Chapter 1

The two friends were sitting in what could laughingly be called Buffy’s office, a screened off area of the old cloakroom that was drafty and hardly private, everybody could hear what was said!

Buffy wasn’t really listening to her friend’s excited chatter; she was more intent on reading a report from the social services on one of her more troublesome charges.

“Buffy! I said, it’d be fantastic! Don’t you think, won’t it – huh?”
Buffy read to the end of the paragraph, and then looked at her friend.

“Sorry Will, what’s that?”
Slightly exasperated, Willow said,

“The talent show at the Bronze!” Buffy frowned

“Oh that, huh, you really think so? Coz I heard that that Jonathan What-his-name has got a ‘heavy metal’ band together…they’re going for it, and if the spring dance was anything to go by…”

“The only thing ‘heavy’ about them, is their instruments, they can hardly lift them! Anyway, I think they changed their line-up” Willow joked, and Buffy smiled.

“Still, you’ll be a little light relief then!” Willow continued. Buffy was just about to continue reading the report when it registered with her exactly what her friend had just said…

“S’cuse me – light relief – I don’t-”

“You, your song, Will love find a way”

“What about it?”

“I um…I put your name down for the contest” Willow looked a little sheepish and bit her bottom lip.

“Oh. YOU DID WHAT?” Buffy stood, the report papers fluttered to the floor all around her desk.
Willow jumped up and began gathering the papers up, babbling away.

“Honestly, Buffy, it’s SO good, and you have every chance of winning! The prize for winning the first round is a thousand dollars – and you get to go to LA and everything, and be on TV, the finals of Search for a Star –“

“Hold it right there! I don’t stand a chance of winning!” Buffy sat down, trying to sort the report.

“But you DO!” Willow whined

“I don’t for one plain and simple reason, I’m NOT doing it!”

“But Buffy!”

“Don’t Will, ok? Just don’t! I wrote that song…um…well over a year ago now, Riley’s well gone, and – well I don’t have time for one thing! I’ve reports to sort out” She waved the report at Willow.

“Wrong Buffy, you have ONE report, that’s singular, and you DO have time…we’d go to the Bronze anyway on Friday night – it’s ok, you don’t have to do it” Willow thought she’d try a little psych on her friend…

“Good. Coz I’m not!” Buffy, having sorted the report back into sequence, tapped the bottom of the papers on her desk, and then stapled them together.

“Sorry Buffy. I should have realised that you don’t have the guts” Willow tried to look rueful, all the time studying her friend’s face. Buffy nodded, then snapped her head up.

“What did you say?”

“I said, I should have known that you don’t have the stones. You’d be too chicken. Haven’t got the guts to do anythi-“

“I BEG YOUR PARDON!” Buffy stood up again, so did Willow. Buffy was trying for indignance, but hit lame excuse mode instead………

“I’ve got the stones! I’ve got the guts! I just, well…I just don’t w-want to-“

“It’s ok, it’s ok, Buffy, you don’t have to make excuses, I DO understand” Willow made her way over to the door.

“Where are you going? Lunch isn’t over yet!” Buffy pointed to the unopened sandwiches.

“I’d better be getting back to the campus, I need to see my tutor. You know Buffy, this could be a way out of here for you, if you but know it.”

“But I like it here! – It’s a step up from the Double Meat, anyway!”

“Yes well, just keep on telling yourself that, that you like it here, that you make a difference, I’m sure you’ll convince yourself in the end. See you later, bye”

Without a backward glance, Willow left. Buffy tossed the social services report into her ‘out’ tray, and resting her chin on her hand she thought about what Willow had just said.

She was in a rut all right. The job was…well let’s face it, boring as hell, but at least she didn’t reek of grease every night when she got home. Home…the house.

The dwelling that was haemorrhaging money faster than she could earn it, there always seemed to be something that needed doing, besides the basic bills.

Next thing to go would be the washing machine; it had suddenly developed a worrying squeak. She sighed and toyed with the unopened cheese sandwich. Did she have the nerve to sing in public?

Did she have the stones to sing a song about her feelings, all laid bare for public consumption? Buffy thought back to Willow’s babbling. Didn’t she say that the prize for winning was $1000?………

Buffy swooshed the mascara wand back and forth very quickly in the tube and leaning forward to look closely into her dressing table mirror she applied a light coat to her lashes. Smoothed her lipgloss and fluffed her wispy tendrils of hair by her ears. She took a long look at herself. She had butterflies. Fixing her late mother’s locket around her neck to take off the bareness, she said to her reflection,

“YOU can do this!”
“You CAN do this!”
“You can DO this!”
“You can do THIS!”

The doorbell ringing made her jump, and she grabbed her purse off the bed and ran downstairs to open the door.

“Hi – wow look at you!” Willow said, grinning. Buffy smiled, did a twirl around.

“You like? Stylish but affordable!” Buffy smoothed down the front of the little black spaghetti-strapped dress she’d bought on the way home from work.

“Looks great!”

“Thanks. Are you sure Oz doesn’t mind being my accompanist?” they left the house and Buffy locked up.

“Sure I’m sure. In fact, I asked him before I even mentioned this thing to you!” Buffy grinned and got into Willow’s car.


“Ok, Ok people! Let’s have a little hush now…please…come on you guys…” the compere on stage asked the crowd at the Bronze, after much ‘shushing’ the crowd quietened.

“Ok ladies and gentlemen, for your pleasure and delight, tonight we have the regional heats of Search for a Star!” (The crowd roared)

“All right, quiet you crazy cats! We have a dozen acts for you, and voting will take place at the end on the evening.
First on stage, will you please give a big, Bronze welcome to two lovely young ladies, and they call themselves 1+1 and they are going to give us their rendition of the song, ‘We are Family, ladies and gentlemen, 1+1” the crowd roared, and the two girls stepped up on stage, and began singing.

Buffy sat at a side table with Willow and Oz, sipping a diet soda. The butterflies she’d experienced earlier were now more like raging elephants but she just fixed her mind on that $1000 prize money and how it would pay for the washing machine to be fixed, and cover the phone and the electric bills………

“Break a leg!” Willow whispered as Oz and Buffy made their way to the stage.
Buffy kept her eyes down, and the compere announced them.

“……………I give you, Buffy, singing one of her own compositions, called, ‘Will love find a way’ the lights went down, and a soft spotlight fixed itself on the small blonde. She closed her eyes and swayed to the opening bars Oz played, and then she began to sing………

Everything reminds me
You’re everywhere I see
Couples stroll hand in hand
Once like you and me

Will love find a way
Will love find a way
To bring you home to me
Baby
Will love find a way
And bring you safe home to me

Held in your arms
I bathe in the glow
Please tell me baby
I want to know

Will love find a way
Will love find a way
To bring you home to me
Baby
Will love find a way
And bring you safe home to me

I think of you so often
I love you more each day
I want you to be near me, babe,
But you are far away

Will love find a way
Will love find a way
To bring you home to me
Baby
Will love find a way
To bring you safe home to me

Buffy opened her eyes while Oz played the last few bars of music. The lights went up, and the place erupted! Cheers, screams, shouts ands whistles, Buffy glanced stage left and saw Willow grinning and giving her double thumbs up.

Buffy’s tension broke and wreathed in smiles she and Oz made their way from the stage, people hugging her and slapping her on the back.
The compere tried to get some semblance of order and introduced the final act.

“Ok then ladies and gentlemen…if you want ‘Hard Road’ to win, all shout, now!” there were loud shouts from a table of six lads that were obviously with the band, polite clapping from everybody else.

“Thankyou…all right then next up, lets hear it for Buffy and her song-“ the compere didn’t even get to say the song title, the huge roar, whistles, foot-stomping and cheers that went up left nobody in any doubt, Buffy was the winner.

