Wilson’s Mountain Diner – A Soap Opera by LoobyLoo NC17 eventually




Regular Cast
Buffy Wilson - Elizabeth ‘Buffy’ Summers
Abe Hogg – Angel Angelson
Xandy Wilson - Alexander Harris
Mrs Keogh - Janette Bonda
Susie Keogh – Harmony Kendall
Red – Willow Rosenberg
Charity – Faith Benson
Officer Jones – Riley Finn
Timmy – Billy ‘Ford’ Fordham
Dr Ryan - Maggie Walsh
‘Handy Andy’ – Parker Abrams
Isaac the delivery guy – Robin Wood
Mayor Henry- Richard Wilkins

Crew
Andrew Wells – make-up/costume
Jonathan Levinson – Key grip
Assistant Producer/Director Warren Meers
Charles Gunn – Best Boy
Written by Quentin Travers
Additional material by Cassie Newton
Executive Producer Quentin Travers
Chief Director Quentin Travers


Chapter 1 – The beginning of the end?

Elizabeth Summers pulled her Cherokee jeep into her allotted parking space and got out. She was at Blackmore Broadcasting Productions home of three major soaps, endless kid’s programmes, an Art show, two political debating shows, numerous cookery and game shows, and a chat show. Buffy was star of the afternoon soap, ‘Wilson’s Mountain Diner’ a soap opera that had been running for over thirty years. Quite a few famous actors and actresses had ‘cut their teeth’ on the show, before moving off to bigger and better things. Every so often they would get a famous name in to boost flagging ratings – it was the kind of show everybody took the piss out of, from the almost mournful strains of the trumpet and piano ‘Da- dee-dee dum diddly do’ theme tune, to the well know catch-phrases of certain characters, to Mrs Keogh the cook’s mixture of home-spun logic and old adages. But still it had a loyal following, but it was dwindling.

She’d been in this soap so long now that everybody called her Buffy in real life. In fact, Buffy had been on the show before she was born! Her real life mother Joyce Summers had played Ma Wilson and when she became pregnant for real, they just wrote it into the script. When Joyce died, they wrote that into the script too, and had Buffy take over her mother’s role in the diner. But the problem was, the format was stale, old and tired. All the usual subjects had been covered – some twice or three times over. Sudden fatal illnesses, divorce, bigamous marriages, runaways, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, lawlessness (of every conceivable kind, from car theft to arson, fraud to murder), alcoholism, homosexuality, racism, homelessness, learning difficulties…the kind of show where good always triumphed over bad, honesty and the lawful always got justice, the sun always shined and everybody went to church on Sunday’s – and the show needed dragging kicking and screaming into the twenty-first century……………………

Buffy had been called into a ‘crisis’ meeting with the others members of the cast due to low rating figures and more budget cuts – except she knew that this time, it WAS serious. Quentin Travers was retiring as the show’s head writer/executive producer/director, and new blood was to be bought in.

………Buffy helped herself to coffee and sat next to Willow. Willow’s knee was bouncing up and down, as she stared off into space.

“…Will………Willow!”

“Hmm – what, uh, oh sorry!”

“I said, you’re not nervous are you, we’ve been here before, loads of times, your part’s safe – I’m sure of it!” Buffy said, and then she sipped her coffee.

“Different this time, I can feel it” Willow said nervously running her palms along her thighs.

“Well, is that a bad thing – I mean come on, the storylines - I can’t believe Trav made the plot of Abe’s truck having a puncture last the whole week!”

“Don’t forget young Timmy’s exam results!” Willow added with a grin

“Oh yes, and Xandy needing new shoes…I was thinking - as I said to my agent, I said there MUST be something else out there that I-“

“Shh, he’s here!” Willow rudely cut Buffy short and looked eyes front.

Quentin Travers had walked into the room with Cassie Newton the script writer of the show. She sat down. Everybody stopped talking and Quentin looked up and gave a little rueful smile.

A quietly spoken man, he put down a folder full of envelopes onto a table in front of him, and cleared his throat.

“First, I want to thank you all for coming here today an hour earlier than scheduled, I appreciate it” A murmur went around the room and people smiled and nodded.

“As you know, I am retiring in three weeks time, I shall say no more about that now as I don’t want to ruin my retirement party speech!”

Everybody again nodded and smiled, Quentin continued

“Obviously there are going to be changes. Please don’t take these decisions personally, they are no reflect on your character or acting ability. In all honesty these things boil down to storylines and characters – and like I said, there has GOT to be changes. Things need freshening up. I know it’s usual to resist change, but if ‘we’ and I use that term loosely, are to survive, we need to move with the times. I’ve always tried to tackle today’s problems on the show with honestly and the right information.


Truth is, I’m spent. I think I’ve dealt with everything that the bosses asked of me, now it’s time for somebody new. Saying that, the show’s format is also going to change, and instead of four half hourly shows, there is going to be two one hour shows instead, with an omnibus repeat at the weekend. This will mean more money for some of you, but I’m sorry to say that cuts have to be made, and certain actors and actresses will not be having their contracts renewed, so however much time you have left then that will be it.

There will be new characters coming in, gradually – ratings will merit how many how quickly, and of course, storylines permitting. One of you is going earlier than you have contract left – you will be compensated for this, and the letter explains why. Obviously the change in schedule means different hours, and these are all explained in the letters I have here. I’ll not waste any more of your time, I just want to say it’s been a pleasure working with you and I wish you all the best, and I hope to see you all on set in twenty minutes

Quentin looked up and smiled, and just before he left, he handed Cassie the envelopes to give out. No sooner as he’d ducked out of the door, everybody started talking, when Quentin came back in and everybody quietened again

“I’m sorry…sorry – I forgot to say this, you must not say anything to the media about your contracts, if you are staying or going, it could spoil future storylines and you are bound under contract not to do that – Blackmore Broadcasting Committee have informed me that a very dim view will be taken on any such breech of contract, with a mind to sue. What you say or do after your contract expires is up to you – okay then, this time, I *am* going – bye”

Nervous chatter began again and the rustle of ripping envelopes could be heard as Cassie made her way around the cast giving out the envelopes.

It gradually quietened as people began to read their letters, then shrieks, sighs and a cry began to rent the air.

A kerfuffle over in the corner had everyone looking at the actress Janette Bonda, who played Mrs Keogh the cook.

“But…But they can’t, they just can’t! How will…why – oh gods…thirty years I’ve been here – thirty years, they’ve had the best of me now I’m – I’m – oh ggggggggoooooooooodddd!!” She began to sob uncontrollably.

“Well we all know who’s going straight away now, don’t we!” Billy ‘Ford’ Fordham said to Willow. She raised her brows quickly after reading the small print in her letter and nodded, luckily for her she had five months still to run with a review to renew.

“So…how long have you got?” Ford asked Willow

“Five months – with a renewal if yadda yadda yadda…, you?”

“Three months, then that’s it!” Willow turned to him and nudged Buffy

“Hear that, Billy’s only got three months left – then he’s gone – how about you?”

Buffy looked at them both and said,

“Me? Eight months, with a renewal, etc – hey sorry Billy, bad luck”

Billy nodded and said

“Wouldn’t mind – but I just put a down payment on an apartment”

“Well I shouldn’t worry, you’ll soon pick up something else – you’ve got that advert campaign for DevilsOwn Hot Sauce, haven’t you?”

“Well yeah, but…I don’t know…it’ll seem strange not being here!” Billy toed the floor thoughtfully

Buffy looked around, a few despondent faces, a couple with smiles, Janette still sobbing…she looked around at Angel – he looked – well, gobsmacked – she caught his eye and he came striding over to her

“I can’t understand this!”

“Understand what?” Buffy asked he pointedly looked at Billy and Willow, and they both took the hint and walked away.

“Go on, understand what?” Buffy asked again, disinterestedly.

“Three months, that’s it – three months, and I’m out! ME – OUT!”

“Well you heard what Trav said, not to take it perso-“

“I KNOW what he said, but I’m one of the main characters – oh gods will that woman shut up, I’ve almost lost my job!”

“Angel – so has she by the sounds of it, have a bit of compassion!”

“But what about ‘Our Arrangement’?” Angel snapped

“Our what?” Buffy asked

“You know! The one where I introduce you to any new people, ‘this is Buffy, were not engaged or anything, but we have an understanding’ that arrangement!”

“Well, they’ve said there was going to be changes – they’ve either changed their minds about ‘us’ as a couple, or you read too much into our ‘show’ relationship!” Buffy said

Angel just blinked at her angrily.

Willow came back towards Buffy grinning from ear to ear she said

“Hey, you’ll NEVER guess who they’ve got lined up to come on here!”

Buffy smiled and shook her head and asked

“Who?”

“That English Shakespearean actor, Sir Rupert Giles!” Buffy looked surprised and pointed to the floor and said,

“On here”

Willow nodded quickly, still grinning, brows raised. Buffy frowned and said

“Where d’you hear that?”

“From Cassie, she said there’s a new writer coming here called Tina Maclay or something, she’s worked with him before, she’s asked him to come look at her work!”

Buffy replied

“But that doesn’t mean he’s gonna act on here…I mean, it would be like asking the likes of Clint Westwood or um…Don Bravolta to act on this show – they just wouldn’t do it- blow the budget for one thing!” Willow’s face fell

“Hmm…didn’t think of that – well maybe they’re doing it for free!”

“Yes Willow, I’m sure!” Buffy said with a little smile Willow felt silly – Buffy had a habit of making her feel stupid – but then again she was right, it was hardly likely that and actor of Sir Rupert Giles’ calibre would even know about their little soap, let alone act in it.


oo00oo

“Oh for fuck’s sake Ethan! Get me some acting work I said – and what do you get me?”

“Acting work, and please kindly take your feet OFF my desk!” Ethan didn’t bother looking up at his charge, he just busied himself with paperwork on his desk.

‘Slim Spike’ William Giles, ex lead singer with the heavy metal band The Vampyres, was sitting opposite his agent, feet up on the desk. He reached for his cigarettes and lit one.

He tipped his head back, blew out smoke rings and then righting his head, he punched the air towards Ethan with his cigarette and said

“A-C-T-T-I-N-G work – you know a movie – I could play head of a drugs cartel or be the leader in a gang of specialist car thieves, wheel man or something like that – and instead what do you get me? A fucking bit-part on the biggest joke on TV!”

Ethan looked up and said truthfully,

“And when did you take acting lessons, hmm?”

“Wha?”

“I said, when did – “

“Heard what you said mate, just wondered why you’re taking the piss”

“And why would I do that?”

“Coz of who me dad is, that’s the why, mate!”

“Yes William, and my mother is the best cook in the world, but I’m not about to open a Michelin starred restaurant because I could burn water!”

This befuddled William – not hard all the years of drink and substance/drug abuse…

“What do you mean?”

Ethan sighed and said,

“Look William, you’ve got to learn to walk before you can run, learn your craft and then go onto bigger things, just because your father can act, doesn’t mean to say YOU can!”

“Acting, is a piece of piss!” Will stated, stubbing out his ciggie.

“You think do you – so why hasn’t everybody in Hollywood won Oscar’s then?”

“Those…look, like when I was in the band, the only awards that matter, are the ones that come from the public – those from inside the business – it all depends on who’s doing who and who’s greasing who’s palm with the old greenbacks and stuff – and you can’t tell me different!”

“A decent cop show then!” William said after a minute or two’s thinking.

“What?”

Get me a part on a decent – “

“William – let me give it to you bluntly. The only acting you’ve ever done in your whole life is third sheep in the Nativity Play at Rookery Road Infants school! You’re bad news – nobody wants to touch you with a bargepole to tell you the truth. I’ve tried to call in all the favours I can, but nobody wants to know – THIS is all still fresh in their minds” Ethan threw the paper Music World at him, with the screaming headline: The Vampyres – they suck big time for letting down 10,000 people at Corn Fields Festival. The piece went on to describe how being either too drunk or stoned to play onstage, Slim Spike, Rik Rack and Stu Sweetly left fans angry and disappointed. Two days later Rik was found dead in his hotel room with a hooker, and Stu had a massive coronary from a drugs overdose. This had been the last of the band’s ‘incidents’ – of which there had been many, trashing rooms, drug taking, jail, inciting rioting…

“And may I remind you that you’re not one week out of the Sheila Nixon Addiction Clinic for alcoholism!”

“I’m NOT a fucking alcy! – I just like a drink or six!...Look, can’t you try and – “

“William, believe me, I’ve tried every avenue, even you father has-“

“I don’t want him involved! – I’ve got on this far without him, I’m 26 and don’t need his help!”

Ethan didn’t dare tell him that Tara Maclay had only said yes to him having a part on the show was because William’s father knew her………

“Right then, I’ll get myself another agent, one that actually CARES about what I want!” William stood up

“Bye then Will – good luck – you’ll need it! – Don’t slam the door on the way - SLAM out – bastard!”

Chapter 2 – The Rumour Mill…



“Well then…do you know what a ‘marker’ is?” Ethan asked. William had cockily walked back into his office three days after they last spoke like nothing had happened – but Ethan knew for a fact that William had tried to sign up with at least seven different agents, all not wanting to know him because they all thought he was bad news…so that’s why William was sitting in front of his desk now, cocky as hell with a big smirk on his face

“Yeah – It’s a felt pen, a Sharpie” Spike said with a grin

“In acting, idiot boy” Ethan sighed closed his eyes and shook his head sadly

Spike shrugged his shoulders and said

“Dunno…something to do with timing? As in marking time – or is that what soldiers do – look, Ethan, who the fuck cares – as long as I’m a good boy and can remember my lines, or ad-lib good ‘en’s, I’m laughing”

“Be laughed AT, more likely you HAVE to know the basics, a Marker is where you stand!”

“I KNOW! – I’m winding you up – fuck knows I spent enough time as a kid in empty theatres with my dad as he practiced, got his *markers* for his *projection* right. Anyway, hardly Broadway this little soap is it?”

“No, no granted, but – huh…you’re sending me grey, can you see?” Ethan turned his head so Spike could see his greying temples.

“So, when do I get m’ first script? – I wanna explode onto Wilson’s Mountain like a fucking big volcano!” Spike said with a grin, lighting a cigarette.

“And God help them!” Ethan said, passing Spike a large brown envelope.

ooOOoo

Diner set, actors on set the cook, Mrs Keogh, Buffy and Red


“Okay, stand by………and DO try to stop crying Mrs Keogh…Andy, little more powder on Mrs Keogh’s shiny nose please…………ready, markers everybody……and roll VT”

“Scene 24, take 5 Mrs Keogh hands in her notice” the clapperboard man shut the board and moved out of shot, Mrs Keogh was standing by the serving counter, Buffy was filling ketchup bottles, Red was wrapping cutlery in napkins.

“……So you see Miss Buffy, I have to go, I realise I should give…(sniff) sh-should give you lon-longer notice b-b-b-but - (she crumpled into tears)

“And CUT! – Alright, we’ll do this scene after lunch – Jan darling, you are really going to have to get a grip – somebody give her a Prozac or something…large gin, God knows I could do with one!” Quentin groused

Buffy and Willow relaxed. Willow pulled the little waitress cap off her head and smoothed her hair. Then she said excitedly,

“Oh, did Cassie tell you who’s going to be on here with us next week?”

They made their way off-set to the Chuck wagon and stood in line for lunch. There had been that many rumours as to who might likely come and act on the show from the sublime to the ridiculous that Buffy had begun to get sarcastic with her answers…

“Don’t tell me…Willard Shanter from Star Quest?”

“Don’t be silly!”

“Well that what Xander said!” Buffy replied, just before ordering a chicken fillet burger with smoked bacon and garlic mayo, and a large fries…

Willow’s eyes nearly popped and she asked for a small soup. They went over to Buffy’s trailer, but sat outside

“That boy’s an idiot, on or off the show, he’s a sandwich short of a picnic he is…Willard Shanter indeed…Willow said grinning

“Hey don’t talk about my little brother like that!” Buffy said taking a huge bite of burger

“Huh, be thankful he’s only your brother on the show…imagine having a real brother like that!”

“Swo hoosh cummig den?” Buffy asked through a mouthful of burger. Willow frowned,

“What?” Buffy chewed and swallowed

“I said, who’s coming then?”

“William Giles, ‘Slim Spike’ from the Vampyres – Cassie said she got it wrong thinking it was his dad, it’s actually him – I think he’s dreamy!”

Buffy frowned

“I’ve heard it all now. We’ve got everybody from Sir Rupert Giles, singer Shyleen Dianne, Willard Shanter to half the cast of the Muppets – Faith told me yesterday that him from The High Seas Pirates was coming here – oh what’s-his-name…..Ronnie Dapp - I said I’d have to change the diner menu from Po’boys and Gyro’s to ship’s biscuits and rum punch if that were true!”

“But it’s TRUE! I SWEAR to you Slim Spike from the Vampyres is coming here!”

“What’s true Red?” Angel came over and sat with them, he went to reach for a French fry and Buffy smacked his hand away

“Get your own” And then turning back to Willow she continued,

“And how come you know this is true and not all the other rumours that have been flying around here?”

“Coz, listen to this, Cassie and Tara are…you know!” Willow grinned and made a little sideways jerk of the head.

Buffy looked, frowned, then raised her eyebrows, she had no idea as to what Willow meant.

“I have no idea what (Buffy made the jerking movement with her head) means!”

“She’s a…they are…*special friends* Willow emphasised the two words

“Special friends? – Do you mean they’re gay – Cassie is a lesbian?”

“I don’t think so Red…she just hasn’t met the right man yet, that’s all!” Angel said

Both women gave Angel a ‘look’ and he shut up

ooOOoo

“And how far away from the studio is this flat then Eth?” Spike asked, holding a piece of paper with an address written on it

“Two miles – you can have it for the duration you are on the soap”

“Won’t be long then, coz just you wait, as soon as Stephen Spelliburg sees me act, he‘ll be on that phone to you begging me to go to Hollywood!!” Spike said seriously

“I can hardly wait. I suggest you get home get your stuff together and move in there, (Ethan nodded towards the piece of paper) because you’re on set the day after tomorrow and you’ll be expected to know your lines!”

ooOOoo

“Oh I’m SO not going to miss this!! Give her a Prozac I said, or a stiff drink I said, I didn’t say give her several of each – how are we going to finish the scene now – she’s comatose, in fact if you listen hard enough, you can hear her in here snoring from her trailer!” Quentin sat down at one of the diner tables, head in his hands. Buffy went over to Trav as she called him and put her arm around his shoulders

“Look, don’t worry, I can do the thing over the phone, admittedly she’s acted her last on here, but she couldn’t get through her last lines without crying, so how about I do something like this…

Buffy said, okay the phones ringing, I pick it up and say, Mrs Keogh, what is it, are you alright? – Yes…………oh dear………yes, yes of course I understand you SHOULD be with your sister at a time like that…course we can cope, I’ll do the cooking and I’ve got Red and Chastity to serve…think nothing of it Mrs Keogh, bye - and then I can fill in with a bit more info when I’ve put the phone down”

“Brilliant – she’s not going to like it of course but well needs must – clever girl Buffy, I’ll just write you a little dialogue for after the phone call…” Quentin said.

ooOOoo

Spike got home, opened a beer from a six-pack and lit a cigarette, switched on the TV and put it onto the BlacPro station. The commercials finished and the mournful strains and the Voice Over for ‘Wilson’s Mountain Diner – a tale of ordinary everyday folk and their lives on a sleepy little mountain side’ began

“Huh..see how fuckin’ sleepy they are when *I* get there!” Spike said to himself with a smirk……

Chapter 3 Making an Entrance…


The apartment was basic he supposed, nothing like the luxury he’d been used to, but it would do for now.

He’d only glanced at the script in Ethan’s office, there was a phone number on the top sheet in case of any problems. Well there was one straight away…

“No fucking way are they calling my character Sebastian St Germaine! Fucking retards, it’s Spike or nothing!” Spike said to himself. He stood, got himself a pen, and a couple of cans of beer and his cigs, and sat down again on the sofa, lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply.

“Right background………musician…yadda, yadda, yadda…moved from LA – well I must have been underground then coz I’m pasty British white……likes the look of Sunnydale, thinks it’s quiet enough for him to write a new album of material………yadda, yadda, yadda……mother dead, doesn’t get on with his father – huh who does………had a near death experience with heroin? – Nah, not having that, people’ll think that’s true! He scrubbed that out with the biro and carried on reading…Troubled past………been in jail for – NO FUCKING WAY JOSE! Where’s that bleedin’ phone……”


“Ah, Spike, I’m glad you phoned – what waist size are you?” Tara McClay said

“Waist? – 30” why?”

“Wardrobe need it…inside leg?”

“Um, regular”

“Regular, right – now have you got biker’s leathers of your own, or – “

“I’ve got me own, now listen”

“I presume you’ve got your own helmet too?”

“Course I have – now look, there’s a load of stuff here that’s – “

“Don’t forget to bring a towel you’ll find you’ll need a shower after film-

“FUCK ME MRS, WILL YA BLEEDIN’ LISTEN A SEC!”

“I’m sorry, all ears, oh hang on, I’ll just get a copy of the script……now, where’s that pen of mine. Now you do realise that last minute changes aren’t the norm, we can’t chop and change it throws out the other actors scripts and makes things awkward as regards timings and such, oh and then there’s……”

“……….Yeah………Yeah but, I underst………yeah I know it’s……… for fuck’s sake will you let me get a bleedin’ word in edgewise? – Thank you!! I understand it’s a character I’m playing, but as he’s a musician, and I’m a musician, I don’t want people thinking that I nearly died from a heroin overdose or have been in jail – and I ain’t been called fuckin’ Sebastian St Ger-fucking-maine either!.........Spike………it’s Spike or nothing! What – how can you say that? – I’m not trying to make it about me at all………Well okay not Spike then, but NOT Sebastian…Liam..hmm…yeah yeah, I *know* it’s the Irish for William………okay...Liam it is……….”

Twenty minutes later, Spike put the phone down. With him scribbling out, doodling, and scrawling concessions he’d ‘won’ over from what had been originally written, the script front looked a real mess! But he was at last satisfied. His ‘background’ now read thus: His name Liam, musician, left home after his mother died and his father remarried because he couldn’t get on with his stepmother. Drifted in and out various cities, then joined a punk band, was done for having cannabis resin in his hand-luggage, let off with a fine. He wanted to ride a motorbike not drive a car, and when he mentioned about being pasty and white, too pale for having supposedly been living in LA, it was decided that he’d come straight from England.

Feeling pleased with himself, there was only one thing left to do…he picked up the phone again and dialled. Putting on a fake American accent……………


“Merryvale News, which department would you like?”

“Hi, showbiz please” Spike said

“Please hold” Spike nodded his head to the music, until the phone was answered

“Forrest Gates, Showbiz desk”

“Hi Forrest – want an exclusive as to who’s joining the cast of Wilson’s Diner tomorrow?”

“Hey yeah!”

“Slim Spike, William Giles, ex of The Vampyres” Spike said and then he waited…there was silence for a few seconds and then the guy began to laugh.

“Hahahahaha…huh….haha…okay you got me there for a second! Slim Spike indeed, hahahahaha!”

“He IS I tell you, he’s joining the cast tomorrow, he’s playing a musician”

“Huh…nice try guy…that’s a good one, best yet in fact, along with Douglas Michael and Barney Schwartzkopt!”

“I tell you he-“

“Okay my friend, you’ve had your fun, nice try, bye now-“ Spike quickly dropped the accent and said

“F’ fucks sake mate, I AM bleedin’ well joining the cast tomorra!” Forrest frowned and said,

“Who is this?”

“Well who d’ya think it is, it’s Spike from the Vampyres, I join the cast tomorrow”

“Why did you pretend to be American at first then?”

“Because nobody’s supposed to know! I was giving you a tip-off…not that you appreciated it!”

“Hmm. Okay, say I believe you…if I put it out on our six-o-six webnews slot, and as the headline for tomorrow’s paper, and you’re winding me up…”

“I’ll give your paper the exclusive as to why I’m joining the cast, although you mustn’t say the info came from me, else they’ll sue me”

“Who will?” Forrest asked

“Blackmore Broadcasting!” (Spike thought, fuck me, this prat’s not too bright!)

“Oh, I get you yeah…you promise, an exclusive?”

“Yup”

“Okay then, you’re on”

“Remember, don’t drop me in it – oh and you might want to go to my website and tip off the fans, I’ll be nice to have a few of them to greet me on the first day there”

“…Website, yes…okay then what’s the address?”

“SlimSpike.com, all one word”

“………dot com, okay got that, and a phone number I can reach you on?”

“555 5042”

“….042, right got that – okay then, now don’t worry, I won’t drop you in it, I never reveal my sources”

“Just remember that – bye”

“Bye”

ooOOoo

The following morning Spike was just out of the shower. He wiped clear a circle on the mirror and peered at his appearance. Since the Vampyres had broken up he’d stopped bleaching his hair and it was going darker and curly. He was umming and ahhing whether to shave it all off…but decided to leave it for now. Walking into the bedroom vigorously rubbing his hair, he threw the towel at the bedside chair and opened his suitcase he hadn’t yet got around to unpacking. He took out his favourite pair of black jeans, a plain black tee and a red shirt.

Carrying his helmet he dead-locked the front door and went to the garage and he put on his helmet and started up his bike.

Turning off the Highway to go to the studios Spike encountered a tailback of cars waiting to get onto the studio parking lot. As he got around the corner he could see a huge crowd of mostly girls, with posters of the Vampyres, some had banners, all of them chanting ‘We want Spike!’ The poor security guy at the barrier gate was having a job trying to check car-drivers passes and stop the girls getting on-site of the studio. He was fighting a loosing battle, when Spike heard the ‘whoop-whoop’ of a police car siren, and saw more security guards making their way across the lot.

Spike suddenly heard, ‘There he is’ and the screams of the girls got considerably louder as a ‘sea’ of fans was rapidly coming towards him. Now Spike was no idiot, he knew if they got to him they’d rip him and the bike to shreds just to get a souvenir. He walked the bike backwards a little and then drove it through the plants next to the security box and then onto the lot.

He stopped when the security guards came running towards him, he showed them his pass and some of the girls were running towards him again, having slipped under the barrier. Realising who he was and what was happening, the guards waved him on and began to chase the girls who’d got on to the lot. Spike eventually found his parking spot and made his way into the studios.

In reception Tara McClay, Cassie and Quentin were talking

“Ah, Mr Giles, there you are…we thought you might have a little difficulty in getting in here this morning!”

“Bloody did! Hoards of screaming girls, frightened me to death!” he said it with a grin

“Yes, well, you’re here now, shall we get on?” Quentin said, he knew very well that the man who stood in front of him had tipped off the media, but he couldn’t prove it.

“In the morning, we all sit together, just have coffee, run through the scripts, iron out any dialogue problems, then we rehearse until lunchtime, after lunch we film for real. We always start with indoor shots first, anything that goes on outside is left until late afternoon, the sun goes behind the building then and it’s better for the camera man. I think that’s about it - we finish at about eight, sometimes earlier, sometimes later, all depends on how we’re doing okay?” Cassie said, and Spike nodded.

All four of them walked down the corridor until Cassie stopped and opened a door. Spike followed her into a room about thirty foot by twenty. There were half a dozen tables dotted around, and several stacks of plastic chairs, one or two diner props and a few bits and pieces of equipment lying about.

“Let me introduce you to everyone…this is Willow, she plays, well I’ll let her tell you, can I get you a coffee – er?”

“Spike, call me spike, yes please Cassie, black, one sugar”

“……………Only Buffy and Angel to come now, perhaps they got stuck at the gate!” Willow said grinning after she’d introduced Spike to everybody.

ooOOoo

Spike didn’t realise he only had one line in this episode, he was to roar up the driveway to the diner, switch off his bike and walk into the diner, go to the counter, take off his helmet and say to Buffy, ‘I hear I can get the best breakfast in Crestwood County here’ they were to smile at each other and the credits would roll.

All morning, Angel had done nothing but moan. He moaned about the script changes, even though it didn’t affect him. He moaned about Spike’s fans, he moaned about how everybody was falling over themselves to be ‘nice to a junkie’ although he’d said that quietly, until Alexander, or Xandy as he was known asked out loud what a junkie was………

“Okay then Spike, just walk through the door, and up to the counter, take off your helmet and say the line please” Tara said.

Spike went outside, came in, went to the counter, took off his helmet, smoothed his hair and said his line perfectly, ‘I hear I can get the best breakfast in Crestwood Cou-“

“Oh for goodness sake!” Angel sing-songed, arms folded. Everybody went from looking at Spike to looking at Angel

“Stop, stop, sorry Angel, what was that?” Tara asked frowning. Spike narrowed his eyes and rounded on Angel

“What the fuck’s wrong with you now?”

“Okay people calm, keep it calm!” Tara said, holding her arm out as if to hold Spike back, although he was no where near her or Angel. Angel had a disgusted look on his face and waved his arm in Buffy and Willow’s general direction saying,

“Those two, look at them, Red’s practically drooling and Buffy’s looking like she’s gazing on the face of the good Lord God himself!”

Both Buffy and Willow were indignant they weren’t, and said so too!

“I don’t know what your problem is mate, but you’re determined not to like me – well surprise, surprise, I don’t give a monkeys, or a rats ass as you’d say, but don’t you EVER fuckin’ interrupt me again else there will be trouble!” Spike hissed at Angel

Angel scowled bitterly and looked down at his folded arms. He couldn’t understand why he was loosing his job for the likes of that ‘waste of breath’ as he referred to Spike, some ex junkie who couldn’t act his way out of a paper bag he bet………

“I’m sorry Spike, could you just do that again please?” Tara asked

Spike grinned and said ‘sure’

Before he put his helmet on he pointed at Angel and said

“And you, keep it buttoned”

Spike went outside and Tara said to Angel,

“You heard the man, now button it”

Angel felt himself go hot with embarrassment

Spike came back in, watched for his markers, and delivered his line perfectly.

“Great, do that this afternoon and it’ll be fantastic!” Tara said, jumping down from the table she’d been sitting on. She picked up a script and continued,

“Right, we’ll do………Abe’s phone call to the – no we won’t, scrub that, we’ll do the scene of Officer Jones coming in to warn Buffy about theft from unlocked cars, Winnebago’s and camper vans………” Tara said

“Er, do you think he should have some sort of printed notice for Buffy to put up, like it’s official from the County Sheriff?” Cassie suggested

“Good idea, use a page of your script to give Buffy for now Riley, I’ll get something printed in the lunch hour for you……………” Riley nodded. And so it went on till lunchtime

“12.45 back please folks, got a lot to get through” Cassie announced and everybody left the room.

ooOOoo

“Okay, finally, drive up the drive, park, and walk into the diner – okay places everbody, I’ll wave when were ready for you to start Spike” Tara said

Spike got on his bike and rode down the drive

“Right everybody ready – roll VT – and Action!” Tara waved and Spike drove up the drive. He resisted the temptation to show off and do a ‘wheelie’ – but thought he’d brake and throw the bike into a sideways skid to park. Unfortunately somebody had taken it upon themselves to put down some gravel, and as Spike braked, the bike slew into a sideways skid alright, but he couldn’t hold onto it and it and he fell sideways onto the ground, the engine revved and the bike hit the sidewalk edge, flew up and the back end of it slammed into the 12 foot long by 8 foot deep plate glass window that made up the top corner of the diner.
There was a muted bang, and to his and everybody else’s horror Spike watched as the window went from whole and clear, to a mass of safety-glass pellets that rained down on him like a waterfall. The only two words he was heard to utter was…

“Oh shit!”

Chapter 4 - How to Win Friends, and Influence People……


When Spike was sure all the glass had fallen, he moved his arm from covering his face. Opening his eyes he saw two pairs of very shapely tanned legs running towards him. He quickly closed his eyes again and groaned for effect………

“SPIKE – Oh my god, are you alright?”

Spike gave another low moan

He ‘fluttered’ his eyes open and saw a pair of knees, and then he felt a soft hand on his face

“Spike, speak to me!” At first he was mesmerised by a pair of the most beautiful green eyes looking down concernedly at him…

“Urrgh! I’m dead, right? – And you MUST be an angel” Spike said. Buffy giggled but she was still concerned

“Are you hurt – the paramedics are on their way!”

“Ugh…I think I’m okay…can you help me sit up?”

“Sure, what shall –“

“DON’T MOVE HIM – he might have broken something!” Tara McClay shouted as she too ran out of the diner.

“I think the bike is okay, I turned off the ignition” Willow said, and knelt next to Buffy.

Spike struggled to sit up and he said,

“Two angels! I’m okay…call off the meat-wagon”

“The what?”

“I don’t need an ambulance or whatever………just want to get my breath back”

From the space where the glass had been came the very irate face of Angel, brushing off imaginary glass pellets

“You – you absolute 100% solid MORON…YOU COULD HAVE KILLED ME!” Angel screamed at him, spittle flying out of his mouth

“Oh DO shut up Angel – this isn’t about you!” Buffy said, looking with concern at Spike.

Willow started to brush the glass from Spike’s leathers

“Hey don’t cut yourself love, it’ll soon fall off when I stand up” Spike grinned and held Willow’s hand.

Buffy leaned in and flicked some glass from his curls, giving Spike an eyeful down her blouse

She then proceeded to run her fingers through his locks and Spike had a hard time trying to stay coherent

To feel her nails lightly rake his scalp coupled with the flash down her blouse, Spike shivered and could feel himself getting hard –

“Careful, there might have been a few pellets gone down your neck…let me look” Buffy unzipped the front of Spike’s leather jacket and put her hand down Spike’s back, drawing her hand out she bought out a couple of pellets and dipped her hand back in again. Spike would have gladly stayed there all evening letting her do that but they all heard the siren of the paramedic’s car.

“Told you, I don’t need an am-“ Spike began, and tried to stand up, but he felt a little dizzy

“Sorry Spike, company policy, you’ll have to be checked over for insurance purposes” Tara pulled out her mobile phone and pressed a number. After a few seconds she said

“Yes, can we have the set builders down to number 8 site please…yes it’s the Diner’s studio……hi, we need a new sheet of plate glass……….”

Xandy walked out and was googly eyed

“Don’t let that –um kid touch the bike – it might still be hot or something” Spike quickly changed what he was going to say, about not letting that ‘idiot boy’ touch his bike, but as he noticed this morning, the two girls were very protective of him so he thought better of being rude about him.

“Ahh…you broke the window!” Xander said pointing

“Yeah mate, looks like it, it was an accident though, I didn’t mean it, but don’t touch that glass you might cut yourself” Spike said, both girls beamed at him, he knew he’d scored some brownie points there with them…

The paramedic’s drew up and came running over to where Spike was sitting

“I’m alright, honestly, nothing broken…bruised ego maybe!”

“Fuss about nothing, wasting EVERYBODY’S time” Angel spat as he paced back and forth in the diner

Willow and Buffy exchanged a look, but said nothing………

ooOOoo

Spike sat on the edge of the gurney and the doctor shone his pen-light into his eyes in turn.

“And there was a slight dizziness when you tried to stand up you say?” The doctor asked putting the little torch back in his top pocket.

“Yeah, just a bit – gone now though”.

“Good - still, you have that bruise on your forehead and I’m worried that you might have a slight concussion. You shouldn’t be on your own tonight, and you mustn’t drive or anything for the next twenty-four hours. I’ll give you some pain killers, so no alcohol either okay?”

“Right. But I’m okay, honestly, I don’t want to make a fuss!” Spike suddenly spied Buffy outside the double doors

“Is there somebody you could stay with?”

“Not really, I only just got here, started today..” Spike said

“And you made your mark, so to speak! Well if there isn’t anybody you could stay with, then I’m afraid I’ll have to keep you in for ‘obs’ overnight, it’s just a precaution”

Just then a nurse came through the door and Spike waved at Buffy who was standing in the corridor holding her jacket. She grinned and raised her hand

“You’re in luck Mr Giles, seems one of your new actor friends says you can stay with her”

“Really – that’s great, I won’t take up any of your - wo!” Spike quickly jumped down from the gurney but swayed a little.

“That’s what I mean, now you take it slowly” The doctor peered at Spike over his glasses

The nurse held his arm and he walked slowly to the double doors

She pushed it open and Spike grinned at Buffy

“This is very nice of you, thanks!”

“You’re welcome – can’t have our new star in hospital now can we?” They smiled at one another, and then suddenly the outside door was yanked open by a sweating, out of breath Angel.

“I KNEW you’d be here…and surprise, surprise, they’re letting him go as there’s nothing wrong with him!”

The nurse appeared at Spike’s side and gave him a small brown bottle with eight pain killers in it

“Take two every four hours if you need to, if the dizziness persists or you get a really bad headache or double vision, then come straight back, it could mean something serious, okay?” Spike nodded. The nurse then turned her attention to Angel and said,

“Actually, Mr Giles has a slight concussion and can’t be left alone tonight, Miss Summers here kindly volunteered to look after him”

“You did WHAT? Oh f’………well, words fail me!” Angel said, raising his arms and letting them fall by his sides.

“That’ll be a first” Spike muttered as he took Buffy’s arm.

“Buffy, just WHAT do you think you’re playing at?”

Buffy ignored Angel until they were all outside and down the two steps.

“That’s my car there, get in” she said to Spike, but Angel moved quickly and stood by the door so Spike couldn’t get in.

“Buffy, listen to me I don’t know what’s happening here but I don’t like it!”

“That’s it, isn’t it, and MOVE – let Spike get into the car…Angel – ANGEL, I SAID LET HIM – thank you” Angel moved and Spike got in.

“That’s it isn’t it with you – you, you, YOU! – Never mind what *I* want – as long as you’re alright…”

“Buffy, how can you say that, I’ve only done anything for you – taken you to the award ceremony’s…out for picnics…what about our – you know, agreement ?”

“The agreement we have, is on the show Angel, we’re not engaged – heck in fact we’re not even boyfriend and girlfriend, we’re just friends!”

Angel face crumpled and he held his arm out to her

“But, but Buffy, how can you say that – you know I love you!”

“Angel – I love you too, but like a friend or a brother, I could never think about you in a romantic way!”
Angel’s face clouded and he looked angry and he hissed

“Is that so, but you could think of the like of – of THAT- that junkie, that gad-about-the world having sex with groupies and catching all sorts of diseases, you could think of him as – “ Spike pressed the button inside the car and the window slid down, he leant on it with his elbow and said quite calmly,

“Er, if you’re going to discuss me, then I suggest you get your facts right. I’m not a junkie, never have been, and I didn’t sleep with groupies!”

“Oh shut up SHUT UP! Like I believe you!” Angel’s voice cracked.

“I haven’t got time for this…goodnight Angel”

“But Buffy, please – PLEASE BUFFY!” Angel begged

“We’ll talk tomorrow, I’m tired, and I want a bath and bed”

“Sounds good to me” Spike said – and Angel lunged at him through the window

Buffy roared off and Spike managed to close the window

“I didn’t mean anything by that love, I just meant –“

“I know, a bath and bed sounds good” Spike nodded

“I don’t want to cause any trouble you know pet…trouble’s got a habit of sniffing me out…”

Buffy said nothing, just concentrated on her driving. Spike took the hint and stayed quiet. About ten minutes later she pulled into a quiet tree-lined road, and onto a drive.

“Home sweet home, come on, you can have first bath…are you hungry?”

She helped Spike out of the back of the car and Spike admitted that, yes he was quite peckish, but not to go to any trouble.

“Omelette do? – I know I’ve got plenty of eggs”

“Great!”

“Right, follow me” Buffy ran up stairs, Spike followed more slowly, his whole body had begun to ache. She went into a room and he heard the swish of the curtains been closed, and then the sound of a draw being opened

Buffy came out of the room and met Spike at the top of the stairs.

“Towels here you go (she gave him two huge thick white fluffy ones) – bathroom, (she pointed to the door) and there’s a dressing gown on the bed in there for you, (she indicated with a jerk of the head towards the room she’d just come out of) and I’ll be downstairs with supper when you’re ready”

“Thanks love, that’s really nice of you” Buffy went down to whip-up eggs and Spike went into the bathroom.

He didn’t have it too hot so as not to use all the hot water; and he didn’t soak as he’d have liked, but he knew that Buffy was also tired and she’d done him a huge favour…

ooOOoo

Spike wolfed down the omelette and didn’t refuse when she offered ice cream.

“I’m sorry if I caused you major bother”

“Major bother, I don’t understand?” Buffy got a two-pint tub of strawberry cheesecake ice cream from the freezer. She set about getting dishes and spoons

“With Angel, he doesn’t like me”

“Angel – oh no…it’s about time he got it into his head that any ‘relationship’ we have is strictly on the show, he needed to be told”

“I was telling the truth when I said I was never a junkie you know”

“Well, that’s your business”

“I know- but thanks to the media, with the headlines about mad coke parties and Rack dying with enough drugs in him to supply a pharmacy for a month…I’ve never done heroin or coke…too scared – and I hate needles! My problem is, I like a drink – but I’m not an alcoholic – I can take it or leave it – sometimes I think I could drink for the world, and I try…then the next day when my body is telling me never again, I can leave it for three months…that’s where I differ from an alchy see” Buffy nodded and then yawned, she put her hand to her mouth and apologised

Spike finished his ice cream

“I’m sorry pet, here’s me prattling on and you’re knackered, I’ll go to bed, goodnight, and um, you know…thanks!”

”Goodnight Spike”

He stood making sure the robe stayed closed, but he’d put his briefs back on just in case, and made for the hall. Buffy picked up the dishes, turned to put them in the sink when she screamed and dropped them.

Startled, Spike came dashing from the stairs back into the kitchen.

“What’s the matter, what is it!” Spike asked worriedly

“A face, at the window, there’s somebody outside!” Buffy had gone pale and she had her hand on her chest

Spike went to open the back door but Buffy said,

“NO! Don’t open it, it could be an axe-murderer or anybody!” Spike stopped

“Buffy, Buffy it’s me, why are you screaming, let me in!”

Buffy and Spike frowned and peered outside to see Angel looking at them

“Why you, you…fucking jerk!” Buffy shouted

“Buffy! Let me in, I need to talk to you!” Angel’s face disappeared from the window, and the back door handle rattled.

Buffy went straight to her phone and picked up the handset

“See this, I’m calling the police – you have till I count ten to leave Angel, One…Two…Three…” Angel’s face was at the window again, he began begging.

“But Buffy, love please - let us talk about this!”

“Six…Seven…”

“Be reasonable please Buffy!”

“Me? Be reasonable- huh that’s a laugh now GO AWAY!”

“Buffy…we can’t end it like this, please!”

“Can’t you get it into your thick skull you stupid ass-hole, there’s NOTHING to end! – Ten right!”

She pressed 911

Angel heard her say,

“Police, yes, there’s a prowler outside my house, he tried to get in via the back door – yes I’m Buffy Summers……………………”

Angel took the hint and was gone by the time the police came. But as he drove away from her house he said to himself,

“This isn’t over Buffy, not by a long, long way, I’ll show you what a low-down creature Spike Giles really is!”

Chapter 5 Getting to Know You...

“……..and I’m going to HAVE to put some pan-stick on that bruise to cover it up…and WHERE DID you get those cheekbones, hmm?”

Andrew flitted around Spike who was sitting in ‘make-up’ with the obligatory cape around him.

“You do what you have to mate, don’t mind me” Spike said studying his script.

Angel came in and threw himself into a chair glaring at both Spike and Andrew

“And good morning to you too Sweetie, got a fit of the grumps this morning have we dearie?”

“Just shut up and get on with it…bloody faggot” The last two words Angel muttered under his breath, but Andrew heard him

“Sticks and stones, sticks and stones…you only need a bit of powder, why don’t you do it yourself?”

“Because it’s YOUR job, that’s why” Angel said sourly, watching Spike through the mirror

Andrew bent and said

“Back in a tic” into Spike ear, patting him on the shoulder

“Right sit back, and shut it” Andrew whizzed the chair round until Angel was facing the mirror, and cranked the foot-bar until he was lying back at an angle

He loaded a brush with translucent powder and liberally dusted Angel’s face with it. Angel got a mouthful and coughed, pushing Andrew’s hand away. Trying to sit up, he then sneezed hard. Andrew righted the chair and whisked the cape from around him

“There you go sir, now piss off!”

Angel went out muttering

“Is that all he has done?” Spike asked

Andrew nodded

“Yeah – ignorant pig he is!”

“You surprise me!”

“Why?”

“Well…with that over-hang forehead, I thought he’d be in here hours having put on, you know like that MR Dorf job in Star Quest” Spike laced his fingers together and put them on his forehead.

Andrew began to giggle and Willow came in and beamed at them and said,

“Good-afternoon!”

“Hello!”

“What are you two giggling at?”

“Something Spike here said, can I tell her?” Andrew asked looking at Spike in the mirror

“Sure!”

“Spike said he thought that Angel’s forehead was false”

“You know, the overhang he’s got…must keep the rain off his shoes I suppose!”

“You’re wicked!” Willow said, swiping Spike’s arm, but she began to giggle too.

ooOOoo


On set: Spike, Willow, Angel, Xander – entered after, Officer Jones…………………


“Three, two – roll VT and One”

“Scene four take one, Spike in Diner” the clapperboard shut and Spike took his nod from Tara.

He took off his helmet and placed it on the counter and said,

“I hear I can get the best breakfast going here” Buffy beamed at him and said,

“You sure can, everything freshly cooked to order – can I get you something to drink while you choose?”

“Sure…coffee, straight”

Buffy put a mug on the counter and poured coffee from a Cona jug.

Willow came from behind the counter and deposited a plate with a ham steak, several sausages and a pile of scrambled eggs and toast on it in front of a sitting Angel.

“Oh that looks good!” Spike said

“Tis good, hello there, I’m Abe Hogg – Hogg’s my name, and Hog’s are my game” Angel said, holding out his hand (Spike inwardly groaned at one of the show’s catchphrases)

Spike sauntered over, shook his hand, (in reality he wished it was his throat!)

“Sorry I –“ Spike began, slightly shaking his head.

“This here is my living – (Angel pointed to his plate) I keep hogs- piggies that go to make this here breakfast – and I keep ‘em good!”

“Well in that case, I’ll have what he’s having!” Spike said grinning

“So tell me stranger, what’s your name? – You tell me your name, and you won’t be a stranger anymore” (here it comes, thought Spike)

“Cos what’s a stranger y’all?” Angel addressed everybody in the diner, and they all chorused,

“A stranger is just a friend we haven’t met yet!”

