Chapter Fifty Eight.

Discord and Unity.


Buffy spent the rest of the morning in a daze. Somehow, she managed to fall back to sleep after Spike left her and was startled when he woke her a few hours later.


“Lunch will be in half an hour…why don’t you freshen up and then come and meet me on the balcony,” he told her.


Groggy, she rolled off the bed and headed for the bathroom. Gazing at herself in the mirror, she wondered if it really was only a few hours ago since she’d gone down to the holding rooms. It felt like days had passed since then. The events of the morning were hazy and jumbled and she wondered if she would ever be able to make sense of everything that had happened.


She must have been taking too long in the bathroom because she jumped when Spike knocked on the door. Sighing, she opened it and gazed out at him. He scanned her face and she thought she saw a flicker of remorse in his eyes, but it was swiftly gone and he observed her coolly.


“Are you ready to eat?” he asked.


“Yes.” She stepped away from the bathroom and preceded him out onto the balcony.


Jonathan was setting the table. He smiled at her as she walked out. “Oh you don’t look at all well Miss, would you like a glass of water?” he asked concerned.


Buffy gave him a weak smile and nodded. He rushed off to fetch her some water. After holding her chair out for her, Spike casually sat down at the table next to her. She sipped at the water gratefully.


Spike looked out over the gardens. “We need to be ready to greet the first guests by six thirty. Luke has all the ground staff covered and everyone has been given their final prep.” He looked at her from the corner of his eye. She was staring into her glass. “I want you to be ready and waitin’ for me by six. Cooper’s going to be busy, so it would be best if you remained up ‘ere for the rest of the day.”


She nodded without looking at him. Jonathan was bustling about, placing their food on the table.


“When I hold my meetin’ tonight, young Marti will be your escort…he’s been warned not to fall for anymore of your tricks…so don’t go givin’ him a hard time…stick close to him and don’t go off on your own with anyone you’re not familiar with.” He looked directly at her. “Buffy…Buffy…” She looked at him. “Some of these people aren’t trustworthy and there’s going to be a lot of strangers milling ‘bout…I don’t need to be worryin’ about your safety, so promise me now…you’ll stay with Marti.”


She gazed at him steadily. “I promise.”


Spike sighed. She looked ill. Her eyes were pinched from all the crying and her voice sounded flat and expressionless. He hoped she managed to snap out of it before the reception. Spike noticed Jonathan had retreated. He glanced at the food on the table with little appetite, but he thought it might do Buffy some good to eat something. She was too pale. “Well this looks good…eat up luv…you need to keep your strength up…we’ve got a busy evenin’ ahead of us.”


She picked up her fork and silently started to eat.


Half way through the meal, she still hadn’t spoken to him and his nerves were starting to play on him. He heard her sigh. He looked at her and cursed the poor timing and unforeseen tragedy of today’s events. He wished now he’d just dragged her out that damned room and refused to answer her questions…it certainly would have been better than what happened…but the damage was done and knowing himself, Spike realized he’d probably have made the same stupid mistakes if he had the opportunity to do the whole thing all over again. He regretted so many things with her, from treating her so harshly in the beginning, to all the times he’d stupidly lost his temper, right through to every silly and hurtful word he’d ever said to her…and yet, he still didn’t see a way he could have handled it differently…he was after all…being himself.


Again, Spike wondered if he could smooth things over…explain things in some way that would convince her he was telling the truth. He pondered it for a moment, playing with the different ideas as they rolled around in his mind. He thought about trying to explain the accident again, but swiftly rejected the idea as stupid, instinctively knowing she would never believe him. The chances were she would be quicker to believe in Santa Claus then in him and he didn’t think it would do any good to apologize…but that didn’t stop him wanting too. In his heart, Spike didn’t blame her for throwing Angel in his face…not when he’d put her through so much and guiltily, he realized he was still responsible for the accident as it was his fault and his bad temper that had led to them being in the room. Yet, blaming himself wasn’t going to get them anywhere either…she wasn’t going to believe him…she wasn’t going to forgive him…but they still had to try and get through the rest of the day.


He couldn’t afford to let her stew in one of her record breaking sulks…she needed to snap out of this mood and pretty quick. She was too naïve. It was time she grew up some.


He thought about the look on Angel’s face when he lifted his head from the couch. His expression of shocked outrage and horror, even if he hadn’t intended it, it was well worth all the years of unfulfilled revenge. In making love to Buffy that one time, he’d paid that bastard back for all the times he’d fucked Drusilla. Spike shivered but couldn’t suppress the feeling of satisfaction. Buffy had been a wanton goddess, full of desire and lust and completely driven by her need…her need for him. She’d begged him to touch her and take her and she’d screamed his name as he ignited her orgasm, and Angel heard every dirty little detail, every moan and gasp and every plea that fell from her lips and he heard Buffy…the woman he loved, scream another mans name as she came, but not just any man…his name. How Angel must hate that. Yes, revenge was sweet…but it had come with a price…a heavy price.


Spike looked at Buffy across the table. There was a little more color in her face and she seemed a bit more focused. He thought about his idea to give up on her…but he knew he couldn’t do it, not after watching her take such huge steps towards him. He hoped in time she would find a way in her heart to finally believe him and still want to be with him. Only time would tell and in the mean time, he was willing to back off…give her, her own space and her own suite…even court her the old fashioned way if necessary, but giving her up was out of the question.


He cleared his throat and she looked up at him. “When tonight’s reception is over, I’ll be speakin’ to Masters, and when he’s granted me my reward…” She blushed and averted her eyes. “I’ll ask him to take Angel off my hands…havin’ him ‘ere is too much of a temptation and a distraction. I want him gone and the two of us settled and there’ll be no more of these stupid arguments between us.”


She looked up at him, her eyes lighting with an angry flame. “I don’t think I want that.”


“Want…what?”


“I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to stay here and be your mistress.” She scowled at him. “After what you did today, I’d rather you sent me to Masters.”


Spike stared at her. Was she serious? Then he remembered the cabin and the knife…maybe she was. “A bit late for that Buffy…you had your chance and you made your choice.” He watched her carefully, thinking she might try something stupid. He eyed the silver wear sitting on the table. “I told you; once I made you mine there would be no going back. Well you’re mine…better get used to it sweet’eart…you’re stayin’ right ‘ere.”


“Then I hope Masters doesn’t give you your reward, because I’d rather die than stay here with you,” she said coldly.


Spike sighed and shook his head. “You better pray he doesn’t refuse me because if he does and I ‘ave to send you to New York with Angel, you’ll find yourself warmin’ Marco Firelli’s bed, and possibly a dozen more like him before you’re warmin’ Masters’ bed.” He stood abruptly and began to angrily pace back and forth. He prayed she didn’t really mean that. He told himself, she was just upset…stressed from all the weeks of hard work…and understandably shocked by the events that had happened in the holding rooms.


Trying to keep his cool, he lowered his voice. “Look, tomorrow’s Sunday, we’ll pack and spend a week up at the cabin and when we get back, you can arrange to ‘ave your mum and sis over for that visit we talked about and maybe see your friends as well. Things ‘ave been stressful and you’re still adjustin’ to everything, but it’ll get better now. Angel will be gone and with the new clients secured, the pressure will be off and we can finally relax and jus’ get on with everyday life.”


Stubbornly she refused to look at him or attempt to respond to him.


Frustrated, he glared at her. “Bloody hell Buffy, this is fuckin’ ridicules…I told you it was going to be hard work, and it is, now stop being such a fuckin’ unreasonable child and snap out of it.”


“Is that what you think, that I’m an unreasonable child?” she asked quietly.


“Well aren’t you?” he snapped.


“You wanted me to watch them…told me I couldn’t face the truth…but I did…but you didn’t have to do what you did…and yet, knowing the effect it would have, you did it anyway…and poor Cordy’s still down there with him…and he was so horrible to her…so cruel and abusive…he might blame her,” she whispered tearfully.


Her distress for her friend calmed him and he sat back down. “Listen Buffy, I didn’t know what he was going to do to her, but I knew there was a good chance he would get rough, because that’s his way…he’s evil,” he sighed. “The things he used to do to Drusilla…the things he used to make her do. What he did to Cordy was nothin’ compared to some of the things he’s done to Dru. Why do you think Dru is the way she is? I’ll tell you why…it’s because he broke her and that’s yet another reason why I hate him, but it’s not the only reason.”


