Take a Chance (continued)

Chapter 22

Willow and Tara stood in front of Xander, both adopting matching stances. “Do you think Riley could have done this?”

“For the final time, my beautiful witches, no, I don’t. Can I get back to my job now?”

Tara’s brow rose at the sharpness of his tone, but she shrugged it off. They were all on edge, having gone nearly a week without a good roll in the hay. If it wasn’t Lorne, it was nature. If it wasn’t nature, then it was Buffy calling and telling them about the studio. Of course, they’d hopped up and ran to her. Well, that had left Xander feeling more frustrated than he had since his high school days, and them feeling less than charitable due to suspicion that Riley had perpetrated the crime. Tara had to laugh. She couldn’t see Riley perpetrating anything, but she had to agree he was a likely suspect.

“Xander, please don’t be angry with us. We’re just asking your opinion.” Willow told him, her hand trailing languidly over his back.

Xander straightened up, and shrugged her hand off. “Not going to work this time. Thanks to all that’s happened this week, Little Xan doesn’t feel like playing in your sandboxes.”

Willow frowned, and then tried to go for the pout, but Xander was through paying attention. She looked to Tara for assistance.

“Look, Xander, I know this week has been rough.” Xander rolled his eyes. “Okay, not as rough as you would like, but our friends are important.”

Visions of heated flesh, kisses like strawberries in the summer assailed Xander’s mind, but he couldn’t let the treasure that lay within each woman sway him. Xander put down the plans he’d been looking at, and turned to face them. “I know how important your friends are to you. I just thought that after fucking for over a year now, that I would be considered more than your walking dildo and ‘convenient guy to hang with Riley while we take Buffy off pal’.”

In a fit of spite, he called Riley last night, and told him about the vandalism. Well, it would be seen as spite by them, but he liked Riley. He didn’t have any problems with the big lug. He didn’t really care that he was obsessed with Buffy. What Tara and Willow failed to realize was that while Buffy’s feelings for Riley had never gone beyond affection, Riley had been madly in love with Buffy. You just don’t get over someone that quickly.

Xander loved them both, but he had to put his foot down at some point or they’d continue in this pattern of fucking and recriminations till either he exploded or they got tired of him or Riley moved far away from Buffy.

When he realized they weren’t going to respond or defend themselves, Xander walked away.

Willow and Tara watched him go, stunned silent.

“I think he’s pissed.” Willow stated with a frown.

“You think?” Tara hated to admit it, but it kinda made her feel bad. She always considered herself a lesbian with cock cravings. Could she really be having “those” type of feelings for Xander? And what did that mean for her and Willow is she did?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Good morning, darling.”

“Druscilla.

Angel’s brow furrowed. Uh oh, this can’t be good. Dru cheery first thing in the morning. He folded the paper and placed it beside his plate. He was dying to know what had her so happy.

“You’re in good spirits.” Drown any kittens today?

“Well, it is a beautiful day outside.” She answered gaily. Buffy’s probably crying her itty bitty eyes out over her stupid shop. “The primary is in 3 weeks. I would say I have a lot to be happy about.”

Uh, huh. Okay. Weird, but this is Dru, so I’ll let it go. God, I hope she isn’t pregnant. Angel thought, in a near panic. He wouldn’t put it past her to get pregnant. It would be the perfect way to keep him with her.

Angel’s cell rang, nearly causing him to fall out of his chair. He saw who was on the other line, and it surprised the hell out of him. He quickly snatched it up before Dru saw it. If she noticed his jittery behavior, she didn’t comment.

“Hello.”

“Angel.”

“Umm.. is everything okay?”

Spike sighed. “Not really. Buffy’s studio was vandalized last night. Someone threw a brick through the front window and spray-painted obscenities on the walls. “

Angel watched as Dru slathered jelly on her toast. She was smiling and grinning, and he felt a tendril of dread travel down his back.

“That’s awful.” He said, getting up from the table. “Was anything stolen?”

“No. They just trashed the place. Where was Dru last night?” Spike said impatiently. They could trade idle chitchat all day, but what he really wanted to know was if Dru was involved.

Shit! If Spike was suspecting Dru, then that put him in the unenviable position of having to defend his wife. “You can’t be serious. Why would she do something like that?”

“How the hell should I know? She’s your wife.” Spike peered over his shoulder. Buffy was speaking to an adjuster from the insurance company, who had her undivided attention.

“I don’t know where she was, but I have someone following her. If it was her…”

“You’ll do nothing, Angel. So close to the election, you won’t expose your wife for the psycho she is.”

“I’ll handle it.” Angel told him, his mind going into survival mode.

“If you don’t, I will.”

Angel stared at the phone for a minute longer, before turning back to the table. Dru still wore the same smile pasted to her face, and in that moment, he knew. She had was guilty. If not of the actual crime, then she was definitely guilty of planning it. He shook his head, cursing his cock for getting him into this situation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hank surveyed the broken window and glass littering the sideway with dismay. Looking at Buffy, he felt a rage only a parent could feel. How dare someone destroy what his baby had worked hard to create? If he found the punks that did this, he’d shake some sense into them. Then, he’d sue the pants off their parents.

Joyce was far calmer about the situation than Hank. She knew from years of living and loving the man that he was a hair’s breadth away from erupting. She had to keep him under control and bestow some motherly love and support on Buffy.

“Do the police have any suspects?”

Buffy looked guiltily at her. “Riley.”

“Riley? Riley Finn.” At Buffy’s nod, Joyce giggled. She couldn’t help it.

“As much as I loathed him right now for that stunt with the letter, Riley doesn’t have the balls to do something like this.”

Buffy’s eyes widened. “Mom! You’re a mom. You’re not supposed to talk like that.”

“Ah, pshaw, Buffy. I’m telling the truth and you know it. Riley would pee his pants trying to do something like this. I hate to defend him after what happened, but even I know, Riley isn’t capable of this.”

Buffy felt the need to sit down. Her mother was actually defending Riley. It wasn’t possible. It wasn’t pretty, and boy was she going to use this later for some sort of blackmail.

“I know he isn’t. But they asked me, and his name was the first to pop up. It’s probably a bunch of teenagers.”

“Probably. What does Spike think?”

“He thinks it’s either Riley or Druscilla.” Now, Joyce was shocked.

“Druscilla Cavanaugh? She wouldn’t be stupid enough to pull a juvenile stunt like this. Would she?”

Buffy shrugged. “To be honest, I’m not sure what she’s capable of, but I wouldn’t put it past her. The things she’s done in the last few months have me mildly suspicious. I just can’t see Evilynn doing something like this. The police were here within minutes of the alarm going off. That’s a big risk, even for a psychotic ho bag like her.”

“Well, don’t go Rambette on her without backup.” Joyce cautioned her.

“I won’t. As much as I’d like to see that woman in jail house orange, I don’t think it’s her. What would she gain by doing this?”

Joyce shook her head. “Not a thing. If anything, this will just bring you and Spike closer.” Joyce laid her hand on her cheek. “Though to be honest, I’m not quite sure what her problem is with Spike. It’s all very confusing.”

“In her mind, she understands her reasons. And that place, is a place I’d rather not visit.”

Joyce snickered. “Me neither. Well, I’m going to collect your father before he goes ballistic. I can see his eyes twitching from here. He’s feeling a bit inadequate.”

“It’s a parent thing, huh?”

“Yes. It’s our duty to protect our children from all harm, but sometimes, that’s just not possible. This is one of those times.”

Spike strolled over to them, finally off the phone.

Buffy smiled as he kissed her. “Oh, you finally remembered you have a girlfriend.” She quipped.

“Yes, her memory is imprinted somewhere on my head.” He wiggled his brows at her, and Buffy coughed, almost choking. Her face was bright red, and the color was spreading to her neck.

Joyce didn’t hear Spike’s reply to Buffy’s joking admonishment, but she knew it was time for them to head back to the house. Dawn had her credit card, and she wanted to make sure she still had some credit on it.

“Hank, let’s go. Buffy and Spike need to get back to cleaning up the place.”

Hank opened his arms, and Buffy ran into them. “Are you sure there is nothing for Daddy to do, Pumpkin?”

Buffy grinned, relishing her role as Daddy’s girl. “Hugs are good.”

“I can do hugs. Are you sure you don’t need anything else? I can have some of my people come over and clean this place up. You and Spike don’t have to do it.” Hank looked to Spike for support, but Spike could only shake his head.

“I offered to pay for a cleaning service, too. She refused.” Spike laughingly admitted. “Your daughter is stubborn, but I love that about her.” He quickly amended.

Buffy winked at the quick catch. “Thanks for the offer Daddy, but we’ll be fine. I’m having the window put in today. We’ll be open for business on tomorrow. You know they can’t keep a Summers down.”

“That’s my girl.” Spike reluctantly released his hold on Buffy, so Hank could hug her goodbye.

