Chapter 1
With a stake twirling in her hand and her ponytail jigging from side to side, Buffy strolled towards Giles’s apartment. He’d called on the cell phone about a new threat. A nest of somethings.
She had demanded to know where it was so she could take care of it, but Giles had insisted she come to his place so they could discuss the strategy in more detail. Buffy loved Giles but he seriously needed to unwind sometimes. She was all for action, the books really weren't her thing. Unlike Willow, who practically drooled almost as much at the prospect of a research as Giles did. Which was very disturbing.
She would just stop by one last cemetery. The lack of action was making her all antsy and certainly she could make a quick sweep before Giles got all worried about her. The back of her neck tingled and Buffy smiled, drawing a stake from the waistband of her jeans. She sneaked through the shadows of the Restfield cemetery, following her prey. What she found made her sigh in annoyance. The fledgling was trying to claw his way out of the grave, but his foot had got stuck.
'Seriously, have vampires no finesse these days?'
“And here I thought I’d get at least one good fight this evening. Why do I even bother?”
The vampire growled as he failed to heave himself out of the earth. Buffy strode forward and planted the stake into his chest.
“What, no reply?” She pouted.
'What would I give to fight a chipless Spike right now?'
With a huff, she continued on her way to Giles’.
Not that they could ever kill each other. For some reason, he kept coming back. Like a bad penny. It was almost ironic how the only man she wanted to get rid of stuck around while all those she loved kept leaving her. Leaving town even. She was starting to get a serious complex about it.
Even Riley left. Nice, reliable, solid Riley that wasn’t supposed to break her heart. Obviously, she hadn’t seen what everyone else around her had. The distance between them had grown deeper and deeper after they defeated Adam. She thought she had opened up to him, but she could admit to herself now that she was too scared to let anyone in. So Riley decided to up and leave to play a soldier somewhere in Belize. Apparently, Buffy wasn’t enough reason for him to stay.
Strangely, it didn’t hurt. Not as much as she thought it would anyway. There wasn’t that gut wrenching pain every time she thought of him. Unlike what she’d felt when Angel left for her own good, the great martyr that he was. As much as she loved Angel, for him, redemption was more important than their love. Buffy could understand it now. Back then she’d been too young and naïve, thinking he’d stay, believing he’d at least try to look for clues on how to make his soul permanent. So here she was, alone in the middle of a cemetery without even a decent fight to take the edge off.
“Someone's in a good mood tonight.”
Buffy about jumped out of her skin as Spike's voice came from behind. Too lost in her thoughts to notice him approach, Buffy glanced over her shoulder to scowl at him. Spike didn't seem too impressed.
“You snuck up on me!”
“And that surprises you, why exactly?” Spike just raised his eyebrow, smirking at her in that infuriating way that made her want to drive stake through his heart.
“Oh, I don't know. Maybe because your attempts at sneaking usually end with you tripping over a headstone or snapping a twig.” She smiled her most saccharine smile at him, batting her eyelashes innocently. Spike narrowed his eyes, and looked mightily offended.
“Hey! I'll have you know I can be very sneaky. In point of fact, if I didn't have this sodding chip in my head, I'd have sunk my teeth into you a long time ago!” He fell into step by her side.
“Oh please! Like you're the Big Bad? Newsflash, Spike, you couldn't kill me before you were rendered all impotent! I bet Dru could vouch for that fact, couldn't she? What was it that she replaced you with again? Chaos demon, was it?” Buffy looked at him in triumph, half expecting him to scream all kinds of British obscenities at her and storm off. He didn't. Hurt flashed in his eyes, so fleeting, Buffy didn't know if she had just imagined it. For a minute she almost felt guilty.
Almost.
“Hey, watch it. It’s all your fault anyway,” Spike said.
“My fault? No, that would be Dru being sane for the first time in her existence.”
“She wouldn’t have left me if it weren’t for you, Slayer. You and your stupid wanker of an ex.”
“You came begging to me, Spike. Let’s not forget that little fact. And don’t talk about Angel.”
“Dunno what you birds see in the sod anyway. He’s got a Neanderthal brow, you know? And he broods all the time. Where’s the fun in that?”
Buffy stopped and looked at him. “What are you doing?”
“What do you mean?” Spike stopped, turned to face her and furrowed his brow.
“Following me around? Talking to me?”
“Got nothing better to do.”
Buffy threw her hands up in the air and started walking again, Spike hot on her heels. “You must be the most suicidal vampire alive.”
“Undead. And I’m hardly going to shake in my boots from your empty threats.”
“Whatever. Just… shut up.”
“Someone’s in a sulk tonight. What’s the matter? Need to get laid now that Captain Cardboard scampered off for greener pastures?”
“The more you talk, the closer you get to blow in the wind.”
