Chapter 13

A Glimpse of Heaven

By Zarrah

“Well, it’s been exactly one hour since we left, do you think they’re still in one piece?” Joyce asked smiling at her dinner companions.

“Oh, I’d say it’s been an interesting evening.” Giles commented as he cut into his steak. “She seemed very….upset at the prospects of being left alone with him.”

“I still feel a little bad about setting them up like this.” Hank said, eyeing his wife and Giles as the three enjoyed their meal. “Buffy can be pretty brutal when she wants to be.”

“Well, I’m sure they’ll work things out, we did.”

Hank looked over at his wife, chuckling as he shook his head. “Yes, well that was after I nearly throttled you for being such a pain.”

“But everything worked out for us.”

“Yes it did.”

“Well I don’t think William will just take her mistreatment.” Giles informed them. “He’s pretty adapt to giving as much as he receives.”

“Yes, and there lies the problem.” Hank said, “Buffy will go the extra mile to get in the last word, no matter what!”

Joyce’s light laughter caused both men to look over at her and smile as her face reddened. “Can you only image what’s going on? I mean; wouldn’t you love to be a fly on the wall and be there for the fireworks?”

All three shared a small laugh, imagining the disastrous evening that they had willingly set up to get Buffy and William to see that there was more to their fighting than a mutual ‘hatred’ towards the other. One way or another, they were determined to see that those two worked through their difference, even if it killed them.

_______________________________________

“You are completely daft!” Spike said loudly.

“No I’m not!” Buffy yelled back, “And what exactly does that mean anyway?”

Spike laughed, shaking his head before flopping back in his seat. Did she not even ‘think’ before she opened her mouth?

Buffy just sat there watching him. The smile that graced her face as she watched him was being fought with everything in her, but the longer she sat there, the less it seemed to matter.

“Here you go.” Jenn said as she placed their food down on the table. “If I can get you anything, just give me a yell.” She said, sparing a glance at Spike before turning and walking away.

Buffy glared at their waitress again before turning back to her food. Grabbing her fork, she jabbed it into the mounds of cheese and chili before spearing a soaked fry.

“How can you possible eat that crap?” Spike asked as he watched her take a mouthful, smiling as she chewed.

“It’s good.” Buffy mumbled.

Spike smiled as he watched her before taking his burger and giving it proper attention. He couldn’t believe how well things were going. If he had known getting her alone would be the easiest way to get her to chill with the bitchy attitude, he would have done it long before now.

“So, how do you think you did on that test today?” Spike asked, trying to keep her as relaxed as he could with a little conversation.

“Okay I think.” Buffy answered, shrugging her shoulder. “It didn’t seem so overwhelming as before. I mean, it was still hard, but at least I knew what it was asking me to do.”

“Well that’s something then.”

“Yeah.” Buffy said, glancing at up him and giving him a little smile. “So, why’d you get into this tutoring thing anyway?”

Spike smiled back at her as he picked up his drink, taking a sip before sitting it back down. “Well I want to buy a car and Uncle Rups said if I wanted it, I’d have to pay for it.”

“What kinda of car?” Buffy asked, already knowing it was probably some sporty two seater all the guys in the world seemed to drive.

“Ah, a classic.” Spike said smiling big.

“A classic? As is old?”

“No.” Spike said rolling his eyes. “Classic as in a real car. Completely restored to its original condition….well, almost.”

“Oh, so no hot little red number to whiz around town in?” she asked laughing slightly. “And here I thought all you guys had this secret class at school on how to pick a car to impress the girls.”

“Well a girl that would go out with a guy just for their car is a little to shallow for my taste.”

“And what kind of girls do you like?” Buffy asked, not knowing why she even cared, but the longer she talked to him, the more she wanted to know.

Spike looked up at her, the urge to blurt out that ‘she’ was the kind of girl he wanted, right on the tip of his tongue and he had to forcefully hold back from spilling all to her. “Well, what most guys want I guess.” He finally answered softly.

“And what’s that?” Buffy asked staring at him.

“Someone who doesn’t play games for one.” Spike answered.

“What kind of games?”

“Well, last girlfriend I had, only hung around to get closer to my best friend.” He told her quietly.

Buffy watched him as he played with his food, looking every bit as hurt as the Spike she knew looked after one of her verbal assaults on him, or worse, one of her beat downs.

“Yeah, been there myself once.” She said softly, remembering Parker and his one night stand set up.

Spike finally looked up at her, giving her a tight smile before reaching across the table and grabbing a cheese covered French fry from her plate.

“Hey!” Buffy said loudly, smiling and swatting his hand away. “Eat your own food.”

“What?’ Spike asked innocently. “I’m paying, so technically it’s mine anyway.” He told her as he grabbed another.

Buffy giggled, watching him lick cheese from his fingers before reaching out and grabbing his burger. She smiled triumphfully before taking a large bite out of it and laying it back on his plate as she smiled.

Spike grinned back at her, not believing this girl was the same one that had bit his head off every chance she got since he had known her. He chuckled lightly as she swallowed and reached across the table again, snatching up the burger and helping herself to it.

“This is really good.” Buffy mumbled, taking another bite. “You really should have gotten one of your own.” She said, no intentions on giving it back.

Spike laughed, still stealing the chili cheese fries from her plate as he watched her eat his Cheeseburger. He wasn’t sure ‘what’ god had been looking down on him today, but he was glad they had.

________________________________________

Willow sat nervously, chewing on her bottom lip as she watched the phone. Buffy always called after her tutoring session with Spike and the humor in the conversation alone was enough to make Willow anxious to hear from her friend.

She knew there was more to Buffy’s ‘hatred’ towards Spike than she was letting on and she and Xander both thought it was only a matter of time before Buffy finally saw it. Just the way Buffy complained about Spike was humorous. There wasn’t a doubt in Willow’s mind that there was more going on than what Buffy let on. There was something in her eyes when she talked about him. It was like watching a small fire burn, only to get completely out of control the longer she talked.

Jumping as the ringing of the phone brought her from her thoughts, Willow smiled before snatching the phone up.

Hello!” she said excitedly.

“Hey Will.” Buffy said, smiling as she lay on her bed.

“Well someone sounds like they’re in a good mood.” Willow said, almost hearing the smile that she knew was on Buffy’s face from the sound of her voice.

“Yeah, I guess I am.”

“Any particular reason?” She asked, hoping it was what she thought it was.

“No, nothing in particular.” Buffy told her smiling.

“You are so completely lying.” Willow said giggling. “I can hear it in your voice. Now spill.”

“Nothing to spill really.” Buffy told her. “I just had a somewhat nice evening with the most infuriating person on the planet is all.”

“Oh really?” Willow asked, sitting up straight. “What happened?”

Buffy sighed lightly, closing her eyes as the night replayed for her. “Well, we talked.”

“And?”

“And, he didn’t get on my nerves for once.”

“Oh come on Buffy, there has to be more than “you just talked’?” Willow said giggling. “Now come on and tell me everything.”

