disclaimer: not mine

AN---i recently bought Avril-Lavigne's first CD, so i was obsessed with it when i wrote this. most of the songs Buffy sings in this fic are by her. . Sorry to any Anti-Avril's. Oh, and in the first song, i changed it from 'Napanee' to 'Sunny-D'

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Buffy twisted the scarf in her hands, making sure her palms were no longer sweaty.

She wasn't nervous. No, she'd had about a hundred gigs before this one. Nope, her hands were sweaty because she'd been clenching them to ensure she wouldn't pummel the arrogant, bleached ass-hole who everyone knew as just 'Spike'. No one knew his last name, and he liked it that way. Well, she couldn't say anything on the matter. She'd changed her last name from Summers to Winters for the protection of her sister and her mother. But at least she had a last name. Unlike some bleached morons who---

"Hello, luv."

---were standing right behind her.

"Spike," she said, not bothering to turn around, "to what do I owe this displeasure?"

"Just thought you should know....your boytoy / my manager's snogging Darla Johnson."

Buffy turned around, and cast an incredulous look at the proud smirk on his face. "Let me get this straight," she said. "He's your manager, and he didn't tell you that he and I broke up, like, 4 months ago? On friendly terms, no less? Jesus, Spike. You're even more out of the loop than I thought you were."

"What the hell do you mean?"

"Oh, puh-lease. The Billy Idol look died out in the early 90's, idiot. Oh, and Darla and Angel? Happily engaged and expecting child." Looking over his shoulder, she said, "At least the person MY ex is making out with isn't the biggest player in Hollywood."

Spike looked over to where Buffy's pointed gaze led, showing him the disgusting visual of his ex, Drusilla Hammond, hanging off of Parker Abrams. Turning back to Buffy, hatred burning in his eyes, he said, "You'll get yours, Winters. You'll get yours."

"Watch me shake in fear."

"Why you little--" He was cut off as Willow Rosenburg, Buffy's best friend and band mate, came running around the corner. "Buffy! We need to set up! Come on come on!"

Walking away from Spike without a second glance, she said, "Later, bleach boy."

***

Buffy stood at the microphone as Willow sat behind the drums. Faith picked up her guitar, and Anya picked up hers. She took a deep breath as the curtain rose and spotlights illuminated everyone but her. As Anya, Willow and Faith began to play, Buffy sang, shrouded by darkness.

Please tell me what is takin' place,
Cuz I can't seem to find a trace,
Guess it must have got erased somehow,
Prabablly cuz I always forget,
Everytime someone tells me their name,
It's always gotta be the same.
(In my World)


The spotlights began to swirl, giving the audience glimpses of her.

Never wore cover-up,
Always beat the boys up,
Grew up in a five thousand population town,
Made my money by cutting grass,
Got fired by a fried chicken ass,
All in a small town, "Sunny-D"


Behind the curtains, Spike's eyes widened. "Sunny-D?" he whispered. "She's from Sunnydale...."

You know I always stay up without sleepin',
And think to myself,
Where do I belong forever,
In whose arms, the time and place?


The lights finally landed on her, showing her face to everyone.

Can't help if I space in a daze,
My eyes tune out the other way,
I may switch off and go in a daydream,
In this head my thoughts are deep,
But sometimes I can't even speak,
Will someone be and not pretend?
I'm off again in my World


Spike was suddenly struck with a memory.

***
17 years ago

"You can't catch me, Wee-yum!!" screeched 5 year old Lizzy as William chased her around in his back yard.

"Will too!" he yelled and tackled her to the ground.


***

Spike shook his head, and continued listening to the song.

I never spend less than an hour,
Washin' my hair in the shower,
It always takes five hours to make it straight,
So I'll braid it in a zillion braids,
Though it may take a friggin' day,
There's nothin' else better to do anyway.

When you're all alone in the lands of forever,
Lay under the milky way,
On and on it's getting too late out,
I'm not in love this time this night.

Can't help if I space in a daze,
My eyes tune out the other way,
I may switch off and go in a daydream,
In this head my thoughts are deep,
But sometimes I can't even speak,
Will someone be and not pretend? I'm off again in my World

(la la la la)

Take some time,
Mellow out,
Party it up,
but don't fall down,
Don't get caught,
Sneak out of the house.

Can't help if I space in a daze,
My eyes tune out the other way,
I may switch off and go in a daydream,
In this head my thoughts are deep,
But sometimes I can't even speak,
Will someone be and not pretend? I'm off again in my World

Can't help if I space in a daze,
My eyes tune out the other way,
I may switch off and go in a daydream,
In this head my thoughts are deep,
But sometimes I can't even speak,
Will someone be and not pretend? I'm off again in my World


Spike found himself clapping when the song was over. Buffy bowed slightly, and said, "Thanks! You guys are so awesome! Kay, this song is inspired something I said to an old friend."

***
AN---this version of the song is by Frou Frou. hence the electric guitar.
***

Anya played her electric guitar for about 5 seconds before they all sang.

Doo dum da da doom da da doom co-kay
Doo dum da da doom da da doom co-kay
Doo dum da da doom da da doom co-kay
Doo dum da da doom da da doom co-kay


Buffy began to sing on her own.

Buffy: Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where's the street-wise hercules
To fight the rising odds?

Isn't there a white knight
upon a fiery steed?
Late at night toss and turn
and dream of what I need


'What do you need?' Spike found himself thinking. 'Maybe I can give it to you...'

