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Chapter 29: A Second Home

Spike’s kitchen was a mess. Food was everywhere, and the dishes he had set out on the table were shattered beyond recognition. Glasses were broken and silverware littered the floor. Buffy stood in the middle of the chaos, chest heaving and eyes flaming. Quite impressive. Spike thought.

Spike wasn’t the only witness to Buffy’s display of temper. The other combatant in the destruction of Spike’s kitchen stood against the opposite wall, staring down at the diminutive blonde. Edward Giles was half appalled, half amused at the woman who caused such destruction. Since his arrival at Spike’s home, the elder Giles had been on a continuous defense against her attacks. Their conversation had quickly deteriorated into a loud shouting match which led to the crockery missiles, most of which missed Edward, but proved Buffy’s point nonetheless.

Spike finally stepped in to intervene when Buffy began threatening physical harm to certain parts of Edward’s anatomy. “Now, luv, no need to threaten the crown jewels.”

Buffy turned her temper to Spike. “He knows who that psycho is! Why should I be nice to that rat bastard when he’s the one who started all this shit?”

Edward stared at her impassively. His blue eyes were stone cold and hard. “Temper, temper,” he said sardonically.

Spike had to physically restrain Buffy from ripping Edward’s throat out. “Pet, calm down,” he whispered. “If you want to win against this man, you’ve got to keep your cool. Threatening to rip his genitals off through his nose won’t do anything but amuse him. He’s a fucking lawyer, threats do nothing.”

Buffy forced herself to calm down and count to ten. Gripping Spike’s hand, she turned and faced Edward again. She gave Spike a gentle squeeze and dropped his hand. Spike looked at her with questions in his eyes, but Buffy didn’t answer him. Instead, she moved toward Edward and quietly whispered in his ear. “Listen to me, Edward. You give me a name, or I’m taking everything I know to the nearest tabloid. I’ll spread your dirty little secrets all across the gossip sections of every local paper. When I finish with you, no one will hire you. You’ll be the biggest joke on the West Coast.”

Edward’s eyes narrowed. “You do that, and you’ll ruin everyone’s life, not just my own. You think William won’t get hit by the backlash? Even you. Expose me and you have to expose your background. I’m a respected attorney, you’re a former stripper. Who do you think will win the battle in the news, me or you? Take me on and I swear to God, I’ll drag you and your family down with you.”

Buffy had counted on this reaction. Time to pull out the big guns. “Oh, really?” Buffy raised an eyebrow and whispered something to Edward. Edward’s eyes bugged out and his face turned white. He looked at Buffy, and she nodded, looking him dead in the eyes.

Spike had enough. He stomped up behind Buffy and pulled her into his arms. “What are you two talking about?”

Buffy looked from Spike to Edward and raised an eyebrow. “Well, Edward. I’m waiting.”

“I don’t know,” he replied tightly. “I can find out.”

Buffy nodded. “Do it.”

Edward nodded stiffly and walked out of the house.

Spike turned Buffy around and forced her eyes to meet his. “What the hell just happened?” he asked through clenched teeth.

Buffy took a deep breath. “Your father and I just reached and understanding, that’s all.”

Spike shook his head. “Not getting out that easy, luv. Tell me what you two talked about.”

As he spoke, Spike led Buffy to his living room. Xander and Anya had helped clean up the glass before they left. Xander wanted to stay and confront Edward, but Spike convinced him to take Anya home and let her relax. Now, the windowpane’s stood bare, the dusk breeze blowing in and fluttering the curtains. Spike faced Buffy and tiled her chin up so her eyes met his. “What was it, luv?”

Buffy sighed. Spike certainly wasn’t going to let up, and she doubted he would appreciate her tactics. “I just threatened him with a little bodily harm, that’s all.”

Spike wasn’t buying it. “Now, luv, it’s not nice to lie. I know that threats don’t work against that man; his heart’s made of stone. What could you have possibly said to change his mind?”

Buffy took a deep breath. Time to face the music, not just for her, but Spike as well. She was about to throw his entire existence out of whack, hopefully she was strong enough to help him pick up the pieces. “Spike,” she began, “How well do you know your mom?”

Spike was completely taken aback. “My mum? Gods, pet, I don’t really know her at all. I barely saw her when I was growing up, she’d occasionally pop in and out of my life. Why?”

Buffy swallowed nervously. Her mom had broached the idea with her a couple of nights ago, during the impromptu dance lessons. Joyce hadn’t been sure, neither had Buffy until now, after confronting Edward with the cold hard truth. “You two never talked that much, about anything?”

Spike shook his head. “Not really, pet. Mum liked to pretend I didn’t exist. My father did too, until he needed someone to yell at.”

Buffy nodded. It made sense, things fell into place. She opened her mouth to talk when the world around her exploded.

