Chapter 5: Plans of Action
Buffy had been talking to Mal and Zoe for nearly an hour. Spike was beginning to get restless. Getting to his feet, he began to pace around the room. Willow had disappeared some time ago with that mechanic, what was her name? Hayley or Kaylee or something. Spike looked over at Buffy. The determination on her face was admirable, but a little sad. He wished she would smile more. Just as he was thinking it, he got his wish. Sadly, the smile was directed at Mal, not at him. He began to dislike Mal even more. Captain Tightpants. That suited him. Walked around like he had a stake shoved up his ass, rude to everyone, then monopolising Buffy’s attention. He was sure it was just business. Oh how he wished he could be sure it was just business.
Willow had taken the first opportunity to escape. It was clear that she was not going to be included in the plans for whatever ‘job’ Mal and Zoe were planning with Buffy. When the bubbly mechanic signalled to her from the doorway, Willow didn’t hesitate to join her.
“Are they always that serious?” she asked Kaylee.
“Oh, not all the time. Just most of the time.” The mechanic shrugged. “Buffy looks pretty serious, too.”
“Yeah,” Willow sighed, “You should hear some of her inspirational speeches. Ever since we’ve had this trouble with the first, they’ve been coming thick and fast.”
“The first what?”
“E…you know what, it doesn’t matter,” Willow said.
“You want me to show you round Serenity?” Kaylee offered. Willow’s face lit up.
“Would you? That’s be cool. I’ve never been on a real space ship before…I guess that sounds kind of weird, huh?”
“No, not really. I’ve never been to another dimension,” Kaylee said.
“Have you been here long?” Willow asked.
“A while. Not as long as Mal and Zoe. They were old army buddies. But longer than Simon and River, they’re new!”
“That River, she’s, uh, pretty crazy, huh?”
“Yeah. But she’s a sweet girl. It’s not her fault she’s like that. They did things to her brain.”
“Who would do something like that?” Willow asked.
“Men with blue hands, she says,” Kaylee shrugged, “They might be real, they might not. Who knows?”
“Simon takes good care of her, doesn’t he?” Willow said, “I always kind of wanted an older brother.”
“Yeah, he’s very gentle with her.” Kaylee paused, “Do you…like Simon?”
“Sure, he seems nice,” Willow said.
“No, I mean…do you…like like him?” Kaylee bit her lip nervously.
“Oh. Oh. I see. Like that. No, I don’t. That is, he’s not…What I mean is….I kind of have…I have a girlfriend!” Willow blurted out.
“Oh, I see,” Kaylee said brightly. Willow looked at her fearfully as if she might recoil in disgust, but she didn’t seem bothered at all. “I do.”
“What? Have a girlfriend?” Willow asked, confused.
“No, silly!” Kaylee corrected her, “Like Simon. I do like Simon.” She blushed slightly.
“Oh.” Willow said, understanding, “How’s it going?”
“Too early to tell,” Kaylee grinned. “Is it Buffy?”
“What?”
“Your girlfriend? Is Buffy your girlfriend?”
“What? No! Ew, a world of no!” Willow exclaimed. “We’re very old friends. No, my girlfriend’s name is Kennedy. She’s…back home.”
“What about Buffy and Spike are they…together?”
“No. He’s…well,” Willow swallowed the word ‘vampire’ before it left her mouth, “They’re not…that is they were…to be honest I’m not sure. I think it’s over. I’ve said too much.”
“No, it’s ok,” Kaylee smiled, “these things are complicated. Like the Captain and In…now I’ve said too much! Let’s go say hello to Wash and look at the pilot’s room.”
***
“What the bloody hell do you mean I’m staying here?” Spike demanded. He and Buffy had stepped outside into the corridor.
“Keep your voice down!” Buffy hissed.
“Not until you give me one good reason why I should let you out of my sight on some crazy mission?”
“Do you think you have to protect me?” Buffy asked, incredulous.
“I just…I don’t trust Captain Tightpants,” Spike scowled.
“His name, is Mal, or Captain Reynolds, if you insist on giving him that title. And we don’t have any choice but to trust him, we’re stuck here, Spike, and we need that power source!”
“So tell me again why I can’t come with you? I’m good at nicking stuff, I’m good in a fight…chip-free, remember? Just give me one good reason!”
“Sunlight.”
“What?”
“Sunlight. You wanted one good reason and that’s it. It may be dark enough in space for you to wander around freely, but down on that planet it’s desert and bright sunshine. You step one foot of this ship and you’ll be crispy fried Spike. Or had you forgotten?”
“No,” Spike said sullenly, “I hadn’t forgotten. Can’t we go at night?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because that’s the way it is, ok? Look Spike, just trust me on this one.”
“What have you told them?” Spike wanted to know
“About what?”
“About why I’m not going. Did you enlighten them as to my condition? Bet that went down well. I’ll get Jayne attacking me with garlic while I sleep…”
“I just said you had an allergy.”
“To direct sunlight?” Spike folded his arms sceptically.
“Uh-huh,” Buffy said, somewhat less certainly. “Look it doesn’t matter what I told them. Mal, Zoe, Jayne and I are going on this heist tomorrow, and you’re staying here. End of.”
“But what…” Spike’s voice trailed off and he clutched the doorframe. He was starting to feel dizzy. He clutched at his stomach as he felt a sudden, sharp pain.
“Spike?” Buffy’s voice was tinged with concern, “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Buffy…” Staying upright was becoming a struggle, “Dizzy…” Buffy caught hold of him before he fell to the floor. Supporting him, she led him to the cabin set aside for him to sleep in and laid him down on the bed. Her heart was beating faster with worry. She didn’t understand what was wrong with him. She smoothed a stray curl of hair away from his forehead instinctively, then pulled her hand away as if burnt when she realised what she was doing.
“Spike, what’s wrong? Please, talk to me.” She felt an ache in her chest that she didn’t dare probe deeper into, afraid of what she might discover in her heart.
“It’s nothing, pet, I’ll be fine,” Spike assured her, “I just…need to eat something.”
Blood.
She hadn’t even thought of that. The crew had fed them all the night they arrived, Spike too, but of course human food wouldn’t be enough. He needed blood to sustain him.
“I’ll get some,” she promised.
“Where from, love?” Spike asked sarcastically, “We’re in space, or hadn’t you noticed? Although I suppose I could always eat Jayne…”
“I’ll ask Simon,” Buffy said, “He might have some. And I’ll get some more when we land on this planet.”
Without another word or glance, she was gone, returning about fifteen minutes later with a small bag of blood. Wordlessly she handed it to Spike and he tore into it, the nourishing liquid pouring down his throat, cold but satisfying.
“What did you tell the doctor?” Spike asked curiously.
“He wasn’t there. I just took it. I don’t think we should go broadcasting your…status to everyone right now, ok?”
“Fine,” Spike said. He looked at her, but now that he was feeling better she held herself aloof from him.
“Right. You get some rest. I need to go over the plans for tomorrow with Mal one more time.”
Spike sighed as she walked out of the cabin.
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