All: I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong
And he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight

I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
He's gotta be sure
And it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life


'I can be that for you...' Spike thought. He quickly banished the treachorous thought from his mind.

Willow: Somewhere after midnight
In my wildest fantasy
Somewhere just beyond my reach
There's someone reaching back for me

Racing on the thunder
and rising with the heat
It's gonna take a superman
to sweep me off my feet

All: I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong
And he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight

I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
He's gotta be sure
And it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life

Faith: Up where the mountains meet the heavens above
Out where the lightning splits the sea
I would swear that there's someone somewhere
Watching me
Through the wind and the chill and the rain
And the storm and the flood
I can feel his approach
Like the fire in my blood


Spike spaced out slightly as another memory accosted him.

**

"William?" seven year old Lizbeth asked.

"Yeah?"

"I know what I want to be when I grow up."

"What?"

"A princess. I want to marry a hero. What do you want to be?"

After a moment of thinking, he said, "I wanna be a hero."

***

Back to the song....

All: Doo dum da da doom da da doom co-kay
Doo dum da da doom da da doom co-kay


I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong
And he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight

I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
He's gotta be sure
And it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life

I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong
And he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight

I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
He's gotta be sure
And it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life


When the song was over, Angel walked up behind Spike, and clamped a hand onto his shoulder. "You're thinking about her again, aren't you?"

Spike nodded, and Angel sighed. A few months back when Angel had walked into the kitchen of the band's house only to find Spike surrounded by paperwork, he had asked Spike what he was doing. Spike had explained that he was looking for an old friend; a beautiful girl who, at fifteen when he was seperated from her, he had discovered he was in love with. She had been the reason Drusilla had dumped him. She had gone on half-crazed ramblings about 'Ashes' and 'Golden princesses'.

Ever since then, Angel had helped the man search for Elizabeth Summers, never knowing she was under their noses at that very moment.

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As Buffy walked off the stage, she felt a hand clamp down on her shoulder. Turning around, she was surpirsed to see Spike staring back at her.

"What?" she asked, eyeing him warily.

"Just wanted to say.....you were really good up there." His eyes darted away shyly, and he surprised her by sounding sincere.

"Th-Thanks," she muttered, shocked.

He nodded slightly, more of a head tilt, really, and walked onstage. Nodding to Oz, he signalled the bass player to begin playing. After a few notes, Spike began to sing.

There's a place up Ocean Avenue
Where I used to sit and talk with you
We were both 16 and it felt so right
Sleeping all day staying up all night

Buffy smiled as the song reminded her of a street in Sunnydale called Ocean Avenue, where the hangout was. She and her best friend EVER used to go to The Bronze all the time. Sigh. Sometimes she really missed her William.

There's a place on the corner of Cherry Street
We would walk on the beach and not bare feet
We were both 18 and it felt so right
Sleeping all day staying up all night
(staying up all night)

If I could find you now things would get better
We could leave this town and run forever
Let your waves crash down on me and take me away


Spike sang with all his heart, trying to get the message out there to his lost love. He needed to see his Lizbeth again. He needed to hold her in his arms again. He needed to smell her unique vanilla scent. For her birthday one time, he had searched all the stores in Sunnydale mall and been unable to find the scent anywhere. When he had explained his adventure to her, she had merely giggled and told him that it was a concoction she had made in her bathroom one night when she couldn't fall asleep. She had kissed him on the cheek for his efforts, though.

He need his Lizbeth.

There's a piece of you that's here with me
It's everywhere I go It's everything I see
When I sleep I dream and it gets me by
I can make believe that you're here tonight (that your here tonight)

If I could find you now things would get better
We could leave this town and run forever
I know somewhere somehow we'll be together
Let your waves crash down on me and take me away

I remember the look in your eyes
When I told you that this was goodbye
You were begging me not tonight, not here, not now
We're looking up in the same night sky
We keep pretending the sun will not rise
We'll be together for one more night, somewhere, somehow

If I could find you now things would get better
We could leave this town and run forever
I know somewhere, somehow we'll be together
Let your waves crash down on me and take me away


As the final chords of the song played, Spike grabbed the mic, and said into it, "Lizbeth......if you're out there, listening.....Will's looking for you...."

"Will..." Buffy whispered as she was suddenly accosted by memories.

***

4 year old Buffy watched as the men in the moving van brought boxes into the house next to hers. She had new neighbor; a lady, a man, and a boy her age. The Giles'.

She clutched Mr Gordo tighter to her when she saw the little boy get out of the car. He had light blond hair and wore glasses. She remembered her mom say his name once.

William.


***

Buffy felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning, she saw Darla Johnson, her agent and Angel's fiancee. Stomach slightly swollen from her pregnancy (Angel had come to Buffy one night, and she had told him that she didn't really feel a spark with him, and that she thought they should break up. Angel had been relieved, and proceeded to tell Buffy about how one night, he and Darla had slept together, and he had realized that he was in love with her. That was 4 1/2 months ago. Buffy and Angel were on friendly terms, and Buffy was to be the baby's Godmother), Darla had blonde hair and blue eyes.

"You thinking about him?" she asked.

"Yeah."

Darla sighed. One night she had heard Buffy typing away at the computer. When she had asked her friend what she was doing, Buffy told her that she was just looking for an old friend.

And so, Darla had agreed to help Buffy in her search for William Giles...

...neither aware that he was onstage, singing.

