Buffy walked into the agency door that bright morning, a gloomy face on. “Hey, Buffy! Have a nice morning?” Willow asked behind the counter ever so perky. She just received a nod as answer as the blonde went into the back room and placed her bag in one of the tables and proceeded to room where they stocked the video tapes and began the work of painfully looking over them.

“Hey, Buff is something wrong?” she asked worried, as she rushed from the front area of the agency and caught Buffy at the audio-visual room staring at the screen obviously not paying any attention to it. Buffy just shook her head not saying a word, “Do you wanna talk about it?” the redhead insisted but Buffy just sat there not responding. “Okay, if you’re sure...” Willow looked at her trying to read what was on her mind, “I’ll just be out front if you need anything,” the redhead said nodding off as she went back to the outer front of the agency.

Back at William’s place, the bleach blonde was lying on his back restfully, as he can be sleeping. There was a muffled banging that he seemed to be ignoring as he grabbed one of the pillows and placed in on top of his head trying to block out the sounds and lights coming from the outside. But the insistent banging continued yet he still paid no attention to it as he tried to get back to sleep. A couple of moments later the banging stopped, “Oh thank god!” he exhaled as he rest his head back in bed.

“Hey, man!” Xander greeted quite loudly as he entered his friends bedroom going to the windows and opening the drapes to let the sunshine in, “I’ve been banging to the door for the last couple of minutes.”

‘Or not...’ he thought as he winced at the bright rays and buried his head deeper into the bed.

“Come on, man. Rise and shine. I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” Xander sat on the foot of William’s bed.

Realizing that his stubborn friend will probably never leave him be, “What the hell are you doing here, Harris!” was his muffled response as he still buried his head under the pillow.

“Just thought I’d drop by, see why [I]you’re not at work,[/I]” he asked rather than stated.

“How did you bloody hell got in here?”

“Spare key.” he said simply dangling the silver key over his hand as if to let him see.

“Bollocks!” he threw the pillow over the bed, barely missing Xander, “Hey watch it!”

“Remind me to take that back from you later when I’m a little less drunk.” William said as he pulled the covers over his head.

“That bad huh?” Xander rose from his position and walked over to William’s side of the bed, “You and Buffy had a fight last night?” he pulled the covers away from the blonde.

“What’s it to you?” he asked as he snatched the covers back and tried to get back to bed.

“I don’t know... maybe I could help,” he battled with the covers, “I do know a thing or two about groveling, you know... and by the looks of things there’s got be major groveling,” he said the last part with struggle as he successfully snatched the blanket and threw it onto the floor out of both their reach, “So spill!”

After about an hour of staring at the stupid screen not even registering anything in, she decided to maybe try to do some filing instead and maybe she should talk to Willow. The redhead was probably in a heap of worry already by the way she acted around her. “Hey, Wills.” Buffy greeted, trying to be cheerful but failing miserably, “Sorry I was the ice queen back there.” Buffy plopped down on one of the rotating chairs.

“It’s okay” Willow smiled at her, “just wished maybe you would tell me what’s wrong, maybe I could help...”

“It’s nothing really, just lack of sleep.” She half lied, she did not get enough sleep last night, William kept calling all night, of course she didn’t answer it at some point she just got tired of listening to the ringing and just pulled the cord out of the socket.

“I can see that,” she observed, “dark circles under your eyes plus they’re all puffy” she gestured under her eyes where the said circles and puffiness are. “Have you been crying?” she asked sympathetically. But Buffy didn’t answer her, “Is it, Spike?”

Buffy just breathed in deep still not replying, which pretty much answers as a yes, “What happened?”

“Well obviously it’ your fault, man.” Xander concluded. If looks could kill, Xander would probably be dead right now chopped off into tiny pieces by the look William threw his way. “I mean, come on, Will. Everybody knows that keeping silent is like saying you’re pleading guilty to the whole fucking jury.”

“Well,” he replied sarcastically, “Kill me because I thought silence meant, I have no soddin idea what to say.”

“Ahh the good days...” Xander stared off. “Just I suspected you’re up to some serious groveling, tsk...tsk...” he shook his head, “What did you do after that?”

“Well, I stood there for about five minutes until I realized she was gone, then went back to Rupert gave him a shout, threw a couple of nasty curses his way for spilling the juice and stormed out of there.”

“So you chased after her?” Xander asked.

“Not exactly...” Xander raised a brow at him asking him what he did, “Kinda went home and got myself a little bit drunk.” Xander hung his head in defeat, “Then I called her... but she didn’t bloody well answered probably disconnected the bleeding line.”

“Wow, man I should really teach you more about the women, and here we thought you were the ladies man.”

“You? Teach me about women?” William scoffed at that despite his despair, That’s funny, Xand... really funny.” he started laughing getting up from bed and heading into the kitchen.

“What?” he followed after him, “At least I don’t have a girlfriend who wants my ass kicked till Tuesday.” Xander defended, with William’s stern look, “Sorry.” William walked over to the counter to prepare some coffee, “So what is it you plan to do about it?”

