Chapter 7: Back and Forth
"Can I take your order please?" The waitress gazed at the three people sitting silently round the table. They'd been sitting like that for a while just staring at each other and it seemed like a good time to approach them.
"Nina!" Hank's face lit up, diverting his eyes from his daughter.
"Hello Hank, how have you been?" the woman responded with a shy smile.
"Great a bit busy... Haven’t been out for a good meal in a while… "Hank gazed at his daughter and saw her raising a brow at his apparent affection towards the woman standing before him.
Every one at the table glanced in different directions. Nina picked up the tension and took out the pen from behind her ear.
"What can I get you?" She gazed at Hank's pensive expression.
"What? Um… I don't know…what do you want hun?" He glanced at Buffy.
"I'm not hungry any more," she replied calmly.
"Spike?"
"No, nothing thanks" Spike muttered.
"Maybe just drinks for now Nina…the usual."
"Okay" she smiled and turned away.
"What's the 'usual'?" Buffy gave her father a wary stare.
"Cider, non-alcoholic."
Hank could have sworn he heard her sigh with relief.
He watched the two sitting in front of him. Both were gazing down with anguished looks on their faces, as if they were waiting to be sentenced for some terrible crime they’d committed. He couldn't restrain his smile.
"It's not true, Buffy." he stated simply.
"What the bloody hell isn't true?" Spike snapped glancing at the two and releasing the tension he’d up till now kept inside.
"You really think, I would let Spike fight if I knew he had a heart problem?" Hank stared at Buffy.
"Wait, what heart problem?" Spike mumbled glancing at Hank who still hadn't torn his eyes from his daughter.
"You didn't do a lot of damage though." Hank sighed looking at his hands and then right back at her. "You really thought you could pull this off?" he asked curiously.
"I-I was just concerned," Buffy muttered "Angel said-"
"Angel is a liar."
"Bloody right he is!" Spike glared at her for the first time since they’d sat down. He had a harsh look on his face which made Buffy shift uncomfortably in her seat.
They gazed blankly at each other for a few more minutes barley noticing when Hank excused himself from the table to start a conversation with the waitress at the bar.
"You gonna believe every bit of crap this ponce sends your way?" Spike finally asked.
"I said, I was concerned-"
"Bollocks! You thought your dad was lying to you, couldn't wait to see that happen."
"Spare me the psychoanalysis okay? I’ve had enough insights for one night…"
Buffy murmured the last part and looked away.
"Oh yeah" Spike’s voice softened "like what?"
Buffy glanced back at him and saw the change in his eyes. He gave her a penetrating stare just like he had the moment before Hank had interrupted them in his office.
"So, there's nothing wrong with your heart?" she asked as if trying to figure out the truth behind his gaze.
Somehow Spike seemed to find this hard to answer.
"No." he paused. "Nothing’s wrong."
"I-I'm sorry for the trouble." Buffy said quietly, gazing down and brushing her hair back from her face.
"That's-"
"I guess I overreacted" she glared back at him.
Overreacted? "Huh?"
"Look, about what happened before Hank came…." Buffy's eyes wandered to her hands as she spoke "The thing is that… I-I wasn't myself and then…what happened …I guess it was-"
"A glitch?" Spike cut through her rambling.
She looked at him wide eyed.
"I'm sorry." He gazed away while blurting out the words. "I wasn't thinking, I should have use better judgment, considering…"
"Well… I-" Buffy was overwhelmed and a little offended by the arrogance of his statement. She gazed away as well, trying to figure out the change in his tone.
"Here's your drink," a young waitress said putting the cups on the table.
"Excuse me," Buffy tapped on her hand before she turned to leave. "Where’s the waitress from before?...Nina?"
"Um… Nina yeah…she’s talking to that cute guy at the bar." She turned so Buffy could get a better view.
"Great." Buffy mumbled watching her dad leaning on the bar and flirting shamelessly with the attractive waitress.
After staring at him for a few moments he finally caught her gaze and approached the table. She wanted to be angry at him but the way he was treating her since she’d arrived was so different from what she'd remembered, that she couldn’t be. He wasn't as angry or frustrated. In fact he looked rather happy, and it seemed like he wanted her to be happy as well.
If only such a thing could be possible.
"What's happening kids?" Hank's face fell as soon as he saw Spike's hard expression.
He sat down and looked at the two.
"Dad, like I said to Spike…" She gazed at the man beside her and noticed the distant look in his eyes. "I'm sorry" she muttered.
"That's okay hun, all is forgiven." He gave her a tiny smile then reached his hand across the table, fixing her gaze as if he was about to say something important.
"We have a long way to go, I know this last year wasn't so easy for you, but we’ve got the chance for a new start. A clean slate. Not many people get that, right Spike?" He turned suddenly to the drowsy young man before him who seemed rather startled.
Spike nodded but still didn't look at Buffy.
"Let's not talk about the past anymore." Hank leaned back in his seat. "Let's talk about-"
"Ben!"
The two men glanced at the direction Buffy was looking and saw a young man standing by the table and smiling right back at her.
"Buffy!"
"What are you doing here?" she got up from her seat.
"I was about to ask you the same thing."
"I moved to live with my dad, I don't know if you remember." She glanced at her dad
"Sure, nice to see again sir."
"Please call me Hank," her father said smiling at him.
