Chapter 1
Late Friday afternoon, Buffy sat at her desk checking her email. Her long blond hair flowed over her shoulders and down her back as she waited for her messages to pop open. Her pen tapped on her desk as she nibbled on her bottom lip. The office was usually quiet on Fridays. Her eyes crinkled up as she smiled when it says she had a message from her long time friend and pen pal: Spike.
Subject: Re: Hey there cutie
Date: Thu, 20 June 2003 15:11:54 -0400
From: sxyspike@hotmail.com
To: EAS@hotmail.com
Hey there cutie! I am going on a business trip next week and probably won’t be able to check my email. Sorry to hear about your sister. She really is giving you hell. I guess we were like that when we were her age, too. Thinking the rules apply to everyone else but us, yeah? I remember when I was a senior in high school… well; maybe I shouldn’t tell you it might give you the wrong idea about me. How’s work? How’s that bloke you’ve been seeing. Treating you right, I hope. I will talk to you later, cutie.
Bye!
Spike
Buffy sighed. She really wished she could find a real guy like Spike, but alas she had yet to meet someone that she could be totally open with. Strike that, Buffy thought, you did meet him but wasn’t totally honest with him. Glancing at her inbox on her desk and noticing it relatively empty, Buffy decided she could sneak a couple minutes of reflective thought into her day. Hitting ‘Reply’ Buffy thought back to the time when they first met.
April 1998
“Come on Buffy!” Cordelia was dragging Buffy out of her house and into Cordelia’s new car: a Mustang Convertible. Cordelia was what Buffy thought as perfect. Her hair was always done and looked flawless. Cordelia kept up with fashion and beauty. She even beat the guys off with a stick, totally opposite of Buffy. Buffy couldn’t care less about fashion, makeup or hair. Give her a pair of jeans, t-shirt, and a ponytail; Buffy was happy. She wasn’t ugly, in fact she was quite pretty, she just didn’t make an attempt to show it off.
Buffy wasn’t in the mood to go out, but her friend insisted that she leave the house. “Let’s go down town and go to some parties!” Cordelia hopped into her new toy and gunned the engine. Spring break was in full swing in the little town of Sunnydale. University student from around California and neighboring states flocked to the sleepy town. The cops usually didn’t crack down on underage drinking so as long as the spring breakers weren’t destructive, the cops left them alone. Sitting back, Buffy let her friend drag her downtown. They passed a bunch of guys and girls headed to the different bars to start the party tonight.
Looking through the masses, Buffy recognized some fellow classmates. “What if we run into Angel?” Buffy whined. All she wanted to do is sit down in front of the TV and watch sappy tragic love stories with Ben and Jerry’s and cry her eyes out.
“And? So? The best revenge is to show that he isn’t going to rule your life. We’ll go into one of the bars and flirt with a bunch of guys and get free drinks. If he shows, he will just see all the guys around you and see what a moron he was to let you go.” Cordelia made it sound so simple.
“But he does! I can’t help it I love him! I can’t flirt with other guys.” Tears in Buffy’s eyes welled up.
“Oh, stop it, Buffy. He is no good. He CHEATED on you. He’s an asshole. Look, it won’t hurt you to bat your eyes and get a couple of free drinks, right? Even if you two work it out, all you will be doing is drinking free drinks.”
“Well, when you put it that way…” Cordelia looked over at Buffy and visa versa. Both girls let huge grins erupt on their faces as they sped towards downtown.
~*~*~
The first bar they entered was filled with people they knew, high school people. Groaning the two girls left that one and headed to another. Making an entrance, Cordelia sashayed herself up to an empty table. They guys gave Cordelia cat whistles and wolf calls as she passed. Buffy walked demurely behind her. Looking around Buffy realized most people, including Cordelia, were dressed very provocatively. Buffy looked down at her own jeans and peasant blouse and shrugged. She never got much attention while she was with Cordy; she always was the center of attention. Cordelia sat down, waiting for the first guy to approach. “Loosen up Buffy. Take your hair down and smile.” Cordelia was always telling Buffy to let her hair down from her ponytail. “Oh, here comes one. Smile and bat your eyes.”
“Hey there, mind if I buy you a drink?” The guy looked Cordelia's body up and down with a leer.
