Title: Deceptions and Betrayals 19/21
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 and Wesley knocked on the Giles' door a little after noon because Giles had called them; explaining that he had important news.

"Come in, come in." He ushered them in and closed the door behind them. "Sit down and I'll get Cordelia." He gestured to the sofa and walked away.

Wesley sat down and Buffy curled up beside him, her legs tucked under her.

"I've finished investigating what's going on in the Council," Giles said after he and Cordelia seated themselves on the loveseat opposite the younger couple.

"I thought we knew what was going on?" Buffy sat up straighter at the worried tone in his voice.

"I have been speaking to Quentin on a regular basis. I've also been utilizing my contacts within the Council." Her Watcher took a deep breath. "The faction that was headed by Wesley's father has been defeated--for the moment." He looked at Buffy. "They are still in the Council and still have some authority; they simply don't have the power as of yet to stage another attempt on our lives."

"You telling me that I could have those bastards coming after me--and you--at any time?" Buffy asked in disbelief.

Giles nodded.

"I don't believe this! So basically, we're sitting ducks whenever they want to come after us." She stood and began to pace.

Wesley followed her movements with worried eyes. "What did the rest of the Council have to say?" He asked quietly.

"They will try to contain the rebellious faction, but they make no guarantees."

"Doesn't the fact they tried to kill us, and almost did kill Wes, count for anything?" Buffy just couldn't believe this. "Why don't they call the cops, for God's sake?"

"You have to understand something; the Council has policed itself for centuries. They will not call outsiders in for this." Wesley said as he stood and took her hands in his.

"They want to kill me and the people I care about." She lightly dropped her head on his chest and heaved a deep sigh. "I thought they were supposed to be on my side, you know?"

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him as he cursed his father and all his followers to hell.

"Most of them are," Giles assured her.

She turned her head, not moving out of her lover's embrace, to look at her Watcher. "*Most* of them won't stop *some* of them from trying to kill us, so what damned good are they?"

He had no answer for her.

She sighed and wrapped her arms around Wesley. "So, what do we do now?" She asked wearily.

"We remain vigilant and alert," Giles answered quietly.

"And we kick their asses if they try anything," Cordelia chimed in for the first time. She caught Wesley's eye over the blonde's head and the look they shared said that they would defend the two they loved with everything they had. The Council may have planned for the Slayer and the Watcher, but they hadn't planned for their significant others. That would be their last mistake.

"We will know what's happening from now on, if that's any consolation." Giles pulled his glasses off and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"How?" Buffy raised her head from Wesley's chest to look at him again.

"I have allies in place. They can't do anything to stop the ones behind this; they don't have the power. But they can, and will, let me know if the signs begin to indicate that another attack is in the offing."

"Gee, great." The feigned enthusiasm in her voice shamed him for the men doing this to her.

"I'm sorry, I know that, as your Watcher, I should do more--"

She cut him off. "As my Watcher you're doing all you can." She waved her hand as if to banish the unwarranted, and unintentional guilt, she had laid on him. "I'm sorry. I'm mad and when I'm mad my mouth tends to run without my brain in gear. You know that." She gave him a wry smile which he returned with affection.

"Yes, well, I understand your feeling, but know that this time, there will be no surprises," he assured her.

"I know."

He nodded and looked at his watch. "I've must be going. The new curator of the museum will be waiting for me."

Robert Matthews had sold the museum to an interested buyer and left California. He'd moved his parents to another state and joined them. He never wanted to take a chance with their safety again and he felt as long as he was involved with Rupert Giles in any way, they would be. He had assured Giles a job, however.

"I've gotta go too." Buffy kissed Wesley, waved at Cordelia and walked out the door with her Watcher.

Cordelia looked at the man standing across from her with a forlorn expression on his face.

"Where's she going?"

Wesley sighed. "To see Angel."

She winced. "Oh, boy."

He nodded and turned to leave.

"Nope, you stay." She grabbed his arm and pulled him to the sofa.

"Why?"