Buffy and Ben stared at each other awkwardly.
"So…you moved here?" she asked .
"Yep. Two days ago. How come you didn't tell me you moving?"
"Well I didn't know myself until…well you know."
"Yeah"
"Would you like to join us?" She pointed to a spare seat and with a sidelong glance saw Spike raising a brow.
"Actually I came with some friends, would you like to sit with us?"
"Sure" Buffy's face lit up but then she remembered she wasn’t alone and she looked at her dad enquiringly.
"Go ahead honey, Spike and I have something to discuss."
"Okay then" she looked at Ben who led the way, and she gave one last glance at the table, noticing Spike’s frown. Their eyes locked then she sighed and turned away.
"Who’s that Ben fellow?" Spike asked watching the two who were now standing together across the room.
"He's the doctor who took care of Joyce," Hank replied.
"You know him well?" Spike tried to sound casual.
"Just saw him once, when I came to visit to the hospital."
"Ha-ha." Spike noticed Buffy and Ben were laughing. what are they talking about? She’s doing the hair flip, God he's such a nancy boy, what is it about doctors that's so appealing to women anyway? Is it the white coat? Well he's not wearing it now… What a wanker.
Hank took a sip from his drink and stared at Spike, it was painfully clear his mind was miles away.
"So… ready to fight Combs, Spike?"
"Sure" his voice was low, eyes still fixed on the pair.
"You know, he’s going to hold nothing back, Spike, he can do a lot of damage"
"Yeah… like he could ever hurt me," he murmured.
Hank eyes followed Spike’s gaze to Buffy and Ben. Shaking his head, he took another sip from his drink.
The next morning Spike walked quickly to the gym knowing that Hank would be waiting for him anxiously. The timing was crucial since the fight was in a few days and he couldn't let him down. He couldn't let himself down either and he didn't know why, but he hadn't felt so eager to fight these days. There was a voice in the back of his mind that was trying to tell him something, and there were moments that he really felt like he couldn't think straight and he was losing his mind. Things use to be so clear. Eat, sleep, fight, shag. Everything in its right place, but now…
He froze in his place not so sure how to react to the sight in front of him.
Buffy was leaning towards the guy from the night before, his arms were around her waist, and they were hugging?
Eventually they let go of each other and Buffy turned towards the door while the young men who had just left her arms walked towards Spike. Spike took a few rushed steps and bumped into him as he passed.
"Hey! Watch it!" Ben groused.
But the angry boxer just kept walking with a blank look on his face.
Spike entered the gym and spotted Buffy standing next to Hank's office door. The attentive look on her face told him she was eavesdropping on something. He moved closer and stood beside her, but so that she didn’t notice his presence and he could hear loud voices coming from behind the door.
No need to for a bloody glass he thought.
"How long this been going on?" Hank said furiously. He didn't wait for an answer. "I'm going to kill him!" he stated.
"Hank listen," Gunn replied calmly "I've told him… it was just one time-"
"So why’s there a damn lighter in my office?" Hank yelled and Spike could swear he heard the walls shudder.
"Oh you're in so much trouble mister." Buffy gave him a sideways glance noticing he was standing beside her.
"Naa, you haven't seen the worst of it pet, he's actually in a good mood." As he finished his sentence Hank started shouting again.
"Is he drinking too...He is?... Isn't he??" Spike heard Hank pause for breath. "I swear it… as soon as he comes in today, he's going to regret his bleached head ever passed through that door!"
"That's your cue," Buffy grinned.
"You’re enjoying this, aren't you?'' Spike narrowed his eyes at her.
"I just think it's selfish of you to let Gunn take the heat." she said innocently.
"How enlightened of you." Spike clenched his teeth and added, "you’re just happy daddy isn't bearing a grudge for what you did last night."
Buffy shrugged trying to avoid his stare as they both heard the phone ring in Hank's office. A moment later they heard him speak to Gunn.
"Fight’s been delayed"
"It wasn't me." Buffy gazed at Spike and pouted at his aggravated reaction.
They both got closer to the door and listened carefully, staring at each other.
"What happened?" Gunn asked.
"The schedule wasn't right, it's just a few days delay, I guess."
Spike sighed and took a step back as if he was going to leave.
"You’re not going in there?" Buffy asked curiously.
"It can wait." He turned to look at her.
"Afraid Hank will kick your ass?" she smiled.
"What are you doing with these." Spike said suddenly noticing the gloves in her hands.
"Ho." She raised them as if she’d forgeotten she was holding them. "Thought I'd throw some swings at the punching bag."
"You don't need gloves for that luv." Spike smirked.
"I know, but it just hurts my hands," she said with a childish voice and gazing down.
Stop pouting , stop, stop, stop. Spike couldn't take his eyes from her mouth.
"Y-you really should go and see what’s going on…about the fight" she stuttered meeting his stare.
"I don't see you rushing in there." He glared at her and saw tenderness in her eyes, and suddenly the memory of what they’d share last night came back.
"And besides I rather be fighting you," he grinned.
Buffy smiled at that.
"Mutual," she muttered.
Spike got closer, amused by the light blush on her face.
"So what are we going to do about it?" he asked in a husky voice.
"Duck damn it duck!" Spike shouted.
"Stop yelling at me!" Buffy glared at him as they circled the ring. Why is he acting like this?
"Fine then. If you won't duck I guess I should just hit you."
