Title: Buffyverse – 2014 (5/10/04)
Rating: R or NC17
Season: Takes place in the future
Disclaimer: Not my characters
Distribution: Sure, just let me know where
Feedback: Please
Word Count: 5600
Summary: Takes place 10 years after the events in AtV season V. Buffy is 33, Spike is still Spike. (Doesn’t acknowledge AtV series-ending apocalypse)
Buffyverse - 2014
“Andrew, I need to--” the small blond woman blurted as she burst through the door to his office. Her abrupt entrance brought a smile to the face of his guest.
“Still haven’t learned to knock, then, Slayer?”
Her face went completely white, then bright red. “I – I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had…. I’ll just come back later.” She whirled to leave, her face tight and her heart pounding.
“Buffy.” The sound of her name on his lips halted her progress out the door, but she didn’t turn around.
Andrew looked back and forth between the two former lovers and at Spike’s jerk of his head, he stood up, edging around Buffy and muttering, “I’ll just go get us all some …some…something.” He bolted out the door, shutting it behind him and then turning to press his ear against it.
Inside the room, the vampire slipped quietly to his feet and glided across the floor to stand behind her. He reached one hand toward her trembling body, then let it drop to his side.
“I’m sorry, love,” he said softly. “I was told you were in Paris. I thought it’d be safe for me to pop in.”
“It’s OK,” she whispered, drawing a ragged breath. “It’s not like I didn’t know…..I mean, we had to bump into each other eventually – working for the same –“
“With,” he growled. “I work WITH, not for!”
She smiled briefly at this sign of how little Spike had changed in ten years. Forcing herself to take deep breaths and calm down, she gradually turned to face the man she hadn’t seen since she had left him burning up and bringing Sunnydale down around his head.
He looked different – no black leather coat, light brown curls instead of gelled platinum hair, a blue shirt that matched his eyes and a silver tie. (Spike in a tie!) She glanced at the rest of his body and noted the soft denim and the Docs on his feet. (At least some things don’t change.) Part of her was also noticing how good he looked in the blue shirt and how it showed off his upper body without clinging to it as his tee shirts used to.
(And I guess that explains the unusually large number of young slayers and secretaries outside Andrew’s office)
For several minutes they just stared at each other. The distance between them seemed much greater than the few feet it actually was.
(She’s still gorgeous. This is not going to be good for my mental health.)
Spike drank in the sight of her – soft, golden curls around her face, petite but shapely body, and huge green eyes that riveted him in place as they gazed into his as though searching for something.
Finally, Buffy broke the tense silence by shaking her head and looking away, as she muttered, “I don’t know if I want to hug you or hit you.”
“Sounds like old times, pet,” he snarked, laughing when she turned to glare at him. “Do I get a vote?”
“No!” she snapped, but her eyes softened and she gave him a tentative smile. “I’m sorry I wigged out. I just wasn’t expecting to find you sitting in Andrew’s office….or anywhere, really…..and I just…..I didn’t handle it very well, did I?”
“S’all right, Slayer. Kinda at a loss for words myself.” He tried not to be too obvious about devouring her with his eyes.
“That’ll be the day,” she rolled her eyes. Spike laughed and suddenly they were relaxed and moving toward one another.
“So, it’s a hug, then?” he asked softly, smiling and holding out his arms.
“I guess it is.” She smiled back and slipped into the familiar embrace. She was instantly reminded of how well their bodies fit together as she put her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder.
(This feels so good. I’d better be careful, don’t want to make him uncomfortable).
(Right, no kiss then. I can live with that. I’m touchin’ her for the first time in ten years. No sense being greedy.)
Spike felt his body reacting to her scent and the feel of her lithe body near his in the same way it always had. He shifted his hips away from her to make sure it was a chaste, friendly hug only from the waist up, so that she wouldn’t feel what she was doing to him.
Buffy clung to his neck, inhaling the smell of tobacco and whiskey that meant Spike to her. When she felt the familiar thrill pass through her body, she froze and tried to keep her heart rate even so he wouldn’t suspect the effect he was having on her.
As soon as the vampire felt her stiffen, he let go and pulled away.
(Damn, she must have figured it out.)
Buffy flinched as he pulled away from her and released him immediately.
