Siren's Song

Chapter 19: Nighttime Visitor

Joyce flew through the door of the Sunnydale police station. Her hair was undone and messy, her makeup haphazardly applied. Scanning the chairs, she spotted Willow sitting with a boy who had green hair. Joyce hurried over to the couple.

"What happened?" she demanded soon as she sat down.

Willow stopped talking to Oz and turned to Joyce. "I'm not too sure myself. Oz and I just got here about five minutes ago."

Joyce stood and looked around the station. She spotted a blue uniform and walked over to it. The officer wasn't much more help than Willow, so Joyce resigned herself to sitting in the chairs until Buffy and Spike appeared.

They didn't have to wait long. A few minutes after Joyce sat back down; a pale Buffy and a livid Spike walked stepped from a hallway into the chairs. Immediately, Joyce, Willow and Oz walked up to them, both women shooting questions and Oz looking calm as he always did.

Buffy put her hands out, to stave off the flow of words. "Just hold on a minute, guys, and we'll tell you what happened."

They sat while Spike continued to talk to the Detective. Hands flew, mostly the bleach blonds, and finally they shook hands. Spike walked back to the small group and he and Buffy told them what happened that morning, omitting certain details from the night before.

Willow was the first to react. "What a sick bastard! What kind of person does shit like this, this is just way too fucked up for words. If I get my hand on that guy, he better watch out. I'll yank his nuts off and shove them down his throat."

Joyce looked at Willow with an appalled expression, but Spike could appreciate the sentiment.

Oz reached to Willow and gently stroked her hand. Immediately, Willow began to calm down, and she threw him a grateful expression.

Joyce cleared her throat. "Hmm, well, it seems to me that there is nothing left to do here, so, Buffy, why don't you come home and take a shower and perhaps change your clothes. Spike, you can use the shower as well, separately, however."

Both Buffy and Spike blushed at this, but Joyce and Willow just smiled.

"Actually, Mrs. Summers, I have to work today, so I'll just run home." Spike said and smiled at Joyce. "But thank you for the offer." Joyce smiled back at him. "Not a problem. Ready to go, Buffy?"

Buffy nodded. "I'll catch up to you."

Joyce nodded, and walked toward the exit. Willow gave Buffy a tight, quick, hug. "Don't think you're going to get away without major spillage of details," she whispered and grinned. She grabbed Oz and they headed out.

Spike pulled Buffy close to his side and kissed her hair. "How you doing, luv?"

She shrugged. "I'm plenty wigged, I mean, that was completely of the freaky. Two roses, probably from the same psycho. I don't even know what he wants. And the picture! Sick pervert, I'm going to rip his balls off."

Spike chucked. "Seems to be a lot of that going on."

Buffy smiled. "Well, you know, it just feels like such a violation of privacy. He just watched us and took a picture. What do you think he wants?"

Spike shrugged. "I really don't know, luv. The police know now, they'll figure it out."

Buffy snorted. "The cops here couldn't find a doughnut shop, let alone some crazed psycho."

Spike flicked her nose and then kissed her. "Have faith, pet. I have to work today, but I'll call you tonight, okay?"

Buffy nodded. "Okay."

Spike opened his mouth to speak, and then closed it again. Buffy saw him and elbowed him. "Spit is out, what were you going to say?"

Spike laughed. "Well, first of all, I wanted to know if you had to work tonight."

Buffy shook her head. "Nope, off tonight. Whoo hoo for that, my poor feet need a night off. What else?"

Spike gave a half-shrug. "Well, I wasn't really planning on telling you like this, but I heard a friend of mine say that he was looking for a new bookkeeper-secretary type person to help him out. I told him that I might know someone, and I was going to recommend you, but I didn't want you to think that I was trying to force you out of your job or anything. Anyway, just think about it and let me know."

Buffy smiled at him. How incredibly sweet this man is. "I don't have to think about it, I'd love to. I have experience, and I can write out a résumé and everything, if need be."

Spike grinned and felt a rush of air whoosh out of him. "Okay, then. His name is Alexander Harris, here's his phone number. Give him a call, or stop by his restaurant. Just tell him that you're Buffy and he'll let you interview."

Buffy considered the number and then looked at Spike. "This wouldn't be the same man you waiter for, would it?"

Oh, shit, busted. "Well, pet, you see, it's like this." Spike was cut off by the ringing of his cell phone.

He answered with a gruff hello, and then rolled his eyes. "I'll be right there."

Buffy knew what was about to happen, so she just cocked an eyebrow at him and grimaced. "Go, you're off the hook, now. Tonight, we're having some words about what the hell is up with you."

Spike nodded, felt a small weight hit into his stomach and gave Buffy a quick kiss. "I'll call soon, pet. Promise and all that rot."

