Falling Into You
By Spike SpeigelThe Devil's Deliverance
Dawn still had her arms around his neck, sobbing happily into his shoulder. He looked up at Buffy, awkwardly rubbing Dawn’s back. The look on his face was one of surprise. The look on Buffy’s was one of fear. “Spike?”
“Funny. That’s the second time someone’s called me by that name today.” He gently removed Dawn’s arms from around his neck, slowly standing up. The other men sat there, watching the scene unfold. Dawn didn’t want to let go, but when she saw the sincere smile on his face, she happily stepped back, allowing him some room. Buffy stood there, unsure of what to feel at this moment. “I don’t know who this Spike fella is, but I’m definitely not him.”
Buffy’s heart sank in her chest. He looked like Spike. He sounded like Spike. His eyes were as blue and serene as his. But it wasn’t him. She wondered who could be so cruel as to play such a harsh game with her heart. Buffy held back her tears, wanting to make certain this wasn’t another of Spike’s playful taunts. “I’m sorry about this.” She pulled Dawn to her side, noting the look of confusion in her eyes. “My little sister thought you were someone else. I’m Buffy. Buffy Summers. And you are?” She extended her hand out, waiting for some type of response.
He grinned at her, unsure of what was going on. However, he decided to play along. “Rocco’s my name. Just Rocco.” He took her hand in his, feeling her shake under his grasp. She was nervous. Why, though, he was still unclear. “Pleasure to meet you.” He bent down to one knee, kindly looking at Dawn, who was now behind her sister, tears swelling. “And what’s your name, bit?”
She looked up at Buffy, still uncertain of what was happening. “Buffy?” Buffy nodded to her, a small yet sad smile on her face. She turned back to the man who said his name was Rocco. He continued smiling, even though she had essentially accosted him earlier. “I’m Dawn.” He nodded at her, a small chuckle escaping his lips.
“That’s a pretty name. Very pretty indeed.” The guys at the table began to stir, feeling uncomfortable at the situation that was unfolding in front of them.
“Hey, Rocco. We’re calling it a night since you’ve obviously gone AWOL on us.” The other men nodded, one collecting the tiles into a small velvet bag. They kindly acknowledged the two women standing next to Rocco, and leisurely took their leave.
“Alright then. Next week? Same time?” An older man spoke this time, waving his cane over his back, never turning around.
“Same as usual, Rocco. Same as usual.” The men could be heard chattering between one another as they disappeared down the street. Rocco turned around slowly to see the two women still standing there, looking at him as though he should have recognized them. He scanned his memory, but nothing clicked. He thought to himself, how could he possibly forget these two. Especially the pretty blonde.
“Soooo. Was there something else I could do for you girls?” His hand glided over the table, grabbing a pair of reading glasses. He stuck them into a case and stuffed in into his pants pocket. Buffy couldn’t help but notice them. They were new, but they had the same shape and feel as Spike’s old reading glasses. Things were getting too surreal now. This had to be more than a coincidence, she thought to herself.
“Dinner.” Buffy blurted the word out, unsure of what she meant. Dawn and Rocco gave her a look of astonishment.
“Dinner?” Rocco placed his hands in his back pockets, gently rocking on the balls of his feet. Did this beautiful woman just ask him out on a date? He felt like he’d died and gone to Heaven.
“It’s the least we can do for troubling you. We interrupted your game of…” Rocco waved his hand, indicating for her to stop.
“S’okay. I was losing anyway.” She smiled at him. They both smiled at him. He didn’t know why, but it made him happy, having them treat him like this. “So, just give me the where and when and I’ll be there.” He was acting desperate now. Couldn’t have that. Time to cover his masculinity. “Mind you. It’s not like I do this sort of thing every night. Walking off with strangers and such.”
Dawn giggled a bit. He sure acted like Spike. But the hair was odd. She’d never seen Spike with brown curly hair. Or in color. This man had on a pair of blue jeans and a tan polo shirt. Spike in polo? Never happen. Buffy spoke. “Georgio’s.” He nodded at her. He knew where that was. “Uh, about now.” He shot her a smile. Was she serious?
“Now?” He noticed that they were still acting a bit reticent, but they had relaxed more in his presence.
“Sure. Why not now? Now seems good. See, the sun’s down.” Buffy couldn’t stop rambling. She felt like she was back in high school trying to talk to the quarterback. But this time it wasn’t the quarterback. It was someone who looked like the person she loved. She stopped herself, giving him an embarrassed look. He politely stood there, looking at Dawn now.
“Is you sis always like this?” Dawn bunched her shoulders up, indicating that she wasn’t sure what he meant. Another quick smile. “Nervous around new people, that is.” He moved his gaze back to Buffy, seeing that she was blushing. He felt good. Not only was she interested in him, she looked so cute when she was nervous.
“Yep. Always nervous.” Dawn moved away from Buffy’s side, allowing herself to stand closer to Rocco. Buffy looked down at her sister accusingly.
“Am not.” He smiled as the two sisters began to bicker. He felt that the situation was somewhat familiar. He shook his head, dismissing it as a case of déjà vu.
“Are too.” The younger sister was now sticking her tongue out at the older one. The older one looked as though she was about to dropkick the younger one across the city. He decided to end the conflict.
