Chapter 7: Destructive Release
~The Bronze- 11:28 pm~
“It looks just like the one back in the ‘Dale.” Faith noted. “It’s almost like being home. Kind of cozy.”
“I like it.” Fred gleamed.
“You think this is cool, Fred?” Buffy asked. “You should have seen the Bronze in the ‘Dale right after a win on game night. Packed house, the Dingoes playing, no cover charge. It was…Well, it was something to be seen.”
“So, I’ve heard.” Fred admitted. “I’m going to get a drink. Anyone want?”
“Nah.” Buffy shook her head in disagreement. “Maybe later.”
“Faith and I’ll just have a couple of beers.” Gunn answered, putting his arm around Faith.
“You wish.” Faith scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Shot of vodka for me, thanks.”
“I’ll go with you.” Wes told Fred.
Faith, Gunn, and Buffy sat down in the lounge area. The three converse about work, trends, etc. Meanwhile, Fred is chatting to Wesley up at the bar.
“We should find Buffy a guy.” Fred blurted out.
“Fred, no.” Wesley said as he paid the bartender. “We’re not going to set Buffy up. Just let her find a guy on her own, okay? Blind dates always go badly and somehow the matchmaker is always blamed for the mishap.”
“But--” Fred objected.
“Just trust me.” Wesley glanced at the entrance of the club. “Oh fuck. What the Hell are they doing here?”
“What?” Fred looked in the same direction as Wesley. “Angel. Why is he here with Cordelia? We’ve got to tell Buffy.”
“Or get her out of here, preferably without being seen.” Wes whispered. “Here. Take the drinks over to the gang. I’ll distract Angel and Cordelia while you get Buffy out of here.”
“All right.” Fred walked over to the trio waiting in the lounge. “Hey guys.”
“Thanks.” Faith eyed Angel as Fred handed her the shot she ordered. “Buffy, let’s hit the dance floor. It’s been a while and I want to check out the new digs. What do ya say?”
“Okay, sure.” Buffy agreed reluctantly.
Faith grabbed Buffy’s wrist and dragged her out to the dance floor. Fred let out a long sigh as she sunk into the armchair.
“What’s that all about?” Gunn inquired.
“Angel and Cordelia are here.” Fred explained to him. “Now, we just have to keep Buffy from seeing Angel, or vice versa.”
“I agree.” Gunn shrugged. “But you know Faith and Buffy. They always tend to attract attention whenever they’re dancing. In fact, that’s how Buffy and Angel got together. Did Angel ever tell you that?”
“No.” Fred shook her head and glanced back at Wesley. “Oh no.”
“What?” Gunn asked.
“Angel’s gone.” Fred assessed the situation. “And it looks like Wesley and Cordelia are arguing once more.”
“We’d better…” Gunn pointed in their direction.
“Yeah.” Fred nodded as they walked over to Wesley and Cordelia.
//If I was beautiful like you
Oh, the things I would do//
“Where’s Angel?” Gunn demanded.
“I don’t know!” Cordelia spat, turning away from Wesley. “He said he was going to go and get a drink but that was eons ago.”
//Those not so blessed would be crying out murder
And I’d just laugh and get away with it too
Like you do//
“Oh my God.” Fred smiled. *He’s still in love with her.*
*That bitch.* Cordelia thought. *I’ll never let her win.*
//If I was beautiful like you
I would never be at fault//
<
Angel watched intently from the balcony. His Buffy was dancing seductively next to Faith.
//I’d walk in rain between the raindrops
Bringing traffic to a hault//
“Here we go again.” Gunn mumbled to Wesley.
//But that would never be
That would never never be//
When the trio turned back to look at Cordelia, she had vanished.
“Oh no.” Wesley exclaimed.
//’Cause I’m not beautiful like you
I’m beautiful like me
I’m beautiful like me//
“I think we should get Buffy and get out of here.” Fred interrupted the silence. “Because if Buffy and Cordelia see each other…”
“Disaster waiting to happen. You’re right.” Gunn agreed. “Look, he’s gone.”
“Please tell me he didn’t--” Gunn sighed.
//If I was beautiful like you
I'd be quick to assume//
The trio pushed their way through the crowded dance floor to find Faith dancing alone, not even noticing that Buffy wasn’t there. Gunn grabbed Faith by the wrist and led her away.
//They’d do anything to please me
Why not?
I see their reaction when you walk into the room//
“Where’s Buffy?” Wesley asked.
“Bathroom, I think...” Faith said, out of breath. “Why?”
“Angel’s missing.” Fred added. “Do the math.”
//But that would never be
That would never never be//
“Crap.” Faith muttered.
“No argument here.” Gunn replied.
//’Cause I’m not beautiful like you
I’m beautiful like me
I’m beautiful like me//
“Fred and I will check the bathroom.” Faith suggested.
“Gunn and I will check the alley and the top floor.” Wes remarked.
The four split up, going in their preferred destinations. Cordelia watched the four leave and smirked.
//If I was beautiful like you
I’d have so many friends//
“Buffy?” Faith yelled as she checked all the bathroom stalls. “She’s not here, Fred.”
“Look.” Fred noticed a photograph of Buffy, Angel, Gunn and Faith when they were in high school and bent down to pick it up. “This is--was--Buffy’s. Why would she leave it here?”
“She wouldn’t.” Faith shook her head. “Buffy has always been very thorough, no matter what we doing or where we were at. Let’s go find Wesley and Gunn, see if they had any luck.”
//All fighting for my time to be next in line
So if I hurt one I wouldn’t have to make amends//
Fred and Faith found their boyfriends out in the alley, looking for clues.
“Find anything?” Faith asked.
“Not a trace.” Gunn shook his head. “You guys?”
“Found this.” Faith handed the pic to Wesley. “Buffy always kept that picture in her wallet. Someone took her.”
“And maybe Angel as well.” Wesley suggested. “He’s still missing.”
“What about Cordelia?” Fred asked. “Could she have done this?”
“No. I watched her get into a cab and heard her saying to drive her home. It’s not her.” Gunn shook his head.
“Who else could it be?” Fred asked.
It suddenly hit Faith. There was only one person who had ever wanted to be Buffy…and she knew just where to look.
“I got it!” Faith’s eyes went wide. “I know exactly who took Buffy.”
***
Buffy felt like her whole head was pounding. Last thing she remembered, she was fixing her hair in the bathroom when someone knocked her out from behind.
“Where am I?” she asked aloud and tried to move. “Oh.”
“Does it hurt yet?” a voice called to her.
“Who’s there?” Buffy asked, not recognizing said voice.
“Don’t you recognize me, Buffy? I’m so shocked you wouldn’t remember me, but then again, how could you? Always off in your own little land of Buffonia to give a single thought to the people that matter. It doesn’t matter now, though. I’m already getting my revenge.” the voice yelled.
“Okay. Who is this?” Buffy asked. “I don’t know why you think I did something to you, but whatever it was, I’m truly sorry for it.”
“You can’t be sorry if you don’t know what it’s for.” the voice raged on. “You lose, Buffy.”
“Who the fuck are you?” Buffy yelled.
“Can’t believe you don’t recognize me.” the voice said, stepping out of the shadows. “After all, I am your best friend.”
“Willow.” Buffy gasped and then slipped back into unconsciousness.