Title of Series: Paths
Pairing: Buffy/Angel, Buffy/Riley, Cordelia/Wesley
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Joss Whedon and co. I only own the plot.
Story Summary: What happens when Riley and Buffy have an argument about his acting career?
Author's Note: Third in this series. The Initiative never happened. This also takes place in the year 2005. Buffy and Riley are married in the series. Seeing IWRY again made me start writing this series again. For the B/A list, this part is B/R, next part will have B/A. Lots of Riley bashing, so don't say I didn't warn you before hand, if you like him.
Feedback: Pretty please....

"Where were you tonight, Buffy? I really could have use your support tonight." Riley asked his wife.

"I went out Riley. You ever heard the expression that I needed some alone time. What happened Riley? You run out of bimbos to go out with?" She answered him back, tired of him always making things go his way.

"You forget Buffy that we had a deal." Riley reminded her why they were still married.

"Riley, neither of us are happy in this marriage. Why should we stay here with you?" Buffy glared at her husband.

"I've given you and Ruby a good life, Buffy. We owe it to Ruby to have a stable family. I thought that was what you wanted, Buffy." He always twisted her words around.

"Screw this shit, Riley. I've put up with a lot of shit from you over the years. You and your god damn affairs with sluts, actresses and that damn lawyer, Lilah, I think was the worst one of all." She reminded him that he was not so clean.

"Hey at least she showed me some affection. You have not once come to our bed in the last few months."

"I'm tired of living this way, Riley. Ruby would be better off with me than you. All you care about is that damn inheritance. I'll stay married to you till that day comes, but me and Ruby are leaving." Buffy told her husband walking into her daughter's room.

Buffy looked at her 5 year old daughter. She had long ebony hair, but had the sweetest smile in the world.

"Mommy, what's a matter?" Ruby looked up at her mother with those big puppy brown eyes of hers.

"We are getting out of here sweetheart and visiting an old friend of mine." Buffy kissed her daughter.

"Mommy, is daddy coming with us?" Her daughter asked her looking perplexed.

"No, he is not coming. Mommy and Daddy need to spend some time apart. We love you very much, so go get dressed while I pack our things." Buffy told her daughter grabbing two overnight bags to put their stuff in.

**

"Wesley, did you see that file on Miss O'Gormon? I need to send her a bill." She smiled at her husband.

"You know Cordelia, I think we should leave work early." He whispered into her ear.

"Hmm, that idea sounds like fun." She smiled before Buffy walked into the offices of Angel Investigations with a small child.

"Hello Cordelia and Wesley. Is Angel here?" She asked them.

"Buffy, who's the kid? She looks a lot like Angel." Cordelia noticed the resemblance to her boss.

"Cordelia, please..." Wesley reprimanded his wife.

"This is my daughter, Ruby. Ruby say hello to Cordelia and Wesley." Buffy told her daughter.

"Hi, I'm Ruby, it's nice to meet you." She had deep brown eyes.

"Cordelia, do you have the file on Miss O'Gormon. Buffy,..." Angel was surprised to see her standing in his office.

"Buffy, it's nice to see you. What are you doing here?" He asked her.

"I sort of left Riley and the hotels are all book, so we came..." She looked up at him.

"What do you mean by 'we'?" He looked at the kid with Buffy.

"This is Ruby, my daughter. Ruby, this is Angel." She introduced her to Angel.

"Hello, so you are Angel?" She smiled at him.

"Yes, I am. Your mother and me are good friends. Would you like some cookies?" He offered the kid. The kid spoke with an Irish accent.

Ruby looked like his younger sister. No, it couldn't be, could it.

"Angel, we need to talk. Ruby, stay with Cordelia and Wesley. I'll come back." She told her daughter, hugging her tightly. Angel and Buffy looked at one another, and it was like nothing had changed.

"I love you mommy." Ruby whispered to her mother, before Buffy went downstairs with Angel.

"My mother seems to look happy, when she's around him." Ruby commented out loud in front of Cordelia and Wesley.

To be continued in another installment.

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