Chapter 1

The two friends were sitting in what could laughingly be called Buffy’s office, a screened off area of the old cloakroom that was drafty and hardly private, everybody could hear what was said!

Buffy wasn’t really listening to her friend’s excited chatter; she was more intent on reading a report from the social services on one of her more troublesome charges.

“Buffy! I said, it’d be fantastic! Don’t you think, won’t it – huh?”
Buffy read to the end of the paragraph, and then looked at her friend.

“Sorry Will, what’s that?”
Slightly exasperated, Willow said,

“The talent show at the Bronze!” Buffy frowned

“Oh that, huh, you really think so? Coz I heard that that Jonathan What-his-name has got a ‘heavy metal’ band together…they’re going for it, and if the spring dance was anything to go by…”

“The only thing ‘heavy’ about them, is their instruments, they can hardly lift them! Anyway, I think they changed their line-up” Willow joked, and Buffy smiled.

“Still, you’ll be a little light relief then!” Willow continued. Buffy was just about to continue reading the report when it registered with her exactly what her friend had just said…

“S’cuse me – light relief – I don’t-”

“You, your song, Will love find a way”

“What about it?”

“I um…I put your name down for the contest” Willow looked a little sheepish and bit her bottom lip.

“Oh. YOU DID WHAT?” Buffy stood, the report papers fluttered to the floor all around her desk.
Willow jumped up and began gathering the papers up, babbling away.

“Honestly, Buffy, it’s SO good, and you have every chance of winning! The prize for winning the first round is a thousand dollars – and you get to go to LA and everything, and be on TV, the finals of Search for a Star –“

“Hold it right there! I don’t stand a chance of winning!” Buffy sat down, trying to sort the report.

“But you DO!” Willow whined

“I don’t for one plain and simple reason, I’m NOT doing it!”

“But Buffy!”

“Don’t Will, ok? Just don’t! I wrote that song…um…well over a year ago now, Riley’s well gone, and – well I don’t have time for one thing! I’ve reports to sort out” She waved the report at Willow.

“Wrong Buffy, you have ONE report, that’s singular, and you DO have time…we’d go to the Bronze anyway on Friday night – it’s ok, you don’t have to do it” Willow thought she’d try a little psych on her friend…

“Good. Coz I’m not!” Buffy, having sorted the report back into sequence, tapped the bottom of the papers on her desk, and then stapled them together.

“Sorry Buffy. I should have realised that you don’t have the guts” Willow tried to look rueful, all the time studying her friend’s face. Buffy nodded, then snapped her head up.

“What did you say?”

“I said, I should have known that you don’t have the stones. You’d be too chicken. Haven’t got the guts to do anythi-“

“I BEG YOUR PARDON!” Buffy stood up again, so did Willow. Buffy was trying for indignance, but hit lame excuse mode instead………

“I’ve got the stones! I’ve got the guts! I just, well…I just don’t w-want to-“

“It’s ok, it’s ok, Buffy, you don’t have to make excuses, I DO understand” Willow made her way over to the door.

“Where are you going? Lunch isn’t over yet!” Buffy pointed to the unopened sandwiches.

“I’d better be getting back to the campus, I need to see my tutor. You know Buffy, this could be a way out of here for you, if you but know it.”

“But I like it here! – It’s a step up from the Double Meat, anyway!”

“Yes well, just keep on telling yourself that, that you like it here, that you make a difference, I’m sure you’ll convince yourself in the end. See you later, bye”

Without a backward glance, Willow left. Buffy tossed the social services report into her ‘out’ tray, and resting her chin on her hand she thought about what Willow had just said.

She was in a rut all right. The job was…well let’s face it, boring as hell, but at least she didn’t reek of grease every night when she got home. Home…the house.

The dwelling that was haemorrhaging money faster than she could earn it, there always seemed to be something that needed doing, besides the basic bills.

Next thing to go would be the washing machine; it had suddenly developed a worrying squeak. She sighed and toyed with the unopened cheese sandwich. Did she have the nerve to sing in public?

Did she have the stones to sing a song about her feelings, all laid bare for public consumption? Buffy thought back to Willow’s babbling. Didn’t she say that the prize for winning was $1000?………

Buffy swooshed the mascara wand back and forth very quickly in the tube and leaning forward to look closely into her dressing table mirror she applied a light coat to her lashes. Smoothed her lipgloss and fluffed her wispy tendrils of hair by her ears. She took a long look at herself. She had butterflies. Fixing her late mother’s locket around her neck to take off the bareness, she said to her reflection,

“YOU can do this!”
“You CAN do this!”
“You can DO this!”
“You can do THIS!”

The doorbell ringing made her jump, and she grabbed her purse off the bed and ran downstairs to open the door.

“Hi – wow look at you!” Willow said, grinning. Buffy smiled, did a twirl around.

“You like? Stylish but affordable!” Buffy smoothed down the front of the little black spaghetti-strapped dress she’d bought on the way home from work.

“Looks great!”

“Thanks. Are you sure Oz doesn’t mind being my accompanist?” they left the house and Buffy locked up.

“Sure I’m sure. In fact, I asked him before I even mentioned this thing to you!” Buffy grinned and got into Willow’s car.


“Ok, Ok people! Let’s have a little hush now…please…come on you guys…” the compere on stage asked the crowd at the Bronze, after much ‘shushing’ the crowd quietened.

“Ok ladies and gentlemen, for your pleasure and delight, tonight we have the regional heats of Search for a Star!” (The crowd roared)

“All right, quiet you crazy cats! We have a dozen acts for you, and voting will take place at the end on the evening.
First on stage, will you please give a big, Bronze welcome to two lovely young ladies, and they call themselves 1+1 and they are going to give us their rendition of the song, ‘We are Family, ladies and gentlemen, 1+1” the crowd roared, and the two girls stepped up on stage, and began singing.

Buffy sat at a side table with Willow and Oz, sipping a diet soda. The butterflies she’d experienced earlier were now more like raging elephants but she just fixed her mind on that $1000 prize money and how it would pay for the washing machine to be fixed, and cover the phone and the electric bills………

“Break a leg!” Willow whispered as Oz and Buffy made their way to the stage.
Buffy kept her eyes down, and the compere announced them.

“……………I give you, Buffy, singing one of her own compositions, called, ‘Will love find a way’ the lights went down, and a soft spotlight fixed itself on the small blonde. She closed her eyes and swayed to the opening bars Oz played, and then she began to sing………

Everything reminds me
You’re everywhere I see
Couples stroll hand in hand
Once like you and me

Will love find a way
Will love find a way
To bring you home to me
Baby
Will love find a way
And bring you safe home to me

Held in your arms
I bathe in the glow
Please tell me baby
I want to know

Will love find a way
Will love find a way
To bring you home to me
Baby
Will love find a way
And bring you safe home to me

I think of you so often
I love you more each day
I want you to be near me, babe,
But you are far away

Will love find a way
Will love find a way
To bring you home to me
Baby
Will love find a way
To bring you safe home to me

Buffy opened her eyes while Oz played the last few bars of music. The lights went up, and the place erupted! Cheers, screams, shouts ands whistles, Buffy glanced stage left and saw Willow grinning and giving her double thumbs up.

Buffy’s tension broke and wreathed in smiles she and Oz made their way from the stage, people hugging her and slapping her on the back.
The compere tried to get some semblance of order and introduced the final act.

“Ok then ladies and gentlemen…if you want ‘Hard Road’ to win, all shout, now!” there were loud shouts from a table of six lads that were obviously with the band, polite clapping from everybody else.

“Thankyou…all right then next up, lets hear it for Buffy and her song-“ the compere didn’t even get to say the song title, the huge roar, whistles, foot-stomping and cheers that went up left nobody in any doubt, Buffy was the winner.

Willow hugged her friend to her and Buffy felt the tears welling up.
A token gesture was made to the last band as regards voting, but it was pointless really, Buffy had won without a shadow of a doubt.

“Hey, come on…you can’t cry, you’ve got to go and sing it again now, and accept the cheque!” Willow gently brushed the tears off her friend’s cheeks and they hugged again.

“Thanks Will, I’d have never done this without you, you know!”

“Go on, go! Your public awaits!” Willow gently pushed her towards the stage.
Buffy was LA bound………

Chapter 2



Buffy woke with a start to somebody hammering on the front door and ringing the bell like their life depended on it.



“All right………ALL RIGHT - Jeez where’s the fire!” Buffy leapt out of bed, threw back the curtains and hoisted the window open, poking her head out.



“Hello? Whose there – hello?”

Willow bounded off the porch and onto the front lawn. Shielding her eyes from the sun, Willow called up,



“Buffy! Are you all right? I’ve been trying to ring you all morning!”



“Sorry, ok, I’m coming down…” She closed the window, yawned and stretched, grabbed her robe off the back of the door and made her way downstairs.



“What’s up anyway?” Buffy opened the door and made her way to the kitchen, Willow behind her.



“It’s lunchtime! Oh look, no wonder I couldn’t get through, the phone’s off the hook!” Willow replaced the receiver.



“No – don’t do – oh…too late!” Buffy’s shoulders dropped with a sigh. The phone began to ring

She shuffled into the kitchen, shook the kettle to see if there was enough water in it, and switched it on. Willow joined her.



“Well, aren’t you going to answer it?”

Buffy took two mugs out of the kitchen cupboard.



“You answer it” She closed the fridge door having taken out milk.



“Hello, Buffy Summers residence” Buffy gave Willow a funny grin as she poured the boiling water onto the instant coffee and stirred.



“Um, well I’ll be sure to pass on the message…I will…what did you say your name was? Ok, got that, bye” Willow replaced the receiver, only for it to ring again.



“Hello? Oh. Hi, did you? Well I’m sure Buffy will be very grateful that you voted for her last night…yes, I’ll tell her…ok, bye” Willow put the receiver down again.



“Well, aren’t you little Miss Popul-“ The phone rang, Willow picked it up and said,



“Wrong number!” She pressed the cut-off digits with her finger, and then lay the receiver to the side of the phone.



“Now do you understand? – I didn’t get to bed ‘till after four o clock this morning, and the I had to phone in work and tell them I wouldn’t be in, and since 8.30, it’s not stopped ringing!” Buffy put a mug of coffee in front of her friend. Willow nodded



“Sorry I had to bail out on you last night, but I’d got an early lecture, and I knew those show people wanted to talk to you. Anyway, a Duane Morgan and a Stacey Shaw said they voted for you last night, those were the calls”

Buffy leant against the sink, cupping her coffee mug in both hands, sipping the scalding liquid.



“Whoever they are – and god alone knows how they got my number! Anyway it’s s’ok about you leaving I understand. They’ve given me a whole bunch of stuff to read, a time-table and that”



Willow grinned and hunched her shoulders, giving an excited squeal.



“Gods! This is SO exciting!” Buffy smiled



“Aren’t you excited? I’m excited! I’m all excited, like a……… very excited thing! Like, like…like it was Christmas, except well, you know, I don’t celebrate Christmas, but if I did, I’m sure I’d be this ex-“



“WILLOW! – Breathe!”



“Sorry!”



“Yes, I’m excited. I’m also tired, and I still don’t think it’s sunk in yet”



“So, when do you go to do the show?”



“Next week, but there’s loads of stuff I’ve got to do before then. Rehearsals, run throughs, I had to phone Snyder, tell him I won’t be in – got his snot-rag secretary, Mrs Keogh.





Later that evening at Buffy’s house.







“Will we still do this when you’re rich and famous?” Willow and Buffy were sitting cross-legged on the sofa, eating pineapple pizza straight from the box that was between them.



“Rich…what I wouldn’t give to be rich…!” Buffy sighed



“Hey, chin up! It was a lousy job anyway” Willow commiserated



“I know, but at least it was a job! You should have seen her, standing on my doorstep, with that supercilious, haughty, smug bitch face when she handed me the letter from Snyder. She said, ‘Mr Snyder thinks it’s for the best, and I agree with him, your presence at the school would only be a disruption. We have the welfare of our students to think about’ – I’m not kidding you, I could have hit her!”



Buffy let her head flop against the back of the sofa.



“Well, at least you’ve got that $1000, that will keep you going for a couple of weeks”



“Yeah…”



Two days later



Buffy waited patiently in line at the studio reception desk



“And you are?” A dark haired woman wearing glasses asked her.



“Buffy Summers, I won the Search For a Star, at the Bronze Club on the 12th of this month” the woman checked her list.



“Let me see…ah yes, right, put this security badge on and please sign the book, and again when you leave. Make your way to rehearsal room 4, just follow the blue line along the corridor. There is no smoking in the building what so ever, thankyou and have a nice day”



Buffy moved off and fastened the badge to her top. She did as she was told, and followed the blue line to rehearsal room 4, she went in.



“Good morning…you are?”



“Buffy Summers”



“Right, just a quick run through of do’s and don’ts, ok, do you have a cell phone? If you do, can you lease switch it off. There is no smoking inside the building ……………………………”



“Ok, so do you have sheet music?”



“Um, yes…” Buffy took what Oz had given her out of her bag.



“Right then…looks easy enough. We shan’t be using dancers for you, you’ll be the what we refer to as the ‘quiet spot’ and you’ll be on last but one, with just a spotlight on you” Buffy nodded at the director.



“So, when you’re ready, shall we have a try out?”



“Yes…um, the microphone…it’s a bit high for me could you lower it?”



Buffy sang her song through.



“Great! Are you happy with that, Clive?” The director looked at his soundman, and got the thumbs up.



“Well, I think that’s every- sorry, what?” the director pressed the earpiece he was wearing, obviously listening to somebody.



“Ah, problem. We’re too short”



“Short? I could wear heels” Buffy suggested



“No! Sorry, I mean the song, it’s too short. Everyone’s allowed 3 minutes and forty-five seconds…and you’re coming in at bang on three minutes…” Buffy coloured up at her gaff.



“Yes…yes, ok, we can try that. Buffy, could you sing the last chorus twice do you think, and I can put a few little flourishes in perhaps”



“Sure”



“Ok, lets go again then”…………………



***********





“So come on, tell me – how’d it go?” Willow flopped on Buffy’s sofa without even taking her coat off.



“Good, there were a few little technical hitches – but we ironed them out. I must have sang the song a dozen times at least, and then – listen to this, I went to wardrobe, and I’m going to wear a Vera Wang dress! – I thought that I’d have to buy something but no! And they’ll do my make-up and hair!” Willow grinned.



“Vera Wang eh?”



“Oh, it’s beautiful! All floaty and shades of blue”



“Sounds very pretty”



“Willow, I’ve got a problem”



“What?”



“Well, two problems, to be precise”



“Go on”



“Well, they wanted to film me at work, talking about my job talking about myself you know that little bit at the beginning of the show each contestant shows their day to day lives?”



“And what’s the other problem?”



“Riley”



“Riley? – What’s he got to do with it?”



“I wrote the song about him”



“And?”



“Well, he doesn’t know, does he?”



“So why should he find out now?”



“Coz I told them…I said I wrote it when I was missing my soldier boyfriend”



“Well…doesn’t have to be him! And you haven’t heard from him in – how long?



“Fourteen months”



“Well, just don’t mention his name. If they ask you, say you split up! Go for the sympathy vote!” Buffy smiled and delved into her purse



“Oh, um they gave me these, here you go…two complimentary tickets to the show”



“Wow – brilliant…can I bring Oz?”



“Course!”



The day of the show



Buffy had arrived at the studios at 12.30 as requested. The show would be rehearsed and recorded, just in case of any problems, but would be going out live at 8.00pm. The show would last for an hour, the judges would give their opinions of each act, and then it would be the audience and a general-public phone in to determine the winner.



They would have 40 minutes to phone in their votes, while the national news was on, then the show came back live to reveal the voting and announce the winner, who would do their act again.



The judges were, Anyanka, famous piano-playing singer, whose album ‘Show Stoppers’ was currently number one in the charts,



Suave, sophisticated English actor Wes Price, who was being tipped to be the new ‘Bond’, the acid-tongued Glory Benson, host of Music!Music! and Chart Countdown on satellite TV, Reformed ‘Bad Boy’ now nightclub owner Warren Walsh. And finally writer/director Tara McClay.



Buffy had ‘got around’ the problem of no longer having a job by being videoed gardening, making out it was her hobby. And she just said ‘soldier boyfriend’ not mentioning Riley’s name when asked about why she wrote the song. She was shown the piece and was happy with it.



There were seven acts, two singers, two groups, a comedian, an impressionist and magic act. The other singer was male, and he was going to open the show, then the magic act, then a group, then the comedian. The second half would be the group, then Buffy, and the impressionist was closing the show.



“There…what do you think?”

The hairdresser held up a mirror so Buffy could see the back of her hair.



“It’s lovely, thankyou”



“Right, just pop next door, and Mandy will do your make-up” Buffy got out of the chair and went next door…



“Just a slick of peach gloss, I want to keep the look soft. And don’t worry, I’ve used water-proof mascara” the girl smiled at Buffy.



“Thanks”



“You’re the Will love find a way singer, yes?”



“That’s right”



“I hope you win, it’s a beautiful song” Buffy beamed.



“Thankyou!”



“Well, you know, break a leg!”





Everything ran perfectly. At the side of the stage, Buffy saw the hand of the stage director count down three, two, one, the audience clapping died away and the piano took up the haunting tune.



As luck would have it, Buffy could barely see the audience beyond the first three rows, and sang her song perfectly. She had hardly a trace of nerves now, she’d done it so many times in rehearsals that this was just like another one really.



The audience clapped and cheered, Willow did her famously loud finger-whistle, just at the time the camera panned around to her. She saw this on the monitors above the stage and with a deer-caught-in-the-headlights look of horror sunk down into her seat, turning to look at Oz who was grinning!



Buffy sat in the ‘green room’ with the rest of the acts, they’d all become quite friendly over the last week or so. The last act finished and the judges all gave their opinions. According to them, it was the group Caught in the Act that was the favourites, but Wes Price and Tara McClay preferred Buffy.



News reached the acts that the switchboards had been jammed with thousands of calls, and one act was a clear winner. Buffy was resigned to the fact that it would be the group, and she relaxed completely.

The forty minutes that they had to wait stretched like two hours. The countdown began and the show was back on air.



Buffy was sitting watching the screen. It came to the last three top places.

She was thinking, ‘I’m next, I’m next’



“In third place, with 28, 563 votes, we have that cheeky boy, Dale Dunn” the audience cheered.

Buffy was still thinking, ‘I’m next, I’m next’



“And in second place, with 46, 487 votes, we have Caught in the Act” Buffy looked at the screen, it didn’t register with her, as it was only her left unplaced, she must be the winner. Immediately everybody came over to her to congratulate her, but they all watched the screen first as the compere said,

And with an amazing 89, 985 votes, we have Buffy”



Buffy was floored! She looked so shocked! Everybody was clapping her on the back, hugging and kissing her, and the floor manager came to get her. She started to shake.



“Fantastic girl, you did fantastic come on!” Slightly bewildered Buffy was lead out of the warren of corridors back to the stage. The roar that went up was terrific. Willow was crying/laughing. The compere put his arm around the tiny girl.



“So, Buffy…practically ninety thousand votes – I understand you wrote the song yourself?” Buffy nodded and said a squeaky ‘yes’

She was trying not to cry



“And do you have a recording contract yet?”

She shook her head and whispered,



“Not yet, no”



“Well, I tell you, there are a few record managers backstage who would like to remedy that but first, we must ask you to sing again for us, would you do that?”



“Yes” Buffy went and took her place



“Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the winner of the Search For a Star Grand Final 2004, Buffy, with her song ‘Will Love Find a Way’ – Buffy” the clapping died down and Buffy began to sing again.



Leaning on a pillar watching from the wings was a manager from Aphrodite records, his name was William Carling-Blake, ‘Spike’ to his friends. He knew one thing, he just HAD to have that girl – and not just to give her a recording contract either…………………………

Chapter 3


Buffy came off stage and was taken to a room all ready for photographs to be taken. After the publicity shots were done, she could join the party.

The free tickets that had been given to act’s guests entitled them to come backstage and join the fun. Spike immediately noticed a pretty redheaded girl looking around the room.

Her companion was somewhat shorter than her, but looked cool and ‘laid back’, taking everything in his stride.

“Can you see her, I can’t see her…’’ Willow whispered to Oz.

“No…hold on, that guy looks like he’s coming towards us’’ Spike came over to them.

“You looking for Buffy?’’

‘’Yes’’

‘’She won’t be long, just having some publicity photographs done.’’

‘’Oh, right, thanks’’ Willow smiled

‘’Come on over to the table, get yourself some food, can I get you a drink? Sorry, I should introduce myself, I’m William Carling-Blake, I represent Aphrodite Records’’ He held out his hand, and both Willow and Oz shook it.

‘’I’m Willow, this is Oz’’

‘’Pleased to met you’’

‘’So, what can I get you two drink?’’

‘’Oh, just a soft drink for me, I’ve got to keep a clear head’’ Willow said

‘’Me too, I’m driving’’ Oz said
Spike went away, and came back with two glasses of ‘Club’ soda.

‘’This do?’’ Spike held up the two glasses of fizzy orange

‘’Fine, thanks’’ the couple took the drinks

‘’So, this friend of yours, she been singing long?’’

Willow reiterated the story to Spike, when a beaming Buffy appeared by their side, to the applause of the room. Putting her drink down, Willow hugged and congratulated her friend, as did Oz.

‘’This is William, he’s from Aphrodite Records’’ Oz said to Buffy, obviously impressed. Spike introduced himself

‘’And you can all call me Spike!’’ Buffy looked into the bluest eyes she’d ever seen, and she swore her heart skipped a beat. As his cool hand clasped her rather warm one, she felt a definite frisson, like a little electric shock run through her.
They chatted all night, and Spike had to take a phonecall, Buffy turned to her friends.

‘’What do you think Will?’’

‘’He’s a dreamboat!’’

‘’Man…Aphrodite Records…I mean, do you KNOW just how big they are?’’ Oz asked.

‘’Well, I’ve heard of them all right, the ‘Mighty Aphrodite’ as they are always called in the papers’’

‘’They have some of the biggest names!’’ Willow said, then she added,

‘’Has he offered you a contract?’’

‘’Well, he’s invited me to the studios tomorrow, to look around, and I can look over a contract, and he said that to prove they’re not trying to rip me off, I can take it to any legal representative of my choosing to look it over before I sign’’

‘’Sounds fair enough to me’’ Oz said, and Willow nodded in agreement.


‘’Boss wants to know, did you get her? Xander asked Spike

‘’Not yet, but don’t worry, we will. I’ve invited her to the studios tomorrow’’

‘’Good. Just as long as ‘Midnight Music’ don’t get her’’

‘’No worries, that pillock Connor O’Neil is too bothered trying to get that crappy group to sign, he hasn’t even noticed her’’

“Crappy group?’’

‘’Yeah, that lot that came second’’

‘’Oh. I thought they were good!’’ Xander said. Spike rolled his eyes and sighed.

‘’You would, THAT’S why you never get trusted to come and do these invitation signings, Xander, they have ‘one-hit-wonder’ written all over them, complete waste of time! Look, I must go, it looks like our little lady is ready to go, bye’’

Spike ended the call and made his way back over to the trio.

‘’Sorry about that, business, you know’’

‘’I understand. We’re going now, it’s been such a long day, and-‘’

‘’I completely understand love. Here’s my card, ring me anytime’’

‘’Um, tomorrow, can you tell me where the studio is exactly?’’

‘’Stupid me!’’ Spike smacked his forehead.

‘’Don’t worry, pet, if you give me your address, I’ll send a car for you.’’ Buffy beamed. Spike produced a small leather bound notebook and gold pen, and Buffy wrote down her address and phone number.

‘’Shall I ask for you, when I get there?’’ She looked straight into his eyes as she handed him both book and pen back

‘’No need love, I’ll be in reception waiting for you, ok – are you going to bring a friend, I’ll need to know because of the security passes?’’ Spike glanced up at Willow

‘’No, Willow’ll have lectures tomorrow, it’ll be just me’’

‘’Right, well, it’s been very nice to meet you’’ Spike shook hands with Willow and Oz, and then he stood in front of Buffy.

‘’Night then pet, it’s been a pleasure to meet you’’ he reached for her hand and placed a soft kiss on the back of it. Buffy swallowed, and hoped he hadn’t noticed her shaking slightly.
She floated to the parking lot!

‘’Wow, Buffy – he’s gorgeous and that Brit accent, ooh!’’ Willow squeezed her friend’s arm as they waited for Oz to bring round the van

‘’Tell me about it!’’ Buffy said, grinning.


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


Drusilla St John was having yet ANOTHER row with her father. Or rather, he was ranting, she was sitting there, waiting for him to finish.

‘’How could you do this Dru? More importantly, how could you do this to me, after all I’ve done for you, all I’ve spent on you? Treatments and therapies don’t come cheap, I can assure you that!’’

‘’No, father, I’m sorry’’

‘’Sorry? You’re sorry – So am I Dru! Is this anyway to behave in public?’’

Lord Netherbourne threw the tabloid newspaper with its screaming headline

‘LORD’S DAUGHTER IN DRUNKEN ANTI-WAR PROTEST’ at her.

Photographs of her drunken antics, off her face, topless in the Trafalgar Square fountains with five other

‘End the War’ protesters. There were further pictures of them on pages two, three and four, showing them sitting astride the lions, and sticking ‘End the War’ posters around the base of Nelson’s Column.

They’d thrown potassium permanganate crystals into the water fountain so it had turned purple, and washing detergent so that purple foam covered everything.

