The Hart of L.A.

It had been weeks since they’d heard anything on the new Demon that was to arrive. They’d all been on pins and needles trying to research, and the girls going on patrol each evening to see if they could find out anything new. Buffy was starting to get a little worried at how things were going. They’d kill anywhere from 5 to 10 vampires an evening, and it would appear some of the potentials were coming back. Rona had come back along with Kennedy and a few others. The only reason Buffy didn’t say anything about Kennedy being there, was she was actually helping tremendously. She was patrolling each night, she helped with training, and it was like the old Kennedy. She was sure it was weird for Willow, who had started back in a tentative relationship with Oz. He’d come out of the hospital ready to get back into the fray, to which everyone sent him to bed. Faith and Buffy had been talking, and everyone was about to go nuts with not knowing what to do. It was like they were back in time when they were fighting the first. They hadn’t known what to do in that situation, and it had cost the several lives of several girls. They could do more research as soon as they had the Demon they were going to fight pegged.

Angel was watching Buffy and Faith train. He could tell that she had a lot on her mind. He could see the emotions playing across her features. They had secretly and slowly started dating again. They really just couldn’t help it. Anytime they got near each other, it was hard not to touch. The feelings would always be there. He knew that Buffy was the one girl that he could never get over. Riley had gone back to the initiative to see if they could come up with anymore answers, but so far they hadn’t heard back from him. Spike was mostly keeping to himself, because he knew that Buffy and Angel were dating again. It had to be hard on the guy, but frankly, Angel didn’t care. He’d never liked him, and made no secret of that fact. Giles was constantly looking over the books to see about a prophecy of some sort, but so far he hadn’t come up with anything. He really didn’t think anything could be worse that it had been. Buffy had defeated the first, Glory, the master, The Mayor, and he himself have fought some impossible battles. It looked as though anything they threw at them, they’d be okay. He wasn’t worried... okay he was, but he wasn’t letting anyone know that fact.

Talia was outside working with Wesley, while Xander sat on the front steps watching. They’d gotten off to a great start so far. They’d argued a handful of times, but they’d always make up. She kept glancing over at him, and smiling. She couldn’t get him out of her head, and frankly she was a little worried. The prophecy that Lorne had told her about getting married only had about five months to go, and she seriously wanted it to be Xander. It frightened her how fast her feelings had grown for him, but she couldn’t prevent it either. She’d tried for all of the first month together, then when he called her on it, she realized she was being silly. So, they were halfway into their third month, and she couldn’t be happier. If the smile on Xander’s face was any indication, he was happy too. He’d never really talked to her about his ex-girlfriend, and maybe that was for the best. She just hoped that he wouldn’t feel guilty about anything they’ve done or will do in the future. Everyone had their routine that they’d been doing for the last month. Mostly it was all of them going crazy, but apparently the potentials could feel it too, cause several of them had shown up so far. They kept giving her weird looks too, probably because they didn’t recognize her. She still couldn’t believe the turn of events so far. Her parents constantly ask her to move back home, but she was happy where she was.

Xander knew she was thinking about him, because she kept throwing these cute little smiles towards him. He loved her very much, but he felt kind of weird at how fast their relationship had progressed. When he was with Anya, he had taken their’s very slowly. He has originally wanted to go slow with Talia, but it didn’t seem like he could. He’d bought a ring about a week ago, and was afraid to give it to her. He also felt bad, because of the last wedding he’d tried to have. Surely, this one would go considerably better than the last one. He wished that he could talk to Anya just one last time, because he felt just a tad guilty at all that was happening. He felt as if he was cheating on her. He really needed to talk to Buffy, and he would. As soon as he worked up the nerve to tell her how stupid he was acting. And he was acting stupid, really, because everyone knew that he was crazy about Talia. Everyone also knew that she was crazy about him as well, and they didn’t want him to muck it up like he did the last time. He wouldn’t do that...would he?