Buffy laughed, hearing the slight whining in Willow’s voice. “Okay, geez. Mom and Dad had a date so I had to spend the entire evening with him and Giles had some faculty meeting or something. Anyway….we went to that place down by the Highway, ‘Jody Burger’ or something another.”

“Ewww…you actually ate in there?” Willow asked shocked and slightly grossed out.

Buffy laughed, hearing her friend’s reaction, one she herself had had at the thoughts of it. “Yes, and believe it or not, it was actually very good.”

“You’re kidding?”

“Nope, afraid not.” Buffy told her. “But anyway, we did homework and talked and……”

“And what?” Willow almost screamed when Buffy got quiet.

“And, he walked me home.”

Willow sat there, listening to Buffy talk. She knew there was more; she could hear it in her voice. She also knew by the tone of Buffy’s voice that her feelings towards Spike were exactly as she had expected.

“So what happened when he walked you home?”

“Nothing, we just talked. OH! He did show me the car he wanted to buy.” Buffy said, hysterical laughter erupting.

Willow sat and listened, her own laughter starting at the sound of Buffy’s. “What’s so funny?”

“The car!” Buffy laughed, trying to catch her breath. “He said it was a classic, I should have known!”

“What was it, a Pinto?”

“NO!” Buffy screeched. “A Desoto!”

Willow shook her head, not really seeing the humor in Spike’s choice of transportation like Buffy did, and by the way Buffy was laughing, she knew she probably wouldn’t ever find out.

________________________________________

“So, how’d it go!” Sandy squealed into the phone.

Spike flopped down on his bed, a huge smile on his face. “It was bloody fantastic!” he answered her. “She was completely….”

“Completely what?!” she asked excitedly.

“She was…nice.”

“Nice?”

“Yeah.” He said laughing. “We went to the Jody Burger and she actually talked to me, without yelling I might add.”

“YAY!” Sandy said, bouncing on her bed. “So what happened? What changed from yesterday to today?”

“No clue pet.” Spike told her honestly, his smile still present. “She was just….well, she was her usual annoying self to begin with and before I knew it, she was eating my Cheesburger and laughing.”

“Oh my Gawd! That’s fantastic Spike!” Sandy laughed. “I mean, we barely even did anything and she’s already coming around.”

“Yeah well, I never really thought your crazy plan would work, but then the new waitress their proved your point.”

“Oh really?”

“Yeah, just talking to the girl had Buffy glaring daggers at her.”

“SEE!” Sandy yelled. “I told you she liked you.”

Spike chuckled lightly, closing his eyes and remembering the way Buffy looked smiling…at him. The way her eyes shined and her cheeks took on a slight pink tint when she tried to catch her breath. “Yeah well, it was just one night. Could have been anything really.”

“No, it definitely wasn’t that. Trust me.”

“We’ll see I guess.”

“Yeah well, you mark my work Spike, once that girl figures out what a great guy you are, she’ll come around.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I am.”

________________________________________

Buffy pulled the covers up tightly around her shoulders. She had finally gotten Willow to hang up with the promise of ‘full details’ in the morning. She was still smiling as she remembered her evening. For the first time since she had landed in this strange place and saw Spike, she saw him as someone ‘other than’ the annoying vampire she knew.

He was actually nice to talk to when she gave him half a chance. She wondered briefly if ‘her’ Spike would have been like that if she would have allowed him too. She never gave him a chance to say too much before she shut him up. She didn’t want to know him. He was just a helping hand to her and the gang and a part of her felt guilty for taking advantage of his ‘love’ for her. She still wasn’t sure if he were capably of real emotions and frankly, she never gave herself a chance to figure it out either.

Sighing lightly, Buffy snuggled into the covers, glancing around the room and smiling as her eyes caught sight of Spike’s poetry book. Reaching out, she grabbed it and flipped over onto her back before opening it. She searched the pages, stopping on a page that he had dog eared and smiled as she read.

Her smile grew as she read the passage. The words flowing through her mind and she could almost see Spike in them. Could she have been so wrong about him? Maybe it was time to find out who Spike ‘really’ was.

To Be Continued……………….

A/N………FINALLY!!! A new chapter! So So So sorry for the delay guys. Real life has had me busy, not to mention the other 3 stories I’m also trying to write, but NEVER fear, I WILL continue the story. I won’t stop until it’s finished.

Oh, and to the reviewer who asked about the Peanut Butter Milk Shake…hehehe, YES we DO have those here, or at least we do in North Carolina. Very delicious, especially when made with Crunchy Peanut Butter! Yummmmmy.

What’s next you ask? Well, Buffy has a lot to think about now and how will her new thoughts of Spike interfere with Angel, or will they? And how will Angel react to Buffy’s new ‘friendship’ to Spike and is there REALLY a friendship blooming or is it just wishful thinking? Stay tuned!!

~*~Zarrah~*~

http://darkprophecies.net/alwaysforever

Chapter 14

A Glimpse of Heaven

By Zarrah

Buffy walked the halls of Sunnydale High with a bounce in her step and a smile plastered on her face. She had said good morning to what seemed like fifty people already and she hadn’t even made it down the first hall yet.

She sighed happily as smiling faces shined warm hellos her way and she ‘knew’, finally that she would be ‘forever’ happy here. She was just a normal girl, with normal abilities and the possibilities of finding love and living out her life in the way she had always dreamed of were within her grasp now.

She had thought a lot about her life and the things that had changed in it since she had taken the dive from Glory’s tower and of all the places she could have ended up, this had to be the best of them all. Her friends and her family were here. They were all alive and safe and for the first time in longer than Buffy could remember, she was happy.

“Hey! You going to keep on walking or actually stop and talk to me?” Willow asked, laughing slightly at the wide smile on Buffy’s face.

“Oh, hey Will.” Buffy said, finally stopping as she was pulled from her thoughts.

“Geez, where were you?” Willow asked smiling. “If I didn’t know any better, you looked like you were a million miles away from here.”

“I was actually.” Buffy answered her quietly.

“Oh really? Wouldn’t happen to have been there with a certain blond Englishman, now would we?” she asked laughing. “So spill, you said last night you’d tell all.”

Buffy smiled, shaking her head before walking down the hall to her locker. She could still hear Willow’s laughter and she giggled to herself as she opened her locker door and removed her books for her first class. Glancing at the mirror on the door, Buffy smiled as she saw Xander and Spike walking towards them, her smile widening as she saw Spike staring at her.

“Well good morning ladies.” Xander said as they stopped behind Buffy as Willow walked over. “And how are you this fine beautiful morning?”

“Wow, did the whole world wake up in a good mood and forget to leave me the memo?” Willow asked as she smiled at Xander. “Or is Buffy’s smile just contagious this morning?”

Buffy glanced up at her mirror but quickly ducked her head as she saw Spike smiling at her. He hadn’t said a word to anyone yet and for some ‘odd’ reason, Buffy couldn’t make herself turn and face him.

“Buffy has a happy this morning?” Xander asked smiling. “Who do we owe this glowing smile to?”

Buffy finally turned, glancing briefly over at Xander and her eyes locked with Spike’s for a second before she smiled and shook her head. “No reason Xan, just had a really good night’s sleep for once.”