‘’It wasn’t just me!’’ Dru whined

‘’Well young lady, let’s hope these types that you associate with can pay any fines due, because I’ve finally cut the purse-strings. No more bailing you out, you are on your own!’’

‘’Yes, father’’ Dru kept her eyes downcast, hoping he’d finished his diatribe. No such luck, he continued, and Dru felt like screaming, she had the devil’s own hangover and just wanted to crawl back to bed and hide for a week.

‘’You’re an idler and a drifter, just like your mother, couldn’t pin her down either, like trying to nail jello to the wall she was, and you’re just the same. Well I won’t stand for it any more, you’ve got to start making your own way in the world young lady. I know you’ve had you problems, but your medication is sorted now, isn’t it?……… Drusilla, are you listening to-‘’

‘’Yes, father, I haven’t had any more bouts of my illness for nine months now’’

‘’Good. I’m sorry if you think I’m getting on at you Dru, but I have standing, the Party want me to be deputy leader – I will not have you ruining my chances. I’m stopping your allowance as from today, and I want you to get a job. While you live under my roof, you will abide by my rules, do you understand?’’

‘’Yes father. I’m sorry, can I go now please, I feel sick’’

‘’Yes you may go (Dru stood too quickly, and swayed slightly) and think on what I’ve said!’’ Was her father’s parting shot as she left the room.


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



‘’Uh…oh god, yes, yes, harder, HARDER, FUCK ME, yes! Ooh yes…that’s it…don’t stop………oh, oh, oh, ooooohhhhh…fuck!’’

‘’And… cut! That’s a wrap, take ten everybody’’ The director moved off set.

Cecily disengaged herself from the guy she’d been bouncing around on for the last half an hour. She wrapped herself in her robe and went to get a cigarette and a drink.

She noticed that she’d got a message on her cell-phone, and read,
‘Does that offer of yours still stand? – I need a place well away from here, ring me, love Dru’

‘’Five minutes Cecily, next scene, it’ll be you and the Master, then the Master and Amy, then Bree will join in ok?’’

‘’Kay Tucker…’’ She dialled Dru’s number

‘’Dru – baby, what have you been up to’’

‘’Don’t ask!’’

‘’No need to sweetheart, I saw it on BBC America…’’

‘’Oh god! My father has had enough of me’’

“He chucked you out?’’

‘’Good as, his outlook is so, so VICTORIAN! I don’t think he ever was a teenager, he went from prep-school straight to middle age. So, can I come and stay with you for a while, I don’t want to be in the same country as him!’’

‘’Sure you can honey, it’ll be quite like old times!’’

‘’Oh thanks Cec! You’re a real friend! I’ll ring you and let you know what flight I’m getting’’

‘’TIME, CECILY’’

‘’Ok love, look, gotta go, I’m on next, bye!’’


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


Spike pulled up in the carpark at Aphrodite records. He wanted to make arrangements for the following day, to book the car and sort out her security pass and contract.

He made his way up to the fourth-floor office. Xander was in, and still working.

‘’Don’t you have a home to go to?’’ Spike asked frown/smiling at his colleague.
Xander just wrinkled his nose.

‘’What?’’

‘’My parents…they are rowing all the time’’

‘’Parents?’’ Spike said in surprise He sat down behind one of the desks and opened up the computer.

‘’I keep meaning to get a place of my own, it’s just…’’ Xander trailed off. Spike tapped away at the keyboard, booking the car for tomorrow, arranging the security pass and getting a standard contract drawn up. He took out his notebook and typed in Buffy’s address.

‘’Just what?’’

’Time, I suppose’’

‘’Bet that’s a bit, well awkward to say the least, when you take a girlfriend back’’

Spike hit the ‘send’ and the info went. He looked up at Xander, who had a rueful look on his face. Spike rolled his eyes and said,

‘’Don’t tell me, you’ve never been able to?’’

‘’I’ve never had a girlfriend to take back! – Don’t you dare tell anyone!’’

Spike had heard the rumours of course, the way Xander followed him around like a lost sheep, the way he hung on his every word…Taking the bull by the horns, Spike said,

‘’Well, is there someone you fancy?’’

‘’Uh huh’’

‘’Well?’’

‘’Promise you won’t tell them?’’

‘’Then how the hell do you think you’re going to get anywhere with them if I don’t?

‘’Coz she’ll knock me back, and I couldn’t bear it!’’

‘’Meanwhile, you sit and pine and never get laid?’’ Xander squirmed.

‘’Ok, it’s Anyanka’’

‘’ANYANKA? Bloody hell!’’ Spike was shocked

‘’Blood hell what? – She’s lovely!’’

‘’She’d eat you for breakfast more like, can’t you fancy somebody…well, sorry to say this, but a bit more in your league? Anyanka’s a woman of the world, she goes for rich, successful types. She was with that film director…what’s-his-name for three years, now she’s with that Giles bloke’’

‘’Giles bloke?’’

‘’That bloke that was in the Rocketeers, now owns The Four Seasons restaurant, does ‘Box Office’ on cable’’

‘’Oh, him. No, they are just friends, they’re not, you know, ‘seeing’ seeing each other’’

‘’Oh? – How do you know?’’

‘’Cordelia told me, he’s in love with somebody else, anyway’’ Spike stood and yawned, stretched.

‘’If you say so. But sorry mate, you need a change of image, and to suddenly win the lottery, if you’re to stand an earthly with her’’

‘’Image? – How do you mean?’’

‘’Well, for one, NOBODY wears Hawaiian shirts anymore, except tourists, Magnum PI, and that bloke that owns that all-you-can-eat fish restaurant by the beach. And he’s Hawaiian!’’ Spike put on his coat. A sudden thought came to him, it would help him with a little problem, and he said,

‘’Are you going to the Sounds Awards?’’

‘’Yes’’

‘’Got a date?’’

‘’No’’

‘’You get yourself all tarted up smart, tux and that, and I’ll get you a date’’ Spike went towards the door. Xander swivelled on his chair.

‘’Who with?’’

‘’Never you mind who with, trust me’’

‘‘She better not be a dog!’’

‘’She won’t be! Anyway, as apposed to what? – No date at all? And they say beggars can’t be choosers…look, she’s very attractive, blonde, young, and you’ll have fun! AND you’ll be in all the society magazines, posing on the red carpet, so mind what I told you, SMART, ok?’’ Spike opened the door to go

‘’Spike’’

‘’Yeah?’’ Xander smiled and said,

‘’You know, thanks’’ Spike grinned.

‘’You’re welcome, mate.’’ He left.

He was just going down in the lift, when his cell-phone rang. He checked to see who it was, and a jolt of pure pleasure ran through him, it was Buffy

‘’Hello, Buffy’’ he practically purred to her. Buffy felt herself shiver with delight.

‘’Oh, is um, is that you, Spike – s-sorry to call so late, I thought I might get to leave you a message. I-I didn’t wake you, did I?’’

‘’No, kitten, you didn’t, I was burning the midnight oil actually, sorting things out for you tomorrow’’

‘’That’s what I’m ringing you about’’ Spike felt his stomach knot, he hoped she hadn’t changed her mind…

‘’What can I do for you then kitten?’’

‘’All it is, um, what time will the car pick me up, you may have already told me, but – well, so much has happened tonight!’’
Spike relaxed, and chuckled.

‘’I’m sorry love, I don’t think I did say, 10am, is that ok with you? – You’ll be here at about 10.30am’’

‘’Fine, right, thanks sorry to be a nuisance’’

‘’No trouble at all pet, I assure you.’’

‘’Right then, 10 o’clock’’

‘’I’ll be there to greet you, night kitten, sweet dreams’’

‘’Night, and thanks’’

‘’You’re welcome’’ Spike ended the call, and smiling to himself he left the building with a spring in his step.

Chapter 4


Drusilla fixed the luggage tag around the handle of her slightly bulging suitcase, and hauled it off the bed to join the other two, plus the canvas grip, the leather holdall and her flight bag that completed the Louis Vuitton set.


Everything she owned was all packed up to start a new life back in LA. She then went to find the housekeeper.

“Mrs Dobbs, could you get one of the stable-boys to carry my suitcases downstairs for me please? – They are far too heavy for me’’

“Certainly Miss Dru. Going on a little holiday are we?’’

“Going to live permanently in LA, Mrs Dobbs’’

‘’Oh…oh I see’’

‘’Would you please give this to my father when he comes back from London, I’d post it, but there’s always a chance he won’t read it for weeks, you know how he is’’ She handed Mrs Dobbs a thick cream envelope.

‘’Certainly, Miss Dru, I will. Forgive me, but he doesn’t know you’re going?’’
Dru sighed

‘’He will do, when he’s read that. I can’t stay Mrs Dobbs, we’re too much alike, too stubborn’’ The housekeeper nodded sadly. She reached out and cupped Dru’s small face.

‘’You’re SO like your dear, late mother’’

‘’I think that’s another reason why we clash. She complied with his every wish, and I don’t, just the opposite, in fact. Anyway, if you’d excuse me, I’ve got a phonecall to make’’ Dru left the kitchen.

She dialled Cecily’s home number in LA

‘Hi, you’ve reached the home of Cecily Adams, or Candy Hunt, depending on your business…(there was a giggle) leave your name and number, and I’ll get back to you ASAP – have a nice day now, bye’ there was a loud ‘beep’ and Dru said

‘’Hi Cec, it’s me, just to let you know that I’ll be on the Virgin Atlantic flight V604 from Heathrow, my flight should get into LA about 6am, bye!’


***********

Spike had his wardrobe doors open, and a rapidly growing pile of clothes lay strewn on his bed. He was talking to himself…

‘Why do I keep these…not as if I’m ever going to wear them again…’ and the black ‘punk’ bondage trousers covered in zips and chains joined the pile on the bed.

‘Red jeans…I mean, what on earth possessed me…Leather trousers? Nope, they squeak, could be embarrassing…A suit? – Nah, be sitting down a lot…come on Spikey-boy…smart but casual…ah…ah ha!’ Spike pulled out a pair of stylish Italian cut black linen pants. He teamed it with a soft cream linen-look shirt and Gucci loafers.

After laying out what he was going to wear, he went and showered. Ten minutes later, dressed and almost ready, he splashed on a little light citrussy cologne, and fastened his Tag watch around his wrist. Checking to see he’d got his cell phone, Spike picked up his jacket, house keys and left for work.


*******

Buffy made herself have some breakfast, she didn’t know what time lunch would be, if at all, and she didn’t want her stomach rumbling half way through the morning, embarrassing her.

She’d decided on her new jeans and a soft blue knitted top, as she knew she looked good in them.

She put her hair up into a neat French pleat, and pulled a wispy fringe and tendrils to soften the look. She glanced at the clock, it was nearly nine o’clock, and the phone rang.

Her heart leapt. What if it was Spike saying that they’d changed their minds and didn’t want to sign her? With her stomach doing back-flips, she answered,

‘’H-Hello?’’

‘’Hi Buffy, just to say good luck, and I asked my dad, he said his legal department will be happy to go over the contract for you’’ Willow said cheerily.

‘’Oh, Will, it’s you. Um, right, thanks, I’ll ring you later, ok, bye’’

‘’See you’’

********


‘’Come on Daddy, come on, wakey, wakey, rise and shine!’’

Lorne called out brightly as he placed a cup of Earl Grey tea on the nightstand, and opened the drapes in Cornelius Sweetly bedroom. Which was a little pointless, as Sweetly, or ‘Daddy’ as he was known to his more intimately acquainted friends, wore a sleep mask due to the fact that his last face-lift, brow lift and Botox had left him with a rather surprised look, and eyelids that wouldn’t close.

He looked spooky enough, with his perma-tan, white bleached teeth and a slightly lopsided grimacing leer, again thanks to the botched face-lift.

One of the more kindly newspaper reports stated he looked like a ‘Siamese cat in a wind tunnel’.

‘’Uh, what time is it?’’

‘’Time you were up, sweet-cheeks’’
Sweet lifted his sleep mask up to his forehead, and turned and reached for the cup of tea he knew that would be there on the nightstand.

Lorne set about getting all Sweet’s medication and vitamins and generally fussing giving ‘Daddy’ the latest news, pertinent to him.

‘’………And the Dow Jones puts your stock up by three and a quarter percent, which is excellent, and CS Adult entertainments are to release two new videos by the end of the week, featuring the Master and Candy Hunt, ratings wise Glory’s show beat WB and Sky 1’s offerings absolutely hands down, we’ve got seven nominations at the Independent Radio Stations awards, and we need to get a release form signed by Angelus O’Connor so he can go to Midnight Music, and um, I think that’s about it’’

‘’What about the girl?’’ Sweet asked gruffly as he sipped his tea.

‘’Girl? What girl, there was no girl here last night, only you, me and-‘’

‘’No, the girl, Betty or whatever her name was, won that show, has she signed to us?’’

‘’Oh, you mean Buffy, the Search For a Star winner. Yes, I believe she’s going to sign for us today’’

‘’You believe? – Whose doing it?’’

‘’Carling-Blake. You know, Spike’’

‘’Good, good, he’s our best. Glad it wasn’t that snivelling little wimp’’
Lorne had quite a soft spot for Xander, so he glossed over the comment.

‘’Well, your baths drawn, and here are your vitamins…’’

Lorne was under no illusion whatsoever that the fistful of tablets taken by Sweet night and morning were all vitamins and ‘legal’ medication. Sweet needed tablets for everything. To wake up, go to sleep, he took Viagra and a whole host of other drugs, some, or rather mostly of the none-prescription variety…cocaine, heroin, uppers, downers, LSD, amyl nitrite, as well as alcohol, it was a miracle that he was still alive really.


********
“Dru…Dru, coo-eee, over here!” Cecily jumped up and down, waving her arms.

Dru slowly pushed the heavy trolley laden with her luggage out into the arrivals lounge, she heard her name being called and she looked around, finally spotting her friend by the barrier.

“Cecily!”

The two friends hugged and Cecily stood back holding her friend by the shoulders at arms length.

“Look at you!”

Cecily hoped she’d managed to hide her shock, to be truthful, Dru looked awful. She’d lost weight for one, I mean, she was never what you could be called big, not by any stretch of the imagination, but well, she’d easily lost at least twenty pounds since Cecily saw her twenty months ago.

“Gods, I can’t believe I’m here!” Dru smiled at her friend.

“Come on, let’s get this stuff into a cab and get home” Cecily helped to push the trolley outside to the Cab bay.

“So, how was the flight?”

“I tried to sleep for most of it, couldn’t, so I ended up watching the in-flight movie on a bloody loop I now know ‘Master and Commander verbatim!……… You know me, I hate flying” Cecily squeezed her arm.

“It’s so great to have you back here, so come on, tell me, how did you wangle it with your father – ‘specially after your little Trafalgar stunt?”

“Actually…he doesn’t know I’m here. Well, I left him a letter, for when he came back from London, but-“

“Dru! He warned you that he’d cut you off without a penny if you so much as set foot in LA again, after last time, why make him even more angry with you?”

Cecily could see the hurt look in Dru’s eyes, and didn’t want her to think she was unwanted.

“Not that you’re not welcome…it’s just that, well-“

“He’s already done it”

“What? Done what?”

“Cut me off. Trafalgar was the last straw. He said I was to get a job. I mean,

“I ask you, whose going to employ me, huh? Everybody knows about the schizophrenia, the rehab, and my brushes with the law. Let’s face it, I’m bad news”

Cecily knew that the last thing Dru needed right now, was to get depressed, so she made light of the matter.

“You can come and work with me, if you want!”

Cecily said rashly, forgetting that she hadn’t actually told her friend what she was doing now…

“You know I can’t dance! I have no sense of rhythm, besides which…I haven’t got tits like you – hey, have you had implants?!”

Dru cast a glance at her companion, and did a double take.

“My god! You have – you’ve had a boob job!”

Dru blurted this out quite loudly, causing several people to turn and look in their direction. Cecily gripped her coat closed tightly, and with her head down, they made their way outside.

“Um, yeah, look when we get home, I’ve got something to tell-“

“Can we order pizza, and sit and talk?”

“Sure. I’ve got so much to tell you”

Cecily said, as she unloaded the trolley of luggage. The cab driver helped her stash the cases, and they left for Cecily’s home.


*******

Spike pressed his intercom button, and spoke

“Cordelia, have you got the running order for Buffy Summers please?”

“I’ll bring it in right now” A minute later, Cordelia knocked and entered, carrying a sheaf of papers.

“Right, all according if she signs with us, you can give her the tour, have lunch, and then from 2PM she’s due for an interview with ‘Teen’ magazine, then she can discuss songs for her forth-coming album, Sweetly will be in later, so disappear before five o’clock, else I’ll have to call you back in, you know what he’s like if he’s kept waiting”

Spike was reading through the sheets, and he nodded.

“Ok Cordelia, thanks”

“Right. Anything else?” Cordelia asked. Spike thought, and said,

“No, I don’t think – oh yes, sorry, would you re-write Harmony’s contract, putting Xander as her manager please, but say nothing to either of them for the moment” Cordelia smiled and nodded

“She’s been leaving messages all over the building for you!”

“Tell me about it…look at this” Spike held up his cell-phone for Cordy to read.

“Eighteen messages!” Cordelia gasped


“And that’s only since last thing Monday night!”

“Good grief, the girl’s got it bad for you!”

“I took her to a corporate party, I ignored her for…two thirds of the night, I get somebody else to take her home, and she STILL insists to all and sundry that we had a wonderful date, I mean, what am I to do?”

“Pass her over to Xander?” Cordelia said with a grin

“Exactly! But remember, not a word!” Spike asked

“Not a word, my lips are sealed, promise…it’s twenty-five passed, that new girl will be here any minute won’t she?”
Spike looked at his watch

“Hell, yes…where did I –thankyou!”

Spike took the security pass off Cordelia, and went down to reception to wait for his (hopefully) new charge.

***********


“You do WHAT!” Dru was so shocked, that she dropped her slice of pizza back onto her plate.

“I um…star in adult movies…it was sort of a natural progression really. I enjoyed the stripping and the pole-dancing, and the Lap-dancing club was one of the best - Saturday nights I could make $1000 in tips alone. But, well, I’ve got a good body, and I love sex, so fucking for money is a great job for me – how do you think I afforded to buy this place?”

“YOU OWN THIS HOUSE?” Dru was incredulous.

“Listen honey, how else am I gonna afford to buy a luxury six-bedroomed beach-front like this, money doesn’t grown on trees!”

“But, you OWN this house?” Cecily smiled and nodded

“Yup…have done for nigh on twelve months now”

“Bloody hell…so, what do you do? – I mean, I know what you do, but-“

“Wanna watch some?”

Cecily jumped up and went to the wall cabinet, opened it up to reveal hundreds of neatly stacked DVD cases.

“Um…let me see…oh this is a good one, ‘Shaving Pte Ryan’ or um…this is another good one for beginners…Double Trouble!”

Cecily put the DVD into the player, and pointed the remote at the TV. Dru sat there dumbfounded for forty minutes. Cecily went off to get them a drink, and when she came back, Dru was looking at the screen, her head held at a funny angle, with the picture on ‘hold’

“What are you doing?”

Cecily came and sat on the sofa, putting two glasses of wine on the coffee table.

“I can’t make it out…how come he’s got three legs?”

“Coz there’s two guys, silly, look, see? – There’s the one guy’s legs, that’s me, and the other guy is behind, it’s a double penetration” Dru’s eyes were about ready to pop!

“You should see the next bit, come and sit back here, I’ll run this bit on a little…now, watch this bit, watch, watch…”

Dru watched in wide-eyed wonder as a very well endowed bloke wanked himself off all over Cecily’s face and breasts, then massaged his come into her skin, and dipping his fingers into her mouth, before pushing three up inside her, while sucking her nipples.

“He’s a lovely bloke he is…doesn’t speak a word of English mind, but he always delivers the goods, and the come shots he does are second to none…ooh, what
I wouldn’t give for him to be here right now, I could do with a really decent fuck, I’ve been doing oral for the past two days”

Dru had forgotten just how open and forthright Cecily could be…perhaps even never this open and forthright… Watching herself being fingered on screen,

Cecily’s hand went to her crotch, and she shoved the little lace-edged scrap of silk aside to rub her moist pussy lips.

Her head rolled back against the sofa and she groaned.

“Re-remember, when we were at St Hilda’s…I hated that boarding school…you used to do this to me…remember, babe, huh?”

Her fingers rubbed a little harder, and she slipped two fingers inside her hot wet pussy. Dru felt shocked, hot, embarrassed, and more than a little turned on

“I need a drink!”

“Wine’s there…oh god, that’s good!”

Cecily rubbed her clit with her thumb, bucking her hips up to push her fingers in deeper.

“But I can’t drink alcohol any-oh, fuck it!” Dru drained both her glass and Cecily’s, poured more and drank that down too.

“Dru…kiss me…please!”

Cecily begged, and with her free hand she tried to open her top. Dru felt suddenly giddy from the wine, and leaned forward and undid the buttons on her friend’s blouse.

She cupped the naked breasts, thumbing the nipples to a hard peaks, taking each one in turn and giving it a firm suck, before kissing up Cecily’s throat and up to her parted lips.

Dru slipped her hand down, and she too slid two fingers into her companion, while French kissing her.

Cecily tore her mouth away to shout out her climax, bucking and writhing until they landed on the floor in a heap, giggling.

Dru withdrew her fingers and sucked them. Cecily lay sprawled, but slowly reached for Dru’s leg, she ran her hand up her thigh, and when Dru didn’t stop her, in fact she pulled up her skirt and spread her legs wider, so Cecily sat up and then crawled over to her, kissing passionately. Cecily broke the kiss

“Sit on the sofa”

Dru did as she was told, and pushing her skirt high up on her thighs, she then lifted up so Cecily could remove her panties.

She tossed them over her shoulder, and then buried her head between Dru’s damp and sticky thighs.

Arching her hips towards Cecily, Dru cried out, with pleasure as she felt her friend’s tongue paint up and down her labia with long wet strokes.

Slipping her tongue between the wet folds, Cecily swiped it very fast back and forth over the slightly protruding nub of her clit, making Dru buck and squeal.

“Hmm, that good babe?”

Cecily slowly slid first one, then two fingers inside Dru, who arched her back, thrusting her hips towards her friend’s hand.

“Yes, oh god……… yeah!” Cecily leaned forward again, latching onto the protruding clit, sucking and flicking it until Dru had a long hard orgasm, thrashing about and almost screaming with ecstasy.

She flopped back against the sofa back, boneless, panting; her head was spinning, not just from the wine either.

“Come on…come with me – forget about your room for tonight, you’re in my bed tonight…”

Cecily hauled Dru up off the sofa, and giggling like two schoolgirls they made their way upstairs, only stopping en route to grab more wine.


*********


The car drew up and the driver got out and opened the door for Buffy.

She got out, and looked up at the impressive building, walked up the steps.

The doorman opened the door for her and she smiled and thanked him, and she looked over to the reception desk. Her stomach back-flipped when she saw Spike waiting for her as promised. He beamed at her.

“Well, here you are then, are you ok? Get much sleep – you look wonderful!”

She blushed and babbled,

“A little! I’ve had so many notes and letters pushed through my door, I spent two hours reading them! And my telephone answer machine had used up the fifteen minutes of message tape – so I don’t know who’s called me – the whole world and his wife I think!”

“Just sign the book please love, that way in case of an emergency we can tell whose in the building”

Buffy did as she was told, and then fixed the ‘visitors pass’ onto her jumper.

“Right, if you’d like to follow me, I thought we could go have a coffee, look over a contract, I could give you an outline of what will happen in the next few weeks, and then take it from there, ok?”
Buffy nodded and said,

“Fine’’

They walked to the lift Spike pressed and they waited to go up to Spike’s office.

Chapter 5


“And off air in five, four, three, two, one – ok everybody – that’s a wrap.”

The director pulled off his headphones, and Giles stood up from his canvas ‘Directors’ chair and picked up his running notes. Everybody went about their duties in the studio, moving the chair and desk, autocue, etc.

Giles was going to go straight to his restaurant. Who should be walking down the corridor towards him, was Anyanka.

“Anya, darling, how are you?” he kissed her on both cheeks.

“Fine. I knew you’d be here today; I’ve just done a session for Glory, I thought I’d drop by, say hi. So, how’s the world with you? Heard from Jenny?”

“She’s been in New York this last two weeks, she’s phoned me twice, and emailed me”

“So, things are looking up for you two then?”
Anya linked her arm though Giles’ as they continued down the corridor.

“That’s just it, I don’t know. It was all about work. Every time I try and, well, talk none-work related stuff, she sort of glosses over it and goes straight back to business…”

“Want me to talk to her for you?”

Giles nearly shuddered at the thought. Anya was a good person, a very good person, but, she wasn’t known for her tact and diplomacy, called a spade a shovel, and hit you right between the eyes with what she thought.

“NO! Sorry, um no…I don’t think it would do any good…”

“Don’t know until I try!”

“Look, come and have lunch”

“What here?”

“No, at the ‘Winds’”

“Can’t. I’m doing a radio interview this afternoon, I’ve won an Indie Radio Award, but shush, I’m not supposed to know”

“Dinner then, tonight”

“Great…about 9.30? – Give me chance to do stuff first”

“Great, see you later then, bye”

*********


The lift doors slid silently open, and Spike, ever the gentleman held his arm out indicating Buffy to go first.

She smiled and did so. Just as the doors were closing, his cell phone beeped to indicate he’d got a text message. He glanced at the name an immediately deleted it.