Anger sparked in Buffy and she scowled at him. “But you see that’s it Spike, that’s the thing you don’t get.” Her eyes were green fire. “I don’t care what he did in his past because it was his past and if you took the time to talk to him; to really talk to him you’d find out how very sorry he is about all those things, that’s why he decided to leave to start again as a new person. So unlike you, I can forgive him his mistakes because he was trying to put them right, to atone, but you, you I’ll never forgive because you don’t want forgiveness you just want your own way, which out of the two of us makes you more of an unreasonable child than me.”


Spike was stunned. How could she be so blind…didn’t she know Angel at all and after what Angel had told him she knew of him…after what she’d just seen, how could she sit there and talk about forgiving him…sit and preach to him about Angel’s desire to be a new person…to atone? She was delusional.


Spike shook his head. “If Angel goes back to Masters and tells him to his face he wants to leave to do things differently and to try and atone for the things he’s done wrong…maybe…jus’ maybe…I’d believe you. But he won’t…he’ll be back workin’ for Masters in no time…whorin’ and dirty dealin’ like it’s a new fashion faster than you blush at a dirty suggestion and it won’t be because Masters requires that of him, it’ll be because that’s what he enjoys doing.” Spike chuckled and smiled at her. “Because if Angel really wanted to put things right…wanted to atone or be forgiven, then he would ‘ave stayed, because it was ‘ere he did the wrong and caused the harm and it was ‘ere he needed to be to put it right.” He shook his head disdainfully. “No Buffy…you’re wrong. Angel left because he was a coward and ashamed of himself. When he met you and fell in love with you…you showed him all that was wrong and ugly with his life and when things went wrong he ran away…when he should’ve stayed, he ran away. That’s not the action of a repentant man…that’s the action of a coward…and the only reason you don’t care about his past is because you don’t know about it…because if you did…you would care.”


She shook her head in denial. “No, he wanted to change.”


“Then why on the night that he left, did he kill his book man?”


She frowned deeply at him. “I don’t believe you.”


“Don’t you?”


“No, he told me he wanted to start over…that he was done with Masters and that he wanted to be a better man.”


Spike chuckled at her naïveté. “Then why did he steal all those client files?” She blinked at him confused and he realized she didn’t know about that. “The night he left he killed his book man and took a stack of client files, now there’s only one thing he could’ve intended to do with them and that was use them. They were all clients that if he had managed to secure them would’ve been able to help him set up on his own and it was only because we had copies that Masters was able to get to them first that prevented that from happenin’ and you’re a fool for believin’ he wanted to change and be a better man, all he really wanted was to be his own man.”


Spike could see her certainty wavering. “How do you know he killed his book man?” she asked.


“Because right before I took you up to the cabin, I asked him what he did with his book man, ‘cause I sure as hell couldn’t find him and I asked him what the bloody hell he thought he was going to do with those files.” He fixed her with a steady gaze. He wanted her to see the truth. “Do you know what he told me?” She shook her head. “No of course you don’t. He laughed and told me his book man went shark swimmin’ and that the files were his way back in. Dru was the only one he seemed to really show any remorse over and I believe he really only took her because he wanted to help her, but the rest of it, he was still the same old Angel.” Spike laughed mirthlessly. “And do you know what the funny thing is?” Buffy shook her head, pained by what she was hearing. “Well it’s jus’ that when Dru came back all sick and I realized Angel’s intentions in taking her might have been a real desire to help her and not just some sick kick thing to get at me again, I actually thought it might be possible for just a moment that he really wanted to break away from Masters and a life of crime but when he told me about the files and his book man, I knew then he was still jus’ the same old Angel…an evil monster.”


“Then what does that make you?” she asked.


Buffy’s breath hitched as Spike swiftly loomed in. His jaw was clenched in anger and his eyes were full of hate and pain as he stared into her face. “It makes me whatever Angel made me into,” he hissed.


Buffy’s expression was one of confusion and fear. She had finally run out of things to say. Could Spike be right? Was Angel a coward? Had he simply run away from what he should have stayed to put right? Had he really killed that man and stolen those files, intending not to start over but merely to start again? She was confused. She hated that Spike sounded so reasonable and she hated that what he said sounded as if it should be true. But what did he mean when he said it was Angel that made him into what he was? Buffy was confused. Dazed, she blinked as the sound of the sitting room door slamming after Spike’s angry exit. The resounding echo snapped her from her dark thoughts. His anger lingered in the air, charged and crackling all around her. Buffy shivered and wrapped her arms around herself to ward off the tremors that tried to overtake her.


*****


After Spike left, she passed the rest of the afternoon thinking over what he had said. Was she being unreasonable? She wasn’t sure any more. Quietly, she tried to work through all the things that had happened since she met Spike and for once, she felt the enormity of those things shrink when she tried to examine Angel’s past transgressions, even though she didn’t know that many. What she did know terrified her. Restlessly, she walked the empty suite, wandering from room to room unaware she was pacing in such a distracted manner. Again, she felt she needed a more detailed explanation of Spike’s hatred of Angel. How had he broken Drusilla, and what other reasons did Spike have for hating him? Buffy felt sure now more than ever she needed answers…she needed to understand.


She thought about the events of earlier. Just recalling the illicit carnal acts between Angel and Cordy and she was bombarded with a host of unidentified sensations, and when she focused on what had occurred between herself and Spike, she nearly burned up with the onslaught of wild yearnings that assailed her senses. How and why, did he affect her so powerfully? She had loved Angel, really loved him and she thought the passion she felt with him had been perfect, but it paled in comparison with what she experienced with Spike. She just didn’t have an explanation for that.


Buffy wanted to push thoughts of Spike and Angel from her mind, but she couldn’t. These two men filled her life…both of them so alike that she didn’t doubt they would hate the comparisons. Both more monster than men…both powerful and compelling…and both lodged so deep within her being that she would never be free of them. Angel’s power had naturally diminished, only to be replaced by a more virulent and determined Spike. His single-mindedness was overpowering and she was drawn to him even as he repulsed her. He maddened and infuriated her…he was a Rubix cube…and no matter how she tried to twist and turn him, to work him out…to try and make sense of him, she knew she probably never would. He was closed to her and she didn’t posses the insight to figure him out.


Yet, it was never going to work, she couldn’t keep fighting him…lying to him and herself. She stubbornly refused to examine what she felt for him. Telling herself it was just her weak flesh that wanted him…and why wouldn’t she want him? He wanted her. She was only allowing herself to meet his desire with her own and surely, in all this hell she should allow herself some measure of comfort…and Spike’s body was very comforting.


From the balcony there was a great view of the Marquee and all the bustle that was still going on in preparation for the reception. All her weeks of hard work were about to come together and she admitted to herself that before Spike’s cruel trick that morning, she had actually looked forward to attending the party. Now she felt drained and the thoughts of dressing up and putting on a false smile while pretending to be happy at being by Spike’s side, left her feeling cold. Yet her heart was torn, she did want to be with Spike but not the angry, controlling Spike…but the more temperate and thoughtful Spike. Yes, he could be unbending at times…but he could also be sweet when he wanted to be…and it was true, he had a nasty temper…but she’d learned that usually there were ways to deflect and defuse him…silly ways that were probably the same tactics mothers the world over employed on their unruly offspring. He could be such a child…but he was also very much a man.


Wandering into the bedroom, Buffy opened the wardrobe and took out her dress. Cordy had helped her pick it out. Buffy felt tears of remorse sting her eyes. The thought of Cordy locked in with Angel was anguishing. Somehow she had to try and persuade Spike to let her out of there, but since he wasn’t going to be back until six, she knew it would have to wait until then. She certainly didn’t dare page him. She could tell he was still mad.


Unwrapping the dress from its protective case, Buffy gazed at it. It was lovely. Though Buffy had wanted to buy a simple black dress, Cordy had insisted she needed to make an impact. Especially if she wanted to stand out, she shouldn’t wear black…assuming half the women attending would be wearing the same color. So Buffy let Cordy talk her into the stunning blood red gown. The gown was sleeveless and fell gracefully to the floor hugging her slim figure. The red fabric was overlaid with a beautiful sheer net incrusted with a million tiny diamond-like crystals that shimmered and sparkled with the merest movement. The color was fabulous on her and the gowns’ cut was both simple and daring. From the front it looked modest and even demure with its high halter neck hugging her throat but from the back, it was sinfully daring with a plunging back line resting just above her ass.


Sighing, Buffy laid the gown on the bed and went to run a bubble bath. A headache was beginning to thump behind her eyes and she needed to relax and try to get herself into a better frame of mind. It was going to be a long night. As the bubbles began to build, Buffy resigned herself to turning off all the crazy questions and thoughts that were running wild in her head. It was no use trying to resolve anything without Spike’s presence to provide some of the answers.


