Untitled - Teaser

#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#

Beep! Beep!

'Why me?' Buffy Summers thought as she rolled out of bed. She quickly showered and dressed in her navy blue suit. Her hair pulled back with a simple French twist, she felt she was ready. She quickly drove to the office, stopping at Starbucks as she always did on Fridays to get coffee for her friends.

As she walked in to the enormous office she stopped by the downstairs gym to give Tara, a friend from work, her coffee.

" Hey Tara, how's it going?"

"Great, the yoga class is being implemented- I've been urging corporate to give us a class to help de-stress. Thanks for the coffee."

"No problem." With that Buffy quickly ran upstairs and sorted through the massive paperwork into a due today and a due soon pile.

*****

Just as she was about to get started on the McCain case- about a 26 year old woman who murdered her 86 year old husband, a co-worker came in asking her to finish a deposition by the end of the day. 'Great now I'll be at the copier all day.' As she ran down there she saw the two most unproductive employees she had ever met.

"So I said to him "Angelus- I think we should move forward in our relationship." He didn't respond, but he gets the hint. I want nice dinners- not just a quick fuck." Cordelia Chase explained to the other secretary Harmony Kendall. 'Please- what an airhead.' Buffy quickly used the copier and got out of the office as fast as she could. Suddenly she crashed into a broad chest.

"Hey! Watch where you're going." Buffy told whoever she bumped into. Suddenly she looked into the eyes of none other than the devil himself. Angelus O'Connor- the most unprofessional man she had ever met was staring down at her like nothing was wrong while, oddly enough, staring at her chest. " It wasn't my fault I'll have you know miss priss," he said glaringly. "Maybe you should watch where you're going."

"Me? Hello, what were you doing? Just standing there like an idiot. It's not like you were actually moving or doing some productive." With a flip of her hair, she turned and marched off.

'Who does that jerk think he is? Standing around like he has nothing better to do. And here I am working my ass off.'

***************

'Who does she think she is? It's not my fault she doesn't look where she's going. Maybe if she got laid she wouldn't have a stick shoved so far up her ass. I mean- it's not like she isn't hot- I'd do her.' With that, Angelus shook his head. Everyone knew that Buffy Summers was an all work, no play girl. She came in everyday by 7:30- half an hour earlier than the rest of her co-workers and left by 7:30 P.M. - two hours later than most of her co-workers. Truth be told, she probably didn't even have a social life. She didn't seem to have any real friends here at work, and everybody else here seem to resent the fact that she never took time to have a life- it made them look bad. She never came to any of the company's parties. In fact, no one really knew what she did after she went home.

'I wonder what she does- Sunnydale is a fairly small town and yet no one knows. She is really hot- I wonder if she has a boyfriend. I bet she does…I mean those tanned legs wrapped around a waist…wait- what am I thinking' he quickly shook the thought away. 'Buffy Summers is so not my type.'

As he went into his office he saw Harmony's note: "Hey boss- Mrs. Rosenberg wants to see you. She said it was important. Maybe a promotion? If so, can I get a pay raise? Later, Harmony." He sighed. 'Great another meeting- maybe it will be a promotion… It has been a while. If it is, Harmony sure as hell isn't getting a raise- She's never here, always talking to Cordy. An answering machine, Maybe. A raise? I think not. Wait?… What time is the meeting? Damn it, Harmony. Take down all the info. So I don't have to track you down.'

With that last thought, he marched determined down to the copy room where surprise, surprise Harmony and Cordy were talking.

"Harmony? When you take down a note and leave, leave all the information on the card. Where is the meeting and at what time?"

"Ummm… I don't really remember. It's in Mrs. Rosenberg's office at 9 something. Yeah, that's it, 9:30."

"Thanks Harm." He commented sarcastically.

"So Angelus- how about-" Cordelia began when Angelus ran out of the room. 'Well, that was rude. I'm his lover and girlfriend. He should at least say hi. Who the hell does he think he is?'

*****

'Shit' Angelus thought. It was 9:35 now and his crappy secretary made him late. On a day that he could get an important case, or even better, be made partner.

With that Angelus ran into Mrs. Rosenberg's office. "Sorry I'm late. My crappy secretary didn't take down the time and by the time I get her to remember-" he rushed, but cut himself off when he saw another man in the room.