Buffy watched the numbers above the doors, 2…3…4. The doors opened and Buffy walked out into a wide carpeted corridor, the walls lined with framed photographs of all the stars ever signed with the company.

There were lots of doors to various rooms and pot plants dotted around.

“Just down to the right, very bottom of the cor-“ Spike was indicating where they had to go, when a door flew open and a loud high-pitched squeal had Spike closing his eyes and wincing.

“BLONDIE BEAR! There you are! Don’t you EVER answer your messages?”

Buffy could have sworn she heard Spike mutter an ‘oh shit’ under his breath.

A blonde girl, dressed in thigh length black boots, a very short, low cut, red ‘Santa’ dress trimmed with white fur, with hat to match complete with white pompom on the end of it.

She was covered in glitter and fake snow, which fell onto the carpet as she walked towards them. Spike looked irritated beyond belief, and said quietly to Buffy,

“Excuse me for a moment, I’m sorry about this”

“It’s ok…I’ll um…look at the photographs” She walked off to diplomatically be out of earshot. Spike smiled and nodded, his smile leaving his face when he looked at the source of his annoyance.

“My widdle Spikey been ignoring his Harmony!” She ‘walked’ her fingers up his chest.

“Harmony, not now, can’t you see I’m busy?” Spike took her hand off him, and dusted the glitter off his shirt.

“But I’ve left you hundreds and hundreds of messages! And you don’t call!”

Buffy suddenly realised just who this was! Harmony! She tried not to appear star-struck, and stared at a photo.

“Look, what is it that you want, huh? Can’t Cordelia sort it out for you?”

Spike asked, the irritation clearly evident in his voice. Harmony looked all sick- kicked puppy, and pouting.

“But my little lamb…when can I see you?”

“What for?”

“I thought, that you could take me to the Indie Radio Awards”

“Did you now? Well, you thought wrong, it’s invitation to award winners only”

“But I’m up for best female singer!”

“No, Anyanka’s won it.”

“WHAT! Oh!” Harmony’s face creased, and she said in a tearful voice,

“I wanted to win that!” She bobbed her knees once, as would a spoilt child!

“Well, I’m sorry Harmony, but that’s the way it is, oh, and you don’t know that, by the way”

“What?”

“That it’s Anyanka that’s won. Now look, I’m extremely busy, so PLEASE stop calling and leaving messages for me, I haven’t the time.

In fact I was thinking, I’m far too busy for you these days, so I’ll get Xander Harris to take over as your manager, I’ll have Cordelia type up a contract straight away, now I must go” Spike turned away from the shocked blonde girl, and touched Buffy’s arm

“This way, love”

“Oh…right”
Buffy quickly glanced at a very sad looking Harmony

“But Blondie Bear! What about US!” Without so much as a backwards glance, Spike called out,

“Harmony, there IS no us, there never was”

And turned the corner out of sight. A very sad Harmony trudged her way back to studio 1 to start the video for her Christmas song, ‘Santa’s Sleigh’

“I’m sorry about that Buffy. Harmony gets…delusional.

She’s only young, I had to take her to a corporate party once, I was so busy ‘net-working’ I ignored her most of the evening, and in the end, I had to get somebody else to take her home, and she STILL reckons it was a ‘date! I’ve had to be cruel to be kind – Um here we are’’

Spike opened a door and allowed Buffy to go in first.

Buffy looked around the spacious office. It had a dark grey carpet, two big black leather sofas and a huge mahogany desk with leather swivel chair. The walls were a pale minty green, cool and relaxing. By the door was a water-cooler, and a unit with coffee maker and cups.

“Coffee – take a seat”

“Um, love some, thanks”

“How’d you take it?”

“Cream, no sugar, thanks” Buffy said, perching on one of the sofa’s. She briefly wondered why Spike had explained about Harmony…

“There you go” Buffy accepted the coffee from Spike, when there was a knock at the door.

“Yes?”

Cordelia Chase came in, carrying papers. She smiled and said ‘hello’ to Buffy, before handing Spike the documents.

“Cordelia, this is Buffy, winner of the-“

“I know! Search for a Star – I voted for you!” Cordelia smiled at Buffy
Buffy blushed and said,

“Oh, thanks-thankyou!”

“What? - You mean you were watching a RIVAL show?” Spike asked grinning

“Why, who was on – oh, the ‘Acid Queen’ – I ALWAYS give Glory Benson a wide berth, she’s so…un-necessarily bitchy!” Spike grinned again and initialled several sheets of paper.

“Oh, and I’ve just had ‘the encounter’ with Harmony, and given her the good news that I’m no longer her manager, have you done that contract as I asked?”

“On your desk”

“Thanks love, you’re a star…remind me to ask Sweet to give you a raise!” Spike grinned and winked at the dark haired beauty who left grinning, saying,

“That’ll be the day, bye then, see you later” Buffy said ‘bye’.

“Here you go, this is the standard contract, three album deal, the usual percentage royalties cut, plus we give an extra deal on merchandizing, which you won’t find with any other company, well, not as generous anyway”

Spike handed Buffy several sheets of paper to peruse at her leisure.

“Sorry, merchandizing?” Buffy quizzed

“Tee shirts, Dolls, video’s, posters, calendars that sort of thing”

“Oh. Right, stupid me!”

Buffy felt embarrassed at her idiocy, and her cheeks flamed.

Spike poured himself coffee, and came and sat by her. Buffy could smell his cologne, and she felt all tingly as he was in such close proximity to her. She bet he could hear her heart thumping!

“Um, can I ask another dumb question?”

“Another? – You haven’t asked one yet!” He smiled and sipped his coffee.

“Ask away, pet”

“That girl, Harmony, I mean Christmas? It’s only mid-August now, so why would she be doing Christmas stuff now?”

“Well to be truthful, if we were talking about you, say you decide to sign with us, which I hope you do, by the way, we’re even pushing it a bit fine as regards time.

You need to get established, get your pretty face into the magazines, newspapers and on TV, you need airplay, then we’d put out an album for the Christmas market.

But songs have to be written, rehearsed, recorded, doesn’t happen overnight”

Buffy nodded slowly, course, it made sense. Spike continued,

“Harmony is a well-established singer, having been around for a couple of years now, but she’s doing a tour, she’ll be half way through a European tour come early October, which is about the time we’d normally start operations for the Christmas market.

Spike leaned forward and put his empty cup on the low coffee table in front of them, and his knee brushed hers, and he made no move to shift it.
He sat back, and smiled,

“So, tell me about yourself”
Buffy smiled and put her empty cup next to his on the table.

“Well, what can I say…a fortnight ago I was a school counsellor, then I won a talent show at our local night spot, then I was on TV!”

“So, what does your boyfriend think of all this?” This was Spike’s oh-so-subtle way of finding out if this delightful little lady was taken…he hoped not, as he didn’t see any evidence last night at the show, but then, the song was about her missing her soldier boyfriend, so he could be away…

“Boyfriend? – No, I um, I haven’t got one”

“No – oh, you do surprise me, beauty like you. I thought they’d be queuing up around the block for you!” Buffy blushed and looked at her hands folded in her lap.

“Now I’ve embarrassed you, I’m sorry”

“No…well, it’s ok” The telephone on the desk began to ring.

“Excuse me, this must be important”

“Sure” While Spike went to deal with his call, Buffy picked up the contract and began to read.

***********



Drusilla woke with a bad taste in her mouth, a thumping headache, and feeling quite sore ‘down below’.
Disorientated she sat up suddenly and looked around the unfamiliar surroundings.

Her head swam. She put her hand down to lever herself up off the bed when her fingers closed around something hard and round, which suddenly buzzed.

She jumped and looked down and saw it was a vibrator, a foot away from it was a soft dildo. She let go of the vibrator and it stopped buzzing. On the nightstand propped up against the clock-radio was a folded piece of paper with her name on it.

‘Dear Dru – Gone to work, make yourself at home, be back around three this afternoon. What a night! See you later, love Cec XX

She was trying to think, but her brain was like cotton wool. She needed the toilet, and getting out of bed, she kicked an empty wine bottle.

There was also an empty Scotch bottle by the waste-paper basket. She felt sick and shaky, and just about made it to the bathroom in time to throw up in the sink.

Rinsing her mouth, she raised her head and looked into the mirror. She looked very pale, with dark circles under her eyes. An urgent thought came to her, ‘medication’. She needed her purse, where the hell had she put it?

********

“Sorry about that pet, but you don’t put off the ‘big boss’!”

Spike came over and stood in front of her. Buffy smiled and said she understood. She was holding the contract.

“If you get that looked at, and could get back to us ASAP, I’d be very grateful”

“I don’t need it looked at, I trust you” Spike smiled at her

“Oh, um, oh, well that’s great! – Well, if you want, we can sign now, and I can show you what’s in store for you” Buffy nodded.

“Ok, we’ll need two witnesses, Cordy can be one, um…” Spike opened his office door, and called to one of the ‘messengers’, a group of two-dozen people who roamed the offices wearing hands-free head sets that would run messages, call taxi’s, order flowers, fetch sandwiches and do all manner of useful things.


“You’ll do, I need you to witness a contract signing” the girl came into the office, followed by Cordelia.

“Um, sorry, could you give us a moment please, I’ll call you” The two nodded and waited by Cordelia’s desk.

“Buffy, I just want to let you know what you’ve let yourself in for”
She could see he was being open and honest with her, and she frown/smiled and said,

“I’m sorry, I don’t-“

“Before you sign I must tell you this, for the next few months, your feet won’t touch the ground, you’ll be tired, you’ll be sick to death of singing your song dozens of times a week, answering the same questions over and over, each time you’ll have to make it seem like you’ve never been asked that question before.

You’ll wake up in hotel rooms, not even being able to remember what State or city you’re in. Do you think you could cope?”

“I – I don’t know, I think so, I’d like to hope so”

“I’ll help you in any way I can” Buffy smiled

“So, still want to go through with it?

“Is it all bad?” Buffy asked, a little worried. Spike smiled,

“No. Once you’re established, you get to travel, see places you’ve only ever dreamed of, meet famous people, and then, there’s the money of course”

“Gimme that pen!” Buffy joked, and they both giggled. Spike called Cordelia and the messenger in to witness the signatures, giving a copy of the contract to Cordelia to put on file, and a copy for Buffy herself.

She handed Spike his pen back

“Right, so what happens now?”

“Now little lady, your feet don’t touch the ground!”

Chapter 6

“Excuse me sir, I’m sorry to trouble you” the young waitress looked a little sheepish, but Giles put his wine glass down and smiled at the girl.

“Yes Molly, what can I do for you?” There was a crashing sound and a tinkle of glasses, and a roar of laughter went up. Giles threw down his napkin, and said to Anya,

“Excuse me a minute”

“Sure”

“It’s Rack, and his crowd, sir, they’re being a bit rowdy, we’ve already had one complaint from other diners” Molly explained.

Giles said he’d sort it, and went over to their table, and in true professional manner, he sorted things.

The rowdy crowd finished their drinks and left.

“Molly, who was it complaining, are they still here?”

“Couple in the corner, sir”
Giles went over to them

“I’m very sorry that you’ve had your meal interrupted, and I’d like to offer you either a bottle of Champagne or a meal for two with our compliments as by way of recompense”

The couple thanked him and said they’d have the meal for two, and Giles said he’d give them some tickets.

“Molly, give those two free meal tickets, and charge Rack’s bill another $100” the waitress nodded.
When Giles got back to the table, Anya had her wrap on and was ready to leave.

“Going already?”

“Sorry, but I’ve got an early start in the morning, I’m going to ‘Daddy’s’ Swiss hide-away for a few days”

“Lucky old you…come on, I’ll walk you to the door” As they neared the front of the restaurant, they could see two police cars arrive, sirens blaring, blue lights flashing.

“Oh god, what now? – Stay there An, I’ll go see what the trouble is” Giles went outside. Two minutes later, he came back.

“Seems Rack punched a paparazzi – started a brawl!”

“Good for him! I’ll go out the back way then, if you don’t mind, I don’t want to be associated with that. I’ll phone Jenny for you, just casually, I know, I promised – I’ll be subtle”

Giles nodded and kissed Anya, and she left.

*******

“And this is one of the recording suites, we have a dozen here, and another ten in our studios in Burbank.”

“When will I be doing my song?” Buffy asked as they left the room and carried on down the corridor.

“Tonight with any luck, you’ll begin rehearsals after lunch. Excited?” Spike asked

“Nervous!”

“Silly thing, you’ll be fine. In fact…want to know a bit of juicy info?”
Spike had a gleam in his eye that made Buffy’s stomach flip-flop, and she nodded.

“Well, ABC Studios, where you did the show has been totally inundated with phone calls wanting to know where and when they can get your single…oh, thankyou”

Spike took a piece of paper handed to him by a messenger, read it.

“And – listen to this, we have Darla Delaney from ‘Teen’ magazine here right now, she’s keen to do an interview with you”

“With me?” Buffy had a deer-caught-in-the-headlights look

“Yes with you! Look, don’t worry. Tell you what, want me to be there with you? – We could do it all informally – over lunch if you like”

“Please” Buffy felt very grateful. Spike reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“Just be yourself, act natural, and you’ll be fine, ok?” he gave her hand another little squeeze. Buffy nodded, smiled and squeezed right back…


********

“Well, Daddy wants to know, any news?” Lorne asked

“Is he there, can I speak to him?” Cordelia asked

“Sorry, Sweetness, he’s got the doctor with him at the moment, drops for his dry eyes, you know they wont close properly!”
Cordelia shuddered

“Don’t! He gives me the creeps enough!”

“Now Sugar-plum, remember who pays the wages!” Lorne gently admonished her.
“I know. Anyway, relax. Good news, signed, sealed delivered, she’s ours!”

“Thankyou Blossom, speak later” Lorne put the phone down and went to prepare his lord and master’s smoothie, to give him along with the good news that Buffy had signed to Aphrodite.

********


“It’s ok, you don’t have to whisper, the booths are sound-proofed. They can only hear you down there if you hold down this button and speak into the microphone” Spike explained to Buffy.

The booth was tiny, so Buffy had to stand very close to Spike.

Down in the studio, Harmony was gyrating in front of a ‘bluescreen’, singing her song. Above her behind the screen standing on stepladders were two guys gently shaking fake snow down on her.

‘Santa’s on his way,
Sitting on his sleigh…
Children all around the world,
Waiting for Christmas Day!’

The bouncy pop tune had more than a passing resemblance to ‘Jingle Bells’ complete with tinkling sleigh-bells and a soundtrack of children laughing and playing.

Suddenly for real in the studio ten children ran on set, dressed in fleeces, with scarves, hats and gloves began to play ‘snowballs’ and then they knelt around in front of Harmony and joined in with the chorus, heads swaying from side to side, bright smiles on their faces.

One of the guys shaking the snow down suddenly sneezed, sending down the complete boxful of ‘snow’, knocking Harmony’s hat askew, and putting her off singing.

The recording engineer immediately leaned forward, and irritably pressed the button

“Cut! Cut! For gods sake…am I surrounded by fucking idiots?”

“Hey, no swearing in front of the children!” Harmony glared towards the blacked-out booth put her hands over the nearest child’s ears.
The engineer looked at Spike and said,

“Two hours…two hours, that’s all, and I’m already sick to fucking death of that song!”
Spike grinned, and nodded.

“Come on, let’s go up to the café on the sixth floor and meet Darla, eh?” Buffy nodded and followed him out.

“Um Spike, I need the er, rest room?”

“Oh right, come on then, just down this corridor, on the left, door marked ‘private’ through there”

Buffy pushed opened the door marked private, and then saw two doors, she went into the ladies. It was clean and bright. She went into the first cubicle and closed the door, she was just about to undo her jeans when she heard a distinctly male groan. Shocked, Buffy held her breath.

“Oh, baby…yeah…oh yeah…suck harder…”

Buffy’s eyes bugged and she silently bent down and looked under the side of the cubicle, she could see a pair of scruffy boots, with pants sagged around them, standing by the toilet, and a girl’s knees and feet!

Buffy stood up – what was she going to do – they’d hear her if she used the toilet…they obviously were too engrossed in what they were doing to have heard her come in, but…

“Fuck, mind the teeth girl! Oh yes, just like that…harder…oh fuck yes!”

Buffy grinned – this was rock and roll! She had to bite the back of her hand to stop from giggling…then she thought, damn it!

She was bursting to go, so she flushed the loo first! She flushed again, and she could hear the man obviously climaxing…

“Yeah, oh fuck, don’t stop babe, harder, yeah, yeah, yeah, YES, ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh, ooooohhhhh, ooohh! Oh babe!”

Buffy biting her bottom lip, opened the door and went over to the sinks, looking at the end cubicle in the mirror.

To her shock and amazement, the door opened, and out came a girl with long blonde hair and guy whom she recognised as Rack, lead singer of the heavy metal band, Noiz.

The girl didn’t even acknowledge Buffy’s presence, and walked straight passed her, but Rack looked in the mirror at her and winked, grinned and said,

“All right, darlin’?” And followed the girl out! Buffy dried her hands and also left.

Spike was on his cell phone when she came out, so she hung back to give him some privacy.

Spike saw her and beckoned her over.

“Here she is, you tell her, Buffy, it’s Cordelia” Buffy took the phone off Spike

“Hello”

“Buffy, we’ve just had a very special request, nothing like this has ever happened before, apparently the combined American Forces Radio have been swamped with requests for your song, seems like it’s struck a chord with families away from their loved ones!”

“Really, wow!”

“We’ve got an advanced order for half a million copies!” Buffy was open-mouthed with surprise! Spike took his phone.

“It’s ok Cordy, I think she’s a little dumb-struck!…Yes, ok, will do, bye!

Well babe, that’s brilliant news, isn’t it – you’ve already guaranteed yourself at least a gold disc, and you haven’t even recorded the song yet! Come on, this way, I think you’d better come and sit down!”

Buffy followed Spike to the lifts, and they went down to meet Darla Delaney.


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


“When will you be back in LA then?” Anya asked Jenny

“Friday, all being well, I’ll be back for the Radio Awards, will you be there?”

“Yes and no. I’ve done my acceptance speech and thankyou to camera, but I’ll be in Switzerland until Sunday”

“You’ve won then?”

“Yes, Best female singer, but don’t, you know, let it out, not yet”

“I won’t, but thanks for the info, means I can get copy done in advance … anymore?”

“For a price!”

“Anya!”

“Hold on, you don’t know what the price is yet!”

“Go on!”

“Go on a date with Rupert”

“Rupert Giles?”

“How many other Ruperts do you know?”

“None…I’m not sure he likes me”

“Not sure, well I am! I’m not kidding you, I had dinner with him the other night, and all he talked about was you!”

“You had dinner with him?”

“We’re old friends…he was good to me when I broke up with Sven.

He’s been crazy about you for ages, tell you what, you can stay at my place while I’m away, I’ll leave the keys with him for you to collect, take it from there”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive”

“Ok, great”

“So, what’s the gossip in New York, New York, huh?……………………”

“You were going to tell me other winners…”

*********

“So, what inspired you to write the song?”

Darla asked, as she de-constructed her grilled chicken wrap.

Buffy sipped her water, and played with the spoon that came with her low-fat yoghurt.

“I was dating a solider at the time, and he’d been away on manoeuvres for a few months…did a lot of time sitting in my room, writing letters, keeping a diary, generally just waiting to hear from him”

“It was a friend that put you up for the show, is that right?”

“Yes, Willow. We’ve been friends since junior high, when we moved to Sunnydale! I could have killed her at first. I never believed I would win………”

Every so often, Buffy glanced at Spike, and he’d nod or smile in encouragement.

They chatted for a good hour, Darla asking the standard, what’s your favourite colour/band/food/pass-time etc, then she left, saying that she’d send a copy for Buffy to look at.

Suddenly the quiet café was filled with loud and raucous laughter. It was Rack and his band, clattering around with trays and generally acting up.

Spike asked her,

“Do you know who that is?” Buffy grinned, and told him of her experience earlier. Spike smiled and shook his head.

“Guy’s an animal! Does it anywhere, doesn’t care if anyone can see.

A couple of months ago, Cordelia was waiting for the lift, and when the doors opened, there for all the world to see was Rack’s bare arse bobbing back and forth, his girl screaming with her legs wrapped around his waist.

To Cordy’s credit, she didn’t turn a hair, she just got in and pressed for the ground floor!

So pet, are you sure you’ve had enough lunch?” Buffy put her hand on her stomach.

“Yes thanks, I’ve got butterflies the size of elephants!”

“You’ll be fine, so, rehearsals, ok? The guy who’ll be recording you is a nice bloke, looks like a school-kid, but he’s actually in his late twenties. Billy Fordham, everyone knows him as ‘Ford’. Shall we go?”

Buffy nodded and stood up, and they made their way to the recording suites

Chapter 7


Cecily let herself in, dropped her purse and keys on the hall table, kicked off her shoes and called out for her friend.

“Dru………Dru, where are you?……………Dru…Dr- oh, there you are. Gosh, are all right?” Dru came wandering out from the lounge and she looked awful, very pale and wan.

“I’m ok…tired”

“That’ll be the jet-lag. Want a drink?”

“I made some tea, but you’ve not got any milk, I like my tea with milk”

“Sod tea, I mean a drink, drink. A proper drink!” Cecily went to the kitchen with Dru following her.

Cecily opened the fridge and surveyed the meagre contents. She grabbed a carton of leftover Chinese food, sniffed it, wrinkled her nose, and put it on the counter. The she took out orange juice, and lifted the lid of the pizza box to find one slice, which she put in her mouth and held there, while she threw away the box. Biting off a portion of the pizza and chewing, she then pulled a face and spat it out into the bin.

“I’m always giving myself food poisoning…” Cecily opened the freezer and took out a bottle of vodka, got two glasses out of the cupboard.

“No, not for me!” Dru put her hand over the glass.

“Don’t be silly!”

“Anyway, it’s too early!”

“It’s 3.40pm. Livener, pick-me-up, whatever, and it’s NEVER too early! – Besides which, I’ve been up since 8.30am!” Cecily poured the glass half full with the ice-cold vodka, and topped it up with the orange juice. She drank it down and poured another, holding the bottle poised over the other glass, she asked

“Sure I can’t tempt you?”

Dru had her head leant on her hand, she just shook it. Returning the juice and vodka to the fridge and freezer, Cecily saw the red light winking on the Ansaphone.

She pressed the ‘play’ button. The machine beeped, and a metallic voice stated that she had three messages, the first being from a man

“Hi baby, look, we’re all behind with the recording, so I won’t see you tonight. Hope you’ve got a nice film to show me …see ya”

“Who was that?”

“Hold on, let me find out who these other two messages are from, then I’ll tell you…”
Another male voice said,

“Cec, it’s me, Tucker, I forgot to tell you, you’re due your med test, so could you go to Dr Frost’s office before you come in tomorrow – thanks, later”

The final message was somebody trying to sell her insurance, which she cut off and ran the tape back.

“Was that your boyfriend?” Dru asked

“Rack, he’s lead singer with the band Noiz – gods, he’s hung like a donkey, and absolute animal in bed!”
Dru sat up, remembering what the message said

“He knows what you do?”
Dru asked incredulously. Cecily gave her friend a puzzled look.

“Yes, of course he does! In fact, it was he seeing one of my films made him call up the studio!”

“He doesn’t mind – you, you know, doing it with other men?”

“Why should he? He knows it’s just a job, me fucking other people, its just sex.

Besides, he has his groupies! Anyway, before I do anything else, I must book to see Dr. Frost…”
Cecily picked up the phone, and pressed speed-dial 4, and it rang

“Dr Frost’s office please…………Hello, can I have an appointment for tomorrow morning please………Cecily Adams…HIV test, yes, CS International………10am, right, thankyou, bye”

“CECILY!” Dru looked panic-stricken

“What?” Cecily asked, as calm as you like

“Are you? – I mean, do you think you’ve got, well, are you ill?”

“Ill, no why – oh, the test? Don’t worry; we have to have a test done every 6-8 weeks. Some studios say three months, others six, it’s just a precaution, gives everybody peace of mind”

“You don’t use condoms?”

“Ew, no, like bathing with your clothes on! – That’s why we have the tests, anyway. Look, as my nearest and dearest has seen fit to let me down tonight, fancy going out? Paint the town red – huh – show everybody old Dru’s back in town!”

“I don’t know Cec…”

“Come on…where’s your Joie de vivre? You used to be worse than me at one time!”
Then Cecily thought that it was perhaps the medication she was on making her friend dopey and slightly morose.

“Look, let’s fill up the hot-tub, send for some take-out Chinese, and decide later, yes?” Dru nodded
“Cec”

“Hmm?”

“Do you ever see Spike now?”

“Spike – no…I know he’s still at Aphrodite, he’s Rack’s manager, but I haven’t seen him since you were last here, why?”
Dru shrugged and said quietly,

“Just wondered, that’s all. It all ended so badly.”

*********

“Ok pet? – I’ll leave you to it then for a while, I’ll be back at, let me see………it’s one-thirty now…half past three, we’ll go for coffee, ‘kay?”

Buffy nodded and she then began talking with Ford, before going into rehearse.

Spike left the recording suite to go up to his office.

Who should be walking towards him, but the sexy duo, Vixen.

They were wearing skin-tight leather all-in-ones and spiky heeled boots; both showing a lot of cleavage.
They practically ran to him and curled themselves around him, almost purring, hands everywhere, caressing his chest, back, thighs, with Faith slipping her hand around and squeezing his buttock.

“Hmm…buns of steel!” Faith drawled, in her sexy rough voice.