“About what?” William asked. Totally dismissing Xander’s point.

“About the Buffster, man.” he shakes his head, “You’re hopeless!”

“Well, sorry you wanker but I’m not really used to chasing after women,” was his defended answer.

“Yeah,” Xander agreed, “’cause they always use to throw themselves at you, but now it’s different it’s time for you to do what every guy has found no answer to in the history...”

“And what is that?” he asked not wanting an answer, as he continued, “Understanding women.” they said simultaneously then started to give out a laugh as they drank their coffee.

“But seriously, man. You’re gonna have to beg this time, walk on your knees if you have too. ‘cause trust me it’s going to take more than your bleach wonder to win her back.” Xander suddenly got an idea, he smiled as if a light bulb was atop his head, “Do you know her favorite flowers?”

“Yeah...” William replied eyes narrowed, slightly trying to figure out was his friend has in mind.

“Get the phone and your credit card my dear friend, ‘cause we’re gonna max it out!”

“Wow,” was Willow’s reaction after Buffy had told her the happenings of the night before.

“Thought so... Well after that he tried calling me for about two hours but I just pulled the line loose.”

“That sure is harsh Buff...” Willow said eyebrows crossed, “It could be that he just forgot to tell you...” she defended the bleach blonde.

“Still...” she insisted, “even if that’s true... how about the flirting huh?”

“Well, you could have misunderstood that...” she reasoned, “You know a lot of ex’s do become friends... and they were family friends...” Buffy just shook her head refusing to listen to the reasons Willow had laid out to her. Just as Willow was about to defend the bleach blonde yet again the bell above the door rang indicating there was a person at the door, Willow poked her head up from her position in her seat. “Yeah? How may I help you?”

“Umm... delivery for Buffy Summers?” the delivery man asked Willow looking at his clipboard.

Hearing this, Buffy stood up curios of who would be sending her any package, she wasn’t expecting anything, “Yeah, I’m Buffy.”

“Bring it in guys!” the delivery man called to his fellow co-workers outside, “If you just sign this,” he held his clipboard close to her as a line of men came in carrying big bouquets of white lilies.

Willow was the first to get excited as she grabbed the cards from the flower arrangements as the delivery people brought them in, reading the card in order as they came ‘I’m sorry. Life’s. Tedious. Without. You. With love, William’ she read off the five separate cards held by about the a hundred lilies that now filled their agency. “Aww... That’s so sweet Buffy...” but when she looked at where Buffy used to stand she was not there, the curtain to the inner office swinging behind her.

The delivery man still held his clipboard in the air as Willow signed for it and apologized, following Buffy to the back bringing one of the bouquets of lilies and the cards. “Buffy...” she found her by the audio-visual room again trying to find something to do. “Look how beautiful these are!” she held the flowers to her, “And the card, read it.” she heal the cards out.

“I heard, Wills” was her only reply as she continued to search through the papers by the table.

“And...”

“And... nothing”

“Buffy...” the blonde looked at her eyes wide, “Talk to him,” Buffy just shook her head, “and why not?” she asked hands on her hips, she loves her friend but sometimes she’s just way too stubborn.

“Because you can apologize through flowers?” she told her, “It takes more than that!”

“Like what? It’s not like you were willing to talk to him. Does he have to walk on his knees to get you to forgive him? The flowers are lovely...” she held the bouquet near, “Plus ‘life’s tedious without you’” she quoted the message, “Come on Buffy, doesn’t it softens you a little...” she said, ‘I’m getting through her, yes!’ her mind screamed.

Buffy gave out a half a smile, “They are beautiful aren’t they...” Willow raised her brow at her just then the phone rang.

Taking the receiver off the wall, “Hello?” she answered, “Oh, hi [I]spike...[/I] yeah, she’s here.” She nods her head, “Yes and they were beautiful... of course you can... wait a minute.”

“Buffy,” she looked up at her, “Phone” she stretched out her hand. Buffy shook her head, eyes wide. Covering the speaker of the phone, “Buffy” she hissed at her forcing the phone to her face her resolve face on.

Buffy rolled her eyes a couple of times, taking the phone from Willow, “Yeah?”

Buffy rolled her eyes a couple of times, snatching the phone from Willow, “Yeah?”

“Hey, luv.” William greeted, trying to sound positive, “Did you get the flowers?” he asked, uncertainty obvious in his voice.

“Yeah.” she answered awkwardly, glaring daggers at Willow. She didn’t want to sound harsh on the phone, she didn’t want him to think that she was still mad which in some point she isn’t anymore but neither did she want him to assume everything was back to normal. Awkwardness filled the line as neither said anything. “They were lovely, thank you,” Buffy spoke, trying to keep the conversation moving.

There were sound of murmuring that can be heard over the line, “Look, Buffy I’m sorry I can’t talk much. I sorta have to board a jet right about now.” he spoke through the receiver as he walked passed the gates and up the stairs into the plane.

“Oh.” she said surprised, “Where are you going?” she asked trying to hide the curiosity in her voice.