(Shit! He must have sensed it –damn vampire enhancements.)
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry”
(He’s sorry he doesn’t want me that way anymore. That’s OK. We can be friends).
(She’s sorry she doesn’t feel that way about me. That’s OK. Just being around her again is enough.)
Both Slayer and vampire studied the floor uncomfortably while they tried to swallow their disappointment and embarrassment.
Finally Spike cleared his throat and said, “ You look wonderful, Buffy. How have you been?”
“Thank you. You look good too. (Too good.) I’ve been good. Good, but busy. We’re still finding new slayers every once in a while. But the school is going well – of course you probably know that. I hear the girls have to fight you in order to graduate. It’s the highlight of their time here.” She blushed as she recalled some of the conversations she’d overheard.
“Yeah, well one of the perks I guess. I get to be whaled on by Buffy wannabes on a regular basis.” He smirked.
Buffy rolled her eyes and asked him, “They don’t have to beat you, do they? ‘Cause I just can’t see most of these girls winning a fight with you.”
“No, they don’t have to win. And only one or two have even come close so far. There’s only one Slayer’s ever been able to kick my ass. And that’s all there ever will be.”
Buffy colored slightly at the implied praise and waited for him to continue.
“But,” he added, “they do have to show me enough that I don’t think they’ll get killed first time out. If I don’t think they can cut it, I send ‘em back for more training.”
“Well, we appreciate it – giving up your time, I mean. I’m sure it takes time away from whatever it is you do there in LA.” She twisted a strand of hair as she asked, “What exactly is it you do, anyway?”
“We help people when we can. Keeps me in smokes and scotch and gives me my daily spot of violence. Lots of nasties in LA – not all of ‘em demons,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows. “And don’t get me started on Hollywood!”
They laughed together comfortably and he said softly, “Feels good, pet. To hear you laugh again. Been a long time.”
“Yes, it has,” she said, suddenly serious. “Why has it been such a long time, Spike?” She fixed her liquid green eyes on his and he felt like he was falling into them.
Trying to change the subject, he asked instead, “So, are you and the Immortal still an item? I hate the poncy bastard, but I can see how you might-“
The Immortal? What has that got to do with –?”
“Well the last time I saw you, you seemed happy with him. Like you were having fun and…”
“I SEEMED happy? When did you have a chance to notice how I seemed with him?” she asked, a dangerous tone creeping into her voice.
(Uh,oh. I wonder if there’s a way to save this?)
“Well, Angel and I – we had to go to Rome, not long after you started seeing him, and we tried to find you. To, uh, warn you…”
“Warn me? About what?”
“Um, uh. About him, actually. The Immortal. We kind of have a history with him and we wanted to protect you from…..”
“Protect me? From what? Good food? Good conversation? Understanding and compassion? Dancing? Nice cars? Good prezzies? Good shopping? Good se-“ She stopped herself in what she hoped was the nick of time.
(Don’t let him know what I was about to say. Please don’t let him know.)
One look at his stony face told her she had said too much. “Yeah, he’s quite the lover. Heard it before,” His voice was tight and even though his face was closed and impassive, she could feel the anger radiating off his body. “So, you’re still together then?”
(I’ve got to get through this. Then I’m going to go kill something. Anything.)
(Oh my god, how did things go so wrong so fast? I should have kept going out of the room.)
“We – we’re not together. Haven’t been for years. He was just somebody who was there for me at a – a – difficult time in my life. I was vulnerable and he was –“
“Convenient?” he quirked an eyebrow at her.
Buffy visibly flinched, then reacted as she always did -- with anger. “He was THERE and he made me go out and enjoy life when I could and he let me cry on his shoulder when I couldn’t.”
“Wouldn’t have thought you’d have had much to cry about – world saved, evil defeated, lots of assistant slayers to pick up the slack, finally gettin’ to see Europe, dancing in discos-“
The sound of her slap startled them both almost more than the force of it. He straightened up, rubbing the side of his face and said quietly, “Some things never change, do they, love?”
Buffy was staring from her hand to his face in horror. Shame at what she’d done struggled with the anger still burning in her chest.
“I – I’m sorry,” she whispered. (I am so sorry.)