“That’s my girl.” Joyce reiterated, giving Buffy a quick squeeze and a kiss. “Call me later, Buffy. Bye, Spike.” She called over her shoulder.

Buffy and Spike waved as Hank and Joyce drove off, turning back to the boarded up window.

“So, Mr. Giles, are you ready to work?”

Spike grinned, and Buffy’s knees went weak. “Most definitely, Ms. Summers.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Parker checked the address Druscilla Cavanaugh had given him. Did she really think he could case this chick, in this neighborhood, without drawing attention to himself? Hell, she probably did.

As he watched, a blonde woman came out of the front door, obviously in a hurry. He picked the photo up and whistled. “Hello, cutie.”

She was obviously in a hurry. Her head was bent, fumbling in her purse and with the door. His head reached out to touch the window, fingers tracing her lithe form as if it he were right behind her.

Darla felt a chill go down her spine, feeling the icy hand of death grip her. She spun around, prepared to scream holy hell, but there was nothing there. She glanced around nervously, before locking the door and walking to her car.

Fucking Dru is making you as skittish as a wet cat. Get a grip on yourself. Darla finally succeeded in finding her cell phone, quickly turning it on and furiously punching in the number of Liam’s private investigator.

Parker watched her over the rim of the door, relieved she didn’t notice his car. He watched as she backed out of her driveway, chatting animatedly on the phone as she pulled away. He jotted the time down as he followed her down the street, staying a safe distance away so as not to alert her to his presence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Angel put his ear to the door, listening to the sounds of Druscilla in her bath. She did it. I know she did it. The woman hasn’t been this happy since I won my first election. If this came out now, he’d be ruined. If Spike found out the truth, he’d be ruined.

“Fuck!” He shouted.

Dru sat up in her bath, startled out of her reverie. She rolled her eyes from side to side, trying to determine if she was hearing things or if there was someone on the other side of the door. She sank back into the tub, figuring her mind and her body were playing tricks on her. It had been so, so long since Liam had taken her to bed. Nearly 3 weeks.

She shook her head, nearly dislodging her towel. Nope. She wasn’t going to let the negative thoughts plagued her today. As she soaked, her plans were being implemented. That horrid, little man was following Darla. Soon, she’d be rid of her. It was inconceivable to think Liam preferred the scrawny blonde to her. She couldn’t believe she was even entertaining the thought that Darla could be her rival for Liam’s affection.

Yes, things would finally be back to normal, and she’d be one step away from the Governor’s mansion. For that, she could put up with being celibate. After the elections, she’d work on getting Liam back into her bed. Maybe, she’d get pregnant. Voters loved little children.

Angel crept away from the door, breathing a sigh of relief when he made it to the stairs. He checked his watch. Darla should be at the campaign office by now. He needed to speak to her, in private, where he was sure they wouldn’t be overheard.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harmony frowned at the sight of Riley staring forlornly at the door. She was used to semi-depressed Riley. She was even getting used to butt-clenching, mouth gaping Riley, but scared Riley. Nope, she wasn’t used to that.

Why do you care?

Harmony thought about that. Why exactly did she care whether or not Riley was happy? He was an adequate lover. He was a good piece of ass. Why allow these soft feelings to come into the equation? Things were going along at a nice little clip. Their first night was nice, too nice for her liking. Which was the very reason, she’d brought the whip and handcuffs out. He hadn’t leapt out of bed and ran for the door. He had stayed, and they had played.

He looked like a cocker spaniel. Big, droopy eyes, brown hair. Yep, cocker. She had a cocker when she was little.

Damn it!! I am not looking for a boyfriend. I don’t need a man. I use men.

“Harmony, I need to leave a little early today. Could you cover for me?” The request was uttered softly, which only served to melt the ice around Harmony’s heart.

She rolled her eyes and sighed frustrated.

“What’s wrong with you?” She demanded, spinning around to stare him into the ground.

“Nothing. I’ve just got some business to do.”

Harmony narrowed her eyes “Oh, really. Please tell me you aren’t getting involved with that woman again?”

Riley’s fist clenched. This was all her fault. “No, I’m not.” He gritted out.

Harmony looked at him, her lips twitching in laughter. He looked so cute when he was angry. She didn’t like him in a teenage girlish manner, but he was nice, and he needed someone to look after him.

“What did she do? You can tell me. I’ve kept your secrets so far.” She said, walking closer to him. “And you’ve kept mine.” She said, her breath hot on his neck.

Riley shook his head, knowing that wasn’t the right one to be shaking. He couldn’t let his hormones control his brain. He had to think straight. He couldn’t let himself be overwhelmed by her feminism.

“Come on, Riley. Let Mistress Harmony in on the big secret.”

Riley’s hand crept around Harmony’s waist, mindless of his intention. “I can’t.”

“You can.” She said, pressing her lips to his chin.

They pulled apart as a loud cough sounded from the open door. Two men, one obviously with security, stood in the door.

“Mr. Finn, this is Detective Graves from RBPD. He needs to speak to you.” The security officer looked at Harmony, and gestured with his hand for her to come with him. She looked at him like the Barney Fife he was. She had no intention of leaving her Riley-bear with a cop. No way, no can do.

“I need to speak to Mr. Finn in private.” Detective Graves told Harmony, not bothering to turn around and address her.

“Anything you have to say to him, you can say in front of me.”

Graves didn’t want to draw this out, so he sighed in defeat. “Where were you last night?”

“I was..”

“With me.” Harmony answered.

Riley’s green eyes bore into hers. She knew the question that was being bored into her eyes. What in the fuck are you doing?

“We were together. Would you like to see the tape?” She rolled her tongue around her lips, pouring all her blatant sexuality into the gesture. The three men felt the need to shift their crotches, but didn’t, all not wanting to give her that power.

“I might.” Detective Graves told her, trying to regain some semblance of control over his body.

“If and when you get a warrant, you’ll get it.” Harmony said, stepping closer to Riley.

“Detective Graves was that it? Was that all?” Riley asked, hoping to get the officer out of here, so he could tear into Harmony.

Graves looked from Harmony to Riley, trying to decide if a more formal interrogation was warranted. Well, if he needed proof they were together last night, he could always get the tape. And some popcorn, and a drink, and some Kleenex. His instincts, honed from 20 years on the job, told him that tape would rival his favorite Girls’ Gone Wild video. Something to think about as he investigated this case.

“Yes, that was it. If I have any further questions, I’ll be sure to get a hold of you.” Graves handed Riley his card, smiling tightly at Harmony before exiting the room with the security man close behind him.

Riley waited a beat before pulling Harmony to the far end of the room. “What in the fuck were you thinking?”

“That I didn’t want to have to go to the jail to get laid.” She deadpanned.

“We weren’t together last night.” He told her, as if she didn’t know.

“No, we weren’t. We were in spirit, though.” Harmony wondered if she should spring her next surprise on him or wait till they were out of the building. Nah, much more fun to do it here.

Riley felt his pants tighten. God, she was something. Psychotic, domineering, crass, hot, so many words he didn’t know the meaning of, but damn, they could go to jail for this.

“We could go to jail for obstructing an investigation.”

“Riley…” Harmony drawled, reaching out to hook his belt with her finger. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything. I promise.”

Riley looked down at her hands, which working on his belt. “Ahh…umm.. Harmony? We’re at work.”

“You’re so perceptive.”

The sound of his zipper and the rustle of his pants as they dropped to his knees was the last thing Riley remembered until Harmony whispered in his ear that she’d taped them screwing the other night, and she’d give the police that tape if they asked.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Darla strode quickly through the campaign office. Everyone knew that stance. It said ‘get the fuck out of my way. I haven’t had my coffee yet’. They stayed out of her way.

Darla threw her bag onto the sofa, screaming when she heard a grunt coming from it.

“Liam! Are you trying to kill me? I thought that was your wife’s job.”

“Don’t joke. She’s entirely capable of doing that.” Angel held her bag in his hands, a defeated look to his countenance.

Darla nearly bit her tongue in two, trying to stem the snide remark. “Liam, what do you want to do? We have two options, and neither is particularly appealing.”

Angel shrugged. He knew the options. Knew they could spell doom to his campaign. Could he do it? Could he turn Druscilla in and expose all their dirty secrets to the media? Were Spike and Buffy more important than preserving what he’d worked so hard to achieve?

Morality. It wasn’t something he’d dealt with before Spike and company reentered his life. If this question had been poised to him some months ago, he would have jumped at the chance to protect Druscilla, to protect himself from backlash? Now, he wasn’t so sure.

He wasn’t naïve enough to believe he was redeemed for his past crimes, but he had no great desire to add to his resume either. Dru was dangerous and she needed to be stopped. He was her husband, and it was his responsibility.

Angel jumped when he felt Darla’s warm hand clutch his. “I will stand beside you. No matter the decision, I will be there.”

He looked into her eyes and saw the truth.