"Yes, Mr. O'Connor we were meeting, but I had to meet with a client last minute. I told both Ms. Summers secretary as well as yours that we would meet at ten instead. Please go outside and wait with Ms. Summers while I finish with my client."

'Shit.' He thought while waiting. 'Now I'm going to get the job.'

"Ms. Summers, Mr. O'Connor you may come in now." Mrs. Rosenberg's secretary.

"Good morning. Ms. Summers, Mr. O'Connor, please take a seat." Willow greeted them when they walked in. "As you know, our firm has developed over the years into one of the most successful in the United States. In addition, we have over twenty-five branches in the world. Therefore, as a result, we have made a vast fortune and accumulated many of the best lawyers in the world. We also have had to make significant restrictions as to who may become a partner and assist in the development of our company. Our standards are top quality.

Therefore, we have several requirements: first, the partners must have worked here for ten years since law school and have been a summer associate, or have worked here for a minimum of fifteen years. In addition to that, the partner must have accumulated a wealth of clients and billable hours in excess of forty million dollars. Now, Mr. O'Connor you are now thirty five and have worked here since twenty four. In addition to that you have brought in several fortune 500 companies as well as many famous clients. Your record is also impeccable. Is that correct?"

"Yes, that is correct."

"And Miss Summers you have worked here for only five years after graduating at the astounding age of twenty as top of the class at Harvard Law School. While only working here for five years, you have managed to bring in over three point two billion dollars in revenue. In addition, you have shown an unwavering loyalty to the team through overtime. Is that correct?"

"Yes, that's true."

"Although Ms. Summers is several years younger her experience has proven her capable as any ten year lawyer, and the firm has therefore decided to also extend her this offer. Mr. O'Connor, Ms. Summers, the firm feels that one of you from this office in Sunnydale is most capable of taking the lead role in our new office in San Francisco. The offer, of course, would raise you position to a junior partner and therefore you would accumulate a portion of the earnings. The firm, however, can not decide which of you to send. Therefore, the firm will be watching the both of you over the next month to decide who is best equipped for the job. In addition, both of you will submit a proposal on why you are the best candidate for the job. I must congratulate both of you- you were chosen out of all of our companies two thousand attorneys. You both do an incredible job. This is an amazing opportunity- I wish you both luck."

"Thank you." They said in unison.

*****

'Wow' each thought as they were on there way back. 'I am so going to get that job.'

'I work so much harder than Mr. O'Connor that years in the company don't even matter. I'm a shoo in for that job.' Buffy thought.

'I have more experience and more years here. Why wouldn't they give it to me right away? What is she more professional? Yeah right. I'll just have to reveal something that shows her true colors. No one is perfect. I'll just have to see to it that I get the position that I deserve.' Angelus grinned. This was going to be fun. In that moment, the war had begun.

*****

As the day was about to end Angelus sat in his desk looking over the day's paperwork. The last thing he wanted to do now was to come unprepared to work or mess up. Off course, neither was likely but Buffy wasn't just going to pass up this opportunity without making a threat, and he didn't want to look like an idiot in front of Willow when the promotion day came.

Just as he was putting the last of the papers away he heard a few noises outside of his office. He immediately recognized one voice as Willow's and the other one as Buffy's.

The curiosity took the better of him and he stayed quite and heard everything that the two women said to each other:

"Come on Buffy, come over to my house tonight, we'll have fun." He could almost hear Buffy roll her eyes and sigh.

"I'm sorry Willow, I've got plans. Rain check? I'll promise I'll make it up to you."

The girls giggled and Angelus could feel a smile grow on his face. What was this? Was Ms. Good-girl Summers having an affair with the boss? This was just too lovely. Off course it could be just a friendly talk but being desperate after the promotion might've made Buffy use her other tricks.

'Someone up there must really like me, now the promotion is as good as mine. All I need to do is to blackmail Buffy to give up her chance: it's almost too easy.'

Even as thankful as Angelus was, he knew that no one would ever get far without some hard-core evidence so he needed to gather them. He could hear the girls leave and Angelus decided to follow Buffy.

****

He didn't make much noise around him and kept his eyes on Buffy as she walked out to the parking garage, it was too dangerous to loose her and Angelus wasn't a man with patience. He was going to start his plan right away.

The blue car that Buffy was driving drove away from the parking garage and Angelus' black car wasn't far behind, of course he kept his distance, he didn't want her to catch him following her around.

