This is a Fantasy fic. No Slayers, no vampires. Spike is a punk rock guitarist in a band called Protosun...
Chapter 1:
The bus lurched to a stop at the piss smelling, bum infested bus station of the tiny little Sunnydale, a town he didnt know, a town he didnt care to know, but he was here for two reasons. One was simple enough, play and plug the music he'd spent four years trying to build, Two was to see *her*, the girl in the crowd that had assaulted his senses that lost summer on the road in LA, two years ago, a time he had wanted to forget, yet he couldnt, and it was the time to pay Buffy a visit.
****************************************
She groaned inwardly at the piles of homework spread before her, praying for the lost hope that Willow would make it home tonight in time to 'help' her with her Psych homework: that usually turned into her doing it and putting Buffy's name on it. Out with Oz, her guitarist boyfriend. Buffy had tried to tell her that that way led to badness, but how the heck was she supposed to tell Willow off for dating a guy with countless groupies, when she couldnt tell her the things she had done that summer in LA, staying with her father after her first half year in Sunnydale?
Denial, Buff, there is no good there! She knew that it wasnt something to deny. The time with *him* was something that had only meant something for those 3 weeks she had followed him around LA, where he had made her feel special, and she had felt unique for the first time... but, what had it gave her? A full feeling that he hadnt stayed around to live. Too busy living the dream of a rock band to really care about her! So he had left, like all the guys in her life did.. Angel, her first boyfriend, Parker, that guy she had dated for about 10 minutes earlier this semester, and it seemed there was noone there. Just an endless parade of salivating geeks, who wanted to be her fling.
But, him, he had been different. The smirk, the way he tilted his head, that accent... how could anyone compare to the way it felt with him? How perfect and complete the whole world seemed when it was only him?
Buffy was jolted out of her thoughts by the ring of the phone. Sighing resignedly to herself she reached across her bed to pick it up. 'Hello? Xander hey!'
Xander... safe reliable Xander. 'Hey Buff. Bunch of us are loitering at the Bronze tonight. Wanna come down. Dingoes are on, some other local talent, could be a blast.'
Now she was really torn. One glance at the mounting pile of homework she would never finish by Monday morning convinced her 'What the heck, i can be boring tomorrow night. Count me in!'
*****************************************************
The place was packed, Buffy was impressed. It didnt matter how many times the Dingoes played the Bronze was always full. The band was drawing to a close, finishing with She Knows, a song Oz had written for Willow last year.
Willow and Xander were waving at her from a table in the jumping bar. Buffy smiled and approached them. 'So, guys, whats the what tonight?'
'Big set, apparently some big LA talent here tonight, and a lot of really BAD bands to counter it' Xander laughed
Willow glanced sharply at him and he reiterated 'Except Dingoes, Will'
Buffy chuckled 'So, how long to go?'
'One more band i think... then we're gonna take off, i was gonna go to Anya's'
The final chords of the song played out, and Oz exited the stage towards the gang. They all congratulted him on a great set.
Buffy looked around nervously, she could sense *something* in the air around her. The stage blackened and a lone figure was obscured by the shadows playing on the walls. A guitar crackled, a drum beat and then the lights came up when the band burst out.
And that's when she saw him, guitar flailing, hands aplomb, singing into the mic, his voice a rich bomb of a well cultured accent.
'Tell me that i disgust you, i so love it When you push me around and treat me like shit I would take all that you have to give Because being with you makes me want to live'
Weakly, she uttered 'Spike?'
Chapter 2:
Her blood ran cold. It *couldnt* be him, she must be seeing things, right? She hadnt seen or heard from him in two years, not since she'd told him in no uncertain terms to piss off, that she didnt need his shit, if he didnt want to be with her, that was his problem.
She couldnt help but feel a little pissed off. Here she was with her life on track, where she was finally at the point where she didnt think about him every single day and then he has the audacity to show up in *her* town.
She had to admit to herself though, he knew how to enthrall a crowd. All eyes in the room were on him as he finished the first song of his set. Buffy could hear her friends remarking on how good the band were, and she had to agree, even better than she had remembered.