"Because you don't need to be alone, and because I haven't talked to you, really talked to you, in weeks." She knew he would go home and worry himself to death about what was going on between Buffy and Angel and she didn't intend to let that happen.

"Why is she going to see Angel?" she asked after they seated themselves.

He couldn't stop a dry chuckle. Trust her to come straight to the point.

"She wants to tell him about us."

"I thought he figured it out at the hospital?"

"I think he did, but she wants to give him a chance to have his say."

"Without you there?" Cordy asked.

"Yes."

"Why?"

He sighed. "Because she's afraid that he'll say, or do, something that will make me rethink our relationship."

"Could he?"

"No," Wesley replied firmly.

"You sound sure."

"I am sure." He fixed her with a steady look. "I don't want to hurt him, Cordelia. He is one of the best friends I've ever had. But, I won't give her up. Not for him. Not for anyone."

"Does she know that?" Cordelia cocked her head to one side and studied him as she asked the question.

"I don't know." He dropped his gaze and studied his hands. "I truly don't."

"Have you told her?"

"Yes, but I don't think she believes me."

"Give her time; she's got a lot of issues." Cordelia couldn't believe she was defending Buffy--or trying to help with her love life. Just when you thought things couldn't get weirder.

"I'll give her as much time as she needs. I just hope she learns to trust in me, and what we have." He raised his eyes and she could see the doubt that lived there. Buffy, it seemed, wasn't the only one that had issues. She scooted closer to him and put her arms around him.

****

Buffy walked into the hotel and willed herself to stay calm. She wasn't sure how this talk was going to go, so she needed to stay in control.

"Hi, Buffy." Fred smiled at her from behind the desk. Gunn was leaning against it and smiled in welcome.

"Is Angel around?"

The two at the desk looked at one another before pointing towards the basement door.

She nodded thanks and set off with a purposeful stride.

"What was that about?" Gunn asked after she left.

"I don't know, but I don't think Angel's going to be happy," Fred replied quietly.

****

"Angel?" Buffy poked her head in the door and allowed her eyes to adjust to the dimness of the basement.

"Over here." He was holding a sword in his hand and was doing a series of intricate movements.

"Can we talk?"

He put the sword down carefully and nodded. He had an idea what she was here for and he wasn't really in the mood for it. He thought he'd accepted the fact that Buffy and Wesley were together, but every time he envisioned it, he could feel his demon clawing at him. His rational mind knew that he had no right to be angry about this. All his demon could see was that another man was staking a claim on what was his.

It was tearing him apart.

He shook his head to clear it.

"Come in, Buffy." He indicated she should seat herself in a chair.

"I'll stand if you don't mind." She propped a hip against the wall and tried to relax.

"What can I do for you?" He tried for nonchalance and failed miserably.

"Why haven't you been to see Wesley?" She hadn't meant to just blurt it out like that, but since she did, she saw no reason to back down from it.

"I know how he was doing. I got reports from Fred, Gunn *and* Cordelia," he said defensively.

"He would've liked to have seen you," she shot back.

"I couldn't." He answered shortly.

"Why?"

"Leave it alone, Buffy," he said firmly.

"No."

"Why?"

"Because this is hurting him--and you."

"Do you really care if this is hurting me?" That just slipped out.

"Of course I do." She looked as though someone slapped her.

"Why him, Buffy? Why Wesley?" He couldn't keep the anguish, and hint of anger, out of his voice.

"I don't know, Angel."

"Please don't tell me 'it just happened'?" He couldn't keep the derision hidden.

"No, it didn't just happen." She fought to keep a hold on her temper. "Wesley and I started out as friends, I never intended for it to be anything more."

"And now?"

"Now it's more than friendship," she admitted softly.

"Then why are you here?" The small rational part of Angel's mind that was still working was painfully aware he was being unfair. It was being drowned out by hurt feelings.

"Because you're important to Wesley."

"And you?" He needed to know that he still meant *something* to her.

She sighed. "Yes, of course, you're important to me." She moved around the room. "I know this is hard on you, Angel."

"Do you?"

"Of course I do!" She stopped in front him. "I know how I would have felt if I'd seen you with someone that I considered a friend."

