Take a Chance (continued)

Chapter 16

“19”

“19, is that all?” Spike rolled off, and sprawled, arms.

“Spike,” Buffy gasped, “I can’t feel my legs. My crotch hurts, and I think I pulled a muscle. 19 is plenty.”

“You’re not pulling my leg are you?” Spike sat up, leaning on his elbows. Buffy had her hand on her stomach and her eyes closed. Her breasts jiggled with each breath. He leaned over and sucked one hard bud into his mouth.

Buffy groaned and pushed his head back. “They’re sore Spike.” She said, opening her eyes and looking deep into his.

“I’m sorry, sweetie. I tend to overdo it sometimes.” First, multitasking, now overdoing. Well, he had her there. He was definitely overachieving. She’d never had it this good or this often. God, she resented the appearance of her period because it took time away from his body. Okay, his penis. She was not in love with Spike. She was in love with little..er..um Big Spike. Buffy! Alright, I love them both.

“Be right back, don’t move.”

“Don’t worry. I can’t.” She could move her head, though, and it tracked Spike’s naked butt as it left the room. It was perfect and all hers to play with and bite. And…Oh, my god, I want him again. She thought, shocked.

Excuse me, Body of Buffy, but we just had him not 10 minutes ago, how can you be ready to go again?

If Body of Buffy could flush some more, it would, but there wasn’t any blood left to rush to the surface.

It feels good, Buffy. And it’s been long enough for my nerve endings to return to normal.

“Oh.” Buffy said to Body of Buffy, and let her mind return to that hazy world of orgasmic bliss.

“Brought you this, hopefully, it’ll make those wonderful nippies feel better.”

Spike sat next to her, his eyes trained on hers. Buffy couldn’t see what he had in his hand, piquing her curiosity and desire.

Her eyes followed his hand as it hovered over her bosom. She sat straight up, her mouth formed into an “O” as the cold of the ice cube penetrated the fog that was Spike.

“Oh, my god.”

“This should numb them a bit, Luv. Take some of the sting away.” He gave her his patented head-tilt. Those blue eyes twinkling and darkening all at the same time for her. Always for her.

Buffy’s threw her head back, letting her eyes drift close and gave herself over to Spike’s ministrations.

Spike took his time, circling the ice around each hardened bud. The heat of her body was rapidly melting the cube, and droplets of water streamed down her raised torso, pooling near her bellybutton. The sight below that had him shifting as his cock came roaring back to life, stiffening and throbbing as he slipped the ice chip into his mouth and picked up another one. Buffy’s legs were rubbing together, trying to ease the ache in her groin. Her hands clutched at the air as she tried not to moan. It was all too much. It felt too good, and Spike was a master at it. A very naughty and scary thought flashed through her mind. What would that ice cube feel like down there? She pushed it away, knowing she’d shriek like a banshee and pass out from the sheer pleasure of his tongue, cooled by the ice slipping deep inside her warmth. He would chill her from the inside out, and she didn’t think she’d have the strength to stay conscious.

“Do they feel better?” Spike whispered in her ear. He lay next to her, his fingers swirling the ice across the underside of her breasts.

“Uh huh.” Spike snickered, and Buffy screwed her eyes shut. Must concentrate on speaking more than two words. Ignore the ice. Ignore the ice.

“Th..they feel fine.” She gritted out. He was laughing at her. He had all the power. Her body was in a slow burn, and he laughed. Well, two can play this game.

Buffy rolled her head to the side, seeking his lips. Spike smiled into her mouth, peppering kisses along her chin and down her neck. Buffy had to force her eyes open as she reached out for the bowl of ice. She squeezed the cube into her palm, its coolness seeping into her skin. Buffy arched closer into Spike’s cool touch, pushing him till he was on her back. He hissed when his back touched the cold wet spot. Buffy straddled his body, the warmth emanating from between her legs beckoning to him.

Buffy pulled back, her eyes glittering like emeralds. She rose up till her wet folds grazed the tip of his cock. Buffy shook her head, her hair falling across her shoulders in a golden cascade. She had to resist the urge to sink down on that marvelous piece of flesh. Instead, she settled just behind it, so the hilt of his penis slid between her nether lips.

“Umm… Buffy, luv…I thought…” He licked his lips, wishing she‘d shift just a little bit forward and upward. Buffy dropped the ice to the side. “I thought you were too sore to…” He wiggled his brows. “Ride the pony.”

Buffy couldn’t help. She laughed. For his extensive, sexual prowess, he was still William. William, who made corny jokes and made her feel all girly and loved. “Well, I wanted to show you how good that ice felt.” She said, her hand inching closer and closer to his semi-hard cock. Her hand wrapped around it, the cold causing Spike’s eyes to roll back till the whites showed.

“How does that feel, lover boy?” Buffy bent down, trapping her hand and his hardened shaft between their bodies. Her clit was pressed tightly against the base of his shaft. Her tongue circled his nipples, teasing and biting the tiny buds. Her hips and her hand stroked Spike, alternating the rhythm and pressure, simultaneously stimulating both of them. The move had him clutching her hips tightly.

Spike’s hand rose and fisted in her hair, pulling her mouth to his. Their lips taunted and teased, nipping and tasting. Buffy’s mouth dropped open as she felt the pressure building in the pit of her stomach. Spike shoved his tongue in her mouth, skimming over her perfect little teeth. Their tongues slid across slowly, tantalizingly. Buffy pulled back.

“You are so beautiful.” She gasped, her legs clenching tighter around Spike’s hips.

“Girls are beautiful, luv. Guys are…um… ah…right there… handsome.” Spike gritted out.

“I can say…you’re beautiful if I want… god, I want you.” Her breath hitched and her clit twitched as they rushed toward their mutual release. Her hand kept a firm grasp on his shaft, pre-cum dripping off her fingers and down onto his chest. Spike’s hips surged off the bed, trying to force his cock harder and faster through her clenched fist.

“Don’t let go, Buffy! Don’t.... um....Buffy! He yelled, his eyes snapping shut as shards of light flashed across his blue orbs.

“I’m here. Baby...I’m here!… um…oh god, that feels… good.

Spike!”

“Buffy!”

Buffy collapsed onto Spike’s chest. Her hand, which still held tightly to Spike’s softening penis, was trapped between their bodies. Some how, their hands had found each other, and were now clasped tightly together. Now, it was Spike’s turn to lie spent and exhausted. Buffy pushed off with their clenched hands, and smiled at him sweetly.

“20.”

****************************

“Freshman orientation is in a few weeks.” Dawn commented.

“You must be excited.” Connor remarked distractedly, his attention on the car in front of them.

“I’m real excited. I mean, golly gee, I’ll be a first year in college. A whole new world is opening up for me.” Dawn deliberately laced her voice with as much sarcasm as the law allowed, and still no response from Connor. You would think the dunce would realize that I’ll be leaving home soon, and bye bye everyday dates. But no... He’s too interested in some damn car 15 feet in front of us.

“I was excited when I first started. It was great. No more Mama breathing down my neck. It was a chance to get away from home. I needed it.”

“I’ll miss Mom and Dad, but it’s only an hour and half away. I think I’ll survive.” Do you hear what I’m saying? Or are you too obtuse to get the subtle hints I’m sending your way? Dawn twisted in her seat, watching as Connor maneuvered through traffic. It was nearly 10, and most people were heading home.

“They’ll be able to visit.”

“Yeah, you’re right. They’ll be able to visit, but I might be too caught up in my life to see them.” Dawn stared at him, her blue eyes becoming cold. He doesn’t seem to care that we won’t be together. Guess the fact we haven’t slept together is a bigger deal than I thought.

Connor felt Dawn’s eyes on him, but he couldn’t bring himself to look into them. All he could think was that another night had passed, and their time together was getting shorter. That, and the fact, he desperately wanted to be with her, and only her.

“Are you still having the graduation blowout?”