He dashed out of the police station, and Buffy slowly walked out behind him, then over to her mother's car. "Okay, I'm ready to take a shower."

Joyce simply nodded and pulled out of the parking lot. Silence reigned between mother and daughter until Joyce just couldn't help herself. "Buffy, did you sleep with Spike?"

Buffy stiffened and then forced herself to relax. "And if I did, why would it be a concern of yours?"

Joyce sighed, annoyed. "Nice try, Buffy, but the offended teenager routine only works if you are a teenager. You know damn well I like the boy; I'm just concerned about you. I know you've never been with someone before."

"Haven't we already had this conversation? Yes, I slept with Spike. Yes, I wanted to. And yes, it scared me at first, but it was the right thing to do, and I know it. I don't regret it, and I won't allow my relationships to all be dictated by one crazy man. Besides, Spike found me a job as a secretary for his friend. I could quit stripping..doesn't that make you happy?" she asked bitterly and looked out the window.

Silence resumed in the car until Joyce pulled up in front of their apartment complex. "I understand what you're saying, Buffy, and I admire the woman you've become. I haven't been the most supportive person, I know, but I also know that whatever happens, I trust you and your judgment."

Both women burst into tears and reached across the console to hug one another. "Let's go inside, I've got big news to tell you and A.J," Joyce said, stepping out of the car.

Buffy bounded up and down on her toes. "Ohhh, what is it? Did you win a million dollars? Are you getting married to Mel Gibson? What, what, what?"

Joyce laughed at her daughter. "Not going to say anything without A.J, so you might as well take a shower and settle down."

Buffy smiled, and then bounded up the stairs to their apartment. She unlocked the door and burst in, hurrying to her room. Joyce walked inside just in time to hear her daughter shriek.

Buffy ran out of her room. "Where did this come from?" she asked her mom, holding up a red rose with the thorns cut off.

Joyce looked at it quizzically, and then recognition flashed. "Last night, after you and Spike left, I saw it on your bed. I assumed that he had given it to you."

Buffy felt herself shaking and took several deep breaths for control. She immediately turned and walked back into her room, searching for the note. She found it among the sheets on her bed.

DID YOU LIKE THE PICTURE?

She walked to the kitchen and called the police. Moments later, Detective McClain showed up at their apartment. He questioned both Buffy and Joyce about the flower, put it in an evidence bag, and promised to contact them if anything turned up. After he left, Buffy and Joyce sat at the kitchen table, drinking hot chocolate.

Joyce stood up and walked to her room. Moments later, she returned with a bottle of brandy, and she poured a generous helping into both mugs.

Buffy gave her an incredulous look and Joyce shrugged. "Hey, sometimes even the most patient mother needs something to drink. You two could try the patience of the Pope."

They both laughed at that, and A.J walked into the apartment. He looked at him mom and sister, then at the brandy bottle and rolled his eyes. "You two are beyond weird, you know that?"

This only made the women laugh harder, and pretty soon A.J was sitting in the kitchen, laughing along side them. After their giggles subsided, Joyce told her children her good news.

"I got a job!" she squealed, Buffy joined in. A.J slowly backed away from them, instinctively knowing the male etiquette to avoid girls making that sound.

When they calmed down again, Joyce told her children that Mr. Rupert Giles, brother to Edward Giles, had hired her to be the overall manger of his new antique shop. It would open in a few months and take the place of the gallery where she used to work. Even better was the fact that she stared right away and would make three times as much as she did at the gallery.

The members of the Summer's household decided to celebrate their newfound good luck by opening a bottle of wine (for Joyce and Buffy), some soda (for A.J) and a ordering large pizza, everybody picking one topping. They put in a video and crowded onto the ancient couch in the living room.

After fighting about who got to put what elbow where, A.J and Buffy finally settled down to watch the movie. Halfway through was declared potty-break time, and A.J ran to the bathroom. Buffy yelled at him, but he just ignored her and locked the door.

Someone knocked on the front door.

"Buffy, honey, can you get that?" Joyce called from the kitchen.

"Sure, mom, no problem," Buffy yelled back. She flung the door open and then felt faint as all the blood rush from her head to her feet. It was him! The man who almost destroyed her, leaning against her doorstep as casual as an old friend.

"What, Buff, not happy to see me?"

"Angel," she said, and then fainted.

Chapter 20: Trials and Tribulations

Spike shoved a hand through his bleached hair, turning it from smooth and sleek into a wild mass of curls. He studied the police reports for his latest case and tried hard not to think of Buffy.

It wasn’t working.

She was constantly on his mind. He was afraid that whoever was leaving the insidious little notes would eventually take it up a notch and perhaps hurt her. He racked his brain trying to think of ways to protect her, but nothing popped to mind.

Spike was absolutely sure of one thing; whoever was obsessed with Buffy had probably frequented the lounge. He absently wondered if the bartender he saw the first time he was there could be involved. Before the thought could take root and grow, however, Spike was distracted by something. Or rather, someone.