Spike sat and drank his coffee the camera panned to the door and Officer Jones walked in. Spike noticed that Angel scowled at him too…

“Morning Miss Buffy – I have here an official notice for you to put in your window for your patrons”

Buffy put a mug of coffee in front of the officer and said

“What’s this then officer Jones?” She took the printed sheet off him and studied it.

“Been a spate of thefts from Winnebago’s, tents and holiday apartments over in Heldale, people get careless when they’re on vacation, leave things open”

There were hissing and cooking sounds coming from the hot plate and Willow who’d taken over the cooking from Buffy turned and said,

“It’s getting terrible so’s people don’t know who to trust these days!” the Officer and Buffy nodded in agreement.

“Right, I’ll put this in the window right away – Xandy go out the back and bring some sticky tape and put this in the window where everybody can see it, okay?”

Xandy grinned and nodded and went off-set taking the notice with him.

“And CUT!” Thanks everybody take 5………next scene it’s um…hold on where are we……it’s closing time, we need…Willow, Buffy, and Charity…”

“Willow you can mop the floor, Buffy you be wiping down, charity can be sitting flicking through a magazine while you and Buffy discuss Spike” Tara said

ooOOoo

Buffy and Willow walked from the set to Buffy’s trailer. As they got closer Buffy saw a huge bouquet on the steps, she trotted on and picked them up.

“What the…she snagged the card and read,

“Thanks for last night, I really appreciated it, S” Buffy grinned

“Who are…” Willow began grinning

“Spike!”

“Oh my god!” Willow grabbed Buffy’s arm and they both squealed

“Oh god they’re gorgeous!”

“HE’S gorgeous!”

“Tell me about it, I’ve never seen such blue, blue eyes!”

“What’s all the screaming about – oh” Angel came by and saw the flowers, guessed who they were from. He suddenly felt angry, angry that he hadn’t thought of sending Buffy flowers.

“And WHAT did you do to deserve those, as if I can’t guess?” He asked disgustedly, he felt sick.

“You have a dirty mind Angel, and you can keep your nasty little comments to yourself!”

Willow’s smile faded to a frown

“What is his problem?” she asked Buffy quietly

“He thinks the show arrangement is a real arrangement”

“What?” Willow asked confused

“He thinks that because we’re all but ‘engaged’ on the show, that’s how it is in real life – just because I’ve gone to the awards do’s with him”

Just then Spike came through wearing his leathers

“Hey Princess…got the flowers I see”

“Yes, thanks, they’re lovely!”

“Good, glad you like them. Say listen what are you two doing the tomorrow and Sunday, anything special?”

Smiling both Willow and Buffy shook their heads.

“Well, I’ve already asked Ford and Riley, Faith and Harmony, want to go see the Automaton Spectres – I’ve still got some pull, we could all go in a stretch limo, have backstage passes and then go picnic by the river on Sunday?”

“Count me in!” Willow said grinning

“Yeah, me too – I love the Auto’s!!”

“Okay. We’ll use here as a meeting point, be here for 11 o’clock” Spike saw Xandy looking sad as he was trying to do up his coat

“Room for one more if you want to come Xandy?”

“YEAH!” he strode over and grinned at them all, and said,

“Thank you Spike”

“Welcome mate!” Spike gently popped him one on the shoulder

ooOOoo

“Now, you WILL take care of him, won’t you?” Mrs Harris looked in the Limo with more than a little trepidation

“Of course Mrs Harris, we always do” Willow said

“Hmm, I know, but a rock concert…he might wander off”

“He’ll be fine, we’ll all look after him – anyway, he’s famous – people will want to meet him” Spike said

“Don’t fuss mom!” Xandy said, he was dying to get into the Limo.

“Okay then…you’ve got my number if anything goes wrong, and don’t let him have anything to drink after 7pm else – well… be careful love.” She pulled him towards her and planted a big kiss on his cheek. At 22 she still treated him like a little child, because that’s all he was to her, a man with a child’s brain. He’d been born oxygen starved, the umbilical cord had been wrapped around his neck and he was blue. The doctors had valiantly fought to save his life, but it had left him slow and with learning difficulties. He’d been bought in for a storyline about learning difficulties, and the viewers had taken him to their hearts and he’d stayed ever since. He’d been on the show 8 years now, as Buffy’s adopted brother.

“Get off mom! Bye!” Xandy eagerly got into the Limo. His mother heard him say,

“Oh WOW a TV in the car!”

“Who are we waiting for now?” Spike asked

“Ford” Faith said, and then she continued

“I phoned him so he’d be up; he usually lies in on a Saturday morning…”

“Here he is, he’s coming…he’s just been dropped off!” Riley said getting back into the stretch Limo.

“Am I last – sorry – good job you rang me Faith!” Ford got in, and shut the door

“Wow…this is great – never been in a Limo before!”

“Want the TV on mate? – There you go…and put these on…” Spike put headphones on Xandy and he beamed.

“This is the life!” Ford said, sitting back, letting his arms drape along the back of the seat as they pulled off the car park. Meanwhile, watching from the grassy knoll by the security box, Angel scowled just how easily everybody had been taken in by that waste-of-space-junkie………


ooOOoo

Everybody had a ball at the concert! Xandy was allowed to hold a guitar and sit at the Spectre’s drum kit. By 10.30pm his eyes were drooping, and Buffy asked Spike where she could take Xander to rest.

“Back to the Limo, we can all sleep in there, there’s enough room” Buffy smiled and nodded. They took a hand each and lead a sleepy Xandy back to the Limo.

Everybody had noticed that day how Spike and Buffy had hardly moved from each other’s side, and there was a definite sexual chemistry going on………

“You go back to the party if you want, I’ll stay with Xandy” Buffy said

“I’d rather be here…with you if you don’t mind?”

“Good. I’d like that!”

They grinned at each other, and Spike looked at Xandy and said,

“Watch this mate………Da-DA! Looks like a bed now doesn’t it!” he pulled out one of the single seats that came out as a bed seat. Spike lay a pillow on the head-rest and said,

“There you go mate – get comfy” Xandy clambered on the seat and grinned

“This is good!” he said making Buffy and Spike grin. Within a few minutes, he was asleep.

“Want a drink?” Spike asked as he sat opposite Buffy

“Er..”

“Just because I’m not drinking doesn’t meat to say you can’t”

“Sure?”

“Sure I’m sure! – Let me see…we’ve got (he opened the mini fridge) um we have white wine…Champagne…vodka, whiskey, Brandy…got the mixers and ice”

“I’ll have a vodka and orange juice with ice please”

They chatted quietly and were getting on very well. Spike took out his mobile phone and went and sat by her to show her a photo of the guy he was talking about

“See him there, with the pony tail and the denim jacket full of patches…” Spike said holding his phone out to her

“Oh yes…” Spike slipped the phone back in his pocket

“Well, his name is Dave, but he was known as ‘the doctor’ – one time when he roadie for the Vamps, we needed to get a bed with a cot side on it coz Rack kept on falling out of bed, so this guy does no more than to calmly walk into the hospital laundry, grab himself a set of doctor’s green scrubs, you know those tunics and trousers they wear when operating on people – (Buffy nodded) and he then goes walking down the corridor and grabs the first trolley – I think you call ‘em gurney’s, anyway he grabs one with bars on the side of it, and wheels it out of the hospital, across the road and into our tour bus, calm as you like, nobody challenged him coz they thought he was a doctor!”

Buffy started to giggle

“We had some good times in those early days of the band…” Spike looked up and into her large green eyes

“You have the most beautiful green eyes I’ve ever seen” Spike whispered. Buffy couldn’t look away from Spike’s blue eyes, their heads began to get closer and closer, Buffy closed her eyes and parted her lips – and the Limo door flew open and a drunk Ford put his head in and laughed

“Any room for three more…standing room only!!” Outside Faith and Willow could be heard giggling and laughing

Buffy and Spike jumped apart, and Buffy said,

“Shh, you’ll wake Xandy!”

Everybody got in. Ford was drinking a can of beer, and Faith and Willow both had half full bottles of Champagne.

“Ooh…the bubbles keep going up my nose!” Willow giggled taking another swig from the bottle

Faith rubbed her tum and said

“Hoo – I’m hungry, not hiding a burger bar or something in here are you Spikey-boy?” this caused Willow to snort-laugh and Ford to laugh out loud

“Shush will you, I’ve already told you once, you’ll wake Xandy!” Buffy said looking over to him

Spike smiled, he was pleased that everybody had enjoyed themselves, he said,

“’Fraid not pet, but we could go for a take-away or something”

“Ooh yeah, lets!” Willow said

So that’s what they did. They got a huge amount of Chinese food and parked back in the field, even though it was dark they left the limo doors open for the light, spread the blankets on the grass and ate their fill.

Chapter 6

“No way…………”

“PLEASE Spike!”

“NO!”

“But-“

“But nothin’ – what part of no don’t you understand, hmm?”

“But you’re a musician!”

“Yes, AND?”

“And musicians write songs”

“That I do love – but my songs are called stuff like ‘Doin’ it all night long’, ‘You’re so hot you burn me’ and ‘Scream my name’ – not ‘Falling for you’ – don’t do love songs pet, I’m strictly Rock and Roll!

Tara sighed. Then she had another thought and said

“If I let YOU write the song and title would you do it then?”

“To be played, on an afternoon tea-time soap that’s watched by grannies? Oh that’s gonna work! Can you just see it, (Spike raised his hand and drew it across the air as if writing a banner headline)
‘Soap Gets Cut after Obscene Song is aired!’

“I don’t want anything obscene!” Tara said, her voice rising with every word

“Well that’s all you’ll get out of me – I lurrrrrve the way you taste bab-bee, so come sit on my face!”

Spike sang out, and Tara blushed to her hair roots. She stood and mumbled something about having to think it through again.

“Well just remember pet, I don’t do steel guitars, or songs about somebody stole my girl/truck or my house has burned down with my dog in it!”

Tara sighed and left.

ooOOoo

He’d been on the soap three weeks now, and at first there had been a mixed reaction to him. The die-hards mostly the ‘older generation’ viewer had wholeheartedly disapproved of him, there had been a few letters the first week and a torrent the second. But there had also been a bigger torrent of letters supporting Spike and his character, he’d also got a load of fan mail too, sacks full in fact. And there was always a crowd looking for him as he came in to work everyday.

Spike got into rehearsals and there was an argument going on between Tara, Warren and Angel.

“Angel, whether you like it or not, your character is leaving the show, and things have to be set in motion. We’ve discussed this storyline and agreed that Swine Fever would be found in your pigs, and you’d say you can’t start again, you’re moving on to pastures new –“

“NO!”

Tara rolled her eyes and got angry and rounded on Angel

“Well what then?”

“What about my relationship with Buffy, we have an ‘understanding’ the viewers will want to see that carrying on!”

“No, they won’t”

“What do you mean, ‘no they won’t’ – I get letters every week asking me when Buffy and I are going to get married!!”

Buffy entered the rehearsal room

“Who’s marrying what –when – you, no way!?”

Angel frowned at her and tried to keep his emotions in check

“And I notice that I don’t go and stand on the porch now with her last thing at night, and the script directions saying things like ‘Abe goes to kiss her cheek but Buffy moves away before he can”

“Yes, it’s all part of the plan” Warren said

“What plan?” Angel asked, the frown still on his face

“The plan that Buffy has moved on, she’s fallen for somebody else, and the story where your pigs get Swine fever is just the thing to help you to make your mind up and move on” Tara said

“And we all know who you’ve got planned for Buffy to ‘fall’ for (he used ‘air quotes’ around the word fall) don’t we!” Angel waved a trembling hand towards Spike.

“Oh do you, well you might be wrong, it could be Officer Riley yet!” Tara said.

“This is a…a travesty!” Angel said shaking his head and leaving the room

“Your bleedin’ acting’s a travesty, mate!” Spike muttered

“Spike!”

“That’s me” Spike said to Warren

“Did um, did Tara ask you about the song?”

“She did and | said n-“

“Ah- ah-ah, don’t say no yet, I’ve got a compromise!” Tara said

“Go on…but I told you I don’t do-“

“Blues!” Tara announced with a big grin

“Blues?” repeated Spike

“Yah-huh!”

“Blues as in –‘Well I woke up ‘dis mornin’ – got dem low-blues!” Spike crooned with a grin

“That’s it, only it’s about you wanting somebody YOU think is unobtainable” Tara said

“Go on, I’m listening!” Spike said

“Well, it’s like this………”

ooOOoo

“Okay quiet everybody…next scene Major Henry, Buffy, Charity, Handy Andy – in half way Officer Jones, in and out all through the scene the Isaac, the delivery guy……

Places everybody…and 5, 4, 3 roll VT 1, and action!”
“Scene 37, take one, discussion on Miss Merrydale Pageant” The clapperboard shut and the scene started………The diner doors were open and Isaac the delivery guy was wheeling in cases of soda on a two-wheeled trolley he was pushing, and stacking them by the counter.

Seated around two tables were the Major and Charity, Handy Andy had a table to himself, and Buffy stood leaning on one hand on the table.

“Well Susie Keogh is Miss Merryvale, will you help us build a float Andy?” Buffy asked

“Sure, Ford’ll help me too, said so last night” Andy said, swigging out of a can of soda

“Great. Well that’s about it then, apart from the judges, how many do we need?” Buffy asked

“Three. Three from each County. I can’t be a judge because I’m organising the show. Any ideas?” the Mayor asked

“Well I’m sure Dr Maggie Walsh will be happy to as usual……how about Officer Jones, I’m sure he’d be impartial” Charity said, and the Mayor scribbled his name down

“Phew – finished Miss Buffy, I’ll leave the invoice on the cash register for you!” Isaac said having stacked the last of the cases of soda.

“Thanks Isaac, grab yourself a cold one from the fridge and come here!” Buffy said

Isaac did as he was told, opening an ice cold can, he took a drink and stood by Buffy, she turned to him and smiled asking,

“How would you like to be a judge in a beauty Pageant?”

“Me Miss Buffy – why I’d say yes please and lead me to it!” he grinned showing his beautiful white even teeth.

“Well that’s it then! All we need is for Officer Jones to say yes, and we’re ready!”

(Right on cue Officer Jones walked into the diner smiling)

“Officer Jones to say yes to what Miss Buffy?”

“You tell him Mayor, I must just count the stock and pay Isaac here”

Buffy went to the counter and made a show of counting the stacks of soda and checking it against the invoice. She could hear Officer Riley say,

“Well if the sheriff says it’s okay, then I’m your man!”

“Well that is good news! So, that’s about it - thanks again for lunch Miss Buffy, delicious as usual, but I must be off” the Mayor stood up collecting his papers together

Buffy got a wad of cash from the cash register and paid Isaac.

“Welcome Mayor Henry, you take care now – there you go Isaac, $185 – I’ve signed, if you’ll counter-sign for me………… thanks” Isaac did so and Buffy folded the invoice and put it in the cash register. Isaac left and Buffy said

“Can I get you a coffee Officer Riley?”

“Please………”

“And cut! – That’s a wrap, thanks everybody………next scene we need Buffy and Spike

ooOOoo

“Buffy and Spike scene, dusk at the diner, scene 46, take one” The clapperboard shut and Spike strode into the diner taking off his helmet

“Thought I was too late! – Glad to see you’re still open!” Buffy gave him a smile and came around the counter, went and closed the doors and put the lock on, effectively locking them both in

“Officially I AM closed, She turned the sign on the door to ‘closed’ and continued,

“But I make exceptions every now and again” She said with a sultry voice. Spike swallowed for real, he couldn’t drag his eyes off her

“Good, ahem Good – I don’t want to put you to any trouble…at all”

She gave a tinkling laugh, shook her head and fixed him with her large green eyes. The air seemed to crackle around them, the atmosphere was smokin’ hot…

“So…what can I get you?” Spike was mesmerised for a second and then he was aware of the camera right up close on his face…

“Cold – I’ll have something cold – a sandwich…chicken and bacon I think with salad, if it’s no trouble”

Buffy gave him a devastatingly sexy smile and said

“Absolutely no trouble at all”

Spike sat on one of the stools, they were to make ‘small talk’ but Spike was mainly watching her delicious (as he thought it) little bottom as she buttered bread and made his sandwich…

“Will you still be around in a couple of week’s time?” Buffy asked

“Sure – I like it around here, got me an apartment out on the back of Hill Crest Parkway, why d’ask?”

“Only it’s the beauty queen Pageant a fortnight tomorrow, I thought you might like it”

“Sure, just my thing looking at pretty ladies…” Spike now went ‘off’ script and ad-libbed

Buffy deposited the sandwich in front of him when he said,

“But I’m sure none will be so pretty as you there!”

Buffy felt the colour rise in her cheeks and she quickly turned away. She began to put the lid back on the butter and nearly dropped the salad stuffs on the floor she was so flustered

“Hey now! You shouldn’t go around saying things like that that aren’t true!”

Spike was just going to take a bite of his sandwich as the script said, when he countermanded her statement

“It is so true! Why you’re the prettiest thing this side of Wilson’s mountain than that’s a fact!”

“And cut!” That was fantastic!” Warren enthused

“Yes, brilliant, the air positively crackled around you!” Tara added Buffy was still red from Spike’s comment, that and the huge big sexy wink he’d given her. He got down off his stool and Buffy, smiling, quickly grabbed his arm and whispered

“You are a BAD boy and I’m going to do everything I can to make you fluff your lines tomorrow!”

Spike grinned and whispered back,

“Go for it beautiful, I’ll make you blush if you do!”

“Those two have definitely got something going on between them, even if they don’t know it yet!” Tara said to Warren

“Hmm, I’ll say, and it’s going to make our job so much easier!” Warren said with a grin and the two of them watched as Buffy and Spike left the set grinning.

“Buffy – can you give me a lift home please” Angel asked. Any sense of ‘fun’ left in Buffy from that final scene with Spike evaporated

“What – why, what’s wrong with your car?”

“Won’t start”

“Why won’t it start?” Buffy asked

“Well *I* don’t know!” Angel said with an exasperated tone

Spike slammed shut his locker and rounded on Angel

“I suggest mate, you moderate your tone if you want Buffy to do you a favour!”

Buffy was in her own locker hanging up her ‘diner’ uniform and she smiled to herself at what Spike said. Her smile turned into a real frown when she heard Angel come back with -

“And I suggest *mate* that YOU mind your own business!” Angel said without looking at Spike. She slammed shut her locker and said,

“I’m sorry Angel, here’s a card for the breakdown service, I’m too tired and your place is five miles out in the opposite direction to me and – “

“Well let me come and stay at yours then!” Angel sounded desperate

“No Angel, I already told you I’m tired, just take the damned card and phone the breakdown will you” She practically threw the card at him and walked around him, it fell on the floor. He went to grab her arm and he suddenly noticed Warren as well as Spike was watching him from the parking lot doorway. Thinking he better give up, he bent and picked up the card

“I’ll give them a call then, thanks – goodnight”

Buffy didn’t say a word or give a backwards glance. Spike got on his bike, bibbed his horn, waved and roared off. Buffy too left the parking lot. When everybody had gone Angel went back to his car and replaced the rotor arm he’d taken off to render his car useless…so much for that ploy, he’d just have to try harder next time………

ooOOoo

Chapter 7 Rumours……and Upgrades


Tara was talking to Spike….

“So how’s the song coming along Spike?”

“Getting there…don’t rush me!”

“Fine, just so long as it’s ready in three weeks”

“Will be…so what’s this news you want to tell me?”

“Wait until Buffy’s here, and then I can tell you both together as it involves you both” There was a knock at the door and Buffy put her head around and asked

“You wanted to see me Tara?”

“Yes, come in” Buffy grinned at Spike and leaned against the table

“Here you sit, I’ll stand” Spike stood

Buffy thanked him and sat down, they both looked expectantly at Tara

“Right, we’ve had a request for you two to go on Alan Wavecrest’s show”

“Wow, what, you mean in New York?” Buffy asked

“That’s the one. We’re going to let you go, BUT and I mean this, you absolutely MUST NOT give out any plot lines due, or answer any questions about your relationship on the show, do you understand?” Tara asked looking from one to the other.

They both nodded

“I mean it, you will be sacked, we will run a story that has you run-over on the parking lot outside by a backing in truck – don’t think we won’t do it because we will!”

“Fine, no mentioning future storylines. So what can we talk about?” Buffy asked

“Anything you like!”

“But Tara, be realistic, the only reason we’ve been asked on there is our soaring popularity, how the ratings have quadrupled and such”

“Hmm…” Spike sighed

“Just be evasive!”

“Evasive” repeated Buffy

“Evasive!” Spike mimicked with a grin.

ooOOoo


“For god’s sake, you’d think there was nobody else on this show…Um excuse me Tara…TARA” Angel shouted

“What is it Angel, we’re on a busy schedule here!”

“How come we’ve done seven scenes this morning, all involving Spike and Buffy, but none of mine, I’m in three scenes here you know, I’d like to-“

“Angel, we’re on a tight schedule I’ve just told you!”

“But I don’t see that it’s any tighter than any other day!”

“It’s because they are flying out to New York at tea time!” Warren said walking past Angel checking the script.

“Flying to – what the hell for?” Angel strode after Warren and pulled his arm

“I said, what the hell are those two flying to New York for?”

“They’re going to be on the Alan Wavecrest show”

“They’re what – why?”

“Because they’ve been invited on!”

“But it should be *me* and Buffy, not *him*!”

“Angel, in case you hadn’t noticed, the ratings are up, for the last two weeks we have regularly been getting over 20 million viewers, which for an afternoon soap is excellent. And it’s all thanks to –“

“ARGH DON’T SAY IT!” Angel screwed up his face in anguish

“What’s going on in here, will you keep your voice down, we’re trying to shoot in there! – Have you got the continuity script there Warren, we need to get on” Tara came in hands on hips looking testy.

“Yeah, sorry, got side-tracked” Warren followed Tara back through the door and onto the set. Angel sat down heavily feeling bereft.

ooOOoo

Diner scene, Buffy and Spike, half way through customers walk in: Scene 11 take 2” the clapperboard shut

Buffy was collecting dirty plates up from the empty tables; Spike was reading his paper, half a cup of coffee left.

“Would you like a hot top- up on that coffee, or can I get you a fresh one – (snort giggle) sorry – sorry!”

Buffy put her hand over her mouth and she and Spike collapsed in giggles again.

“CUT! – Will you two get a grip!”

“Sorry…it’s just that every time I say ‘fresh one’ I get the giggles!” Buffy said grinning

“Well change it to something else, we must get on!”

“Okay, I got it…I’ll ask Buffy is the time right on the clock, when she says yes I’ll drink this down, and ask for another saying I’ve just got time” Spike suggested. Tara nodded and said

“Fine”

“Buffy and Spike diner scene 11 take 3” The clapperboard shut and Buffy started to collect up the dirty plates for the third time

“Buffy, is the time right on that clock, I’ve forgotten my watch” Buffy made a show of checking her watch against the clock on the wall

“Uh huh, it’s right”

“Okay…I’ll just finish this, have a quick top-up, and then I must be off”

Buffy put down a stack of dirty dishes and fetched the coffee pot.

Red walked in and said

“Morning, golly, you’ve been busy this morning looking at all these dishes!”

“Yeah, got those construction workers in I was rushed off my feet!”

“I’ll get changed quickly then” Red disappeared ‘out back’ out of shot.

Xandy wiped the tables and Spike said to him

“You’re doing a great job there!”

Xandy grinned at his new friend and said

“Thank you!”

Spike then drained his coffee mug, and stood up

“Well I must be going…see you tomorrow – hey Xand-man, c’mere…” Xandy walked over to him

“Here you go mate, you go spend that now, don’t you save it!” Spike ‘magically’ pulled a couple of dollars from behind Xandy’s ear

He also leant into the counter and called out,

“Bye Buffy, bye Red” and left with a wave to Xandy

“Look what Spike got from behind my ear!” he showed Buffy the money and she smiled and ruffled Xandy’s hair

“And Cut- that’s a wrap – next shot…we need to go to Abe’s garage – rest of you can go lunch” Tara said

“He’s so good working off script – I mean look even how Xandy’s reacting to him, this is excellent stuff!” Warren said to Tara, who agreed wholeheartedly.

ooOOoo

“The bloody cheap-skates!” Spike said standing at the check-in desk at the airport

“What’s up?” Buffy asked frowning

“Wanting us to fly all the way there second bloody class, that’s what’s up! – Well no way Jose! – S’cuse me love…can you kindly up-grade us?”

The stewardess immediately began to type at her computer…

“Up grade to Luxury Club Class on this flight is another $750 each, sir”

“Okay” Spike said. The stewardess again began to type and then she said,

“Ah, there’s a problem, you’re not the original purchaser of the tickets, are you sir?”

“Nope, that would be the skin-flints at this Alan Wavecrest’s show…”

“Well then I’m sorry sir, the only way I can do it is if you pay for two new club-class tickets yourself, at $1290 each”

Spike said no more but just handed the stewardess his Black American Express card.

“Spike, what are you doing! You can’t pay that much out for me!” Buffy squeaked incredulously

Calm as you like Spike said,

“Course I can, and you’ll thank me for it too when you arrive without dark circles under your eyes and no swollen ankles! – Thanks love” he took his card back from the stewardess and signed the counterfoil.

“But –“ Buffy began

“Ah-a, no buts love – which way to the VIP room?” He asked the stewardess

“Straight down, first door on the left – your tickets sir, have a nice flight”

Spike took the tickets, picked his overnight bag and slung it on his shoulder he also picked up Buffy’s small vanity case and strode down to the VIP lounge. Guiding her with his hand in the small of her back.

Buffy felt a little awe-struck, she’s never flown such a distance before and had never flown Club. The VIP room was subtly lit, with big leather armchairs and low coffee tables covered with the latest thick glossy magazines.

A waiter came over and Spike said to Buffy

“Trust me on this, have what I have okay?”

Buffy nodded and was surprised when Spike asked the waiter for two small orange juices and two bottles of sparkling mineral water, and two glasses with ice.

Out of his pocket Spike took a tube and opened it

“Don’t worry, they’re only multi-vitamins, see?” Buffy nodded and Spike dropped a large tablet into the mineral water he’d poured out. It fizzed and the water went orange

“Stops you dehydrating and your skin from becoming puffy” he explained and Buffy grinned

“And when you get to sleep, and drop the chair back to a lying down position, leave the foot bit slightly higher than your head, that way you won’t get swollen ankles!”

“You think of everything!” Buffy drank her vitamin drink and sipped her juice while she flipped through the latest Cosmo magazine. Soon their flight was called………



ooOOoo

After a very comfortable flight and transfer in a limousine from the airport, they arrived fresh as daisies at the Studios in New York.

They went to the reception area, and was greeted by a woman holding a clipboard

“Glad you could make it, you both look good!”

“Yeah, no thanks to you!” Spike said

“I’m sorry?”

“So you bloody should be, second class all that way indeed…”

“I’m sorry I don’t understand!” She looked blankly at Spike

“These darlin’. I know it’s not your fault…or is it?” Spike held up the tickets for second class

Buffy felt embarrassed, she hated confrontation and she just wanted to get to a room to change and have her makeup done.

“No, not me, I’m sorry you’ll have to see Mr Wavecrest’s secretary about that, she does all the bookings”

“Don’t worry I will”

“Oh brilliant, you made it, hi, I’m Alan!” A rather short guy with too much tan for NY and too whiter teeth grinned at them. He was wearing stone coloured chinos and a blue sweatshirt. He came towards them holding out his hand.

Both Spike and Buffy shook it.

“Did you have a good flight?”
“AS I was saying to yer-woman over there, yeah we did, no thanks to you!” Spike said, but he was smiling this time. Alan ignored him and continued


“Can I get you some coffee – a snack, Rachel, can we get um…(Wavecrest was trying to remember their real names and not their character names) get these lovely people some refreshments?”

“Phone Mr Wavecrest” somebody called, and a young lad came striding towards Alan holding out a mobile phone.

“Come on Kitten…lets find our rooms…what rooms are we in love?” Spike asked the woman with the clipboard

“You’re our top guests tonight, rooms one and two, I’ll get one of the-”

“No need, I know the way – but don’t forget that coffee, love” Spike said ushering Buffy through a doorway

Buffy looked quizzically at Spike, who explained…

“Used to do the Indie Rock charts from here didn’t they, The Vamps were always on it!”

“Oh...right. Well which one do you want?”

“Which one – oh, you have room one, you being the star an all!”

Buffy went to protest but Spike just nudged the ajar door open with his foot and put her vanity case on the floor by the table.

ooOOoo

The red light came on in their rooms and the door was knocked with a ‘Five minutes to Air’ comment.

Spike went to Buffy’s room

“Hey…you look stunning!” Buffy blushed and said he didn’t look too bad himself! Grinning Spike said wanna play up a little?”

“How do you mean?” He set her heart racing, he frightened her a little because she didn’t know how to say ‘no’ to him, he was thrilling, he made her feel alive for once she couldn’t catch her breath sometimes with the looks he gave her, she wanted to be wanton and sexy and free and, and…

“Sure – what do you have in mind?”

“Atta – girl! – Well have you ever seen somebody do this?” Spike turned his back on her, and wrapped his arms around himself so you could see his hands on his back, suggestively he moved them up and down his body, wriggling and making ‘hmmmm…hmm noises, as though involved in a heavy petting situ!

Buffy giggled and said, yes she had seen that before.

“Well how about before the door opens I stand in front of you doing that with my back to the audience…they’ll love it!”

“Okay – on one condition”

“Name it Kitten” (he’d started calling her Kitten this last week and she loved it)

“That you hold my hand as we walk down the steps together after you’ve done the, the thing with your arms!”

“My pleasure!”

“Two minutes” A voice came from outside and Buffy and Spike came into the hallway.

They were taken down the corridor by a man wearing headphones

Spike stood in front of Buffy. They heard Alan introduce them, and the door slid back. The audience was going WILD! Seemed a good third of them were Spike/The Vampyres fans and another third were older ladies, fans of the soap, but disapproved of Spike, there were a few ‘boo’s’.

After a few seconds of the joke Spike did her turned with a grin and held Buffy’s hand and they walked down the steps and onto the set, Spike let Buffy go first, and Alan kissed her on both cheeks, then he shook hands with Spike and they sat down on the sofa.

Alan had a hard time controlling the audience, they were still whooping and cat-calling.

“Well – what an entrance…so I’ll jump straight in and ask if this is the new love interest for Buffy on Wilson’s Mountain” Again the audience erupted with whoops and cries of ‘Shame’ from the older ones

Buffy’s hand crept across the sofa to Spike’s and she declared with a grin,

“What, NO – hell I don’t even like him!” this time the opposite happened and the whoops came from the older ones and the Vamps fans booed! Alan looked at the audience and said

“Will you quieten down! Don’t know what’s gotten into you!”

“I want Spike to get into me!” A voice from the crowd shouted and the old ladies went mad

“Disgusting!” was the general consensus!

“We can’t say, can’t talk about future storylines!” Buffy said

“Not even a hint?” Wheedled Alan

“Honey you don’t want to be with that druggie!” An old lady shouted

Spike grinned and tried to say something, but the audience was too noisy

They quietened at last and Spike said

“Sorry to disappoint love, but I’m clean – hell I bet you’re on more drugs than I ever was with your heart tablets and water tablets and this and that for your arthritis and your rheumatism and your swollen feet!” the audience went wild again and the old lady stood and waved her fist at spike causing much hilarity.

“You cheeky young pup!”

“Were cutting to a break” the voice in Alan’s ear said

“Well be right back after these messages, don’t go away now!” Alan said to camera

During the four minutes they were off air the floor manager told the audience if they didn’t behave they would be removed, young OR old, they would be OUT. He glared at the old woman who wouldn’t look him in the eye!

“Okay were live back in Five, four…”(then just using his fingers he counted down three, two, one

The red light came back on camera one and Alan welcomed everybody back and continued,

“Okay folks, I’m here tonight with two of the stars of Wilson’s Mountain Diner - Elizabeth Summers better known to all of us as Buffy, and the show’s latest sign-up, Spike Giles – so Spike, this is all new to you isn’t it, this acting lark – I mean we all know who your father is, but this is a totally new direction for you?” With a serious face Spike said,

“No, no, no! – who does your research – sack ‘em!”

“Oh?” Alan asked

“I was once third sheep in the Rookery Road Infants school Nativity Play when I was five!”

The audience tittered and Alan smiled

“Research, you’re sacked! So what’s it like for you, have the cast been welcoming?”

“Feel like family!” Spike said he and Buffy grinned at each other

“Yup…he nearly bought the house down on the first day!” Buffy said and Spike screwed his face up and said – ‘oh no!’, but with good grace!

“What was that then?” Alan asked, at last getting some sort of story out of them!

“Well, Buffy said taking up the story.......... the glass just rained down in these little pellets that got EVERYWHERE – the whole 7x9 foot plate glass. Luckily Spike was unhurt, but they made him go to hospital”

“I thought I was going to be sacked!! Bike was alright though thank god!”

“Well then folks, you heard it here first, nearly sacked before he’d even started! Give a big hand to Buffy and Spike!” The audience began clapping and Spike and Buffy left the set.

“That was brilliant Kitten…so after we check in to the hotel, do you feel up to some fun?”

“What did you have in mind?”

“Well…how about dinner…and then a club or something?”

“I’d say – lead me to it!” They both grinned and went to get their stuff

Chapter 8 Topless Bars and Dancing till dawn…


Buffy felt her heart skip a beat when she heard the light knock on the door. She opened it and her eyes nearly popped – Spike stood there in a black suit, black silk shirt and grey silk tie

“Ready Kitten?”

Buffy opened her mouth to speak, but then just nodded. Spike grinned – just the reaction he wanted, to render her speechless. They came out of the hotel, and Spike stepped to the kerb and hailed a cab

“Where are we going?” Buffy asked

“You’ll see – you do trust me don’t you?” Spike looked serious

“Of course!” She knew in THAT suit she wouldn’t be taken to any ‘dives’.

Spike’s grin came back and they got into the cab.

“35th and 8th please”

They soon arrived at what looked like another hotel.

They went inside, Spike holding the door open for her, and then he lead her to the elevators.

The elevator arrived with a ‘ding’ and the doors slid open, they let two couples get out before getting in. Spike pressed for the 25th floor.

“So, you know this place from when you were with the Vamps?”

“Um, not exactly, no.”

“So…what is it?”

“This Kitten, is a topless bar!”

“A what – oh Spike no, I don’t think I wan-“

“A-a, you said you trusted me!!”

“I do but…okay!” The lift slowed and stopped, the doors opened. They walked towards some glass doors and out onto a roof terrace. Hardly daring to look, Buffy kept her head down until she spied a waiter walking past holding a tray with one hand at shoulder height. She frowned and looked up, everyone was fully clothed, including the waitresses.

“But, I thought you said this was a topless bar!”

Spike pointed upwards, towards the sky and grinned saying,

“It’s the bar that’s topless pet, not the staff!” Buffy smiled and rolled her eyes

“You got me there!”

The evening was balmy, warm and the view from where they were was stupendous! Looking out over a magnificent sky-line.

“Right Kitten, they make the most delicious cocktails here, take your pick!” He handed her a laminated card folded into three with 100 different cocktails on it, plus 50 different whiskies, and over 100 different flavours of Schnapps. After a few minutes Spike said,

“See anything you fancy Kitten, or shall we have a bottle of Champagne?”

Buffy felt so excited, she felt thrilled to be there with Spike…

“Could I have a Bellini?”

“You sure can! And I’ll have a Virgin Mary” Spike said to the waiter.

“What’s a Virgin Mary?”

“Well, it’s like a bloody Mary, but without the vodka!”

“Oh, I didn’t know you weren’t going to drink alcohol!”

“No fuss pet, just pacing myself, we can have wine with dinner!”

“Well in that case I’ll only have the one cocktail!”

A proper triangular cocktail glass was placed in front of Buffy containing white peach nectar and champagne, a cocktail cherry and an umbrella. Spike’s straight tomato juice came with a small celery stick and a dash of Worcestershire sauce.

“I’ve always wanted to come to New York…never really had the time, always working…” Buffy sipped her cocktail, it was delicious.

“I had an apartment in Queens once…well to be truthful, dad did, but he was hardly ever there so I just kinda took it over”

“So, you know all the best places to eat then!”

“I sure do – what do you fancy – we could go to Hell’s Kitchen – that’s Manhattan – Ninth Avenue is the best for food.”

“Sounds great, but…no, Hell’s Kitchen sounds great!!”

“Come on Kitten, what were you going to say”

Buffy bit her bottom lip, Spike thought it adorable

“Um, well………I’ve always wanted to see China town”

“Fantastic! The Pagoda Lotus Blossom – they do the BEST Dragon noodles, wow – I could just go a bowl of those now!”

“Sure?”

“Positive, I’m salivating for Chang’s Dragon noodles!!”

ooOOoo

They took a cab to China Town, and made straight for the Pagoda Lotus Blossom, where Spike ordered dozens of little dishes, just little bites of this and that, all delicious. He dextrously wielded the chopsticks and fed her tasty morsels, and Buffy lapped it up, including the so called ‘Dragon noodles’. Spike explained how the lobster was fiery red and gave the dish it’s name! Dinner took over two hours. They came out and walked around the shops, the sights and the smells excited her. They stood and watched some acrobats and then the dragon dance. They bought a few souvenirs and Spike asked her if she was tired

“Who sleeps here – there’s so much going on, but saying that…I am beginning to flag!!”

“Nightcap?”

“Lovely”

“Come on Kitten, I know a place…”

They walked for a while, Buffy holding onto Spike’s hand. He turned down a quiet side-street, and then stopped at a door, knocked.

It was pushed open by a huge guy

“Room for two?”

“Sure”

The guy held the door open for them and Spike lead the way to a door which had the name ‘Garbo’s’ written above it.

Inside slow blues music played, and a few couples swayed on a small dance floor. Spike pulled out a chair for Buffy and she sat.

They ordered a bottle of champagne and talked and talked. She felt like she’d known him years instead of a few weeks. He told her about the band, his father, his mother’s death and the madness of his ex-girlfriend Dru. The last song of the night was announced…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvXFRuQ3fg8

and Spike held out his hand to Buffy and gently pulled her up onto the dance floor. He held her close, she could feel his breath on her neck, they swayed gently to the blues.

Spike crooned softly in her ear…then he gave a quiet chuckle Buffy whispered

“What?” and looked at Spike smiling

“These words are so wrong…but I love the tune” he looked at her for a few seconds, and then he captured her lips in a toe curling searing hot kiss that left them both breathless.

“Shall we go?” Buffy just nodded, he’d robbed her of speech!

“Cab or…?” Spike began

“Let’s walk…” Buffy said, finding her voice at last - they got outside and Buffy was shocked to see it was getting light.

“Oh my Goodness, what’s the time?”

“Um..4.45am!” Spike said grinning, then added,

“Enjoyed yourself?”

She’d never felt so happy in her life, she was falling for him, fast; she was scared, worried, happy, exhilarated…

“Well Kitten?” Spike asked again, and she stopped walking

Spike stopped and looked at her, slightly worried

“It’s been…the best night of my life” She said quietly

Spike beamed at her, took a step towards her and suddenly picked her up and swung her around

Still holding her she slipped down his body and Spike said

“I’m SO glad – God, it’s such a shame we’ve got to go back, there’s so much I want to show you!”

Her feet touched the ground again and she said,

“How long have we got, if we didn’t go to sleep – any ideas?!” Spike reached for her hand and held it as he looked at his watch.

“Let me see…we have to check in at the airport at 12.20pm…so that gives us roughly seven hours!”

“And I bet you know all the best places for breakfast!”

“Sure do!”

“Let’s go back to the hotel, freshen up, and then go out for breakfast, my treat”

“Great idea, ‘cept *I’M* paying!” Spike said swinging their arms

“But you’ve-“ Buffy began

“I’ve had the best night of my life too, and it’s not ended yet, no arguments!” Buffy couldn’t stop smiling……..

Chapter 9 Somebody give me a brake? –Break


Angel sat in front of his TV with a bottle poised over the glass; he’d poured himself a single measure of Bourbon. He watched Spike’s ‘antics’ at the opening of the doors on Wavecrest’s show, and he wasn’t impressed. Scowling as he saw Buffy eagerly reach for Spike’s hand as they walked down the steps and onto the set, he filled the glass, then frowning took a swig out of the bottle.

“Buffy…Buffy what are you doing with him…don’t you know you’re mine – we’ve been together now so long, you can’t just throw me away like an old sock…you, you can’t!” Angel said to the TV.

ooOOoo

Angel awoke with an ache in his head, neck and back, and a bad taste in his mouth. He rubbed his face and squinted at the clock, it was 2.37am.

He stood up unsteadily, having consumed about a third of a bottle of Jack Daniels on an empty stomach. He went to the bathroom and splashed his face. Then the thoughts came back…’I’ve lost Buffy’…she’s not mine anymore…she’s gone, not mine, she’s gone, not mine, gone, she’s gone, she’s gone!” Angel put his hands over his ears and cried out ‘NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!’

He sank down on the edge of the bath, huge wracking sobs took over his body. Tears and drool dripped unchecked on the carpet, he felt so wretched, he could kill that evil Spike Giles!

Taking a huge breath, Angel looked at the bathroom wall opposite…now *there* was a thought………

Maybe he could kill him. He could get some heroin and cut it with battery acid or anti-freeze or whatever they did with it…no, no, no, that wouldn’t do, he wouldn’t know the first idea where to get it from, or how to do it if he did get it.

Think more practically…the motorcycle – of course! The motorcycle…and thinking about it, when they left yesterday lunchtime, they went to the airport by cab, so that meant that Spike’s bike was still on the parking lot at work. He had to work fast, he’d got no time to loose! He splashed his face again and went into the kitchen. He took his toolbox from under the sink and took out a small pair of wire cutters and an adjustable spanner. He got his lot pass and put on his dark hooded fleece coat, grabbed his keys and left the house. He didn’t drive the normal route he took, he’d decided to go a different route to take him to the top end of the parking lot, that way would mean that he went through a different gate to his regular one and the security guard and he would be strangers, he’d just show his pass and the guard would think it was an early shoot or something.

He drove carefully, didn’t want to get stopped by the police for speeding or DUI. He felt very shaky and a little nauseous, and didn’t know if that was just nerves or the amount of drink he’d had, especially as he didn’t normally drink spirits.

Angel stopped and indicated right and turned onto the lot and waited at the barrier of Gate ‘C’. The guard came out and Angel handed him his pass.

“Okay, thanks” the guard pressed the button in his hut and the barrier lifted and Angel drove through.

He decided not to drive down the whole way, but to stop just over half way and go the rest of the way on foot. If he stuck to the shadows he should be alright. He stopped the car, turned off the lights and put the wire cutters and the spanner in his pocket. He locked the car and made his way to the Wilson’s Mountain set………

ooOOoo

………”What do you mean, ‘will they be open’, babe, this place never closes!! Got such a great reputation that people from the theatres and late bars all come here first before going home – does the BEST steak and eggs you’ll taste anywhere!”

They rounded a corner and Spike grinned, there was a queue! Only just outside the door, but a queue was a queue, and it was only just gone 6am! A group of four came out the restaurant doing up coats and four went in – that meant there were only two people in front of them. Four obvious girl dancers from one of the Broadway shows came out next, their theatrical make-up removed, but they still had spangles and glitter in their hair. Buffy could see the tables quickly being re-laid with clean white linen napery and condiments and cutlery.

The rich smell of roasting coffee, baking bread and bacon filled the air making them both salivate

“I’m always the same after a Chinese meal, I’m always starving!! Buffy said sitting down

She picked up the menu and Spike tapped it she lowered it and looked at him. Spike screwed up his face and doing a passable impression of Angel he said in a Southern drawl,

“Hogg’s my name and Hog’s are my game there little lady!” Buffy got a fit of the giggles and a waiter appeared at their table

“Ready to order sir, madam – oh god, it’s you – um Buffy! And Spike! Hey everybody in the house, we have Buffy and Spike here!! Welcome to CJ’s Steakhouse!” people looked up and smiled some cheered, Buffy went red and Spike just grinned

“Have you ever eaten here before?” the waiter asked

“Are you kidding, I used to practically live here one time!” Spike said, and then added

“Does Carlo himself still flip a few on the BBQ?”

“Sure does, 78 and still going strong! – Anyway what can I get you good folks?”

“I’ll have a 16oz house special, medium done with an English muffin, two eggs sunny-side up, regular drip and a tall OJ” Spike said closing his menu and putting it back on the table. The waiter scribbled on his pad and looked expectantly at Buffy who said,

Buffy quickly scanned the ‘house specials’ and saw it was a choice of weight steak, how many eggs, and choice of toast

“I’ll have the same, but a 12oz, and a skinny latte, please”

The waiter went off and quickly came back with two cold freshly squeezed orange juices.

“Hmm…delicious!” Buffy said, and then she yawned and apologised

“Feeling it a bit myself now!” Spike said

The waiter came over with Spike’s black coffee and Buffy’s skinny latte.

“I was thinking Kitten, to blow the cobwebs away after brekkers, how about we go for a ride through Central Park, then we can do an hour’s worth of shopping or site-seeing, then we must make for the airport”

“Sounds great!” Buffy was aware of a large man standing next to her holding out two plates, he was wearing a white apron and had a dish-towel over his shoulder. His jet black hair and eyebrows belied his age, she instinctively knew this was Carlo.

“And-a- where have you been –a hiding yourself hmm? – I not see you for weeks, except on the TV!”

“CARLO!” Spike stood and the man put down the two plates

He hugged Spike and then Spike sat down

“I was –a sorry to hear about Rack….bad business the old…” (he made a gesture of using a hypodermic needle in his arm)

“Yeah” Spike said

“Tell me you don’t-a do that shit!” Carlo leant in towards Spike, who held his hands up

“Never touched it Carlo, honest – I’d probably be dead too if I had, knowing me”

“Good boy, you keep it that-a way! And here is the beautiful Buffy!” Both men grinned at her and Buffy’s cheeks went red

Carlo leaned towards her, took her hand in his and said earnestly,

“You wanna get rid of that Angel, is-a no good – you wanna fine-a man like Spike here – huh, yes, am I right – huh – I see the way he looks at you!” Carlo teased and Buffy felt herself go even redder!