“Now, now ladies!” Spike took Faith’s hand from his butt, and she slipped in around his waist instead.

“You two are naughty girls, aren’t you, huh?” They all giggled, and he still had his arm around each of them.

“And? What are you going to do about it, BIG boy?” Lilah slid her hand down his chest and abs; again Spike stopped her short of doing something indecent in a public place!

“I’m not that kind of bloke, I’ll have you know!” Spike said, grinning

“Shame…we could have had SO much fun together, just the three of us, don’t you think Fay?”

Faith was nuzzling Spike’s neck, and he could feel himself getting aroused, his neck was highly sensitive…trying to shrug away from her nibbling Spike wriggled

“Oh SO much!” Faith huskily agreed. Spike quickly extricated himself from the duo’s grasp.

“You’ll be the death of me you two will, now go on! Get that new video made!”

Normally, he would have slapped their bottoms playfully, but he decided it wouldn’t seem right now, somehow………the two girls laughed and went on their way.
Rolling his eyes and blowing out his cheeks, was a slightly discomfited Spike that went up to his office!

“Seriously, I’m sure he thinks we’re joking…what I wouldn’t do for that guy…!” Lilah said to Faith wistfully.

“Tell me about it! The guy’s a walking sex-bomb – I could eat him all up … starting in the middle!”

Faith agreed and they both giggled.

**********

When he got to his office, Spike set about getting Buffy an ‘advance’ cheque written, he also got Cordelia to phone Ethan Raine to book Buffy a spot on his show.

“Not Glory then first?” Cordelia asked

“Good god no, it would be like throwing Bambi to the lioness” Cordelia smiled at Spike’s analogy

“Hmm, suppose you’re right, but you know he hates these last minute bookings”

“Just remind him who pays his wages, he’ll do it – besides which, once it goes out tonight that it’s Buffy on tomorrow, his ratings will sky-rocket”

“There is that, yes, ok, I’ll do my best”

Cordelia hugged her clip-board to her chest, smiled and left

At twenty passed three, Spike went down to the recording suite, and watched

Buffy from the booth. She had headphones on, and was singing into a microphone suspended from the ceiling.

“Hey, Ford…isn’t that a too high up, she seems like she’s having to stretch a little”

“No, it’s fine, helps the breathing – makes the voice stronger”
Ford explained.

“So, how did she do?”

“For a first-timer? Brilliant she’s a natural – like a duck to water, this is the second track she’s doing. She had the sense to bring in a tape of other stuff she’s done at home, and we picked this one out of a possible four, we’ll use this and another one she’s already done for the album. We could be all done and dusted within a couple of weeks, I’m sure”

The music stopped and Buffy stood waiting for the green light to come on indicating that the recording had stopped.
The green light came on, and the buzzer rang.

“Was that ok? – I was a bit wobbly in the middle”

“Don’t worry, we can fix that, let’s have a break now”

Buffy nodded and took off the headphones and shook out her hair, fluffing it with her hand.
Spike opened the door.

“Oh you’ve really impressed Ford, he tells me you’re a natural, he’s really impressed!”

Buffy blushed and then Spike said,

“Come on – lets go grab a coffee or something – I’ve got something to tell you”

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


Dru followed Cecily out of the taxi outside ‘Cobra’ one of the hottest clubs in town.

“Cec, where are you going? Queue’s this way”

Dru said, watching her friend making her way to the entrance passed the huge waiting crowds. Waving a dismissive hand Cecily said,

“Queuing-schmooing! I don’t queue anywhere – come on, follow me!”
And to Dru’s utter amazement, Cecily said something to the doorman, who’d already recognised her and had the entrance door half way open for her.

“Sorry miss, you’ll have to-“

“It’s ok, she’s with me!” Cecily smiled, and the doorman apologised and pulled the door open a little wider to allow Dru through.

“See! Easy-peasy!” the two girls giggled and made their way to the ladies rest room.
******

Up in the 6th floor café, Spike was handed a sheet of paper by one of the messengers.

“Ah right then…tomorrow morning at eleven o’clock, you’ll be taken to the TV studios in Burbank, you’re going to be on Ethan Raine’s show, it’s recorded, and you’ll do your song, and just a little chat, just be natural, be yourself, and you’ll be fine, ok?”

“Oh god!”

“What – you’ll be fine you’ve already sang in front of a far bigger studio audience than he has, there’s ninety seats in his studio, you sang in front of eight hundred at ABC – you’ll be fine, I promise you”
Buffy nodded, then a sudden thought hit her.

“Ok…oh, what will I wear?”

“Don’t worry, there’s wardrobe and makeup there, in fact, have you heard of Andrew and Larry?”

“Oh yes, god, I LOVE those two! I love the way they bitch about each other, then bitch and pull to bits the outfits of the stars they haven’t dressed!”

“That’s them, well, they’ll put you right don’t worry. Now…I’ve got two things for you…first, I know how things are fixed at home, with the phone and that, so here you go, a cell phone for you, it’s pretty straight forward”

“Great, thanks! I was thinking I needed one”

“And here…you might think it’s a lot, but I promise you, you’ve earned it, it’s an advance”
Spike handed over a folded in half cheque. Buffy opened it, and her eyes bugged –

“Wow…oh my god!”
Tears sprang to her eyes, she covered her mouth
The figures and letters of $150,000 swam before her eyes, and she was overwhelmed, all her house problems were over now. She fumbled for a tissue,

“Sorry, I’m sorry, it’s…wow”
Spike wanted to gather her up in his arms.

“You ok pet?”
Buffy nodded as she blew her nose.

“I’m sorry!”

“Silly thing, you’ve no need to be sorry – after all the work you’ll do the next few months, you’ll be saying you’re worth ten times that!”

Buffy gave him a watery smile.
Another messenger gave Spike another sheet of paper, but this wasn’t anything to do with Buffy.

“Um, you know tomorrow, will you be with me?” Buffy asked hopefully

“I um, I hadn’t planned on…doing…anything else BUT to be with you!”
Spike changed what he was originally going to say. Buffy smiled and finished her juice and muffin.

“Good!” Spike smiled too…

“We must drop into Cordelia’s office on the way down, you need to sign for that cheque I gave you” Buffy nodded

“Right then, that’s us all done here, why don’t wait outside for me, I won’t be a sec”
Spike said to Buffy, and she nodded and went out of Cordelia’s office

“Is Xander around?”

“He’s getting that release contract form signed by Angel O’Connor as we speak”

“Oh, ok, doesn’t matter, I’ll see him later.”

“Shall I tell him you want him?”

“Nah, don’t worry, see you in bit”

“I’ll be here”

Cordelia said, without looking away from the monitor screen.
Spike went out into the corridor, and the sight that met his eyes gave him a jolt like an electric shock. There by the lift, was Buffy, just being let go from a big hug by Angel O’Connor, they were both grinning their heads off.

“Oh Spike!”
Cordelia came dashing out of her office, stood in front of him.

“You forgot this, can’t get in without it!”

She offered him the security pass so he could drive into the Burbank studio’s, but Spike shifted slightly to look over her shoulder, he was more intent on watching Buffy and Angel.

“How the fuck does he know her?” Spike said with quiet anger

Cordelia arched a brow, and looked over her shoulder. She turned back to face Spike. With the corners of her mouth turned down, she shrugged,

“I dunno”
Spike could hear snatches of their conversation;

“………Actually went back there and worked as a councillor! After I said I’d never set foot in the place ever again ………”

“Spike………Spike!” Cordelia said frowning
Spike dragged his eyes off the duo at the lift and looked at Cordy, but then soon refocused on the couple.

“What?”

“……………Signed to Midnight Music now, better deal…………I had artistic differences with the other band members………”
Spike gasped incredulously,

“Can you hear him? - ‘Artistic differences’ my arse, they learned that he couldn’t sing, couldn’t dance, and couldn’t even fucking lip-sync to his own words! – My god, you can smell it from here!”
Spike said disgustedly

“Smell what?” Cordelia asked

“The bullshit!”

“Whatever, do you want this security pass or what – coz I’ve got things to do” Spike took it off her, and she went back to her office, shaking her head.

“Buffy” Spike called.

“…………Great to see you, keep in touch, won’t you?”

“BUFFY!” Spike said, letting his annoyance show through. Buffy began to walk backwards away from Angel

“Gotta go Angel, good luck, bye - (She turned and came up to Spike) Sorry Spike, old friend, well old boyfriend, actually!”

Buffy said grinning, but then she saw Spike didn’t look best pleased, and the smile fell from her face.

“Really? Well come on, doesn’t do to keep people waiting, gives a bad impression”
Spike pushed open the fire doors with gusto so they banged back against the wall. He was walking very fast, and Buffy had to trot to keep up with him.
She could tell he was annoyed. Without looking at her Spike said,

“Despite what he just told you, Angel O’Connor was sacked by Aphrodite records, he’s now signed to a rival company, so, I know what you do in private is your own affair, but don’t get too involved with him, Sweet wouldn’t like it, and he has just given you a generous advance of $150.000. Most only get $30,000 so don’t do anything to annoy him, count yourself lucky”

“Yes Spike! – I’m sorry – I didn’t think - ” Buffy felt awful that Spike was annoyed with her.
He in turn, felt like nine kinds of shit lying to her and being angry, he had no right, other than he fancied her like mad…


Xander put his head around Cordelia’s office door.

“Hi, seen Spike?”

“Just left to go back down to the recording suite with Buffy, why?”

“Here you go, the release form. I need a favour from him”

“Huh, I wouldn’t, if I were you” Cordelia warned

“What? – Why not?”

“He’s in a foul mood…that and the green-eyed monster” She muttered the last bit under her breath.

“Sorry what?”

“Nothing, can I help?”

“Do you know anything about this date he’s supposed to be getting me?”

“Date? No, what for?”

“Doesn’t matter, I’ll take my chances, see him later, bye”

********


“Just a little toot, it won’t hurt you, do you better than that shit the doc’s given you, I mean Dru, where’s you’re spark? You used to be the life and soul!” Cecily held the silver tube out to Dru

“But what if I…”

“What? What if you what? Started enjoying life again? Ooh, heaven forbid!” Dru took the tube off Cecily, and bent down and snorted half a line of coke. She sniffed and pinched her nose, sniffed again, wiped it on the back of her finger, sniffing again, and felt the immediate hit of euphoria.

“There…wasn’t so bad, was it…come on, seen some hot guys out there! Oh, hold on…” Cecily bent and snorted the half line left, sniffing deeply and pinching her nose, throwing her head back and laughing as they left the rest room.

Chapter 8


Spike opened the door to the recording suite, and he turned to face a worried looking Buffy.

“Spike, I’m sorry”

She didn’t really know what she was apologising for, except for the fact he was annoyed about something.
Immediately Spike felt the stab of guilt, and his shoulders dropped and he shook his head.

“No love, I’M sorry. There’s something about that bloke that just riles me. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”
Buffy could see that Spike was genuine in what he said, and she felt the coil of worry in the pit of her stomach relax, felt relief he wasn’t angry with her.

He smiled and said,
“You go have a good rehearsal, um, are you in a rush to get home?”

“To an empty house – No! Did you want me to stay late?”

“Well, I was thinking, after your rehearsals, we could go and have a chat with the photographer, sort out what you’ll be wearing for the cover of your single, and then perhaps, well, we could go get something to eat.”

“Great!” Buffy said with enthusiasm

“Yeah? – Good! Um…do you like Italian food?”

“Love it – although, I’m not dressed for a restaurant”

“Don’t worry, this little place, it’s always full of sound recordists, engineers, lighting directors, always in jeans – but the food is terrific”

“Sounds great” She grinned

“You’ll be in here for what…let me think…two hours now, so I’ll come and get you at around…6, is that ok? – We can leave around 7 o’clock, and that will get you home nicely so you can have a nice relaxing bath and a good nights sleep, don’t want any dark circles around those pretty green eyes of yours now do we?”

Buffy blushed a little and smiled.

“See you in a while then, pet” Buffy nodded and went into the recording suite.

*********

Spike went to the video editing room and smiled. Good, she was there.

“Harm, got a minute, pet?”

She stopped the tape of her Christmas song and stood up.

“Blondie-B-oh, uh, I mean, um…hello Spike” Harmony looked downcast.

“Want to go to the Indie Radio Awards still?” Spike wheedled

Harmony tried for her ‘hurt, little voice’, and shook her head,

“No…you said I hadn’t won, so what’s the point?” She looked at Spike with big puppy-dog eyes.

Spike went over to the couch and patted it for her to sit next to him.

“Look, I’ve been thinking, this will be good practice for you, for when you start winning awards”

“What?” her face broke into a huge grin, and she squealed,

“I’ve won an-“ Spike winced and held up his hand.

“Hold on, calm down.”

“Yes Spike. Sorry Spike. Carry on … I’m going to win something!”
She bobbed her knees up and down very fast, until Spike gave her a ‘warning’ look.

“Sorry – you’ve got my undivided attention now – go on………what award is it?”

“HARMONY! Ok, this was a mistake! (Spike stood up and looked down at her) I thought you could do it, but obviously I was wrong”

He made to move for the door, but she caught his arm.

“What, I’m sorry, I’ll do it, whatever it is, I won’t screw up, I promise!”

Spike looked at her for a few seconds, nodded, and then sat back down.

“Ok, now LISTEN, and NO interrupting, ok?”

Harmony just looked big-eyed, and nodded her head.

Because Anyanka is out of the country, I want YOU to go and accept the Best Singer award on her behalf – (Harmony opened her mouth to speak, but Spike put his hand up in the recognised ‘Halt’ sign) – Let me finish (she nodded) Right, Anya’s already done her piece to camera, I just want you to go up and collect the award, and say thankyou. But, and this is important bit here, I don’t want you to do it as ‘Harmony, Teeny-bop Pop-Star’, I want you in a long evening gown, hair up, make-up immaculate, I want everyone to see that you are the height of sophistication, elegance and poise, ok – you are nearly 25 now, and it’s perhaps about time we moved on with your image, maybe even do something a little…I don’t know…raunchier – for your next song after Christmas?

Still, that’s something you can discuss with your new manager, Xander, in fact, it was he whom you have to thank for this idea – I wasn’t sure whether you could pull it off, quite frankly”

“Um, can I speak now?”

Spike nodded

“Sure – go ahead”

“I can do it! I can look sophisticated and that!”

”But can you tone down the enthusiasm a little pet, when it involves kids, bounding around like an eager puppy is fine, what we want here, is cool, calm and sophisticated.
You can talk to Xander about your change of image over dinner at the Four Seasons, have a couple of cocktails in the ‘Winds’ bar upstairs first, and we’ll throw in a limo to take you, ok?”

Harmony nodded eagerly.

“Will he agree, do you think? – I’d really like to alter my image…those kids today drove me nuts…”

Spike smiled

“I’m sure you’ll find a way to get him to agree…pretty girl like you could sweet-talk him…and I know you love to talk, and the fortunate thing is, Xander does like to listen………make a good impression on him – and well………who knows?”

“Spike…am I up for any award this year, do you know?”

“Actually – I think you’re front runner for Teen Magazine favourite female pop singer, best single AND favourite outfit”

Drumming her fists lightly on her knees, Harmony grinned.

“OOOHHH, YES!”

“Remember, the key-word here, ‘sophisticated’, don’t want any ‘Gwennie’ crying crap, just keep it simple and cool, ‘kay?” He stood up.

“Course, yes, sure!”

“Ok then, I’ve got to go – you get back to your video”

Harmony leaned back on the couch, dreaming daydreams of accepting awards with the utmost grace.

**********

“Tickets to the awards, a couple of cocktails in the Winds bar first, then dinner downstairs at the Four Seasons, and a limo to take you, she wants to discuss a change of image, to one of, well, more grown up I suppose you could say. After all, she isn’t a teenager. And all this, the whole idea, her picking up the award, being sophisticated and the possible change of image, it came from YOU, understand?” Spike said

Xander looked shocked.

“From ME?”

“Uh huh.”

“But, well, what shall I say?”

Spike rolled his eyes.

“Have I got to do EVERYTHING for you goddam it?
Look…do what you do best; LISTEN! God knows she loves to talk! Tell her you’ll think about her ideas, but, want to mull it over…that you’ll have to discuss things with Sweet, then go along with what she wants – eventually that is, let her stew a while before you agree…you might find she’ll be willing to, well, you know ‘help’ you come to a decision in her favour, ‘help’ you to persuade the Big Boss…”

“You mean … you mean she might sleep with me?”

Xander, who’d been leaning back in his computer chair with his hands clasped behind his head, suddenly sat up straight, grinning.

Spike sighed and rolled his eyes, a myriad of sarcastic remarks ran through his head, but in the end he just nodded and said – ‘yes’

Xander leaned back again, hands on top of his head this time, grinning. Then a thought hit him, and he turned towards Spike, his smile gone.

“But what if Sweet says no, and he doesn’t want her to change?”

Spike muttered ‘give me strength’ under his breath

“Then just give it to him straight! She’s 25 years old, needs to re-invent herself, and waiting in the wings on Junior Talent Time or Poppet Pop-Stars are dozens of little Harmony wannabe’s just waiting to be snapped up – he’ll agree, trust me”

Xander thought…then he slowly nodded.

“Yeah…yeah, I think you might be right!”

“Pardon?”

“I mean, yes, you ARE right!”

“That’s better. Now, just remember, all this was your idea, ok – I didn’t think she could handle it, but you persuaded me?” (Xander nodded) Spike stood up and went over to the door.

“If you want to start the ball rolling, she’s in the video editing room – see ya later, bye”

Xander looked down at his shirt, straightened his collar, and brushed imaginary bits off his trousers, he cupped his hands over his mouth and nose, exhaled and sniffed, his breath was ok…he could stop off in the Gents rest room and check his hair…

“Right then, here we go…”

He opened the door to the video editing room, and almost immediately, his arms were full of grateful, over-eager blonde, hugging and thanking him profusely for having faith in her…

“Hi, Harmony, I thought that- ooh! Oh, um…

“………And I promise, I won’t let you down, and oh thankyou! – I’ll look all sophisty- whattsit and be good, and ooohh thankyou, THANKYOU!” Harmony hugged Xander hard, kissing his cheek, and hugging him for all she was worth.

“Oh, um, erm, yeah, well um, huh, great…you’re…ooh, welcome, I’m sure!”

Xander slipped his arms around her and hugged her, grinning over her shoulder, Maybe Spike was right!

**********

Dru was twirling around, arms outstretched, laughing. Everything was floating past, a sea of colours one merging into the other, the pulse of the trance music flowed through her and became her pulse, the throbbing beat her own heartbeat, she felt alive, living, set free, she was running, flying – free at last she had her wings back, faces swam into focus and out again, laughing, drinking, living the moment, she was the music, she was the life, it flowed from her pretty fingers…and she bestowed it on all that surrounded her………

“Whose that Cec?”

“Hmm…oh, that’s Dru…she’s back!”

“Well, she’s certainly enjoying herself!”

“Yeah…wanna meet her…Dru…Dru, come here, and meet some friends!”

Cecily swayed up to her friend and stopped her spinning around.

“Come and meet my friends!”

“I’m dancing…I’m…… whoops!”

Giddy from all the twirling, they staggered to the table, Dru almost falling over, which started them both giggling.

“This is Kendra…and this is her boyfriend, Forrest”

Dru tried to focus on the couple.

“Forrest? Like, like a tree – wheeee a tree, I’m a tree…I like tree’s”

“She alright?” Forrest asked Cecily, he was frown/smiling.

“Yeah…she’s just not, you know, well, she’s been off the scene too long…”

“Well whatever’s making her happy…I want some. Got any?”

“Sure…come with me…”

The trio went off to the toilets to get themselves ‘sorted’, and was soon flying high………

Warren Meers, or rather Warren Walsh as he preferred to be known as these days because of an outstanding warrant, surveyed his kingdom from the upstairs balcony of the club. He sipped his vodka Martini, made for him by the weasely little barman, Willy.

“Hey, Willy…come here”

“Yes boss?”

“That girl down there, thin, long dark hair, the one totally off her face spinning like a top…recognise her?”

Willy came from around the bar and looked over the balcony. He looked for a few seconds, and then turned to his boss.

“Isn’t she that mad bint, the one that caused that big hoo-har when she threatened to jump off the roof of Aphrodite Records a while back – used to be in here a lot at one time…she’s with Candy Hunt, I know they used to be friends, both Brits”

“That’s what I thought…wonder where she’s come from…haven’t seen her for a good while…ok Willy, back to your station”

“Yes, boss”

*********

“Good rehearsal then!” Spike smiled as Buffy left the recording suite.

“Great”

“Um, I popped down to see the photographer, but he wanted to get off home, so I thought we could do that first thing after the show tomorrow, ok – shall we go eat now?”

“Great, coz I’m starving!”

“Well then, to Luigi’s, pronto!” Spike held the door open for her; they trotted down the stairs, signed out and left the building.


“Hmm…oh gods, this is heaven!”

“What did I tell you? I know the red-check tablecloths are a bit naff, as are the candles in wine-bottles, but you won’t find a better Lasagne al forno anywhere…here…try my cannelloni”

Spike held out a forkful, and Buffy ate.

“Hmm…and this dressing on the salad…oh gods, what’s that?” Buffy eyes followed a waiter carrying a creamy chocolate confection to another table.

“Ah, that is their famous Tiramisu. It literally means ‘pick-me-up’ It’s little Ratafia biscuits soaked in Marsala wine and coffee liqueur, with whipped cream and chocolate…I swear it’s to die for. Means another hour in the gym mind, but it’s worth it – we could share one, if you like!

Buffy smiled and said,

“Hmm, me likey!” Making Spike grin too…

**********


“UH!”

“That’s it babe, give it to her good!” Kendra encouraged, as Forrest pumped hard and fast in and out of Cecily.

“Oh fuck, oh yeah…yeah, ugh, so good, ooooohhhhh………don’t stop, don’t you DARE fuckin’ stop…ohh!” Cecily babbled.

Forrest found another gear and thrust at her with renewed vigour after taking a huge sniff of Amyl Nitrite. Kendra wafted the bottle of the fruity-smelling amber liquid under Cecily’s nose, before taking a sniff herself; then she began to suck and pull at Cec’s pale brown nipples.

Cecily’s head whipped from side to side, she was panting hard, she felt so good…

Forrest threw his head back, gasping, and Kendra knew her man was past the point of no return, so she reached down to where they were joined, and she pinched and rolled Cecily’s slippery protruding clit making the girl shriek and buck through a deep, hard orgasm. The tight squeezing of her inner muscles bought Forrest off and he came in one long hard burst shooting deep inside her.

The blonde guy lent over the girl collapsed on the bathroom floor.

“Hey…um, sorry, forget your name…you ok…huh? You alright?”

Dru stirred,

“Huh…Spike?”

“What? – You ok?”

Dru sat up, the whole room swayed; she felt her mouth saliva up. She tried to focus on the blonde guy talking to her.

“I’d come back to bed if I were you”

“You’re not………who are you?”
Dru tried to stand up, then she suddenly realised that the guy was using the toilet, and she felt slightly shocked, and shrieked.

“What are you doing?!”

“What’s it look like, I’m having a piss…so……… we gonna go again or what?”

“Oh god…I feel…I’m going to be…”
She put her hand over her mouth as she started to heave, and just about made it to the shower cubicle. Dru switched on the shower, and shuddered as cold water sprayed over her hand as she washed the vomit down the plughole.

She felt awful, her head was pounding, and her stomach felt sore. Setting about cleaning her teeth, she rinsed and spat, when a male voice from the bedroom said,

“Use the mouthwash, else I’m not kissing you again”

Frozen mid brush, Dru wandered into the bedroom, to see the blonde guy naked lying on the bed, watching a porn movie on TV, sound off. She took the brush out of her mouth.

“Who are you? – Where did you come from?”


Trying to get more coherent thoughts together, Dru knew that basically, there was something wrong here…she’d ‘come to’ on the bathroom floor, with a total stranger standing over her, and they’d apparently already shared an intimate experience that she couldn’t remember………

“Parker…sorry, forgot your name, we met at Cobra”

Just then, a giggling, and stark naked Cecily came into their bedroom, and went to a closet and opened it.

“Don’t mind me…won’t be a sec…” She took out some sort strappy leather thing and went to leave, when Dru snagged her arm and pulled her into the en-suite bathroom.

“Who the hell is HE?” Dru hissed

Cecily looked at her friend impassively, and shrugged.

“I dunno. Just somebody you latched onto in the club. What’s up, don’t you like him anymore?”

“LIKE HIM?” Dru screeched, then she dropped her voice,

“Like him? I don’t even know who the fuck he is!”

“I told you, you latched onto him in the club…I think he reminded you of Spike. You kept calling him that, anyway”

“Get rid of him!” Dru hissed

Cecily frowned

“Don’t be like that…he seemed…nice enough”

Dru’s head pounded, and she held it.

“I can’t…I can’t deal with this, I can’t stand-“

Not wanting her friend to throw a wobbly, Cecily quickly grabbed one of Dru’s hands.

“Alright, alright, calm down, calm down…... I’ll get rid of him for you…now you go back to bed and get some sleep, ok”

“Just get rid-“

“Ok, I’m doing it now…” Cecily left the bathroom.

“Um, hi…sorry about this, but my friend, she’s not feeling too well, and um-“

“Hey, you’re her! You’re that girl in the movie!” Parker grinned and pointed to the screen.

“Yeah…that’s right…so, um…tell you what…come with me, eh? Give Dru a chance to rest”

Parker didn’t need asking twice, and he bounded off the bed and followed Cecily to the other room, where Kendra and Forrest were.