“You’re all talk. You’re not gonna do that.” Spike smirked at her and it made the blood boil in her veins. He was just so infuriating!
“Want to test that theory?”
“That one’s gone a bit stale. Plus, you can’t kill me.”
“Okay, humor me. Why is that?” she asked.
“Because you’re attracted to me.”
Buffy gaped at him then started to laugh. Hysterically. Seeing his pout and offended expression, she couldn’t help but laugh even harder, clutching at her stomach.
“Bloody hell, Slayer. No need to step on my balls like that.”
“Oh my God… it’s just… that was funny,” she gasped out. Seeing the hurt flashing in his eyes made her sober. It must be the lack of action making her loopy as she contemplated her next words. “I’m sorry, Spike. I’m sure some women find your… retro look… quite appealing, but-”
“Yeah, yeah, got it loud and clear. And no nasty remarks about my hair.”
“What?” Buffy glanced at him with an innocent expression. “I wasn’t going to say a thing.” As much as she ridiculed his look, Buffy itched to run her fingers through his hair. It looked soft as it gleamed beneath the moonlight, his cheekbones appearing sharper, his lips… Buffy snapped her gaze away with a horrified expression. What was she doing, ogling Spike of all non- people?
“You alright, Slayer?”
“What? Yeah, sure. I’m perfect.” She could feel the heat in her cheeks. Would Spike notice? Would he comment on it? Then something occurred to her. “Why?” she blurted out.
“I’m not following you.”
“Why would you even think I was attracted to you?”
He smirked and tapped his nose. Buffy’s eyes widened in horror. “Eww… that’s so gross.”
“Not at all.” He chuckled. “Makes me wish we could fight. But I’ll settle for the banter.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“That you get off on fighting me in any way, just as much as I do.”
“What? That’s so not true!”
“You’re the bloody queen of denial, you know that?”
“There’s nothing to deny!” They came to a stop and Buffy looked around. They were at Giles’ and she didn’t even notice.
“Have a good night, slayer. Try not to dream about me.”
“Pig!” Buffy glowered after him. She so had a stake with his name on it! The answering chuckle she barely caught made her shiver. She had to be sick.
******
Buffy entered Giles' flat without knocking. She just barged in like she always did, bad mood clinging to her like a heavy cloak.
“Yes, Buffy, you may come in,” Giles said sarcastically from where he was sitting in a big antique armchair, holding an open book in his hand. Anya and Xander were lounging on his sofa, munching on a bag of chips. Willow was nowhere to be seen, probably somewhere with Tara, doing the naughty things that Buffy had nobody to do with.
“Hey, guys. So, what's the what? Please tell me there's something I can kill! Please?” Buffy looked at Giles expectantly.
“As much as I like seeing you so... enthusiastic about your duty, I'm afraid I shall disappoint you.”
“What? No disappointing. This is a disappointment free zone, Giles! Please tell me you know more about that demon nest.” Buffy sat down on the chair next to Giles, looking at him pleadingly.
“I m-must say... err... the nest turned out to be nothing more than a couple of adolescent teens indulging in some... drinking activities.” He smiled at her in apology and asked, “Why are you so eager, Buffy? I thought you would be rejoicing that you have the night off.”
“Umm… and I am. It’s just so... crucial… to slay... and get rid of the nests and all that evil... and stuff.”
Giles just looked at her sardonically.
Anya proclaimed a second later, “She's just terribly frustrated. Sexually, of course. Maybe you should just go home and relieve it, Buffy. Vibrators are always a way to go when you don't have a live penis at hand. I bet you have one of those under your bed.” Anya popped a chip in her mouth-- unconcerned-- while everyone else was stunned speechless.
“I so do not!” Buffy’s face heated up at the though of what she had in the bottom drawer of her chest. “And I’m not sexually frustrated. The night has been slow is all. I haven’t had a chance to blow off some steam.” She protested vehemently, trying not to admit to herself that crashing into Spike was the only thing keeping her night from being completely boring.
“Ahn! We talked about what is and what isn’t appropriate to talk about in public.” Xander said and Anya rolled her eyes.
“I still think it’s stupid. Anyway, it’s completely understandable that Buffy would need sex. Especially after Riley left because she was emotionally unreachable.”
“Dear Lord.” Giles polished his glasses and went to his cabinet to pour himself a glass of scotch.
“She didn’t really mean that,” Xander said and Anya just frowned, but didn’t say anything.
Buffy just nodded and stood up. “That's my cue. I'll leave you guys to your thing, while I go and pig out with Ben and Jerry.” Buffy stood up, waved at them and walked out the door, closing it behind her.
Anya was right. If she kept locking people out, she’d die alone. But was the pain really worth the risk?
TBC
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!