"It hurts, Buffy."

"I know it does and I'm sorry for that."

"But not sorry enough to leave it alone?"

"No," she returned in a soft, decisive voice. "I can't. He makes me happier than I have been in a long time." The minute the words were out, she could' ve kicked herself. They were almost exactly what she'd said when she'd told him about Riley. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She pressed her fingers to her burning eyes. God, why did this have to be so hard? "I didn't mean that the way it sounded."

His face looked as if it were carved out of stone.

"I'm sorry, I don't want to hurt you," she said softly.

"Will he continue to see you if I object?"

She looked him dead in the eye. "I don't know."

"If he backs away, then it really doesn't matter what you want."

"Why are you doing this, Angel?" Buffy was genuinely mystified. "I thought you told me to be happy back at the hospital?"

"I *do* want you to be happy."

"But?"

"I don't want to have to see it," he growled in frustration.

"So it'd be okay if I went out and got a guy off the streets to be with, just so long as you don't have to know about it?" She was trying to be understanding, but he wasn't making it easy.

"That's not what I said," he began hotly.

"That's exactly what you said," she said firmly. She took a deep breath. "Know this; I can't keep you from making Wesley feel so guilty that he breaks up with me--." She held up a hand to stop his automatic denial. "I can't stop you. But I can promise you one thing. Even if I don't have Wes in my life as a lover, I *will* have him in my life as a friend."

"You sound sure of that?" He arched an eyebrow at her.

"Oh, believe me, I am." She fixed him with a steely look. "I won't lose him completely. I'm going to do my best to show him I love him and we can have a good life together, no matter what *others* might think."

"I don't know if I can give you my blessing."

Buffy sighed. "I'm not asking for your blessing. I'm not even really asking for your acceptance." She hesitated. "All I want is for you not to make Wesley choose between us. Can you do that?"

He echoed her sigh as he shook his head. "I don't know. I just don't know."

He turned away from her and slowly trudged up the stairs.

She took a deep breath and followed.

When she got to the lobby, she saw Cordelia come through the doors. She threw a questioning look at Buffy to which the Slayer shook her head slightly.

The Seer went in search of her Champion.

Buffy left the hotel as she tried to think what she was going to tell the man she loved about one of his best friends.

****

Cordelia knocked softly on the door.

"Angel?"

"Go away, Cordy."

She pushed open the door to see Angel sitting by Conner's crib, holding his son.

"Are you all right?" she asked softly.

"I'm fine."

"You don't look fine."

"Cordy!" The warning was evident in his tone.

"Well, you don't." She closed the door and leaned on it.

"I don't want to talk to anyone."

"I'm not anyone. I'm your best friend."

He stood and laid his son gently in the crib before turning to her. "There' s nothing you can do."

"You don't know that."

"Can you make Buffy fall out of love with Wesley? Can you make it feel less like betrayal when I think of them together?"

"No," she admitted.

"Then you can't help."

"They're not doing this to hurt you, Angel."

He turned on his heel and strode to the window overlooking the courtyard.

"Don't you think I know that, Cordy?" He ran his hand through his hair. "I know they didn't mean to hurt me. That doesn't make it any easier to take."

"What are you going to do?" She dreaded the mess this could become if Angel couldn't accept Buffy and Wesley's relationship.

"You mean, am I going to make Wesley choose?" he asked, turning to look at her..

She nodded calmly.

"What would you do if I did?" He turned back to the window.

"You won't make me choose sides." She walked over to him and laid her hand on his shoulder. "I won't let you shut me out and I won't let you make me shut Wesley out."

He turned to her. He saw the absolute conviction in her eyes that she could continue to be friends with both of them, no matter what.

He squeezed his eyes closed.

"No, I won't. On either count." He walked to Connor's crib. "I'll accept this, Cordelia, because I don't have a choice. I will always love Buffy and I love Wesley. Just don't ask me to jump up and down for joy."

She nodded and moved to stand beside him.