Dawn flopped around in her seat. “Yes. It’s in 3 weeks. Everyone’s leaving that next week.” She told him. They pulled through the gates of her community, and drove the short distance to her house.

Connor parked in front, and turned off the ignition. “I had a good time, Dawnie.”

Dawn wanted to stay mad. Staying mad kept her from embarrassing herself by jumping him. She couldn’t resist those beautiful chocolate orbs when they were directed at her.

“I did too.”

They met halfway in the middle of the car, and kissed. Dawn’s hand grabbed his neck, pulling Connor closer and holding him tightly to her mouth. Connor’s hands itched to pull her across the seat and onto his lap, but he knew his life would definitely be over if Mr. Summers caught them in such a position. Again, the thought that she was just a kid flittered into his mind. A second before Dawn’s mouth parted, and her tongue ran lazily along his lips.

Well, damn, he thought. I’m not an eunuch. I can’t resist a warm tongue. His fingers caressed her arm, and pulled her till they were both nearly kneeling on the seat. They touched each other lightly, but each touch carried with it a multitude of emotions. The prevalent one was lust, but there was also a hint of something deeper, something more powerful than anything they’d ever experienced.

The outside light came on, and they reluctantly pulled away from each other. Their mingled pants filled the interior of the car. Dawn smiled and Connor fell again into that pit of desire that was reserved entirely for her.

“I’d better go before Daddy comes out with a gun or the water hose.”

Connor chuckled, giving her a light peck on the nose before releasing her. “Yeah, you’d better.”

He hopped out of the car, opening her door for her. They walked the short distance up to the front door, holding hands.

“I’ll call you tomorrow.” Dawn said.

“Okay. Oh, and Dawn?”

Her hand rested on the doorknob. “One of these nights, you’re not coming home. You’re going to stay with me.”

Dawn’s blue eyes widened. “Oh. Okay.”

Connor smiled. He nearly skipped to his car. Dawn stood at the door, her heart pounding furiously in her chest. Her cheeks were flushed. Her lips tingled, and she could swear her crotch ached. She’d have to ask Buffy about that.

“Dawn, could you come in here, please?” Dawn dropped her head back against the door. Shit. He saw us, and now I’m going to get the talk. Again!

“Yeah, Daddy?” Dawn peeked her head into the study, hoping her lips had returned to a normal size.

“Dawnie, we need to decide where you’re going to live. If you’re going into the freshman dorm, then we need to send off the paperwork by the end of the week.” Dawn took the SDSU’s brochure on on-campus living off Hank’s desk and flipped through the pages.

She didn’t want to live in the dorms. She wanted to live with Connor, but Dad would have a coronary, and Mom would follow him. She was at a lost. How did one go about broaching the subject of living with one’s older boyfriend to an over-protective father? Thoughts to ponder over the next 5 days. But living with Connor would inevitably lead to sex, and she wanted to be sure that this thing with Connor was real before she gave herself to him. That wasn’t too much to ask. Okay, so she talked a good game, and she had fooled around with her exes. That didn’t mean she was willing to risk her heart getting broken. This is Connor, D. He wouldn’t do that. Would he?

Uh, oh. Dad’s giving me the evil eye. He’s trying to see what I’m thinking. You’d think after 25 years of dealing with Mom, 23 years of Buffy, and 18 of me, he’d realize he was fighting a losing battle. Ah, but it’s sweet, he still tries.

“Dad, I want to look at some off-campus housing. Would that be alright?”

Hank smiled. Hell, no it wouldn’t be alright. You’re only 18 and living alone in San Diego scares me to death. He wouldn’t admit that to her, though. She had enough on him as it was. “We can look at off-campus housing with a roommate, not alone. Do you hear me Dawn?”

Ooh, perfect segueway. “A roommate? Well...”, she hedged. Gotta put the right amount of hesitancy into the discussion to make it believable. “That would be all right, I guess. Finding someone on such short notice might be hard, but I’ll try.”

Hank peered at his youngest and toughest, wondering if he’d been hoodwinked, but she smiled and he dismissed the idea.

“Okay, we’ll start on Tuesday. I can drive you up there if you like.”

Dawn threw her hands around Hank’s neck. “Thanks, Daddy. I have to go call Tara and Willow and get their recommendations on dorms and apartments.” She scampered out of the room, past Joyce. Dawn stopped to give her a quick hug before taking the stairs 2 at a time.

Joyce stepped into Hank’s office, her mouth quirked into a smile. “I swear she has had you wrapped around her finger since she opened those baby blues and looked at you.”

Hank puffed up, glancing at his wife. “What do you mean?”

“Hank,” Joyce began, exasperated and tickled at the relationship between Dawn and Hank. “Nothing. I think the two of you have a wonderful relationship. You are a terrific father. And husband.” She added.

Hank pulled Joyce into his lap and nuzzled her neck. “Well, I had help to become both, Mrs. Summers.”

*******************************

Whoever said ‘Silence is golden’ was on crack? The silence permeating the Cavanaugh’s household was unbearable. At least, it was to Druscilla. Liam hadn’t spoken to her since he found her with the Summers. She couldn’t be sure if he was angry with her or too preoccupied with the election. She was leaning more towards anger at her. He would glance in her direction periodically, and for a moment, those puppy-dog brown eyes would flash with something cold and hard. This wouldn’t do.

Liam could feel her eyes on him. After Buffy and her family left, he considered rushing back into the room, wrapping his hands around her neck and squeezing till her eyes bulged out, but he didn’t. Looking down at his eggs done Sunnyside up, he had to laugh. Dru spun her head in his direction, but he kept his own council, preferring to let her stew in her own juices. Last night, he’d left the house, going out to his club for a few drinks, some glad-handing, and thoughts. His thoughts on what to do about Druscilla had led him to Darla’s place. She was none to pleased to see him standing at her front door.

“Liam, it’s late. What are you doing here?” Darla pulled the red cotton robe tighter around her body, shielding her nudity.

“Dru.” Was his response. Her eyes rolled around and she stepped back from the door.

Liam went straight for the liquor cabinet, pulling out a bottle of Jack. He grabbed two glasses and set them on the table. Darla stood, her hand clutching her robe, waiting for him to speak.

“Liam, I’m your campaign manager, not your marriage counselor. I have a life outside of yours. You can’t just drop in anytime you feel like it. What if I’d had company?”

Liam nearly choked on his drink, so he took a deep breath, and stared at her. “I would have asked him to leave.”

Darla shook her head, her blonde tresses bright against the blood-red fabric. “You are married. We are not involved, and you don’t have the right to tell anybody I might be seeing to leave. We’ve been through this before, Liam.” She said exasperated.

Can’t believe he’s pulling this shit. I’m not an adulterer. I don’t cheat. Yet, here he is, trying to pull this jealousy crap like we’re involved.

Liam stared at her rigid stance, and wished for one night he wasn’t a married man, and she didn’t have morals. Things would be much better if they could forget who they were for a moment.

“What did Dru do this time to piss you off?” She said, turning around.

Liam leaned back, resting his head against the back of the sofa. “She told Buffy about the abortion. I don’t know the specifics of what she did. I was too angry to stay and be rational with her. But whatever it was, it got Buffy’s mom and sister over to the house to defend Spike.”

“Bitch! Does she not realize what she does sticks to you? So, I guess it’s not too much of stretch to assume Mrs. Summers is out to get you?” Darla decided to join Liam for a drink, and poured herself a liberal helping.

“Yes, I am now at the top of Joyce Summers’ shit list. She promised to smear my name with her husband’s friends if Dru didn’t leave Buffy and Spike alone.”

Darla sat down next to Liam on the sofa, her earlier irritation forgotten. “She’s gone off the deep end, Liam. You may not be able to wait till after the election to divorce her. You may have to move up your plans.”

Liam’s brown eyes were hard and cold. “I will not lose this election because of Druscilla. There is no way in hell I am losing what I’ve worked hard to get because she’s off her rocker. I will kill the bitch before that happens.”

