Title: Fluffy DoubleMeat Palace
Author: Nebula
Pairing: Spike/Buffy
Rating: PG-13
Chapter: 1 of 1
Summary: A Fluffy, Spuffy redo of the season 6 episode 'DoubleMeat
Palace'.
Disclaimer: I own neither Barbie, Toy Story 2, or any of the
characters, places, etc. mentioned here.  I've merely borrowed them
to play.
Concrit: In email, please.

Author's Note 1: Thank you to my beta Mel; you're an absolute
sweetheart!

Author's Note 2: I received a flame/rant from someone saying very
nasty things about my writing not too long ago, and it really
discouraged me.  A friend of mine sent me a surprising email full of
hugs and encouragement, and it's to her that I dedicate this story. 
Thank you, Essi.

Author's Note 3: All italics in this fic will be marked
between 'these quotations'.  If you'd like to see this with the
actual italics, head to either of these sites:

http://www.geocities.com/nebula_authoress
http://authoressnebula.livejournal.com

< --- >

  It was decided: she was Tour Guide Barbie.  The one from Toy Story
2, where, in the outtakes, finally stopped smiling, complaining that
her cheeks hurt from the action.  That was how Buffy was feeling. 
Constantly keeping a smile in place even while people scowled at you
for not taking your order fast enough was hard work.
  "Enjoy your meal," she chirped at the family of four, then turned
to her next customer.  "Welcome to."  And suddenly her smile wasn't
needed anymore.
  Spike stood before her, dressed in his 'other' jacket, the brown
leather one.  Buffy glared at him, and he glared right back at
her.  "What are you doing here?" she hissed.
  "I believe it's a free country, pet.  Can go wherever my little
heart desires."
  "Except where you're not invited," she muttered.  "Seriously
Spike, what do you want?"
  "To ask you a question," he said, pretending to think it
over.  "Now what was it.oh yeah: what the 'hell' are you doin'
here?!"
  Buffy's nostrils flared.  "I'm working, you jerk.  See?" she said,
pointing to her nametag.  "It says `BUFFY'.  Legal employee of
DoubleMeat Palace."
  Spike raised his eyebrows as he took in her entire uniform.  "Nice
hat," he said.
  Blood rushed to her face as she glanced down at the counter.  She
knew she looked like a clown, and the cow on the hat WAS a tad
ridiculous, but why did he have to say that?  "Please don't," she
mumbled.
  A hand caressed her cheek, causing her to look up at him.  His
face showed no mocking, but.worry?  "You hate it here," he
whispered.  "Why are you doin' this?"
  "I hate slaying too; doesn't mean I can just quit the job."  Buffy
leaned slightly into the touch.  She probably smelled and felt like
grease; she'd been in the back all morning, preparing everything.
  If she was greasy at all, it didn't seem to matter.  Spike's hand
remained on her cheek, fingers lightly brushing her skin.  "That's
not answerin' the question.  You're miserable, Buffy.  Why do this
to yourself?"
  "Because slaying doesn't pay the last time I checked, and someone
has to put groceries in the pantry," she said, sighing.  "Dawn's
depending on me.  I can't.I can't let her down.  I have to do this."
  "No you don't!" Spike argued.  "You can get out of this place
right now.  You don't 'have' to do anythin'."
  Buffy pursed her lips.  Leave it to him to tempt her with what she
wanted so much.  "And what about money?" she asked.
  "I'll take care of it," he said, leaning forward.  "Buffy,
please," he pleaded.  "Get out of here before it kills you."
  "Spike, I just started," she began, but Spike cut her off.
  "Don't care.  This place'll do things to you.  And I'm not `bout
to sit around and watch you fall to pieces.  I already did that this
year.  Wasn't fun the first time," he said softly.
  "Are you about done?" an elderly woman behind Spike demanded.
  Spike gave her a glare that would've wilted flowers, then turned
back to Buffy, glare already gone.  "Please," he said again.  "Leave
with me now.  I'll take care of it."
  "How?" she asked.
  "I'll figure somethin' out!  Just.come with me.  Please."
  The woman cleared her throat.  Buffy closed her eyes for a brief
second.  She wanted to go home and wash the grease away.  Her back
was hurting too, and would probably hurt more by the time her shift
was over.  A massage would feel wonderful right about now.  Spike
would probably give her one, and would probably massage more than
her back while he was at it.
  Opening her eyes, Buffy pulled away from his hand.  "I can't," she
said simply.
  Spike stared at her for a few moments, and when she stood
steadfastly by her register, turned and walked out the door.  Buffy
watched him go, wishing with all her heart that she was walking
right beside him, out of the Palace and into the cloudy day.
  She turned back to the annoyed woman and gave her a bright
smile.  "Welcome to DoubleMeat Palace.  Would you like to try a
combo meal?"