“That and the fact that she knew she’d be seeing me.” Angel said as he slipped into the circle of friends and snaked his arm around Buffy’s waist. “Morning.” He said softly, leaning in and giving her a small kiss on the cheek.

Buffy smiled and turned her head to him. “Morning.” She said just as softly.

Spike looked over at Xander when he heard the soft gagging noise he was making and had to stifle back a laugh as Xander looked to be choking on Angel’s attempts to be the ‘loving’ boyfriend.

“Excuse me, but could one of you tell me where….Mrs. Roberts room is?”

The whole gang turned, looking at the girl that stood behind them and smiled as she looked at each of them.

“It’s my first day and I can’t make heads or tales out of this schedule.” The petite red head said smiling, waving the small slip of paper in her hand.

“I can show you.” Spike said smiling back at her. “I have that class for homeroom.”

“Great!” she said smiling brighter. “My names Gillian, but everyone calls me Gilly.” She told them.

“Spike.” Spike said, introducing himself. “This is Xander, Willow and Buffy.” He gestured to the rest of them, purposely leaving Angel out of the introductions.

“Hi.” Gilly said, giving each of them a small smile.

“Hey, I’m Angel.” Angel said, pushing his way through the small group to make his way to the new girl. “Some people around here have no manners.” He told her, glaring hard at Spike.

Buffy watched as ‘her’ boyfriend made a conscience effort to greet the newest edition to Sunnydale High and she had half a mind to be jealous at his actions as he grabbed Gilly’s hand as he talked to her. She looked over at Spike and their eyes caught and held for just a second before he finally turned back to their newest classmate.

“Well come on pet, bells goin’ to ring any minute.”

“Okay.” Gilly said before turning to the others. “It was really nice meeting you.” She said before turning as Spike did and walked down the hall with him.

“She seemed nice.” Willow said as she watched her and Spike walk down the hall and disappear around the corner.

“Yeah.” Buffy said, also watching the pair leave.

“Well, not that I want to, but I am here for a reason.” Xander said as he hoisted his backpack up on his shoulder and smiled at the girls.

“And what would that be?” Buffy asked, raising an eyebrow at him and giggling.

“Well, to socialize and get green jiggle jell-o laced with fruit for lunch…what else?”

Willow smacked Xander playfully on the arm, pushing him forward as she started walking. “I’ll see you at lunch Buffy.” Willow called back over her shoulder as Buffy laughed quietly at her friends before she felt Angel’s arm once again slip around her.

“Come on beautiful, I’ll walk you to class.” Angel said as he tugged on Buffy slightly.

Buffy turned her head and smiled up at him before finally walking forward. “Lead the way.”

________________________________________

Buffy almost squealed in delight as the bell rang, ending her English class. She had been preoccupied all day, not being able to focus on anything her teachers had said as her mind kept revolving around a certain bleached blonde that no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t seem to push away.

She had seen him several times through out the day walking the halls and though she had never really paid much attention to his coming or goings before, now she was. She was surprised to find that everytime she saw him, there was always a girl right there with him. Most of the time it was Sandy, but she had seen him talking and laughing with the new girl Gilly as well.

She wasn’t sure why, but the sight bothered her. She knew it shouldn’t, she had a boyfriend, and Angel was everything she had ever wanted, but seeing Spike smile at someone that ‘wasn’t’ her gave her a gnawing feeling in her gut that she just couldn’t place.

“If that telepathy thing works, let me know how you did it, because there are a few people whose minds I’d like to get into.” Willow said smiling as she stopped beside of Buffy.

“What?” Buffy said turning her head. “Did you say something?”

Willow laughed; glancing over towards Spike where she ‘knew’ Buffy’s attention had been seconds before, before looking back over at her friend. “I’m talking about that far off spacey look you had on your face as you drooled over Spike.”

“I was not!” Buffy said loudly, rolling her eyes as she turned to her locker and opened it.

“Yes you were and don’t even try to deny it.”

“You are insane Willow. Why would I be drooling over him of all people? That’s just……”

“Because you like him.”

Willow laughed out loud, clutching at her side as Buffy snapped her head to the side, her eyes and mouth open as wide as they would go as a look of complete mock horror covered her features. She wasn’t sure what was funnier…..Buffy expression of shock at her statement, or the fact that she had finally caught her ogling Spike.

“On man Buffy, why don’t I have a camera when I need it?” Willow laughed, trying to calm down.

“You are absolutely insane!” Buffy said, her mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for its life as it floundered around on the beach. “I SO was NOT staring at him and I don’t like him!”

“Who were you staring at?” Jesse asked, walking over to the two girls, his smile widening at Willow’s laughter.

Willow reached out, grabbing Jesse’s arm, supporting her self as she looked back over at Buffy. The look on Buffy’s face set her off again, and as much as she tried, Willow couldn’t get her giggles to stop.

Jesse joined in the laughter as Buffy’s face turned three shades of red before she stomped her foot and turned quickly, stomping off down the hall quickly, blonde hair whipping back and forth as she went.

“What was that all about?” Jesse finally asked when Buffy was out of sight.

“Buffy and her ‘I hate Spike’ routine.” Willow finally managed to get out. “She was standing here staring holes in his head when I walked over.”

“So she’s finally seeing what we’ve all known from the beginning?”

“Yes, finally.”

“Bout time.” Jesse said, smiling as he turned to look at Spike.

“I know.” Willow said after composing herself. “Well, I better go find her and apologize or she’ll never speak to me again.”

________________________________________

Willow grinned wildly as she walked into the cafeteria when she saw Buffy sitting at their usual table, arms crossed over her chest and a very childlike pout jutting her bottom lip out. She shook her head, knowing it would takes mounds of groveling to get Buffy back in a good mood now as she approached the table.

“Hey Buffy.” Willow said as she sat down beside her. “Please don’t be mad, I was only picking with you.”

Buffy never said a word, just remained sitting there staring at the wall as Willow looked at her.

“Come on Buffy, I was only teasing.” Willow tried again, giving her best puppy dog eyes she could without much luck. “Aren’t you going to tell me what happened last night, you said you would on the phone.”

“Why would I tell you anything?” Buffy snapped, feeling bad the instant she did at the look on Willow’s face.

“I said I was sorry.” Willow told her again softly.

“I know.” Buffy said with a sigh. “I’m sorry, it’ just….”

“You know, it’s okay if you like him.” Willow whispered to her.

Buffy turned to look at her and shook her head. “What makes you think I like him? Is it the way the scream at him constantly or the way I actively HAVE a boyfriend?”

Willow smiled and leaned over closer to Buffy so she was sure no one else heard. “I think Angel was a good show. But I personally think you like Spike as much as he likes you.”

Buffy went slightly wide-eyed as she looked at her best friend before blinking her eyes a few times. “What makes you think he likes me?” she asked quietly.

“Geez Buffy, are you BLIND?!”

“Shhh, keep your voice down.” Buffy demanded, smacking at Willow’s arm before looking around to see if anyone was looking at them. “Who told you Spike liked me?”