Willow hugged her friend to her and Buffy felt the tears welling up.
A token gesture was made to the last band as regards voting, but it was pointless really, Buffy had won without a shadow of a doubt.

“Hey, come on…you can’t cry, you’ve got to go and sing it again now, and accept the cheque!” Willow gently brushed the tears off her friend’s cheeks and they hugged again.

“Thanks Will, I’d have never done this without you, you know!”

“Go on, go! Your public awaits!” Willow gently pushed her towards the stage.
Buffy was LA bound………

Chapter 2



Buffy woke with a start to somebody hammering on the front door and ringing the bell like their life depended on it.



“All right………ALL RIGHT - Jeez where’s the fire!” Buffy leapt out of bed, threw back the curtains and hoisted the window open, poking her head out.



“Hello? Whose there – hello?”

Willow bounded off the porch and onto the front lawn. Shielding her eyes from the sun, Willow called up,



“Buffy! Are you all right? I’ve been trying to ring you all morning!”



“Sorry, ok, I’m coming down…” She closed the window, yawned and stretched, grabbed her robe off the back of the door and made her way downstairs.



“What’s up anyway?” Buffy opened the door and made her way to the kitchen, Willow behind her.



“It’s lunchtime! Oh look, no wonder I couldn’t get through, the phone’s off the hook!” Willow replaced the receiver.



“No – don’t do – oh…too late!” Buffy’s shoulders dropped with a sigh. The phone began to ring

She shuffled into the kitchen, shook the kettle to see if there was enough water in it, and switched it on. Willow joined her.



“Well, aren’t you going to answer it?”

Buffy took two mugs out of the kitchen cupboard.



“You answer it” She closed the fridge door having taken out milk.



“Hello, Buffy Summers residence” Buffy gave Willow a funny grin as she poured the boiling water onto the instant coffee and stirred.



“Um, well I’ll be sure to pass on the message…I will…what did you say your name was? Ok, got that, bye” Willow replaced the receiver, only for it to ring again.



“Hello? Oh. Hi, did you? Well I’m sure Buffy will be very grateful that you voted for her last night…yes, I’ll tell her…ok, bye” Willow put the receiver down again.



“Well, aren’t you little Miss Popul-“ The phone rang, Willow picked it up and said,



“Wrong number!” She pressed the cut-off digits with her finger, and then lay the receiver to the side of the phone.



“Now do you understand? – I didn’t get to bed ‘till after four o clock this morning, and the I had to phone in work and tell them I wouldn’t be in, and since 8.30, it’s not stopped ringing!” Buffy put a mug of coffee in front of her friend. Willow nodded



“Sorry I had to bail out on you last night, but I’d got an early lecture, and I knew those show people wanted to talk to you. Anyway, a Duane Morgan and a Stacey Shaw said they voted for you last night, those were the calls”

Buffy leant against the sink, cupping her coffee mug in both hands, sipping the scalding liquid.



“Whoever they are – and god alone knows how they got my number! Anyway it’s s’ok about you leaving I understand. They’ve given me a whole bunch of stuff to read, a time-table and that”



Willow grinned and hunched her shoulders, giving an excited squeal.



“Gods! This is SO exciting!” Buffy smiled



“Aren’t you excited? I’m excited! I’m all excited, like a……… very excited thing! Like, like…like it was Christmas, except well, you know, I don’t celebrate Christmas, but if I did, I’m sure I’d be this ex-“



“WILLOW! – Breathe!”



“Sorry!”



“Yes, I’m excited. I’m also tired, and I still don’t think it’s sunk in yet”



“So, when do you go to do the show?”



“Next week, but there’s loads of stuff I’ve got to do before then. Rehearsals, run throughs, I had to phone Snyder, tell him I won’t be in – got his snot-rag secretary, Mrs Keogh.





Later that evening at Buffy’s house.







“Will we still do this when you’re rich and famous?” Willow and Buffy were sitting cross-legged on the sofa, eating pineapple pizza straight from the box that was between them.



“Rich…what I wouldn’t give to be rich…!” Buffy sighed



“Hey, chin up! It was a lousy job anyway” Willow commiserated



“I know, but at least it was a job! You should have seen her, standing on my doorstep, with that supercilious, haughty, smug bitch face when she handed me the letter from Snyder. She said, ‘Mr Snyder thinks it’s for the best, and I agree with him, your presence at the school would only be a disruption. We have the welfare of our students to think about’ – I’m not kidding you, I could have hit her!”



Buffy let her head flop against the back of the sofa.



“Well, at least you’ve got that $1000, that will keep you going for a couple of weeks”



“Yeah…”



Two days later



Buffy waited patiently in line at the studio reception desk



“And you are?” A dark haired woman wearing glasses asked her.



“Buffy Summers, I won the Search For a Star, at the Bronze Club on the 12th of this month” the woman checked her list.



“Let me see…ah yes, right, put this security badge on and please sign the book, and again when you leave. Make your way to rehearsal room 4, just follow the blue line along the corridor. There is no smoking in the building what so ever, thankyou and have a nice day”



Buffy moved off and fastened the badge to her top. She did as she was told, and followed the blue line to rehearsal room 4, she went in.



“Good morning…you are?”



“Buffy Summers”



“Right, just a quick run through of do’s and don’ts, ok, do you have a cell phone? If you do, can you lease switch it off. There is no smoking inside the building ……………………………”



“Ok, so do you have sheet music?”



“Um, yes…” Buffy took what Oz had given her out of her bag.



“Right then…looks easy enough. We shan’t be using dancers for you, you’ll be the what we refer to as the ‘quiet spot’ and you’ll be on last but one, with just a spotlight on you” Buffy nodded at the director.



“So, when you’re ready, shall we have a try out?”



“Yes…um, the microphone…it’s a bit high for me could you lower it?”



Buffy sang her song through.



“Great! Are you happy with that, Clive?” The director looked at his soundman, and got the thumbs up.



“Well, I think that’s every- sorry, what?” the director pressed the earpiece he was wearing, obviously listening to somebody.



“Ah, problem. We’re too short”



“Short? I could wear heels” Buffy suggested



“No! Sorry, I mean the song, it’s too short. Everyone’s allowed 3 minutes and forty-five seconds…and you’re coming in at bang on three minutes…” Buffy coloured up at her gaff.



“Yes…yes, ok, we can try that. Buffy, could you sing the last chorus twice do you think, and I can put a few little flourishes in perhaps”



“Sure”



“Ok, lets go again then”…………………



***********





“So come on, tell me – how’d it go?” Willow flopped on Buffy’s sofa without even taking her coat off.



“Good, there were a few little technical hitches – but we ironed them out. I must have sang the song a dozen times at least, and then – listen to this, I went to wardrobe, and I’m going to wear a Vera Wang dress! – I thought that I’d have to buy something but no! And they’ll do my make-up and hair!” Willow grinned.



“Vera Wang eh?”



“Oh, it’s beautiful! All floaty and shades of blue”



“Sounds very pretty”



“Willow, I’ve got a problem”



“What?”



“Well, two problems, to be precise”



“Go on”



“Well, they wanted to film me at work, talking about my job talking about myself you know that little bit at the beginning of the show each contestant shows their day to day lives?”



“And what’s the other problem?”



“Riley”



“Riley? – What’s he got to do with it?”



“I wrote the song about him”



“And?”



“Well, he doesn’t know, does he?”



“So why should he find out now?”



“Coz I told them…I said I wrote it when I was missing my soldier boyfriend”



“Well…doesn’t have to be him! And you haven’t heard from him in – how long?



“Fourteen months”



“Well, just don’t mention his name. If they ask you, say you split up! Go for the sympathy vote!” Buffy smiled and delved into her purse



“Oh, um they gave me these, here you go…two complimentary tickets to the show”



“Wow – brilliant…can I bring Oz?”



“Course!”