“Ladies. Ladies.” The two women stopped talking, turning to the source of the voice. “I am getting a bit peckish.” He walked in between the two of them, his arm gently grazing Buffy’s. She quivered at the gentle touch. “May I suggest that we walk while we bicker?” He threw them a grin over his shoulder, then stuck his hands in his pockets, strolling down the sidewalk toward Georgio’s. “At least that way, I can get something in my stomach before sunup.”
Buffy and Dawn looked at each other while Rocco made his way slowly down the sidewalk. Dawn spoke. “He acts kinda like Spike.” Buffy nodded agreement.
“Yeah. And, other than the hair and wardrobe, he looks like Spike too.” Buffy began walking after Rocco, Dawn right by her side.
“Do you think it’s a coincidence?” After their run in with Doc, nothing about this felt coincidental.
“No, I don’t think so. You don’t either.” She looked down at her sister as they quickened their pace. “You’re gonna tell me everything about what just happened between you and that madman.” Dawn nodded at her sister and proceeded to do just that.
He looked back to see the two of them talking amongst themselves. He decided to give them some personal time while he stayed ahead of them. After all, it wasn’t like they could hurt him. And, honestly, he was a bit curious about where all this was going. One moment, he was hanging with his mates, slapping bones down on the table, and the next, a cute teenager was crying and laughing and saying she missed him while hanging by his neck. It definitely was one of the odder days in his life. Though, not as odd as his stay in England. He shook off the memory, focusing on the moment at hand.
“So, he told Spike that he’d seen him before?” Buffy couldn’t believe what her sister was telling her.
“Yeah. The night when I tried to bring back mom.” She still felt uncomfortable about that incident. However, Buffy needed the truth. “Spike brought me to Doc’s to get a resurrection spell. That’s when he told Spike that he’d seen him before.”
“But, that was so vague, Dawnie.” Buffy was shaking her head in disbelief. “How’d you put the pieces together? I don’t think I could have understood what that nut was talking about if I had been there.” Dawn looked down the street, seeing that Rocco was looking back at them, smiling gently.
“Yes you would have. If it was someone you cared about.” Buffy looked in the same direction as Dawn, her eyes falling on the enigma in front of them. “You would have figured it out in no time.” Buffy nodded at her sister, understanding what she was trying to say.
“Well, let’s go talk to this Rocco guy before he decides to beat feet.” Dawn nodded, and the two of them walked faster toward him. Rocco heard the footfalls coming faster. Looks like they were done talking.
“You two ladies done gossiping about me?” He never looked back, but he knew the looks on their faces. They were probably showing their shock, feinting surprise. After all, like they had better things to talk about than the mysterious stranger that they had pretty much mistaken for someone else. They were now on either side of him, Buffy looking up at him. He was right. She had the appalled face on.
“We weren’t talking about you.” He smirked at the pretty blonde. That feeling of déjà vu was coming on strong now. This felt natural. This felt good.
“Oh, is that right?” He turned to Dawn, giving her a “got her right where I want her” look. Dawn smiled back, knowing what he was trying to convey. “Then what were you two talking about then? Knitting?” Buffy looked to her sister for help, but found her only grinning. She was on her own.
“Shoes.” Why did she say that? “Yes. Shoes. Because shoes are very important for the feet.” She looked down, pointing at her shoes. “Without shoes, we’d have a bunch of people with…with…” Rocco never took his eyes off her. “Blisters.” Dawn couldn’t help but giggle. This was not going well. And for all she knew, this wasn’t even Spike. Buffy started to fumble for words, but he beat her to the punch.
“I believe you, luv.” He gently stroked Dawn’s head. “Innit what you were talking about, bit?” Dawn grinned, but then realized that she was stuck in the lie also. She quickly came to her sister’s aid.
“Uh, yeah. Shoes are very important. Without shoes, blisters. Blisters and sores.” He couldn’t help but laugh at the situation. He had just met these two, and he felt as though they’ve been doing this all their life.
“You’re right. Blisters are the bane of society.” He was laughing now, trying to stop but found that he couldn’t. “Long live the shoe and bollocks everything else.” He ran his hand through his hair, laughing uncontrollably now. When he regained his composure, his sight was no longer one of two kindly women. Instead, he was now looking at two people that wanted to thrash him. Badly. “Oh, come now.” Buffy had her hands crossed over her chest, Dawn’s in her pockets. Both were scowling at him. “Shoes?” A moment later, Dawn started to laugh with Rocco, Buffy following suit. After the giggle fest, Buffy spoke.
“Okay, so it wasn’t the best cover story.” He never stopped smiling at her. She couldn’t help but smile back. “Like you could do better?” Rocco stood up straight now, recovering from his bout of laughter, considering the question.
“How’s about, ‘No, we weren’t talking about you, mate. However, we were talking about that cute butt of yours.’” The Summers’ were speechless. Did he really just say that? Rocco knew he’d have to clear the air. “Tip number one when dealing with someone of the opposite sex. You want to lie to said person, lie with a compliment. They never question a compliment.” Buffy and Dawn softly laughed at his wisdom. But it was still awkward. He was Spike, but not. “Well, what do ya know? All that talking and we’re already here.” He pointed to the left, the pizza place out in the distance. “Gotta hand it to you ladies. You sure know how to entertain a stranger. Wonder how you act around friends?”