Buffy settled herself into the hot bubbles and closed her eyes, praying for the strength to get through the reception without a breakdown.


*****


Spike was back in the observation room watching Angel. He’d left Buffy an hour ago feeling incredibly frustrated with her stubborn refusal to see things for what they were. Cordy was sleeping on the bed. She looked as if she might have cried herself to sleep. Angel was sitting at the small dinning table gazing at her. His expression was calm and contemplative. Spike reached for the dial and turned on the sound.


“It was no more than you deserved,” he stated.


Angel’s head swiveled towards the mirror. “But she didn’t,” he replied.


Spike was silent for a moment. There was no point in telling Angel it was an accident, or that he’d never intended Buffy to see him with Cordy and certainly never intended to hurt her. “I’m speakin’ to Masters tonight. I’m going to ask him to take you back.”


Angel chuckled quietly. “Had enough already Spike?”


“Only of babysittin’ your worthless ass,” he snapped.


“What if he says no?” Angel looked thoughtful.


“Then he says no and you get to stay right where you are and I get to play with you for a while longer,” Spike said, pleasantly.


Cordy stirred on the bed, distracting both men. Restlessly, she shifted on the bed and the sheet that was covering her slipped, exposing one shapely leg. She mumbled something and gave a little hiccup that echoed her tears before settling back down. Spike noticed Angel looking at her leg.


“She’s a nice girl,” Spike said.


“But she’s not Buffy.”


“No, but she’s still a nice girl. Is she alright, you didn’t–”


Angel cut him off. “No, she’s fine…I think,” he snorted. “Though she hates both of us.”


“Yeah I’m sure she does.” Spike looked at the dark haired girl and felt a pang of regret. “Do you still want her to go?”


Angel gazed at her, his eyes traveling the length of her body. She was really beautiful and when asleep, her worldly guarded expression melted away. “That’s up to her.” He looked back into the mirror. “Is Buffy alright?”


“Yeah, though she hates us both too,” Spike informed him.


“Now there’s a surprise,” he said sardonically. “She’ll never love you…you know that…right?”


Spike did know. “Yeah.”


“But you want her to…don’t you Spike?”


“Yeah,” he replied, quietly. “Jus’ like you.”


“How is it we always want the same women?” Angel pondered.


“Don’t know mate,” he replied, simply.


They both fell silent. Angel thinking about Buffy and how much harm he had caused her…was still causing her.


Angel broke the silence. “When you call Masters, tell him I’m ready to go back.”


Spike gazed at Angel through the glass. He wasn’t surprised to hear Angel inform him he wanted to go back. It was after all why he’d come to see him…to give Angel the opportunity to tell him he’d had enough…and after what had happened that morning, Spike knew Angel would want to get as far away from Buffy as possible. New York was pretty far.


“Right, I’ll do that.”


Angel heard the electronic click indicating the sound system had been turned off. He knew Spike had left. He went back to gazing at the girl on the bed. He’d been really rotten to her and she’d done nothing to deserve it. She surprised him when she opened her eyes and looked straight at him. He wondered how much she’d heard.


“Is he gone?” she asked.


Angel nodded. “He said you can go,” he told her.


She looked at him steadily. “No he didn’t. He asked you if you wanted me to go,” she calmly informed him.


Angel laughed at that and reminded himself, he should have remembered she wasn’t some dumb bimbo.


She sat up, pulling the sheets over her breasts as she did. “Do you want me to leave?” she asked.


He gazed at her. “Are you saying you’d be willing to stay if I said no?”


She shrugged her shoulders fractionally, “Maybe.”


Angel slowly rose from his seat at the table and sat next to her on the bed. His eyes swept her sheet wrapped body. “Maybe?”


Her eyes scanned his face. All traces of his anger had melted away and his chocolate brown eyes were warm as he gazed back at her. “Yeah maybe,” she whispered.


“Maybe we could start again.” He smiled at her softly and brushed her hair off her shoulder with a gentle hand. “Maybe we could forget about earlier.”


“Or maybe we could just move on,” she said.


Angel sighed and smiled at her. He glanced over his shoulder at the mirror and then back at her. “As far as I know there’s no camera in the bathroom.”


“Really.”


“Yeah, though it would be just like that bastard to install one.”


“Still, there might not be.”


“But even if there is…does it really matter?”


“Not to me.”


Angel laughed as he took her hand. “Let’s go…um…freshen up…shall we.”


Cordy smiled and slid her shapely legs over the side of the bed. Keeping the sheet wrapped about her, she let Angel lead her into the bathroom.


“So you’re going back to New York?”


Angel looked at her and sighed. “Yeah, it looks that way.”


“I’ve never been to New York…maybe I’ll take a vacation…do some shopping…catch a show…maybe even stay at the Plaza,” she said, looking at him.


“That might be nice…I’m sure you’d like New York,” he replied, a half smile on his lips.


“You never know we might run into each other…”


Angel closed the bathroom door. “Cordy, if you’re in town you can count on it.”


*****


Back upstairs, Spike went in search of Luke. He found him going over house and ground security with Gilbey. The two men looked up when he walked in to the office.


Luke immediately recognized his boss’s anxious body language and wondered how much of his anxiety had to do with the reception, and how much of it had to do with the rumored incident that supposedly took place in the holding rooms that morning.


Spike’s relationship with Buffy was his own business, and normally Luke would have put Spike’s lack of control down to the excessive pressure, but if Spike had lost his temper and hurt her then at this crucial time, it could have a devastating effect on the outcome of tonight’s meeting and they just couldn’t afford any unpredictable occurrences.


Luke looked at Gilbey and nodded at him. “Thanks Gil…I’ll catch up with you later.”


Spike fixed the scarred man with a hard look. “Did you get the gate and parkin’ staff covered with armed men?”


“Yes boss…the men at the gates will be security men and there’ll be some of our guys wearing parking attendant’s uniforms mingling in with the parking guys and they’ll all be carrying concealed weapons.”


“Good…okay that’ll do for now.” Spike dismissed him from his mind before he even sat down.


Gilbey left the office with a cold sneer on his face. Luke caught a glimpse of the scarred mans expression as he was leaving.


“He’s still pissed at you,” Luke informed his boss when the door was safely closed behind the other man.


Spike scowled and snorted, “Like I give a fuck.”


“Still, it’s worth noting.”


Spike shrugged. “Yeah, well it won’t be for long. I’ll attend to him later tonight.”


Luke guessed his boss would want to deal with Gilbey as quickly as possible after the reception. He nodded. “How’s Ms. Summers?”


Immediately on the defensive, Spike fixed him with an angry glare. “Fine,” he said curtly.


“It’s just Dixon seems to think she might be upset. Of course, I’m sure if you say she’s fine then she’s fine. After all, Dixon isn’t the best judge of women,” Luke spoke indifferently.


“OH BLOODY HELL! When isn’t she upset?” Spike wanted to know.


Luke quickly answered, “When you’re nice to her.”


Spike stared at him, amazed.


“Or didn’t you notice?” Luke saw the anger build behind Spike’s eyes, but he pushed on regardless. “I’ve known you a long time and if someone was to ask me to describe you in one word it would be impulsive, and I mean that in both the positive and the negative. Ms. Summers I haven’t known as long, but I’d still venture to describe her as courageous. She’s dealt with some heavy shit this last couple of months and I think she’s done her very best to cope with it…but you’re rushing her. She’ll break if you don’t ease up.” Luke knew he was taking a huge risk talking to Spike like this, but someone had to say it and Spike had made him his first in command for a reason. “I know your reasons for bringing her here were to punish Angel, and that’s worked out pretty good for you, but somewhere down the line, you’ve started punishing her as if she were Angel. You can’t love her and hate her. You’re gonna have to decide what you want because if you’re gonna love her then good…keep her…and be happy for once, but if you think you’re gonna hate her because of her association with Angel, then send her to Masters when he wants him back.”


Spike struggled with his rising anger. Gripping the arms of his chair, he tried to control his heavy breathing while glaring at Luke. Through gritted teeth he hissed. “Masters will fuckin’ kill her, or worse destroy her.”


Luke nodded in agreement. “Yes he will, and so will you, but you’ll take longer and by the time you’re finished, you’ll have destroyed yourself as well.”


Spike stood up abruptly and Luke wondered if he was about to reach for his gun or maybe just launch himself over the desk and attack him. He held still, waiting to see what his boss would do.