There was a shout from the kitchen and Carlo said

“I better get back…no peace for-a the wicked…you come back-a soon Spike, and bring –a the lovely Buffy – I see yous – ciao bella!”

They both said goodbye and Buffy turned her attention to the food…

“Oh god this steak is to die for!”

“Tell me about it…”

ooOOoo


Angel could see the motorcycle parked under one of the big lot lights, but luckily there was a bush overgrowing above it that would give him some shadow to do what he wanted. He stood opposite the bike for ten minutes, almost hyperventilating, working up the courage to get the job done.

Seizing all his courage he quickly strode across to the bike and sat on the ground in the shadow. He got out the spanner and the wire cutters, and making sure he had his gloves on he followed the brake cable from the handlebar down to the front wheel lifting it away from the chrome bar he put the open wire cutters in place and squeezed.

Now either the wire cutters were more blunt than he thought, or maybe the cable was thicker but either way it wasn’t going to be easy…he squeezed hard with all his might, and it slipped so he had to start again, this time he placed them and used two hands to squeeze and he slipped again, his one wrist being at an awkward angle. Third time lucky Angel knelt down and – screwing up his eyes and biting his bottom lip till it drew blood, he placed the cutters on the cable again and squeezed with real brute force. Suddenly there was a sharp snap, and the cable was cut. Wiping sweat off his face with the back of his gloved hand Angel then loosened the wheel nuts on the back wheel, just leaving them finger tight…tugging the brake-cable he managed to tuck the cut end out of site like there was nothing wrong, and he stood. He still felt shaky and sick, he quickly made his way to the car and out off the lot. He got home and ran straight upstairs and threw up.


ooOOoo

“Aww, Xandy’ll love that Spike – you’re very good with him you know. I thought…well doesn’t matter now” Buffy said looking at the quality embroidery on the souvenir Spike had got for their work-mate

“Go on pet, say what you were going to say” Spike said as they went to the cash desk

“Well, as he’s, you know, the way he is, slow and that, I thought you’d be cruel about him, what with your reputation and that – just goes to show how wrong you can be about somebody, doesn’t it”

“Ah, he’s a good kid, not his fault he was oxygen starved at birth…is that it Kitten, we can check in when I’ve paid for these” ‘These’ being a dozen I Heart NY tee shirts, and a base-ball cap for Xandy.


ooOOoo

Angel didn’t bother to get undressed, he fell asleep on top of the bed, and now the alarm was going off. He sat up slowly, and wondered if he’d dreamt the whole thing. It was only when he saw the spanner and the wire cutters on the nightstand he knew what he’d done for real…and now he’d have to get rid of those tools…he’d dump them in the boating lake in the park, he’d do it on the way to work, there would be nobody around to see him do it…………………………………


ooOOoo

“Do you think we should go into work?” Buffy asked fastening her safety belt.

“No. They don’t know I up-graded us and we’ve had a decent sleep – I need to catch up at home anyway, laundry and stuff!” Spike said

“True…I could use some quality down time at home too – so you won’t come back to mine then?”

“I’d love to, but – hey how about if you come back to mine, we could get a take away and go over our new scripts”

“Tomorrow – can we do that tomorrow – like you I need to do laundry and that”

“Sure, bring your helmet into work tomorrow, we can go back to mine on the bike” Spike said

“Great…oh…ow…”

“What is it love?” Spike asked concerned

“Ear’s popping…always does on decent – ow!” Buffy put a finger to her ear and rubbed

“Swallow…um…here suck this sweetie, it helps” Spike quickly unwrapped the boiled candy sweet and Buffy sucked and swallowed to stop her ears popping as the plane came into land.

Chapter 10 Guess Who’s coming…to dinner


Spike got home from the airport via a cab, and let himself in. He immediately felt lonely and despite a mountain of mail – he didn’t want to do anything, except phone Buffy. She lived nearer the airport than him, so she should be home by now…he dialled her number and got the busy tone. He’d try again later. He took his suit out of his bag and put it away, put the rest of his laundry in the washer and put the kettle on. He tried Buffy’s number again and it rang out…and then he got the message – ‘Hi, I’m not available at the moment, but you know the drill – bye!”

“Um, hi babe, it’s me, just checking you got ho-“

“SPIKE!” Buffy sounded out of breath!

“Hey babe!” She could tell he was smiling.

“Sorry, I just went down to the basement put my laundry in…Willow rang me as soon as I opened the door!”

Spike chuckled

“Yeah, I put my suit away, put a load in the washer and thought I’d check you got home okay”

“Fine. – Thanks for letting me have the limo from the airport!” Buffy said

“Well, we were entitled to it, Club First class!” Spike said

“I know, but you paid for it, you should have had it!”

“Doesn’t bother me pet cab did me fine – I’ve been in enough of ‘em when I was with the band…besides, I don’t think you’d get a limo up my road…!”

“Have you seen the ratings for show we did?” Buffy asked grinning

“No – any good?”

“Willow said that Tara and co were over the moon! We pulled 38 million! – Usually mid week he peaks at around 25-26 million” Buffy sounded so excited, she continued

“They loved what you did first, and me saying I didn’t like you – and the fact that we gave nothing away!”

“Well the threat of the sack normally does that to people, gets them to conform!” There was a silence between them, and then they both spoke together..

“I was wondering if –“

“Spike how would you – “

“Sorry!” They said together, then,

“You first!” in unison again!

“No you – Buffy said

“Well…I know we only just left each other but…fancy dinner tonight?”

“Oh, go out you mean?”

“Yeah”

“Well the thing is –“

“No, look, I’m sorry, you’re probably sick of the sight of me and-“

“SPIKE – listen, I was going to say Willow’s coming over would you like to come to dinner here”

“But don’t you want a girly night in with Red?”

“I’d um…I’d rather spend it with you” Buffy said quietly, wondering if she should have said it

“Really – Well that would be great, coz there’s nobody else I’d rather be with” Spike said grinning and Buffy smiled – she knew he felt like she did.

“What time shall I come over?”

“Bout 7 –ish?”

“Great…shall I bring anything – wine or beer?”

“You can bring us a bottle of nice white, something home-grown” Buffy said

“Will do; see you at 7 then kitten – bye!”

“Bye!” they were both grinning like Cheshire cats when they put their phones down!

ooOOoo

“Here you go…bloke in the store said it was very nice” Spike handed Buffy a bottle of Californian Chardonnay. He continued, taking a small box out of his coat,

“And I got these to go with the coffee – I know you like chocolate mints”

“Great – Oh! I’ve got it’s twin brother already chilling in the fridge – you do like chicken, don’t you?”

“Love it babe…is Red here yet?”

“Oh, she um…she had to cry off – headache. Well migraine she said, she gets them from time to time” (Like when I want to be alone with somebody special!) Buffy thought

“Oh shame!” (Spike was thinking good old Red, that was diplomatic!)

“You sit yourself down, I’ll pour us a glass of the chilled stuff and we can watch us on the Wavecrest show if you like, I Tivo’ed it”

ooOOoo

“That was by far the best chicken I have ever eaten!” Spike said dabbing his mouth on a napkin

Buffy smiled and rose from the table and took their empty plates, he wasn’t joking, he’d had a big portion and seconds!

“I hope you’ve left room for dessert”

“Which is?” Spike said

Buffy went out into the kitchen, Spike heard the compressor of the fridge stop, then the door close and resume. Buffy stood at the archway to the lounge with a pint tub of ice cream and one spoon

“Ice cream…come on…will you bring the wine and my glass please?” Spike scooped up their glasses between his fingers and grabbed the bottle with his other hand, and followed her into the lounge.

They sat on the sofa and Buffy opened the tub. She drew the spoon around the edge where it had started to soften, and offered Spike the first mouthful….

Then spike did the same for her…very soon the show on TV was forgotten and feeding each other mouthfuls of ice cream took priority...

“Open wide…quick it’s going to – oh. Oh dear…will it stain, do you think?” Spike asked looking at the dripped raspberry sauce on the front of her low cut blouse………

“Don’t know…but I don’t want to be sticky so I’ll just…”

Spike swallowed hard and she slowly began to undo the buttons. She took off the blouse and unceremoniously dumped it behind the sofa. She then looked down at her breasts and said

“Oh look…shame to waste it” The wine had made her bold and she raised her chest a little towards Spike, who didn’t need a second invitation

He licked the drip of sauce from between her breasts. His tongue was cold and sent delicious little shivers all through her – she let out an ‘ahh’ when Spike said he better make sure that none and dripped any where else and proceeded to nuzzle, nibble and gently bite at her neck and breasts, then he suckled and pert nipple into his mouth making Buffy catch her breath and hold his head to her

Uncomfortable the way he was sitting, he was sporting a boner like an iron bar and it was being strangled.

“How about if we lay down and – Buffy?” Buffy stood reached for his hand and lead him up the stairs…she stopped outside her bedroom door and whispered

“Tell me you want this, you want me”

“Oh Gods Buffy, you have no idea how much I want you – wanted you from the second I set eyes on you…feel what you do to me…” he placed her hand on his considerable erection and Buffy squeezed it through his pants

Spike devoured her mouth with a red hot kiss and Buffy felt for the door-knob and walked them into the bedroom

Tearing at clothes they were quickly naked. Buffy stood between Spike’s legs – her skin was so soft, and smelt lovely, he nuzzled his cheek against her belly and closed his eyes. Then he twirled his tongue around her navel and rubbed his nose in the neat little triangle of soft blonde neatly trimmed curls. He could feel her shaking and moved so she could lie down on the bed. She centred herself and Spike knelt at the bottom of the bed and raised her foot and put it on his shoulder…he crawled up the bed, Buffy’s leg still draped over his back, and he dropped his head and licked her sex from bottom to top. Buffy arched her back giving out a small cry. With his thumb he pressed against her clit and began to circle it slowly, moisture began to seep out of her and Spike lapped and sucked, then probed deep inside her with his long talented tongue.

Buffy couldn’t catch her breath, she’d never experienced anything like this before, her hips bounced and when Spike introduced and finger inside her she nearly humped him off the bed

“Hmmhmmm – you like that kitten huh?” He slowly eased his finger in and out of her then twirled his tongue back and forth very quickly over her nubbin. Buffy’s head was whipping from side to side, she knew something big was going to happen, her body felt hot and she felt tingles and chills and floaty and she didn’t know what else – everything seemed to concentrate down to her sex, her hips churned, she wanted to press his face hard into her, she pressed down with her hips and just begged for more – happy to oblige Spike inserted another finger and went wild with his tongue over her clit – Buffy bucked and writhed crying out

“Ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod………oh, oh…oh harder…….don’t stop…oh gods don’t stop!” Spike had no intention of stopping – she was making the sexiest of moans in her throat that was turning him on something crazy – her hips churned faster and suddenly she pushed down hard and held herself rigid so his fingers were trapped deep inside her, he felt her velvet walls squeezing and releasing, squeezing and releasing, she was letting out one long continuous moan and then she relaxed, collapsing her hips on the bed. She was panting for breath, never having experienced an orgasm like it before.

“Oh god that was…wow” Spike withdrew his fingers, sucking them into his own mouth

Buffy reached for his sizable erection, and Spike took a sharp intake of breath. Instinctively she began to pump her hand up and down. She rubber her thumb over the weeping tip to spread the pre-come that leaked out of it

Now Spike wasn’t new to this game like Buffy was, but he knew if she kept up with that hot little grip of hers for much longer…

“Babe I don’t want to be a kill-joy, but what you’re doing…”

“Oh god, am I getting it wrong?” She immediately withdrew her hand and looked sick with worry

“Oh gods no babe, just the opposite, you’ve got it spot on, too good, you’ll have me come in a minute doing that!” Spike grinned at her and Buffy coloured up with relief and a little embarrassment, which was silly!

Spike kissed her again, she could taste herself on him and thought it would be off-putting but it strangely wasn’t.

She knew what she wanted and as Spike nuzzled her neck he leant on one arm and put himself at her hot little entrance

“Ready for this babe?” Buffy nodded and Spike leaned down on his other arm and thrust himself forward, slowly

“Oh God babe…oh god you feel SOOOOOOOOOOOO good!” he shivered and Buffy arched her back

He was right it did feel good; she could feel herself being stretched more than she’d ever been before and Spike stopped, with drew a little and then began to push up again. He did this a few times, Buffy tried to raise her hips in time with his thrusts, she was doing a great job too…soon he was inside her to the hilt, they lay there panting, Spike could feel her inner muscles squeezing him. He slipped his arms under her one leg, then the other and withdrew and quickly slid home again

“Oh yes!” Buffy cried out

Spike began a steady rhythm and snapped his hips up when fully seated to crush her clit between her lips and his pubic bone sending shock-waves of pleasure all through her body

Buffy’s nails raked lightly down his back and Spike upped the pace a little

“Oh yes, oh god yes, more, harder…yeah faster!” Buffy clutched his biceps, her nails digging little crescent shapes into them and Spike upped the pace, slamming into her harder and faster as she wanted

He knew he wouldn’t last much longer, she was so tight and hot, he slid her right leg up onto his shoulder and reached down to where they were joined he pressed down on her clit and Buffy felt like she’d short-circuited, her sweet velvet walls began to clench him tight and she felt Spike swell to enormous proportions……

“Oh god Bufffyyyyyyyyyy……ahhhhhh, ahhhhhhhh, uuuh, uhhhhhhh……...uhhhhhh!” When Buffy had stopped crying out too, he collapsed between her thighs, his head by hers

“That was incredible – I’ve never come so hard in my life before!” Spike said honestly

Buffy smoothed his hair back and leaned in and kissed him

“Me neither! I mean…it was my first time with…with somebody, I bet you could tell but –“

“Babe you were just perfect” Spike said. Suddenly a voice cut through the air and they both looked at the bedroom door

“Yes, BABE – you acted like a real PRO from him there – you deserve all that you catch from him you filthy little scum-bag BITCH!” Angel looked disgusted

“WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU…GET OUT” Horrified Spike leapt from the bed and Buffy tried to cover herself up with a sheet

“GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!” Buffy shrieked holding the sheet to her chest

“Oh don’t worry, I’m going – I bought you these to welcome you home…should’ve saved my money!” Angel threw the bouquet he’d bought at the chair by her dressing table and turned to go

“Oh no you don’t mate – you don’t think that you can come waltzing in here when ever you fucking feel like it – you have got to get it into that stupid, thick, overhang skull of yours – I SAID COME HERE! – that Buffy wants NOTHING – got that, that’s NOTHING to do with you” Spike pulled a retreating Angel back by his collar and swung him around continuing,

“And if you ever EVER come here again, and I’ll have you arrested, if I don’t kill you first - okay now GET OUT before I forget who I am and punch your fucking lights out!”

Spike was beyond angry – he was red and furious and spitting. Angel left, and Spike kicked the bedroom door shut, else he’d have followed Angel and kicked him down the stairs. Buffy began to cry.

Spike, still naked, sat next to her and cuddled her up, kissing the top of her head that she leant against his shoulder

“He ruined that beautiful thing we just did!” Buffy whispered between sobs

“Forget that prick love………he’s history”

ooOOoo

Angel left actually smiling, thinking – ‘she won’t be with you for long, you’re history!’

Chapter 11 How Do You Spell Resignation? S.A.C.K

Buffy crept out of bed leaving Spike fast asleep. She went and had a shower and with her hair wrapped in a towel turban and wearing her towelling bathrobe she went into the spare bedroom. This room she used as her ‘office’ – and was where she kept her computer. She logged on and emailed Willow – who replied straight away

“Great, you’re still up!” Buffy said

“It’s only just gone midnight, you know me!” Willow replied

“I’ll ring you now, on your cell” Buffy typed and picked up her phone and pressed for Willow’s number.

“Hi – so how was dinner?”

“Dinner was…great, and after…but – oh Willow!” Buffy started to cry

“What – what’s he done – the bastard – Buffy are you okay, what did he do…he, he didn’t you know, he didn’t force himself - you know, rape you did he – coz I’ll kill him!” Willow had bounded off her bed ready to get dressed.

“NO! No nothing like that – Spike wouldn’t do that, he’s not like that!”

“So what’s up?” Willow sounded relieved

“Ang...Angel somehow he got in…he saw us – he was watching us – he stood in the bedroom doorway”

“HE WHAT – Oh my god – how on earth did he get in?”

“I don’t know…I’ve never given him a key”

“Hold on, let me…………” Buffy could hear Willow moving and rummaging about and then she said

“The bastard – he’s taken mine, it’s not here in my bag! He must have taken it while I was filming and he was in the rehearsal room – I couldn’t understand why my bag was open – I always close it – the rotten evil – just you wait until Monday, I’ll kill him. I’m sorry Buffy, I didn’t think for one minute that-!”

“It’s okay Will, don’t blame yourself, you weren’t to know what he’d do” Buffy said, she had unfurled her hair from the turban and began to comb her damp hair

“What are you going to do?”

“About what?”

“Angel of course, are you going to tell the police?”

“I – I don’t know…oh god it’s SO embarrassing! – Do you think I should?”

“Well…it is awkward, I know that much, having to work with him still”

“I know”

“And another thing, you’ve got some pretty heavy scenes coming up with him as the Swine Fever storyline starts this week” Willow said

“Ew – oh gods I can’t stand him near me – I’ll have to talk to Tara and tell her no scenes with him holding me or anything, no hugging or porch scenes and that - ewww makes my skin crawl”

“So where’s Spike now – gone home?” Willow asked

“No.!”

“For shame!” Willow giggled

“Oh Willow, it was fantastic, he was so gentle and it was just…just wonderful till that bastard went and spoiled things!”

“I hope you practiced safe sex!”

“Well…I’m on the mini pill to regulate my monthlies as you know – and Spike was never promiscuous – all those stories in the papers bout him were just that, stories. He only ever smoked a bit of weed, didn’t like it he said it gave him a headache – and he’s scared of needles so he never did heroin, and he saw what coke did to the other band members. People have him all wrong”

“Well…okay. So are you two doing anything special tomorrow?”

“Hope so. I was thinking of driving out to Marlin Bay, see what he says – oh I think he’s getting up – better go, chat tomorrow, night Will”

Buffy heard Spike go to the bathroom. She met him in the hall on the way back

“Hey…do you want me to go babe?”

“No – you’re more than welcome to stay”

“Was that Will you were talking to?” Spike asked as he went back to Buffy’s bedroom

“Yeah”

“How’s the migraine?”

“Migraine? – Oh the migraine…must have got better she didn’t say and um I kinda forgot to ask!”

Spike smiled and lay down, holding out the covers. Slipping off her towelling robe Buffy slipped in beside him.

“Spike”

“Yes love?”

“Have you got anything planned for tomorrow?” he smiled and turned his face towards her

“Only to try and think of a way to get you to spend the day with me” Buffy blushed and said

“How about we spend the day at the ocean – we could drive out to Marlin Bay – there’s a fantastic little fish restaurant there…”

“Sounds delightful, only thing is…”

“What?”

“Well have to go to the studios to get your car”

“Oh yeah I forgot”

“My bike’s there too, but I’ll leave it there, I can go home in it from work Monday night”

“Spike…do you think we should tell the police about Angel?”

“S’up to you pet…personally I’d rather punch the bastard. Any idea’s as to how he got in?”

“Yeah…Willow keeps a spare key, it’s missing out of her bag”

“Listen pet, he’s got the message now, he’ll be gone in a few weeks, we won’t even have to work with him!”

“Can’t wait – I’m going to have a word with Tara – I can’t work closely with him, he creeps me out”

“Well that’s something for you to do love…I must admit I don’t want any scenes with him either, on or off set”

ooOOoo

Next Morning at the Studios, Spike and Buffy got there early. They walked into the rehearsal room where Tara was sitting with Warren, and Cassie. Buffy put her head around the door and said

“Tara, can I have a word with you please, it’s very important”

“Sure – by the way great show we LOVED it!”

“Thanks…we had a good time doing it!”

Tara came and stood with Buffy outside in the corridor

“It’s about Angel”

“Oh?”

“He um…he seems to think that we have or had a real relationship and is taking this, him leaving and me being more with Spike very badly…”

“Really?” Tara said quite shocked

“He’s getting stalker-ish, keeps turning up at my house, playing up because Spike’s been there, making all kinds of threats”

“Oh my goodness!”

“Well the thing is…I know he’s leaving soon, but I was just asking you NOT to put us into any lovely-dovey scenes, not hugging, no late night porch scenes – anything where he’s got to touch me”

“Oh. Oh I see. Um, well I’m glad you told me – Warren and I were just discussing how Angel was going to tell you about the swine fever in his pigs. Hmm…we’ll have to think again – we were going to do that as a porch scene, just quiet him with his arms around you”

“God no – I can’t, I WON’T do it, I’m sorry. Look, can’t we have somebody like Officer Jones ask me why the vet was at Hogg’s farm again, something like that, then I can ask Angel later when he’s in the diner?”

“Hmm – it means big scene changes…we’d got time booked with the pigs and the farm” Tara said

“Well you can still do that, just nothing with me in them”………Buffy said

oOo

“You are joking, - so how did he get in?” Warren asked

“We think he took the key out of Willow’s bag while she was filming and he was in here – she found her bag open, she reckons she always shuts it, probably got disturbed or something”

“I see, so Buffy wants-“

“Absolutely nothing to do with him, no touching no cuddly porch scenes”

“Hmm, could be awkward…but I’m sure we’ll get around it” Warren said. Buffy and Tara came back into the rehearsal room, and Tara said

“Warren, we need to do some emergency script re-writes”

“So spike was telling me here”

Buffy went big eyed and Spike caught her wrist and said, don’t worry, I didn’t tell him what Angel saw, just that he got in using Willow’s key and how he’s stalking you. Warren said you should tell the police. Spike said. He could see Buffy looked pained about it, she just wanted to forget the whole thing.

“I – I don’t know Spike – like you said he’ll be gone soon!”

“It’s okay pet, I’m not going to force you, it’s entirely up to you”

“Hey!” Willow came in and immediately hugged Buffy, then Spike. Xandy came in and smiled at everyone saying hello.

“Hey Xand-man…got you a present!” Spike said

“Present? – But it’s not my birthday!”

“Yeah we know, but did you see us on the Wavecrest show?”

“Yes – it was funny when you did the hands thing, mom laughed too!” Everybody smiled

“Well, while we were there, we bought you these” Spike dipped into the carrier bag and took out two bags. Excitedly Xander tipped out his ‘I heart NY’ tee shirt, and the baseball cap from the other bag.

Beaming he held the tee-shirt up and he put on the baseball cap

“Hey, looks great, wish I’d got one of those Xand” Said Ford, who’d just walked into the rehearsal room

“Here you go my friend, there’s one for each of you…medium for you…large for Warren, Spike began handing the tee shirts out.

“Hey watch it!” Warren said good-naturedly

Willow took hers and then Angel walked in and everybody went quiet.

“Look what Spike and Buffy bought me Angel!” Xandy said still grinning.

Angel didn’t say anything, and Xandy dropped his arms and frowned, nobody said anything

“So how is everybody this morning?” Angel asked trying to make light the atmosphere

“I believe you’ve got something of mine!” Willow said holding out her hand

“Me? – What – don’t know what you’re talking about!” Angel said smiling, but he’d gone red.

“Oh yes you do, you lying little toad, now give me my key back!” Willow said angrily.

“Oh – you mean this is yours – I found it on the floor Friday night, I wondered who it belonged to!” Angel passed Willow the key to Buffy’s house from his pocket

“And don’t think it’ll work again, I’ve had the locks changed!” Buffy said

ooOOoo

Warren called Angel into the rehearsal room on his own to tell him of the script changes.

The atmosphere was terrible, and when Angel learned of them he protested,

“Look, all I’m saying is it’s the VIEWERS who’ll think it strange that I’m not holding her on the porch – personally I don’t give a damn, but it seems odd that after a 7 year relationship –“

“Look Angel…Buffy won’t stand it” Warren said simply

“What do you mean?” Angel asked smiling

“She asked for a script change – she doesn’t want you near her. With the way you’ve been behaving, quiet frankly I don’t blame her!” Warren added

“The way – “ Angel went red and got angry – this was all Spike’s fault putting it about what he’d done – only out of sheer desperation and love for the woman!

Angel stood up abruptly, the chair he had been sitting on clattered over he was angry and very red and spit flew from his mouth

“And did they tell you how I caught them, eh – did they? Did they tell you how she’d got her legs in the air and he was plowing into her huh – did they tell you how they were hollering and screaming like a couple of wild animals – the dirty little bitch whore deserves EVERYTHING she catches off him!”

Warren sat there with his mouth wide open Spike had heard everything from the set and flew into the rehearsal room and punched Angel in the face

Angel sprawled out across the tables shouting obscenities and goading Spike to hit him again, which
Spike happily obliged, until Warren hauled him off.

“Don’t be stupid man – don’t do this!”

“Fucking kill you next time!” Spike said giving Angel one last kick.

Buffy was crying, Tara and Willow tried to comfort her, but she pushed them away and stood in the rehearsal room looking at Angel on the floor

“What the fuck do you mean, ‘caught us?’ – Huh? I was in my OWN bed, in my OWN house, and YOU broke in, sorry not broke in, actually STOLE a key to get into my house! You’re nothing but a sick, evil pervert and everybody was right, I SHOULD have gone to the police about you, hell I wished they’d caught you the first time when you were knocking on my back door – ‘let me in Buffy, you can’t do this to me Buffy’ fucking pathetic –that’s what you are a pathetic, sick PERVERT!”

“Buffy – I know this isn’t you talking…look lets just sit down and-“ Angel stood stiffly, righting the chair and sitting down, holding out his hand to her. Buffy looked at his hand like it was covered in muck and said,

“Can’t you get it into your thick skull I HATE you? I can’t stand the sight of you, you and your creepy smile and your creepy hands, and your stinky breath, you make my skin crawl and I can’t stand to be in the same room as you!”

Security came and knocked on the door

“Do you need us?”

“Escort Mr Angelson off the premises for today would you please” Tara said

“What – no! Don’t be stupid, none of this is my fault – hey it’s me that’s been beaten up here! – It should be him you’re taking, not me – hey get off me – get ow!”

“Come along please Mr Angelson, you’ve been asked to leave, don’t make a fuss!”

ooOOoo


“There’s nothing else we can do BUT sack him!” Warren said

“I agree………poor Buffy – well AND Spike – but now we know why their chemistry on screen is so good!”

“Yup, they got a thang goin’ on!” Warren said grinning.

“Listen, I’ve got an idea” Cassie said

“About?”

“How we can write Angel out quickly without him having to be on screen again”

“Do tell!” Tara said and Warren looked interested too.

“Hmm, that just might work!” Tara said

“We can have Buffy say she’s going to have to find another supplier of ham, sausages and bacon,

and that Abe told her he has a bit of a problem, but he doesn’t tell her what, then we get Officer Jones asking Buffy why the vet is at Hogg’s farm for the fourth time in a fortnight and she doesn’t know, so she phones the vet and he tells her that there is a movement restriction order on the farm because of Swine Fever, she goes to see him – “

“Ah but Buffy won’t work with-“ Warren began

“Listen, let me finish, Buffy goes to see him, and he’s committed suicide in the sties – we just need see the legs or something lying on the ground, a shotgun by his side – he couldn’t take loosing the pigs and his livelihood he spent all his life working with – that plus he knew he’d lost her to somebody else”

“Well – it’s a possibility I suppose” Tara said

“I agree, but not the last bit, no him knowing he’d lost Buffy to Spike – that will alienate a few viewers and cause hate-mail for Spike, and we certainly don’t want that” Warren said

“That’s true – but I like the committing suicide story – we could definitely run with that”

“Well I’m sorry Angel, but I hear different, you didn’t quit, you were sacked, for gross misconduct no less!”

“Some fucking agent YOU turned out to be, whose side are you on anyway Pavayne, hmm – tell me that – while I’m not working, you’re not getting your percentage don’t forget, so it’s in your best interests to get me some more work!”

“I’ll see what I can do!”

“You’ll do better than that!”

Pavayne was getting ticked off with this jerk to say the least…

“I said, I’ll do what I can, they’re not exactly knocking my door down with offers you know, never have been for you – did you ever wonder why you didn’t even get a slot on Celebrity Cubes or even voice-overs for commercials? – Newsflash baby – you’re not as popular as you think you are…” With that blistering comment Pavayne put the phone down, muttering ‘Prick’.

ooOOoo

“Whoo hoo! Day off tomorrow – I’m not needed!” Spike said after the days filming.

“Lucky for some…!” Buffy said smiling, then she continued

“I’ve still got two more scenes to do yet, and then I can go home, but I’ve got a short day tomorrow, I should be finished at about 3ish!”

“Well, how about I pick you up and we could go somewhere?” Spike suggested

“Yeah – great! Although not out to eat I’m getting a tummy look!” Buffy turned sideways and smoothed her skirt over the very slightest of a rounded tummy

“Nonsense!” Spike said grinning

“I am – I can feel my jeans getting tight, I must have eaten at least a pound of giant shrimp yesterday along with that sea-bass!”

“Lovely and fresh though, great restaurant…so how about if I cook us dinner instead” Spike said grinning

“You cook?” Buffy said with a grin

“Yes, I can cook, nothing too fancy, soup and crackers, if I can open the box…!” Spike teased and Buffy laughed

“No seriously, how does a nice tasty roast chicken grab you, with jacket potatoes and salad?”

“Sounds great – and simple enough to pick up from the supermarket!”

“Caught bang to rights, okay then baby, bring the helmet to work and I’ll pick you up”

“It’s already in the back of my car – so see you tomorrow then take care!” Buffy gave him a quick kiss on the lips, but Spike grabbed her around the waist and pulled her in for a toe-curled of a kiss.

“Oh! Erm…” Xandy walked in and caught them kissing, he was holding the baseball cap they’d bought him.

“It’s okay Xandy, I’m just going…like your cap do you?”

“Yeah it’s great – Willow made it smaller for me now it doesn’t fall off, look!” he put it on and shook his head a little, the cap stayed put.

“Great, see you tomorrow then mate!”

“Yeah, bye!”

“Buffy – ready for the next scene, you’re asking Isaac the delivery guy if he knows of any suppliers of pork products for the diner” Warren called and Buffy went through to film.

ooOOoo

Outside Spike went over to his bike, put in the ignition key, threw his leg over, kicked the stand off and walked the bike backwards he started it up and revved and then slowly letting the clutch out he made his way to the security kiosk. He wasn’t going fast, the speed limit on the lot was supposed to be 20 mph, but hardly anybody kept to it

Ten yards from the barrier he slowed down and pulled the lever in for the brake, and it was loose he pumped it a few times and realised he had no brakes – the barrier was getting closer and closer, he put his arms up and the barrier hit him shoulder height, pushing him off backwards, he landed with a sickening ‘thud’ and the bike slew sideways from under him and out into the road.

The security guard came running out of his kiosk, he’d been letting somebody in the other side and didn’t see what had happened. He knelt by Spike’s prone body and dashed back to the kiosk dialling a 9 on the internal phone

“Yes this is West security gate 3, can you send the paramedics please, I don’t quite know what’s happened but a guy’s come off his motorcycle at the barrier………yes he’s wearing a helmet…no, he’s not moving…sure I will thanks!”

Somebody had pulled up in front of Spike and had got out of the car and knelt down by him.

“Have you called an ambulance?” the guy in the suit stood up

“Yes, paramedic’s are on their way” the security guard said

“Who is it, do you know?”

“Hold on…his pass flew out of his hand, I’ll get it………oh god, it’s William Giles – he’s in that soap Wilson’s Mountain” the TV executive said. They could hear the siren of the paramedics coming across the lot.

It took them less than 4 minutes to get to him, having a medical facility on-site. The ambulance pulled up and the two paramedics got out

They took one look at the situation and decided that it was too serious and needed an ER room at a proper hospital

“We’ll put him on a rescue gurney, that way he won’t be able to move his head, in case he’s damaged his neck, we won’t touch the helmet, leave that to the docs, we might do more harm than good if we try to remove it”

They very carefully strapped Spike to a rescue gurney and strapped the helmet so his head wouldn’t move, then they carefully slid the gurney into the ambulance, and made their way to the hospital

The chief of security was next on the scene wanting to know what happened. They retrieved the bike and saw at once the brake cable was snapped.

“The police will want to see this no doubt, so will the accident investigators – I’ll get it taken on a low-loader to one of the empty lock-ups, and then I’ll get the set builders to see if they can repair the barrier, just do the best you can with it” The chief of security left.

ooOOoo

“Okay cut! We’ll have to stop a minute - don’t they know we’re trying to film here! What’s with all the sirens?” Warren asked annoyed, he was pressing a number on his mobile

“Yes, hello security central, can you tell me why are all the sirens going off – were trying to film here…yeah Set 8, Wilson’s Mountain set…yes…uh huh…yes, thank you! Can I quote you on that, should be no more – who – the chief – go on then yes I’ll speak to him…yes – who am I - why – well if you must know I’m the Executive Producer of Wilson’s Mountain…yes I know him…OH MY GOD – are you sure? Oh god – oh god this is terrible, where have they taken him? – Yes, right thank you, bye”

Warren turned and saw Tara standing in the doorway, she asked

“Can we get on now?” With a sideways motion of the head and a beckoning hand he said

“Come here – Spike’s come off his bike at the security gate, they’ve had to take him to the Memorial Hospital – the security chief said looks like the brake cable on his bike snapped”

“Oh my god! – We better tell Buffy at once!”

“Tell Buffy what – I’m not doing any scenes with- what, what is it, you two look-“

“Buffy - It’s Spike, he’s come off his bike, he’s been taken to hospital – the security chief said it looks like his brake cable snapped”

Buffy’s hand flew to her mouth and she felt tears well up

“Look, you tell the others, I’ll take you to the hospital, come on, get your things” Tara said, and Buffy quickly got her jacket and bag and dashed out to Tara’s car.


ooOOoo


The Memorial Hospital an hour later……

The police were already at the hospital when Buffy and Tara got there.

Tara nudged Buffy and said,

“Are you going to tell them of your suspicions?”

“What, you mean that Angel could be behind this? – I don’t know…do you think I should?”

Tara nodded emphatically yes.

The cops were talking to a nurse and a doctor

Buffy and Tara sat down outside the trauma ward on a bench seat. Next to her were three vending machines, one for hot drinks and one for cold and the other for snacks

“Have you rang his father?” Tara asked

“I don’t know him! I don’t know how to contact him or…” Buffy began

“Alright, sorry course you don’t…want another tea?” Buffy shook her head and twisted the tissue in her hands.

A nurse came from behind a desk and came over to them

“Do either of you know how to contact Mr Giles’ father?”

“No, sorry – um but I know where he’s performing”

“I’m sorry, performing?” The nurse asked frowning

“Yes, his father is the Shakespearean actor Sir Rupert Giles, that’s William Giles in there”

“Is it oh...I didn’t recognise him with all the swelling and the bruising – so do you think you can find out how to contact his father for me?” the nurse asked. Tara nodded and took her mobile phone out of her bag.

“Oh god I wish I could see him!” Buffy said

“Um…let me see…who shall I ring…I know”…………Tara switched on her phone and scrolled down her number menu. After a few seconds of ringing her call was answered…

“Is that Wesley Wyndam Pryce? Ah, hello my name is Tara McClay I was wondering if you could help me please, I urgently need to contact Sir Rupert Giles, his son has been involved in an accident and the hospital needs to contact him…………yes…… yes……yes, well I know he was due to start a run of Hamlet next month on Broadway, but I thought he was in LA at the moment – I see, do you know anybody who would know? Who………………no I don’t know her…would you – please, it’s the Memorial Hospital trauma unit, ward 7……yeah………… 7, that’s right – as soon as possible please, thank you so much, bye-bye”

“He knows Sir Rupert’s agent, he’s going to phone her to phone him” Tara explained, and Buffy just nodded. She was just clutching the bench either side of her knees.

The nurse who asked for the information came back to the nurse’s station, and Tara went and explained what was happening.

Buffy was aware that Tara had stood up again and she looked up and saw Warren and Willow coming towards them.

“Any news?”

“No…they’re trying to get hold of his father, his agent is going to phone him to phone here” Tara explained

Willow went and sat by her friend

“Oh Buffy!”

She pulled her friend into a sideways hug and Buffy stayed with her head on Willow’s shoulder.

“I think Angel’s got something to do with this, I’m sure – brake cables don’t just snap do they – I was going to tell the police, but they were talking to the doctor one minute, next they’d gone” Buffy said quietly.

“Be careful what you say Buffy – I don’t see how Angel could have done anything, he was escorted off the premises by security don’t forget” Willow reminded her

“What everyday since Thursday morning?”

“What?”

“Thursday morning when he arrived for work - don’t forget we went to the airport from the studios in a cab. Spike’s bike has been there since Thursday morning – he’s had plenty of opportunity” Buffy looked up to see Tara and Warren looking at her, they’d heard what she said.

“As Willow said, be careful, the mood he’s in he’ll sue you for slander if you’re not careful”

The phone rang at the nurse’s station and they heard the nurse say,

“Oh good evening Mr Giles, then she turned away and dropped her voice so they couldn’t hear anything else.

ooOOoo

“Buffy…Buffy”

“Hmm – wha-oh – I’m stiff!” Buffy sat up and yawned

“What’s the time?”

“Nearly midnight, want to go home?” Tara asked

“No! No I’m not leaving until I can see him. You go if you want”

“Are you sure – how will you get home?”

“I’ll phone a cab – don’t worry, thanks for everything Tara, I’ll see you later” Tara stood, yawned and stretched picked up her bag and left.

A doctor came through the doors from the room Spike was in, and Buffy asked if she could see him

“I don’t see why not – just for a few minutes”


There were all sorts of machines monitoring Spike and his head was heavily bandaged. He had a canula drip in the back of his hand, but Buffy gently slipped her fingers gently around his palm

“Spike…I um…I don’t know if you can hear me…please be alright” She bit her lip and tears began to fall again. Buffy kept on holding his hand and sat down. She wiped her eyes and nose and tried to think of something to say

“Your father’s coming to see you, he’ll be here soon. And Warren and Willow came earlier, and Tara’s outside she’s been great, she bought me here straight away, soon as we heard. Oh Spike, I wish you could answer me!”

She looked at him and felt sick and hopeless, useless and sure that Angel had something to do with it.

The door to the room opened and in walked a tall, distinguished looking man with greying temples. He was wearing a dark coloured suit covered with an Armani raincoat. Buffy recognised him as Sir Rupert Giles, Spike’s father.

Buffy stood immediately, hoping her face didn’t look too bad from crying.

He walked over and stood by the bed and then he looked at Buffy and smiled,

“Hello – I’m Rupert, and you are?”

Buffy took his hand and shook it saying

“Hi, I’m Buf- Well Elizabeth Summers, but everybody calls me Buffy”

“Of course, the light in here isn’t very good, I’m sorry I should have recognised you” He turned his gaze back to his son

“Do you know what actually happened? All I’ve been told is that he came off that wretched motorbike of his – damnable contraption!!” Buffy thought how typically English he sounded

“No, I um…well I… oh god…I’m sorry – I“ Buffy ran out of the room, nearly bowling the nurse over who was just about to enter.

“Oh….um, do you think I should go after her at all?” Sir Rupert asked

“Don’t worry, she’s a little over-emotional because I imagine she’s tired, she’s been here since this afternoon when it happened. I just came to say the Doctor will be with you shortly”

“Right, thank you Nurse…(he squinted at her name badge) Ross”

“You’re welcome” she left and went out into the corridor and into the ladies toilets

“Honey, are you in here?” she called out

There was the sound of a toilet flushing and a lock sliding back, and slowly a door opened and Buffy came out of one of the cubicles and walked to a sink. She turned on the cold tap and splashed her face, and then tore out several paper towels to dry herself.

“You okay honey?” the nurse smiled fondly at her putting her hand on Buffy’s shoulder.

“Yes…I think so – how is he? I mean I know he’s unconscious, and the machines and that…”

“Just having to wait at the moment, he’s had a brain scan, there’s slight swelling like he took a right hook from Mike Tyson say, once that goes down, well, he should be right as rain…his neck is okay no breaks. Luckily the helmet took the brunt of the hit when he fell”

Buffy looked down and nodded

“I bet his dad thinks I’m some sort of lunatic running away like that”

“I told him you were probably tired, that you’d been here since the accident this afternoon. Come on now, I’ve got your number, I’ll leave it with the day-staff to ring you the minute he comes around okay – you get off home and get some sleep”

Buffy smiled and nodded, but she didn’t really want to leave. The nurse turned to leave and Buffy said,

“Excuse me”

Nurse Ross turned expectantly without a word

Buffy looked at her hands looking for the right words, and then she looked up at Nurse Ross and said,

“I-I um…I th-think s-somebody cut the brake cable on the bike” Buffy said

“What?” Nurse Ross frowned and let the door go and she came over to Buffy, frowning she held Buffy by the shoulder

“Are you sure honey?”

“No…but so much has happened and things have got totally out of hand – and I’m probably making no sense to you at the moment”

“Honey, if you think foul play’s been involved then you’ve got to talk to the cops that young man could be lying in the morgue instead of a bed, the truth must be investigated”

Buffy nodded and decided to grab the bull by the horns and do it.

She left the toilets and Nurse Ross went to her station. Buffy saw that the doctor was talking to Spike’s father and went over to the nurse

“Would you apologise to Sir Rupert for me for running out on him like that – I’ve decided, I’m going to the police now” Buffy said with a strong firm resolve

“That’s good honey, I’ll tell him for you”

Just then two men came up to the nurses station, one carrying a large camera, the other asked and asked

“Is it true you have Spike Giles in here?”

“And you are – “ The nurse began, but the guy looked at Buffy and said

“Hey, it must be true it’s Buffy – Mike, it’s Buffy look - how is he babe, what happened somebody said he came off his bike at 70 miles an hour” ‘Mike’ began to snap off a few photos and Buffy frowned and held up her hand saying

“Go away, leave me alone – stop that!”

The nurse rang for security, and then turned to the two men

“Out, come on, you know you shouldn’t be in here, journalists aren’t allowed”

“Hey just doing my job – this is big news!”

Security came running around the corner and the guy held his hands up and said

“Alright, Alright, we’re leaving – you can call off the cavalry – so how about a quote Buffy – and is there any truth in the rumours that you and he are an item – you certainly looked cosy enough on the Wavecrest show! Buffy – Buffy, even if you don’t tell us we’ll print it anyway!”

“Come on, OUT!” The security guard grabbed the photographer by the arm and began to lead him towards the exit.

Buffy looked at the nurse and said,

“Is there another exit – I don’t want to see them again outside”

“Sure honey, Carlton will take you over to the taxi rank, won’t you honey?”

The other security guy held out his arm and said

“This way ma’am, follow me” And Buffy did. Slipping out of Security’s rest room she slipped straight into a taxi and said,

“The nearest police station please” she said and sat back and closed the door.

ooOOoo

Chapter 13 Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide


“Are you happy with that statement then Miss Summers?” Buffy read the three page statement she’d made to the police and nodded.

“Good, will you please sign the bottom and date it for me, thanks” Buffy did as she was asked and the detective got up and left the room.

Buffy yawned, she felt so tired, and looked at her watch. No wonder, it was 2.55am. The detective came back into the room and said,

“Okay Miss Summers, we’ll be interviewing your work colleagues sometime later on today, and there’s a warrant out for the arrest of one Mr Angel Angelson, that will be executed ASAP. Will you be at your home address today in case we need to ask you some more questions?”

“Um, either there or at work at the studios”

“Do we have a contact number for you?” The detective scanned the statement

“You have my home phone number, I’ll give you my mobile number too, its 0555………”

ooOOoo


“Alright, ALRIGHT! Jeez, where’s the fire?!” Angel was woken by a loud and insistent hammering on the front door. He answered it doing up the belt on his dressing gown. Two uniformed policemen were standing on his doorstep.

“Mr Angel Angelson?”

“Yes”

“I’m Officer Patrick Murphy, and this is Officer Carlos Fuentes, would you mind if we came in please?” Angel ran his hand through his hair, and although he was shaking slightly, he tried to sound calm.

“Good grief, um, what’s it all about?” he stood back from the door and the two officers walked in.

“I have a warrant here for your arrest, connected to a motorcycle accident that happened on the parking lot of Blackmore Broadcasting Productions yesterday afternoon at around 3.30pm”

“WHAT – look I’m sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about, I wasn’t at the studios at that time yesterday, I’d come home by then!”

“Will you please just get dressed and come with us sir”

“But this is ridiculous! It’s what, not 5.30 in the morning and you come banging on my door, accusing me of all sorts of things of which I have no knowledge whatsoever-“

“Mr Angelson, please just get dressed, else we’ll take you dressed like that and you wouldn’t want to be in the ‘tank’ with no pants on now, would you, sir?”

“I’m phoning my lawyer!” Angel went to his phone but the Hispanic officer put his hand over it so Angel couldn’t see the numbers.

“Er, there will be plenty of time to do that at the station sir, now I won’t tell you again, GET DRESSED!” The officer meant business Angel could see that. So he went upstairs and got dressed. He thought about doing a runner out of the bathroom window, over the flat kitchen roof and off – but he didn’t want to rouse any more suspicions than necessary.

He came down stairs fiddling with the cuffs of his casual ‘lumberjack’ style shirt and said

“Well come on, I suppose we better get this fiasco over and done with…but if you ask me it’s that Spike Giles who should be arrested – seen this, have you, huh – seen this black eye I’ve got – that’s all down to him! He’s an animal that’s what he is, an animal, and he’s the one that ought to be locked up, not me!”

“Mr Giles is lying in a hospital bed, in a coma, now say nothing else until asked to do so. Get in the car please” Angel did as he was told. His stomach did a flip at the news about Spike, but he said nothing.


ooOOoo

“Det Lindsey? – It’s Doyle here from forensics – I have here a preliminary report about the motorcycle that was in the accident yesterday – the Spike Giles one”

“Oh yes, what have you found?”

“Well one thing’s for sure, the cable was definitely cut, it didn’t snap. When something has metal fatigue and snaps, you’d get jagged edges, but I’ve looked at it with my own eyes and under the microscope, and the break comes down to a definite ‘V’ shape, and there are two more indentations above the actual cut, like whoever did it slipped a couple of times before they actually managed to cut it”

“So she was right with her suspicions then” Lindsey said.