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Four year old Elizabeth marched outside, stuffed animal clutched tightly to her tiny chest. She strutted up to the Giles’ door, and knocked with her tiny fist.

A man with brown hair and glasses opened the door, and looked around, expecting to see a grown-up. A small movement caught his eye, and he looked down.

A little girl stared back up at him. Her hair was a light brown, and her eyes were tan with flecks of green.

“Hel-wo,” she said, her voice still carrying the babyish tones of a child. “I’m Elizabeth. Me and my mommy and my daddy live next door. I came to say hel-wo.” Her face scrunched up in concentration, and she curled her tongue to try and say the word. “He-ll-o. Hell-o. Hello.” She smiled brightly, and Rupert was instantly charmed.

He squatted down, and said, “My name’s Rupert Giles, but you can call me Giles.”

“Giles.” She said it so that it sounded like ‘Jills’.

He laughed, and said, “Why don’t you come in?”

Elizabeth smiled and walked in. A brown haired lady popped out of the kitchen, and said, “Rupert? Who was at the door?”

“New neighbor, Jenny. Where’s William?”

“He’s in his room, reading.”

Giles nodded, and looked down at the little angel from next door. "I have a son about your age. Would you like to meet him?” Elizabeth nodded, and she set off towards the stairs, taking them by putting one foot on the ledge and then the other on the same stair, walking the slow way only a child would.

Elizabeth made her way into a neat and tidy room, and looked around. On the bed, there was a boy with light brown hair and glasses reading a book. Elizabeth said, “Hello.”

William started, and looked over his shoulder to see a little girl with a stuffed pig standing in his door. “Hello.”

“I’m Elizabeth. What’s your name?”

"W-William,” the boy stuttered.

“Wee-yum.”

“William.”

“Wee-yum.”

“’Lizbeth.”

E-liz-A-beth.”

“’Lizbeth.”

“Wee-yum.”

“William.”

“Elizabeth.”

Downstairs, Giles and Jenny could hear their playful banter. Jenny looked at her husband and smiled. Somehow they knew those two would be great friends.

***

“Argh!” Buffy screamed as she slammed the tabloid down on the table. "I fucking hate Spike!”

“Buffy!” scolded Joyce. “Language!”

“Sorry mom.”

“What did he say this time?”

“He said that ‘while her song’s are pretty good, her voice sucks and she needs work.’”

Her mother sighed. “Buffy....”

"I just.....I really hate him.” Buffy dropped her hands defeatedly at her side. “Mommy.....I want my William.”

***

Spike stared disbelievingly at the tabloid. “What. The. Bloody. FUCK!”

“William!” scolded his father. “Language, boy. Language.”

Spike rounded on his father. “Do you know what the sodding reporters said I said?”

“No.”

“They said, and I quote, that ‘while her song’s are pretty good, her voice sucks and she needs work.’” Spike threw the magazine down angrily. "I never sodding said that!” His father came around behind him and picked up the magazine. His eyes widened when he read what lies the reporters had spun.

Spike groaned and threw his head back. "I need my Lizbeth....”

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5 year old Elizabeth sat in her room, drawing. Her mom was downstairs, sorting the laundry. She heard the front door open and slammed shut. Her daddy was home in time for her 6th birthday!

Elizabeth ran down the stairs. If she had been older, she would have noticed that her daddy had red eyes, stubble on his chin and his hair was disheveled. She watched as he took out a big bottle of amber liquid and poured himself some scotch.

“Daddy? What are you doing?”

Hank started as his daughter’s voice. He had been on a drinking binge ever since Joyce had told him she was pregnant again. His anger at his wife now became directed at his daughter.

He grabbed her roughly by the shoulders and shook her. Elizabeth whimpered, and her father hit her across the face. “Don’t. Ever. Sneak. Up. On. Me. Again!” Each word was accompanied by a slap or a shake.

Joyce came running up the stairs to see what all the commotion was about. “Hank!” she screamed. “Stop it, Hank!” When she tried to pull him away, he swung around and pushed her into a wall, knocking her out. He turned back to Elizabeth, who was trying to get up the stairs. He ran and grabbed her. Smacking her, he yelled, “Don’t run away from me!” He grabbed her hair painfully and she screamed.

***

Giles had been taking out the trash when he heard the scream. He ran up to the Summers house and knocked on the door. “Joyce?” he called. Another small scream was his answer. “JOYCE!” he bellowed. When he still got no answer, he shoved his shoulder into the door, and it gave way on the second try. The first thing he saw upon his entrance was Joyce laying unconscious on the floor.

“Bloody hell,” he whispered. He looked to the living room when he heard a small whimper. He saw Hank, hand raised, over a bruised and bloody Elizabeth. He ran in, and tore the man off of the little girl and punched him in the face. Hank went out like a light because of all the alcohol he had consumed. Giles picked Elizabeth up and ran to his house. He kicked the door in, and handed Elizabeth to a shocked Jenny. He ran to his phone and dialed 9-1-1. "Y-Yes. I would like to report a...um...d-domestic violence? 1630 Rovello Drive...I’m their neighbor. The-the mother is unconscious and the daughter is-is bruised and bloody. Yes. Ok, thank you.”

“Rupert?” Jenny asked as she cleaned Elizabeth’s face. “What happened.”

Her husband just said, "I’ll tell you later. Right now, I need to go get Joyce.”

After he had returned with Joyce, who had woken up, he brought her to the couch. "H-Hank?” she asked.

