Buffy was putting on her fifth outfit in the span of twenty minutes. She didn't know why she was so ridiculously wigged out, but spending any time at all with Angel recently always made her stomach do somersaults. She and Angel had been together before, that was obvious. But, it was almost like they were starting anew and having their "firsts" all over again.
And she had been freaking out earlier in the day since she had counted on Willow coming with her to make it a little less awkward and sweaty palms making, but she couldn't come at the last minute. So, after much begging and pleading with Angel's number one fan, Xander, he finally agreed to come along. As Willow would say, thank goddess.
She looked at herself in the mirror, wrinkling her nose at the outfit and tore it off, putting on a pair of jeans, a camisole, and a matching sweater. Apparently number six was the charm. Or she was just running a little late. After a quick re-application of her lip gloss and another spray of her curls, she grabbed her ice skates and headed downstairs to the entryway. She was slipping her coat on when Angel arrived.
She froze momentarily as she saw him, looking around frantically for Xander. Where was her damn wingman? After taking a hopefully invisible deep, nervous breath, she offered Angel a smile. She buttoned her coat, saying, "Hey." It was less of a word and more of a croak. She cleared her throat, her nervous smiling remaining, "Ready to get your skating on?"
Oh god, she was so terribly lame. Someone needed to sew her mouth shut before she embarrassed herself any further.
"This is a mistake, Harris. Big fat-ass mistake," Xander told himself as he looked at himself in the mirror. There was a slight possibility he had heard Cordelia was coming. Okay, so why again with making sure his hair looked okay? Who was he trying to impress? It certainly wasn't Dead Boy, who unfortunately, he KNEW was coming with them.
And it couldn't be Buffy.
That was so, like, 1997.
However, impressing Cordelia wasn't exactly within the 2000's, either. He sighed. "Damn eye patch." Most of the time he didn't notice it, but at times like these, it stuck out like a sore eyeball cover.
And anyway, he wasn't doing this for himself - it was for Buffy. Since Willow bailed! Darn, Willow! He straightened himself for one last glance over then grabbed his coat and headed down the stairs where Angel and Buffy were already waiting.
"Heya, Buff. Dead Boy." He gave them both a crooked smile. "They have ice skates there, right? And if they don't, it's cool. I'm all about observing and eating great ice skating rink food." He didn't really know how to skate anyway. Yes, THIS was a big mistake.
Just like always, Cordelia was gonna make sure she was fashionably late. She liked it when others were waiting for *her* and they weren't gonna go anywhere without her. And she knew it to be true this time. Where Gunn and he-who-was-not-speaking-to-them at the moment *would* eventually just go? Angel wasn't gonna. Cause he needed Cordelia there.
The former cheerleader had no idea as to why Angel would need her there. What with him being with Buffy already - anyone remember the Angelus grrrr period in Sunnydale? Yeah, she thought so - and sometime social visits when they were apart. But if Angel, and apparently Buffy, wanted to act like a couple of teenagers in lurve, then Cordelia was gonna hold onto the right to mock them. Especially Angel who couldn't be mocked enough.
Payback for all the brooding. Seriously, there was way enough brooding in her life at the moment. Blah.
So, Cordelia had gotten her ice-skates - expensive brand, very much skated in during the skiing vacations in aspen and pretty lavender pink - put on her winter and wind safe make-up, dressed up to the nines for skating with friends. So not enough to drop dead impress but enough to poke Buffy's eyes out. Hey, she had a reputation to uphold and Willow was ridiculously easy to overshadow when it came to fashion. Not really worth the effort or the challenge.
So imagine Cordelia's surprise when she came - elegantly - gliding down the stairs to see not the red-headed witch, but her former boyfriend. "Xander," she frowned, glancing around as she took the last steps. "You're not a red-headed mousy lesbian witch," she accused, turning her look toward Angel. When in doubt, blame Angel. Hey, it worked in the past. "You said Willow was gonna come along."
Crap. Xander. Boy who she still had feelings for she was never going to admit to. Sure, it had to be him joining them. Lately it seemed as if she was running into him *everywhere*.
Despite having multiple lifetimes worth of a vocabulary, a quiet "You look nice," and a smile was all Angel could manage. But, it was true! Buffy did look nice. More than nice, actually. "I'm looking forward to it, I haven't been ice skating since..." He trailed off, still smiling, because he was sure Buffy knew very well when the last time he had been skating would have been when he had gone with her.
Of course, before there could be any more shy compliments from either of them, Xander had arrived on the scene. Dead boy, huh? Considering that had come with a smile, he was going to consider that a marked improvement on where he stood with Xander. "Hey, and yeah. You can rent a pair there for sure."
Angel had since guessed that Xander was probably going to be Willow's understudy for the evening, but really hadn't considered that to be an issue. That is, until it appeared to be a very big one to Cordelia. Defensively, Angel put up one of his hands as he explained, "She was supposed to, but don't worry, I'm pretty sure we can still have a good time without her."
And yeah, Angel knew very well that type of excuse wasn't going to cut it with Cordelia Chase. Then again, she was already all dressed up, so it was probably too late for her to back out. Hopefully. If it was just going to be Buffy, Xander, and himself, then things would certainly be a little more than awkward. As if it would insure everyone was still very much coming, Angel went ahead and opened up the door so everyone could start making it outside for the car.
