the date

Dedicated to kittycat22, because she deserves something like this.

Title: The Date
Rating: PG (for general suggestiveness)
Characters: *evil grin*
Time Period: Angel season 5
Word Count: 500 on the nose, 'cause I'm weird like that

by SoulVamp

The blonde applied the last hint of pale pink gloss to her lips and studied her reflection. She noted that she appeared paler than usual, her eyes tired around the edges. It had been a tough year, though, losing the man she loved, seeing terrible things happen to her friends. To look a little peaked from all that was to be expected.

Now she could put all that behind her. She had a date tonight, and the evening promised to be interesting.

It was time for a fresh start.

She exited the ladies’ room, nearly colliding with a petite woman in a crimson business suit on her way out. “Watch where you’re going,” the girl snapped. She paused, studying the blonde. “Do you have a pass?”

“Yes,” came her immediate reply. She squared her shoulders and peered down at the shorter woman. “And an appointment with Angel.”

The other woman’s eyes widened for a split second before she plastered a broad smile on her face. “Well, aren’t we little miss important, then?” she asked, her tone syrupy. She jerked a thumb toward a wood-paneled door on the left. “I guess he’s expecting you.”

The blonde nodded. “He is.” She strode toward the door, smoothing her skirt carefully before raising her fist to knock.

Well, Angel is, she realized, knuckles poised inches from the door. Spike… not so much.

She shut her eyes tightly, shoving the worry aside, and knocked.

The door swung open slowly, and there he was. Angel. He grinned and picked her up in a bear hug, whirling her around before setting her down gently. “I can’t believe you’re really here!”

She smiled softly, tucking an errant strand of hair behind one ear, and looking down at the carpet bashfully. “I am.”

“Well, well, well,” came another voice. “What’ve we got here?”

Her head whirled around, and she was greeted by the sight of Spike settled contentedly on the couch across the room. “Hi,” she said. “Long time no see.”

He rose, the corner of his mouth drawing up into an amused smirk. “S’pose you’ve sussed out that lots of things are different since last we saw each other.”

She nodded, eyeing both vampires with wary interest.

Angel shot Spike an annoyed look. “Don’t even try it, Spike,” he warned. “She’s here for me.”

“Um, yeah, about that,” she began. “Actually, I’m here for both of you.”

Spike raised an eyebrow. “Turned into a right little minx, haven’t you, ducks?”

She blushed. “I’ve done a lot of growing up.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Angel said, raking a hand through his hair. “Do you mean to tell me you’re not here for our, you know.” He stepped closer to her, lowering his voice. “Our date?”

She grinned. “Why’d you think I agreed to it?” she asked. “I heard you had a new… co-worker.” She gestured at Spike.

Angel blinked. “You… wow. Okay, you’ve changed.”

Anne shrugged. “Maybe. Or maybe you just never knew me all that well to begin with.”