2 YEARS AGO
Buffy stood in front of her mirror admiring her look for the night. This was LA after all, and looks were everything. She looked off to the side at the picture of her, Willow and Xander that was on her bedside table, taken not long after she had moved to Sunnydale after her parents divorce. So, here she was, back in LA after 6 months, with her Dad treating her like a princess.
The itinerary for tonight? She and Caroline, one of her best friends form before the move had talked her into going down to Long Beach to see some crappy local bands playing. What could she say? It was a chance to recapture that time in her life when everything was simpler.
A horn honked impatiently outside, and Buffy ran down the stairs, calling goodbye to her father, and she got into the convertable, and they were on their way. Buffy had to ask 'Why the heck are we going to this thing again?'
Caroline's answer was dreamy 'My boyfriends in the main band.'
Buffy laughed good naturedly 'Aha, the plot thickens. And why am i going?'
'He has some cute friends'
'C'mon Caroline, you *know* i have a thing back home!'
'What, with that loser Angel?'
Buffy felt her blood boil. Her old friends had taken every excuse to remind her how lame Sunnydale was compared to LA, and how she should move back with her dad and her little sister, Dawn. But, life was good there now, she had something to be proud of with her new friends, a closeness she had never felt with her popular Valley girl friends.
The car zipped through traffic and it was ten minutes before Buffy began talking again. 'Look, its not like i wanted my parents to split up, and i wouldve stayed here but i love my mom and i knew shed need me, especially since Dawn wanted to stay with Dad. Do you think i chose this? You have no clue how lonely it was in the sticks without you, but i got over it, and i have a lot of things going on now that i wouldnt trade, you just have to let me be me.'
'Yeahm sure. Anyway, we're here.'
Buffy glanced out of the window at the large warehouse, with the god awful noise being emitted from it. What more could she say, she was here now, best to just enjoy it. She paid her $5 cover and entered. A thrash band was howling out on the stage, and Buffy winced at the sound. Thankfully, they were about done, and the next band came on stage. Caroline grew excited and pointed to the guitarist with red hair setting up on stage. 'Thats him, thats Ian!'
Yea, hes cute, Buffy thought dusmissfully. Although, she snapped to attention at the figure that joined Ian on stage. Tall, bleached hair, lean frame. She could feel her breath taken away form her.
And that was it, that was when she fell for him.
PRESENT
Spike glanced out over the stage, before strumming absently, quickly running one hand through his mussed hair. He signalled to his band, and the chords began, a song Buffy immediately recognized from that first time. He spoke in in his refined English accent 'Hi, we're Protosun, and, uh, enjoy us, this song is called Unknown Quantity'
He jumped as the song began and started singing as the bass throbbed in the background at Ian's palm muted verse
'The reasons why we look for friction Never come, you're my affliction
Unknown quantity is baring down on me And you dont tell me why you're not here
'Undefined because we keep on trying on our timing Always last until the last one knows i'm always climbing'
***********
Buffy had to keep herself from singing the words out loud, she contented herself with trying to remember not to look directly at him. He HAD to know she was here, he knew she lived in Sunnydale, and he was probably just here to torment her.
She glanced up at the stage in time to catch him as he looked up from his guitar and looked right at her.
A visable change came over him and he fluffed a chord but soon regained his composure, but both were clearly flustered at the vague sight of each other.
He couldnt believe it, she was here, watching him, and he was supposed to be cool and calm, when al he wanted to do was leap off the stage and carry her off like the end of some cheesy flick about a sailor his mum had used to watch all the time. Trying desperately to focus on something else, yet failing, he attempted to do his thing without looking like a total idiot.
'I've seen her start to look for better if i was someone else, i'd let her
unknown quantity is bearing down on me we could be so much more than this
undefined because we keep on playing on our timing always last until the last one knows i'm always climbing'
He finished with the teeth chettering solo Ian had spent about a week devising and quickly stepped into the third song. That was the rules. 3, no more, no less.
'Fallen angel cries tonight
out upon the lonely wilderness
while the little world is sleeping
see how all things are possible tonight
the gates of the heavens
when you believe
now the stars have shed their light
and the sun will rise again
on this veil of tears and weeping
see how all things are possible tonight
the gates of the heavens
when you believe
take my hand and walk a while
in the quiet hours of morning
before the earth is born again
And the band was finished, the pounding in Spike's ears due to both his heart and the thunderous applause that deafened him.
