You First

Disclaimer: I don't own BtVS or the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer.

A/N: Set after the end of BtVS and during Breaking Dawn ... so if you haven't read it, prepare to be spoiled.

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Buffy didn’t know why she was going up to Forks. The Hellmouth was gone, she was semi-retired from the Slaying gig and she was, well, bored.

Going to visit her cousin Bella and Uncle Charlie seemed like a good idea at the time. As it turned out helping out Carlisle, an old friend of Angel’s, was a convenient chore to be sent out on as he lived around the same area as them.

“Buffy?” she heard shock come through loud and clear from a bell-like voice and turned toward it.

Her brow lifted and her jaw dropped. “Bella? Is that you?”

No heartbeat. No breathing.

Shit.

Bella smiled and Buffy stiffened as a copper haired guy came up from behind her and took her hand. He was also missing the all important heartbeat but he didn’t match Angel’s description of the head of this family.

“What’s happened?” her voice hard and steely, Buffy took a step forward to get a better look at her. She and Dawn used to look so much alike but the change, or whatever had happened to her, had turned her cute and clumsy cousin into a graceful and gorgeous woman.

Bella wasn’t human anymore. She was one of the Other Race, what Angel and Spike’s type of vamps called ‘socialites’ behind their backs. They were far more civilized than their Hellmouth counterparts. Less corrupted, in the physical breakdown of their features at least.

Bella licked her lips nervously. “I’d like you to meet my husband, Edward.”

She clasped his one hand in both of hers and Buffy felt herself relax. Bella wasn’t evil. These people were worth enough to Angel to ask her to help them in his stead … and Bella was married to one of them. She wanted to be where she was, probably wanted to be what she was.

Buffy raised her hand to shake his. “It’s nice to meet you, Edward.”

He gingerly grasped her hand and let it go quickly, his smile was strained but he nodded courteously. “It’s always a pleasure to meet anyone important to Bella. What brings you to Forks?”

His jaw clenched and he seemed to be looking at her just a bit too intensely. What was up with that?

She ignored him. “Actually, Bella, I did want to come visit you but I’m primarily here for another reason. Is there a,” she took the printed out email out of her pocket to remind herself of the last name, “Carlisle Cullen here? I’m supposed to come here to discuss something on behalf of my comrade.”

‘Comrade’ was the technical term they were using these days in ‘professional’ situations. It felt all wrong coming out of her mouth but she did manage to keep the grimace off her face.

Surprise lit up on Bella’s face but Edward retained his intense stare. She decided to give up and gave as good as she got in return. He didn’t back down until Bella nudged his side. Point for Bella.

“Right this way, how do you know about Carlisle?” Bella asked as she dragged her toward the house behind her.

Buffy shrugged, glanced back at Edward quickly and diverted. “It’s kinda a long story, actually. How did you become a vampire?”

Bella stopped in her tracks and looked at Buffy in utter shock before she saw her swallow hard and the curve of a smile began at the corner of her mouth.

“It’s kinda a long story.”

They both started walking toward the house again, Edward following close behind.

“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours?” Bella asked.

Buffy considered it and nodded. “Sure,” she smirked, “you first.”

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