Willow giggled and shook her head. “You are so out of touch girl. For one thing, haven’t you EVER noticed how he can’t keep his eyes off of you? Or the way he always sits himself down beside of you, even when there isn’t any room for him, or the way he glares holes in Angel’s head anytime he’s around or the way….”

“Okay, okay I get the picture.” Buffy said shaking her head in disbelief. “But honestly I think he has a thing for Sandy.” She added, noticing a slight dull ache in her stomach as she did.

“Sandy?! No way! They’re just friends.”

“Yes way. He has a HUGE picture of her on his desk.”

“So, I have a huge picture of Jesse on mine, doesn’t mean anything.”

“Well, he talks to her on the phone all the time, almost everytime I’ve been over there he has.”

“So, I talk to Xander on the phone every night after I talk to you. Come on Buffy, face it, Spike has the hots for you.” Willow said grinning widely.

Buffy sat back in her chair, her mind storming away at the thoughts of it. She had to admit that she had seen Spike give her some of the same looks as the Spike she knew from ‘her time’ had given her, but at the time, had dismissed it.

“Oh man, lunch.” Xander exclaimed happily as he laid his tray down on the table and sat down beside of Willow. “I’m starved.”

“You’re always starved.” Willow said smiling.

“Yeah, only because the mundane work the teachers put me through completely drains me.”

“Well that IS why we’re here Xan.”

“You maybe.” Xander said grinning as he picked up his burger and took a large bite out of it.

Buffy smiled at Xander as he literally made a pig out of himself before the splash of swirling black leather caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. Turning her head slightly, she took a deep breath as Spike walked towards their table, leather duster whipping around his legs. *Even walks the same* Buffy noted at she watched him walk towards the table before she quickly looked away.

“Well how are my favorite ladies doing?” Spike asked as he grabbed the chair beside of Buffy and turned it, straddling it as he sat down.

“Hey Spike.” Willow said smiling.

“Owww.” Buffy said, glaring hard at Willow when she felt the hard tap to the outside of her leg from Willow’s foot.

“Something wrong pet?” Spike asked, looking over at Buffy.

“Huh? Oh, no….Willow just forgot she had to share foot space with me.” Buffy said, giving another look at Willow when she heard the red head snicker at her.

“Where’s Jesse at?” Xander mumbled, his words slurring through the mouth full of food he was trying to chew.

“Ewww, rude much?” Buffy said, her face twisting in disgust at Xander’s table manners.

“No.” Xander said grinning, his cheeks bloating out.

“There he is.” Spike said, pointing towards the door.

Everyone turned, glancing over at Jesse as he sulked into the cafeteria. The look on his face had them all wondering what was wrong.

“Geez, who died?” Xander asked, finally swallowing.

“Oh man, I am so dead.” Jesse said slumping down in his chair. “Mr. Boggs gave a pop quiz and I totally flunked it.” He whined.

“Pop quiz?” Buffy asked, sitting up straight in her seat. “On what?”

“On everything! Everything from the beginning of the semester till now.”

Buffy’s head snapped over to Spike and she almost had half a mind to freak out but the smile on his face seemed to calm her. “I can’t take another test, we just HAD a test.”

“Oh, and get this.” Jesse said, leaning forward. “It counts three times. Man, someone sure pissed him off today!”

Buffy’s shoulder’s slumped and it seemed like all the air was pulled from her lungs as she stared at Spike. “I’ll never pass that.” She said quietly.

“Sure you will.” Spike said smiling as he stood up. “Come on, let’s go on to class and we’ll cram before the test starts.”

Buffy shook her head numbly as she stood, grabbing her books. She barely even registered Spike’s hand on her back as she turned and started for the door. Her only thought was failing math class and missing out on the Winter Formal and Cheerleading.

“Don’t worry Buffy, if you can do what you are now, the stuff from the beginning will be easy.” Spike told her as he led her down the hall. “It all builds on itself.”

“I can’t fail this test Spike.” Buffy said, looking up at him. “It’ll bring my average down to failing.”

“You won’t fail.” Spike told her firmly. “I won’t let you.” He said, giving her a wide smile and winking an eye at her.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing!” Angel yelled as he grabbed Spike, jerking him away from Buffy and shoving him hard up against the lockers. “You have no right to touch what is mine!”

“Angel!” Buffy yelled, shocked by the sudden appearance of her boyfriend and his over zealous actions towards Spike. “God, what are you doing?”

Angel had Spike by the neck, squeezing with all his might as he held Spike in place. The two stare at one another and Angel barely even noticed as Buffy grabbed his arm and tried to pull him off of Spike.

“Don’t EVER touch her!” Angel spat out, his face closing in on Spike’s as he let everyone know that Buffy belonged to him.

Buffy was in complete shock. She had no clue as to why Angel was reacting that way. “Angle, what is wrong with you?” she demanded as Spike struggled with the large hand clamped around his neck. “Let him go!”

“Not until he realizes you belong to me and to keep his hands to himself.” He spat out, pushing on Spike’s neck with every word.

Buffy scrunched up her brow, trying to figure out what Angel was talking about when she finally realized. She vaguely remembered Spike’s hand on her back and couldn’t believe he was going off about THAT!

“Angel, Damnit, LET HIM GO!” Buffy yelled, finally missing her slayer strength when she was unable to loosen the grip Angel had on Spike.

Spike finally got his arm free from the meaty fist that was bunched around the leather of his duster and grabbed Angel and pushed hard, effectively pushing him away. Buffy used Angel’s slight stagger as an opportunity to place herself in between the two and she crossed her arms over her chest as she glared at Angel.

“You have exactly three seconds to explain yourself.” Buffy said, anger clouding her eyes.

“You’re mine!” Angel yelled, eyeing Spike as he said it. “You get that blondie!?”

“Sod off peaches!”

“For your information…I don’t BELONG to anyone.” Buffy said, turning to look at Spike and placing her hand on his chest as he made a move towards Angel before turning again to face her enraged boyfriend.

“That ring says you do.” Angel said, grabbing Buffy’s hand and showing her his class ring. “You’re my girl.”

“Yeah, everyone knows that.” Buffy yelled back, “Now what is with the Neanderthal routine?”

“I don’t want him touching you!”

“Good lord Angel, grow up!” Buffy shouted as she stepped closer to him. “He wasn’t doing anything.”

Spike was seeing red. His fingers were curling into fist, clenching and unclenching at his sides as several students wandered out into the halls to see what the commotion was about.

“Buffy,” Angel said quietly as he took a step closer to her, “I don’t want you around him.”

Buffy rolled her eyes and grabbed Angel’s arm, pulling him off to the side. Spike watched them, trying his best to hear what was being said but the constant chattering of the small crowd gathering in the hall made it impossible. Trying to get his anger under control, Spike reached down, grabbing his fallen books and grabbed Buffy’s book bag as well. When he straightened, he saw Buffy turn and stomp off down the hall.

“Come on Spike!” Buffy yelled, not stopping or turning back around.