William of course didn’t miss the slight slip in her tone, “Just gonna be gone for a couple of days,” he paused not wanting to get into another argument. “Umm... you know about the-“

“Oh yeah, that.” Buffy again tried to sound unconcerned, ‘why was it so hard for him to just say he’s sorry so we can get over this whole deal.’ “Well, don’t let me bother you, we can talk another time.”

“It’s no bo-“

“Sir, we’re about to lift off, if you can please shut off your phone,” one of the pilots informed William.

Hearing this, “It’s really okay, Will. You can just call me back, whenever.”

“Okay...” he said halfway until the other line went dead. Flipping the phone shut and getting comfortable in his seat, William tried to shut his eyes for some much-needed rest. Until he felt a person sit down next to him, “Hello, Spike.”

Knowing there is no chance for sleep now he breathed in deep, rubbing his hands over his eyes, “Dru” he acknowledge the brunette’s presence.

“You don’t look well,” she observed, “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing gets pass you does it?” he told her with a thin smile, she just looked at him waiting for an answer, “It’s nothing, just lack of sleep.”

“It’s the girl isn’t it?” she tilted her head, “she has pained you.”

‘Girl? Oh...’

“Tell me.”

“It’s nothing, okay...” he said grinning his teeth together, “and she didn’t do anything to me.” he explained in a whisper. ‘God, I’m such a daft’, he could kill himself for what he had done, what he had provoked from happening because of one stupid mistake, one false move, one useless misunderstanding, everything he had ever had might just be slipping out of his grasp.

“Thank you. Call if there’s any problem,” Willow hollered at the retreating back of their client. Turing on to Buffy, “So what did he say?”

“Nothing much,” she said dismissively as she shuffled some papers. “Meaning?” the redhead inquired. “He didn’t say, much. He couldn’t really talk.”

“Oh,” Willow said disappointed. “Why?”

“Work,” was her only reply like it would explain everything. After a couple of minutes of silence, “He had to get on a plane... or jet, I’m not really sure,” she tried to explain further.

Willow just nodded her head, like everything Buffy had said just satisfied her curiosity. “You wanna go out with me tonight?”

“What?” Buffy asked, stunned.

“Well, Oz is playing tonight at the Bronze then we’ll be going to this party by the beach, one of his band mates was throwing. Why don’t you come with us?”

“I don’t know...” she shakes her head, “I’m not sure I’m up to it.”

“Come on Buffy, I promise it would be fun. We are totally lacking in girl time,” Willow pressed her lips together in plea.

Buffy narrowed her eyes, “Fine.”

Buffy and Willow arrived at the Bronze at about eight that night and the place was packed, it was filled with different kinds of people in all shape, size and age. The loud rock music was blasting off the speakers as about a hundred people get their groove on the dance floor.

As they entered, Oz caught Willow’s eyes and gives her and Buffy a smile. Soon the two ladies were able to find seats at the secluded booth in the far right. The whole night for them was filled with laughing and catching up with each other. Before long, Buffy actually found herself having a wonderful time just hanging-out with Willow and having a blast.

After their first set, Oz came over their table and plopped down beside Willow and gave her a peck on the cheek and Buffy a nod in acknowledgement. “Hey, Oz,” she greeted him.

“Hey.”

‘Typical, Oz,’ she thought, a man of few words literally, as she gave him a smile. “You guys are really getting good,” Buffy tried to make conversation.

“Yeah,” he nods.

“Oh don’t be modest,” Willow tells him, “They’re going to be talking to a producer next week,” she half whispered onto Buffy.

“Really?” Buffy was astounded, he just replies with a shy smile, “Wow, that’s great. Congratulations!”

“Thanks.”

“So, that’s what the party’s about huh?”

“Pretty much. Devon just wanted to make a big deal out of it.”

“But it is a big deal...” Willows insist, and he just shrugged and wrapped an arm tighter around her.

“Hey, why don’t you guys have a dance,” Buffy suggested, as a particular music starts to play in the background “I know this is Wills’ favorite song.”

Oz just looks at Willow eyebrow raised, “I don’t know, Buffy. We don’t want to leave you alone.”

“Oh please” she waved her hand dismissively, “I’m gonna be fine. Go on, dance.”

“If you’re sure...” Willow said as she slowly moved out of her seat, “Don’t you wanna join us?”

“Nah,” she shook her head, “You two go.”

“Okay,” the redhead replied as they made their way through the middle of the dance floor.

Buffy sat there holding an empty glass, watching the mass of people walking around and dancing. Willow told her that Xander and Cordelia would go by later at the party by the beach but she didn’t know if they would be able to drop by the Bronze. She really didn’t want to be alone in a table all sulky, she probably looked sulky. But she knew Willow, and the redhead probably wanted to dance and have fun but she wasn’t up to it so why not get all that energy out while Oz is on break.

“Excuse me, would you like another drink?” a voice beside Buffy asked, she didn’t turn her head and was about to decline when she whipped her head around, “Are you a waiter? I never knew they had waiters here.”