His hand had reached out and grabbed Darla’s. Her little whimper of pain made him drop it like it was hot steel. “Oh, my god, I’m so sorry Darla. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, but you have to control your temper.” She said as she absently rubbed her hand. “We need to see what Heller’s investigator has discovered about Dru’s abortion. If we can get something, anything pertinent to force Dru to accept a divorce and gag order, then you’ll be all set.”

Liam’s eyes were drawn to the tanned skin exposed by the open robe. Darla didn’t realize it was open, and that her breast was somewhat visible. “I’ll call my detective. Maybe, he’s got something. We need to watch Dru carefully. She’s all over the place.”

Darla stood, her mind firmly entrenched on saving Liam’s campaign from his wife. She paced the length of the room, stopping to stare unseeing at Liam, before dismissing the idea that she had. Liam saw the wheels turning in her head, and sat back, content to watch the lady at work.

“How’s your relationship with your in-laws?” She queried.

“As well as anyone’s relationship with their in-laws. Her father likes me because I took Dru off his hands. Her mother loves me because I’m a state representative. It’s all about social standing. Why?”

“Well, we know Dru’s mother kept her secret about the abortion. What other secrets do you think she’s keeping? I think it’s time you visited your in-laws. Do a little snooping. Better yet, ask her what is in Dru’s past that could hurt you politically. I’ll talk to Heller and see what the chances are of getting you out of this marriage before the election. If we can get past the primaries, then you can divorce her with no problems. It’ll be two years before the voters can oust you over this mess.”

“Do you think I should say anything to Dru about the Summers?” Liam leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees.”

Darla crossed her arms over her chest. “No. Let her wonder what you heard. She may slip up and do something else. Then, we can bury her.” She stopped, almost as if she saw something behind him that he didn’t see. “Go to Spike and Buffy. Offer them an olive branch. Admit your wrong from four years ago. If it appears you’re concerned about them, then anything Dru does from here on out will be totally on her shoulders.”

Liam stood up, standing in front of Darla. “I knew hiring you was the best decision I ever made.”

He was standing so close to her, she could feel the heat pulsating off his body. And it was heady. She couldn’t deny that Liam Cavanaugh was an attractive man. And married, Darla. You can’t forget he’s married.

“I think that’s all we can do for tonight, Liam.” She said, pulling her gaze away from his chest. Liam felt a tightness in his loin at the thought of what they could be doing for the rest of the night.

“Yes, you’re probably right. Thank you for listening.” He said, knowing if he didn’t leave he’d throw her on the sofa and sink himself deep within her depths.

Darla walked him to the door, clutching her robe like a life preserver to her chest. “We’ll talk tomorrow. I promise you we’ll figure out some way to get Dru out of your life.”

“Promise?” Liam laughed, his smile wide and bright. His eyes twinkled with amusement, and Darla felt a little bit of her heart warm at the sight.

“Promise.”

“Liam, have you heard a word of what I’ve said?” Dru asked, the anger and irritation in her voice evident from the tone.

Liam raised his brown eyes to her, blinking slowly. “No, Dru, I wasn’t listening. Did you say something important?” The insult was there. Dru didn’t miss the sneer in his voice.

“I asked if Darla had your speech prepared for the elementary school tomorrow?”

“I’m sure she does. She’s always on top of things.” He slid his tongue across his lip in a suggestive way.

Dru gripped the coffee cup tightly till she heard it break. Liam looked at her hand, lazily, noting with interest the drops of blood raining down on the white tablecloth.

“You cut your hand, dear. Might want to be careful. Some things are delicate and need to be handled with a gentle hand. I’m off to the office. Hope you have a good day.” He pushed his seat back, strutting over to her side of the table. He picked her hand up, saw the blood and the chipped pieces of porcelain embedded in her palm. “Clean that up. I wouldn’t want you to get infected and die.” He kissed her hand, and dropped it.

****************************

Connor rolled his eyes as Maria added more tomatoes and peppers to the bag. She was carrying on a running commentary on the vegetables available at the market today, pausing briefly to place something in the basket.

He usually enjoyed their trips to the farmer’s market, but today, his mind was elsewhere. Well, not really elsewhere, but on someone else. Dawn. Dawnie. His blue-eyed, brunette angel was trying to drive him. She teased and tasted, but never went any further, and it was driving him mad. Really, how many times did she expect him to jerk off after leaving her? Granted, she’d offered to help him in that department, and the thought of her going down on him sent shivers up his spine, but he wanted her. Not parts of her. What happened to the girls that were more than happy to hop into bed with their older boyfriends? It wasn’t as if she were a virgin or anything. She wasn’t. Was she? He’d never broached that subject with her, always assuming that anyone who’d skinny dip with a man outside their parents’ home wasn’t a virgin. Could that be the reason for her hesitancy?

Idiot. His mind screamed. You know that’s not the problem. It’s the fact she’s leaving for school. All those guys her age, and you don’t have a claim on her. Not a physical claim, anyway. You’re just worried she’ll find someone else to sleep with, share her thoughts with, and it’s making you crazy. Heehee!

“Connor. Connor!” Maria yelled. Connor blinked, finally focusing on his mother who was standing at the end of the aisle calling to him.

“Coming Mama.”

“Cara mia, what’s the matter? Tell Mama. Is it Dawn? School? What is it?” Her round face showed her concern and love. He’d never find another woman who could make him feel the way she made him feel with one look, with one touch. He smiled as he stopped next to her. He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

“Nothing, Mama. I was thinking about Dawn if you must know.”

“I do. She’s a wonderful young woman. Much better than those other little hussies you were bringing in.”

“Mama!” Connor exclaimed. “They weren’t hussies. I wouldn’t bring a hussy to see you. Only someone special. And Dawn is special.”

“I know she is, Connor, but you do realize she’s in love with you? Can you say the same?” Maria smiled and walked ahead.

“Mama, we’ve only been dating a month. She’s not in love with me, nor I her. We just enjoy being with each other.”

Maria nodded her head, knowingly. “You like her, in other words. So, if you fall out of like with her, and she decides to date other men, you’ll be okay with that? Am I right?” She patted his cheek, giving him a patronizing look.

Dawn dating some other guy. Dawn kissing some other guy. Dawn sleeping… Crash!!

Connor looked up sheepishly and saw several people staring at him in wonder. Hey, where did that pallet come from? It wasn’t there a few minutes ago. He smiled tightly, and steered the buggy around the pallet of grapefruits. Terrific, taken out by a bunch of citric bowling balls. How low have I sunk?

“Connor, you need to be more careful. Pull your head out of the clouds.” Maria chastised.

“Mama?”

“Yes, sweetie.”

“Do you think she’ll find someone else once she goes to school?”

Maria pondered this for a minute, before turning a mega-watt smile on Connor. “No, I don’t, but if you don’t start appreciating what you have, then she will.”

****************************

“Buffy, can I ask you a question?”

“Sure, what is it?” Buffy lined up her shot, snapping pictures of the newly engaged couple.

“Do you think Mom and Dad would let me get an apartment with Connor?”

Buffy stood up, shocked. She cleaned her ear out with her pinkie, not quite believing what she’d heard. My little sister did not just ask me about shacking up with Connor. Nah, she’s not stupid.

Dawn rolled her eyes at the display. “I did ask you about shacking with Connor, Buffy. You’re not going deaf.”

“Are you insane?” Dawn had Buffy’s full attention. The couple was forgotten.

“No, I… I just want to be with him.”

“There are other ways of being with him. Not that I’m advocating having sex with him, but you’re old enough to make that decision.”

“Thanks, Mom.” Dawn remarked sarcastically. “I want to sleep with him. I do, but what if that’s all he wants?”

Buffy looked at her baby sister, noting the nervousness present all over her face. This wasn’t the self-assured woman she knew. This was a teenager having to make an adult decision. “Dawn, I know you care about Connor, but if you have any doubts to his feelings, then I say don’t sleep with him. You’ll regret it, and there is already enough icky feelings associated with your first time, to not add guilt on top of it.”