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Willow sighed happily. There was absolutely nothing in the world better than a warm bubble bath. Unless of course, it’s a warm bubble bath and Oz. Life seemed damn good right about now. She was out of the hospital, she had quit stripping and now she had Oz washing away while she sipped cold champagne. And taking a bubble bath of course. Ahh, life is good.

Oz’s thoughts were just about mirroring Willow’s. Happy that Willow was alive, happy that he was here with here, hell, Oz was just plain happy. How much of it actually showed was a different story. Still, as he washed his Goddess, Oz couldn’t help and crack a smile. Which, was very similar to a non-smiling face, but Willow was attuned enough to know the difference.

They sat in Willow’s bathroom for awhile, just enjoying the feeling of one another. Then, Oz began to shift around constantly, alerting Willow to his condition. She smiled and let out a throaty chuckle. Standing up, Willow let the sudsy water rush down her body. Oz watched as she exited the bathtub and wrapped a robe around her creamy flesh. His mouth went dry and his excitement level kicked up to full throttle.

“Coming?” Willow asked as she walked to her bedroom. Oz swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded.

Willow walked into her small bedroom and lit a few candles. She removed her robe and sat on the bed, waiting for Oz. Outside her door, Oz was taking a few deep breaths to prepare himself. He opened the door and gasped at the sight before him. Willow lay on the bed, her vibrant red hair spread around her like a halo. It contrasted greatly with the gold tone of her skin, making her look ethereal and beautiful.

Licking his lips in anticipation, Oz advanced toward the bed. He stripped off his shirt and laid down next to Willow.

And the phone rang.

“Shit!” Willow hissed.

“Ignore it,” Oz said, pulling Willow back to the bed.

The phone stopped ringing. Oz breathed a sigh of relief. He pulled Willow back to the bed and began to caress her skin. She moaned and ran her hands down his back. Their lips met in a heated kiss.

The phone rang again.

“Dammit!” Oz yelled. Willow looked at him and couldn’t help but laugh. Usually so calm and stoic, Oz now had hair sticking out every which way, his eyes were wide and his chest was heaving.

Willow stopped giggling and rolled over to answer the phone. Oz watched as her happy face dissolved into a frown, then into look of horror.

“We’ll be right there,” she said into the phone.

Willow turned to Oz and he could see her eyes filling. “What’s wrong, baby?” Oz asked as he hugged her.

“Buffy, Spike, something happened,” she choked out.

Oz stroked her back and whispered to her. She calmed down and told Oz what Joyce had told her. Buffy and Spike were in the hospital and there had been an explosion at Spike’s house. “That’s all Joyce knew.”

Oz hugged Willow tightly. “They’re going to be okay.”

Willow nodded. They dressed and headed for the hospital. It was becoming like a second home for the group lately.

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Spike was swimming. He lazily floated around, drifting on the current of painkillers. Slowly, he moved toward the surface of consciousness. When he broke through, Spike felt pain slamming though his skull. It felt like someone had taken a mallet to his forehead and then drilled to his brain. Stifling a moan, Spike tried to open his eyes.

Harsh, bright, white light greeted him. He hissed out his pain and immediately closed his eyes again. Cor, what the hell happened to me? Did I get hit by a bloody truck? His memories of what happened were dim and fuzzy. An explosion? Did my house explode, or just my head?

Piece by piece, his fuzzy memories slowly drifted back to him. <Talking with Buffy. Asking her something. What was is?> Spike struggled to remember what happened.

Down the hall, Buffy was slowly coming awake. Like Spike, she too was trying to remember what the hell happened. <Standing with Spike. What the hell were we talking about?> Her pounding head made thinking a tad difficult. She moaned. Instantly, she felt Joyce at her side.

“Hey, sweetie. How are you feeling?” Joyce asked quietly.

“Thirsty,” she whispered.

Joyce left and returned with a cup of ice chips. “The doctors said that too much would upset your stomach. Suck on these.”

Buffy nodded. “Sp-Spike,” she whispered.

“He was still unconscious, last time I checked. I’ll go see right now,” Joyce replied.

Buffy nodded. The effort it took to simply move her head was enormous. She sighed and closed her eyes as her mom slipped from her room.

Joyce quietly walked into Spike’s room. He seemed so pale, almost matching the sheets he rested against. Joyce’s heart fluttered. She was afraid, not only for her daughter, but for this man who wormed his way into her heart. Bruises marred his face, and there were burns on his hands and back. The doctors who treated him said that he was found covering Buffy with his own body against the burning debris that flew into the house. It made Joyce both proud and angry that he risked himself to protect her daughter.

Slowly, Joyce walked to his bed. She gently wrapped her hand around his. Joyce almost jumped out of her skin when she felt Spike squeeze her hand. “Oh, Spike! You scared me!”