Drusilla, in her regal beauty, strolled into his office and shut the door quietly behind her. She was dressed in all black; a long sleeved shirt and skirt, and had large black sunglasses on.

“My Spike, it is a dark day today, isn’t it?” Drusilla said and slowly walked toward Spike’s desk.

Spike raised his eyebrow. What in the hell is going on now? “What do you want, Dru?”

Drusilla casually shrugged her thin shoulder and continued to pace toward the desk. “The stars, they tell me that my day has become night. The fairies laugh and everyone is happy. But not me, I am not happy. My sun is gone, and my moon is waning. Why did my sun set?”

Spike sighed. Bloody hell, this woman has completely lost her marbles. “Drusilla, I don’t know what you’re talking about, ducks. I don’t know where you’re moon and sun are.”

Drusilla laughed, a light tinkle across the room. “My moon has gone to see the flower that my sun so loves. Such a pretty, gold flower. She dances to the fairy music; she dances for gold, from my sun and my moon.”

Spike stood up quickly. Drusilla couldn’t be talking about Buffy, could she? How the hell did Dru know about Buffy? With the questions flying through his head, Spike gathered his case files and threw them into a briefcase. He grabbed his coat and took Drusilla’s elbow.

“Okay, pet, time to call you dad and have him come get you. I’ve got to go now.” Spike tried to lead Drusilla out the door, but she pulled away from him and threw herself back into his office.

“No, my Spike, you don’t understand. The flower is bad, she took my sun, and now my moon will pluck her for his very own. He will take the flower away, and my sun will rise again. Don’t you see, that is the way it must be.”

Spike sighed. “Dru, honey, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Baby, I need to go now. Let Margaret call you a cab.” Again, Spike tried to lead Drusilla out of his office, and again she stopped.

Drusilla stood very still with her head cocked to the side, like she was listening to something. She shook her head, and then again, more violently. When she looked at Spike again, her blue eyes were clear and sure.

“How bad was it this time?” she asked Spike quietly.

Spike looked at Drusilla for a moment. “Pretty bad. Dru, sweetie, what in the bleedin’ hell is going on?”

Drusilla heaved a large sigh and then looked at Spike. “When I found out I was pregnant, I went to see the doctor. He sent for a psych evaluation, and the psychologist believes that I’m schizophrenic, and perhaps suffering from dissociative disorder. For the most part, I’m okay, lucid and clear. There are times when I suffer from spells of dementia, like the one you just witnessed. There are medications to help me, but unfortunately, they’re not good for the baby. I don’t know what to do.”

She looked so lost at that moment. Spike felt a pain go through his heart for the woman that he once loved. He walked to Drusilla’s side and pulled her into an embrace. “It’s okay, pet. I’ll help you figure something out. I promise.”

Spike felt Drusilla’s arms go around him, and she buried her face against his chest. “I don’t know if I can go through with it, William. I mean, being a mom is a huge responsibility, and with my problems, it might be better to consider adoption. I don’t want to have a spell and forget about my child.” She started to cry.

Spike hugged her tighter. “Shush, now. Don’t worry about that bridge until you come to it. We’ll figure it out, luv. Don’t cry.”

Spike looked down at Drusilla and wiped away a tear from her cheek. Her luminous blue eyes still held tears, but she blinked them back. Spike began to untangle her arms from him when Drusilla struck.

Quick as a snake, she wrapped an arm around his neck and pressed her lips to his in a searing kiss. Her tongue caressed his lips, and Spike tried to pull back when they both heard it.

Someone behind them let out a gasp. They jumped apart guiltily, turning to see who saw them and Spike felt his heart drop to his feet.

A few feet away from Margaret’s desk stood Buffy.

Chapter 21: Revelations

Buffy saw Angel standing on her doorstep, and all the memories and pain of past years flooded through her. She remembered the sweet girl, caught up in the throes of first love. The mysterious man, dark with mystery and seduction. How desperately she wanted him, but held out, convinced that marriage and family was what she wanted. The look on his face when he boasted about his many affairs. The feel of her heart breaking and finally starting to mend again. The threats and taunts that started, subtle at first, but then more and more malicious. Finally, she remembered the court hearing, where he stood next to his lawyers, as arrogant as the day she met him, positive that nothing would happen. The shock on his face when he was sentenced, and the fury that he denounced her with in front of everyone in the courtroom.

Buffy didn’t even think, she stood up from where she had fallen, bunched her fist, and hit Angel with it so hard that pain sung up her arm. His head flew to the side, and he let out a howl of outrage.

“You fucking bitch!” he shouted as he attempted to staunch the blood flowing from his nose. “You just about broke my fucking nose!”