She cared about him.

“I hate moral questions. Whichever path I choose, could end my career. But…” He said, throwing his head back. “I’m selfish. I’ve worked hard to be a Representative. I know I could make a good Senator and Governor. I hate to give it all up for her.”

Darla felt the tingle in her heart and stomach. She felt the electricity between them. She wanted desperately to wrap him up in her arms, protect him from like no one ever has, but she was practical. They didn’t have time to indulge in whatever was going on between them. There would be time for that later.

“We’ll have to talk to a lawyer about our options. It would need to be a hypothetical because Dru is only suspected of doing this. She may not have. I’m hoping the private investigator will get back to me with some good news.”

Angel tilted his head to look at her. “She did it. She was way too happy this morning. Like the cat that ate the canary. It was truly scary. She was singing.” He said solemnly.

“Oh, good lord.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spike felt his stomach churn as he looked at the wall. Bitch. Whore. Words he’d never associate with Buffy, and some ass had sprayed them in big, bold letters in her studio. He could hear Buffy talking to the window repairman and the agent from the leasing office.

No other shops in the mall had been hit, which only added to Spike’s belief that it was someone out to get Buffy. Riley came to mind, but his money was on Druscilla. His opinion of his ex was definitely jaded, so he wasn’t the best person to be objective when it came to her.

What could this accomplish other than to scare Buffy or delay her work? It did neither. Buffy was too strong and independent to allow something like this to keep her from a job. And she wasn’t scared. She was pissed. Last night, she was shaken because in her world, people were kind and nice, and she knew nothing of the evil that lurked in the hearts of men.

Buffy said her goodbyes, grateful that the repairs would be started immediately. She had some appointments and shoots scheduled, but she could easily do them at her customers’ homes. She turned to find Spike staring at the walls, and she flinched.

Bitch and whore.

Well, whoever wrote them had good handwriting. Even from outside, she could see the words clearly. The painter could not get started soon enough for her.

Whoever had it out for her, didn’t know her too well. She didn’t take kindly to the B-word, and having had only 4 lovers, and no intention of having another one in this lifetime, did not make her a whore. Speaking of lovers….

“Whatcha thinking?” She asked, wrapping her arms around Spike’s waist. Her fingers splayed across his stomach, tracing the outline of his six-pack.

“Violence.”

Buffy snickered, coming around till she stood in front of him. “Hmm. Might join you if we’re talking about stomping on whoever did this.” She said, waving her hand.

“Just give me 5 minutes. That’s all I’m asking for, is 5 minutes.” Buffy shook her hand, scrunching her nose.

“I don’t think so.” She said, taking his hand. She folded it into a fist, kissing each knuckle. “I like your hands. Wouldn’t want you to bruise them.”

Spike pushed her hair off her shoulder. He leaned down, brushing his lips over hers.

“I know you told your Dad he couldn’t help. But is there anything, I can do?”

Buffy’s eyes grew soft and her fingers touched his face, reverently.

“You’re doing it. Just being here.” She said, raising up on her toes to kiss him fully on the mouth again. “It could have been worse. They could have destroyed my cameras. They didn’t. See?You can’t keep a good woman down.”

Spike wiggled his brows. “Unless, I’m on top, and even then, you barely stay still.”

Buffy giggled. There was something to be said for a man who took pride in his sexual abilities. Oh, she knew what that was. He’s all mine.

He leaned down to nip her flesh with his teeth.

“You like my hands, huh? I like you safe.”

“I am safe.” She said, leaning into his chest.

Spike could feel her breath, hot and heady on his chest. Her lips were pressed closely to his nipples, and he felt them hardened in response.

He pulled back to look into her hazel eyes. God, he wanted her. He wanted her no matter the place, the time, the people. He wanted her, and it shocked him to the core that he went without her for 3 long years.

“How long till they get back?” He asked, pulling her into the darkroom.

“He had to go get the glass cut. Half-hour, hour tops.” She said. Her body was tensing in the most delicious ways. She smiled knowing that every time they were alone, it was like this, some indescribable need to be together.

“I’ll make it long enough.” He told her, swooping in to capture her lips. Buffy reached up to grasp his shoulders, her fingers plucking at the fabric of his shirt. Spike’s hands were far from idle as he tugged at her dress, pulling it up and over her hips.

Buffy gasped into Spike’s mouth as his fingers grazed over her thighs, seeking the heat buried between her legs.

This was crazy and scandalous, and Buffy loved it. The possibility of being discovered was intoxicating.

“What if someone comes in?” She whispered hotly against his open mouth.

“Then we’ll make America’s Hottest Home Videos.” He answered, pressing kisses down her neck.

Buffy’s head rolled to the side, giving Spike easier access to her neck. Her hands squeezed his butt, before moving forward to the top of his jeans. Her breath caught in her throat as Spike’s lips found her nipple and sucked the rose-colored bud inside his mouth.

“Oh, god. That’s good.” She huffed, licking her lips.

Buffy had to concentrate on moving her fingers over the clasp of his pants. God, the man’s lips should be bronzed and put on display at Masters and Johnson. The things Spike could do with his tongue and teeth should be mandatory study for all young men.

Concentrate Buffy. Get the penis. Get your happy.

Buffy shook her head, trying to ignore the feel of Spike’s fingers under her panties, sliding between her nether lips. Her fingers finally pulled his jeans open. Damn butterflies. Told him not to buy them. Her fingers wrapped around his cock, her skin warming immediately from its heat.

Spike’s hips instinctively pumped into her hand. Her thumb rolled over the head, smearing the drop of cum down the length of it.

“Jesus, Buffy.” Spike gasped, his lips finally abandoning her nipples.

“Glad to see I evoke such praise.” She laughed, stroking him harder and longer.

“Always love. Always.” Spike’s eyes were dark with desire, and Buffy felt almost as if she were drowning. Their eyes locked as they strove to match the other’s rhythm.

Buffy used her free hand to cup Spike’s ass, but to also push his jeans down over his taut behind. Spike wiggled his hips, his eyes rolling back as the motion added to Buffy’s ministrations. Soon, his jeans were at his knees, and all that stood in the way of their mutual …

“Earth to Buffy?” Tara said, snapping her fingers in Buffy’s face.

Comically, Buffy’s arm flailed in the air, and she would have hit the floor if not for Willow’s quick grab.

“Jesus, Buffy, Spike’s not even here, and here you are hurrying to get horizontal.” Willow teased, wrapping her arms around Buffy’s neck.

“Vertical.” Buffy whispered to the side.

“What?” Willow asked, not sure if she heard what she thought she heard.

“I was surprised that’s all.” Buffy’s brow furrowed. “What are you two doing here in the middle of the day? Don’t you have jobs?”

Willow sighed, which didn’t really concern Buffy. When Tara matched her sigh, and there wasn’t a naked man or woman standing about, she knew it was something serious.

“What’s wrong? Did your vibrator break?” Last time that had happened, they had to make an emergency trip to Insurrection to pick up a new one. Buffy shuddered from the repressed memory of the strap-on they’d bought.

“Yes and no.” Tara answered, earning a groan from Willow.

Tara rolled her eyes. “Well, he is… was our vibrator, dildo, but now, he’s gone and got all sweet and making me feel guilty. It’s ridiculous.” She griped.

Note to all those trying to understand Stuttering Tara: Don’t! Just ask her, it’s easier that way.

Buffy grabbed Tara’s arms, guiding her to the stool she’d been sitting on. “Now, tell me what’s going on?”

Tara’s lip trembled, then the unexpected occurred. She burst into tears. “Xander doesn’t want to be our fuck buddy anymore.”

Willow sniffed once and started to cry as well. Well, at least, this time she wouldn’t be in the props or crops area of Insurrection tonight. Unless, Spike wanted to visit. Now there was a pleasant thought.

Umm, could you get back to your weeping friends? Her mind admonished.

“Guys, it’s going to be okay. I’m sure... why does he want to break it off? He…umm…he cares about you.” Buffy hadn’t spent much time around Xander since the big Riley breakup, but she felt pretty secure in saying that he felt something more than a woody for her best friends.

Tara stood up, anger replacing the tears. “How dare he? We’re the ones in control, goddamnit. We’re the ones that tell him when and where and for how long! All we asked him was one simple question and he thinks that gives him the right to change the rules.”

Buffy sat back down, examining her nails. Tara could rant like a preacher on Sunday. Non-stop. She’d eventually calm down and say something coherent. Tara finally ran out of gas and stood breathing heavily. Buffy gave the lovers the once over before speaking.

“Well… Tara, in all fairness, Xander does have rights in this relationship. His feelings are as important as Willow’s and yours.” Buffy said, the prodigal diplomat.

“Whose side are you on?” Tara asked, her hands on her hips.