“Uh, excuse me, do you want us to leave?” Buffy took a deep breath, putting her most professional face on, before turning around to deal with the couple. The bride was a snobby, little witch, but she had hired Buffy for the wedding, so Buffy wanted to keep her happy.

“No, we’re going to set up the lighting over at the gazebo. If you want to get some lunch or something to drink, we should be ready for you in a half hour.” Buffy smiled at the groom, dismissing the haughty bride.

“Thanks, Buffy. We’ll drop in at the coffee house and get a cup.” He pulled his reluctant bride away.

“Some people… You just have to wonder what gets some people together.” Dawn grabbed a standing light and walked over to the gazebo.

“Yeah, you do, but I don’t wonder why you and Connor got together. The two of you are very much alike.”

“Buffy, I’m going to school in a month, and he doesn’t seem to care. And I don’t want to lose him.” Dawn sat on the railing, her long hair shielding her face. Buffy could hear the tears in her voice.

“Have you told Connor what you’re feeling?” Dawn shook her head no.

“Well, Dawnie, how do you think he’s going to know? You have to open up and tell him.”

Dawn whipped her hair back, and Buffy saw that she wasn’t sad, she was angry. “Why do I have to be the one? I opened up to him at the barbeque. I’m the one who has pursed this relationship. I’m the one doing everything. I want him to admit that he’s scared of losing me!”

Buffy mouthed ‘oh’. She moved till she was standing in front of Dawn. “You think you’re the first woman to do all the work in a relationship. You’re not. In any relationship, there is always going to be one partner giving more than the other. Be it the woman or the man. To find one where everything is equal, is rare.”

Dawn narrowed her eyes. “You have it with Spike. I want it with Connor.”

Buffy shrugged. “It’s not that simple, and before you go putting us up on a pedestal, there are still things Spike keeps from me. We work at being in love. We work at compromising, and that’s what a relationship is all about.”

Buffy grabbed Dawn’s hands, squeezing them. She smiled at her. “Take it from your older, wiser sister. Talking is good. Sex is good. If you want to sleep with Connor, then take all the precautions, and do it. If you are doing this to keep Connor, then don’t. But first, before you set yourself up for a bit of heartache, talk to him. Tell him what you’re feeling.”

*****************************

Darla stood just out of sight of the cameras and watched as her candidate read a story to the preschoolers. Dru held a child in her lap, and from the look of it, she was containing her revulsion. That was good. She could only hope the camera didn’t pick up on Dru’s dislike of children. Actually, she wished the press would ignore Dru all together. Darla’s mind was still reeling from last night’s revelations.

After Liam left, Darla had put in a call to Lee and told her that they didn’t have much time to get the case against Dru together. Darla hated disturbing Lee on a Sunday night, but she was Liam’s attorney, and needed to know these things.

“Darla, I think our best bet is to have Dru committed. If we can prove she’s a danger to herself and others, then Angel could divorce her after the election. He wouldn’t have to worry about her if she’s packed away at some mental hospital.”

Heller laughed. “You don’t know how badly I want to lock her up and throw away the keys, but I have to worry about his image. What would people think if their candidate’s wife is in a loony bin?”

“Better to be under psychiatric care, than in jail. If she keeps up the harassment, Buffy and Spike could have her arrested or have a order of protection put out to keep her away from them. You really don’t want that.” Heller smiled as Wesley brought her a glass of wine, and curled up next to her on the sofa.

“You’re right. I know you’re right. I hate Liam saddled himself with her.” Darla reached forward, turning the hot water on. She leaned back against her pillow and enjoy the warmth of the bath.

“You sound utterly relaxed.” Heller commented.

“I am. Now, that Liam’s gone, I can get back to my bath.”

“You could have asked him to join you.” She teased.

“Right… Aren’t you the same woman who said he was a dickless wonder with terminal taste in women?”

“I do believe I was, but you obviously like him, so who am I to stand in the way of true love.”

“You’re awful. You do realize that?” Darla shut the water off. She reached over the edge of the tub and grabbed her glass.

“Yeah, I am. Just ask Wesley. But I know when you like someone, and you like Mr. Liam Cavanaugh. Do what you want to do? Just don’t get hurt.”

“I won’t. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Okay. Bye.”

“And the king ruled the land with his queen by his side.” Liam finished the last sentence, and looked up, but not in the direction of his wife, but across the room to his campaign manager. Their eyes met briefly, and Darla knew she was in deep trouble. Not only did she have a wacky wife to deal with, a campaign teetering on the edge, but now, she was having girly, romantic feelings for her boss. God, could things get any worse.

Yes, they could. Damn, Dru saw that. I guess I’ll be calling my alarm company now. Jesus. All I wanted was to do my job. Get my candidate into office, and instead, what do I get. A mess. A damn mess.

“Representative Cavanaugh, are you and your wife considering having one of these?” A reporter shouted out.

Liam smiled, even though, he felt the urge to procreate with Dru about as much as he wanted a Proctologic exam.

“Hmm. Someday. Maybe, someday soon.”

“Yes, Liam and I hope one day to have our own little towhead.” Dru told the crowd, mussing the head of the child she still held in her lap.

I think I’m going to hurl. Darla thought, shaking her head.

“Gentlemen, a few more questions, then the Cavanaughs must be on their way.” To divorce court.

“Representative Cavanaugh, it’s obvious why you’re here, what’s you stance again on school vouchers?”

Darla knew Liam could handle himself on this question, so she turned to get their group moving onto the next press stop. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to stare into the face of her rival. For what? Her mind queried. Liam’s affections. That’s not even a fair fight.

“I saw you.” Dru whispered in her ear. “And I’m telling you to keep you hands, eyes, everything off my husband. You won’t like the consequences if you don’t.”

“Dru, I don’t have to do anything. You’re doing it all for me. Your little stunts and ploys are going to push you right out of Liam’s life. Now, smile prettily for the cameras. We live in 10 minutes.” Darla walked away, pulling her cell phone out and calling her detective. She wanted someone on Dru at all times. She didn’t trust her not to leave Buffy and Spike alone, and with that little exchange, she wasn’t too sure she wouldn’t be coming after her as well.

********************************

“Hey, gorgeous.” Buffy smiled into the phone. She was beat, both mentally and physically.

“Hey, yourself. Where are you?”

“At the Magic Box. Just finishing up some work for Dad. He and Anya had their first doctor visit today, so I’m closing up.” Spike propped his feet up in a chair, one ear cocked to the door chime. “What about you? Are you heading home?”

“In a hour. Had to drop Dawn off at home. I still have to go by the shop and develop a roll.” And I got my period, and I’m crampy and tired, and all I want to do is snuggle with you.

“Well, how about I stop and get us some Thai? Can your stomach take that?” He knew she’d started. Unfortunately, she’d started. He wasn’t disappointed because they were pretty much on a sexual hiatus. No, he was disappointed because she wasn’t pregnant. He guessed this desire to see her full with his child had to do with Anya and his Grandmamma, but there it was. But he’d never tell her that. Wouldn’t want to freak her out.

“That would be perfect. And I can take anything with the right amount of Advil and you. You do realize you’re the perfect boyfriend.” Buffy smiled at the guffaw coming from the other end of the line.

“Yeah, right. I’m glad you think so. See how I am at the end of the week when I’m ravishing you every hour on the hour.”

“I hope you can live up to that promise, Mr. Giles. I’m holding you to it.”

“I can if you can.”

Oh, a dare. God, the man could make anything sound sexy, even when her insides felt like they were on fire. Oh, damn, that was a bad one.

”Hey, what’s going on with Connor and Dawn?” Spike stood up, hearing the door chime.

“No sex, for one. Worried about her going to school in San Diego, for another. They’ll be fine, once they talk.”

“Oh, okay. I was just…” He trailed off, and Buffy looked at her phone to see if they’d been disconnected.

“Spike?”

“Let me call you back, luv. Someone just walked in.”