“Will be taken care of by the proper authorities.”

Jenny, who had managed to clean all of Elizabeth’s wounds, carried the small girl up to William’s room.

Will looked up from his book as his mother came in. His eyes widened behind his glasses, and he said, “Mum? What’s wrong with Lizbeth?”

“Shh, baby. She needs to rest. Can you look after her for me?”

“Yes mum.”

When his mom had left the room, Will crouched next to Elizabeth and tears filled his eyes when he saw how badly beaten she was.

"I’ll take care of you,” he promised. “Always.”


***

present day...

“Winters! I fucking hate you!”

"I hate you, too, you bleached ass-hole!”

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Buffy sighed in frustration as Spike followed her down the corridor, yelling for her to stop.

“What?!”

“Well there’s no need for hostility!”

“YEAH, there is! You said I couldn’t sing! Or my voice sucked! ARRGH! I can’t talk to you!”

“Why bloody not?”

“Because you’re infuriating!”

"I bet you think I’m sexy.”

Spike felt a twinge of concern when she doubled over, apparently choking. "S-Sexy? Oh my god! You’re an....an egomaniac, you know that?”

“Oh, big words!”

“Shut up!”

“Make me!”

"Oh, I'll find a way to make you shut up!!!"

By now they were standing face to face, noses almost touching. Angry blue eyes clashed with hazel, and Spike sucked in his cheeks in an angry gesture, making his sharp cheekbones, if possible, sharper.

Suddenly, Buffy found herself slammed up against the wall, Spike’s arms on either side of her face. He inhaled sharply and said, huskily, “Find a way to make me shut up, eh? I think I know one......”

Buffy opened her mouth to ask him what he meant when his soft, full lips crashed down onto hers. She grunted in protest, and he took the opportunity to thrust his tongue into her mouth. Her hands came up to the lapels of his duster and pulled him closer, trying desperately to deepen the kiss.

His mouth broke away from hers to trail down her jawline and her neck, and he came back up to kiss her mouth again.

“William,” Buffy gasped. "I love you...”

“Lizbeth,” Spike rasped into her mouth. "I love you, too...”

***

Spike bolted up in bed, panting. He rubbed his hand over his face, and tried to remember his dream. As the last images came to his head, he gasped, “Oh god, no. Please....no...”

His head fell back against the pillow, he whimpered, “Lizbeth....”

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AN-----the things in italics during the song are flashbacks. Don’t get it confused or anythin.
o and this chap is mostly songs.

ENJOY!!!!!!!

also, the song is by eve 6
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Spike sighed as he made his way down the hall. Today was another performance with Her Bitchiness. He rubbed his hands over his face, willing the memories of last night’s dream to disappear. ‘Only 5 more shows. 5 more, and then she’s out of my hair.’

He jumped when he heard her call out, “Hey! Bleached man!”

He turned and sighed. “What?”

“Whoa. No need to be hostile.”

“Not in the mood.”

“Jesus. Excuse me, but I thought you might like to know that Angel’s running himself ragged looking for you. Your show begins in like, 5 minutes.”

“Shit,” Spike swore, and pushed past her.

“You’re welcome!”

“Didn’t know I said thank you!”

***

Spike and his bandmates made their way onstage, all preparing for the show. Spike had written a new song, and, like all of his other ones, it was based on something he had said to Lizbeth.

***

7 years ago.....

“Liz, I’m sorry.....”

“Please, Will. Don’t apologize to me.”

“But—”

“Will,” said Liz through her tears. "I-I understand. Y-You have to leave. Y-You have to go back to England.”

Will sighed, and sat down on the bed. “Liz, I’ve known you for 11 years. I don’t want to give you up.” Tears flooded his eyes. "I don’t want to leave.” Liz reached out, and hugged him to her chest.

After 15 minutes of silence, she asked in a shaky voice, “Wh-When are you leaving?”

“As soon as possible,” was the whispered reply.

“Meaning?”

“In a day....in a day, love.....I’ll be gone. So...let’s just think about all the times we had. All....all the good times. All the tears we cried. All the times we felt alive.....let’s think about those.”

***

Spike set up, and began to play softly. Before he began to sing, he said, “This is based on something I said before leaving my best friend.” He looked back down at his guitar before looking back up at the mic and began to sing.

So denied
So I lied
are you the now or never kind
In a day and a day love I'm gonna be gone for good again
Are you willing to be had
are you cool with just tonight
Here's a toast to all those who hear me all too well

Here's to the nights we felt alive
Here's to the tears you knew you'd cry
Here's to goodbye
Tomorrow's gonna come too soon


***

7 years ago...

"I don’t want you to go, Will....”

"I don’t want to go, either. I don’t want to let you go....don’t let me let you go.”

“But I have to....tomorrow.”

***

Put your name on the line along with place and time
Wanna stay not to go
I wanna ditch the logical
Here's a toast to all those who hear me all too well

Here's to the nights we felt alive
Here's to the tears you knew you'd cry
Here's to goodbye
Tomorrow's gonna come too soon


***

“Then tomorrow’s going to come too soon....”


***

All my time is froze in motion
Can't I stay an hour or two or more
Don't let me let you go
Here's a toast to all those who hear me all too well

Here's to the nights we felt alive
Here's to the tears you knew you'd cry
Here's to goodbye
Tomorrow's gonna come too soon


Spike finished playing the chords, tears threatening to spill over as he remembered the past.