Dru opened the door slightly, and checked that he’d gone. All sorts of thoughts ran through her head, as she slowly slid down the wall and started to cry.

***********

“Oh my god, what’s going on?” Buffy had directed Spike to where she lived from the restaurant. Outside her house was a police car, and a few clusters of mainly kids dotted about on the drive, pavement and lawn. Spike quickly pulled up, and Buffy got out of the car, panicking.

“S’cuse me what’s going on?” She asked the nearest officer

“It’s Buffy, she’s here!” She heard a voice say.

“It’s ok madam. Your neighbours phoned us, seems there have been small gangs of youths hanging around your house, they said they wanted your autograph”

Buffy still serious faced looked at her house. It seemed fine, except the lawn seemed a little churned up. She relaxed.

“Everything ok?” Spike came over to her.

The officer smiled and said,

“Just a few kids wanting autographs, that’s all”

Spike smiled, and said in a loud voice,

“Look kids…Buffy will be having some official photo’s done tomorrow, we’ll see you all get an autographed copy, ok?”

“Who are you?” A tall kid asked Spike

“I’m her manager, I promise we’ll bring you some photo’s and that, but you must go now and leave these people in peace, ok, is that all right officer?”

The cop nodded and the kids left.

“Sorry about that – I didn’t think!” Buffy said, still amazed at her now celebrity.

“Well, nothing you could have done really. Say! You’re that girl that won Search For a Star, right?” The cop said, grinning

Buffy couldn’t help it, and she smiled.

“Um, yeah.”

“I voted for you, my Mrs said the boy-band would win, but I know quality when I hear it!” Buffy blushed when Spike said,

“So do I! Is that it then, can she go in now?”

“Sure…do you just want to have a little check around inside, your neighbour told us you live alone. We have checked, there is no sign of a break in”

“Um, no. I’ll be fine, Spike will, I mean my manager will come in for a moment” she looked at Spike hopefully and he nodded.

“Ok then ma’am, we’ll bid you goodnight – oh hey, when does that song of yours come out?”

“Saturday, it will be released on Saturday”

“Great, goodnight, ma’am, sir” the cops got into the squad car and left

“Night, and thanks” Buffy turned to Spike.

“Tea?”

“Love some”

Chapter 9

Spike sat with his body turned towards her, and Buffy drew her legs up underneath her, they were on the sofa, both nursing a mug of tea.

“………Willow was my best friend, and she was with Oz, he was in a band, they were good too. Angel always wanted fame, so he used to hang around, always asking Oz questions. I used to like it, not because he was a great conversationalist or anything, it just made me feel less of a gooseberry. Then the prom came up, and he asked me to go with him, and then we started dating. To the movies, the Bronze…I didn’t want anything ‘heavy’, I just wanted to keep it light, but well…he could be very………intense sometimes. Then my mom became ill, and I used to spend most of my free time with her at the hospital… Or if she was allowed home, I didn’t want anybody around…he’d started auditioning for bands, and we just drifted apart. Quite frankly, I was surprised when he got into the ‘Sharks’, he couldn’t sing a note! If somebody used to put a song on the jukebox, and he started to sing, we used to tell him to shut up. Seeing him today, I don’t know what I ever saw in him!”

Spike smiled and they sipped their tea. He was thinking the same…


“So, what about you…broken loads of girls hearts, I bet!”

Buffy teased, and she was intrigued to see Spike suddenly look a little…sad? Whatever it was, it made her want to just hold him…he had a little boy lost look only for a second or two, but it made him look vulnerable, she could tell he’d been hurt.

“………So, we were always together. Our families lived on grand estates next door to one another, my father had received a knighthood for his services in the Army, while Dru’s father was born into nobility. We always played together as children, went to the same schools, university, it was inevitable I suppose, everybody thought, well, took it for granted really, that we’d end up together. Her mother had always had mental health problems, and it seemed that unfortunately, Dru followed suit. She was always highly strung. Then she got in with the ‘wrong crowd’ didn’t need me anymore…and we broke up. It hadn’t been much of a relationship the last eighteen months really…more me taking care of her, when she’d let me, that is, which seemed less and less. She’d get herself into some serious shit, drugs or protesting, vandalising property, her and her friends antics more and more dangerous, and well, it would all come crashing down around her ears, and then she’d come running back to me to pick up the pieces”


“She thought of you as her safety net?” Buffy said, and Spike nodded.

“Yes. I always did my best in the past, but well, I spoke to Charles, that’s her father, Lord Netherbourne, and he said that perhaps it was about time for some tough love, making her see sense, making her take some responsibility for her own actions might just give her the wake-up call she needed to get her life back on track. So, on his advice, I didn’t respond when she called the last time. Eventually, she threw the mother of all tantrums, and she actually got onto the roof at the studios, threatened to throw herself off. She said god and her mother had told her to do it…her mother had been dead for six years”

“Oh god, that must have been so hard for you!” Buffy felt such a wave of sympathy for Spike, she got that feeling of just wanting to hold him, again…

“It was, but I realised that I couldn’t help her anymore, and by even trying, I’d end up doing more harm than good. So I let go. She was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, just like her mother.
The authorities talked her down off the roof, and she was taken to hospital. When she was well enough, she went back to England. That was nearly two years ago now. In the middle of it all, that old boyfriend of yours, Angel O’Connor, he used her to get to Aphrodite Records, got her to get Sweetly to sign up his band…bunch of useless prats…sorry, but that’s why I never liked him – that and the fact that they were a talentless bunch of wankers!”

Both smiled at this, then Spike looked up.

“I’m rambling – hell, would you look at the time! And here I was, getting you home so you could have a good night’s rest!” Buffy glanced at the wall clock, and was surprised to see it had gone midnight. They’d been talking of their past relationships, previous jobs, and how things suddenly change. Spike put the mug on the coffee table and stood up.

“Will you be ok?” Buffy smiled and nodded, and asked

“Fine, will a car pick me up in the morning?”

“Oh hell, I forgot to book one. Look, as I’m coming with you, I’ll pick you up.. I’ve got the security pass to drive straight in at Burbank – so I’ll be here for you at…ten, it’ll take roughly half an hour to get there…ten, yes, ten o’clock, will that be all right with you?”

Buffy nodded

“Will these jeans be okay to wear?”

“Fine, as I say, Andrew and Larry will dress you when you get there. Well pet, I’ll be off. Sorry for keeping you up – I forget I can ramble sometimes”

“Don’t be silly, I enjoyed our talk. Oh, and thankyou for the meal”

Spike moved towards the front door, bent and picked up another note that had been pushed through the mailbox, and put it with the pile already on the hall table.

“Missed one, there you go. Goodnight then, pet, see you in the morning” he briefly wondered whether to kiss her cheek or forehead, he wanted to kiss her for real, but didn’t want to frighten her off…

Buffy came to the front door and smiled.

“See you in the morning then…um, drive carefully, won’t you” She reached and squeezed his hand, and Spike grinned, and squeezed gently back.

“Always do, pet…night-night” Buffy opened the door for him, and Spike went to go through, but turned back suddenly to face her, and it invaded her ‘personal space’, they were practically nose-to-nose, but she didn’t shift, she looked at his mouth.

“Um… I, erm…you might want to think about what you’d like to call your album” he looked at her lips, which she moistened.

“’Kay…I will.” She said barely above a whisper. Neither of them moved, then Spike took the plunge, and kissed her cheek.

“Night, love” Buffy smiled, she’d held her breath, hoping he was going to kiss her properly…she was glad she was holding the door, she was shaking slightly.

When Spike reached the bottom of the path, he turned, waved once, and then got into his car and drove off. Buffy closed and locked the door, leaning with her back to it, smiling…

**********

“………Sorry, I forgot to tell you – and her!” Anya said, laughing.

“Thanks a lot! I woke up being prodded by the end of a sweeping brush, by this old Hispanic woman saying menacingly to me, (Jenny faked a bad Spanish accent)

“Who har you, heh? What har you do-ink in Miss Anya’s bed, tell me, I call poliss now- see, I ham phonings the 911!”

If Jenny was looking for sympathy, she wasn’t getting any from her friend.

“Consuela, she is my little treasure!” Anya explained

“She’s got a vicious prod, I know that, thank god Rupert knew her and explained he’d given me your key!”

“So, never mind about all that, how did the date go?” Anya asked, Jenny could tell Anya was grinning.

“Date? – We haven’t been on it yet, it’s tonight”

“So, you didn’t have dinner with him?”

“I was in no fit state, I’d flown from Boston to Chicago, then I got the Red-eye to LA…I don’t know what bloody planet I’m on yet…”

“So, dinner tonight. I recommend the-“

“No!”

“What do you mean, no – you said the date was tonight” Anya was frowning now, confused.

“’Tis, but we aren’t going to dinner, I’ve got to work, I’m writing a piece for Men and Motor’s, about Big Truck racing, so that’s where we’re going”

“You’re taking Rupert Giles to…”

“The Big Truck race, yes”

“Oh. That’ll be fun” Anya said flatly. It was no wonder Jenny hardly got any second dates…

***********



Xander was mesmerised by the sight of Harmony’s cleavage, which sort of kept bouncing before his eyes…She was sitting very close to him talking animatedly.

“So, how about if we went and got something to eat, and discuss my career? –
Xander…hello?”

“Huh?” He managed to drag his eyes away from the golden twin mounds of her chest long enough to realise that he should be giving her some sort of answer.

“Sorry?”

“Eat? Discuss my career?”

“Now? – Um yeah! Yeah, great, why not?”

“Good. Your place?” She smiled, her brows raised high.

“Yeah, oh NO! (He made her jump shouting) Um, no, sorry…my mother, wouldn’t um, be in a……… very, good……… mood” He said, stiltedly, trying to make up an excuse, he gave her a little inane grin.

Harmony frowned,

“Your mother? You still live with your mother?”

“WHAT? NO! Ha-ha! Silly! The very idea!”
Inside, Xander was panicking.

“Then why wouldn’t she be in a very-“ Harmony began,

And desperately trying to think of a good lie to cover the truth, Xander spied one of Harmony’s vanity bags, covered in travel tickets.

“She um, she’s just staying at my place for a few days…she erm, she………f-f-flew in from, Dallas! - And she’d be tired. Don’t want to wake her, you know, jet-lag, and all that”

“Jet lag, from Dallas?” Harmony looked at him, still puzzled.

“Anyway, come on…shall we go to yours – good, what do you fancy, Chinese? Pizza? My treat of course” Xander had stood and hauled her up, it was all she could do to grab her purse and trot after him to keep up.

He’d started to sweat a little, and he just hoped she hadn’t noticed. As they waited for the lift Xander made a mental note to self, ‘get a place of your own!’

**********

With very shaky fingers, Dru tried to ‘pop’ her medication from its blister-pack. She had twelve tablets left, that was all, less than a weeks supply.

She’d have to find herself a doctor, get registered…the thought filled her with dread.

Strangers, asking questions, questions, why couldn’t they all just leave her alone…wanting answers she didn’t know, always wanting, needing, taking from her, like leeches sucking her blood…Dru began to claw and scratch at her arms, she was cold…she felt sick, and panicky, the walls were closing in on her, panting now, she’d dropped her tablets on the floor, and was now on her knees, scrabbling around for them, she could hear crying, somebody was crying, and when the tears dripped on the floor, she realised it was her………

**********

“Is he awake? Can I go through?” Cecily asked Lorne, walking through Sweet’s lounge without stopping, heading straight for her lord and masters bedroom.

“Hold on Sweet-cheeks, I’ll check if you if-“ Lorne began

Cecily got to the door, smiled and said,

“No need…I’ll soon find out!” And she slipped into Sweet’s bedroom, and closed the door behind her.

The room was dark, the curtains were closed, and the air was warm. Propped up against pillows so he could breath properly, Sweet was snoring soundly. The bedroom door opened silently, and Lorne came in carrying an iced tea, and put it on the night-stand. He said nothing, and left.

Cecily bounce-sat on the bed, and like a cheeky child, lifted the sleep-mask to his forehead.

“Daddy! Wakey-wakey…I’ve come to see you!”

A few grunts, a couple of mumbled words and a loud fart, which had Cecily frowning, she gently shook sweet by the shoulders.

“Daddy………DADDY! Wake up!”

“Huh – what, who’s tha-“

“S’me Daddy! Your little Ceccy!”
Sweet focused on the girl and smiled, made a playful grab at her and roared, Cecily shrieked with laughter as he ‘wrestled’ her to the bed. She leaned up and kissed his leering mouth lightly, and he allowed her to sit up.

“Got something for you, Daddy…hot off the press!” She took out two DVD cases from her purse and put them on the night-stand next to his tea.

“Got something for you, two!” he whipped back the bedclothes to reveal a semi-hard on.

“Ooh, Daddy! You are naughty, what shall I do with that, eh?” She closed her fingers around it, and began to pump him, firmly but slowly, hoping he could keep his erection.

“Uh…oh…yeah”

“That good Daddy?”

He didn’t reply, just pulled her head down to his lap. Taking the hint, Cecily began to lick and suck him off. Five minutes was all it took, and his whole body stiffened as he came, his watery emission flooded her mouth, and she swallowed.

“There!” she made a play of wiping her mouth on the back of her hand and Sweet sat up.

“My little girl come for her treats, has she?”

“Oh, yes please, Daddy…and I’ve got some news for you too, good news!”

“Oh?”

“Guess who’s back in town…she used to be your favourite! Well, after me of course!”

“Dru? Drusilla’s back? – When? And why hasn’t she come to see me?”

“She only flew in day before yesterday, very late, she’s still sleeping off the jet-lag…she’ll come and see you real soon, I promise!”

“Bring her to the party on Friday”

“Ooh, Daddy! We’re having a party – what’s the celebration?”

“Scooped the awards at the Indie Radio Awards…after-show party…. it’ll be just like old times…” Sweet grinned and fondled her breast, and Cecily clapped her hands and grinned, as would an excited child.

*********

“Want some of this?” Xander held out the container on stir-fried beef with straw mushrooms to Harmony

“Ooh, no thanks, it’s meat!”

“Oh, right. Hold on though, isn’t that chicken with ginger and green onion you’re eating?”

“Uh huh”

“But that’s meat!”

“Yes, but its not real meat, not like Kentucky Fried chicken meat” Harmony reasoned, crunching on a prawn cracker.

Xander frowned; he couldn’t work that one out, so he decided to let it go…

Making themselves comfy on the sofa, Harmony had put one of her pop compilation DVD’s into the player.

“Right. Now, I want you to watch this, then compare it to the other ones I’m going to show you, ok?”

“Ok!” Xander said, happily enough………

Two hours later, one glassy eyed Xander was listening to a still-perky-as-a-six-year-old-on-a-sugar-high Harmony………

“………And if you remember how short my skirt was in the ‘Rag Doll’ video, I got slammed for that in the press, but it was very popular, sold more copies than
‘The Sunshine Song.’ The video was popular for that though, I think my skirt blew up when I was on the swing…did I show you that? – Anyway, forget that, if you see the next video, when I wear the Daisy Dukes, and I bend over…but well, when I do the shows, the dads always say they like that bit”.

“Harmony!” Xander said desperately

“Yes, Pookie?”

“Can we not watch any mo – Pookie?” Xander asked, looking her in the eye.

Harmony grinned, and ran her fingers through his hair.

“Yes! You’re my little Pookie-Bear! So, do you want to see the Christm- hmm mmm………hmm……… oh!”

In a desperate attempt to shut her up, Xander kissed her. He leaned over her, broke the kiss and looked at her.
Well, she hadn’t slapped his face; that was good…

“Shall we leave the videos off now love?”

“Kay. Um…Pookie”

“Yes?”

“Will you talk to Mr Sweetly for me?”

Xander frowned, he was hoping the kiss would have had an ‘effect’ on her, but he sat up, and Harmony did so too.

“Well…I suppose I could” he said rather flatly

“I want a change of image…I’d be ever so grateful”

Xander turned to face her, thinking it was time for a bit of bullshit………

“Well, it won’t be easy of course…”

“But I’d be ever so, ever so grateful…” she shifted a little closer, and Xander spied the boobs again, and it put him off his thoughts.

“Um, I, I’d erm, well um…see, the er, um…”

“Ever so………” She was kissing him now, and Xander just felt his spine turn to jelly. She knelt up, pushed him right back on the sofa, and then lay on top of him, and Xander had every last thought leave his head………

**********

Sweetly got up off the bed, and went to a wall cabinet and opened it, selecting a case, he took it out and handed it to Cecily.

“Um, Daddy…I need a little extra…I’ve got a guest now, remember?”

“You can have more treats, when she comes to see me”

“Okay Daddy…well, this little birdie must fly…I’ll see you on Friday. I take it we’re at the usual place, the Cobra?”

Sweetly picked up the DVD’s Cecily had bought for him.

“Of course…the back room, naturally” he put one into the player

“Bye then Daddy, have fun………oh, you’ll REALLY like this one, it’s a three way, I’ve got one underneath me, one behind me, and one in my mouth…bye-ee!”

She put the DVD case Sweetly had given her into her purse, and kissing him on the cheek, she left.

“Bye Lorne. See you Friday. Hey, guess who’s back in town?”

“Whose that cup-cake?”

“Dru!”

“Really? – She all shiny new and better?”

“Well…getting there. Must run, see ya, bye!

**********

Buffy raised one leg out of the fragrant bubbly water, soaped it lavishly with a lather filled sponge, and then did the other leg. Smiling to herself, she lay back, day-dreaming about the almost kiss she’d had…

“ULP – (cough) ugh…oh (cough, cough) oh god…oh…THAT’LL teach me to fall asleep in the bath!” Buffy sat up with a start, sluiced water and bubbles from her face and coughed again. She stood and pulled the plug, she quickly dried off and went to bed, after setting the clock for 8.30am.

***

“Morning Willow, sorry I didn’t call last night, but I got in too late! – anyway, I’ve got a cell phone now, so if you need me, this is the number………and um, you may want to check out the guest on tonight’s Ethan Raine show, you might just know her, bye!”
Buffy put the phone down after leaving her friend the message and she began to check through the mail, still smiling.

Spike came dead on time to pick her up, and she was all smiles when he did! They drove to the studios in Burbank, chatting, Buffy showed no trace of nerves.

“So, kitten, you all excited, you’re first proper interview?”

Buffy’s tummy flipped when Spike called her ‘kitten’ and she beamed

“I can’t believe it’s me – it’s happening to me, I’m going to be on TV! Oh, and I had a bill this morning, well, I should say another bill, and instead of wanting to rip it up or hide it, I actually smiled at it! Now I don’t have to worry about money - That reminds me, I MUST deposit that cheque in my account there’s a branch downtown, I need some cash too”

“Ok pet, after the show, meanwhile, if you need anything, just ask, that’s what I’m here for” Spike glanced at her for a second, but then he concentrated on the road again.

“Great, I will!” She settled back in her seat, really looking forward to the day.

NOTE: We’d just like to take this opportunity to thankyou for all the lovely feedback we’re getting, we’re blown away that you are enjoying it as much as we are writing it! – Oh, and thanks also to the lovely Jen and Patty for putting up with us! - Kings of Mercia –

PS the symbols ** ** with words between indicate thoughts.


Chapter 10

Buffy was taken straight to make-up when she got into the studios, Spike began to explain what was going to happen.

“Ok love, the director will start the countdown ‘til were ‘on air’ he say five, four, but do the rest of the count just with his fingers, then point to Ethan, you’ll hear the signature tune, the audience will be clapping, and then he’ll introduce the guests. He’s got a chef in the studio today, so Ethan will introduce you, chat, then it will cut to the chef to do his bit, commercials, come back, taste what the chef has cooked then you’ll sing the song – all right? – Any questions?”

“Um when he introduces me, will I come out from behind a screen or something, or from back stage?”

“Actually no, as you are the only guest, apart from the chef, you’ll be sitting on the sofa already, he’ll introduce you, the camera will pan across and you can wave if you like, say hello” Buffy nodded, then she heard the commotion, and Spike grinned and said,

“I’ll leave you in the capable hands of um…these two. I’ll be in the green room watching ok? – Remember, just be yourself, be natural, they’ll love you!” Buffy smiled and nodded, Spike winked at her.

“What have we here then, Buffy what kind of a name is – ooohh! Woo hoo! Hello Tiger!” Andrew flounced in, looking at Buffy through the mirror, then he’d spied Spike, and pouted and flashed his eyes at him, giving him a little wave.

“Tart!” Was Larry’s comment at Andrew, and Buffy began to giggle. Spike had gone red and made a swift exit.

“Only coz I saw him first! … So, you’re Buffy?” Buffy grinned and nodded

“I’m Andrew, and he is Larry, the one with NO finesse, NO sense, and NO – OW!”

“Andrew is the one wearing his bollocks as earrings, if he carries on, what size are you chick…6?” Larry said without looking at her, and Buffy couldn’t stop giggling.

“We’ve got a giggler…right, ooh, you won that show…ahh, that nice song waiting for your solider boy was it? So pet…any ideas as to what you want to wear?”

“I trust you!”

“Don’t trust her pet!” Larry motioned with his head towards Andrew

“Didn’t you see what he did to Cindy-Lou McGraw at the Grammy’s? – She –“

“Shut it…she looked perfectly fine in that pink Vera Wang when she was blonde, then she dyes her hair black, and looks like Morticia from the Addams family!” Andrew was studying Buffy from all angles, turning her around, and squinting at her.

“Excuses, excuses…” Larry had been holding various colour cards against Buffy’s cheek

“Well…what about you, YOU put Wes Price in Ugg boots! – I mean…I ask you”
Andrew looked up at Buffy, and batted his eyes at her.

“It was winter, it was New York, it was snowing and he was wearing a fur coat…what SHOULD I have put him in, Manolo’s?”

Buffy was still smiling when the two disappeared into a huge walk-in wardrobe, still bickering.


“Take no notice of those two…close your eyes” the make-up girl said to Buffy, and she whisked a large brush with translucent face powder over her face.

“They’re funny!”

“Yes, they are, right, when you’re dressed, I’ll do your lipstick, I want to see what colour they’ve put you in, just come back in here” Buffy nodded

“Buffy!”

“Coming!” Buffy went through to the next room

“I think I should be worried…!” Larry said, but they were both smiling

“Why?” Buffy asked seriously

“Coz I totally agree with her!…Colour, style and dress – oh god! There goes my career!”
Larry raised his arm and rested his head on his forearm in a mock-tragic gesture, making Buffy giggle.

They helped her on with the dress, and she looked stunning. A simple Catherine Hamnett coatdress in a mid green, and shoes to match. Buffy looked in the mirror and thought that she’d suddenly grown six inches taller, and gasped.

“Wow! I look so much taller!”

“You like it pet?” Larry asked

Grinning and turning from side to side, Buffy said,

“No, I LOVE it!”

“Could have been made for you, treasure!” Andrew said. Buffy looked at the two of them, standing there. There was a loud wolf-whistle, and Spike leant against the doorjamb. Andrew got all flustered, Larry rolled his eyes and Buffy’s heart skipped a beat.

“You like?” She did a twirl.

“Very nice, kitten – stunning in fact! Here, I thought that you might want to look at the questions Ethan has lined up for you”

“Well sweetness, we’ll be off…see you soon!” Andrew and Larry collected their books and colour charts and made to leave.

“Oh, bye, and um thankyou!”

Andrew smouldered a look at Spike as he passed, but Spike only had eyes for the beautiful blonde girl in front of him.

“Make-up want to do my lipstick…what time are we recording?”

Spike looked at his watch and said,

“We’ve got about three-quarters of an hour yet, want to go through these?” he waved the clip-board.

“Would you mind? – I think I’d feel better knowing what’s going to be asked”

*

“Gods, I swear, if he called ME kitten, he’d hear me purr!” Andrew said to Larry as they walked down the corridor.

“As if!” Larry rolled his eyes

“A ‘girl’ can dream, can’t she?” Andrew pouted and sighed

*********

Jenny wanted to see Rupert’s reaction to the thing she was about to give him to eat.

She knew, obviously he was a man of refined tastes, he didn’t own one of the best restaurants in California for nothing. He’s passed her first ‘test’ by not wearing tweed or cavalry twill to their unusual first date, which is what she thought might be his idea of ‘casual’, and instead he’d come in jeans and a sweatshirt, topped off with a leather jacket.

All perfectly acceptable. Now, if he looked at this like it was dog-shit in a bun, then he’s ‘failed’.

“Here you go, one chilli-dog, I put everything on it” She handed him the napkin wrapped snack.

Without a qualm, Rupert bit into it, and chewed thoughtfully, then he said,

“Didn’t know you could get anything as unhealthy as this in Cali! – Mind you, not as good as the ones I’ve had in New York!” Jenny burst out laughing, he’d passed with flying colours, and she bit into her own.

***********

It was just as Spike described it to her, and the sound man and director stood by the right hand camera man. The audience were whispering, and Buffy sat waiting on the couch.
“Ok people, silence!” The audience hushed, the ‘On Air’ red light came up, and the sound man got ready with the board saying ‘APPLAUD’ .

The director got his cue from production, and crouched by the camera.
“Sound…check…VT rolling…and ready, in……… FIVE, FOUR,”
He hand gestured the three, two, one, and pointed to Ethan, the signature tune started, and the sound man held up the board telling the audience to clap. They dutifully did, giving a few cheers too. The tune faded away, and Ethan did his opening piece to camera.