Angelus saw Buffy's car eventually drive up at her apartment, of course, he wouldn't find Willow walking in there anytime soon, but he found himself intrigued of what the work's most cold-hearted bitch did for fun on her free time. 'Work? Not likely, she might be a bitch but still a woman.'

To his surprise Buffy walked out of her apartment twenty minutes later and was dressed to… go out. If Angelus was a person that easily showed emotions his mouth would touch the floor. What was this? She almost looked like a decent woman.

******

Buffy pulled over later by 'The Bronze', one of the biggest clubs in LA and parked her car not far away from the entrance. Angelus went to the Bronze regularly, when he didn't't have any plans for the night, but he'd been rather busy with Cordelia for the last weeks.

Another grin came across Angelus' face when he thought of Cordelia. 'Ohh, she was one great woman in bed.'

He might visit her after this, just maybe, but for now he had a girl to investigate.

He entered the club, he smelled the familiar scent of sweat, smokes, sex and the certain smell that the Bronze always had. People were everywhere and the place was filled with beautiful women.

Angelus had to keep himself in check not to go over to some woman for some quick sex, he had to… Go to the bar or something. He got to the bar, but quickly regretted his move. Today's bartender was Spike.

"Angelus, my man!" He exclaimed when Angelus approached the bar. It wasn't that Angelus didn't like Spike he just… didn't like him, even though his company sometimes was bearable.

"Spike, how's life treating you?" The men laughed lightly and then Angelus sat down by the bar. "Give me a beer."

"Alright, coming up," Spike told him and looked down under the bar-disc and was within five minutes up with a big glass of beer while Angelus put his coat on the chair next to him. "On the house. You know me, me and Dru are good."

"So you and Dru are back together now?" Angelus asked, remembered his ex-girlfriend with a smirk on his face. Angelus noted that Spike saw it and looked for a moment worried.

"Yes. I went back to the man I use to be: I had this phrase when I went all soft. Women, other than Dru, are just problems." Spike looked around the bar, as if he was expecting someone to be in Angelus' shadow. "Speaking of women, where are yours? I haven't seen you in ages so I figured that you had your hands full."

Angelus smiled mischievously. "Don't worry Spike, I've got them, but this isn't a social call, it's work."

"All work and no play makes Angelus a boring boy," Spike mocked, safe on the other side of the bar-disc. "What possible work can you have in a club for crying out loud Angelus?"

"The dirty kind." The mischievous smile grew onto Spike as well; dirty work was the kind that they were best at.

*****

"Interesting… Anything I can help with? 'Cause this place is so bloody boring!" The last two words he yelled out in the club with his British accent, but no one really heard him besides Angelus because of the band playing on stage.

"Maybe…"

"Angelus, come on!" Spike yelled anxiously. "I need to do something other than serve some bloody drinks for a few weeks."

Angelus looked around, he wondered where Buffy was, after all Spike loved to help him with corrupting women as long as it wasn't Drusilla. However Angelus didn't find Buffy. He turned back to Spike who was waiting impatiently for his answer.

"Alright." Angelus agreed.

"Great," Spike said and served a few people their drinks while still talking to Angelus. "What's her story?"

"She's out for the same promotion as I, possible affair with our boss…. The usual, nothing we can't ruin." Angelus informed his beach blonde friend with an sinister look on his face.

"I thought your boss was female."

"She is." Angelus said and Spike raised an eyebrow. Then Spike argued how it would be impossible for him to seduce a woman who was gay and how in earth Angelus actually would get the promotion.

"Hey!" Angelus took a hard grip of Spike's neck. "She's nothing! And I'll get that bloody promotion, so watch it Spike!" Angelus took his coat; he was tired of being surrounded by morons. Angelus was just about to leave when he caught sight of Buffy in the middle of the dance-floor.

Angelus sat back on his chair and turned to Spike. He saw that Spike was looking at her too and asked Spike if he could do it. To his surprise Spike suddenly looked deadly seriously.

"I'm going nowhere near that girl, she's bad news man!" Spike turned to another customer so that he didn't't have to see Angelus' shocked face.

"What's this Spike? Growing soft on old days? Maybe I'll need to take Dru away from…"

"You are getting nowhere near Dru," Spike said firmly and gave a 22-year old girl a beer. "That blonde girl is trouble, I'm telling you Angelus. On this one, you are on your own."