The man with dark colored hair laughed as he replied, “No, I’m not. I just thought you might like another drink.” he pointed at her empty glass, “Just observing.”

She smiled at him in return, “No thank you. I’m fine,” and turned her head back staring out into room.

“Are you here, alone?” the man asked again.

Buffy looks back at him and saw him give her a very charming smile that she returned, “No. I’m with Oz and...” she trailed off trying to point to him where her companions could be found, “Well there somewhere there.”

“Oz? From Dingoes?” he asked intrigued.

“Yeah, do you know him.”

“Well... sort of friend of a friend.”

“Oh.”

“So, will you be going to the party later tonight?” Buffy just looked at him, face filled with amusement. “I just thought you’d be there since...” Buffy’s smile just broadened. “I’m Scott,” he introduced himself and offered a hand for her to shook which she took.

“Buffy, and I will be going to the party.”

“Great, I’ll see you there then?”

“Yeah.” Buffy replied as with a nod as Scott walked off and was lost in on the mass of people in the club.

“Hey, Buffy!” Willow came back, jumping to the music; “Oz is back to prepare for his next set. Did you have fun without me?” she asked rhetorically as she sat on the booth and took a sip of her coke. “Who was that guy?” she asked, curios who she saw talking with Buffy on her way back.

“Oh, nothing. Just some guy.”

By the time Buffy, Willow and Oz arrived at the beach it was almost half past ten. The place was already filled with people, the center of the area had a big beautiful fire set up with big logs around to serve as sitting areas. The terrace of the beach house of what Buffy guessed must be Devon’s parents’ was filled with speakers and a stand where the DJ mixes different kinds of music. There were coolers of beer and sodas all around the beach ground. People were scattered everywhere, some by the fire, some by the cliff and other sitting by the shorelines.

A hand waved them over; it was Xander sitting on a log with Cordelia by the fire. “Hey Xand, Cordy!” Buffy greeted accordingly as they went over to them.

“Hiya, Buffyster, Willow, Oz.”

Willow and Buffy sat themselves on the log beside theirs; “I’ll just go and look for Devon, okay?” Oz announced as he gave the redhead a kiss and went on his way.

“So, you girls want something to drink?” Xander asked, raising from his seat.

“Diet Coke.”

“Diet Coke too.”

“I’ll go with you,” Willow offered leaving Cordelia and Buffy alone. Buffy rubbed her hands over the warm fire and heard Cordelia ask, “So, where’s Spike?” A little dazed she replied, “Huh?”

“William. Spike. Where is he? Is he coming?” she asked again accompanied with an eye roll.

“Oh...” Buffy nodded her head as she continued to rub her hands together, “He’s sort of not here.”

“Oh yeah,” she blinked her eye, “Xander said he’d be out on business. Sorry, I’ve been busy at the office. I forget.”

“Oh, that’s okay,” Buffy said with a thin smile. But truthfully it wasn’t okay, she was just beginning to forget about him, not that she can ever do that at least not completely. But she was able to block him from her mind for the time being, wanting to enjoy the night and worry about their ‘situation’ tomorrow. When Cordelia mentioned him, sadness filled her mind. She wished she hadn’t walked out on him last night, none of this would be happening if she just stayed and let him explain. But it wasn’t her fault; he was the one who didn’t tell her about Chicago and Drusilla, he was the one at fault. But he did give flowers... Buffy shook her head wanting to forget about the whole thing, she just gets more confused the more she thinks about it.

Cordelia saw the blonde a bit disoriented, ‘Oh my god, Stupid Cordy!” she cursed. “Oh, Buffy, I’m sorry. I- Xander told me about- I’m sorry, you probably don’t wanna talk about him.”

“Oh, it’s okay. Nothi-“

“Here are your drinks ladies,” Xander interrupted as he came up holding two cans of soda and a beer. “What were you talking about,” he hands them the tin cans.

“Nothing!” Buffy answers too fast, a little bit too fast.

“Oookay.”

“So, is there anything interesting to do here?” she asked changing the subject.

“You mean aside from getting drunk, making out and dancing all over the bloody beach, no” Xander answered with a smile.

Just hearing the word makes Buffy’s mind go all roller coastery and focused yet again on a certain bleach blonde, ‘he loves that expression.’

As her mind goes through the whole what if cycle, the three people by her side has started a very confusing debate, she has no idea how it started or what they were talking about so she just sat there listening to them yap on. ‘Willow seems to be winning...’

“Excuse me, Buffy?” she looked up to meet the face of that guy from the Bronze, ‘Oz, friend of a friend.’

“Hey, Scott right?”

He nodded, “Can’t believe you’re here.”

“I said I would be, didn’t I?” she said with a smile, ‘Are you flirting Buffy? Bad Buffy!’

They were interrupted by a series of coughs, “Oh, sorry,” Buff looked back at her friends and began introductions. “Scott, this is Willow, Cordelia and Xander. Guys, this is Scott.” They each give their own his and hellos.

