Disclaimer: I own nothing of BtVS or Angel. Don't sue!
Spoilers: Sleep Tight
Summary: My own version of the Connor/Holtz yadda yadda yadda story. The day Wesley takes Connor, he calls Buffy for help. *Fates & Complications was my first story from this series....kinda like a prolouge because I decided to expand on that story with this one...if you haven't read it, you can find it on my website, http://www.angelfire.com/tv/foreverlove or probably on BA_Fluff yahoo group website.*
Feedback?: Yes please..!
Rating: PG-13/R (language I guess)

Sunnydale, CA

It was a warm Friday afternoon, as most days in Sunnydale were. The birds were chirping, kids were laughing and playing in their yards. Buffy entered her house, shutting the door behind her wish a soft click. She tossed her hat onto the nearest chair, sighing when the cow just smiled up at her happily. She tugged her shirt out of her khakis, cringing. She smelled like hamburgers...lots and lots of hamburgers. It never ceased to amaze her that so many people wanted to eat slabs of meat and greasy fries at 10 o'clock in the morning.

She headed upstairs, eager to shower. She started to unbutton her shirt before she even reached the bathroom. She walked past Dawn's room, calling for her. She called again, taking a few steps back to glance in her room, worry beginning to rise deep inside, when she noticed the room was empty. Buffy spotted the small white note laying neatly on the pink comforter. Holding her breath, Buffy snatched it up, sighing in relief when she read that Dawn was staying the night at Janice's. She had even left a number where Buffy could reach her. Buffy smiled and turned from the room. She lay the note on a wooden plant stand in the hallway.

As she undressed, she wondered what should would do with herself that evening, and the rest of the weekend, which she had by some miracle, gotten off from the Doublemeat Palace.

She stepped in the shower, gasping when the cold water hit her body. Quickly, she turned the warm water knob on, relaxing as steam began to rise. Maybe I'll spend some quality time with Dawn, Buffy thought, squirting the shampoo into her hands. Although one night at Janice's usually turned into a weekend, so chances were Dawn wouldn't be home until Sunday evening to try and catch up on her schoolwork.

Rinsing the strawberry scented bubbles from her hair, Buffy wondered what Willow and Xander had going on that night. Maybe she could convince them to join her at the Bronze. They hardly spent anytime together anymore, ecspecially since Buffy got a job flipping burgers. She sometimes started thinking about the old days, in high school, when they were all joined at the hip. Even with the darkness and evil surrounding them...it had seemed so much easier back then. It was so much harder now, with her mother gone. Buffy sighed. Time had dulled the ache inside of her when she thought of her mom...but it would never fully go away.

She reached down, turning off the shower and grabbing a towel. Wrapping it tightly around her, she stood in front of the mirror, grabbing her brush. She paused, wiping off the steam with her palm. She observed herself in the glass for a moment. Her skin was flushed, pink from the scorching shower she had taken. Her eyes were dark and tired. Buffy frowned, but began pulling the brush through her short hair. She looked horrible. The hot showers probably weren't good for her skin, but she loved feeling the heat. Feeling anything but emptiness was always a plus these days for her.

But she vowed to start sleeping more. It was easier now that she had broken things off with Spike. For good. Hopefully. So far, the vampire had respected her wishes. She didn't know if she was happy or disappointed. Some nights she lay in bed, eyes staring at the window, waiting for him to come to her. But he never did. Maybe she would go see him for awhile...after all, it was daylight, so of course he couldn't come see her...maybe...shaking her head, Buffy pushed the thoughts of him out of her head. She was doing well, she wasn't going to ruin it because of a few lusty feelings.

Twenty minutes later, Buffy walked down the stairs. She decided to ditch the black wardrobe for tonight and wear something lighter. Even if she didn't feel great, at least she would look great. Buffy grabbed her jacket from the coat hanger. Nothing was going to ruin this night for me, she resolved, throwing open the door.

He almost knocked her over, flying into the hallway, smoke rising from the gray dusty blanket covering him. Buffy sighed and slammed the door shut.

"What are you doing here Spike?" she questioned, crossing her arms over her chest. She was only half afraid of the answer. He threw the blanket off of him, shaking his hand quickly, blowing the steam off as fast as he could. He tried to compose himself, brushing off imaginary dust from his jacket before looking at her.

"I was just in the neighborhood, thought I might drop in." he replied lamely. Buffy tilted her head to the side, studying him. "Oh really? What exactly were you doing in the neighborhood, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon?"