Watching her walk away, Spike shouldered their bags and looked at Angel, glaring hard at him before turning and following Buffy.

“Hey, Spikey.” Angel said smiling as Spike stopped and turned his head, looking over his shoulder at him. “Watch your back….boy.”

To Be Continued……………….

A/N….So sorry for the WAY LONG delay, but my site was kinda shut down when my host lost their server. I spent DAYS finding a new home and getting it back up. I know I said Sweet William was next, but I’ve been having a little trouble with it. It is started, but I’m kinda just…stuck. Hopefully I’ll get it worked out soon and get it posted.

I’d also like to thank everyone for your reviews, they are so appreciated! It makes it completely worth while to write when I know you are still enjoying the story.

~*~Zarrah~*~

http://www.alwaysforever.org

Chapter 15

A Glimpse of Heaven

By Zarrah

Buffy let out a deep sigh as she signed her name to the top of her test paper and reluctantly passed it up the line with the others. Spike had given her a big smile when she had turned to grab his and even though she returned the gesture, she didn’t feel an ounce of it.

She had answered every question and even though it wasn’t as difficult as she had thought it would have been, a nagging ache in her stomach told her to prepare for the worst.

As Mr. Boggs started to talk, Buffy’s head fell forward onto her desk and the visions of her in a Formal gown and dancing the night away slowly turned grey, changing to the vision of watching her friends go to the dance without her.

She inhaled deeply, letting the breath out slowly as she tried to clear her mind. She lifted her head as she heard Mr. Boggs say the rest of the class would be free time and she slumped back in her chair.

“Hey, cheer up Goldilocks; I’m sure you did fine.” Spike told her as he leaned forward in his seat and whispered to Buffy.

“Easy for you to say.” Buffy muttered out before she turned in her seat and looked back at him. “I might as well quiet school if I fail this class; lord knows I’ll be a social leaper if that happens.”

Spike chuckled at her and shook his head before reaching out and rubbing his hand over her shoulder. “I promise you, I won’t let you become a social leaper.” He said grinning. “If that happens, I’ll join you.”

Buffy finally smiled a true smile as she looked at him. She had no doubt that if she did have to cut out all social activities, Spike would be true to his word, he always was. “Thanks Spike.” She said smiling. “That means a lot.”

“Don’t mention it luv.”

Buffy smiled as she looked at him as he sat back in his seat. She sat there a stared at him for a few minutes as he grabbed a book from his book bag and the tiny smile that had been on her face grew as she slowly turned in her seat.

Angel’s face was a hardened mask as he stood outside Mr. Boggs class. His arms were crossed over his chest as he stared in at Buffy and the desire to march in there and rip Spike a new one ate away at him as he saw Spike once again lean forward and say something to Buffy. The smile that lit up her face caused a very frustrated growl to echo in the silent hall as Angel angrily turned and stalked down the hall. *Boy’s going to pay dearly for that!*

________________________________________

“Alright, some of you have me wondering what you are even doing in here.” Mr. Boggs said as he stood at the front of the class. “I’m very disappointed to see that you have wasted my time and yours.”

Buffy ducked her head a little as Mr. Boggs went on and on about the test scores of the pop quiz. She realized now that he had given the free time so he could grade the papers and as much as she wanted to know, she dreaded it all the same.

As the bell finally rang, Buffy let out a small groan as Mr. Boggs told them to pick up their test papers on their way out and Buffy purposely lagged behind trying to prolong her doom as long as she could.

After everyone else had stood and made their way out of class, Buffy finally stood and grabbed her book bag and walked slowly to the front of the class. Her test paper was the only one left lying there and as she looked down at it; her face fell to an emotionless mask.

“Did she say how she did?” Willow asked as her, Xander and Spike all stood outside the class room and waited for her.

“No.” Spike told them. “She didn’t seem too confident in what she had done though.”

“Yeah, well it doesn’t look like she may have been far off.” Xander said as he pointed into the class at Buffy. “She looks like she might pass out any minute.”

“Oh, poor thing.” Willow said, a deep frown creasing her face as Buffy slowly turned towards the door and started to walk out, her eyes glued to the paper in her hands.

Spike sighed heavily, already feeling bad for her and feeling partially to blame. He smiled; trying to give her reassurance as she finally stepped into the hall and looked up.

“Don’t worry Buffy.” Willow said, smiling sadly at her friend. “It was just a test.”

“Yeah, I didn’t pass the damn thing either if it makes you feel any better.” Xander said grinning, hoping his own failure cheered her up some.

Buffy gave a tiny smile to her friends before looking up at Spike as her hand fell to her side. “Thank you.” She said softly, her smile widening a little as Spike smiled back at her.

“I didn’t do anything luv.” Spike said quietly, mentally kicking himself for not teaching her more.

“Yes you did.” Buffy said as a huge grin split her face. “You helped me pass my math class.” She told him before a small giggle escaped her.

Spike just stared at her before her words finally sunk into his head. “You passed?” he asked quietly, his smile growing as her giggling turned into a full out happy laughter.

“I PASSED!” Buffy screamed as she threw her hands into the air, dancing around in a circle before she jumped forward, launching herself into Spike’s arms, giggling like a mad woman.

Spike grabbed her, wrapping his arms around her waist as she squealed and hugged him tight, the foursome laughing together at Buffy’s joy. Buffy was on the brink of tears at the knowledge of actually passing the test as she tightened her hold on Spike.

“Oh my god Buffy, that’s so great!” Willow said excitedly as she giggled at her friends reaction.

Buffy finally let go of the tight grip she had Spike in and took a step away from him as she looked over at Willow. Spike didn’t think he had ever seen her look so happy as her face was lit up and her cheeks were flushed as she talked to them what seemed like a mile a minute.

“I mean, I just barely passed it, but I passed. Winter Formal here I come! Oh my god Wills, we so need to go dress shopping!” Buffy said excitedly as she reached down and picked up her book bag.

Xander and Spike both laughed at the very animated Buffy. She hadn’t stopped to breath since she had started talking and passerby’s had even smiled at her enthusiastic behavior as they passed by the small group.

“Gee Spike, maybe WE should go buy new dresses for the Winter Formal.” Xander said laughing. “I mean, if it’s THAT mind blowing and exciting, then I want one!”

Spike laughed, shaking his head at Xander while he stared at Buffy. “You go right ahead mate.” Spike told him still smiling. “Having to wear some monkey suit will be bad enough, not sure some strapless sequined number would do anything for me.”

“Yes, we’ll go tonight.” Buffy said loudly as her and Willow turned and started down the hall. “I’m so going to max out my Dad’s credit card on this one.”

Willow was still laughing lightly at Buffy’s behavior, glad to see her friend so happy. They were almost to the end of the hall when Buffy suddenly stopped and turned back around and ran back down the hall.

Buffy ran towards Spike, sliding to a stop in front of him and she smiled big as he stared down at her. Reaching out, she grabbed his head in both hands and leaned up, placing a hard kiss on his lips. “Thank you.” Buffy squealed again before laughing and running back down the hall to a waiting Willow.