“Okay, call me at the shop.”

“Will do. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Spike wondered how long it would be before the man standing before him sought him out. They had a lot to discuss.

“Hello, Spike.”

“Hello, Angel.”

****************************

A/N: I am taking a two-week sabbatical from writing. I will return the second week of November with new chapters of Take a Chance. I hope you will come back and catch up with me, when I return. Enjoy this chapter, and please Review. Thanks again for your continued support.

Witchiepoo

TBC

Chapter 17

1995

2002

That memory flashed through Spike’s mind in a blur. It was funny to compare the Angel of then, with the Angel of now. Spike took in the Hugo Boss-clad man in front of him, and realized there wasn’t much difference in the smooth-talking politician and the smooth-talking, beer-drinking guy from 4 years ago.

Angel flinched. He’d never been able to withstand the strength of Spike’s gaze. Those icy blue eyes had the ability to slice through all the bullshit and see the truth. The only truth he couldn’t see was Druscilla, and Angel knew that wasn’t a problem anymore. Spike saw her all too well.

“Can we talk, Spike?”

Spike’s scarred brow rose, and he continued to stare in silence at Angel. To be honest, he was curious as to what would bring his former friend here.

“Why not? Got nothing better to amuse myself with at the moment.” Spike turned and walked into the Tea Shoppe, not bothering to see if Angel was following him. He sat down at the same table where he and Buffy had rekindled their relationship some 2 months ago.

Angel knew the Shoppe well, having visited here many times with Spike before… before the big breakup. Jesus, he acted like they’d been the ones in a relationship. Better be careful, Cavanaugh, Spike might think you had a bone for him.

“Nothing’s changed around here. The place looks the same.” Angel commented.

“Some things have changed.”

“Yes, I guess some things have. Take you and me. I would say I was sorry for fucking Dru, but you’d know I was lying. At the time, I wasn’t sorry. To be honest, I didn’t even think about you at all.” Angel smiled tightly. No, he hadn’t thought of his friend, only the woman giving him head at the front door. “It wasn’t my intention to screw her. Not at first. Hell, I wasn’t jealous of you or your relationship. It was just a dick thing.”

Spike tilted his head. “I understand. Dru can be quite distracting when she puts her mind to it. You fucked her. You married her. She’s been with you longer than she was with me. If she was ever with me, mind you.” Spike leaned back in his chair, linking his hands behind his neck.

“So, why are you here Angel? I doubt you need my advice on love. Haven’t had much success with that until recently. Can’t be about politics, since I make it my business to not trust a word that comes out of any of your peers’ mouths. So, why are you here, State Representative Cavanaugh?”

“No, nothing’s changed at all, has it, Spike? Still like to make with the quips. Guess that’s easier than coming right out and saying what you feel?” Angel countered back.

Spike’s eyes widened, and he grudgingly gave Angel a smile. “You’re right, Angel. Or is it Liam? I don’t hate you mate. Kinda hard to hate you when you freed me from Dru. Saved my bloody life, you did. Thankfully, I’m in a real relationship with someone I love and who loves me back. Dru can’t hold a candle to Buffy.”

Angel thought of Darla. Just the thought of her made his heart beat in ways that probably weren’t healthy. No, Dru couldn’t hold a candle to Spike’s Buffy or to his Darla, but their happiness depended on getting Dru out of their lives.

“But I will tell you this, keep Dru under control. Keep her away from me and Buffy, and anyone else we love or I will go to the press about the abortion.” Spike watched Angel carefully, sizing up the older man’s countenance.

“Does your dad have any scotch or something hard to drink? If you’re going to threaten me, I need something to fortify me.”

Spike pushed back from the table and walked quickly into the back room. He pulled open a door, and found the bottle of Glenlivet inside. He grabbed two mugs from the rack next to the cash register and placed them on the table in front of Angel.

Spike waited till Angel splashed some of the Irish gin into his cup before pouring a small amount into his. He settled back into his chair, waiting for some sign from Angel that he understood the threat.

Angel poured a second shot and threw it back, and Spike was transported to another time and place when they would share a bottle of spirits and talk about any and everything.

“The baby wasn’t mine. My private investigator assures me, it wasn’t.”

Spike tilted his head to the side. “I know you don’t believe me, William, but why would I lie?”

Spike hated the way Angel said his name. It came out as a sneer and made him feel like a child being tormented by his older brother. “Stop calling me, William. You haven’t earned the privilege. And for the record, I don’t care if it was yours or not. I was only concerned whether or not it was mine.”

“She cheated on you long before me. She was a whore.”

And yet, you married her. “Why would I care?” Spike set his cup down hard on the table.

“You care, Spike, if only because it gives you more ammo on me.” Spike grinned. Four years ago, he would have loved to have something on Liam. Anything to blunt the pain, and make them hurt as much as he did, but then Buffy appeared, and he didn’t hurt anymore.

“Contrary to canon, I don’t hate you Angel. You were my friend. You were my Yoda. I wanted to be like you, but I grew up. You forced me to grow up, and I like who I am now. So, I guess I owe you and Dru a word of thanks.”

Spike pulled out a cigarette, and grimaced. Giles would kill him if he smelt smoked in the shop. He didn’t want anything deemed harmful around Anya, which meant Spike couldn’t smoke before visiting them. Angel saw Spike jam the cigarette back in the pack, pushing it away in disgust.

“You quitting?”

“No. I can’t smoke in here anymore. No one can. Dad wants the air as clean as possible.” Spike didn’t feel the need to elaborate. It wasn’t as if they were buddies anymore.

“Oh.” Angel leaned back, looking around the room. “You know,” he began, chuckling at a memory. “I was jealous of your relationship with Wesley.”

Spike quirked his eyebrow, wondering if the big talk was going to be about sexual orientation. “Uh huh.”

“Not in that sense.” Angel chuckled, reading Spike‘s mind. “The two of you were such good friends. I hated that.”

“I was your friend. You weren’t mine.” Spike said quietly.

Angel wrapped his hands around the mug, staring down into the liquid. “I didn’t know how to be a friend. I still don’t.”

Spike felt a small, teeny bit of sympathy for Angel. To never know real friendship, real companionship was sad. He had lots of friends. People he could depend on. Cordy, first and foremost. Wesley, Lee, his bandmates, his new friends, and lastly Buffy. His love, his heart. She was the ultimate friend to him because there was nothing she didn’t know about him. She knew it all, and loved him in spite of it.

“That’s pretty sad, mate. Are you asking me to be your friend again?” Spike hadn’t meant for it to come out so sarcastic, but it did, and there was nothing to be done for it.

“Nah, too much water over the bridge. I guess I just wanted you to know it wasn’t you. You weren’t the reason Dru and I hooked up. You were a good friend. I was just a selfish, self-absorbed bastard. And I still am, but I learning what makes a good friend.”

Spike glanced at his watch. They’d been talking for over 30 minutes. He needed to order dinner and get to Buffy.

“You need to go?” Angel asked, sitting up.

“Just need to order some Thai for pickup. Buffy’s meeting me at home.” Angel got up and followed Spike into the back office. Spike sat down behind the desk, flipping through the rolodex for the number.

Angel watched his old friend, noticing the changes in the man since their last face to face. He’d lied when Spike asked him if he wanted him as a friend again. There were too few people in Angel’s life that actually liked him for him. Most wanted to ride his coattails to Sacramento, maybe D.C. some day. Spike wasn’t one of those people. He’d never been one of those people. And Angel had thrown it away. All for a piece of ass that he never truly loved.

Angel waited till Spike finished his order before speaking again. “Look, I’m going to go. I just stopped by to tell you to be careful. Dru’s become really unstable in the last few months. I think your relationship with Buffy was the trigger, for whatever reason. I would hate for something to happen to you or her. You deserve to be happy.”

Spike took the hand offered to him. “Thanks, Angel. You didn’t have to come here. I don’t think you told me why exactly you were here, but if you ever need to talk... I’m here.”