Buffy couldnt help cheering, Protosun had certainly improved over the years. The thing that made her less settled was the way Spike bounded off the stage, still with his guitar slung over his body, and approached her.
Chapter 3:
Buffy panicked. Luckily, the throng of adoring people was holding him back, but time was slowly running out for her to get the hell out of there. Looking around wildly, she spotted her escape clause and bolted to her feet, leavign Willow to call after her.
Buffy ran to the bar and promptly knocked into Riley Finn, the TA of her Psych class. Not what she was going for, but, heck the guy would do. 'Uh, hey Riley'
He smiled good naturedly 'Hey Buffy.' and looked expectantly at her.
Buffy turned around to look over, and was brought face to face with Spike, looking down at her, a faint smile playing on his face at the sight of her, him running his hands nervously through his hair.
God, she is still as beautiful as ever, was the first thought to come to him, and he found himself struggling for anything to say with her so close to him, and another guy looking at her like he used to.
'Spike!' . The word came out as more of a squeak. 'It's you'
'It's me'
'What the fuck are you doing here?'
'Nice, Slayer. I think you just saw why i'm here.'
'That is crap and you know it. And i warned you never to call me that'
Riley was flustered and stammered 'Um, Buffy, i'll see you tomorrow ok?'
Before she could say anything in reply, he was gone and she was left with the bleached blonde sculpture in front of her. She managed to grit out 'Look, Spike, I REALLY dont wanna get into this with you. Not now, not ever. You made your feelings perfectly clear in LA, and so did i. I think that you should go'
At that moment, Xander and Willow approached, as they were prone to do. Buffy silently thanked God for the escape out of the conversation and yelled 'Willow!' and threw her arms around the redhead, leaving the boys to look bewildered. Xander offered his hand to Spike 'Hey, you're the guy from the band right?'
'Um, yeah. '
'You guys were great dude!'
Spike reddened 'Thanks'
Willow disentangled herself from Buffy and spoke. 'So, you two know each other?'
Buffy looked helplessly, lost for words, but Spike closed the silence 'No, i was just introducing myself. Spike' and shook hands with her.
Buffy answered by running out of the Bronze, the gang looking after her. Spike waited about 5 second before running out into the night after her.
Chapter 4:
Spike ran outside in time to see Buffy running down the street, and Ian and Fran, Protosun's drummer, loading equipment into the back of Spike's DeSoto, which they had borrowed a few days earlier. Spike flung his guitar one the back seat, to hear Ian say 'Wasnt that...?'
'Yeah'
'And are you gonna...?'
'Yeah'
He ran down the alley, to come out onto the main road, where she was nowhere to be seen. 'SHIT!!!!!'
*************************************
Buffy threw open the door to her dorm room, angrily, muttering under her breath that she was going to kill him. How DARE he come here and screw up everything. How DARE he stand there with his cocky smile and expect everything to be ok, especially after everything that had happened in LA.
The sad fact was, he didnt look any different that he had that night in LA, when she first met him, and it just confused her more.
2 YEARS AGO
Protosun were on fire, even Buffy was enjoying herself, they could certainly wow a crowd. However, her eyes had been rooted to the the blond frontman the entire night, entirely captivated, although she couldnt place why. He was so very much not what she looked for in a guy, she preferred them darker than that, but he just held a sense of mystery than she found to be VERY attractive, and, despite the music they were playing, he had a terrific voice.
The pop-punk song stopped, and he picked up an acoustic guitar, and spoke into the microphone 'Right, so, enough of all this punk bollocks, time for a little melody' and began to strum delicately.
Ian began to play a twinkly riff and Caroline was looking goofily at him, but leaned in to talk to Buffy 'God Buffy, drool much? His name's Spike Blackley.'
Buffy shot her a look 'Please, I SO do NOT go for that type, I mean, eww!'