She smiled, almost shyly, as Angel complimented her. "Oh. Thanks," she said, glancing down at herself with a shrug, as though she hadn't tried on a million different outfits to make sure she looked perfect. "You do, too," she said, then felt her smile widening slightly as he mentioned the last time they had gone ice skating. "Yeah, since that time," she agreed, not needing to finish it with 'I killed a demon with my ice skate and then we made out for a really, really long time' as she felt a slight flush in her cheeks. Oh god, she was being so sixteen-year-old Buffy right now. Might as well be writing 'Buffy + Angel 4Ever' on her notebooks again.
Buffy felt a slight relief hit her when Xander finally appeared on the scene to break the tension she probably made up in her head. At least he seemed a little more cheerful when greeting her ex-honey with his special nickname. That had to count for something? Ha, never in a million years did she ever think Xander would accompany her on this not-a-date with Angel.
"They definitely have skate rental," she agreed with Angel. "But, you don't have to skate if you don't want to. Holding my popcorn is more than an acceptable use of your time," she teased her best friend before Angel's 'chaperon' made her entrance.
She and Cordelia had been getting along better lately, but that didn't mean she wanted to spend endless amounts of time with her. Sigh. But, she paused as she noticed Cordelia acting towards Xander in the way she currently was acting around Angel. Huh. Weird much? "Willow couldn't come," she said, coming to Angel's rescue with his very lacking excuse for why Xander was there instead of her red-headed friend, "She got busy doing the magic and research thing. Couldn't tear her away, so Xander, being the nice friend he is, agreed to let me drag him along."
She headed out the door as Angel held it open, figuring Cordelia and Xander could work out whatever weirdness was happening between them. Or they could just argue and be very high school with each other. Of course, that might mean she would find them in a closet later. Oh jeez. Apparently it was nostalgia day.
She got inside the car and held her skates in her lap. She smiled to herself. Even if this foursome was a little strange, she was looking forward to getting out on that ice for the first time in ages. And even moreso, she was looking forward to skating with Angel.
Man, Cordelia looked hot. Was there a time when the Beauty Queen didn't? Xander always thought so. It was hard, being the one-eyed guy surrounded by hot chicks ALL the time. Except Dawn. Not that Dawn wasn't hot... but it was way weird to think of your little sister as being 'hot' thus the 'not Dawn.' He blinked, his hands in his pockets as he smiled at Cordelia, who didn't look overly happy that HE was standing there instead of Willow.
Well, big surprise. Something he had to suck up. Cordelia was contradiction on all levels. He had a good time shopping with her, even if he was bag boy. He wondered if he had been so wrapped up in his short-lived relationship with Faith, he really didn't spend as much time with the others as he used to. He felt like he hadn't seen Willow, his oldest best friend, in years!
"Great for skate rentals," he piped in after Buffy explained why Xander was here and not the redhead. "I'm gonna do the renting thing and then see how it goes from there. Me and ice? Not a good mixture."
Soon, Xander settled himself in the back of the car, letting Angel drive and Buffy, of course, have the passenger seat. That left the backseat for both he and Cordelia. "So, where is this skating rink?" he asked as they began to drive off.
Cordelia narrowed her eyes at Angel, ready to give a snarky reply to that assumption. But then, she hadn't been with the expecting to have a good time *with* Willow Rosenberg joining them. So having Xander instead wouldn't make much of a difference. If only-- If only those old feeling she thought *long* dead wouldn't suddenly play up.
Weird and who needs feelings anyway! They were just confused, those feelings. It had happened before. What with Groo and Angel and Wes and-- yeah. And look what feelings had done to Angel and Wes. Tore them up, broke them down and so on and so on and she so didn't need those feelings then.
Fine. She would ignore them, those feelings. She'd go on this stupid skating trip with two dorks and -- whatever Buffy was. Calling her a 'Slayer' really didn't cut it and the times where Cordy would refer to her as Slutty the Slayer were over and done with. They were the all trying to get along thing and doing not with the badly.
Still, this wasn't the planlike plan she had made! Ugh. And Xander was with the staring. Huh. "Close your mouth, Xander, you'll catch flies. Geeze."
Sighing, she moved after the others, giving Xander a glare when he didn't hold the door open for her just cause she could. And maybe being around Wes - door open holding behaviour was second nature to the guy - had spoiled her a little. Again. Kinda. She wasn't as bad as she used to be though! Nope. Still, sighing and glaring seemed like good things to do. Yup.
She also wasn't with the sulking as she slid into the back seat of Angel's machomobile. Seriously, why couldn't the guy buy a normal car instead of a penis extension. Like that worked so well when he had a whole garage full of them while working for evil inc. Urgh! Why had she agreed to this again? Oh yeah, to support Angel. Why again? No clue, he was a friggen vampire! Like a thousand years old! As if he needed 'support' from a former cheerleader.
"In those frozen town," Cordelia muttered, "We could probably skate on the streets. Just add water." She liked winter sports just as much as the next former rich girl. But the cold really was getting *cold*. Enough already.
"And it had better be good ice. I just had these skates sharpened or whatever you call that."