‘He looks good, oh brown eyes, was he flirting with Buffy?’

‘Salty goodness!’

‘Scott? As William would say, poofter name.’

“Hey! So Buffyyou having fun?”

“Umm, I just got here, but I guess the party’s okay. Not the rockin’ sockin’ kind but- it’s okay.” ‘Rockin’ sockin’? What the hell was that’ she cringed inwardly.

“Maybe you just need to explore more,” he suggested. “Why don’t you come with me, I’ll introduce you to some of the guys and... you know, we can have a look around try to get a feel of the place.”

“I don’t know, I’m with my friends,” Buffy politely declined.

“I’m sure they wouldn’t mind,” he encouraged. Buffy couldn’t say a word, Scott figured she was just embarrassed to leave her friends all by themselves, “Umm, guys is it okay if I maybe steal Buffy for a while. Wanna show her around.”

“Umm...” Willow looked at Buffy and replied with a smile, “Sure. Just bring her back in one piece.”

“Will do,” he raise his right hand as if he was pledging.

“I don’t know, Buff-“Xander interjected, “Ow!” he exclaimed getting a kick from Cordelia, “I guess it’s okay, just be careful,” he told her eyeing Scott warily.

“Thanks guys.”

“Okay then” Scott offered his arm, “lets go.”

Back in Buffy’s apartment, ‘ring, ring.’

Buffy’s voice echoed from the machine, ‘sorry, I can’t come to the phone right now. I’m probably out. If you could leave a message after the beep, I promise to get back to you ASAP. Bye.’

‘Beep!’

“Hey, luv. Guess you’re not home, I just landed a few hours ago. Would have called you earlier but I thought I’ll get everything settled first. Anyway, Just thought maybe we could talk, never mind I’ll just call you again tomorrow. Goodnight...Umm...I miss you.’

To be continued...

Buffy woke up from her bed feeling very relaxed and energized. She had a total blast last night. After she went with Scott, he had introduced her to all his friends. There were a good bunch of fellows there was this one girl who looked kind of dorky sort of like Willow but was totally cool and all game. And this guy named Lorne who was obsessed with karaoke; they ended up finding a small den inside the beach house and singing along, even if she wasn’t much off a singer. They were really a cool group of people to hang out with. In the end even Xander, Cordelia and Willow joined in though they can’t seem to get a hold of Oz the whole time ‘cause he was with his buddies from the band rocking it on by the beach ground.

All in all Buffy felt like last night she was finally free and a totally different person. It was like she was in another world, having nothing to worry about, no bills and no work. She was almost able to forget about everything...almost.

Buffy looked up at the clock above the kitchen cabinets, “Damn!” she cursed, ‘I’m gonna be late for work.’ Finishing her cup of coffee she ran out of the house grabbing her bag from the side table beside the phone as she rushed out of the apartment and into the road leaving a red light blinking on her answering machine.

William was shuffling through the mounds of paper atop his desk; they have just finally settled everything and he was preparing to get back to Los Angeles. “Will,” a voice called from behind the doors as it flew open. “There you are, I already called Giles. He said he’d have the jet back here by tomorrow morning.”

“OK,” he answered as he stuffed the papers in his briefcase, “Thanks, Dru. If you don’t mind I’m gonna be turning in today, I’ll see you tomorrow.” William walked pass her and made his way out.

“Wait.” He turned back to her. “Is there something you need?” Drusilla shook her head, “No.” she walked closer, “I was just thinking maybe we could look at the city. This is my first time here and I thought we could have a look around explore the sights before you go back to work in LA.”

“I don’t know...” William ran his hands through his hair, “I’m sort of tired, I don’t think I’m up to it.”

“Oh,” she jutted her lip out in a pout, “But don’t you want to take a look around? Come on, when did you have time to enjoy the place since we arrived here, you have always been busy with work. I’m sure you need some time off, get your mind to relax...” she looked at him expectantly.

William opened his mouth to object but closed it again. Drusilla was right, he had been busy with work all this time. He was even surprised himself he got it all done in matter of three days, especially when his mind was worried about something else. Scratch that, what the hell a little lunch and coffee maybe some window shopping never hurt anyone, “Where do you wanna go, pet?”

“Where do you wanna go for lunch?”

“Hmm... I don’t know,” Buffy answered the redhead not raising her head from staring into the monitor of their trying to make sense of the numbers and figures staring right back at her. “Anywhere would be fine with me.”

“Oh,” Willow poked her head out of the back curtain, “there’s that new café down Crawford street that I’d been dying to check out.”

“I guess that’s fine...” she absently replied. “Willow! Come out here for a sec.”

“Yeah.” Willow stood beside Buffy by the computer. “What’s wrong?”

“Okay, I’m not that good in math, actually to be more precise I’m never good at math, but does this make sense to you?” she asked pointing at the monitor.

“Hmm,” Willow wondered, tilting her head to the side, “let me take a look.” She sat on the chair as Buffy moved aside to give her friend room to examine the figures. According to her calculations, if she’s not mistaken, they haven’t been earning enough to keep the agency going since that last three months. “I think they’re okay, pretty much right on the dot.”

