Here and Now

A/N: Ok, sorry bout the long update, but there was a drought in my brain. And I'm not sure if it appeared this way in the fic, but Angel and Cordelia's and Spike and Buffy's dates were not on the same days. Angel's was first. Special thanks to all that reviewed so far- Katrina, Anon, Kimber, spikedchick, lovesbitca37, Karen, spikedchick, Essi, Burnz, owmoowmouse, and Peta.
Hope ya enjoy and review.


"So, how'd your not a date go?" Wesley asked Angel as casually as possible. The other seemed to be very much in thought, and Wesley wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing. It had been a few days since Angel went to the park with Connor and Cordelia, and Wesley had not heard from him. According to Lilah, Cordelia had been MIA from their little group of friends' every so often lunches together, and hadn't even been answering her phone. Mobile or home. Lilah thought this to be blatantly odd behavior, and demanded that Wesley find out what had or had not been transpiring between the two for her from Angel's perspective.

"Hmm? What?" Angel asked, totally oblivias tas to what Wesley was talking about.

"I asked how are things coming along with you and Cordelia? Have you spoken to her at all?" Wesley watched Angel's face carefully for signs of a reaction. There was a flittering smile, before he reverted to his usual brood mode. Wesley confused, yet intrigued by this.

"Angel?"

"I honestly don't know Wes. We had a great time that day. Connor's taken an extreme liking to her. Watching them together, it- it makes me feel this fondness for her, you know?"

"Yes." Wesley waited patiently for his friend to continue.

"And these past few days, we've been together. The three of us, I mean. It all felt, I dunno, full circle I guess. But last night, Fred baby sat for me, and we finally got to enjoy each other's company." Angel said with a furrowed brow.

"So, is that good or bad?" Wesley asked hesitantly.

"See, that's the thing. I really like Cordy, and... but somehow it all feels... odd." Wesley noticed the endearing nick name he used for her. Taking a mental note, he made no verbal comment about it.

"What's odd, exactly?"

"It's like- like I'm betraying Darla's memory. I loved- love her so much Wes." He confessed.

"I know. But don't you think she'd want you to be happy?"

"But isn't it too soon? Or what if, things work out with me and Cordy, and I lose her too?" He asked worriedly.

"Angel, you can't go through your life playing the 'what if?' game. I think that, if you and Cordelia can make each other feel happy, then don't pass that up. Don't let your fears consume you. I think that Darla would want you to live- as happily as humanly possible." Wesley said reassuringly.

"How does she feel about you?"

"I don't know, quite honestly. I just know that, when she smiles at me, it warms my heart." Angel said with a slightly bashful smile. For the first time in a long while, Wesley thought his friend had let go of his demons and allow himself to be happy.


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

"So I noticed the Dawnster spent the night at our house. I take it you had a successful evening last night?" Xander asked as he easily shot a ball into the corner pocket.

"Successful meaning what?" Spike asked as he watched Xander line up his next shot. He slowly took a swig from his beer as he waited for his friend to go into further detail for the question. Spike debated on how truthful he should be with his answer.

"I mean, did you score?" Xander asked as he made his next shot.

"Well, I did have her in my enticing embrace for awhile. Only not in way way you think." He finished. Spike began chalking up the pool cue so as not to have to look Xander in the eyes.

"So, in what ways did you... embrace her?" Xander asked, using his hands for emphasis.

"Actaully, we had this quaint lil' heart to heart, and then she hugged me. Hugged me for a long while." In fact, it had only been about ten to fifteen minutes, which, could be considered a long time... But it became late, and the silence, which initially started out as comfortable became in fact uncomfortable as unkosher thoughts and hypothetical broken hearts drifted in both their minds. They broke apart simultaneously and walked in silence to the SUV. Tempted to kiss her goodnight, he instead opted for a lingering glance, which she returned in kind. *God, I'm such a git.* Spike thought to himself on the drive home.

Feeling the after effects of not have gotten laid in the past several days, he decided that a good wank-off would be just the trick. What started off as a steamy thought of a menage et trois of Halle Berry and Jennifer Garner, mysteriously evolved into the petite blond he had shared his evening with.

"Fuck, Buffy!" He yelled right before he came, stroking his hardness vigorously as he envisioned Buffy riding him at a gallop, making him pop like warm champaign.

"Wait, so you guys just hugged? That's it?" Xr asr asked, giving Spike a very much bewildered expression.

"We... had an understanding."

"Uh huh. An understanding as opposed to getting some. What, she resisted your killer abs and dashing good looks?" Xander asked in a slightly sarcastic voice. He really was confused, and slightly frightened. *My god, if Spike can't get laid...* He decided to not finish that train of thought.

"Look, I know you're my best cheerleader and all," Xander scoffed at that with a roll of his eyes. Spike merely smirked as he continued. "But I think it was for the best. Buffy just may help me overcome my relationship-aphobia. Plus Dawn like, really likes her. It's kinda weird, actually." Spike said thoughtfully.

"Actually, Willow likes her too. In spite of what she said at Wes' party. But it's so not fair. I get put in the dog house cause of what Buffy said. That's just not right." Xander groused.

"Well, how's bout you make it up to Red sha shag her until she passes out. Go get laid for both of us, Harris."

"You're going cold turkey? No visits from your little female friends? No more booty calls?!" Xander asked, completely flabberghasted.

Spike merely shrugged his shoulders before replying.

"I could always go back. Just, uh... trying something different. But Xander, don't forget bout what I said."

"Um, which part?"

"Bout Willow. Make her really happy." He said with an arch of his scarred eyebrow. Xander gulped slightly in response.