“Oh, please. I am so thirsty.” Cordelia batted her lashes and smiled. The guy stood between Buffy and Cordelia, blocking Buffy.
“Sure thing, doll face… I’ll be right back.” He left and Buffy let out a sigh of relief.
“Ug, leer much?” Buffy shivered. Cordelia snickered and nodded.
“Oh, Buffy just look around all these guys are horny bastards. All they want is a pretty face, a hot body, and no attachments. No matter what they say, they want a fuck and then they are gone. All that we need to do is have them think they are going to get a fuck and then dump them before it gets to that point.” Cordelia flipped her hair behind her back and watched as the guy came forwards with two drinks. “Oh, thank you handsome!” Cordelia grabbed both drinks and gave one to Buffy.
“Hey, that was mine…” The guy started but stopped when Cordelia innocently batted her eyelashes at him again. “Wanna dance?” For the next three hours Buffy watched as her friend flirted and danced with all the guys scoring free drinks for her and Buffy. Buffy sat back sipping on the latest attempt to woo Cordelia, Buffy didn’t notice she had an admirer from the pool table area.
“Go talk to her, Spike-man.” Xander slapped the back of his bleached-blond friend. Spike just stared at the girl sitting alone at one of the tables. Throughout the night he noticed all the guys coming over and asking her friend to dance and buying her drinks. Not one of them paid any attention to blond unless the brunette grabbed a drink and gave it to her. She caught Spike’s eye as she entered the building. All the other girls were dressed in skimpy blouses and skirts, but this blonde came in jeans and a respectable top. Her hair was pulled up and she wore minimal makeup.
“Playing pool, mate.” Spike turned around and took his shot, sinking two balls at the same time. He walked around the table and got ready to take his next shot when he noticed a guy approach the object of his thoughts. The girl looked up and shook her head vehemently. The guy grabbed her arm as she struggled to free herself. “Be right back.” Spike walked over with the pool cue and listened to the girl talk.
“Angel, I told you leave me alone!” She was still struggling against the guy pawing at her.
“Baby, I already told you I’m sorry. Let’s go and talk some place.” He was trying to pull her towards the door.
“No, leave me alone.” Buffy wanted to kick Angel in the nuts, but she couldn’t get a good shot. Who the hell did he think he was, coming in here like this?
“Come on, let’s go talk.” The girl was struggling in earnest as the patrons around them just stared.
“No!” She looked around to find Cordelia, but couldn’t.
Spike stepped forward, “I believe she asked you to leave her alone, peaches.”
“What’s it to you? This has nothing to do with you.” The guy was a good deal taller than Spike, but that didn’t scare him. Spike knew he could handle himself in a fight, and he also knew that he had Xander and a couple of his buddies from school.
“Just the lady said to let her go and you aren’t.” Spike shrugged and insinuated himself between the blonde and the hulking mass of Cro-Magnon man. The blond was finally free and stepped back behind Spike thankful someone came to her rescue. She watched the anger increase in Angel’s eyes. He didn’t like to loose and she was afraid this would turn to fists soon.
“Oh, fancy college boy, I’m scared. Look she’s my girl and…”
“I am not your girl, Angel. You cheated remember? That makes me your ex girl!” Spike closed his eyes. He remembered the pain of being cheated on. Drusilla. That name made his blood go cold. He felt the rage build inside him as he remembered walking in on her fucking another guy in his bed. She just stopped hopping up and down on his dick and turned towards Spike and crooked her finger like he was going to join them.
Angel broke Spike out of his painful thoughts, “And we were having a private discussion.”
“It didn’t look like she wanted to talk with you, so why don’t you take your poofy ass out of here and leave her alone.” Xander came up behind his friend to back him up. A couple other classmates came up and circled around.
‘Fine, whatever, I don’t need this crap.” Looking over Spike’s shoulder her continued, “We will talk later, sweetheart.” With that Angel left.
With a sigh of relief Buffy looked up at her savior. “Thank you.” She stepped back and went to find Cordelia. It was time for her to leave.
Before Spike knew it the pretty blond disappeared. “Oh bloody hell, where’d she go?” Xander shrugged and headed back to his pool game. The guys that congregated around were already gone. Looking around, Spike finally spotted the girl climbing the steps to go to the second floor. Running, he caught up mid way up the stairs. “Oi, pet, wait!” She turned around and looked at him. “Hey, are you OK; I mean that guys was man handling you.”
