Chapter 11

“I know what you did when you thought I wasn’t looking.” Buffy looked at William accusingly and hooked her arm with his as they walked side-by-side in the clearing near the house. Feeling restless, both had agreed that stretching their legs would be nice after an afternoon of sitting, writing, and talking. “You cleaned the stain that was in the hallway.”

“You noticed?”

“How did you do it? I didn’t see any cleaning stuff and you know I’ve looked through the entire house… I need pointers because; don’t get mad, Hank pretty much gave me your job before all the fun kidnapping started. It was my punishment, me being a janitor.”

“I don’t see you as a janitor.”

“I don’t see you as a janitor.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Stop repeating what I say. First of all, it was a red wine stain in the carpet and that’s deadly if treated badly. All it took to get it up was a spray bottle of water and one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. Slightly shake the mix and evenly spray the area. It’s all about blotting, which should be done with a white rag. And as a helpful hint, never saturate the area, it never does the spot any good, it just makes you curse more when you step in the puddle.” He stopped them and stood in front of her. “Second, there’d be no way that you could replace me, princess. You’d have one day of Harris and urinals and you’d running, looking for cover.”

“I could do it. Just cover me head to toe in plastic and give me one of those face masks and I’m your girl.”

“Bah. Plastic’s for poofters.”

“Poofters? I don’t wanna know. Let’s keep on walking, it’s nice out. Tell me who or what a Harris is.” She took his hand and led him farther into the night.

“Alexander Harris, he and I started on the job only months apart. I hate his guts but he was someone to talk to. I liked being around him sometimes just because his life was shittier than mine and it made me feel better about myself hearing him piss and moan all day.” He glanced to see if Buffy would think less of him. “I know it’s horrible, but it’s true.”

“I think we all do that but not very many people admit it.” Buffy shrugged, “Did you always want to be a writer, William? From the beginning?”

“Um, looking back…no. I dreamed about being a number of things and of seeing the world one step at time…I never really made up my mind until it was too late and I was broke and needed money fast. So I wrote most of the time and started at Summers to pay the bills. So what did you want to be? Or was it princess from the day you were born, your majesty?”

Buffy laughed and hit his arm. “Ballerina, artist, actress, ice skater… I couldn’t make up my mind either. I wanted to do anything and see everything. I just never could put my mind to one thing. I had lots of phases…I guess you could say that I’m a dreamer.”

“That makes two of us. But I think you should try taking up acting, you nearly killed me during the entire Richie affair.”

“Aw, that was nothing. It all came very naturally to me.”

“Really? Don’t answer that.” William bit his tongue, not willing to ruin their moment with a stupid question.

Of course she wouldn’t see us married in the future, only I would be that daft. Why step into that heartache? Just shut up, mate and take your romantic stroll under the stars for what it is, just a way for her to kill time.

“Yeah the whole deal was farfetched wasn’t it? That we’d be married and that you are a world-famous musician? Yeah right.”

“Hey--”

“Don’t ‘hey’ me. I wasn’t finished. Besides you’ll be famous after you release your book. It’ll blow people away. You’ll automatically skyrocket into fame and fortune and I’ll be nothing to you but a paragraph in your autobiography. That bloody, Buffy Summers, that spoiled bitch that forced me into kidnapping her and into becoming a criminal, blah, blah, blah.”

“Spoiled bitch? No, that’s too harsh. How about siren from my dreams luring me one step at a time to a destruction of my own doing?”

“God, William, I’m sure by now you know talk like that will so get you laid.”

“Will it? Let’s go back to the house then.” William quickly spun them around and upped their pace. “I have loads more where that came from. Let’s see, how about you’re the…”
***

This is…

“God.”

Buffy was pushed against the door and her shirt was pulled over her head.

It’s good to see that he’s not afraid to take control of… of a situation.

She gasped as his fingers and mouth overwhelmed her, tending to her body all at once.

“William.”

Oh no, this is…

Her eyes flickered as her pants were unbuttoned and yanked from her hips.

“William, we need to go inside…”

“We will. Soon. But not now.” He fell to his knees and kissed along the elastic band of her underwear.

His deep, lust-filled voice made her break out in shivers and her vaginal muscles clench. Biting her lip, she tried to muffle the moan that erupted once his hand cupped her ass.

I’m seconds away from being naked on the porch; he’s going to fuck me on the porch and I’m seconds away from letting him.

“William…God, don’t stop, shit, I mean, stop. Stop. Todd.”

“Todd? Who’s that?”

Taking advantage of his moment of confusion, Buffy pulled his head up from her stomach and pointed out into the distance. “Todd. Remember? Creepy neighbor man? We just talked about Richie…Todd?”

“Todd.” He looked Buffy up and down and blushed and unhooked his thumbs from the edges of her underwear. “Sorry, I, ah, guess I got carried away. Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. I want you too.” Her eyes never leaving his, Buffy reached behind her and opened the door to the house. “Let’s go inside, we can give Todd a show some other day but I think tonight we don’t need an audience.”
***

“Um, where were we?” William inched closer, not knowing how to act.

“Don’t be nervous.” Buffy stood in the front of the bed in her bra and underwear, successfully hiding any signs of anxiety. She took his hands and rested them on her hips. “You were about to take these off, I think.”

“And you?”

“Well, I was about…” She cupped his face with the palms of her hands, “To kiss you because of just how attractive you looked with your boyish grin and your blushing face.” She stood on her tiptoes and leaned against him, touching her lips to his. Breaking their contact before a real kiss could take place and looking into his eyes, she handed him the opportunity to take charge again. “I want you, William.”
****

William took his cue with great enthusiasm, crushing her closer and moving his hands up, unhooking the clasp of her bra.

God, I love everything about this girl. God, I love her.

William’s pant grew heavier, realizing how he truly felt. As Buffy squirmed underneath him William’s heart beat faster.

She’ll never feel the same and even if she did, she’d never admit… I’ve learned that much.

“William--.”

He kissed her silent and slid a finger between her nether lips.

I know she wants me, that much is evident but will she ever allow herself to feel more? What if I don’t get the money? I’d have nothing to give her.

He quickened the intensity his strokes, making them longer, slower and making sure her clit was brushed against each time. He moved his kisses from her mouth to her shoulder and neck, longing to hear her moans and whimpers.

“Buffy, you’re beautiful.”

Little steps, I guess that’s the only way I’ll be able to handle this…using actions to replace the words. She’ll run away at my words, I know that…but bloody hell, I love her.

“So are you.”

He grinned, knowing that helped his case a bit. “Thank you, love.”

Keeping his finger in the same spot, he began sliding it up and down at a faster speed; a few grunts and nails digging into his shoulders rewarded him for his actions.

“Buffy, you’re incredible.”

She nodded frantically, so close to her climax, her nearing orgasm teasing her and promising to be mind shattering. “You—oh God, you too.”

At William’s quiet ‘Thank you” Buffy’s release stopped creeping and pounced in full force.

“Oh, God! William!”

I’ll just show her how I feel, I have about a week, and I’ll make the most of it.

Before her body had stopped trembling completely, withdrew his finger and filled her again with his cock. He remained still and watched, anxious to see or hear her reaction.

“Oooh,” she moaned with her eyes tightly closed.

“You alright?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” He caught an erect nipple with his mouth and pushed into her farther, to the hilt. Buffy met his rocking movements head-on and wrapped her legs around him with all her strength, still trying to bring him closer.

“Buffy, I—fuck, you feel so good.”

“So do you.”

William bit his lip and fought back the need to proclaim his feelings; instead he focused all his energy on making love to the woman beneath him.
***

“Ok, so it wasn’t just the alcohol.” Buffy stretched and yawned. “That’s good to know.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well,” she covered them both with the quilt and rolled to face him, “Alcohol can make wonky things happen and…I guess what I’m saying is, sober or not, sex with you is definitely of the good.”

“Of the good, huh?”

“Are you making fun of me?”

“Of course not.”

“You’d better not be or I’ll--.”

“You’ll what? Kick my ass?”

“Shut up.”

“Shut up, see, there’s another saying you beat with a bloody stick.”

“Well, well you say bloody all the time and you say shut up just as much as I do.”

“Do not.”

“Do too.”

“Do not, you behave, princess or I’ll be taking my unwonky and of the good sex godliness elsewhere.”

“Yeah right, try it.”

“Maybe I will but not now,” William’s hand found her nipple and he brushed against it with the pad of his thumb, “I’m not done with you yet.”
***

Buffy woke up the next morning and inhaled deeply.

This is what I was denied the first time.

If he moves a muscle, I’ll kill him, even if he wants to do something sweet like…like anything, I don’t care, I need my fucking cuddle.

