A/N: A big thank you goes to Jen (Angel's blue eyed girl) who spread the word. I've wrongfully accused her *grin* of making me write this fic, I'll amend that she just kicked the muse from hibernation to finish this fic. A/N2: And I'd like to thank my wonderful beta Mac who's been helping me with this story. Chapter 2 Angel had plagued Buffy's dreams the whole night. Well, not Angel alone, some of the dreams were about Liam and she started to suspect she would go crazy before she could get back home. Avoidance, that was the key to keep her sanity or more likely keep her from jumping Liam's bones. Someone had a really sick sense of humor, didn't they already get good enough kick from Angel walking away from her, disappearing to the fog, now she had to be close enough to touch but couldn't even reach out. Was this how Angel felt like when he came to watch over her at Thanksgiving? With a frustrated sigh she kicked the covers off and sat up, throwing her legs over the edge of the bed. She was never going to get used to sleeping in the long nightgown that had tried to strangle her on every night she had slept in it. “Good morning, Buffy. I take it you didn't sleep very well,” Deirdre's voice brought her back to reality. She turned to look at her, a wry grin forming to her lips. “You've got that right. And good morning to you too,” she answered and lowered her feet to the blush carpet next to her bed. It was late summer but the floors were freezing, it was nice that the room was cool but that didn't have apply to the floors too. Deirdre handed her a robe and went to get Buffy's dress from the closet. “May I inquire what the dream was about? Or is that too brazen of me?” she asked, turning to look at Buffy. “You can ask,” Buffy answered and sighed. “It was about someone I know... knew... will know... whatever. Someone who's important to me but isn't in my life anymore,” she added difficulty. “You seemed very... excitable in your dream,” Deirdre said slowly, testing the water. Buffy blushed deeply, she just hoped she hadn't been very vocal while dreaming. She dared to look at her new friend who just seemed to be looking back at her with a curious eyes. “It's... Uhm, it's like...” Buffy let out a frustrated sigh, “It's very complicated,” she finally managed to say. “Is it someone you share affection with? Perhaps this man your heart has been spoken for,” Deirdre suggested. “Angel?” Buffy breathed out his name, she didn't mean to say it so longingly. But Deirdre looked confused. “I thought you said another name before. When you told about the, what was it... a boyfriend.” Buffy's eyes widened in realization, it wasn't Angel she was talking about. She felt a bang of guilt, again she had forgotten her boyfriend and now she was on the tough subject: Angel. She looked down to her lap. She was nervously wringing her fingers, trying to think of the words, how to explain herself. “You mean Riley,” she said slowly,taking a deep breath. “He's my boyfriend, I think you'd call him a suitor or a beau or... I don't know but whatever he is now... he isn't in my heart. Not the way Angel is. But it's all really complicated.” Again she sighed, shaking her head. Suddenly she felt exhausted. “We can't be together so he left. And now I have Riley,” she said trying to sound more convincing. Deirdre's eyes softened. “But you do not care for him as you do for this Angel who carries a piece of your heart. You said in your dream you will not forget,” she said with a voice laced with sympathy. Buffy almost sighed in relief but then she frowned. “Did I... Did I talk a lot?” she asked uncertainly. “Not much. Something about a hurt boyfriend, that he was lying and that you will not forget. Before that you didn't say much,” Deirdre answered, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. Then she decided to change the subject into something more safe. “You should get dressed, the breakfast will be served shortly. Father and Cillian are going to the market today as mother is taking us to a shop to purchase new fabrics. She is quite talented dressmaker.” Buffy got up from the bed and gave her new friend a smile, she was grateful of the change of subject. She needed the distraction to keep herself from thinking about Angel. Or Liam, the latter was becoming the bigger problem. xxx Siobhan and Deirdre had been looking at the fabrics for a good while but Buffy was bored. It was just a small store with a surprisingly large collection but there was nothing for her. She tried to catch Deirdre's attention and finally she turned to look at her. “I'm gonna go check the market,” she said but Deirdre shook her head, stopping her. “Alone?” “Yeah, you can keep shopping here and I'll go check on the others. Don't worry, I can take care of myself,” Buffy assured her but Deirdre still didn't seem to like the idea. Buffy lowered her voice so only she could hear her. “I'm the slayer, I can handle myself.” “I understand that but you must understand that a lady with no escort is... is not thought very highly of, she is looked as a woman of loose morals,” Deirdre stated and Buffy looked at her confused. Woman with loose morals? Was that like a slut or something? “I don't really care what people think. I'm going to see the others and I'll see you later. Don't worry so much, I'll be fine,” Buffy assured her and left the shop. Deirdre looked after her shaking her head. “Oh, how am I going to explain this,” she sighed and turned to look at the other women in the shop that were staring at her with shocked eyes. “Miss Summers is visiting from a different continent, they have very different rules in society, there a lady is allowed to go out without an escort,” she explained to them with a embarrassed smile. If they didn't believe her it could be a scandal reflected on her