"I'll dare ya," she challenged him raising her chin.
"Yeah maybe then you'll go play nurse with the good doctor," Spike blurted out not giving his words a second thought.
Buffy’s smile dissolved.
"Shut up, Ben is nice." She dropped her fists that were in front of her face.
"Didn't mean to imply otherwise. I actually like him, seems like a good fellow. He has …what's the word I'm looking for…oh yeah…vulnerability."
Buffy gazed at him, detecting the resentment behind his supposedly amused tone.
"He's just a friend" she muttered.
"Seem to be going around, huh luv?"
"What's that supposed to-"
"You just have a lot of friends….makes a bloke wonder."
"You're just jealous" Bad choice of words, bad, bad…
"Of what…?"
Need to compensate
"Because he's a doctor…he save lives…what do you do? You endorse pain"
No, I didn't just say that…
Spike was silent for a moment, just standing still before her, watching her struggle with an expression that fell between defensiveness and shame.
"Well pet, you know what they say? It takes one to know one." He turned to leave.
"Hey! Wait…" Buffy shouted, but he kept walking quickly out of the ring.
She tried to catch up with him, but failed to close the distance between them.
Buffy didn't think and tried to kick him on the side of his leg, but before she could blink Spike turned around and caught her leg in mid-air. As she lost her balance, Spike pulled her towards him letting her hands fall onto his chest as he wrapped his free hand around her waist to prevent her falling.
"It's not kick boxing luv," he smirked holding her leg tightly and softly moving his hand up her thigh.
Feeling his hard chest pressing against her Buffy tried anxiously to catch her breath. She gazed at Spike's face and saw his eyes darken. Slowly the sensation caused by the nearness of his body washed over her and she gasped in disbelief as she felt her thighs brush against his groin.
"Spike-"
"Am I your friend?" His husky voice cut through to the fog she was under.
"Huh?" she gulped still exploring the changing shades of his eyes.
"I asked, am I your friend?" His grip tightened around her waist.
What does he want me to say?
What is the right answer?
Buffy was lost, Staring at his lips, she wanted nothing more than to surrender to her true feelings.
"No" she whispered seeing his lips forming carefully into a smirk.
Spike released her quickly, letting her leg drop and her arms slide from his chest.
Watching him before he turned away, Buffy noticed his face was actually glowing. She could just tell her answer to him had some hidden interpretation that only he had the privilege of knowing…
And he sure as hell was pleased with it.
Damn him
The harsh light of day came from the window and washed over his face. Angel blinked twice and frowned.
"Damn it Dru! Close the fucking curtains."
"Oh sweet daddy, who injured you so?" she said astounded by the bumps and bruises on his face and on his naked chest.
Angel sat and cursed under his breath , gazing anywhere but her.
"The fucking bastard, he's gonna pay for this, he's going to regret the day-"
"Your rage is intoxicating my devilish Angel… it's about her isn't it?" she sat beside him.
"No, it's got nothing to do with her" he shrugged.
"It’s him, Hank summers. All good and mighty Hank. She don't know his true nature.
She doesn't know what a coward he is, letting others fight his battles, sending his thugs to do his dirty work. You need to tell me everything Dru so we can destroy him and your William."
"I've already told you."
"No" he got closer to her. "I need proof, papers, something to bring to the local tabloids. Give me the proof there's something wrong in his heart."
"I can't."
"What do you mean you can't? You said you saw it!"
"I did…in my mind."
tbc
Chapter 8: Never leave me
"What’s with the gloating?
"You're not ready to know."
Gah! He was driving her insane. She’d tried to avoid him these last few days, but it was proving impossible. It felt like they were two ships in the night, sailing towards each other and not noticing they were on a collision course. And trying to prevent the inevitable was exhausting since every encounter they had left his mark, and Spike's elusive words echoed in her mind, over and over and over. It was a vicious circle, and he was a master of this stupid dance…
"Buffy"
"I'm working and you should be too. Don't use this delay as an excuse"
"Are you my trainer now?"
"I said I'm working, go away"
"Come on Summers, you know you wanna dance"
Buffy opened her eyes, she figured she'd be better off going to work than lying in bed, so she got up and started to dress. It was hopeless fighting it, she thought, because she’d woken up with the same feelings as the night before and thank God she didn't remember her dreams. Stupid dreams , they never reflected reality…
"A glitch…"
"...I wasn't thinking, I should have used better judgment, considering…"
It was just like a man to take her words and use them against her. Just like Spike, with his mixed signals and over defensiveness. Stupid English guy. Stupid, shirty, doopy, annoying, beautiful, gorgeous… gorgeous…
"Sweetie are you O.K?"
Buffy looked up and saw Hank standing in the middle of her room, she zipped her boot and stood up.
"I see you’re dressed, so does that mean you’re coming to work today?"
"Yeah why wouldn't I be?"
"It’s just that you cut early yesterday and said you weren’t feeling well so I thought-"
"I'm fine," she shrugged and walked past him.
"So…you seeing Ben tonight?" he said as they’d left the house.
"Might be."
"Good."
She knew he didn't like the idea of her spending time with Ben and somehow it didn't surprise her. The last time they’d met the circumstances weren't so pleasant, her mom was in a critical condition, and she’d made him feel he wasn't welcome, His sudden appearance in her life had annoyed her. And playing the concerned father – it was just too little too late. Did seeing her find comfort in a stranger make him feel redundant in some way? Is that why he hadn’t come to the funeral? Whatever, it didn’t matter any more…
He was her dad, it was as simple as that.
