Title: Nothing Stays the Same
"So Buffy's sleeping with Spike." Xander heard the calmly spoken words and held his breath waiting for the outburst. He'd thought long and hard before telling Angel and decided for once in his life to simply keep his mouth shut, apparently all for naught.
Author: Cimmer
"Ummm, maybe; depends, why would you say that?" Xander hedged.
"Because Spike called me up to gloat about it." Angel stated coolly.
"Oh, okay than, yes, she is." Xander winced even though Angel was at least a hundred miles away; Xander knew that when he got reasonable heads were about to roll.
"How long have you know about this?" Angel asked, trying to keep the exasperation out of his voice.
"A while," Xander grimaced, "But not a long while, a short while, very short really."
"Xander," Angel growled warningly.
"A week all right! One lousy, frigging week, so sue me!" The young man griped loudly. "Look, it's not like the two of you are still together or anything. You don't get on the phone to me every time Cordy goes out with someone." Xander defended.
"I told you about Groo." Xander could hear the hint of a pout in Angel's voice and felt his shoulder's slump, long conversation ahead.
"You told me about Groo because you had a crush on Cordy and you were feeling jealous." Xander stated reasonably.
"I was not jealous," Angel huffed, squinting in confusion at a credit card charge for fifty dollars to the Hot Momma Hot Tub House in Ventura. "Besides, that was a passing remark in the course of one conversation."
"We discussed that passing remark for forty-five minutes," Xander returned dryly.
"Still," Angel grumbled. "Is she happy?"
"With Spike? My guess would be no, but than who knows considering who we're talking about this could be as happy as they get." Xander said thinking with sorrow of his screwed up friend.
Angel heard the sadness in the brunette's voice and stopped sorting bills to focus completely on the conversation. "Xander, it's not your fault, remember? We discussed this."
"Yeah I remember but it is partially my fault. I know Willow; I should have known that you couldn't talk her out of something she'd decided on. I should have been watching her more closely Angel." Xander rubbed his eyes tiredly. Should have, could have, would have.
"You want me to come up there and drag Spike out of town? I could tie him across the hood of my car like a deer." Angel asked trying to lighten the mood.
"That would be sight I would pay big money for but no; I'm trying to stay out of other peoples' business. I've got enough stuff of my own to deal with." Xander gave a wry laugh.
"How'd it go with Anya when you asked for a stay in the wedding proceedings."
"She decked me and told me it was a good thing she wasn't a demon anymore or I'd be covered in boils and suffer a painful demise." Xander sighed. "All in all it went pretty well."
"Well at least you know she really cares otherwise she wouldn't threaten to kill you." Angel consoled the young man.
"You know I've been hanging around demons way too long when that statement makes a sick, twisted kind of sense and actually manages to make me feel better. I need serious professional help." Xander shook his head slowly and reached for another cookie.
Angel laughed, "Glad to be of service."
"Speaking of professional help, you talked to Wesley yet, asked him about his recent odd behavior?" Xander split the cookie in half before licking the insides out.
Angel hearing the licking noises over the phone didn't immediately answer the question instead closing his eyes and smiling at a pleasant memory involving Xander and licking.
"Earth to Angel, hello Angel?" Xander called out.
"Huh? Oh no, not yet. I will." Angel stammered.
"Well do it soon, something tells me that weirdness is afoot." Xander stressed.
"I will and you, be careful and take it easy. You've always got a place to stay, you know." Angel answered warmly. "And next time you see Spike, smack him for me would you?"
"You got it and thanks. Love ya."
"You too, Xander, you too."