Buffy looked at him coolly. “I owed you that. Now, what the hell do you want, Liam? You know you’re not supposed to be anywhere near me or my family.”

Angel smiled nastily. “I’ve recently acquired some information about a certain bleach-blond attorney that we both know. And since I am such an upstanding citizen, I thought I’d see if his latest fling knew about William’s misdeeds.”

He attempted to push past Buffy, but she wouldn’t let him. She stepped out into the hallway and faced Angel. “What are you talking about? You have one minute to say something worth my time, and then I’m going to call the cops on you. Speak.”

Angel narrowed his eyes at her tone, but spoke anyway. “I happened to overhear at the water cooler in my firm that William Giles of Giles and Giles has been seen lately sporting a stripper for a girlfriend. After a break-up between him and Drusilla Rayne, for that matter. As Drusilla and I have, um, common interests you might say, I thought I’d do some investigating. Imagine my surprise when I found out that William’s new playmate was my old girlfriend Buffy!”

Buffy shook her head, confused. “And this has what to do with me?”

Angel clucked his tongue. “Buffy, Buffy, Buffy, you were never the brightest crayon in the box. Spike is William Giles, the attorney. He knocked up his girlfriend and left her…for you, a stripper. That by itself is enough to piss people off, but add to it that he refusing to acknowledge his role in Drusilla’s pregnancy, as well as pissing off the local Mafia, William is in some hot water. Drusilla’s father, Ethan, asked me to talk to you and perhaps persuade you into breaking off this thing with William, for the good of everyone involved.”

Buffy’s head spun. Had Spike lied to her? She knew that he was holding something back, not telling the complete truth, but she never expected something like this. And to be told by her psycho ex-boyfriend, it was humiliating as well as painful. No, Spike wouldn’t do that.

“I don’t believe you, not for one minute,” Buffy said, and spun toward the door.

Angel quickly grabbed her by the shoulders and leaned into her back. Softly, he spoke into her ear. “I can prove it, come with me and I’ll show you that I’m telling the truth. I can help you make it stop, the roses, the notes, I know what’s happening.”

Buffy felt the blood rush from her head, and she almost fainted again. “How do you know about the roses?” she asked, facing Angel again.

Angel shrugged. “I have my sources. Let’s just say that you’ve got quite a following, it was just a matter of picking the right man for the job.”

Buffy felt herself shaking. “Explain that, all of that, right now.”

Angel shook his head. “Nope, not yet. First, come with me and I’ll prove that William has been lying to you. Then we’ll negotiate something for the rose information.” He leered at her and Buffy felt herself become queasy.

“You can burn in hell before that happens. Wait here.” Buffy ran inside and quickly called Willow. She explained everything that happened with Angel’s appearance, and what she was going to do. Willow protested, wanting to go with Buffy and Angel, but Buffy stood firm. She would call Willow when it looked like she needed someone, but for now she was going alone. Buffy scribbled a hasty note for her mom and grabbed her coat. In the hallway, Angel paced restlessly. Buffy appeared, and they left.

Conversation during the car ride was nonexistent. Buffy felt herself go from extremes of complete anger to sadness. She didn’t know what the hell was going on, but had a bad feeling about the upcoming showdown.

Angel parked in front of the Giles and Giles law firm and led Buffy inside.

“William’s office is on the third floor,” he said, heading toward the elevators. Buffy followed him in silence.

They got in and a soft ding indicated they reached the third floor. Angel stepped out and again Buffy followed him. They rounded a corner and Buffy felt faint for the third time that day. Standing just in front of them in the little hallway was Spike. Kissing some woman.

Buffy gasped, and they jumped apart. The woman’s eyes flashed in triumph, and Spike’s went wide with surprise. Buffy felt her heart crumble, and she quickly dashed back toward the elevators. She head Spike cry out behind her, but she ignored him and kept running. The elevator opened and she bounded in. Tears flowed down her face, and she shakily reached into her pocket for her phone.

“Willow,” Buffy sobbed when the phone was answered.

“Buffy! Honey, what happened? Tell me!” Willow yelled.

Buffy could barely speak. “Willow, can you come and get me? I’m in front of Giles and Giles, the law firm.”

“Sure sweetie, I’ll be right there, you just hold on,” Willow said and disconnected.

Buffy paced outside while she waited for Willow. Her emotions and thoughts were spiraling through her head so fast that she could barely hold on. Spike lied to me, about everything. How could he lie to me? Oh god, Angel knows. He knows about the roses and about Spike. What if Angel was the one? Sending the roses all along? Why would he do that and then tell me about it, about Spike. Pain lanced through her at the thought of Spike. Why, Spike? Why did you lie to me? Tears threatened again, but Buffy fought them back. Now wasn’t the time to cry. Now was the time to plan and figure this mess out. Later, after everything was back to normal, she could fall apart, but not now.