“Guess I should be grateful it wasn’t your fist and my nose.” He shrugged. “Mind telling me what the hell I said exactly?”
Buffy’s eyes were filling with tears as she struggled to meet his angry glare.
“How could you ask me what I had to cry about? The man I was in love with -the one who swore he would never leave me -burned himself up to save the world. I had to run away, leaving him to die thinking I was a liar. That made me all kinds of happy. Then he came back, but he didn’t want to see me; didn’t even want me to know he was alive. I had to find out by accident.”
Spike closed his eyes briefly as a physical pain shot through his body. Buffy was struggling to control the quiver in her voice, missing his shocked expression.
“I was just learning to live in a world without him, and then I find out he’s still in it. He just doesn’t want me anymore. So, yeah, I had a few issues for awhile.”
She stopped talking to take deep ragged breaths, blinking rapidly to control the tears that threatened to spill down her face.
Spike felt his insides shrivel as he heard her out.
(I’ve been a bleedin’ fool.)
“Buffy,” he got out in a strangled voice. “I never – I will want you till the day I die – again.”
“Then why….how could you….?”
(How could you hurt me like that?)
“I never thought…..I was so sure you didn’t love me.” He flinched when her face twisted in pain. “I just figured you were better off without me in your life.” He stopped to pull in a breath, “If I wasn’t around you could get on with having a real life. And when I saw you dancing in Rome...” He plunged on, ignoring her gasp of surprise, “You looked like you belonged there. You looked happy and carefree and I knew I didn’t stand a chance of being the one you’d want to spend your life with. Never figured to be the long-haul guy anyway. Just wanted to be with you as long as I could. I figured my time was up. I – we, Angel and me, we did try to see you; but you weren’t home and when Andrew told us you’d moved on, it just seemed like going back to LA was the right thing to do.”
The vampire stopped talking and fixed his eyes on her anguished face. There were tears in his own eyes as he continued, “I never meant to hurt you, love. I would cut my heart out before I would knowingly hurt you. You have to believe me. Please,” he added softly.
She sank down onto the couch and gave a shaky laugh. “This sounds like something out of a soap opera. I think you don’t love me anymore – you think I don’t love you – so we end up spending the next ten years on opposite sides of the world. It’s almost funny,” she finished as she dropped her head into her hands.
“Oh yeah, it’s a bleedin’ riot. If I wasn’t busy trying to hold my heart together with both hands, I’d be slapping my knee, “ he growled as he sprawled into the chair.
Both Slayer and vampire just sat, heads back, eyes shut for several minutes; their tense postures the only sign of the emotions roiling through them.
Spike stirred first. Raising his head and fixing her with a steady gaze, he asked, “So, Buffy. What now?”
“I don’t know – my head hurts,” she moaned.
“Sun’s about to go down. How about I buy you dinner while we try to suss this out?
“Dinner?” She peered at him through her hair. “Are you asking me out? On a date?”
“I’m offering to buy you dinner, love. If it’s a date or not is up to you. I’m just glad we’re talking to each other again. Just not ready to say ‘good-bye’ yet.”
“Oh” she said softly, “OK. I’m not ready for you to leave yet, either.” Their eyes met as they both recalled the last time she’d said something like that to him. “But – I don’t think I’m ready for a date,” she said apologetically.
“Right, then, it’s just two old friends catching up on each other’s lives.” He smiled at her worried look. “ ‘s OK, love. Probably better that way. No expectations on anyone’s part.”
(Hopes, maybe, but not expectations.)
“That’s good. Lack of expectations is... good…”
(Would I be happier if there were expectations?)
“Ok, then. I’ll just tell Andrew we’re leaving.” He walked over to the door and shouted into the keyhole, “We’re going out to dinner now, Andrew!” laughing as he heard the sound of feet scampering away from the door.
When he opened it, Andrew was sitting on his secretary’s desk, looking both happy and offended.
“Spike! Did you and Buffy have a nice talk?”
The vampire just rolled his eyes at him and started from the room.
“Uh, Spike?” Buffy said timidly. “I need to, um, make a phone call before we go.”
“Ok, love, I’ll wait –“ As he saw her shift uncomfortably from foot to foot, he had to push his demon down.
