Title: Deceptions and Betrayals 10/21
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.

Quick note: I'd like to thank CAT for kindly answering my questions about the British language. ;-)

I appreciate it. :-)

Wesley came through his apartment door cursing fluently and colorfully. He needed to be in Sunnydale right about--he looked at his watch--now. He had sent Gunn and Fred on ahead, they would at least let everyone know he was coming. He picked up the phone as he began to peel slime encrusted clothing off. He had gone out to follow up on a simple lead on a case and ran into a very pissed-off demon. He had taken care of the problem, but it had made a mess of the clothes he had intended to wear to the party. He'd planned to check the lead and leave right after. That idea had been shot all to hell. The phone was picked up on the other end just as he got the filthy shirt off.

"Hello?"

"Willow?"

"Wesley! Where are you?" Willow asked, relief evident in her voice.

"I'm calling to let Buffy know I will be late. I had a little run-in with a demon and I have to clean up before I come." He continued to pull clothing off as he headed to the bathroom with the cordless phone in his hand.

"Well, please hurry."

"Why?" Wesley could hear the sheer desperation in the witch's voice.

"Because Jason and some of the others are making snide remarks about you not showing up and I don't know how much longer I can keep Buffy from throwing them out. And I know she'll feel really bad if she does that." Willow thought for a moment. "Once she calms down, anyway."

Wesley cursed again. "Tell Buffy I will be there as soon as I can and I will be suitably apologetic for the lateness of my arrival."

"Huh?" Willow didn't have a clue what he was talking about.

"Just tell her not to worry, the plan is still workable. Gunn and Fred should be there before I am. They will let the others know I'm on my way." Wesley began to dig out fresh clothing. "Oh and tell her I need to make one stop before I leave town, but I should be there in a couple of hours."

Willow nodded. "Okay, I'll tell her."

"Thank you, Willow."

Wesley hung up and turned the water on for a shower as he began to make plans in his head. If the pillocks Buffy worked with thought they would embarrass her in her own home, he would have to show them the error of their ways.

****

A few hours later, Wesley was coming to stop in front of 1630 Revello Drive. He lowered the kickstand on his bike and took off his helmet. He quickly combed his fingers through his hair as he made his way up the sidewalk.

Buffy opened the door as he stepped onto the porch. She thought about acting angry, but he looked so apologetic that she couldn't even pull off fake anger. She let him through the door and took his jacket. He pulled out two small packages before handing it to her.

Buffy turned to go into the living room where the party was in full swing when his hand on her shoulder stopped her.

"I am terribly sorry I'm so late."

"It's okay, Wes."

Wesley could see the noxious Jason watching from his vantage point in the living room, so he handed Buffy one of the packages in his hand as he pulled her into his arms. She stiffened until he whispered that Jason was watching. He held the embrace for a moment longer before kissing her lightly on the lips and releasing her.

"Aren't you going to open my peace offering?" He gently teased.

Buffy blushed as she realized that she had forgotten the gift he had handed her moments before. She wasn't sure why he had bought her a present, but from his words, he was trying to make up for being late--at least for appearances' sake. She removed the wrapping to find a jeweler's box from a jewelry story in L.A. She opened it to find a beautiful rope bracelet. She could see that her initials had been woven into the design of the bracelet. She started to protest, but he put his fingers on her lips to stop her.

"It's my way of saying I'm sorry."

Since Jason couldn't see his face, he mouthed--'I'll explain later'. Buffy nodded and hugged him. It really was a beautiful bracelet.

"What's the other box?"

Wesley smiled. "It's Dawn's birthday present."

"Birthday present?" Dawn squealed from behind him.

Wesley turned just in time to for the youngest Summers woman to throw her arms around him. As she hugged him, she told him she was just playing the part of approving little sister.

"Can I open it now?" She asked after she had released him.

He nodded and handed the small box to her.

She opened the present and saw the locket inside.

"Wesley, this is beaut--," she broke off as tears welled in her eyes.

"Dawn? What's the matter?" Buffy couldn't see the locket, so she didn't know what had caused her sister to start crying.

Dawn silently handed her the box as she grabbed Wesley and gave him a crushing hug.

The enthusiasm in her embrace was not feigned this time.

Buffy felt tears prick her eyes as she saw what had made Dawn so emotional. Wesley had placed two pictures in the locket. One side held a photo of Joyce Summers--the other held a photo of Joyce, Buffy and Dawn together. She didn' t know how he had gotten either picture.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset--." he began to apologize.

Dawn waved him off as she let him go. She sniffed loudly and laughed as he handed her a handkerchief.

"I'm not upset, it's just that--." She couldn't go on.

"It's beautiful," Buffy finished for her.

Dawn nodded.

Wesley cleared his throat. "I'm glad you like it. The locket belonged to my grandmother and--."