Spike shrugged casually, "Taking a stroll..." "Spike..." Buffy began. "Okay, fine, I came to see you," he interrupted, rolling his eyes, "I thought maybe we could hang out, talk...do that kind of thing."

Buffy softened a bit. He was a big pain in the ass, but he could be sweet sometimes. "I can't," she told him, trying to ignore the disappointment in his eyes, "I'm heading over to the Magic Box to see my friends, for once." Spike looked at her inquisitively. "What exactly do you plan to find there? If you don't remember, let me refresh your memory, luv. I doubt the Magic Box is even open. The whole Xander-boy leaving his precious at the altar? She's been gone for days...as for the witch..er..ex-witch, she's probably off making jolly with Tara now that those two are near reconciliation...."

Buffy smacked her head softly with her palm. "Oh my God, I can't believe I forgot...I've been so spaced out lately..." So much for her exciting night out.

"Other things...people...on your mind?" he smiled suggestively, taking a few steps towards her. Buffy scowled, placing a hand on the doorknob, "Yeah, like wondering how many burgers I'll have to flip until the plumber is paid off. One more step and I'm opening the door...and out you go."

Spike's smiled faded as he started to pull out a cigarette, but shoved them back in his pocket when he remembered Buffy didn't appreciate the smoking in her home. Instead, he took a different approach. He had been wondering how long this "we're over" thing was going to last, and he was getting impatient.

"Look, Buff, we both know this isn't going to work here...if you can just admit you want me...it will make things easier instead of harder. And I know you're lookin' to make your life easier in anyway you can." Spike informed her, reaching out to caress her hair.

Buffy grabbed his arm, though her insides were doing somersaults, she vowed to stay strong. Before she could retort, the phone rang. Tossing his arm from her grasp, she glared at him before storming off to the kitchen. Unfortuantly, he followed.

She twirled around in exasperation, placing her hand on the counter. "Spike! Can't you just...go? If you're looking to help me, just leave."

"This is getting ridiculous Buffy...I meant what I said before...I will let your friends in on our dirty little secret." he threatened softly.

The phone continued to ring. Buffy let out a small laugh in disbelief. "Threats coming from a man...no, a thing! that claims he loves me!"

"They're the only thing standing in your way of being happy with me, Slayer. They're always the only thing in your way of *any* kind of happiness." Spike explained to her angrily.

Buffy began to reply when the answering machine picked up and a shaky male voice filled the air.

"Buffy? Buffy, if you're there, please pick up. It's an emergency..."

The message cut off as Buffy grabbed the phone from the wall. "Wesley?" she asked, panic in her voice. "Wesley, slow down...take a deep breath and tell me what's going on..."

Spike watched a variety of emotions play across Buffy's face. Worry, confusion, disbelief, sadness. It was probably nancy boy Angel...the only real road block to Buffy's love. Rolling his eyes again, Spike slid his hands in his pockets. What was wrong with him now? Did he stub a toe? Run out of that greasy hair gel? Anything to get Buffy to run to his side...only for him to reject and hurt her in the end...again. She never talked to him about what was said during their last encounter...she never told anyone. But it had hurt her, he could see it in her eyes.

While Spike began to think of all the torturous ways to kill his nemesis, Buffy tried to absorb the information Wesley was feeding her. She felt like she was suddenly in a dream, a bizarre dream that makes no sense...she snapped back from her daze when she heard

Wesley's urgent question.

"Yes...yes, I'll be there as soon as I can...just stay where you are...no...yes..I think that's probably for the best. I'll be there. Alright...bye." Buffy hung up the phone, staring off into space for a few moments before Spike walked up to her, softly touching her arm.

"Slayer...?" she didn't answer. Spike frowned. "Buffy? What's going on?"

She turned her head slowly, looking at Spike with wide eyes. "I have to go...now...can you...can you stay here and wait for Willow if she comes home..."

"You're going to see him aren't you?" he asked in disgust. "If you think I'm going to sit here while you go off and..."

"Spike..please?" she asked wearily, sighing. He stopped, his unbeating heart finally giving in.

"Alright...I'll be here...what do you want me to tell her?"

"Just tell her a friend was in trouble...I'll be back early tomorrow morning, hopefully. I'll explain then." Buffy muttered, grabbing the keys to her mother's jeep off the kitchen counter.

"Buffy?" he grabbed her arm before she could walk out the back door. She turned to him, questioning. He sighed inwardly, knowing she wouldn't accept his declaration of love...not while she had Peaches on her mind. "Be careful."

She nodded, distracted and hurried out the door, to L.A. to face her past...Angel's future.

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