Opening her eyes, Buffy smiled and saw that William’s hand was cupping her breast. She placed her hand on his and snuggled into William’s body.

“Hmmm, good morning, love.”

“Did I wake you?”

“No, I think I’m falling into your schedule.”

“Oh, sorry. I’ve always been a morning person, I guess, but it wasn’t my plan to change you too.”

“That’s quite alright, who wants to sleep the day away anyway?” He chuckled and kissed shoulder and squeezed her breast.

“God, are you always horny?”

“What? No. Well…no, I was just…ah, saying good morning.”

“Saying good morning?” She grinned out of his field of vision but tried to sound annoyed, “I didn’t think people say good morning with their hands and with their tongues.”

“Sure they do. Waving and talking.”

Buffy turned to face him, “Shut up.”

“Make me. You know that was bloody brilliant there now wasn’t it?”

Buffy gave up and patted him of the head, “Sure, sure. Good William. You’re brilliant.” She laughed and kissed his cheek.
***
 

Chapter 12

“Perhaps you’d like to keep this.”

Hank Summers glared at the Ziploc bag that Willow dropped on his desk. “What the hell is that?”

“That could be the last trace of your daughter, boss,” Faith added before sitting and propping her heels up on Hank’s desk.

“You’re kidding. That is Buffy’s blood?”

“Yup. We got the letter analyzed: her blood and her handwriting.” Willow explained, excited. “He even made her write in her own blood. Damn that’s so--”

“What does it say?”

“What? The letter? He’s demanding a clean switch. He takes the money and he gives her back, all in one.”

Hank remained silent for a few minutes and stared from Faith to Willow. “You’ve both got some nerve. You promised results and you come back with this!” He tossed the letter in its plastic bag on the floor. He fumed and pulled a suitcase from beneath his desk. “I want her back and I want him dead. I want this back.” He hugged the bag of his money and hissed when Willow reached to grab it. “I don’t know why you didn’t kill him before but if he gets away this next time, we’re done.”

“Wait a minute Hankie.” Faith stood up and shook her finger at the man. “That’s not how this is going to work. You stick with us and we’ll stick with you. If you back out of our deal, there’ll be hell to pay.” She grinned wickedly and picked up a gold letter opener off of Hank’s desk. She twirled it in her hand and gave Hank the impression that she wouldn’t have a problem using it as a deadly weapon. “We’ll get your man.”

“You’d better and bring back my money.” Hank growled and tossed the suitcase into Willow’s arms.
***

Buffy hadn’t slept well all night. She faded in and out of a light sleep, afraid for the morning to come too quickly. Tossing and turning from looking at the red glowing clock to looking William’s sleeping face, Buffy silently worried about the day’s approaching events. Just thinking about her and William being separated left Buffy with a funny feeling in her stomach. In the past several days they had become inseparable, Buffy found security, comfort and equality in William’s presence. Buffy even allowed herself to fantasize in the early mornings in William’s arms about an end never coming to their rural bliss. She liked not having a car and not being bothered by a television set. She liked being away from traffic and being away from other people. More importantly, Buffy liked at William had become her constant form of entertainment, whether it was helping him write his novel, walking with him in the night, or kissing him breathless at various times throughout the day, William was someone Buffy truly enjoyed being around.

I’ll miss him.

Buffy swallowed and willed away the bitter taste in her mouth. She moved closer and filled the gap she had been keeping between her and William as he slept.

This could be the last time I’ll have him for months.

Fuck, I’ll miss him a lot.

Buffy rested her head on William’s chest and listened to his heartbeat as he dreamed.
***

William was certain he was having a heart attack. He had never felt his heart beat as fast as it did once William knew that Buffy’s arrow was coming at him, ready to use him as a human pincushion.

He could see everything this time: Buffy’s too-red lipstick, the host’s too-wide grin. He could see the arrow’s point as it twirled at high speed.

She’s going to kill me.

“No, I’m going to save you.” Buffy answered his thoughts in a clear voice that rang in his head. “My love will save you.”

“You’re lov--?”

William’s scream was deep and throaty as her arrow struck his heart. He looked down and saw the glowing hole she had left in him.
***

“Wake up.” Buffy’s hand ran along his torso and stopped to rest causally between his legs. “We have to be there in five hours and we have a lot to do.” She brushed his inner thighs lightly, knowing it was something he enjoyed. “I want to make the most of the time we have left. You had that dream again, didn’t you?”

“Mmmm, yes.” William stretched and slowly woke up. He unconsciously pushed his hips towards her hand, willing her to touch him more. “I was able to see it this time, the hole you left in my heart. It was beautiful, it glowed golden and it had all these sparkles and glittery highlights.” He caught her chin with his finger and tilted her head up for a kiss. “Good morning, Buffy.”

Buffy closed her eyes, feeling a rush of emotion. He rarely called her by her given name and when he did, it made her swoon against her will. Her fingertips danced on his cock in a lazy rhythm while she surrendered to his mouth.

“You’re trying to take my mind off today, aren’t you, pet?”

“Is it working?”

“I’m still terrified but I appreciate the gesture; what you’re doing down there feels very nice.”

“See what practice can do? Besides it’s my pleasure.” She looked up at him, letting her hand work blindly; she didn’t need to look under the covers to know the effect she was having on him. Over the past few days she had also made an effort to explore him head to toe.

He was mine then, but after today, who knows? God, I was so spoiled.

Knowing that she could touch him or talk to him or tease him at any time had made Buffy glow with something she couldn’t put a finger. She couldn’t classify it. As Buffy’s thumb brushed against the head of his cock, a sharp feeling of loss charged through her body.

“William, this week…I’ll always remember this week.” Straddling his hips, she led his twitching hardness into her wetness. At the contact, they both gasped and fell into a desperate kiss.

“Buffy.” He panted beneath her with his hands on her hips, not knowing if he should move yet.

“Wait, more,” She paused briefly and couldn’t resist nibbling on his lower lip, “More kissing.”

William sat up so he could reach her better and Buffy wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around her neck. Then she rocked against him while clenching and releasing her vaginal muscles, their embrace proving the closeness she desired.

I’ll miss him so, so very much.
***

“I want to stay like this for hours.”

William nodded and held her closer as they both panted, still in a post-orgasmic bliss. He was still buried deep inside her and William knew he wasn’t ready to feel disconnected from her either.

That was close, too close.

William closed his eyes and replayed the moment where he’d almost confessed his love for Buffy.

She must be feeling something, right? That didn’t seem to be just about sex. She wanted closeness and intimate connections…of course all physical but there had to be something other than lust fueling her behavior.

He opened his eyes and ran his hand over her hair and she moaned lightly in response.

There has to be something…I feel something. I think we have something. Something I don’t want to give up. How bloody unfair is that? I find the girl of my dreams and then she’s ripped away from me. Shit, speaking of that, maybe she’s just caught in the goodbye. Maybe she doesn’t feel anymore about me but she’s mourning the loss of another fuck buddy…

William’s heart skipped a beat, knowing that the scenario was possible.

But I love her so fucking much. She has to be picking up on it. I’ve mentioned numerous times that I plan on waiting for her—

“What are you thinking about?” Buffy asked quietly, after kissing his chest. She had noticed a change in his heartbeat. “You aren’t getting panicky, are you?”

“Um, a bit.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you, William.”

She has feel something, but I’ll take all the crumbs of affection that she’ll offer me.
***

“I’ve been watching and a car goes by at least every two hours.” Buffy stood her tiptoes and put the shampoo in William’s hair, her nipples brushed erotically against his chest as she massaged the soap into his scalp.

William stood in awe like a child at Christmas, savoring his present. Buffy had never insisted that they shower together before that morning.

She wasn’t lying when she said she wanted to make the most of today.

“I figure I can go by myself and bring a car back.”

“What? You’re not going by yourself.”

“Why add high jacking to your list of crimes? I’ll just show a little leg and--.”

“I’m going with you,” William demanded, pulling her against him.

“Ok.” She didn’t struggle in his arms; she just leaned his head back and rinsed his hair. Her stomach pressed firmly against his erection, “I won’t argue because that would ruin your shower fantasy, wouldn’t it? And I’d hate to do that.” She pushed him against the wall and grinned, “You’re too much.”

“Am I? Too much of what?”

“I don’t know, how about all around goodness?”

“That’ll do, I think.” He rolled her erect nipple between his thumb and forefinger and kissed her deeply until they were both lightheaded. He pulled her back and saw that her eyes were still closed and her face was covered in water droplets, “Buffy, I think you’re lovely.” He was very pleased to see her bite her swollen bottom lip and he could’ve sworn a hint of blush colored her cheeks. He held the back of her wet head and pulled her in once more for a kiss. Buffy squirmed and rubbed against him.