The day of the show



Buffy had arrived at the studios at 12.30 as requested. The show would be rehearsed and recorded, just in case of any problems, but would be going out live at 8.00pm. The show would last for an hour, the judges would give their opinions of each act, and then it would be the audience and a general-public phone in to determine the winner.



They would have 40 minutes to phone in their votes, while the national news was on, then the show came back live to reveal the voting and announce the winner, who would do their act again.



The judges were, Anyanka, famous piano-playing singer, whose album ‘Show Stoppers’ was currently number one in the charts,



Suave, sophisticated English actor Wes Price, who was being tipped to be the new ‘Bond’, the acid-tongued Glory Benson, host of Music!Music! and Chart Countdown on satellite TV, Reformed ‘Bad Boy’ now nightclub owner Warren Walsh. And finally writer/director Tara McClay.



Buffy had ‘got around’ the problem of no longer having a job by being videoed gardening, making out it was her hobby. And she just said ‘soldier boyfriend’ not mentioning Riley’s name when asked about why she wrote the song. She was shown the piece and was happy with it.



There were seven acts, two singers, two groups, a comedian, an impressionist and magic act. The other singer was male, and he was going to open the show, then the magic act, then a group, then the comedian. The second half would be the group, then Buffy, and the impressionist was closing the show.



“There…what do you think?”

The hairdresser held up a mirror so Buffy could see the back of her hair.



“It’s lovely, thankyou”



“Right, just pop next door, and Mandy will do your make-up” Buffy got out of the chair and went next door…



“Just a slick of peach gloss, I want to keep the look soft. And don’t worry, I’ve used water-proof mascara” the girl smiled at Buffy.



“Thanks”



“You’re the Will love find a way singer, yes?”



“That’s right”



“I hope you win, it’s a beautiful song” Buffy beamed.



“Thankyou!”



“Well, you know, break a leg!”





Everything ran perfectly. At the side of the stage, Buffy saw the hand of the stage director count down three, two, one, the audience clapping died away and the piano took up the haunting tune.



As luck would have it, Buffy could barely see the audience beyond the first three rows, and sang her song perfectly. She had hardly a trace of nerves now, she’d done it so many times in rehearsals that this was just like another one really.



The audience clapped and cheered, Willow did her famously loud finger-whistle, just at the time the camera panned around to her. She saw this on the monitors above the stage and with a deer-caught-in-the-headlights look of horror sunk down into her seat, turning to look at Oz who was grinning!



Buffy sat in the ‘green room’ with the rest of the acts, they’d all become quite friendly over the last week or so. The last act finished and the judges all gave their opinions. According to them, it was the group Caught in the Act that was the favourites, but Wes Price and Tara McClay preferred Buffy.



News reached the acts that the switchboards had been jammed with thousands of calls, and one act was a clear winner. Buffy was resigned to the fact that it would be the group, and she relaxed completely.

The forty minutes that they had to wait stretched like two hours. The countdown began and the show was back on air.



Buffy was sitting watching the screen. It came to the last three top places.

She was thinking, ‘I’m next, I’m next’



“In third place, with 28, 563 votes, we have that cheeky boy, Dale Dunn” the audience cheered.

Buffy was still thinking, ‘I’m next, I’m next’



“And in second place, with 46, 487 votes, we have Caught in the Act” Buffy looked at the screen, it didn’t register with her, as it was only her left unplaced, she must be the winner. Immediately everybody came over to her to congratulate her, but they all watched the screen first as the compere said,

And with an amazing 89, 985 votes, we have Buffy”



Buffy was floored! She looked so shocked! Everybody was clapping her on the back, hugging and kissing her, and the floor manager came to get her. She started to shake.



“Fantastic girl, you did fantastic come on!” Slightly bewildered Buffy was lead out of the warren of corridors back to the stage. The roar that went up was terrific. Willow was crying/laughing. The compere put his arm around the tiny girl.



“So, Buffy…practically ninety thousand votes – I understand you wrote the song yourself?” Buffy nodded and said a squeaky ‘yes’

She was trying not to cry



“And do you have a recording contract yet?”

She shook her head and whispered,



“Not yet, no”



“Well, I tell you, there are a few record managers backstage who would like to remedy that but first, we must ask you to sing again for us, would you do that?”



“Yes” Buffy went and took her place



“Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the winner of the Search For a Star Grand Final 2004, Buffy, with her song ‘Will Love Find a Way’ – Buffy” the clapping died down and Buffy began to sing again.



Leaning on a pillar watching from the wings was a manager from Aphrodite records, his name was William Carling-Blake, ‘Spike’ to his friends. He knew one thing, he just HAD to have that girl – and not just to give her a recording contract either…………………………

Chapter 3


Buffy came off stage and was taken to a room all ready for photographs to be taken. After the publicity shots were done, she could join the party.

The free tickets that had been given to act’s guests entitled them to come backstage and join the fun. Spike immediately noticed a pretty redheaded girl looking around the room.

Her companion was somewhat shorter than her, but looked cool and ‘laid back’, taking everything in his stride.

“Can you see her, I can’t see her…’’ Willow whispered to Oz.

“No…hold on, that guy looks like he’s coming towards us’’ Spike came over to them.

“You looking for Buffy?’’

‘’Yes’’

‘’She won’t be long, just having some publicity photographs done.’’

‘’Oh, right, thanks’’ Willow smiled

‘’Come on over to the table, get yourself some food, can I get you a drink? Sorry, I should introduce myself, I’m William Carling-Blake, I represent Aphrodite Records’’ He held out his hand, and both Willow and Oz shook it.

‘’I’m Willow, this is Oz’’

‘’Pleased to met you’’

‘’So, what can I get you two drink?’’

‘’Oh, just a soft drink for me, I’ve got to keep a clear head’’ Willow said

‘’Me too, I’m driving’’ Oz said
Spike went away, and came back with two glasses of ‘Club’ soda.

‘’This do?’’ Spike held up the two glasses of fizzy orange

‘’Fine, thanks’’ the couple took the drinks

‘’So, this friend of yours, she been singing long?’’

Willow reiterated the story to Spike, when a beaming Buffy appeared by their side, to the applause of the room. Putting her drink down, Willow hugged and congratulated her friend, as did Oz.

‘’This is William, he’s from Aphrodite Records’’ Oz said to Buffy, obviously impressed. Spike introduced himself

‘’And you can all call me Spike!’’ Buffy looked into the bluest eyes she’d ever seen, and she swore her heart skipped a beat. As his cool hand clasped her rather warm one, she felt a definite frisson, like a little electric shock run through her.
They chatted all night, and Spike had to take a phonecall, Buffy turned to her friends.

‘’What do you think Will?’’

‘’He’s a dreamboat!’’

‘’Man…Aphrodite Records…I mean, do you KNOW just how big they are?’’ Oz asked.

‘’Well, I’ve heard of them all right, the ‘Mighty Aphrodite’ as they are always called in the papers’’

‘’They have some of the biggest names!’’ Willow said, then she added,

‘’Has he offered you a contract?’’

‘’Well, he’s invited me to the studios tomorrow, to look around, and I can look over a contract, and he said that to prove they’re not trying to rip me off, I can take it to any legal representative of my choosing to look it over before I sign’’

‘’Sounds fair enough to me’’ Oz said, and Willow nodded in agreement.


‘’Boss wants to know, did you get her? Xander asked Spike

‘’Not yet, but don’t worry, we will. I’ve invited her to the studios tomorrow’’

‘’Good. Just as long as ‘Midnight Music’ don’t get her’’

‘’No worries, that pillock Connor O’Neil is too bothered trying to get that crappy group to sign, he hasn’t even noticed her’’

“Crappy group?’’

‘’Yeah, that lot that came second’’

‘’Oh. I thought they were good!’’ Xander said. Spike rolled his eyes and sighed.