Fred was more than a little angry at Wesley. It had been sixteen hours since they’d so much as talked to each other. She had some really big news to tell him, but whenever she goes around him, he tells her he’s busy with training Talia. She was beginning to wonder if he had some secret crush on her or not, which was stupid, because she loves Xander. She’d gone to the doctor the other day, and gotten some interesting news, and really needed to tell him, but it didn’t seem as if she’d be able to. She was currently sitting on the porch swing behind Xander watching him. She saw all the cutesy looks that she was throwing Xander, but not once did he look her way. She was on the verge of breaking up with him, because she couldn’t take much more of this treatment. She’d liked it much better when she could love him from afar. Knox had already called her three times, and when she brought that to his attention, all he said was "how’s he doing, anyway?" She wanted to hit him so bad! She’d never been violent towards the person she was dating before, but it seemed as if there was a first for everything.

Spike was beside himself with hatred. How he hated the way they’d kiss and cuddle right in front of him. Buffy knew how much he loved her, and still she came up to him at least once a day just to talk to him. She didn’t seem to realize that he didn’t want to talk to her anymore, because she’d ripped his heart from his chest. She told him that he would always be in her heart, but he didn’t believe her. She always did like to hurt him, and he thought this was her way of torturing him. If only they could find this bloody demon, then he’d be off, and never have to see her face again. It hurt him to even think he wouldn’t see her again, but he’d do it. He’d find someone else to be with. Faith had offered on more than one occasion, but he’d turned her down. He didn’t want any part of slayers ever again. He hated Slayers, and wished he could kill them all! That wasn’t true either, though, because he liked most of the girls. He especially liked Talia, she usually came by for chat now and again, asking for advice to do with Xander. What that girl sees in him, was beyond him. He couldn’t wait to get out of the hell hole that he was in now.

Talia finished her training, and walked over to where Xander was sitting. She did notice that Wesley entered the house without even looking at Fred, and Fred bending her and crying. She was going to say something to her, but she got up and left. She focused her attention back to Xander, and leaned in for a kiss, which he willingly returned. When they pulled back from each other, he smiled at her.

" Well, how was training? Did you have fun at all?" She giggled at him, sat in his lap, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

" It’s training, Xander, it’s not fun. I do have something mind that would be fun, though." He kissed her throat and grinned back at her.

" Gee, I wonder what it is you have in mind." Before she could respond to him, though, Wesley was back on the porch.

" You need to clean up, and get to the basement. You don’t have time to dottle around." That was it. Talia was so sick of him ordering her around like that. Not once had he ever asked her anything. She got up from Xander’s lap, and got within an inch of Wesley’s face.

" Actually, Wes, I’m going back to my boyfriend’s apartment to have a shower. Then I’m going to have hot, and very thorough sex with my boyfriend. I will be back here in the morning to train with Faith and Buffy, but I’m taking the night off, thank you." She’d raised her voice without noticing, and a slight crowd had assembled on the porch. Xander’s face was as red as it could be. She looked over at Buffy, who was now on the porch.

" Is it alright with you if I take the night off?" Buffy sighed and shook her head.

" No, go ahead. I didn’t realize that we were pushing you this hard. I’ve been there, so go ahead." She nodded and smiled at Buffy. She was reaching for Xander’s hand when Wesley stopped her.

" You do not ask Buffy’s permission, you ask mine. Buffy isn’t your watcher, I am, and I say you get down to the basement." Talia threw down her towel, and was about to charge at Wesley, when Xander and Giles held her back. Giles looked back at Wesley and everyone could tell that he was angry.

" Wesley, you listen to me. She is your slayer, yes, but she isn’t your bloody slave to order about. She could very well kick your ass, and I could let her. You have been pushing her too hard. I’ve noticed it and not said anything, but now you’ve gone to far! Everyone needs to take the rest of the day off, go do whatever it is you want to do, and we’ll meet back here in the morning." With that said, everyone turned and left to get their things. Talia turned to Xander and put her hand in his. Together they walked away. Only Wesley and Giles were left on the porch.