family. Buffy looked around herself as she walked towards the market, it all was still new to her. She listened to the sounds and took a turn to an alley, she could hear the noises coming from the other end. She stopped as a door flew open and a man was kicked out. He stumbled to the ground and Buffy had to hold her breath not to gasp out loud as she realized it was Angel. Liam. “And don't ya come back till you have the money!” the burly man that had thrown Liam out yelled from the door and threw a ball of fabric to the ground. It landed on Buffy's feet. “Don't be like that, Mickey!” Liam yelled after him but all he received was a slam of the door. He stumbled up to his feet. “Loose something?” Buffy asked cheekily even though it felt like her insides were on a tight roll, she didn't even want to think about what he had been doing in that place. She glanced down and picked up the breeches from the ground. Liam turned to look at her, only then realizing he wasn't alone on the alley. A crooked drunken grin rose to his lips and he turned his complete attention to her. “Ah, lovely Miss Summers, we meet again,” he said with the accent that made her knees feel weak. It was a bad idea to speak to him, very bad. Especially when she had to hear that sexy Irish accent of his, even if it was slightly slurred. “Mr. O'Roarke,” Buffy shot back and handed him the pants. His fingers brushed against hers and she shivered from the simple touch. He quickly pulled the pants on and turned to look at her, the grin still in place. “What brings you here to this dirty old alley?” he asked moving closer to her. She had to take a step back, he was too close, too tempting. “You don't have to be afraid of me,” he said as he noticed the movement. “Who says I'm afraid?” “Do I make you nervous, lass? Does it make your blood flow quicker when I am near?” he questioned and took a step closer. She didn't let herself move but her heart beat faster and it was like all air had left her lungs. He was too near, close enough to touch and she could smell the scent of whiskey on him, feel the heat of his body and almost the brush of his lips against hers. “I think,” she started, taking a deep breath. He looked at her expectantly. A crooked grin formed to his lips as he saw her eyes focused on them. Slowly she raised her eyes to his, she needed to get a grip. “I think you've been drinking,” she finished and he laughed out loud, amusement clear in his eyes. “That I have, lass. But it doesn't cloud my mind. A pretty lady in a dingy alley like this, it could be dangerous, even in the sunlight,” he said. “I can take care of myself,” she assured him defiantly. “I'm sure you can,” he stated, still amused. But the smirk faded from his lips as he stared at her. He gently cupped her cheek, her eyes fluttered but she didn't let them close. She couldn't resist it, the warmth of his hand, the smell of him even through the whiskey and smoke was wrecking havoc on her conviction to stay away from him. He watched her with fascination, she was a strange lady. He had an urge to kiss her, but would she stop him if he tried? She was a proper girl but still she wasn't a brainless twit like the other higher class women he knew. “Get away from her, Mr. O'Roarke,” came a voice full of young defiance. Both were pulled back from the haze but neither moved. “Cillian,” Buffy sighed and Liam was sure he heard annoyance in her voice, an arrogant smirk rose to his lips. Buffy took a step to the side, getting away from the spot where she was trapped between Liam and the wall. “Are you alright, Buffy?” Cillian asked and glared at Liam who seemed unaffected. He reached out and pulled her away from Liam's side to safety. Buffy couldn't stop herself from rolling her eyes at the attempt of chivalry. Liam chuckled, only earning a deeper glare from Cillian. “Cillian, I'm fine. We were just talking,” Buffy assured him. “That's right, Cillian, we were talking,” Liam parroted with a smirk and this time it was Buffy who was glaring at him, he was not helping the situation. “I suggest you stay away from Miss Summers, Mr. O'Roarke, you are not suitable company for her,” Cillian said lifting his chin and puffing his chest. Liam laughed shaking his head in amusement. “I think the lady can decide that herself,” he answered challengingly. “She doesn't know what a lout you are,” Cillian stated and Liam took a menacing step forward, he was really getting annoyed. “You don't want to fight me, Cillian,” Liam stated casually, he knew a sheltered gentleman like Cillian would not stand a chance against an old lady let alone him. “That is very typical of your character Mr. O'Roarke, you solve your every problem with brutality. And you are intoxicated, I will not lower myself into your level,” Cillian answered and Liam's eyes darkened, Buffy could see he wanted to punch someone, preferably Cillian. “Okay, that's enough. I have no patience for a pissing contest,” she said annoyed. Cillian looked at her clueless, not understanding what she had just said. She let out a exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes, it was frustrating when people didn't know what she was saying. “Forget what I just said. Let's just go find the others,”she said and wrapped her arm around his, pulling him with her. Liam watched them go, that woman was really starting to intrigue him. xxx The sun had set and Buffy was getting stir crazy. She knew she couldn't slay but she was still a slayer and her senses were screaming for the hunt. So she snuck out without anyone knowing, she had decided not to stay out long, just till she calmed down, and at the same time she wanted to get to know her surroundings but she didn't count on getting lost. It was a cloudy night so it was dark and there were no street lights. Silently she