‘’You would, THAT’S why you never get trusted to come and do these invitation signings, Xander, they have ‘one-hit-wonder’ written all over them, complete waste of time! Look, I must go, it looks like our little lady is ready to go, bye’’

Spike ended the call and made his way back over to the trio.

‘’Sorry about that, business, you know’’

‘’I understand. We’re going now, it’s been such a long day, and-‘’

‘’I completely understand love. Here’s my card, ring me anytime’’

‘’Um, tomorrow, can you tell me where the studio is exactly?’’

‘’Stupid me!’’ Spike smacked his forehead.

‘’Don’t worry, pet, if you give me your address, I’ll send a car for you.’’ Buffy beamed. Spike produced a small leather bound notebook and gold pen, and Buffy wrote down her address and phone number.

‘’Shall I ask for you, when I get there?’’ She looked straight into his eyes as she handed him both book and pen back

‘’No need love, I’ll be in reception waiting for you, ok – are you going to bring a friend, I’ll need to know because of the security passes?’’ Spike glanced up at Willow

‘’No, Willow’ll have lectures tomorrow, it’ll be just me’’

‘’Right, well, it’s been very nice to meet you’’ Spike shook hands with Willow and Oz, and then he stood in front of Buffy.

‘’Night then pet, it’s been a pleasure to meet you’’ he reached for her hand and placed a soft kiss on the back of it. Buffy swallowed, and hoped he hadn’t noticed her shaking slightly.
She floated to the parking lot!

‘’Wow, Buffy – he’s gorgeous and that Brit accent, ooh!’’ Willow squeezed her friend’s arm as they waited for Oz to bring round the van

‘’Tell me about it!’’ Buffy said, grinning.


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


Drusilla St John was having yet ANOTHER row with her father. Or rather, he was ranting, she was sitting there, waiting for him to finish.

‘’How could you do this Dru? More importantly, how could you do this to me, after all I’ve done for you, all I’ve spent on you? Treatments and therapies don’t come cheap, I can assure you that!’’

‘’No, father, I’m sorry’’

‘’Sorry? You’re sorry – So am I Dru! Is this anyway to behave in public?’’

Lord Netherbourne threw the tabloid newspaper with its screaming headline

‘LORD’S DAUGHTER IN DRUNKEN ANTI-WAR PROTEST’ at her.

Photographs of her drunken antics, off her face, topless in the Trafalgar Square fountains with five other

‘End the War’ protesters. There were further pictures of them on pages two, three and four, showing them sitting astride the lions, and sticking ‘End the War’ posters around the base of Nelson’s Column.

They’d thrown potassium permanganate crystals into the water fountain so it had turned purple, and washing detergent so that purple foam covered everything.

‘’It wasn’t just me!’’ Dru whined

‘’Well young lady, let’s hope these types that you associate with can pay any fines due, because I’ve finally cut the purse-strings. No more bailing you out, you are on your own!’’

‘’Yes, father’’ Dru kept her eyes downcast, hoping he’d finished his diatribe. No such luck, he continued, and Dru felt like screaming, she had the devil’s own hangover and just wanted to crawl back to bed and hide for a week.

‘’You’re an idler and a drifter, just like your mother, couldn’t pin her down either, like trying to nail jello to the wall she was, and you’re just the same. Well I won’t stand for it any more, you’ve got to start making your own way in the world young lady. I know you’ve had you problems, but your medication is sorted now, isn’t it?……… Drusilla, are you listening to-‘’

‘’Yes, father, I haven’t had any more bouts of my illness for nine months now’’

‘’Good. I’m sorry if you think I’m getting on at you Dru, but I have standing, the Party want me to be deputy leader – I will not have you ruining my chances. I’m stopping your allowance as from today, and I want you to get a job. While you live under my roof, you will abide by my rules, do you understand?’’

‘’Yes father. I’m sorry, can I go now please, I feel sick’’

‘’Yes you may go (Dru stood too quickly, and swayed slightly) and think on what I’ve said!’’ Was her father’s parting shot as she left the room.


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



‘’Uh…oh god, yes, yes, harder, HARDER, FUCK ME, yes! Ooh yes…that’s it…don’t stop………oh, oh, oh, ooooohhhhh…fuck!’’

‘’And… cut! That’s a wrap, take ten everybody’’ The director moved off set.

Cecily disengaged herself from the guy she’d been bouncing around on for the last half an hour. She wrapped herself in her robe and went to get a cigarette and a drink.

She noticed that she’d got a message on her cell-phone, and read,
‘Does that offer of yours still stand? – I need a place well away from here, ring me, love Dru’

‘’Five minutes Cecily, next scene, it’ll be you and the Master, then the Master and Amy, then Bree will join in ok?’’

‘’Kay Tucker…’’ She dialled Dru’s number

‘’Dru – baby, what have you been up to’’

‘’Don’t ask!’’

‘’No need to sweetheart, I saw it on BBC America…’’

‘’Oh god! My father has had enough of me’’

“He chucked you out?’’

‘’Good as, his outlook is so, so VICTORIAN! I don’t think he ever was a teenager, he went from prep-school straight to middle age. So, can I come and stay with you for a while, I don’t want to be in the same country as him!’’

‘’Sure you can honey, it’ll be quite like old times!’’

‘’Oh thanks Cec! You’re a real friend! I’ll ring you and let you know what flight I’m getting’’

‘’TIME, CECILY’’

‘’Ok love, look, gotta go, I’m on next, bye!’’


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


Spike pulled up in the carpark at Aphrodite records. He wanted to make arrangements for the following day, to book the car and sort out her security pass and contract.

He made his way up to the fourth-floor office. Xander was in, and still working.

‘’Don’t you have a home to go to?’’ Spike asked frown/smiling at his colleague.
Xander just wrinkled his nose.

‘’What?’’

‘’My parents…they are rowing all the time’’

‘’Parents?’’ Spike said in surprise He sat down behind one of the desks and opened up the computer.

‘’I keep meaning to get a place of my own, it’s just…’’ Xander trailed off. Spike tapped away at the keyboard, booking the car for tomorrow, arranging the security pass and getting a standard contract drawn up. He took out his notebook and typed in Buffy’s address.

‘’Just what?’’

’Time, I suppose’’

‘’Bet that’s a bit, well awkward to say the least, when you take a girlfriend back’’

Spike hit the ‘send’ and the info went. He looked up at Xander, who had a rueful look on his face. Spike rolled his eyes and said,

‘’Don’t tell me, you’ve never been able to?’’

‘’I’ve never had a girlfriend to take back! – Don’t you dare tell anyone!’’

Spike had heard the rumours of course, the way Xander followed him around like a lost sheep, the way he hung on his every word…Taking the bull by the horns, Spike said,

‘’Well, is there someone you fancy?’’

‘’Uh huh’’

‘’Well?’’

‘’Promise you won’t tell them?’’

‘’Then how the hell do you think you’re going to get anywhere with them if I don’t?

‘’Coz she’ll knock me back, and I couldn’t bear it!’’

‘’Meanwhile, you sit and pine and never get laid?’’ Xander squirmed.

‘’Ok, it’s Anyanka’’

‘’ANYANKA? Bloody hell!’’ Spike was shocked

‘’Blood hell what? – She’s lovely!’’

‘’She’d eat you for breakfast more like, can’t you fancy somebody…well, sorry to say this, but a bit more in your league? Anyanka’s a woman of the world, she goes for rich, successful types. She was with that film director…what’s-his-name for three years, now she’s with that Giles bloke’’

‘’Giles bloke?’’

‘’That bloke that was in the Rocketeers, now owns The Four Seasons restaurant, does ‘Box Office’ on cable’’

‘’Oh, him. No, they are just friends, they’re not, you know, ‘seeing’ seeing each other’’

‘’Oh? – How do you know?’’

‘’Cordelia told me, he’s in love with somebody else, anyway’’ Spike stood and yawned, stretched.