< --- >

  People.  The meat was made out of 'people'.  Buffy couldn't
suppress another shudder at that thought.  That went beyond her ick
factor, well into her `let's-not-think-about-it' factor.  Because
that?  More disgusting than a slime demon.
  Slowly she opened the door, glancing inside.  She'd slipped out of
the Magic Box without anyone noticing, her destination set.  She had
to know if it really was people that made the DoubleMeat special
extra special.  And she wasn't waiting for Willow's chemistry: what
if the murderer killed someone tonight?
  She wrinkled her nose at the stench.  Whatever the meat was made
out of, it really stunk.  No wonder Xander had declined her hug
earlier.  She probably reeked just as much as this place did.  A
noise pulled her from her thoughts.  The sound a body would make
falling to the ground.  As quietly as she could she crept inside.
  Shuffling noises, and Buffy knew she wasn't the only person
inside.  She was about to move forward when something fell to the
ground, spraying her with its contents.  Buffy blinked, startled,
then felt her stomach flop as she realized what had sprayed her. 
Blood.  Blood that had come from the foot in front of her.  The foot
that wasn't attached to any body.  The sock and shoe were still on
it, however.  Gross.
  She began to back away, but the person that came around the corner
made her stop.  "You?" Buffy asked incredulously.
  The elderly woman gave her a patronizing smile.  "You asked me
yesterday if I'd like a combo meal.  I only ordered the sandwich,
but I think I'd like to take you on that combo offer, if it still
stands."
  Buffy watched as the woman's hair lifted from her head to reveal a
serpent-like demon.  It hissed at Buffy, tossing the wig
aside.  "I'll take the number two combo.  You know, the one that
comes with two sides?" the woman continued pleasantly, as if there
wasn't a huge monster coming out of her skull.  "I've already had
one side; you'll make a wonderful second."

< --- >

  He'd 'known' that place was dangerous.  Could feel it in his
blood.  He'd tried to warn her, but as usual, she hadn't listened.
  "Stupid bint," he muttered.  He'd headed to the Magic Box in one
last attempt to change her mind about the Palace.  She deserved
better than that.  He couldn't give her everything she deserved, but
he could at least get her out of that hellhole.  He could call in
favors, give her and Dawn what they needed until Buffy found a
better job, or he found one for her.
  His great plans he'd wanted to share with her hadn't gotten the
chance to be told.  Xander had informed him that the meat from the
Palace was probably 'human', and Willow had told him quite proudly
that the testing of the meat was being done with science, not
magic.  Buffy hadn't said anything, mainly because she hadn't been
there.
  When he'd asked the two where their fearless leader had gone, all
they'd told him was that Buffy had been around, and not that long
ago.  "I don't know where she went or WHEN she went," Willow had
said apologetically.  "She was right here.  And then we started
talking about people that could be suspects.  You know, for killing
the soon-to-be-meat people?  Xander and I started discussing if it
was the manager or an employee, and I thought.where are you going?"
  Of course Buffy would go here.  As much as she may hate her
slaying duties, she'd still do them.  If she could prevent a death,
though she might die herself in the process, she'd do it.
  With a sigh Spike trudged towards the darkened DoubleMeat Palace.
  Around towards the back, where the dumpsters were, Spike noticed
the rear door open.  He sighed again.  Of course.  He started to
call out to her, but a cry stopped him.  His eyes widened as he
quickly made his way inside.
  The elderly woman from the other day was there, except something
was drastically different.  Where her hair should've been was a
demon.  The woman was staring at Buffy, who was backing away rapidly.
  Buffy continued to back away, and suddenly she stumbled.  He
watched in horror as her legs gave way completely, and she hit the
ground, visibly shaking.
  "The legs are always the first to be paralyzed," the woman said,
as if chatting about the weather.  "It starts at the bottom and
works its way up.  A very powerful spray my demon has, indeed."
  Spike ducked behind a shelving unit full of metal trays.  Between
shelves he could see Buffy crawling away on her arms.  It was only a
matter of time before she was completely paralyzed.  Grabbing a
nearby tray, he slid out from behind the unit and threw it at the
demon.  It squealed as it was cut off, and the old lady fell onto
the floor.
  He hurried over to Buffy, who was now lying on the floor.  "Can
you move?" he asked, eyes widening at the blood that was splattered
all over her face and clothes.  A quick sniff was enough to tell him
that it wasn't hers, and he sighed with relief.
  Buffy nodded jerkily.  "Barely," she croaked.  "It's not.?"
  "No, it's not permanent," Spike assured her.  "Should wear off in
an hour or two.  You'll be all right."  He gave her a smile, and was
pleased to see it returned.
  Her eyes suddenly glanced over his shoulder and widened.  Before
he could ask what was wrong, Spike found himself flung towards the
opposite side of the room.  He landed against the meat grinder,
glaring at the old lady as she started towards him.  "You
interrupted my meal!" she yelled.
  "I happen to be very fond of your `meal'," Spike snapped.  The
stub on the woman's head was wriggling, and he was pretty sure it
would soon respawn.  Paralyzing demons had a nasty habit of doing
that.  Spike glanced around for a weapon of some sort, and grimaced
when he could find one.  He gripped the edges of the meat grinder,
preparing to launch himself on the advancing lady.
  Wait.  Meat grinder?  He stole a glance to the right and left and
saw a red switch on the left side of the grinder.  The woman let out
a shout as she reached him, and he grabbed her wrists, trying to
hold her off.
  The stub continued to wriggle, and soon two inches had grown
back.  "Fine then," Spike growled, shoving the growing demon down
into the grinder.  He kicked at the switch, holding the woman down
as the demon got caught in the now spinning blades.  It shrieked as
the blades tore it to pieces, and the woman screamed as the demon
was ripped up.  Spike quickly backed away, wincing at the noises.
  The shrieking and screaming ended at the same moment, and the body
fell to the floor, dead without the demon inside it.  Spike made
sure it wasn't coming back this time, then made his way over to
Buffy.
  Wide eyes locked onto him, and the fear in them was quickly
replaced by relief when she saw him.  She was completely paralyzed
now, then.  Bending down, he placed a soft kiss to her brow, then
gently pulled her into his arms.  He stood, turning back towards the
meat grinder, just to double check.
  Yellow meat was now being pushed through the grinder.  Spike knew
that if she could've, Buffy would've made a face.  As it was, the
disgust was easily apparent in her eyes.  "Seriously hopin' you
don't have to be the one to clean that up tomorrow," he said, before
heading out the door, mindful of his precious cargo.