Behind the curtain, Buffy whispered, “Don’t let me let you go....” She shook herself, and got ready for her band’s performance.

***

Spike watched as the lights went out, and they wheeled something onstage. ‘Summer Days’ walked on, and when the lights turned on again, they were all situated in their regular spots, except Buffy had a different instrument, as did Faith and Anya. Buffy sat behind a piano, and Anya and Faith had violins.

Buffy began to play, her nimble fingers dancing over the keys.

Making my way downtown
Walking fast
Faces passed
And I'm home bound

Staring blankly ahead
Just making my way
Making my way
Through the crowd

And I need you
And I miss you
And now I wonder....

If I could fall
Into the sky
Do you think time
Would pass me by
'Cause you know I'd walk
A thousand miles
If I could
Just see you
Tonight

It's always times like these
When I think of you
And I wonder
If you ever
Think of me

'Cause everything's so wrong
And I don't belong
Living in your
Precious memories

'Cause I need you
And I miss you
And now I wonder....

If I could fall
Into the sky
Do you think time
Would pass me by
'Cause you know I'd walk
A thousand miles
If I could
Just see you
Tonight

And I, I
Don't want to let you know
I, I
Drown in your memory
I, I
Don't want to let this go
I, I
Don't....

Making my way downtown
Walking fast
Faces passed
And I'm home bound

Staring blankly ahead
Just making my way
Making my way
Through the crowd

And I still need you
And I still miss you
And now I wonder....

If I could fall
Into the sky
Do you think time
Would pass us by
'Cause you know I'd walk
A thousand miles
If I could
Just see you...

If I could fall
Into the sky
Do you think time
Would pass me by
'Cause you know I'd walk
A thousand miles
If I could
Just see you
If I could
Just hold you
Tonight


Buffy finished, and dropped her head, letting the silent tears fall as she remembered the day her best friend left.

***

7 years ago...

"I’m going to miss you, Will,” Lizbeth whispered as she hugged her best friend good-bye.

Will kissed the side of her face, before burying his face in the crook of her neck. "I don’t want to leave,” he whispered.

She squeezed him, and pulled back. Leaning forward, she kissed him softly on the lips. "I WILL find you. I will walk forever until I find you. I love you.”

He kissed her forehead, and whispered, “Love you, too,” hoping that she knew that she meant more to him than she knew.

Lizbeth stood on the porch, arms hugging herself as she watched his car pull out of the drive and out of her life.

"I love you.....”


TBC.......

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"Angel?" asked Darla from where her head was cushioned on his bare chest, fingers drawing lazy patterns.

"Hmmm?"

"Can I ask you something?" she said, lifting her head so that she could see him. "It's just something I've always wondered about...."

"Ask away."

"What's Spike's real name?"

Angel sighed. "I normally wouldn't say, but since it's you....his name's William."

"William?" Darla said with a giggle. "William....what?"

"Giles."

Darla stopped laughing, and lifted her head completely off of Angel's chest. "William Giles?"

"Yeah...."

Darla's face lit up and she squealed out, "Oh my god!"

"What?"

"Elizabeth's going to freak!"

"Elizabeth?" Angel asked, confusion etched onto his features. "Elizabeth who?"

"Elizabeth Summers!"

Angel sat up slowly, bringing Darla with him. "You," he said, seriously. "know Elizabeth Summers?"

"Well, yeah. So do you."

"I.......do?"

"Yeah....you kinda dated her."

"Uh......no I didn't...."

Darla stared at him until realization dawned on her. "Oh.....she never told you........"

"Who never told me what?"

"Buffy!"

"What about her?"

"She's her!"

"Well, yes.....Buffy is Buffy....."

"No, you idiot!"

"HEY!"

"Sorry, but Buffy's her! She's Elizabeth! Elizabeth is Buffy!"

"BUFFY?!"

"Is Elizabeth Summers."

***

After 15 minutes of repeating herself, Darla had managed to get it through Angel's head that Buffy Winters and Elizabeth Summers were the same person. She had explained to him that Buffy changed her name to protect her family and how she had been looking for William, no Spike, for all these years.

"You know what this means, don't you?" Angel asked, a slight tone of amusement in his voice and an ironic smile working its way across his face.

"Not really, no."

"They each hate the person they're in love with."

Darla giggled and said, "Yeah....." Her face lit up as an idea popped into her head. "Hey! Since we can't tell them straight out cuz they wouldn't believe us, why don't we have them figure it out on their own? Like, make them spend 48 hours together. Y'know, make them find out things about the other and see which one figures it out first."

Angel thought for a moment, then smiled slowly. "I like your thinking," he whispered and rolled ontop of her.

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TBC.......

 

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Buffy turned over in her bed, eyes fluttering open. She stretched and looked at the clock next to her. "7:39..." she sighed, and pushed the covers off of her body with her feet. She was on her way to the hotel's bathroom when there was a knocking on her door. Groaning, she shuffled over and pulled the door open.

Her eyes widened, and she tried to slam it shut. She pushed her body against the door in an attempt to keep it shut. She looked down at her body and at her "Monkey Business" pajamas. "Oh God," she moaned. "Not now........"

"Uh, Buffy?" came the distinct voice of Darla from the other side of the door. "Can we come in now?"

"Can I change first?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Plea-"

"No. Now let us freaking in."