“Damn, why can’t I ever do anything to get Buffy smoochies?” Xander asked, grinning as he watched Buffy and Willow round the corner. “I think you just made that girls month.”

“Uh huh.”

Xander turned, looking over at Spike and laughed at the expression on his face. “Hey man, you alright in there?” he asked, leaning his head to the side as he looked at him. After no response, he lifted his hand, snapping his fingers a few times in front of Spike’s face and laughing loudly before grabbing his book bag and walking off, leaving Spike standing in the middle of the hall in a daze.

To say Spike was shocked would have been the understatement of the year. Yes Buffy jumping into his arms was a shocker and he now knew what it felt like having her there, even if it were only for a few seconds, but to have her kiss him? That was something he didn’t think would ever happen.

It wasn’t like it was any mind blowing, time stopping; earth turning on its axis kiss, but it was her lips on his, willingly. She had kissed him. Short as it was, it was still a kiss. A slow smile finally started to curve Spike’s lips as his fog induced brain started to clear and as his inner voice had stopped acting like some nancy boy and screaming ‘she kissed me’ over and over, Spike licked his lips, his smile widening as he tasted the slightest hint of strawberry. *Well mate, looks as if your life just took a turn for the better.* he said to himself as he hoisted his book bag back up on his shoulder and slowly made his way down the hall.

________________________________________

“Buffy, are you alright?” Willow asked as she and Buffy walked towards Buffy’s house.

“I’ve never been better, why?”

“Well, it just….you do realize, you kissed Spike, right?”

Buffy grinned and looked over at Willow briefly before staring ahead as they rounded the corner onto Revello Drive. “Yeah, I realize that.”

“And, you’re not like, going to freak out or have nightmares?”

“No.”

“So, you’re okay with the whole….you kissed Spike…on the mouth.”

“Geez Willow, it’s not like I tried to check to see if he still had his tonsils or not, it was just a little kiss, my lips on his. Nothing to get all excited about.” Buffy said, rolling her eyes as she glanced over at Willow.

Willow grinned big, eyeing Buffy before she started to giggle. “Did you see his face?”

“No, what did he do?” Buffy asked grinning back at her.

“I think he was in shock.” Willow laughed. “He’s probably still standing in the hall trying to figure out what happened.”

Buffy laughed as she shook her head. “It couldn’t have been that mind blowing for him.”

“Oh, to first get jumped by your ‘secret crush’ only to have them jump you a second time and plant a big fat wet kiss on them? Oh, I’m pretty sure he’ll be smiling over that one all weekend.”

“You think so?” Buffy asked, smiling as she thought about it.

“Oh, I know so.” Willow told her.

Buffy smiled as the two fell silent and walked the rest of the way to Buffy’s house. Her mind kept wrapping around what she had done and if it had been two months ago, she had no doubt she’d be hunched over the curb hacking up her lunch, but now…..now, the whole memory made her sort of giddy.

She didn’t know when her hatred for Spike had changed, but it had. It wasn’t like she was in love with him, she had Angel for that, but Angel had been her first love, the one who had transformed her from a girl into a woman and had showed her the joys and heartache of love. Angel was everything she had ever wanted, ever dreamed about, so why was she not happier?

________________________________________

“Well, he IS still among the walking and talking.” Xander chided as Spike finally walked out of the school building. “You’re brain finally catch up with the here and now?”

“Sod off Harris.” Spike said, trying to hold back the smile threatening to spill forward.

“I wish you could have seen your face.” Xander laughed.

Spike took a deep breath, blowing it out slowly as he shook his head. “Alright, laugh it up.” Spike told him, “It’s probably the last time you’ll be able to do it and actually live. I’m in to good a mood to hurt you at the moment.”

Xander did laugh at that. “Man, you really need to lighten up.” He told him as they both walked across the quad towards the street. “So, we Bronzing tonight?”

“Not sure.” Spike told him with a shrug of his shoulder.

“Oh, how stupid of me.” Xander said smiling and slapping his hand to his forehead for effect. “Buffy and Wills went shopping, so there’s no NEED for you to go out tonight….now is there?”

Spike rolled his eyes, trying to look as if Xander were completely off base, but truth be known, if Buffy weren’t going to be at the Bronze, he felt no real reason to go. “I have some things to do this evening.” Spike told him stopping at the end of the courtyard. “If I get finished, I’ll meet ya there.”

“Yeah, sure whatever.” Xander said laughing again. “I’ll see ya later.”

Spike threw his hand up, waving bye and watching Xander walk away before he turned and headed for the sidewalk. A slow smile curved his lips again as Buffy came back to mind and the smile turned into a small delighted chuckle as he stepped around the row of bushes that lined the sidewalk.

“Just the guy I wanted to see.” Angel said as he stepped into Spike’s path and stared down at him.

“Well, if it isn’t the poof.” Spike said smiling as he stopped. “And half the football team.” He finished up, seeing a group of boys come into view. “What can I do you peaches, in a bit of a rush.”

“Oh, just a friendly little chat is all.” Angel said with a smile.

“Well, give us a ring then.” Spike said as he walked around Angel, “I’m in the book.”

Angel smiled before nodding his head and before Spike could blink, he was grabbed by two of the bigger boys. “Now why would I do that, when you’re standing right here?”

Spike clenched his jaw as the two boys swung him back around to face Angel and he knew he was in deep shit, no way was he getting out of this one.

“Now, I think its time we had a little chat.” Angel said crossing his arms over his chest, “And I want you to try and listen, think you can do that?”

Spike was about to answer but the hard blow to his stomach by the guy to his right prevented it. Breathing deeply to try and ward off the nauseating feelings, Spike lifted his head to see a smiling Angel. “Well, looks like this is about to get interesting.” Spike wheezed out as he smiled back. “I’m assuming we all get to play?” he asked before using the hold his captures had him in to lift his lower body and kick out with both feet, landing a brutally hard kick to Angel’s face.

To Be Continued…………………….

Chapter 16

A Glimpse of Heaven

By Zarrah

“What about this one?” Willow asked, smiling at Buffy as she held up a long white sequined gown.

Buffy turned, glancing at the dress Willow was holding before scrunching up her nose slightly and shaking her head.

Willow sighed heavily, her own newly purchased gown hanging loosely over her arm as they browsed their fourth shop in the mall. Buffy hadn’t liked anything so far and as much as Willow had been enjoying her evening, she was getting tired.

Buffy smiled slightly, eyeing the dress in her hand before removing it from the rack and holding it up. “How’s this?” she asked, turning to her friend.

“It’s red, just like every other one you’ve picked up,” Willow said, slightly agitated. “You know there are more colors than just red, Buffy.”

“I know,” Buffy said, giving the dress another look before hanging it back up.

Willow rested her weight on one leg and watched her friend. She was skipping almost every dress on the rack, going directly toward anything with even the slightly hint of red in it. She couldn’t understand why Buffy wouldn’t even look at anything other than the red dresses. The whole thing seemed bizarre to her.

“Is there something in particular you’re looking for, Buffy, cause maybe if you told me, I could help more,” Willow said, moving closer toward her.