‘’If you say so. But sorry mate, you need a change of image, and to suddenly win the lottery, if you’re to stand an earthly with her’’

‘’Image? – How do you mean?’’

‘’Well, for one, NOBODY wears Hawaiian shirts anymore, except tourists, Magnum PI, and that bloke that owns that all-you-can-eat fish restaurant by the beach. And he’s Hawaiian!’’ Spike put on his coat. A sudden thought came to him, it would help him with a little problem, and he said,

‘’Are you going to the Sounds Awards?’’

‘’Yes’’

‘’Got a date?’’

‘’No’’

‘’You get yourself all tarted up smart, tux and that, and I’ll get you a date’’ Spike went towards the door. Xander swivelled on his chair.

‘’Who with?’’

‘’Never you mind who with, trust me’’

‘‘She better not be a dog!’’

‘’She won’t be! Anyway, as apposed to what? – No date at all? And they say beggars can’t be choosers…look, she’s very attractive, blonde, young, and you’ll have fun! AND you’ll be in all the society magazines, posing on the red carpet, so mind what I told you, SMART, ok?’’ Spike opened the door to go

‘’Spike’’

‘’Yeah?’’ Xander smiled and said,

‘’You know, thanks’’ Spike grinned.

‘’You’re welcome, mate.’’ He left.

He was just going down in the lift, when his cell-phone rang. He checked to see who it was, and a jolt of pure pleasure ran through him, it was Buffy

‘’Hello, Buffy’’ he practically purred to her. Buffy felt herself shiver with delight.

‘’Oh, is um, is that you, Spike – s-sorry to call so late, I thought I might get to leave you a message. I-I didn’t wake you, did I?’’

‘’No, kitten, you didn’t, I was burning the midnight oil actually, sorting things out for you tomorrow’’

‘’That’s what I’m ringing you about’’ Spike felt his stomach knot, he hoped she hadn’t changed her mind…

‘’What can I do for you then kitten?’’

‘’All it is, um, what time will the car pick me up, you may have already told me, but – well, so much has happened tonight!’’
Spike relaxed, and chuckled.

‘’I’m sorry love, I don’t think I did say, 10am, is that ok with you? – You’ll be here at about 10.30am’’

‘’Fine, right, thanks sorry to be a nuisance’’

‘’No trouble at all pet, I assure you.’’

‘’Right then, 10 o’clock’’

‘’I’ll be there to greet you, night kitten, sweet dreams’’

‘’Night, and thanks’’

‘’You’re welcome’’ Spike ended the call, and smiling to himself he left the building with a spring in his step.

Chapter 4


Drusilla fixed the luggage tag around the handle of her slightly bulging suitcase, and hauled it off the bed to join the other two, plus the canvas grip, the leather holdall and her flight bag that completed the Louis Vuitton set.


Everything she owned was all packed up to start a new life back in LA. She then went to find the housekeeper.

“Mrs Dobbs, could you get one of the stable-boys to carry my suitcases downstairs for me please? – They are far too heavy for me’’

“Certainly Miss Dru. Going on a little holiday are we?’’

“Going to live permanently in LA, Mrs Dobbs’’

‘’Oh…oh I see’’

‘’Would you please give this to my father when he comes back from London, I’d post it, but there’s always a chance he won’t read it for weeks, you know how he is’’ She handed Mrs Dobbs a thick cream envelope.

‘’Certainly, Miss Dru, I will. Forgive me, but he doesn’t know you’re going?’’
Dru sighed

‘’He will do, when he’s read that. I can’t stay Mrs Dobbs, we’re too much alike, too stubborn’’ The housekeeper nodded sadly. She reached out and cupped Dru’s small face.

‘’You’re SO like your dear, late mother’’

‘’I think that’s another reason why we clash. She complied with his every wish, and I don’t, just the opposite, in fact. Anyway, if you’d excuse me, I’ve got a phonecall to make’’ Dru left the kitchen.

She dialled Cecily’s home number in LA

‘Hi, you’ve reached the home of Cecily Adams, or Candy Hunt, depending on your business…(there was a giggle) leave your name and number, and I’ll get back to you ASAP – have a nice day now, bye’ there was a loud ‘beep’ and Dru said

‘’Hi Cec, it’s me, just to let you know that I’ll be on the Virgin Atlantic flight V604 from Heathrow, my flight should get into LA about 6am, bye!’


***********

Spike had his wardrobe doors open, and a rapidly growing pile of clothes lay strewn on his bed. He was talking to himself…

‘Why do I keep these…not as if I’m ever going to wear them again…’ and the black ‘punk’ bondage trousers covered in zips and chains joined the pile on the bed.

‘Red jeans…I mean, what on earth possessed me…Leather trousers? Nope, they squeak, could be embarrassing…A suit? – Nah, be sitting down a lot…come on Spikey-boy…smart but casual…ah…ah ha!’ Spike pulled out a pair of stylish Italian cut black linen pants. He teamed it with a soft cream linen-look shirt and Gucci loafers.

After laying out what he was going to wear, he went and showered. Ten minutes later, dressed and almost ready, he splashed on a little light citrussy cologne, and fastened his Tag watch around his wrist. Checking to see he’d got his cell phone, Spike picked up his jacket, house keys and left for work.


*******

Buffy made herself have some breakfast, she didn’t know what time lunch would be, if at all, and she didn’t want her stomach rumbling half way through the morning, embarrassing her.

She’d decided on her new jeans and a soft blue knitted top, as she knew she looked good in them.

She put her hair up into a neat French pleat, and pulled a wispy fringe and tendrils to soften the look. She glanced at the clock, it was nearly nine o’clock, and the phone rang.

Her heart leapt. What if it was Spike saying that they’d changed their minds and didn’t want to sign her? With her stomach doing back-flips, she answered,

‘’H-Hello?’’

‘’Hi Buffy, just to say good luck, and I asked my dad, he said his legal department will be happy to go over the contract for you’’ Willow said cheerily.

‘’Oh, Will, it’s you. Um, right, thanks, I’ll ring you later, ok, bye’’

‘’See you’’

********


‘’Come on Daddy, come on, wakey, wakey, rise and shine!’’

Lorne called out brightly as he placed a cup of Earl Grey tea on the nightstand, and opened the drapes in Cornelius Sweetly bedroom. Which was a little pointless, as Sweetly, or ‘Daddy’ as he was known to his more intimately acquainted friends, wore a sleep mask due to the fact that his last face-lift, brow lift and Botox had left him with a rather surprised look, and eyelids that wouldn’t close.

He looked spooky enough, with his perma-tan, white bleached teeth and a slightly lopsided grimacing leer, again thanks to the botched face-lift.

One of the more kindly newspaper reports stated he looked like a ‘Siamese cat in a wind tunnel’.

‘’Uh, what time is it?’’

‘’Time you were up, sweet-cheeks’’
Sweet lifted his sleep mask up to his forehead, and turned and reached for the cup of tea he knew that would be there on the nightstand.

Lorne set about getting all Sweet’s medication and vitamins and generally fussing giving ‘Daddy’ the latest news, pertinent to him.

‘’………And the Dow Jones puts your stock up by three and a quarter percent, which is excellent, and CS Adult entertainments are to release two new videos by the end of the week, featuring the Master and Candy Hunt, ratings wise Glory’s show beat WB and Sky 1’s offerings absolutely hands down, we’ve got seven nominations at the Independent Radio Stations awards, and we need to get a release form signed by Angelus O’Connor so he can go to Midnight Music, and um, I think that’s about it’’

‘’What about the girl?’’ Sweet asked gruffly as he sipped his tea.

‘’Girl? What girl, there was no girl here last night, only you, me and-‘’

‘’No, the girl, Betty or whatever her name was, won that show, has she signed to us?’’