Buffy sighed and pulled the door open and Darla and Spike walked in. Spike, surprisingly, was wearing a light blue shirt and grey....what were they called? Oh yeah, Dorm Pants. He looked about as awake as her, which was not very. His hair was sleep tossled, and when his tired eyes saw her bed, he muttered, "Bed..." and walked over and collapsed on it. Buffy walked over to him and sat down next to him for a few seconds before leaning to her right and landing on her side on Spike's back. He let out a muffle, "Oof!" and Darla rolled her eyes.

She clapped her hands and scowled when Buffy tossed a pillow at her. "Hey! We got plans for you two today!"

"Vi haff phlans. Zheep," came Spike's muffled reply.

"Whassa?" Buffy mumbled.

Spike raised his head slightly so that she could hear his words. "I. Have. Plans. SLEEP!"

"I like your plans...." Buffy said, and they both began to drift back into sleepy land.

Darla sighed, and walked over to the mini-fridge. Opening it, she pulled out some water. She walked over to the slumbering pair, unscrewing the cap on her way. She took a moment to study the two blondes before overturning the bottle on them.

Spike had an almost immediate reaction; sputtering and shouting "Cold!" as he curled into a small ball. Buffy on the other hand, rolled over to get away from any more water and promptly rolled off of the bed. Buffy groaned and stood up, pulling at her wet clothes. Darla, happy that Buffy was up, chucked the empty bottle at Spike's head.

"OI!"

***

Once the two were awake to Darla's satisfaction, Buffy rubbed her eyes and said, "Ok. What are your amazing plans for us?"

Darla smiled, and Buffy immediately thought about how she wouldn't like what was coming. "Well....you two have to spend some time together."

Buffy sighed and closed her eyes.. "So we're talking what? 1, 2 hours?"

"Try 2 days."

Buffy's eyes snapped open, and Spike's head snapped up.

"Excuse you?!"

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10:30 the clock read. Spike ran his fingers through his hair as he waited for Buffy to finish banging around in her bathroom. 5 minutes later, when she emerged, Spike's eyes widened as he took in her appearence.

She wasn't wearing her usual revealing top and too short mini skirt. No, today she was wearing a short sleeved light purple and dark purple striped tee and tight blue jeans. Her hair was straightened and the little make-up she had on was a smidge of lip gloss and some eyeshadow.

Buffy looked up from her purse and saw Spike staring at her. Her eyes darted away from his gaze selfconsciously and she said, "What?"

Spike shook his head, and stood up. "Nothin'. So, all mighty Miss Winters. What are we going to do today?"

Buffy's eyes closed as she tried to remember what she and the girls were doing. "Well, in 15 minutes, we have to go to the recording studio to get some last minute changes in cuz there was a sound problem so we have to completely re-do one of the songs. And around noon we have a photo shoot for Teen Spirit magazine and after that I have to make up a new song for our last show and then I'm pretty much free for the rest of the day." She opened her eyes and walked past Spike, saying, "Well, c'mon! We don't have a whole bunch of time!!!"

***

Spike watched as Buffy, Willow, Faith, and Anya set up for the song. Willow said something to Buffy and the soung recording turned on as Buffy began to laugh. Spike smiled, taking time to notice how her eyes sparkled and her nose scrunched up when she laughed.

Calming herself, Buffy looked to the booth and winked at Spike as the music began to play.

You think you know me
Word on the street is that you do
You want my history
What others tell you won’t be true

I walked a thousand miles while everyone was asleep
Nobody’s really seen my million subtleties

Spike laughed as Buffy head banged as the chorus built up. She made vague gestures throughout the chorus that strangely went along with the song.

Got stains on my t-shirt and I’m the biggest flirt
Right now I’m solo, but that will be changing eventually, oh
Got bruises on my heart and sometimes I get dark
If you want my auto, want my autobiography
Baby, just ask me

I hear you talking
Well, it’s my turn now
I’m talking back
Look in my eyes
So you can see just where I’m at

I walked a thousand miles to find one river of peace
I walked a million more to find what fishing means

Got stains on my t-shirt and I’m the biggest flirt
Right now I’m solo, but that will be changing eventually, oh
Got bruises on my heart and sometimes I get dark
If you want my auto, want my autobiography
Baby, just ask me

I’m the baddest girl in this messed up world
I’m the sexy girl in this crazy world
I’m a simple girl in a complex world
A nasty girl, you wanna get with me?
You wanna mess with me?

Got stains on my t-shirt and I’m the biggest flirt
Right now I’m solo, but that will be changing eventually, oh
I laugh more than I cry
You piss me off, good-bye
Got bruises on my heart and sometimes I get dark
If you want my auto, want my autobiography
Baby, just ask me


***

"So, um.....that was a really good song....." Spike said, awkwardly as they made their way to Burger King for a quick lunch before the photo shoot.

"Thanks."

"Would you care if I asked what it's about?"

"Don't really have a choice since you just did," Buffy tossed back at him with a quick smile. She pulled the car into the DRIVE THRU and surveyed the menu quickly before making her descision. "You know what you want?"

"What?"

"To eat?"

"Oh, yeah." He leaned over her and spoke into the small box. "May I have a #9 with coke, Large."

Buffy smiled and said into the box, "Make that two #9's, one large, one medium."

After paying for their food, Spike asked, "So what's the song about?"

Buffy sighed, and said, "Well, it's actually somewhat about paparazzi.....and about people who think I'm something different than what I am. But.....what they think I am, I have to be whether I like it or not. But if someone wants to know the real me......all they have to do is ask."