Spike managed a ghost of his old smirk. “Sorry, Mum. Didn’t mean to.”

Joyce smiled down at him and smoothed a curl back from his forehead. “You are incredibly brave, yet very stupid man,” she murmured.

Spike let out a weak chuckle. “Why’s that, Mum?”

“You know why,” Joyce replied. “She’s awake too. Looks a lot better than you do, but then again you did take the brunt of the damage.”

Spike attempted to shrug a shoulder, but it hurt too much. “What can I say? I love ‘er.”

Joyce’s eyes prickled with tears. “I know you do. You’re a good man, William.”

Spike smiled. “Don’t tell anybody.”

“Okay,” Joyce replied.

“Kinda tired. Think ‘M gonna go back to sleep now, Mum,” Spike said with a yawn.

Joyce leaned down and brushed a kiss across his bruised face. “Sleep well. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Spike murmured something intelligible, already half asleep.

Joyce left Spike’s room. She stopped in the hallway for a minute to collect her emotions before facing everyone out in the waiting room. Once she was sure she wouldn’t cry, Joyce stepped out into the lobby. Almost immediately A.J, Willow, Xander, Oz and Anya jumped up and ran to her.

“Are they okay?” Xander asked anxiously.

Joyce nodded and the friends gave a collected sigh of relief. “Spike took the worst of the damage,” Joyce said. “They’re both resting right now. The doctors said that we should get some sleep, they won’t wake up until tomorrow.”

“I’m not leaving,” Xander said stubbornly. “If I would’ve been there in the first place I could’ve done something.”

Joyce gave the young man a sympathetic smile. Having just met him mere hours before, Joyce’s first impression of Spike’s best friend was a good one. “There’s nothing you can or could have done, Xander,” she said softly.

“What happened?” Willow asked. “We haven’t been told anything.”

Joyce stretched her shoulders. This wasn’t a pretty story to tell. “Edward’s car. The police said that someone planted a bomb on his car. When he started it, it exploded.”

Willow and the others were stunned. “So, that means it was deliberate?” Willow half-asked, half-said.

Joyce nodded her head. “The bomb was so powerful that it blew part of Spike’s house away. Spike and Buffy are two of the luckiest people alive.”

“Who would want to kill Edward?” Xander asked.

“Who indeed?” Joyce replied.

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A/N: Until next time, my pretties. We’re getting closer and closer to the end. Anticipation is a good thing, right?

Chapter 30: Empty Inside

A dark clothed figure paced in the shadows of the hospital. When he heard about the explosion, he ran directly to the hospital. Stupid pricks, he thought. They almost killed her. Almost killed my goddess, my angel, my savior. Anger began to seep though his pores. His vision burned red. With a great amount of concentration, he battled the anger down. It wouldn’t do any good to get mad now. Not when his angel needed him to be strong. He lost time when he got angry.

The periods of blackness were coming more frequently now. It scared him and thrilled him at the same time. He thrilled at the power that his rage gave him. Blinding power, power more than anyone mortal possessed. Somewhere in the deep recesses of his tortured mind, something broke. He suddenly felt the power surge through him. He knew, just knew, that he was destined for great things. With her, his goddess, by his side. Great things would happen for them. All he had to do was show her. Prove himself to her and make her see that she was his.

Only his.

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“Good morning, Miss Summers,” a perky young nurse said as she entered Buffy’s room.

“Go ‘way,” Buffy said crankily. She tried to slip back into the recesses of sleep, but the nurse wasn’t having any of that.

“How are we feeling this morning?” the ever chipper nurse asked.

“Like crap. Leave me ‘lone,” Buffy snapped.

“You sound rather like your young man. He was in about as good mood as you this morning,” the nurse observed. She competently took Buffy’s temperature, blood pressure and pulse rate. “If you’re nice, I’ll take you to see him.”

Buffy contemplated her offer. “If you let me stay with him, I’ll make him be nice too.”

The nurse rolled her eyes and smiled. “You know, he said basically the same thing to me. I’ll tell you what, as long as you don’t rat me out, I’ll let you two stay together. If you tell, then I tell.”

Buffy stuck out her hand. “Deal,” she said. They shook.

“Hop in,” the nurse said, pulling up a wheelchair.

Buffy looked at it in distaste. “Do I have to?” she pouted.

The nurse nodded. “Yes, you have too. Get in or don’t go anywhere.”

Buffy reluctantly got in the wheelchair. “You know, if you pushed me really fast, this could be a lot of fun.”

Another head shake from the young nurse. “Sorry, last time I did that, I got in trouble.”

“Stupid no fun hospital,” Buffy grumbled under her breath.