Buffy stared at him speculatively but only saw sincerity in his eyes. “Um, yeah. Angel can be a bully. Thanks for stepping in.” She turned around and continues to head up the stairs. She wasn’t in the mood to make small talk with some college boy. She just wanted to go home.
“Hey, wait!” Spike wasn’t used to girls walking away from him. This really intrigued him. She turned around. “So what’s your name, luv?”
Her eyebrows shot straight up. “Excuse me?”
“What’s your name, luv?” Spike gave her the most devastating smirk he could work up.
“First off, I am not your love. Secondly I am looking for my friend so I can leave. Thank you for helping me with Angel, but good bye.” She turned around and continued up the steps.
Spike ran up past her and blocked her escape route. This one was a tough cookie. “Look, pet. I don’t know your name so if you give me your name I wouldn’t have to call you luv.” He smirked as he saw anger flash through her eyes and then quickly die.
“Buffy.” She stated simply.
“Well, hello, Buffy. I’m Spike your night in shining, uh tarnished armor.” He held out his hand. As she slipped her hand into his, he brought it to his lips and caressed the skin on her hand. They both felt the warmth from the other seep into their own skin. Blushing furiously, Buffy ducked her head. “Can I buy you a drink?” Spike felt his stomach flip when he saw her blush she was a cutie.
“UH, I’m looking for my friend.” Buffy looked around, trying to find Cordelia.
“I am hoping a friend of not the male gender?” Spike smiled knowing she was looking for her female friend that was now busy making out with someone near the bar.
“Um, no… Cordy… we came together and I really want to go home.” Maybe if Cordy wanted to stick around, Buffy would, too.
“Well, pet. I bet you are thirsty and it doesn’t look like you are very successful at finding her. I bet if you have a drink with me, she’ll pop up.”
June 2003
Subject: Re: Hey there cutie
Date: Fri, 20 June 2003 16:30:34 -0600
From: EAS@hotmail.com
To: sxyspike@hotmail.com
Hey, Handsome!
Dawn says she hates me now. I remember telling my mom the same thing when I was 17. She’s been grounded for the past week and a half and she still is sulking. She says it’s not fair and I tell her such is life, but she just glares at me. It’s strange to hear the same words coming out of my mouth that came out of my moms. I shudder at the thought. Riley and I’ve been OK. We haven’t gotten much alone time lately, but isn’t that life? We’ve been busy at work. Evidently someone from the new home office is going to come in and peak around so it’s probably a good thing that you won’t be able to email me. Well, it’s getting closer to clock out time and I need to tidy up the office for the big wig to come in on Monday. Talk to you when you get back.
Always,
Buffy
She hit the send button. Buffy sat back in her chair and thought some more on that first night. Back then; everything seemed to be falling apart in her life. Her parents just got a divorce and were battling for the affections of their children. Her boyfriend, love of her life, of six months was caught cheating and they broke up. Her sister was annoying her by reading her diary and then tattling on her. Everything was spinning out of control, until that night. Spike made everything seem smaller. That was the night she finally started to grow up.
April 1998
After Spike bought Buffy a drink they sat at a table in the back of the club. Buffy couldn’t believe this hot guy was hitting on her. The only reason Angel even gave her a second look was because she was Cordelia’s best friend. They have known each other for years, but he never paid attention to her. Until one day last summer, Angel stopped by Cordelia’s house while the two girls were lounging by the pool and started to talk to her. Buffy had a sneaking suspicion, especially after catching him cheating the only reason he paid a moments attention to her was because she could fill out a two piece and he wanted into her pants. It was quieter and Spike wanted to get to know this blonde pixie better. Cordelia disappeared from the bar, Spike presumed to go some place a little more intimate. “So how far are you along?”
“Huh?” Buffy looked up with her hazel eyes, looking like a deer caught in the headlights.
“Year, pet. What year are you in school?”
“Oh, I’m a senior.” She smiled coitishly. “You?”
“Junior, you look young to be a senior.” Buffy looked up again. Opps she’s a senior in high school, guess it wouldn’t hurt to pretend. She shrugged her shoulders and looked around the club searching for Cordelia. “What school?”