“But that means that we’re not earning...” realization dawned to her, “Willow! Have you been messing with the funds and putting in more than your two cents?” Willow just replied with a sheepish smile. “Willow...!”

“Well...” she blushed the same color of her hair, “I was just trying to help, Buffy.”

Buffy closed her eyes, trying to think, “You know you shouldn’t be doing that and I thought we have been doing well?”

“We are.” She insisted. “We just needed a little help this pass few months it’s really no big, nothing you should worry about.”

“Where have you been getting the money, Wills?” Buffy interrogated, crossing her arms over her chest. Willow fell silent. “Wills! Where did you get the money!”

“Umm... my mother,” she answered in less than a whisper.

Buffy gave out a heavy sigh, she understood that Willow was just trying to help. But she already owed Willow and Mrs. Rosenberg more than enough gratitude she could pay with her entire life. “Wills, you should have told me.”

“But- there was no need to tell you because everything would work out sooner or later.”

“More on the later,” Buffy said in frustration. “Never do that again Wills,” she warned. The redhead nodded in response. “Now what am I suppose to do.” She held her head in her hands.

“It’s gonna turn out okay, Buffy.” Buffy just looked at her like she came from the mental institute. “Maybe not... but let’s just have lunch. My treat!” Willow offered. Buffy was able to produce a small smile, sometimes she just loved Willow the redhead could always make every problem sound like child’s play.

Just as Buffy was getting her bag the phone rang and Willow answered, “Hello, Match-made in Heaven, this is Willow how may I help you?” she said through the receiver smiling at Buffy for her formality. “Uhuh, yeah she’s here.” Buffy gave her a look to ask who was calling. “Wait a minute.”

Willow handed her the receiver. “Who is it?”

“Scott. I’m guessing from last night?”

“I didn’t give him my number,” Buffy whispered as she still clutched the receiver in her palm. Willow just shrugged in response. “Hello?”

“Hey, Buffy. It’s me Scott? From last night. You do remember me right?”

“Oh yeah, of course. Oz’s friend of a friend,” she explained crudely.

“Huh?”

“Nothing,” she answered innocently. “So how did you get my number?” ‘maybe Oz’s friend gave it to him? Oh, did I give my number to him and forgot? Maybe his a stalker?’

“You were listed. You told me last night what you do... I hope you don’t mind,” he asked uncertainly.

“Oh, no, no. I don’t mind.” She assured him. ‘Stalker? Your crazy Buffy.’

“Good.” There was a pause before he continued, “umm... Buffy I was just thinking maybe we could hang out tonight?”

“Hang out? Tonight,” Buffy echoed as she looked at Willow as if asking for permission. The redhead just shrugged.

“Of course if you don’t want to go out that’s Okay... I know it’s a bit short notice. You probably have plans...” He babbled on.

“No.” Buffy cut through his babbling.

“Oh. Well...”

“No,” Buffy blinked, “I- I mean yes I would love to go out with you.”

“Okay... Good.” He said in a tone like his was grinning from ear to ear from the other end of the line, “I’ll pick you up at eight, is that good?”

“Yeah, eight is perfect!” Buffy answered biting her lower lip with the look Willow was giving her. “What?” she asked innocently as she placed the receiver back on it’s rack.

“You’re going out with him?” she asked eyebrow raised.

“Yeah... but it’s not like a date or anything,” she defended.

“Huh.”

“It’s not a date!” Willow just pressed her lips together. “It might be a date, but-,“ she tried to explain but failing miserably, there seems to be no excuse coming out of her mouth.

“You have a boyfriend Buffy!”

“Yeah... Who’s in God knows where with that skank.” Willow just gave her a disapproving look shaking her head. “Let’s just go to lunch okay,” she finally said indicating the end of the discussion as she grabbed her bag and opened the door off to lunch, Willow trailing behind.

William had come to a conclusion; Chicago is not the best place for a vacation, not even remotely close to a tourist spot. You could go to a library and see more interesting sights. With of course the exception of some parks and beaches, which according to the tourist guide books were one of the best in the world, though they never saw neither one of them. There were a couple of buildings that deserved admiration but nothing you wouldn’t see in a busy city like Chicago.

He had pretty much spend the whole afternoon with Dru driving around the city looking at museums, that they have a lot of, he for one was never impressed by them. He always thought they were boring but Dru was mighty thrilled by them so he considered staying and keeping her company. The weird feeling was that, God forbid, he enjoyed the day, no matter how crowded the streets were and how rude the hurrying streetwalkers were, which he was one before when he was in LA . ‘Damn! It’s either ‘m really shallow or in big need of some entertainment.’ “Thanks. That’s all.” Drusilla’s voice broke through his revive. “So what did you think of today?”

“It’s God damn boring is what it is.”

“Really?”

“Maybe not,” he considered. Drusilla smiled. “But that’s just because I’m bleeding hell bored out of my mind.”