She determined to drive me mad, isn’t she?

He gathered her in his arms in one swoop and leaned her against the tiled wall of the shower. “I love you.” He whispered, knowing that the sound of running water and their heavy breathing probably drowned out his confession. She said nothing and held onto his back, her head buried in his shoulder.

“Ahhh.” She grunted when he filled her once again. She bit and sucked the side of his neck as he moved the head of his cock in and out of her at a faster pace than before. Digging her nails in his back and moaning against his skin, she nearly lost control when he deepened his strokes.

Buffy screamed his name and came hard and faster than she had hoped.

Oh, God. He loves me.
***

“Sorry about that.” Buffy touched the hickey on the side of William’s neck as they walked along the empty road and smiled widely, not looking very sympathetic.

He shrugged off her apology, “After this you’re changing out of that skirt.”

“You really don’t like seeing my ass?” Buffy could tell that William was getting nervous by the tone of his voice.

“You know what I think of your ass.”

“This is what I was kidnapped in.”

“I don’t know what kind of guys your father has hired.”

Buffy was about to make a comment until she saw a white truck approaching in the distance. “Hide.”

“Buffy--.”

“I have a gun and so do you,” she stared ahead and fluffed her hair. “You hide and I’ll stop it.”

As the four-door pick-up truck approached, Buffy adjusted her shirt, exposing more cleavage. When she saw there were two men inside wearing baseball caps, Buffy raised a hand, allowing her skirt to fall dangerously low on her hips. After checking and seeing William was safely hid behind a tree, she turned on her most luminous smile.
***

The driver of the pickup slammed on the break as soon as Buffy’s face came into focus. Before pulling over he and passenger exchanged grins.

“Good morning, miss,” said the driver.

His friend chimed in soon after, “What you doing out here all on your lonesome? You want to step inside, we’ll take you where you want to go, if you get my meaning.” He tilted his cap forward and licked his lips, showing a mouth full of yellow teeth. “Plenty of room on the backseat, I reckon.”

Buffy flinched a bit and the men giggled in joy.

“Now,” William appeared out of nowhere and shoved his gun in the driver’s face, “that’s no way to talk to a lady, you bastard.”

Buffy quickly mirrored William’s actions, pulling her weapon on the passenger. “We’re not stealing your truck: we’re just borrowing it.”
***

William loaded the truck of their belongings and tossed a handful of clothes into Buffy’s lap before pulling out of the dirt driveway.

Without saying a word, Buffy pulled off her tank top and put on the sweatshirt that William had bought her days ago. “We should be early, I’ll change into the pants when we get there.”

William nodded and sped down the dirt road.

God, he’s freaking out already and it’s a four-hour ride.

She unhooked her seatbelt and scooted into the passenger seat. She rested her hand on his knee and they drove in silence.
***

Hours later, they reached the location for the switch, a straight, flat stretch of road, with open grassland on either end. Woods were in the distance but William knew there was little cover if he had to run and hide. William’s entire body trembled with nerves stretched out a rope thirty yards behind the truck that he kept running. He walked back to Buffy, who was leaning against the driver’s door.

“I’m going to tie your hands.” With a smaller, cut rope, he gently bound her hands, tying tightly enough to convince but not enough to hurt. “I have something to say, I know time is running out but I’ll be pissed if I don’t,” He took a deep breath and held her tied hands in his sweaty palms. “I love you, Buffy. I have for a while now and I can’t help it. I think you’re the strongest, sexiest, and smartest woman I’ve ever met. I’ll understand if you don’t feel the same but I just want you to know that I—I love you very much.” He finally looked into her eyes and saw tears. He leaned in to kiss her but froze at the sound of a car approaching. “I love you.” He stepped away from Buffy and pulled his gun from the back pocket of his jeans.

An Oldsmobile appeared around the bend and William watched it stop at the far end of the rope. There was only one person in the car, a dark haired woman wearing all black. She lifted a large suitcase out of the backseat and William’s heart sped up.

“Well,” Faith shouted, “what are we waiting for? Do you want to get on with this or not?”

“Sure. Right now,” William called back.

“Send over the girl.”

“First the money, that’s the deal.”

“Are you alright, Miss Summers?”

“I’m fine,” Buffy spoke for the first time in hours, “Just a little frightened.”

“Don’t worry, Buff, it’s going to be okay. We’ll get you back to your daddy in no time.”
***

Faith tied the end of the rope to the suitcase and William began to haul it in.

So far, this is working.

William felt relieved and drug the bag the last few feet. He opened the suitcase and inhaled sharply. He had never seen so much money, or even imagined it in any detail.

“Is it all there?” Buffy whispered.

“It’s all here.” William stood up.

“Okay, Blondie, send the girl over,” Faith shouted.

William and Buffy looked at each other.

“You don’t mean it. I know you don’t but thanks for saying it.”

“What?”

“You don’t love me.”

“Buffy--.”

“Be careful. Don’t get caught. It’s been fun.”

“Buffy--.”

She turned and walked towards Faith, unshed tears burning her eyes once out of his sight. After she had traveled half way, shoots filled the air, causing Buffy to fall to the floor.
***


 

Chapter 13

“What the hell?!” Faith kicked the tire of the Oldsmobile. “He shot up the fucking car!”

Buffy looked at the damaged car and remained emotionless.

I wonder what he was aiming at? Or who? God, I bet he hates me...now.

But at least he got away.

Faith opened the trunk of the car and swore louder, “He managed to hit everything in sight but he spared you, aren’t you lucky?”

“Who are you talking to?”

“Your boyfriend, Dudley Do-Right.” Faith reached into the compartment and pulled out a large shovel.

“My what?”

“Him.”

Buffy inched around the trunk and gasped at the blindfolded and bound man that was stuffed in the cramped space, “Riley Finn is in your trunk. Why?”

“Long story. Come on,” Faith took off in the direction William had sped off in.

“Wait,” Buffy grimaced.

With the trunk open, maybe someone will stop and help him.

Buffy accepted the weak justification for leaving Riley and ran after Faith. “You’re following him? The kidnapper?”

“Yeah, we have a job to do and we plan on finishing it.”
***

William tried to clear his mind. He didn’t want to think about the fortune that sat in the cab with him; he didn’t want to think of what he was leaving behind; he didn’t want to think of Buffy.

He focused on controlling the truck as he sped on the paved road.

I got way.

He struggled to catch his breath and to steady his trembling hands.

“I got away,” he repeated the phrase, hoping it would calm his shattered nerves.

But thanks for saying it.

Bitch.

William sighed angrily; annoyed that Buffy’s words were haunting him against his will.

He rolled his neck, attempting to lessen the tension that had gathered. He closed his eyes briefly and when he refocused on the road, he slammed on the brakes, causing the tires to skid.

“Fuck.” William looked heavenward and glared. “Dead people now?”

He swallowed and looked at the heap that blocked his path.

If she’s dead there’d be nothing I could do to help her, besides I have my own problems.

But, William held the steering wheel tighter, she could be injured and if I leave, she’ll suffer and she could die, all alone in the middle of a fucking street.

I’d be an instrument in her death or hell, her murder.

Fuck. Why? Why me?

William scanned the area for signs of what could have happened to the woman.

No blood, no skid marks, no scattered belongings.

I can’t leave her.

William pulled over and got out of the truck.

“Hey, miss. Are you alright?” William tucked his gun in the back pocket of his jeans. “If you’re hurt, I can try to help you.” He crouched down and considered turning over the woman, her face was turned down and she remained motionless.

I’m sure she’s dead but if I don’t check my conscious will be nagging me forever.

He held his breath and gently rolled over the red-haired woman, only to have the barrel of a gun shoved under his chin, “Don’t move a fucking muscle.”
***

“What took you?”

“He shot up the car,” Faith answered reaching the couple minutes later.

“You shot up the car. Why did you do that?” Willow jabbed William in the temple with her gun before giving his leg a hard kick with all her weight powering the blow.

William cried out in pain and glared at the woman. “I was trying to make a getaway.”

“Trying to make a get away.” She mimicked him and kicked his other leg, forcing him to fall on his knees. “Fucking asshole. Is she alright?”

“She seems to be.”

Buffy took her time in reaching the women, her eyes studying William for major injuries as he panted, lying in the dirt next to the road.

I can’t believe he got caught. He got out of the car.

He can’t do anything right.

Buffy struggled to keep her cool as Faith drug William to his feet. “What are you going to do with him?

“Blondie and I are going for a little walk.”
***

“You want to help me count?”