She left the office about five in the afternoon, feeling a bit disappointed with her day and saying to herself it wasn't about him and so what if he wasn't in today. So what if he’d rather see his friend fight, than linger by her desk and shoot clever remarks at her. She was going to have a wonderful evening with Ben in the restaurant. He really was a nice guy and he knew her well. Knew what she was going through and all the things she’d been through.
Buffy sighed, put on her black dress and looked at herself in the mirror.
Gonna make the most of it…
"I always said Sunnydale was too small-town for you." Ben filled up her glass again.
"Oh yeah , like I'm doing so well here." She rolled her eyes and smiled at him.
"I don't think you’re doing so bad. You're working and soon you’ll have enough money to do whatever you want. You can always go to night school."
"Already got the reject mail."
"Okay, but hey, you’re still a working girl and workers are the tools that shape America."
"That's me then, working gal" she raised her glass.
"Here's for us workers," he smirked as they drank. Ben put down his drink and looked at the woman in front of him. He couldn’t help noticing that even though she was all smiles and laughs, she couldn’t be more distracted.
"I ran into to your friend before I left, what's her name? The one with red hair."
"Willow." Buffy smiled a sad smile remembering her friend back home.
"She talked a lot, didn't really understand most of it."
Buffy chuckled. "Yep that's Willow."
"Seemed to be missing you."
"She said that?"
"Not in so many words, just had the same look as you did when I mentioned her name."
Buffy gazed down , thinking of all her friends she’d left back home and what they must think of her and her disappearance . She hadn't written back, or called. She really felt she was the worst friend in the world. If there was a "worst friend of the year" award, she’d sure earn it.
"I'm sorry, didn't mean to upset you." Ben noticed her sudden glum mood.
"That's alr-"
She looked up and suddenly noticed a familiar figure standing few feet away behind their table, moving to the dark corner next to the bar.
"Can you excuse me for a moment?" She got up and Ben rose too.
"Buffy?" he said worried.
"I just need to freshen up, I won't be long."
"Okay." he relaxed and sat back down as she left.
Buffy took a few rushed steps toward the bar and towards the man sitting impassively playing with his lighter and gazing at her as she approached.
"What are you doing? And here?"
"What does it looks like?" he growled.
"It looks like you're stalking me" she stated.
"Don't flatter yourself luv."
"You shouldn't be drinking."
"Does it look like I'm drinking?" Spike narrowed his eyes at her.
"So what is it?"
"I'm enjoying the atmosphere. You should go back to wonder boy there."
Buffy shrugged. She just stood there for a minute not looking at him and she didn't look mad anymore. She crossed her arms and stared into space.
"You alright pet?"
She gazed at him and saw him do that look again. That "I'm so understanding" look That "I can read your mind and you can't escape me even if you try" look.
"I'm fine." How many time do I need to use that phrase today?
"You don't look so fine, in fact you didn't seem to be enjoying yourself so much there either."
"What? Are you my happy guru now?"
"If that was the case luv I would…"
"Just go home Spike! And stop spying on me." She turned to leave but then he got up and glared at her with a look that sent shivers down her spine.
"You know what pet? I might just do that." He took a step, then lowered his head to whisper in her ear.
" I made a bet today. All odds were against Gunn, but I made it anyway in his favor. And the next time you and I have our little rough and tumble, you'll come to me."
Buffy felt his breath hot against her ear and she shook with anticipation at his words.
"Guess what?" he gazed into her eyes.
"He won."
Buffy was about to answer, but before she could even open her mouth he was already heading for the door.
"By the way" He turned to her as he walked away. "Love the dress".
And with that he disappeared into the night.
By the time Ben got Buffy to her door, she’d already planned the rest of her evening. First thing she'd do was take off this dress and shred it to little pieces, then she was going to take a hot bath. No, make that a shower, a cold one! After that, she’d search for Hank's sleeping pills because she knew he didn't keep booze in a house. Not anymore anyway. Damn him for sobering up!
"Too bad we had to make it so short." Ben gazed at her without seeming to notice her mind was somewhere else.
Hell he could be in anther dimension, is he still talking…?
"Anyway, I hope we can do this again sometime. Maybe this weekend? What do you say?"
"Maybe… I'll call you."
"Okay then." he leaned to kiss her.
Buffy quickly turned her cheek.
"Ok-ay" Ben sighed looking little confused.
"Bye," he said and Buffy nodded, smiling at him as he glanced at her for a last time before he left.
She took a key from her purse, put it into the lock and froze.
The hell with it…
She took it out and turned away.
"How are you feeling Charlie?" Spike muted the T.V. and put the receiver close to his ear as he sprawled across his couch.
"You owe me a Stereo, Spiky. I'm feeling damned great. My ribs are letting me know they’re there, but apart form that…"
"That will pass in a couple of days. Mean-time, smile Charlie, you're a winner."
"Yeah… Not gonna steal my glory are you?"
"You'll bet your ass I will."
"Speaking of bets, how much did you make?"
Spike leaned back and sighed.
"Not nearly enough Charles…"
"What are you talking about!? I know you put a heavy bet on this one"
"Well," Spike stopped himself as he heard a knock on the door. "Wait a minute." He got up, still holding the phone to his ear.