“Yup, looks like it. I’ll write up my findings and let you have the report and photographs by lunchtime today – bye”

“Right, thanks, and Bye Doyle”

ooOOoo


“Oh god, are you even LISTENING to me – how many more times have I got to tell you?” Angel said angrily. Slamming his fist on the table.

“Again, we’ll take it from the top” Detective Lindsey said

“You’ve had it in for Mr Giles ever since he joined the cast of the show you both work on, haven’t you?”

“No – in fact he beat me up, these black eyes I’ve got are a result of HIM, hitting ME” Angel spat out. Ignoring that statement Lindsey continued,

“Why are you stalking Miss Summers?”

“Stalking? – I wasn’t aware I was stalking her, we were practically engaged!”

“That’s not what she tells us; she says that you seem have problems differentiating between fact and fiction, what is reality and what’s written for the show”

“Rubbish!”

“So why turn up at her house demanding to ‘talk’ about things when there was nothing to talk about. – And according to Miss summers you stole a front door key to her house from a colleague and got in and spied on her most intimate moments”

“Look – I didn’t steal the key, I found it on the floor in the rehearsal room…and I also told you, that idiot, that, that fly-by-night junkie has turned her head! Buffy’s a nice girl, a lovely girl, she shouldn’t be with a waster like him – he’ll ruin her, spoil her – bring her down to his level, and I for one am not prepared to watch her about to throw her life away on scum like him”

“Don’t you think that’s Buffy’s decision to make?”

Angel scowled and screwed his eyes up, clenched his fists and said

“You’re not listening to me – her heads been turned by him!”

“Actually Mr Angelson, whoever Miss Summers cares to consort with, is her own business and as regards the drugs………from what I can see here, the only person to have a wrap sheet on drugs, is you. Caught smoking cannabis at a frat party when you were 17 it says here”

Angel sat there dumb-founded, and then he said,

“He’s a junkie – that one guy from his stupid group died from an overdose – they were always in the papers about their antics in other countries!”

“Actually, he’s not. He passed medicals and tests to prove he wasn’t taking any class ‘A’ drugs. And don’t forget, Mr Giles is English by birth. Any convictions for drugs offences and he wouldn’t have been allowed into this country, so your theory about him being a ‘junkie’ as you call him, is out of the window.

There was a knock at the door and another detective, Holt, put his head around.

“Can I have a quick word please?”

Detective Lindsey stood and left the room, closing the door behind him.

“We’ve found something on the CCTV footage – looks suspicious it shows somebody creeping in the shadows, walking towards Set 8 where the bike was parked, then it shows them walking to the bike, but the angle is too sharp for the CCTV camera, we can’t see them actually doing the deed”

“Does it look like our man?” Lindsey asked.

“I’d say yes, right build and height, I asked one of the guys in CSI to try and clean up the tape, and enlarge the picture, it goes a bit grainy, but I would bet on it being him” Detective Holt said.

“He doesn’t have an alibi for any night the bike was left there unattended on the lot – he says he didn’t realise he’d need one, just that he was home, alone”

“I’ve just had a thought! Don’t they have to show a pass when they drive onto the lot?” Holt asked

“I should have thought so, it would be easy enough to check that, I know they have to go through a security gate to get in or out – see if there’s footage of him leaving – he drives a dark blue Taurus, I’ll get the licence plate number, hold on”

Lindsey opened the interview room door and said to Angel,

“What‘s the license plate number of your car?”

“Why”

“Just tell me please Mr Angelson”

“I want to know why – do I have to tell them?” Angel turned towards his lawyer, who said

“You don’t have to say a word Mr Angelson, but they’ll find that out easily enough, they only have to look on the computer at the records office, and if you’ve nothing to hide…”

Angel sat back in his chair and folded his arms. He knew the game was up – why did he have to go and DRIVE there – how stupid could he be? – He could be done for attempted homicide now!

“Are you going to tell me or – “ Lindsey asked impatiently

“Alright…I did it”

“What?” Lindsey frowned briefly and came into the room fully

“I did it. I cut the brake cable”

Angel’s lawyer looked shocked and said,

“I advise you not to say anymore Mr Angelson!” he then looked at Det. Lindsey and continued,

“I need five minutes alone with my client”

“Oh shut up…I’m in enough trouble – I did it. I cut the cable to frighten them, him – I just wanted him to back off Buffy” Angel said miserably.

Holt looked into the room and asked

“The number?”

“Won’t be necessary, he’s just admitted it, bag the tape up and mark it as evidence I’ll come and get it later” Lindsey said. Holt nodded and left.

ooOOoo

“Miss Summers? – It’s Detective Lindsey here, first any news of Mr Giles?”

Buffy’s voice was thick with sleep still and she croaked something about the hospital said Spike had had a ‘comfortable’ night, whatever that meant………

“Well I just rang to tell you that your suspicions were correct, Angelson DID cut the brake cable, he admitted it just”

“OH GOD…he admitted it – oh my God!”

“He’ll be formally arraigned in the morning, until then we’ll keep in custody here”

“Thank you for telling me Detective Lindsey, bye” Buffy felt awful, she felt tired and sick but starving hungry too. She flip-flopped into the kitchen in her robe and slippers, and put the kettle on. Her mobile rang again and she answered it.

“Hello”

“Buffy? – How are you – you sound awful!” Willow said

“I’m okay, tired – I just had detective Lindsey on the phone, Angel admitted it, he cut the brake cable”

“Oh god – so what happens now, is he going to be charged?”

“The arraignment is in the morning, but I’m not sure what they’re charging him with…probably attempted homicide”

ooOOoo

“Well just do the two scenes with you today Buffy, and we’ll let you get off, I’m sure you want to go home to bed” Warren said, Tara was standing behind him.

“Oh thanks, I appreciate it – but I’m going to see Spike first” Buffy said yawning

“Hmm…you’re giving Andrew a hard time in makeup, he’ll have to hide those dark circles under your eyes, and you need to look fresh as a daisy!”

ooOOoo

“That’s a wrap, okay Buffy you can go for today” Tara called

“Thanks everybody, I do really appreciate this” Buffy said

“Buffy…is Spike going to be okay?” Xandy asked worriedly. Buffy took his hand and said,

“Sure Xandy, don’t worry, when he’s a bit better, I’ll take you to see him, okay?”
Xandy smiled at this and said,

“Yeah!”

ooOOoo

Buffy got in her car and drove off the lot. She turned onto interstate 6 towards the hospital when her mobile rang. She pressed answer on her hands free set and said,

“Hello?”

“Miss Summers, it’s the Memeorial hospital here – just to let you know that Mr Giles has woken up-“

Buffy beamed as she drove into the tunnel, but she lost the signal for her phone and got static.
As soon as she came out of the tunnel the call had ended. Anyway, she didn’t care, she was two minutes away and she’d soon see him, and be able to tell him how she went to the police and how Angel had been charged that morning with attempted homicide.

After parking Buffy ran up the steps and into the hospital, ignoring the couple of paparazzi calling out to her.

She walked down the corridor and along to the trauma unit, to ward 7, and pushed open the door. Spike was sitting up in bed, his head still heavily bandaged.

Grinning from ear to ear as walked up to the bed she gently hugged him and kissed his lips softly

“You gave me SUCH a fright yesterday, lying here with all these wires and stuff going into you!” Spike smiled at her – she was a pretty lady, no doubt about that………

“Well I’m sorry love; I’d hate to put a crease in that very pretty brow of yours…so tell me something?”

“Anything!” Buffy said grinning

“Who are you?” Spike asked

Chapter 14 Getting to know you, Getting to know all about you…………



Buffy got back from the hospital she ran into the house, slammed the door and slid down it crying.

No sooner as Spike had asked her who she was, the door had opened and three doctors walked in, wanting to examine him, and she had to wait outside, then Sir Rupert turned up, so then Buffy decided to leave. She didn’t want to break down in front of the paparazzi, so she left as quickly and quietly as she could, head down ignoring the shouts and pleas for her to look up.

Her phone started ringing, the answer machine kicked in………

“Hi, this is Buffy, I’m not here, you know the drill” – BEEP

“Hello Buffy, this is Tara here, just to say you can leave it until lunchtime to come in tomorrow if you want, there are no really big scenes for you, nothing that needs any rehearsing anyway – so you spend some time with Spike – see you, bye”

Buffy sniffed, searched in her bag for a tissue, couldn’t find one so she stood and went into the kitchen and used some paper towel instead to blow her nose and wipe her eyes. She made coffee but didn’t drink it, and a sandwich but didn’t eat it, she was sad, sad and tired and fed up – she should have waited at the hospital to see just how bad Spike was – could this amnesia be permanent, or how much memory could he expect to get back…the telephone rang again, and again she let the answer machine pick up.

This time it was Willow, who said she’d try her mobile, and so when Buffy’s mobile rang she answered.

“Hi Buffy, where are you? I just phoned the hospital, I thought you’d be there”

“I was…oh Willow!” She started to cry again

“What’s up – he’s okay isn’t he, I mean they told Warren he was awake, that’s good, isn’t it?”

“Did they tell him anything else?” Buffy asked

“He didn’t say, why, what’s wrong?”

“He didn’t know me Will…he asked me who I was!”

“Oh. Oh dear, so he’s got-“

“Amnesia, yes”

“Oh. Did they tell you how long it might last, or what?” Willow asked

Buffy went on to explain what had happened, how she didn’t get the chance, and how she came home.

“Can I come over, I’m finished for today” Willow asked.

“Sure you can, but I’ll warn you now, I’m lousy company” Buffy said miserably.

“I’ll take my chances” Willow said smiling.


ooOOoo

Buffy and Willow were sitting opposite each other at the kitchen breakfast bar. Willow had eaten the sandwich Buffy had made earlier, and she’d made some fresh tea.

“So, when are you going to the hospital again?” Buffy was ‘miles away’ absently shredding the tissue in her hand. On getting no reply Willow said

“Buffy!”

“Sorry, what? Breaking her reverie, Buffy first looked up at her friend, then at the mess she was making and it pulled her back to the here and now. She sat up straight and collected up all the shreds of paper

“I said, when are you going to see Spike again – Tara said something about you not having to go in tomorrow until lunchtime, so that would-“

“I’m not”

“………mean you have plenty of time to – wha-what? – What do you mean, you’re not?” Buffy stood, threw the tissue away in the pedal bin and washed her hands. Willow swivelled around on the stool to look at her friend.

“What do you mean you’re not – you can’t just not go!”

“Why not – what’s the point, he doesn’t know me, what am I supposed to say? We work together, we went on the Alan Wavecrest show together had the most fantastic time in NY you upgraded my ticket and then when we got home we shagged like – “

“BUFFY!” Willow screwed her eyes up and waved her hands around and said in an annoyed tone,

“Don’t! Don’t cheapen what you have together!”

“HAD you mean, past tense…I suppose he won’t want to know me now!”

“How can you say that – you don’t know, you didn’t get a chance to ask him! – And also, think about it at least he’s forgotten about Angel watching you!”

Buffy gave a sardonic smile and said,

“At least there’s that I suppose…”

The telephone rang again and as she was standing by it she picked it up.

“Hello”

“Er, hello, is that Buffy – Miss Summers?”

Buffy recognised Sir Rupert’s voice straight away

“Yes, hello Sir Rupert, what can I do for you?” Willow grinned and looked on with interest

“Um, well, it’s a request from my son actually – he um, he said there was a very pretty blonde lady who came in to see him this morning and kissed him and looked happy to see him, he wants to know who you are and I said to him that I know you work together, but that’s about all I know, he never tells me anything – I think he’s hoping that, well, um…would you go to see him again please – you may just jog his memory about something – the doctor said his memory could take anything from two minutes to twenty years if ever to come back – but he thinks it’s more likely just the swelling of his brain and he’ll be right as rain soon. So can I tell him that you’ll come to see him? – I’m rehearsing tonight so I won’t make evening visiting, if that would be convenient for you?”

“Hmm – oh er yeah, yes, sorry – yes, I’d love to – thank you, I will definitely– see him tonight that is – haha!!”

“Good – I am grateful. Well thanks again and um, hopefully I too will see you again in the not too distant future – bye then Buffy, thanks, bye”

“Yes, Bye Sir Rupert!” Buffy replaced the receiver and squealed and did a little happy dance!

“What did he say?” Willow asked still grinning!

“He said that Spike had said to him a very pretty blonde lady had gone to see him this morning and kissed him and he wanted to see me again! - Oh, oh and get this - I might just jog his memory, but that could come back in two minutes, to twenty years if ever to come back, but the docs just think that once the brain swelling goes down completely – he’ll probably be fine!”

“So you’re going to see him tonight?”

“Yup! - what’s the time – I need to wash my hair and sort something out to wear!”

ooOOoo


Buffy felt butterflies in her tummy as she ran up the hospital steps.

She stopped at the nurse’s station and asked if it was okay for her to go in to Spike.

“Sure – do you know which room?” Nurse Owens asked

“Yes thanks” Buffy smiled and left. She straightened the pencil skirt she’d got on and walked in. The first thing she noticed was the huge bulky bandage that Spike was sporting yesterday had gone, and a lighter gauze type had taken it’s place. Spike was actually lying back, with his eyes closed – he was sporting two huge black eyes.

Buffy carefully came around the bed and sat down. She put her bag on the end of the bed and wondered if she should touch him or not. She eventually plucked up courage and reached for his hand. She slid her fingers into his palm, and began to rub small circles on the back of his hand with her thumb.

Spike opened his eyes. It took him a few seconds to focus and then he smiled and sat up

“Hello there beautiful…I’m so sorry about this morning”

“That’s alright, you gave me a shock that’s all”

“Well I’m sorry, I wouldn’t want to do that to you. So my father tells me we work together”

Buffy smiled and took her hand back

“Yes that’s right – we work on a soap opera – called Wilson’s Mountain Diner”.

“Yeah, he told me that too…I caught an episode this afternoon…” Spike nodded

“So…how do you feel?” Buffy asked not really knowing what to talk about. Spike looked at the bedclothes, then up at her. Smiling he said,

“Hmm, kinda like my heads been used to play football with – but the doc said that will pass. So we work together hmm?” He sat up a little more and held his hand out to her. She took it and he said to her quietly,

“That kiss you gave me…very nice I might add, tell me, is there anything um…more between us other than work colleagues?” He was looking intently at her, hoping that she’d say yes. Buffy smiled and chose her words carefully.

“Well – I’d like to think so – we had a wonderful time in New York, we did the Alan Wavecrest show and we’ve been out a few times since then” Buffy said.

“Oh, I bought this…(she delved into her handbag and took out a picture) you used to be in a band called the Vampyres…but it broke up a couple of months back because sadly this guy here, on the right died of a drugs overdose. And (she delved again!) I bought you my iPod – it has two of your albums on it”

“Great thanks – wow…that’s me! I can see it’s me, but it feels strange, like I’m looking at a different person – I know it’s me, but I’m thinking, don’t be stupid, it’s not - it’s weird!!”

Buffy placed her hand over his and gave it a squeeze

“Don’t worry, I’m sure it’ll all come back to you soon as the swelling has gone down. You’ve got two spectacular black eyes I might add!”

“Yeah, somebody told me I came off a motorbike, hit a barrier or something”. Buffy nodded and said,

“Don’t dwell on that now, just concentrate on getting better and getting your memory back!”

Spike smiled at her and nodded and tugged her hand again, so she stood up and leaned in close,

Spike took his opportunity and gave her a scintillating kiss. When he finished he tried to look into her eyes

“Tell me, did I overstep the mark?”

“No…no not at all – we’ve been doing rather a lot of that lately…and um, and more” She added quietly, hoping he got her drift.

Spike smiled again and said he hoped to have fun remembering………


ooOOoo

“Oooooh I’m SO pleased it went well for you Buffy!!” Willow said

“Thanks – we started to chat and it was like time flew – anyway I shall go tomorrow to see him when I’ve finished work”

“Oh, I must tell you, Cassie came up with this idea, to cover your absence you are out looking at a farm that deals with organic pigs, you want to know that the pigs were ‘happy piggies before you committed yourself to buying the products’ that’s what I had to tell Officer Jones today when he asked for you!” Buffy giggled

“Well happy piggies or not, I’m just so glad I haven’t got to work with Angel again!”

“Did you mention Angel to Spike? Willow asked yawning

“No – I didn’t want anything negative clouding his mind. Well if you don’t mind, I’m going to bed now, see you in the morning – night Will!” Buffy said

“Night Buffy!” Buffy ended the call and got undressed for bed.

Chapter 15 Knowing Me Knowing You……………


“……………Sad business!” Officer Jones said

“Yes…but these things happen, and life must go on for the rest of us – I’ve had to find a new supplier”

Buffy said, she wiped down the counter and offered the Officer more coffee.

“I won’t thanks, looks like your soft drinks delivery here – well I better get off, bye!” The Officer put on his police hat and left the diner.

Isaac the delivery guy walked in and said,

“I just saw the slaughter man taking the last of the pigs from Hogg’s farm – shame huh?”

“Yes, so Office Riley just said…still as I said before, life must go on – I’ve got a new supplier, and I’ll be hoping you’ll try out my new products, let me know what you think – we’ll be having a cook out later on this week” Buffy said

Isaac grinned, removed his cap, scratched his forehead and grinned replacing his cap he said

“I sure will do that Miss Buffy – save me a sausage! Right then, I’ll get your order – oh and I’ve got an offer of fresh orange juice if you’re interested”

“You know me Isaac, always in for a bargain” Buffy said smiling

“And cut – that’s a wrap everybody take lunch now – after lunch I need Charity, Red, and Handy Andy, and um………Susie, that’s right – okay everyone” Warren said and everybody stood down.

Buffy pulled her waitress cap off and opened her locker, she kicked off her shoes and slipped out of her diner uniform and into some new jeans and a pretty white lacy top.

She then pulled the covered elastic from her hair and Willow walked in and said,

“Give my regards to Spike, won’t you”

“Well, I told him all his work colleagues send their best, it’s just he can’t put a name to a face yet – although for somebody whose lost their memory, he’s in remarkably good spirits”

“Course – how stupid am I?!” Willow said grinning

Buffy slipped on her driving pumps and ran a brush through her hair.

“There, how do I look?”

“Very nice…are those new jeans?”

“Uh huh, bought them in NY, Donna Karan no less!” Buffy wiggled her bottom and smiled. She took out a small mirror and applied mascara and then lip gloss.

“Not going to lunch?” She asked Willow

“No…I’ve got to go to my mother’s tonight, it’s monthly visit time - she always cooks enough to feed an army and starts moaning when I don’t eat it!”

Buffy grinned and dropped the makeup back into her bag.

“Well that’s me off – what time will you be home, any idea?”

“As early as I can, I’ll tell mom I’ve got an early start, or else I’ll get supper too, let alone the stuff she parcels up for me to bring home!”

“Okay, I’ll email you first, and then I’ll ring you, okay?” Buffy said.

“Sure – mind how you go – oh there’s Ford – I must go, I want to borrow his Dingoes tape – mind how you go………Ford………………FORD!”

ooOOoo

When Buffy got to the hospital, she had to wait ten minutes because the doctors were with him.

After they left, she went into his room

He was lying back, eyes closed listening to her iPod.

She lifted the one earphone and said,

“Hello there!” Spike grinned and sat up, switching off the music.

“Sorry for interrupting!” She grinned and gave him a light kiss. Spike also grinned and pulled her close again giving her a toe-curler of a kiss

“Phew!”

“That’s better – and I’d rather be interrupted by you than those doctors anytime!” Buffy grinned and sat down

“Is that so?”

“Uh huh…anyway, been listening to this music………it’s weird, I feel I know it, it’s like it’s on the tip of my tongue…it’s a bit frustrating”

“Oh…I’m sorry, I thought that-“

“No, no – you misunderstand me – the doctor’s all said it was all to the good, and when my black are yellow-ish, that means all the brain swelling should have gone by then.” Buffy nodded. And then Spike added,

“Some of these lyrics are a bit – well naughty really aren’t they? I mean take this one…Running Man
“Going to run it fast baby, at a steady pace, and when you catch me up, you’re gonna sit on my face!” Buffy giggled and so did Spike. Then he said,

“Move a bit closer to the bed so I can hold your hand?” Buffy smiled and said

“Sure” She stood and dragged the chair closer and sat, then reached for his hand. Spike laced his fingers through hers, and looked at them, and then frowned slightly, looking deep in thought.

“What’s up?” Buffy asked worriedly sitting forward

“Nothing – I um…feels familiar I just kinda had a flash that I’d looked at our hands like this before, with our fingers like this, that’s all”

“Taking off on the plane to New York – I told you I wasn’t too good taking off, I get nervous” Buffy explained

Spike grinned.

Tea time came and Buffy left shortly after.

She went to see him everyday, and four days later when she got in he didn’t have a bandage on anymore, and his black-eyes were just yellowish patches now, and the brain swelling had completely gone. When she got into the room, Spike’s father Sir Rupert was already there.

“Oh – em…do you want me to wait outside?”

“Not at all Buffy, come in!”

Buffy walked to the bedside and Spike eagerly sat up and gave her a kiss, just a nice friendly hello, didn’t want to do anything too spectacular in front of ‘dad’!, But he kept hold of her hand

“Maybe you can talk some sense into him” Rupert began with a smile

“So, what’s this then?” Buffy asked, she too was smiling, although Spike wasn’t…

“My father wants me to go back to England; he seems to think if I’m surrounded by the stuff of my childhood, I might get my memory back” The smile left Buffy’s face.

“Oh…er well…erm…I suppose it might h-help”

“It wouldn’t – it won’t – please be on my side here!” Spike asked giving her hand a squeeze.

“Look William the doctors have said you are well enough to be discharged, although they don’t want you to be on your own, now Mrs Calendar will be more than happy to look after you, I telephoned her last night, and she said she’d make your old room up and -”

“Mrs Calendar?” Buffy asked looking from Spike to his father

“She’s the housekeeper at Carrisbrooke, the family home in Berkshire, England, know me since birth, apparently” Spike said miserably.

“The doctors said he can be discharged, but he mustn’t be left on his own, not for a while anyway, in case of black-outs or fits” Sir Rupert said.

“Oh. Well, if it’s just about Sp-er William being on his own, it’s simple, he can move in with me” Buffy said

Spike grinned and said

“Can I? – Did you hear that dad, so that’s settled then!”

“No so fast young man…you can’t expect Buffy to wait on you hand and foot!”

“I’m not, I won’t!”

“He can come back to work, ride in with me every morning, he’s only got to read up on his character he can come into work with me every day, and ride home, I can cook us dinner and be there for him, he um, he can have his own room and everything” Buffy said

The smile soon went from Spike’s face and he looked up and frowned and said,

“Eh?” Buffy didn’t dare look at him, she kept her eyes firmly on Sir Rupert. When Buffy said he could have his own room, ever since she’d kissed him and hinted that they’d done more than kissing he’d been itching to find out what exactly…

Buffy was trying not to blush and let on she was fibbing – well he could strictly speaking have his own room, but she didn’t want him to!

“But…well won’t it be an awful imposition for you?” Rupert asked

“Not at all – it’ll be lovely to have somebody for company”

“Well…alright then, if you’re sure, but you must let me pay you”

“Oh I wouldn’t dream of-“ Buffy began, but Sir Rupert already had his cheque book out and he said,

“Gas, water, electric, food, telephone, laundry, it all adds up, and don’t forget he’ll have to come back here for regular check-ups…let me see, what if we say $1500 and month, would that be fair – or $2000 would you say – yes, $2000 it is, and if it’s anymore, then you can let me know. I’ll get this done by direct debit if you like, but I’ll make this one out to cash for the first month”

Buffy looked down at a grinning Spike and smiled

“That’s really generous of you Sir Rupert, but honestly you-“ Buffy began, but he wasn’t listening. He signed the cheque with a flourish, ripped it off and handed it to her smiling.

“You must just call me Rupert, you can drop the ‘Sir’ nonsense, here you go, and this is my mobile number – I’m in New York from Sunday”

“Right, well thank you” Buffy put the cheque in her bag and the mobile number in her phone

“Well, I shall have to love and leave you both, I’ve got a radio interview at three thirty, but I’ll cancel it if you want me to William?”

“No dad, it’s okay, you get off and do what you’ve got to do – and you know I’m alright, especially now Buffy’s gonna take care of me”

Sir Rupert grinned and said,

“Well, take care son – and um Buffy could I just have a word outside”………Buffy nodded and left her bag on the bed and followed him out.

“I haven’t said anything to him about the incident that caused him to be here, now I know from what Detective Lindsey told me was that you thought the brake cable on his bike was cut, and this turned out to be right?” Buffy nodded and said,

“Yes, that’s right, Angel Angelson, was a work colleague of ours, he’s since had the sack, he was having some reality/fiction issues…… (she went on to explain)…… so when he thought they’d got him on CCTV camera doing it, he confessed” Sir Rupert nodded and said,

“I see, well look, if it gets to court and you need a good lawyer, give this guy a ring, (he gave Buffy a business card, which she glanced at before putting it in her jeans back pocket) he knows all the details, and it won’t cost you a penny, he knows to come to me for any monies owed – the doctor said it would be best not to tell William too much, he doesn’t need the added stress while he’s trying to get his memory back” Buffy nodded and said she understood.

“Right then, well thank you SO much for this Buffy, you’ve put my mind at rest…and may I just say my son has a very good eye for a pretty girl, memory or not!” Buffy blushed and she gave him a hug.

“I’ll just put my head around the door…Bye then Will – I’ll see you in roughly a fortnight”

“Bye dad, take care” William waved from the bed. Buffy went back inside Spike looked at her expectantly and asked

“So, what was that all about?” Buffy grinned and perched on the edge of the bed

“He was saying to me, if it all gets too much looking after you, I’m to send you packing to England!” Spike grabbed her and began to tickle her, and Buffy shrieked and fell forward against him. Just then the door opened and a doctor walked in. Buffy jumped guiltily off the bed and tried to hide her red-as-a-beet face!

“Well, I see you’re miles better then William!” the doctor said, looking over the top of his glasses at Buffy, but he was smiling while he said it.

“Sure am!”

“Yes well, I’ve just spoken with your father and he said that your girlfriend here is going to look after you, is that right?” Both Buffy and Spike grinned and said ‘yes’

“Good – well Nurse Ross has just gone to pharmacy and get your prescription for some pain killers and sleeping tablets, only use them if you need to, and no drinking alcohol with them do you hear?”

“Yes doctor”

“Good. Now here is an appointment card for the Neurological department, they deal with all types of brain things there. Your first appointment is for next Wednesday at 10.15am – and here’s your prescription. Now if you feel faint, or have a black out or a fit or seizure you are to come back to us IMMEDIATELY do you understand It’s very important that you do because it could be something serious and the quicker we get to it, the quicker and better the recovery, okay?” The doc looked from Buffy to Spike and they both nodded seriously.

“Well okay then, here you go” he handed over the appointment card and the drugs from the pharmacy.

“That mean I can go now?” Spike asked

“It does, remember what I said” they both nodded again and he left.

“Right then…let’s get you home… - er what do you want to do with the flowers?”

“Oh, let the hospital keep them shall we – we don’t want to clutter up your place…what type of place have you got, anyway?” Spike asked

“You’ll soon find out…now you get dressed and I’ll bring the car around to the side exit else we’ll never got off the parking lot with the Paparazzi………”

Chapter 16 Haven’t I Met You Somewhere Before?


Willow and Ford were chatting during one of their breaks in filming. They were sitting in the rehearsal room, and Ford had just had some good news………

“So, Ford, you got a reprieve!” Willow said, handing him back the letter he’d given her to read.

“Yeah, another six month contract – which I’m rather pleased about, and I still do the DevilsOwn Hot Sauce, there’s a new one coming out, Jalapeno it’s green, and it’s verrrrrrrrrrrrry tasty!” Willow laughed as Ford did the catch-phrase from the commercial voice-over he did. Willow continued

“I love that stuff, I could drink it! I put it on pizza, pasta, chips and dips…mom said the other night when I went for dinner she’s amazed I can taste anything coz I drown my dinner in it!”

“I like it on Mexican food…you know what we haven’t done for ages don’t you?” Ford said putting the letter in his back pocket before perching on the side of a table.

“What’s that?”

“Go out, all of us, we had a great time at that rock concert, lets do something all together again”

“Okay, I’ll sound out Buffy, see if Spike is up to something like that health wise” Willow said

“Have you heard anything about Angel?” Ford asked

“Only what’s been in the papers, bail was set at $500,000, and that he had to surrender his passport” Willow said shrugging – but Buffy told me not to say anything about it in front of Spike, the doc’s don’t want him under any pressure at the moment.

They heard a car pull up outside and Willow stretched up to look out of the window.

“Oh it’s Buffy, AND she’s got Spike with her!”

A minute later Buffy and Spike walked into the rehearsal room.

“He insisted I bring him here to say hello, didn’t you, hmm – he’s just been discharged and we are on the way back to mine” Buffy beamed at Spike, who was also grinning.

“Hey, great to see you up and about man, I’m Billy, but everybody calls me Ford” Ford shook hands with Spike.

“Thanks, hi Ford…and I saw you at the hospital once, a few days ago?” Spike asked looking at Willow

“That’s right, I just dropped by on the way home to give Buffy a message and to see how you were – I’m Willow”

She held out her hand, and Spike took it, pulled her close and kissed her cheek

“You’ve got to watch him – cheeky devil!” Buffy said grinning

Voices could be heard getting louder coming from the diner set………

“…………If we do scenes 6,7, 9, 10, 11 and 15, it means that we don’t have to have Buffy in until we film the BBQ on Thursday” Warren said walking into the rehearsal room. Tara was looking at her clip board

“Good, I’ll tell her, I’m sure she’ll be – oh!!”

“Hi!”

“Good gracious, you have Spike too – great to see you Spike!”

Spike smiled and shook hands with Warren and Tara

“We’re going to go and get some lunch here, so who’s coming?” Buffy said and they all left to go to the chuck wagon

“Me – although I’m still full from two nights ago!” Willow said rubbing her tummy

“Mom’s home cookin’?” Buffy asked grinning

“Oh you’re not kidding, THE full works, Lochen soup, gefilte fish, challah, Granny’s special brisket with tzimmes…chopped liver – every time I go home it’s like Yom Kippur and Hanukkah all rolled into one! Dad said she never feeds him like that, all he gets a TV dinner and like it, so he’s always glad when I go home to see them!”

Having got what they wanted from the chuck wagon, they all sat at one table.

“So Spike, how are you feeling?”

“Frustrated, mate! – it just seems like everything is on the tip of my tongue, but I just can’t grasp it – drives me mad at times!”

“I bet. But you feel alright in yourself, no headaches or anything?”

“No, luckily enough, but if I do start them or have a seizure or something, I’ve got to go back immediately”

Ford nodded and continued

“Coz Will and I were discussing going out somewhere as a group on Saturday, what would you say?”

Spike looked at Buffy who looked at Spike, they grinned and Buffy said,

“Great, if Spike feels up to it yeah, why not, what did you have in mind?”

Faith, Harmony and Riley came in and Ford called them over and asked them if they wanted to join in.

“I’d love to!” Riley said

“Me to, count me in!” Faith said

“Oh, I can’t – my cousin’s getting married, and I’m a kind of flower girl for her…honestly why can’t she just live with the guy – she’s been married three times already!” Harmony whined

“Well never mind Harm, they’re will be other times I’m sure” Ford said. Everybody was grinning.

ooOOoo

Buffy pulled up on the drive.

“This looks a nice house” Spike said as he got out of the car and got his bag from the back seat and followed Buffy up the path.

“I thought we could go over to your place tomorrow and pick up some stuff, toiletries, clothes what have you, but for tonight we can just make do, okay?”

Spike nodded and Buffy unlocked the front door.

“Right, that’s the lounge to the left, dining room leading to the kitchen on the right, and if we go upstairs………bathroom’s there, this is the spare room, this was my room at one time, but after my mom died I moved into her room here at the back, it’s quieter and not so bright with the streetlights”

“So…um where shall I sleep?” Spike asked

Buffy looked at him and said,

“Well, I did tell your father you could have your own room.”

“I know…do you want me to – coz I don’t mind, I understand I mean, it’s very good of you to take me into your home and look after me, and I don’t want to be a nuisance.”

“Spike – you can be in here, with me if you like”

“Really?” Buffy nodded and Spike smiled and put his bag on the chair

“That’s what I’ll do then”

“Right – do you want a bath or something? – Shower?”

“I had a shower this morning – I’d like to just watch TV and sit with you if I may?”

“Sure, I’ll make a pot of tea and we’ll see what’s on”

Buffy yawned

“Sorry! Hungry?” she asked, looking at the clock, it was nearly 7.30pm, they’d been watching TV for over three hours.

“Yeah, but don’t got to too much trouble if you’re tired”

“That’s why we have nice people on the other end of this willing to cook for us and bring it round!” Buffy waved the telephone handset at Spike, and then she continued,

“So, what’s it to be, pizza, Chinese…burgers – fried chicken?”

“Hmm…chicken sounds good”

“Right, I’m starving, if we get a family bucket we can always put the leftovers in the fridge…do you want beans or coleslaw, fries or wedges?”

“You choose, I don’t mind” Spike said. Buffy nodded and pressed 4 on the keypad. After a few seconds it rang and was answered

“Okies, one family bucket of regular fried chicken…one portion spicy popcorn chicken…2 portions onion rings, I tub coleslaw, one tub BBQ beans 1 large fries, 1 large spicy potato wedges, I bottle Club orange and I pint tub pralines and cream Haagen Das ice cream please…thank you, bye”

Twenty minutes later the food was delivered. Buffy had ready plates and cutlery, napkins and glasses. Having had enough of TV, she’d put some music on and they sat and fed each other till they were stuffed!

Buffy lay down with her head on Spike’s thigh

“I can’t move – I’ve eaten too much!” Spike idly played with tendrils of her hair and they talked. It was so soothing Spike playing with her hair that it lulled her to sleep. She woke suddenly and looked up at Spike. He was fast asleep with his head resting on the back of the sofa. Buffy turned her head to look at the clock, it was 12.20am. She sat up and stretched, this woke Spike.

“Shall we go up?” Spike just nodded and they went up to bed.

ooOOoo

By the time Buffy had used the bathroom and brushed her teeth she was wide awake. She got into bed, and Spike took his turn. She wondered if she should put on a nightie or a tee shirt, but decided to get into bed naked.

Spike came into the bedroom wearing just his underpants. Buffy had the bedclothes pulled right up to her neck, she was grinning at him

“Are you naked under there?” Spike asked with a glint in his eyes

“That’s for me to know, and for you to find out!”

Spike tore back the bed clothes and roared, jumping on the bed! Buffy was giggling and they soon settled down. She lay with her head on his shoulder, his arm around her.

“You have such beautiful soft skin…” Spike stroked down her arm making her shiver with delight.

“Oooo look…gooseybumps…” Buffy stretched her neck and began to kiss him.

Spike’s hand skimmed up her body and began to fondle her breast, gently pinching the nipple between finger and thumb

“When we were together before………did I do this?” Spike asked and Buffy nodded

He began to kiss her neck, around her throat and down between her breasts, and asked,

“And this?”

“Hmm”

Spike continued, and then he began to suckle at her nipples, taking each one in turn. Buffy hissed and arched her breasts upward toward him, holding his head to her.

“Oh yes!” She breathed out

Spike smiled and his hand wandered down to her blonde curls. She parted her legs for him and gently massaging her folds he slid two fingers inside her, while kissing her. Their tongues fought a duel and Buffy’s hips rocked and churned – she reached for him and Spike leaned up so she could take his pants off. He kicked them off out of bed and returned to the matter in hand, although now it was hard to concentrate as her hot little hand was doing wondrous things to his manhood.

“Oh god…oh don’t stop!” Spike’s hips thrust into her hand as she agonisingly slowly worked her hand up and down his slick shaft.

“Oh better make that stop!” Spike said - he could feel it would be all over before he’d even got started… Buffy centred herself on the bed and Spike knelt between her thighs, put himself at her entrance and thrust home. Buffy raised her legs and draped them over his back, she arched upwards with her hips, she was full to the brim, Spike felt like he was in a hot velvet vice, exquisite, so beautiful………murmuring how good she felt Spike upped the pace, he knelt, and raised her legs to over his shoulders and began to pound into her, Buffy begging for him not to stop and be as hard as he liked. He was pulling out nearly all the way before ramming himself home and Buffy put her hands against the headboard to stop herself travelling up the bed with his strong as an ox thrusts.

She knew she couldn’t last, the snap of his hips, the base of his cock ground against her clit each time he slammed home and very soon she felt the tingle and then the first involuntary clench of her inner muscles – Spike thought he was being squeezed so deliciously he too felt the heat and his balls tighten her muscles were milking him, squeezing him dry of every drop of his seed as they cried out their simultaneous orgasm together.

Spike collapsed in the crook of her thighs, and didn’t want to crush her, so he went to move, but Buffy stayed him with her hand on his back.

“Stay, don’t move you’re alright!” She said when she had her breath back.

“Don’t want to crush you!”

“You’re not” She gave a glance at the bedroom door, but shook her mind from the nightmare of seeing Angel standing there like the last time………

“Babe”

“Hmm?”

“You okay, you looked miles away then?” Spike said with concern

Buffy smiled, put her hand on his cheek, kissed him and said,

“I’m fine, and right here with you – my god that was SO good!” Spike smiled and moved he felt the cold air hit his now softened manhood as it slid out of it’s warn haven, and he quickly lay down and pulled up the covers. Buffy cleaned herself up with tissues and then lay down again. They cuddled up and went fast asleep.

Chapter 17…………I Got You Babe…



Buffy woke. A shaft of sunlight beamed through the curtains where they didn’t quite meet at the top. She turned her head to look next to her and Spike wasn’t there.

She felt a quick lurch and then thought he might be in the bathroom and she listened, but couldn’t hear him. Worried she got out of bed and quickly slipping on her robe, she ran downstairs.

Spike looked up and grinned at her. He was wearing her towelling robe, and had a tray set with two plates, two coffee mugs, two knives, butter, honey, two glasses of orange juice and a cafetiere of coffee. There was also a single pink rose in a glass tumbler. He was just waiting for the toast to pop up.

“Hey! Oh you spoiled the surprise – I wanted to bring you breakfast in bed” Spike said smiling

The toast popped up and he quickly deposited two pieces onto each plate.

“Sorry – I just got scared when I woke to find you gone” Buffy said smiling – her heart melted.

“Back upstairs with you, go on!” Spike said picking up the tray. Buffy scooted and Spike came up carefully with the tray. Buffy was already sitting up in bed waiting for him.

“I’ve had to be incredibly nosy to find all this stuff, I hope you don’t mind” Spike said.

“Course not, it’s your home now too you know!!” He passed her the tray and got carefully into bed.

“Hmm, can’t remember the last time I had toast and honey – or breakfast in bed come to that!” Buffy said loading up a slice with the sweet golden treat.

After they’d eaten Spike put the tray on the dressing table and climbed back in to bed.

“You have me spoiled!” Buffy said,

“So…want to stay here, or come to work with me? – I’ll only be a couple of hours”

“Would you mind if I come with?”

“Course not! – And then we can go to your place and get some of your things, okay?”

Spike nodded and then he asked

“Have we got to get up yet?” Buffy looked at the clock, it was 7.55am

“Not for an hour yet, why what did you have in mind?” Spike grinned and leaned over and began to kiss her with mounting passion………


ooOOoo

“Ah Buffy, you’re here, good. We’ll have to do all the diner scenes this morning as Good Afternoon South are having somebody parachute in and they’ll be filming outside so it’ll be noisy – is everybody word perfect with their scripts?” Tara asked. Everybody nodded

“Good, we’ll start with Buffy reading ‘the Letter’ from Abe, so it’s Buffy, Red, Xandy and handy Andy, you can be eating – we could use Spike as an extra he could sit at one of the tables and read if you like – also we know nobody here gives a rat’s ass, but could you try and look a little upset over Abe’s letter Buffy?” Buffy nodded. Spike sat at one of the tables at the back with a coffee and a newspaper.

“And three, two, one and action Roll VT…”

Willow came from behind the counter and sat with Buffy at one of the tables, she was reading a letter and holding a bunch of keys.

“Hey, come on, you okay, I know it’s sad, but it’s for the best!” Red said

“I know…those poor animals, they were so sick!” Buffy said wiping away a tear. She couldn’t for the life of her cry over ‘Abe’.

“What does Abe say?” Willow asked

“Well, he says that all the pigs had to be slaughtered and aren’t fit for human consumption, and he can’t stand the thought of trying again – so he’s left for Idaho – he’s going to live with his aunt. She has a cattle ranch. Oh, and will I please drop the keys to the house in at the real estate office in town next time I go in” Buffy stuffed the letter back into the envelope.

“Well, it’s no good sitting around here moping, I’ve got things to do…Red, would you cover for me this afternoon, I’ll call Charity to come in early. I want to go into town give these keys in and do a little shopping” Buffy said. Willow was nodding and then she looked out of the diner window and stood up.

“Sure. Looks like the Mayor’s coming in, I’ll go start his breakfast”

“Check first what weight of ham steak he wants, there’s a choice now don’t forget!”

“Morning Ladies, how are you this fine morning?”

“Fine thanks Mayor Henry!” Buffy and Red chorused together.

“So usual? Willow asked smiling, holding the coffee jug over an extra large mug

“Please darlin’”

“Oh, we have a new pork products supplier now, you get a choice of weight for your ham steak, we do a half pound, a 12oz or a full 1lb weight” Red said smiling.

“Is that so little lady – well then, give the 12oz with two eggs sunny side up and some wheat toast”

“Coming right up!” Willow said and turned to the fridge.

“And cut!” Thanks folks…next up Handy Andy and Charity outside, Andy’s hosing own the truck…two minutes to VT folks” Warren called.

Buffy called Spike and they went back into the rehearsal room.

“I was thinking, how about if we go to Shell Island on Saturday, there’s something for everybody there and – Spike – baby are you alright? – Spike?”

“Hmm – oh…er yeah…I just” he was standing just inside the doorway.

“Oh god, sit down, don’t worry - what is it, headache? – Dizzy?” Buffy began whipping off her ‘costume’ and throwing them into her locker

“I’ll take you to the hospital, I’ll tell-” Buffy was standing on one leg putting on her driving shoes

“No, I’m okay, don’t worry…I kind of…did I hit somebody in here?” Spike asked, frowning

“What?” Buffy stood there, one shoe on and smiled

“Er…yeah, why?”

“I don’t know…it was weird, I could hear myself going bonkers, shouting, and then giving somebody a couple of punches in the face!” Spike looked at his knuckles, they were unmarked.

“Don’t worry about it Spike”

“Don’t worry about it – what kind of person does that make me if I go around hitting people – that can’t mean I’m a nice person!” Spike looked forlorn and sat down at one of the seats heavily and put his head in his hands.

“No, Spike really, you mustn’t worry!”

Willow came in and saw Buffy crouched trying to talk to Spike, who had his face in his hands.

Willow looked at Buffy and frowned, and gave a slight upward jerk of her head, as much as to ask,
‘what’s up’? Buffy explained,

“Spike just had a flashback of hitting somebody” Willow’s concern went and she smiled and said,

“Oh – well that’s good!” She sat at the same table as Spike, he was sitting sideways to the table. He raised his head and with a pained expression he looked at Willow and said,

“Good, what’s good about me hitting people, I must be some kind of monster!” Spike’s voice breaking

“Hey…he was a bad person…a really, REALLY bad person, he um, he tried to hurt us. Both of us” Buffy said.

Spike looked up and frowned, he asked

“He tried to hurt us, how?” He reached for Buffy’s hand. Buffy pulled up a chair and taking both his hands in hers she sat right next to Spike and said,

“The hospital didn’t want me to say anything to you yet, they’d rather you got stronger first”

“So you’re telling me that this, this person I hit, he put me in the hospital?”

Buffy nodded

“Is it this guy that used to play ‘Abe’, by any chance?” Spike asked, and reluctantly, Buffy nodded.

“I see…did he hurt you?” Spike asked

“No baby, he didn’t get the chance, but he hurt me by hurting you – now you mustn’t think about this anymore okay, you’ll give yourself a headache and we don’t want you to be back in hospital do we?” Buffy said gently cradling his head, and kissing the top of it.

Spike stood and so did Buffy, he wrapped his arms around her and just stood holding her. He then said quietly,

“If anybody hurt you I’d kill them”

“Shh, now…I know baby, I know… now just relax nobody’s going to hurt me” Buffy stroked down his back soothing him.

ooOOoo

“Right, is that it, that everything you want?” Buffy asked

“Think so…did you check there was nothing to spoil in the fridge?” Spike asked

“Only some bottles of beer!”

“Well I can’t have those anyway”

“Well you can, just not with the tablets, which you haven’t taken by the way” Buffy said

“Haven’t needed them! – Right then, Ford said he’ll come back with me one day next week to get the rest of my stuff and we can give the keys to this place back to my agent” Spike said

Spike picked up a small suitcase and his guitar, Buffy picked up a small case and a holdall.

“Right then, lets go home, it’s been a looooooong day!” Buffy said. Spike dead-locked the door to his flat and they left for Buffy’s house.

ooOOoo

Buffy had washed some salad, and had re-heated the fried chicken left-over from the night before. She’d baked a couple of potatoes and she could hear Spike strumming his guitar in the lounge.

“Spike, supper’s ready”

He appeared with a grin in the archway

“Hope you don’t mind the fried chicken again, but the rest of it is fresh” Buffy said pulling out a chair and sitting down.

“Hmm, smells good…” Spike sat opposite.

They ate and chatted, Spike said,

“Buffy. Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure!”

“Don’t be mad at me”

“Course not!”

“We’re you Abe’s girlfriend, I mean the guy who played him?”

Buffy put down her knife and fork and wiped her mouth on a napkin and she reached over and placed her hand on top of his.

“Angel, that’s who played Abe, he had reality issues – he was confusing what was written for the show with real life. I went once to an award show thing with him, and on the ‘Red Carpet he held my hand and we had our photo taken, it was a good couple of years back now, Trav was up for a writers award, that’s Quentin Travers, the guy that used to write Wilson’s Mountain, and I was up for Best Daytime Soap actress or something, anyway Trav couldn’t make it, so he asked Angel to pick up the award for him if he won. In the show, there was a kind of ‘understanding’ between Buffy and Abe, but there was never any storyline to back up an engagement or anything, just occasionally an evening porch scene together. Anyway from that he took it as reality”

Spike nodded and then said,

“Go on”

“Go on what, there’s nothing more to tell”

“Sure there is, he obviously didn’t like me from the start, but from what I’ve watched of the show, there isn’t anything written about a romance for us either –so why did he act the way he did?”