Buffy thought ‘Oh shit… what if you pick the same school that he goes to then he will know you are lying.’ “Oh, SunnyD.” There, if he went to Sunnydale University, she could cover up and say she meant the high school. “And you?”
“UCLA.”
“Wow, whatcha doing all the way down here?”
He shrugged, leaned closer to her and whispered, “All the pretty girls,” and winked. Blushing, Buffy looked away. This guy was definitely one of the ones Cordy was trying to warn her against, but at this point Buffy didn’t care. It was nice to be noticed. “Look, pet. I am not really into this scene. Do you know anywhere we could go talk?” She looked at him like a deer again. “Public place, of course. I have no intention to sully your virtue.” He smirked and winked again.
“I don’t know. I still have to find Cordy.” Buffy couldn’t believe her luck. This hot guy just wanted to talk! Maybe Cordy was wrong about all these guys.
“I think she went out back with a guy, we can try to find her together, if you want.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her up to a standing position.
She stopped dead in her tracks and looked at him curiously. “How do you know what she looks like?” She looked so cute with her head cocked to the side.
“I must admit, I’ve seen you two come in and sit together.” Spike ducked his head shyly and glanced up to see if she was angry. And she was. Her hands made it to her hips and her legs were planted firmly on the ground.
“If you are just being nice to me to get to her, you can forget it. You can’t get to her through me.” Buffy crossed her arms over her chest.
“Pet, Buffy… please…” She was walking away and he followed. “I didn’t mean it like that. I noticed YOU coming in.” She turned around to glare at him. His eyes told her he was sincere.
“Either you are telling the truth or you are an acting major.” Her lips upturned a little.
“I’m telling the truth. I am an English Major.” He lifted his hand out for her to take. “Come on, pet, let’s go find your friend and a nice restaurant to sit and talk.” Buffy reached out her hand and twined her fingers with him. Perfect fit. When she held Angel’s hand, it was hot, sweaty, and big. After a night of holding hands, her knuckles and fingers hurt from being spread so wide. “I think I saw them head this way.” Spike led Buffy towards the back. Most of the couples were dry humping and making out furiously. Buffy blushed and looked down, trying not to stare at the erotic pictures the couples performed. They found Cordelia and her ‘friend’ in the back. Stepping forward Buffy nudged Cordy on the shoulder.
“God, rude much!” Cordelia said.
“Hey, girl. I am going to leave, OK?” Cordy turned around to face her friend.
“Huh, Buffy?” Cordelia wasn’t too swift on the uptake between the lust and the alcohol she was quite dumb.
“Yeah. We are going to go to a restaurant to go talk. It’s too loud in here.”
“Uh, OK. Here take the keys; I’m too drunk to drive anyways.” Cordelia handed over her precious keys and went back to kissing her companion. Shrugging, Buffy lead Spike out to the back alley.
“So do you know any good places to eat? I’m a bit peckish.” Spike rubbed his stomach as they headed for the main street.
“Uh, there is a diner on fourth with the best burgers and shakes. If you want something more sophisticated there is a bunch of chain places and a couple fancier restaurants.”
“A burger sounds good to me, pet. Lead the way.” They walked in silence to the diner. Spike kept her hand wrapped in his. It was such a long time since he’s been able to just hold someone’s hand. The string of girls he went through after Drusilla weren’t around long enough to hold hands with. As they neared the diner, he could smell the greasy goodness. “So since you suggested this place, you aren’t going to order a salad, are you?”
She looked up and smiled. “Depends are you buying?”
Spike looked like she just insulted his man jewels. “Oh course! What do you take me as, an evil, soulless thing?”
She laughed. Spike thought she had a beautiful laugh. Her eyes glowed when she laughed. “Just checking. You know poor college kids and all.” She sashayed her ass inside the diner and sat in the last booth. Following her, Spike smirked and curled his tongue around his front teeth.
“So what’s your major?” He sat down and looked at the menu while she sat looking at the other customers.
“Huh, what?” She moved her attention back to Spike.
“Major, pet.”
“Oh,” Oh, come up with it quickly girl. “Business.” Everyone was in business, weren’t they?
“Ah, the old money maker, huh? Did you grow up here?”
“Moved when I was a teenager.” They sat in the last booth in the greasy spoon for hours. Waitresses came and went as the two discussed everything from mundane to fantasy. Both were amazed at finding such a smart, interesting person in the bar.
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!