Angel did always like it when that first rosy tint appeared on the surface Buffy's skin. It was a small detail, but being a vampire, he never missed it. Or maybe being a vampire had nothing to do with it-- he'd memorized her every feature within the first moments of ever laying eyes on her, after all. Noticing little things like this would only lead to him noticing other little things he liked. And then it was only an epic alpine slope downhill from there. And that was exactly why it was going to have both Xander and Cordelia around. A pair of training wheels, as it were.
After everyone had made their way out of the Mansion, Angel followed behind, and took his place behind the wheel. As soon as everyone had taken their seat and buckled up, they were on their way.
"It's not far, just downtown in the next town over," Angel called back to Xander, as he tried to focus on obeying the posted speed limits. It wasn't often he was actually out and driving when other people would also be out and about.
Having to drive, also a good thing. He had to keep his eyes on the road when he was driving. Still, he couldn't help his eyes from trailing over to Buffy at every red light they caught. He even liked the way she was cradling her skates in her lap. She wasn't the Slayer right now, but just Buffy. And he was just a man-- a manpire.
Angel was a little surprised he hadn't heard a voice of opposition from Cordelia when Buffy had been allowed to claim the passenger side seat. It was entirely possible that was just because she was too busy complaining about everything else, though. For example, questioning the quality of the ice they would have at the rink. How could ice in an indoor artificial rink, even be bad?! Of course, Angel wouldn't knew very well not to question Cordelia's logic. Not if he wanted her to be in a good mood for the rest of the evening. Which he hoped she would be, eventually. It seemed Xander had switched to her target of her glares for now, anyway. So yeah, they were definitely lucky to have him around.
"I'm sure it'll be nice and perfectly zamboni'd. It's where the local minor league hockey team plays," and yes, one day he'd get someone to see a hockey game with him. It was pretty much the only public sporting event a vampire could attend! Well, okay, technically, basketball was also played indoors and at night, but he actually liked hockey.
Whenever the car stopped at a light, Buffy could feel Angel's gaze on her, even if it was only for a moment. She braved a glance every now and then, catching his eye when he began to turn away. She just wanted to get out on the ice and have an uninterrupted, peaceful time with Angel. She knew it was an impossibility, and she was probably jinxing herself just thinking about it, but she could hope. She glanced at his hands on the wheel, hoping she'd be holding one of them as she glided on the ice. But, maybe she really was being overly optimistic and clearly still living in her Dorothy Hamill fantasy land.
She idly played with the laces on her skates, untying and retying them over and over, just so her own hands had something to do. And thankfully, little miss complainer was also a nice mental distraction. She sighed to herself, wishing Cordelia would just shut up once in a while and enjoy things. But, it sounded familiar to her. She was extra bitchy during that time she and Xander were keeping their 'relationship' hidden. She glanced at her best friend in the rearview mirror, wondering if he was feeling the same as Cordelia. If Buffy was even right in her crazy assumption. She wasn't sure if this was a step-up or a step-down from Faith. But, really, anyone was better than Faith in her mind. At least Cordelia never tried to kill him. As far as she knew.
She almost wanted to say something, but she was all about keeping the peace. And arguing with Cordelia was not on her to-do list today. "Yeah going inside to an ice rink does seem kind of silly when we live in such a cold place already," she said, instead of saying her true thoughts, "It was always so refreshing in California to leave the intense heat for some time on the ice."
She looked over at Angel as he mentioned hockey, eyebrows rising in surprise that he knew that little tidbit. "I didn't know you were a hockey buff--err hockey fan."
Her gaze returned to the window. She was antsy. She was way too eager to get to skating. And she really hoped she hadn't lost her touch. Because falling in front of all of them--not so much Xander because she could laugh it off with him--would be totally embarrassing. But, who knew? Maybe she'd be helping Angel up every few seconds. He was a little clumsy every now and then, after all. That thought returned the smile to her face, though she tried to hide it. "Not to sound like a two year old, but are we there yet?"
Xander shook out of it and closed his mouth with a blink of his good eye, not realizing he was staring THAT much. He thought he had that kind of embarrassing thing under control. Apparently of the NOT. This might not be the kind of tag along he was hoping for. Buffy owed him BIG TIME. Like buy me the first edition of Superman big time.
As they let Angel drive them towards the next town where the ice rink was, Xander sat there, staring out the window, listening to Cordelia nitpick at everything that was brought up. From the idea of going to the rink to ice skate to the very idea the ice would be BAD at the rink. He slouched just a little more in his seat.
Just as Buffy asked if they were there yet, Angel had pulled the car into their destination. Thank God, Xander thought as he got out of the car. He looked around the building and nodded. "Building construction looks sound. Seems like the ice will be the same..." He pointedly looked at Cordelia before moving towards the door and held the door open for all of them.
God forbid he got the glare from Cordelia for not holding the door open. Wasn't it like grrrrl power or something? Still, Xander learned that even if these girls were headstrong - and in many cases, just plain STRONG - they still liked a little gentlemen in their man. Even Faith, though she teased him about it, liked to be sometimes treated as a lady. He saw it in her eyes.