“Yours, Ms. McClay, and don’t pull that attitude with me. You know I’m telling you the truth, and that’s why you came here. You want me to tell you to do the right thing by Xander, which you should do.” Buffy stood up, brushing her hands over her jeans.

“Ah ha! I’m finally the one giving the advice.” She jumped, screaming a little like Michael Jackson during a performance of “Beat It”, and attempted a very bad rendition of MC Hammer.

Tara groaned. Willow smirked. The window repairmen shook their head and continued working.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Giles stared at the monitor, wondering why he even bothered to get on the computer. He didn’t know what he was doing, nor did he feel any inclination to learn the blasted machine. He knew this was progress, but give him a good pen and pad, and he was good to go.

Anya and Spike had double-teamed him a few months back, and dragged him kicking and screaming into the computer store. He was English, and could cope with any situation, but the one he found himself in at the moment, might be beyond his limited knowledge.

How in the hell did he win at Slingo? Who thought up this blasted game?

Giles refocused his attention on the game, and didn’t hear the bell jingle or see the approaching figure of his son. Spike grinned. He laid his helmet down on the table as softly as possible, and tiptoed to stand behind his father.

“I don’t see why I need a computer. I am quite capable of making phone calls and ordering catalogs. I don’t need the internet. It only rots the brains of those silly teenagers obsessing over it.”

Oh, this was going to be good. Spike could hear the angel on his shoulder telling him to leave his poor, old dad alone, but the devil, dressed in a red, see-through teddy with long, blonde hair was whispering in his ear to do it.

Well, he was the dutiful boyfriend.

“That stuff will rot your brain.”

Giles yelped, spinning around to find a pair of laughing blue eyes staring at him. If he was going to get caught, why couldn’t it have been a customer or Anya?

“It’s not nice to read over someone’s back.” Giles said, going for the authoritative tone of a parent.

“You’re right.” Spike told him, pouting and putting his hands out to be smacked.

“Your grandmother spoiled you rotten.” Giles smilingly told him. “And I love her for it.”

“Ah, Dad, you’re making me all emotional. We’re supposed to be manly.”

“We are manly. We’re just in touch with our emotional sides. So what brings you by so late in the day? Are you staying for dinner? Anya isn’t cooking, but I could drop by the store if you’re coming.” Giles said excitedly

“I’m having a moral dilemma.”

Giles was puzzled. William had always had the moral standing of a clergyman, except when it came to Buffy, but that was a positive thing.

“This sounds serious.” Giles said taking his glasses off, and cleaning them with the hem of his shirt.

“Buffy’s store was vandalized last night. I think it’s Druscilla, but when the police asked me who I thought did it, I didn’t say anything.”

Spike hopped up onto the desk. “There was my revenge, their comeuppance, and I didn’t say a word.”

Giles cuffed the back of Spike’s neck, rubbing the muscles there. “Son, you’re the best man I know. Revenge isn’t your style. You’re not mean or vindictive. You’re you. I wouldn’t have expected you to act any differently.”

Spike looked up, his eyes hooded. “But Dad..”

“Not another word. You’re a good man, William Giles. I should know.” Giles forced Spike to look him in the eye. “You wouldn’t accuse her without proof. What does Buffy think? I know you’ve discussed this with her.”

Spike smiled. “She’s pretty much dismissed this as some juvenile prank by some kids. We told the police it might have been Riley, but I doubt it. He loves Buffy.” And that was the only thing, keeping Spike from rushing to the git’s home and beating the shit out of him. That and Buffy would cut him off for a week, is she could.

Giles bit his lip, thinking. “She’s probably right, but it wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye on Druscilla, Spike. I wouldn’t put it past that witch to do something like this.”

Spike slid off the desk, pacing silently in front of it. “I called Angel. Told him to put a leash on his wife. Let’s hope he can use his charms to get her to back off. I don’t want to drag them through the mud, but I will if she continues to harass Buffy.”

“Sounds like your best bet.” Giles agreed. “So, are you going to make it for dinner?”

“Can I get a raincheck? There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to Buffy about, and I don’t want to put it off any longer.”

Oh, dear Lord. Giles thought. Joyce would be floored. He’s going to ask her to marry him. I could be a grandfather and a father, again, all in the same year. This is just too much.

“…I mean, it’s not like we don’t already spend 95% of our time together. This way, we’d be sharing the bills and everything.”

“Huh?” Giles said, his shock making him lose his proper stance.

“Me and Buffy moving in together. What? You don’t think that’s a good idea?”

Giles tilted his head, still a bit confused, but coming around. “No…I mean, yes. That’s an excellent idea, Spike. I’m sure you won’t have any problem convincing Buffy.”

Spike grinned, the relief on his face evident for all to see. “Okay, I’m going to run. Cook dinner and seduce my girl into moving in with me. I’ll call you tomorrow.” Spike grabbed his helmet and headed for the door. He turned back around, taking long strides to his father.

“Thanks. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without you.”

Giles nodded, his eyes quickly filling with tears. “I wouldn’t be the man I am today if I hadn’t had you.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy balanced the bag of groceries on her knee, her cell phone on the opposite shoulder, and her keys in her free hand.

“Shit on a shingle!” She screamed, trying in vain to get the key into the lock. She finally got the door opened, and fell inside. Must remember to take Spike with me. He’s not only hot and sexy, but he’s very handy with a grocery cart and bag duty.

“Oh, sister of mine, have you forgotten I’m on the phone?” Dawn squawked loudly.

Buffy had forgotten she’d been talking to Dawn. She snatched the phone up, taking a moment to glare at the groceries before deciding nothing was so perishable that she couldn’t take 5 minutes to rest.

“No, Dawn, but I thought it was more important to get inside the house before I had to pick up the groceries off the front stoop.”

Dawn ignored the sarcasm. “Okay, so do you think GOtR would play on such short notice?”

Buffy sighed, and tried to remember that Dawn was her baby sister and that she had no wish to be an only child. “Dawn, Spike has a cell phone. You could have called him and asked him yourself. It’s not as if he would deny you anything.”

“I know.”

And Buffy could only sit back and envy the easy friendship between her lover and her sister.

“But this isn’t just Spike, it’s the rest of the band too.”

“Well, I’m sure the boys wouldn’t mind hanging out with a bunch of college coeds. No. I don’t think they’d have a problem with that.” Buffy heard the roar of Spike’s bike as it pulled into the driveway. “Look, sweetie, Spike just got here. I’ll ask him and he can give you a call later.”

Dawn guffawed loud enough for Buffy to hear. “What was that for Dawn Summers?”

“Oh, please, as if you and Spike won’t be doing the horizontal mambo shortly. Tell him to call me in the morning on my cell.”

“Yes, Ms. Summers, I let Mr. Giles know where he can reach you.”

“You’re not funny, Buffy.” Dawn laughed and hung up.

“What trouble is the Niblet stirring up?” Spike said, plopping down next to Buffy on the couch.

“She wants the band to play at her party on Saturday.” Buffy draped her leg over Spike’s, snuggling into his side. Her nose tickled his neck and he smiled.

“Long day?” He asked, his fingers tracing patterns on her leg.

“It had it’s high points.” Buffy sighed, thinking of the highest point.

“Really, care to share.” Spike said, his voice thick and heavy to her ears.

“Later. Must eat to refuel.” Buffy joked, giving him a quick peck on the lips.

Damn! I am one lucky woman!

“Well, I was going to cook, but my fridge is empty. I need to run to the store.”

“I went before I came.”

The double entendre was met with a brow wiggle and a pinch to her bottom. “Great minds think alike, Luv. Why don’t you come and sit with me while I make us something? I want you to have all your strength. I’ve a mind to seduce you into submission.”

Buffy took his hand, allowing him to pull her up off the couch. “Submission. I like that. Has all kinds of S&M connotations, and I flick a mean whip.” She said, snapping a towel on his butt. Spike shooed her away, rummaging through the bag. He pulled out eggs, which had miraculously survived.

“Hmm…I’m seeing all the makings in here for a Giles’ omelet. Is this your way of asking for it?”

Buffy grinned broadly, her tongue poking out from between her teeth. “Yup. I’m asking for it.”

“We have got to stop with the innuendoes. We are so much better than this.” Spike said.

“You’re right, we are.” Buffy caressed his stomach as she moved past him to curl up into a chair.

Down, Mr. Spike. Down! Spike commanded. It wasn’t time for its appearance. Soon. She wants to eat, and she needs some real food, not manly muscle.

“I need to talk to you about something, Pet. I’ve been thinking about it for awhile now.”

“Okay, what is it?” Buffy said, crossing her legs under her butt.

Spike scrubbed his hair, drawing Buffy’s attention to the curls. They were getting longer. She liked it that length, but that was totally beside the point.

“Well, Buffy…” Spike was hedging, and that made Buffy all the more curious as to what he was on his mind.

“That’s the name you scream out at night.”