"Spike, would you answer me?" Gunn said impatiently while his friend opened the door.
"Geez! can't you wait a bloody min-"
Spike stared at the woman in the doorway, feeling a bit speechless. He hadn't expected to see her again. And especially not like this, standing peacefully in his doorway.
"Drusilla?"
"Drusilla!?" He heard Gunn through the receiver.
"Call you later mate." He hung up.
"What are you doing here?"
"Can I come in Spike?"
"No…now what do you want?" he said firmly.
"Wanted to talk."
"We have nothing to talk about Dru." He almost shut the door in her face.
"William." She held the door open and, she looked different somehow he thought, her face had a serious expression.
"Make it quick." he held onto the knob.
"I'm sorry, for everything. I know it doesn't make up for what I did, but I hoped you could forgive me."
"Why should I?"
"Everything happens for a reason my William, if life were easy there would be no point in living."
"Well that's very catchy."
"I do hope you get what you wish for. Some things don't happen right away. Sometimes you need to let go, but you already know that, don't you?"
"Yes, I do" Spike whispered
His face was blank, but somewhere she knew she’d got to him. And it was enough.
"Goodbye William." She gave a small smile and turned to leave.
"Goodbye Dru," he murmured and closed the door.
He stood by the door glaring at his crappy apartment, and thought about Dru’s words. Whether they were sincere or not, didn't matter He would get his wish and if he didn’t he’d never forgive her for the pain she’d caused him. He’d once thought she was his family and his home, but now his home was his own. But, for some reason he still felt as if he was waiting for someone to come for him, to save him? This is bloody stupid, he thought. He’d never wanted saving. Dru never saved him! She’d just introduced him with his true self. And his true self didn't wait for anyone anymore.
He opened the door, but didn't have a chance to do a thing, because he'd just got his wish… and she was furious.
"You know what?" Buffy stormed in.
"I really didn't want to come here." She started talking as if she had no control of the words coming out of her mouth. "I knew things would be difficult with dad and I thought probably being so close to my delinquent ex-boyfriend wasn't a good idea either."
She continue without noticing Spike’s puzzled expression as he watched her pace back and forward in front of him.
"But I came here anyway, you know why?" She didn't give him a chance to answer. "I came because I thought I had an opportunity, I thought for once in my life I'd find a place where I could fit in . I thought I could find my fate and I DON'T EVEN BELIEVE IN FATE!"
"Buffy slow down-"
"No!" she kept going. "I thought I would have peace, but all I found was loneliness and old memories in the form of new ones. And then of course there was you, with your wishy-washy analysis and your "Spike to the rescue" act. Telling me that it wasn't all about me, saying I was selfish."
"I never said…"
"You told me I was strong and treated me as an equal, but then what? Suddenly you feel sorry for me? If that's what this is then I don't need your pity!"
"Buffy," he said warily and got closer to her, but she turned for the door. Spike moved quickly and caught her arm, turning her to face him and pressing her to the door. He put both hands on each said of her head as she gazed at him wrathfully.
"Listen to me and listen good," he said. "I will never feel sorry for you."
"Well thank you very much."
"Bloody hell summers! What do you want from me? Why did you come here?" Spike couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't help raising his voice.
"I came to tell you that I can't…" Buffy stopped mid sentence and took a deep breath. This is too hard.
"Can't what? Can't dye your hair brown, can't find a parking space, can't shag a worthless boxer?"
"CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT YOU!"
She couldn't have used more powerful words, he thought. Or a better tone of voice to make him quiver. And she did.
She was looking down, panting lightly and cursing under her breath.
Fuck, fuck, fuck…
"Look at me." he ordered watching her lips moving without making a sound.
"Buffy," he cupped her chin with his hand." Look at me" his voice was softer this time.
She blinked and raised her head slowly.
Spike forgot what he was about to say. Her words were still fresh in his mind and now her big, innocent, green eyes were staring at him, all bright and glossy. Another minute of gazing at them and she would bring him to his knees.
Buffy didn't know what hit her. A warm feeling in her chest and her heart and she’d never been explored that way. The way you could be slowly stripped down from all the inhibitions you’d ever had. It was a gentle caress at first, but quickly grew
to be the most passionate kiss she’d ever experienced.
She became limp in his arms, her hands coming up to rest on his chest and soon finding their way to the back of his neck as she deepened the kiss.
A few more seconds of bliss and then Spike stopped to breathe, resting his forehead on hers.
"I will never hurt you Buffy," he said panting, his eyes closed. Still feeling warm from the sensation of her embrace.
"Don't make promises you can't keep Spike," she said warily, her lips nudging his while speaking.
Spike opened his eyes slightly and held her gaze.
"I swear it Buffy, I'll never, I’d rather die fighting co-"
"Don't say it." She cut him off. "Don't use that word" she whispered.
"Oh luv" He hugged her tightly and she let her chin rest on the crock of his neck.
Spike stroked her back softly, caressed her and felt the tension slowly leaving her body.
After a moment Buffy looked up to meet his gaze. She watched his eyes closely, seeing nothing but caring, tenderness, desire and…
"Make love to me Spike"
"Buffy" He replied in a strangled voice, looking stunned.
Buffy suddenly felt ashamed, she took a step back, gazing at the floor.