Her frown instantly turned into a smile when she was pushed into Spike’s room. “Morning, Spike,” she called out.

“I told you to leave me…“ Spike cut himself off when he opened his eyes and saw Buffy’s smiling face. “Well, this is a good morning indeed.”

Buffy smiled. She crawled out of the wheelchair and into bed beside him. Their lips met in an intense kiss and the nurse couldn’t help but sigh. They did make such an adorable couple. Wishing to find such a love in her own life, the nurse left to complete her rounds.

Spike pulled away from Buffy. He smiled and ran his hands up and down her body, subtly checking for injuries.

Buffy laughed. “Spike, stop it! I’m fine.”

Spike let out a long-suffering sigh. “Can’t blame a bloke. Gotta make sure that my girl’s okay.”

Buffy rolled her eyes. “Your girl is just fine. The real question is how is my man?”

Spike mimicked Buffy’s eye roll. “Your man is fine as well. Have you seen anybody yet?”

Buffy shook her head. “Just my mom. You?”

“Xander was in here this morning. He feels guilty as all hell for leaving yesterday.”

Buffy sighed and snuggled down into Spike’s embrace. Spike automatically tightened his arms around her.

“Did you tell him there was nothing he could have done?” Buffy asked.

“Of course I did. What do you take me for, woman?” Spike replied indignantly.

Buffy giggled at him. She immediately sobered as another thought occurred to her. “Spike, did you tell him? I mean, about your father?”

Spike felt his heart tighten at the mention of his father. “I did.”

Buffy waited, but Spike didn’t say anything more. “How are you doing?” she asked softly.

Spike waited a beat while he contemplated his answer. “I keep waiting, you know, to feel something. Anything. Right now, I’m just so closed off. Is that a bad thing? I don’t even care that my own father died.”

He sounded so lost, so brokenhearted. “Hey,” Buffy said softly. “Spike, there’s nothing wrong with you. Your father didn’t really endear himself to you, ever. I don’t think there’s anything that says you must be sobbing your guts out right now. You’re a good man, Spike. I love you. I love you so much.”

That got a reaction out of him. Where the thought of his father’s death only made Spike feel a passing sorrow, Buffy’s heartfelt declaration of love made his chest tighten and tears spring to his eyes. He kissed the top of her head. “I love you too, Buffy.”

It was a rare thing for Spike to use her name, so it made his words that more precious. Buffy stretched up and kissed him. His response was earth-shattering.

Spike poured every emotion in his body into the kiss. Using lips and tongue, Spike proclaimed his love for Buffy. His fear at almost losing her and the joy he felt when she said she loved him. Never in her life had Buffy been kissed so deeply or so passionately. It took her breath away, literally and figuratively.

The door to Spike’s room flew open and their friends bounded in. Willow launched herself at the bed and landed on the entwined lovers. “I am so glad you two are doing better!” she exclaimed.

Spike grunted under Willow’s added weight. “Be doing a whole lot better if you’d remove your elbow from my spleen, Red,” Spike ground out.

“Oops, sorry ‘bout that,” Willow said and rolled off of them. Spike let of a sigh of relief and Buffy laughed.

“So, how’re you two feeling?” Anya asked.

Spike shrugged. “’M doing okay. Bleedin’ head keeps pounding something fierce.”

Anya nodded in sympathy. “Sometimes, when I have too many orgasms, my head hurt too.”

Willow laughed at her outrageous comment, and Xander appeared to be stuck somewhere between pride and embarrassment. “Anya, what did we talk about before we left this morning?”

Anya scrunched her face up, thinking deeply. Then her face cleared. “Oh! I promised not to talk about orgasms and you promised to wear-“

Xander slapped a hand over her mouth and cut her off. “Well, that’s enough about that. So, Buffy, how’re you feeling?”

Buffy snickered at Xander’s red face. “I’m fine. A little worried, kinda scared. You guys heard about Edward, right?”

They all nodded. The light atmosphere in the room dissipated. Spike pensively thought about his father. Something was tickling at the back of his mind. Pieces of the conversation that he and Buffy had floated around his head and swooped into his mind. Something about his mother, and his father too. What was it? Dammit, Spike cursed as the thoughts slipped away.

He turned his attention back to the room. Willow and Buffy were chatting about school, or something, and Xander and Anya were talking quietly in the corner. “Where’s Oz?”

Willow looked at him. “He left two minutes ago for practice. Remember? You said bye and everything.”

Spike looked at Willow incredulously. “Really? Wow, my mind must be off in the clouds.”

Willow laughed and Buffy reached up to rub his cheek. “It’s understandable. What were you thinking about?”

Spike shrugged a shoulder. “Just trying to remember what happened.”

Buffy’s eyes softened. “Can you remember anything?”

Spike shook his head. “Not a lot. What about you?”