Spike grinned. “Minx.” He teased. “I… I wanted to ask you to…umm…”

Okay, he’s a writer, and he’s having trouble with words. Now, Tara warned her this could happen. His brain cells would leak out with the enormous amount of sex they were having.

I get paid to write words, and I can’t ask the woman I love. The woman I would do anything for to move in with me. Grow a pair, Giles. Just do it!

“I was going to propose us living together.”

Propose? Lord, he was English. “Live together. I hadn’t thought about it.” She answered honestly. They did spend 95% of their time together. They were basically shuffling clothes from one house to the next.

“This isn’t about the break-in, is it?” Honorable intentions were fine and dandy, and she would be more than flattered if that was his reasoning, but she didn’t need to be coddle.

To be honest, Spike hadn’t given the break-in a thought. “No, Pet. This is all me. Just seems ridiculous to pay a mortgage on 2 houses, when we could easily live in one.”

Buffy’s face lost its smile as she thought of saying goodbye to her home. Spike saw that, and wanted to kick himself. She’s not going for it, Mate. It’s too soon. You should have waited.

Buffy stood up, turning Spike around to face her. “So, you want to live with me? Think you can handle having me around all the time? Think we’re ready for this?” Her tone was steady, but her heart was racing. Combining households, combining their lives. There hearts were already one with each other, this was a huge step.

“I think we’re ready, but if you’re not, then I’ll wait. For as long as you need. I’ve told you, Buffy, you’re stuck with me.”

Buffy took his hands in hers. Hands that had brought her so much pleasure, she’d thought die from it. Hands that caressed her so softly and sheltered her in the night, and kissed them.

“So, when do I move in?”

TBC

Chapter 23

The Night Before….

I blame you for this. Lorne told his penis. I blame you for getting me into this mess with Kim.

Lorne had ended the relationship last year, when it became apparent the executive fast track didn’t go through Kim’s boudoir. He hated to end it, especially since Kim was extraordinary in and out of bed, but he had to. At the time, he thought their relationship wouldn’t suffer, and it hadn’t. Until, Kim found out about HER, the one that dumped him.

Now, it was open season on his manhood, and his Pepe was suffering. He didn’t even get any pleasure out of his hand, and he’d purchased all kinds of oils and lotions to heighten the experience.

Know thy self. That was his motto.

Well, enough introspection. Back to work.

Lorne picked up the file Kim had given him and reviewed what little he knew about Faith Monroe. It was up to him to develop the marketing plan that would make her practice a success. Lorne glanced at the clock, and wondered how much longer to give Dr. Monroe before he booked. He liked to meet with a perspective client before getting started, but Faith Monroe had been hard to pin down. Now, she was late, and he was hungry and horny.

A brunette head popped through the door, and Lorne raised tired eyes to meet a pair of brown ones that held him in their grasp.

“Lorne?”

Lorne nodded, too stunned by her dark beauty to do more than that.

Faith smiled and brought the rest of her body into the room. “Sorry for being late. I’m Faith Monroe.”

“Dr. Monroe, please come in. Have a seat.” Lorne said, moving quickly to pull a chair out for her to sit.

Faith smiled at him, placing her bag on the floor. Okay, he looks good. Kinda cute. Forehead’s a bit long. Could be masking some issues under that smile.

Doctor, could you please take a break from analyzing the patient and get down to business? Faith shook her head, her brown hair falling on her face.

Lorne hadn’t felt this nervous in years. God, he felt he was back in Swing choir, auditioning for nationals. His tongue felt heavy and he was sweating. He never sweated, unless there was an orgasm to be gained from it.

He sat down in his chair, barely avoiding falling heavily to the floor. He recovered and tried to send Faith his most debonair smile.

Quick update, Doc. He’s either the biggest tool in the land or he’s nervous. Or he has multiple personalities. Beware of twitches and sudden movements.

She was a psychiatrist with her own therapist trapped beneath her head of hair. It was bizarre and comforting.

“Please call me, Faith. Only my patients and staff call me doctor.”

“Of, course, Doc… doll.” Faith’s eyes widened and Lorne felt the insane urge to slap his hand over his mouth. “I didn’t mean that. I…I…”

Faith rescued him. “Perfectly alright.” She told him, though she was thinking “Freudian slip”. Freudian slip.

Lorne bent down to pick up a pen he didn’t drop, and took a calming breath. She’s a woman. A beautiful woman, but she’s got the same equipment that comes standard on the female model. You can handle her. Hell, you’ve handle Buffy, Tara, and Willow on their periods. You will not get flustered! Now, go back up there and make me proud.

Lorne’s head popped up, and he placed the pen on the table. “Okay, well, it’s late, and I don’t want to keep you too long.”

“Thanks.” Because I’m seriously thinking I need to grab my mace and run.

“Just need some ideas so I can develop a plan for your practice. Once I get the basics of what you’re looking for, I’ll be able to put pen to pad and get something developed.” Lorne felt more comfortable now. He just had to avoid looking at her. He’d stare at a point just off her shoulder.

“I made some notes.”

An hour later, Lorne walked Faith to her car. She couldn’t decide if she should be leery of him or amused by him. One thing she knew for certain, he was competent. His ideas for marketing the practice had been dead on, and agreed with or bolstered her own ideas. For that reason alone, she could dismiss the way his eyes seemed to undress her. Hell, at least he wasn’t on drugs for schizophrenia like so many of her admirers were.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Next Day…

Cordy wasn’t really surprised by the spectacle in front of her. She’d seen this type of thing on several occasions, and each time made her smile.

Groveling. It should be taught to every man once they reached puberty. It would save women from having to teach them once they got older.

It was always hard to teach an old dog new tricks, anyway.

“You know I love you?”

“Funny way of showing it.” Cordy crossed her legs, her shoulders slumped and giving every appearance of indifference.

“I was looking out for you. The way I’ve always done.”

Damn blue eyes. So hard to be mad at him when he’s pulling the sad little puppy dog look.

I’m sure Dracula’s victims were fooled by his looks too. Her mind quipped.

But Spike’s not a vampire. Granted, he’s got killer looks, and those cheekbones can’t be natural, and his stamina in bed is superhuman, though I only have Buffy’s word on that, but nah… he’s not a vampire.

“Cordy…luv.. please forgive me.” Spike inched closer to his volatile best friend. Cordy reminded him of a lioness, so he moved slowly, not wanting to spook her. He ducked his head, gazing at her from under his eyelashes.

Cordy rolled her eyes. “Spare me that look. Save it for Buffy. She’ll stop, drop, and roll for you, but I won’t.”

Spike laid his head on Cordy’s shoulder, covering her hands with his. “I didn’t want you to go to jail, and you know you would have. Dru brings out the Xena in you, and all you see is red.”

“And that would have been a bad thing?”

Spike snickered, and like that the little bit of anger Cordy felt for being kept out of the loop was gone. She laid her chin against Spike’s head.

“Did she do it?”

“Maybe…probably. There’s no proof, so I can’t go around and bloody accuse her.”

Cordy reached up and stroked his cheek. Spike’s eyes widened when she pinched his cheek hard.

“Oww! What the fuck was that for?”

Cordy pushed his head off her shoulder and hopped down.

I’ve unleashed the Italian Stallionette.

“That was for not telling me. Just be glad I’m not pinching lower.” She warned, her eyes going to his crotch.

Spike looked ill and covered his baby with his hands. “Hey!”

“That bitch!”

“Cordelia Chase! Watch your language! I did not raise you to be a sailor.” Maria said from the kitchen.

“Sorry, Mama.” Cordy said contritely, but she still flicked a bird at a snickering Spike.

“And William, stop laughing at her.”

“Yes, Maria.” Spike finally replied, stunned by her x-ray vision.

“Well?” Cordy said, pulling Spike around to the office. “What are you going to do? She can’t get away with this!”

Now, if there was one other person Cordy hated more than Drucilla, it was Angel. Which would be worse? Telling her he’d called Angel or keeping it from her and having her find out later? Spike looked down at his crotch, imagining his babies twisted in Cordy’s fingers and rushed forward with the truth.

“I called Angel and told him to control her or I would…”

Cordy actually didn’t hear the rest of that sentence. She heard Angel and her brain locked. He went to Angel before he came to me. It was bad enough he was keeping secrets from her, but this.

”Are you two buddy buddy again?”

Spike smiled. “Hardly. More like veterans of a war. He’s married to her, thank god. He has what is needed to control her.”

Cordy frowned. Mace? Straight-jacket? Shackles?

“Position and power.” Spike answered. “Two things that get Dru hotter than a room full of strippers. I figure if he threatens her with losing it, she’ll leave me and Buffy alone.”

“And if she doesn’t?”

Spike pondered the question for a second before looking into her eyes. “I’ll open Pandora’s box and take them both down.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Are you sure you don’t want me to go over there? I can. Spike’s there.”

Dawn rolled her eyes at the glazed look in Buffy’s eyes.