“My hands are still tied.”

Willow shrugged, not wanting to untie Buffy yet. She sat in the truck and thumbed through the money in the suitcase. Buffy stood outside and stared in the distance to where she’d last seen William.

“So are you fucking him?”

“Who?”

“The kidnapper.”

“Would it matter?”

“No, just trying to make conversation.”

“How much is my father paying you? Do you get a bonus for killing both of them?”

“Oh, you know about the other guy?”

“He’s still tied in the trunk.”

Willow giggles and fanned her face with a stack of dollar bills. “What made you fuck that guy? The oversized GI Joe? Was he a good ride?”

“Not really.”

“That sucks.”

“Well he didn’t.”

“Oh, poor you. I wonder what’s taking them so long. Have you heard a gunshot yet?”

“No. Can you cut me free please? These ropes are kinda tight.”

Willow nodded and zipped up the case. She put it on the seat and got out of the truck. Buffy’s face was blank as Willow cut the ropes using a switchblade.

“In a way, I’m almost sorry that we have to off your boyfriend.”

Buffy nodded and rubbed her free wrists. “In a way, I’m almost sorry that,” once Willow put away the knife, Buffy hit the woman in the face with all her might, “I have to beat you up but nobody messes with my boyfriend.” Willow fell into the truck door and Buffy quickly took the gun from the waist of her jeans. Buffy flinched before slamming the butt of the gun into Willow’s skull.
***

“I think this is a nice spot, don’t you?” Faith tossed the shovel at William’s feet, “Dig.”

“You are going to kill me.” William panted from pain after their long walk. They were now surrounded by tall trees and in the middle of a forest.

“I’m glad you caught on to that.”

“Then why must I dig?”

Faith glared; annoyed that the man felt he could ask her questions. She took out her gun and sat on a fallen tree. “Because if you’re not interested in digging your own grave, I’ll shoot you in the balls and then you can bleed to death while I dig. But then if you dig like a good boy, I’ll consider shooting you in the back of the head.”

William started digging.
***

Buffy ran blindly through the woods, not knowing where William could be.

Please, please don’t let me be too late.

She vaulted over fallen trees and ignored the twigs that torn her skin.

Please, God, I need him to be alright. Let everything be okay and I promise, I’ll make it up to him. I’ll take everything back, hell, I’ll even tell him how I feel.

Buffy continued to run, breathless, scared to death that she soon be hearing a scream or a single gunshot.

Please. Please. God, I think I love him.
***

Faith stood up once the hole was as deep as William’s thigh. “Ok, it’s time.” She tugged the shovel from William’s grasp and threw it aside.

“Oh, oh no.” William knew it was worthless, but he fell to his knees anyway, pleading.

“Lie down.”

“Please, no.”

Faith pushed William facedown into the soft, damp earth.

This is the end.

William closed his eyes and dug his fingers into the soil.

Faith took aim and cocked the gun.
***

William jumped as the gun fired and a bullet hit the ground, inches away from his head. He panicked at the sound of more shots. Before he could think about the situation, he screamed as something heavy landed on his body.

“William! Stop! Let’s go!”

“Buffy?”

“Come on.” She reached down and helped him out of the pit. “Get her gun.”

William wrinkled his nose and took the dead girl’s gun. “You killed her.”

“Shut up. We need to get out of here. Can you walk?”

“Yes.” He nodded and finally looked at Buffy who was red-faced and covered in sweat. “You saved me.”

“Of course. Let’s go.”
***

William helped Buffy into the truck before jumping behind the wheel; he drove, not knowing where they were headed.

“I told you to keep going no matter what. You shouldn’t have stopped. You shouldn’t have got out of the car, and you shouldn’t have gone into the woods.” Buffy looked out the window, her eyes tearing from the day’s events. She choked a sob and wiped her tears with her sleeve.

“Hey, love. Don’t cry. We’re alright.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Oh, so we’re back to that again?”

“I killed someone.”

“It was self-defense,” William whispered, feeling guilty and that everything was his fault. Buffy’s tears were breaking his heart. “I messed everything up, you were right.”

“I’m always right. You might like to remember that. And I also don’t want you ever to scare me like that ever again.” She broke down into harder tears, “I won’t be able to handle it.”

“Buffy, come here.” William alternated from keeping his eyes on the road and to looking at her distraught face. All his anger had melted and all he wanted to do was make her feel better and to kiss away her tears. “Let me hold you, sweetheart.”

Buffy nodded and crawled over to him as he drove, her fist clenching his blood stained shirt as she sobbed into his chest.

“It’ll be alright. We’re okay and we have the money too.” William rubbed Buffy’s back with a free arm. “Shhh, let it all out.”

Speaking of the money, where is it?

William glanced in the back seat just as the blade of a knife brushed through the back of his seat, missing him narrowly.

“Fuck! Buffy watch out!”

Willow rose up and grabbed Buffy around the neck. William shivered the truck and the force pushed Willow over, allowing Buffy to break free from her grasp. Buffy lunged at the woman and tried to force the gun out of her hands. Just as Willow would manage to level the gun at William’s head, Buffy bated her arms away. Two shots were fired, making holes in the roof of the truck and another in the windshield. William drove with his head down and his foot to the floor as bullets flew past him.

“Buffy! Bridge!”

Buffy nodded and pushed Willow close to the side of the truck. She snaked her hand into the back and opened the back door. The road ran past in a blur and Willow’s eyes grew wide, knowing what was going to happen next. Willow reached for the handle to close the door, but it was too late.

“Brake!”

William followed Buffy’s direction and slammed on the brake, causing the truck to skid and swing a hundred and eighty degrees. The side of the truck smashed into the railing of the bridge. Willow was thrown out of the vehicle and over the railing. In her left hand, Willow held the suitcase full of money.
***

William and Buffy said nothing and they gazed ahead blankly, both trying to steady their heavy breathing. Minutes later, they climbed out of the truck and peered beneath them. Buffy sniffled once at the sight of Willow’s battered body. Her head, legs and arms were arranged in improbable angles as her lifeless body rested on a rock in the center of the river. There was no sign of the suitcase but clusters of bills were scatted on the water and could be seen as they floated away.

They turned away in silence and returned to the truck, scared but still functioning. Buffy sat as close as possible to William, their arms entwined as William turned the truck around and they continued across the bridge without muttering a single word.
***

“Pull over.”

William didn’t ask why, he followed her instructions and stopped near the Oldsmobile. He stayed and watched Buffy after she got out and walked to the trunk.

“Riley.” Buffy took away his blindfold with trembling fingers and then she worked releasing him from his gag. “What are you doing here?”

“God, Buffy I’m so happy to see you. I’ve been looking for days. Did you get away from that sicko? I can’t wait to take you home.” Riley talked unstop as Buffy cut through his bindings, so glad to see that she was safe.

Buffy couldn’t find her voice and just nodded. She helped him out of the trunk. “Go home Riley.”

“We’ll go as soon as possible. Hey, can your friend carry one more?” With a hand shielding his eyes from the sun, he squinted at the truck. “Shit, Buffy, isn’t that the kidnapper?”

“Yes, that’s William. You need to find your own way home.”

“What? You—what’s going on?”

“I’m not going back to my father. I’m staying with William.”

“What? Have…have you been brainwashed?” Riley demanded an answer. “That asshole thinks he can brainwash my girlfriend and get away with it? I don’t think so.”

“Riley,” Buffy grabbed his shoulder and stopped him from charging at the truck. “I haven’t been brainwashed. We’ve been working together all along, William and I. You know I’m not your girlfriend; we broke up months ago. I’m with William now.”

“You’re kidding.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Buffy, please.”

“No. Go home, Riley.” Buffy started to walk away but Riley held her arm. “I’ve already killed two people today, don’t mess with me.” Her voice was more tired than threatening. “Tell Hank to rot in hell for me.” She pushed him away and ran back to William.
***

“Who was that?”

“An ex-boyfriend trying to save me but he was too late, wasn’t he?”

“I’m sorry things turned out like they did.”

“So am I.” Buffy turned up the air conditioner and sighed, threading her fingers with William’s, “I know you meant what you said. I just wanted…fuck, I don’t know why I say what I did but I know that you do feel…that way, about me.”

“You really pissed me off.”

“I know. I really like you William.” She bit her lip, not able to confess her real feelings just yet. “I just have seen so many relationships go to hell once the l-word is muttered. I know you must think we have something, but I’d rather pretend we don’t for a while longer,” she inhaled deeply and squeezed his hand. “We’ve been through a lot and I just want to make sure if we do have something, that it won’t be ruined. You understand? Because if we did, um, have something and if we lost it, I don’t think I’d be able to handle that…the loss.”