"I'm sorry, I must be crazy" she muttered.
"God women! You’re driving me crazy."
She glanced at him again and Spike closed the gap between them.
"I don't think you know what you’re getting yourself into." He stood the way they were before, a slow grin spreading across his face.
"Give in to me luv, and I will never let you go."
"What makes you believe I'll do that." She smiled lightly, knowing that they were back to their snappy remarks routine.
"I don't believe in anything." He leaned down and picked her up to his arms. She let out a yelp of surprise.
"I like to look at the facts," he smirked and started walking to his bedroom, his eyes never leaving her face.
"What about fate Spike…do you believe in fate?" she whispered gazing at his shining eyes. Gorgeous no doubt …
Spike laid her on the bed gently, and gazed at her dazzling face. A trembling hand rose to move a lock of hair from her face.
"Yeah luv, I believe in fate."
TBC
Chapter 9: Here with me
He wasn't kidding about the "not letting go" part. As the night became darker he just held her tighter. He’d never felt anything more wonderful then her naked form in his arms, her golden heir spread across his chest. He inhaled her scent deeply and told her the most stupid things he never thought he’d ever tell anyone. Not dark secrets or life revealing details, no, nothing like that, just trivial things about himself, silly anecdotes that made her smile because he didn't see her smile a lot, so it just made him go on and on…until they both lost track of time. When it got to the point that Buffy looked at the clock they were just so far wrapped up in each other, they knew neither of them could let go, not this night anyway, so Spike took her home and lingered some more at her door, making her laugh and then scowl at him for making the neighbors hear. and for making her worry that her dad might be still awake. Spike chuckled lightly as she became almost serious and told him that if he wouldn't let go of her she would find some powerful spell to keep him far away from her door and her life for good.
"Alright" he said, and let her go without even a goodnight kiss or one last persuasive glance.
It affected her so deeply that she just stormed to her room and crashed on the bed. Staring at the ceiling she considered dwelling on her well-familiar morbid thoughts,
But that plan came to end when he knocked on her window and came in from the fire escape.
"Wake up, sleeping beauty" she whispered in Spike’s ear. Lying on her side, she gazed at him.
"Ummm…what time is it?" His face was still buried in the pillow as he spoke
"It's 6:30."
"You're evil." He faced her, his voice much clearer.
God, this was great. His eyes were dark and his lips swollen, and his hair all messy and curly. He looked adorable, like one of those cuddly bears, a strong cuddly sexy bear…. She thought.
"I get that a lot," she smiled and patted his head lightly. She hated herself for what she was about to do.
"You're all dressed," he pouted.
"You need to go…my dad will wake up soon."
"We have time." He got closer to her and started kissing her neck.
"No…we really don't," she mumbled - why am I protesting?
Spike rose up on his elbows and took the alarm clock that was next to her bed.
"What are doing?" She stared at him as he played with it.
"Giving us time," he smirked, resuming his kisses and putting the clock away.
"It doesn't work like that."
"It does in my world." He kissed feather-light kisses down her neck and moved on to her breasts.
"Y-your world is too simple." She started panting, at the feeling of his tongue circling her most sensitive parts.
"Are you saying my world is shallow?" he said with a leer.
"Stupid is more like it."
He raised his head. "Who are you calling stupid Summers?"
"You, you big goop," she teased.
"Oh you're in for it now pet." He started tickling her.
"Ho!, stop it…" she giggled and tried to escape, but he caught both her wrists and held them above her head with one hand while the other continued tickling her ribs.
She wriggled on the bed and tried to free herself from his grasp, but it was pointless, Spike had her pinned her to mattress with his weight on her body.
"Say you're sorry." He continue tickling her, a big smirk on his face.
"No," she said between giggles, panting hard.
"Stubborn bint." He moved his hand under her arms and tickled her there.
"Ah!" Buffy laughed, shifted and twitched under his hands , she had no plan of giving up.
Spike chuckled. He knew he should stop, but he really didn't want to, she was glowing, her face was all shiny and he couldn’t get enough of the feeling of her body struggling beneath him.
Buffy let out a gasp and Spike loosened his grip a bit to gaze at her face.
"Sorry luv…wasn't planning on hurting you…much" he grinned.
"Please…" Buffy snorted still laughing lightly. "You haven't even come close to hurting me." She glared at his face and panted.
"Oh yeah." He resumed tickling her and she writhed.
"Not afraid you'll give big bad a chance?"
"BIG BAD," she mocked and wriggled which only made Spike increased his tickling.
"Not afraid I'm gonna- Christ!
Spike held his breath, gazing at Buffy’s shining eyes.
"You were saying?" she teased and tightened her grip on his shaft.
"Buffy" he murmured and closed his eyes.
"You right about the big part, I'm not sure about the bad part," she smiled.
"Who are you really Spike?"
"Right now?" he groaned and opened his deep blue eyes to gaze at her.
"Right now I'm your willing slave." He leaned to kiss her.
"Buffy?" Hank's voice came from behind the door.
Not again! They both froze, looking at each other.
"Quick!" Buffy got up from the bed "Get in the closet!"
"In the closet?!" Spike protested quietly, raising a brow.
"Now!" she pushed him from the bed and closed the closet door behind her after giving him a little shove.
"Come in dad." She hastily picked up the empty condom wrapper and hopped back into her bed.