cursed to herself and held the stake in her hand a little tighter. She knew she couldn't use it but it was still comforting to have with her. She heard footsteps, she was sure it wasn't a vampire because who ever it was, it wasn't trying to be quiet. She hid behind a tree and watched as the dark figure walked past her. She knew it was Liam since she could feel the telltale feeling in her spine, spreading all over her. This was getting annoying, she was constantly seeing him, the thing she couldn't have was dangled in front of her eyes, tempting her. Now that she thought about it, she saw Liam now more than she saw Angel while they were dating. Don't think about it, she commanded herself in her mind, both Angel and Liam were dangerous subjects. She stepped out of her hiding place and started contemplating which way she herself should be going, if she chose the wrong direction she would only get farther from the house. Now she regretted leaving the house. “Stupid slayer senses,” she muttered to herself. “Are you lost, lass?” came a sweet voice from behind her and involuntarily she jumped in surprise. How had he managed to sneak up on her? Quickly she hid the stake behind her back and spun around, cursing the fact that the sky was starting to clear and the moon was come out from hiding, it's light showing his beautiful features. “Liam,” she whispered automatically, it seemed Angel wasn't the only one pulling that reaction out of her. A grin rose to Liam's lips. “Miss Summers. We seem to be meeting under the same circumstances quite often, don't we,” he said and again internally Buffy damned his sexy accent. It was no wonder the women fell for him so easily. That thought caused jealousy to stir inside her, it wasn't good for anybody's health for her to think about him with other women. “It's a little dark to have a walk in the moonlight. Where's Cillian?” Liam asked and this time it was Buffy who looked like he had spoken in a different language. “Cillian?” she questioned confused but then it hit her who Cillian was. “Oh, Cillian. No, just little ole' me.” “It's not safe for a lady wander alone in these dark roads,” Liam stated and Buffy glared at him, placing her hands on her hips. “I wasn't wandering. I just got a little lost, that's all. It wouldn't hurt if you had decent roads and street lights, you know,” she said defensively. “And I can take care of myself,” she added in an afterthought. Liam chuckled, amused by her little tantrum. She glared at him but it lost its power when he offered her a crooked smile that made her knees feel weak. She needed to get a grip, she couldn't let her hormones rule her life. But who would it hurt if she kissed him? Just one little kiss, nothing more. No, that would be too much, then she couldn't resist him even the little she could now, especially knowing there was no curse stopping them. “I should go back before they notice I'm gone and start worrying,”she said and signed at the road with a frown, she still had the problem of not knowing what direction she should be go. Liam saw the lost look on her face and decided to step in. “I'll walk you home. You live with the Wilson's, don't you?” She looked at him surprised and he had to laugh at the expression on her face. “I only offered to walk you home, you look like I suggested something improper,” he chuckled and a blush of embarrassment rose to her cheeks. “Uhm... yes, with the Wilson's,” she answered, looking at everything except him. “It's not far,” Liam stated, thankfully not continuing the line of conversation he had been heading before. Buffy let out a breath she hadn't even noticed she'd been holding and dared to raise her eyes to his. She could think of many improper things to do with him. Stop it! she chastised herself. She wanted to blame the dreams of her train of thought, the erotic images were making it harder to think about Liam as just another member of the male population. “It's this way,” Liam's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. For a moment she looked at him questioningly but soon sobered. Yes, she needed to get back to the house and away from the temptation. “Show the way,” she answered airily. They started walking and soon Buffy realized they really hadn't been very far from the house. When they reached the road to the courtyard, she insisted they'd part, she didn't want him walking her to the door since she wasn't going to be using it. “Do I get an award from this act of chivalry?” Liam asked with a smirk and Buffy narrowed her eyes. “An award? What kind?” she asked suspiciously. The smirk on his lips seemed to be widening. “A kiss,”he answered and her eyes widened. A kiss, something she desperately wanted to give him but at the same time it was something she couldn't do. If she kissed him once, she'd be addicted. She looked at him for a long while till finally her storming mind made a decision. She reached out, her fingers wrapping around his bicep and she rose up to her toes, brushing her lips against his cheek. Her eyes closed as her lips touched his skin and she felt intoxicated from the closeness of him. Quickly she stepped back, not daring to look into his eyes because she had a good idea what she might see in them. “Thank you for walking me here. Now go,” she said in haste and started running across the courtyard to the house. Liam watched her go, shaking his head as he slowly started walking backwards on the road. She really was a peculiar lady. His eyes widened as he saw her climbing up the wall to one of the rooms, it had to be her bedroom. What baffled him was that she could climb with the heavy skirt on, he himself had some experience on climbing through a woman's bedroom window and it was hard enough in trousers. Buffy Summers had certainly caught his interest. To be continued…