“I imagine that it would be tough for me as well.”

“So we’re good?”

“We are but how are you? Still shaken?”

“I will be fine, I think. But I don’t know what to do now. I’m as much of a criminal as you are, probably more. We need to get away. We need to hide.”

“Together?”

“That’s what I was thinking, unless you don’t want me.”

“Buffy, I always want you.”

“Thank you.” Buffy blinked away stubborn tears. Since her breakdown earlier, she found her eyes were not willing to dry completely. She rubbed her stinging eyes with the sleeve of her sweatshirt and sniffled. “Drive into the nearest town. Have you ever thought about robbing a bank?”
***

 

Chapter 14

“Buffy, you can’t be serious. Haven’t we gone through enough today?”

“Live a little.” Buffy kept her eyes peeled for a bank as they drove through the small town. “It’ll be fun.”

“No, it’ll be dangerous.”

“No, what happened on the bridge and in the woods, that was dangerous; robbing a bank will be exciting.”

William panicked not ready to risk his life again. He was still covered in dirt, sweat and Faith’s blood.

I need an excuse, a good excuse, anything that will at least postpone her madness. She wants to rob a bloody bank.

“We need our rest before trying something like that. It’s getting late, pet. The bank is probably already closed anyway.”

Buffy looked at the truck’s digital clock and cursed. “I guess you’re right.”

Thank God.

“We’ll just have to make a date for tomorrow then.”

Fuck.

“Buffy, I--.”

“Nope, I’m not changing my mind.”
***

“I really liked this shirt.” Buffy helped William take off the wrecked garment. They used the last of their money to stay at a decent hotel and to pay for a meal at a fast food joint. Knowing that they couldn’t afford breakfast in the morning fueled Buffy’s demand that they commit another crime.

I killed people today. How could holding up a bank compare to that?

“I have a crazy thought, love: what if we went back and really looked for your father’s suitcase. We never saw it and it held a shitload of money. Even if we found a few thousand, it would help us tremendously.”

“Maybe, after we rob the bank. You’re not changing my mind.” She knelt and unbuttoned his pants. She pulled them down slowly remembering how Willow had kicked him. “God,” she saw two purple bruises on his legs. “Only I’m allowed to kick you.”

“You threaten daily but you never have.” William reminded her and took a sharp intake of breath when he felt Buffy’s lips lightly pressed against his injures. He was touched by the sweetness of her actions and barely by the tingle pain that they caused.

“I’m glad you’re still with me.” Buffy stood and took off her sweatshirt and worked on getting as naked as he was. “You want to start the water? I’ll be in there in a minute.”
***

After helping each other shower, they filled up the tub and sat in the clean water together. With their stomachs touching and their legs entwined, Buffy sighed, happy to be in William’s arms again.

“Riley said that you brainwashed me.” Buffy laughed at the thought and closed her eyes, feeling tired, warm and comfortable.

“That was Riley, huh? The prince charming turned stalker?”

“You remembered?”

“Of course.”

“He wanted to marry me after dating for only two months. Isn’t that crazy?”

“Absurd.” William bit his lip, knowing that after a few weeks he had his and Buffy’s wedding imagined down to every detail.

“I dumped him and for some reason it never sunk in that we were over. He even called me is his girlfriend today.”

“Oh?”

“But I told him I was yours now.”

William’s heart stung and he held her tighter, silently delighted.

“I bet he thinks you’re going to force me to marry you.” She laughed again, hiding the fact that she too had dreamed of holy matrimony in what she had considered a moment of insanity.

“Wouldn’t be so bad, I think, us marrying,” said William quietly. “Unless you were… ah, forced of course.”

“Yeah that would piss me off.”

“But if you weren’t,” he struggled, afraid to be rejected again, “forced, what would you do if I asked? Not that I’m asking or that I plan on asking you in the near-future or at all even—I just, um--.”

“You’re just curious?”

“Yes.” He fell deeper in love with Buffy at that moment, relieved that she knew exactly what he was getting at. “Just so if in the far, far away future I was to ask, I would have a heads up on what you’d say.”

“I’d probably say yes, but this would be after you’ve jumped through a lot of hoops, proving your undying love and affection. You’d have already promised me the world and I’d have no doubt in my mind that you’d provide me with everything that I could have ever wanted. I’d also be at the point where I loved you so much that it’d be almost too much for me to bear.”

“Um, I’ll remember that.”

“If you ask.”

“Yes, if I ask.”

“We should get out of the water, I’m getting sleepy.”

“Ok.”
***

She’d say yes.

William grinned and watched as Buffy walked around the room wrapped in a towel. He pulled the bed sheets high and waited for her to join him.

She saved me, twice. She killed for me.

Buffy put up her wet hair in a tight bun and her towel fell around her ankles.

She’s so beautiful. I love her. She said she was mine.

William’s heart skipped a beat as Buffy bent over to pick up her towel. His cock twitched, still hard from their time in the shower and from their bath.

I love her so much. I think she feels the same but she can’t say the words.

Buffy hung up her towel in the bathroom and got into bed still naked. Without saying a word she kissed William goodnight and turned on her side. William curled his body around hers, cupping her breast with the palm of his hand. His erection pressed against her ass and William knew she wouldn’t mind.

She knows I want her.

“I love you, Buffy.”

“I know.” She moved his hand to her lips and kissed it before replacing it on her chest. “Thank you for saying it,” she whispered before falling asleep.
***

“There’s nothing I can say to change your mind?”

“Nothing.” She checked to see how many bullets were in their guns. “We go in; I’ll flash my gun and do all the talking. You don’t have to do anything unless there’s trouble.”

“Trouble? What ever could you mean?” William rolled his eyes. “Other than security guards, silent alarms, video cameras and tellers with no access to the fucking safe. This could blow up in our faces. We’ve got this far--.”

“And we don’t have enough money for a Happy Meal.”

“I really think we should go back and--.”

“Return to the scene of the crime in our battered, stolen white truck, yeah William, that sounds like a great plan, no one will be suspicious at all.”

“It sounds better than holding up a bank.”

“To you.” Buffy sighed and finished packing their things as William stared blankly at afternoon cartoons. “I don’t want to fight with you.”

“I don’t want to fight either but I don’t think you’re thinking everything through, Buffy.”

“Of course I’ve thought everything through. It’s what I do.” She checked the clock. “We should go now; less people will be there.”

“You hope.”

“I know.”

“Whatever.” He turned off the television and gave up. He hated her idea but he wasn’t going to let her go alone. “I’ll check us out of the room.”

“I’ll be at the truck. Be careful.”

He snorted and kissed her cheek before walking out the door.
***

I guess this is the natural response to everything: to my father, to the loss of all my money, to the death of those women.

“I’ll do all the talking. Park near the entrance so we can get a getaway quickly and by the time we’re done it should be dark so that’ll be in our favor.” She emptied the brown paper bag of clothes and clutched the gun in her hand. “Ready?”

“No.”

“Trust me; I know what I’m doing.”

“I think this is stupid.” William stopped the car and pulled out the keys. “It doesn’t feel right.”

“And any of the other stuff did? Ok, William.” She grabbed his face and pulled him in for a kiss. It took him seconds to respond but Buffy was persistent, drawing out moans and his cooperation. She played with the hair on the back of his head and pressed her forehead against his. “Everything will be fine. Trust me.”

“Damn it Buffy, I want to but--.”

“No buts. Let’s go.” She got out of the car and strolled towards the bank.

“God help us.” William had no choice but to follow.
***

William scanned the bank and hoped Buffy was doing the same thing. He kept the uniformed guard in the corner of his eye as they stood in line at the fourth teller’s window behind a woman and her daughter.

“Buffy maybe we should cut in line.” He pulled her close and whispered in her ear. “The guard went in the back.”

She nodded, “Excuse me.” She tapped on the shoulder of the flowery shirted woman, “Can we go ahead? We’re in a hurry.”

“Um, I guess.”

“Thank you very much.” Buffy grinned and went to the window and pulled out her gun, “I’d like to make a withdrawal.”

The teller moved slowly, remembering her training. She looked Buffy in the eyes and inched her hand towards the silent alarm.

“I don’t think so.” Without warning Buffy grabbed the teenage girl behind her and pointed the gun at her temple. “Fill the bag. Quickly please.”

The security guard ran out of the back of the building at the mother’s screams. Buffy stared the man in the eye and dared him to draw his gun.

This was not in the plan.

William watched helplessly as the bank’s customers scrambled to the floor, some crying and most scared to death.