“It’s Spike! But Spike’s dead! He went poof!” Anya and Tara weren’t handling the situation as well as Buffy and Dawn had. Buffy had to stop Anya before she said something else that might frighten Rocco away. She couldn’t have him leave yet. Not until she had all the answers.
“Anya. Can you come with me to the bathroom?” Anya didn’t get the hint. Rocco seemed very nervous, almost shaken now. What had he gotten himself into, he thought to himself.
“No! Not now. Spike. Here. But Spike. Not supposed to be here.” Anya was in sensory overload now. Buffy grabbed her arm, pulling her from the chair. Tara continued to stare in silence, unsure of what to say. Dawn gave Tara an understanding look. This was definitely weird.
“Um, Rocco. Could you stay with Dawn and Tara? Anya and I have to pretty ourselves up.” Rocco gave her a timid smile.
“Don’t be long, luv.” Buffy forcefully guided Anya to the bathroom, leaving Rocco alone with Dawn and Tara. Another nervous glance and awkward silence. “So, Dawn tells me you’re a lesbian. How’s that working out for you?”
“Hey, that’s my arm! It’s not supposed to bend that way!” Luckily, the establishment was somewhat empty since it was a weekday. That and it was getting on into the night. Buffy corralled Anya into the bathroom, a look of desperation on her face. “Why’d you do that for?”
“Anya. You can’t say anything about Spike. Okay?” Anya was confused. She still wasn’t as versed as the rest of the group when it came to human behavior.
“But why? He’s right outside. Sitting with Tara and Dawn.” Anya was now massaging her arm. “And that hurt.” Buffy sighed.
“I’m sorry, Anya. But I’m not sure if that is Spike.” He looked almost like him, he acted kind of like him, but there was something about him that didn’t feel right. That, and the fact that he didn’t know who any of them were. Who she was. “I need him to not get wigged out right now. Not until I call Giles.” Anya waved her hands in defeat.
“Fine. But he looks like Spike. How many Spikes can there possibly be?” Buffy honestly didn’t know. She apologetically smiled at Anya who was still rubbing her forearm.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, nothing that a night with Xander won’t cure.” Buffy was stuck with another sexual image of Xander and Anya. She shook the image from her mind as quickly as possible.
“Okay.” Buffy gently squeezed Anya’s tender forearm. “So, you think you can restrain yourself when we go back out there?”
“I think so.” Anya stared at Buffy for a bit, as though she contemplating something. A quick smile flashed on her face and then she spoke. “I know. I’ll pretend I’m having foreplay. It’s just as good as lying, but much more fun.” Anya walked past Buffy, who was confused by Anya’s logic. She sighed and followed Anya out to rejoin the group.
“I’m flattered you think that I’m…how did you put it?”
“Tastier than a string of Chippendale dancers.” Buffy was sullen now. Anya kept her word. She didn’t mention anything about Spike. However, she did go with the foreplay plan. And she was rounding indecency right about now.
“Thanks, pet.” Buffy looked at Rocco as they walked out of the establishment. She could tell that he felt awkward, being hit on by Anya. She smiled at this. Wonder how he’d feel if he knew that he was being hit on by an ex-vengeance demon. And what was that odd feeling in the back of her mind.
“Oh, you should be flattered. With those cheekbones and that chiseled chest, you definitely put Xander to shame. But I’m still marrying him.” Tara and Dawn stayed close, Tara still unsure of how to act around the stranger. Needless to say, her slice of pizza got more attention than the Spike look-alike.
“Um, this Xander fellow’s a lucky guy then.” Buffy was still looking at Rocco, the group now standing on the sidewalk. She was wondering how to work in an invite to her house during the conversation. Honestly, she didn’t know where to begi…did he just smile? Oh, my God. He was flirting back with her. And he was enjoying it. Buffy finally identified that odd feeling.
“Well, it’s late.” Buffy stepped over to Anya, subtly getting in between her and Rocco. Tara smiled a bit. She saw it. Buffy was totally jealous of Anya. “I think it’s time for us to be getting to our respective homes. Right, Anya?” Tara decided to help out.
“Yes. Yes.” She moved over to Anya, gently wrapping her arm around Anya’s. “I think you’ve had too much to drink.” She gave Buffy a quick smile. “I’m going to take her to Xander’s. I’ll meet up with you guys later, okay?” Buffy shared Tara’s conspiratorial smile.
“That sounds like a good idea. See you at home.” She gently clapped Anya’s shoulder as Tara escorted her away from the group, and in particular, Rocco. “Good night, Anya.” Anya happily smiled at the group as she and Tara walked away. Then it hit her.
“Wait. I didn’t imbibe alcohol tonight. All I had was Fresca.” Buffy couldn’t help but smile. Dawn finally caught the vibe. She was totally, totally jealous of Anya.
“Good night, Anya.” Buffy turned around, seeing Rocco with a smirk on his face. “What?” He kept on smiling. She felt insecure now. “Do I have something on my face?” Buffy instinctively moved her hand across her face, trying to eliminate any foreign matter that shouldn’t be there. Dawn couldn’t help but giggle.
“Thanks for the save, Buffy.” Her hand slowly fell to her side, her eyes now locked with his. “She was cute and all, but she’s not really my type.” Buffy softly smiled. “And being compared to a bunch of wankers like that manmeat lot leaves something to be desired.”