Okay, what was with the looks and the hidden glares and the kept in sighage? Did these people *know* Cordelia Chase? Xander and Buffy damn well grew up with her. Hell, Xander even dated her. And Angel? Angel should know Cordelia better then anyone bar Gunn and Wesley. The former may-queen may have mellowed down but that didn't mean she was no longer a bitch. And if there was something to bitch about she was gonna friggen well bitch!
So she let out a demonstrative huff and pointedly looked out the window while they drove over the ice-rink. Why had she agreed to this again? Oh yeah, cause she got to mock Angel with his stamery asking. And cause Willow was supposed to come and not Xander. She was avoiding Xander until she figured out these weird new old feeling that were suddenly skittering all through her body unwanted. Like she needed that, rekindled feelings for Xander!
She kept her mouth shut as Angel parked the car but did roll her eyes as his and Buffy's behaviour. God! Teen-ager much? They were both way older now you'd think they left that awkward part behind. It wasn't as if *no one* knew they were 'meant to be yet could'.
Which, seriously, crap. That was such crap Cordelia though. As if, with everything that had happened, Angel could actually *have* perfect happiness. She sure as fuck couldn't ever. Happy? Sure, or close enough. Perfect happiness? Nope. She doubted anyone of them really could.
Elegantly she swooped through the doors Xander held open, not sparing him a glance and trotted after Buffy and Angel into the place. She was quick enough to find seat near the ice to lace on her skates and get going. She came here to ice-skate, chaperone (snort) and she was kinda hoping to see Buffy do some figure skating. Yup! Cordelia recalled hearing her old friend say she used to do that.
“Kinda,” Angel replied with a shy sort of smile, as if “kinda” qualified him as the type of fan who bought his kid his own hockey jersey and miniature stick before he could even walk, talk, or think about life without diapers. “It’s the only modern sporting event where things still seem like a challenge for the players. “ Not that Angel really had many hours to spend lazing about in front of a television- and certainly not at night, which was when most sports seemed to be on.
Angel retrieved his own pair of skates from the car, and headed out. He’d owned them for months now, but today would definitely be the first time he’d actually get to wear them. Which was a little silly, really, because the only reason he had bought the things in the first place was standing beside him as he passed through the door held opened by Xander, and into the rink.
Speaking of Xander, it was looking like not knowing how to skate was just one minor hurdle standing in his way. Melting the heart of the Ice Queen Cordelia was definitely going to be his more difficult task. Good luck, kid. He was going to need all he could get, it seemed. As much as she had made fun of his attempts to rekindle his relationship with Buffy, Cordy could certainly benefit from a callback, herself. It might actually make her less cranky…! But you’d never hear anything like that from his lips. Not even when he was at the sharp end of a stake.
As much as he would’ve liked to help get the ice melting process started, he was a little busy stressing over making things go right for himself and Buffy. Or at least, right enough that next time he might be brave enough to ask her out somewhere alone. Yes, he sure was one model Champion of the world, all right. Sure, he was being silly, bordering right on ridiculous even, but he just wanted to believe things could go right. For once.
He made sure he was on his feet first, so he’d be ready to help Buffy to her feet by the time she had finished lacing up her own pair. “Let’s go get your skate on,” he said, perfectly seriously he held his hand down to her, knowing very well he risked getting laughed at for being so old fashioned.
Buffy's expression lit up considerably when the car finally stopped. She practically bounded out of the car and through the door, past Xander. She had to slow down because she would end up doing laps around everyone and not exactly enjoying the moment. And she so totally needed to enjoy it, considering she hadn't been ice skating since she was forced to neck-slice a demon with her skate. Talk about a moment-ruiner.
She took a seat on a bench near the rink, eyes wide and exhilarated as she looked at the smooth ice just waiting for her. She slid off her boots and pulled her skates on, tying them tightly. She sat for a moment, soaking in the cool air, which she enjoyed way more at an ice rink than outside in the winter--go figure--before she noticed Angel was standing in front of her and patiently waiting.
She smiled up at him and let out a rather girlish giggle at his comment. She took his hand gingerly at first before she pulled herself to her feet. He was such an old-fashioned gentlemen sometimes, but she was totally not opposed to him being all chivalrous. Actually, it was refreshing, but at the same time so very familiar. She curled her fingers around his hand, "Hell yes," she said enthusiastically, glancing back at Xander and Cordelia for a moment, hoping they wouldn't kill each other. Maybe they'd fight to the point of make-out, like they used to do.
She pulled Angel towards the rink --not that he needed much convincing--and stepped out onto the ice with ease. Everything she knew about skating rushed back to her in an instant, "Like falling off a log," she said, "Or, I guess, with less falling. I hope so, anyway," she shook her head, trying to get past the nervous babble phase since now it really was just the two of them. Great, cue inner nervous, unnecessary panic.
She guided him out onto the ice, not sure if he had any sort of skills with it. Sure, he mentioned liking hockey, but had he ever played? And the last time they were on the ice together, he just had shoes on. "have you ever done this before?" she asked with a tilt of her head.
Xander watched each of his friends go through the offered opened door, noticing Cordelia's avoidance of eye contact. Story of his life. Sighing, he let the door close behind him and took in the scene before him.
Ice skating. Wow. It had been years.
As everyone laced up with their own skates, Xander began to wander towards the both that rented skates. Should he even dare to make a fool of himself? Angel and Buffy seemed to already be doing the traditional mating dance on the ice. And Cordelia didn't seem to want to take notice of him.