Spike began to sing:
'We got all the love that we need
so put a little love in your suitcase
we got a meeting with destiny
so you better put a little color on your face'
and he gazed out into the crowd, to meet Buffy's eyes, smiling at her, at least, she hoped it was at her, and broke into the chorus:
'You took the words right out of my mouth you're lighting the fire, now you're putting it out we're in heaven, and youre driving us too youve taken my words, and you're killing me too'
****
Spike was mesmerized at the girl looking right at him. The idiot brunette he knew, she fawned over Ian on a daily basis, but this girl, well, she was new, she was fresh, and he could tell that it wasnt only his arrogance, but that she was checking him out. And, for the first time since Dru, he could feel the attraction between them
'We got all the things we need
to put a little love in our suitcase
we got a meeting with destiny
so you'd better put a little color on you're face
'You took the words right out of my mouth
you're lighting the fire, now you're putting it out
we're in heaven, and youre driving us too
youve taken my words, and you're killing me too'
And Spike began to play the little joint riff he and Ian had devised, and let Tony hammer on the drums, and Cal thumb a little bass before finishing, and exiting rapidly off stage.
Caroline hauled Buffy to her feet and hissed 'Let's go'
Buffy was mystified, and a little annoyed 'Where?'
'Backstage, you halfwitt'
And so they fought through the crowd, and were ushered backstage, and Ian smiled and embraced his girlfriend.
Buffy was disappointed, where the hell was he? She heard a throat clear behind her and spun around to see the blonde singer, covered in sweat, causing his hair to tousel into little curls, and she thought she was going to faint, but offered her hand anyway and said 'Hi, I'm Buffy'
'Spike' and he offered her a coke.
***************************************
PRESENT
And so it had begun. the three weeks of her life she wished she could just get over. Buffy lay on her bed and thought she was going to cry. So many things better best forgotten were back with a vengeance...
She was startled out of her thoughts by the sound of Willow coming in, a determined look on her face, who demanded 'Wanna tell me what just happened?'
Chapter 5:
Buffy looked up wearily at Willow, REALLY not wanting to go into the sad twisted world of her and Spike at that precise moment. 'Nothing happened, i'm fine, honest!'
'Thats crap and you know it! Who WAS that guy?'
Buffy groaned. 'Will, that's a very LONG story, and you're just gonna hate me for not telling you about it before. Plus, its something that i dont want everyone else knowing about.'
Willow looked sympathetic but continued 'If you dont want me to tell Xander or anyone, that's fine. But its obvious that YOU arent ok with any of this, so we'll do this anyway you want, ok?'
Buffy looked down briefly and then back up. 'I lied earlier, iIDO know Spike, I met him in LA, two years ago, when I was staying at my dad's for the Summer.'
Realization dawned in Willow's eyes 'The Summer where you came back all moody and bitchy?'
Her friend laughed bitterly 'Yeah, thats the one! Look, i dont know how to make it clear without going into majorly huge detail, and believe me, if i go down that road, you ARE going to know a few things about me that maybe you werent entirely prepared for.'
Willow was silent for a moment 'I still want to know. You're my best friend. Nothing that could have happened can be THAT bad'
Buffy cleared her throat and began...
2 YEARS AGO
It was late, she was tired, and yet they were STILL backstage. Rather than be rude, Buffy had laughed at all the right jokes, drunk the requisite amount of coke (booze was never really her thing) and made conversation with drunken groupies. But now, she wanted to go home.
She stood up and waled over to Caroline, who was necking with Ian, and said 'Caroline, can you drive me home?'
She looked up, annoyed and sighed in resignation. However, she smiled when Spike appeared behind Buffy and said, in that resonant voice of his 'Dont worry, Buffy, i'll drive you home'
Buffy turned around, and, given that Spike hadnt touched a drop of liquor all night, relented, and they exited the club, the street silent as they approached his car, parked at a crooked angle. He unlocked the door for her and held it open, courteous as ever and hopped in the other side, gunning the ignition. Music blared and he politely turned it down slightly, drumming on the steering wheel as they pulled out of the parking space.
Spike looked to the side and decided he should really say something 'Um, did you enjoy our set tonight?'
Buffy looked up, the silence broken 'Yeah, you guys were great. Even though i dont listen to punk generally, i can say that you guys were the best. I do have a question though?'
'Yeah?'
'The name? Protosun, what does it mean?'
Spike chuckled 'You;re gonna think i'm a geek for it!'
'Yeah, but...'