“Hello, hello…(he waited for the applause to die down) thankyou, today we have delights for all your senses – In the kitchen we have Hot Chef Anton Blanc cooking up a storm for us – one of his ten-minute recipes from his new book ‘Meals in Moments’ - smells wonderful Anton!”
the audience clapped when the chef just waved from the ‘kitchen’ area they had set up in the studio, Ethan continued,

“And hot-foot straight from the recording studios, we have the run-away winner of Search For a Star – Buffy ladies and gentleman!” the camera panned to her and she waved, the audience went wild!

Ethan went and sat behind his desk, and they began to chat, they showed a little clip of her reaction to winning the show, and Ethan asked her about the song, what was the inspiration, how her life was changing, and Buffy was just natural, no trace of nerves. They came to the commercial break, and Buffy noticed Spike at the side of the stage, he grinned and gave her a double thumbs up, and she grinned back.

After the break, Buffy and Ethan stood by the kitchen, tasting the dish Anton had demonstrated and cooked, both proclaiming it delicious.

“Do you cook, Buffy?” Anton asked

“Um, well, soup! And as long as the toaster doesn’t play up and stick, toast – hmm, this is delicious…try this everyone, it’s great!” The audience laughed,

After plugging the chef’s new book, Ethan introduced Buffy again and she sang her song.
Over the closing credits, Ethan told the audience that the song would be available on the Saturday, and they whistled and cheered, Buffy and Anton waved.

“Closing credits…off air…in five…four, three, two, ON AIR sign off… one, VT end rolling…and Cut – that’s a wrap everybody – thankyou!”

Spike came on set and Buffy turned to him, he was absolutely beaming at her. He gathered up in his arms and hugged her saying,

“You’re a complete natural! I’d have thought you’d been doing that for years!” Buffy gave him a big hug back, and Spike, quick on the uptake, kissed her cheek as well, giving her a squeeze. He didn’t remove his arm from around her shoulders, and she didn’t from around his waist, when Ethan came over to them. He too was smiling.

“Well! I must congratulate you, Buffy, I’m always nervous about ‘first-timers’ – but you were terrific!”

“Wasn’t she!” Spike said, pulling her close and hugging her again, and STILL neither of them had moved their arms…it felt good, and, well, right!

“Thanks…whoops…I think they want us to um...move!” Buffy said, and they walked off, as the stagehands were dismantling the set to get it ready for the next show.

Buffy and Spike left the studio’s, and he took her down town to the bank so that she could deposit her cheque, and get some cash.

“Right, you have a date with a photographer now…” Spike said, as he pulled out into the traffic.

“Oh, my um, my clothes, I’ve left-“

“Relax, kitten, I have them in a bag for you”

“Oh, thanks. Do I send these back? – Actually, I really love it – the shoes pinch a bit, but hey – suffer for a bit of fashion, eh?”

“You can keep it love, you look sensational” Buffy felt herself blushing, but she felt very pleased.

“Gods, that Andrew and Larry, they are a scream…!”

**********

Xander didn’t know what to do. Well, no, that was a lie, he did know, he just was wondering if he did it, would he get his face slapped…

Tentatively, he put his hand on Harmony’s shoulder, and pushed a little, she stopped kissing him and said

“What?”

“Um…sorry, but, well, my back. It’s killing me on here”

“Oh, sorry!” She sat up, and Xander sat up too.

“Will you talk to Sweetly for me?” She used a wheedling tone and had these puppy-dog eyes, and Xander knew that there was something he was supposed to do.

“Sure!” Then it hit him – shit – that wasn’t it! He was supposed to be playing hard-to-get!

“Great!” Harmony beamed

“Well, sure, I mean, I’ll um, try, I’m not promising to er, well what I mean is, I don’t know if there’s anything I can say to, erm…you know, make him…see sense”

“See! You know it makes sense – and you convinced Blondie Bear!”

“Blondie – who?”

“My Spike! ‘Cept well, he’s not now…”

“Oh, er, right, yeah…yeah I did, didn’t I…yup, clever old me…convincing Spike”

“Uh huh. Anyway, I better be going to bed now”

“Right.” Xander could still feel himself rock hard, a fact that would be evident if he stood up.

“Um…Harmony”

“Pookie?”

“Could I – I mean, I don’t suppose I could…(suddenly, a good idea hit him) ah! Oh! Ow! Ouch, ooh, the pain!”

“Pookie, oh what is it?”

“Oh, it’s my back…ah, the sofa must have, ooh…I’ll be ok in a minute, I hope ooh, ahh…”

“What can I do? – Shall I call an ambulance?”

“NO! I mean, no babe…no fuss…it’ll be ok soon, it comes and goes, you know…I just hope I’m not crippled in the morning…having to sleep on the sofa at home”

“You sleep on a sofa at home?” Harmony asked, surprised

“Well, no, not usually – ouch – but my mother…”

“Oh right, your mother’s staying – well, you can stay here in my bed!”



“Oh, no, I couldn’t! – Where would you sleep?”

“In my bed! I know I’d be safe, after all, if you’ve got a bad back, you wouldn’t be able to get up to anything well…naughty now, would you?”

**Shit. Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit! By the steaming great po full!**

“Um, no…I don’t suppose I would. Unless you were to go-“ Xander just stopped himself from blurting out the words ‘on top’ and replaced them with,

“…And get me a couple of aspirin, I think I can make it home”

“Are you sure Pookie- my big brave boy!”

“Huh…right. Yeah…that’s me”

**Big, fucking stupid brainless me…**

“Um... all I’ve got is indigestion tablets………oh Pookie!” Harmony, in a sudden rush of sympathy clutched Xander’s head to her chest, running her fingers through his hair, and his once receding hard on was suddenly back with a vengeance…

He’d just about been ready to stand up, but he couldn’t.

“Um…Harm…love”

“Hmm?”

“You’d better stop!”

“Oh, am I hurting you? – Oh Pookie!” She clutched him to her with renewed fervour, making Xander’s eyes roll.

*********


“………The bluescreen is used, so whatever image we want can be super-imposed on after” Spike explained to Buffy. She was wearing a long floaty dress, her hair down, and she was standing in front of a large blue screen.

“Ok, wind machine on…” The photographer called, and his assistant turned it on low. Buffy’s dress and hair gently billowed out behind her, and after checking his light meter, the photographer took several shots.

“Can you look down now love…that’s it” He took several more shots, and then he said,

“Ok, run your fingers of one hand through your hair………arm nearest me………that’s it, that’s it, hold that…lovely – right I think that’s it” The wind machine was turned off.

“Be ready in an hour, ok?” Spike nodded to the photographer, and he and Buffy took the opportunity to go for a coffee on the 6th floor.



“So pet, have you thought any on what you might want to call your album?” Spike asked as he put her coffee down in front of her.

“Hmm…I don’t know…one of the song titles, perhaps?”

“Good, that’s a good idea…any particular one? - Oh, thankyou” Spike had been handed several sheets of paper by a messenger.

He leafed through them, glancing briefly, then he smiled up at her.

“I thought that you’d um, well could help me choose?” Buffy played with the froth on the top of her cappuccino with her spoon.

“I’d love to. Meanwhile…there’s a party you’ve been invited to, company thing, hard to say no to, in fact, Sweet wants to meet you so…it’s Friday”

“Are you going?”

“Like I say babe, you don’t say no really…so, how about we go together huh?” Buffy beamed

“Great!”

“Once you’ve met Sweet, and we’ve stayed an hour, we could…well, if you like, we could go on somewhere – if you wanted to that is…these parties sometimes get pretty rowdy see. Rack and his crowd…then there’s Gunn, and his entourage…arguments about the type of music to be played…Gunn’s lot hates death metal, Rack’s lot hates rap and hip-hop. NOBODY wants Harmony’s bouncy bubble-gum pop, and in the end we were all brain-dead from trance!”

Buffy smiled and said

“I’d like that”

“Great” Spike smiled, and looked back at the sheets he’d been given.

“Ok then, after this, we’ll go check over the photo’s, see it’s suitable and hot-foot it over to the factory and pick up the first copies of your song!”

“Wow! – Oh…erm…” A messenger handed her four A4 size photographs, and said,

“Which one do you like?”

Buffy and Spike immediately chose the same one! Against the bluescreen, the photographer had super-imposed a beach at sunset, with waves gently lapping on the shore, and a silhouette of Buffy, her hand running through her slightly billowing hair, looking out to sea.

“That one…it’s perfect, like you’re looking out for someone across the sea…” Spike said

“Yes!” Buffy readily agreed.

“Tell him number 2” Spike handed the photos back and the messenger nodded and left.

“Wow, it’s amazing what they can do! It looked like I’d been really there!”

Spike smiled and started scribbling something down on the back of one of the sheets of paper in front of him.

*********

Dru felt wretched. She looked at the line of coke prepared for her by Cecily, and tried to think things ‘rationally’.

“Look, no-ones forcing you, but that shit the doc’s got you on – it’s turned you into a zombie! You’re obviously having no fun. And I’m not saying go back to the amount you used to do, just a little toot now and again, just to keep the um…well, situation form becoming unbearable.”

“Does he know I’m back?”

“Does who know?”

“Daddy?”

“Yes, he wants to see you, he’s having a party on Friday”

Dru looked up big-eyed at Cecily.

“He wants to see me? – Even after…well, you know, what happened – do you think he’s forgiven me?”

“Darling, you were his favourite, right along with me. Anyway, he sent you flowers in hospital didn’t he?” Cecily then bit her lip, she’d forgotten that Dru had been in such a state that she probably didn’t know if it was haircut, harvest or Christmas time, the doctors had her so doped up at the beginning, Dru didn’t even know her own name…

“But…”

“Choice is yours. I’m going shopping, want to come?” Cecily busied herself about getting her purse and her shoes on. She came over to Dru.

“I’ll look after you, you can always stay here” She glanced at the island counter top, and noticed the little line had gone, and Dru was sniffing and pinching her nose, then she grinned.

“That’s better, come on, I’ll treat you” And the two girls went off to town giggling like a couple of teenagers.

**********

At the security door, Spike punched in a six-digit number, and the door buzzed then popped open, he pulled it wide and let Buffy go in first.

“Hey pet, listen, can you hear what’s playing?” Spike asked, grinning at her.

Buffy went big-eyed!

“My song! Oh my god! It’s my song!”

“Sure is, come on, this way!” Spike pushed open a fire door, and then he opened a door marked ‘Production’. Her song now echoed all over the huge factory floor.

“Stay within the yellow lines pet, coz the stacker trucks whiz along here piled high with crates to load the trucks” Spike pointed to the floor, and Buffy nodded. They were heading for a small office on the factory floor.

“Hi!” Spike said and a woman with long dark hair and glasses wearing a white lab coat looked up from examining a picture.

“Spike! How are you – I’ve just been faxed over the photo for the cover of the CD”

“Great! I’m fine thanks Fred; I’ve bought Buffy to see her single being produced! - Let me introduce you, Fred, this is Buffy, Buffy, this is Fred, Chief Production manager” the two shook hands, and Fred said,

“I love your song!” Buffy beamed and said ‘thankyou’

“So, you want to see the process?” Fred asked Buffy

“Oh yes!”

“Well, I tell you what, I’ll stay here and make a few phone calls, I’ll leave you two ladies to it, ok?” Spike sat behind Fred’s desk

“Come on…not much to see really, but…” the two left and Fred showed Buffy this huge machine that could produce 10,000 CD’s an hour.

“It’s amazing how quiet it is in here, apart from the stacker-trucks” Buffy said, and watched as CD’s flopped into open cases, and were then flipped to shut them before being placed into boxes of two dozen.

A red light came on and a buzzer sounded.

“We’re just in time, that’s the last of that one. Now it’s your CD next, come on follow me…” Buffy dutifully followed Fred to a glass fronted room.

“We won’t go in there, the fumes from the inks can get a little over-powering… but see, that’s the photo of you we were faxed, what, forty minutes ago? – It’s been laser-printed onto those huge sheets – with all the necessary details printed on the back too…see what that guy’s doing?”

Buffy craned her neck to see a guy setting a huge thick block of the printed photos and details onto a table, where he punched in some numbers, and the block was cut up into a pieces the size of the open CD case.

“When it’s cut to size, each piece is then laid into an open CD or ‘jewel’ case as they are know, then the open cases travel on down to the CD processing machine………”

They walked further down to where they started.

“There you go, Buffy…your CD!” Fred walked over to where the first boxes were being packed up, and she took out two, and handed them to her.
Buffy was slightly overwhelmed and smiled, and whispered ‘thankyou’.

“I want one of those!” both ladies turned to see Spike walking towards them, grinning.

“Hey, cheapskate, buy one!” Buffy said playfully elbowing Spike gently!

“I need to get back to the office, so, ready kitten?”
Buffy nodded and turned to Fred and said,

“Thankyou for showing me the process, it’s amazing, and um, thanks for these! Buffy held up the two CD’s. Spike had ‘helped himself’ to a copy and then after saying goodbye, they left to go back over to the studios.

“Want that autographed?” Buffy asked cheekily

“Of course…want to get the maximum when I sell it on Ebay!”

“Bloody cheek!” They giggled and teased each other all the way back to the office. Each absolutely loving the easy banter they had.

“Actually babe, I need a copy of your signature, we can get stamp made up, for the autographing of photo’s and that”

**********

“Whoops – you ok?” Harmony asked as Xander plonked down on her bed.

“F-fine…um, fine…” She bent and pulled his shoes off, and Xander began to unbutton his shirt.

“Can you do your pants?”

“Y-yes…um, Harm…I um, I go Commando”

“Huh?”

“I d-don’t, you know…wear underwear”

“That’s alright Pookie, I don’t wear anything in bed eit-oh…um…I’ll find a tee shirt or something…”
She left the room, and Xander quickly took his jeans off and slipped under the covers. He was willing his cock to go down, but when Harmony came back in wearing the skimpiest of tops and a thong, he groaned and squeezed his eyes shut. Harmony got into bed, turned her back to him and turned off the light.

“Night Pookie…try and sleep little lamb”

**Yes, right…here I am…in bed, naked, with Harmony…who’s as good as naked - fuck - shut up…ok…think…**
Xander tried to think of all the things that would make his hard-on disappear………
Sweetly grinning at him…not reaching the monthly targets………Rack thinking I called him a talentless git…oh thank god! Xander’s erection began to subside, and he tried to relax. Harmony began to emit a little soft snore, and she shifted slightly, her bare warm thigh and buttock was now touching his leg…and it was ‘HELLO’ Mr. Stiffy again…Xander grimaced and screwed his eyes up, and slowly, SLOWY he moved his hand towards it. If he could give it a little squeeze…
It was then Harmony turned over and flung her arm around his middle, her elbow not an inch away from his straining cock.
He let out a whine, and in her sleep Harmony patted his tummy, mumbling

“Poor Pookie”

**Poor Pookie…! Fuck, I’m DYING HERE!** thus was how Xander spent his night, with a rampant hard-on, paralysed in fear that she’d find out and kick him out, so he could do nothing else than lie on his back, else he’d be exposed as a fraud, every time he went to touch his dick, Harmony stopped snoring and he feared she was awake…

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

Cecily and Dru were giggling like teenagers again after trying on all their purchases in Cecily’s lounge. They were swigging alternately out of a bottle of brandy, and a bottle of wine.

“Wha’ d’ya think…f’ Friday?” Dru held up her foot with a sparkly sandal on. All she was wearing, was a tiny thong and a feather boa.

“S’great…but won’t ya be a bit cold!” They shrieked with laughter

“No, no…the shoe, silly!” Dru waggled her foot

“Jus’ the one?” They collapsed again, and then Cecily suddenly remembered the DVD case Sweet had given her.

“Ooh…Dru…look what I got…goodies from Daddy!” She carefully opened the case, and found a 5gm bag of Coke, a phial of Amyl Nitrite, a dozen ecstasy tablets, six tabs of LSD, strong sleeping tablets and some Columbian red to smoke.

“Lets have a smoke!”

Chapter 11

After skipping lunch, Buffy went straight to rehearsing the new songs for her album, and then Spike said she could go at four o’clock, as she wanted to do some shopping.

She wanted something to wear for the party, and just to generally spoil herself with some luxury bath products, cosmetics and frivolities like scented candles, stuff that she’d had to deny herself when money was tight.

She sat in the food court with a coffee, her myriad of shopping bags on two other seats. Buffy took out her cell phone, and called up her friend.

“Hi Will, where are you?”

“Lecture hall three, well, tell a lie, outside lecture hall three, I’m just on my way home”

“Come and meet me! I’m in the Food Court at the mall…I can tell you what’s been going on!”

“Oh great, give me twenty minutes!”

*********

It was just after six, and Spike closed down his computer, yawned and stretched, there was a knock at his door, and a messenger entered with a two-inch thick parcel, handed it to him and left.

“Thankyou” Spike opened it, and smiled, it was 250 photos of Buffy, taken from a ‘still’ when she was on Ethan Raine’s show. She looked beautiful, natural and happy. Spike had been just going to go home, but thought that another half an hour wouldn’t hurt, and he got out the rubber-stamp of Buffy’s signature they’d had made, and he began to stamp the corners of the photos.

Normally this would have been a secretary’s job he’d have had done tomorrow, but Spike thought that it would give him an excuse to drop by Buffy’s house later, after all, he’d promised those young fans of hers some pictures………

********

“Have you got that, Warren?” Lorne asked

“Yes, yes, I know, treble security, it’ll be easier to get into Fort Knox than the back room, have no fear…I’ll want the ‘usual’ payment’ of course”

“You will - we’ll supply the DJ, we don’t want the music fiasco that happened last time – we’d have been better off with a karaoke”

“Sure, whatever”

“Oh yes, and he wants six cases of Champagne. Dom Perignon, or Bollinger, not that Spanish Cava you pass off as bubbly, he’ll know”

“Okay! Jeez”

“I’m just telling you for your own good Warren…we wouldn’t want anything to happen to you, now would we?”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning, Sweet has mucho influence, friends and interests in this city… wouldn’t do to try and screw him”

“I hear you’re the one doing that, literally, one of many!”

“Don’t get smart, that mouth of yours will get you into trouble one of these days, Mr MEERS!”
Lorne put the phone down, and Warren looked horrified, how the HELL, did Lorne know that his real name was Meers and not Walsh…

“SHIT! BASTARD!” Warren kicked out at the office safe. He’d been SO careful to keep his real name covered as there was that outstanding warrant in England for his arrest for murder.

He’d REALLY have to be careful now, and play things absolutely straight with Sweet and co…a thought that made him sick.

Willy was a little worried, he’d heard Warren swearing, and he thought as his boss had the takings books out on the desk that he’d been found out about his ‘fiddle’. He decided to brazen it out, and knocked on the office door.

“Yes?” Warren asked irritably

“Can I have the floats for the cash registers?”

“Here” Warren threw him the key to the safe.

“Friday” Warren said

“Boss?”

“I want YOU to do the bar in the back room, it’s for Sweet’s after-award party, and I want everything to be perfect, if they ask for champagne, then that’s what they’ll have, no Cava shit, the real McCoy, and NO watering down the drinks, even if the punter is shit-faced and out of his tree – do you hear me?”

Willy raised his brows – but thought it best to comply, well, at least in words, anyway…

“Sure thing boss…can I go now? – got to fill up the mixers and that”

“Yeah”

This surprising instruction set Willy thinking, he wondered just what had Sweet and his cronies had got over his boss………


**********

Buffy luxuriated in the bubbly scented water, she popped a chocolate into her mouth and relaxed, lying back, thinking ‘This is the life’.

Spike went home, grabbed a sandwich, had a shower and changed, and then phoned Buffy.

“………I like to keep my promises, and they’re ready see, I tried out the new rubber stamp of your signature on them – you can’t tell the difference, you’d think they’d just been signed”

“Great, there are a few kids hanging around outside actually, come on over!”

“See you in twenty minutes!”

They were both smiling when they put their phones down. Buffy unfurled the towel turban on her head and rubbed briskly at her hair, She slipped on her jeans and a crop-top, and put on a slick of lipgloss and a couple of coats of mascara. Bending over, she dried her hair, to give it some volume. She’d just unplugged the hairdryer when she saw the flash of headlights across her bedroom wall, and the low purr of the sports car’s engine.
She went down and opened the front door, and was surprised and delighted to see not Spike at first, but a HUGE bouquet of mixed flowers.

“Hi!”

“Oh, look, talking flowers – come in!” Buffy beamed at him

“These are for you, congratulations on your first single” Spike handed over the flowers.

“Gorgeous!”

“I know…I can’t help it!” Spike fluttered his lashes, making Buffy giggle.

“The flowers, silly…although, I suppose you could pass for ok!”
Buffy teased, and Spike grabbed her bare waist and tickled her, making Buffy squirm and scream out laughing.

“Give in! I give in!” The pair of them was now in the kitchen, both laughing.

“Do you now, huh!”

Buffy looked wondrously at the cut mixed blooms, roses, lilies, orchids, their heady perfume was almost intoxicating. She carefully laid them on the island, opening the cupboard under the sink for some vases.

“They’re beautiful”

“Like you then” Spike said, not taking his eyes off her.

She smiled, blushed, mumbled a ‘thankyou’, and began to snip off the ends of the stalks and strip leaves off the long stems so they wouldn’t rot in the water.

Spike sat himself down on one of the stools by the breakfast bar, and watched while she arranged the flowers between the two vases. When she’d finished, she went over to him, stood between his legs and gave him a soft gentle kiss.

They looked at each other for a second or two, and Spike homed in again, and they began kissing with mounting passion, she was glad that she was holding him around the shoulders, when his tongue swept into her mouth, her knees felt ready to give way.

She broke the kiss and Spike whispered a breathless in her ear

“Oh Buffy! I’ve been longing to do that!” Buffy closed her eyes and held him to her, and then she rested her forehead against his.

“Me too. Spike…is this, well, is this how it is with all your other singers?”

“What do you mean pet?”

“I mean well, you’re with them practically 24/7 for the first few weeks, and-“

“I can stop you right there pet. I’ve never done before what I’ve done with you. Usually, I’m just the manager, if I spend half an hour- say and hour a day tops, usually with my singers, I’ve never taken anyone to the studios, or the factory it’s all done with what we call ‘minders’.”

“So why me?” Buffy asked

“Because from the second I set eyes on you, I knew you were something special. Not just the business side of things, I know if it’s what you want, you have a great singing career in front of you. I mean, well, I want to get to know you. If it’s not what you want, tell me now, and I’ll sort out a minder for you, and I won’t bother you again, except for business.”

“But what’s so special about me? – You must have hundreds of women after you?”

“Not hundreds, pet…a few, maybe………nobody’s ever taken my interest like you – I don’t want to put any pressure on you, if it’s not what you want, I totally understand, and it won’t harm your career”

“It is. What I want. I’d like there to be an us, but I want to take things slowly, and I’d like to keep it just between ourselves…if too many people get to know – I’ve seen it all before at work, well, when I was at the school, embryonic relationships ruined by gossip”

“I totally agree…” Spike said nodding, he was happy to comply

“Good” Buffy still had her arms loosely around his neck, when her stomach rumbled. She rolled her eyes, and Spike snatched a quick kiss and said,

“Hungry, pet?”

“I had a sandwich at the food court, but yes, I am a bit, you?”

“I’m the same. Grabbed a sandwich earlier…got anything in?” He nodded towards the fridge.

“Not much…” She went over to the fridge and pulled it open.

“Juice…eggs, pack of ham…some cheddar, a bag of ready washed salad, few mushrooms…tomatoes…milk, and the pizza needs throwing – it’s from before the show!” she took the box out and put it on the side.

“Like omelettes?” Spike asked

“I love them, don’t tell me, you cook?” she grinned at him

“Has been known! – Tell you what, you go out there, and distribute some of these to your adoring fans, and I’ll whip you up an omelette faster than you can say ‘Your culinary expertise absolutely astounds me!” Buffy giggled and took some of the photos to take outside. Spike washed his hands and set about his task.

***********

Jenny woke, stretched and luxuriated in the fact that she hadn’t had to wake up to an alarm clock, for a change. When she felt a strong arm around her waist, she turned over and smiled.

“Morning”

“Hi”

“Sleep well?”

“Eventually!”

Giles smiled, and then looked slightly worried.

“I wasn’t, you know, too much for you, was I?”

“Twice on the trot, and then again an hour later…nope, not too much…you’re a right regular little tiger when roused, aren’t you!”

She made to get out of bed, but Giles stayed her with his arm.

“Don’t get up yet, please?”

“I just need the bathroom, honey, I’ll be back – promise” She lightly kissed his nose, and Giles let her go.

Although he couldn’t see, Jenny was grinning all the way into the bathroom, ok, she’d been totally wrong about older men, and this man, well - he definitely knew what he was doing, and he had stamina by the bucket-load!

**********

Glory Benson stood on-set, checking her script, the make-up lady was powdering her face, and there were stagehands milling about, and the director and soundman were in deep discussion.

“Ok everybody, at last, rolling in five” the director called

“He’s here then – about bloody time…keeping me waiting” Glory threw the clipboard down on the sofa and allowed the make-up lady to re-new her trademark red lipstick.

“Clear the set, rolling in three minutes”

Glory fixed in her earpiece in, and looked at the director, who said,

“Opening credits, your piece introducing what you’ve got on and then got to VT of Gunn’s new single, then introduce him” Glory nodded

“Quiet on set everybody – rolling in one minute” there was a slight commotion off-stage, and Glory shot one of her icy glares in the general direction.

“Can somebody get those people away from the stage…and QUIET- TWENTY SECONDS – Places please – clear the set…ready-“ From the chaos suddenly everything was ready, with Glory standing and waiting to do her piece to camera.