Buffy shook her head too. “Just some fuzzy pictures here and there. Nothing definite.”

“Yeah,‘s about the same for me,” Spike said.

Buffy turned her attention to the rest of the room. Willow had quietly snuck out the door, leaving Xander and Anya in the corner, still talking quietly. Xander noticed that Buffy was drifting off. He quietly motioned for Anya and they left the couple dreaming in the hospital bed.

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Jake whistled as he polished the brass bar rail. Things were looking up for him, no doubt about that. He’d owned the First Amendment Gentleman’s Lounge for over a year now, and it was paying off nicely. He was sick with worry when Willow had been shot, but she was fine, and now business was booming.

Yes siree, things were looking up. When Buffy had quit, Jake was sure he’d never find another dancer to replace her, Willow either, actually. Maureen was the one who saved his ass there. She had a couple of friends who needed work and voila! Now he had a full roster of girls and a clientele that kept him flush with success.

It was a damn shame about Willow though. But, one man’s loss is another’s gain. And Jake fully intended to gain from Willow’s mishap. Jake had seen the shooter just seconds after it had happened. He didn’t even know it until afterward, when he had a few moments to think back. Now, a little note here, a word or two there, and the money was rolling in. And it would continue to do so, lest Jake take his information to the police. Jake smiled as his reflection in the brass. Things are definitely going good.

It was the smell that hit him first. The acrid smell of smoke filtered from the dressing room out into the club.

“What the hell?” Jake said to himself and jogged over to the front door.

It was locked.

“Shit!” he exclaimed. He didn’t remember locking the door.

Jake turned from the front door and strode to the side door. It too was locked.

Fingers of dread began to creep though Jake’s stomach. He fled to the dressing room, but the thick smoke and shooting flames kept him from the back door.

“Shit, shit, shit!” Jake screamed and bounded back into the main room.

The smoke was getting thicker and thicker. Jake coughed and stumbled to the window. The smoke began to burn his eyes and tears poured down his face as a result. Jake swiped at his face and blinked rapidly to try and clear his vision. His hand closed over the window latch and he tried to pry it open. He pulled and pulled but it wouldn’t budge, even when he used all his strength.

Jake coughed and wiped his eyes again. He pressed his face against the window and saw why. The window was nailed down from the outside.

“No!” Jake screamed.

The smoke began to darken as it sucked the oxygen from the room. It rolled up and over itself, flashing over and creating the perfect conditions for backdraft. Jake tried to get to the bar, but his body began to give out. The smoke choked his lungs, and his eyes and nose ran. He coughed and coughed, but to no avail. Flailing his arms out, Jake fell to the ground whimpering.

The tinkle of glass breaking was the last thing Jake heard before the backdraft of the fire exploded around him.

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Chapter 31: Courage

Buffy yawned and stretched her arms. She smiled as she felt Spike’s warm body pressed up against hers. Security, comfort and love all rolled into one. Marvelous. With naughty thoughts flying through her head, Buffy rolled over.

And fell out of bed.

“What the…” she muttered. Then it came flying back, she was in the hospital bed, not Spike’s king-size bed at home. Crap. There goes my great idea, Buffy thought glumly.

Spike poked his head over the side of the bed. “You okay, luv?”

Buffy nodded. “Just peachy. Well, my pride and my butt might hurt just a bit, but that’s it.”

Spike smirked at her, and Buffy barely resisted the urge to wipe the expression off his face.

A nurse bustled into the room, all sunshine and smiles. “How are we feeling today, Mr. Giles?” she chirped. Buffy, unseen due to the bed, grinned at Spike’s grumpy expression.

“‘M peachy fucking keen. Can I go home now?” he asked petulantly.

The nurse sighed. “I don’t know, Mr. Giles. You’ll have to ask a doctor. If it was left up to me, I would have released you long ago, simply to spare myself the headaches.”

Spike’s eyebrows shot up. “Excuse me?” he asked incredulously. Buffy snickered.

“Don’t think that statement doesn’t include you too, Miss Summers,” the nurse said as she rounded the bed.

“Hey,” Buffy protested. “I’m nowhere near as bad as Spike.”

The nurse rolled her eyes. “Between the two of you, I swear I’m getting gray hairs.”

Buffy hopped back into bed. “Gray hairs show wisdom,” she said with a chuckle.

Spike pulled Buffy against him and tucked an arm around her. The nurse shook her head. “I’ll send the doctor in to talk to you, okay?”

“Okay,” they chorused.

The nurse smiled at them and left. She passed Joyce on her way out. “How are they?” Joyce asked quietly.