'Ok. Right so, when the universe was formed, all the stars collected together and were alighted by the light at the center of the solar system. The Protosun was the early version of todays sun.'
Buffy intook a breath 'Deep.'
'Thanks ever so. One question i have is why did you come to see us tonight if you werent into this music?'
'Caroline. She wanted to see Ian, i wanted to tag along. Its been a whil since i saw her last, since i moved out of LA' God, why am i telling him this? 'I live down the coast in a little town called Sunnydale'
'Cool. Parental thing?'
She looked up sharply and muttered 'Yeah'
'Been there myself'
'So, now that i've poured out crap about me, what about you? First of all, did you're parents not like you or something?'
'What!?'
'Spike, the name that is?'
He smirked. 'Nah, its William, but i'd appreciate it if you'd guard that secret with your life! Well, i moved out here from London when i was 18 to go to college, and lived here ever since. Left when i was 21, been playing with the band since the end of Uni'
Buffy's heart plummeted 'So, um, how old are you?'
'23, god knows i dont believe it myself sometimes'
She pointed him up a road and they pulled up in front of her Father's house in Burbank. He got out and walked her up the drive to her front door. She opened it quietly but turned back to talk to Spike. 'Um, y'know, its a good drive back to Long Beach, and you look beat. You could probably sleep here with me' She caught herself, realizing how it sounded 'I mean, on the spare bed in my room'
He was tired, he had to admit that. 'Yeah, ok.' and followed her through the door, up to her room and looked around. It was girly, posters on the wall, pictures of her friends on the dresser, and he shed his jacket and pulled his shirt over his head and settled on the couch.
Buffy turned to give him a blanket and her body reacted immediately, and she blushed at the sight of his naked chest, chiselled and smooth, in HER room. 'Uh, h-here. Make yourself comfy and, um, dont look'
He laughed and faced the wall, even although it was killing him. When she told him to turn, she was wearing a faded teeshirt with a cat on the front. She snapped out the light and murmered 'See ya in the morning'
Chapter 6:
Buffy awoke the next morning unsure of where the heck she was. Oh, yeah, LA, at Dads and, wait...
She rolled over to the other side in a panic, but was relieved to find that Spike was still asleep directly opposite him, a quiet look of peace over his face, almost childlike in appearance. He was still shirtless, and one jean clad leg was poking out from beneath the blanket over him.
A noise coming from along the hallway alerted her to the fact that her father and sister were awake, and here she was with a partially clothed, extremely attractive guy sleeping in her room. She stepped out of bed and crossed quietly and nudged Spike. He groaned and awoke, about to say something in indignation, but froze at Buffy's signal to keep quiet. He nodded in mute agreement and rose from his makeshift bed, pulling his casually tossed aside shirt over his head, and shrugging into his duster.
Buffy whispered to him 'You have to go. If my dad finds out you spent the night, he'll kill me!'
He whispered back 'Sure, no problem. Look, i really appreciate you letting me sleep here last night, i was dead fucking tired.'
'No bother, it wasnt a huge deal'
'If it aint a problem, could i call you maybe later? I was hoping we could see each other again'
Buffy's response was stunted by the opening of her bedroom door, and her 9 year old sister barged in. 'Hey, Buffy, i...' She cut off looking questioningly at Spike. 'Dad says that you arent supposed to have boys in here. He'll kill you when he finds out'
Spike stepped forward 'But, we arent going to tell him are we? Because that would get me into trouble, and you dont want to offend a stranger do you?'
Dawn smiled shyly at him 'Of course not.'
'look, Dawnie, did you want something?'
'Dad wants to know what you want for breakfast.'
'Pancakes. And a lot of them, Spike may be hungry'
Spike started to protest but Buffy shushed him 'Look, you have to eat!'
***
After breakfast, Spike and Buffy were sneaking out of the house to Spikes car at the foot of the drive. Buffy stopped at the edge of the sidewalk and Spike turned to face her. 'Spike, i had a really nice time last night... with you that is'
Spike blushed slightly 'Me too, it was, uh, alternative'
He leaned towards her and brushed his lips gently against hers and Buffy deepened the kiss before remembering herself and tearing back. 'Look, Spike, it's not that i, uh, dont like you, its just that i have a boyfriend back home'
Spike felt like he had been shot. Of course she did. Noone as pretty as her stayed single for long. He simply entered the car, muttered 'I'll call ya' and drove off, the sound of squealing tyres echoing up the block.