Buffy saw Willow’s car approach and she darted down the street toward it. She ran past an alley, and a hand came out of nowhere and grabbed her.

Buffy screamed and fought, but the owner of the hand was too strong, and Buffy felt herself being pulled into the alleyway. She tried to look at her attacker, but the alley was too dark and she couldn’t see anything. She screamed again, and Willow appeared at the opening and grabbed her. Buffy felt a bolt of pain go down her arm, then she was released.

The two of them flew back toward the street, but somehow managed to say on their feet. Buffy looked down at her arms and stifled a moan. A jagged heart had been carved into the palm of her hand. Blood was flowing down and dripping off her fingertips. A few feet away from them lay another rose.

Willow gasped when she saw Buffy’s hand. “Sweetie, we need to get you to the hospital, pronto.”

Buffy nodded. “Sure, just let me grab something.”

Willow looked behind them and saw the rose. Her lips tightened and she felt anger course through her. “Son of a bitch.”

Buffy picked up the rose. The thorns had been removed, and there was another note pinned with it. Buffy opened the slip of paper, relieved when a picture didn’t flutter out. The note, however, was enough to make her blood run cold.

I GIVE MY HEART TO YOU.

YOU BELONG TO ME.

WE WILL BE TOGETHER.

FOR ALL ETERNITY.

“Take me to the police station,” Buffy said in a dull voice.

Chapter 22: Confessions

Spike felt like somebody had shoved a hot poker through his stomach. Buffy’s eyes were clouded with tears, and she ran toward the elevator. He called her name, but she didn’t stop. He collapsed to his knees and felt like sobbing. Or breaking something, yeah, breaking something sounded like a good plan.

“Well, well, well, William, you little sneak. I didn’t think you had it in you to try and juggle two women. I must admit, I’m quite impressed,” Angel said with a sneer.

Spike balled his hand into a fist but refused to pound it into Angel’s face, yet. “What the bloody hell are you doing here, Liam? Or did you forget that you don’t work here?”

Angel smirked, his handsome face a mockery of a smile. “Well, William, I just recently came by the information that you’ve been seen escorting Miss Summers around our fair city. As a favor to my boss, and to Buffy, I thought I’d rectify the situation. It really is in everyone’s bests interest if you and Buffy call it quits.”

Spike clenched his teeth and looked at Drusilla. “You set me up, didn’t you?”

Drusilla looked at Spike with guileless eyes. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Spike’s jaw started to ache, so he turned his attention to Angel. “Listen to me Liam, and listen very closely. We both know that it’s your child Drusilla is carrying. Imagine the damage it could cause if say, her father found out about it. I suggest you back the fuck off of Buffy and leave us to our soddin’ business, okay? If not, I will not hesitate to plant my bleedin’ boot up your fucking ass.”

Spike turned and strode toward the elevator. He was just about to step inside when Angel tacked him from behind. The two men rolled over and over, each trying to gain the upper hand. Angel landed on top, but a short jab from Spike had him reeling backwards. Spike wasted no time, he rushed toward Angel again, intent on inflicting as much damage as possible. He sidestepped Angel’s right hook, but couldn’t manage to miss the uppercut with his left. The air whooshed out of his lungs with the blow and Spike stepped back. Angel lunged toward him, but stopped cold when Spike’s fist connected with his already damaged nose.

Howling with outrage, Angel backed off and looked at Spike with hate in his face. “What did you think was going to happen, William? Did you really think that your father would allow you to date a stripper, come on man, even you should know better. Bad enough you’re not taking responsibility for Drusilla, but to rub an affair with a stripper in her face? Whoa man, that take some brass ball, ones that you don’t have. Not to mention the fuck-up with Parker DeLuca. Seriously, Spike, you think the mob boss likes seeing his son do jail time. If I were you, I’d seriously consider hiding my ass in a cave until this whole thing blows over.”

In two steps, Spike had Angel’s fist in his hand and twisted it until an audible pop sounded. “Okay, now you’re going to explain to me what the hell Parker DeLuca has to do with me, and you’re going to make it quick or I’ll break you soddin’ arm. Talk.”

Drusilla was edging her way toward the elevator when Spike looked dup and caught her. “Oh now, Dur, this concerns you too, so I think you’d better stay for this little party.” He gave Angel’s arm another tug to demonstrate his point.

Angel let out a little whimper of pain, and Drusilla walked back toward the two men. She sat at Margaret’s desk and waited for Angel to explain.