Buffy grinned at him and said,

“Look…how about I get dessert and make coffee, and we can talk in comfort in the lounge, you’re obviously not going to let this go so you might as well know”

Spike stood and grinned, he said,

“I’ll do the coffee; I know where everything is now from this morning!”

ooOOoo


Roles were reversed from the previous evening, and it was Spike who had his head on Buffy’s thigh this time.

“………And so when he thought he’d been caught actually cutting the cable on CCTV, he confessed to it” Buffy concluded

“But have they got him on it?” Spike looked up at her.

“They’ve got him on CCTV on the lot, skulking around dressed in dark clothing, and walking to your bike, but not actually doing the deed; the angle was too sharp for the camera.”

“Could he get away with it do you think?” Spike asked. Buffy stroked her fingers through his hair and said,

“Don’t worry, I won’t let him hurt you again”

“I’m not worried about me, I’m worried if he comes after you, he sounds deranged”

“He will be locked up – I think the lawyer said they’re going to plea bargain or something, so he knows he’s got a custodial sentence coming up – now let’s change the subject please, I hate talking about him!”

“What’s the time?”

Buffy looked at her watch

“Nearly nine thirty”

“That late huh…don’t you think we ought to be in bed by now?” Buffy grinned and Spike sat up, she said,

“Come on then…fancy a bath first – bags you sit the plug end!”

Chapter 18 – Bikini’s, Beavers, and Burgers!!


Saturday Morning – Buffy’s house, 8.30am

“Right, I think that’s everything” Buffy was standing in the kitchen, with her Cool-box on the kitchen counter and she read off the check-list………

“Hamburgers…sausages, rolls, relish, knives and napkins, 7Up and Club Orange – right that can go into the car” She put the lid on and fastened the ice packs in underneath to keep things fresh and cool.

Already on the floor was a beach bag with two towels, sun cream, a Frisbee and a couple of books.

“What time will Willow be here?” Spike asked taking the box off the counter, and picking the other up off the floor.

“Anytime now – you don’t mind her being with us in the car do you?”

“Course not!”

“I’m sure she’ll pair off with Ford, I’m beginning to think that those two have a thing for each other!”

Spike grinned as he carried the box and bag out to the car.

He’s just got back inside the house when they heard a horn beep them from outside. Spike looked out and could see Willow AND Ford in his van.

They came in grinning.

“I got Ford to pick me up – I bought blankets to sit on, and a big umbrella for shade, a ball – some of my mom’s potato salad and the tools for the BBQ!” Willow said.

“I’ve got charcoal, hickory and applewood chips, matches, plastic cups and some rather nice steaks, and most important – the sound machine!!!”

Buffy told them what she’d packed.

“Well seems like we’re all set, we’re going to meet Riley and Faith at the interstate turn off, he’s not sure of the way” Ford said.

They all left the house and Buffy locked up.

ooOOoo

They met Riley and drove to Shell Island. Soon the blankets were down on the sand, the big umbrella set at a just right angle and the ‘Sound Machine’ as Ford called was set to play some good music.

There were lots of activities for them to do there, surfing, windsurfing, water-skiing, and Ford and Willow, and Riley and Faith tried most of them. Spike tried to cajole Buffy into joining them, but she said she’d rather sit with him. They’d thought it wise for him not to do anything too energetic; the last thing Spike needed was to hurt his head again just yet!

“Really, I’d much rather just lie here and read, and be with you” She said softly. Spike leaned down and kissed her.

“Put her down!” They both looked up and saw Willow dripping wet grinning at them, they grinned back, and then Willow said,

“Did you see me - I landed in the sea!” She’d been parascending. Grabbing a towel she ran to the stand pipe tap and rinsed her hair of the salt water.

Willow flopped on the blanket next to Buffy and said,

“Have you seen Faith – she’s driving all the guys googly-eyed with her wet-tee shirt!”

“But she’s got a bikini top on, surely!” Buffy said smiling,

“Oh if you mean those two two-inch triangles covering her nips, then yeah!” Everybody collapsed into giggles.

“What time are we leaving here?” Willow asked.

“Well, Ford said to get to Crestwood Park, it’ll take about half an hour” Buffy said.

“What’s there then?” Spike asked.

“Well, besides a terrific view, there are brick built BBQ’s for us to use – you have to go into the camp shop and hire a grill-tray, but you get your money back when you take it back” Buffy explained

“Sounds like a good idea – I’m getting hungry!”

“I’m starving – soon as Faith’s fed up of posing I think we’ll make a move –golly, we’ve been here five hours!” Willow said glancing at her watch.

ooOOoo

“Okay folks…burgers and sausages are ready – steaks and chicken drumsticks will be a bit longer” Ford said, and suddenly everybody crowded around – they were starving!

Buffy began putting the food into bread rolls and everybody helped themselves to them, and the other stuff that was bought.

Riley and Faith had bought washed salads, some chicken drumsticks and some burgers, as well as a cheesecake.

They all sat around chatting and Spike kept looking off and then he pointed out to Buffy how he’d been watching this beaver all afternoon fixing this branch across the stream, making a waterfall.

“Got to admire the little fella, he didn’t let up once, not even when the log kept floating away!”

Riley got a glint in his eye and said,

“Hey Spike, Dear Diary, spent the afternoon watching beaver!” Everybody roared with laughter, including Spike!

“Wonder what Harm’s doing now?” Willow said.

“Probably the Best man!” Riley quipped.

“Or even the groom – I wouldn’t put it past her!” Faith said.

“What’s that burning?”

“Argh - the steak!” Ford jumped up, but the steaks and the drumsticks were perfect.

An hour later, after pouring the container of water over the ashes to make sure they were out they dropped the grill-pan back at the shop and Riley said,

“I noticed on the way here that there’s a fun-fair at Rocky Bay – anyone fancy it? – It’s only ten minutes from here”

Everybody did fancy it, and they went. Spike wouldn’t go on any rides but he watched and looked after sunglasses, phones etc while the others did. This he didn’t mind at all – during the day he’d had one or two ‘flashbacks’ and was quite happy to wait to tell Buffy when they got home.

ooOOoo

When they got home, Mrs Kaplinski from next door was waiting for them.

“I took this in for you dear, it’s quite heavy, it’s from England!” She said.

Buffy frowned and Spike picked up the heavy box, it had a FedEx sticker on it.

“Well thank you Mrs Kaplinski!” Buffy said

They got it into the dining room and Spike sat on one of the chairs, and leaving the box on the floor, he opened it.

“What is it?”

“Looks like photo albums…hold on, there’s a letter addressed to William…Spike opened it and read out loud

“Dear William, Your father tells me you won’t be coming home now as there is somebody there to look after you, but I thought these might help to jog your memory. Take care of yourself and pick up the phone or drop me a line sometime, I’d love to hear from you, fondest love, Mrs Calendar”

Setting the letter on the table, Spike hauled out three of the large photo albums, and put them on the table, there were at least another three in the box still.

“Oh wow – I’ll go make us a drink – take them in the lounge, we can browse in comfort” Buffy said smiling and then she added as an afterthought,

“That’s only if you want me to look, if you want to look at them by yourself, I understand”

Spike smiled and shook his head saying,

“Don’t be silly, I want us to look at them together!”

ooOOoo

‘1980 – Hello World’ Was the caption under the first photograph of a young looking couple , mother cradling a baby and dad looking pleased with himself, a protective arm around ‘mom’s’ shoulders.

“Your mom was very beautiful” Buffy said

Spike just nodded………


oOo



“This is the last one, dated 1992-95” Buffy said sitting next to Spike. The albums had jogged his memory; he remembered they had two dogs when he was a child, called Rascal and Scamp, and a cat called Skimbleshanks, named after one from the Old Possum’s book of practical cats.

“I remembered something today too, while we were at the beach, I had a flashback playing beach cricket with dad, we used to go to Devon a lot when I was a kid” Spike said.

“That’s good!” Buffy said cupping his face.

“And also today, when one of the Vampyres songs came on that CD Ford had burned, I remembered the words and saw myself singing it onstage”

“Baby – that’s wonderful! You should have said!” Buffy leaned forward and gave him a light kiss.

Spike turned to the last page of the album, and there he was in a school photograph, trying to look like a rebel, with his top button undone and a huge knot in his tie, making the tie only about 6 inches in length, he’s got his hair gelled back and it look liked it had been bleached on top. He had a sneer on his face.

Buffy giggled, so did Spike!

“You rebel!”

“Oh HIM – Him there, him – I know his name….oh god, what is it now…Ch-Ch…Charlie – Charlie Mullins!” Spike said grinning.

Buffy smiled, she looked at the clock.

“Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m whacked!”

Spike looked at the time, it was nearly midnight.

“Yup – s’been a long day again!”

ooOOoo

Buffy woke, alone again. She didn’t worry this time, she could hear him clattering around in the kitchen, PLUS something smelled very good!

After about ten minutes, she heard Spike coming up the stairs. He put his head around the door

Buffy raised her head off the pillow and said

“Morning!”

“Morning Beautiful, hungry?”

“Yup!”

“Good, now want it up here or downstairs?”

“I’ll come down, but I’m not getting dressed!”

“That’s my girl!” Spike said with a grin.

She went down after visiting the bathroom and on the counter waiting for her was bacon, eggs and a stack of blueberry pancakes.

“Hmm…where did you get the pancake mix from?”

Spike grinned and said,

“Me noggin! I remembered I love to cook…I found flour yesterday when I was nosying around for coffee and stuff, berries, milk and butter in the fridge, and syrup in the coffee cupboard…so any good?”

“Hmm- hmmmmmmmmmmmm delish! Buffy said nodding and taking another bite.

“So what did you want to do today?”

“Really want to do?” Spike asked.

Buffy nodded, helping herself to more pancakes and syrup.

“I’d really like to spend the day just you and me quietly, had a big day yesterday and I’m still a bit tired.”

“Suits me fine, I’ll stick the phone on answer-machine and we can have a lazy day…hmm...yum, yum!”

ooOOoo


Wednesday 15th Memorial Hospital, Neurological Clinic

The doctor shone his pen torch in both of Spike’s eyes, satisfied that the pupils dilated. He felt around the base of his neck and skull and asked

“Have you had any headaches at all?”

“No – ahem, No, doctor, none. The other doctor, the one on the ward said I was to come straight back if I did, or had a fit or seizure”

“That’s good. Have you had to take any sleeping tablets or painkillers?”

“No, not at all, nothing”

“Alcohol?”

“No doctor, no alcohol at the moment”

“Good – and you say you’ve been getting flash-backs?”

“Uh huh, I had some old photograph albums sent me over from England, that jogged my memory on a few things – stupid things really, like this kids name and how we used to tie up our uniform neck-ties to make the knots in them huge…and stuff about animals I had a s a kid”

“Well it’s all to the good, I’ve no doubt that you’ll make a complete recovery. Now it says here that your girlfriend is looking after you, how’s that working out?”

“Brilliantly!” Spike said with a big grin, and the doctor smiled at him too.

“Well, I’d like to see you in another six weeks time, keep doing what you’re doing, going places looking at things from the past, music, smells, places all help evoking memories! – And the same advice if you have a bad headache or a seizure, come to us immediately”

“Okay then doctor, I will”

The doctor wrote something in the folder notes and closed it.

“Oh, just one thing Mr Giles, have you remembered anything about the accident?”

“No, but then the ward doctor said I probably would never remember that”

The doctor nodded once and said,

“That’s okay then, bye Mr Giles” Spike said goodbye and left. He then went to find Buffy in the café, where she’d gone to wait for him.

“Oh, you were quick – haven’t even finished my coffee yet!” Buffy went to reach for her latte, but Spike still her hand saying,

“Don’t rush”

“So what did he say, is he pleased with you?” Buffy asked closing her book and putting it in her bag.

“Yup, he said just to keep on doing things to jog my memory, go places, smells, the albums, you know, he said he fully expects me to get my memory back” Spike said with a grin

“So, when have you got to come here again?”

“Not for six weeks, or if I have a bad headache or a fit I’ve got to-“

“Come in immediately, I know – well that’s brilliant!” Buffy said. She finished her coffee and said

“Right then, work!”

When they got to the studios, everybody was at lunch, and very pleased to hear how well Spike had done at his clinic appointment. Tara asked,

“We were wondering Spike, if you felt up to a few lines, nothing big, just say, walking into the diner and ordering a breakfast – just to keep a little continuity”

“Sure, that’ll be great!”

“I’ll get on with writing that in then” Cassie said.

Chapter 19 Lawyers and Lasagne!


“Oh hi dad…fine thanks………hospital? – Well they seemed happy with me, no headaches or fits…no I haven’t had to take any tablets, no………Buffy, oh she’s fine, doing a wonderful job of looking after me………Mrs Calendar sent me some photo albums to help jog my memory…sorry what? – Yeah, yeah they did, I remembered Scamp and Rascal…and my rebellious schooldays………hahahaha yes dad! So you okay, how’s the play going? – No sorry I haven’t read the reviews…okay I promise I will………yes, okay then dad, thanks for calling, bye, yeah I will, oh, and break a leg – bye bye!”

Buffy came in the lounge carry two mugs of coffee.

“That was dad, he’s about to go onstage, well half an hour or so – he just wondered how I was, how I got on at the hospital and that, you know”

Buffy grinned and put the coffees on the coffee table and said,

“I heard you mention the photo albums”

“Yeah, I told him I remembered Rascal and Scamp and my rebellious schooldays. Have we got a daily paper?”

“Not today…got yesterdays if that’s any good, why?”

“Dad wondered if I’d read the theatre reviews”

“Oh…I doubt if we could read about Broadway reviews in our paper”

“I’ll pick up a NY Times in the shop in town”

“Aren’t you coming to work today?”

“Actually, would you mind if I didn’t, there’s a few things I’d like to get on with, letter writing, and there’s some research I want to do on the internet, and I want to nip into town”

“Sure, I won’t be long today, so what are you going to make?”


“How does melon with Parma ham to start, then lasagne with salad and garlic bread, and then a tiramisu for afterwards?”

“You can make all that – oh wow!”

ooOOoo

“God this is to DIE for!” Buffy said savouring another mouthful of the delicious lasagne, then she added,

“I hope there’s leftovers for tomorrow!” Spike nodded and said yes, there were leftovers.

“Did you find out what you wanted on the Internet?”

“Yeah” As he didn’t elucidate, Buffy didn’t push and ask what.

“Missed you today, everybody was asking for you!”

“That’s nice…I um...I had a weird flashback today”

“Oh…what was that?”

“I was reading the paper, and I noticed this piece about ‘soap star’ to write tell all book, and then there was a photograph of this bloke, all teeth and forehead”

“Angel!”

“Yeah, but when I looked at his picture, I see in my minds eye broken glass, loads of it, covering me, like pellets, you know how safety glass breaks”

Buffy smiled and wiped her mouth

“Your very first day on the show, you were supposed to roar up on your motorcycle and park up, all the viewer was supposed to see was your booted feet walking into the diner, then a view of you from the back, clad all in black leather, then you taking your helmet off to reveal who you were. But some idiot put loose gravel down outside the diner frontage, you roared up, but the bike slipped from beneath you, somehow it hit the kerb and flipped and broke the end diner window we thought you were dead, we came running out – Angel just stood inside going mad, like the jerk he is. You were covered in broken glass pellets”

Spike smiled

“So, first day huh…talk about making an entrance!”

“That’s what I thought – but not for that reason!” Buffy said grinning, then added,

“So what shall we do after dinner…movie? – Talk?” Spike gave her a lopsided cheeky grin and said,

“Give you three guesses!” Then he said seriously,

“Unless I’m being too much for you?” It was Buffy’s turn to grin

“Not at all, early night it is then!”

ooOOoo

“Oh god………oh yes, don’t stop!” Buffy could feel her orgasm coming on her fast, her hips bucking up to meet Spike’s, he ground his hips hard against hers, making Buffy squeal with delight, she cried out a final time as she felt him swell and her inner muscles worked their magic and Spike cried out his own climax.

Relaxing Spike cuddled up to Buffy, who lay with her head on his shoulder.

“Never get tired of that!” Buffy said

“Nor me…sleep now?” and Buffy nodded.

ooOOoo

Lawyer Miles Wolf’s Office


“Make it five with a chance for parole after three, and we’ve got a deal” Angel’s lawyer, Miles Wolf said

“Eight years, with a chance of parole after five, and that’s my final offer” Spike’s lawyer, Anthony Farquhar - Rimmington said

Angel’s lawyer whispered something to Angel, who whispered back

“Can I please have five minutes alone with my client?”

Spike’s lawyer nodded and left to stand outside. After about three minutes, Angel’s lawyer opened the door and said,

“Make it six years, with a chance of parole after three, and drop the stalking charges against my client as regards Miss Summers, else we’ll take it to trial and take our chance with a jury”

“I’ll have to ring my client” Spike’s lawyer said and flipped open his mobile, and called the Summers’ residence………………

“………………..What?!! You mean he could be out in three years, no way!” Buffy said vehemently.

“But the thing is Miss Summers, we haven’t actually got Mr Angelson on CCTV camera doing the deed, the angle is too-“

“I know, I know, the angle is too sharp to show it. But three years, hardly seems punishment at all, he tried to kill someone!” Buffy reasoned, frowning

“Well there it is Miss Summers, I don’t make the laws, I just see that they are carrying them out, and as we have no hard and fast evidence other than the CCTV images…”

“He admitted it! Once he knew he was on that CCTV film, he held up his hands, AND from what’s been in the newspaper, he’s going to write a tell-all book. Well I’ll just put the block on it if he tries! So what’s the maximum he could get?”

“With no actual image of the deed being done, 15 years…I went for eight with parole after five, And I’d drop the stalking charge by you – I think that’s about the best we can hope for”

“But I don’t want the stalking charge dropped, and if he so much as puts my name in print, I’ll sue!” Buffy said angrily

“Okay then Miss Summers, but I think I might have to do this as two separate cases”

Buffy sighed and leant on one hip – it was all very well she wanting vengeance on him, but could she afford it?

“Look just get the longest time in jail for him please…but I mean it about the book tell him”

“I will Miss Summers, bye”

“Two bit, low down, evil, disgusting, snivelling little toad!” Buffy fumed as she walked back into the lounge

Spike looked up and said,

“Now what did I do to deserve that?” – He was smiling while he said it.

Buffy explained.

“Silly girl, you get back onto Mr double-barrel named lawyer and tell him to charge any fees to me, everything”

“But-“

“No buts, I don’t mind in the slightest pet, if it puts your mind at rest”

So Buffy phoned the lawyer and told him, even if he had to deal with things separately, he was to charge all fees to Spike.

“Thank you Miss Buffy, you’ve just made my job a whole lot easier!”

ooOOoo

“And cut! Next up, we need Charity…Officer Jones and Handy Andy, the rest of you can go I think, hold on, let me check………diner scene…Officer Riley…blah de blah…chatting to Charity…Andy fixing one of the bench seats, joining in conversation…oh sorry, Xandy we need you too – and that’s it, the rest of you can go” Warren said Buffy and Willow left for the rehearsal room.

“So go on, you were telling me, what did you say?” Willow asked.

“Well I said, No way am I dropping the stalking charges - he could be out in three years!. Anyway Spike said he pay the lawyers fees, so Angel’s going to be charged with attempted homicide, and stalking, and I also said if he so much as puts my name in print, I’ll sue him!”

“Good for you!”

“I hope Spike has good news when I get home – oh and he cooked the most fantastic dinner last night………

ooOOoo

Later that evening Buffy talking to Willow on the phone…

“………….I know, but unfortunately they just can’t make it stick – I should have called the police the minute he was in my room – I know you all said I should…and although I called the police when he first came here, he didn’t stick around so I can’t prove he was here…but they’ve plea bargained and he’s going down for 6 with chance of parole after 4 years, that’s a year longer than we originally thought”

“What has Spike have to say about it?”

“He’s upset for me – but I don’t care anymore, Angel’s going to be locked up for 4 years at least!”

Willow yawned and said,

“Okay then, I’m going to bed now –see you tomorrow, night”

“Night Will!” Buffy ended the call; Spike put his head around the door and said,

“You coming to bed pet?”

“Yup, I was just telling Willow about the idiot!”

“Forget him!” Buffy smiled up at him and asked,

“Who?” Spike winked at her and said,

“That’s my girl!”

ooOOoo

“We’re gonna need extra help” Red said to Buffy

“I know, but I don’t hold out much hope!” Buffy said

Spike walked into the diner.

“Morning ladies! Can I have 8oz ham steak, two eggs, sunny side up, and a stack of blueberry pancakes please?”

“Would you like butter and syrup with your pancakes, and anything to drink with that sir?” Red asked smiling.

“Please, and a hot tea with milk”

“Coming right up!”

Buffy sat at the table next to Spike, with s sheet of paper in front of her, she was holding a pencil

“How shall I word this thing Red?”

“Just say ‘Help Wanted’ must be able to cook!”

“Hmm…do you think I should put on how many hours and the wages and that?”

“Excuse me…are you looking for somebody to work here?” Spike asked, folding his newspaper. Buffy looked up and smiled.

“Why yes I am, the Annual Blue Ridge Goose Fair is coming to town next week, and we sure do get busy – we open from 5am and don’t close till 10pm!”

“Well, I can cook, I’ve worked restaurants all over Europe – and I’m looking for a job for a few months” Spike said. Buffy’s brows rose and she smiled.

“Well the Goose Fair lasts a week, but we’ll be loosing Susie back to college, that means she can only work after 5.30pm and at weekends…what hours can you do?”

“Well, I’m up with the birds so I can do the 5am start” Spike said smiling. Buffy grinned and said,

“Really – oh that would be wonderful – you’re hired!”

“And cut! Brilliant, that’s a wrap everybody…next scene, Buffy and Spike in the diner, Buffy teaching Spike the ropes. Five minutes to places everybody” Warren said.

ooOOoo


“I’m tired!” Spike yawned and stretched in the rehearsal room.

“Well that’s your first full day back, sure you’re not exhausted?” Buffy asked worriedly.

“No, I just woke early and couldn’t get back to sleep – I keep remembering things now at a rate of knots and my heads buzzing!”

“Shall we order take-away tonight, I don’t want you cooking if you’re tired” Buffy said.

“I don’t want much, I think we may have leftovers or an omelette will do for me”

“Me too, I can’t keep on eating all this rich lovely food, I’ll get huge!”

“Come on then Sweetie, let’s get – oh excuse me, I’ll just see who this is………hello? – Oh hello Ethan, I was wondering when I’d hear from you………what – have you oh, sorry, I’ve been working all day filming………yes I’m at work, where did you think I was? – No I’ve not been lying in bed at all, did you get those keys to that flat – I gave them to your secretary………good. So is there something specific you want or………go on……………(Spike walked outside following Buffy to her car) …………you have got to be kidding me…………well it’s hardly MY fault is it, PLUS I was nearly killed myself the other week, did you tell them that?.............Is that right, well you tell them I’ll counter-sue them for letting that games company use three of my songs without my permission…………Oh yes I can, I had my father’s lawyer read the small print - *I* still own the copyright…yes that’s right, so tell them to stick that where the sun don’t shine – bye Ethan!”

Spike was standing by the passenger door waiting for Buffy to unlock.

“What’s up?”

“Stupid record company! They said they paid us £12 million for a three album deal, they’ve had two off us and now want the third, I mean, do they even KNOW Rix’s dead and Stu had a heart attack? – let alone me nearly being brained, and they STILL want the bloody third album – they’ll have to do a ‘Best Of, there’s enough material for one”

Buffy got into the car and let Spike in and said,

“Forget it for now; let the lawyers take the strain”

Spike nodded and they drove home.

ooOOoo

Chapter 20 The Nominations are:

……………”Listen…listen everybody, we’ve had an official letter from What’s On/TV Weekly magazines, their readers have nominated us for certain categories! Our very own Buffy has been nominated as Best Soap Actress, not only that, we are nominated for Best Daytime soap, Spike’s been nominated as best newcomer, and Tara for best storyline writer!” The cast cheered. Then Warren continued,

“And not only that, were getting a new version of the signature tune, the Chick-a-Dee’s are recording it as we speak, and it’ll be used from the 12th of next month!”

Buffy hugged Spike and said,

“This’ll be so much fun; we can be together on the red carpet!” Spike grinned at her.

“Okay then people settle down now, there are a lot of extra’s in posing as fair people, just remember your lines and watch where you tread, I don’t want anybody tripping or falling – okay first scene today can I have Buffy, Spike, Charity, Suzie and Red – then we want officer Jones coming in, Buffy recruiting him on his day off – rolling in five everybody” Warren turned to Tara and said,

“Extra’s all up to speed?”

“Yeah, a couple will leave straight away, Charity will serve a table Suzie can clear a dirty table, Spike and Buffy cooking, Willow serving at the counter…the extras know what they’re doing” Tara said looking at her clip board.

“Good. Right places everybody, ready VT and roll in three, two, one, action!”

“Thank you Miss Buffy, that was delicious!” Two extra’s waved and left the busy looking diner.

“Bye now, you come back tomorrow now, d’hear!” Buffy said waving to them from behind the counter.

“Bless them, they’ve been coming here since before I was born!” Buffy said to Spike.

Spike turned and deposited two breakfasts on the serving counter and called out,

“Table 7 order up!” He turned back to Buffy and said,

“That’s nice - they’re from the fair I take it?”

“Uh huh…”

Charity appeared at the counter took the two breakfasts and ordered more toast and coffee for table 4.

“I’ll take this…I’m gonna need more help!” Buffy said taking a plate of toast and the coffee jug around the counter.

Red came to the counter began filling her serving tray with cutlery and sauces

“Order Spike!”

Spike turned and took the order, opened the fridge and took out ham steaks and sausages, set them on the hot-plate. Buffy came back to swap coffee jugs and make more.

More customers came and went, and Officer Jones walked in, in uniform.

“Did you know there’s a tailback to get into the county? – I think everybody’s heading here too!”

“You got a day off tomorrow Officer Jones?” Buffy asked making more coffee.

“Sure have Miss Buffy”

“Well consider yourself hired, you can wait tables or clean them, we’re SO busy!”

“Sure…I’ll be back later!” Officer Jones said

“Three large breakfasts, all with two eggs over easy, wheat toast, one with pancakes” Willow said, ripping the order off her pad. Spike plated up the previous orders and put more stuff onto cook.

The camera went from table to table where little snippets of conversation were heard, about the fair, the people, the traffic, and of course the everyday stuff Buffy had to deal with, orders and deliveries…

“And cut! Relax everybody – that was great, just fantastic, one brilliant long 15 minute take!” Warren said grinning from ear to ear.

ooOOoo

Spike yawned as he got into the car and buckled up.

“So where do these awards take place, do you know?” Buffy looked left as she pulled off the parking lot to drive to the security gate.

“Well, last time I went, they were in Las Vegas, but that was four years ago now”

“Vegas huh…it would be nice to see the place again! Last time I saw Las Vegas, there was this mad Pap, English bloke he was, mad as a bloody hatter, he used to lie in wait behind bushes and jump out at you…no wonder he had a boxers nose the amount of times he frightened the Bejesus outta some poor sod!” Buffy grinned and drove slowly through the gate when the barrier went up.

“Anyway, we were playing Cleopatra’s Palace, and this Pap, I think his name was Colin, he hid behind a pot plant and jumped out flashing away, well Stu had taking a tab and was tripping – he thought it was an alien or something wrestled this Paparazzi to the ground and was calling for Mulder and Scully as he’d caught an alien…mad bugger he was…once fell off the roof of the car trying to get a picture of us!”

Buffy smiled but concentrated on her driving. She glanced in her driving mirror a couple of times…she wasn’t sure if they were being followed………

ooOOoo

Following Day, Lunchtime the Rehearsal room………………


“And yours Buffy, Spike, Tara’s got hers…that ones mine…” Warren handed them the official tickets for the awards ceremony.

“Right quiet everybody…quiet please” Warren said clapping his hands

“Quiet, can I have your attention please (everybody shut up) right here we have, hot off the press, the new version of our signature tune.

He put the CD into the player, pressed play and turned up the volume.

Where before there had been almost mournful violins and a horn, there now was the rich sound of a steel guitar. The Chick-a-Dee’s, Award winning Southern Country Rock girl trio sang out

Come to Diner that’s on the ole’ Blue Ridge,
Come to the Diner, over the rickety bridge,
Where you’ll get a welcome and a friend right from the start,
Come to the Diner, the welcomes from the heart

On Wilson’s Mountain……oh yeah, they’ll look after you,
On Wilson’s Mountain…..oh yeah, that’s just what they do,

So come to the Diner they’re open night and day,
Come to the Diner, we hope you enjoyed your stay!

Every body was toe tapping and nodding their heads, there was a catchy electric violin solo in the middle and the second verse started back with the steel guitar,

There’s Timmy and Charity, Handy Andy too,
Xandy is a helpful lad and Red will wait on you,
Officer Jones, well he just keeps the law,
And Miss Buffy’s home-style cookin’ keeps the wolf right from your door!


On Wilson’s Mountain……oh yeah, they’ll look after you,
On Wilson’s Mountain…..oh yeah, that’s just what they do,
So come to the Diner, they’re open night and day,
Come to the Diner we hope you enjoyed your stay!
And one more time,
So come to the Diner, they’re open night and day,
Come to the diner, we hope you enjoyed your stayyyyyyyyyy!

Ford let out a “Yee –Haaa!” And everybody laughed, but admitted it was a hundred times better than the old drudge of a tune.

“We’re getting a proper video made, we need to have various shots of you when your name is mentioned in the song, going about your daily business and then looking up and smiling for the camera” Warren informed them.

“Ooh, very posh!” Spike said grinning.

“Warren, how are we getting to the awards?” Buffy asked

“Flying, will you be alright Spike?”

“I should think so, it isn’t as far as New York - I’ll ask the doctor just in case” Spike said, and then he continued,

“And where are we staying?”

“The Sheraton, six blocks away, you’ll have a limo to take you to the red carpet” Both Buffy and Spike smiled and nodded.

ooOOoo

“Willow, will you come shopping with me, I need to get something really slinky and sexy for this award ceremony”

“Sure, when?”

“Tuesday night, Spike’s going to Randall’s Sports Bar with Ford, Riley and a few others, they’re going to teach him the rules of American football, play pool, etc!”

“Yup, suits me fine!”

“I thought I’d try that new Mall over in Grovedale, I’ve been itching to get over there, there’s a Princess B’s Boudoir lingerie shop…thought I’d get some sexy undies too!”

“And who’s going to see those, as if I didn’t know!” Willow teased

ooOOoo

Tuesday night

Buffy swished back the curtain, and stood in front of Willow who was sitting on a chair outside the changing room

“There, what do you think…” She turned left, right and front ways, stood on tip-toe to mimic wearing high heels and piled her hair on top of her head.

“So you’re going to wear your hair up?” Willow asked.

“I thought so, why don’t you think I should?” Buffy let her arm fall and her hair tumbled back down around her shoulders

“On no – I mean yes, you should, I was just wondering, that’s all!”

“I was thinking in a soft French pleat, with tendrils around my face. So, what do you think about the dress?” Buffy asked swishing the dark blue satin

Willow looked a little pained and said,

“Hmm…it’s a bit too…bridesmaid-y? I really liked that second one you tried, the green one”

“The Grecian style one? – I wasn’t sure about the gold rope thing criss crossing my boobs and around my waist” Buffy said

“Ahem…may I suggest something?” the assistant asked.

“Sure, any suggestions would be welcome” Buffy answered nodding

“What is the dress for?” the assistant asked, and before Buffy could open her mouth, Willow said,

“Buffy’s up for Best Soap star in the What’s On/TV Weekly magazine Awards”

“Oh! I thought your face was familiar…I couldn’t place where I knew you from – well hold it right there, I think I have just the dress for you!” The assistant disappeared into the stockroom and came out with two dresses. One in cream, the other in black.

“Both the same style, try the black one first” the assistant handed Buffy the cellophane covered dress.

Buffy did as she was told! The dress was a balcony front, lightly gathered to an envelope point at the waist on the left, and then it fitted tight over the hips and then splayed out to floor-length. It had a little sequinned covered Shrug to go with it. The assistant zipped Buffy up and pulled back the curtain………

“Oh WOW Buffy, it looks like it was made for you, it fits beautifully!” Willow said.

“Hmm, I love it! How much is it?”

“$1800”

Buffy’s face fell. She’d max out on her credit card at $2000, and she wanted to get nice underwear and shoes too.

“Hmm…I think I’ll have to-“

“But as you are on one of my late, dear mother’s favourite shows, you can have it for $1200, what do you say?”

Buffy grinned and said,

“I’ll say I’ll take it!”

“I’ll go wrap it for you!” She took the dress and Buffy’s card and left Buffy to get dressed.

They left Gibson’s Gowns and went to a shoe shop next.

“Buffy look, just your size too, LesChoux, less than half price!” Willow handed Buffy the left shoe that was on show.

Buffy checked the size and tried the strappy heel on, it had a pretty diamante detailing on the strap that went across the base of the toes…

The assistant bought Buffy the other one and she walked up and down in them – they were fine, and only $140 instead of being over $400!

Next Buffy went to Princess B’s Boudoir and bought black stockings, a garter belt, and a very pretty shell peachy pink lace bra set.

They went to the Food court and had a coffee and a snack and then they went back to the car and home.

ooOOoo

Chapter 21


“Next Friday evening………no I haven’t, no headaches,………no, no I haven’t had to take any pain killers or sleeping tablets either, okay right thanks then doctor, bye” Spike ended his call and looked up at Buffy and said,

“Doc said as I’ve had no complications, I should be fine to fly to Vegas”

“Great!” Buffy said grinning, and then Spike said,

“What do think I should do, get a tux or shall I give the Armani suit another airing?”

“I’d LOVE to see you in a tux!” Buffy said excitedly.

“Rent or buy? – Oh heck I might as well buy one! I’ve seen a place on the net…Tuxedo Junction I’ll go look now” Spike went off to the computer and Buffy said she wanted to do some paperwork, to go through the extra fan mail she was getting lately.

ooOOoo

Sunday Morning (9.00am)

Spike was grumpy.

“We shouldn’t have to do this today – not on a Sunday!” he grouched as he got into the car.

“I know babe, I feel the same, but with us away next week there was no other day to shoot the opening credits video” Buffy said.

“I wanted us to have a leisurely breakfast in bed, a nice bath together, I was gonna cook you a fabulous lunch and then we could have vegged out in front of the TV watching old movies…”

“Sounds like heaven, still I suppose one consolation is that Warren said he’d buy us lunch!”

“Hmm, better not be a big old pile of gas station sandwiches either!”

ooOOoo

Everybody seemed to arrive at the same time, went into the rehearsal room to get changed and fell on the pile of plastic triangles that held sandwiches of various fillings.

“See, I told you he was a cheapskate – I’m not eating sandwiches for Sunday lunch!” Spike said, and then continued,

“What is there anyway Will?”

“Hmm…let me see…chicken and bacon…ham…spicy sausage…hello Warren I’m Jewish! – Ah, egg mayo, suppose that’ll have to do me” Willow said examining the filling

“There’s a cheese one here – oh but it’s got onion on it, is that okay?” Buffy said holding out the pack to Willow, she quickly ditched the egg mayo for the cheese.

Sandwiches were soon wolfed down, everybody moaning at having to come to work on a Sunday! But filming of the opening credits video soon got underway…


“………Ford you next, you Handy Andy, I want you both either side of Ford’s truck, with the hood open, both in muscle vests, and a smudge of oil on Ford’s face – get those muscles rippling boys, and Andy, get Andrew to tousle that hair of yours some more – get some gel in it…” Andy nodded and went off to make-up.

“What time are we on Warren?” Buffy asked

“No idea Buffy, we’ll do this, then Xandy sweeping up – he’s got to get back for church, his mother said, so I doubt if you’ll be this side of lunch” Warren said looking at the running order on his clip board.

“And what is for lunch?” Spike asked squinting up at Warren, his arm across his forehead shielding his eyes as the sun was directly above him, they were sitting outside on the grass as it was hot.

“Um…I bought you sandwiches” Warren said

“We ate those for breakfast – we want a decent lunch!”

“WARREN!!” Tara yelled from the diner entrance

“I’ve gotta go!” Warren looked up saw what looked like an irate Tara, and scooted off.

Buffy, Willow and Faith were sunbathing, Xandy was sitting with them playing a hand-held computer game, he was wearing the cap that Buffy and Spike had bought him in New York.

The Chick-a-Dee’s started up again so Warren could get the timing right…

“You know I DID like this song, but I bet by the end of the day today…” Faith said, and she sat up
putting her sunglasses on top of her head.

“I know what you mean, after the hundredth time it begins to pall…!” Riley said

Willow sat up and said,

“Anybody got any sun-cream, I can feel my face tingle”

“Hmm, and my shoulders are getting a bit red I’ll go see if Andrew in make-up has got anything” Willow stood and dusted off her bottom of dried grass.

“I might have something in the car – go look there first, it’s in the glove compartment” Buffy said, throwing Willow her car keys.

Five minutes later Willow was back with a tube of sun-cream and she gave Buffy back her car-keys.

“It wasn’t locked, but I locked it for you, and um…this was on the driver’s seat” She gave Buffy a rather wilted rose

“Wasn’t locked? – But I’m sure I – ugh!” She threw the rose away.

“Spike…Spike!” Buffy said urgently, he’d been dozing over a crossword.

“Hmm, whassamarra – huh?” he sat up and frowned at Buffy’s panic-face.

“What is it love?”

“I locked the car, tell me I locked the car when we got here!”

“You locked the car, why what’s up?”

“Are you sure I locked the car – but – oh God!”

“Buffy love what’s the matter?” Spike knelt in front of her and held her shoulders, he was getting worried now.

“Willow just went to get some sun-cream from the glove compartment, she said the car wasn’t locked”

“Well, it doesn’t really matter does it love, I don’t think anybody would steal it from here” Spike reasoned, but Buffy shook her head.

“”T’isn’t that…look what she found on the driver’s seat” Spike turned his head and looked behind him and saw the discarded rose. He frowned and turned and reached for it.

“Who in the…I’ll fucking KILL HIM!” Spike jumped up, Buffy quickly followed.

“Spike no – we don’t know who put it there!”

“Well who else huh? That sick bastard why can’t he leave you alone!” Spike shouted.

“Hey what’s going on, can you keep it down were just about to film!” Warren asked.

“Sorry Warren. Spike, come on babe, don’t get yourself worked up………we can ask security if he came on-site”

“I swear to…if he comes within a hundred yards of you I’m having the bastard, I’ll string him by the bollocks and make him eat his own dick if he so much as looks at you!” Spike was furious, his fists were clenched and he’d gone red.

“Alright love, don’t upset yourself…come and sit down, come on” Buffy soothed and Spike sat down again. He covered his face with the newspaper and fell back to sleep. About ten minutes later Xandy patted Buffy’s arm………

“Buffy…” Xandy said, looking really upset.

“Yes love?”

“Didn’t you like the rose, I thought you liked flowers, ladies like flowers?”

“Did you put the rose on my seat in the car Xandy?” Buffy asked

Xandy hesitated, then nodded and he said,

“Spike won’t be my friend anymore now” Xandy said sadly.

“Course he is Xandy, he just didn’t know who sent the rose, we thought it was from somebody else, somebody who tried to hurt Spike, that’s why he got upset.” Buffy explained. She took Xandy’s hand and squeezed it, and then she asked

“But how did you get into my car, I locked it, I know I did” Buffy asked.

“He gave me the key, when he gave me the rose to put on the seat – but I’m not supposed to tell you this, it’s a secret”

Buffy looked alarmed but tried to keep calm she said,

“Who gave you a key to my car Xandy”

“You’ll hate me, and not be my friend anymore…and…” Xandy started to cry. Buffy went and sat next to Xandy and put her arm around him.

“Now you know better than that, I love you like my brother on the show, I’ll always be your friend, now you know what your mom says, you must always tell the truth and shame the devil! Xander sniffed and nodded, Buffy continued,

“If you tell me I promise I’ll still be your friend”

“But…what’ll happen to my mom?”

“What do you mean love?”

“He said…he said if I told anyone, something bad will happen to my mom, he made me promise not to tell”

Buffy’s blood went cold, she hugged Xandy and said,

“Okay, I tell you what, I’ll say a name, and if it’s him who made you do this, just nod okay, then you haven’t said a word, you haven’t broken that promise, and nothing will happen to your mom, okay? Xandy nodded again

“Okay, right was it Angel?” Xandy hesitated for a second or too, and then he nodded

“Don’t you worry Xandy, you’ve done the right thing, and Spike and me are very proud of you okay – we’ll always be your friend and you’re not to worry about anything okay?” he nodded again and Buffy kissed his cheek and gave him a squeeze.

“Now you see if you can get a new high-score!” She handed him his computer game, smiled and hugged him again saying

“Love you Xandy”

“Love you Buffy!”

Unbeknown to Buffy, Spike wasn’t asleep, he had heard every word.

ooOOoo

Chapter 22

In the diner, Buffy, Spike, Susie, Red, Mayor Henry, Isaac the delivery driver and an off-duty Officer Jones . Xandy was to stroll in last…………

“………………And ACTION!” Warren said snapping the clapperboard shut


“So, what do you think Isaac?” Buffy asked

“Miss Buffy, I think that’s the bestest tastin’ there catfish I ever did taste, hmmmmm!” Buffy grinned

“How about you Mayor Henry – what do you think?”

“Well I totally agree with Isaac here – that’s the darn’est tootin’ catfish I ever ate!”

Willow came over with two plates with some BBQ ribs on…

“Sorry I’m late!” Officer Jones came in, but he was in regular clothes, off duty.

“Never you mind, sit yourself down and try this…” Willow said, putting a catfish fillet in a spicy sauce in front of him

“Now Isaac, which ribs do you like best, we have Cajun style, Bourbon sauced or Spike’s special sauce?

“Hmm…I can’t make up my mind; they’re all so damned good!” Isaac was licking his fingers.

“Got to go with that Miss Buffy…can’t put a pin between them!” Mayor Henry concurred with Isaac.

Buffy beamed and said –

“Good, we’ll offer all three then!” From across the counter Susie’s southern drawl could be heard saying

“Oh my Lore, I’ve just died and gone to heaven, hug your neck! – Buffy, you just gotta come and taste this pie Spike has made – it’s heaven on a plate!”

The pie had a regular pastry base, then a layer of toasted coconut, covered in a thick layer of soft caramel, then thickly sliced bananas and whipped cream, more toasted coconut on the top………

Everybody had a forkful and had a look of sheer bliss on their faces as they tasted it………

“And what do you call this divine pie Spike?” Willow asked, digging in again for another forkful.

Spike smiled and shrugged,

“Just coconut banoffee pie – I make it without the coconut too…then it’s just banoffee pie of course…”

“We sure could save some money if we made these desserts and sauces ourselves…Spike, how’d you like to work here permanently? Even if it was just to make the pies and sauces?” Buffy said

“Yes, go on Spike” Red encouraged

“I’ll throw you in jail if you say no!” Officer Jones said grinning, and everybody laughed.

“Well put it like that, of course I’ll stay!” Everybody cheered and Buffy looked up to see Xandy walk in, he smiled but she knew something was wrong, it wasn’t a ‘full, real smile’ he looked worried and tired. It wasn’t in the script but she went over to him and put her arm around his shoulders and drew him to the table.

“Try some of Spike’s pie………(she gave him a forkful) and she asked

“Isn’t that good?”

“Oh yes, it’s mighty good!” Xandy said nodding

“And cut!” Thanks folks…next scene we need Red, Charity and Handy Andy putting up the new menu in five minutes folks” Warren said

Buffy took Xandy by the hand and led him to the rehearsal room. Spike saw this and held back a little…

“Okay Xandy, what’s the matter – you’re not your happy self- can I help?” Buffy asked trying to look in Xandy’s face.

Xandy looked down and didn’t say anything.

“Come on love, you can tell me, I don’t like to see you all worried; where’s my happy Xandy, hmm?” She cupped his cheek.

She sat on one of the tables and patted the space beside her and Xandy sat down next to her.

“Is it Angel – has he done anything or said anything to you?”

“He phoned me last night and asked if I’d put the rose in your car” Xandy said quietly so Buffy had to strain to hear him.

“And what did you say?”

“I said yes, but you didn’t like it – then he shouted at me and said I better not have told you it was him, and he said remember he could still make a bad thing happen to my mom”

“RIGHT, THAT IS IT!” Spike came bursting into the rehearsal room boiling mad.

Xandy cowered at first until Spike put his arm around him and said

“Listen Xandy, you are my friend and you will always be our friend, you’re not to worry because I’m going to put a stop to this right now!”

Buffy looked alarmed and said,

“Spike, no – you don’t know what’s gone on, what’s happened!”

“Oh yes I do – I wasn’t asleep on Sunday, I heard every word, now that bastard is scaring you, he’s frightened somebody with the mind of a child and I’m not prepared for him to do that Buffy – poor Xandy’s scared witless he’s gonna do something wrong and something bad will happen to his mother, it’s not right and I’m going to the police about it!”

“Xandy, would you be prepared to tell a policeman or lady what Angel said to you?”

“About the flower and hurting my mom?” Xandy asked

“Yes. He’s been very bad Xandy, very, very bad. Did you know it was Angel who messed up my motorcycle and made me fall off and bang my head badly so I was in hospital?” Spike said.

Xandy’s eyes went big and he looked from Spike to Buffy and asked incredulously,

“Really?” Buffy nodded and said yes.

“Okay, I’ll tell the police officer what he said – he can check it’s true cos it’s on the recorder”

“Recorder, what recorder?” Spike asked frowning

“Sometimes I forget to give mom messages, so all calls are recorded so mom doesn’t miss anything important”

Buffy grabbed Xandy and gave him a big kiss on the cheek and said,

“Oh Xandy, that’s brilliant – have you got the tape?”

Xandy nodded and slowly took it out of his pocket and gave it to her.

“Xandy mate, put it there, you are brilliant! This is just what we need!” Spike held his hand out and beaming Xandy shook Spike’s hand, who then pulled him into a hug.