He looked at her for a moment and sighed. He pulled her into his arms and rested his chin on her head; seemingly unaware of the quiet sobs that racked his body. His eyes were dry, but his heart wept.

She held him as he let go of the only woman he'd ever loved to the man who was like a brother to him.

****

Buffy opened the door to Wesley's apartment and tried to shake off her mood. The last thing he needed right now was her in a bad mood.

"He didn't take it well." It was not a question.

She shook her head. It would do no good to lie to him, he knew Angel as well as she did, maybe better.

He hung his head.

"Wes--" she began.

"Buffy--" he said at the same time.

They both stopped. He indicated that she should go first.

"This doesn't change things, does it?" she asked quietly.

He stared at her for a moment, noticing that she wouldn't meet his eyes. "Not unless you want it to," he answered quietly.

She looked up at him. "You won't leave me, because Angel doesn't approve?"

He walked slowly to where she stood by the door. He tilted her chin up until he was sure she could see him and see his sincerity. "It breaks my heart that Angel will not give us his blessing." He stroked her cheek gently. "But it doesn't matter to me if he never comes around to acceptance. I *love* you. Nothing, and no one, will ever change that."

Tears welled up and silently spilled over. He brushed them away with, first his thumbs, then his lips. He lifted his head.

"Now, I have a question?"

"Yes?"

"Will his inability to accept this cause you to rethink this relationship?"

She shook her head mutely. She swallowed hard. "Angel will always be dear to me." She watched to see his reaction. His eyes remained carefully guarded. "But it doesn't matter whether he likes it or not, I'm with you." She reached up and covered his hands with her own. "I love you, Wesley Wyndham-Pryce and I want *you*, no matter what."

He gave a deep sigh of relief.

She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him to her. They would get through this--together.

****

Wesley slowly walked down the alley, keeping to the shadows. Cordelia's vision had sent him and Angel to this place to fight a demon that preyed on children. Well, it was one of two places it could be. Gunn, Cordy, and Fred had taken the other location.

He was aware of the vampire walking quietly on the other side of the alley. The dank, rotten smells almost overwhelmed the ex-Watcher and he fought the urge to gag.

God, he missed Buffy. She had returned to Sunnydale two weeks ago. She could no longer put off her obligations, so she'd returned and he'd started missing her almost as soon as the door closed behind her.

He was going to see her this weekend, and the wait seemed interminable.

He gripped his sword tighter and continued to search. He was knocked sideways as the demon they were searching for came barreling out of the darkness.

"Bloody hell," he swore as he righted himself and charged into the fray.

Angel was already fighting, making great over-handed sweeps with the ax he carried. He caught the demon on the arm, sending chunks of flesh, blood and bone flying.

The roar of the wounded demon must have been heard for blocks.

Wesley managed to slash at the monster's legs. The demon went down on one knee.

Angel managed a nod in his direction before he swung again.

"You love her, right?" The vampire asked as he attacked the demon.

"What?" Wesley was certain he'd heard wrong.

"Buffy? You love her, right?" Angel repeated.

Wesley forgot for a moment where he was and stopped to look at Angel in confusion.

"Look alive, Wes!" Angel shoved him to one side, sending Wesley skidding across the alley but saving him from a blow that would have decapitated him. "I don't want to have to tell Buffy you got yourself killed."

The Englishman picked himself up off the ground from where the vampire's push had sent him. He gripped his sword and entered the fight again.

"Are you honestly asking me about my intentions towards Buffy *now?" he asked incredulously as he slashed at the demon.

"I just want to make sure you love her," the vampire shrugged as he landed a blow to the demon's back.

"Well, I do."

"That's good."

"Fine."

"Good."

At the exact same moment, they both landed mortal blows. Angel's ax decapitated the demon, while Wesley's sword skewered its heart.

They stood there and watched it dissolve until there was nothing left but a wet spot on the concrete.

The vampire brought his eyes level with the ex-Watcher's.

"Be good to her."

"With everything I am or will ever be." The sword suddenly seemed too heavy to hold. "I'll make her happy, Angel. I promise."

"You'd better."

The vampire walked off, leaving him to follow.

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