“What makes you think you ‘ave the right to speak to me ‘bout Buffy?” He said quietly.


“You did…you asked me my opinion, and I asked you if you wanted an honest answer and you said, that if you hadn’t wanted an honest opinion then you wouldn’t have asked.” Luke answered reasonably.


“WHAT? Th-that was fuckin’ weeks ago,” Spike choked.


Luke shrugged. “So are you telling me you don’t want my opinions now?” Spike just glared at him. “You know I’ll always voice my concerns with you, especially when they directly affect the running of your interests in the family. Well I think it safe to say that Ms. Summers falls under that description, because since she arrived, she’s been affecting you and that affects us all.”


Even in his anger, Spike knew Luke was right.


Luke changed the subject, effectively allowing Spike to calm down some.


“Cooper said he wanted to see you. He’s in his office with Wesley. I told him I’d let you know. I think he has a problem with a last minute cancellation. He seems to think Ms. Summers would be available to deal with it, but I told him he would be better off speaking to you first.”


Spike nodded and without speaking, he angrily left the office, slamming the door in his wake. Luke stared at the door and thought to himself. That didn’t go too badly…I’m still alive, after all. He locked his paperwork away and followed Spike out. His boss was nowhere to be seen and Luke figured he’d gone straight to Cooper’s office. Luke crossed the hallway and headed for the elevator.


*****


When Buffy heard the knock at the door, she thought it was Jonathan with her order. As she approached the door, she could hear Pete, who was standing guard, talking to him but when she opened the door, it was Luke and not Jonathan. Buffy blinked at him for a moment, wondering what he was doing there.


He must be looking for Spike. “Spike’s not here,” she informed him.


“I know. He’s with Cooper. May I come in?” he asked, politely.


Baffled, Buffy hesitated. “Umm…yeah, sure.” She stood back from the door to allow him in.


Luke strode in, heading straight for the couch. He stopped just in front of it. “May I?” he asked, pointing at the couch.


Buffy nodded and slowly followed him over. She was a bit apprehensive of him and wondered what was going on. Did Spike send him up here to sit with me? She sat down opposite him and waited for him to say something.


“Are you all ready for tonight?” he asked.


She nodded.


“Good…there are a lot of people looking forward to meeting you,” he told her.


“Huh…what people?”


“Well pretty much everyone really. Word gets around and they all know about Angel leaving…and they all know about Spike taking over, but they don’t know that much about you. They’re curious.” She frowned at him.


Oh great! More freaks all coming to gape at Spike’s hostage. She sighed. “There’s not much to know.”


“You mean besides the fact that you’re the woman Angel fell in love with and defected for, or that you’re the woman Spike has been falling all over himself to try and secure to his side, or that you’re the woman, who despite the fact you single-handed caused Masters to come to a near grinding halt because of Angel, and yet is still walking and talking among the living and not rotting in an early grave?” he asked, pleasantly.


Buffy swallowed. “Well if you put it like that.”


“I do and so do a lot of other people. I was there the night Angel’s letter arrived…you have no idea how that affected Masters…I do. Tonight is make or break for all of us and you can help make everything go Spike’s way, or if you’re so inclined, you could ruin it all.” He stared at her seriously. He thought she looked pale and a bit nervous. Though he knew she was probably a bag of nerves, she just hid it bravely. “I don’t know what triggered whatever went on this morning and I don’t want to, but Dixon told me the boss was a right bastard to you. He seems to think it had something to do with the boss wanting to get back at Angel.” He paused and sighed when she suddenly blushed. Her eyes darting away from him, embarrassed. “But whatever it was about, it’s over…put it behind you as best as you can and don’t let it affect tonight.”


She glared at him. “Did Spike send you up here to try and talk me into being cooperative? Is he worried I’ll make a scene or maybe tell his respectable clients what an evil monster he is?” She snapped, breathing hard.


“No, he doesn’t even know I’m here,” he said.


That surprised her.


Luke kept his eyes fixed on her. “I know Spike is always telling you, your friends and family’s safety depends on you, but if Spike fails tonight and Masters demands he sends you to New York, Masters won’t hold their safety as important or even necessary. Your mom, sister and those other friends of yours might escape his attention because they know nothing of him, but Faith, Cordelia and Harmony he’ll just sweep away.”


That shocked her.


“Now I know they care about you and I know you care about them, so try and remember if we go down, you go down and they go with you.” He could see she was digesting everything. She was biting her lip and gazing, unfocused at her hands. “Ms. Summers…Buffy,” she looked at him. “I’ve worked for Spike for a long time now and he’s usually pretty good at taking my advice…when I give it. This is my way of telling you I’m as happy to give you my advice as I am to give it to him.” She looked completely surprised by that.


He knew then she believed they were all against her, but he wasn’t a fool, he could see what an asset she was, not just to Spike but to everything Spike was hoping to achieve in LA and she needed to know she wasn’t considered an outsider.


“Spike can be a real bastard. He has a foul temper and he’s impulsive, stubborn, controlling, possessive, jealous, insecure and probably a host of other things on top of that,” he laughed humorlessly. “But he’s also generous, caring to those he loves, and fair with the people who work for him, fiercely loyal and though he tries to hide it, he has an extreme soft spot for women.” He saw her arch a doubtful brow. “Yes he does, and I remember how hard he argued for your life with Masters before he even met you. Now that should tell you something and I’m willing to bet my life on his remorse every time he messes up and hurts you but since Drusilla and Angel, he’s prideful and I think he sees it as a weakness to feel guilty for treating you badly because Angel loves you, and he hates Angel.”


Tears bloomed in her eyes and she hastily blinked them away. She wouldn’t cry…she wouldn’t. She could tell Luke wasn’t finished so she waited while he gathered his thoughts.


Echoing some of Spike’s words from earlier, he finally said. “Things will get better. This time tomorrow the reception will be over and the pressure will be off. Spike isn’t perfect, but the rest of us can help you handle him. Didn’t we back you up when we thought you were right and Spike was wrong?” She nodded hesitantly. “Admittedly, no one can help you in your private life, but I think you already know where you’re going wrong there, so fixing it is up to you, but the rest of it, you’ll have help with and that’s a promise.”


Buffy instinctively knew he was finished, but she didn’t know what to say in reply. Uncertainty swamped her. She needed to think and he was just sitting there gazing at her, expectantly. She hated that her life left her feeling so spun out and inadequate. She knew she wasn’t up to handling this life, but she thought she was doing better, but every time things seemed to settle into a slight lull. Spike would knock her on her metaphorical ass. Yet Luke was telling her she wasn’t alone…that she didn’t have to deal with all the complex layers that were Spike on her own. She then realized she was grateful for Luke’s support.


She smiled at him weakly. “Thank you, I appreciate the support, and don’t worry about tonight I won’t let my personal problems with Spike interfere with my…erm…job or what needs to be done.”


Luke nodded, satisfied. “I didn’t think you would. In fact, I’ve come to expect no less from you Ms. Summers, and for what it’s worth, I think you’ll do fine…better than fine.” He stood up. “Well I’m sure you’ve got lots to do before tonight, so I’ll leave you to it.”


Buffy nodded and watched him silently leave. She wasn’t surprised he didn’t even turn to look at her before he closed the door behind him.


She flopped back on the couch, dazed and bewildered, but a small seed of solidarity was now sown and she felt lighter.


************************************************************TBC...soon.
 

Chapter Fifty Nine.

Lady in Red.


Spike hadn’t seen Buffy since lunchtime and he’d avoided going back to their suite, unsure of how to handle things with her. He’d instructed Jonathan to collect his tuxedo and leave it in Buffy’s old room so he could change and shower in there, giving her a bit more time alone before they had to face the hordes of people that were about to descend on them.


He was still mad at Luke…and Cooper hadn’t been much better. He’d practically demanded to know what he’d done to Buffy as soon as he walked through his office door. Wesley was a bit better. He’d stood back quietly as Cooper grilled him over his treatment of Buffy, echoing Luke’s sentiments and adding a few of his own, but Spike could tell Wesley was only holding back verbally. His eyes were full of his disgust.


Spike laughed to himself. Ironically, he’d wanted his men to accept Buffy and it was pretty obvious that they did. So much so, that they would be willing to risk his anger and defend her against him. Something none of them had ever done for Drusilla. His men made it clear to him, if he didn’t want an all out rebellion on his hands, he better be gentler in his treatment towards her, but of course the real crux of it all was that this time he’d not intended to hurt her. Though none of his men knew that and he just didn’t have the energy to try and defend himself against their accusations and suspicions. Still, it was almost a relief to know his men were prepared to defend her…even against him, they all knew how stupid he could be at times. Yet, that still left him to try and smooth over things with Buffy.