Drusilla giggled at that. After a pause, “So have you made up with Buffy?”

William lifted his head accompanied by one eyebrow raised as if asking where the hell that came from. He had spilled about it to her on the plane ride over to Chicago. Much to his surprise she seemed to listen and actually take in what he was revealing. Maybe the truce they made was working out better than he had imagined, though he still had no idea what it is there were suppose to do that required it. “No.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s the ultimate mystery in the world, you women are bloody hell hard to understand.”

“Depends on who,” she told him giving him a knowing look.

He just shook his head and gave her a half smile. “I’ll just be outside. Need a smoke.” He held the pack of cigarettes up. Drusilla just nodded the same expression still on her face. William walked out the door, deciding he needed to call someone.

‘Knock. Knock.’

“In a minute!” Buffy shouted as she tried to place her hoop earring on while finding it’s pair. “Hey!” she greeted Scott when she opened the door and let him in. “Just take a seat. I’ll be right out.” ‘where the hell is that other earring?’

Scott just sat there uncomfortably, looking around Buffy’s small apartment when the phone rang. ‘Ring. Ring.’ “Can you get that?” Buffy shouted from her bedroom still on the mission of looking for her missing earring.

“Hello?”

“Buffy? Luv?—“ Williams voice echoed through. “Who’s this?”

“Who’s this?” Scott answered back.

“You don’t wanna know. Who the bleeding hell are you?”

“Scott.”

First thing that came to William’s mind was ‘poofter name!’ “What are you doing there?”

“Excuse me?” he asked, this was becoming a very weird conversation, “Who are you looking for?”

“I’m looking for Buffy.”

“Well she’s busy... I think she’s looking for her earrings or something. Who is this again?”

“Spike,” he answered using his nickname. ‘Who the hell is this guy?’

“Well—Spike. Do you wanna leave a message?”

“No,” he answered wariness in his voice as the line went dead.

“Hey!” Buffy came back out of her bedroom, wearing a very impressive dress, two silver loops intact in her ears. “I’m ready to go.”

“Good.” Scott offered his hand, which she took, “Lets.”

‘Who the bloody hell is Scott?’ That was the question pondering William’s mind all throughout dinner, he kept on thinking if Buffy had a friend named Scott she had introduced to him before. ‘Does she have a brother?’ Cause God knows with a name like Scott it sure hell is somebody he’d be forgetting. ‘Is her father’s name, Scott?’

“You know, you should try eating something.” The voice of Drusilla broke him out of his reverie. “Haven’t your mother ever thought you never to play with your... Umm, are those scallops?” Shaking his head. “What?”

“Nothing.” She shook her head. “You just looked—“

“Distracted?” he supplied. “Yeah,” she said with a glimmer of smile. “Do you mind if we go?”

“I guess not... I don’t have to eat...”

“Good.” Drusilla looked appalled, “Bill.”

“So you’re a bartender?” Buffy asked with amazement. “Yeah,” answered Scott. “So you tend bars...”

“Yeah... that’s the idea.” He answered with a grin.

“That must be a very interesting job...”

“I guess you can say that.” He moved in closer to the table as if to tell a secret and Buffy mimicked his actions. “I always nick a couple of drinks for myself.”

“Your bad...”

“Evil,” he proposed. Buffy just complied with a tiny laugh. And then there was silence. “Umm... a guy called...”

“Huh?” Buffy shook her head, lightly disoriented.

“The phone I answered...”

“Oh that,” she replied clearly not interested. “Who was it?”

“A guy—the name of Spike?” he asked cautiously. “Ring any bells? He sounded very protective...”

“Spike...” Buffy echoed.

“Yeah... told him you were busy. It’s not somebody important is it?”

“No.” Buffy shook her head. “Just a friend...”

“A very protective friend...” he interred. “Buffy are you okay?” he asked, as the blonde started staring into space.

“Yeah... I’m fine...” She gave him a tight smile.

“Xander!” William exclaimed as if the thing just dawned onto him. “What?” Drusilla asked both surprised and confused. They have been walking back to their hotel for the last five minutes in total silence. William insisted that they walk instead of taking a cab, because according to him with the traffic the roads were in they would never get back until much later that night, which he could be right. Then suddenly he stops at his tracks and exclaimed a name most familiar to her ear.

“Xander... I need... I can call Xander,” he vaguely explained. “Yeah... so what?” his companion asked.

“Dru,” he turned to face her, “pet, can you please get me a cup of coffee, black, right... there.” He pointed to the Starbucks right across the street.

“I’m not sure I should leave you like this,” she emphasized, “here alone.”

“I’ll be fine. Just need to make a call.”

She didn’t want to be the one taking orders from him. [I]‘It should be him’[/I] her mind screamed. But what the hell right, doing a little to get a little isn’t too bad a proposition plus he was acting very peculiar lately. So she made her way to the coffee shop across the street as she eyed him warily.

Just as Drusilla was out of earshot, William grabbed his phone out of his pocket and pressed his speed dial for the whelp.