“Thanks.” Angel said sincerely. “Um, I did have one question. Do you know who the father was?”

Spike debated telling him his theory. He really didn’t owe Angel or Dru his allegiance or his silence as the case may be.

He shrugged. “I don’t know. It could have been anybody. Someone that lived in the complex. Someone from her parents’ circle of vipers. Anyone. I don’t know, and really, I don’t care.” And he didn’t. Once the truth had been made clear to him, he’d moved on. He’d pushed past the pain of her betrayal, and started putting the pieces of his life back together.

******************************

One box. Two boxes. Three boxes. Four. I’m as bored as a stick in the yard. Harmony sang in her head as she watched Riley load the postal truck with the company’s outgoing mail. Day one of her imprisonment had gone well, except for the extreme case of boredom that she’d experience 5 minutes after stopping in the door. It didn’t help that her father had sent one of his watchdogs down to shadow her through the morning routine. There wasn’t enough money in the world to make her take on the job of stalking a mailroom clerk. There wasn’t a job more boring out there.

Riley watched Harmony out the corner of his eye. What a turn around from this morning. She’d been willing to help him and everything, but once the supervisor had left, she’d hopped up on the counter and sat there popping her gum while he worked his ass off. He hated this fucking job. It was times like these when he wished he’d never met Buffy Summers.

“So, Rye... what’s up with the obscene amount of phone calls from that woman?”

Riley’s face turned an oh-so-unbecoming shade of purple. Wonder how he managed that? “So, what’s up, Rye? Got a secret admirer, stalker type chick? She didn’t sound too happy on the phone. Well, what I could hear squawked over the receiver.”

Riley tried to call up the wave from this morning to calm him, but it didn’t. Women fucking sucked. “Look, it’s nothing. It doesn’t have anything to do with this company, so...”

“Stay out of it.” Harmony finished for him. She wasn’t phased in the least by his dismissal. “Look, I’m not out to get all buddy, buddy with you. Just curious. Nosy. Hey, if it makes you feel any better, the mysterious vibe makes you more interesting.”

Riley stood there dumbfounded, which wasn’t an unusual state for him, but still. Nevertheless, he was insulted. He had had enough of blonde-haired women telling him he was too dumb to be with. That he was boring as hell. That they couldn’t wait to jump the first available dick once his back was turned. Yep. This surfer boy was sick and tired of being “put in his place” by women who were no better than him. That all sounded great and strong in his head. Which is what propelled him across the room to stop a few inches in front of Harmony, who merely arched her perfectly plucked brow at him.

“Thanks. Don’t think I’ll ever get used to being insulted by bottle blondes.”

Instead of being insulted, Harmony smiled. And for the first time since he’d met her, Riley actually relaxed around her.

“Touché. Now tell me about this girl. I really want to know.” She said as she sat primly in the seat next to him.

“Not much to tell. Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love with girl. Girl is in love with someone else, and dumps boy. Boy gets job at respectable company to impress girl, and she still doesn’t want to have anything to do with him. Boy decides to take..”

Harmony rolled her eyes. “Could you please stop talking like that? You decided what? And is your ex the one that has been calling here?” This could actually be interesting. She thought.

“No. That’s Buffy’s, my ex’s new boyfriend’s ex. I sorta told her I would help her break them up.”

Men. Can’t accept that a woman may find someone else more interesting than them. It has to be the penis.

“So, Mr. Brilliant, what was your plan? Make her jealous with this new woman? Make him jealous with his ex? Pray tell.” She snickered. “What did you have planned for them?”

Riley ducked his head, embarrassed to admit his part in the scheme. “The woman who called had some information on Spike, Buffy’s new boyfriend, that was…unpleasant.”

Harmony peered up at him, her eyes narrowing. “Unpleasant in what sense? Bad breath? Farts in bed? Has a nasty STD? Come on, Finn. What gives?”

Harmony pulled out a cigarette, sliding it between lips tinged with ruby lipstick. Riley licked his lips unconsciously. The sight of her lips closing around the slender stick had him aching to rub his crotch, but he knew she’d probably knee him sooner than blow him. It really had been too long since he’d had some real female companionship. That doll wasn’t…

“Hey, are you with me?” Harmony screamed.

“Huh?” Riley blinked to clear his vision. “Yeah, um.. it’s not important what I did. It didn’t work. She hates me now. I don’t think she did before.”

Harmony sucked in a lung full of smoke and blew it out slowly through her nose. The smoke shrouded her eyes, but Riley could still feel them on him. “And you did whatever you did because of some mystery woman you’d never met before? So, if I tell you the surfing is great in the aqueducts down in LA, you’d head there?” She shook her head in disbelief.

“Come on. That story is sorry enough that I’ll buy you dinner. Jesus, dude. Grow some balls or something. Move on. Find someone else. Humiliation does not make you more attractive.” Harmony grabbed Riley’s arm, hauling the stunned man to her side. Not waiting to see if he was interested or not, she kissed him hard and quick, pulling back and admiring her work.

“Grab a tissue. Wouldn’t do for security to see you walking out with red lipstick on.”

Riley snatched a couple out of the box on the table, and handed her one. “Wouldn’t do for people to see your lips smeared. They might think you’ve been up to something naughty.”

Harmony grinned, dabbing at the sides of her mouth with the offered tissue. “Thanks. You know Finn, you’re not so bad. Now, if we can get you over this tragic obsession with your ex, we can get you laid before the end of the year. It’ll be hard work, but if anyone can do it, I can.”

******************************

Concentrate on the film, and don’t think about the cramp. “Easier said than done.” Buffy grumbled.

At least dinner was a done thing. Spike was picking that up, and it would be waiting, steaming hot, like Spike himself, at the house. She couldn’t wait to get there.

The phone rang as she placed the final picture on the line to dry. She wiped her hands, smiling at the thought that it would be Spike.

“Hello gorgeous.” She said, mimicking him from earlier.

“Glad you think so, but I’m already taken.” Tara whispered conspiratorially.

“And have been taken, over and over again, and in many different positions.” Buffy quipped.

“Ooh, aren’t we salty today. What brought out the dominatrix in you, Buffy? Spike not giving you enough down time?” She said suggestively.

Buffy giggled, rubbing her side as she did. “Don’t make me laugh. Damn cramps are killing me.”

“Ah, sweetie. I should have known. Willow and I started a few days ago. Should have known you wouldn’t be far behind. Do you want me to bring you something?” Tara sat up, prepared to run over to Buffy’s shop and deliver the special menstrual pack they all carried in their purses. Advil. Motrin. Small bottle of their favorite liquor (which was only to be opened in extremely painful cases).

Buffy pulled the stool over, sitting down gently. “No. I’m fine. I’ve got my man at home with Thai and Advil. I’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure? You know I don’t mind.” Tara reminded her.

“I know. But really, I’ll be okay once I’m home.”

Tara nodded. Yep, she’d be okay. Spike would take care of her. “Oh, my god. I just realized you won’t be able to have sex for the next few days. Whatever will you do?” She said in her best Scarlett O’Hara voice.

“You’re evil. I can go without sex. I’ve done it before.”

Tara’s guffaw could be heard loudly. “Yeah. The last time you had your period, Spike was on the other side of the country.”

“Excuse me, I was in a relationship before Spike came back into my life.” Buffy said, grinning in spite of the guilt she still felt over Riley.

“Yes, you were in a relationship, but the sex wasn’t as good as you’re getting now. Come on. Sex with Riley was like doing the laundry. You didn’t necessarily want to do it, but you had to. Sex with Spike is like coming home every night to a warm, hot bath. You can do that every night, and feel absolutely terrific and refreshed.”

Buffy giggled. “Thank you for describing sex with my boyfriend in such glowing terms.”

“No problem. Just calling it like I see it.”

“Yes, well, I am going to have to call a halt to my nightly dip until after my visitor leaves.” Buffy shuddered. Why am I shuddering? Is it at the thought of not having sex with Spike or the thought of having sex with Spike in this condition? Better not go there. That way lies much badness.