He entered his suite. There was no sign of Buffy. She must be still getting ready, he thought. He headed towards the other bedroom.


He didn’t take long in the shower. He wanted to get ready as quickly as possible so he could have a few minutes alone to talk and hopefully smooth things over with her.


As he was dressing, he thought over what he wanted to say to her. The idea of simply apologizing was still out of the window. He knew she would never accept his words of regret or another attempt to explain the accident, but after the events of the last couple of days Spike knew it was time to open up a bit more with her and after what had been said at the lunch table she was bound to have questions. So that left him with the need to explain a few things…or at least, promise her an explanation, since there wasn’t time to go into anything detailed right before the party.


He finished dressing and didn’t waste anytime lingering in the room. He had to face her sooner or later and time was definitely running out. He glanced at his watch, six o’clock. He’d told Buffy to be ready by six, so she should be expecting him now. Taking a couple of steadying breaths, he knocked on her door and walked in…and froze.


Buffy was standing in front of the mirror, checking her gown. Spike could only stare at her. She was beyond beautiful. All coherent thought fled his brain as he took in the vision before him. He felt like weeping. Swallowing, he closed the door and approached her.


He struggled to find his voice. “You look…beautiful luv.” His voice sounded tight and he wasn’t surprised…he was hard…and for once he didn’t want her to see the effect she had on him.


She gave him a small smile. “Thank you,” she said quietly.


Gaining more of his equilibrium, he closed the distance between them. “The dress is fabulous. I’m going to be the envy of every man breathin’ tonight.”


She looked down at her gown and smoothed a gentle hand over the jeweled fabric. “I’m glad you like it. Cordy helped me pick it out.”


His eyes met hers and he saw her thoughts reflected there. “I told Dixon she could go whenever she wanted to,” he told her.


She smiled and nodded. “Thank you.”


Spike suddenly wished he had time right then to explain a few things to her, but he knew he couldn’t, not with her standing there looking like a beauty queen and not with three hundred guests about to arrive.


“We’ll talk later,” he said simply.


Buffy didn’t need him to tell her what they would be talking about so she merely smiled and nodded again.


Spike sighed, relieved that she seemed prepared to make an effort to put their differences aside until later. “Well luv, give me a spin and let me get a good look at your frock.”


Buffy did a slow turn, letting him view her dress. When her back was turned to him and he got his first look at the daring cut of the gown, she heard him give a strangled gasp.


“Bloody hell!” He swore softly.


She looked at him over her shoulder and blushed when she saw the expression of burning desire on his face. Quickly, she turned back to face him.


“Fuck, Buffy you look sensational. Are you wearing any…any…?” She blushed and he knew she wasn’t. FUCK! How am I going to get through the night knowing she’s not wearing any underwear? The thought of her naked underneath that dress made him sweat.


He gazed at her blushing face; her softly arranged up-swept hair and bright eyes. The dress was beautiful, but only because it was on her. Reaching into his jacket, he pulled out a small velvet case and opened it, showing her the contents as he drew nearer.


Buffy gasped. Nestled inside the black case was a beautiful necklace and earring set. It was as if Spike knew exactly what would go perfectly with her dress. He carefully lifted the necklace out, holding it up for Buffy to admire. He told her the long length of fine silver chain was in fact platinum and the single sliding jewel was a flawless 2caret diamond. He slid the diamond down the length of the chain and gently placed it over her head and slid it around her neck until it was draped down her back. Buffy watched him in the mirror as he slid the diamond back up the chain until it nestled between her shoulder blades. When he finished, Spike stood back to admire the combination of the jewelry, gown and woman. Their eyes met in the mirror.


Buffy felt her breath catch in her throat as he gazed at her; his eyes were dark and stormy with his suppressed desire. The message in the dark blue depths went straight to her heart. Buffy shivered, breaking the spell that enveloped them. Averting her eyes, she looked at the necklace draped down her back. The platinum chain was so highly polished it looked like liquid and the diamond sparkled fiercely in the light of the room.


Spike handed her the earrings. “Here luv…you better put these on yourself…they’re so delicate…I think they need a ladies hand to handle them.”


Buffy removed the small silver hoops she had chosen earlier to go with her dress and replaced them with the simple, yet beautiful single caret diamond studs that matched the necklace.


She looked at herself in the mirror. “Thank you…they’re beautiful…I’ll be very careful with them.”


He smiled at her. “I’m glad you like them. You do realize that’s the first real gift you’ve accepted from me without protest.”


Buffy gasped again as she gaped at the beautiful and no doubt extremely expensive jewelry. “You bought them for me? I thought you’d hired them or something.”


Spike chuckled. “What? I’d never expect you to wear rented jewels luv…you’re worth a lot more than that.”


“B-but they must have cost a fortune?” She gasped.


He shrugged. “Depends on what you consider to be a fortune. I was more interested in buyin’ somethin’ that would suit you, rather than thinkin’ ‘bout the cost.” He smiled at her expression as it registered with her that the jewels were hers. “I ‘ave to be honest and tell you I’ve had them for a few weeks…well actually I bought them on the day I took you up to the cabin. I’d intended to give them to you after…er…er…but the moment didn’t happen and I didn’t think you’d ever accept them after we came back, so I put them away hopin’ that…” he fizzled off when he noticed her expression of suspicion.


Buffy remembered seeing Spike drive up to the mansion as she arrived back with Cooper from her morning with the girls. She realized he must have bought the silk nightgown at the same time as the jewels and he gave that to her on the night they slept together for the first time. Would he have given her the jewelry if she hadn’t burst into tears and argued with him? Or maybe he would have given them to her the following morning, but they’d argued again. Either way, Buffy realized he’d bought them because of the sex that occurred between them.


She looked at him hurt. “Did you intend them as a payment for sleeping with you?”


“WHAT? No,” He should have known she would misunderstand his intentions. “I bought them as a gift. Why do you always do this Buffy? We’ve been through this before.” He sat on the end of the bed and looked up at her sincerely. “If I were payin’ you in any way for sex I’d be payin’ every single time we did it and I’d be payin’ in cash. The jewelry is a gift and a symbol of my…my…er…affection. I bought them because they’re beautiful and you’re beautiful and I hoped you’d wear them again and again.”


Buffy could see he was getting quite worked up.


“I wanted to give them to you the first time I made love to you because I wanted you to know that it meant more to me than jus’ sex and I wanted to mark the occasion with a symbolic and lasting gesture, which is why I chose flawless diamonds,” he explained.


Buffy gazed at him…there had been guilt on his face when she’d seen him with Cordy in the holding rooms and she was sure there’d been guilt on his face when she discovered Angel and Cordy had heard them having sex, but this time she could see no trace of guilt…he merely looked oddly hurt. She smiled at him trying to convey her contrition. This wasn’t worth yet another disagreement. “I’m sorry…I guess I do kinda jump to the wrong conclusions some times, but you have to admit that it’s not always without cause. Still, I believe you and I think they’re very beautiful, so thank you again.” She leaned down and kissed him lightly on the cheek. “And I’m sure I’ll wear them lots of times.”


Spike heaved a sigh of relief and stood up. He grasped her hands lightly and brought them to his lips and kissed them softly.


He smiled down at her. “Ready to go greet three hundred strangers pet?” he asked her softly.


A look of terror shivered across her face. “No.”


Spike chuckled. “Me neither pet,” he admitted. “C’mon let’s go play at being King and Queen,” he joked.


“Nah, let’s be Bond and Money-Penny,” she joked back.


Spike laughed as they made their way to the sitting room door. “Or we could be Bonny and Clyde.”


“NO WAY! They were both totally bad, and while I’ll admit you’re a totally bad man, I on the other hand am most certainly not.” He laughed at her outraged tone. “So it’ll have to be Bond and Money-Penny. Besides, you’re British and he’s British and he always wears a tux and you’re wearing a tux, so Bond it is.”


“I’d bow to your sound reasonin’ but for one flaw my sweet,” She arched a brow at him. “And that is, Bond was a good guy, I’m not.”


“Only from a British point of view. The rest of the world viewed him as a threat to their secrets and a deadly menace to women, of all ages and nationalities. In fact, he was an all round too slick for his own good deadly weapon, if you’re not British. And I’m not British.”