‘’Oh, you mean Buffy, the Search For a Star winner. Yes, I believe she’s going to sign for us today’’

‘’You believe? – Whose doing it?’’

‘’Carling-Blake. You know, Spike’’

‘’Good, good, he’s our best. Glad it wasn’t that snivelling little wimp’’
Lorne had quite a soft spot for Xander, so he glossed over the comment.

‘’Well, your baths drawn, and here are your vitamins…’’

Lorne was under no illusion whatsoever that the fistful of tablets taken by Sweet night and morning were all vitamins and ‘legal’ medication. Sweet needed tablets for everything. To wake up, go to sleep, he took Viagra and a whole host of other drugs, some, or rather mostly of the none-prescription variety…cocaine, heroin, uppers, downers, LSD, amyl nitrite, as well as alcohol, it was a miracle that he was still alive really.


********
“Dru…Dru, coo-eee, over here!” Cecily jumped up and down, waving her arms.

Dru slowly pushed the heavy trolley laden with her luggage out into the arrivals lounge, she heard her name being called and she looked around, finally spotting her friend by the barrier.

“Cecily!”

The two friends hugged and Cecily stood back holding her friend by the shoulders at arms length.

“Look at you!”

Cecily hoped she’d managed to hide her shock, to be truthful, Dru looked awful. She’d lost weight for one, I mean, she was never what you could be called big, not by any stretch of the imagination, but well, she’d easily lost at least twenty pounds since Cecily saw her twenty months ago.

“Gods, I can’t believe I’m here!” Dru smiled at her friend.

“Come on, let’s get this stuff into a cab and get home” Cecily helped to push the trolley outside to the Cab bay.

“So, how was the flight?”

“I tried to sleep for most of it, couldn’t, so I ended up watching the in-flight movie on a bloody loop I now know ‘Master and Commander verbatim!……… You know me, I hate flying” Cecily squeezed her arm.

“It’s so great to have you back here, so come on, tell me, how did you wangle it with your father – ‘specially after your little Trafalgar stunt?”

“Actually…he doesn’t know I’m here. Well, I left him a letter, for when he came back from London, but-“

“Dru! He warned you that he’d cut you off without a penny if you so much as set foot in LA again, after last time, why make him even more angry with you?”

Cecily could see the hurt look in Dru’s eyes, and didn’t want her to think she was unwanted.

“Not that you’re not welcome…it’s just that, well-“

“He’s already done it”

“What? Done what?”

“Cut me off. Trafalgar was the last straw. He said I was to get a job. I mean,

“I ask you, whose going to employ me, huh? Everybody knows about the schizophrenia, the rehab, and my brushes with the law. Let’s face it, I’m bad news”

Cecily knew that the last thing Dru needed right now, was to get depressed, so she made light of the matter.

“You can come and work with me, if you want!”

Cecily said rashly, forgetting that she hadn’t actually told her friend what she was doing now…

“You know I can’t dance! I have no sense of rhythm, besides which…I haven’t got tits like you – hey, have you had implants?!”

Dru cast a glance at her companion, and did a double take.

“My god! You have – you’ve had a boob job!”

Dru blurted this out quite loudly, causing several people to turn and look in their direction. Cecily gripped her coat closed tightly, and with her head down, they made their way outside.

“Um, yeah, look when we get home, I’ve got something to tell-“

“Can we order pizza, and sit and talk?”

“Sure. I’ve got so much to tell you”

Cecily said, as she unloaded the trolley of luggage. The cab driver helped her stash the cases, and they left for Cecily’s home.


*******

Spike pressed his intercom button, and spoke

“Cordelia, have you got the running order for Buffy Summers please?”

“I’ll bring it in right now” A minute later, Cordelia knocked and entered, carrying a sheaf of papers.

“Right, all according if she signs with us, you can give her the tour, have lunch, and then from 2PM she’s due for an interview with ‘Teen’ magazine, then she can discuss songs for her forth-coming album, Sweetly will be in later, so disappear before five o’clock, else I’ll have to call you back in, you know what he’s like if he’s kept waiting”

Spike was reading through the sheets, and he nodded.

“Ok Cordelia, thanks”

“Right. Anything else?” Cordelia asked. Spike thought, and said,

“No, I don’t think – oh yes, sorry, would you re-write Harmony’s contract, putting Xander as her manager please, but say nothing to either of them for the moment” Cordelia smiled and nodded

“She’s been leaving messages all over the building for you!”

“Tell me about it…look at this” Spike held up his cell-phone for Cordy to read.

“Eighteen messages!” Cordelia gasped


“And that’s only since last thing Monday night!”

“Good grief, the girl’s got it bad for you!”

“I took her to a corporate party, I ignored her for…two thirds of the night, I get somebody else to take her home, and she STILL insists to all and sundry that we had a wonderful date, I mean, what am I to do?”

“Pass her over to Xander?” Cordelia said with a grin

“Exactly! But remember, not a word!” Spike asked

“Not a word, my lips are sealed, promise…it’s twenty-five passed, that new girl will be here any minute won’t she?”
Spike looked at his watch

“Hell, yes…where did I –thankyou!”

Spike took the security pass off Cordelia, and went down to reception to wait for his (hopefully) new charge.

***********


“You do WHAT!” Dru was so shocked, that she dropped her slice of pizza back onto her plate.

“I um…star in adult movies…it was sort of a natural progression really. I enjoyed the stripping and the pole-dancing, and the Lap-dancing club was one of the best - Saturday nights I could make $1000 in tips alone. But, well, I’ve got a good body, and I love sex, so fucking for money is a great job for me – how do you think I afforded to buy this place?”

“YOU OWN THIS HOUSE?” Dru was incredulous.

“Listen honey, how else am I gonna afford to buy a luxury six-bedroomed beach-front like this, money doesn’t grown on trees!”

“But, you OWN this house?” Cecily smiled and nodded

“Yup…have done for nigh on twelve months now”

“Bloody hell…so, what do you do? – I mean, I know what you do, but-“

“Wanna watch some?”

Cecily jumped up and went to the wall cabinet, opened it up to reveal hundreds of neatly stacked DVD cases.

“Um…let me see…oh this is a good one, ‘Shaving Pte Ryan’ or um…this is another good one for beginners…Double Trouble!”

Cecily put the DVD into the player, and pointed the remote at the TV. Dru sat there dumbfounded for forty minutes. Cecily went off to get them a drink, and when she came back, Dru was looking at the screen, her head held at a funny angle, with the picture on ‘hold’

“What are you doing?”

Cecily came and sat on the sofa, putting two glasses of wine on the coffee table.

“I can’t make it out…how come he’s got three legs?”

“Coz there’s two guys, silly, look, see? – There’s the one guy’s legs, that’s me, and the other guy is behind, it’s a double penetration” Dru’s eyes were about ready to pop!

“You should see the next bit, come and sit back here, I’ll run this bit on a little…now, watch this bit, watch, watch…”

Dru watched in wide-eyed wonder as a very well endowed bloke wanked himself off all over Cecily’s face and breasts, then massaged his come into her skin, and dipping his fingers into her mouth, before pushing three up inside her, while sucking her nipples.

“He’s a lovely bloke he is…doesn’t speak a word of English mind, but he always delivers the goods, and the come shots he does are second to none…ooh, what
I wouldn’t give for him to be here right now, I could do with a really decent fuck, I’ve been doing oral for the past two days”

Dru had forgotten just how open and forthright Cecily could be…perhaps even never this open and forthright… Watching herself being fingered on screen,

Cecily’s hand went to her crotch, and she shoved the little lace-edged scrap of silk aside to rub her moist pussy lips.

Her head rolled back against the sofa and she groaned.

“Re-remember, when we were at St Hilda’s…I hated that boarding school…you used to do this to me…remember, babe, huh?”

Her fingers rubbed a little harder, and she slipped two fingers inside her hot wet pussy. Dru felt shocked, hot, embarrassed, and more than a little turned on

“I need a drink!”