“Leave my daughter alone. Please leave her alone.” The mother begged as Buffy watched the teller fill the brown bag.

The woman lunged for her daughter but William ushered her away. “Nothing’s going to happen to your daughter, miss.”

“She is going to kill her.”

“She’s not going to kill her.” William gave the woman an assuring pat on the shoulder.

“Yes, I am.”

“What?”

“Shut up, William. Everybody shut up or this girl’s brains are going all over the fucking wall! Now hurry up and fill the fucking bag, lady.”

The teller moved faster and mother sobbed, falling to the floor.

“Buffy--.”

“Shut up.”

“Hey, you need to claim down and let the girl go to her mother.”

Buffy grinned seeing an opportunity to confuse their audience.

If they think we’re not working together maybe…

She winked at William and let the girl go. Buffy pointed the gun between William’s eyes instead. “Is this better? On your knees.”

“Buffy, what?”

“On your knees, William. You did this to me once, remember, when you kidnapped me? Expect that you, unlike me, lacked the balls to pull the trigger.”

“Oh, God.”

“Goodbye, William.”

“Okay, kill me but don’t touch the girl.”
***

“God, I can’t breathe.” Buffy stumbled after William a laughed loud and hard. “You—you were amazing. You should have been on television.”

“I’m glad you’re amused, you crazy bitch.”

“Oh William, what’s wrong?” She paused and watched as he angrily marched to the pickup truck, a bagful of bills in his arms.

“What’s wrong? That was not in the plan, Buffy. You attacked a girl and nearly gave her mother a heart attack. And then I was convinced you were going to kill me, that’s what’s wrong.”

“Kill you? I thought you knew what I was doing. I winked—I won’t kill you, William.”

“No?”

“No, no.” She saw how upset he looked and she felt awful. “God, I wouldn’t dream of hurting you, William. I….I love you.”

“You what?”

She grinned and reached for him, “I love you, William. Very much and for awhile now.” She cupped his face and stared into his eyes. “So, so, very much.”

“Buffy.”

“I couldn’t hurt you.” She nuzzled his cheek with her nose and held the back of his head. “I love you,” she said the words slowly, pouring out all her feelings for him. Pressing against him, Buffy kissed him passionately, attempting to convince him farther.

“I love you too.” William pulled away and looked up at the sound of screams.

“What’s wrong?”

William didn’t answer; he pushed Buffy aside and stood in front of her, shielding her with his body at the crack of the security guard’s gun.

Feeling the impact of the shot in his leg, he fell to the ground; William cried out and let the bag of money fall.
***

The security guard lowered his gun. From his distance he hadn’t expected to hit anything especially not the young man. It was the first he had ever had to use a gun after twenty years on the job at the bank. The man trembled and watched the woman cry and shove her partner as he writhed in pain into the pickup truck. Knowing the police would be arriving shortly; the security guard didn’t have the heart to follow the truck as it sped away.
***

“I’m dying, Buffy, I think I’m dying. I don’t want to die.” William clutched his leg and spoke weakly. The pain and the steady loss of blood had taken a toll on his strength.

“You won’t die, baby. I won’t let you die.” Buffy drove, avoiding the freeways, making their drive was long and uncomfortable. She forced herself to stop from breaking down.

“I don’t want to die. Are you taking me to the hospital? I don’t want to die in a hospital.”

“I’m not taking you to a hospital.”

“What!” William sat up and panicked, “What do you mean you’re not taking me to a hospital? I demand to go to a hospital. Where are you taking me?”

“Just hold on,” Buffy whispered and feared William was becoming delirious, “we’re almost there.”

I hope I’m doing the right thing.
***

 

Chapter 15

“You can help, right?”

“Of course.” Parker Abram had already laid William on the reclining dental chair and had cleaned the wound with alcohol. “It doesn’t look too bad actually. All it needs is a bit of exploration, cleaning out, removal of fabric and bullet and suturing of a couple little vessels and the outer skin. The surgery shouldn’t take to long either.”

“See? You’ll be fine, baby.”

Parker watched as Buffy cooed in William’s ear and held his hand tightly. She kissed his cheek twice and whispered something that Parker couldn’t make out.

“Are you both a cute couple? Open your mouth first, Will. You know you could have a perfect smile.”

“His name is William,” Buffy saw William wince from a burst of pain. “Get on with it, Parker.”

“Oh aren’t you always the feisty one?” Parker growled playfully and gave Buffy a suggestive wink before he continued to look into William’s mouth. “You could change your smile and your life for as little as two thousand dollars.”

“No thanks, mate.”

“Do you think a perfect smile just happens? Do think Buffy’s smile is her own? No, it’s mine. I gave it to her, and I could give you one too. For just twelve thousand dollars, I will fix your teeth and that would be considered a gift. I’d be knocking tons of money off the price. Tons. All you’d have to do is--”

“I didn’t get shot in the teeth.”

Parker laughed, “Oh that’s funny. You didn’t get shot in the teeth. But I’ll tell you the truth: It wouldn’t have made things any worse if you had.” He laughed again, louder than before. “If you wait until next year you’re going to have fifty grand’s worth of major reconstruction going on in there.” He wiggled his finger disapprovingly.

“If you wait till next year, he’ll be dead.” Buffy couldn’t bear it anymore. “Now, Parker, his teeth are fine.”

“You always have to spoil my fun, don’t you Buffy?” He scowled and laid William’s chair out flat. He searched through his instruments and brought out a scalpel. “Just you wait, Buffy. Do you think I haven’t been watching the news lately? Do you think I’m working for free here?”

Buffy stiffened, knowing Parker wasn’t interested in money. She looked at William, wondering if he had heard Parker’s comment.

William hadn’t been listening, his eyes were focused on the sharp object that Parker was dangling above his thigh. “Have you ever done this before?” he asked, feeling nervous.

“The principles of surgery are the same above and below the neck.” Parker plunged the scalpel into the edge of the wound, prying it open, causing William to scream.

“Aren’t you going to anesthetize me?” William begged, tears in his eyes, he feared he was seconds away from vomiting.

“Don’t worry, Will, as the pain becomes worse, you’ll just probably pass out.”
***

Buffy forced a smile and poured Parker another glass of champagne.

“Buffy are you trying to get me drunk?” Parker downed the bubbly liquid and motioned for more. “Aren’t you a naughty girl?” He reached for her and pulled her into his lap.

She refilled his glass and squirmed, brushing against his erection and making him moan. “Gross! Parker, let me go. I want to go upstairs.”

“Your boyfriend will be fine without you. Boyfriend.” He giggled and shook his head, sipping his drink. “He’s not your type.”

“And you know what my type is?” She batted his hand away but Parker slid it under her sweatshirt and stroked her stomach. “Stop it.” He ignored her and his hand continued upwards and he squeezed her breast.

“You owe me.” He unbuttoned her jeans and Buffy leapt from his lap. “Now Buffy, you know all I have to do is make a call to the police and your precious boyfriend will be taken off to jail, to where he belongs. We’ll be very quiet and he won’t even have to know how much of a slut you are.”

“Shut up.” Buffy bit her lip and watched as Parker reached for his cell phone. “God, I hate you.”

“You wound me, Buffy, really you do.” He dialed 911 but never pressed the talk button of the phone. “It’s up to you Buffy. Blow me and ride me good and preferably hard, and then I’ll consider us even.”

“You’re not touching me.”

“I bet they could be here in five minutes tops. Did you know a new police station was built down the road not too long ago? I wonder how much of a reward I’d get for turning in such a dangerous criminal.”

“Fuck you.”

“We’ll get to that.” Parker unzipped his pants and pulled out his semi-hard penis. “But blow me first. I hope you’ve gotten better at it because your first time, it just didn’t cut it. Don’t worry, Will won’t know a thing. It’ll be our secret.”
***

William woke up in a strange room. Still groggy and in pain, he glanced down at his leg and moaned. He was naked except for the bandage that covered his thigh.

Where’s Buffy? I need Buffy.

He smiled, remembering how she’d whispered how much she loved him before Parker had operated on him.

I need Buffy.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” He couldn’t find his clothes; instead a red jogging suit was laid out on the foot of the bed.

After dressing in the ridiculous outfit, William made his way out of the room, holding the wall for balance. He opened the door and cursed.

Why did they put me upstairs?

He grabbed onto the railing and slowly took the spiral staircase one step at a time.

So that’s what a bloke does with a shitload of money.

As William made his way down the stairs the pictures Parker had framed along the wall entertained him. Parker skiing. Parker in Rome. Parker surrounded by women. Parker riding a horse.

And I thought I couldn’t stand the guy before.

And besides what kind of guy has a full dentist’s operatory in his house, anyway?