His face was contorted with pain and Angel’s arm was on fire. “Okay, this is all I know. DeLuca is downright pissed at you for not getting his son off. Couple of the guys at the office, they were talking about this secret meeting that Rayne and DeLuca had one night. Only it wasn’t so secret and word got out. The next day was when Buffy got the first rose. We figure they hired a pro, someone to scare Buffy away from you, give you a good scare. Only, they didn’t hire a pro, just some random guy and now he’s gone off the deep end. He was just supposed to scare her, rough her up a little. Instead, the guy’s gone completely wacky and had disappeared completely. Rayne figures, no skin off his ass, but DeLuca is still pissed. He’s pressuring Rayne, and shit flows downhill from there. Way I see it; you’re fucked from here until eternity. DeLuca is never gonna stop, so neither is Rayne. You’re gonna have guys coming at you forever.”

Spike released Angel’s arm and immediately, Angel cradled it to his chest. Spike looked at Drusilla, but she wouldn’t make eye contact. “Now your turn, Dru, spill.”

Drusilla looked at Angel in disgust, then back to Spike. “What I told you earlier, that’s all true. Only, it turned out, I miscarried the baby awhile ago. I’m not pregnant, but father thought it was best if I continued with the charade, see if it would guide you back on track. Instead, you take up with some slutty stripper. Really, how low could you stoop, Spike?” Dru practically spat out her disgust.

Spike ran his hands through his hair again. All this information whirling around in his head, he needed to sit down and think. After he found Buffy and begged forgiveness, that is.

Leaving Angel and Dru behind him, he again started for the elevator. He rode down and ran outside, just in time to see Buffy roar off with in Willow’s car. Spike was also very sure that Buffy was holding a red rose in her hand. “Son of a bitch!” he yelled to the sky and ran to his car.

Chapter 23: Questions and Answers

Buffy stared dully at the pristine white bandage that swathed her entire hand. The doctor had raised his eyebrows about suturing a cut in the shape of a heart, but said nothing. This was probably nothing new to him, or maybe he had already seen everything there was to see, and a heart shaped cut didn’t rate high on his list of abnormal. Whatever the case, Buffy was grateful for the lack of interrogation. She didn’t think that she could handle another one.

The police had come and gone, and, despite Buffy’s protests, Willow had called Joyce. Now her mom was waiting for her turn to question her daughter, and Buffy wasn’t sure she was up for it. Bad enough to have to tell the police that she had been attacked yet saw nothing, now her mom was probably going to want to know why the hell she left in the first place. Yeah, mom, I thought it would be a good idea to go on a drive with my insane ex-boyfriend. Oh yeah, by the way, saw Spike or William, whatever the hell is name is, kissing on some chick, broke my heart, again, nothing big though, who needs a heart anyway?

“Christ almighty, I need to move,” Buffy said under her breath. She stood up and walked around the little room. A nurse was supposed to give her some painkillers and discharge her but had yet to show, so Buffy prowled around, looking for a magazine to ease the boredom and take her mind off Spike.

It wasn’t working.

Buffy berated herself over the entire incident. How stupid could she be? Not only was she completely clueless about Spike, but her psycho ex-boyfriend had to be the one to open her eyes. Damn humiliating. How could she not recognize William Giles? His family was only the most prestigious family in town. Her mother was working for his uncle…wait a minute; did Spike have something to do with that? No, Joyce was more than qualified for her position, and Rupert Giles interviewed her and everything. Still, if she ever decided to talk to Spike again, that would be the first question she would ask. Well, maybe after WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING YOU BIG, BIG DUMBASS!

“I hate men,” she muttered.

Buffy turned to sit down on the bed again when the door opened and a pretty, young, nurse walked in. Her brown hair was pulled into a small bun at the nape of her neck, and her brown eyes were soft and kind. “Hi there, my name is Katherine. Dr. Mitchell asked me to discharge you and give you some painkillers.” Katherine efficiently pulled a small package from the pocket of her coat and gave it to Buffy. “Take one of these for the pain; I’ve given you enough for a week or so. Make sure to take it with food or you’re going to experience some Olympic retching.”

Buffy grimaced at the thought. “Sounds like a blast. Can I leave now?”

Katherine nodded and laughed. “Yes, you can go now. Be sure to check for infection and change your bandage periodically. I can’t think of anything else, so just call if you have questions about anything.”

Buffy nodded her head. “Yep, sure, gotcha. Responsible girl, that’s me.”

Katherine left and Buffy gathered her things. She heard the door open and close again and wondered if Katherine forgot to tell her something. “Did you forget something…” Buffy trailed off as she turned and saw Spike standing in the doorway. “I have nothing to say to you. Leave me alone. Bastard.”

Spike nodded his head and put his hand up in a sign of surrender. “Right about that, luv. I behaved like a right bastard. I shouldn’t have lied to you about who I was…”

Buffy interrupted him, absolutely livid. “You’re damn right you shouldn’t have lied to me. You should have been honest from the start. Bad enough to hear about it from Liam fucking Angelus of all people, but then I catch you playing tonsil hockey with some girl in your office…”

Spike interrupted her. “Drusilla,” he said.