***

Spike watched as Buffy and the girls stood in front of a white and blue swirled back drop. Buffy stood, a guitar propped up in front of her, straight blonde hair being blown about by a small wind from a fan. Her eyes were lined with a smoky color, dark yet light at the same time.

Willow stood to her right, hair short and straight (think early season 5) and Faith to Buffy's left, hair curled and eyes lined sensually. Anya stood next to Faith, hair also being blown about.

Spike watched in awe as, for the next 2 hours, Buffy and gang struck poses, the camera clicking at them when they were and camera clicking at them when they were just playing around. Buffy turned her head a flashed a dazzling smile at him, and one thought ran through his mind.

'Amazing.....'


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Later that night, Buffy found herself hard-pressed to go to sleep. She tossed and she turned, but the Sandman seemed to be holding a bit of a grudge against her.

She sat up, wearily wiping her eyes. Emotions were swirling around inside of her. Spike was on her mind.

He had been surprisingly civil to her throughout the rest of the night, leaving her in a harried state of mind.

"William," she sighed. "I wish you were here to pick up the pieces of me..." Her eyes widened, and she scrambled to the desk to look for a piece of paper. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she wrote down the first thing that came to her mind.

On a monday, I am waiting....Tuesday, I am fading.......

***

Spike knocked on Buffy's door, a bit surprised when it opened. Walking inside, he smiled when he saw the girl laying across the messy bed, pen and paper in hand, hair a mess.

He shook her softly. "Buffy?"

"Shmraggle...."

"Buffy?"

She groaned and sat up, eyes blinking and then widening as she saw who had awakened her. "Spike?!"

"Yeah....you might want to get dressed, luv. Darla wanted to speak with us before we spend the day together."

Buffy nodded, and said, "R-Right. Let me go change...."

***

15 minutes later, Buffy walked out in black jeans and a pink wife beater. Her hair was straight again, but today she wasn't wearing any make-up save some lip gloss. She nodded to him, and they made their way downstairs.

Darla looked up when they entered the room. "Excellent," she said. "Now, Spike, can I speak to Buffy privately, and then you?"

Spike nodded, wondering what this was all about as Buffy was led into the next room.

When she emerged, her face was paler than before, and she seemed a bit more nervous than before. Slightly on edge as to what Darla was about to tell him, he went in to talk to her.

***

Spike looked at Buffy as they made their way into his car. "Where are we going?" she asked.

"We're gonna go visit my da. He has a small apartment here in LA and I haven't seen 'im for a while. Hope you don't mind. "

"No," Buffy smiled. "Not at all."

***

As they entered the house, Buffy looked around, eyes lighting up as she saw the array of weapons in a glass case on the wall.

"I'm gonna go park the car," Spike said.

"Uh huh," she replied distractedly.

Crossing over to it, she skimmed her hand across the glass, stopping at a long, thin sword. "Oh, wow...."

"I see," came a distinct british voice from behind her, "that you've seen the Samauri sword."

Buffy turned around only to be greeted with a face from her past.

"Don't worry," the man said. "Spike's still parking the car."

"I-I'm sorry....how do you know Spike?"

"Well, you see," began Giles. "I'm his father."

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Buffy stared in disbelief at Giles. "I-I'm sorry, I just hallucinated. What?"

"I am Spike's father."

"No you're not!"

"I think I would know whether I was or not."

"Don't you fucking lie to me!"

"ELIZABETH ANNE SUMMERS!" hissed Giles sharply. "What would you do if Joyce were here? Now, it would be greatly appreciated if you would calm down before William comes back in!"

Buffy closed her eyes and waved her hands in front of her. "I-I'm sorry...did you just say William?"

Giles sighed. "Yes. William."

Buffy's eyes lit up in a way they hadn't since she was a child. "William's here?" she asked excitedly.

Giles walked over to the wall and banged his head against it. "Elizabeth," he said slowly. "William. Is. Spike. Spike. Is William!"

Buffy's smile faltered and she whispered, "Wh-What?"

"Buffy....."

"And another thing! How do you know my real name? Or who I am?"

"Buffy. You're forgetting who I am. And please stop interrupting."

"Right. This is me. Not interrupting."

"In response to your first question, William required his nickname from when he threatened a man in a bar with a railroad spike. Second, in response to how I knew who you were after all this time....I ran into Joyce the other day. We got to talking and she showed me her most recent pictures of you. Imagine my surprise when I learned that my son's enemy is the girl he's spent years looking for. Now," he said, unfolding his arms and displaying them wide. "I believe I deserve a hug?"

Buffy's eyes held tears as she took in her surrogate father. She ran into his arms, and took in the scent that made Giles........Giles.

They pulled back when they heard Spike's shoes crunch against the gravel.

As he entered, Spike looked up at Buffy, who was looking a little teary and his father who looked the same. He shook his head walked into the kitchen.

***

As Spike told his father all about what he was doing, Buffy roamed the living room, picking up pictures and putting them back until she came across one.

Picking it up, she smiled as she remembered the day this was taken.

***
8 years ago.....

William came up behind Lizbeth and wrapped his arms around her waist. He hooked his chin over her shoulder and said, "What're you lookin' at, luv?"

She leaned her head back into his chest, vaguely noticing how for fourteen year olds, they were strangely intimate. "Sunset."

William smiled and said, "Yeah....kinda ruins it all when you think about how all the colors are from pollution."

Lizbeth frowned. "Is not."

"Yes it is. Unlike you, I payed attention in science that day."