“Hello?” Xander answered from the other line.

“Who the bleeding hell is Scott?”

“What?” Xander asked bewildered. “Will is that you?”

William sighed heavily, “Yeah it’s me... Who’s Scott.”

“Scott? Who’s he?”

“I’m asking you, you moron! The one that was in Buffy’s apartment.”

“Buffy has a Scott in her apartment?!”

“Xand!”

“Oh... sorry” he apologized as he switched the receiver to his left ear. Jiggling his right one. “Scott... Scott... Scott...” he repeated trying to recall who his best friend was talking about. William waited patiently on the other line as recognition slowly broke in on Xander. “Scott is Oz’s friend of a friend.”

“Meaning?” he asked irritation evident in his voice.

“Oh, he was with Buffy the other night at the party... Devon’s party,” he explained. “Oz’s band mate,” he further explained as if the bleach blonde saw any interest. “He must be dating her... didn’t know the Buffster was dating again. Hmm...”

“Dating?” he asked in astonishment.

“Maybe... but God, man was he boring...” Xander tried to assure his friend.

“Dating?!”

“I’m not sure... maybe... I have to ask Oz to ask Willow then get back to you. But they did look mighty comfortable the other night.” He inserted the last part and then regretted it as he heard a scowl at the other line. “But I’m sure it’s nothing, man. Nothing at all.”

“Whatever, mate. Look I gotta go,” he told him as Dru neared holding two styrofoams of coffee. “Just call me back.” Was his final word as he flipped the phone shut and accepted the cup given to him.

“So, did you get what you wanted from Xander?”

“Huh?” he asked as he drank a gulp of his coffee. “Yeah... but I think I’m gonna need a stronger drink that this.” He walked off ahead of her. Drusilla just stood there her mind shrieking, ‘what?’ she might have been crazy but she’s not that crazy. ‘What the freaking hell is up with him.’

“Dru? Pet? You coming?” he asked when he noticed that no one was following him. She just answered her with a tight smile as she walked over to him.

They have reached Buffy’s door, ‘a very awkward moment’ she thought. “So I had a really fun night.” Scott tried to break the silence. “Yeah.”

“Are you sure your okay, Buffy?” he inquired yet again, he seemed to be asking the same question throughout their way home. “Ever since dinner”, ‘ever since you mentioned Spike’ her mind interjected. “ You seemed...”

“Distracted?” she supplied for him.

“Yeah...”

“It’s nothing. I was just thinking of somebody...”

“I think you just had about enough, Will.” Drusilla told the bleached blonde as she rested her elbow on the bar looking pointy at him. They have been sitting here for the last hour and William had about 8 beer bottles. You’d think the bartender would have cut him off, but guess what, money talks here. He gave the bartender about fifty bucks when he was in his third bottle and he just kept them coming after that.

She had a vague idea on why he was drinking but didn’t want to speak about it; it might work to her advantage. “Come on, Spike. Let’s get you upstairs.” She half dragged him from the stool at the bar. Once he got off he muttered something unintelligent and fell into a heap onto Dru’s arm. ‘This is not my idea of it.’ She thought as he shook him a little then dragged him out and into the elevators.

Buffy shut the door on Scott after they have exchanged their pleasantries. He asked her if she would be interested to lunch tomorrow. She told him she’d think about it. After that, awkward silence fell and he said his goodbye and left with no kiss.

Not that he initiated and she declined. Not that she would have accepted if he had initiated, but she’ll never know now. During dinner when he had mentioned William she had been shocked that he had called. She would have loved to talk with him but didn’t know if it was right to call him. He was probably busy... and the one time he called he had to be the one that answered. ‘What must he think of me now...’

As she sat herself on the couch she noticed for the first time that her answering machine was blinking red. Pressing the button:

‘Sorry, I can’t come to the phone right now. I’m probably out. If you could leave a message after the beep, I promise to get back to you ASAP. Bye.’

‘Beep!’

“Hey, luv. Guess you’re not home, I just landed a few hours ago. Would have called you earlier but I thought I’ll get everything settled first. Anyway, Just thought maybe we could talk, never mind I’ll just call you again tomorrow. Goodnight...Umm...I miss you.’

‘Beep!’

It went dead as Buffy slouched back onto the couch, ‘I miss you too.’

‘Ding!’ the elevator sounded indicating that the machine had reached that level. Drusilla got out of it half dragging a half-conscious Spike thrown upon her shoulder. “Dru, what are the stars doing inside the hotel building?” he asked pointing onto the ceilings.

“What?” she looked up. “Those are not stars, my sweet. Their light bulbs.” She explained to him as she brushed back some of his hair that were clouding his handsome features.

As they reached his room, she positioned him beside the wall telling him to stay still until she got the door open. “Okay, come on let’s get you inside.”

“Inside... to sleep.”

“Yeah... to sleep.”

“Would you be inside sleeping with me?” asked an obviously very drunk William.

‘Huh?’ “I guess that can be arranged,” she said as the door shut close.

To be continued...