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Chapter Two: The Blind Date From Hell

Her slayer senses caught the faint and muffled movements within her apartment, signals that prompted her to cautiously twist the knob of her apartment door open. Someone was here and she could very clearly recall locking the door before she left. Even her roommate was not suppose to be here... after all, she had said herself that she was going to Aspen for a few days on vacation. So who was the moron that dared enter a Slayer's apartment during a time as late as this? For their sake, the intruder had better have a damn good reason...

Walking stealthily as possible into her apartment, the Slayer pulled out a sharp blade from the heavy confines of her coat. It had been a very long night and she was not only tired but also not in the mood to play games. The den light was off, however, it seemed that the kitchen light was on and working.

'Please don't tell me my robber is a chef!'

"Hiya, lassy!" boomed a familiar voice as the lights suddenly came on, causing Buffy to jump in fright.

"Jesus, Doyle, you scared the hell out of me! I thought I told you a thousand times to call before you come over," Buffy muttered, putting the knife away at the Irishman's quirked eyebrow.

"You were goin' to stab me with that little thing or somethin'?"

"Well, yeah! I nearly did too! You can count yourself lucky you said something before I did anything drastic," Buffy snapped, pulling off her velvet green coat to fold it neatly on the front chair.

Doyle grinned at the dress she was wearing. "So, how was your date?"

"Ugh! Do we have to talk about this now, Doyle?!" Buffy snapped, pulling her long tangled mane of hair back.

"Oh, come on, Darlin, I'm only curious. I haven't exactly had any dating action myself as of late. You, my vampire slayin' friend, have. Oh, come on! I know your dyin' to spill your poor little heart out to me. I'm here to listen."

"No, you came here hoping that you could listen to the sweet, irritating voice that is my roommate, Cordelia Chase."

Doyle glanced around him innocently. "Cordelia? Cordelia who? Buffy, Darlin', I'm hurt that you would say such a thing!"

Buffy rolled her eyes and smiled. Doyle could be an ass at times, but he sure was a little charmer. It was hard to stay mad at him for very long. "Okay, Frankie, I'll spill... if you do me a favor."

"What?"

"Give me my spare key back."

Doyle smiled, clearly amused at the idea. "Not on your life, cupcake."

Buffy shrugged, plopping herself on a chair in front of the kitchen table. "Worth a try."

"You're still spillin'."

"I know, I know... and you won't leave me alone until I give details. I'll put it in two simple words for you, it sucked."

"Hmm, how so?" Doyle asked, already formulating an answer as he sat across from her.

"He was a jerk, plain and simple... I guess I'm not meant to find Mr. right, am I? I mean, the guys I meet are either rich snobby assholes that my father seems to like or nice sweet guys that get scared off once they find out about what I am and what my lifestyle is... did I mention how much being a vampire slayer sucks?"

Doyle nodded. "Yeah, you mentioned it once or twice. Truth is, being half demon and a seer tends to scare people off too."

"Yeah, I know. I'm still sorry about Harry... she seemed like a nice girl for you," Buffy replied, a sincere look crossing her face.

She really was sorry too. Harry had meant a great deal to Doyle and Buffy had never seen him happier. She had known the half demon since their senior year of high school, when he transferred schools from Ireland to Los Angeles. He had stayed away from girls then, he was too afraid of what they would think of him and his "special" abilities. Harry was the first girl that he had ever *really* fallen for. They had started dating only a few months ago and really seemed to have hit it off... unfortunately, it all went down hill once she found out about his demon half and his tendency to help slay vampires. Doyle's fear of being rejected because of what he was had finally come true... and it had been a devastating blow to him.

"Yeah, I thought so too. I guess people like us are meant to be alone, huh? Being different kinda puts a damper on our love lives."

"Yeah, you can say that again," Buffy muttered.

"So, what did the guy do to be dubbed a jerk?"

"Well, besides fussing and making this *huge* scene over a speck found on his dinner plate, he decided sexual harrassment would be a romantic way of wooing his date... he's lucky I didn't break his arm off."

"That bad, huh? ... and what did Giles have to say about your little outing tonight?"

"The usual reaction. 'Your the Slayer, it's your duty to keep this city protected, blah, blah, blah'... of course now I'm thinking I should have listened to him, for once in my life."

Doyle chuckled. "I'm sure Giles woulda been very happy to hear that come outta *your* mouth."

Buffy shot him a glare. "And if you repeat it to him, I'll kill you myself... you know, it's kind of strange."

"What is?"

"I haven't seen many vampires or demons lately. It's been weeks, ya know? I can't help get this feeling that-"

"Something apocalyptic is going to happen?"

"Yeah, something like that. I guess we're going to have to talk to Giles tomorrow... maybe at his house since the university library is closed for this weekend. You want to crash here for tonight?"

Doyle grinned. "Oh, miss 'I want my spare key back' is asking *me* to stay the night?"

"Okay, why did I even bother?" Buffy muttered to herself, getting up. She really needed to get out of this uncomfortable dress.

"I was only kiddin' with ya, Darlin', I'd love to stay."

"Hmm. Should I give you the guest room or the couch. Decisions, decisions..."

"You wouldn't do that t'me."

Buffy laughed at the pathetic pout he sent her way. "I know, I know, I'm only kidding," she teased, "Goodnight, Doyle."

"Goodnight, Lovey."