“So what is your type?” Dawn decided to help Buffy out. Unfortunately, Buffy saw it as more of an inconvenience than anything else.
“Dawnie!” Dawn was smiling now. Buffy was so into this guy.
“S’alright, luv. It’s a valid question.” Why was she nervous? And why was he looking at her that way? “The type o’ girl that does it for me…” He was moving closer to Buffy, stopping mere inches away from her now. “Is someone like you, bit.” He rubbed Dawn’s head, a sly smile on his face. Dawn smiled at Buffy, noting the relief in her now. It was kinda funny, watching Buffy act this way, like a little schoolgirl.
“Oh. Well, Anya’s definitely not your type then.” Buffy found her hands in her pockets now, her head looking down. All she had to do was ask to see him again. Not a date. Definitely not a date. But Giles had to see him. Giles would know what to do. Okay, just work up the nerve and…
“This was fun, luv.” Buffy looked up to see Rocco gently smiling at her, Dawn still at his side. “Ain’t that right, bit?”
“Loads of fun.” Dawn liked having him around. It felt safe. It almost felt like he was here with her. Like he never left. Buffy saw the look between Rocco and Dawn, and it almost broke her heart. She thought it was Spike. But what if it wasn’t? What if it wasn’t? Buffy shook the thought from her mind, speaking once again.
“So, we had a good time tonight. Right, Dawnie?” Dawn looked back to her sister, Rocco’s hand now on her shoulder.
“I just said I had loads of fun. Distracted much?” Buffy was going to kill her little sister. She definitely wasn’t making this any easier. She stumbled for words, but Rocco spoke.
“We should do this again.”
“Huh?” She couldn’t believe it. He had accomplished in one sentence what she couldn’t throughout the whole night. He wanted to see her again. No, this wasn’t a date.
“That is, if you want to. Cos if you didn’t have as much fun as me, there’s no reason for you to do this again.” His voice never wavered. “Other than the fact that I wouldn’t be adverse to the situation.” Buffy held his gaze for a moment, unsure of what to say. What if she was wrong? What if this wasn’t the man she thought him to be?
“I want to.” What did she do? What did she do? She had to cover. This wasn’t a date. Definitely not a date. “Uh, we want to.” Buffy walked over to Dawn, her hand gently pulling Dawn to her. “Isn’t that right, Dawn?” Dawn decided to help her sister out.
“Oh, definitely.” Buffy’s hand gently squeezed Dawn’s, thanking her for the support.
“Well, it’s a date, then.” Oh, no. He thought it was a date. Would it be so bad if it were a date? Buffy felt conflicted now. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. “How about same time, next week?”
“Do you want my number?” Buffy was kicking herself in her head. She was acting like a lovelorn teenager. Rocco just stood there and chuckled. He saw that she was nervous. He decided to give her an easy out.
“That’s okay, pet. I’ll be at the mart with the fellas if you need to get in contact.” He walked over to the both of them, grinning at Dawn. “Weekly thing, that. Better than an alarm clock.” Dawn smiled playfully at him. He turned his gaze to Buffy once again. “You want to do this again, I’ll be there.” Buffy kindly smiled at the stranger that didn’t really feel like one.
“Okay.”
“Okay.” A shared smile between the two and then he was kneeling in front of Dawn. “Goodnight, Dawn. Gotta say, this turned out to be a right fine night. Thanks for running into me.” Dawn hugged Rocco, enjoying this feeling of joy.
“Goodnight, Sp…” She caught herself. “Rocco.” He slowly moved away from Dawn, giving Buffy one final look.
“Goodnight, Buffy.” She smiled at him.
“Goodnight, Rocco.” He walked by the both of them, and made his way into the night. Buffy and Dawn stood there for a moment before Dawn broke the silence.
“That was Spike. Right?” Buffy gently smiled at her little sister, her arm moving around her shoulder. They started to walk as Buffy answered her.
“I don’t know, Dawnie. But I promise. We’ll figure this out.” Her look was somber now, her voice now a whisper. “Giles will know what to do.”
Dawn was already in bed when Tara got home. Buffy was sitting in the living room, staring at the phone when she walked in. “Still haven’t called?”
Buffy turned her attention from the phone to Tara, now noticing that she had come in. She slowly nodded her head. “That obvious, huh?” Buffy had pulled up a chair in front of the phone, her fingers twining in the cord. “So, did Anya get home safely?” Tara mischievously smiled when she heard the tint of mock concern in her voice.
“Oh, we almost didn’t make it. What, with Anya’s debilitating Fresca hangover.” Buffy tried to defend herself.
“What? I just didn’t want Anya freaking out Spike…Rocco, anymore than he already was tonight.” Tara knew this was hard for Buffy. He was almost Spike. But what if he was? Tara sat on the arm of the couch, watching Buffy still playing with the phone cord.
“It’s weird, isn’t it?” Buffy nodded immediately. They all knew it was odd. But the way he acted. It was more than a coincidence. It had to be. Especially with Doc essentially implying to them that he was Spike. But they couldn’t trust Doc. That would be like Othello trusting Iago. And everyone knew how that one turned out. Nothing but misery and sorrow followed that union.
