Title: Deceptions and Betrayals 9/21
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.

It was two days before Dawn's party and Buffy was running around making sure everything was ready. She was checking the food list when Willow stuck her head in the kitchen.

"Um, Buffy?"

"Yeah, Will?" she answered distractedly.

"I think we might have a problem."

"No, no problems before Dawn's birthday." Buffy began to shake her head emphatically. "Dawn doesn't have birthdays like mine. She has nice, calm, normal birthdays."

Willow held up her hand in an effort to hold off the panic attack she could see forming. "No, no, no. Not the apocalyptic kind of problem," she reassured her friend.

"Don't scare me like that!" The Slayer exclaimed. She took a calming breath. "Okay, what kind of problem?"

"The kind of problem that has someone from your job coming to the party and expecting to see your British boyfriend." Willow waited for the panic to return--she didn't have to wait long.

"What?" Buffy squeaked. She had invited some of the people from the museum--she hadn't really had a choice. They had found out about the party and kind of invited themselves.

"Yeah," Willow continued. "Lisa just called to ask if she needed to bring anything. I told her no and then she mentioned that she was looking forward to seeing Wesley again." She thought for a moment. "Actually, what she said was, and I quote--I can't wait to see her hot-looking boyfriend again--unquote."

Buffy groaned. "Oh, God! What am I going to do?"

"I'd say you'd better call Wesley and see if he's up to playacting some more," was the suggestion.

"I can't do that!" Buffy began to pace.

"Why not?" The redhead asked.

"Because he agreed to do it one time for five minutes." Buffy stopped pacing and covered her face with her hands. "If he did it this time, he'd have to pretend for the whole party." She looked up at her best friend. "Not to mention explaining to everyone he works with why he was acting all lovey-dovey with me."

"If he doesn't, you're going to have Jason bugging you again." Willow reminded her.

"I know, I know." She dropped her head in her hands again. Why--just once--couldn't they get through a birthday party without having something go wrong? She sighed and looked at Willow. "Well, I hope Wesley has always had a secret urge to act."

Willow smiled encouragingly Buffy dialed.

****

Wesley picked up the phone as he closed one of his books. "Hello?"

"Wesley?" A tentative voice sounded through the receiver.

"Buffy?" Warmth infused his voice. "What a nice surprise." Wesley smiled. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"You might not think it's a pleasure in a minute," Buffy mumbled.

"What happened?" Wesley's good mood went sour. Buffy sounded--not Buffy.

"I've got a problem." Buffy hated this. Absolutely hated this.

"What kind of problem?" he asked carefully.

She cringed as she told him. God, how did she get herself into these messes?

Wesley understood immediately. "You wish to continue our--charade?"

"Yes--no--yes." Buffy sighed. "I don't know what else to do. Jason has *finally* left me alone. If he thinks I'm free, he'll start again."

"Are you certain? Perhaps the observation I made had some effect." Wesley suggested.

"I think it might have--a little," she conceded. "But I think the fact there might be a guy out there looking for his head--among other body parts--had more to do with why he left me alone." She sighed again. "Wes--I hate to ask it, but--."

"Buffy, you don't need to ask. I'll be happy to help you," Wesley interrupted.

"Are you sure?" she asked. "'Cause I know it's going to be awkward with everyone being there."

"Buffy, it will be fine," Wesley reassured her. "I'll explain to everyone what is happening. Giles and Cordelia know already, do they not?"

"Yep. I told Giles and I'm sure he told Cordelia."

"Then I only have to explain to Gunn and Fred." He said it as if it were the simplest thing in the world. "Don't worry, Buffy. We'll take care of this. After all, we deal with monster, villains and apocalypses on a daily basis. Surely a few co-workers can't be that much of a challenge?" he said, attempting to cheer her up.

"I wouldn't swear to that. I can't slay the co-workers--can I?" Buffy asked hopefully.

"Buffy--!" Wesley did his best to stifle a laugh.

"I know, I know--just kidding," Buffy grumbled. "A little," she added under her breath.

Wesley shook his head and chuckled. "We'll be there Saturday."

"Okay."

"And Buffy?"

"Yes?"

"Don't worry. It will all work out." He thought for a moment. "You might want to let the people on your end know about this particular performance. We wouldn't want them to expire from the shock."

Buffy laughed. "I think the only one in danger of that would be Xander."

"Indeed. Mr. Harris would be quite alarmed," he chuckled again.

They talked for a while longer and made plans to talk again Friday night.

****

Wesley hung up the phone and considered his options. He could tell Fred and Gunn about the situation with Buffy now or he could wait until Saturday. If he told them now, it would almost certainly get back to Angel. He did not relish the idea of explaining to Angel why he was pretending to be the romantic interest of the woman that was the love of the vampire's undead life. He shrugged to himself. He would explain to Gunn and Fred what the situation was, if Angel had a problem with it, he would deal it when the time came.

"Hey, Wes." Fred came into his office. "Would you like some lunch?"

Wesley hesitated for a moment before making a decision. "Fred, would you and Gunn please come in here for a moment?"

Fred looked puzzled, but nodded and went to get Gunn.

"What's up?" Gunn asked as he settled himself into a chair across from Wesley. Fred sat down beside Gunn.

"I--" Wesley wasn't sure how to start.

"What's the matter, Wesley?" Fred asked in her soft drawl.

"I need to talk to you about Dawn's party Saturday." Wesley picked up a letter opener and idly toyed with it.