“Well...”

“No, I’m not, and we’ve discussed this far too long as it is. Where are your girlfriend and boyfriend?”

“Nice segue way, my dear. They are out getting Chinese. I didn’t feel like cooking tonight.” Tara checked her watch. They should be getting back any minute.

“Umm, food. I’d better get going. I like my Thai hot.” Buffy said, getting off the stool. She hitched the phone between her ear and her shoulder, and moved about the room cleaning up.

“And your Spike hotter.” The lameness of that statement made Buffy stop what she was doing, afraid she’d waste the developing solution on the floor.

“Ooh, I know it’s time to get off the phone when you start making with the lame phrases. Whatever would Lorne say about your lack of quippy response?” She teased.

“He’d say I needed to either get laid or get some food in my stomach. I’m going with food in my stomach. I’ll get laid later tonight.”

Buffy rolled her eyes and sighed.

“I heard that.” Tara snickered.

“Oh, bugger off, witch. I’ll talk to you later. Give Will my love.”

“I will. Love you.”

“Me too, Tara. Bye.”

*****************************

Joyce closed the linen closet after placing the clean towels inside. Now, the only thing left for her to do was leave some clean sheets in Dawn’s room for her to change her bed. The door was closed, which usually meant do not disturb. Joyce rapped lightly on the door, and heard Dawn tell her to come in. Dawn sat in front of her mirror, running a brush through her long dark hair.

“Whatcha doing, Dawnie?”

“Thinking about something Buffy said earlier.”

“Care to share or is this a sisterly thing? No moms allowed.” Joyce placed the sheets on the bed next to Dawn, and sat down. She ran her hand over Dawn’s face. “So, tell me baby girl. What’s got you so pensive today?”

“Connor.” Dawn admitted, bending down to lay her head on Joyce’s shoulder.

Joyce smiled, and laid her head against Dawn’s. “Do we need to have that sex talk again?” God, she just got Buffy into the perfect relationship. Now, she was going to have to deal with her baby’s first time? She knew she was too old for this stuff.

“Well, Dawn…” She began, not really sure where to begin. Dawn wasn’t a little girl. God to be honest, she’d never been. She’d always seemed older than her years. Not like Buffy. Dawn didn’t need pampering or coddling. She was strong and independent. Had been for years.

“What did Buffy say?”

Dawn peered up at her with those crystal blue eyes Joyce loved. “She said I needed to talk to Connor before things progressed any further. To be sure I wanted what we are dancing around.” Dawn stated, waving her finger between them.

Joyce grinned. That was Buffy. She was the sensible one.

“That thing we’re dancing around is a wonderful thing when it’s between two people who care about each other. And it’s also nice when it’s solely for fun. But to start out on this path opens a can of worms, honey, that you might not be ready to deal with.”

“Gosh, Mom. Are you and Buffy channeling each other?” Dawn sat up and gave Joyce a hug. “I’m fine. I need to talk to Connor that’s all. Suss out his feelings as Spike would say.”

Joyce stood up, sensing the need to put some distance between Dawn and herself. She didn’t want to baby her or make her feel overwhelmed. This decision was hers and hers alone. If she wanted to be included, Joyce knew she’d have to step back and let Dawn decide.

“Don’t ever forget your feelings, too. We tend to do that sometimes in a relationship.” She walked out the door, but turned at the last minute. “Just remember I’m always here for you, baby. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Mom. Thanks for not being all judgey and parental. That’s pretty cool, you know.”

Joyce shrugged. “I’m cool. Well, my day is complete. My daughter thinks I’m cool. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Okay.” Dawn fell back on the bed, her arms stretched out on either side of her. “What to do? What to do?

The phone rang, and Dawn rolled over languidly to get it.

“Hello.”

“Hey. It’s me.” Dawn rolled her eyes. Who else would it be? She wanted to ask him.

“Oh, hey, Gunn. How are you? Long time no hear from.” She snickered.

“It wasn’t funny the first time you did it, and it’s not now.” Connor grumbled. He said it a little harder than he meant. The mention of her past boyfriends still didn’t sit well with him.

“Ooh, someone’s got a burr up his ass. What’s your damage?”

“I need to talk to you.” Connor paced the back office of Ipolito’s.

Dawn looked at the phone. “I thought that was what we were doing.” She snapped back.

“I mean face-to-face. Can I come by after we close?” Cordy wrapped her arms around Connor’s waist. He smiled and turned to give her a peck on the head. She mouthed a hello to Dawn and skipped off to the kitchen.

“Cordy says hello.”

“Tell her hello. Sure, you can come by. Did you want to go out?” Dawn asked, sitting up.

“No. I’m beat. I had to help one of my buds move into his new apartment. I just need to discuss something with you, if that’s okay?” Connor desperately wanted to get this off his chest. He didn’t want the next 3 weeks to go by, and it find them tiptoeing around an issue that wasn’t one.

Dawn bent over till the tips of her hair brushed the floor. “Sure. Just call me when you’re leaving the restaurant.”

“Will do. Bye.”

**********************

Half-empty cartons of spicy noodles and seasoned pork were scattered over the coffee table. I’ll throw them away later. Spike thought as he held Buffy in his arms. She was currently driving him batty with her fingers. Stroking and swirling around on his chest, his nipples. He didn’t think she was aware of how sensitive he was to her touch. She was boneless in his arms. It was almost as if she melted and molded herself into his skin.

“He just showed up at the Magic Box. Unbelievable. And you talked? That’s all?” Buffy asked incredulous.

“Yeah.” Spike wrapped his finger around a lock of hair and held it high over her head, watching the shimmering gold highlights twinkle in the candlelight.

“Enjoying yourself back there with my hair?”

“It’s beautiful, Goldilocks.”

Buffy shook her head at his penchant for nicknames. “Well, tell me. How do you feel now that you’ve had the big talk? Better, I hope. Not so burden with the past?”

Spike bent his head to brush his lips softly over her temple. “You relieved me of that burden years ago.”

“That’s so sweet, babe.” She stared into his eyes. Her face soft and inviting. “I can’t believe I went 3 years without having you in my arms.”

Spike tightened his hold on her, nuzzling her head with his chin. “Me neither. At first, it seemed like some terrific dream. I didn’t want to wake up from it, but I saw you, and I gladly woke up.”

Buffy scooted out from under him, twisting and turning till she straddled him. “I would have done a reverse Sleeping Beauty on you.” She said smiling broadly. “I would have kissed you till you woke up.”

“Well, I’m awake now. So get on with the kissing.” Spike wiggled his brows, grinning.

“Oh, I will, my prince. I will.” She giggled, lowering her mouth to his.

**************************

Dawn sat outside at the pool, her pink warm-up jacket in sharp contrast to her Spoiled Rotten pajama bottoms. Buffy called the get-up “the twisted irony combo“. Dawn giggled. She wished Buffy were here right now to give her some more age-old advice about men and women. If she were honest, she wasn’t quite sure what she wanted from Connor. Sex, yes, of course. She may have been a virgin, but she was a woman. A woman attracted to a man. But she knew that sleeping with Connor would be a huge step. She would be giving to him, something she’d denied her other boyfriends. But she didn’t love them. Was she in love with Connor? Was it too soon to tell? Hell, Buffy fell in love with Spike in one night. Was it possible she’d fallen in love with Connor? It wasn’t totally out of the question. This summer ranked as the best she’d ever had. Connor was fun and sexy, and he listened to her, and infuriated her. And when he kissed her, she wasn’t sure if her feet were touching the ground or not. She had it bad, but did that equate to love or horniness?

What was she going to say to Connor?

“Connor, I like you. You know that. I’ve enjoyed our time together. I know it’s going to be a stretch trying to go to school and maintain our relationship, but I want to. I want you... No, Dawnie. Not yet. Can’t tell him that yet. The promise of sex will make his brain head south. He won’t hear a word you say after that. Don’t get off-track.” She admonished herself.