“That pretty much sums it up.” Buffy released the phone cord, her hands now running through her hair. “It’s not Spike. He doesn’t remember us.” Remember me, she thought to herself. “But he acts like Spike. Peroxide that hair; throw him in his leather coat, and presto. Instant Spike.” Tara knew that Buffy’s feelings for Spike hadn’t changed. No, that was a lie. Buffy loved him even more now than that fateful night. She could only imagine what turmoil she was going through right now.
“You should call Giles, then.” Tara was now at Buffy’s side, gently squeezing her shoulder. “If anyone can figure this out, it’s Giles.”
“What do I say, though?” Buffy began a mock conversation for a visual aid. “Hello, Giles? How are you? Oh, that’s good. By the way, can you come back to Sunnydale? I think Spike’s alive but I’m not sure if it’s him. Can you tell me if it is or not before I have an emotional breakdown?” Buffy sighed in frustration.
“What’s wrong with that?” Buffy looked up to see Tara. Her eyes were kind, sincere. “That pretty much summed it up.” Buffy didn’t want to call Giles. After all the speeches he had given her about being strong and growing up without his help, she felt that she would be disappointing him.
“What if he’s asleep?” Buffy had a faint smile on her face now. “It’s like perpetual night over there. He’s definitely sleeping.”
“So wake him up. This is more important than Giles getting his beauty sleep.” Tara was now between Buffy and the phone, kneeling in front of her. Their eyes were at the same level now. Tara picked up the receiver and held it out in front of Buffy. “And you know it.” Buffy gave her friend a gentle smile and took the receiver from Tara. “I’m going to bed.” Tara walked out of the living room, leaving Buffy to the task at hand.
Buffy punched the appropriate keys, then the ringing. After a few moments, it stopped. “Hello, Giles? It’s Buffy.”
Giles stared at the clock on the nightstand. It was almost three in the morning. Doing the quick math, he realized that Buffy had forgotten that it wasn’t 10 P.M. where he was. Either that, or she was in trouble. “Hello, Buffy.”
“I’m sorry to wake you, Giles. But it’s important.” Her voice was nervous, almost worried.
“What’s wrong, Buffy?” Giles flipped on the bedside lamp, his hand instinctively going for his glasses. He swung his legs to the side of the bed, adjusting the glasses on his face.
“Could you come back to Sunnydale?” She still hadn’t answered his question. This must be bad.
“Did something happen to Dawn?” He stifled a yawn as he said this. Buffy gently chuckled.
“No. No. Dawnie’s okay. But I don’t think I am.” Giles shot to attention as soon as he heard her statement.
“Buffy, what is it?” A moment of silence, then a quiet sob.
“It’s Spike.” She still loved him. He could hear the love in her voice. “He’s alive.” Giles was taken aback by the news. How was that possible? They had all seen Spike give his life to stop Willow. “No, that’s not right.” Giles was thoroughly confused now.
“Buffy. Take your time. Tell me everything.” Buffy sighed, then proceeded to tell Giles what had transpired that night. The event with Doc that led to Dawn finding Rocco at the corner mart. Buffy described Rocco’s mannerisms, his appearance, everything. After the narrative, Giles spoke. “I see. And you’re certain that it’s not an honest mistake? Someone that just looks somewhat like Spike?”
“I’m talking twin city here, Giles. It’s Spike. But he doesn’t remember anything.” Giles took a deep breath, and then continued talking.
“Okay, then. You did the right thing, not alerting him to his possible past. If this is a case of repressed memory, jarring them to the surface can only be detrimental to his mental health.”
“So, those psych classes did pay off.” A small chuckle from the other end.
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He could hear Buffy sigh a breath of relief over the receiver. “We’ll figure this out, Buffy. I promise.”
“Thanks, Giles. For everything.” Buffy felt tremendous comfort, knowing no matter what, Giles would always be there for her when she needed him most.
“Until I get there, though, stay the course. Just treat this Rocco like he’s just another ordinary fellow.”
“But it’s so hard.” He could hear the sorrow in her voice now. “He looks so much like Spike. He’s a constant reminder of what I’ve…what we’ve lost.” She meant the former much more than the latter.
“You’re strong, Buffy. Stronger than anyone I’ve ever met. You’ll get through this.” Buffy softly laughed at this.
“Yeah, look at Buffy. Going all mental over a Spike look-alike.”
“Love does strange things, Buffy.” A moment of silence and then he spoke. “I’ll call you when I get into Sunnydale, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Until then, see if this Rocco person shares any other similarities to Spike.” Buffy was unsure of what he meant. After all, she had already told him that Rocco looked like Spike. “You know. Any allergies to sunlight, crosses and various other sundries.”
“Oh.” Buffy laughed gently at this.
“What is it?”
“Nothing. It’s just…It’s just I haven’t thought of him like that in a long time.”
“Like what?” Giles was unsure what Buffy had meant.
“Like a vampire.” Buffy smiled into the receiver. “I guess somewhere along the way I started treating him like a person.”
It had been three days since she first saw him and her mind couldn’t stop thinking of him. He had Spike’s attitude, he laughed like Spike. He even smelled like Spike. She pulled Spike’s coat closer to her body as she continued her patrol through the cemetery. It felt weird, missing him so much but seeing him standing there in front of her. She wondered if this was some type of karmic payback for a mistake she made in an earlier life.