The nurse paused and looked back at the bed. Spike was whispering in Buffy’s ear and she was laughing. “Physically, they are both ready to be discharged. Buffy probably didn’t need to stay, but we didn’t want to separate her from Spike for various reasons. Mentally, they are lucky to have one another. It’s going to be hard on them both, getting though this, but at least they have another person to lean on. Sort of like a survivor’s syndrome, people who experience traumatic events band together. I’ll let you have a few minutes together, and then send the doctor in. I think they may be discharged today. Too bad, they are both really quite amusing.”

The women shared a smile, and the nurse left. Joyce walked into the room, and Buffy smiled. “Mom! I thought you were working today.”

Joyce gave them a tired smile. “No. Actually, I’m here with Rupert. He’s parking, and then coming up.”

Spike and Buffy nodded. Joyce sighed and pulled up a chair. Spike looked at her carefully. She had tired lines on her face and stress lines around her eyes. “You doing okay, Mum?” he asked.

Joyce nodded. “I haven’t been sleeping well, surprise, surprise. And Rupert and I have decided to postpone our buying trip until all this blows over. We actually had a bit of a tiff about it, the first time we’ve disagreed about anything.”

Buffy tugged on her lip with her teeth. “Mom, I really don’t think you should postpone your trip. Actually, I think it would be a good idea if you left and took A.J too.”

Joyce shook her head. “Honey, you know I can’t yank A.J out of school.”

Buffy rolled her eyes. “I think that they’ll understand, Mom. How dense could they be?”

Joyce sighed again and shrugged her shoulders. “I’ll talk to his principal, and we’ll see what happens. He’ll be on summer vacation pretty soon anyway. In the meantime, I thought I would offer Spike a place to stay while his house is being repaired. What do you say, Spike?”

Spike felt his heartstrings tug. “Joyce, you are an absolute angel, you know that? I would love to.”

Joyce smiled and leaned toward the bed. “You know, of course, there will be no naughty happenings while I’m at home, right?”

Spike blushed. Both Joyce and Buffy laughed at him. “Mom, stop teasing Spike,” Buffy said.

The doctor walked into the room, followed closely by Giles. “Hello Mr. Giles, Miss Summers, how are we feeling today?” she asked.

“Fine,” they said in unison.

The doctor checked their charts, and gave them both a short physical exam. “Good news, kids. You’re officially released, better run for the hills,” she said with a smile.

Spike whooped and Buffy laughed. “Finally, ‘bout damn time,” Spike said.

“Definitely,” Buffy echoed.

The doctor gave both the blonde’s some follow-up tips and advice, and told them to make a check-up appointment. They both agreed, and the doctor left. “Well, luv, ready to go?” Spike asked.

“More than you know,” Buffy replied.

Giles rolled his eyes. “I suppose I have to go get the car now?”

Joyce smiled and patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry; I’ll go with you this time.”

Giles grumbled under his breath, but smiled as he and Joyce left the room. “They’re looking well,” he said.

Joyce nodded and looked back. “Yes, they are.”

Giles opened the door, and he and Joyce walked out to the parking lot. “Have you thought about telling Spike yet?” Joyce asked Giles quietly.

Giles sighed. “I was going to, but now I’m not sure. He’s been though so much already, I don’t really think now is the time.”

Joyce nodded. “You know that you’re going to have to tell him eventually, right? Buffy knows part of it, and if you don’t, I know she will.”

Giles polished his glasses. “I know, I know. I will, just not right now.”

Joyce saw Buffy and Spike walk out of the hospital. “There they are. We’ll talk about this later.”

Giles sighed again. “Bloody wonderful.”

He drove over and picked the couple up. “Where to?” Giles asked.

“Home,” Buffy replied.

“Can do,” Giles said and smiled.

Minutes later, he pulled into the Summers’ parking lot. “Ahh, home sweet home,” Buffy said.

Spike smiled at her. “Glad to be out of there, pet?”

Buffy nodded vigorously. “More than you can imagine.”

“Me too,” Spike said.

With the help of Giles and Joyce, Spike and Buffy got all of their things settled into Buffy’s room.

“Xander called and said that he and Anya were going to stop by Spike’s house and get him some clothes. Oh, and Willow said that she and Oz needed to tell you something. I don’t know when everyone was coming by, but I’m sure they’ll all show up eventually,” Joyce said as she walked into the kitchen. Giles followed her in.

“Okay,” Buffy called from the living room where she and Spike were fighting over which movie to watch.

They had just decided on one when the door to the apartment flew open. From the kitchen, all Joyce and Giles could see was a flash of red. In the living room, Buffy and Spike found themselves assaulted by a shrieking Willow. “Hey you guys!”

Oz followed behind her, as calm as ever. “Hi.”

Buffy laughed and shoved Willow to the floor. “Hey Wills, Oz, what are you guys up to?”