“You do realize you can’t screw 24/7? You’re going to wear him out before he’s 30.”

Buffy gripped the counter. “Bite your tongue. Spike will still be going strong at 50. Especially, if I have anything to say about it.”

“Is this a Summers trait? Am I doomed to insatiable urges?”

“I hope so, dear. Life is boring without a good shag every now and then.” Joyce winked at Buffy as she slid past Dawn to pick up her notepad. As quickly as she appeared, she disappeared.

“Did our mother just say shag?” Dawn asked incredulous.

“She may be spending a little too much time around Spike.” Buffy shrugged. “So, my offer still stands. I’ll go to Ipo’s and order the food. You don’t have to see Connor.”

Dawn grabbed hold of Buffy’s head, making Buffy look her in the eyes. “Thank you, my beautiful, oversexed sister, but I’m fine. Connor’s fine. We’re fine with each other. I can go to the restaurant and order cannelloni. Thank you.” She said, kissing Buffy on the head.

“It’s my job to torment and protect you. What kind of sister would I be if I didn’t meddle in your affairs?” Dawn smiled and hugged Buffy quickly.

“Not my sister.” Dawn answered.

Buffy bit into the apple, listening with one ear to the conversation between Dawn and Joyce.

“Okay, you have me for the rest of the morning. All the calls I needed to make, I did.” Joyce said, grabbing a bottled water out of the refrigerator. “Where are we off to?”

Buffy finished the apple, throwing the core in the trashcan. “The police station. The realtor’s, and the mall. And not necessarily in that order.”

Joyce lowered the bottle, eying Buffy suspiciously. “Elizabeth Summers, why are we going to the realtor’s?”

Buffy shifted uneasily under Joyce’s gaze. “Caught that, huh? Well, I’m moving in with Spike, and I want to put my house on the market.”

“Oh. Living together? Hmm.”

Buffy rushed to explain. “I know it’s too soon. I know we haven’t really known each other that long. But I feel like I’ve known him all my life. We click, and when we aren’t together I get a little wigged. And I know I’m young, but I know there isn’t another man I will ever be with. I love him like you love Daddy. He’s the one, the only, and I want to be with him.” She was out of breath when she finished. Joyce merely smiled, and handed her the water.

“Breath. Drink. Listen. In that order.” She commanded.

Buffy took a deep breath, a sip of the water, and stamped down the fear that Joyce would be disappointed in her decision to move in with Spike.

“Buffy,” Joyce said, stroking Buffy’s cheek lovingly. “I don’t know if I’ve said this often enough, but I’m proud of the woman you’ve become. That woman is not the type to move in with a man on a whim or the possibility of forever after. What you have with Spike is real and lasting, and it’s only natural you want to start your life with him.”

Buffy smiled, sniffling a bit. “Thanks, Mom. I love you.”

Joyce kissed Buffy repeatedly on the temple. “I love you too.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lee sat outside of Houston’s, basking in the sun. God, she missed the days when she’d skip classes and head to the beach with her girlfriends. Ahh… memories.

“Don’t you look all comfy?”

Lee opened one eye to see a bemused Darla standing over her.

“You’re blocking my sun. This is the only time I actually get to see it.”

Darla grinned and shooed Lee, so she could join her. “I know what you mean. I spend half my day inside with that damned phone attached to my ear, and the other half with a man whose bones I want to jump so badly, my teeth hurt.”

Lee turned her head slightly to gaze at Darla. “Sexual tension is a bitch. Luckily, I just roll Wes over and have my way with him.”

Darla shook her head, laughing. “Okay, enough of this sex talk. I’ve still got to meet said man later. So, what do you have for me?”

“Nothing much. Just thought this would be better than meeting at the house. I’m all set for whatever Angel wants to do. If he wants to divorce her, we have grounds for irreconcilable differences. If he wants to commit her, though, we have to have documented proof from Dr. Monroe that Drucilla is certifiable.” Lee’s smiled mischievously. “Unfortunately, a judge won’t take what you and I think seriously.”

Heller sighed, throwing her head back. Her blonde hair trailed behind her back like a shawl. “Damn! And here I thought, everyone valued my opinion.”

Both women laughed and headed into the restaurant. Parker gave them a few minutes before he headed inside as well. He was hungry and Drucilla Cavanaugh could well afford to pay for his lunch while he watched her husband’s campaign manager. Or lover as she suspected. If she asked him, there was no way her husband was screwing his manager. He always left her house without so much as a grin on his face or his shirt unbuttoned. Nah, he wasn’t poking her. He might have wanted to, but he was faithful. Though for the life of him, Parker couldn’t understand why.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Connor pitched the tomatoes to Lindsey in rapid succession. Maria hated for them to toss the vegetables around, stating that any good Italian could taste a bruise tomato. So they did this only when they knew she’d be at noon mass.

“So have you decided if you’re going to double up on your hours?” Lindsey asked, snatching a flying zucchini out of the air.

“Yeah, I’m going to do it. It’ll mean a lot of long, sleepless nights, but if it gets me out of school early, I’ll do it.” Connor threw three baby squash at Lindsey, throwing the empty box on the floor.

“Besides, with the wedding and all, I figured the restaurant would need someone to run it. You know Mama and Cordy are going to be worthless until you say ‘I do’.”

Lindsay turned on the water, watching as the bowl filled up with the cold liquid.

“I know. But we haven’t picked a date yet. Just a time period.” Lindsay looked up as the doorbell chimed and saw Dawn talking animatedly to Cordy and Spike.

“Speaking of upcoming parties, are you still going to Dawn’s on Saturday?”

Connor glanced sideways at Lindsay. He tried to school his face into an impassive mask, but Lindsay just smirked and continued watching the people out front.

“Why wouldn’t I go? We’re friends. She said so, and I believe her.”

“Friends? Think you can handle being just friends with Dawn. It wasn’t too long ago, you were all over her.” Lindsay prided himself on picking up Cordy and Maria’s habit of meddling.

Connor recognized the Chase ploy, and suppressed a chuckle. Lindsay was getting there, but he hadn’t acquired the subtle grace for meddling that Cordy and Maria had.

“Dawn and I have talked since we broke up. We are good. We’re in a good place.” Connor nodded. Yep, they were in a good place. One that didn’t involve his fingers buried in her beautiful hair or his lips on hers, soft and firm. Yeah, they were in a fucking great place.

Lindsay nodded. “Well, that’s good.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dru pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant, glaring daggers at the man waiting beside his car. It would be so easy. Her foot slipped and pressed on the accelerator. By the time, she got her wits about her, it was too late. The man was pinned between her car and his. Dead. The political fallout would be too great to risk it. People would think she was unstable or unhinged, and that would reflect negatively on Liam.

I guess you’re safe for the moment, Mr. Finn. She smirked, pulling alongside of him.

Riley opened the door and climbed in.

“Why did you call me?” Dru sneered, her hand itching to lash out at him. “I thought our friendship ended a month ago.”

Riley’s gaze flickered on her briefly, and she smiled at the anger she saw within its depths.

“I want to know if you vandalized Buffy’s studio?”

Dru pressed her fingers to her chest in a “oh, my goodness, no” gesture. “That’s horrible. People just don’t respect other’s property. I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll have to talk to my husband about strengthening the laws.”

Dru couldn’t keep it up. She laughed till she cried. “Foolish boy! She fucked another man while she was dating you, and you still love her. What is it about that little blonde twit that has men falling over themselves to protect her?” She gritted out bitterly.

“She’s not you.”

Dru struck him, hard. “Be careful what you say to me, Riley.” She said, caressing the red whelp, already forming on his face. “I would hate for people to get the wrong impression about you. One might think you’re still fixated on her. California has laws against stalking.”

Turning away from him, she checked her makeup in the rearview mirror.

“You stay away from her. She’s done nothing to you.” Riley gripped the door handle tightly, knowing if he didn’t. He’d strangle the life out of her. It had taken a lot not to strike back at her for the slap.

“Riley, Riley, you worry too much. Buffy’s fine. It was just her property, not her body. I’m sure as we speak, her body’s being taken care of by William. He’s very good at consoling. I could console you if you like.” Dru stroked her ruby tongue across her lips, reaching over to stroke Riley’s thigh.

Riley pushed her hand off, backing up in disgust. “You’re a sick woman. You stay away from Buffy. Or I’ll find some way to stop you.” Riley threatened.

“Only if you can find a pair, Riley. You know that’s the real reason she left you.” She screamed as he slammed the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Thank you, Detective Graves. I appreciate you calling and letting me know.” Buffy frowned as she hung the phone up.

“What did he say?” Joyce leaned on the counter, smiling at Buffy.

“He said Riley has an alibi for Sunday night. I don’t know if I’m relieved it isn’t him or afraid that it could be Dru.” Buffy rubbed her neck, kneading the muscles. Much better when Spike does this. She mused.