Lizbeth smiled again, and said, "True."

They stood there, admiring the colors, neither aware that Joyce had taken a picture.


***

"You know her?" she asked softly.

"Yeah," came Spike's voice from behind her. "My best friend for almost my whole life."

Buffy swallowed, allowing the fact that the man she loved was standing right behind her. "An-And where is she now?"

"I don't know," was the whispered response. "Been lookin' for.....years."

Buffy nodded. Wiping tears from her eyes, she said, "Uhm, w-where's your bathroom?"

"Down the hall, first door to the left."

***

As Buffy exited the bathroom, Giles greeted her with a soft, "You're going to have to tell him sometime."

"Why?"

"Because it's not good for him to be kept in the dark."

"Well, that won't matter on Saturday."

"What happens Saturday?"

Buffy looked up. "Giles.....on Saturday....I have to tell the world my real name."

"You mean..."

"Including......including Spike."

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Giles took his glasses off and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I-I don't understand....why must you tell the world your name?"

Buffy sighed, leaning her head back against the wall. "As far as I understand it, Darla said that some reporter found out that my name isn't Buffy Winters....or that it isn't legalized. She wants me to get it out there before he does. Also, it's some sort of publicity thing. But why she chose now...." Buffy trailed off, and her eyes widened slightly. "Oh god," she breathed. "She knows.....she knows about me and...."

"I'm afraid I don't have the slightest clue what you are talking about, Buffy."

"Darla....she must know about me and Spike...." She shut her eyes and whispered, "Damn her."

Giles took his glasses off again, wiping furiously at them. "Buffy," he sighed as he put them on. "In less than 24 hours, William will know your true identity....aren't you a bit worried about how he may react. He can be a bit impetuous...."

"I know....." Buffy cast a glance to the kitchen where Spike was searching for something. "Believe me.....I know."

***

"....all the pieces of me...." Buffy smiled as they finished rehearsing. "Not bad for a bunch of people who only learned it yesterday..."

"Thanks, B."

"No prob. So listen, for the concert, I was thinking about Love Makes the World Go Round, Better Off, and then Pieces of Me. What do you think?"

"Sounds good Buffy."

Buffy smiled, thinking to herself, 'This is all for you, William......'

***

Saturday.......

Buffy wiped her hands nervously on her jeans. She had decided to not dress up. She jumped slightly when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see a mildly surprised Giles. "Giles!" she squealed as she threw her arms around him. "You're here!"

"Yes," Giles chuckled. "I'm really here. And I brought some friends."

Buffy frowned and looked behind her. A smiled lit up her face. "Mom! Dawn!"

She ran over to each of them and gave them a big hug. "What are you doing here? Not that I'm complaining........"

"Giles invited us, " Dawn answered. "Said William was going to be here." She craned her head to look behind Buffy and said, "Have you seen him yet?"

Buffy sighed, and pulled her family away to explain it all to them. "It's actually kind of a funny story...."

***

When Buffy had finished telling her mother and sister what had happened and had managed to convince them both to not tell Spike she was there if he remembered who they were and asked them about here, Buffy walked to the edge of the stage, until she was almost out from backstage.

She walked on with a cheery smile as she was introduced. "What's up LA?" A loud, group cheer was her answer. Buffy grinned and said into the microphone, "Tonight is going to be a verrrrrrry special night. But before I tell you what's going to happen, I think I should explain somethings. When I first started out, I changed my name." When she heard all the gasps, she said, "Yeah. That's right. My name isn't Buffy Winters. I changed it in order to keep my family safe from paparazzi. Unfortunately, some weasel of a man named Cornelius Snyder decided to look through my records and found out my real name. So tonight, in order to beat the scumbag to the chase, I'm going to announce my real name. But until then.....let's go!"

Summer Days began to play a soft song, and Buffy's melodic voice filled the stadium.

Here, here I am again
And I'm starin at these same four walls
Alone again
And now, all the colors blend
And I'm growing old and I've become
This empty thing

Hold on, its tragic
Stumbling through all this static

I just wanna talk to you
And my broken heart just has no use
And I, I guess promises are better
left unsaid, yeah
Everytime you try to tell me
You say the words that I'm the only
But I'm the one who's crying on the ground
When you say love makes the world go round


Spike watched, enthralled. She seemed to be putting her entire being into this song. And.....were those tears that he saw in her eyes?

My love, look at what you've done to me
For someone who has felt so strong
It's amazing I'm completely gone

Hold on, its tragic
Stumbling through all this static

I just wanna talk to you
And my broken heart just has no use
And I, I guess promises are better
left unsaid, yeah
Everytime you try to tell me
You say the words that I'm the only
But I'm the one who's crying on the ground,
When you say love makes the world go round

Buffy let the tears flow freely down her face, grateful that she had worn waterproof mascara.

It's not the love you give me
I'd rather be alone, believe me
It's not the way you've found to treat me
I'd rather walk away

I just wanna talk to you
And my broken heart just has no use
And I, I guess promises are better
left unsaid, yeah
Everytime you try to tell me
You say the words that I'm the only
But I'm the one who's crying on the ground,
When you say love makes the world go round, yeah
You say love makes the world go round
Everytime you try to tell me
I dont care you're not the only
Dont you know I'm coming back around
Cuz I say love makes the world go round, yeah
Cuz I say love makes the world go round

She wiped her tears on the back of her hand and looked backstage to where a certain bleached Englishman was standing.

Soon.......

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