Buffy sighed heavily, moving over to the next rack before quickly pushing away the dresses she wasn’t interested in and going straight for the red. Willow shook her head, a small exhausted chuckle coming from her before she walked over to stand by Buffy.

“Okay, now this is just getting creepy,” Willow said, crossing her arms over her chest. “What’s the deal with red?”

“What?” Buffy asked, not looking away from her pursuit.

“I said, what’s up with the red?” Willow asked her, reaching out and grabbing Buffy’s hand. “This is really starting to wig me out.”

Buffy stopped, looking up at Willow before smiling slightly at her. “Nothing, I just want red.”

“You ‘just’ want red. That’s it?”

“Well, yeah,” Buffy said, ducking her head slightly before going back to the dresses. “I mean, it is a Christmas dance and all,” she said quietly.

Willow eyed her for a minute, sighing lightly before moving to another rack, looking “only” at the red dresses now, before stealing a glance at Buffy. She leaned her head to the side, studying her friend and if she didn’t know any better, she could have sworn Buffy was blushing.

Buffy turned, going to another rack before giving a quick glance at Willow. She knew “exactly” why she wanted red and the whole thought made her question her own sanity. She knew Spike liked red, well, the Spike from her reality did, but this Spike’s favorite color was anyone’s guess, but seeing how the similarities between the two were almost dead on, she assumed he liked red as well.

The fact that she was in search for a knockout red dress had her more confused than she had felt in a long time. Why did she care if Spike’s favorite was red and why was she actively picking “his” favorite color for the Winter Formal? It wasn’t like she was going with him; she was going with Angel. Should she not be picking out Angel’s favorite color? And what color was that exactly?

“Can I help you ladies find anything?” a smartly dressed woman in her early thirties asked as she approached Buffy and Willow.

Buffy smiled, sighing lightly as she looked up. “Well, I don’t think so,” she said, knowing she had already seen everything in the store. “I wanted something in red but none of these seem to be what I was looking for.”

“And what’s the occasion?” the sales clerk asked, smiling.

“Oh, it’s our High School Winter Formal,” Buffy told her. “I really wanted something….special.”

“Well, we just received a new shipment, so we have a few more in the storeroom that haven’t been tagged yet,” the clerk told her, “And if I remember correctly, I think there were a few in red.”

“Really?” Buffy asked, her smile widening. “Could I see them?”

“Sure, follow me.”

Buffy turned, smiling at Willow before they followed the clerk to the back of the store. They were led behind the counter and into the store room and Buffy’s eyes lit up as she saw what she had been searching for. “That’s it,” she said, her voice barely over a whisper.

The clerk turned, smiling as she looked at Buffy before stepping toward the dress Buffy was staring at. “I thought this might be more of what you were looking for. It’s quite beautiful isn’t it?”

“It’s fantastic,” Buffy said, excitedly. “What do you think, Wills?”

“Wow,” was all Willow could get out at the moment. “You think your parents will wig?”

Buffy rolled her eyes, holding the dress up to her before stepping up to the mirror that lined the wall. “It’s not that bad,” she said smiling. “I think it’s perfect.” She said more to herself than the others. “Can I try it on?”

“Sure, right this way.”

<><><><><><><><><><>

Buffy scanned the faces of her classmates as she walked to the lunchroom Monday afternoon, unconsciously looking for Spike. She hadn’t seen him all weekend. The gang’s usual Saturday night Bronze get together had been missing the blonde teen that Buffy had secretly been anxious to see.

The last time she had seen him was when she had kissed him, if that’s what you wanted to call it, but truth be told, she hadn’t thought of much else. She still didn’t know what had possessed her to do it, but she knew she didn’t regret it; in fact, it caused more questions than she had answers for.

She couldn’t help but smile every time she thought about it or the way it felt with his arms around her. She knew she shouldn’t be thinking about it at all. She “had” a boyfriend, so why did the thoughts of kissing Angel not even come close to eliciting the same feelings as the brief contact she had had with Spike?

Walking into the cafeteria, Buffy smiled as she spotted the gang. She gave them all a wave before heading over to Angel’s table. She hadn’t spoken to him all weekend either. She was still upset at his behavior toward Spike on Friday and knew she had to talk to him eventually.

Approaching the table, she noticed silence immediately engulf everyone as she stopped behind Angel.

“Hey, can I talk to you?” Buffy asked quietly, glancing at the other boys as Angel turned in his seat to face her. “Oh my god! What happened?” she asked excitedly as Angel turned to her and she saw his face.

“Oh, um…me and the guys were playing a little ball Saturday in the park and I got a knee to the face,” he lied as he stood up.

“Looks more like you were hit by a truck,” Buffy commented as she looked at him. His nose was two sizes bigger than it should be, not to mention the darkest purple she had ever seen. Both of his eyes were as black as his nose and his whole face looked puffy from swelling.

“Yeah well, I was unprepared for it. He just got lucky and caught me off guard,” Angel said, smiling slightly as he reached out and grabbed her hand.

“It looks like,” Buffy said as she looked at him.

“So, did you want to talk?” Angel asked her quietly.

“Yeah, I think we should,” Buffy told him, looking around the lunchroom, trying to find a quite place to “talk”.

“Sure, come on,” Angel said, smiling slightly before turning back to his friends. “I’ll be back,” he said before turning back to Buffy.

Buffy glanced at the others, noticing they all had bruises or cuts of some kind marring their faces. She shook her head, wondering why anyone would want to play a sport that was obviously so dangerous before Angel took her arm and led her across the room.

Willow and the others watched as Buffy and Angel walked to a table in the corner and sat. They had all heard about the commotion between Spike and Angel and wondered how Buffy was going to handle it.

“I so hope she breaks up with that jerk,” Xander commented as they all stared at the couple as they sat down.

“Yeah me too, but I doubt she will,” Jesse said, also watching the couple.

“You guys don’t have any idea what really happened,” Willow said, turning to look at them. “All you know is what the rumor mill has said about it.”

“Yeah, kind of makes me wonder why Buffy wouldn’t talk about it,” Xander said, his eyes still on Buffy and Angel. “I mean, what was the big deal anyway?”

“She didn’t want to ruin his already bad reputation,” Jesse said grinning.

Willow shook her head, rolling her eyes at the two before looking back over at Buffy and Angel. “I guess we can always ask Spike what happened.”

“Speaking of Spike, has anyone seen him today?” Jesse asked.

“No, kinda odd, don’t you think?” Xander asked, looking toward Jesse. “I mean, no one’s seen or heard from him since Friday.”

“Yeah I know, maybe we should go check on him after school,” Jesse suggested.

“Yeah, we can do that,” Xander said as he stood up. “Well, let’s get going. Much more of the Buffy and Angel show is going to make me lose this wonderfully fulfilling lunch I managed to get down.”

Willow watched Xander and Jesse leave, saying her good-byes before turning back to Angel and Buffy. She could tell by the look on Buffy’s face and the slight pink tint to her face that whatever Angel was saying wasn’t what she wanted to hear.

<><>

“So, you went all psycho because of Darla? Is that what you’re saying?” Buffy asked, not really believing him.