***
Buffy stood staring, still feeling his lips on hers, shellshocked, and quietly walked back inside.
2 DAYS LATER
Buffy lay on her bed, listening to a newly purchased CD, by a band called GBH, she remembered Spike having their logo on his guitar. She hadnt stopped thinking about the kiss ever since it had happened, and talking to Angel that morning on the phone hadnt helped matters any.
The phone rang, the bell breaking Buffy's mood of listening, and she paused the cd and picked it up 'Hello?'
Silence. 'Hello???'
'Um, Buffy?'
Her body jolted 'Spike?'
'Uh, you wanna come out with me tonight?'
'I dont know. I told you that i was seeing someone and...'
'No, not romantically, just as my friend.'
She didnt know why she didnt feel relieved at his statement, but answered 'Yeah, OK'
'Pick you up in a half hour?'
'Sure, ok'
And the line went dead.
Chapter 7:
It was 30 minutes later when Spike pulled up to her door. She strolled out of her door and down to his car, where music was blaring, obvious disdain coming from the twitching curtains up the block. He was dressed in a pair of black jeans, black shirt and a jacket with obscure patches all over it, she wasnt surprised they were shocked at him.
He smiled at her, she returned it 'Hey Spike'
'Buffy. Glad you could come.'
'No problem. Where are we going anyway?'
'I want to show you something'
She nodded, a tad bemused at his secrecy, but buckled up as he roared down Dracena Drive. They were driving for about 20 minutes when he stopped short, in view of the Santa Monica Pier, and he exited the vehicle. She got out after him, leaving him to lock up. 'Why are we here?'
'I told you, i wanted to show you something' and he pointed to a small building on the waterfront. 'i'm going to live there, i put down a deposit this morning'
Buffy squealed 'That's so cool for you, this place is gorgeous'
'Yeah, it is. c'mon' He grabbed her hand and ran down onto the beach, the noise of the Pacific Ocean waves crashing against the shore meeting them, and he flopped down.
Buffy was oddly excited by this 'What the heck are we doing?'
'Talking. Now, talk!'
'What do you wanna know?'
'Anything. Tell me about Sunnydale, friends, boyfriend...' His vocal tone changed slightly on the last word, but Buffy let it slide.
'Ok. Um, i live with my mom, and i go to the local high school. My best friends are called Willow and Xander, and my boyfriend is called Angel'
Spike burst out laughing, a deep resonant noise 'No, seriously'
'Seriously! Whats so funny about that?'
'But its a poofter's name! And, and...' Spike fell over still laughing 'And i bet he's one of those guys who's shy and reserved and, and broody, and has hair that goes straight up with some bloody nancy boy hair gel, am i right?'
Buffy had to keep from smirking herself; his description fitted her boyfriend perfectly, but she couldnt let him know he was right, could she? 'Of course not! Now, what about you?'
He straighted up immediately 'Well, i moved here to go to Uni after i finished high school, with my girlfriend of the time, Dru, but, well, she shacked up with someone else, leaving me on my own, failing my classes. So, i changed around, did well in school, got out, started a band, and here i am'
'Nice story' She settled back on her elbows, shivering slightly at the cool breeze. Spike noticed the change, and took off his jacket and handed it to her. She waved it off but he was insistant. She pulled it on, the scent of cigarettes, booze and whatever fragrance he wore wafting off of it. 'I know it aint the best, but it'll keep you warm.'
He pulled her to her feet with him, and they returned to the car. Driving back, she noticed every now and then he gazed at her, whilst still concentrating on the road.
However, she was doing the same thing back to him, and he too was picking up on it...
******
Buffy sat on her dorm bed, knees hunched up in a foetal position, Willow simply looking at her, hushed in silence. Buffy suddenly rolled over off of her bed and reached under it to withdraw a box. She opened it and presented it to Willow. Sitting in it was the patched jacket, some punk CD'S and a picture of Buffy and Spike taken outside some place called the Lone Bar. Far more disturbing was the small box nestled amongst it.
