Wesley locked his apartment and followed Buffy out to his bike.

"Are you sure you don't mind riding this? I can certainly call a cab for tonight." Wesley told her.

"No. I like motorcycles. Just tell me where we're going before I get on." Buffy took the helmet he handed her.

"There is a pub that I like to frequent." He settled his own helmet in place. "It had good food and a quiet atmosphere. I thought that might be something you would enjoy."

"That sounds nice. I've never been in a pub before. Is it like a bar?" Wesley swung one leg over the bike and sat down.

"Somewhat. But the gentleman who runs it is English and it has touches of home."

"Let's ride, then, 'cause I'm starving." Buffy said as she settled herself behind Wesley.

****

Wesley led Buffy into the dimly lit interior of the pub. She told him she needed to go to the ladies room and left him to find a table.

"Wes! How are you, mate?" Graham greeted him.

"I'm just fine, Graham." Wesley smiled at the bartender. "I'd like a table for two."

"Is Giles with you tonight?" The man behind the bar looked around.

"Not tonight, I'm afraid. I'm with another friend."

Just then Buffy came up to stand beside him.

"Ahh, a much prettier friend than old Rupert, I'd say." Graham chuckled.

"I think I'm going to like him." She grinned at Graham.

"Don't listen to a word he says." Sally told her as she came to put her drink order in. "He talks that way to all the pretty girls."

"But you're the only pretty girl that has my heart, my darlin'" Graham told the waitress saucily.

"Flattery will get you nowhere." Sally laughed. She saw another customer calling to her. "I'll come back for those drinks."

Graham's eyes followed the red-headed waitress with an intensity that Buffy couldn't help but notice. He shook his head and brought his attention back to Wesley and Buffy. "Have a seat, Wes. I'll have someone bring out a pint for you and your lady."

"She's not my--." Wes began to protest.

"Actually, I'll have a coke if it's not too much trouble." Buffy interrupted.

"A pint and a coke it is. I'll have menus brought out as well."

Buffy and Wesley found a table in the corner. Buffy liked being able to see the whole room, people-watching was one of her favorite pastimes.

The waitress came over with the drinks and menus.

"I'll be right back for your order," she told them.

"Okay, thanks." Buffy began to look at the menu. She was really hungry.

"Thank you." Wesley nodded to the waitress.

After they ordered, She leaned back and took a good, long look at him. He seemed more comfortable here. She had gotten used to the more laid-back Wesley, but he seemed to let even more of his guard down here.

"You really like this place, don't you?"

"Yes I do." He looked around. "It reminds me of home."

She thought about that. Sometimes she forgot that Wesley and Giles hadn't had a choice in coming to America. They had been sent, taken away from everything they had known, all to take care of a girl that didn't appreciate or thank them.

"I'm sorry," she said in a quiet voice.

Wesley almost missed the comment because of the noise in the pub, but he was sure he had heard her right when he saw her face.

"Whatever are you sorry for?" He sounded truly baffled.

"For not realized what you and Giles gave up to come here and be my Watchers. For not appreciating it." Buffy took a sip of her drink to help swallow the lump in her throat.

"Buffy--." Wesley wasn't sure where this contrition was coming from. "I admit that I was somewhat culture-shocked when I first arrived in California."

Buffy couldn't help it--she laughed. That was an understatement.

Wesley chuckled. "As I was saying, I was not prepared for life in California. And I will also admit that there are times I still long for England. But do not apologize for not welcoming me with open arms." Wesley held up a hand to stop her from speaking. "Now, that is not to say that it would not have been appreciated at the time. And perhaps, if we had gotten off to a better start, things might have been different." He stopped to take a sip of his beer. "But I have told you before that we are where we are meant to be. I have to believe that everything that happened in Sunnydale happened for a reason. If I didn't, I would drive myself insane with what-ifs."

She thought about what he had said decided he was right. Maybe things were the way they were supposed to be. "Okay." She nodded her head. "But I still want to apologize for being such a bitca."

"Apology accepted." He smiled. "Now, let's order--I'm starved."

She decided what she wanted and Wesley order for them both when the waitress came around.

"Hey, this is really good." Buffy said after taking a bite.

"Don't sound so surprised." Wesley teased her. "I wouldn't bring you someplace that didn't serve good food."

Buffy grinned at him.

After they ate and paid the bill, Buffy suggested they walk back to his apartment.

"Are you sure?" Wesley asked her. "We both know what's out and about at night."

"I'm sure." Buffy told him. "I think a rogue demon hunter and a vampire slayer can handle anything L.A. can throw at them, don't you?"

Wesley laughed.

"Let me ask Graham about leaving my motorcycle here for the night." Wesley headed to the bar.