(She has to call a man – probably already had a date for tonight.)
He was able to shrug casually and said, “I’ll be right out here”.
(Don’t be an arse. She’s breaking the date to be with you. Keep your cool.)
He carefully closed the office door and strolled up to Andrew’s secretary.
Putting on his most charming smile, he asked, “Do me a favor, pet? Make dinner reservations for two at the Royal Garden. Say about an hour from now?”
“Sure, Spike. I’d be happy to.” She gazed up at him adoringly as she reached for the phone.
“There’s a good girl,” he encouraged, touching her chin with a cool fingertip. There were groans of envy from women all over the room as they saw the exchange.
When the door opened and Buffy came out, all eyes swiveled to her. She was flushed and looked agitated. (Bloke didn’t take it well, I guess) his demon said smugly. He quickly stepped up to her and asked “Everything all right, pet?”
“Yes, fine. I just had to re-arrange a few things. That’s all.” She smiled brightly at him, but he could read the guilt in her eyes.
“I don’t want to mess up your life, Buffy,” he said carefully. “Just want to spend some time with you. If this wasn’t a good time, you should have said so.”
(How does he read me like that? After all this time, he still knows me so well.)
“It’s no big. Just a bit of a misunderstanding.” She shrugged off his concern.
(No way am I telling you he’s angry because I told him not to come over later.)
He studied her face thoughtfully, then looked up to Andrew’s secretary, tilting his head questioningly. She gave him a thumbs up to indicate the reservations were arranged and he blew her a kiss of thanks, causing her to blush all over.
“You’re incorrigible.” Buffy shook her head at him, but she was smiling and she was very aware of the envious looks from all the other women in the big room as Spike touched the small of her back to guide her to the door. The light, but somehow intimate, touch sent a bolt of lust shooting through her body and she twitched before she could stop herself. He withdrew his hand immediately with a murmured, “Sorry.” A glance at his face told her he’d completely misunderstood her flinch and she stopped him with a hand on his arm. She felt him flinch in turn and she withdrew her hand quickly.
They walked the rest of the way to the lift in uncomfortable silence. Being careful to stay far enough apart that no accidental touching could occur.
As soon as the door slid closed, they turned to speak.
“Spike” “Buffy”
“You first, pet.”
“Can we just agree – no touching until we…we decide when - if we’re ready for it?” she pleaded, her eyes anxious but warm.
“Why is that, love?” he asked, moving closer to her. He could hear her accelerated heart beat and had to force himself to stay out of kissing distance.
“It just makes it harder to think clearly,” she admitted. “It complicates things.”
“I suppose it does, at that,” he agreed reluctantly. He pushed his hands into his pockets to keep them from reaching for her. “Guess that means there’s still somethin’ there, eh, Slayer?” he smirked.
“Oh, like you couldn’t tell,” she grumbled – moving further away from him and his enhanced senses.
squawks
05/18/17 04:16 am
pj! I remember wishing one of your stories would be finished seriously about a decade ago. Amazing. I just tried an old password I used to use and amazingly got in too. Memories!
pj
03/20/17 01:20 am
10 yrs later, i finally rem my username and password. Pari, you rock. Hope you are well.
Rabbit_moon1
12/23/16 01:12 pm
I donate every month. Please donate to keep this site up!
AudryDaluz1
10/06/16 08:34 am
Great post.
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:45 pm
And anyone else who loves this site, it's worth mentioning there's a nifty little "Donate" option just below the shout box here! ;)
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:43 pm
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Pari and all the mods for maintaining such a great site!
05/18/17 04:16 am
pj! I remember wishing one of your stories would be finished seriously about a decade ago. Amazing. I just tried an old password I used to use and amazingly got in too. Memories!
pj
03/20/17 01:20 am
10 yrs later, i finally rem my username and password. Pari, you rock. Hope you are well.
Rabbit_moon1
12/23/16 01:12 pm
I donate every month. Please donate to keep this site up!
AudryDaluz1
10/06/16 08:34 am
Great post.
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:45 pm
And anyone else who loves this site, it's worth mentioning there's a nifty little "Donate" option just below the shout box here! ;)
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:43 pm
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Pari and all the mods for maintaining such a great site!