Hank entered, his eyes wandering around the room and then at Buffy's lamb-like face.
"How was your night hun?"
"Okay." Buffy gave him a tiny smile.
"Didn't hear you come in."
"I came in pretty late."
"Yeah I figured." Hank stared at her. She looked different somehow, he thought. Different in a way he hoped he would witness again.
"AA meeting was pretty boring yesterday…came back exhausted from boredom…. so I probably wouldn't have heard you anyway…" He smiled.
"Ha-ha." She gazed at him, trying to keep her eyes from the closet.
"O.k. hun" he turned to the door "I'll make us some breakfast."
"Great." She smiled at him again as he glanced in her direction.
"Umm hun…" he held the door's knob.
"I never thought I'd say this but…tell Spike to come out of the closet."
Buffy was stunned again… she opened her mouth and closed it, each time taking a deep breath, not sure what to say so she began to mumble.
"B-B-but I was all covered and everything…an-and… you should have been all passed out with the boredom and stuff…how did yo-"
"Keep the volume down next time." He smiled and went out the door.
"And tell Spike to come out for breakfast." she heard him yell.
Buffy got up quickly from her bed and opened the closet door to find Spike standing completely oblivious to her presence, surrounded by her clothes and holding a few items in his hands.
"What do you have to say for yourself?" she scolded playfully
Spike gazed at her as if he’d just noticed she was there and held an item in front of her face.
"Can I use your black nail polish?"
Breakfast went better then she thought it would. There were a few awkward moments when Hank caught them staring at each other and, at times, it felt like he was watching their every move.
It made her nervous, but Spike seemed to enjoy it, in some juvenile way, as if it was the most normal thing in the world, Or like he and her father had some secret code and eating breakfast together was Hank's way of telling him that things were okay. Sitting around the table it really felt much like it, like they were a family, albeit a very unusual family. A recovered alcoholic. His daughter the ex-student who was now supposed to be…what? And her new boyfriend, the one that got her dad back on his feet. A boxer with a poet’s heart. He really was unusual…special…and did she just refer to him as her boyfriend? Buffy gazed at Spike who was talking with Hank.
Later, as the three of them arrived at Hank’s office they sat and began planning their day and it felt like forever since he’d last looked at her.
"…No drinking, no smoking, no fried, no salt, no sweets, not the little onions things you like-"
"What's wrong with onions?"
"Do I really need to say this?" Hank scolded.
Spike caved and sat in his place.
"And no sex," Hank added with leer. He couldn't help sending Buffy a brief glance.
Buffy’s cheeks grew red and Spike raised a brow at Hank.
"You're kidding right?"
"Not before the fight." Hank came from behind the desk and headed to the door.
"So that is your evil plan?" Spike smirked behind him.
Hank took a quick look at him and opened the door. "I work in mysterious ways."
As soon as Hank closed the door Buffy snapped. "This is too weird!"
"What's that pet?" Spike gazed at her.
"He's too okay with this." She glared at the door and then stared at him.
"Oh… what's the matter baby?" Spike approached from across the room and sat on Buffy's desk. "Did you want it to be like in those romantic novels?... where I sweep you off your feet and we sneak out because daddy doesn't approve 'cause I'm the wrong side of the track kidna guy who's gonna do all short of nasty things to you?" His eyes started to glitter as he continued with a low voice. "Make you join me on the dark side where I think you belong, away from the sad bleak world you know? You'll leave your noble morals behind you and let me please you for eternity." He leaned towards her, saying the last words to her face.
Buffy gazed at him and seemed to be thinking about his words.
"Yep, that could be nice."
Spike smirked.
"Come here." He took her hand and pulled her off the chair, sitting her on his lap. Buffy looked at him, amused.
"You know…" he nuzzled at her neck and then looked up at her. "We can still do the sneaking part."
"We can?" She curved her neck towards him and pouted.
Spike smiled and got her on her feet. Taking her hand he led her out of the office without saying a word.
"Good Gracious Gunn! What are you doing here?" Hank looked at the bruised young man who came through the gym's door.
"I guess I missed you Hank," he smirked.
"I highly doubt that." Hank smiled and approached him.
"Shouldn't you be with you sister? Letting her take care of you?"
"Take care of me? That’s a joke," Gunn said with a bitter smile. "To tell you the truth Hank, I don't know where my sis hanging these days."
"Come on to my office." Hank put his hand on Gunn's shoulder. "Tell me all about it."
"No, I have something more important to tell you, that's why I'm here." He stood still and gazed at Hank with a frown on his face.
"Well, what is it?"
"I've Been over at Willy's , heard a couple of guys talking, they said Combs has been arrested."
"Arrested?"
"Apparently he beat up some guy in a dark ally. The police spotted him, they’ve been kinda waiting for something like that."
"Yeah." Hank sighed and gazed around the room.
"But I think the fight is still on."
"How come?" Hank looked at him, surprised.
"The guy that got beat up, well he kinda fled the scene, they didn't find him. And since then no one’s pressed charges…"
"Alright…" Hank clapped his hands together. "So the fight is still on."
Hank turn to go to his office when Gunn stopped him.
"Hank" he gave him a worried stare.
"Relax Gunn… come to my office. Let's talk about you sister, it's much more important."
And with that he turned and made Gunn follow.