"Graham, I have a favor to ask." Wesley spoke as soon as he saw Graham had a free moment.

"Sure, mate. What do you need?"

"May I leave my bike here for the night? Buffy would like to take a walk."

"Certainly." Graham winked at the younger man. "I'll be happy to do my part to help smooth the course of young love."

Wesley started to protest Graham's misconception again, but was pushed to the side by an inebriated customer. He shook his head and made a mental note to set the record straight the next time he had the opportunity. He walked back to Buffy and helped her with her jacket.

"Thanks." she said as she flipped her hair out from under the collar.

"You're welcome." Wesley gestured for her to proceed before him, and he kept his hand on the small of her back as he guided her through the crowd. Buffy really didn't need him to do it, but it felt nice to be treated like a normal girl.

****

Once outside, Buffy took a deep breath. The air in L.A. wasn't all that clean, but it had been even stuffier in the pub. She looked at Wesley and smiled. "It's nice tonight."

"Yes, it is," he agreed.

They started out towards his apartment at a leisurely stroll.

"Wes?" Buffy broke the silence.

"Yes?"

"Why did you stay in the America after you were fired?" The question came out of the blue, but she found she was curious.

He stopped walking and turned to look at the woman beside him. "I beg your pardon?"

She flushed slightly, but didn't back down.

"Why didn't you go back to England after you were fired from the Council?"

Wesley looked at her for a moment more before he started walking. She rushed to catch up and started to apologize.

"Look, Wes. I'm sorry, I didn't think--."

"No, no don't apologize." The apology was waved aside. "I'm not upset, you just caught me by surprise."

She released a sigh of relief. The last thing she wanted to do was spoil the evening.

He thought about her question for a moment before answering. "I suppose the reason I didn't return to England was because I felt there was nothing there for me. I felt I had been given a fresh start and England wouldn't have suited that at all."

"But you said you missed it."

"England?"

"Yeah."

Wesley stopped walking again. He looked around and saw a bus stop bench. No one was there, so he led her to it and they sat down.

"Buffy, a part of me will always miss England. It was my childhood home, the place where I reached maturity."

"But you weren't given a choice about coming here," Buffy pointed out.

"You're wrong, Buffy." Wesley contradicted her. "I was given a choice."

"You were? But then, why did you come?" She was confused. He had seemed so, frustrated, when he first got to Sunnydale.

"I came because I was given the opportunity to work with one of the most gifted slayers in history." He ran an agitated hand through his hair. "Just because I bungled that opportunity, badly, doesn't mean that I regret coming."

"Most gifted? Me?" Buffy's voice almost squeaked in surprise.

"Yes, You." Wesley was sometimes astounded at just how blind Buffy could be about her own accomplishments and capabilities.

She grinned at him.

He stood and offered her his hand, she took it and they resumed their walk.

****

Wesley unlocked the door to his apartment and stood aside to let Buffy to enter first.

"Would you like something to drink?" he asked her as he hung up their jackets.

"Coffee, if it's not too much trouble."

Wesley nodded and set about making the coffee. She walked around checking out the apartment. She had never really taken the time to look before. He had books all over the place, but that wasn't the surprise. The artwork on the wall was. Buffy couldn't remember the painter's name, but she remembered the painting. Her mother had shown her a picture of it one time. Said it was a classic.

"Where did you get the painting, Wes?"

"Hmm?" His voice sounded faintly from the kitchen.

"The painting on the wall? Where did you get it?" She pitched her voice a little louder this time.

He came into the living room wiping his hands on a towel. Buffy pointed to the painting she had been looking at.

"Oh, that. A favorite aunt left it to me."

"Must have been some favorite aunt." She grinned at him. "My mom showed me this painting in a book one time--said it was a classic and worth bucks."

"Yes--well--." Wesley stammered.

"Never mind." Buffy let him off the hook. He was as bad as Giles when you embarrassed him. "It beautiful, though."

"Yes it is." He agreed.

Wesley went to get the coffee and Buffy continued her wanderings. She saw leather-bound book that looked like one of Giles' watcher's diaries. Her fingers itched to pick it up, but she didn't. If it was Wes' diary, she had no business looking at it. She was saved from further temptation by Wesley's arrival with the coffee.

"Would you move that for me?" He indicated the book she had been tempted by.

She reached out and picked it up. Wesley set the tray with the coffee down and then took the book from her.

"Thank you. I'll just put this away." He caught her look of curiosity. "Buffy, would you like to see this?"

"What? No--um--no." She stumbled on the words.

"Are you sure?" He extended the book to her. "There is nothing here that is a great secret."

"What's in it?" She asked as she took the it.

"No great knowledge, I assure you," he chuckled. "It's just a chronicle of some of my activities since coming to Los Angeles."