The night had been uneventful. Just one vamp at the east corner, and he had been rising from the ground. Not much of a challenge there. She came up to the tombstone, wondering if she should stop and say hi. What if he had really come back? But what if he hadn’t? Buffy stood in front of Spike’s tombstone, her hands in the pockets. As she relaxed herself, considering what to say to him, a hand dropped onto her shoulder. She instinctively grabbed the hand and flipped her would be assailant onto the ground. Stake in hand, she began to bring it overhead. That is, until she saw who it was.
“Rocco?!?” She quickly slid the stake into her jacket pocket, a look of amusement on his face. “What are you doing here?”
“Could be asking you the same question, pet.” Buffy noticed that she was straddling the man beneath her, a wave of embarrassment sweeping over her. She quickly scrambled to her feet, offering a hand to the fallen individual. Once on his feet, he just grinned at her. It annoyed her to no end.
“I asked first.” Buffy noticed that he was wearing more typical Spike garb. A black tee shirt coupled with a pair of blue jeans and…sneakers? Okay, maybe not that typical. She stood in front of him, waiting patiently for an answer.
“Alright. Just taking a shortcut home.” Buffy gave him an amused smile.
“Through the cemetery?”
“Yeah. What’s wrong with that?”
“You are new to Sunnydale, aren’t you?” Rocco gently fussed with his hair. That was another difference. He didn’t use that hair gel that Spike usually did. That, and it was brownish blonde. Buffy could see Spike with that hair, her hands gently running through it, her lips…She spoke again before she got lost in her thoughts. “Don’t you know that it’s dangerous out here at night? Especially in the cemetery?” Rocco gave her a gentle smile for her concern.
“Let me guess? Vampires and other such denizens roam the streets of Sunny D, thus making it ‘dangerous’…” He made quotation marks in the air as to emphasize dangerous. “For the local folk to take a quick stroll at night.” Buffy gave him a quizzical look.
“Then you’re strolling through the cemetery because you want to get noshed on?” Rocco gently chuckled.
“No worries, luv.” He walked over to Buffy, standing next to her, wondering what she was looking at before he interrupted her. “I can take care of myself.” Buffy was about to ask what he meant, but he spoke before she could. “So, who’s this? Family member?” Buffy looked back to the headstone, her stomach doing back flips. It wouldn’t hurt, telling him.
“Something like that. He was very close to me.” Rocco noted the hint of sorrow in her voice.
“Oh. Hubby? Or boyfriend?” Buffy didn’t know how to answer that. After all, her relationship with Spike hadn’t been normal in all sense of the word. They had been intimate when she came back from the dead. But she only began to love him when he was taken from her.
“He knew me better than I knew myself.” Rocco decided to leave it alone. He read the epithet aloud.
“Spike. Cherished friend. Fierce protector. Always a hero.” Rocco stepped back, the words sinking in. “Wow, musta been a helluva guy.” Buffy giggled at this. “What’s so funny?”
“Oh, nothing.” Just seeing the Spike look-alike complimenting Spike seemed a bit weird to her. It only made things weirder because Rocco sounded sincere when he said it.
“Hmm. No dates. Any reason?” Buffy turned away from the headstone and to Rocco.
“He didn’t like people knowing how old he was.” It was a lie, but at least it was believable. Having to answer questions about buying a plot for a tombstone was trouble enough without explaining the discrepancy in the birth/death dates.
“Ah. Okay.” Rocco noticed that Buffy was somewhere else now. Probably thinking about this Spike bloke. Even though he enjoyed standing here with her, he knew it was wrong. She should be allowed to grieve in peace. “Well, I’ll be going then. Leave you two to talk and such.” He began to walk away, but her voice stopped him.
“It’s okay. I can be alone with you here.” Why did that sound so familiar, he wondered to himself. He began to walk back to her position, but a loud growl from the side caught his attention instead. They both turned their gaze to the source of the sound, seeing four vamps closing on them. Buffy was about to tell Rocco to run, but he interrupted her.
“Run and get help, luv.” Buffy was already pulling her stake out once again when Rocco charged the group.
“Hey, wait!” Buffy ran after Rocco as he dove into the fray. A roundhouse sent one vamp flying into the one behind him. He swiftly dodged another’s fist, grabbing his arm and snapping it deftly in two. The vampire was now on his knees, howling in pain. The fourth lunged at Rocco, but a quick uppercut, and the vampire was airborne, eventually crashing into a tombstone. Needless to say, Buffy was speechless. He even fought like Spike. Rocco turned around to see Buffy standing there, stake in hand.
“Got a spare, pet?” Buffy nodded as she tossed him the one in her hand. She pulled another one from the jacket pocket as Rocco spun around, impaling the kneeling vamp in the chest. The two that were grounded by his roundhouse had gathered themselves up and were now rushing him. Buffy jumped in front of them, skillfully sweeping both off their feet with one graceful spin kick. She staked the one on the left while the one on the right pounced on her. The stake was knocked out of her hand, Buffy now struggling with the vamp on top of her. A low blow to the family jewels with her knee and the vamp was agonizing in pain, curled in a fetal position. Buffy rolled toward the stake, clutching it. She back flipped onto her feet, knelt down by the vamp and dusted him.
She turned around to see Rocco sparring with the final vampire. She made her way over to him to lend an assist, but found out that he was handling rather well. The vamp threw a forward kick toward Rocco. However, Rocco spun out of the way, the vampire’s back now to him. A quick stake plunge into the vamp’s back, and dust flew into the wind. Rocco smoothed his hands across his shirt, noting that it had gone from black to a spotted black. Buffy walked up to him as he did this. He knew what would be coming next.