< --- >

  Buffy tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, then handed
the now printed receipt to the man in front of her.  "Your food will
be out in a moment," she told him, giving him a smile that felt too
forced.  He stepped to the side to allow the next customer to go up,
and Buffy was surprised to see Spike standing there.  She hadn't
seen him since two nights ago, when the mystery behind the bloody
limbs had been solved.  He'd dropped her off at her house, and after
making sure she could move, had left with a small smile.
  So wrapped up in her thoughts, she almost didn't realize that the
previous man's order was up.  "Order number two forty-three!"
someone called in the back, and it took her a few moments to shake
herself and grab the tray.
  "Enjoy your meal," she mumbled, flashing him a tight grin before
turning back to Spike.  "What are you doing here?" she asked quietly.
  "I'm here to enjoy a lovely demon-burger; I'm sure the meat's
still good," Spike said with a smirk.  Buffy began to smile, then
stopped at the look a passing employee gave her.  Spike's smirk also
disappeared.  "Just came to make sure you were all right," he said.
  "I'm fine; paralyzing effects are completely gone.  And I actually
managed to NOT clean the grinder.  I don't know how I got out of
that one, but I did," she quipped, giving him a bright smile.
  Spike gave her a long, hard look, before saying softly, "I didn't
mean the demon, pet."
  The bright smile faded as well.  "I know," she murmured.
  "Why?  Buffy, you 'hate' this.  Hate this even more then slayin',
I'd wager.  But you're still here, every day, mornin' `till night."
  "I have to pay for groceries somehow, Spike," she said, but doubt
crept into her mind.  Maybe she didn't have to do this.
  "Think your sis would probably give up food to have you home and
happy," he said quietly.
  Tears burned in her eyes at his words.  As much as that comment
hurt, it was true.  "I can't," she whispered miserably.
  Spike leaned forward, both hands braced against the counter.  "Why
not?" he whispered back.  "I'll take care of things, I promise.  Let
me take care of you for once, luv.  Please?  Or ignore my help,
ignore 'me' if you want, find another job.  I don't care!  Watchin'
you suffer in here for no reason whatsoever is killin' me."
  When she made no reply, Spike leaned back and nodded sadly, then
turned and headed for the door.
  Buffy closed her eyes and let the tears fall down her face.  She
wanted out so badly.  She wanted to take him up on his offer, but
she couldn't.
  .Could she?
  There was a clatter of metal behind her, and she jumped, cringing
as voices began to rise.  "Summers!" someone called out.  It sounded
like the manager.  "Let Mark take over the counter; get back here
and help with the mess!"
  Slowly she opened her eyes, then blinked at the sight of Spike a
few feet from the door.  The emotions on his face ranged from every
type of sorrow she could imagine, and it was all for her.  Their
eyes locked, and ever so slightly he extended his hand towards her. 
He was still offering her a chance out.  Offering his help,
his 'heart'.
  She glanced back towards the bickering manager and employees, then
turned back to Spike.  The hopeful look on his face was enough to
tell her exactly what she should do.
  Grabbing the brim of the hat, she ripped it from her head, then
pulled the nametag off her shirt, leaving a small tear in the
fabric.  She dropped both to the counter, then came around from
behind the registers to in front of them.  She continued towards
Spike, ignoring the startled shouts behind her.  Her senses were
locked on the vampire in front of her.  The one who looked so
incredibly happy right now, she thought his smile would crack his
face in two.
  Reaching out, she took his hand in hers.  "Ready to go?" Spike
asked, even though he knew the answer.
  Buffy nodded.  "More than ready."
  The smile on her face was genuine as the two stepped out into the
night.

THE END