William finally reached solid ground and he grinned at the accomplishment.

“Buff--.” William blinked twice, hoping his eyes were deceiving him.
***

“Will!” Parker sprang to his feet, not bothering to put himself back in his pants, “Join the party!” He took a mouthful of champagne and spat the drink out on William’s shirt after bursting into laughter. William said nothing and stared at Buffy, who avoided his gaze and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “Don’t you look hot in my clothes? Drink? Or would you like something a little stronger?”

“No, thank you.” William stared as Buffy put on her sweatshirt and she sat on the sofa.

Parker gave William the glass and filled it anyway, delighted that he was humiliating the couple at the same time. “Come on, lighten up a little! So I hear you’re something of a fugitive. Oh don’t be surprised: Buffy and I go back a long way.”

Parker…One night stand… Worlds of bad, heartbreak… He was there for me when I had trouble with my teeth…

“You’re her dentist?”

“Yes, it’s true. Buffy, I’m glad I meant so much to you.” He gave Buffy a devilish grin before realizing that his cock was exposed. “Sorry ‘bout that man. You must have trained her well. She’s improved.” He zipped his pants and shrugged. “Anyway, we met across some bridgework I was doing on that particularly fine set of ivories. I gave Buffy her very first filling.” Parker snickered and elbowed William. “First filling. Get it?”

William said nothing and threw the champagne into Parker’s face. Caught by surprise, Parker blinked and sputtered. “Now,” Parker wiped his eyes, “I wish you hadn’t done that because now I have to hurt you, which is both inconvenient and undignified.” He paused. “Nevertheless.” Parker roared before punching William in the center of his stomach. Due to the pain in his leg, William could do nothing but take the blow; he fell to the floor, gasping for breath.

“Now stand up!” Parker shouted and stomped his foot.

“Leave him alone, you asshole!” Buffy got between Parker and William but she was shoved away quickly.

William had no intention to move and made Parker madder. Parker grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him off the floor. William let his head hang limp and when Parker opened his mouth to speak again, William head butted Parker in the face with all his strength. Parker fell to the floor, blood dripping from his nose.

Pain stung in William’s abdomen, leg and forehead but he felt better before he collapsed, exhausted.
***

Buffy drove with her body stiff, heading nowhere in particular. She and William had left Parker’s house after the fight. William sat behind her and he hadn’t said a word. After hitting over a bump in the road, William groaned in pain and the words started to flow.

“Do you want to explain to me what you were doing back there? Why?”

Buffy cringed at his quiet, hurt voice. “I know I shouldn’t have brought you there but I didn’t want you to bleed to death.”

“Is that so? Well, I would’ve gladly bled to death instead of witnessing that.”

“William, what did you see?”

“Enough.”

“Oh God. I wasn’t going to—he was seconds away from passing out.”

“Sure he was.” William laughed once, not believing her, and he stared out the window. “Damn it, Buffy, he didn’t seem a bit woozy to me.”

“Well--you shouldn’t have come downstairs. You shouldn’t have started the fight and you shouldn’t have--.”

“I get it, I shouldn’t have bothered. What the hell was I thinking?”

“William--.”

“Just forget it.”

“Fine. Um, where do you want to go?”

“I don’t care.”

“Don’t—don’t be this way. I can explain. It was nothing--”

“I’d say you blowing some guy is something. So were you lying when you said you loved me,” his voice cracked with emotion, “Was it just to humor me?”

“How…how can you ask that?” Angry tears threatened to fall from Buffy’s eyes. “Don’t you know how hard it was for me to figure out how I felt?”

“Well maybe you should rethink your feelings if you believe I’m just going to shrug and be ok with you fucking your dentist. Hell, maybe I should rethink my feelings as well…pull over.”

“What? Why? Let me explain! He—he was going to--”

“Pull over, I’m getting out.”

“You can’t get out. You can’t walk.”

“Pull the bloody car over. Now Buffy.”

She flinched at his voice and stopped the car; she didn’t turn to face him. “Please, please don’t do this. You don’t understand. Where are you going?”

He opened the door, “I understand perfectly. And don’t ask where I’m going. I need time to think. Alone.”

Buffy’s chin trembled uncontrollably and she forced herself not to cry. “If that’s what you want, William, I won’t stop you. I’ll leave you alone.”

He slammed the door and hobbled away.

Buffy put the truck into gear and drove a block away before breaking down into tears.
***

 

Chapter 16

“Fuck man, you look like hell. Where’ve you been?”

“Ah, around.” William scratched his eyebrow with the nail of his pinky and wondered if Xander really had no clue where’d he been for the past few weeks. “Harris, I need your help, I…I need a place to stay.” He looked at him and hoped Xander would spare him from begging. “I won’t stay for free of course, I’ll try to find some work, it’d have to be under the table but I’m sure I’ll mange something.”

“What happened to your place?”

“I was evicted.”

“Aw, that sucks.”

“Yes it does. Hey, if you don’t have the room just tell me and I’ll be on my way. I don’t want to intrude.” William felt uncomfortable and started to back away from the Harris’ home.

“No. You can stay here. I’m usually at Anya’s anyways.”

“Anya? Oh Anya.” William nodded, remembering Xander’s girlfriend. “You sure? You want me to stay?”

“Yeah. What are friends for anyway?” Xander shrugged and opened the door to the house wide. “Come in, my parents are out of town so we can raid the fridge.”

“God, mate, you have no idea how much this means to me. I owe you one.”

“Yeah. Yeah.” Xander shook off William’s appreciative smile and led him into his new home, the basement.
***

Everything was just how she remembered it. She drove past the housing projects, factories, slums and burned-out homes. Without any money in her wallet, at the last drop of gas, Buffy pulled over and abandoned the pickup truck. She followed the path she always took as a kid, through the dry river, past the field and into the trailer park. She waded through piles of trash, dead cats and dirty children, her hands carrying the brown paper bag of her and William’s things. Halfway down a dirt path, Buffy found what she was looking for, her mother’s home.
****

“Buffy,” tears sung Joyce Summers eyes, “how long has it been?”

“About eleven years in September.”

“That long? Come in, I’ll make us some hot chocolate.”

“With little marshmallows?”

“I bought some yesterday.”

“That sounds good Mom.”
***

“And how is that father of yours? Foul piece of shit.”

“Probably the same,” Buffy shrugged, as she sat in the tiny living room on the couch, surrounded by piles of dated newspapers and magazines, “I haven’t seen him recently.”

Joyce fluffed the collar of her faded pink terry robe and lit a cigarette. “I’ll tell you a story about your father--.”

“The dog and blender—I already heard it.”

“That puppy did nothing to hurt your father. He had no reason to--.”

“Mom, stop. I have something to tell you.”

“On our wedding night--.”

“He wore socks in bed. I know.”

“He wore socks in bed with another woman. I tell you, my girl, your conception was practically a miracle. Lying, cheating son-of-a-bitch, I hope he rots in hell.”

“I killed two people. Two women.”

“These things happen.”

“Is that all you can say?”

“Maybe it was an accident.”

“It was deliberate. I shot one and shoved the other out of a car.”

“Why?”

“It’s complicated. They were going to hurt someone I care—I cared about. There were guns and--.”

“Stop. It’s self-defense. You don’t have to say another word, not one single word. You were defending yourself and your loved one. If either of them were alive, you’d be suing for assault. Now why don’t you tell me about this guy?”

“What guy? Buffy was caught off guard. “There’s no guy.”

“Yes, there is, Buffy. There’s a guy you’re not telling me about.” Joyce smiled with pride and affection. “A mother knows, Buffy, a mother knows.”
***

“Daddy, this is William, the reason why we can’t have sex in Xander’s basement anymore.” Anya held Xander’s hand and pointed to William. “He wants a job so he’ll earn enough money to go home.”

“Home?” Al Jenkins looked William up and down. “You’re the kid from the news, aren’t you?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I don’t want any trouble.”

“I don’t want to be any trouble for you Mr. Jenkins. I can work at night; I’ll do the graveyard shift even. I can make your diner spotless. I’ll even change my name if it makes you feel more comfortable. I just need enough money for a one way ticket back to England.”

“You don’t mind cleaning?”

“Not at all.”

“Yeah, I can vouch for him, Al,” Xander added. “We worked at Summers together for ten years. He’s a great worker.”

William looked at Xander and decided he owed the guy the world.

“You know how hard it is to get a kid to clean nowadays? They’ll cook because of the hats, but will they clean? They get a mop and their own supplies and they turn up their noses.”

“I like to clean, sir.”

“Have you ever worked in a diner before, William?”

“No but I’m a fast learner.”