"Your Grandmother? I can't take that," Dawn interrupted.

Wesley took the locket from Buffy's hand and put it in Dawn's and folded her fingers around it.

"I want you to have it. She would have been greatly pleased to know that such a beautiful young woman was wearing it."

Dawn looked like she was going to cry again, so she announced that she was going to get something to drink before she drowned everybody.

Buffy watched her sister for a moment before turning back to the ex-Watcher.

"That was a very nice thing," she said.

He shrugged. "I wanted to get her something special."

"You did." Buffy reached up and gently kissed him.

Wesley was stunned. That was the first time she had ever initiated one of their kisses--granted, there hadn't been that many--then he remembered Jason and others, who had by this time, come to the doorway separating the living room from the hall, and his pleasure waned.

Buffy leaned closer and whispered low enough that no one else could hear her but him.

"And that was *not* because we have an audience."

He gave her a foolishly wide grin and let himself be led into the living room.

****

Wesley sipped the drink in his hand as he watched Dawn show everyone his gift. He had hoped she would be pleased, but the sheer delight she had shown had made him doubly grateful he had taken the time with her gift.

"That was well done."

He turned to find Giles studying him.

"Thank you."

"Where did you find the picture?" Giles had been curious as soon as he had seen the picture. He wasn't sure, but he couldn't remember ever seeing a photograph of the three Summers women together. Although, considering the magnitude of what the monks did when they sent the young girl to them, it was possible that they fabricated pictures as well.

"I had it made," Wesley answered as he watched Buffy deal with her guests. They had spent a bit of time together to make the people from her office believe they were happily romantic together and then she had excused herself to see to the details of the party. She had worked very hard to make sure it went well.

"How?" Now Giles was doubly curious.

"There is a very gifted computer expert that owes Angel Investigations a rather huge favor. I imposed on Willow to get me pictures of Dawn, Buffy and their mother. I took them and had him combine two."

"And your grandmother's locket?"

"Because I wanted someone to have it that would cherish it as much as I did," Wesley said simply.

"What about the woman you marry?"

Wesley sighed. "I doubt very much that will ever happen. But if it does, there are other things that I can give her. I wanted Dawn to have something special."

Giles was about to comment on the care he had dedicated to both Buffy and Dawn when Willow interrupted.

"Wesley, could I see you for a minute?"

"Certainly." He put his glass down on a table and followed Willow into the kitchen.

****

"What's wrong?"

Willow turned to Wesley when the kitchen door closed.

"Nothing's wrong, it's just that Buffy's been working so hard at this party that she hasn't taken time to enjoy it."

Wesley looked confused. "I fail to see what that has to do with me."

"You could get her out of here for a little while. This party is just getting started. Buffy planned for it to be an all-day thing and it looks like it's going to be." Willow looked at the clock on the wall. "It's a little after noon now, if she gets away for an hour or so, she'll still be back in plenty of time to wrap everything up. I've already talked to Dawn and she agrees that Buffy's about to spazz out if she doesn't take a breath. The only way we can get her to do that is to get her out of here."

"And you think she'll take a 'breath', as you say, with me?" Wesley sounded dubious.

"She will if you ask."

"I don't know about that."

"I do. She likes you, Wes. *And* she feels a little indebted to you because of what you're doing for her. If you ask, she'll go." Willow sounded so confident that Wesley found himself agreeing to do what she asked.

****

Wesley found Buffy putting more food out. She'd set up a buffet so everyone could mingle as they ate. She had truly outdone herself for Dawn.

"You look tired," he told her softly.

Buffy didn't turn around.

"I'm fine," she said as she finished putting out this round of food.

"Take a ride with me?" He had a feeling this was an exercise in futility, but he had promised Willow.

"I can't--there are still people here." She turned around to look at him.

"Willow assured me that she and Tara will take care of anything that comes up. Giles and Cordelia are here as well." Wesley found himself really wanting Buffy to spend some private time with him. He wasn't sure how wise that particular feeling was. "We won't be gone long. An hour or two at the most."

Buffy started to tell him no again--but then she thought how nice it would be to take a break. She hadn't realized how much work this party was going to be; not that she minded. Seeing the look on Dawn's face when everyone showed up and having a good time, was enough to make it all worthwhile. But a break would be good.

"Okay. Let me grab my jacket."

He wasn't sure what to do for a moment. He hadn't expected it to be that easy. He watched her retreating back for a moment before he got himself together and hurried after her.

****

Several minutes later, she found herself sitting behind him as he maneuvered his way through the streets of Sunnydale. He wouldn't tell her where they were going--only that it wasn't far and it was peaceful.

He pulled into a small park that was set far away from the road. He had found it on one of his walks when he had been serving as Buffy's watcher. He had been struck by the fact that a place like Sunnydale could have something like this and also be home to an active hellmouth.

