Disclaimer: These Characters do not belong to me. They are property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, WB
Network, and whoever else that has rights to BTVS.

Takes place after Cordelia drives Buffy home in 'Helpless'. The two bond, and agree to be friends.

Author's Notes- This takes place during Helpless when Cordelia drives Buffy home from the library. I think
those too would make good friend, so I decided to let them be friends. I hope you enjoy.

Buffy drew in her breath. "Okayy, well when a slayer turns eighteen the Watcher Council gives her a special test. They drug her, make her lose her powers and force her to face some big ugly monster, and she can't know what's happening. That's why I've been so weak lately. Giles drugged me." Buffy said angrily, Cordelia swerved and almost hit a tree.

"Giles? Wow. That sucks, I thought he was kind of like, well, your friend?" "So did I." Buffy said bitterly, then she turned to look at Cordelia. "But then again I thought you were my friend too."

Cordelia pulled the car over to the side of the road. "Buffy, I'm sorry I've been so bitchy lately. It's just you were really Xander's friend not mine, and well I guess I thought you'd take his side. I knew it would be easier to outcast myself from you guys than to hear you say that you don't want me around anymore." "Cordelia that would never happen. Yes I'm Xander's friend, but I also know that he acted like a jerk. You loved him and he broke you're heart, I've been there I can sympathise."

Cordelia paused before speaking her true feelings. "I still love him. I don't want to, but I do." "I know how that feels." Buffy said quietly. "Yeah, I guess you do. Buffy, I'd like to be friends with you, good friends, I really would. But I don't know if I could face Xander without telling him how I feel, and I know if I did he'd burst out laughing. He's humiliated me once, I can't let him do it again, so I can't go back to hanging out with you guys. I'm sorry."

Buffy looked at her seriously. "Cordelia, I doubt Xander would laugh at you. I think he still cares about you too, but if you aren't ready to join the group as a full-fledged member again, why don't we try hanging out sometimes? I like to have company when I'm patrolling, and Angel's not the best person." Cordelia looked at her curiously. "Why not? I thought he was super-strong?"

Buffy smiled sadly. "He is, but before he changed we used to..." "Make out instead of patrol?" Cordelia filled in dryly. "Yeah. What Faith said about slaying making you horny is true, and I know if Angel was there with me too often we'd go too far. We still date, and for the most part we manage to not cross that line, but sometimes. Like a couple days ago we were training, and it got a little frustrating."

Cordelia looked at her sympathetically. "Wow. It must be hard too love him so much and not be able to do anything. To know that..." "We'll never have a future." Buffy filled in sadly. "I'm sorry Buffy." "Don't be, it's life. Angel and I don't have a future." She laughed bitterly. "I'm the one that fell for a vampire. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't help myself. And now I'm the one who has to live with the consequences."

Cordelia decided to change the subject. "How about we go shopping tomorrow, some new shoes?" "Yeah that would be nice." Buffy said as Cordelia started the car up again, a few minutes later they reached Buffy's house.

As Buffy got out of the car, she stopped for a second. "Cordelia thanks, I needed someone to talk to." Cordelia smiled. "You're welcome. It's okay you needed a friend." Buffy smiled. "And you came through, thanks Cordy." With that she went into the house, and Cordelia watched her for a minute before driving a way.

She was glad that she had gone to the library that night, she had repaired her relationship with Buffy.