Willow pulled herself up from the floor. “Ow, Buff, that kinda hurt. Anyway, Oz and I just wanted to stop by and see how you two crazy kids are doing.”

Oz nodded.

“We’re doing fine. Actually, we were going to watch a movie. You guys wanna join in?” Spike asked.

“Sounds good,” Willow said.

Oz nodded.

So began another movie debate, as Spike tried to sway Willow and Oz toward his choice. Halfway into the debate, Joyce and Rupert appeared in the living room. “We’re going to put in some hours at the store,” Joyce said.

“What’s A.J up to?” Buffy asked.

“He’s staying at Bobby’s tonight. Jan will bring him home tomorrow,” Joyce replied.

“What time will you be home?” Buffy asked.

“I’m not sure,” Joyce said.

Buffy nodded. Joyce and Giles said their goodbyes and left

The debate about the movie resumed. Oz smiled as they argued. He turned the television on and began flipping through the channels. A news story caught his eye. “Guys,” he said.

The others stopped bickering and turned their attention to the television. The onscreen reporter looked properly solemn as she reported on a fire that consumed a local bar and club. Willow and Buffy looked at one another and then back at the screen. “Holy shit,” Buffy whispered.

According to the reporter, the details were sketchy, but is appeared that it was an arson fire. The owner of the First Amendment Gentleman’s Lounge was taken to the hospital in serious condition. No other details were known.

Oz shut the television off. Buffy felt her calm façade fall down around her. She had been in a steady state of denial since her conversation with Spike at the hospital. Trying to be strong for both of them, telling everyone she was fine and acting like she wasn’t absolutely terrified out of her mind, everything just fell down around her. She collapsed back into Spike’s arms, shaking violently.

“GODDAMMIT!” she screamed suddenly, jumping to her feet.

“Fuck! Shit! Son of a bitch!” Buffy began to throw things around the living room. Vases, picture frames and pillows flew through the air. Willow and Oz watched in silence as Spike tried to calm her. “Pet, relax. Buffy, baby, calm down.”

Buffy felt the rage drain from her, leaving behind a deadly calm. She let Spike embrace her and rub her back. “I think that I need to be alone right now.”

Willow and Oz nodded. They got up and left, after Willow gave Buffy a quick hug. “Call me,” she whispered.

Buffy nodded and gave them a tired smile.

“What do you want to do, luv?” Spike asked in a low voice.

Buffy looked at Spike. So handsome, how’d I get so lucky? Reaching a hand up, Buffy stroked his face, outlining his cheek and tracing his scarred eyebrow. Love washed through her, and she smiled as he leaned his face into her hand. “I meant you too, Spike,” she said quietly.

Spike looked at Buffy in shock. “Excuse me?”

“Why don’t you go and see if mom and Giles need some help?” Buffy asked.

Spike couldn’t conceal the hurt that flashed though him. “Buffy, what’s wrong?”

Buffy gave him a sad smile. “Nothing, baby. I just need some time to think. Alone.”

Spike’s jaw tightened in anger. “Buffy, whatever it is, you need to talk with me about it.”

Buffy shook her head. “Not right now. Please Spike, don’t push me on this.”

Spike gave her a curt nod. “Fine. But Buffy, just so you know, if this is going to work, we have to trust one another. Completely.”

Buffy nodded. “I know, Spike, and I do trust you. I just need to think.”

Spike looked into her eyes, and then leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be at the store.”

Buffy nodded again. “I’ll see you later.”

Spike gave her one last look and walked out the door.

Buffy took a very deep breath. She went into the kitchen and picked up the phone. Courage. She dialed a number and waited. She was going to end this, immediately.

A voice on the other end answered.

Buffy took another deep breath. “Can I talk to Angel, please?”

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A/N: Until next time, my pretties.

Chapter 32: A Casual Meeting

Spike stalked around the antique store. He couldn’t believe that Buffy had kicked him out. What the hell is going on with her? He grumbled as he unloaded shipment.

Joyce winced as she watched Spike unload the priceless antiques. “Spike, honey, I know you’re frustrated, but do you really need to take it out on the statues?”

Spike looked down at the delicate sculpture he was holding. “Sorry,” he said and gently put it down.

“That’s alright. Why don’t you see if Rupert needs any help with the books?” Joyce suggested.

Spike nodded. At least I don’t have to worry about breaking them.

In his office, Giles was categorizing the book shipment for a display. “Hmm, Ancient Greek Incantations and Spells, that can go into the fantasy pile.”

He looked up and saw Spike. “Ahh, William, come to help me out?”

Spike smiled. “You know I hate being called William.”

Giles laughed. “Yes, well, I suppose it will take me awhile to get used to calling you Spike.”

Spike laughed. “Try hard.”

Giles nodded. “I will.”