Spike laughed heartily. “Put like that, I can see why the rest of the world would view him as the enemy.” He kissed her lightly on the lips as the elevator doors closed on them. “Okay, tonight I’ll be Bond the bad guy, the deadly weapon, but only if you’ll be my foreign love interest?”


“No can do. I’m Miss. Money-Penny remember, the good girl,” she teased.


“No, no, no that won’t work ‘cause Bond never gets to shag Money-Penny and this Bond is definitely getting’ his leg over at some point tonight.” He moved in close and nibbled on her neck, chuckling. His hand slid down her back and he wormed a finger under the edge of the gown right over her ass, rubbing the valley between her bum suggestively.


“SPIKE!” she gasped.



“That’s Bond to you…James Bond.”


She giggled and wriggled out of his grasp as the doors slid open. They were both laughing as they stepped into the hallway, just in time to hear security announce the arrival of the first guests. Spike took Buffy’s hand and smiling he led her outside to the meet and greet area.


They didn’t notice the four pairs of eyes belonging to Luke, Cooper, Wesley and Gilbey that were trained on them, as they crossed the hall and descended the steps outside. Three of the men were as stunned by Buffy’s overwhelming beauty as Spike was. Only Gilbey’s gaze wasn’t of appreciation or awe.


The men followed Spike and Buffy outside, taking up their appointed posts, Luke flanking Spike, and Cooper flanking Buffy. Gilbey and Wesley drifted further away, but still kept the others in their line of sight.


They could all see a stream of cars moving up the driveway. Spike shifted his shoulders, trying to loosen the small knot of tension that had settled between his shoulder blades. He glanced at Buffy. She looked a bit frightened. He squeezed her hand and she gave him a weak smile.


****


Dinner was served and all of Spike’s guests were pampered with a lavish meal. Buffy sat between Mr. Taylor and his grandson David. The elder Mr. Taylor insisted she call him Tom and Buffy smiled indulgently at him and worked hard to include Spike and the other people at their table in their conversation, even as Tom tried to monopolize her.


When the after dinner dancing started, the charming old man lamented his old age and offered his grandson as a dance partner in his place. Buffy blushed at the younger Mr. Taylor’s eager look and politely declined. Looking directly at Spike, she told both men the first and last dance belonged to Mr. Winters.


Spike rose smoothly from his seat, a small smile ghosting his mouth as he gazed at her and led her to the softly lit silver dance floor for the first dance.


Buffy expected him to give her an indication on how he thought the night was going, but he surprised her by gently holding her in his arms and silently dancing with her.


The moment seemed too fragile, so she remained silent and allowed Spike to expertly guide her around the floor.


The guests, seeing their host take to the floor, waited respectfully until they completed a full turn before joining them. Buffy felt suddenly overawed. She could feel everyone’s eyes on them. Spike smiled at her expression of shyness. She blushed under his strange scrutiny and he laughed, unconcerned with all the watchful eyes as he leaned down to whisper in her ear.


“It’s no use Buffy…I’ve been tryin’ all night to think of you as the goody-two-shoes Miss. Money-Penny, but in that dress, I fail miserably. All I can think ‘bout as I look at you is sex ‘n’ sin.” His hand slid slowly down her back. She blushed at his nerve and glanced at the people dancing close to them. Spike chuckled. “Don’t worry luv…I’ll behave.” His hand glided back up.


She smiled at him gratefully. “Now I know I ‘ave to let you dance with some of these blokes, but that don’t mean I like it, but I’ll try to control my natural tendencies to simply rip their heads off in the spirit of good relations, but don’t be surprised if I get all territorial and cut in.”


It occurred to Buffy this was probably what Luke meant when he said Spike was insecure. She smiled at him reassuringly. “Now I can’t vouch for my dance partner’s good behavior, not even yours, but I can tell you it won’t matter with whom I’m dancing, because there’s no one here who could hope to have the affect on me that you do.”


Spike thought that little statement could be taken in more ways than one, but which did she mean? She was smiling at him and he couldn’t discern any sentiment other than sincerity.


The dance was coming to an end and she was still smiling at him, but shyly now. He arched a brow and smirked at her. Buffy’s eyes widened as she recognized the mischievous look on his face. The music stopped and the guests politely applauded the orchestra. Spike took advantage of the moment and swiftly claimed Buffy’s lips in a passionate kiss in full view of everyone. She struggled for a second and then melted against him as his mouth swept her away. All awareness fled and her arms unconsciously crept up around his shoulders as she surrendered herself to his skilful mouth. Her heart began to beat wildly and somehow Buffy felt the heady effect of his kiss reach her as never before. When he finally released her, she was breathless and flushed. She blinked up at him, embarrassed as he smirked at her, satisfied.


“Oh! Yeah, sex ‘n’ sin,” he whispered, smirking.


Her blush deepened and he laughed as she ducked her head. Placing a gentle hand on her back, he guided her back to her seat, looking completely satisfied and smug.


Buffy smiled graciously at the people at their table as she took her seat, but Tom’s grandson hardly gave her a chance to settle in her chair before he begged for a dance. She glanced at Spike and he smirked at her knowingly and gave her a small nod. Blushing all over again, she allowed David to escort her to the dance floor.


David shamelessly flirted with her, trying to persuade her to see him for lunch or better still…dinner. When he was unsuccessful, he tried to coax her into giving him a private tour of the house. She politely but firmly evaded all his attempts and was relieved when the dance ended and someone else claimed her for a dance.


Nearly an hour had passed as she danced with different men. Occasionally, she caught sight of Spike as he danced by with a beautiful woman in his arms. She was surprised to suffer a pang of something she thought might be envy, when she saw him smiling and laughing with a particularly stunning red-head in a spring green dress, but just then he lifted his eyes and looked at her. He smiled and winked at her just before she lost sight of him in the crowd. Buffy wondered at why she should care if he danced with a thousand different women. She told herself it didn’t matter. Spike was only playing host to his guests and she would probably have to become used to seeing him dance with other women. Though she found no comfort in the thought and it disturbed her to think she could feel anything remotely akin to jealously where he was concerned. She pushed the unsettling thought away and ruthlessly concentrated on her own dance partner.


Her dance partner’s were all, with the exception of David Taylor, courteous and charming. Buffy was having a good time and she found it very easy to engage the different men in conversation and it was natural for her to discuss Spike with them, but she was careful to keep the conversations on neutral ground and avoid all talk about anything that might be considered business.


Some time later, she found herself in the arms of a tall dark haired man who introduced himself as Everitt Coulson from New York. He was slim and good looking in a sharp cut way and very self-assured and Buffy immediately got an uneasy feeling about him as he swept her through the dance.


“I’m sorry Mr. Coulson, but I don’t remember being introduced to you earlier,” Buffy admitted.


“Please call me Ritt, and you don’t remember me because we weren’t introduced Ms. Summers,” he informed her.


She looked a bit baffled. “Oh, did you arrive late?” The night was a sea of faces, but Buffy had personally gone over the guest list a thousand times and she was struggling to recall ever seeing his name on the list.


“No Ms. Summers, I arrived exactly on time. Mr. Masters sent me...to protect his interests and collect a package for him,” he said coolly.


Buffy gasped and stared at him frightened.


“He also asked me to make sure you keep an appointment with a friend of his tomorrow evening. He told me to get a good look at you while I’m here and maybe if he decides he wants a look at you himself, we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other.” His eyes slid slowly down her body and back up to her pale, frightened face. He pulled her in closer to his body, the light in his eyes full of dark lust. “Spike’s been a lucky guy, finding a…if you don’t mind my saying so, a beautiful and desirable replacement for Drusilla so quickly, but then he didn’t have to look too far…did he, only as far as Angel’s last conquest…very convenient. Yet looking at you, I can see why he couldn’t pass you up.”


Buffy felt dizzy, fear gripped her.


Suddenly, she was surrounded. Spike abruptly pulled her out of Ritt’s embrace. Luke, Cooper and Wesley all loomed in close, bristling with pure malice and suppressed violence.


Spike brushed a gentle hand down her arm, snapping her out of her fright. “Okay, pet?” He spoke softly to her while keeping his eyes locked on Ritt.


She nodded. “Yes, fine.”


His eyes flickered to her. She saw his concern and fear in that minute glance. Then he fixed angry eyes back on Ritt.


“Explain yourself.” Spike said calmly.


Buffy looked up at him. This wasn’t right. He was too calm, which meant something was very wrong.


“Masters sent me,” Ritt said, completely unfazed by the men menacing him.