“You’re a good lad Xandy, a very good lad!” Xandy felt so much better now, he’d been so worried that he couldn’t sleep.

ooOOoo

Buffy got on the phone to the lawyer………

“………I see, but how old is Mister Harris?” the lawyer asked

“He’s 25, but has a learning age of an 8 year old”

“I thought that was just for the show?”

“No, it’s his real life condition” Buffy said

“Well…ordinarily, I’d try for ‘Coercing a minor into committing an offence’, but as he’s 25, I’d have a job trying to make it stick”

“But he has the mind of a child – that’s what’s important, there’s medical back up of that fact”

“He does know right from wrong?”

“Oh yes, he knows, his mother has instilled that him, and about telling lies, he knows to always tell the truth”

“Well that might all very well, but the defence then will say that all kids lie”

“Well they can say what they like, he’s got what Angel said on tape – we’ve heard it for ourselves”

“He taped the call? – Isn’t that a bit, well, too clever for him to do that? – I mean to think of doing that, that is to say, it would be a cast iron proof and would be excellent”

“It’s a function his mother put on the phone so she doesn’t miss messages, Xandy forgets to give his mother messages, so she has everything taped, we’ve got Angel on the phone saying things to Xandy to frighten him, like if he tells anybody something bad will happen to his mom” Buffy explained.

“Right, well I’ve got to move fast, he’s supposed to be in his lawyer’s office tomorrow to have the plea bargain put to him to accept – I could easily tack on another ten years for this – could you get me some documentation about Xandy’s medical condition do you think?”

“Sure, we’ve got copies of the originals at the studio; his mother gave them to us so my mother, god rest her soul, could read authentic medical records about his condition. I’ll ask Xandy’s mother if it’s okay to give them to you” Buffy said

“Thank you, I’ll be in touch, bye”

ooOOoo

Buffy was in the rehearsal room the following morning when her mobile vibrated and she looked at it and saw she’s got a text message,

She read:

Fwnd Sympthc Jdge, got PBarg stp. Wll go to Trial – lookg at least 25yrs fngrs X’ed - AFR

Buffy couldn’t wait for Spike to finish his scene so she could tell him. She heard ‘and cut’ from Tara and waited excitedly for him to come into the room.

“Spike!” she ran over and hugged him.

“Oh – hey love – you look happy – oh I take it old Farqy came up trumps then?”

“Well I don’t know what you just said, but its great news, he found a sympathetic judge, and the plea bargain’s been stopped and it’s going to trial, he said – listen to this, Angel’s looking at least 25 years!!”

“Wow, now that’s more like it!” Spike said grinning

ooOOoo

Chapter 23…… I Just Want You For Your Pink Cadillac!!


“Ow…Ow, my ears are popping!” Buffy said as they came into land at McCarran airport.

“Here, suck this, it’ll help if you swallow!” Spike said with a grin, handing her a sweet.

Buffy started to giggle and took the barley sugar twist off him, opened it and put it in her mouth.

“What’s the time?” Spike looked at his watch.

“Ten fifteen, we have the whole day ahead of us”

“I feel like I’ve been up hours and hours…” Buffy said.

“That’s because we have been! Went to bed at ten, still awake at midnight, up at three thirty…” Buffy nodded and said,

“I was too excited to sleep!”

There was a slight jolt, and they knew they’d landed. The plane taxied to a halt and the pilot thanked them for flying InterAm flights, told them the temperature outside was a sweltering 88F (31C) and sunny, he hoped that everybody would enjoy their stay in Las Vegas and would fly InterAm flights again.

“Hope this hotel has great AC!” Spike said. The light came up for them to undo their seatbelts and they stood waiting to get off.

The transfer to the hotel was a bit of a mix up, and in the end, they all went into the one car with Tara and Warren.

The hotel was alright, but Buffy was annoyed they’d been put on different floors. She asked for this to be changed, and asked for a room with connecting doors. She was told they didn’t have this facility, but they could have a room three doors apart………

“I’m sorry madam, we don’t have any more single rooms to-“

“Double then! Give me a double, and cancel the other single room too, Spike and I – I mean Mr Giles and I will have a double okay?”

“Buffy, there you are…what room are you in?” Spike asked wandering down to the reception area, he’d got lost.

“Don’t know yet…hope you haven’t unpacked” Buffy said,

“No, why?”

“Coz I’m getting us a double room, I’m not going to be either one floor down or three doors away from you!” Spike cocked an eyebrow and grinned his lopsided grin that made her tummy flip and her heart melt…

“Room 406, madam, would you please sign here……………………………Thank you” The receptionist twisted the sign-in book for her to write in, Buffy squiggled her name and took the keycard.

“I’ll send somebody up to move your cases”

“Don’t bother, we’re not helpless!” Buffy said as she got into the lift.

As the lift doors slid shut, the receptionist, one Lilah Morgan lifted the phone and rang her favourite Paparazzi and said,

“Listen, that sickly sweet Buffy from Wilson’s Mountain…Wilson’s Mountain… what do you mean ‘where’s that’? – It’s a soap opera in the afternoons on channel 9! – Oh yeah right he says now…anyway she just came down here into reception to cancel the rooms reserved for her and that William Giles…you know who he is! Give me strength – that’s right, one of the Vampyres, yes, well he and that Buffy must be an item, she’s just come down and got them a double room…

ooOOoo

Tara knocked on the door and Buffy opened it. She was wearing her towelling robe, with her hair in a turban, brushing her teeth.

“There you are – listen there’s been an almighty mix up again, we’ll have to share the same limo”

Buffy excused her self, rinsed and spat in the sink and then rinsed the sink. She came back out of the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

“Spike’s in the bath – so what time are we having to be ready for?”

“Five thirty”

“WHAT?!!”

“I Know, sorry, but the writer, directors and producers are all done first – it isn’t televised”

“Well why can’t they take you, then come back for us in a couple of hours?”

“Because they’re booked to take other people”

“Oh terrific!” Buffy stomped over to the bed and plonked herself down.

Spike came out of the bathroom, just holding a towel around his waist

“Babes can you – OH GOD – sorry!” he quickly dived back into the bathroom again when he saw Tara.

Buffy called out and told him what the problem was.

“Don’t worry Tara, you and Warren carry on ahead.” Spike called through the door.

“Are you sure?” Tara asked looking at the door then at Buffy. Buffy just shrugged and said,

“Sure I’m sure, I’ll sort something…even if we have to walk!” Spike called out from behind the bathroom door.

“I trust him – you go on” Buffy said.

“Right, alright then, well sorry to interrupt you” Tara said, and she left.

Spike heard the door shut and opened the door a little and called out

“Has she gone?”

“Yup, you and your lily-white ass can come out now!” Buffy said cheekily as she unfurled the turban from her hair and began to rub it.

“Right…where’s my phone………oh what was the guys name now………let me see…he’s got to be in here somewhere……” Spike began to flip down the address book in his phone.

“Got it! 017555……….697 it’s ringing!...Hello – is Chopper there……Oh hi, it’s Spike here………yeah man, I’m fine, listen mate – I was wondering if you could do me a favour………no it’s not money no, we’re at an award show here tonight – Buffy, Buffy Summers, she’s up for Best Soap Actress……never you mind what *I’m* up to with her! Yes I know she’s one very beautiful chick, mate……yeah and I know she’s totally outta my league, but I must be doing something right, but listen can I borrow your car….whaddya mean, which one, how many have you got?......Hahahahahahaha…okay then the pink open topped Cadillac…yeah? – You will? – that would be fantastic – yeah…okay then hold on, Spike looked over to a bemused Buffy and said,

“Seven o’clock alright?” Buffy still smiling nodded.

“Great, see you outside the Sheridan at Seven then mate – bye!”

“Who was that then?” Buffy asked Spike ended the call and threw himself across the bed

“That, oh scrumptious one, was Chopper Harris, from the Water Cannons, and not only is he going to lend us his pink Caddy, he’s going to chauffer it for us too!”

Buffy covered her mouth and screamed excitedly and kicked her feet

“You better watch him love, he’s got an eye for a pretty girl and he thinks you’re W-A-Y too good for me!”

“Rubbish!” She smiled and shook her head.

Buffy smiled and ran her fingers through Spike’s hair. Spike closed his eyes, he loved how her nails lightly raked his scalp. She leant down and kissed his cheek. Spike quickly moved his head and pulled her over him, rolling them at the same time and Buffy found herself lying underneath him

“How did you…Spike, I’ve got to get ready!”

“Spoilsport!” he grinned at her, gave her one soft kiss, and let her up.

ooOOoo

Buffy finished putting on her make-up, all except her lipstick and she put up her hair. She’d done her eyes up with three shades of smoky grey shadow and used a sparkly silver eyeliner that Andy had given her. To finish off she'd put false lashes on the outer corners and they made her eyes look large and dewy.

She slipped on her dress, the shrug and her shoes, then applied her lipstick and gloss.. Spike was in the bathroom doing his hair, his disembodied voice cut into the room where Buffy was getting ready…he walked into the room and upon seeing her was rendered speechless,

“I’m going to have to get it cut, get rid of the bleached ends, it’s beginning to…………… WOW! Look at you!” he came out of the bathroom, turned the light off, wolf-whistled Buffy and said,

“So I look alright?”

“Alright? – Alright? – Babe you look stupendous!” Buffy grinned she felt wonderful.

“You don’t look to bad yourself, that tux could have been made for you!”

They went down in the elevator and there was Spike’s friend, ‘Chopper’ chatting up the receptionist. He was wearing his long black hair in a ponytail, he had black eye makeup on and a yellow jacket with tatty jeans and sneakers, He saw Spike stood up straight from leaning on the desk and quickly grabbed a chauffeur’s hat off the reception desk and saluted Spike.

“Look at you all done up like a dogs dinner!” Chopper said grinning Spike pulled him into a back-slapping hug and said

“Fuck off!” Quietly in his ear, they both stepped back and grinned. Then Chopper turned his attentions to Buffy

“Princess!” He held out his hand, Buffy went to shake it and he kissed the back of her hand and then carried on up her arm. Buffy giggled and withdrew

“Oi, get off!” Spike said laughing

“What DO you see in this reprobate love – lets ditch him and go paint the town red! – Whaddya say huh?” Chopper said with a grin to Buffy.

“Oh, I couldn’t do that…I’ve got to look after him” Buffy said fondly

“He’s putting it on, what ever he says is wrong with him, I’ve got it twice as bad, come and look after me!” Chopper said grinning

“Will you kindly leave my girlfriend alone and get us to the bloody studios!” Spike said still laughing

Chopper heaved a sigh, called out ‘Goodnight sweet Rachel the receptionist’ and the three of them left.

Chapter 24 And the Winner is…




There were screams galore when they pulled up at the venue. Chopper was giving the ‘Royal Wave’ to people and he had his photo taken by the paparazzi too. The man that was introducing the arrivals, announced Buffy and Spike, and the crowd went wild, Buffy was dazzled for a few seconds by all the flash-photography.

They stepped out onto the red carpet, posed to the left and the right, and then began a slow walk down the huge crowds being kept back by barriers.

They signed autographs and touched hands, they even posed for a couple of ‘private’ photos on peoples phones. They eventually got inside the venue and had more photos taken against a backdrop that had ‘TV Weekly’ and ‘Whats On’ written all over it. Eventually they were shown to their table by a jacketed usher.

They were three to the right-hand side of the stage near the front. The event went ‘live’ inside at eight o’clock. On the table in front of them was their name on a place-card, and a gift package.

Buffy opened the shiny gold bag and found a copy of the magazines giving the awards, a nice pen in a box, a keyring, a bottle of ‘Huntress’ eau de toilette spray, a face-powder compact and lipstick holder with mirror, a miniature vodka, some dark mint chocolates and a leather diary.

“Ooh nice, pressies!” what have you got?” Buffy asked

In Spike’s Silver bag was the magazines and pen, keyring, a bottle of ‘Hunter’ aftershave, vodka miniature, some coffee chocolates, the diary but instead of the makeup mirror he had a tie pin and some golf tees and balls in a box.

“You’ll have to take up golf!” Buffy said laughing.

“No…I’m with whoever said golf was a good walk spoiled!” Spike whispered.

Buffy looked to the entrance and spied one of her soap ‘rivals’ coming in, she had on a very tight corset dress on in blood red, with black accessories, a little black fascinator with a feather feature and black lace fingerless gloves.

She waved over to Buffy, and Buffy smiled and waved back – but both were thinking ‘BITCH!’

“Who’s that?” Spike asked

“That, my darling is Cruella de Ville!”

“Who?” Spike asked again, grinning knowing Buffy was playing him up.

“Her real name is Consuela Dayville, but in the papers she’s know as Cruella De Ville! She’s from that modelling soap, ‘Project Runway’ set in a modelling agency” Buffy informed him.

“Never heard of it!”

“It’s on late, gets a bit racy at times, features dubious storylines about models and heroin chic and all that stuff about being a size Zero…it’s written by the ex-model India Bloomington. Anyway, I’m up against her for the same catagory”

Spike pulled a face, he wasn’t impressed. He looked at the card that was on the table, it gave the running order of awards. The two categories they were in were last. Well, Spike’s was Best newcomer, and then it was Best Actor/Actress.

Buffy leant across to Spike and said,

“See the guy with the beard and glasses two tables along”…Spike casually looked around and when he spotted him he said ‘yes’ discreetly, Buffy continued,

“The young boy sitting next to him, he’s fourteen, that’s one of the candidates against you”

“A child – oh well that’s it then! I think I can safely say goodbye to any award I thought I might get!”

“Don’t be so defeatist! He’s a brat in the soap – a troubled teen, so not everybody will have voted for him!” Buffy said

“Ah yes, but it’s not what he’s done, it’s how he’s acted it!”

“I know, but the public are fickle like that, half of them want to see him locked up in Juvenile Hall. It’s a soap set in a children’s home, it’s called ‘Who Will Be My Parents’!”

The room rapidly filled up and the compere for the evening, a comedian called Billy Sanchez took the microphone, and called for order. The place immediately went quiet and all eyes fixed on the stage.

“Ladies and gentleman, if you are lucky enough to be called onstage, will you please make for the RIGHT hand side of the stage, that is the RIGHT hand side of the stage. The left hand side has no access because of the camera men and the wiring for the sound system and the huge screen we have to watch clips of the nominations. We ask you to make your thank you’s and acceptance speeches brief, 90 seconds at the most, we WILL cut you off if you go over this time limit, and so I tell you now so as not to embarrass you while on stage. Thank you. We will be live in four minutes”

The six other places at the table where they sat were soon filled with people Buffy didn’t know, but they all said good evening and were friendly enough. The man opposite Spike, was disappointed with the watch he got in his Present bag, and said,


“Oh, I saw some got golf balls and tees…I could use those!” Spike piped up,

“Here you go my friend, I don’t play” And slid the set of golfing equipment across the white linen table cloth.

“Oh that’s so nice of you, thank you – here, have the watch from mine!” the man said and passed Spike the box. Spike grinned and said ‘thanks’.

Spike looked at it and said to Buffy,

“It’ll do for work – it’s nice!” Buffy grinned.

Champagne could be heard popping and waiters came around and filled glasses.

“One won’t hurt me” Spike said but he didn’t touch it straight away.

A voice came over the public address system and announced,

“Ladies and gentlemen, two minutes, that’s two minutes please” People dashed back from the rest rooms and took their seats. The lights dimmed and a voice counted…

“We are live in 5,4,3,2 and 1” Loud music was played and then gradually got softer and the announcer said:

“Good evening and Welcome to the 2009 Whats On and Television Weekly Magazine Awards. These awards have been voted for by you, the public, and we have a star studded programme for you tonight, so ladies and gentlemen will you please give a warm welcome to your host for this evening, Mr Billy Sanchez!” Everybody applauded and Billy grinned out at the audience and took the ‘mike’ from its stand.

“Okay folks, let’s get down to business! The nominations for best Cop show are:

Precinct 14………Diego and Moss………Special Forces Ops……and finally, Very Special Agent Springer and Co. Let’s take a look at a clip of each of those shows…”

Scenes of cop-car chases, people running after crooks, firing guns, buildings blowing up and cars slamming into one another were shown, and the last one, where a detective made blind on his regular job as a cop came back as a ‘blind’ detective with his dog, as he’s lost his sight, his other senses made up for it and he and the dog, ‘Hal’ always got their man! After the clips were shown, Billy opened the envelope and announced,

“And the winner is, Very Special Agent Springer and Co!” The lights went up and everybody saw a really blind actor take the arm of his helper, and holding onto the harness of his dog Hal, he made his way up the steps. After the clapping died down, the actor was given the microphone and he said,

“When this project was first put to me, I didn’t think it would work, but it has, thanks to my best friend and acting partner, Hal, thank you everybody, thank you to all those who voted for me, and Hal thanks you too!” he handed back the microphone and his helper took the award for him so he could concentrate of getting down the steps carefully with Hal and back to his seat whilst the audience clapped them again.

“Aww, wasn’t that nice!” Buffy whispered to Spike whilst clapping. Spike grinned and nodded.

The next category is, Best medical show, and the nominations will be read out by Dr Dennis Delaney!” he was an old actor from one of the longest running medical dramas on TV.

“The nominations are:

911 Emergency………St Francis Memorial………The Lancet………and finally Dr Crossland MD. The lights dimmed and clips were shown….

ooOOoo

“Nearly finished now ladies and gentlemen, I think you must agree, it’s been a fabulous evening so far…and the next category is Best Newcomer, and the nominations are:

Jordan Ray, playing troubled teen Zach Vincent in ‘Who Will Be My Parents?.........Larry Groves who plays Dr Leonard Johnson in 911 Emergency…William Giles who plays Spike in Wilson’s Mountain Diner………and finally Laura-Mae Jeffries who plays Lydia Croft in Fashion House…lets see a clip of them in action……………

“And the winner is, William Giles who plays Spike in Wilson’s Mountain Diner”

Buffy ‘yipped’ and beamed at him. Spike looked at her and she said,

“Well go on then!” Giving his shoulder a gentle push.

“Wha- what – me oh god I….!” Spike stood and the camera panned around to him – he looked bewildered and the audience were going wild, far more than for any other actor that night. He trotted up the steps and shook Billy’s hand, and was then given the statuette. He still looked slightly stunned.

“Popular choice!” Billy said grinning

Spike cleared his throat and the audience quietened, then he said quietly

“Um…I was SO sure they were going to call out somebody else’s name…er, seriously though, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the most fantastic cast and crew I work with, Warren and Tara, Red, Xandy…but most of all Buffy, she’s looked after me from the beginning, and all through my recovery from my accident and well, I couldn’t have made it without her – this is for you babe, I love you”

He held out the award to her and the camera panned to her. Covering her mouth with her fingers at first, she then delicately tried to stop her make-up smudging as she cried a few tears. Spike got back to his seat and Buffy kissed him, whispered ‘I love you too’ and put her forehead on his shoulder. Billy took his place again and announced,

“And finally the two top awards we will do Best Actor first, and the nominations for Best Actor in a Soap Opera are:

Vikram Chaudry as Dr Sidhu Rhama in 911 Emergency………Chris Patterson as Deputy Paul Graham in Bear Creek, Steven St James as Father Doherty in Who Will Be My Parents, and finally Drew Longhorn as Sheriff Monahan in Bear Creek”………they watched a clip of each show.

“And the winner is Steven St James as Father Doherty………” the audience cheered and clapped as the actor went to get his award.

“And now ladies and gentlemen, the last presentation of the evening, best Actress in a Soap Opera. The nominations are:

Consuela Dayville, as Scheherazade De Montford in Project Runway, Elizabeth Summers as Buffy Wilson in Wilson’s Mountain Diner, Julie-Anne Law, as Sister Benedict in Who Will Be My Parents, and finally Rose Patrice as Sgt Danielle Delaney in Special Forces Ops……………

And the winner is - Elizabeth Summers for Wilson’s Mountain Diner!”

Buffy was stunned, her eyes went huge! The camera panned to the other nominees, Consuela’s face was as sour as a lemon’s, Rose Patrice clapped rather over enthusiastically, Julie-Anne Law was fiddling with her shoe and looked drunk as she poured more champagne, more over the table than her glass…

Buffy stood and made her way to the stage, she looked sensational, Billy Sanchez couldn’t take his eyes off her…Buffy reached for the mike and said,

“I’m stunned…that was some stiff competition, and all I can say is thank you to all who voted for me, the cast and crew are like family so they make working a pleasure, and best of all, My Spike, well, what can I tell you… he’s always a pleasure! …Thank you” Buffy made her way back to her seat Spike stood whilst still clapping, he grinned at her.

The audience clapped and she left the stage. Billy Sanchez wound up the show that still had ten minutes air time as everybody had done as they were told and kept speeches short. Outside the venue people were milling around, seemed everybody wanted to know if Buffy and Spike were ‘An Item’ together. One of the fashionista’s were telling the home audience who was wearing what, and they concluded that Buffy’s dress was Valentino – she didn’t correct them!

Consuela Dayville fixed a huge false smile on her face and said to Buffy acidly,

“Congrats Betty, I’ll beat you next time” Buffy turned and smiled sweetly and retorted,

“I’m sure you will, Cruella” The smile vanished from Consuela’s lips and everybody could see her knuckles going white holding onto her date’s arm.

“Fuckin’ bitch, BITCH!” Consuela seethed.

Spike put his arm around Buffy’s waist and led her to the other function room where they were to have dinner as the winners.

ooOOoo

After a sumptuous dinner of queen scallops on a bed of pui lentils in a Pernod jus, oriental style pan-fried duck breast with wild rice or herb crusted lamb with a selection of fresh vegetables and potatoes, then tropical fresh fruit salad and ice cream or chocolate gateau.

Over coffee Buffy got her phone out and called Red…

“Did you see us?”

“CONGRATULATIONS! Both of you! Oh Buffy – Spike said he loves you – on national TV!” Willow raved happily.

“I- I know…I’m shocked!” Buffy said grinning.

“Why, we can all see it, he absolutely adores you! Oh yes, and my dad is SO envious, how come you got Chopper Harris to chauffeur you to the venue? – Dad’s got all the Water-Cannon’s records…he’s loved them since he was at college!”

“Has he…I’ll tell Spike

Spike cocked a quizzical eyebrow at Buffy and Buffy said,

“Hold on, I’ll give you to Spike you tell him!”

Willow reiterated about her dad and Spike laughed and said,

“When we were starting out, we were the support act on their ‘Rags to Riches’ tour”

“That’s my dad’s favourite album…that and the Best of…although he used to play Diamond Geezers all the time…and Wet and Wild…oh and Live at Fillymore…Bed-Heads and Frog’s Legs…”

“He really IS a fan isn’t he!! I’ll tell Chopper!” Spike chuckled

“Oh dad would just die! Congratulations on the award by the way, you were the best!”

“Well I don’t know about that…but thanks!” Spike said

ooOOoo

“There he is, see him?” Spike said pointing Chopper out to Buffy when they came outside. He was parked up on the other side of the road, talking to an obviously female driver.

“Chatting up another poor, unsuspecting female!” Buffy said laughing, as Spike whistled and Chopper looked up. He waved, put out his cigarette and took his chauffeur hat from the driver’s seat, slapped it on his head and without opening the car door, just scissor-jumped in! He pulled the car around in a semi-circle and got out to open the door for Buffy.

Chopper asked them in for coffee and they went.

“I work with the daughter of one of your biggest fans!” Buffy said

“Is that right?” Chopper had a large Brandy instead of coffee, grinned and offered Spike a cigar, he declined.

Spike then told him what Willow had told him on the phone.

Chopper grinned and said,

“Who’s his daughter then?”

“Willow, she plays ‘Red’”

“Oh Red…very pretty too…”

“And too young for you!” Spike said with a slight warning in his voice!

“Oh I don’t know…if her dad already likes me…!” everybody grinned

“You are an incorrigible old reprobate!” Spike said

“Unfortunately that’s true too! So when are you two getting married?”

Spike went very red and Buffy said,

“Hang on! We’ve only been going out a couple of months!” Buffy said she could feel the colour creeping up her neck

“That’s nothing, I met and married my third wife in…9 days!” Chopper said. He blew smoke into the air and then grinned at them.

“Yeah…and if I remember correctly, that’s just about as long as the marriage lasted too!” Spike said laughing. Chopper laughed too and said,

“Ahh, you win some you loose some…that little mistake cost me $3 million!”

“Good grief – and you were only married for just over a week?” Buffy said looking shocked. Then chopper said,

“So, you gonna tell me about this accident of yours Spike…” They talked well into the night.

ooOOoo

Chapter 25 Home Again…


“Right love, got everything?” Spike asked in the open doorway of their hotel room.

“Think so…I put the awards and gift bags in the one case with my dress…toiletries…hairdryer…yup, that’s it”

“Okay then, I’ll go and check out, I’ll see you in the lobby in five, you go get Warren and Tara”


Buffy flopped on the sofa saying,

“It’s great to be home………anything important?” Spike was sifting through the mail.

“Yeah…got one here from the lawyer, here’s yours love” Spike handed Buffy a bunch of mail addressed to her, and he opened the one from the lawyer and read………

Buffy looked up from her mail expectantly at Spike

“Trial set for three weeks time, meanwhile Angel is having to undergo psychiatric tests”

Buffy sneered and said,

“Huh, I could save them a bunch of money and tell them he’s off his trolley!”

“I don’t think so” Spike said

“No – so it’s normal to try and kill somebody?”

“No, but he loves you, he’s besotted with you…I can relate to that” Spike said

“Oh baby!” Buffy got up off the sofa and slipped her arms around Spike’s neck.

Spike sought her mouth, and they began to kiss with mounting passion.

Buffy eventually broke the kiss, reached for his hand, and said

“Let’s go upstairs”



They quickly divested themselves of their clothes and climbed on the bed. Buffy took the initiative and pushed Spike down on his back.

She leant over and began to kiss him, her hand creeping down to his massive erection. She circled her fingers around him and used her thumb to sweep over the tip. She broke off kissing him and kissed down his body. Spike felt himself harden even more if that was possible as he’d never received oral sex from Buffy before…forming her lips into a tight little ‘O’ she slid them down over the huge purple head. Spike gasped, his eyes rolled up in his head and bunched the bedcovers in his fists, trying desperately not to buck up too hard. He felt her firm suck as she worked her mouth up and down his massive cock, her cheeks hollowing on the way up. He was now emitting one long groan as her mouth worked wonders on him.

Buffy used her hand to hold him at the right angle, and then she slid her fingers down over his balls cupping them, rubbing her thumb in small circles over them and very gently squeezing them, Spike began to pant, his hips flexing, and he touched her shoulder panting out,

“Gonna come if you carry on!” Buffy drew her mouth up giving an extra strong suck making Spike cry out with pleasure. He went to sit up but Buffy was having none of it and she gently pushed his shoulder back to the mattress. Spike smiled and gave up and lay back down. Buffy threw a leg over his hips, knelt up, put him at her sopping wet entrance and sank down. Immediately Spike’s hands went to her hips, and he raised his head off the pillow to watch himself disappear inside her tight hot depths. They both groaned, Buffy threw her head back and visibly shivered as he slid up and up inside her. She flexed her internal muscles making Spike’s head flop and roll from side to side. She bobbed and ground down hard on him, in a figure of eight, Spike pushed back on her hips slightly and bucked his hips up in time to her grinding down, this made the huge bulbous head of his cock rub against her G spot, he knew he wouldn’t last too long though, her mouth had worked him almost to completion, and being inside her - she felt SO good, tight, hot, wet – Buffy bobbed faster, Spike slid his thumb over her clit so that it was trapped against his thick veins, the friction made Buffy shriek and her back stiffened, as Spike pumped upwards, her tight inner muscles squeezing, milking him of his essence as he came hard.

She flopped on him and Spike cuddled her up.

“Hmm…I love you” He kissed her cheek as he couldn’t reach her mouth. Buffy smiled and gently removed herself off him.

She kissed him and said,

“I love you too”



“Let’s have a look then!” Willow said, she couldn’t wait to see the award. Buffy laughed and sat on one of the chairs putting her bag on the table. She took out the award, giving it to Willow to hold.

“You looked so surprised when you won!” Ford said

“And Spike did!” Riley quipped.

“Yeah, I thought you were going to push him off the chair! Faith added grinning, and then she added,

“Jeez, it’s a lot heavier than I thought it would be!” She weighted the statuette in her hand.

“Oh…and Spike’s got something for your dad…Spike, have you got the…you know” Spike held out a parcel to Willow, it was about fifteen inches across by about two foot long, and an inch and half deep, wrapped in brown paper.

“What is it?”

“Open it at the top and just slide it out a little” Buffy said. Eagerly Willow opened the flap of brown paper and pulled up what she thought was going to be a picture or a painting of some kind, but when she saw what it was, her face lit up into a huge grin

“Oh GODDDDDDDDDDD! He’s going to absolutely FREAK!” Willow said when she saw what it was.

“Freak in a good way I hope!” Spike said grinning.

“Oh man – we’ll NEVER hear the last of this now!”

“What is it?” Ford asked looking over Willow’s shoulder. Willow pulled out the frame even more. It was a ‘Gold Disc’ for the Water-Cannon’s album ‘Diamond Geezers’ for selling a million copies. The gold coloured album was set on blue velvet, with a small plaque underneath it saying
‘This was awarded to the Water-Cannon’s for selling 1 million copies of their album Diamond Geezers 1985’

“It went on to sell over eight million in the end, and now they’re in the process of digitally re-mastering all their old stuff onto CD – there’s a whole new market of fans out there, when they played Carnoustie Hall in the New Year, they reckoned that over half the audience wasn’t born when they first started out!” Spike said

“Oh dad’s gonna love it, thanks Spike, Buffy!” Willow carefully parcelled it back up and decided to go and put it in her car immediately so as not to damage it leaving it lying around the rehearsal room.



“Tara, Warren, can we both have a word with you please?” Buffy asked at the end of the days filming.

“Sure, what is it?”

“We’ve had this letter, and we’ll both be required in court I’m afraid” Spike said. Warren read the letter and said,

“Don’t worry too much, we can film ahead as much as we can, might involve a few late nights I’m afraid, but I’ve written this storyline, about some old scrub land that Buffy’s father bought up before she was born. The story goes some developer wants to buy it up, but Buffy won’t sell as it’s an old Native American Indian burial ground and won’t have it disturbed, we can use that as an excuse why she’s out of the diner. We’ve also got extra funding now the soap has had such good recognition with your awards, the advertising revenue has just nearly doubled and we can have two new characters, so we thought the new supplier, this time it’ll be a woman, and the other, well we thought a guest star playing a baddie, perhaps this developer could be a possibility” Spike and Buffy nodded, Spike added,

“It’ll be nice not being the ‘New kid on the block!’”

“Yes – well as I say, nothing is written in stone yet! – But we’ll work around this thing as we have to, won’t we Tara” Tara agreed with Warren and then they all left the rehearsal room for home.



“Babe can you get that, I’m just dishing up!” Buffy called through to Spike to answer the phone, she was wearing oven gloves having just taken their supper out of the oven.

“Sure thing love………Hello…this is Spike yes, who is this? – Oh hello! Oh goodness, not at all, no…………Have you, and what did Mrs Rosenberg say about that….hahahaha, I see! I’m so glad you like it, Willow told us you were a big fan of them, yeah………yes, she did say you had all the albums, listen chopper said when they play at the Apex again in town, which should be roughly four months or so, he’ll send me some tickets, they’re yours…no honestly, I can get in for free anyway, he told me to pass them onto you…Oh that would be lovely, great, thanks - I will, yes, okay then Mr Rosenberg, okay Ira, thanks bye!”

Spike went into the kitchen smiling and said,

“That was Willow’s dad, thanking us for the Gold disc” Buffy smiled and pointed to a plate on the counter.

“Where do you ant to eat, here, dining room or in front of the TV?”

“Here will do fine. I told him about the tickets too…and he told me to call him Ira. Apparently he’s over the moon and put it above the fireplace. I asked him what Mrs Rosenberg thought about that, and he said she wasn’t impressed as he took down a picture of her family to fix it there!”

“Oh dear…I bet Bettina didn’t like that!” Buffy said picking up her fork.

“Hmm…these pork chops are good, and no, he said she wasn’t impressed at all!” Spike said, an then he added,

“We’ve also been invited to dinner one evening, were to arrange it with Willow”

“One thing I know” Buffy said smiling

“What’s that love?” Spike tucked into his dinner

“We won’t get pork chops, that’s for sure!”

“No!” Spike grinned

“But she makes the most wonderful chicken soup!” Buffy said smiling,

“Jewish penicillin!” Spike said

“Don’t knock it, worked wonders for me last winter when I had the flu, she came round everyday and bought me some, cured me!” Buffy said.

“Oh I’m not knocking it, when I first moved to London, my landlady was Jewish, if it hadn’t been for her I’d have starved to death I think – she was lovely, old Mrs Cohen.”

“So, what do you think about this new storyline of Warren’s?”

“About the Ancient burial grounds, sounds good... what do you think?”…………………..

Chapter 26 The Truth Will Out…Objection!”


Buffy and Spike got a ride off their lawyer from the district attorney’s office to the court. The story was big news-wise both local and nationally, and they were going to be taken into the court via a side entrance so they wouldn’t have to run the gauntlet of the media and all the attention that entailed.

They both looked smart, Spike was wearing a dark suit and shirt, with a dark grey tie, and Buffy wore a cowl-necked knitted dress in fine wool, burgundy shade with black shoes, bag and jacket.

Their lawyer had told them that the psychiatric reports on Angel had come back, and they showed nothing of any significance, and that he would have been quite well aware of his actions and the outcome of them. This was good news for Buffy as Angel’s lawyer was hoping to go for a ‘temporary insanity’ plea.

The jury were sworn in, and everybody had taken their places. Angel and his lawyer had been late and the judge, Joseph Weedall, was not impressed and threatened to charge both Angel and his lawyer with ‘contempt’ if it happened again. The fact that Angel’s lawyer thought that they might need a sympathetic angle in the media wasn’t lost on Judge Weedall, and Angel talking to a news company about how he wants to explain the ‘misunderstanding’ and his ‘great love’ for co-star Buffy irritated him immensely.





After Lunch, Court in session, Judge Weedall presiding.

Angel was in the witness box; his lawyer Miles Wolf was asking him questions.

………”We bought one another Christmas presents, yes, all the cast did” Angel said.

Buffy frowned and leant forward and tapped Mr Farquhar, their lawyer on his shoulder and whispered,

“I’ve never bought Angel a Christmas present!”

“Sure, think now” The lawyer looked at her for a few seconds and Buffy thought, then said

“No, never, come to that I’ve never bought him anything, not birthday, not Christmas, not even a cup of coffee - nothing.”

He wrote something down and said he’d challenge Buffy when she was in the chair about it and she nodded.

___________________




…..”So Miss Summers, can you tell me about the presents you bought for Mr Angelson”

“No I can’t, for the simple reason is, I’ve never bought any, Christmas or otherwise” Buffy answered. Angel smiled and shook his head and looked down at his hands.

“Are you sure?”

“Positive, I’ve wracked my brains, I’ve never even given him anything that could have been mis-construed as a present either, not to my knowledge anyway”

“Well Mr Angelson says that on Christmas 2008, you gave him a pair of felt deer antlers”

Buffy frowned and said,

“What? – Oh! Oh god, he didn’t think…oh god how pathetic!” Angel looked up from where he was sitting and looked worried.

“Would you like to share your realisation with us?” the lawyer asked

“Sure. All the cast had been given something silly to wear on their heads as we were filming the Christmas special edition. Harmony, Faith, and I were wearing Santa hats, Willow was given like these baubles covered in glitter on wires attached to a rigid headband, they bobbed when you walked, the kids loved them, I think they were called ‘deeley boppers’, Janette wore some too, she was the lady who used to play the cook, Ford, Xandy and Parker had snowmen deeley boppers, and because Angel hadn’t been in the rehearsal room when they were given out, the felt antlers were the last thing in the box. He came into the room and I held them out to him and said something like, here, you’ve got to put these on, were doing the ‘family dinner’ shot. He objected, saying he’d look a dork, he was fiddling with them and I took them off him and plonked them on his head, I think I said, oh for goodness sake it’s Christmas you can take them off when filming is finished, along those lines anyway”

“And that’s it”

“Uh huh, yes”

“Are you sure you didn’t say here these are for you, I’ve got them for you?”

“No, I didn’t, that would have been a lie, Quentin Travers bought them”

“Thank you Miss Summers. Now I’d like you to cast your mind back to a cast picnic………”




Back home, Spike handed Buffy a mug of coffee.

“Are you sure I did alright today whilst being cross-examined?”

“Baby you were brilliant. You should have seen the looks on the faces of some of the juror’s when Angel thought those antler thingies were a present, they looked at him like he was SO pathetic!” Spike said smiling, sipping his coffee.

“Well he is…trying to build a ‘relationship’ on a few words and actions” Buffy put her mug down on the counter and said,

“Tomorrow’s the clincher, Detective Lindsey said that managed to get footage from another CCTV camera, clean it up and blow it up, it show’s Angel walking away from my bike, the front wheel is in the shot so he can’t say he wasn’t anywhere near it”

“Talking of tomorrow, I managed to get hold of the doctor, he said he’ll see me first thing, I should make it to the court house in time”

“Good – I want you to be there to see his face when confronted with the CCTV footage – he doesn’t realise they’ve got new stuff!”





The doctor shone his pen torch into Spike’s eyes in turn, and when both his pupils dilated he switched it off and slipped it back into his pocket. He began to feel around the base of Spike’s skull from the front, angled his head this way and that until he was satisfied there were no bone abnormalities.

“Headaches?” the doc asked

“Nope, not a one” Spike said

“Good…and how’s the memory?” the doctor sat took out a pen, clicked it on and began to write on one of the chart sheets in Spike’s personal file.

“Fine – I think it’s all back…I still can’t remember the accident though” Spike said. The doc finished writing, closed the file and looked at Spike saying,

“No, well, that’s quite normal actually, not many people do. They might remember setting out, but I think sometimes if it’s a journey done many times before, or you know the route and the routine, you can think you remember, like a false memory – so I think we can sign you off then Mr Giles – you’ve no need to come back anymore. Unless of course you do get a problem, then we will be more than happy to sort it out for you” he stood and held his hand out to Spike, who shook it and said,

“Great, well thanks again doc, see you, bye!” Spike slipped his jacket on and went outside where he got a taxi to the law courts.

He got there just as they were closing the doors to the court room, he slipped in and sat next to Buffy.

“How did you get on?” Buffy whispered. Spike stuck his thumb up, and whispered,

“Fine, not got to go back!”

Buffy grinned and squeezed his hand.

“ALL RISE FOR JUDGE WEEDALL” The court usher called and everybody stood.



Time: 11.00am. Judge Weedall had granted a twenty minute recess so that Wolf could question Farquhar about the new CCTV footage he was going to show the jury. Everybody else took the opportunity to go get coffee.



“Why wasn’t I told of this?!” Angel’s lawyer, Miles Wolf rounded on Buffy and Spike’s lawyer Farquhar.

“You knew we had CCTV footage of Mr Angelson on the studio lot on the night in question, he admitted the offence, so what’s the problem?” Farquhar reasoned.

Wolf was angry that there was no doubt now that Angel HAD done it. He was hoping for a temporary insanity plea, that he had hoped to say to the jury that Angel confessed to the crime while his mind was unbalanced, that plus there was no ACTUAL footage of him committing the crime…and although the crime wasn’t actually on camera, Angel could be seen next to the bike, the back wheel was clearly on show next to Angel’s legs as he stood up and walked away.

“I’m going to ask the judge to render this new footage as inadmissible evidence” Wolf said rounding on his rival lawyer.

“Is that right? - On what grounds?!” Farquhar sneered.

“On er…on the um, on the account that you put down CCTV footage from ‘A’ single camera not several!” Wolf was clutching at straws, he knew it and so did Farquhar.

“Okay then, not that it matters but I’ll ditch the first lot of footage and just show the new stuff…still shows your client…”

Defeated Wolf said,

“Can you leave now, I need five minutes alone with my client, I’ll get him sent up here” Farquhar stood from perching on the side of a desk, when the court usher came bowling into the judge’s chambers.

“Mr Wolf, your client has just taken to throwing himself around the holding cell downstairs, and has knocked himself out. The paramedic’s have been called…” Wolf dashed out. Farquhar gathered up his case and folder file and left the chambers, and went to find his clients.

He caught up with them as they were just going to re-enter the court room.

“Any idea what’s going on, seems a bit – well chaotic people running around shouting” Spike asked

“It’s Angel!” Farquhar said.

“Oh – what’s he done now?” Buffy asked rolling her eyes, leaning on one hip crossing her arms.

“Well I’m not exactly sure, but the usher who burst into chambers just said he started to throw himself around the holding cell and has knocked himself out”

“What a prat!” Spike mused.

“Typical, can’t face the consequences of his own actions, idiot!” Buffy said disgustedly.

Fifteen minutes later the lawyer came to Buffy and Spike to give them the latest news.

“There really was no reason to take him to hospital, I just think that everybody is being a little over-cautious that’s all” Farquhar told Spike after the paramedics had taken Angel away in an ambulance.

“So I’ll see you tomorrow, the judge said he’ll reconvene the hearing with or without him at 1.00pm”
Farquhar shook hands with both Buffy and Spike and they all left.

Chapter 27 Faces Old and New

“Hello! Wasn’t expecting you for – what…another four hours at least!” Warren said happily looking at his watch when Buffy and Spike turned up at the studios.

“Well, Angel threw a tantrum, knocked himself out, and as a precaution they took him to hospital. It’s all a put on, a huge fuss about nothing, the Judge wasn’t the least bit impressed, he said he’s starting the hearing after lunch tomorrow whether Angel’s there or not – so as we are free we thought we might as well come in early” Buffy explained.

“Great, that means we can all get away a little earlier then, okay I’ll just do a little re-shuffling of some scenes…tell you what, Tara…Tara, tell everyone to take 15 go get a cup of tea while I do a reshuffle (Tara nodded and went to tell the rest of the cast) We’re going to run with that Indian burial ground story, and the great news is, we’ve got veteran actor Garry Lagman to play the heartless developer, Gus Leedermann, I am SO happy!” Warren said grinning.

“Oh my god! Garry Lagman! – I used to watch him every Saturday morning when I was a kid, in that cowboy show Purbeck’s Stockade!” Buffy said grinning, then she started singing the signature tune, “
‘Break ‘em in and ride ‘em hard, the cowboys of ‘beck’s stockade, dum de dum…lalala, I forget the words now, but it used to end with - ‘Ride ‘Em cowboy, Yee Harr!” Spike giggled

“You think that’s good, did you ever watch Oil?” Tara asked coming into the rehearsal room smiling.

“No, bit before my time that, !” Buffy said.

“Course, but you’ve heard of it right, all big hair and shoulder-pads and cinched in waists – the women had silly names, like ‘Winsome’ ‘Caress’ and my favourite one ‘Whisper’ – I mean I ask you, who would call a child Whisper?!!

“So, what about it?” Spike asked picking up his lines.

“Well, Joany Evans is going to play your new meat supplier Babs Hartley – got some good storylines coming up too” Tara said.

Cassie came in and asked,

“Why is everybody at tea?”

“Our fault, we came early, court adjourned for the day so we thought come early and we can all have an early night, Warren’s just reshuffling the running order” Spike said.

“Oh great, I might get to see the film I wanted to after all then…” Cassie said smiling

________________


“My god I’m star-struck! Have you seen her figure, and her skin, she’s got such beautiful skin, and I know she’s in her mid sixties, and hardly a wrinkle! – I wonder what her secret is?!” Buffy whispered to Spike.

They were watching Joany and some ‘extras’ actor loading up a van so her character could deliver the supplies. This was being filmed outside on a specially built set………………………

____________

“And Action!” Scene 14, take 1 the clapperboard was shut and filming began, Joany as Babs walked towards a small delivery van. A man was loading boxes into the back of it…

“Okay Carl, is that it…all the orders in now - can I have the orders list please” Babs asked holding her hand out for the clip-board. Handing her the board, the guy said,

“But ma’am, I’d be more than happy to do the deliveries for you, you know” he was a biggish guy in a check shirt and jeans.

“I know Carl, but my husband died three months ago now, and I gotta get used to doing things myself (she opened the van door) I appreciate what you’re doing for me already, but I need you here to see that the cutting and the packing of the meat goes like clockwork. I’m promoting you to overseer, there’s a pay rise for you too. Now I’ll see you later” She got into the van, started it up and pulled toward the edge of the set.

“And cut! – Joany that was fantastic!” Warren said grinning.

Joany got out of the van and walked over to them. She too was smiling. She looked stunning for a woman of 65, she was slim, wearing tight jeans, a white blouse with a red scarf tied around her neck, her short blonde curls blew in the wind but remained tidy. Buffy was right about her skin, it had a luminance that defied her age, hardly a wrinkle either.

“Okay folks…next up, we want Buffy, in the diner reading a letter, Red and Spike – and the extra’s at the tables – two minutes please” Tara called

Everybody took their places:

And – Action!” Scene 13 –take 1 Warren called

Buffy was seated at the table nearest the counter reading a letter. Spike was flipping burgers and Red was pouring milkshakes.

“Two hamburgers, one heavy on the onions, no pickle” Spike placed the two snacks on the counter tray and Red picked them up and took them to customers.

“That was a big sigh Buffy, problems?” Spike asked from behind the counter. Buffy looked up from reading and replied,

“Could be. This is a letter here from the Leedermann Construction Company, they have got my details from the Land registry, they want to buy that scrub land over in Summerville Creek” She stuffed the letter back into the envelope.

“And, I take it you don’t want to sell it?” Spike continued

Red came behind the counter and started to make a banana split.

“My daddy bought that land years before I was born, heck, I even think he had it before he and mom got married…he always made her promise, no matter how bad things got, she was never to sell it” Buffy said

Two customers came to the counter to pay, and Spike took their money at the till.

“What does he want it for, does he say?” Red asked pouring caramel sauce over the ice cream and whipped cream confection she’d just made.

“To build a huge hyper-market” Buffy said. She stood and stuffed the letter into her overall pocket.

