The last time. This would be the last time. He couldn't stand it anymore.
Spike twirled the crowbar in his hand, his eyes locked on the office ahead. He'd be working right about now, most likely. Spike remembered having heard something about him working the late shift tonight. Papers to read over or something. Or maybe files to fax. Spike didn't hear much when there was a red haze clouding his vision. Funny, that. The haze was surrounding his sight, yet he couldn't hear. His eyes were clear as day, and it was his EARS that had the problem.
Soon, he would be having problems. If he wasn't already.
Spike continued on towards the building, the conversation from earlier on a constant repeat in his mind.
Buffy had arrived for patrol earlier than Spike had expected. “Thought you were goin' out tonight,” he said, trying to sound indifferent. Still loved her, always would, but he wasn't the right man for her. She deserved someone better.
“I did,” she said, keeping her eyes on the ground.
It was only then that Spike noticed how very red her face was, and the tear trail lines running from her eyes to her chin. “Somethin' happen?” he asked, frowning.
“We talked. That's all,” she said, before hurrying forward to stake a fledge.
A few vampires later, Spike finally managed to get it out of her. “We were talking about...about different nicknames we'd gotten through the years. Trying to find something that no one could get upset about, you know? Because our last date erupted into such a huge fight and everything...”
“I remember,” Spike said softly, and he did. She'd come running to his crypt, crying her eyes out over the ninth fight they'd had. Spike might not be worthy of her, but this guy was even lower on the worthiness scale then Spike was.
“It started off okay, and then I jokingly mentioned bitch. And he said no, I wasn't a bitch.”
“I bloody well could've told you that,” Spike teased gently. Seems the git had some sense after all.
“He said bitches were nicer,” she said quietly, wrapping her arms around herself.
Spike stared at her, shocked. And she stuck around with him WHY?
She sniffled, and his arms were immediately around the hurting girl. As she silently cried into his jacket, Spike vowed that this would be the last time she cried because of him. No more.
After he'd dropped her at home, telling Red and Glinda to watch her and not let her out of their sight, Spike had headed off, his plan already formulating. He'd grabbed a few things from the crypt, then had headed off towards the wanker that was responsible for causing Buffy so much pain.
The door opened smoothly, and Spike stepped inside, heading straight for the back. At the far end of the office space Spike could see him, going over his files like any other day. Except today wasn't like any other.
Today, Riley Finn was going to pay.
Riley glanced up from the papers he was going over and sighed. “Spike, whatever your problem is, get Buffy to help you with it. I'm extremely busy with something the department above wants done, and if I'm going to keep the new desk job then I need...”
Spike swung, hitting Riley upside the head with the crowbar. The former military agent landed on the floor, gasping for air. “You need a swift kick in the ribs,” Spike growled, before doing just that. Several times.
“How.” Kick. “Could.” Kick. “You.” Kick. “Do that.” Kick. “To her!” Spike kicked him again, sending Riley's body flying towards the front doors.
Riley pushed himself up as Spike headed towards him. “Do what?! What the hell are you ranting...”
He never got the chance to finish. Spike hit him with his fist, sending Riley back onto the ground. “You've had your fair share of talkin', and it's done nothin' but hurt her.”
“Hurt who?” Riley managed to get out.
Spike's eyes flashed gold. “Buffy. You don't deserve her. She gave you a second chance that night when you were plannin' to leave a year ago, and this is how you repay her? Hurtin' her with words instead of actions? Can't make yourself the big man any other way, 'cause she's got more strength than you, so you gotta bring her down with words?” Spike hauled Riley to his feet, before opening the doors and throwing Riley out.
Riley's body connected with the pavement, and it took him a few moments before he began to push himself back up. Suddenly Spike was on top of him, his fists pulverizing Riley's face. “You bloody bastard!” Spike yelled. “I'm tired of her comin' to me 'cause she's hurtin' so bad, and the person that's supposed to be takin' the hurt away is the one causin' it!!”
Riley grabbed Spike's wrists and tried to push the vampire off. “She went to you? That double-crossing bitch!”
Riley had beaten Buffy down emotionally and mentally, yet still had the gall to act the wounded party when Buffy went to a friend for comfort. Spike's game-face slid on, and he began to attack Riley, clawing and kicking and punching until Riley was nothing but a mass of blacks, blues, and reds.
Spike finally stood, wiping his bloodied hands on his jeans. Riley laid on the pavement, wheezing and choking on his blood. “She's not a bitch,” Spike said, his voice dangerously soft. “She's a hell of a woman, and more than you deserve.”
He turned and walked away. “Get out of town. Sooner you do so, the more parts you'll keep.”
Buffy ran into the Magic Box the next day, telling everyone that Riley had suddenly disappeared. Everyone was extremely surprised to hear it, and were all sympathetic about her up-and-leave-'em boyfriend. The only two that weren't upset about it were Spike and Buffy. Buffy's eyes met his while the others continued to talk, and Spike could see the gratitude and happiness in them. He merely smiled at her.
Not a month later they announced that they were an official couple. No one complained or spoke out against it, not even Xander.
Riley was never heard from again.