“VT Rolling…and Five, four – cut to credits, music…and one –“ The director pointed at Glory.

“Hi –Glory Benson with another edition of ‘Chart Countdown’. On tonight’s show we have two more contenders for the Independent Radio Awards Best Song category, our usual run down of the Indie and Billboard charts, and later I’ll be chatting to Mobo award contender, and the quiet man of rap, Gunn”

Glory turned her head to the right and the camera panned to a screen, showing a clip of Gunn’s new video, ‘Urban Decay’ a typical scene, the slick black guy, head to toe in designer gear and covered in ‘bling’, arms outstretched, gesticulating with his fingers, while scantily clad girls gyrated around him while he walked along a row of boarded up and graffiti covered shops, while he rapped to a stilted beat. The camera panned back to Glory, and she looked straight at camera.

“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight’s guest, Gunn” he came on-set, and sat down on the sofa. Glory seated herself opposite.

“They call you the quiet man of rap, why?”

“I guess, because I’m quiet”
Gunn said, softly. Glory fixed him with a look and knew she wanted to give this guy a rough ride. He’d ‘dissed’ her by being late, so she wasn’t going to go easy on him, which she didn’t. She grilled him on his lyrics, repeating the press’s view that they were typically misogynistic, and homophobic, and when she stated that she thought that he swanning around in a fur coat and enough bling valued high enough to take at least three families out of the poverty he sang about was hypercritical, Gunn had had enough and he unclipped his microphone and stormed off-set. Without turning a hair, Glory cut to the ‘break’ and the commercials were shown.
All hell broke loose backstage.

“Glory! Can’t you apologise?” the director pleaded.

“No! Jumped up, two-bit, over-rated talentless prat had it coming!”

Some of Gunn’s entourage were going crazy, making threats to her, which made Glory even madder, and she flipped them a middle finger.

“Gonna get you, you Mother-fuckin’ bitch – when I do, I’m gonna kick your lop-sided, skanky little ass!” one of them shouted

“Yeah? Fuck off, you don’t frighten me…” Dropping her voice to little above a mumble, she said,
“Getting so tired of this”

One of Gunn’s entourage broke free of security and ran on set, making threats, but he was soon hauled off. The director was going frantic trying to get order.

“Back on air in five, four………one – Glory” Glory smiled to the camera and did her next piece, you could still hear the commotion going on backstage, and Glory took it all in her stride, she was controversial, she didn’t care, or was in the slightest bit worried. The poor director however, was sweating profusely, and almost having a heart attack.

The rest of the show passed without incident, and Glory stalked off set into the greenroom.

“Gunn…darling” Glory kissed him on the cheek, and perched on his lap.

The director saw this and was almost incandescent with rage.

“All that, that – that was a put up?”

“Of course, darling…we’re from the same stable…All Sweet’s idea…keeps us in the news!”

“Ok, but off my man, now!” Nikki Wood looked deadly serious, and then she too laughed and hugged Glory.

“How are you girl?”

“Oh, you know…earning a living…”

“You were a bit hard on my man!”

“Hey, he was late…!” They laughed and joked, and the poor director began to think he was getting too old for this lark…

“Um, just checking, those guys, your entourage, they do know it was all a put up, don’t they?” Glory asked Gunn.

“I assume so, I’ve never laid eyes on any of them before, my homies are just that, at home!”

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

“Oh god…this has to be the best omelette I’ve ever tasted!” Buffy pointed to the cheese, ham and mushroom concoction with her fork. He’d served it with a side salad, and as there was nothing else stronger, they had juice to drink. Spike grinned and said,

“Thanks. So, how many photo’s did you give out?”

“About a dozen, it’s getting dark so they tend to drift away. I was thinking of giving some to the lady next door, she was the one that phoned the police. If she has some to give out, the kids might go away and leave them in peace.”

“Good idea! Listen babe, it’s getting late, and I’ve got a bit to do at home, so I’ll be off after I’ve finished this, and I’ll send a car for you in the morning, so we don’t get the gossip-mongers started” Buffy nodded.

They finished their meal, and Spike gave her a run-down of what she’d got to do the following day. She’d got three interviews, another TV appearance and rehearsals.

“Night then, baby…see you in the morning” Buffy saw him to the door, and they had a nice kiss, nothing too passionate, she wanted things to go slowly, well, he wasn’t about to blow it now…

**********


Spike was in the office bright and early the following morning, he’d caught up with his work and was just putting some work in his filing cabinet, when he spied out of the window, both Xander and Harmony getting out of the same car, Harmony helping Xander like he was an invalid. Spike grinned. Cordelia knocked and came in, bringing papers for him to sign.

“And how come you’re so cheerful this morning?”

“Its Xander…I think he’s cracked it!”

“Cracked what?”

“Well, if things have gone according to plan…” Spike went onto explain. They both heard the lift ‘ding’ outside, and Cordelia, hardly keeping the grin off her face when she left Spike’s office. Xander tiptoed in. He was walking in a very peculiar manner. A widely grinning Spike met him at the door.

“My god…what has she done to you!” Spike pulled out a chair, but Xander shook it and went to go to the toilet.

“Blue-balls…I won’t be long…give me two minutes…”

Spike frowned. After about thirty seconds, Spike heard a loud gasp from the restroom, and thirty seconds after that, Xander came through to the office, well staggered would be nearer the mark……….

“Oh gods…I’ve had a terrible night!” Xander collapsed in his chair.

Spike studied his friend, and said,

“I’ve got a feeling I’m going to regret asking this, but go on, what happened?”

“Well…it started off ok. I did as you said, and I went down to the video editing room, and she was all over me…”

“Can we cut to the chase?”

“Ok, I’m getting there…so we get back to her place. She suggested my place, but I panicked, so I said we couldn’t, because of my mother”

“You told her you still live with-“ Spike began

“NO! Look, I told her my mom had flown in from Dallas and was staying at mine, and she’d have jet-lag and be in a bad-“

“Jet-lag? From Dallas?”

“Yes, alright, I know it was stupid to say that now – but-do you want to hear this or what –“

“Sorry, sorry, carry on!”

“So, we get to hers, order Chinese, do you know, she doesn’t eat meat, but she eats chicken, well, she ate a chicken stir-fry, she says it’s not real meat, like Kentucky fired chicken meat, so it doesn’t count?”

“Xander! I’ve got a party to go to tomorrow night, GET ON WITH IT!”

“Well, she’s on about changing her career, so I’m sitting there, watching all her videos of her songs –“

“All of them – oh god, you poor man!”

“Shush, do you want me to tell you?”

“Sorry, yes, please continue”

“Well…after two hours, I’m sort of brain dead from-“

“TWO HOURS! – I’d have been climbing the walls after two min – sorry, I’ll shush, sorry, do go on!”

“So, I grab her and kiss her, just to shut her up” Spike grinned

“Good. And?”

“And what – it all went down hill from there. So she’s lying on top of me, kissing-“

“Oh god, you poor bloke! Don’t tell me you couldn’t…you know…get…” Spike raised his brows and nodded to Xander’s crotch.

“No – that was the problem – I could, I did – all bloody night I had one, but I digress. I didn’t want to do it on the sofa, not when there’s a nice bed in the next room. But she doesn’t seem to be wanting to make a move, so I push her shoulder and we sit up. I tell her my backs hurting.

Spike frowned and said,

“And?”

“Well, she asks if I’ll have a word with Sweet about changing her image, and she sort of got me all confused because of her boobs, and I say ‘yes, sure, course’ – so I’ve spoiled my chances, she thinks she’s done enough…“

“I told you to make it sound like Sweet wouldn’t-“

“I KNOW! So, anyway, realising I’d made a mistake, I back-pedal and say I’ll try my best. Well, she’s all over me again, and I couldn’t stand up, coz, well, you know, she’d have seen me, well, my, well, I was aroused . I didn’t want her to slap my face. “ Xander could see the look on Spike’s face, so he continued,

“So then I had this brilliant idea – or so I thought, to get into her bedroom”

“Which was?”

“To um…to pretend my back had totally ‘gone’.”

Spike was more confused than ever.

“How would that get you-“

“I told her that I’d have to sleep on the sofa because my mother was staying at mine – and –“

“But well, how were you supposed to shag her rotten if you had a bad back?”

“I KNOW that NOW…she got me to bed, after stating she knew she’d be ‘safe’ as I couldn’t do anything ‘naughty’ because of my back…so I had to lie there, all night, staring at the ceiling, with a raging hard on…every time I went to you know…get some relief, she’s stop snoring and I thought she was awake…she’d rub her leg against mine…or her boobs against my arm…all bloody night I lay there…hard as a rock…all bloody night!

Spike snorted a laugh, stifled it by covering his mouth, but then he couldn’t help but titter and then laugh.

“That’s it, go on, laugh – I’ve been in agony all night!”

“Oh Xander…sorry but, well…it’s – you were lying naked, in bed, with Harmony, with a fully functioning dick, and you STILL didn’t - ” he started laughing again.

“It’s bloody hilarious is it? Ok then Einstein, what would YOU have done?”

“Well…you said she was lying on top of you, kissing you, to help persuade you to talk to Sweet, and you’d got a stiffy?”

“Yes, so, come on, I’m waiting!”

“Well, for starters, I wouldn’t have said I’d got a bad back…I’d have made her aware of the fact that I was aroused!”

“But she might have slapped me!”

“Xander! It was her doing the kissing! Her giving you the hard-on! She could hardly complain - you could have called her a cock-tease!

I’d have pressed her to me, whispered something like, ‘oh baby, can you feel what you’re doing to me? – Balls in her court then. She can either jump up and say, yes well, thanks but not interested goodnight…or lead you to the bedroom”


Xander blinked at Spike.
It could have been that simple, less than a dozen words……... Xander leaned forward and banged his head slowly and repeatedly on the desk.

He was still doing it when Cordelia walked in a few seconds later.

“What’s wrong with him?” She smiled when she could see Spike was trying very hard not to laugh.

“DON’T YOU DARE!” Xander sat up and warned him.

Spike held his hands up, still grinning. Cordelia rolled her eyes, but smiled, when Spike mouthed ‘tell you later’ to her, so she nodded, put some papers for him to sign on the desk and left.

Still smiling, Spike began to tap away at his computer. His phone rang, and when he answered it, Cordelia said,

“I have an extremely annoyed Anyanka who’s in Lausanne, Switzerland on the phone for you, Spike”

Spike frowned and picked up.

“Anya – what can I-”

“You, you, you – HOW COULD YOU!”

Still puzzled, Spike said,

“How could I what, love?”

“Bloody Tinkerbell – That’s what!” Spike was beginning to think Anyanka had taken leave of her senses and found a stash of Sweet’s crazy-dust at the chalet, when she finally said,

“Sending that bloody teeny-bop Tinkerbell up to collect MY AWARD, I mean, WHAT are you thinking?”

Oh, that.
Spike felt a little guilty at what he was about to do, but he figured that Xander was already having a bad day, so this could hardly make it worse.

“Oh, well, sorry, but it was all Xander’s idea! He’s got this notion to change Harmony’s image, so, I’ll just transfer you across to his desk…”
Spike pressed for Cordelia to transfer the call, which she dutifully did. As soon as Xander’s phone began to ring, Spike high-tailed it out of the office….

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

When Buffy came up to the office from rehearsals, she found Spike and Cordelia giggling like a couple of kids. She smiled

“Hi…so, good joke?” Cordelia stood and said,

“I must be off, I’ll get you a coffee- is it? (Buffy nodded) – Spike will tell you!” Which he did.

“You rotten pair!” Buffy said, but she was giggling too.

“So then, I figured his day couldn’t get any worse, so when Anya phones up in a blue funk over the fact that Harmony’s going to collect her award on her behalf while she’s in Switzerland, I get Cordy to transfer the call across to Xander, because it was supposed to be his idea!”

“Oh what a shame!” Buffy said, but they were still giggling!

“Ah ha, THERE YOU ARE…gotta bone to pick with you!”

Buffy and Spike looked up to see Xander standing with his hands on his hips, glaring at Spike, they grinned at him.

“Um…aren’t you due to do that interview for CD USA about now?” Spike asked Buffy.

“Um…uh huh…” While Xander was distracted getting himself a coffee, Spike and Buffy snuck out and took the back stairs down to the office, giggling.

“Thanks to you, I’ve had to promise - Spike…where’d he go? Spike…Spike - I’ll bloody kill him when I catch up with him!”

Cordelia entered the café and helped herself to coffee.

“First sign of going mad that Xand, talking to yourself!” She said cheerfully, and went and sat by him.

Chapter 12

“Right, let me just check this thing is working………one, two, one two” Jenny said into the hand-held microphone. She rewound and played back, and it was fine. Buffy and Jenny Calendar were sitting in the 6th floor café at Aphrodite Records; this was Buffy’s second interview that day.

“Ok then Buffy, I’ll leave you in Jenny’s capable hands, when you’ve finished, come down to the office and then we can go over to the West Lot studios for the kids thing, ok?” Buffy smiled and nodded, Spike winked at her and left.

“It’s all go for you at the moment, I bet!” Jenny said, and Buffy said ‘yes’.

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


“Call from Sweet, putting you through” Cordelia said to Spike

“Thanks”…he heard the click, and then Sweet said,

“Spike”

“Sweet”

“How’s Betty doing?”

“That would be Buffy, and she’s doing fine. Rehearsals are well on schedule, she’s doing interviews as we speak, got the children’s show ‘Buzz’ to do this afternoon, and her single comes out tomorrow and she’ll be at the Indie Awards and after-show party tonight”

“Good, good, you’ll bring her to meet me personally”

Spike gave a small shudder. He disliked Sweet intensely, and didn’t like the fact that Buffy would have to meet him. But he knew the meeting was inevitable, and he’d rather be there when it happened.

“Will do. Is there anything else?”

Sweet wondered whether to ask if he’d seen Dru yet, but Lorne appeared in the doorway of his study, with his ‘dealer’ so he just said,

“No. See you tonight” The line went dead. No goodbye.

Spike put his receiver down muttering ‘ignorant wanker’, then got on with some work, made a few phone calls, one special one in particular. Roughly twenty minutes later, he heard Buffy’s voice talking to Cordelia in her office, and he finished up what he was doing and closed down his computer. He’d just stood up when Buffy knocked his door.

“Come in”

“Hi, are you ready?”

He grinned at her and said,

“Willing and able pet” Buffy smiled

“Um, can I bum a lift over to the studios, I need to get myself a good pitch for tonight” Jenny asked.

“No problem, ok lets go”

*********


“POOKIE!” Xander stopped in his tracks, half way down the corridor, and turned to see Harmony, her hair in rollers covered in a scarf.

“Harmony, what can I do for you?” he was finding it difficult to look her in the eye, and scratched the back of his head, looking at his feet…

“Are we having a limo to take us tonight, or are we going in your car?”

“I’m sorry? – Tonight, what’s-“

“The Indie Radio Awards, silly pumpkin! – You, you are coming with me, aren’t you?”

“Oh that! Yes, course…I’ve ordered us a limo. Um…remember what Spike said, I mean, I said, you have got something suitable to wear tonight?”

“Oh Pookie, it’s LOVELY! It’s very low cut, slashed to the waist, backless, in fact, and it’s um, well, slashed to the waist from the bottom up too, and it’s long, and all floaty, and sort of all held together with a diamante pin thing in the middle…”

Xander looked wide eyed, didn’t sound much to it at all, backless and all the slashes…he could feel himself start to harden at the thought of all that flesh on show…

“Pookie…I said how’s your back?”

“What – sorry – oh, um, my back. Er, my back is…fine, it’s fine now, thanks”

“Good, maybe we can have a boogie at the party after!”

“Yes! I think we perhaps can…yes indeed…yes sir-ree…a boogie, well maybe.” Xander had that inane grin on his face.

“Well, I better go, what time will you come for me?”

“Um, er-“

“The awards start at 7.30pm, and we MUST be seen on the red-carpet first”

“6.30pm then, will that do?”

“Great…bye then!”

“Yeah, bye…bye then” Xander walked down the corridor, wondering if he could get Cordelia to teach him how to dance in………………five hours.

***

“Why not?”

“Why not? – I’ll tell you why not Xander, I have work to do, that’s why not” Cordelia straightened some papers and stapled them together before slipping them into an envelope. She rolled her eyes as he still stood by her desk, with pleading puppy-dog eyes.

“Why do you suddenly need to learn to dance now? Oh, look. It’s easy! Just put some music on, and move your body in time to the beat – how hard can that be…or, you could still pretend your backs bad”

“Trouble is…I never know what to do with my arms…I either end up looking like a demented windmill, or I try and keep them still and – hold on, what do you mean – bad back, how do you know about that?”

Busted

“Um…well…I, well, I – I s-saw you were walking in a, strange way yesterday morning, I asked Spike, he said you had a b-bad back” Cordelia had her back to Xander, and she bit her bottom lip, and had her eyes screwed up.

Xander stared at her, and decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.

“I know!” Cordelia suddenly slammed the filing cabinet draw shut and whirling around and dazzling him with a grin, she said brightly,

“Go down to the choreographers – if they’re busy, maybe you could borrow some of their tapes”

Xander raised a brow…actually, that wasn’t a bad idea at all.

“Yeah…yeah, thanks Cordy…see you later” he left her office, and Cordelia slumped in her chair, blowing air up her face, she said to herself,

“Phew…nearly dropped yourself and Spike in it there, old gal!”

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

Cecily leaned against the doorjamb while she brushed her teeth. She was looking at Dru who was lying on the bed, apparently asleep.
She’d got her an appointment to see a doctor, one that dealt with the adult movie studio, and knew he wouldn’t ask too many questions, awkward or otherwise, the thing that Dru seemed to dread most. She was just going to go back into the bathroom, when Dru shifted and lay on her back.

“Mummy said the angels are waiting…soon…she said there’s a bad thing going to happen. Can you see the pretty angels………all the pretty angels, waiting?” Cecily frowned, and came and sat on the bed by her friend.

“Angels?” She looked out of the window at the sky, to where Dru seemed to be looking.
“They’re not angels, pet…they’re clouds…look, just wispy white clouds”
Dru said nothing else, but closed her eyes and turned over, and went back to sleep.

“That’s it love, you rest …” Cecily was frowning, she patted Dru’s shoulder and stood up and went to get dressed.

***********

Warren was like a cat on hot bricks. He nervously flitted around, checking and re-checking things to make sure they were spot on and Sweet would have nothing to complain about. There were six cases of real Champagne chilling in the cooler, and now, much to Willy’s unease, he was behind the bar checking the spirits were just that, neat spirits and not watered down grog.

“What’s this?”
Warren held up an unmarked glass bottle, and before Willy could stop him, he’d taken a swig – all the air left his lungs and he went very red I the face as he tried to breathe and cough.

“Bloody –huh…oh…fuckin’ (cough, cough) for gods…uh…(cough, cough) JESUS, WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?”

He’d nearly choked on its potency. His eyes were watering, his throat burned and his tongue was numb.

Willy shifted uneasily from foot to foot.

“Hooch…200 proof Polish spirit. I use it for the cocktails…it’s very strong, and once a drinks all tarted up with various syrups, juices and half a garden full of fruit, well, punters can’t taste the difference”

Warren coughed again, wiped his mouth on the back of his hand, and scowled at the weasely little sod.

“No doubt leaving it easy for you to drink the proper stuff when my backs turned. Get rid of it”

“But boss I swear, nobody has ever -“

“I DON’T CARE, I told you I want everything spot on and legit, so GET RID OF IT!” he thrust the bottle at Willy’s chest and stormed off.

Willy poured the liquid into an empty, labelled vodka bottle, and put it at the back of the shelf, nobody would be any the wiser, HE wasn’t about to change the habit of a lifetime, not for Warren Walsh, not for anyone. He didn’t know what these people had over his boss to make him jump through hoops the way he was doing, but he knew one thing, it definitely must be something big…………

Warren was talking to an absolutely huge, bald black guy wearing sunglasses; he must have been as wide as he was tall.

“So, if they’re not on the guest-list, they don’t get in, understand – even if it was the Prince of England or whatever, and watch the tickets…here’s one, DON’T let that barman of mine see it. He sometimes tips off the paparazzi, we don’t want any of them in, got it?”

“Yeah man, I got it”

“Good. Tell the others” Warren walked off; leaving the huge guy to contact his crew via the walkie-talkie he was carrying.


*********

Spike slipped the jacket off the hanger and put it on. He checked the time, it was nearly ten passed six, picking up his keys and cell-phone he left the lamp on in the lounge, and left.

Just as he closed the front door, he heard his telephone ringing. He stopped for a second, hesitating whether to go back and answer it, but decided that 1). He didn’t have the time, as he wanted to get to Buffy’s for 6.30, and 2). If it were important, anybody in the know would have his cell-phone number, and 3). The Ansaphone would pick it up, not that he hardly ever bothered to listen to the messages; mostly surveys and people who wanted to sell him insurance.

Spike heard the beep and his own voice, then he ran downstairs and out to his car.

‘I’m unable to take your call at the moment, but if you leave your name and number after the tone, I’ll get back to you’………BEEP.

“Ah, um, hello, hello, um is that you William? I think I recognise the voice, it’s been a while since I spoke to you……... Sorry, I should have said, it’s Charles St John, Lord Netherbourne here…I’m sorry to ask you this, I know you’ve done so much in the past, and I hate to ask, but I’m in a bit of a fix, I’ve been left this letter, given to me by my housekeeper, and from what I can make out, Drusilla’s in- Click BEEP.BEEP.BEEP. ‘Message tape ends, please rewind………’

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


Buffy trotted downstairs fixing in her earring. She opened the front door and her eyes went huge. Spike stood there in a black Chanel suit, an air force blue shirt that really bought out the colour of his eyes, and a black silk tie. She was a vision in ruched red satin. The dress was to the knee, and strapless with just enough cleavage on show, she’d left her hair down and had tonged it into a mass of tumbling curls, which she’d taken up on one side with a diamante comb.

“WOW! – Look at you!” Spike said, entering the hallway, leaving the front door ajar.

“I was thinking the same…I LOVE the suit!” they were both grinning

She sat down on the stairs and took her new diamante buckled, kitten heeled mules out of the box, and put them on. She checked her purse for her keys, tissues and lipstick, and then smiled up at Spike.

“Will I do?”

“You look sensational, pet, ready?”

“Ready when you are!”

Chapter 13

Xander stepped out of the limousine and was nearly blinded by the flash photography.

Helping Harmony out of the car, she acted like a true professional and gave a huge smile and waved, she walked along the red carpet, in the white Valentino dress, hair up, make-up immaculate, fans screaming and holding out hands and autograph books, some incredulous at her ‘new look’.

Xander felt uncomfortable in his hired suit, the cummerbund was a little tight, and he hated the collar and bowtie, he felt like he was being strangled, and frequently he slid a finger down his neck and pulled it away from his throat.

The flashes continued all down the carpeted walk, and various presenters of different shows stopped Harmony to speak. Xander stood diplomatically to one side while she did this.

Smiling at Jenny Calendar, who was working for MTV that evening, Harmony was asked about her new look.

“Just thought I’d try a change!” Harmony turned to the crowd and waved, and they roared, and then she and Xander went inside.

Spike pulled up in his sports car, and he and Buffy got out, he gave the keys to one of the marshals to park it for him. Buffy was amazed that people recognised her, and photographers and the crowd all calling her name. She smiled and waved, and signed a few autographs, Spike was delighted when she reached for his hand and they went to walk inside.

“Buffy, Jenny Calendar, MTV – Your first outing with Aphrodite records – are you enjoying it?”

“It’s wonderful, thankyou!”

Buffy grinned, and when she turned to wave to the crowd again just before they went inside, there were plenty of flash-bulbs going off.

“You didn’t mind, did you? – (Buffy squeezed his hand) I felt a little scared”

Gently squeezing back Spike said,

“Not at all, pet. You ok now?”

“Yes thanks!” Spike was pleased that she hadn’t let go………they were shown to their table, with Xander and Harmony.

“Wow, you look very pretty in that dress” Harmony said smiling at Buffy. Buffy smiled and leaned over Spike so Harmony could hear her and said,

“I hardly recognised you, you look stunning, is that a Valentino?”

“Yes…thought I’d treat myself!” Harmony smiled

“Great treat, it’s perfect on you”

“Xand…you’re sitting up very straight…still keeping up with the bad back story?” Spike whispered.

“No, it’s this bloody monkey suit…the silk band thingie is too tight, I’m scared to breathe out, else it’ll ping off and wrap itself around Harmony’s head…and the collar’s choking me!” Spike smile/frowned and shook his head in commiseration.

The lights went down, and a voice said,

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Blackmore Entertainments sponsored by Hudson’s Spring Water presents the 2004 Independent Radio Awards, and here is our host for this evening, Miss Darla Delaney” the audience clapped and Darla came onstage. The only problem was, she was in an identical dress to Harmony’s. Buffy saw Harmony’s face crumple, and she leaned over Spike and whispered,

“Don’t worry, you look a hundred times better in it that she does” Harmony smiled and touched Buffy’s arm and said ‘thanks’.

Spike whispered,

“What’s up?”

“Darla is wearing the same dress as…” Buffy just nodded towards Harmony subtly. Spike frowned and rolled his eyes

“I told her she looks miles better in it than Darla though” Spike smiled and squeezed Buffy’s hand.

“That was nice of you”
They settled back and enjoyed the show, after an hour there was a break, and Harmony knew that she was ‘on’ for the second category.

Wes Price had been called to present the ‘Best Female Singer’ category, and the three nominations were read out, and a clip of each song and singer was shown.

