1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24
Tiana
Reviews: Yes and please and thank you.
Disclaimer: I don’t own the rights to Spike, Buffy or any other BTVS characters. But if anyone’s offering, I’ll take Spike.
Distribution: Just ask at tianabelle@hotmail.com
Summary: Set in the middle of Season 6. Spike's struggle to get a soul and Buffy's struggle to love him...with or without it...
A month later. Buffy’s house, 9 p.m.
My head is killing me. I massage my temples, trying to lessen the pounding. I knew that talking to Xander about Spike would be the hardest, that’s why I waited so long. But whew, I really underestimated the extent to which Xander dislikes "Deadboy." After two hours, the best I could do was make him promise not to stake Spike when he comes back. I guess some would call that progress. I groan and sprawl back on the couch. I can’t believe how hard this has been. After talking to Dawn, I decided it was time for Buffy to stop with the lying and begin with the truth-telling.
Anya was the easiest to tell. She just wanted details on the orgasms. Like how long did my legs go numb for and would I tell Xander how Spike did that thing with his tongue. Egad, no! The hardest part was getting her not to tell Xander ‘til I got to him. I can still hear her now, "But Xander and I like orgasms and you and Spike clearly do too. Shouldn’t he be happy for you? We‘ve got things in common to talk about during our double dates." Ha.
Talking to Willow and Tara was fine. Tara had an inkling about me and Spike already and Willow wasn’t completely shocked. Willow is so great she is even forgiving him for trying to kill her...twice. They seemed willing to accept my love for him and his for me. Naturally, they are worried. Not quite sure what it all means and if it will end well. Join the crowd, ladies.
Giles didn’t take it very well, but at least I got to do it over the phone. I could practically hear him cleaning those glasses over and over, massaging the spot between his eyes as I talked. He doesn’t approve, but in line with the Buffy standing on her own two feet theme, he supports me. As with everyone else, he offers to stake Spike if he hurts me. Do they forget that I’m the Slayer? If there’s any staking to be done, Mr. Pointy will be first in line.
I can’t decide if I should call Angel. We don’t talk anymore. He’s out of my life, and though I still hold a bit of love in my heart for him, I haven’t called. You can’t really expect the ex to sign off on me dating his soul-less childe, now can you? I do feel like I should tell him, though. Arghhhh. At least all this torturous discussion of my relationship with Spike has passed the time. I wish I knew where he went. I have no clue when he’ll get back. He could be halfway around the world. And what does he mean when he says he wants to be more than he is? Is he taking anger management courses or what?? Hypnosis so he can kick the habit of craving human blood? I hate not knowing.
Well, the night is still young. My conversation with Xander has already put me into a sour mood. Might as well put a cherry on the angst sundae. I reach for the phone and dial up Angel Investigations.
"Angel Investigations. We help the helpless. Can we help you?"
"Cordelia?"
"Yeeessss....who is this?"
"It’s Buffy."
"OH! Uh, hold on, okay?" *click* I flinch a little and turn to look at the receiver. She’s acting strange. And putting me on hold? Nice music, though...
*click* "Buffy?" His voice sounds incredulous.
"Angel! Is everything okay there? Cordy acted a bit weird just now."
"No, no. Everything’s fine. We’ve, uh, just got a client here." He does not sound normal. I hear loud music in the background...is that the Kinks? I hear the distinctive chords of "You Really Got Me" but no words.
"ANGEL! Are you guys doing Karaoke???"
"Karaoke? Are you kidding, Buffy? Of course not. " He covers the phone and I hear urgent whispers, replies and a door slam. The music is muffled now. "So, uh, what can I do for you?"
"Angel, you are acting seriously weird. What kind of client have you got there? A music demon? Hey, if you are all singing involuntarily, watch out . We had a...well, an incident awhile ago. And uh, let’s just say there was singing, dancing and spontaneous combustion. Not of the good. Even Spike rattled off a few numbers."
"Spike? Really? Well, that is something."
I’m really starting to think Angel drank some bad blood. I’ve never mentioned Spike’s name before and not heard a growl from him. He actually sounds interested. Interested and nervous. Whatever.
"Well, speaking of Spike.."
"Why? What do you....I mean, what?"
"Angel, settle down. I have to tell you something about Spike." I can’t believe I’m doing this. I should just hang up, pretend I dialed in my sleep or something. Yeah, sleep-calling. Happens all the time. Right? *sigh* "Well, things have changed with Spike lately."
"He didn’t get the chip out, did he?" Now, there’s the familiar reaction to Spike. Suspicion, anger. All the fun ones.