“How’d you do that?”
“Could ask you the same thing…”
“Enough games. Who are you?” Buffy knew that she shouldn’t be prying this much. If this was Spike, mentally repressed Spike, what she was doing now was the most dangerous thing she could do. Rocco just smiled at her.
“Told ya. Name’s Rocco.” Buffy was about to retort, but the next words silenced her. “And based on your performance, I’d fancy you’re the Slayer. Innit right, pet?” Buffy was shaken by the news. How could he have possibly known? It wasn’t like Slayers advertised in the yellow pages.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Buffy shoved her hands into the jacket pockets, a look of anger mixed with denial now evident on her face.
“Right. You just happen to stroll the cemetery with stakes.”
“This is a rough city. With the monster life and all.” She shot him a smirk. “But, you already knew that, didn’t you?” She was about to continue her interrogation of his abilities when the arrow hit him square in the shoulder.
“Oww! Bloody hell!” Rocco fell to his knee, Buffy following. She gripped his arm while looking in the direction of the arrow’s path. She saw a lowly vampire clutching a crossbow. However, when he saw that the person he had shot at was the Slayer, he dropped the weapon and ran off into the night, tail tucked between his legs. Buffy looked back to Rocco.
“You okay?” He winced when she touched his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
“S’okay. Just pull it out.” Buffy saw the look on his face. He meant business. She nodded and put her hand on his shoulder to brace him. Her other hand quickly pulled it out, blood spurting from the wound. “Arrrr!” Rocco put his hand against the wound, applying pressure to slow the flow of blood. Buffy helped him to his feet.
“Come on, I have to get that looked at.” Buffy gently pulled on his arm, forcing him to walk.
“Luv, I’m okay. I think I should go home and rest up.” Buffy shook her head. She couldn’t take the chance that something else might hurt Spike. Rocco. She was still having trouble discerning between the two.
“No debate. You’re coming home with me. Now.” Rocco chuckled.
“Buffy. I know it’s only been a dinner, but do you think I should be coming home with ya so soon?” Buffy shot him an irritated glance. He may not be Spike, but he sure knew how to push her buttons.
“You know, you can be a jerk when you want to be.” They both laughed as Rocco followed Buffy out of the cemetery.
“Trust me, pet. I can be a right bastard, given proper circumstances.” Neither one said a word. Just a shared smile as they walked.
Dawn was sitting next to him as Buffy sat on the coffee table, examining the wound. The arrow hadn’t gone in deep, no major arteries hit. But it still needed to be cleaned and bandaged. Tara came down the stairs, carrying disinfectant, cotton swabs and some cotton bandages cradled in her arm.
“Oww! Don’t touch it.” Buffy moved her hand away, smiling meekly. “You trying to open it more?” Dawn stifled a laugh. “Oh, you find that funny, bit? Next time you get cut, I get to fiddle with it.” Dawn stuck out her tongue playfully as Tara placed the medicinal items on the coffee table. Buffy grabbed the disinfectant and motioned to Rocco. “What?”
“Take your shirt off.” Dawn and Tara smiled at one another when she said this. Rocco looked a bit shocked by her forwardness himself.
“I’m not gonna take my shirt off.”
“Then how am I supposed to clean and bandage the wound?” Buffy was frustrated now. He was acting like a baby.
“I dunno.” He then looked at Tara and Dawn. “But I’m not taking my shirt off so you three can make fun of my chest.” Tara couldn’t help but smile. He was too cute when he was nervous. Tara decided to help him out.
“Um, Dawn. Wanna go grab an ice cream?” Dawn didn’t get the hint.
“No, I wanna see Rocco’s manly wound.” Buffy and Rocco both shot her a glance. Tara smiled awkwardly, trying her gambit once again.
“You sure, Dawnie? Dairy goodness.” Dawn finally caught on, getting up from the couch.
“You know, that’s sounding like a good idea all of a sudden.” Tara grabbed her purse while Dawn walked by Buffy. Buffy gently squeezed her sister’s hand.
“Not too much. Don’t want you hyper and jumping all over the place.” Dawn smiled back at her.
“Don’t worry. I won’t.” She turned back to Rocco. “Have fun, you two.” And with that, Tara and Dawn left them in the living room.
“Now. Off with the shirt.”
“If I didn’t know you better, Slayer, I’d say you wanted my shirt off.” She sat still for a moment. He just called her Slayer. Just like Spike. And he sounded just as cocky. “Buffy. I was kidding, luv.” He stirred her back to reality.
“Oh, I know you were. Kidding.” She looked down, dabbing the cotton swab with the disinfectant. Rocco knew that he said something to upset her, so he decided to ease off on the chatter. He removed his shirt, dropping it to the floor. Unfortunately, Buffy didn’t hear him take off the shirt. She looked upward, her eyes falling on his exposed torso, chest. She couldn’t help but blush.
“Happy? Shirt’s off. Commence with the giggles and laughter.” She couldn’t look him in the eyes.
“Umm. Happy.” Buffy swabbed the cut gently, her eyes tracing over his chest. He felt so familiar, every contour of his chest so familiar to her. Her concentration was beginning to falter. That was evident when she accidentally dug into Rocco’s wound with the swab.