"What about it?" This question came from Gunn.

"Buffy has been having--problems--with a co-worker and she asked me to help her."

"What problem? If she needs help, we're there," Gunn said as he looked to his significant other for her support. She didn't disappoint as she nodded in agreement.

Wesley removed his glasses and told them about his previous performance as he rubbed his eyes.

"You pretended to be her boyfriend?" Fred asked.

"Yes." Wesley closed his eyes as he waited for the laughter to begin. He knew that the two people sitting in front of him were his friends. But the thought of someone like Buffy wanting someone like him--even as a charade--was something that would inspire laughter in most people.

Fred sighed and remarked. "That's so romantic."

Wesley opened his eyes in surprise to find Fred looking at him with a small smile on her face.

"Good going, man." Gunn nodded his head in approval.

Wesley wasn't sure how to reply to that, so he continued with his explanation. "Well, I'm afraid it's not quite over."

"Why?" Fred asked.

"Apparently, the people that she works with expect her 'boyfriend' to be at Dawn's party." Wesley sighed, wondering if he could do this.

"And if you're not, they're gonna figure you're not in the picture and the dude that can't take no for an answer will be bothering Buffy again." Gunn guessed.

"Yes," Wesley affirmed.

Gunn and Fred looked at one another.

"Well, I guess Wesley's got a new girlfriend," Gunn said as he winked at Wes.

Fred giggled.

"Wes has a girlfriend--anyone I know?"

Wesley looked up to see Angel filling the doorway. Gunn and Fred looked at each other again and then made their excuses as they left the other two alone.

"Was it something I said?" Angel asked as he watched the door shut.

Wesley sighed as he realized that he wouldn't be able to avoid this conversation after all.

"Sit down, Angel. I have something to tell you."

Angel looked puzzled but did as he was asked.

****

Angel looked somewhat dazed after Wesley finished his tale.

"So you're telling me that you're going to be acting like Buffy's boyfriend when you go to this party?" Angel asked, he wanted to make sure he hadn't been hearing things.

Wesley nodded.

Angel wasn't sure what he was feeling. He knew that this was only playacting--but he couldn't help but feel a little jealous of the younger man. He was getting to do what Angel never had--be a part of Buffy's normal life. Even if it was just make believe. Angel got up and left without a word. He didn't want to say or do anything that would be impossible to take back later.

Wesley sighed as he watched the vampire leave. He really didn't want to have any conflict with Angel, but he wouldn't go back on his word to Buffy either. If it came down to it, he would suffer Angel's ire. He sighed again as he looked at the office door for a moment longer, and then returned to his paperwork.

****

Fred knocked tentatively on Wesley's door. She and Gunn had seen Angel leave the office with a strange look on his face and she wanted to make sure everything was all right.

"Wes? Is everything okay?"

"Yes, Fred. Everything is fine." Wesley looked up from his paperwork. He looked at Fred and back to the papers on his desk before pushing his chair back and grabbing his jacket. "But I think I'll go get some lunch. I'll be back in a couple of hours," he said as he shrugged into his jacket.

He was out the door before Fred had time to ask anymore questions.

Fred shook her head and went to find Gunn. She hoped that this favor Wesley was doing for Buffy didn't cause trouble with Angel. She shook her head, if it did, there wasn't much she could do about it.

****

Wesley walked for several blocks before he even thought about where to go for lunch. He saw Graham's pub up ahead, so he veered across the street and went in.

"Wesley! Hello, mate. How are you?" Graham called to him from behind the bar. Wesley nodded a greeting and waved at Sally.

She waved back from where she was taking an order.

He found his way to a back table and waited for her to get to him. She brought him a pint and waited for his order. He no longer needed a menu. After he ordered, she took it to the kitchen and then told Graham she was taking a break after nodding her head towards the Englishman sitting alone. Graham grinned at her and let the other waitress know.

She went to Wesley's table and waited for him to acknowledge her. He was contemplating the intricacies of a beer glass--so it took a moment for him to notice her. In fact, he probably would have been oblivious to her presence if she hadn't cleared her throat--loudly.

"Sally! I'm sorry, I didn't see you." Wesley quickly stood up as Sally sat down across from him.

"I could tell," she teased gently.

He flushed.

"What's the matter?" She asked.

"Nothing, nothing at all," he replied a bit too quickly to be convincing.

"Sure there's not." She looked at him skeptically. "That's why you look like you've just lost your best friend."

Wesley did his best not to fidget, but it was difficult with her looking at him.

"Well, there is one thing," he said after a moment.

She didn't say a word, she just waited.

"You see, I have this friend who offered to do a friend a favor--but in the process, this friend of mine has managed to cause hurt to another friend. Now he doesn't know how to make it right."

Sally nodded sagely.

"Okay, did this friend of yours mean to hurt the other friend's feelings?"

"NO! I--I mean he didn't want to hurt the other person's feelings, but when the other friend needed his help, what was he supposed to do? Just tell her no?" Wesley asked plaintively.

Sally looked at the lanky Englishman for a minute. "What are you going to do?" she asked, cutting through the friend story decisively.

He sighed. "I'll do what I promised. I'm just not quite sure what is going to happen now because of it."

She patted his hand as she got up.

"Well, if you need a friendly ear--let me know."

Wesley smiled weakly as she walked off to get his lunch. He wasn't sure what to do about Angel, but he had a party to get ready for. He finished his lunch and headed back to the hotel. He would deal with Angel's mood when the time came.

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