"And you don't mind if I read it?"

"If I minded, I would have hardly given to you, now would I?"

Buffy sat down and began to read. Wesley handed her a cup of coffee. She sipped it as she read. He smiled and took the opportunity to tidy the apartment. When he came back she was still reading.

"Buffy?"

She didn't hear him.

"Buffy!" He called a little louder.

"Huh? Oh, Wes." She dragged her attention from the book.

He chuckled. "What time do you have to return to Sunnydale?"

"Oh, not until tomorrow, Willow's watching Dawn."

"You planned to stay in L.A.?"

"Yes. I talked to Cordelia while I was at Giles' and she offered to let me stay with them tonight."

"Buffy, have you looked outside?" He gestured to the window.

Buffy did then. It was raining, no, it was pouring. Sheets of rain pounded the pavement.

"Damn, I hadn't noticed." Buffy lamented.

"You were--engrossed--in the book." Wesley couldn't help but smile at that.

Buffy looked at the clock on the wall and was surprised to see it was after ten.

"I'll call a cab and get out of your hair." Buffy stood up and headed to the phone. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was this late."

She called the cab company and requested a cab and was told it would be at least a two hour wait. Not surprisingly, the rainstorm caught everyone in L.A. by surprise.

"I'll call and let Cordy and Giles know I'll be getting there late," she told Wesley after she'd hung up from the cab company.

"Buffy, this isn't the kind of weather to be out in." Wesley watched the rain hammer into the ground.

"Wes, it's just rain. I'll be fine." Buffy insisted.

"Accidents happen quite often due to the weather." Wesley said as he worked up the courage to make his suggestion. "Why don't you stay here tonight," he rushed on before she could speak. "I'll take the sofa and you may have my bed." He cringed at his wording. He didn't want her to read anything into his invitation.

Buffy didn't know what to say. It was raining pretty hard and he was right about something possibly happening. Normally, she wouldn't think twice about going to Giles' in this, but she remembered something Willow had said before she'd left Sunnydale. Something about not taking unnecessary chances. She still didn't know what that meant, but Willow had sounded--serious--about it. Buffy thought about it for another minute. Well, it wouldn't hurt anything to just stay at Wes' tonight.

"Okay, let me cancel the cab and then I'll call Giles."

Wesley blinked. He hadn't expected her to agree this quickly. "Um, very good."

He went to the hall closet and gathered bedding for the sofa.

"I'll take the sofa." Buffy told him as he spread out the sheets and blanket.

"Nonsense, you're my guest."

"I'm your guest that didn't have the sense to leave when she had the chance." Buffy took the blanket out of his hand. "I'll sleep on the sofa."

Wesley started to argue, but closed his mouth. Buffy had that look on her face--the look said that hell would freeze over and the devil would be figure skating before she changed her mind.

"Very well." He agreed after a moment. "I believe I have a tee shirt and jogging pants that might fit you."

Wesley went in search of impromptu sleepwear while Buffy called her Watcher.

"Giles? It's Buffy."

"Buffy! We were beginning to worry." Giles couldn't hide the relief at hearing his Slayer's voice.

"I'm sorry. I lost track of time and didn't realize the weather had gotten so bad."

"Where are you?"

"I'm still at Wesley's."

"Do you want me to come get you?" Giles saw Cordelia come into the room.

"No. I'm gonna stay the night here."

"At Wesley's?"

"Yes." She waited for him to say something. "Giles?"

"You're staying at Wesley's?" he repeated after a moment.

"Sure." Something clicked in her brain and she laughed. "What? You think I 'm planning on sleeping with him or something?" Somehow, the thought wasn't as strange as it could have been. Buffy didn't realize that Wesley had come back into the room.

"Of course not!" her Watcher protested. "I was just surprised."

"There's nothing to worry about. He offered and I accepted."

"I'll still be taking you back to Sunnydale tomorrow morning, yes?" he asked.

"Yep. I'll call you to come get me in the morning."

"Fine. I'll see you in the morning then."

"Goodnight, Giles."

"Goodnight, Buffy."

Buffy hung up and spotted Wesley, he had a strange look on his face. He handed her the clothes he had found. She took them and headed to the bathroom to find he'd laid out towels for her.

"Buffy?" His voice stopped her before she closed the door.

"Yes?"

"I'm going to bed. Feel free to finish the book, if you like."

"Thanks." Buffy was glad he felt comfortable enough to let her read it.

Wesley nodded and went to the bedroom.

****

After her shower, Buffy settled down on the sofa and picked up Wesley's diary. She noticed that he had left an extra blanket for her. She snuggled down under the covers and began to read again. She finally feel asleep several hours later. Her last thought before drifting off was that she really didn't know Wesley nearly as well as she thought she did.

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