Again, story of his life.
"Oh, what the hell. What am I gonna do? Make a fool of myself? Oh, wait, I've already done that many, many times..." He dug into his pocket and offered the money to the pimply kid behind the counter.
Taking the skates, he walked over to the nearest bench where Cordelia happened to be sitting and began to remove his shoes. "So, ice skating, huh? Kind of... icy." Nice form there, Harris. "Do you did a lot of skating in your youth, huh?"
Buffy and Angel were still doing the whole teenagey smiley crap. Cordelia looked up every now and then, only to roll her eyes. Yep, teen-age regression there. Part of her envied them that. She wished she could still do that. Oh she could, with Gunn and Wesley, just like old times. But all the crap that had happened over the last years... the last weeks even, happy? Yeah, not happening.
So out came the bitch, or the fake smile, or the ice-queen. She'd been hurt and now Cordelia was doing her best to make damn sure she wasn't gonna get hurt again. What was worse though, she'd hurt a friend. A good friend. A very good friend. And no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't figure out a way to make it up to him. The words 'I'm sorry' somehow not seeming to be enough.
With a sigh she continued to lace up her well used skates and didn't even look up when Xander sat down next to her. Yeah, that was all she needed. Have Mr. shit-I-can't-still-have-feelings-for! Sit down next to her. And try it with the small talk. Seriously, Xander and small talk? Oh so bad. He was so of the bad when it came to that. Like they hadn't grown up together. Like he didn't know her parents always took her to Aspen in the winter.
Duh.
"Aspen ring any bells, boy-I-grew-up-with?" She asked, finishing up with her skates and sitting up. She looked over at Xander, bemused at his nervousness. She still had it. She wished she didn't. "Still the small talk champ huh?"
"No, no falling," Angel sternly agreed, as if he would actually be able to in some way, prevent Buffy from taking a tumble to the ice. Well, vampire reflexes and all-- but anyway, in all seriousness, it was much more likely that Angel would be the one to go tumbling down first.
"I have actually, but, well...", he smiled sheepishly, trailing off a moment as he switched glances between Buffy and some of the other skaters already swirling about out on the ice. "It's been awhile."
Considering the last time he actually wore skates was probably a winter spent at Hyde Park with Darla, soulless and more than a few lifetimes ago, that might have been a little bit of an understatement. Still, he seemed to have a good mixture of balance between his feet and the ice, as they made their way further out into the rink.
Of course, it didn't take long for that oh so sure footing to be put into question when two pee wee sized skaters whizzed by, just a little too close for comfort, and he was quite sure those handy vampire reflexes were the only thing that had kept him from falling flat on his face.
Still, he was able to keep smiling, albeit nervously, as he repeated, "Like I said, it's been awhile, heh."
And she had been freaking out earlier in the day since she had counted on Willow coming with her to make it a little less awkward and sweaty palms making, but she couldn't come at the last minute. So, after much begging and pleading with Angel's number one fan, Xander, he finally agreed to come along. As Willow would say, thank goddess.
She looked at herself in the mirror, wrinkling her nose at the outfit and tore it off, putting on a pair of jeans, a camisole, and a matching sweater. Apparently number six was the charm. Or she was just running a little late. After a quick re-application of her lip gloss and another spray of her curls, she grabbed her ice skates and headed downstairs to the entryway. She was slipping her coat on when Angel arrived.
She froze momentarily as she saw him, looking around frantically for Xander. Where was her damn wingman? After taking a hopefully invisible deep, nervous breath, she offered Angel a smile. She buttoned her coat, saying, "Hey." It was less of a word and more of a croak. She cleared her throat, her nervous smiling remaining, "Ready to get your skating on?"
Oh god, she was so terribly lame. Someone needed to sew her mouth shut before she embarrassed herself any further.
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And it couldn't be Buffy.
That was so, like, 1997.
However, impressing Cordelia wasn't exactly within the 2000's, either. He sighed. "Damn eye patch." Most of the time he didn't notice it, but at times like these, it stuck out like a sore eyeball cover.
And anyway, he wasn't doing this for himself - it was for Buffy. Since Willow bailed! Darn, Willow! He straightened himself for one last glance over then grabbed his coat and headed down the stairs where Angel and Buffy were already waiting.
"Heya, Buff. Dead Boy." He gave them both a crooked smile. "They have ice skates there, right? And if they don't, it's cool. I'm all about observing and eating great ice skating rink food." He didn't really know how to skate anyway. Yes, THIS was a big mistake.
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The former cheerleader had no idea as to why Angel would need her there. What with him being with Buffy already - anyone remember the Angelus grrrr period in Sunnydale? Yeah, she thought so - and sometime social visits when they were apart. But if Angel, and apparently Buffy, wanted to act like a couple of teenagers in lurve, then Cordelia was gonna hold onto the right to mock them. Especially Angel who couldn't be mocked enough.
Payback for all the brooding. Seriously, there was way enough brooding in her life at the moment. Blah.