Spike picked up some books. After a quick explanation of his cataloguing system, Spike and Giles worked in silence. Giles began to internally debate with himself. Tell, or not to tell?

Giles was weighing the pros and cons of both sides when he heard Spike swear. “What’s wrong?”

“Buffy’s not answering the phone. I’m heading over there,” Spike said, pocketing his cell phone.

“Wait, I’m going with you,” Giles said.

The two men quickly gathered their things and headed for the door. Joyce caught up to them of the way out. “Where are you guys going?”

Spike told Joyce about Buffy. “Wait for me,” she said and grabbed her purse. Giles locked the store and they piled into Joyce’s car.

Joyce quickly drove back to her home. The three of them bounded up the stairs and into to apartment, calling for Buffy.

She was no where to be found.

Spike checked all the rooms. He checked her room last. Buffy wasn’t there, but a note lay on her bed.

Next to Buffy’s note was another. And a rose.

Spike’s legs gave out from under him. He collapsed onto the bed.

-------------------------------------------------

Buffy swallowed nervously. What have I gotten myself into?

When she called Angel, she didn’t really think he actually agree to meet with her. But he had, and now here she was, sitting in a diner, in the middle of nowhere, drinking coffee and getting more nervous by the minute. What the hell am I doing here? This really isn’t a good idea.

Buffy stood up to leave, and walked directly into Angel. “Leaving so soon, Buff?” he asked in a laconic voice.

Buffy swallowed a sarcastic response and, instead, sat back down at the table. “We have to talk.”

Angel sat across from her. “I really don’t know what about.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t play stupid. I know you know what’s going on. I want to know why Edward was killed. I want to know who’s doing all this and I want to know why.”

“You sure demand a lot for such a small lady,” Angel said. He ordered a coffee from the waitress.

Buffy restrained herself from bitch-slapping him. “Tell me, Angel. I have to know.”

“What’s in it for me?” he asked.

“Money,” Buffy replied.

Angel rolled his eyes. “I’ve already got money. I want something else.” He leered at her.

Now it was Buffy’s turn to roll her eyes. “Not in a million years. What else do you want?”

Angel pondered the question as the waitress served him. “Thanks, doll,” he said. The waitress blushed and Angel smiled.

Buffy coughed. “Are you done? ‘Cause I really don’t want to spend any more time in your company. I think I’m getting hives.”

Angel chuckled. “Wow, Buffy, still sore about the office incident?”

Buffy barely resisted strangling him. “Either you answer me, or I’m gone.”

Angel shrugged. “Wish I could help you, Buff, but I don’t know who’s pulling all the strings. All I know is that Edward’s death sent Ethan into a tizzy. He’s making plans to leave the country. Ditto for the DeLuca’s. Me, I’m just a lowly slave, do what the boss-man tells me to.”

Buffy sneered at him. “God, you are absolutely useless, aren’t you?”

Angel’s eyes narrowed. “I’d be careful if I was you. Seems to me that you asked me for help, not the other way around.”

“Oh and you’ve helped me so much. Face it, Angel; you don’t know shit because nobody really gives a damn about you. How does your enormous ego like that?” Buffy spat out.

Angel’s hand shot out and grabbed Buffy’s arm. “Better be careful, little girl. You have no idea who you’re messing with.”

“Then tell me. Tell me something. You owe me that much, Liam,” Buffy said quietly.

Angel sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. “I’m just tired, you know? Tired of all the bullshit. I used to be a good guy, once upon a time…”

Buffy cut him off. “Spare me, Angel. I’m not buying your woe-is-me shit. Just tell me something.”

Angel was silent for a moment. “Sorry, Buff, but I can’t.”

He stood up and walked to the door. Moments later, Buffy head tires squeal. “Shit,” she whispered.

Buffy stood up and reached for the tab. Bastard even made me pay for his damn coffee, she thought bitterly.

She picked the check up and a piece of paper floated down from it. On it, written in Angel’s too-neat handwriting, was a name and an address. Buffy mouthed a silent word of thanks to Angel, threw some money down and headed for her car.

Outside, dusk was beginning to give way into night. Buffy took a minute to adjust her eyes to the darkness before walking to her car. She dug around in her purse, looking for her keys. Head down, hand searching frantically, Buffy head a noise behind her.

She stopped and stood completely still. “Hello? Is anyone out there?” she called out.

Feeling very much like a character in a horror movie, Buffy inched forward toward her car. Her eyes darted to every shadow, and she jumped at every sound. God, could I be any more pathetic? Resolve flowing through her, Buffy straightened her spine and walked purposefully toward her car.

She didn’t see the person behind her, nor feel the blow to the back of her skull. The last thing Buffy saw was a shadow, right before the darkness overtook her.

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A/N: Until next time, my pretties.

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