Buffy's breath caught. It was beautiful. And Wesley was right--it was peaceful. She hadn't even gotten off the bike yet and she was already feeling calmer and more relaxed. She pulled off her helmet and left it on the bike as she strolled over to the center of the park; pausing to turn to him and smile. She hadn't realized how much she had needed this until she was here. He smiled back as he set his helmet on the bike and followed her. There was a small lake and she sat down beside it as he joined her.

"I'm glad you brought me here," she said as she wrapped her arms around her knees and pulled them up to rest her chin on them.

"So am I." He didn't know what was happening to him, but he had a suspicion and it was something that could destroy him. But right now, he couldn't bring himself to care a great deal about what *could* happen. He was sharing a beautiful day with a beautiful, intelligent woman and he couldn't find much wrong with the world right at the moment. Naïve? Of course. He still couldn't find it within himself to worry about it. He observed her and wondered what she was thinking. He would have been surprised to discover that many of her thoughts centered on him.

Buffy stared the water for awhile. She hadn't realized how worried she had been about everything until she had gotten away from it. She had wanted Dawn 's birthday to go perfectly. The people from the museum showing up had been not a good thing, but in a way, she wanted to thank them. She had somebody that cared about her for a little while. Even if it was make-believe. She shook her head to herself, that wasn't really fair. Willow, Dawn, Xander and the rest cared about her. It was nice to have someone just for her, though. And, she had to admit, Wesley wasn't too hard on the eyes either. She chuckled to herself. That was still something that blew her out of the water. She remembered a time when he was everything she detested. Now, here she was, acting like his girlfriend and thinking how handsome he was. Life was very, very strange. She looked at him in surprise when he gently laid his jacket across her shoulders.

"You were shivering," he explained.

She smiled her thanks as she snuggled into his jacket. His smell surrounded her and she realized how much she had missed the simple things of having a relationship--such as having someone give you their jacket and having their smell envelop you. It was nice to have it again, even if only for a little while. Buffy tried not to let herself dwell on the loneliness that threatened to overwhelm her at times. She concentrated on Dawn and work and, most of the time, it was enough. But every now and then--it was just hard to be alone. She sighed; wondering if her mom ever felt like this after the divorce. If so, Buffy regretted that she hadn't tried harder to spend more time with her. It was just one more in a long list of regrets.

Wesley noticed her sigh; her mood had been pleasant, but had taken a decidedly melancholy turn in the last few moments.

"Buffy, are you all right?" he asked, concerned.

She blinked back the tears that had been threatening and looked at the man sitting beside her. What the hell was she doing? She had a beautiful day, a gorgeous man and here she was--feeling sorry for herself. She gave herself a good shake and smiled at him.

"I'm fine. Just thinking not-so-happy thoughts for a minute."

"And now?"

"Now, I'm good." She tilted her head to one side and considered him thoughtfully. He was becoming one of her best friends--and she'd thought life on the hellmouth strange before!

He took her at her word and leaned back on his hands to study the clouds. After a bit, he laid down so that he could study them better. Watching clouds was something that was considered frivolous by his father. If it didn 't serve a purpose, his father saw no need in it. Wesley chuckled to himself. Now he was the one with the melancholy mood.

"Whatcha thinking about?" Buffy asked as she lay beside him.

"Nothing really," he replied.

"It had to be something. You seemed sad for a second there."

"Just remembering my childhood," he replied a bit briskly.

Buffy left it alone. She thought back to a conversation she and Cordelia had had after Buffy's mother had died. She had never really appreciated her mother until she had gotten older and really looked at other people's lives. She didn't know much about his childhood, but from what she had gleaned from what he had said--and not said--and what other people had told her, he hadn' t had a great one. She'd been lucky to have the mother she did. Buffy looked at him again and reached down and intertwined her fingers with his. She felt him stiffen, but she didn't look at him. After a little while, he relaxed and they spent a nice hour just watching the clouds.

****

Buffy walked up the steps of her house and could hear that the party was still in full swing.

"I guess they didn't miss me after all," she grinned at Wesley as he stepped up on the porch beside her.

"Oh, I'm sure they did. Besides, this is what you wanted--for everyone to enjoy themselves?"

Buffy nodded and smiled again, as she opened the door. Sometimes life could be good. Her sister was having a nice party and she was enjoying the company of a good friend. She went into the living room and saw Giles and Cordelia. She caught Cordelia's eye and the brunette nodded slightly. Buffy was relieved. Cordy was going to tell Giles today.

Wesley saw the exchange between the two women and wondered about it, but decided that if they wanted him to know, they would tell him. He and Buffy joined the party as Willow winked at him. He smiled good-naturedly and returned the wink.

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