“I know you’re reluctant to mention her name to the police, but I think it’s in your best interest if you let them know she is a threat.” Joyce stood up, rubbing her arms as she paced. “I know Spike wouldn’t let anything happen to you, but he can’t control Dru.”

“But I can.”

Buffy and Joyce turned stunned eyes to their visitor.

“Mr. Cavanaugh, how can I help you?” Buffy asked, coming around to stand next to her mother.

“I heard about your studio being vandalized. I wanted to stop by and see if there was anything I could do.” Angel walked forward, towering over the two women.

“That depends on your real reason for being here.” Buffy answered, crossing her arms over. Angel smiled at the picture she presented. It was like looking at a female Spike, all brass and balls.

“Are you here because your wife did it or to see if there’s any evidence to say she did?”

Joyce felt a rush of pride. That’s right, baby. Don’t back down.

“To the point, aren’t you Ms. Summers? I can see why William loves you.”

Buffy couldn’t help the smile that sprang to her lips. William loved her, that was true, and she loved him as just as fiercely.

“I’m very lucky to have his love.” Buffy admitted.

“Mr. Cavanaugh, I’ve warned your wife before to leave my daughter and Spike alone. You seem like a decent person, but I won’t have my daughter looking over her shoulder, worried your wife is going to pop out and do something to hurt her or her boyfriend.” Joyce’s stance relaxed when she saw the empathy in Angel’s eyes.

“I’ll do my best to keep Dru out of their lives, Mrs. Summers. I can’t make any promises. I’m not even sure Drucilla did this.”

“Yes, you are. I can see it in your eyes.” Buffy said huffily.

“She’s my wife. What would you do if it was Spike?” Angel commented. “I’m taking steps now to get her some help. I hope it’ll be enough.” Angel sighed. “Take care, Buffy, Mrs. Summers.”

Buffy wrapped her arm around Joyce’s waist as they watched Angel leave the studio.

“Well, this will make for interesting conversation tonight.” Buffy quipped. “At least, we know who did this.”

“She’ll get hers, Buffy. She’ll get what she deserves.”

“One can only hope.” Buffy commented.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dr. Faith Monroe…Damn, he couldn’t get her out of his mind, which could be a good thing. It had been awhile since his below the belt friend had come out to play. Even if nothing happened between him and the good doctor, the fact she’d got him standing to attention last night was something in and of itself. She’d cured him. That’s why he was thinking of her. That’s why he couldn’t get her ruby red lips out of his mind or her lush brown hair.

“This is ridiculous.” He said, standing up to stare out the window.

She’s just another female in a long line of females. Just because she’s got the dark look going on like no tomorrow is not reason enough for me to lose major cool points staring at the phone like some gawky teenager.

“I’m a man.”

“You’re a man who hasn’t gotten any in over a month.” Tara quipped from the doorway.

“Shit! Did I say that out loud?”

Tara nodded, an insanely huge grin on her face. Could things get any worse? Yep, his penis could fall off.

“Hey, nothing’s going on at the flower shop. Wanna do lunch?”

Lorne came around the desk and perched on the edge. He studied Tara, appraising her as one would a spirited filly.

“What’s the catch?”

“Catch?” Tara sputtered. “No catch. Just had the time. Thought I would grab something and invite you along.”

Lorne tapped his finger against his cheek. “Sure. Right. Tell me another story. Do I look like I was born yesterday?”

Tara rolled her eyes, balling her fist tightly. “Fine. I…” She stuttered, and instantly wished the pox on Xander for making her childhood affliction rear its ugly head. “I need advice on how to get Xander back.”

Lorne blinked. He blinked again. Then, he stood and looked out his door, looking around the corner for Willow’s red head. No red head.

“Did I wake up in the Twilight Zone this morning? I might have since I’m having nice, normal thoughts about a woman.”

Tara sighed. “Xander broke up with us.”

“Come again.”

“I want to, but with Willow and Xander. I’ve become somewhat addicted to a dick-induced orgasm.”

“So have I, Sweetie. Most people like them. I thought Xander was just another cock to you. What’s changed?” Lorne pushed his door closed after an intern nearly tripped over his shoes at his statement.

Tara shrugged. “We like him. A lot. We have fun with him in and out of bed.” She admitted. “I love Willow. You know I love her more than my life, but Xan brings some good qualities to the table and bed too.”

“Tara Honey, I’m not the person to be asking these questions. I don’t have relationships. I have pit stops. Did you ask the reigning queen of perfect relationships?”

“Yes, we asked Buffy. She said we needed to prove to Xander he’s more than just a sex object and Riley buffer.”

Lorne looked at his watch. Screw it. He wouldn’t be getting anything done until he got one Dr. Faith Monroe off his mind, and helping his wayward lesbians lasso their man would be the perfect distraction.

“Let’s go. I always think better on a full stomach.”

Tara allowed him to pull her out of the chair. “I thought that was after a great lay.”

“Same diff. Let’s go.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Connor peered around the corner, checking to see Dawn was still preoccupied with the menu. Behind him, Lindsay snickered.

“Could you stop with the giggling? You sound like a school girl.” Connor admonished.

“At least, I’m not hiding behind doors, staring at my ex.” Lindsay quipped back. “Just go out there and talk to her. You’re friends, right?”

“If you had an ex, Cordy wouldn’t let her in the front door.”

“That’s true.” Lindsay replied, turning back to the dish he was preparing. No point in arguing against a fact.

“This is ridiculous.” Connor said, as he untied his apron. “I’m gone.”

“Okay. Good man.” Lindsay deadpanned.

“Shut up!” Connor yelled back, good-naturedly.

Dawn sat at a table, her back to him. Cordy had the catering menus spread out before them, and they were discussing each item. Spike stood off to the side, his cell held tightly in his hand. He threw his hand up in greeting.

We’re friends. We can interact as friends. There is noting romantic going on. Just a nice, boring friendship, and if I keep thinking like that, I might not have that much.

“Hello, gorgeous. And I say that to both of you, so no one should be offended.” Connor leaned against Cordy’s chair with his hand resting on her shoulder. “So did you pick out something good for Saturday?” He asked casually.

“It’s all good, Connor.” Cordy reminded him, sticking her tongue out at him.

“I know. Even if it wasn’t, you’d say it was since you’re sleeping with the cook.”

“Hey, that’s my future husband you’re talking about, and he can cook.” She smacked Connor’s hand, pushing up out of the seat. “Sit. Visit. I forgot the dessert menu.”

Dawn bit her lip. He looked good. Damn his hide. They were going to be friends, if it killed them both. I can do this. I can. I know I can. We.. I broke it off for a very good reason. Though that reason seems to have escaped me in the five minutes he’s been standing there.

“So,” Connor drawled, flowing like warm maple syrup into Cordy’s chair. “Got everything all set for your party.”

Dawn smiled, and Connor’s gaze was drawn to her lips. Whoa! He thought. Where am I going with this? Did we not have the talk a few days ago? Didn’t she, we, us, me decide we were better off as friends?

“Almost everything. Mom’s caterer was none too happy when I told him we would be having food brought in from here. He’s a little snotty that way.”

Connor chuckled. “Obviously you got your way. You usually do.” He said, and nearly bit his tongue. Did he sound bitter? Upset? Pissed? God, he hoped not. That hadn’t been his intention. He didn’t blame her for not wanting to continue their relationship. Well, not much, but he was the adult. He understood.

Dawn’s brow arched. Was he talking about us? I made the right decision for the both of us, you doofus.

“Everything’s all planned. Just finished discussing the music with Spike. Ghost is going to do a few songs for me, and we have a DJ coming. So everything’s set. All we need now is for the weather to hold, and it’ll be perfect.” Dawn ran her nail over a hump in the tablecloth. “So are you still coming?”

“Yeah, I am. I’m still invited, aren’t I?” Connor asked, raising his brown eyes to hers.

“Of course, you are.”

They stared at each other, neither not knowing what to say. They were spared the uncomfortable silence by the arrival of Maria from noon mass, Spike rejoining them, and Cordy’s sudden appearance from the back.

It was just as well, Dawn mused. Can’t keep traveling down that same road.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harmony fumed. There was no other word to describe what she was doing. She could have said she was brooding, but that was a man thing. She wasn’t brooding. She was fuming because she was pissed. She was dangerously close to being jealous as hell too. Both were not good emotions on her.

He went to see that dark haired bag of bones. Harmony could take Riley lusting after Buffy. He had slept with her for 2 years, carried on a one-sided relationship with her, but this chick? This Druscilla Cavanaugh was a different sort of woman all together. They had nothing. Riley didn’t like her, but he was allowing her to use him for her whims.

Okay, so she’d been the one to introduce him to the dominant/submissive lifestyle, but that’s where people got confused. The submissive had the power over the dominant. The sub allowed the dominant to control them, thereby giving the submissive control over the dominant’s arousal and pleasure.