“Wine’s there…oh god, that’s good!”

Cecily rubbed her clit with her thumb, bucking her hips up to push her fingers in deeper.

“But I can’t drink alcohol any-oh, fuck it!” Dru drained both her glass and Cecily’s, poured more and drank that down too.

“Dru…kiss me…please!”

Cecily begged, and with her free hand she tried to open her top. Dru felt suddenly giddy from the wine, and leaned forward and undid the buttons on her friend’s blouse.

She cupped the naked breasts, thumbing the nipples to a hard peaks, taking each one in turn and giving it a firm suck, before kissing up Cecily’s throat and up to her parted lips.

Dru slipped her hand down, and she too slid two fingers into her companion, while French kissing her.

Cecily tore her mouth away to shout out her climax, bucking and writhing until they landed on the floor in a heap, giggling.

Dru withdrew her fingers and sucked them. Cecily lay sprawled, but slowly reached for Dru’s leg, she ran her hand up her thigh, and when Dru didn’t stop her, in fact she pulled up her skirt and spread her legs wider, so Cecily sat up and then crawled over to her, kissing passionately. Cecily broke the kiss

“Sit on the sofa”

Dru did as she was told, and pushing her skirt high up on her thighs, she then lifted up so Cecily could remove her panties.

She tossed them over her shoulder, and then buried her head between Dru’s damp and sticky thighs.

Arching her hips towards Cecily, Dru cried out, with pleasure as she felt her friend’s tongue paint up and down her labia with long wet strokes.

Slipping her tongue between the wet folds, Cecily swiped it very fast back and forth over the slightly protruding nub of her clit, making Dru buck and squeal.

“Hmm, that good babe?”

Cecily slowly slid first one, then two fingers inside Dru, who arched her back, thrusting her hips towards her friend’s hand.

“Yes, oh god……… yeah!” Cecily leaned forward again, latching onto the protruding clit, sucking and flicking it until Dru had a long hard orgasm, thrashing about and almost screaming with ecstasy.

She flopped back against the sofa back, boneless, panting; her head was spinning, not just from the wine either.

“Come on…come with me – forget about your room for tonight, you’re in my bed tonight…”

Cecily hauled Dru up off the sofa, and giggling like two schoolgirls they made their way upstairs, only stopping en route to grab more wine.


*********


The car drew up and the driver got out and opened the door for Buffy.

She got out, and looked up at the impressive building, walked up the steps.

The doorman opened the door for her and she smiled and thanked him, and she looked over to the reception desk. Her stomach back-flipped when she saw Spike waiting for her as promised. He beamed at her.

“Well, here you are then, are you ok? Get much sleep – you look wonderful!”

She blushed and babbled,

“A little! I’ve had so many notes and letters pushed through my door, I spent two hours reading them! And my telephone answer machine had used up the fifteen minutes of message tape – so I don’t know who’s called me – the whole world and his wife I think!”

“Just sign the book please love, that way in case of an emergency we can tell whose in the building”

Buffy did as she was told, and then fixed the ‘visitors pass’ onto her jumper.

“Right, if you’d like to follow me, I thought we could go have a coffee, look over a contract, I could give you an outline of what will happen in the next few weeks, and then take it from there, ok?”
Buffy nodded and said,

“Fine’’

They walked to the lift Spike pressed and they waited to go up to Spike’s office.

Chapter 5


“And off air in five, four, three, two, one – ok everybody – that’s a wrap.”

The director pulled off his headphones, and Giles stood up from his canvas ‘Directors’ chair and picked up his running notes. Everybody went about their duties in the studio, moving the chair and desk, autocue, etc.

Giles was going to go straight to his restaurant. Who should be walking down the corridor towards him, was Anyanka.

“Anya, darling, how are you?” he kissed her on both cheeks.

“Fine. I knew you’d be here today; I’ve just done a session for Glory, I thought I’d drop by, say hi. So, how’s the world with you? Heard from Jenny?”

“She’s been in New York this last two weeks, she’s phoned me twice, and emailed me”

“So, things are looking up for you two then?”
Anya linked her arm though Giles’ as they continued down the corridor.

“That’s just it, I don’t know. It was all about work. Every time I try and, well, talk none-work related stuff, she sort of glosses over it and goes straight back to business…”

“Want me to talk to her for you?”

Giles nearly shuddered at the thought. Anya was a good person, a very good person, but, she wasn’t known for her tact and diplomacy, called a spade a shovel, and hit you right between the eyes with what she thought.

“NO! Sorry, um no…I don’t think it would do any good…”

“Don’t know until I try!”

“Look, come and have lunch”

“What here?”

“No, at the ‘Winds’”

“Can’t. I’m doing a radio interview this afternoon, I’ve won an Indie Radio Award, but shush, I’m not supposed to know”

“Dinner then, tonight”

“Great…about 9.30? – Give me chance to do stuff first”

“Great, see you later then, bye”

*********


The lift doors slid silently open, and Spike, ever the gentleman held his arm out indicating Buffy to go first.

She smiled and did so. Just as the doors were closing, his cell phone beeped to indicate he’d got a text message. He glanced at the name an immediately deleted it.

Buffy watched the numbers above the doors, 2…3…4. The doors opened and Buffy walked out into a wide carpeted corridor, the walls lined with framed photographs of all the stars ever signed with the company.

There were lots of doors to various rooms and pot plants dotted around.

“Just down to the right, very bottom of the cor-“ Spike was indicating where they had to go, when a door flew open and a loud high-pitched squeal had Spike closing his eyes and wincing.

“BLONDIE BEAR! There you are! Don’t you EVER answer your messages?”

Buffy could have sworn she heard Spike mutter an ‘oh shit’ under his breath.

A blonde girl, dressed in thigh length black boots, a very short, low cut, red ‘Santa’ dress trimmed with white fur, with hat to match complete with white pompom on the end of it.

She was covered in glitter and fake snow, which fell onto the carpet as she walked towards them. Spike looked irritated beyond belief, and said quietly to Buffy,

“Excuse me for a moment, I’m sorry about this”

“It’s ok…I’ll um…look at the photographs” She walked off to diplomatically be out of earshot. Spike smiled and nodded, his smile leaving his face when he looked at the source of his annoyance.

“My widdle Spikey been ignoring his Harmony!” She ‘walked’ her fingers up his chest.

“Harmony, not now, can’t you see I’m busy?” Spike took her hand off him, and dusted the glitter off his shirt.

“But I’ve left you hundreds and hundreds of messages! And you don’t call!”

Buffy suddenly realised just who this was! Harmony! She tried not to appear star-struck, and stared at a photo.

“Look, what is it that you want, huh? Can’t Cordelia sort it out for you?”

Spike asked, the irritation clearly evident in his voice. Harmony looked all sick- kicked puppy, and pouting.

“But my little lamb…when can I see you?”

“What for?”

“I thought, that you could take me to the Indie Radio Awards”

“Did you now? Well, you thought wrong, it’s invitation to award winners only”

“But I’m up for best female singer!”

“No, Anyanka’s won it.”

“WHAT! Oh!” Harmony’s face creased, and she said in a tearful voice,

“I wanted to win that!” She bobbed her knees once, as would a spoilt child!

“Well, I’m sorry Harmony, but that’s the way it is, oh, and you don’t know that, by the way”

“What?”

“That it’s Anyanka that’s won. Now look, I’m extremely busy, so PLEASE stop calling and leaving messages for me, I haven’t the time.