“What the bloody hell for?” Spike hissed through gritted teeth.


Ritt’s eyes flickered to Buffy and back to Spike. Spike’s arms tightened around her fractionally and the others moved in just a bit closer. Buffy could practically taste the violence waiting to be unleashed.


“Luke.”


“Yes, boss.”


“Show Ritt up to the house…my study, and keep him company.”


“Yes, boss.” Luke moved to stand next to Ritt. “Don’t want no trouble Ritt…all these nice people don’t need to see anything ugly and you know Masters won’t be happy if you don’t make nice.”


Ritt fixed cold dead eyes on Luke and nodded once sharply. Luke didn’t let his guard down. Buffy thought he looked ready for anything.


Ritt looked at Spike before smiling at Buffy. “Thank you for the dance Ms. Summers, I hope we get a chance to…dance…again.”


Spike growled.


Keeping a careful distance, Luke showed Ritt the way up to the house.


As soon as he was out of ear shot, Spike quietly exploded, barking out questions and orders in rapid fire. “How the fuck did he get in? Find Gilbey…I want answers and keep it quiet…if anyone asks…tell them he’s an uninvited member of the press,” Cooper pulled a phone out of his pocket. “And get Luke some back up…find Marti. Wesley, are you armed? Good. Stay with Buffy…don’t leave her side…and don’t let anyone near her.” He fixed the English man with a deadly look. “If anythin’ happens to her, I will kill you…with my bare hands.”


“Then I expect to live a very long life, because I’ll kill anyone that tries to hurt her,” he replied calmly.


Satisfied, Spike turned Buffy in his arms. “I don’t ‘ave time to explain now, but promise me you’ll stay with Wesley,” he implored.


“I promise,” she whispered.


“Don’t leave his side for an instant,” he stressed.


“I won’t…I promise,” she told him.


He nodded and turned away. “Cooper, with me?”


“Yes, boss.”


Buffy sprang forward and grabbed his arm. “Spike, wait.”


He looked at her torn. “What Buffy?” He was a bit gruff and she flinched. Immediately remorseful, he stepped close to her and gently smiled at her. “What kitten?” The expression on his face was full of softness as he gazed at her.


She blushed at his use of the pet name he usually reserved for when they were having sex.


She looked at him, suddenly frightened for him. “I…Be…be careful, don’t get…hurt,” she stammered.


Spike laughed nervously, he hadn’t expected that. He kissed her hard. “I won’t baby. Don’t worry everything’s going to be fine…there’s nothin’ to get upset ‘bout. Now stay with Wesley and I’ll be back in a bit…I promise.” He kissed her again and was gone in a rush.


Wesley took her arm and moved in front of her, so she couldn’t look for Spike. “What do you say we act as normal as possible?” he asked, smiling.


She returned his smile weakly and nodded.


“Good.” He offered her his arm. “I’ve been dying to ask you to dance all evening, but all these other men kept beating me to it.”


She laughed.


“And since Spike ordered me to stay by your side, I now have the perfect excuse to dance with you all night,” he teased.


She was becoming aware of the people around them. She didn’t want to draw any more unnecessary attention to them and she didn’t think it would be a good idea to quiz Wesley for answers. They might be overheard and that would never do. Swallowing back her fear, she smiled brightly and said clearly, “ALL night, do you really think you can keep up with me?” She teased right back.


“Well a man has to try and I live in hope,” he replied.


She laughed as he led her across the sparkling floor.


*****


By the time Spike and Cooper got up to the house, Gilbey was waiting for them on the steps.


Spike fixed him with a thunderous glare. He led the way into Cooper’s office, and as soon as the door was closed on the three men, he rounded on Gilbey. “You better ‘ave the best fuckin’ excuse in the world for allowin’ that dog Ritt to get passed you?”


Gilbey looked at Spike and Cooper, astonished. “Ritt’s here?”


Spike smashed his fist into his face, knocking him to the floor. “Wrong fuckin’ answer.” He loomed over him, pressing a foot to his chest when it looked like he was going to rise. “Yes he’s ‘ere, didn’t I jus’ fuckin’ tell you he got passed you. He was dancin’ with Buffy…he had his fuckin’ dirty hands on her…AAARGH.”


Spike clenched his hands into angry fists at his side. Rage pumped through his veins. He wanted to kill Gilbey for slipping up and he wanted to kill Ritt for touching Buffy. Just the thoughts of him putting his hands on her made him shiver. He grabbed Gilbey by his jacket and hauled him up. “Go and check all the grounds…do a full sweep. I want to know how that bastard got in without you knowin’ and I want to know, NOW. Now fuck off and do your job.” He practically flung Gilbey away from him.


“Yes boss, I’ll find out.” He shot a look at Cooper before rushing from the room.


Spike stared at Cooper. “This is bad. Why would he send Ritt ‘ere now? FUCK! Did you see her face? She looked terrified, and I don’t even know what he said to her. God when I think what could’ve happened, I…”


“But it didn’t…she’s safe…Wesley will watch her.” Cooper watched his friend pace the floor agitated. Cooper knew Spike needed to get a grip…they needed to know what was going off. “Spike…SPIKE.”


“WHAT?”


“We don’t have much time…your guests…remember…they’ll miss you soon.” Cooper tried to bring him back to the moment.


Cooper was right. They had a job to do and they couldn’t afford to let Ritt’s unexpected appearance destroy their chances of success. Buffy was alright and what he needed to do now was get back to her as quickly as possible. He wouldn’t be any use to her if he didn’t pull it together. He calmed visibly.


“Okay, let’s go and find out what he’s doing ‘ere, and Cooper.”


“Yes.”


“Don’t let me kill him.”


Cooper swallowed nervously and nodded. “I won’t, but who’ll stop me?”


Spike gave him a reproachful look. “Now none of that…if I ‘ave to play nice, so do you.”


They crossed the hall to Spike’s study, carefully avoiding the few guests wandering into the house. He noticed Marti and two other men had arrived to back Luke up. They were appeared alert as they stood watch over their guest. Luke glanced at them as they walked through the door. Cooper locked the door and stood with his back to it as Spike took the floor.


Ritt was sitting comfortably on the couch. He smiled pleasantly at Spike, but there was an absence of any real warmth in the gesture. Spike stopped in front of him.


“Okay, now tell me what you’re doing ‘ere?” Spike said calmly.


Ritt stretched his legs out, relaxed and unconcerned. “I told you, Masters sent me.”


Spike shook his head, smiling sardonically. “That’s why you’re ‘ere. I want to know WHAT you’re ‘ere to do, or didn’t I make that clear?”


Ritt shrugged indifferently. “I’m here to collect Angel…and Masters said he’d let me know if there was anything else he might need me to do or collect while I was here.”


Spike thought about that for a second. He can only mean Buffy. Keeping his cool, Spike smirked and looked at Luke. Spike read a lot in the big mans calm expression and relaxed body stance.


“And that’s it…you’re ‘ere to collect Angel and wait for more orders?”


Ritt nodded.


“Then why didn’t Masters tell me you were coming?” Spike wanted to know.


Ritt shrugged. “You’ll have to ask him.”


Spike knew that didn’t tell him much. “I will, and did he tell you to sneak in ‘ere and jus’ mingle with the crowd?” Spike blocked the image of Buffy in this butchers arms firmly from his mind.


Ritt smiled at him smugly. “No, that was my idea…I just couldn’t resist testing you’re security, which is pathetic by the way.” He looked at the other men stationed around the room. “Really Spike…you’re slipping. You’ve allowed your men to get lazy, but then I caught sight of the lady in red, and well…what can I say…I couldn’t resist her either, she’s beautiful…maybe she’s the reason you’re slipping and I can’t say I blame you, she’d make anyone slip,” Ritt’s smile got wider. “But then you already know that, Angel having slipped first.”


Spike knew when he was being goaded. He wanted to smash the bastards face in or rip his fucking heart out of his chest and bathe in his blood. Then he remembered Buffy, all frightened and concerned for him and suddenly he was completely calm and with the calmness came clarity. Masters wanted to see if he was falling for Buffy so he sent his pet killer to try and ruffle him. Ritt was still trying to goad him.


“And she dances divinely and doesn’t she just have a certain way of looking at you that is so unbelievably inviting, it’s a shame you–”


“Yeah, yeah so you’re fuckin’ impressed…whoopi-fuckin’-doo…she’d impress anyone. Is this all you’ve got to say for yourself?” Spike snapped irritably. “Because I’ve got a whole bunch of wanker’s to try and net before the night is out and your turnin’ up right now is really pissin’ me off.”