“Well, you can call me Al. You’re hired.”
***

“Fuck!” William got up and paced the basement. He couldn’t move as fast as he wanted because of his limp, his leg was healing but it was not good as new. “Nothing feels right anymore! Nothing! I can’t write the damn story without her!”

“Her?” Xander turned up the television and only paid attention to William’s tantrum because his show was taking a commercial break.

“Yes, her.” He shook his head and stopped directly in front of the TV, blocking Xander’s view. “What I had is brilliant, fucking brilliant. From the day Buffy starts at Sunnydale High school to the moment I kill her in her huge heroic moment. It’s so brilliant, and why is it brilliant? Because she helped me write it!” He made a noise out of frustration and sat next to Xander on the couch. “My story has gone to hell without her. I can’t—I was inspired by her. I could bounce my ideas off her.” William rested both palms on his forehead and he groaned. “It is brilliant because she is brilliant. I can’t even begin to rewrite what we had, it was incredible.”

“That’s a lot of brilliants. But Buffy? What kind of name is that?”

“Knock her name and I’ll knock you in the head. Her name is perfect.”

“Yesh, man, you’re going insane.”

“I know it.”

“Why don’t you call her then?”

“I can’t call her—damn it, I’ve tried. I don’t know where she is. Worse than that I don’t know what I’d say if I could get a hold of her.” William sighed and stared up at the ceiling, “I miss her, Xand. It’s been too long. Fuck, it’s only been a few weeks but I can’t stand it.”

Xander wasn’t sure who William was talking about but he gave him a sympathetic grin before offering him a potato chip.

“Thanks.”

“Sure.” Xander and William stared at the television in silence accept for the crunching of the chips. “Hey, if you killed her, wouldn’t your story end there?”

“I was bringing her back from the dead. Her friends were going to do it and it was going to fuck the girl up royally. She was yanked from heaven and she was really pissy about it.”

“Hmmm.” Xander nodded. He had learned his lesson about asking William too many questions about his work. Xander didn’t want to be socked in the face.

“We were about to bring her back not exactly to her old self but as close as possible. She was going to help me.”

“Why’d she leave in the first place? The girl you’re missing, why’d she go?”

“Because I told her to.”

“Ouch.”

“Shut up, I had a very good reason.”

“Does it still matter? You seem miserable.”

“I am miserable.”

“I bet she is too.”

“You think? It’s a nice thought but I don’t know. She can be very difficult, you see.”

Xander shrugged and brought his attention back to his TV show.
***

Buffy eyed the crumpled bag with distaste and longing. She had been avoiding it for days but most of the time she pretended as if it wasn’t there.

“What the hell?” Buffy shrugged one evening and opened the sack. She dumped it out and took a deep breath.

“He must be killing himself over this. I bet he’s writing the whole thing over again from memory. Again. Bah.” She picked up his notebook briefly before putting it aside.

I should send it to him. Crap, I don’t know where he is.

Buffy’s eyes watered and she picked up his uniform shirt. She inhaled the scent of the fabric before covering her face with it when she lost the ability to breathe.
***

“God.”

Buffy’s body tingled and she rolled over in bed. Her eyes filled with tears but it didn’t bother her because lately all she seemed to do was cry.

“He’s so good.”

She held her breath and read William’s passionate words. It was strange to read about his slayer, Buffy couldn’t help but see the connections between her and the fictional character. Buffy carried the notebook with her at all times, rereading passages and just gazing at his beautiful penmanship. The notebook had become her lifeline to William.

I miss him, so much.
***

“You let her get away? You found out that she was working with the fucking kidnapper and you let her get away?!” Hank fumed and tossed his stress ball at Riley’s head. “She killed my bounty hunters. How will the people like that? Hank Summers, father of double murderer. Oh and I had to cover up a robbery. She didn’t get a dime but she tried to rob a fucking bank!”

Hank ignored Riley who tried to sputter out an explanation. He picked up the phone and dialed, pounded into the buttons. “Why didn’t I do this before? Ah, yes. Rupert? I have a job for you.”
***

“Buffy?” Joyce was shocked to see Buffy out of her room. She frowned seeing that Buffy was still wearing William’s clothing. “Are you alright, dear?”

She said nothing and wiped her puffy eyes with the sleeve of the uniform shirt. She was wearing his black shirt underneath and his pajama pants.

“Buffy?” Joyce was shocked, never seeing Buffy so out of it. Her eyes were glassy and her hands were loaded with small rectangle boxes. “Oh God, Buffy.”

“Yeah.” She sobbed once and held her breath, looking at the ceiling she tried to calm herself down. She walked to the trash. “I’m pregnant. I’m leaving tomorrow. I need to see him. I need to tell him.”
***

Buffy ripped out the page in the Yellow Pages and kissed her mom goodbye. “He mentioned a friend named Alexander Harris. I’ll look for him first, but if William’s smart, which I know he is, he’ll be hiding out somewhere.”

“Don’t stay away so long this time. Bring your William around so I can meet him and I want to see my grandchild.” Joyce smiled and waved. “Don’t worry about returning the car.”

“I’ll be back, Mom, I promise. Thank you for everything.”
***

“Tonight was good even with the rain, yeah?” William mopped as Al cleaned off the counter.

“It was. Can you break down the boxes in back before you close up?”

“Sure.”

William didn’t pay attention to the knocking at the front door, knowing Al would take care of the person.

“Hey, lady read the sign, we’re closed!”

Buffy banged on the door again, she was freezing and soaking wet.

“What the--.” Al went to the door and recognized the young woman as Hank Summers’s missing daughter. He opened the door. “William, I’m off. Lock up when you’re done. It’s nice to see you, Miss Summers.”

Buffy smiled at the man and scanned the room. When she saw William, stopped.

“I have your story. I tried to keep it dry.” She pulled the notebook out from where she had it against her stomach. “But the damn rain, it’s ah, wet.”

“Buffy?”

She stepped deeper into the diner and gave him a nervous grin. “Yeah. I hope I waited long enough; I wasn’t sure how long you planned on thinking. God, that sounded snotty. I’m not trying to be, I just--”

“How’d you find me?”

“I remembered you mentioning Xander and I went to every Harris in the LA area, you never mentioned that he lived in a basement, not that I’m complaining, it just would have been more helpful.” She smiled, knowing she was rambling. “Please stop me.”

“Where’ve you been? You look good.”

“Thanks. I went to my mom’s.”

“Oh?”

She nodded and placed the notebook on the nearest table. “It’s really good. I hope you’re proud of it.”

“You read it?”

“I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. Thank you for bringing it to me. That was thoughtful of you.”

Buffy looked down and gasped. “Oh, shit! I’m dripping on your floor. I’m sorry.”

“You should take off your coat, ah, that’s what’s dripping. But that’s only if you plan on staying, of course. Do you plan on staying?”

“Would you mind if I did? Just for a little while? I don’t like driving in the rain.”

“It’s dark too.”

“Yeah, double the scary.” She awkwardly struggled with the raincoat. “Sorry.”

“I’ll help.” He touched her shoulder and Buffy jumped. He inhaled deeply as if craving the scent of her. “Buffy.”

“Yeah?” Her eyes filled with tears and she brushed them away. “Um, where—where should I put my jacket?” She panicked, fearing what she’d do with him so close. Once she saw a coat rack near the door, she practically ran to it.

“We can sit if you’d like. I can get you a drink. Would you like anything?”

“No, thank you.” She sat at a booth and waited for him to follow. “I have something to tell you.”

He nodded and sat across from her.

“On the way over here I thought of all these creative ways that I could tell you, but they sounded so dumb, I’m just going to say it, alright?”

“Go ahead.”

“I know you still hate me, I still hate me too but that’s beside the point.” She sniffled and William provided her with a white handkerchief. “Thank you, see what I do without you, William? All I do is cry.” She laughed and avoided his eyes. “I’m pregnant.”

“You’re what?”

“You heard me.” She finally looked into his eyes. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

“Is it mine?”

“God, I guess I should have seen that coming.” She hiccupped and wiped her nose.

“Well?”

“Maybe this was a mistake.” She blew her nose and started for the door. “Maybe it was too soon or something.”

“Buffy--.”

“I haven’t slept with anyone but you since we’ve meet. Sure, I gave Parker a blowjob but do you really think I did it by choice?” She stopped to catch her breath and she continued on in a quieter voice, she never turned to face him. “He was going to turn you in, William. Parker said he wouldn’t work for free. I did it because I didn’t want you to leave me, see how it all went to hell?” She stopped, when he said nothing after a long pause, Buffy grabbed her coat and she ran out into the rain.
***
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