Breathless

Disclaimer:*Lyrics from "Breath" are Faith Hill's not mine!*

Chapter One


Buffy Summers carefully applied the final coating of her favorite strawberry lip gloss before going into the club. After much coaxing, her friends Angel and Cordelia had managed to get her out of her house for a night on the town. It was still slightly weird going out with the couple, since she and Angel dated when she was in high school. Not to mention the fact that back then Cordy wasn’t in the “I Love Buffy” fan club. Yet, almost six years later, the three of them are close friends and regularly get together, ecept as of late due to Cordelia’s pregnancy. Cordy had proclaimed that tonight they would go out, since at anytime she could go into labor and not be able to go out anytime soon. Buffy eased herself from the car, smoothed the front of her black halter dress and stood awkwardly in the parking lot. She glanced around the lot to try and spot Angel’s car, wondering to herself why she didn’t accept the ride from him and his wife.

Sighing, she locked the car door and walked towards Caritas, the latest hip spot in town. As she neared the long line, she heard a familiar voice say her name loudly. Turning slightly, she saw Cordelia leaning out the side door, waving her arm at Buffy.

“It’s about time you showed up!” Cordelia announced loudly, as she somehow managed to squeeze her very pregnant belly past the doorman. Buffy smiled and attempted to get her arms all the way around her friend for a hug.

“I know my bad. Clothes kept coming out of the closet, yet not seeming to form an actual outfit! Go figure. And might I add, whoa! When did you swallow a bus?” she asked as she gingerly petted her friend’s swollen belly.

“Ugh. I know! I keep asking him to hurry up, but all I get is a swift kick to the bladder. All I can say is the day can’t get here fast enough! Now, come on inside so I can get you settled at the table with Angel and make another trip back to the bathroom.” Cordelia sighed, as the doorman stood to the side to let them through.

Buffy dutifully followed behind Cordelia to the dim back corner of the club, where Angel sat in a candlelit booth with a striking man wearing a shocking green suit. Upon their arrival, she found out his name was Lorne, the owner of the club and a personal friend of Angel’s. While Cordy waddled away to take care of business, Angel set forth in ordering a round of drinks, Diet Coke for Cordelia and wine for him and Buffy. Lorne requested something called a Sea Breeze, but announced that he had to make sure a certain bartender made it because the other one didn’t know a Sea Breeze from a Cape Cod and took off in the direction of the bar. Buffy just shook her head, both out of amusement and confusion since she had no idea what either drink consisted of.

“So, Buff,” Angel began, “tonight’s open mic night, Think we could coerce you to sing for us?”

“Oh, um, I don’t think so. I’m not really up to the singing thing tonight.” She protested, shrugging out of her jacket and getting comfortable.

“What’s this I hear?” Lorne exclaimed loudly, “Do we have a song bird in the midst? Please tell me that this gorgeous gumdrop here can sing as good as she looks!”

Buffy started to protest again, but Cordy returned and informed Lorne that Buffy was in fact a fantastic vocalist but usually needed a great deal of wine to get up the courage to get on stage. Lorne laughingly pushed the wine glass closer to Buffy and exclaimed that it was in fact convenient since he new the owner of the bar, that a steady flow of liquor could be arranged. Buffy took the glass, muttering thanks and said politely that she would consider making a performance.


After several drinks and lots of conversation, Lorne somehow managed to get Buffy to agree to sing. She was nervous and excited all in the same package, it had been a long time since she had been on stage. Sipping gingerly on her water, having given up on the alcohol since she now had to support herself and sing in front of what had turned into a very large gathering, she flipped through the enormous book containing hundreds of song options. Taking a deep breath, Buffy pointed to the song she wanted and perched herself on the edge of the barstool on stage.

The music began and she closed her eyes, the next step came to her like second nature…

I can feel the magic floating in the air
Being with you gets me that way
I watch the sunlight dance across your face and I've
Never been this swept away

All my thoughts just seem to settle on the breeze
When I'm lying wrapped up in your arms
The whole world just fades away
The only thing I hear
Is the beating of your heart

'Cause I can feel you breathe
It's washing over me
Suddenly I'm melting into you
There's nothing left to prove
Baby all we need is just to be
Caught up in the touch
The slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's supposed to be
I can feel you breathe
Just breathe

In a way I know my heart is waking up
As all the walls come tumbling down
I'm closer than I've ever felt before
And I know
And you know
There's no need for words right now

'Cause I can feel you breathe
It's washing over me
Suddenly I'm melting into you
There's nothing left to prove
Baby all we need is just to be
Caught up in the touch
The slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's supposed to be
I can feel you breathe
Just breathe

Caught up in the touch
The slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's supposed to be
I can feel you breathe
Just breathe

I can feel the magic floating in the air
Being with you gets me that way



There was a deafening silence, Buffy tentatively opened her eyes and looked out into the crowd, afraid of what she might see. After a few seconds, or what seemed like a lifetime to her, the room broke into a loud applause complete with several whoops and hollers. Amazingly, there were even a few teary eyes amongst the crowd. Buffy smiled and said thank you, itching to get back to her seat. Lorne came over and gathered her into his arms for an almost bone crushing hug. Buffy’s face was plastered against the yellow tie that accompanied his vivid suit. He finally unwrapped himself from her small frame and ushered her back to the corner booth.

“Angelkins! Honey, you weren’t lying when you said this little breath of fresh air could really belt one out!” Lorne exasperated as he pushed Buffy in the booth between him and Cordy. He turned to face Buffy and gushed, “Gumdrop, THAT was amazing! Your voice is like spun sugar, I wanted to eat you up while you were singing! Please tell me you are aching to sing professionally!?”

Buffy stared at him and shook her head. Cordy and Angel just smiled like the cats that ate the canaries. It was then, Buffy cocked her eyebrow and asked, “What are you up to?”, not only to Lorne, but to her suspiciously happy friends across the table.

“Well, pudding, it just so happens that I am also a local talent manager who has a new band in dire need of that sweet voice of yours! Whaddya say?”

**Note to all who read my story: This is my very first journey into fanfic, please be patient and kind. :) This story idea has been running in my head for weeks now and I have to get it out. This will more than likely be long and I will post as much as possible. Don't fret....Spike will be here shortly. However, there will be a few chapters before his hotness appears! Thanks. **