So, Cordelia had gotten her ice-skates - expensive brand, very much skated in during the skiing vacations in aspen and pretty lavender pink - put on her winter and wind safe make-up, dressed up to the nines for skating with friends. So not enough to drop dead impress but enough to poke Buffy's eyes out. Hey, she had a reputation to uphold and Willow was ridiculously easy to overshadow when it came to fashion. Not really worth the effort or the challenge.
So imagine Cordelia's surprise when she came - elegantly - gliding down the stairs to see not the red-headed witch, but her former boyfriend. "Xander," she frowned, glancing around as she took the last steps. "You're not a red-headed mousy lesbian witch," she accused, turning her look toward Angel. When in doubt, blame Angel. Hey, it worked in the past. "You said Willow was gonna come along."
Crap. Xander. Boy who she still had feelings for she was never going to admit to. Sure, it had to be him joining them. Lately it seemed as if she was running into him *everywhere*.
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Of course, before there could be any more shy compliments from either of them, Xander had arrived on the scene. Dead boy, huh? Considering that had come with a smile, he was going to consider that a marked improvement on where he stood with Xander. "Hey, and yeah. You can rent a pair there for sure."
Angel had since guessed that Xander was probably going to be Willow's understudy for the evening, but really hadn't considered that to be an issue. That is, until it appeared to be a very big one to Cordelia. Defensively, Angel put up one of his hands as he explained, "She was supposed to, but don't worry, I'm pretty sure we can still have a good time without her."
And yeah, Angel knew very well that type of excuse wasn't going to cut it with Cordelia Chase. Then again, she was already all dressed up, so it was probably too late for her to back out. Hopefully. If it was just going to be Buffy, Xander, and himself, then things would certainly be a little more than awkward. As if it would insure everyone was still very much coming, Angel went ahead and opened up the door so everyone could start making it outside for the car.
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Buffy felt a slight relief hit her when Xander finally appeared on the scene to break the tension she probably made up in her head. At least he seemed a little more cheerful when greeting her ex-honey with his special nickname. That had to count for something? Ha, never in a million years did she ever think Xander would accompany her on this not-a-date with Angel.
"They definitely have skate rental," she agreed with Angel. "But, you don't have to skate if you don't want to. Holding my popcorn is more than an acceptable use of your time," she teased her best friend before Angel's 'chaperon' made her entrance.
She and Cordelia had been getting along better lately, but that didn't mean she wanted to spend endless amounts of time with her. Sigh. But, she paused as she noticed Cordelia acting towards Xander in the way she currently was acting around Angel. Huh. Weird much? "Willow couldn't come," she said, coming to Angel's rescue with his very lacking excuse for why Xander was there instead of her red-headed friend, "She got busy doing the magic and research thing. Couldn't tear her away, so Xander, being the nice friend he is, agreed to let me drag him along."
She headed out the door as Angel held it open, figuring Cordelia and Xander could work out whatever weirdness was happening between them. Or they could just argue and be very high school with each other. Of course, that might mean she would find them in a closet later. Oh jeez. Apparently it was nostalgia day.
She got inside the car and held her skates in her lap. She smiled to herself. Even if this foursome was a little strange, she was looking forward to getting out on that ice for the first time in ages. And even moreso, she was looking forward to skating with Angel.
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Well, big surprise. Something he had to suck up. Cordelia was contradiction on all levels. He had a good time shopping with her, even if he was bag boy. He wondered if he had been so wrapped up in his short-lived relationship with Faith, he really didn't spend as much time with the others as he used to. He felt like he hadn't seen Willow, his oldest best friend, in years!
"Great for skate rentals," he piped in after Buffy explained why Xander was here and not the redhead. "I'm gonna do the renting thing and then see how it goes from there. Me and ice? Not a good mixture."
Soon, Xander settled himself in the back of the car, letting Angel drive and Buffy, of course, have the passenger seat. That left the backseat for both he and Cordelia. "So, where is this skating rink?" he asked as they began to drive off.
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Weird and who needs feelings anyway! They were just confused, those feelings. It had happened before. What with Groo and Angel and Wes and-- yeah. And look what feelings had done to Angel and Wes. Tore them up, broke them down and so on and so on and she so didn't need those feelings then.
Fine. She would ignore them, those feelings. She'd go on this stupid skating trip with two dorks and -- whatever Buffy was. Calling her a 'Slayer' really didn't cut it and the times where Cordy would refer to her as Slutty the Slayer were over and done with. They were the all trying to get along thing and doing not with the badly.
Still, this wasn't the planlike plan she had made! Ugh. And Xander was with the staring. Huh. "Close your mouth, Xander, you'll catch flies. Geeze."
Sighing, she moved after the others, giving Xander a glare when he didn't hold the door open for her just cause she could. And maybe being around Wes - door open holding behaviour was second nature to the guy - had spoiled her a little. Again. Kinda. She wasn't as bad as she used to be though! Nope. Still, sighing and glaring seemed like good things to do. Yup.
She also wasn't with the sulking as she slid into the back seat of Angel's machomobile. Seriously, why couldn't the guy buy a normal car instead of a penis extension. Like that worked so well when he had a whole garage full of them while working for evil inc. Urgh! Why had she agreed to this again? Oh yeah, to support Angel. Why again? No clue, he was a friggen vampire! Like a thousand years old! As if he needed 'support' from a former cheerleader.