Willow opened it, and gasped. Inside was an emerald ring, framed in little diamonds. She looked at Buffy for confirmation who nodded, a tear rolling down her face. She took a deep breath and continued
'And thats when things started to *really* fuck up'
Chapter 8:
Here she was back again, watching them on stage. Spike kept glancing in her direction and smiling at her, concentrating on not screwing the last song up
'Could it be that you were wrong you dont give me much release would it matter if i cared i hope you rest in peace'
And finishing with a clattering, Ian really going all out with a little improv solo that Spike was glaring at him for. They walked off stage, Buffy going back to see him. By the time she got back, he was shouting at someone.
'You cant fucking leave Chris. C'mon man, we can do this.'
Buffy's heart dropped. Chris was the drummer of the band Spike had been getting into fights with ALL the time lately. The guy wanted a sensible job... Spike wanted to play punk rockl
'Fine, Chris, fuck off then, we dont need you'
The bassist picked up his sticks but not before firing a parting shot. 'Yeah, but at least i dont pick up high school girls'
Spike snapped and leapt at him, being restrained only by Ian and Tara, the bands new bass player. 'Get the fuck outta here or i will kill you' and he looked at Buffy, who was standing looking a little taken aback at Spike's vehemant arguement. She walked over to him, and smoothed his tousled hair with her hands, a gesture they had both gotten used to 'C'mon Spike, lets go'
**
They were walking along the pier, near to where Spike lived, and he was slugging out of a bottle of tequilla, holding a cigarette in his other hand, moaning in a slurred voice. Buffy snatched the bottle off of him and shook him. 'Look, Spike, you dont stop pulling this crap, i am going home!' and she stalked off, Spike throwing his fag away and chasing after her
'Look, Buff, i'm sorry. I'll be good i promise' and he glanced at her evilly.
She laughed 'Yeah, 'course you will'
She took his hand unconciously and they walked to Spike's new place. Leaping out at them was a man brandishing a knife, asking for money. Spike slurred he had none, and he turned to Buffy. Buffy answered by kicking the mugger savagely and beating him to a plup.
He dropped to the ground, Buffy breathing wildly, Spike standing behind her 'Bloody hell, Buffy, you coulda fucking killed him'
Buffy stammered wondering why the hell she had bothered to even do that 'I, i, i, i didnt like the fact that he was gonna hurt us. And fat lot of good you were, you drunk, fucking loser' and she walked briskly on.
Spike grabbed her arm 'Get your fucking hands off me Spike. He could have killed us'
'I just wanted to say thanks' He laughed 'The look on the guys face when you...' he laughed again 'My little protector! Quite the little Slayer you are'
Buffy looked stern for about a minute before laughing herself, and walking into Spike's place.
He threw his leather jacket on the sofa and went to the kitchen to retrieve a bottle of booze. 'Drink, Slayer?'
she considered it 'Hell, why not?' and took a slug, making a facae and a noise of distaste. 'Jesus, how can anyone drink this crap?' Yet, she took another drink.
And another... and another...
****
Buffy awoke the next morning, feeling peaceful, yet still tired. She muttered and rolled backwards... into an obstruction. She whipped around to find Spike sleeping peacefully next to her. She looked under the covers to find them both nude.
'SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'
Chapter 9:
Spike leapt up at Buffy's cry. 'What? What?' And then he noticed his lack of clothing. 'Oh holy shit!'
Buffy jumped out of his bed and stood a few feet away, a sheet covering her 'What the hell did we do last night?'
'Well, first you put your...'
She cut him off, panicking 'I know what we did, what do we do now?'
She was really freaking out, and it was starting to unnerve him. 'What is it? Buffy?' He rose and moved towards her. She backed away as he approached her. 'Buffy?'
Suddenly she burst out 'You fucking asshole! Do you know what you could have done to me? I could be fucking pregnant, and do you even look bothered?'
He pointed to the table beside his bed. 'I dont think you would be.' On it was an opened pack of condoms, half the contents missing. 'Look, i'm sorry for what happened, but, fuck, this stuff happens. People make mistakes, and then they learn from them. Havent you made a mistake before?'