Dawn stood up, sliding her feet into her flip-flops. She walked to the edge of the porch and watched the water ripple with the slight breeze. “Okay, let’s try this again. Connor, I...”

“I what?” He asked, coming into the light. “Your mom told me you were out here. So what’s up with the soliloquy?”

Dawn blushed. She shuffled over to him, throwing her arms around his waist. She looked up at him, a smile firmly in place. “You’ll find out soon enough.” She raised her hands to his face, turning it into the light. “You look beat. We could have talked tomorrow.”

Connor sighed. “I wanted to see you tonight. Is that okay with you, Ms. Summers?”

“Yes, it is.”

Connor lowered his head, his lips brushing lightly over Dawn’s. He pulled her with him as he backed into the shadows. His arms tightened around her waist, his hands playing a soft melody against her back. Tongues played and teased till they pulled apart with a gasp.

“Now, that was a nice hello.” Dawn quipped. “Come on sit down.”

She scrambled towards the chaise lounger and sat down, patting behind her. Connor slipped in behind, his long legs on either side. They sat quietly watching the planes and the stars compete with each other for the night sky.

“Dawn, we need to talk.” Dawn was glad her back was to him, because his tone gave her the chills. Oh, god, please don‘t let this be the end.

“Ok, talk.” She said, bracing herself for what she thought was the inevitable.

“My first year of college was terrific. I’ve told you that. I was free, and it was great, exhilarating. Living on my own, being around all those different people. I can’t even begin to explain how good it felt.” Connor felt Dawn shudder, and wrapped his arms tighter around her.

“Yeah, I know going away to college is going to be a blast. I know it’s going to be strange and scary, but also the best years of my life.” She answered, not quite sure where this conversation was going. She wanted to ask him about living together, and sleeping together. She wanted, no, needed to know what he expected of her, of them. “Why are you telling me this Connor? Is this your college pep talk? What’s going on behind those brown eyes?”

Dawn had turned around, and was staring up at him with her entire countenance open and vulnerable. He wondered if she knew how she looked. He’d never seen her so fragile before, and it made something inside him leap at the thought of some frat boy taking her away from him.

“You’re so beautiful. What do you see in me?” He asked.

Dawn grinned broadly. “Well, there’s the smile, and the eyes. But mostly, I like being with you. Which is a perfect entry into what I wanted to talk to you about.” She said seriously.

“Ooh, serious talk. Okay, I’m listening.”

“Where do we go from here?” She asked quietly. “Do you want to stay together?“ Dawn took one look at his narrowed gaze and pinched mouth, and rushed ahead with the rest of her statement. “I promise you, there is a valid reason for all this. Will you hear me out before you blow your stack?“

Connor nodded curtly.

“I don’t know what to expect from us. I know San Diego isn’t far from here. I know I’ll be home on the weekends and at holidays, but the day-to-day stuff. I’m not too sure about it. I know I like you. More than I’ve ever liked anybody. And there are things I want to do with you, but I’m afraid. Do you understand what I’m saying?” Please understand what I’m saying.

“I’m not pushing you to have sex, Dawn. I understand that this is new. This relationship is new. I don’t expect you to hop into bed with me.” That’s a lie, but I’m trying to be a better man.

“I’m not saying you are Connor. I’m just saying that I’m confused.”

Connor pulled back, confused himself. “Let me see if I can understand what you’re saying.” He stood up partly because her ass was pressed into his crotch, and also because he had this nervous energy that was driving him insane. Probably the lack of quality ejaculation.

“You’re concerned about us. You’re worried that us being apart will do what? Do you think I’m going to cheat on you?”

Dawn looked up at him sheepishly, embarrassed because the thought had crossed her mind.

“No, I don’t think you will, but you’re a man, and it’s not like we’re having sex.”

“Is that the reason for all this... insecurity shit?” Connor’s voice rose, and he winced. Must calm down. This isn’t getting us anywhere.

“Why are you so upset with me? All I’m trying to do is tell you I’m scared. Do you think it was easy for me to admit to you that I’m a virgin? I know you didn’t know the truth, so don’t pretend like you’ve known all along. I know you haven’t.” Dawn spat.

“I didn’t know, but that still doesn’t explain why you’re worried about us, about me. Do I come across as some asshole who runs around poking his dick into every girl he meets? Have I once given you any cause to question my fidelity?” He didn’t give her a chance to answer, but kept on, feeling all his frustration and fear roll off his tongue like ice melting on a hot car.

“This isn’t about me at all. This is all about you. Your fears, your insecurities. You’re 18, playing at 21. So desperate to be an adult, when you’re still a child.”

Dawn gasped, and stood. Her blue eyes flashed brilliantly like diamonds, and Connor took a step back.

“I’m scared. I want to be with you, in every way possible. But I need to know that this thing between us is going to last. Since when is that childish?” She turned her back to him.

Connor reached out to touch her shoulder, pulling her unresisting body into his. “Dawn, there are no guarantees in life. I certainly can’t give you a promise for something as iffy as our relationship.”

Well, that hurt. Glad to know he feels so secure about us.

Dawn frowned, and she blinked rapidly to keep the tears from falling. “My parents promised each other 25 years ago that they’d always be true to each other. That they would love each other till the day they died. All I’m asking you for is some assurance that we’ll last for at least a month or two. Hopefully, more.”

Connor hated the sadness he heard in her voice. “I’m just being honest, Dawn. I‘m sorry.” He told her.

“All I’m saying is don’t ask me to predict the future because I can’t.” He reasoned. “Do you trust me?”

Did she trust him? Yes, she did. Then, why aren’t I saying it to him?

“Yes, I trust you. But that doesn‘t stop me from wondering if we can survive the distance and the lack of sex. I want to try? Do you? I’m asking you, Connor. What do you want to do?”

Connor sat down, shoving his fingers into his hair. “When I called you tonight, all I wanted to do was tell you I was going to miss you when you left. I wanted you to know that I did realize that our time together was getting short.”

Dawn’s heart skipped a beat as she listened.

“But now, I’m not so sure if we should try. Maybe, I am too old for you. Maybe, you do need to be around people your own age. Maybe, then, you wouldn’t feel so insecure because I don’t know what else to do to prove to you that I care. I’d do it, Dawnie. Whatever you needed for me to do, I’d do it.” He gazed up at her, his brown eyes swimming in tears.

Dawn wiped at the moisture on her cheeks. “Just tell me that someday you’ll love me, Connor. Can you do that? Can you at least give me that?”

Tell her. Say the words. His mind screamed at him, but he couldn’t promise her what he wasn’t sure he could feel. He didn’t know if he was capable of that kind of emotion for anybody other than his mother and Cordy. And to give Dawn false hope was a terrible trick to play on this wonderful girl.

“I can’t. I’m sorry.”

I will not cry. I will not cry. “Me too.” She said, kneeling down to kiss him lightly on the lips. “I guess this is the not-so big breakup scene.” She said, laughing lightly.

“It doesn’t have to be, Dawn. We don’t have to break up. We can still be together.” Connor pleaded.

Dawn knelt in front of him. She clasped his fingers, squeezing them tightly. “You’re right. I need reassurances and promises, when I shouldn’t. I should believe that we can make it without being sexually involved. I should trust you, and I do. I know you wouldn’t cheat on me, but I also know it isn’t fair of me to ask you to continue to wait. You’re a grown man. You shouldn’t have to wait. I’m the kid. I’m the one trying to figure out where all the pieces of the puzzle go. It isn’t you, Connor. It’s me. You were right about that.”

She leaned forward, kissing him with lips, wet with her tears. “I’m sorry I put you through all this drama. I’ll talk to you later. Okay?”

Connor sat speechless as she walked back into the house. They were over. She had ended it with a speech that made him feel like the biggest heel in the world. Had he forced her away? Had he pushed her into believing that their relationship wouldn’t last without the sex? The outside lights went out, and still he sat there. What the fuck had just happened?

TBC

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