And he was giving that power to someone else and that was wrong. He had no right. He was hers to whip and abuse, if that’s what she wanted. She hadn’t intended on following him, but when he declined sex, in favor of running an errand, she became suspicious.

Why did he go to her? Why the big secret? Did he think he couldn’t come to her? He came in her.

Harmony whipped her blonde hair over her shoulder angrily.

She was not brooding. She was fuming.

No, she wasn’t going to fume any longer. She did not sign up for this. Riley was supposed to be a nice diversion from the everyday doldrums, not a commitment to care for a pet too stupid to stay out of the road.

Nope, that’s not my style. Not my style at all. She huffed.

She was not brooding.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Darla leaned over Angel’s shoulder, trying hard not to inhale his cologne, his scent. She knew she was in troubled waters where he was concerned, but the last few days had been harder than usual to deny her attraction to him. Damn hormones! Why couldn’t she be normal? Why did she have to be horny as hell instead of crabby? Why couldn’t she have normal PMS? Why? Why? Why?

“Darla? Are you still on this planet?” Angel asked, amused. His eyes linger on the slope of her neck before darting to look at her face.

“What? Sorry. Got sidetracked. Okay, where were we?” She asked, straightening up and moving as far as possible from Angel.

“Finishing up my calendar for next week.” Angel answered. He took in the flush on Darla’s face, and egotistically surmised he was the cause of it. “Is it something I can take care of?”

Darla’s eyes widened and she licked her lips, which were suddenly too, too dry. “Umm… no. Just…stuff.”

Angel nodded and tried not to grin. Stuff? I’ve made a Stanford grad into a simpleton. Wait a minute. Does that make me a smartifier or a dumber? Angel frowned.

“Okay, I just lost you.” Darla quipped. She was leaning on the desk, looking at Angel as if he had a huge mole between his eyebrows.

Angel gave her the smile which had won him a huge female vote. “You didn’t lose me. I was thinking about my dear wife.”

Darla sighed and turned to plop down in the chair in front of the desk. Oh, goody. More insane Druscilla talk.

“Buffy and Spike are convinced she vandalized the studio, but their sense of fairness is preventing them from going to the police.”

“Good thing they have a sense of right and wrong. Don’t think whoever created Dru put that in her genetic makeup.” Darla leaned forward till her elbows were resting on the table. “So what’s our next move?”

Angel stared at the woman across from him. Our. She was always thinking in terms of them, not just him. He knew their relationship had exceeded the bounds of employer/employee, even beyond colleagues. He wondered if she saw a future for them as well.

“Our next move is to get me unhitched from the albatross around my neck. If she keeps this up, it won’t be long before she’s going after Spike and Buffy in a more personal manner.”

Darla rubbed her fingers across her nose. “It is fucking unbelievable she would pull a stunt like this so close to the election. If she’d been caught, everything she’s worked so hard to get for you, would be gone. I just don’t understand it.”

Angel slumped in his chair. “I don’t understand it either. It’s like some pull between her and William. Some connection that refuses to be broken. He doesn’t love her. I know that. I’ve watched him talk about Buffy. I’ve heard him speak about her without mentioning her name. He is totally committed to her. This relationship is nothing like his with Dru.”

“You envy him.” Darla whispered.

Angel nodded, taking a deep breath and expelling it. “Yeah, I envy him. Who doesn’t want that type of love, that passion with a woman?”

Darla would have melted on the spot, but she didn’t. She couldn’t fall into his arms, and pretend he didn’t have a wife, a campaign. No, she would continue to deny this attraction, even if she had worn out her personal massager from Brookstone.

The guard at the front gate waved Druscilla through. She flew by in her usual manner. Ignore the help, and gun the engine. The guard rolled his eyes, and dismissed her as just another trophy wife, easily replaced by a newer, younger model. He noted the time of her arrival in his book, and sat down. Parker also noted the arrival of Mrs. Cavanaugh, and wondered if he should warn her that his target was also inside visiting her husband.

Druscilla’s blood pressure started to rise at the sight of Darla’s car parked in the driveway. She did not need a confrontation with the blonde bimbo on top of meeting that impudent Riley Finn. Then again, she was determined to keep Darla’s claws out of Liam, so she’d have put up with the aggravating twit until Mr. Parker took care of her.

“You still didn’t answer my question. What are you going to do about Druscilla?” Darla’s voice broke through the silence of the room.

“I wish I knew.”

Druscilla hadn’t planned on eavesdropping, but hearing Liam say her name had stopped her dead in her tracks.

Angel stood, crossing the room to get a drink. “I know I’m going to have to do…” He sniffed the air. Dru’s perfume. “I’m going to have to do something. I don’t want my marriage to end.”

Angel nearly laughed at the expression on Darla’s face. You would have thought he was standing in front of her in a bunny suit. He motioned with his hand to close her mouth and pointed towards the door.

Darla shook her head. Play along, even if you choke on it. “Well, Liam, I know your marriage is important to you. Maybe you should seek some counseling.” Darla suggested.

I hope she reveals herself soon. I can’t keep this up much longer. Darla’s lip curled into a sneer. Angel laid his hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“I doubt Dru would agree to counseling.”

“You’ll have to insist Liam. You can’t afford for the press to get a whiff of discord between the two of you.

“That’s enough, Darla.” Dru said, pushing the door open. “This is a matter between me and my husband.”

For the first time, Darla actually agreed with Druscilla. “You’re right. I’ll just be going. Liam, I will see you tomorrow. The car is picking you up at 6:30 to take you to the studio. Goodnight, Druscilla.”

Darla gathered her things and beat a hasty retreat.

“Oh, to be a fly on that wall.” She mumbled as she left the house.

Druscilla wasn’t angry with Liam for discussing their marriage with Darla. He needed to talk to someone and Darla was the obvious choice. She was actually warmed by the fact he cared. He obviously wasn’t pleased with the distance between them.

Druscilla laid her hand against Liam’s cheek. “I want us back, Liam. I want us to be the way we were.”

Angel smiled. “I know you do, Dru, but we are having problems. These last 4 months have been hard. You’re distant and moody. You’re angry and threatening. I want the woman back who I married.”

“And you think talking to some stranger will help? We just need to be together. In the same bed.”

Angel pulled away. Oh, hell no. I’m not sleeping with you ever again. “This isn’t a sex issue, Dru. We know we do that well. It’s about your obsession with William. It’s about all the pressure I’m under with this election. It’s not just you. It’s me, too.”

Angel could see the wheels turning, so he pressed his advantage. “If we don’t get help, I don’t know how much longer I can take this.”

There has never been a divorce in the Hayes family, and she was not going to be the one to bring that shame to it. Whoever she had to snow to convince Angel to stay with her, she would. She still planned on using Mr. Parker to handle Darla, but this would definitely give her positive points with Liam.

“Okay, we’ll see a counselor. Anything, you want, Liam. I’ll do anything for you, for us. I love you.” Druscilla laid her head against Liam’s chest. “I love you.” She repeated.

Angel caressed her gently, feeling somewhat nostalgic for the wild woman who’d captured his heart. He had to remember, though, that woman didn’t exist. She was nothing more than a façade. A character Druscilla created to get what she wanted.

“Everything will be all right, Dru. I promise you. Soon. Everything will be all right.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spike typed the last sentence of the chapter, and sat back with a deep sigh of relief. He was 2 chapters ahead of schedule. Anya would be pleased. She wanted to have this book finished before the baby was born, and she didn’t trust anyone else to do right by him. Spike highly doubted she’d be able to get the book to press but he liked living, so he didn’t mention his doubts. His dad’s blunder of this weekend was still fresh in his mind.

Saving the file, Spike stood and stretched. He felt tight and achy. Too long spent hunched over the computer. Saving the file a second time before shutting down, Spike headed to the bathroom. He’d get in a quick shower, then get dinner started. It was the least he could do for his beloved.

Buffy unlocked the door to the house, grinning when she realized that soon enough this would be her home. She expected the bum’s rush from Spike once she hit the foyer, but he was no where to be found.

He probably went for a run, she mused. She was brought up short by the sight of him, sprawled out on the bed, clad only in a towel, dead asleep. Her heart and another part of her anatomy warmed at the sight of his tanned chest and muscled stomach. Would the bloom ever fade? Would she always want him, anytime, anywhere?

She was kinda reluctant to jump his bones. He looked so peaceful, so relaxed.

Buffy stripped down to her cami and thong, and climbed onto the bed with him. She curled up beside him, taking the opportunity to run her gaze over his face.

“I love you.” She whispered, kissing his lips softly. Buffy tucked her head into the crook of his neck. Spike’s body hummed as it became aware of her nearness, and his arm circled her back, pulling her closer.

Buffy slipped her arm around Spike’s waist, and closed her eyes. Sex was good. Cuddling was better. Okay, both were great when it was with Spike.


TBC

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