Spike didn't meet his eye and Angelus examined him confused and suddenly very intrigued. What was it with Spike? And why the hell did he act like Buffy was the world's biggest threat? What was wrong with the universe?

********

Angelus sat in his office trying to work on the O'Donnel case, but he couldn't seem to concentrate. Why did Spike act so strange? It wasn't his typical style. He was devoted to Drusilla, sure, but he never hesitated to try and have a little fun every now and then. 'Was Buffy such a bitch that she scared men off by the mere seduction?'

No, this just didn't make sense.

He tried to talk to Spike after- to get him to at least explain why he seemed so startled, but he wouldn't answer. All he said was that it she was definitely not a lesbian, maybe bisexual, but not a lesbian. He also told Angelus to stay away from Buffy. He wouldn't tell Angelus why though. What puzzled Angelus the most, though, is how Spike seemed to gaze at her a lot with a passion Angelus had only seen when he gazed at Drusilla. It didn't make any sense. It did, however, intrigue him. He wanted to know what was going on. And he'd make damn sure he did.

******

Spike sat there cleaning up the last of what must have been the busiest day in weeks. He must have seen around a thousand customers today alone. He barely had time to breathe. All he could to do, however, was think about his conversation with Angelus last night. 'Poor sap- too bad he didn't know what he got into. '

Buffy Summers was one of those unique individuals that you instantly wanted. She would make a great mother and wife one day for someone special. She was a truly interesting individual and for that she had his respect. What Buffy had endured in her past was something no one else should go through. It was no wonder she had problems with men. She deserved whatever raise she was working for. She had been raising her sister since she was sixteen years old. She also grew up fast after her asshole of a father had left her mother and her mom had developed a tumor that caused her to pass away when Buffy turned twenty-one. He would never forget that night. He had to stop her from jumping off the sunset bridge and ending her life. He vowed that he would be there for her and Dawn whenever they needed him. Even if it killed him to be so close to her.

Just then as if tearing him away from his thoughts he heard the voice of an angel.

"Hey Spike," a familiar voice greeted behind Spike and he didn't need to turn around to see who it was. "How are you?"

"A bloke is just tryin' to make a livin'," Spike answered her half-sarcastic. "Yourself?"

"The same I guess. Working up the latter at work, kicking some asses along the way; nothing out of the ordinary." Buffy laughed lightly and Spike couldn't help but realize how long it was since he'd seen her and how much she'd changed since then, at leased it felt as if he hadn't seen her in forever.

"That's good."

"Yeah."

Buffy sat down beside Spike, looking at him sideways while helping him clean up the bar. "I gave the dude some money to get in after closing hours," she continued. "I just wanted to know how you are doing. It feels as if it was a long time since we last talked and I just want us to be friends you know, and not slip away."

Spike nodded. "How's Dawn?"

"She's fine too," Buffy sighed and looked as if she was daydreaming a while but then snapped back to reality. "She got into Sunnydale UC last fall, which is great for her."

"Yeah it is," Spike agreed. "I always thought that she'd get into Harvard, she got the brains for it."

"She didn't apply to any of those schools," Buffy confessed and laughed lightly. "She didn't want to leave me all alone so she only applied to Sunnydale and she got in. She probably would've been in Harvard if she was more independent."

"Dawn is independent," Spike defended while checking out and leaving for his car. "She just cares for you and puts you ahead of collage at the moment."

"That's true," Buffy stood by Spike's car and looked up at the sky. The sky was midnight blue and there weren't any stars to be seen, it was almost depressive if the moon hadn't been there. She briefly touched Spike's hand and then returned to her thoughts. "Do you ever think it could be different?"

"What do you mean?"

"Life. I mean look at us," Buffy met Spike's eye and there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. "You, a Billy Idol wannabe and me… well, I'm just all work obsessed at the moment." The amusement faded to seriousness. "Sure, I party and have my share of fun, but I don't really feel you know." Spike nodded. "And us, we were the worst match ever, don't you think?" An hesitated nod from Spike again.

"You know love, you're probably right, but that doesn't mean that I didn't have feelings for you."

A silent understanding was formed between the two. "But in the end, I just used you." Buffy said and looked sympathetic. "I'm really sorry for what I did and I can't say I'm proud of it. I'm so fortunate that you forgave me though, but I still feel bad."