“Oww! You are trying to kill me.”
“Oh, God! I’m so sorry!” Buffy found her hand instinctively falling onto his, squeezing it gently. She noticed it, but it was too late to pull back. “Umm, I’m sorry.” Rocco nodded at her, noticing that she was back in nervous mode.
“Honest mistake.” He smiled gently at her, feeling her hand leaving his. He missed the touch already. She picked up one of the bandages and peeled the adhesive covering from it. She gently placed it on his back, touching the corners so it remained fastened. She was bending over him, Rocco leaning forward, his face mere inches from her shoulder, her hair brushing against his cheek. God, but she smelled like Heaven.
“There. All better.” She moved back slowly, moving back to look at him. As she did, she noticed that he was looking at her. Their eyes locked. “What?” She was whispering now.
“Nothing.” His eyes never wavered from hers.
“Then why are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?” She found herself moving closer to him, her eyes focusing intently on his gaze.
“Like…like…” She felt her lips on his. His hand was now gently grasping the base of her neck, pulling her deeper into the kiss. Buffy’s hand was now in his hair, the other one dropping the bottle of disinfectant onto the floor. She softly moaned into his mouth, feeling his tongue grazing against hers.
“Mmm, luv.” His voice startled her back to consciousness. It was too much. She gently pushed him away.
“Mmm, no. No.” She looked into his eyes, seeing only confusion and something else. Something familiar. “I can’t…I can’t do this.” Rocco slowly moved his hand from her neck, gently squeezing her shoulder.
“It’s okay, luv. Was entirely my fault. I shouldn’t have pushed.” He was being polite. She had kissed him. He had just reciprocated in kind. She kindly smiled at him.
“It’s not you. It’s…” Her head was now bowing down, as if in shame.
“Spike.” He was just like Spike. He knew exactly what she was thinking. Even before she did.
“Yeah.”
“You loved him, didn’t you?” He gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. She looked back up, seeing that he was smiling at her, his eyes gentle.
“More than I realized.” A moment of silence while they stared into each other’s gaze. Rocco decided to break the silence before something else happened.
“Well, I’m a might tired. I should be getting home.” He started to get up, but felt Buffy’s hand once again on his.
“No chance. This is your home tonight.” He was moved by the sentiment. He had just met this woman, and she was making him feel things that he’d never felt before. All he could do was softly chuckle.
“Okay. Can’t ignore the wisdom of the Slayer.” She was still unclear about how he knew what she was, but she decided to leave it alone for now.
“Let me get you some pillows and a blanket.” Buffy moved away from him, her eyes turning away from his still naked chest. He caught the awkward look and grinned at her.
“Still waiting for the jokes, luv.” Buffy stifled a laugh.
“Maybe tomorrow.” She went up the stairs to get the pillows and blanket. As well as splash some cold water on her face.
Buffy looked at her bedside clock when she heard the knock. It was almost seven in the A.M. Whoever it was, she would have to hurt. Violently. She threw her robe around her and stumbled down the stairs. As she opened the door, she moved from sleepy Buffy to ecstatic Buffy. “Why didn’t you call?” She threw her arms around Giles’ neck.
“Sorry. Didn’t want to bother you this early.”
“Hate to break it to you, Watcher man, but you just did.” Giles smiled at her as she broke the embrace.
“Guess I did at that. I’ll have to get accustomed to this time again.”
“U.S. time?” Giles smirked at her as he brought his bags into the house.
“Buffy time.” Buffy closed the door behind him, giving Giles an insulted look.
“You know, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you missed me.” Giles sat on the couch, Buffy joining him.
“That obvious, is it?” Buffy gently rested her head against his shoulder.
“I’m glad you came, Giles.” He could hear the weariness in her voice. He’d always come to her aid. Always.
“So, where do we find this mysterious stranger that has you fretting?” That’s when it hit her. They were sitting on the couch. The same couch that she had left Rocco sleeping on. Maybe he had left early, with the sun and all. But then she saw it. His shirt was still on the ground, his sneakers right next to them.
“Oh, God! Get up, Giles!” Giles quickly got off the couch, unclear of why. Buffy glanced at the windows. The large, well lit windows. Her eyes scanned the couch, looking for any remnants of dust.
“What is it, Buffy?”
“He was here. He was right here.” He could sense the worry in her voice now. Then he pieced together what she was thinking.
“Right. And with the sun up, you think he’s…” A noise from the kitchen. Buffy walked to the noise, Giles following on her heels. The back door was cracked open, sunlight pouring into the kitchen. Buffy swung the door open, not expecting the sight in front of her. Rocco was sitting on the back steps, smoking a cigarette. That would have been normal, but for the fact that he was bathed in sunlight. And he wasn’t on fire. And he looked so beautiful, the sunlight dancing off him. Almost like an angel.
“Oh, my.” Giles finally saw the figure Buffy had described over the telephone. She was right. He looked just like Spike, except for the foppish hair. Rocco turned around, startled by the commotion.
“Hello, luv. Thought it best to do my smoking outside. Don’t wanna cover your nice home with smoke and what not. Who’s your friend?” They just stood there, looking at him as though he was out of place, never saying a word. “What? Oh, God. You’re gonna make fun of my girlish chest now, aren’t you?”