"Nooo....it’s just... Angel, I don’t know how to break this to you easy, but I wanted to let you know. SpikeandIareinvolved."
"Huh? You and Spike are what? You said it too fast, Buffy."
"Spike. And. I. Are. Involved."
"Involved in what? Is there another apocalypse?!"
Holy crap. Was he always this thick? "SPIKE AND I ARE DATING!" Whoops, didn’t really mean to yell that. "Only, he’s not here right now, so it’s weird..."
Silence.
More silence.
"Ange..."
He cuts me off, "Are you trying to tell me that you are WILLINGLY going out with, with Spike?"
"Yeah."
His voice takes on a stranger quality than before, as if he is trying to talk through clenched teeth. "Can you hold on? Thanks." *clunk* I didn’t even get a chance to say anything. He’s obviously put the phone down on a table or something. I can still hear sounds. More urgent whispers, voices rise, the music cuts off, the door slams and he’s back. "I’m back. Buffy, are you out of your mind? How can you trust him? What drove you to him?"
I’m starting to wonder why I called Angel in the first place. He’s sounding like a cross between a Dad and a jealous ex. I guess he does have the qualifications for the latter, but still. I didn’t call to be lectured.
"It’s a long story, but Angel, you just have to trust me. I..." I’m not telling him I love Spike. I’m tired of explaining it to everyone. There’s only one person I want to say it to and he’s not around. "I’ll be fine. We didn’t really tell anyone and I hated leaving my friends in the dark. I hope you’ll respect my wishes. He loves me, Angel. He won’t hurt me." No response. "Um, I should go...."
"Buffy...don’t hang up. Thanks for trusting me with this. I know it was hard to call. I can’t believe it myself, but I’ll try to respect what you’ve asked. You must really care for him. But if he hurts you...."
"I know I know. Take a number." I smile despite myself. "See ya." *click*
I did it. I told every person in my life about my love for Spike except for the very subject of my affection. And really, didn’t Angel take all of that a little too well? No yelling or anything. Huh. Maybe he’s starting to mellow in his very much older age. Huh. And where the hell is Spike, anyway? I flop back on the couch. Sleep now, think tomorrow.
* * * * *
Angel Investigations, Two Hours Earlier
Cordelia leans at the front counter, chin perched on one hand as the other flips through case files. She mutters to herself, "Demon... Demon... Demon. Same old, same old. Oh wait, here’s a warlock. Purple robes, so not a good look..."
WHAM. The front door slams open, smacking the wall.
"Anyone home? Angel, you big poofter, where are you?"
Cordelia’s mouth opens wide, and her chin slips off her hand. Nearly knocking herself out on the counter, she takes a few seconds to recover. "Sp..Spike?!.....ANGEL!"
Angel comes flying out of his office, papers flapping in his hand. "Cordy? What’s wrong?"
She just points at the blond vampire, now flopped down on one of the couches in the lobby, feet on the coffee table, smirking. "Why, Angel, I see you haven’t changed one bit. Funny thing that... I have."
With one swift motion, Angel swings over the counter and strides to Spike, picking him up by his shirt. "What the hell are you doing here?" he grinds out.
Spike puts his hands up in surrender. "Hey now, game face and everythin’. Didn’t know you still cared."
"You have three seconds to explain yourself , Spike. What are you doing here? Is something going on in Sunnydale?" He shakes him once, hard. "Is Buffy okay!?"
"Oi, mate! Put me down, eh? I’m not here to fight ya. Well, unless you want to, of course. I never get tired of disrespecting my elders..."
In a warning tone, "Spike."
"Oh, right. Listen, I want to talk to you. It’s....uh..well, it’s personal. Can we not do this in front of the bird?" Spike jabs a thumb towards Cordelia, who is just standing there behind the counter, files forgotten.
"Spike, is Buffy okay? We’re not moving ‘til you tell me the truth."
"Really the purpose of my visit. She’s fine, I hope . I haven’t seen her in four weeks. Been out and about..."
"Spike, I don’t know what you’re talking about, but we’ll talk about it downstairs. Cordy, stay here, okay?"
"Uh yeah. You betcha." She watches the two vamps head for the freight elevator. Once they begin to descend to Angel’s living area, she returns to the files. "Never a dull moment, that’s for sure...oh my god!" She holds up a piece of paper. "We drag a Sherak demon out of their crawlspace and these people never paid! Oh, we’ll just see about that..." Cordelia moves to the computer, typing furiously...listening for sounds of furniture breaking downstairs. It’s really quiet. Maybe a little too quiet...
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24