Buffy stopped her rant and looked at him. “Drusilla? The one that you told me about?” she asked.

Spike nodded his head. “The very same.”

Buffy rolled her eyes and gave a harsh laugh. “Fucking perfect. That’s just great. Hells bells, I’m nothing but a stripper, right? Just some plaything, something to get out of your system before you settle down with Miss. Perfect Drusilla. Raise perfect fucking children and have a perfect fucking family. Well, guess what Spike, fuck you and your lies. I should have known better than to get involved. Listen to your heart she said, take a chance she said… bullshit. Taking a chance is tantamount to heartbreak. I knew that, but I let myself be swayed by you. Not anymore. I want you out of my life, Spike. Shouldn’t be too hard, as you’ve just entered it. Go back to your snotty friends and family, and I’ll go back to just being a stripper.”

Buffy attempted to push past him, but Spike wasn’t about to let her go that easily. When in doubt, always take the offensive. He grabbed her arm and, before she could do anything, pinned her against the door of the room. “Now listen here, pet, I admit that I was a stupid git. I let Drusilla and Liam set me up perfectly to take a fall in front of you. So what, big deal, she kissed me, whoop-de-fucking-do. I screwed up and I know it, and I’m begging you for forgiveness. Because, apparently, this thing between us means a lot more to me than it does to you. I don’t know what Liam told you, but I do know that I am not about to let you slip though my fingers, Elizabeth Anne Summers, no way, no how. I love you. Fuck me, I fell in love with you over the course of a bloody week. How often can someone say that? So don’t think that you can pull this ice-queen routine and send me running, because I am if nothing else, persistent.”

Buffy narrowed her eyes and shoved him back. “Oh, so now you’re gonna try and bully me? Not happening, buster. Don’t think that for one minute you can fast-talk or bully you’re way out of this one. You fucked up royally, and now its time to pay.” Buffy felt tears sting her eyes, though she was getting damn tired of crying. “You hurt me, Spike. Hurt me like no one has before. Do you even know what it felt like to have Liam and Drusilla give me their ‘I’m so superior’ smirk when I saw the two of you? Do you? No, you don’t. Well, it felt awful, like I was some poor fool who needed pity. Poor little Buffy, she gets played by all her men.”

A soft sob broke through and the sound tore at Spike’s heart. He wanted nothing more than to gather her in his arms and make it all go away. Slowly, he stepped closer and closer to her until he could safely pull her into his arms, slightly fearing that she would maim him. She went without a protest, crying in earnest. “Shhh, baby, don’t cry. Ahh, hell, Buffy, I bollixed this up, for sure. I’m sorry, Buffy, I’m so bloody sorry. Please, luv, don’t cry. I don’t know what to do when you cry.” Spike rubbed her back and crooned soft sounds in Buffy’s ear until her tears subsided into soft hiccups.

“Spike,” she said her voice rough from tears.

“Yeah, luv,” he replied.

“Why did you lie to me?” she asked softly, lifting her head to meet his eyes.

Spike met her gave and thought for a moment. “I suppose I wanted you to know me as me, not as some arrogant, pompous attorney.”

Buffy gave a little laugh. “But you are an arrogant, pompous attorney.”

Spike smiled. “Not when I’m around you, luv.”

Buffy considered this for a minute, and then repeated her question. “Then why lie?”

Spike shrugged. “Dunno, luv. It just popped out and I liked how it sounded. I was just a regular guy, no annoying family, no stupid obligations to ‘act like a Giles’. I was just a guy who met an amazing woman, and she seemed to like the guy I pretended to be. So, I kept up the pretense. I started to tell you half a dozen times, but somehow, it just never came out. I am truly sorry, luv.” His hand caressed her back and his hold tightened.

Buffy nodded and snuggled deeper into his embrace. “What happens now?”

She felt Spike shrug his shoulders. “I don’t know, luv. Can you forgive me?”

Buffy considered his question and leaned back to look deep into those sapphire eyes that she loved so much. “Yeah, Spike, I forgive you, but for future reference, your lips belong to me.”

Spike laughed and felt a weight lift from his chest. “Gotcha, pet, my lips are yours. Any other part you want as well?”

Buffy met his eyes, and pointedly looked down, then back up and smiled. “Hmm, hafta think about that.”

Spike smirked. “Well, just let me know.” And he gathered her up for another hug.

They stood like that for a moment, breathing in sync and just enjoying the comfort of being held.

Buffy felt warm lips press against her neck, her ear, her jaw, cheek and finally, Spike claimed her mouth with his. It was a shy kiss, one reserved for first dates and inexperienced lovers, not the sort of kiss that Buffy and Spike had often shared. It seemed appropriate as the two torn lovers became whole once again.

When the kiss ended, Buffy sighed and pulled out of Spike’s arms. “Now, it’s time to go in front of the firing squad.”