"In those frozen town," Cordelia muttered, "We could probably skate on the streets. Just add water." She liked winter sports just as much as the next former rich girl. But the cold really was getting *cold*. Enough already.
"And it had better be good ice. I just had these skates sharpened or whatever you call that."
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After everyone had made their way out of the Mansion, Angel followed behind, and took his place behind the wheel. As soon as everyone had taken their seat and buckled up, they were on their way.
"It's not far, just downtown in the next town over," Angel called back to Xander, as he tried to focus on obeying the posted speed limits. It wasn't often he was actually out and driving when other people would also be out and about.
Having to drive, also a good thing. He had to keep his eyes on the road when he was driving. Still, he couldn't help his eyes from trailing over to Buffy at every red light they caught. He even liked the way she was cradling her skates in her lap. She wasn't the Slayer right now, but just Buffy. And he was just a man-- a manpire.
Angel was a little surprised he hadn't heard a voice of opposition from Cordelia when Buffy had been allowed to claim the passenger side seat. It was entirely possible that was just because she was too busy complaining about everything else, though. For example, questioning the quality of the ice they would have at the rink. How could ice in an indoor artificial rink, even be bad?! Of course, Angel wouldn't knew very well not to question Cordelia's logic. Not if he wanted her to be in a good mood for the rest of the evening. Which he hoped she would be, eventually. It seemed Xander had switched to her target of her glares for now, anyway. So yeah, they were definitely lucky to have him around.
"I'm sure it'll be nice and perfectly zamboni'd. It's where the local minor league hockey team plays," and yes, one day he'd get someone to see a hockey game with him. It was pretty much the only public sporting event a vampire could attend! Well, okay, technically, basketball was also played indoors and at night, but he actually liked hockey.
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She idly played with the laces on her skates, untying and retying them over and over, just so her own hands had something to do. And thankfully, little miss complainer was also a nice mental distraction. She sighed to herself, wishing Cordelia would just shut up once in a while and enjoy things. But, it sounded familiar to her. She was extra bitchy during that time she and Xander were keeping their 'relationship' hidden. She glanced at her best friend in the rearview mirror, wondering if he was feeling the same as Cordelia. If Buffy was even right in her crazy assumption. She wasn't sure if this was a step-up or a step-down from Faith. But, really, anyone was better than Faith in her mind. At least Cordelia never tried to kill him. As far as she knew.
She almost wanted to say something, but she was all about keeping the peace. And arguing with Cordelia was not on her to-do list today. "Yeah going inside to an ice rink does seem kind of silly when we live in such a cold place already," she said, instead of saying her true thoughts, "It was always so refreshing in California to leave the intense heat for some time on the ice."
She looked over at Angel as he mentioned hockey, eyebrows rising in surprise that he knew that little tidbit. "I didn't know you were a hockey buff--err hockey fan."
Her gaze returned to the window. She was antsy. She was way too eager to get to skating. And she really hoped she hadn't lost her touch. Because falling in front of all of them--not so much Xander because she could laugh it off with him--would be totally embarrassing. But, who knew? Maybe she'd be helping Angel up every few seconds. He was a little clumsy every now and then, after all. That thought returned the smile to her face, though she tried to hide it. "Not to sound like a two year old, but are we there yet?"
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As they let Angel drive them towards the next town where the ice rink was, Xander sat there, staring out the window, listening to Cordelia nitpick at everything that was brought up. From the idea of going to the rink to ice skate to the very idea the ice would be BAD at the rink. He slouched just a little more in his seat.
Just as Buffy asked if they were there yet, Angel had pulled the car into their destination. Thank God, Xander thought as he got out of the car. He looked around the building and nodded. "Building construction looks sound. Seems like the ice will be the same..." He pointedly looked at Cordelia before moving towards the door and held the door open for all of them.
God forbid he got the glare from Cordelia for not holding the door open. Wasn't it like grrrrl power or something? Still, Xander learned that even if these girls were headstrong - and in many cases, just plain STRONG - they still liked a little gentlemen in their man. Even Faith, though she teased him about it, liked to be sometimes treated as a lady. He saw it in her eyes.
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So she let out a demonstrative huff and pointedly looked out the window while they drove over the ice-rink. Why had she agreed to this again? Oh yeah, cause she got to mock Angel with his stamery asking. And cause Willow was supposed to come and not Xander. She was avoiding Xander until she figured out these weird new old feeling that were suddenly skittering all through her body unwanted. Like she needed that, rekindled feelings for Xander!
She kept her mouth shut as Angel parked the car but did roll her eyes as his and Buffy's behaviour. God! Teen-ager much? They were both way older now you'd think they left that awkward part behind. It wasn't as if *no one* knew they were 'meant to be yet could'.
Which, seriously, crap. That was such crap Cordelia though. As if, with everything that had happened, Angel could actually *have* perfect happiness. She sure as fuck couldn't ever. Happy? Sure, or close enough. Perfect happiness? Nope. She doubted anyone of them really could.
Elegantly she swooped through the doors Xander held open, not sparing him a glance and trotted after Buffy and Angel into the place. She was quick enough to find seat near the ice to lace on her skates and get going. She came here to ice-skate, chaperone (snort) and she was kinda hoping to see Buffy do some figure skating. Yup! Cordelia recalled hearing her old friend say she used to do that.