Ritt didn’t waver. “Masters wanted to be sure things were handled properly. He’s still a bit twitchy about the idea of you trying to net so many in one night and he’s suspicious of the girl. He wants me to…watch your back when you’re conducting the meeting…and then there’s the whole thing with Firelli.”


Now that sounded just like Masters and Spike thought it typical of him to send Ritt to watch his back, which really meant, shoot him in the back if he failed. Masters didn’t trust him to do the job, or it could be possible Masters thought he might be thinking along the same lines as Angel and try and strike out on his own. Ritt’s bringing Buffy into it was nothing more than an excuse, though the shot about Marco Firelli had hit much too close to home. Spike smiled at the assassin.


“Well Ritt, since you’re ‘ere to collect Angel…Luke will take you to see him. He’s in the holdin’ rooms in the sub-level, all safe and sound.” Spike glanced at Luke and was relieved to see understanding in his eyes. He knew Luke would handle Ritt. “I’ll call down for you when I’m ‘bout to start my meetin’. Now if there isn’t anythin’ else? I’m going to return to my guests and work the crowd.”


Ritt rose slowly from the couch and stood face to face with Spike. “Only one thing, you’ll understand my curiosity I’m sure.”


Here it is, Spike thought. “What?” He snapped.


“Is she as good a fuck as she looks on camera?” he asked quietly, a small smile playing around the edges of his mouth.


Seething inside, Spike somehow managed to hold it together. He rolled his eyes exasperated. “I haven’t got fuckin’ time for this...why don’t you ask Angel? I’m right sure he’ll tell you.” He fixed Ritt with an irritated glare. “She a fuck, a beautiful and desirable fuck, but still jus’ a fuck. Angel will ‘ave to fill you in on all the frilly details ‘cause to me she’s jus’ a fuck.”


Deliberately, he turned his back on the other man. “Luke, take him down to Angel.” Then Spike remembered Angel wasn’t alone. “That whore should still be with him and I don’t see any reason to kick her out jus’ yet, but if he’s been knockin’ her ‘bout, find a replacement for him, until I’ve got everythin’ secured…I want Angel good and distracted, so if she isn’t keepin’ him entertained, find him one that will.” There, that should explain that little set up, he thought.


“Yes, boss,” Luke nodded at Spike and held out an arm in a guiding gesture for Ritt.


Cooper unlocked the door and held it open for the two men. Spike glanced at Marti and the other two, and jerked his head at the door, indicating they should follow Luke.


The door closed on them and Spike heaved a tortured groan. He looked at Cooper. “There’s no time to talk ‘bout it now, but did you pick up on the ‘I’m ‘ere to kill you if it all goes wrong’ thing?” Cooper nodded. “Masters has never done this before, and the things that scum bag was sayin’ ‘bout Buffy I could’ve ripped his fuckin’ head off and pissed on his neck…I still might when this is done.”


Cooper knew he was right, but what could they do about it now. It was getting closer to the time of the meeting and the men who were to attend would be gathering in the largest of the reception rooms soon.


“Come on let’s get back outside. Luke will keep him in the holding rooms until the meeting and then we’ll all be able to keep an eye on him.” Cooper told him, but he could see Spike’s worry written clearly on his face and he guessed a lot of it was about Buffy. He tried to reassure him. “You did good…I know it was hard…saying those things about Buffy, but it was the right thing to do. Now are you ready to go and face her?”


Spike knew Cooper meant was he composed enough to cover up and make sure she didn’t find out more than she should. Spike thought he could do it…for her; he would do anything.


“Yeah, c’mon I want to find her and claim another dance before the meeting.”


Cooper glanced at him as they left the study. “And what’s this about Marco Firelli? Did something go off last night that we should know about?”


Spike hadn’t spoken to any of his men about the events of the previous evening, and as far as Spike was concerned, they were irrelevant. Marco Firelli wasn’t going to get his hands on Buffy no matter what.


“Nothin’ that needs to worry anyone, Marco isn’t important and once the reception is over, he’s going to find himself rather disappointed,” Spike said to his friend. “C’mon let’s get back to Buffy.”


*****


Buffy was sitting next to Wesley at a table full of beautiful women. She was doing her best to hide her worries as she mingled with the wives, partners and girlfriends of the guests. Most of them were very nice, some were cool and indifferent and others were almost rude. Buffy didn’t let any of it affect her. She was there to do a job and she reminded herself that most of these people she wouldn’t have wasted her time with, except Spike needed her to make nice with them. So she smiled and chatted, acting interested in them and their lives when really she couldn’t care less.


Much to Buffy’s amusement, a pretty blonde with brown eyes was flirting with Wesley. He was clearly uninterested, but it was still funny to watch him squirm as the blonde made obvious attempts to corner him into asking her for a date.


She felt a gentle hand brush the back of her neck and knew Spike was back. She glanced at him over her shoulder. He smiled at her softly. Relief flooded her at seeing him in one piece. Cooper was standing a little further back, scanning the crowds of guests. She caught his eye and he winked at her. Wesley rose from his chair and offered it to Spike. He took up a position on the other side of Buffy, looking into the crowds in the same way as Cooper.


“Hello cutie,” Spike whispered at her ear as he took the chair Wesley had just abandoned. She shivered as the sound of his voice washed over her. A few of the women closest to them giggled and Spike smiled wickedly at them. “Pardon ladies, I meant ‘Hello Cuties’. I can see why Wesley would want to sit ‘ere…the dog.” The women giggled at his teasing and eagerly struck up conversation with him. He draped an arm casually over the back of Buffy’s chair, his fingers unconsciously reaching for her shoulder and caressing her softly. Buffy leaned back into the tiny touch, seeking and drawing comfort from him. Spike smiled at her reassuringly.


They stayed chatting with the women for a full ten minutes, before Spike politely excused them and guided Buffy to another table and stopped to mingle with the people sitting there. They spent the best part of an hour moving from table to table laughing and chatting with their guests, shadowed closely by Wesley and Cooper.


Cooper tapped Spike on the shoulder and pointed at his watch. It was time to go. He guided Buffy to the entrance of the marquee and tugged her outside.


“Listen pet, I’ve got to go ‘n’ talk to a bunch of borin’ business men for a bit, but I’ll leave Wesley with you. You’re to stay by his side and I’ll be back before you know it. Okay?” He kissed her lightly. She nodded; looking worried again. “It’ll be alright Buffy, go and sit down, enjoy the show and when I get back, we’ll ‘ave more dancin’ and fireworks and then all these nice people will go home and we can ‘ave the place to ourselves again.”


Her worry got the better of her and she rushed on with the questions that were plaguing her since Ritt turned up. “But you haven’t told me anything about that man yet, and he said…he said Masters sent him and that he was here for a…a package and to make sure I kept that ‘appointment’ with Marco Firelli, what did he–”


Spike cut her off, gently trying to soothe her. “Shush pet, it don’t matter what he said. This is my place and I say what goes…he’s merely a lackey…a messenger and I’ll deal with him when I’m ready. Now go with Wesley and watch the show. I’m payin’ good money for this comic guy…one of us might as well see his act.” He kissed her brow and was surprised when she hugged him back fiercely. He smiled down at her, drinking in her beauty. Sighing, he swore under his breath. “Oh bugger it…God damnit girl, you make my head spin.” He caught her in a passionate kiss. Again Buffy’s heart jumped into overdrive as his lips moved against hers. She clung to him, desperately wanting the kiss to never end. A strange sensation stole over her and a soft fluttering filled her heart, making her ache and gasp. She reached for understanding, but Spike ended the kiss. Breathless, they broke apart, panting slightly. Gently, he rested his brow against hers and whispered softly, “I’ll be back real soon.” He rushed off with Cooper.


“Good luck,” she whispered to his retreating figure. Dazed, she turned back to the entrance and Wesley. He offered her his arm and escorted her back inside. Buffy smiled briefly at him. She could feel herself begin to tremble. Perplexed, she struggled with her tumbling thoughts. Torn, she allowed Wesley to guide her to a seat. Her inner voice was filling her mind with questions as to why she felt so adrift.


The guests were taking their seats at the tables in preparation for the entertainment. Buffy tried to focus on what was going on around her, but the ghost of her inner voice remained.


*************************************************************

TBC...soon.

Reviews? After the last couple of weeks I’ve had…OH, YES PLEASE!

PS. Don’t forget, this was the second of two chapters that I posted together…I’d hate to think of anyone missing out.
 

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