She muttered 'Not like this'
Suddenly it hit him. He stepped back and she looked up, clearly upset and he managed to stammer out, 'Oh christ, you hadnt...' and then he made a small face at her.
'NO! What the hell did you take me for? I'm 16, of course i havent!'
'16??? Jesus, i thought you were 18. Caroline said she was 18.'
Buffy laughed, a gallows kind of sound 'Yeah, well, given that shes 3 months younger than me, i REALLY doubt it.'
Buffy started to dress, Spike still looking at her, before he muttered 'I'm sorry'
Buffy looked up 'What for?'
'Look, the first time, well, it should be something special and unique and with the exact right person at the exact right time. And memorable.'
'Did you get all that?'
'No. Which is why you should.'
She finished dressing and approached him cautiously, and raised his face so she could look right at him, and said, in a softer tone 'Spike, lets face it, its not memorable purely because i simply CANT remember it, being drunk and all. Apart from that...'
A change came over his face 'Yeah?'
'Well, it was *you*. The exact right person, at maybe the wrong time. But, if i hadnt been drunk last night... maybe i would've anyway'
'What're you saying?'
'That i l-l-like you. More than i should. And i dont regret having been with you first, i just wish i could be positively reminded of how it was, besides the enormous the inordinant amount of pain i have walking!'
Spike laughed 'You too, huh? God, you're like an animal, i swear!'
She kissed him strongly and he pulled her towards him, kissing furiously. He snaked his handsdown around her waist and under her top, only to have her pull away. 'Not right now, ok? I think i need a LITTLE time to recover' She stood on her tiptoes and kissed around his ear, breathing 'Take me home, my dad WILL kill me when he finds out i've been out all night'
Walking hand in hand outside to his car, they were ambushed by a photographer on the sidewalk who asked to take their picture. He took two, and Spike paid for them, handing one to her and smirking 'In case your dad locks you up in a tower for being BAAAD, you got a reminder of me!'
Buffy looked at the picture. They were smiling, and happy. Spike drove her home and, after kissing him goodbye, Buffy strode into her house, to find her father glaring at her from the sofa. 'Where the hell were you last night?'
Chapter 10:
Hank glared at his daughter 'Well...?'
Buffy managed to get out 'I was at Caroline's'
'Really? Well, given that i called there this morning and they hadnt seen you, i dont believe that.'
Buffy searched her head frantically for a good response. Luckily her father had one 'Were you with a guy?'
Buffy's face turned red and her father nodded, slightly smirking at her discomfort 'I'll take that as a 'yes''
She started to yammer 'Yeah, but dad, i wouldve called, its just, well, i forgot, and i didnt realize what time it is, and he said i could sleep there and... and...'
Hank stood and looked at his daughter 'Did you sleep with him?'
'What? God, of course not!'
'Good, your mother would kill me if you got pregnant on my watch'
Buffy laughed 'Yeah, she would, huh?'
He turned serious again 'Is this a boyfriend?'
What should she tell him? 'Uh, Yeah, he is'
At that point Dawn came bursting in. 'Buffy, daddy was worried about you and...'
Hank turned to his youngest 'Dont worry honey, we sorted it out. She stayed at a friends'
'Oh, that cute guy?'
Buffy burned again 'Yeah!'
****
Buffy walked on to her room, flopping down, removing the picture of her and Spike from her jacket, a tad crumpled, and looked at it. She smiled to herself, the images of the previous night slowly returning to her, and she picked up the phone. She got halfway into dialing Spike's number, but then wimped out. How great and wonderful would she look if she was calling him already? Insead she hung up and dialled a Sunnydale number. A tired voice answered and Buffy replied 'Yeah, hi Sheila, is Willow there?'
After a great deal of muffled phone passing, Willow came on the line 'Hey Buffy'
'Hey Will. How's things?'
'Great, first Xander did this thing to Cordelia and...'
Buffy couldnt figure out why she wasnt really interested, but she made all the correct noises, and then hung up.
Finally gaining the courage, she called Spike 'Hey, uh, can i come over tonight?
'Yeah, sure. Did you get into trouble with your Dad?'
'Zip. I think he was channeling his own teenage years, god forbid. It was actually scary!'
'Yeah! Um, i'll come by in about a hour ok? I need to get some stuff first'
'Ok'