In fact I was thinking, I’m far too busy for you these days, so I’ll get Xander Harris to take over as your manager, I’ll have Cordelia type up a contract straight away, now I must go” Spike turned away from the shocked blonde girl, and touched Buffy’s arm

“This way, love”

“Oh…right”
Buffy quickly glanced at a very sad looking Harmony

“But Blondie Bear! What about US!” Without so much as a backwards glance, Spike called out,

“Harmony, there IS no us, there never was”

And turned the corner out of sight. A very sad Harmony trudged her way back to studio 1 to start the video for her Christmas song, ‘Santa’s Sleigh’

“I’m sorry about that Buffy. Harmony gets…delusional.

She’s only young, I had to take her to a corporate party once, I was so busy ‘net-working’ I ignored her most of the evening, and in the end, I had to get somebody else to take her home, and she STILL reckons it was a ‘date! I’ve had to be cruel to be kind – Um here we are’’

Spike opened a door and allowed Buffy to go in first.

Buffy looked around the spacious office. It had a dark grey carpet, two big black leather sofas and a huge mahogany desk with leather swivel chair. The walls were a pale minty green, cool and relaxing. By the door was a water-cooler, and a unit with coffee maker and cups.

“Coffee – take a seat”

“Um, love some, thanks”

“How’d you take it?”

“Cream, no sugar, thanks” Buffy said, perching on one of the sofa’s. She briefly wondered why Spike had explained about Harmony…

“There you go” Buffy accepted the coffee from Spike, when there was a knock at the door.

“Yes?”

Cordelia Chase came in, carrying papers. She smiled and said ‘hello’ to Buffy, before handing Spike the documents.

“Cordelia, this is Buffy, winner of the-“

“I know! Search for a Star – I voted for you!” Cordelia smiled at Buffy
Buffy blushed and said,

“Oh, thanks-thankyou!”

“What? - You mean you were watching a RIVAL show?” Spike asked grinning

“Why, who was on – oh, the ‘Acid Queen’ – I ALWAYS give Glory Benson a wide berth, she’s so…un-necessarily bitchy!” Spike grinned again and initialled several sheets of paper.

“Oh, and I’ve just had ‘the encounter’ with Harmony, and given her the good news that I’m no longer her manager, have you done that contract as I asked?”

“On your desk”

“Thanks love, you’re a star…remind me to ask Sweet to give you a raise!” Spike grinned and winked at the dark haired beauty who left grinning, saying,

“That’ll be the day, bye then, see you later” Buffy said ‘bye’.

“Here you go, this is the standard contract, three album deal, the usual percentage royalties cut, plus we give an extra deal on merchandizing, which you won’t find with any other company, well, not as generous anyway”

Spike handed Buffy several sheets of paper to peruse at her leisure.

“Sorry, merchandizing?” Buffy quizzed

“Tee shirts, Dolls, video’s, posters, calendars that sort of thing”

“Oh. Right, stupid me!”

Buffy felt embarrassed at her idiocy, and her cheeks flamed.

Spike poured himself coffee, and came and sat by her. Buffy could smell his cologne, and she felt all tingly as he was in such close proximity to her. She bet he could hear her heart thumping!

“Um, can I ask another dumb question?”

“Another? – You haven’t asked one yet!” He smiled and sipped his coffee.

“Ask away, pet”

“That girl, Harmony, I mean Christmas? It’s only mid-August now, so why would she be doing Christmas stuff now?”

“Well to be truthful, if we were talking about you, say you decide to sign with us, which I hope you do, by the way, we’re even pushing it a bit fine as regards time.

You need to get established, get your pretty face into the magazines, newspapers and on TV, you need airplay, then we’d put out an album for the Christmas market.

But songs have to be written, rehearsed, recorded, doesn’t happen overnight”

Buffy nodded slowly, course, it made sense. Spike continued,

“Harmony is a well-established singer, having been around for a couple of years now, but she’s doing a tour, she’ll be half way through a European tour come early October, which is about the time we’d normally start operations for the Christmas market.

Spike leaned forward and put his empty cup on the low coffee table in front of them, and his knee brushed hers, and he made no move to shift it.
He sat back, and smiled,

“So, tell me about yourself”
Buffy smiled and put her empty cup next to his on the table.

“Well, what can I say…a fortnight ago I was a school counsellor, then I won a talent show at our local night spot, then I was on TV!”

“So, what does your boyfriend think of all this?” This was Spike’s oh-so-subtle way of finding out if this delightful little lady was taken…he hoped not, as he didn’t see any evidence last night at the show, but then, the song was about her missing her soldier boyfriend, so he could be away…

“Boyfriend? – No, I um, I haven’t got one”

“No – oh, you do surprise me, beauty like you. I thought they’d be queuing up around the block for you!” Buffy blushed and looked at her hands folded in her lap.

“Now I’ve embarrassed you, I’m sorry”

“No…well, it’s ok” The telephone on the desk began to ring.

“Excuse me, this must be important”

“Sure” While Spike went to deal with his call, Buffy picked up the contract and began to read.

***********



Drusilla woke with a bad taste in her mouth, a thumping headache, and feeling quite sore ‘down below’.
Disorientated she sat up suddenly and looked around the unfamiliar surroundings.

Her head swam. She put her hand down to lever herself up off the bed when her fingers closed around something hard and round, which suddenly buzzed.

She jumped and looked down and saw it was a vibrator, a foot away from it was a soft dildo. She let go of the vibrator and it stopped buzzing. On the nightstand propped up against the clock-radio was a folded piece of paper with her name on it.

‘Dear Dru – Gone to work, make yourself at home, be back around three this afternoon. What a night! See you later, love Cec XX

She was trying to think, but her brain was like cotton wool. She needed the toilet, and getting out of bed, she kicked an empty wine bottle.

There was also an empty Scotch bottle by the waste-paper basket. She felt sick and shaky, and just about made it to the bathroom in time to throw up in the sink.

Rinsing her mouth, she raised her head and looked into the mirror. She looked very pale, with dark circles under her eyes. An urgent thought came to her, ‘medication’. She needed her purse, where the hell had she put it?

********

“Sorry about that pet, but you don’t put off the ‘big boss’!”

Spike came over and stood in front of her. Buffy smiled and said she understood. She was holding the contract.

“If you get that looked at, and could get back to us ASAP, I’d be very grateful”

“I don’t need it looked at, I trust you” Spike smiled at her

“Oh, um, oh, well that’s great! – Well, if you want, we can sign now, and I can show you what’s in store for you” Buffy nodded.

“Ok, we’ll need two witnesses, Cordy can be one, um…” Spike opened his office door, and called to one of the ‘messengers’, a group of two-dozen people who roamed the offices wearing hands-free head sets that would run messages, call taxi’s, order flowers, fetch sandwiches and do all manner of useful things.


“You’ll do, I need you to witness a contract signing” the girl came into the office, followed by Cordelia.

“Um, sorry, could you give us a moment please, I’ll call you” The two nodded and waited by Cordelia’s desk.

“Buffy, I just want to let you know what you’ve let yourself in for”
She could see he was being open and honest with her, and she frown/smiled and said,

“I’m sorry, I don’t-“

“Before you sign I must tell you this, for the next few months, your feet won’t touch the ground, you’ll be tired, you’ll be sick to death of singing your song dozens of times a week, answering the same questions over and over, each time you’ll have to make it seem like you’ve never been asked that question before.

You’ll wake up in hotel rooms, not even being able to remember what State or city you’re in. Do you think you could cope?”

“I – I don’t know, I think so, I’d like to hope so”

“I’ll help you in any way I can” Buffy smiled

“So, still want to go through with it?

“Is it all bad?” Buffy asked, a little worried. Spike smiled,

“No. Once you’re established, you get to travel, see places you’ve only ever dreamed of, meet famous people, and then, there’s the money of course”

“Gimme that pen!” Buffy joked, and they both giggled. Spike called Cordelia and the messenger in to witness the signatures, giving a copy of the contract to Cordelia to put on file, and a copy for Buffy herself.

She handed Spike his pen back

“Right, so what happens now?”

“Now little lady, your feet don’t touch the ground!”

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