“Look Buffy, I really like you,” Angel said, holding her hand tightly in his own. “I just…I just went a little crazy, alright. I just couldn’t stand the thoughts of another one of my girls getting taken by someone who didn’t deserve her. Darla is the reason I haven’t had a serious relationship until you. I was really hurt by her,” Angel admitted, giving his best impression of a lost puppy.

Buffy sighed heavily, looking at Angel and trying to judge his honesty. She could understand getting hurt, she had lived it and she also knew from past experience that when you’ve been burned, you put up walls to protect yourself. Looking down to their joined hands, she gave his a little squeeze before looking back up at him. “I do understand Angel, but that doesn’t excuse how you handled it,” she told him. “Spike is my tutor and friend; I will have contact with him. If that’s something you can’t handle, then I’m sorry. That’s just the way it has to be.”

Angel smiled, bringing her hand up and kissing it lightly. “No problems Buff. I have absolutely no problem with Spike now,” he told her smiling. “I think I’ve made myself perfectly clear.”

Buffy’s brow scrunched up, trying to figure out what he meant as the bell rang signaling the next class before Angel stood and helped her to her feet. Gathering her books, she shook her head slightly, pushing the confusing statement away as Angel pulled her to the exit and toward her next class.

Saying a quick good-bye to him in the hall, Buffy entered her math class, a tiny smile on her face hoping things might be alright now and the drama that was her life would settle as well.

<><><><><><><><><><>

Tuesday came and went, and still no word from Spike. The guys had gone by on Monday evening to see him, but no one had answered the door.

The whole thing was weird. Of course Spike had a tendency to skip school, but ever since Buffy had come to Sunnydale High, everyone noticed that Spike’s attendance had improved and they all thought it was because of her.

Buffy had been anxious for school to let out. Today was a tutoring day and she had rushed home after school, eager to go see why Spike hadn’t been seen or heard from.

Rushing into her room, Buffy immediately began rifling through her clothes, picking an outfit and changing quickly. She smiled and shook her head when she realized she was actually dressing up for her tutoring session. Grabbing her brush and giving her hair a comb through, she stood and walked to the door when her mother had knocked and asked to come in.

“Hey honey, how was school?” Joyce asked smiling.

“It was good,” Buffy said, returning her mothers warm smile as she went back to brushing her hair.

“Well that’s good,” Joyce said, walking into the room and making her way to Buffy’s desk. “Mr. Giles called,” she said, looking through the papers that lined Buffy’s desk as she talked. “He said William wouldn’t be able to tutor you today.”

“What?” Buffy asked, interrupting her mother as she turned to look at her. “Why not?”

“I’m not sure sweetie,” Joyce said, turning to look at Buffy. “He didn’t really say.” She added as she noticed Buffy had changed her clothes and was actually “fixing up” for her tutoring session.

“Oh,” Buffy said, slightly disappointed as she laid her hairbrush back on the dresser.

“And here I thought not having to do more school work would thrill you,” Joyce joked, her smile widening as she looked at Buffy.

“Oh, it does,” Buffy said, turning to her dresser. “It’s just…no one’s seen Spike since Friday. I was hoping to see if everything was okay, is all.”

“I’m sure it is,” Joyce said making her way to the door. “If something were seriously wrong, Rupert would have said so.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Buffy said as her mother walked back out into the hall.

“Well, supper will be ready soon,” Joyce said before turning and walking toward the stairs as Buffy stood staring at the spot her mother had just been standing.

Shutting her door, Buffy walked over to her bed, sitting down heavily and letting out a long sigh as she looked around the room. A tiny smile lit up her face as the phone came into view and she grinned big as she stood and reached for it.

“Please be home,” Buffy said as she quickly dialed the number and waited for Willow to answer.

“Hello.”

“Wills, call back over here and ask for me,” Buffy said quickly.

“Buffy, is everything okay?” Willow asked.

“Yeah, everything’s fine. Now just call back and ask for me.”

“Okay,” Willow said hesitantly, before looking at the receiver as she heard Buffy say “great” and hang up on her.

Buffy replaced the receiver back in the cradle, tapping her fingers on her desk and waiting. She smiled when the phone rang and she strained to hear her name being called. Her smile returned as she heard her mother yell up to her that Willow was on the phone.

“Hey Wills,” Buffy said, trying to act cool in case someone was listening in.

“Hey Buffy, what are you up to?” Willow asked, playing along with the charade.

“Nothing much,” Buffy answered, her smile widening as she heard the downstairs extension click off.

“Okay, what the heck is going on?” Willow asked as she also heard the other phone click off.

“I just needed an excuse to get out of the house,” Buffy told her, sitting down on the bed and slipping her shoes back on. “If anyone calls over there for me, just tell them I’m in the bathroom or something.”

“Where are you going?” Willow asked, confused.

“Over to Spike’s. Giles called and canceled the tutoring session and since no one’s seen Spike since Friday, I’m wondering what’s going on.”

“Yeah, Xander and Jesse went by there yesterday and no one ever came to the door.”

“Well, I’m going to go find out,” Buffy said, standing and walking back to the desk. “I’ll call tonight if I find anything out.”

“Okay, well I’ll talk to you later,” Willow said, listening for Buffy’s good-bye before hanging the phone up.

Buffy bounced down the stairs, rounding the corner of the dinning room and walking into the kitchen where her parents were before smiling big. “Hey, is it okay if I go over to Willow’s since I don’t have the tutoring today?” she asked, grabbing a carrot from the salad bowl.

“Well, what about supper?” Joyce asked, giving Buffy a stern look and smacking at her hand as it went back toward the bowl.

“I’m going to eat over there, or we may go out and get something.”

“Is your homework finished?” Hank asked, walking into the room.

“I didn’t have any today,” Buffy told him, giving him a big smile.

Joyce looked over at Hank, smiling as he shrugged his shoulder and grabbed a cucumber out of the salad bowl, earning him the same look Buffy had received before she laughed softly. “I guess, but don’t be gone too long.”

“I won’t,” Buffy said happily as she turned and bolted out the door. Her mind was going in several different directions as she headed for Giles’ apartment. She was concerned as to why Spike had missed school and canceled the tutoring session and her overactive imagination was beginning to worm thoughts that, maybe he just didn’t want to see her, into her mind.

Thinking that the small kiss had been a good thing may have been premature. What if he really hadn’t liked it like Willow had said. Shaking her head of the treacherous thoughts, Buffy quickened her steps and hoped that things wouldn’t be too awkward between them.

To Be Continued……

A/N……I know I said I was going to do one story at a time….but I got bored…lol. I’m going to try an alternate this story with ‘Temptations of the Heart’ for a while and see how things go. Not sure if ‘Sweet William’ will get any ‘working time’ or not, depends on my mood I guess…BUT I WILL finish it…PROMISE!!

Well, thanks for staying with me and for continuing to review even though I wasn’t writing. I do apologize for the LOOONNNG delay and the lack of Spike in this chapter, but he will be in the next!

~*~Zarrah~*~

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