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Angel retrieved his own pair of skates from the car, and headed out. He’d owned them for months now, but today would definitely be the first time he’d actually get to wear them. Which was a little silly, really, because the only reason he had bought the things in the first place was standing beside him as he passed through the door held opened by Xander, and into the rink.
Speaking of Xander, it was looking like not knowing how to skate was just one minor hurdle standing in his way. Melting the heart of the Ice Queen Cordelia was definitely going to be his more difficult task. Good luck, kid. He was going to need all he could get, it seemed. As much as she had made fun of his attempts to rekindle his relationship with Buffy, Cordy could certainly benefit from a callback, herself. It might actually make her less cranky…! But you’d never hear anything like that from his lips. Not even when he was at the sharp end of a stake.
As much as he would’ve liked to help get the ice melting process started, he was a little busy stressing over making things go right for himself and Buffy. Or at least, right enough that next time he might be brave enough to ask her out somewhere alone. Yes, he sure was one model Champion of the world, all right. Sure, he was being silly, bordering right on ridiculous even, but he just wanted to believe things could go right. For once.
He made sure he was on his feet first, so he’d be ready to help Buffy to her feet by the time she had finished lacing up her own pair. “Let’s go get your skate on,” he said, perfectly seriously he held his hand down to her, knowing very well he risked getting laughed at for being so old fashioned.
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She took a seat on a bench near the rink, eyes wide and exhilarated as she looked at the smooth ice just waiting for her. She slid off her boots and pulled her skates on, tying them tightly. She sat for a moment, soaking in the cool air, which she enjoyed way more at an ice rink than outside in the winter--go figure--before she noticed Angel was standing in front of her and patiently waiting.
She smiled up at him and let out a rather girlish giggle at his comment. She took his hand gingerly at first before she pulled herself to her feet. He was such an old-fashioned gentlemen sometimes, but she was totally not opposed to him being all chivalrous. Actually, it was refreshing, but at the same time so very familiar. She curled her fingers around his hand, "Hell yes," she said enthusiastically, glancing back at Xander and Cordelia for a moment, hoping they wouldn't kill each other. Maybe they'd fight to the point of make-out, like they used to do.
She pulled Angel towards the rink --not that he needed much convincing--and stepped out onto the ice with ease. Everything she knew about skating rushed back to her in an instant, "Like falling off a log," she said, "Or, I guess, with less falling. I hope so, anyway," she shook her head, trying to get past the nervous babble phase since now it really was just the two of them. Great, cue inner nervous, unnecessary panic.
She guided him out onto the ice, not sure if he had any sort of skills with it. Sure, he mentioned liking hockey, but had he ever played? And the last time they were on the ice together, he just had shoes on. "have you ever done this before?" she asked with a tilt of her head.
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Ice skating. Wow. It had been years.
As everyone laced up with their own skates, Xander began to wander towards the both that rented skates. Should he even dare to make a fool of himself? Angel and Buffy seemed to already be doing the traditional mating dance on the ice. And Cordelia didn't seem to want to take notice of him.
Again, story of his life.
"Oh, what the hell. What am I gonna do? Make a fool of myself? Oh, wait, I've already done that many, many times..." He dug into his pocket and offered the money to the pimply kid behind the counter.
Taking the skates, he walked over to the nearest bench where Cordelia happened to be sitting and began to remove his shoes. "So, ice skating, huh? Kind of... icy." Nice form there, Harris. "Do you did a lot of skating in your youth, huh?"
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So out came the bitch, or the fake smile, or the ice-queen. She'd been hurt and now Cordelia was doing her best to make damn sure she wasn't gonna get hurt again. What was worse though, she'd hurt a friend. A good friend. A very good friend. And no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't figure out a way to make it up to him. The words 'I'm sorry' somehow not seeming to be enough.
With a sigh she continued to lace up her well used skates and didn't even look up when Xander sat down next to her. Yeah, that was all she needed. Have Mr. shit-I-can't-still-have-feelings-for! Sit down next to her. And try it with the small talk. Seriously, Xander and small talk? Oh so bad. He was so of the bad when it came to that. Like they hadn't grown up together. Like he didn't know her parents always took her to Aspen in the winter.
Duh.
"Aspen ring any bells, boy-I-grew-up-with?" She asked, finishing up with her skates and sitting up. She looked over at Xander, bemused at his nervousness. She still had it. She wished she didn't. "Still the small talk champ huh?"
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"I have actually, but, well...", he smiled sheepishly, trailing off a moment as he switched glances between Buffy and some of the other skaters already swirling about out on the ice. "It's been awhile."
Considering the last time he actually wore skates was probably a winter spent at Hyde Park with Darla, soulless and more than a few lifetimes ago, that might have been a little bit of an understatement. Still, he seemed to have a good mixture of balance between his feet and the ice, as they made their way further out into the rink.
Of course, it didn't take long for that oh so sure footing to be put into question when two pee wee sized skaters whizzed by, just a little too close for comfort, and he was quite sure those handy vampire reflexes were the only thing that had kept him from falling flat on his face.
Still, he was able to keep smiling, albeit nervously, as he repeated, "Like I said, it's been awhile, heh."
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