“I’m just gonna have to write and tell him no – that land isn’t for sale. Bye then, and thanks folks, mind how you go, have a nice day” Buffy said to the leaving patrons. In the doorway they passed
a smartly dressed, balding man coming into the diner and he said,

“Well, I’m mighty sorry to hear that Miss Wilson, coz I’ve got a hyper-market to build in Summerville Creek, and that plot is perfect for it. Let me introduce myself, I’m Gus Leedermann – (he walked forward with his hand out-stretched and continued) I take it you ARE Miss Wilson” Buffy shook the proffered hand and said,

“That I am sir, owner of this here diner AND the said land you’re after, but I’ll tell you now, if you think you’ve come here to persuade me to sell it to you, well you’re in for a disappointment. That land is not for sale”

“Well now, ain’t that a shame”

“Sorry you’ve had a wasted journey. Can I get you something?”

“A nice cool lemonade wouldn’t go amiss” Gus said, taking a seat.

“Red, get Mr Leedermann a fresh lemonade, on the house – now if you’ll excuse me, I have a delivery to sort” Buffy cleared the shot and walked off set.

“And cut! – Thanks folks, next up Buffy taking delivery off Isaac………in two minutes people” Tara called.

_______________

Later after filming had finished, Rehearsal room.


“…………………………..And so that’s why we called him ‘Esiah’, coz one ‘Eye’s higher’ than the other!” Garry quipped and everybody laughed.

“Okay folks, that’s it for today – it’s been great, point is, have YOU enjoyed it?” Warren asked leaning on the back of Joany’s chair.

“Heck, I’ve had a ball, and I haven’t worked with Garry here since 19 blur! Joany pretended to mask the year of the film they were in together.

“What year?” Tara asked grinning

“!958!” Garry said laughing

“Hey – supposed to spare a lady’s blushes about her age!” Joany slapped Garry’s hand playfully

“We were both 14, and-“

“I was 13!” Joany said leaning forward grinning.

“Okay, you were 13, I was 14, and we played brother and – no we played cousins, that’s right, we played cousins and my mother and father were Dorothy Lambert and Edward Gaunt – and your mother was Julie Ragland…who played your father- I can’t remember now” Garry said

“Eddie Vincent…he of the dreamy blue eyes!” Joany said with a wistful look.

“Wow…such glamour!” Tara said remembering the actors from another age.

“Julie was SO beautiful…I remember saying I hoped to grow up and be beautiful like her!” Joany said with a far-away look in her eye again.

“Edward Gaunt used to put a slug of Scotch in his morning coffee – gave me some once too!” Garry said grinning.

“What was the film called?” Buffy asked

Joany and Garry chorused together,

“Kissing Cousins!”

“Oh look at the time, we must let these good people go home else we’ll be sacked before our new roles have even been aired!” Joany said and everybody else stood in the rehearsal room. It was dark outside.

________________


“Great fun aren’t they!” Buffy said as she pulled off the studio lot.

“Sure are, my dad used to fancy Joany – I’ll have to pull his leg about it how I’m working with her now. What’s for dinner, or are we getting take out?”

“Take out, there’s been no time to shop, and –“

“Hey baby, I know – we haven’t had time to breathe let alone do a food shop! – That’s me (Spike fumbled for his mobile phone) …hello – yes, speaking…what? – How………well obviously not guarded well enough, hold on” Spike lowered his mobile and held it to his chest and said to Buffy,

“Angel’s made a run for it from the hospital, they can’t find him” he lifted the phone to his ear again and said,

“Hello, yes I’m here…why not – but…okay, hold on again – Buffy stop”

Buffy indicated and pulled in.

“What’s up?” She asked

“This guy, a detective O’Connor said not to go home, in case he’s there waiting for us” Buffy rolled her eyes and said,

“Okay, where are we supposed to go then?”

“Hello – where shall we go then? I don’t know if anybody could put us up at this time of night…we could go to a hotel I suppose…………yeah? – Well I’m sorry too mate, if you’d done your job properly in the first place we wouldn’t be having this conversation would we? Yes, I’ll do that, goodnight! – PRICK!”

Buffy raised a brow

“Sorry love, condescending bastard can’t you get somebody to put you up…well you heard what I said…”

“We’ll have to go all the way back and into town now…wait up…Buffy could here her phone vibrating in her bag. She picked it up and leant it on the steering wheel.

“Hello – hi Willow…yes, we just had the police phone us we can’t go home…are you sure, we don’t want to put you out…okay be there in five…” Buffy heard Bernice’s voice in the background asking if they were hungry. Spike and Buffy grinned at each other,

“Tell your mom we’re starving!” Buffy ended the call started up the car and made for Willow’s place.

Willow was waiting outside for them when they arrived and she pointed to the garage.

“Dad said to drive in, in case nutcase is on the prowl, he won’t see your car then” Willow said,

They got into Willow’s house and the smell of food had their mouths water. A cloud of steam rose from the sink and Bernice turned and stacked a sieve on top of a saucepan.

“Come in come in, welcome, welcome – you poor things you’re cold Buffy you’ll be catching another chill – and Spike is it – look at you - so good looking!” Spike blushed and Buffy giggled, Willow just wanted her mother to stop embarrassing her!

“This your slightly older sister then Red?!” Spike teased.

“Lovely boy!” Bernice said grinning and Willow rolled her eyes, groaned and said,

“DON’T!”


____________________


Spike sat back and patted his bulging tummy. Buffy had been defeated about twenty minutes earlier and had gone to watch a film with Willow in the lounge. Bernice had got a willing taster of food and she wasn’t about to waste that fact……

“Wow! That was…that was something else Bernice – I thought Mrs Cohen was a good cook, but that was THE best Jewish food I ever ate!”

From now on, Spike could do no wrong in Bernice’s eyes!

Outside a battered blue Ford van cruised slowly up the road………nope, no sign of Buffy’s car. Angel knew roughly where Willow lived, it was one of three houses, but he wasn’t sure which, he’d only been here once before in daylight…he had another look around…nope, Buffy’s SUV was nowhere in sight. Nothing else for it then, he’d go back to Revello Drive, see it the police were still there outside her house, if they were, he’d park up somewhere and bide his time. If however, they’d gone, he’d try and talk to her, make her see sense………

Chapter 28 Take these Chains….



Police Patrol Car, Revello Drive, two officers, Jon Alvarez, and Andy Kochinsky inside.........


“Jon…JON!” The officer patted his partner’s arm.

“Hmm – what?” The officer pulled out the ear-piece from listening to the ball game on his mobile phone.

“That scruffy blue van, that’s the second time I’ve seen it crawling up here tonight, do think it’s him checking up to see if this woman is home?”

“Lets take a look shall we – lets just put our lights on and start up…” Officer Alvarez did just that.

Angel was too busy craning his neck to see if there were any lights on in Buffy’s house to notice the patrol car at first, until the headlights dazzled him.

“S’him alright!” Kochinsky said.

Angel suddenly realising the police were onto him, he slammed the old van into reverse and began to haphazardly steer down the road, he was trying to look through the small back window, and look ahead to see what the police were doing, he clipped two cars, setting off alarms, and when he reached the bottom of the road, he pulled down hard right on the steering wheel and slammed it into second gear and roared off, leaving a cloud of grey smoke behind him.

“Here we go…won’t get far in that thing, looks like it’s already burning oil…you call it in Andy it’s a built up area, we might just need the chopper on this one to follow”

“ Car 679 to control, over”

“Control here, come back”

“We have a code V23 – van reported stolen earlier this evening, license plate SUM445678, the driver we believe to be one Angel Angelson, absconded from the Merrydale Accident hospital this afternoon.”

“Can you keep with him 679”

“Um, might be negative on that control, need back up as it’s a built up area, Chopper
might be good, over”

“Can you give me the location of the stolen vehicle, over”

“Vehicle heading west on Fairview…just passing Restful Pastures cemetery………ran stop sign at Heath Dean and Waterbury Heights………looks like he’s making for the freeway………yes, yes he’s making for the freeway, over”

“Keep with him 679, will have air-born back up with you 3 minutes, message ends 11.08pm”
”
“Thanks control, over”

“What’s he doing…he’s driving very erratically …the jerk’s all over the road……oh god, Jon mind that! SONOFABITCH!” The cop criss-crossed his arms across his face waiting for the impact that never came.

Desperate, Angel had fumbled in the back of the van for something to throw at the following police car, and had started to throw tools out whilst still trying to drive. He threw a heavy wrench that bounced off the hood of the police car, but luckily enough it didn’t hit the windscreen.

“You’ve had it now you jerk!”

“Seen whose ahead, just going to pull out in front of him? Jon said looking up to the next junction

“Who?” Andy asked not being able to see.

“That Det. Lindsey”

“Oh shit…he’ll want all the glory! And there’s the chopper…”

“He’s slowing down, quick, Jon pull across the road, he’s going to turn around and try and pass us the opposite way!” Andy said.

Andy did this and sure enough Angel practically did a hand-break turn and saw the cop car that had been following him, now virtually right in his path, he tried to swerve, But Andy stood in the road with his Sig trained at the windscreen. Angel stopped the van.

“Put your hands up!” Andy shouted. Jon too got out of the patrol car, knelt down behind the open door and trained his gun at Angel’s head.

“Keep your hands where I can see them…okay” Andy shouted. Angel had his hands up and Andy walked towards the van. He stood still when adjacent to the driver’s door, reached forward and opened it, and said,

“Slowly now…get out of the van, keep those hands where I can see them, no sudden moves or I will shoot you”

Angel turned slowly in his seat and keeping his hands up he got out of the van.

“On the floor, hands on your head, do it NOW!” Andy commanded.

Angel complied and Andy lowered his weapon, walked behind the now prone Angel; kicked his legs further apart, reached for his cuffs and pulling Angel’s arms down behind his back cuffed him. Jon came over helped Angel up and led him to the patrol car. The detective pulled up and smiled and said,

“Nice move…I’ll see you back at the precinct” And sped off. They saw the helicopter make a wide circle and head off in the opposite direction too.

Angel sat in the back of the police car, crying.

“Right what do you think you were doing you jerk!” Andy spat out at Angel, feeling no sympathy for him at all.

_____________________

Mr and Mrs Rosenberg’s House………

“No, that was Never on a Monday, the second hit they had from Diamond Geezers was Now is The Time” Ira Rosenberg said with authority.

“Was it? – you know I could have sworn it was Think Now, Pay Later” Spike said

“No, Think Now was issued as a double ‘A’ side with Lonely Night, it reached no.2 on the Billboard charts in September 1975” Ira said grinning. Spike thought for a second or two, grinned and said,

“Well, it was w-a-y before my time of course, but do you know, you’re right – haha – I stand corrected!” Spike said. Ira’s face beamed and he laughed saying,

“Can’t catch me out, I think I’ve forgotten more than I know about them!”

Mrs Rosenberg, having been upstairs for over an hour waiting for her husband to come to bed came into the lounge in hair curlers, a housecoat and face cream all over her face.

“Ira, are you coming to bed already – it’s gone midnight and I won’t get you up in the morning!”

“Oi Vey! She looks a fright in bed and she wonders why I don’t go up early!” Ira said grinning. He put his hands on his knees and stood up. Spike stood too.

“Well it’s been great talking to you Spike; you must come again and bring your young lady of course”

“I’d love that thanks, and thanks for tonight, it’s very kind of you!” Spike shook his hand, and Ira pulled him close still holding his hand and said,

“It’s nice to have male company for a change!” Spike grinned and nodded.

“IRA!” Bernice’s voice cut in from half way up the stairs.

“Just coming bubeleh, just coming! – Goodnight all”

“Night Mr, I mean goodnight Ira” Buffy said.

“Night dad” Willow said, Both girls sat up straight on the sofa, stretched and yawned, Willow switched off the TV with the remote control. Spike’s mobile trilled to say he’d got a text message.

“Oh they’ve caught him…I’ve got to phone the precinct”

“What now, why not wait until the morning?” Buffy said.

“No, I’m doing it now, that way I can have nice dreams of him being locked up!” Spike said scrolling for the Detective’s number.

Willow and Buffy smiled shaking their heads.

“Hot chocolate?” Willow asked, and Buffy nodded, Spike declined.

Willow got up and went into the kitchen, she said,

“Sorry about this, but Buffy is in my old room with me, and you’re in the guest room Spike, upstairs, the room straight opposite the bathroom, mom’s turned down the bed for you”

“That’s alright, we understand, and it is only for one night and it’s very kind of your parents Will! I’ll say goodnight then love, sleep tight, night Will!”

He leaned over and gave Buffy a kiss and went up. The girls stayed down and drank their hot chocolate.

___________________


“That’s Buffy, Spike, Faith and Xandy……the action starts outside with Xandy – remember Xandy, speak up – and Action! Scene 2 take 2 the clapperboard shut…

The scene had Xandy sweeping up outside the diner, when Babs drew up in her van.

“Morning there!” Babs called brightly

“Hello!”

“Is Miss Wilson around please – I’m from Hartley’s Hams, I’ve got a delivery for her”

“I’ll just go get her for you” Xandy said propping his broom against the wall.

“Buffy, delivery” Xandy called inside the diner. Buffy came outside and smiled.

“You’re Miss Wilson, Babs Hartley, pleased to meet you” The women shook hands and Buffy said,

“There’s no formality here, you must call me Buffy, everyone does!”

“Well then you must call me Babs!” Babs opened the back of the van and began to count boxes

“I have…14, yes fourteen boxes of the thick pork link sausages for you…6 boxes of the 8oz...and 10 boxes of the 1lb weight gammon steaks there are two dozen steaks in every box. 8 boxes of bacon, 20lb cooked sliced ham, plain, 10lb cooked sliced ham, smoked and 4 whole legs of pork with crackling”

Xandy took the boxes off Babs and walked into the diner with them. Spike came out and took a whole load more too.

“Hoo – it’s sure is hot out here when I close those refrigerator doors!” Babs said having slammed the van doors shut.

“Just made some fresh lemonade, come in and have a glass” Buffy said.

“Oh, sounds just the ticket, hold on, I’ll get the receipt book” Babs got the book from the passenger seat and went into the diner.

Further introductions were made and then Babs remembered she had a ‘special’ to offer Buffy.

“Take a pound sample pack, and if you like it, just add it onto the bottom of your order and quote Special offer whole boned Virginia ham – you’ll get a 20% discount on it”

“Why thank you!” Buffy said smiling.

“G’mornin’ Miss Buffy, how are you today? – Spike” Mayor Henry came into the diner with a big smile on his face.

“Hi there, your usual Mr Mayor?” Spike asked.

“Please son, add a tall OJ too, hot out there! And well – hello! And who might this be, I ask?” The mayor’s face positively lit up at the sight of Babs Hartley, and he quickly removed his hat.

“This is my new pork products supplier, Babs Hartley, Mayor Henry” The mayor took the lady’s hand and kissed the back of it, Babs blushed!

“Oh my, how gallant! Still, as much as I’d love to stay I have to get going I have another delivery to make (she drained her lemonade glass, and said) – bye now – lovely meeting you all!” Babs left, the Mayor watched her go.

“She sure looks one nice lady!” Mayor Henry said, and Buffy and Spike exchanged a look!

“And cut! Thanks everybody…next scene Handy Andy and…Charity…

__________________


“Wake –up your lawyer’s here” The sergeant down at the lock-up said.

Angel sat up, he felt lousy, every bone in his body ached. He’d also been chained; there was a three foot length of chain between his feet, and a four foot length that went up to the cuffs around his wrists. Waiting for the officer to leave, Wolf then rounded on Angel saying,

“What were you thinking? – Huh? You do realise you’ve added on at least another 15 years to any sentence the judge was originally was going to give you…you’ve added grand theft auto, criminal damage to two parked cars, criminal damage to a police car, endangering the lives of other road users, driving without due care…”

“I don’t care, my life is over anyway, without Buffy I’m nothing, Angel mumbled, then he continued,
How could she do this to me? Tell me, how could she just toss our relationship away for that, that THING! ARGH – I HATE HIM!!?”

“Calm down! You bought everything on yourself, my God, she couldn’t have made it clearer, any ‘relationship’ you had with her was totally in your head or written in a script!” Wolf said calmly.

Angel said through gritted teeth,

“It was real – it was real! REAL, REAL I TELL YOU!”

“Is everything okay?” the sergeant came to the cell door.

“Yes thanks officer” Wolf said

“Anyway…I don’t need you anymore, I’m sacking you” Angel said.

“Don’t be ridiculous man, you need me more than ever!” Wolf said, looking at Angel incredulously.

“No I don’t. I don’t need anybody – anybody except my Buffy that is – so you can go”

“Right, fine, I’ll send you my bill good day!” Wolf stood at the cell door and called out,

“Okay Officer…” The sergeant came and unlocked the cell door and let the lawyer out. Angel lay back down and cried himself to sleep.

Chapter 29 The Truth Will Out………


“All Rise for Judge Weedall”

Everybody in the court house stood. Judge Weedall came in dressed in his black gown and took his seat. The usher went up and spoke quietly to the judge, who looked up at Angel and then nodded.

Everybody sat, and the judge said,

“I understand that you’ve fired your council Mr Angelson” Angel nodded

“Stand up when you answer the Judge!” the usher said

Angel stood up and said,

“Er that is correct yes”

Beckoning him towards the bench, the judge said to him,

“I hope you know what you are doing, this isn’t some soap opera you’re in now you know, I won’t stand any nonsense, no ‘objections’ when you’ve no right to object, and if you’re told that something isn’t relevant or inadmissible, it’s just that, you do not cross question, any attempt of anything like that to gain an unfair advantage will be swiftly dealt with and I will see you charged with contempt of court, now do you still want to go it alone?” Angel thought for a moment and said,

“I’d just like to ask Buffy one question, that’s all”

“Okay then, you’ll get your chance – go back to your seat and wait until you are called” Angel did as he was told.

The judge then called Mr Farquhar up to the bench

“Angelson is going it alone, he says he just wants to ask your client one question, now I know she’s already been on the stand once, but if she’ll just indulge me and perhaps we might get this over with?”

“Yes, sir, I’ll just check with my client” Farquhar went over to Buffy, asked her if she minded Angel asking her one question, she said she didn’t mind at all, and stood up.

“Take the stand again Miss Summers, and thank you for this”

“That’s fine” Buffy said and took the stand

The usher put the bible on the stand in front of her and Buffy raised her one hand, the other on the bible.

“Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you god?”

“I do”

“Okay Mr Angelson, you can ask Miss Summers your question now”

“Um, right, thanks...er…Buffy, Miss Summers………oh God – Buffy, have you ever, ever at all, for even a day loved me?”

Buffy almost felt sorry for him, she didn’t snap, but she answered clear and strong

“I’m sorry Angel, no – you were a colleague, a work mate, another actor, and I supposed I liked you as a friend, like any other member of the cast, but I never loved you, I’ve never had those feelings for you at all”

Angel turned and nodded sadly, he faced the judge and said,

“Then you honour I’d like to change my plea to the stalking to guilty – I did it, I did everything she said I did” Spike’s eyebrows rose in surprise.

A ripple went around the court and the judge banged down his gavel.

“Silence in court!” the usher bellowed. The judge said,

“Well it’s not conventional but I thank you for saving the court’s time, Mr Farquhar, Mr Angelson, my chambers now, the rest of you, the jury is dismissed for this case, the rest of you can go home”

Buffy got down from the stand and went over to Spike. Farquhar made a gesture to Spike that he’d ring him and Spike nodded.

“Well! That was a turn-up for the books, as they say. Come on, let’s get out of here and go get some decent coffee – hmm?”

“Great, I’m right with you!”

_____________


Spike knew he wasn’t needed for filming that day, and Buffy only had two scenes to do, so Spike said he’d carry on home, there were one or two things he wanted to get on with. Buffy said she’d be home as soon as she could.

________________


“Oh Buffy – glad I caught you”

“Yes Joany – what can I do for you?!”

“Well, as you’ve all been so kind to me and welcoming and making me feel like one of the family, I’m having a barbeque at my house tomorrow night, would you like to come? – And Spike of course – everybody else is coming”

“Oh we’d LOVE to, thanks! Buffy said, and then she added,

“Can we bring anything, wine?”

“Just your good selves, and an appetite of course – you do both eat meat?”

“Sure do!”

“Good, here’s my address – shall we say 7.30pm?”

“We’ll be there!” Buffy slipped the card into her purse and went out to her car.

_______________


Spike sorted through the mail – there was one addressed to him that intrigued him, it was from Warmer Bros studios… Spike forced himself to keep calm, and make some fresh coffee. Buffy had phoned him, she would be 30 minutes, she wanted to pick something up for dinner that evening before she got home, and she also as told him about the barbecue, and Spike was eager to go Joany’s address was in Del Air, some exclusive fancy properties in that area, a favourite with actors who had ‘made it’.

Sitting at the breakfast counter with his coffee, Spike ripped open the Warmer Bros. Envelope.

It was in invite to go to a screen test for a movie about a rock star. If he was interested, he was to contact his agent. Spike picked up his mobile and scrolled down for Ethan’s number. It rang a few times, and then Spike heard,

“You have reached the office of Ethan Raine, if you’d like to leave you name and number after the tone, I’ll get back to you………BEEP”

“Hi Ethan, this is Spike here, could you –“

“SPIKE! Thanks for calling!”

“Hi – screening calls are we?”

“Er, yeah…not everyone is as lucky as you for getting work…”

Spike smiled and said,

“I’ve got a letter here from Warmer Bros Studios in LA – they want to know if I’ll go to a screen test” Spike informed him. Ethan sat up – this was serious business! The BIG time! He could, like Spike start to move up in the world…

“…………For me please, I’d be very grateful”

“Sorry what? – Missed that, could you repeat that?” Spike rolled his eyes and repeated,

“I said I’d like it if you could sort that out for me please, I’d be very grateful”

Ethan was again taken aback. Very Grateful? – Spike? – The usually foul-mouthed, gum-snapping, chain smoking, booze raddled Spike, ex of the Vampyres, now in a daytime soap Spike? Had somebody from planet manners beamed down and kidnapped him leaving this nice bloke in his place?

“Ethan…ETHAN – are you listening to me?”

“Hmm_ What oh yeah, yes, sure…hahaha, yeah…um sort it for you………sure…right, er sort what exactly?”

“Oh for fuck’s sake!” Spike rolled his eyes cussing.

Ahh, THERE was the Spike he knew, the one rapidly loosing patience.

“Have you got a woman there or something, you seem awfully distracted” Spike said with a grin.

“Woman? – No, no. Nothing like that. So Warmer Bros eh………I wonder why they wrote directly to you instead of via me?”

“Well probably coz they don’t know who my manager is…now THAT’S down to you to do your own publicity!” Spike said

“How about if I drop by?”

“When?”

“Later on, say 4.30pm?”

Spike thought, and said,

“Okay then you’re on…I’m at Buffy’s place, Revello Drive………okay see you then, bye”

Ethan felt positively shell-shocked when he put the phone down…either that bump on the noggin had done Spike more good than harm, or that girl he was living with must have a huge influence over him………

____________________

“Mmmmmmmmmmmwah!” Hello baby!” Spike met Buffy at the front door, kissed her and took the heavy bag she was carrying off her.

“Here, let me take that” Spike took the heavy paper carry sack off her and walked into the house. Buffy followed behind and then she closed the door.

“Looks good, got all the essentials here…” Spike said, as he looked at the contents. He carried the bag to the kitchen counter and put it down. He put the ice cream in the freezer, and the cold meats, cheese and chicken and a leg of lamb in the fridge, followed by the salad. Vegetables he put into the rack by the door.

“Oh before I forget, Joany’s invited us over for a Barbeque tomorrow night, I said we’d go, is that alright?”

Spike poured Buffy a coffee and said,

“At her place?”

“Uh huh!”

“Wow…!”

“I know, that’s what *I* thought!”

“I’ve got Ethan coming around here at about half past four”

“Oh?”

“There’s something I want him to sort out for me – look” Spike handed her the letter. Buffy took the envelope off Spike and opened it.

“A screen-test! Oh baby – that’s...that’s wonderful! Oh come here – you clever thing!” She hugged Spike but she had an alarm sound in her head – would this mean that Spike would leave her and go to LA for good?

Buffy looked through her mail Spike had sorted for her and selected one, ripped open the envelope.

“Carlton TV, they want me on their show, ‘Talking To’” Spike frowned and said,

“I don’t think I know that one”

“Well, it’s where the guest talks to the host about their life, they do allsorts of people, not just actors and actresses, but people like doctors, philosophers, they say here that the next six guests could possibly be Allan Jefferson the astronaut, Digby Moran, the guy who treks through the jungles doing those survival programmes, Diana Snikkert, the shoe designer, Peter Aronowich the senator who survived been blown up, me, and Francine Du..hold on Dupremont is it? – Never heard of her, anyway she helped hundreds of people escape the Nazi’s during the Second World War. And they want boring little old me?” Buffy looked surprised.

“You’re not boring!” Spike said indignantly

“Compared to those people I am! – Saving hundreds of lives, trekking through the jungles of Africa! Walking on the moon! What do I do? Puddle around on a little soap-opera set in the back of beyond…no, I shall tell them no”

“But –“

“No but’s Spike, that’s final”

Spike shrugged and said ‘okay’.

_____________________


Buffy went upstairs when Ethan came around. Spike thought she seemed a little ‘off’, but put it down to stress and her being tired.

“I’ve looked at this screen-test Spike, they’ve asked at least 50 others to go to, not all of them actors.”

“Oh. I thought it was too good to be true – well, never mind”

“Do you still want to go?”

“Nah…not bothered. Warren said they have no problem extending my contract as I’m one of the main characters now, so that’ll do for me”

“Right then… um…would you and your young lady fancy going on Rock-Quiz?” Ethan asked

“Um…I don’t know…er can I get back to you on that?”

“Sure – just give me a ring – in fact here, I’ll give you my mobile number – DON’T get giving this out, it’s only for a very selected few”

Spike’s eyebrows rose and he smiled, taking a card off Ethan.

“Right then I’ll ring you, bye Ethan”

Ethan left, and Spike locked the door, then ran up the stairs.

He glanced into their room and saw Buffy lying on the bed, her back to the door, foetal position.

“Buffy” he whispered quietly at the doorway

“I’m not asleep”

Spike went into the room and sat on the bed.

“You alright love?”

“Yes. When is this screen-test of yours then?”

“Oh that, I’m not doing it”

“You’re not- but why not?” Inside Buffy was turning cartwheels.

“Well Ethan said they’ve asked 50 others to it, not all actors – so I can’t be bothered.”

Buffy sat up and put her arms around Spike’s neck and said,

“I’m being selfish, and I hate myself for it, but…”

“Selfish? How? – You’re the most un-selfish person I know!”

“Well…I was worried that, well, if you went to LA…you’d forget all about me”

“What? Silly girl – I love you Buffy, you’ve done SO much for me, and I’ll never be able to repay you for the kindness you’ve shown me”

“But I do it coz I love you – not out of duty!”

“Come here…that’s better” Spike lay down and put an arm around her cuddling her up to him.

“I’m not going anywhere okay, and if I do ever get offered anything big, then I want you with me, understand?” Buffy smiled and nodded.

“Oh, and Ethan asked me if we want to do Rock-Quiz – you know that late night music show quiz that gets a bit naughty sometimes – I said I’d ask you first before I committed myself”

“When is it?”

“Don’t actually know that pet – we’ll just have to find out”

“Okay then, it’ll be fun”

“Great, I’ll phone him later and tell him!”

________________


“You’re kidding – well that IS good news, yes I’ll tell her, thanks Mr Farquhar…okay then, bye. Buffy, Darling…Buf – oh there you are – great news!” Buffy came into the kitchen where Spike was cooking dinner

“What’s that?”

“Angel got 40 years, eligible for parole in 25 – so he’ll be in prison for at least 25 years!”

“Oh god, that’s brilliant – I was worried he’d get some paltry 10 years or something”

“I think he got that for lobbing a monkey wrench at the cops whilst driving along the freeway!”

“Did I understand that? Lobbing – monkey wrench?” Buffy asked quizzically.

“Lobbing means throwing and a monkey wrench is a large heavy tool for undoing nuts and bolts and stuff”

“Well, it undid that nut then!” Buffy said grinning.

“Oh haha-de-haha, go back and sit down, dinner’s in ten minutes!”

“Good, I’m starving…..!”

Chapter 30 All Fun and Games

“Hello? ………….Oh, Hi Mrs Harris, what can I do for you?...............yes we have been invited and yes we are going……………sure, no problem…………not at all, he’s never any bother…………okay then – see you at 6.30pm, bye”

Spike opened a sleepy eye and said,

“Don’t tell me, she wants us to see Xandy’s alright at the barbecue”

“Got it in one, I said we didn’t mind at all”

“Course we don’t mind! But I think she babies him a little too much” Spike said yawning and sitting up. They’d both taken a nap after doing a big food shop, and the housework, and having a light lunch.

“Well…I think she’s just worried about him. She said she’ll bring him here for 6.30pm. Do you know how to get to where she lives?”

“Yeah, I think so – head out on the I 78, take the turn off for Jacksonville county, carry on until you go through Jefferson Heights, and Mulholland is about two minutes from there – I can used the SatNav anyway”

“Okay, if you drive there, I’ll drive back, you can have a drink if you want one” Buffy said.

“Nah, not bothered – I don’t mind driving pet if you wanted a glass or two of the old vino”

“Oh – you have me spoiled!” Buffy turned and put her arms around him.

“And there’s nobody else I’d rather spoil!” Spike started to kiss her with mounting passion, until Buffy squeezed his shoulder and said

“Hey Romeo – down boy, I need a shower before we go”

“No you don’t! You’re going to a barbecue, they’ll be smoke and food smells and we’ll be outside…he started to kiss her again and Buffy allowed it, pulled back and said with a grin,

“Okay, you’ve convinced me!”

They made love slowly, there was no rush, the day was hot, Buffy had opened the windows and a gentle breeze wafted over them as they lay sated.

“We DO need a shower now – both of us!” Buffy said

“Okay then…you wash my back and-“

“Listen Mr – I’m in that shower and out again, if I go in there with you (she gently poked him in the tummy) they’ll be no telling what you’ll get up to and have me doing! Then we’ll be late!”

“Me- Oh now I’m hurt- look mortally wounded by your cruel words!” Buffy started giggling and tickling Spike, who retaliated in kind.

“Okay…o..kay stop- STOP!! – I can’t breathe…!” Buffy knelt back and panted. Spike grinned and said quietly

“You’ve got me all intrigued now!” Spike lay on his side, his head propped up on his hand, his elbow on the pillow.

“’Bout what?” Buffy asked

“What I could coerce you into doing in the shower!” he grinned as he said it, then gave her his best wolfish smile, the one that made her tummy flip.

“Well I’m locking the bathroom door Mr, so you can’t try any funny business!”

“You love my ‘funny business’!” Spike reached out and drew a finger lightly over her collarbone. This made Buffy shiver with delight and her nipples immediately hardened.

“See what I mean!” Spike said.

“You are incorrigible – now, I’ll be ten minutes, see that you don’t get into any mischief while I’m in the shower, matey-boy – or else!” Buffy said, mock stern.

“Ooh – or else what – this sounds good…come on, or else what, don’t be shy now!”

Buffy HAD coloured up but she grinned and said

“Else …no nookie for a month!” she stood up trying to disentangle her bra from her top. Spike snorted a giggle and blustered with indignance,

“You couldn’t last a month – you’d be coming to me after 3 days, and begging me!”

Buffy smiled and holding up her top to cover her face she said,

“Oh would I – well that remains to be seen – ah got it, that’s where your caught!”

“What’s caught?”

“My bra hook caught in the lace of my top” She un-hooked it and threw them both at the linen basket in the corner of the room, missing and they both fell short on the floor.

“I promise to be good!” Spike said suddenly rolling onto his back. He held his hands up and said,

“See – I knew you’d see my point of view!”

“I think this ‘dominant’ Buffy needs research!” Spike said sitting up on the edge of the bed.

Buffy’s eyebrows rose, she pictured herself in thigh-high, spike-heeled boots, suspenders and a tight corset, strutting around the room cracking a whip…

“Might be interesting! – Now, see you in few mins!”

“Buffy”

“Hmm?” She stood at the door expectantly

“Love you” She smiled and said

“Love you too”


______________________



“Oh look, it’s that big pink coloured house at the top of the hill, must be!” Buffy pointed out as Spike turned into May View as the SatNav told him to.

“Yes, look, there’s Warren’s Taurus” Xandy said. Xandy looked smart, he was wearing black trousers and blue sweat shirt, and of course his ‘I LOVE NY’ baseball cap Spike had bought for him on their trip. He never went anywhere without it! Spike and Buffy both opted to wear new Jeans and tees. Buffy’s was lemon, Spike’s was black.

They parked and got out. Xandy asked if he could ring the bell, until Spike said

“Look at the side here Xandy, there’s a notice saying - well you tell me, what does it say?”

“It says, This Way’, with an arrow pointing like that” Xandy demonstrated which way the arrow pointed. They could smell the smoke from the BBQ already.

“Come along then, you go first if you want” Spike put his hand on Xandy’s shoulder and he led them through to the garden.

And what a beautiful garden it was too! On the lawn there was a portable, open sided gazebo, with tables holding plates, glasses, cutlery napkins and what have you on the one side, and on the other covered bowls of salad, rolls, relishes and sauces. The barbecue itself was big, about six foot long, brick built, and was been sorted by two men wearing aprons.

“Hello?” Buffy called out, and a woman in a maids outfit came out and said

“Would you please come this way?”

She led them to the conservatory, Buffy could hear Warren talking. Then Joany came towards them smiling and said,

“My darlings, you made it how wonderful!” She hugged them in turn.

“Now let’s get you a drink, what would you like?”

“Just a soft drink for me” Spike said

“And for me and Xandy” Buffy said

“Well you go and tell Charles my butler what you’d like and he’ll get it for you” Spike was looking out over the garden. Buffy bought him back a tropical juice and lemonade with ice, they all had the same.

“Wow – what a view!” Buffy said joining Spike at the window.

“Xandy, these are my two grandsons, Marty and Darren – would you like to go to the den with them and play on the Play Station until the foods ready – is that alright Buffy?” Joany asked

“That’s fine, he’ll love that won’t you Xandy!”

“Yes please – thank you Joany” Xandy said remembering his manners.

“Bless you! – Go on then, food will be about half an hour” Marty and Darren led the way into the house.

“They do know he’s handicapped” Buffy said

“Yes, I told them, don’t worry, they have a sister who has autism, so they’re used to what we call ‘special children’

“You have a fantastic garden – and house Joany” Spike said

“I know, I’m SO lucky, Dean and I bought this place after I made the movie Camelot, Dean had just finished writing the score of the first ‘Inter-Galactic War’ film series, anyway, the producer Wayne Willard was selling and we bought it – it needed a lot doing to it, but over the years we’ve got it just how we wanted it – you must come here again for dinner and I’ll give you the tour”

“Oh we’d love that!” Spike said

“Oh, and I’ve just learned that your father is, Sir Rupert Giles – I said to Dean some real names of the cast I was now working with, and he told me who you were, a musician in a rock band, and then he said, you know who is father is don’t you? – Of course I showed my ignorance – well when he said Sir Rupert…I just LOVED him in Henry V, he’s the only one who can play him for me – I’ve seen loads of other actors, but I always hold your father as a yard-stick and the others, well they don’t come close!” The waitress came up to Joany and said something quietly.

“You’ll have to excuse me, more guests, help yourself to nibbles, hope to catch up with you later”

Buffy started to go to the nibbles table when a VERY good-looking guy walked in with a lady that looked like a super-model, and two blonde-haired children.

“Hello, good evening…” The guy said friendly enough to them.

“Hello!” Buffy said

“It’s BUFFY!” The little girl said

The super-model mom grinned and said

“Sorry – since her ‘auntie Joany’ has been on the show she loves it, and loves you too, she sings that signature tune all day!”

“Mommy, mommy, will you ask the lady if I can have her autograph?”

Buffy coloured up and squatted down

“Aren’t you a beautiful little girl! I’d be happy to give you my autograph” The girl took a proper autograph book out of her purse and the pen was down the spine Buffy took it and asked,

“What’s your name?”

“Lilly-Rose”

“Such a pretty name for a pretty little girl” Buffy wrote To Lilly Rose Love from Buffy, kiss, kiss, kiss. She drew a smiley face at the end and a heart over the ‘I’ in Lilly.


“Thanks ever so much – she always wants to bring her book when she comes here” her mother said, and then added,

“Where are my manners, I’m Lauren, and this is James, my boy is James Jr”

“Lovely to meet you”

Spike came over and Buffy introduced them. Joany came back and squealed with delight when she saw the children

“Auntie Joany, can we go in the den and play?”

“Course you can my darlings – the food won’t be long”

Joany also kissed Lauren and James.

“You’ve met Buffy and Spike, some of my new colleagues?”

“Oh yes, we’d just got in and Lilly wanted autographs!” Lauren said

“Bless her! Well get yourselves drinks, food will be about fifteen minutes”

“Hi Spike, Buffy”

“Hello Tara” right behind her was Willow and Ford

Willow, Ford you made it then!”

“Just about, I came off the interstate a turning too early, we drove round Peterloo for ten minutes! Until I got my bearings back – great house, isn’t it”

“Buffy have you seen whose over there – it’s James Mackilvenny!”

“I know…I just gave his daughter my autograph! – I was chatting with Lauren his wife”

“Oh you never were – I’m SO jealous!”

“What do you want to drink Will?”

“Um – what have they got?”

“A fully stocked bar, you can have anything you like”

“I’ll have a vodka tonic with ice and lemon please”

“They’ve got the most beautiful little girl, her name’s Lilly Rose”…………………


_____


“Hmm, this chicken is SO tasty!” Buffy said licking her lips

“The hamburgers aren’t half good too, got like a spicy taste to them, yummy!” Spike said taking another bite.

The smell of food was everywhere and it was great to watch everybody enjoying themselves.

Joany was a great hostess, and the staff were impeccable – they seemed to know what you wanted before you do did, but without being obtrusive or hovering around you.

“Are you enjoying it Xandy?”

“Oh yeah! I beat Marty’s high score on MunchManMania, so I gave him my phone number to ring me when he’s beaten it!”

Buffy smiled and then she said,

“Have you got enough to eat?”

“I’d like some more sausages”

“Well go and ask for some, remember-“

“I will” Xander was already off – Buffy was going to say remember your manners, but there had been no need.

After they’d eaten it began to get dark, suddenly the garden lit up and a water feature nobody had really noticed before came alive and fountain started up, it was lit underneath by different coloured lights and it looked magical, everybody who hadn’t seen it before thought it was beautiful.

They chatted and drank and laughed but Buffy could see Xandy beginning to wilt, it was 10.50pm

“Come on, I think we better get Xandy home, I did say we’d be back before midnight” Spike finished his drink and went to find Joany. They said their thank yous and goodbyes, Joany quite understood them having to go, and she said she’d see them at work the following day.

By the time they pulled up on the Harris’ drive, Xandy was asleep.

Mrs Harris heard the car and came out to them and thanked them for looking after him.

“Xandy…we’re home love” Buffy said

Sleepily he sat up and undid his seatbelt, got out of the car and said goodnight and went into the house.

Mrs Harris thanked them again and Spike reversed off the drive

“I really enjoyed tonight – Joany’s got a fabulous house” Buffy said

“You can say that again!” Spike said

Chapter 31 – Back to Work





Nine O’clock in the morning, Wilson’s Diner Set Rehearsal room…………

“Tonight, well I’d love to, what about you Ford?” Willow said, looking at her friend.

“Uh huh, count me in too!” Ford nodded in agreement.

“Great, see you both at – say seven?” Spike said

“Sure!”

Spike went over to where Buffy was reading through her lines and he said smiling,

“They said they’d love to come to dinner tonight, so when we get home, I’ll make a lasagne” Buffy nodded and smiled too. Warren breezed in clapping his hands to get some quiet…

“Okay folks – let’s have a bit of hush now please…Right running order for today, it’s a bit ass about because they’re starting a new cop show and they want to film the opening credits so we’ve got our outside filming curtailed for the next two days” Warren said

There were a few grumbles, but Tara piped up,

“Better that than calling you in a 6am, I’m sure!” The grumblers soon shut up!

“First off, we need Buffy driving off in her car, and then arriving back” Warren said

“Is that it?” Buffy asked

“Yup, the dialogue with that goes off in the diner, but like I said, we’ve got to get all the outside stuff done this morning”

“Oh right” Buffy said

“Then we’ll do Handy Andy arriving in his van, getting out, coming into the diner and then leaving again, and also the same for Officer Jones. Now Buffy you leave with your purse, and arrive back with a file full of papers, they’ll be on your back seat ready for you, Andy bring in and take out your tool box, and Officer Jones brings in and leaves some papers for Buffy – okay folks, shouldn’t take above half an hour…”


___________________


“Okay folks, we’ll just do this last scene, then we can have coffee – this scene ties up to Buffy leaving, which we’ve already filmed. Buffy making a call to her lawyer about the land the developer wants to buy – ready in two folks………

“Scene 3, take one – and action!”

“Thank you Mr Vernon, can you do me some copies of the land deeds…uh huh, and a copy of my fathers purchase…oh, and do you think I ought to have a copy of his Will, just to prove I AM the now owner? – Right, I’ll be over in an hour or so, would that be convenient for you – it would, well thank you again and I’ll see you shortly, bye”

Buffy left the privacy of the dry stock room and went into the diner.

“I’ve got to go into town, get some paperwork on the land I own, will you two manage?” Willow and Spike assured her they would.

“You can always get Xandy to do the clearing of tables and washing up if it gets too busy – what’s the special today Spike, I forgot to ask!”

“Pork chops with a cider-apple sauce, mashed potatoes and greens, or a deep dish chicken and ham pie with fries”

“Ooo, save me some of that – I won’t be long, bye!” Buffy walked just outside the diner and Warren called ‘Cut’ Coffee folks.

_________________


They got home and Buffy went straight for a shower while Spike went straight into the kitchen to start dinner. He worked cleanly and methodically, he’d got something on his mind, and it helped him to think while he cooked……

Spike fried a large diced onion and two fat cloves of crushed garlic, and some sliced mushrooms in a little olive oil and butter, seasoning them with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and when cooked he drained them on kitchen paper. Wiping out the pan he ‘dry cooked’ the hamburger meat until it was brown, drained off the little fat there was, added the onion mixture to it, and a large jar of ready-made tomato sauce with extra mushrooms. He tore fresh basil leaves and added some oregano too, tasted it, added more seasoning and then set about making a velvety smooth béchamel sauce. Taking out the no-pre-cooking required pasta sheets, he layered sauces and pasta, finishing off with a nice deep layer of béchamel, and sprinkled with a thick layer of his own mix of four cheeses. He put it in the pre-heated oven and then set about making garlic bread with a French stick, cutting it almost through at an angle in one inch intervals, then spreading with garlic and parsley butter. Pressing the cuts closed he wrapped the bread in kitchen foil to go in the oven for the last 15 minutes of cooking time. Next he washed salad, put it in bowl, made a vinaigrette dressing and set the dining table. Starters and pudding were already sorted he’d got a couple of nice bottles of Chardonnay chilling, and a couple of Merlot on the side, one opened to ‘breathe’ if anybody wanted red. By the time he’s finished, his plan was all clear in his mind, and he’d remembered all that he needed to.

Buffy sat at the breakfast counter and watched Spike work. She didn’t talk, didn’t want to interrupt his train of thought, but her mouth was watering at the smell of the lasagne!

Spike closed the refrigerator door and stood opposite Buffy, his hands set wide apart and he gripped the counter, leaned forward and placed a kiss on her nose. Buffy smiled and offered her pursed lips, which he then kissed too!

“So…what’s for pudding?” Buffy asked

“Got that tub of tropical fruit salad we bought at the supermarket, and various ice-creams, sauces, chopped nuts, chocolate flakes, wafer biscuits, what have you”

“Oooo yummy – can’t wait, what time they coming?”

Spike looked at his watch and said,

“In a bout ¾ of an hour – just time for me to go shower”

___________________


Spike trotted downstairs wearing black pants and a black roll-neck sweater.

“I’ve put out some Bread-sticks, olives and peanuts for us to nibble on, and I’ve made sure there’s loads of ice, and I’ve got some Dr Pepper’s in the fridge for Ford, just in case”

“Great!” Spike said

“So…did you get thinking thunked?” Buffy asked with a giggle. Spike caught her around the waist and she cuddled into him, tucking her head under his chin.

“Well I hope so, all depends on what Warren says tomorrow” Spike said mysteriously.

“What are you planning?” Buffy frown/smiled and leaned out of Spike’s embrace to look at his face.

DING DONG!

Spike grinned, snatched a quick kiss and said,

“Ah! Saved by the bell!” Buffy rolled her eyes and went to let her guests in.

__________________________


“Willow, red or white?” Spike asked holding up both bottles

“Erm, red please” Spike poured her a glass of the rich robust merlot, and asked Buffy

“I think I’ll try the red for a change too” Spike filled her glass also.

“Ford, what can I get you?”

“Actually, can I have a glass of white, my brother said he’d come over and pick us up if I wanted a drink”

“Sure – here you go…it’s rather a good drop too, a nice home grown Chardonnay, and I’ll join you, just the one though for me” Spike poured the wine for Ford and himself.

They had avocado with shrimp to start, Spike made sure that Willow could eat them, and she assured him that she didn’t follow a traditional Jewish diet, unless at home. Elsewhere she ate ham, pork, sausages, seafood all manner of stuff she shouldn’t!

________________________


………”so Walter’ emerged, covered in pond weed, slime, dead frogs and all sorts,
but he got his Carp!” Spike said.

“EW! So then what happened?” Willow asked. Spike shrugged smiling and said,

“Well after that dad said if the heron weren’t taking the Koi carp, then the staff were going for impromptu dips taking them, the local cats already thought the pond as a branch of ‘Yo, Sushi’ just for them, so he’d save money and just fill the pond in !!”

“All that because you had a Swedish guest who liked carp? – Well!” Willow said laughing. She finished her coffee and stood up saying,

“Excuse me” She left the room and Ford said to them

“When is it Willow’s birthday?”

“Erm…28th of next month, why?” Buffy asked, re-filling her wine glass.

“I wanted to do something special for her, you know REALLY special” Both Buffy and Spike grinned

“Take her somewhere really nice” Buffy suggested

“Yeah, but where?” Ford asked pained faced, he was picking at the seam of his pants.