Spike looked her with a perplexed expression. “Firing squad? Something you want to tell me?”

Buffy let out another sigh. “My mom, Willow and probably my brother. Then, after them, Liam. He knows something, Spike, he told me. It was one of the reasons I agreed to go with him.”

Spike nodded. “Yeah, he said something to me too, something about you having a fan club and how they found the ‘right one’.”

Buffy gathered her stuff once again. “Who found the right one?”

They stepped out into the corridor. “Huh?” Spike asked.

Buffy stopped. “You said they found the right one. Who are they?”

Spike ducked his head and avoided her eyes. Buffy immediately went into attack mode. “You know who sent this guy after us, don’t you? Tell my why Spike, or I swear to god I will take a scalpel to a sensitive area.”

Spike looked up at her in amazement. “You know, at first I thought you were this shy, sweet and innocent girl. Now, my opinion of you is rapidly changing.”

Buffy just arched an eyebrow. “Answer the question.”

Spike saw her resolve face come to the forefront and knew there was no way out of this conversation. “A bloke I defended awhile ago, he has major connections to the mob. Like his dad is the high man on the totem poll. So, this flaming git has already gotten off on some prior charges, and this time, no matter what, he’s going down. I wouldn’t play dirty to get him off, and I resigned as his council. He new lawyer came into the picture, and suddenly the only witness against him decided not to testify. He’s off and out, and I didn’t really think of him until Angel, I mean Liam, brought him up.”

Buffy looked at him incredulously. “So you’re telling me that there is some crazed lunatic chasing us because you did a morally decent thing?

Spike cleared his throat. “Actually, luv, turns out they set him on you. It was supposed to be a warning to me, and convince me to return to the family’s way of thinking. Yeah, what can I say, my family is bleedin’ insane. Anyway, somewhere along the way, they lost control of this guy and now he’s a loose cannon with a major Calypso fixation.”

Buffy took this in and processed it. “Okay, this is probably not the best news in the world. What the hell do we do now?”

Spike felt infinitely grateful that she automatically included him. “We go to the police, tell them what Liam told us. Then, you lay low until they catch him.”

Buffy rolled her eyes. “Yeah, except for the fact that they police around here put the word incompetence to shame.”

Spike gave her a light shove and they began walking again. “Well, what do you want to do?”

Buffy shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Spike raised an eyebrow. “Yes, that sounds effective.”

Buffy punched him in the shoulder. She was about to let loose with a scathing comment or two, but Joyce appeared out of nowhere and enveloped Buffy in a hug. “Oh, Buffy, I was so worried.”

Buffy hugged her mother back tightly. “I’m fine, mom. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was leaving.”

Joyce gave one last squeeze and stepped away from her daughter. “Honey, what’s going on? I asked Willow, but she told me to ask you.”

Buffy scanned the little waiting room. “Where is Willow?”

“She said to tell you that she was sorry for not waiting, but she had to leave for work,” Joyce said.

Buffy felt a flash of panic shoot through her stomach. “She left for work?”

Joyce nodded. “Yeah, said that she couldn’t afford to miss another day if she wanted to pay bills this month.”

Buffy met Spike’s eyes and he gave an almost imperceptible nod. Joyce saw the communication between the two blonde’s and pulled both of them to a stop. “What is going on here?” she demanded

Buffy pulled her mother toward the door. “Nothing, mom. It’s just, I don’t think the club is all that safe, and I don’t know if Willow should be working there right now, that’s all.”

“Why isn’t the club safe? What’s happening? Is there a gang war going on?” Joyce asked her daughter with a worried expression.

Buffy rolled her eyes, where did her mom come up with this stuff? “No, mom, not a gang war. Don’t worry about it, Spike and I are going to go get Willow. We’ll meet you at home, okay?”

Joyce nodded. “Okay, but when you get home, we are having a major conversation about all this.”

Joyce walked toward her car and Buffy and Spike walked toward his.

“Your mom is taking all of this pretty well,” Spike observed.

Buffy raised an eyebrow. “Just wait until we get home.”

They got in Spike’s car and headed toward the Lounge. When they arrived, police cars hampered their drive, and an ambulance was sitting in the parking lot. Buffy looked at Spike and they both bailed from the car and ran to the club.

Jake, the owner, was sitting on the front stoop smoking a cigarette. His hands were shaking, and were coated with smears of dried blood.

Buffy knelt down next to him. “Jake,” she said softly, “What happened here?”

Jake shook his head back and forth. “Holy shit, Buffy, I don’t know. One minute, Willow’s up onstage dancing, the next, someone starts shooting.”

Buffy’s blood turned to ice. “What happened to Willow? Who started shooting?”

Jake shrugged. “I didn’t see anyone, but Willow. Holy Christ, Buffy, Willow was shot.”