"Mmm…" Buffy arched her back, her mind was in a cloud. Twisting her neck, she opened her eyes and blinked, amazed by the intensity of two blue orbs staring at her.
"Liked that pet?"
"Huh-ha" she tried to form more words, but just mumbled as she leaned back to his chest.
"Good cause there are more wonderful things that Spike's hands can do for you," he whisper in her ear. "Back rubs aside."
"Here, on the bench? I don't think so."
"Alright then…let's go to my place."
"Aren't you the greedy one?" she turned to look at him.
"Can't help it luv, you bring out the worst in me," he whispered to her lips, giving them a quick peck.
"Didn't you get enough last night?" Buffy nuzzled his neck.
"No," he stated simply and then a smirk formed on his lips when he saw her scoff.
Buffy quickly turned around and straddled him, her legs coming around his waist keeping him in place.
"What are you-?"
Buffy's hands came to the buttons of his jeans. Tugging on them she met his gaze. "If you can do it in a public place, so can I."
"Trying to prove your perverseness is up to my standards pet? I think it's a bet you're gonna lose."
"Damn you," she held her hand back, and gazed at him from a slight distance.
"You can't do it can you?" he smirked.
Buffy just gazed at Spike blankly for a second, making him think that she might stand up and leave any minute but then threw herself at him.
"Umm..Buf," Spike mumbled against her mouth and put his arms around her, holding her close to his body.
Buffy gave it all she had. She slipped her tongue into his mouth and deepened the kiss, making Spike body vibrate from the heat she created. She moved her hand up his arms, to his shoulders and brushed her fingers in his hair when she held his head trying to control the rhythm of his movement, but he didn't let her, and she realized again that Spike's passions was something she couldn't control, nor did she want to.
Taking over, Spike rose from the bench, pulling Buffy who was wrapped around his waist with him.
"Mmm…" Buffy broke the kiss. "Where are you taking me?"
"Storeroom," he said almost as a question and resumed kissing her.
"Okay…." She mumbled to his mouth.
All he wanted right now was too take a vacation, some place far away, where no one could ever find him or reach him. He should never come to L.A. Should have stayed in Sunnydale. He was someone there and at least there he got some respect and people feared him. Here…
"Another one!" he shouted at the bartender.
"Don't you think you’ve had enough-?"
"Another one!" he sent him a glare.
The bartender shook his head and poured him anther drink, which he drank in one shot.
"Seeking the stars my Angel?"
He recognized the voice, but just kept his eyes on the bar.
"Are you still cross with me?" Drusilla sat beside him, meeting his angry stare.
"You belong in a mental institute Dru."
"Daddy already locked his little girl at the attic…" her gaze wandered to the mirror behind the bar "Took her favorite toys away…" she pouted.
"My point exactly" he searched for the bartender again.
"I have news you might want to hear…" She gazed at him suddenly.
"What?... another vision" he scoffed and glared at her.
"A vision I saw with my bare eyes." She waited to get his full attention.
"Your ball of sunshine paying my William a visit….they're lovers, there's no doubt in my mind."
"Well, I have plenty of doubts about your mind Dru…" he said and then paused thinking about her words.
Drusilla watched him as he rose from his chair and took a bill from his pocket. Putting it on the counter, he gazed at her.
"But if what you say is true…it changes everything."
With a smirk forming on his face he turned for the exit.
"Ahh Spike," she was panting hard, legs wrapped around him, feeling the length of him slip inside of her , letting the burning sensation fade slowly as she come to her senses.
Spike held her tightly, still pressing her against the wall of the storeroom, he buried his face to her neck murmuring her name.
Letting her legs fall down she felt his hold of her loosen. She shivered from the loss of contact and gazed at his face.
"We should probably head back," she whispered.
"Yeah," he said, but still didn't make a move and watching her closely with a little smile on his face. Not the usual smirk she’d got use to. Just a happy smug-free smile.
They straightened up their clothes quickly, trying to avoid each other gaze, knowing that if they didn't, they would never leave this room.
A few steps before they got to Hank's office door, they slowed down, hearing two familiar voices argue.
"He's a killer Hank!"
"Nothing has been proven."
"He's dangerous and you know it…and Spike knows it two, but you should have explained to him-"
"Explain what Charles? Spike wants to do it, he want to take off this guy, and he has a good reason. This guy holds a title he doesn't deserve."
"It's suicide," Gunn muttered.
"You know Spike, he always says he’s got nothing to lose." Hank sighed "and who am I to tell him otherwise...I used to feel the same way…"
Spike turned to look at Buffy who was deeply involved with the conversation in the next room.
"Come on luv," he grabbed her arm, but she brushed him off, staring at him blankly.
"Luv-" he took a step forward.
"Don't" she flinched.
Buffy paused and then gazed at his eyes.
"Do you still feel that way?" she asked warily.
"Like what?" he know what she was talking about, but wished he didn't have to explain himself.
"Feel like playing against the odds! Feel like it doesn't matter if you die or live" she said angrily.
"Well a very wise man once said live fast, die young-"
"Don't joke!" she raised her voice and stared at him, but before he could react, she turned to leave.
"Buffy." He followed her quickly.
"Just leave me alone Spike," she said without looking at him, quickening her steps.
"I need to think," she said and shut the gym door behind her.
Gazing at the door shutting in front of him, Spike sighed
Bloody hell…
Tbc