“New York, I know she’s always wanted to go, and she went on and on when we went last month” Buffy said

“Hmm, but that all depends on filming doesn’t it?” Ford said

“Suppose – schtum – she’s coming back!” Buffy said putting a finger to her lips

_______________________



Following day at the Studios……………


“Well we do have a hiatus over Thanksgiving, plus this year there’s the sports extravaganza on for over three days, so we could see ourselves having a week off, would that help?” Warren asked

“Absolutely perfect!” Spike said with glee and rubbed his hands.

Spike walked into the rehearsal room to find Buffy sneezing (again) she’d started in the bathroom that morning, and her voice was cracked and gravely.

“How do you feel baby?” Spike put his hand on Buffy’s forehead, she felt hot.

“Lousy…I think I got a cold coming on”

“Poor baby, we won’t be long home and you can go straight to bed” Spike said, and Buffy didn’t argue.

____________________


“Scene 11 take 1 – And action!” Warren said

Buffy sighed and looked over the sheaf of papers she had spread out over one of the diner tables.

“Well, sorry Mr Construction man, but you’re not having any of it, and that’s final!”

Willow came over and sat down briefly from clearing tables and asked,

“Do you think he’ll get nasty about it?” Buffy looked up and said,

“I’ve no doubt about it!”

“Buffy, your pork order’s arrived” Spike said from behind the counter.

Babs came in looking serious faced, holding a letter.

“Buffy…is this true?” She handed Buffy the letter she was holding. Buffy quickly scanned the letter.

“Why the cheeky – oh! He really is the absolute LIMIT!”

“Who?” Spike and Willow chorused together

“This Gus Leedermann! He’s only gone and told Babs here he’s buying my land, and he hopes that she’ll do the same!”

Babs put her hand on her chest and said,

“So it’s not true then?”

“It most certainly isn’t true! He might WANT to buy it, but there’s absolutely NO WAY I’m selling it!” Buffy said indignantly.

“Oh thank the good Lord for that! – I thought I’d loose my business!”

“Don’t you worry, I’m contacting my lawyer this afternoon, to tell him the land is not for sale at ANY price, and that is an end to the matter!”

“Oh Buffy, you don’t know how good that sounds to me!” Babs said looking much relieved.

“And Cut! Thanks folks, that’s it for today” Tara said, and everyone left the studio.

Chapter 32 So Lost Without You………


By the time they got home, Buffy felt really lousy, her head throbbed, her throat was so sore and her whole body ached.

Spike suggested she go have a warm bath and he’d bring her up some hot honey and lemon, some Advil tablets and something to eat. She agreed, except about the food, she wasn’t hungry.

Spike tucked her up in bed and she went fast asleep. Too early for him to go to bed, Spike phoned his father, watched some TV and made himself a sandwich. Sorting through the day’s mail, he opened a large thick envelope that had been forwarded onto him from his agent. It was a script for a very popular British Sci-Fi TV show that had once been running for years. Decommissioned, and had just been brought back, now set in the 21st century. Attached to the script was a note from Ethan……

‘William, thought you might like to look at this. Filming starts in May in England, your contract with the Diner people is up middle of April if you decide not to extend or they let you go, although if you decide to stay on, we may be able to work around things. Seriously consider this, it’s ‘GOLD’, Regards, Ethan.

Quickly Spike looked at the title of the show – Dr How! - His eyes bugged, he couldn’t believe it! – His all-time favourite show as a kid, and now he was being offered a part on it! Eagerly Spike opened the script, read the back-story on the part and then read the new story and script. He knew straight away he’d do it, he just HAD to! He smiled to himself as he remembered watching from behind a cushion as a 7 year old, frightened at the ‘Extermibots’ and the Cosmossians, he and his friends used to fire ‘ray guns’ at each other pretending they were Dr How fighting wrong in his London taxi cab, that was the doctor’s way of travelling through time and space. It was no ordinary taxi-cab though, inside it was huge! Time And Xploration Initiative Taxi stood for.

Buffy padded down the stairs to find Spike fast asleep on the sofa. Passing behind the sofa she gently ran her fingers through his hair.

“Hmm – Hmmm” Spike murmured

“Coming to bed?” she croaked

“Huh – wha – oh!” Spike sat up suddenly and looked at her bleary-eyed.

“ Oh, love…I must have dropped off! Hey, you shouldn’t be out of bed!”

“Thirsty”

“Go back up, I’ll fetch you some juice”

“Okay…but you are coming up now, its gone 2am!”

“Right behind you pet, just fetching the juice” Spike quickly shoved the script back in the envelope and left it on the side and went into the kitchen to get Buffy her drink.

__________________


Buffy felt better in the morning, not 100% mind, her throat was still a little sore, but the head and body aches had gone. She decided to go to work………

Spike got into the car and waited for Buffy to come out, the phone rang just as they were leaving.

“Who was it?” Spike asked as she got into the car five minutes later.

“Just some journalist, had I read the latest in the paper”

Spike rolled his eyes and said with a sigh,

“When will they get it into their thick heads, if you haven’t done a story by now on Angel, then your not going to?” Buffy looked straight ahead, clipped her seatbelt on and started up saying,

“Wasn’t about Angel, it was about you, and somebody called Drusilla”

“WHAT?!!” Spike’s shout made Buffy jump

“Jeez Spike, make me jump why don’t you!” Buffy still didn’t look at him, she reversed swiftly off the drive.

“S-sorry love…it, well it just came as a shock hearing her name, that’s all”

“So you DO know a Drusilla then?” Buffy was looking left so she could turn right onto the highway.

“Well, yeah…she was my girlfriend a while back…when I was in the Vampyres…bloody head-case she was too”

“Yes well, this ‘head-case’ has done a deal with Chronicle and has done a kiss and tell on your time together, no holds barred, warts and all, how you’d do it five times a night, sometimes you couldn’t even wait until you got to the hotel room and you’d do it in the lobby or on the fire escape - according to Des Cheadle, and did I want to comment” Buffy said, her voice tremulous, but she didn’t cry. Spike felt sick to his stomach.

“What did you say?” Spike asked quietly, worried, he was trying to think what else he’d got up to when he was with that girl…he couldn’t remember, but it wasn’t anything to do with the accident, it was just that half the time he was so drunk…or stoned from smoking weed…

Buffy was irritated, annoyed and jealous.

“Well what do you THINK I said, huh?” Spike winced and said

“Sorry love…I never thought for one minute that she’d…oh bloody hell!” Spike had just remembered the script he’d been offered, and working for the UKBC, well…you needed to keep your nose clean, didn’t need any scandals…

“Bloody hell what?”

“Nothing” He thought it best not to tell her he could be in England for the best part of two months after Christmas filming a show – not now here in the car anyway, she seemed angry enough without that being dropped on her.

“You can’t say ‘bloody hell’, then ‘nothing’ when I ask! – Oh and the same to you, how much fucking road do you want!” Buffy flipped a middle finger to the guy that horn-blasted her as she pulled out in front of him.

“Steady love!” Spike’s hand shot out and he held onto the dashboard for a second or two, her bad language and gesture shocked him.

“Do you want to drive?” she asked tersely, her knuckles were white on the steering wheel.

“No”

“Well then”

“Well then what?”

“Well then put up or…just f’get it!” Buffy wanted to cry. She didn’t know why she was shouting at Spike, or why she was quite so angry – all this was before he met her, but she just couldn’t bear the thought of reading about Spike being with another woman………

Buffy pulled onto the lot and parked quickly in her spot. She was out of the car and into the studio before Spike had even closed his door.

She made her way straight to the toilets and broke down in tears.

When Spike got in, he had big grins from Warren, Ford and Parker. Spike looked at them quizzically and asked,

“What?”

“And here’s me thinking MY name was Randy round here!” Parker said with a big grin, holding up the newspaper with its double-page spread…

Ford passed him the paper, Drusilla draped in a filmy gauze dress her hair cascading down over one shoulder looked sensuously into the camera, the headline read,

‘My Crazy Nights of Wild Sex and Drugs with the Vampyres’

Spike felt sick again.

“Where’s Buffy?” Willow asked her face looking upset

“I um…she just dashed from the car…oh god, why me, why now?” Spike sat down heavily in one of the chairs. Willow gave all the guys a disgusted glance and went to look for her friend.

“Buffy….Buffy are you in – there you are – are you okay?” Buffy had just opened a stall door when Willow came into the toilets. Buffy sniffed and wiped her eyes with the tissue she was holding.

“Oh don’t cry!” Willow went and put her arms around her friend and that was enough to make Buffy break down again. Willow let her cry for a minute or two, then the door opened and Faith walked in saying,

“Disgusting, randy little git! Surprised it hasn’t dropped off – I hope you made him get an AIDS test before you, you know, you two did it!”

This made Buffy cry harder and Willow mad, she rounded on Faith saying,

“FAITH! Watch what you say, it’s all lies most likely, she’s probably just some groupie who’s never even met him!” Faith preened herself in front of the mirror, fluffing her hair and smoothing her lips with her ring finger.

“Well, all I’m saying is, they way she reckons she’s put it about with all the group, I just hope Buffy’s practiced safe sex that’s all! – Anyway, Warren says five minutes” Faith said disappearing out of the door.

“Warren will just have to wait!” Willow said, fetching more tissue for Buffy.

Five minutes later, Tara came into the toilets. Buffy was holding a cold compress against her eyes to try and reduce the red puffiness from crying.

“Are you okay Buffy?” Buffy didn’t answer

“Well does she look it?” Willow asked, exasperated.

“Let Andy in make-up see what he can do, he can work wonders with a dab of concealer and some mineral powder” Tara said.

Buffy reluctantly left with Tara and Willow to go to make-up. Meanwhile, Spike had read the ‘first instalment’ of the story that was going to run all week, and knew that tomorrow would bring fresh horrors for him.

Warren shuffled the running order of the scenes to be filmed, so that meant the three scenes involving Buffy and Spike wouldn’t be filmed until after lunch, hopefully tempers and feelings would have calmed a little by then…well he could hope.

_____________


Both professionals, they got through the afternoons’ filming without anybody thinking there was anything wrong at all, smiling, happy and lines remembered.

They rode home in silence, and when they got into Buffy’s house, Buffy went straight upstairs.

Spike didn’t even take his coat off, he just sat on the sofa feeling miserable as hell. He heard the bedroom door open and the bathroom door close, and then the bath running.

When Buffy got out of the bath, she saw that there were no lights on downstairs and she checked her room, just the lamp on how she’d left it. She crept downstairs, but Spike wasn’t down there. She felt the panic rise in her chest and then she saw a piece of paper on the breakfast counter with her name on it.

“My darling Buffy (tears sprang to her eyes and she blinked them away) You so obviously don’t want me around you at the moment, and who can blame you. I’m so sorry and so angry at what Dru has done, and please believe me when I say half of what she’s written so far is untrue. I told you at the beginning I’ve never done coke (cocaine) or heroin and I only used to drink and smoke a bit of weed and sure, we used to have sex, she was my girlfriend, but I can assure you, I’m not up to five times a night or how ever many times the stupid bitch reckons. I’ve been on to Mr Farquhar to see if there’s anything I can do, his advice was this, I could just ignore it and let it all die down, or, I could do what’s called a ‘spoiler’ and put my side of the story in another paper. Thing is, I don’t care what other people think of me, you know the truth about me, and that’s all that matters to me, what YOU think. I love you so much and I have so much to be grateful for to you – I just feel so empty now this has happened. Please don’t let this ruin the most beautiful thing that’s ever happened to me, you’re the only one I want and love. Yours forever, Spike XX

Tears dripped on the letter and the words swam, she didn’t know what to do, until there was a knock at the door.

She sniffed and crept to the front door and looked out of the spy-hole. It was Willow. Buffy quickly opened up and let her best friend in.

“Spike’s g-gone! – He’s not here, he said (she started to cry again) he s-said he loves m-me - but I don’t know where he’s gone!”

Willow smiled and put her arms around her friend holding her and letting her cry

“Shh…don’t worry…he’s at our house. I phoned him and offered him the guest room while you sort out your feelings, it was dad’s idea. Come on, let’s make a cup of tea”

Buffy sat opposite Willow warming her hands around her mug.

“So…do you want him back?” Willow asked, and Buffy nodded saying,

“Yes, I love him so much!”

“Well that’s good!” Willow’s smile positively twinkled at her, and then she went serious faced

“Buffy, I hate to bring it up, but...well, what Faith was on about…Spike admitted he had sex with this girl as she was his girlfriend – have you two practiced safe sex?

“No, but I know he’s clean – he told me that he finished with his last girlfriend over 18 months ago, and had to undergo an AIDS test to get into this country – and that also proves he never did coke or heroin, he wouldn’t have been let it else if he’d had convictions”

“But did he have the follow-up AIDS test three months later?”

“Yup, he showed me, all clear, so don’t worry on that score” Buffy said. She drained her mug and stretched.

“Want to talk to him?”

“What, now – he’ll probably be asleep”

“No, he’s sitting by the phone, he told me he won’t sleep a wink”

“I – I don’t know what to say…I was such a bitch to him!” Buffy started to cry again.

“Hey don’t cry…he does understand you know, and he does love you”

“What that journalist said this morning, it just made me feel sick, he was gloating – really gloating delighting in telling me the sordid details…”

“Well, that’s what they’re like, anything for a story! Has Spike said what he’s going to do?”

Buffy shrugged saying,

“Mr Farquhar, his lawyer said he could do one of two things, either ignore it, or, do what’s called a spoiler”

“Spoiler? – What’s one of those?” Willow asked, draining her own mug.

“It’s where Spike also writes a kiss and tell, but from his side” Buffy explained

“Oh…that doesn’t sound so good, stooping to her level” Willow said with a frown

“Well, I suppose it’s – oh………(Buffy’s mobile rang, Spike’s name flashed up on the little screen) it’s him – shall I answer it?” Buffy said picking her mobile up.

“If you want, I’ll just go to the bathroom!” Willow said diplomatically

“Hello Spike” She said quietly

“Buffy, love – I couldn’t wait any longer, I’m going mad here – tell me I haven’t blown things with you”

“You haven’t blown things, it’s my fault, I was a bitch to you and –

“Don’t say that! If it hadn’t been for me…”

“Look, can we start again – it’s late now and we don’t want to throw the Rosenberg’s kind gesture of hospitality in their face, but just come home in the morning, please?”

“Oh Buffy! Oh god, you don’t know………you don’t know how happy that’s…Jeez for a while I thought I’d lost you! I love you I really LOVE you!” Spike voice was trembling, hardly holding in his emotions

“I know – I know – and I love you too, I’m sorry for…I just want you back”

Willow diplomatically waited on the stairs, but she was grinning as she’d heard every word Buffy said. After waiting another half minute, she came back into the kitchen. Buffy was at the kitchen sink swilling out the mugs, a big grin on her face.

“So?” Willow asked, smiling with her brows raised.

“He’s coming home tomorrow morning, we didn’t want to mess your parents around with their kind gesture of letting him stay. Are you staying the night here – I never asked how you got here in the first place”

“Dad dropped me off – and yes I’ll stay – if I keep staying at my parent’s place, mom will keep trying to feed me up!”

“It’s cold, you can bunk in with me I haven’t made up the spare bed”

“That’s okay…I’ve left some PJ here haven’t I?”

“Uh huh, airing cupboard, top shelf next to the towels”

“Can I have a shower?”

“Sure – have a bath if you want, there should still be loads of hot water”

Chapter 33


Spike’s eyes nearly popped at the Rosenberg’s dining table set for breakfast – he knew this wasn’t an everyday occurrence!

“Sit, sit, tea or coffee?” Mrs Rosenberg asked Spike as he sat down.

“Er coffee please, really Mrs Rosenberg, you shouldn’t have gone to all this trouble, you must have been up all night making all this!”

“No…it’s my pleasure!” She disappeared into the kitchen.

“Hmm, bubeleh, something smells good!” Ira said coming down the stairs. His eyes to lit up at the spread on the dining table.

“Hmm, try one of these Spike, they’re called Blintzes, they’re pancakes filled with cheese, that is Chakchouka, eggs with peppers and tomatoes, and those are Matzo –Bre – like eggy bread, but with Matzo bread and cinnamon and brown sugar!”

“Wow – I don’t know where to start!” Spike said.

Mrs Rosenberg still hadn’t finished bringing in food, she put an Israeli salad on the table and some pitta bread and dips, and lox and bagels.

“I’m so glad you came!” Ira said, and he was just going to help himself to another pancake, when Bernice slapped his hand away.

“Guests first, and think of your digestion Ira!”

“But Bubeleh, you tease me with all this!”

“Have some salad!” She suggested with a smile.

Ira helped himself to the tomato, cucumber and onion salad, AND a bagel with lox and cream cheese!

Spike wondered how he was going to eat all that she’d put out, when Bernice read his mind and said,

“What you don’t want now, I’ll pack for you to take into work!!”

“I don’t want to put you to any trouble Mrs Rosenberg, really!”

“No trouble – and I’ve told you, call me Bernice!”

“Do I get some to take too?” Ira asked with a smile.

“You can take the salad and dips!

“Bubeleh – you’re cruel!” Ira said, but with a smile, he knew she was teasing. She smiled and winked at Spike.

__________________


Spike arrived at Buffy’s place with a carrier sack of food…

He put it down on the breakfast counter and hugged Buffy, who just kept on saying

“I’m sorry…I’m so sorry for being a bitch to you, you don’t deserve it, I’m s-“

“Shh now…all gone and forgotten hmm – and we won’t read the papers, and we’ll ignore comments, okay?” Spike said his forehead against hers. Buffy nodded and said,

“I missed you so much last night, I was scared when I got out of the bath, you’d gone and I didn’t know where, and I - oh god it was awful!”

Spike caught her mouth in a searing, toe-curling kiss and Buffy felt all the tension in her body just melt away, she sagged in his arms feeling boneless!

“Come on, sit down, I bring breakfast, where’s Will?”

“Still upstairs, I told her I’d give her a call when it was ‘safe’ to come down, didn’t want her telling us to get a room or throw a bucket of water over us!!”

Spike grinned and went to the bottom of the stairs and called,

“Willow – bubeleh, I have Blintzes, and um…Matzo-bre and er….Chaka Khans!”

Willow grinning, came down the stairs and said,

“Chaka –what’s?

“Sorry, eggs and peppers and tomatoes”

Willow raised her brows still grinning and said,

“Oh, you mean chakchouka!”

“Yeah that…and um lox and bagels…pitta bread, dips…Israeli salad!”

“Golly she DID push the boat out – did dad gorge on the blintzes?” Willow asked.

“Um, he tried, but your mum slapped his hand away!” Spike said grinning

“He gets heartburn – indigestion terribly badly when he eats those, but he can’t resist!” Buffy had it laid out on the breakfast bar when they came in into the kitchen

“Want some Spike?” Buffy asked

“Er no thanks, I’ve already had thirds earlier!”

“Ooh look, my favourite!” Willow said, helping herself to a bagel with the smoked cured salmon and cream cheese.


___________________


There was much relief all round when everybody saw that Buffy and Spike were back together as normal when they got into the studios, and working hard, they got a lot of filming done that morning.

“Okay folks, lunch break, back for 1.30 please” Warren said. It was now 12.10

“Coming for lunch?” Buffy asked

“Er no, I’m still full from breakfast!” Spike said holding his stomach with both hands!

“That’s my mother for you!” Willow said.

Warren came into the rehearsal room and called Spike over.

“What you were asking me, about time off – well seems like we’re going to do two one hour specials, then be off air for four days over Thanksgiving, then they’ll be showing the Sports show, showing who’s going to the Olympics over three days, so that means a total of one whole week off”

“Hmm…not really enough”

“No – why where are you thinking of going?”

“I wanted to take Buffy to see the old ancestral pile in England, I was hoping for at least a week there, and a day either side for travelling”

“Hmm, well I’ll see what we can do, but I’m not promising”

“Thanks Warren, I do appreciate it”

“Everything okay?” Buffy asked. Spike smiled mysteriously and said,

“Well hopefully, but I can’t tell you yet, it’s a surprise!” Buffy grinned and said,

“Surprise?”

“Uh huh!”

“Tell me!”

“Er, no. What part of ‘it’s a surprise’ don’t you get?” Spike asked, and Buffy began to tickle him.

“No, no! Not telling you – Will – Willow help me!” Spike called out trying to stop her tickling fingers

“Okay, tell Willow then!” Buffy said letting up

“But she’ll tell you!”

“No I wouldn’t!” Willow said grinning

“Yes you would!”

“Okay I would…!” Willow said

___________________


“Scene 18 take 1, Buffy confronts Gus Leedermann, and Action!” Tara shut the clapperboard and the camera was first trained on some drawings and maps on the diner table, and then panned up to Buffy and Gus.

“Well I’m sorry Mr Leedermann, but you’ve had a wasted journey, that land is not for sale” Buffy said matter-of-factly.

“Well I’ll tell you what little lady, how about if I up the price huh, is that what you want? – I mean I’m being a fool to myself, it’s only scrub land, nothing grows on it ‘cept cactus and tumbleweeds…Can’t see why you want to hold onto it quite frankly…but look, and this is my final offer mind, I might just come to my senses again tomorrow and go back to the original offer of $70 an acre – Look, I’ll give you $120 an acre, it’s not worth it, but if it gives you some satisfaction to get more out of me then –“ Buffy stood up and very annoyed said,

“MR LEEDERMANN! First off, I don’t appreciate you calling me ‘Little Lady’, secondly, what part of ‘the land isn’t for sale’ don’t you understand? (That bit wasn’t scripted, but Buffy remember it from what Spike had said to her earlier about the surprise, and she liked it!) – You could offer me a million dollars an acre, and I still wouldn’t sell it to you, so would you please take your offers, comments, plans and drawings, maps and other bits and pieces and kindly leave my diner, it’ll soon be lunchtime and we’ll be busy”

Buffy then left the table and went behind the counter helping Willow and Spike to prepare for the lunch-time rush. Gus Leedermann collected up his plans, maps and proposals and shoved them back into his briefcase and went to the diner doors, he turned and said,

“You haven’t heard the last of this! I want that land and I WILL get it! You’re going to wish that you’d taken this good price while I was still feeling charitable!” Spike came from behind the counter and said with a hint of menace,

“You leave now like Miss Wilson here told you, while *I* still feel charitable towards you!”

Leedermann fumbled for the door and left quickly.

“And good riddance to bad garbage!” Willow called out

“And cut! Cut to camera Two outside…Warren called the camera panned from the diner doors to follow Leedermann trotting to his car…

Outside Leedermann got to his car, threw his case on the passenger seat and took out his cell-phone and made a call saying,

“Rickman –it’s Gus…no, she won’t budge. I want a geological survey done of that land, there’s something she’s hiding – I don’t know, that’s why I want the survey doing, could be gold, oil, anything, but there MUST be something there or else why wouldn’t she sell?..........$120 an acre….yes I know it’s not worth that just for scrub – land…why do you think I want the survey doing?....don’t argue with me and don’t tell me you can’t do it, else I’ll find somebody who can!” Leedermann ended the call, got into his car muttering something about being surrounded by idiots and drove off in a cloud of dust…

“And cut! That’s a wrap, great all round folks, thanks – tea break, back in half an hour – Tara can I have a word please!” Warren said.

_________________


“A party? – When?” Buffy asked

“Shh…I want it to be a surprise!” Ford said, looking over towards where Willow as sitting on her trailer steps, reading her script for the following day. Luckily she hadn’t heard Buffy and was still engrossed in what she was reading.

“Sorry – when, where?”

“That’s just it – we only have the Friday night, that’s the day before, her parents have got plans for her actual birthday the next day, both the day and night”

“Oh that’s a shame…But hey Friday nights are good, no work the next day for one, so we could have a late night” Buffy said quietly

“Yeah…I know, but I wanted to do something out of the ordinary, something completely different” Buffy grinned and said,

“You really like her don’t you!”

Ford went very red around his ears and he nodded, Buffy thought it adorable!

“Well it’s still two weeks away, I’ll get my thinking cap on” Buffy said

“Good, let me know as soon as…but um…I hate to sound like a cheap-skate, but not too expensive, I’ve just had to renew the lease on my flat – it’s doubled since the last time and I let it go coz I thought I was leaving”

“Don’t worry, we’ll come up with something!” Buffy said patting Ford’s arm.

_____________________


“ Okay folks…we need Buffy for this scene on the phone to her solicitor, then next up after that we want Spike, Red and Ford discussing the menu’s and last nights ball game while cashing up and cleaning the diner at close. Ready in two please folks………Warren said

____________________

Chapter 34 Housework and Holiday Plans

“Spike, is this yours, is it important?” Buffy asked, picking up the thick envelope that contained the script for the Dr How movie. Buffy was tidying up.

“Oh god, yeah I forgot about that, I wanted to tell you – then well it just went out of my head because of – well lets not rake over old stuff – read it if you like” Spike had just filled the dishwasher and he was on his way to the basement with the bed linen and towels from the bathroom to put in the wash.

“Er, I will after I finish dusting – have you finished with the vacuum cleaner upstairs?”

“Yes love, it’s in the hall, I bought it down. I’ll just put these on then I’ll take out the garbage, then I’ll make us some coffee okay?”

“Hmm, love it!” Buffy said. She squirted and rubbed, polished and dusted, then vacuumed the hall and lounge. Spike disappeared into the basement to put the washing on, and when he came back up, she asked,

“Did you –“ Buffy began

“Yes, I put the wash-ball in the machine with the washing liquid, and the softener in the draw like you showed me” Spike said with a grin.

“Good – I can’t bear scratchy towels – or bed linens come to that!”

“Right, coffee got some hazelnut syrup for you to try”

“Hmm, sounds yummy! – Right, where’s that big envelope…” Buffy found it on the coffee table.

___________________



They sat on the sofa next to each other as Buffy read the Dr How script.

“So you could come and visit me on set, and I could come back here for the odd weekend, we won’t be apart for the whole eight weeks!”

“You wouldn’t want to stay there then?”

“Don’t be silly…only if you were staying too!” Spike reassured her by giving her a kiss and squeezing her hand. The telephone rang, it was Joany.

“Hi Spike, I was wondering if you and Buffy would like to come to a murder mystery night next Friday here at my house”

“Next Friday? – Oh we’d have loved that, erm…”

“I sense a ‘but’ coming on?” Joany sounded disappointed

“It’s Willow’s birthday, and we promised Ford that we’d try and think of something special for her to do that night – her parents have plans for the Saturday, her actual birthday. Ford’s really sweet on her!”

“He is? - I thought so, well how about we tell Ford, and we all play a part, but not tell Willow, then she can play detective – I was going to invite them anyway, that can be her surprise – I’ll get her a cake and sparklers – we can have cake and champagne at midnight!”

“Joany, you’re a life-saver, that would be brilliant!”

“Well you phone Ford and tell him, and I’ll get on with the arrangements!” Joany said.

“What’s that Spike?” Buffy asked as soon as he’d put the phone down.

“Joany, she’s invited us to a murder mystery night at her house next Friday, we’ll all have a little part, but not tell Willow – when we get there, somebody gets murdered, and she can play detective finding the clues to the murderer - I think she’ll love that, don’t you?” Buffy was grinning

“That’s brilliant – and it won’t cost Ford a penny –he can buy her a nice present instead!” The telephone rang again…

“I’ll get it – Hello – oh hello Bernice…you do, oh that’s good, I got a mixed bouquet as I wasn’t sure about what you liked…no not at all, it should still be me thanking you! I’ve got all the containers, I’ll take them to work with me on Monday and give them to Willow…okay, you’re welcome, bye – oh give my regards to Ira, bye!” Spike put the phone down and said,

“That was Bernice thanking me for the flowers I sent her to thank her for putting me up”

Buffy smiled and looked at her own bouquet of blood red roses Spike had sent her sitting in a crystal vase on the dining room table.

“Oh and remind me on Monday, to give Willow all those Tupperware boxes back from yesterday morning’s breakfast”

Buffy nodded. Spike went to pick up the phone to ring Ford, when it rang again!

“My, we are popular this morning…hello – oh hi dad! Uh huh, sounds good, when? – Ah…yes there IS a problem actually…see on Friday………” Spike went onto explain to his father… and then after the call had finished, he said to Buffy,

“………So dad said he’d come with us, and give Joany a surprise – you don’t suppose she’d mind us bringing him do you?”

“I think she’ll absolutely love it – but now we’ve got to be careful what we say and who we say it too!” Buffy said with a grin.

Spike said he’d phone Ford.

“Hi, Ford – all your problems are over, listen carefully…” he explained everything carefully.

“……He’s really pleased, he knows Willow will love it!” Spike said to Buffy

___________________


“Scene 4, take 1, Babs arrives at diner and gives Buffy alarming news…and Action!” Tara closed the clapperboard and the camera trained on Babs’ van arriving at the diner.

“Buffy, your meat order has arrived” Xandy called, and Spike went out to help.

“I must see Buffy, is she in Spike?”

Spike picked up three heavy boxes out of the back of the van, and nodded towards the diner and said,

“Sure, she’s filling the ketchup bottles”

Babs hurried into the diner and said,

“Buffy, I am right in thinking you said you’re not selling that land of yours that backs onto my land, aren’t I?”

“That’s right, Leedermann left on Friday with no shadow of a doubt from me, why?”

“Only – are you having a survey done on the land or something?”

“A survey – no – how do you mean?”

“Well when I was coming over the Ridge, I looked down onto your land, and there were two men – one looked like he was taking soil samples, the other man was drilling – there was a car parked by them.

“Drilling?! Right! I’m phoning the sheriff’s office!”

Buffy quickly wiped her hands and went to the phone in the stockroom. She quickly dialled the local sheriff’s office.

“Hello Sheriff Dawson? – is Officer Jones there I need him urgently, this is Buffy Wilson at the diner”

“Morning there Buffy, what’s the problem?” The sheriff asked, and Buffy told him what Babs had seen.

“We’ll be right out there!”

“And cut!” Thanks folks next scene, the Sheriff and Officer Jones leaving the diner, clearing up after the dinner time rush, and Buffy and Spike discussing what happened, Red and Charity clearing and cleaning tables… in two please folks” Warren called.

Buffy and Spike took their places, as did Charity and Red with trays laden with dirty plates, mugs and cutlery etc.

“Scene 7 take 1 – discussion and action!” Warren closed the clapperboard………

“That man’s got a nerve the size of a house! Of all the cheek!” Buffy said

“Well, you heard what the sheriff said, those two guys got a call to do a survey of the land, they thought it was legit, they didn’t know that the land didn’t belong to him” Spike said

Charity emptied her tray into the dishwasher and pressed it to start.

“But what would they be looking for?”

“Well I suspect, Leedermann now thinks that Buffy won’t sell because the land is valuable, she knows something he doesn’t”

“What’s that then?” Charity asked

“Well, he’s now probably thinking that there’s gold or oil or something on there, that’s why she won’t sell” Spike explained

“And is there?” Red asked waiting for the dishwasher to finish its cycle.

“No, there isn’t, it’s just an old Native American Indian burial ground, dad bought it as a favour to Little Sun, who saved his life as a child. 22 years later, the government wanted the land and despite huge objections from the Indian nation there, the government almost got their way – until dad stepped in and bought it up for them, gave it to Little Sun as a gift. His grandson, Sun Bear gave it back to us when the last Native left the land. It’s a burial ground, sacred to them and I won’t sell it” Buffy said, and then she added, I’m just going to phone my lawyer, I won’t be long.

“But what would they be testing for – how would they know what’s in the land?” Charity asked

“Well soils have minerals and such in them, and certain minerals lets them know if there’s gold or oil or something of value, depending on what it is” Spike explained.

Buffy came back.

“My lawyer says it would be best if I surround the land with a wire fence and put up notices stating it’s private property and to keep out, and a notice stating that the land belongs to me and all enquiries are to be made to me, that way there can be no mix ups like with those guys today who thought that because Leedermann was paying them he owned the land” Buffy said.

“But everybody in the county here knows you own that land Buffy, it’ll be a shame you have to go to the expense” Red said, emptying the washer and re-filling it.

“Well, if that’s what it takes…” Buffy said

“And cut!” Okay folks, that’s it for today, you can go home now – oh Spike, can I have a quick word?” Warren said

“I’ll wait for you in the car” Buffy said and went to get out of her work clothes.

“Ten days – I’ve managed to work things so that the weekend will come and we can all start back on the Wednesday, so we finish on Monday, the 23rd”

“Brilliant! I can book tickets now – that’s great, oh, and not a word to Buffy” Spike said

“Okay promise – bye now!”

“Yes, bye Warren”

____________________


“Oh Ford, it’s beautiful!” Buffy looked at the necklace Ford had bought for Willow for her birthday

“Do you think she’ll like it? – I’ve kept the receipt just in case”

“Oh she’ll love it I’m sure, it’s so delicate and pretty – she’ll love it!” Buffy said with a grin. Ford snapped the velvet box shut and slipped it into the fancy velveteen bag it came in, with ‘Tiffany’s Jewellery in gold letters on the front.

“Warren said he’s letting us off early, so I’ll pick her up at 6.45 – you all get to Joany’s place at 7.15, we’ll arrive at 7.30 and shout surprise is that okay – you’re bringing Spike’s dad aren’t you? Ford said to Buffy, she nodded and said,

“Yes, Sir Rupert is already at my house, he arrived first thing this morning. And you’re sure Willow doesn’t know a thing?”

“Nope, coz she asked me what she should wear I told her, her best dress!”

Buffy grinned and said,

“Well it will be a nice dinner first!”

“That’s it, so I’m wearing a tux!”

“I’ll get Spike to wear his, he was undecided between the tux and his suit”

“Great, I won’t feel bad just me wearing one then!”

“Sir Rupert is going to turn up looking like Sherlock Holmes – it’s going to be such FUN! Oh, quiet now!”

“What are you two whispering about?” Willow asked smiling

“Us, nothing!” Ford and Buffy chorused together, then they broke out in a fit of giggles. Willow just shook her head – she knew it was something about her birthday, so she’d let them off the interrogation!

__________________________

Chapter 35 Happy Birthday, That’s elementary, My Dear!


“Hello Mrs Rosenberg, Mr Rosenberg – is Willow ready?” Ford was ushered into the hallway.

“She’s just coming…you look very smart going somewhere nice?” Bernice asked smiling. Willow was just coming down stairs, fixing in her earrings. She was wearing a beautiful dark green silk dress and had clipped her hair back at the sides with diamante combs, she looked really lovely.

“Er…it’s a surprise – she can tell you all about it tomorrow!” Ford said mysteriously.

“Well enjoy yourselves”

“Willow, you look – stunning!” Ford said. Willow greeted him with a big grin and he held out the present.

“Um…Happy Birthday – I know it’s tomorrow but, well I thought you might want it early…”

“Oh yes - She took the beautifully packaged box from Ford and tore off the ribbon bow and the gold paper. Slipping the box out of the velveteen bag Bernice saw it was from her favourite jewellers.

Willow opened the box and saw the pretty necklace of first gold filigree, and then a single emerald set on a twist of plain gold.

“OH FORD! It’s beautiful”

“Let me see!” Bernice said looking over her daughters shoulder.

“Oh that is very nice!”

“Help me put it on; it’ll go fantastically with this dress!” Ford did the clasp up and Willow admired it in the hall mirror. Ford caught sight of his watch and said,

“Erm, we better get a move on!”

“Right – bye mom, dad!”

“Bye Bubeleh, have fun!”

_____________________


Buffy Spike and Rupert arrived at Joany’s house, and the host was just greeting Tara and Warren. Rupert hid by the wisteria covered wall and Buffy went in first, she said to Joany…

“There’s a strange looking man outside, I think you better come and look!” Joany frowned and followed Buffy out through the patio doors.

She saw the back of a tall man, dressed in a tweed cape…

“Er, excuse me” Joany started and Rupert spun round he had a large meerschaum pipe in his mouth, a deer-stalker hat on his head, and was carrying a large magnifying glass.

“Ahh, my dear lady, pleased to make your acquaintance, I’m Sherlock Holmes!”

Joany shrieked with laughter and put her hands to her mouth when she recognised him as Sir Rupert Giles.

“Oh goodness, this is – oh this is fantastic!”

“You don’t mind me coming?” Rupert asked with a grin.

“Not at all – I’d have been annoyed if I’d have known you could have come and didn’t! Oh wait until I tell my husband!”

“Joany, the special guests have arrived, we need to close the doors and turn off the lights!” Joany’s son said

They quickly all went inside and the lights were turned off…

_____

“Are you sure she said tonight Ford, there’s no lights on” Willow said looking worried.

“Sure I’m sure…I’ll ring the bell” Ford did just that, and a maid answered the door.

“Come in, Mrs Evans said she will be with you directly”

They went inside and the maid said,

“Follow me please” She led them to a closed door, took their coats and told them to go in.

Ford opened the door to the dark room and the lights were suddenly switched on by a white-jacketed waiter

“SURPRISE!” Everybody yelled and poor Willow nearly jumped out of her skin, and then she saw Buffy, and Tara and burst out laughing – everybody swarmed around her saying happy birthday, and the sounds of Champagne corks popping, and the waiters offered glasses of champagne to everybody – on the side was a table spread with nibbles and everybody was told to help themselves.

“This is brilliant – whose that man dressed as – “ There was a scream, and one of the guests dropped to the floor.

“Oh god, what’s…” Willow looked worried at first, thinking it was real; she was just about to ask about Spike’s father dressed as the great detective. Sir Rupert strode forward and said,

“Stand back everybody let me see the body……hmm…bluish tone around the lips, smell of almonds, this person has been poisoned – and the murderer is in this room!”

Willow shrieked and jumped up and down.

“FANTASTIC! A murder mystery – oh gods I’ve ALWAYS wanted to come to one of these!” She grabbed Ford and holding his face kissed him hard on the lips – everybody laughed and Ford went pink around the ears.

“That’s Spike’s dad!”

“If you’d all like to take a pad and pencil to take notes” Joany said

_____________________


Half an hour of clue-busting, it was announced that dinner was served.

They all sat down to either vegetable soup or melon cocktail, then fillet steak with a red wine sauce, steak fries, salad and sautéed mushrooms, or chicken breast in a cream sauce, and for the vegetarians there was a smoked tofu stuffed Portobello mushroom with the wine sauce and salad, then for afters there were cream-filled, chocolate covered profiteroles, or fresh fruit salad and ice cream. Coffee, petite fours (handmade chocolates and marzipan ‘fruits’), cognac and liqueurs then port to finish. Joany had found out all of Willow’s favourites and everybody said it was absolutely delicious!”

After taking two hours over dinner Joany clapped her hands and said,

“Now you must work for your dinner and find out who the murderer was!” They were led into the sitting room.

Everybody had great fun questioning each other, and with a little help from ‘Sherlock’, Willow deduced that it was the victim’s brother that had committed the murder…

“I think that Inspector Lestrade should be called, I know who the murderer is, it’s was Henrietta’s brother, Miles, he wanted all the inheritance because of his spiralling gambling debts! Willow announced, and everybody clapped.

“You’ll never take me alive!” It was Joany’s son, James Mackilvenny who was playing ‘Miles’ and he stood and pointed a gun to his temple, there was a little ‘bang’ and the word ‘bang’ printed on a cloth unfurled from the gun, he dropped theatrically onto the sofa.

“Hurray! She did it!” Everybody clapped. It was coming up to midnight, and guests was chatting and laughing, when Joany asked for quiet and the lights were turned out and a trolley with a beautiful chocolate cake was wheeled in, it was two tiered, covered in dark chocolate frosting, and had white chocolate roses all around it, in the middle were some sparklers sparking silver and gold it looked so pretty!

“Ladies and Gentlemen, a toast, to Willow, Happy Birthday”

Everybody held up their champagne flutes and said,

“Happy Birthday Willow!”

Willow felt the tears in her eyes; she’d never had a better birthday. The champagne corks popped again, and on the stroke of midnight everybody sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to her.

“Speech – Speech!” Somebody demanded! Willow pulled herself together, delicately wiped her eyes on the backs of her index fingers and sniffed and then she began to giggle.

“I’m sorry, it’s just well…it’s been the BEST birthday I’ve EVER had – thank you everybody, I couldn’t have a nicer bunch of friends or people to work with – it’s been the best – Joany, Ford – everybody it’s just been awesome!” Everybody cheered and clapped and then the cake was taken away to be cut. Everybody had a small bite of cake and then was given a box with a piece to take home, Joany had thought of everything, and had the top tier put in a box to take home with Willow for her family.

Ford went out to the car and bought in a huge bouquet of mixed cut blooms and presented them to Joany as a thank you.

“Oh bless you darling it was a pleasure!” Joany hugged him to her – she really did love these people she was working with!

“Now, outside everybody!” Joany said, and with smiles and questioning looks, everybody went out on the patio, suddenly there was a muffled ‘boom’ and a rocket shot up into the air and exploded in a million stars changing colours, red, green gold and white…

“Fireworks, oh I absolutely LOVE fireworks!” Willow clapped her hands. They watched a fantastic display for a good 10 minutes before going back inside for liqueur coffees.

Eventually people began to drift off home, but Sir Rupert had been talking in the sitting room to Joany, her husband Dean Mackilvenny, Buffy, Spike, Willow and Ford.

“So, what are you doing tomorrow – sorry, I mean later on today Will?” Joany asked smiling catching the time, it had well gone midnight.

“Family day, Auntie Eunice and Uncle Saul come over from Ladypool, and Uncle Simeon and Aunt Leah come from Hillard County and my grandmother on my father’s side comes out of the home she’s in and we all go on a picnic, then have a huge dinner in the evening”

“It’s lovely to be with family – I’m so lucky I see my kids all the time, and the grandkids love it here. Dean finds it restful to be able to compose and write, and I can just relax in the garden or swim or just vegetate in front of the TV – I wouldn’t leave this house now I love it so much here!” Joany said.

“It is a beautiful house”…

They had more coffee, and left about 3.30am!

_____________________





Buffy woke to the smell of coffee and toast she turned and lay on her back when Spike entered the bedroom with a laden tray and the papers under his arm. The only thing was, he looked serious faced. Buffy sat up and smiled.

“What’s up?”

“Urm…I don’t know how you’re going to take this” Spike said.

“Not more garbage in the papers from some groupie?” Buffy asked.

“No…nothing like that – here, look for yourself” Spike put the tray down and Buffy took the papers from under his arm. She unfolded the Chronicle, on the front page there was a picture of Angel, and the headline screamed:

‘Ex soap-star found dead in his cell’ Spike watched her carefully as he pushed down the plunger in the cafetiere of coffee.

Buffy read; Ex soap star Angel Angelson was found dead in his cell at Georgetown’s Male Correctional Facility, last night, just before lock-up. It appears that he had been stabbed. Angelson had been convicted of trying to kill fellow star William Giles and stalking his girlfriend Elizabeth Summers, and was serving a sentence of 25 years, He was due to be moved to The Grange, a psychiatric prison unit as there were concerns about the state of his mental health. A spokesman for the jail said that Mr Angelson had made himself unpopular with certain in-mates and had to be put on suicide watch for the first week he arrived, but then last week the prison doctor said he was stable enough to be removed from 24 hour watch. Two inmates have been questioned over the incident, one was his cellmate serving life for a double homicide. Buffy put the paper down and looked at Spike.

“I’m…I don’t know. He repulsed me and he got what he deserved by being sent to prison – but I suppose I didn’t wish him dead – but…… (She shrugged) what’s done is done, and he won’t be coming back now so…”

“Good, I’m glad you’ve taken it like that” Spike said, then added, here, coffee’s hot – toast’ll be cold by now but – oh heck…” (the phone began to ring)

“Leave it Spike, the Ansa-phone will get it, it’s probably only journalists anyway”

Spike got into bed and sipped his coffee.

“It was a great night last night wasn’t it, Joany is SO generous” Buffy smiled and agreed.

“I was thinking, I know I haven’t got a fantastic house like she has, but, well we could just about fit the cast in…how about we have people over for Thanksgiving dinner?”

“Ah…er no!”

“No? – But why not – I’ll help you cook, you’re a fantastic cook, I’m sure you could master a pumpkin pie!”

“Sorry…but no!” Spike said with a grin. Buffy pouted

“Please?”

“Na-uh”

“Oh – Pretty please with sugar on it?”

“Nope!” Spike said again still grinning. Buffy looked sad and said,

“But why not?”

“Because!”

“Because why…” Buffy said it in such a little sad voice that Spike felt his heart melt and he pulled her close and put his arm around her and said,

“Because sweetie-pie, I’m whisking you away somewhere nice for the duration!”

Buffy looked wondrous and sat up.

“Where?”

“Now, we’ve been here before – I’ll tell you when it’s all planned!”

“But how will I know what to pack?!” Buffy reasoned

“I’ll give you enough time to pack, don’t you worry!”

Buffy gave a wicked grin and let her hand drift below the bedclothes…

“Tell me…I’ll be ever-so grateful!” She drawled sexily. Spike felt her fingers creeping towards his groin and he began to get hard immediately…

“Um, er, I oh god…”

“Go on…please?” Buffy’s head followed her hand and Spike felt her warm wet lips surround him…

“Oooo , um…oh…OH GOD!”…………………

“Hmm…yum, yum, yum!” Buffy worked her mouth up and down, Spike was crossed eyed and practically yodelling!

He put a staying hand on her shoulder, and she stopped and looked up at him. Spike just about managed to uncross his eyes and he gently pulled her up to him and sought her mouth. Quick as lightening he had them rolled and Buffy found herself beneath him and Spike was between her silken thighs lapping at her centre. She gasped, not quite knowing how he got there so quick but his wondrous tongue and fingers were bringing her such pleasure that all reason went out of her head until she was reduced to a boneless puddle of groans and sighs.

Spike moved up her body, putting himself at her tight wet femininity and entered her, Buffy let out a long wail and arched upwards until he was fully seated inside her, then he took he breath away again by setting a fast, hard pace that had her coming like a freight train in a trice, her inner muscles milking him, squeezing him had the desired effect and soon Spike was past the point of no return, really humping her hard up the bed, Buffy put her hand against the headboard to stop herself moving, and spike collapsed on her, fully spent. They were both panting hard.

When she managed to get her breath back, she asked

“Gonna tell me now?”

Spike grinned and said, ‘nope!’

Buffy tried to heave him off her, but stopped when he said,

“Let me make one phone call, then I’ll tell you”

He rolled off her and she let him up.