“And the winner is…(he unsealed the envelope, and took out the card) Anyanka” Everybody clapped, and then he said,

“Anyanka is unable to collect the award herself, due to recording commitments, but she recorded this for us earlier on today” A video clip of Anyanka with snow covered mountains as a backdrop as she said thankyou was shown.

“And here to accept the award on her behalf, we have Harmony” the audience applauded and Harmony went up to collect it. Luckily Darla stood well to the side of the stage, so nobody noticed the similarity between the girl’s dresses.

Harmony was handed the award by Wes Price, who first kissed her on both cheeks, then she stood by the microphone and said,

“It is indeed an honour for me to accept this richly deserved award for the wonderfully talented singer Anyanka, one of my fellow recording artiste’s at Aphrodite Records. I know she is thrilled, thankyou”

She picked up the award and the audience began to clap again. Spike and Xander grinned at each other, Harmony had been ‘perfect’. She sat down at the table, and she was pleased to see both Xander and Spike smiling broadly at her, Buffy too. She knew she’d done things right!

**********

By the time Spike managed to get his car, they were running a little late.

“Sorry about that love, I’d been blocked in by all the limo’s”

“It’s ok, I’ve been star spotting!”

They drove to Cobra, and Spike parked in the private car park.

A huge black guy checked their tickets and allowed them inside. As soon as the inner doors were open, you could feel the music, let alone hear it.

“Drink, pet? – Let me see…there’s um cocktails…Champagne…wine, what would you like?”

“Ooh, Champagne please!” Spike ordered a glass of champagne and a soft drink for himself; one thing he NEVER did, was drink and drive.

The place was quite full, and just as Spike was returning from the bar with the drinks, he was stopped by Lilah and Faith. They coiled around him rubbing themselves against him, petting his face.

“Spike! Hope you’re going to save us a dance…” Lilah practically had her tongue down his ear, and Spike, who was holding a drink in each hand, tried his best to wriggle free from them without spilling them.

“Ah, now, ladies, please I – “ he looked across to Buffy, who could see his predicament; she could also see the pained expression on his face and knew that the duo were embarrassing him.

“Is that for me, darling?” Faith said hoarsely, trying to take the glass of champagne out of his hand, but Spike held it up in the air.

“No, no it isn’t, now will you two please behave!”

“He’s playing hard-to-get again Li…” Faith ran her hand under his jacket.

“Get off, stop it, look, girls, I –“

“Ok big-boy…but we’ll pin you down, one day, you see if we don’t!”

“There you are! - We thought you weren’t coming!” Harmony now obscured the scene of Spike and the two sex-hungry girls from Buffy’s view, and Xander pulled out a chair and sat down. He’d removed the cummerbund and his bowtie, and felt a lot more comfy.

“Spike’s car was blocked in by the limo’s” Buffy explained

“That’s why I didn’t come in my own car” Xander said.

“Phew, sorry love…I hope this Champagne isn’t warm now…those two eh, just won’t take no for an answer” Spike looked a little worried as he handed Buffy her drink, but she smiled at him, and said ‘thanks’.

“Oh, Pookie! Champers – will you get me some?”

“Sure…I’ll bring a bottle” Xander got up and went over to the bar, and Spike sat in the vacated seat next to Buffy.

She’d been watching the Vixen duo, and saw that both girls were ‘checking her out’. They’d both looked at her, and then Lilah would whisper something to Faith, and vice-versa.

Suddenly the double doors were opened, and with Lorne leading the way, Sweet entered the room, followed by a few close friends, including Glory Benson, and Darla Delaney. There was no sign of Cecily or Dru yet.

“Is that-“

“Sweetly, yup, that’s him” Spike said

“He’s smaller than I imagined…”

“Yeah…but what he lacks in stature he makes up for in ego. He’s big money wise though” Spike said

Xander bought over a nicely cold frosted bottle of champagne and three glasses.
He poured for Harmony and himself, gave Buffy a top-up, but Spike refused.

“Driving, mate”

“Oh right, I forgot.”

“Did you see the boss arrive – he’s gone to the very back, see where people are queuing by the door to see him?” Spike said

The doors opened again and in came Gunn and his girlfriend Nikki Wood, and an entourage of about twenty others.

“I bet the stock exchange is jittery…seems half the gold reserve has just walked in!” Spike said with a wry smile.

“I reckon that’s why they wear sunglasses all the time, dazzled by the bling!” Xander said.

“Spike!” Everyone looked up at the cat-like features of Glory Benson.

True gentleman that he was, Spike stood up.

“Glory” She held out her hand and presented her cheek for him to kiss, but Spike, much to her annoyance didn’t kiss it.

“Daddy tells me that I’ve got to see you about that little girl singer…Betty is it?” the name dripped from her lips acidly. Glory knew only too well what the singers name was, and the fact that she was sitting right next to Spike.

“Buffy. And this is the lady herself, Buffy, this is Glory Benson, Glory – this is Buffy”
Buffy smiled pleasantly enough, and Glory flashed her a false smile.

“Glory does two shows on cable” Spike explained. Glory immediately saw her chance to be bitchy, and said with such saccharin overtones,

“Oh, don’t you have cable? – But then again, when my shows are on you are probably doing your public service job, helping to clog up the arteries of the general population!”.

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand…clogging up the arteries?” Buffy looked puzzled

“Didn’t I read…well, don’t you work in a burger bar?” Glory smiled wickedly

“I used to, then I was a school councillor – now if you’d excuse me, there is somebody famous over there I’d like to speak to” Spike smoothed his hand over his mouth to cover the grin at Buffy’s put-down of Glory, whose eyes flashed venom at the receding back of the little blonde girl, who was now walking away with Harmony to speak to Darla Delaney.

“You deserved that” Spike said, sitting down

Glory sullenly sat down in Buffy’s seat and reached for the champagne and the empty glass, and poured.

“Help yourself, why don’t you?” Xander said sarcastically.

“It’s free, isn’t it – fuckin’ hell!” she stood and waltzed off, taking her glass with her.

“I don’t fancy Buffy’s chances much now if she goes on her show” Xander said.

“Oh…I think after that little put-down, Buffy can hold her own.” Spike sat back in his chair.

“I’d forgotten just how boring these things can be” He looked around the tatty décor.

Xander too leant back in his chair.

“Venue’s looking a bit worse for wear now”

“I was just thinking that”

Buffy and Harmony came and sat back down, they were both smiling.

“Ok pet? – Great Glory put down, by the way!”

“I can’t stand her! I wanted to say, yes – I have cable – yes I know when you’re on, and yes, quite frankly, I’d always preferred to watch Spongebob Squarepants instead!”

“I love that show!” Harmony said, and all four of them were giggling.

*********


“Is she ok?”

“Yes, I’ve given her a little pick-me-up shot…did you say you had the name of the medication she was on for the Schizophrenia – there are several I could prescribe, but it’s best to keep her on what she’s familiar with” the doctor took the empty blister-pack off Cecily.

“Oh yes, right…there you go, she’ll be ok for tonight, I’ve given her a shot”

“Right”

“Will she be taking anything else – or has she?”

“No, um not yet…will it be enough, this shot?”

“Should be…IF she’s going to be taking…say anything ‘recreational’ tonight, keep her away from the alcohol – else she could go a little…loco lets say.” The doctor handed Cecily a prescription for Dru’s medication, which she put in the drawer. Dru called out from the bedroom,

“Cecily…are we going out?”

“Yes, coming love, you get dressed, I’m just seeing the doctor out. Anyway, thanks doc”

“You’re welcome” he left. Opening her bedside drawer, Cecily took out two ‘E’s, took one herself and went into Dru’s room.

“Open” She opened her mouth to demonstrate, Dru did the same.

“What is it?”

“Doc gave it to me, vitamins” Cecily lied. At least, if Dru was a little quiet tonight, she’d feel she ‘loved’ everybody…

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

“Oh, I LOVE this tune!” Harmony said, jiggling about in her chair.

“Come and dance with me, Pookie!” Without listening to his protestations that he couldn’t dance, Xander had been hauled out of his seat.

“Coming Buffy?”

“Me? Need a couple more of these yet!” Buffy re-filled her glass with the bubbling pale golden liquid.

“Enjoying yourself?” Spike asked grinning.

“I’m having a ball – drinking champagne in the best night-club around, with the most handsome guy”
Spike grinned at first, and then he frowned and looked around.
“Don’t know about the best…décor needs a make-over”

“Hmm, s’pose, but it’s got the best atmosphere – better than the Bronze”

“Sorry, the where?” Spike frown/smiled. Buffy smiling shook her head.

“Awful place – full of kids…more like a youth club really. It’s where I won the heat of Search for a Star”

“Oh. Uh oh…”

“What?”

“Can you hear that?” – No sooner had Spike said those words, the double doors flew open and a very stoned Rack staggered in with his band members, who were in various states of drunkenness and drugged up highs.

“Get that shit noise off the player…’ere, put this on real Noiz! – HEY! FAITHY, LILO, I mean, Lilah…lookin’ tasty – c’mere!”

Forgetting all about wanting a change of music, Rack was content to fondle and touch up the two leather clad ladies, who after visiting ‘Daddy’s Hidey-hole’ at the back, had helped themselves to a little coke………

The disco tune finished, and Xander and Harmony walked off the dance floor, one of Noiz’s band, Trick, goosed Harmony, who shrieked and whirled around
and gave him a cracking smack across the face, much to everyone else in the band’s amusement.

“Fuckin’ bitch! – I was only saying hello!” Trick stood indignantly holding his smarting cheek.

“You alright, Harm?” Xander asked, giving Trick a hard stare.

“Yeah…he’s a pervert!” She snatched up the champagne bottle and emptied the last drops into her glass.

“Want a cocktail this time love?”

“Oh yes please! Pretty coloured one…with fruit in it”

“Come on then…come with me”
Xander held his hand out, and to avoid any more possible ‘nastiness’ from Rack and his band, they went through between the tables to the bar.

The music slowed right down and Spike said,

“Dance?”

“Thought you’d never ask!” Spike had loosened his tie, and Buffy thought that he looked even more gorgeous. He held her hand and led her to the floor.

Holding her close to him around the waist, Buffy slipped her hands around his neck and they swayed slowly to the music. She was well aware that there were several pairs of eyes on them, all female, all wishing they could take her place.

Harmony sucked on the straw of her orangey-red cocktail, with its paper umbrella and slices of orange, lemon and lime.

“Hmm, s’lovely…here, have a sip” Xander dutifully did, and agreed it was very nice.

“Make a nice couple, don’t they?” Harmony nodded towards Spike and Buffy, who seemed totally oblivious of everyone else.

“Yeah…yes, they do!” Xander said, grinning – then he thought, the sly old dog – no wonder he’d ‘off-loaded’ Harmony onto him…but still, Spike’s loss was his gain.

“Are you aware, young lady, of just how much I want to kiss you now?” Spike breathed into her ear, making her shudder with delight. Smiling a purely feminine smile, Buffy retorted,

“And are YOU aware of just how much I want you to?”

“But people will see, I thought that you didn’t want-“ Spike was cut off by Buffy gently nuzzling his cheek before homing onto his mouth and kissing him.

She broke the kiss when breathing became an issue, and she whispered,

“Want them to…I want those girls to see that they can’t have you” Spike held her a little tighter.

“Is that right?”

“Oh yes…that’s right”
They kissed again and the song ended, and they walked off the dance floor hand in hand.
Glory had watched them with narrowed eyes, thinking how she’d like to wring the neck of that pretty little blonde with the smart mouth. She’d have her revenge…she’d get her on the show and pull her to pieces…

“You sly old dog!” Xander said quietly

“Who me? What, why? What have I done?” Spike was smiling

“Now I know why you off-loaded – oh, look…I think you’re being summoned”

Spike looked up and saw Lorne coming towards them.

“Spike, you and…” Lorne pointed to Buffy, and then the back of the room, Spike nodded.

“Buffy…it’s time to go meet the boss”

“Oh right, um, could I just go to the rest-room first?”

“Sure, it’s at the back of the room anyway”

They threaded their way through the crowded dance floor to the back room where the boss, Sweet was holding court, Buffy first slipping into the ladies cloakroom.

She was aware of the stalls being rocked like crazy, and she could hear gasps and grunts, both male and female.

Rolling her eyes, she ignored it and went to the toilet, and then to wash her hands. Through the mirror she could see the guy that had goosed Harmony, Trick and Faith standing in one of the cubicles, going at it like crazy. Faith tried to close the door, but she knew that Buffy had seen them. Without blinking an eye, Buffy washed and dried her hands, and went to leave.

“So, Spike, how’s our new little songstress?”

“She’s doing extraordinarily well thanks, Lorne”

“Good. So, what do you think about D-“

“Oh, s’cuse me, is that me? Yes…yes, sorry…” Spike answered his cell phone

“Hello? – Cordy – bloody hell girl, you’re running late, everything ok? Yes…yes, yes…REALLY – Oh fantastic! That’s brilliant news – thanks love – I will, bye!”

Spike flipped his phone shut and beamed at Buffy who’d just come out of the restroom.
The door opened and Sweet nodded to Lorne

“’Kay Spike…your turn!” it was a grinning Spike who led in a grinning Buffy to meet the boss……

“………Hope you’re enjoying yourself here?”

“Yes, thankyou Mr Sweetly” Buffy said politely, trying her best not to stare at his face.

“Call me Sweet, who knows, you may get to call me ‘Daddy yet’” Spike felt his jaw tighten and he thought, ‘over my dead body’. Buffy just smiled politely.

“This is for you” Sweet handed her a bottle of Champagne.

“Oh, um thanks, thankyou!”

“Welcome…so Spike have you heard who’s-“

“Actually Sweet, I’ve just had some fantastic news” Spike interrupted

“Oh – what’s that…Midnight Music has burned down?”

“No, even Buffy doesn’t know this yet, Cordelia’s just phoned me, she’s got the Indie Chart run down for Sunday, because of the advanced sales, and as the single is released tomorrow, the Indie charts have Buffy straight in at number one!” Sweet gave his lopsided leer, the nearest he could get to a grin because of the Botox, but Lorne and Spike were genuinely happy for the little blonde girl.

“Oh my god! Straight in at-“

“Number one, clever girl!” Spike gave her a hug.

“Well, I’ll let you go celebrate” Sweet said.

“Thankyou!”

“Thankyou my dear!” Sweet could almost hear the chink of the money in the cash registers.

Spike and Buffy left the room, both beaming with happiness.

“Come on, let’s go celebrate!”

After an hour, they both flopped in their chairs, exhausted from the day and the dancing.

“Shall we go now, love?”

“Would you mind? – I know we were going to go on somewhere, but I’m shattered!”

Spike squeezed her arm.

“Course not pet, I’m all in myself truth be known” they said goodnight to Xander and a slightly squiffy Harmony.

“I just need to pop into the gents” Spike went to the toilets, leaving Buffy standing outside in the entrance way holding her bottle of Champagne from Sweet. The door to the outside opened, and two girls entered, both giggling.

“But Cecily, are you sure Daddy won’t be mad and shout at me – whoops! Sorry!”
The girl with long dark hair had stumbled slightly and bumped into Buffy.

Buffy smiled and said,

“It’s ok”

“Cecily! Coz if he shouts at me, I’m –“

“Oh do be quiet! He’ll be fine, come on, we’re late enough as it is!” The main door was opened and they both went through into the club.

The men’s restroom door opened, and Spike came out.

“Ok babe, are you ready?”

Copying one of his sayings, she smiled and said,

“Willing and able!”

Chapter 14

As Spike drove up Revello Drive, he said,

“I’ll just see you to the door I won’t come in, I know you’re tired. Besides, you’ve got another heavy schedule tomorrow”


She felt a little disappointed at this, but, it was her that said she wanted to take things slowly after all, and if he came in tonight…well she didn’t know if she’d trust herself! As good as his word, Spike stood on the doorstep while Buffy opened her front door, she turned to him and said,

“Night then”

“Night love. Sleep well” He gave her a kiss and a hug, and then Buffy said,

“Thanks for tonight” Spike winked at her and he went to move away, but she didn’t let go of his hand, he smiled and quirked a brow at her questioningly. She slid her arms around his neck and kissed him properly, until Spike broke the kiss and nuzzled her neck.

“Wow, steady on there pet!” He gave her a soft gentle kiss and then said,

“I’ll pick you up, nine be ok? (Buffy nodded) I better go, love” - god knows he didn’t want to go, but he didn’t want to do anything she might regret and totally spoil things. He would play it her way. Buffy nodded reluctantly, waved him off from the hallway and then she locked up.

*********

“Well, look at you cup-cake!” Lorne put down his ‘Sea Breeze’ cocktail and gently hugged Drusilla.

He was shocked; there was nothing of her! Waif-like, but one thing hadn’t changed, she’d still got those eyes, Lorne thought. You know the ones, you can’t work out if she’s scared, or annoyed, slightly wild, staring. She clutched onto the big guy and asked,

“Is Daddy mad with me?” Lorne tried to soothe her down.

“Mad, with his Princess – don’t be silly!” She smiled and looked, still clutching his arm with her bony fingers.

“Lorne…LORNE” Sweet called from inside the room

“Coming, Daddy…got a little someone with me too!” Dru stood fixed, she looked scared, Lorne had his arm around her and gently coaxed,

“I’m with you sugar-plum…come and see Daddy, he’s really missed you”

With a child-like manner, Dru suddenly dashed forward into the room, calling,

“Daddy! It’s your Princess!” Lorne hesitated in the doorway, he could see Dru hugging Sweet, who’d raised his arm and hugged her to him.

“Princess…my little Princess…come on, come to Daddy” He patted his lap, and dutifully, with an almost too-bright laugh, Dru sat on his lap.

“Did you bring my other little girl – hmm?” Sweet asked, taking in how tiny she’d become.

“Oh yes…Ceccy said we can play games later… Can we Daddy – Please – can we play like the old days?”

There was urgency in her voice, a need, a want of everything to be all right, she needed to know that nothing had changed, she was still her Daddy’s little Princess…

“Of course we can…and Daddy’s got a present for his Princess – later, when everyone has gone home, and you and me and Ceccy can play just like the olden days, ok my precious?”

Dru clapped her hands, and Sweet hugged her to him, and then Cecily came into the room, sniffing and pinching her nose. Giggling, she slipped onto his other knee, and they sat there giggling and talking.

Outside on the dance floor, things were hotting up. People were dancing, drinking, getting high – or higher in some cases.

Harmony was hot. Hot and tired, and the teeniest bit smashed on two ‘Sundowner’ cocktails plus the champagne she’d had.

“Pookie…take me home?” Xander smiled and said he’d be glad to, as the truth was, like Spike he didn’t enjoy these virtually ‘compulsory attendance’ parties, he didn’t drink much, and he couldn’t really dance, the music was never really to his taste and the smoky atmosphere always gave him a sore throat. And drugs? – Forget it he never took anything more insidious than Aspirin.

“Ok Harm, look at me…can I just…there” he tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

“Just in case there are paparazzi outside, you still want to look your best. Got your purse?”

“Yes…Pookie…will you hold my hand?”

“Sure. Come on, let’s get you home” they were just about to leave, when very drunk, and very stoned Trick and Rack blocked their exit.

“Hey…Harm…you know you’re like, TOTALLY safe with Alexander here, don’t ya luv!” Trick had put his arm ‘chummily’ around Xander’s shoulders, Rack swayed and giggled; he was swigging out of a bottle of champagne.

“Go away, you, you pervert! Leave Xander alone!” Harmony frowned and pulled Xander away from Trick.

“Me? Me? – S’him that’s the pervert…bats for the other side, love…he has butt-buddies! Ask him…he’s, he’s one o’ them shirt-lifters, every time I see him, he’s hanging about with…um, thingie, and oo’s it? What’s them two poofs called now?”
Trick turned unsteadily towards Rack, but he shrugged and slurred,

“I dunno…fuckin’ fairy one and fairy two, I call em…bloody queers (hic) couple o’ fuckin’ poofs…anyway, ner’ mind all tha’, wha’s this (hic) fuckin’ racket were lis-nin’ too …doin’ my fuckin’ ‘ead in, I know tha………(hic) much” He was leaning heavily against a table and tried to stand up straight, swig from the bottle and look basically coherent to what was going on.

The DJ put one of Harmony’s bouncy pop tunes on, and this upset Rack even more.

“Fer fuck’s sake man, we ain’t bastard fuckin’ five year olds! Put summat decent on…er, ‘ear, Tricky-boy, what’s that band – OOOOWWWFFF!”

Rack had turned to ask Trick the name of a certain band, only to catch him full force flying backwards, and they both sprawled and demolished a tableful of glasses.

Xander stood there, boiling angry and heaving for breath. He desperately wanted to cradle his knuckles as they hurt like a bitch now, from the contact with Trick’s thick skull, but he didn’t want to ‘spoil’ the effect. The two bigots were so wasted; they couldn’t even sit up, let alone stand, and they lay there groaning amongst the broken glass and broken table.

“Sorry to disappoint you, ‘man’, but I’m not gay. But I’ll tell you this, I’d MUCH rather be gay than be like you to two ignorant bigoted wastes of space – keep away from Harmony, and keep away from me, else you know what’ll happen. Ready love?”

Xander looked up and held out his ‘good’ hand to Harmony, who was SO impressed and dumbfounded, she was mouth-open shocked. Seeing his hand, she smiled, reached for it, delicately stepped over Trick and some broken glass, and said

“Oh Pookie! You were magnificent!” Two huge bouncers entered the room through the swing doors, Xander and Harmony left.

“Ow, ow, ow bloody hell!” Standing in the corridor, Xander grimaced and winced and looked at his swollen knuckles, trying to flex his fingers checking to see if anything was broken.

“Oh, my poor, poor little Pookie…come back to mine…I’ll make it all better for you…” They got outside and Xander whistled up his limo and driver.

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

“What’s going on out there, as if I didn’t know!” Sweet said agitatedly.

“I’ll find out” Lorne left the room.

“Can we go home Daddy?” Dru asked, her head leaning against Sweet’s.

“In a little while, Daddy’s got a new toy!” Sweet said to Dru, his hand massaged her knee, and nuzzled her neck.

“What have you got daddy? – Tell me!”

“Daddy’s got a boat, all shiny and pretty…and only my very special friends get to play on it!”

“Me Daddy, me!” Dru jiggled up and down

“Yes, Princess, you can come and play…and my other little girl…she can come and play too…we’ll play ‘special’ games there”

“It’s as I thought, Rack and Trick, brawling by the looks of it” Lorne said coming back into the room. He picked up his drink and leant against the table.

“We’re going…go call the car round” Sweet said, and Lorne finished his drink and complied with his master’s wishes.

***********

Spike was on the dot to pick Buffy up, and she went straight to rehearsals and then they shot a video of her singing her song against the bluescreen again.

At eleven thirty she had an interview, and then lunchtime saw her choosing an outfit to do an outside video shoot. Spike caught up with her in make-up.
The makeup lady was just putting lipstick on her, and Buffy saw Spike through the mirror.

“Hi Mandy… you don’t have to do much do, she’s already beautiful enough isn’t she?” Spike said grinning.

The makeup lady beamed at him. She could almost feel the chemistry between the couple, and she was over the moon – for them both.

“Pretty as a picture Spike! Pretty as a picture!”

“Stop! You’re making me blush!” Buffy was pink with embarrassment, but smiling!

As she was ready, Buffy took the makeup cape off and left it on the chair, and went through to wardrobe. When she was dressed, she came up to Spike, and had a quick look-see to check nobody was watching, and then she kissed Spike, who grinned.

“Have I got lipstick all over me now?”

“Nope, miracles they can perform these days, kiss-proof lipstick being one of them!”

“In that case, c’mere you!” Spike pulled her close and gave her a deep, passionate kiss, leaving her breathless.

“Anyway pet, do you know what’s happening?” he had to move away from her a little as somebody had come into wardrobe.

“Yes, Ford said that we’re going to video-shoot me singing my song at the Army Base, and then I’m to do a meet and greet, with some of the families who have their loved ones away at the moment, then I’m gong to sign a few autographs and copies of the CD. – It should take until five o’clock, all been well”

“Good, listen babe, I can’t come with you, I have a hundred and one things to do here – I’ve just learned that after we left the party last night, Xander laid out Trick AND Rack – and I’ve got to read them the riot act threaten to end Noiz’s contract – boss’s instructions” Buffy grinned and covered her mouth, and then she said

“Oh my god, Xander did? – I don’t believe it!”

“Neither did I until I saw the state of his knuckles – oh”

“Flowers for Buffy Summers”
A messenger handed Buffy a cellophane wrapped bouquet of yellow chrysanthemums and daisy’s. She smiled up at Spike, thinking they were possibly from Sweet as she’d already had flowers from him, and took the card out that was in a plastic holder nestling inside the blooms, she read out,

“Congratulations on your number one, (she grinned and hunched up her shoulders once) I saw you last night at the Radio Awards, but couldn’t catch your eye. Please r-ring me, love – oh – love, um… Angel” she could feel the heat creeping up her neck.

She didn’t even dare to look Spike in the eye. Obviously it wasn’t her fault Angel had sent them, but it didn’t stop her feeling guilty all the same. She walked to the door and called out,

“Erm, hold on, where’s er…Man-Mandy, Mandy…” The make-up lady put her head around the door.

“Someone call?”

“Here, for the make-up room…brighten it up, I can’t bear Chrysanths, or the sender so, here you go!” She thrust the blooms at the delighted makeup lady, and threw the card in the bin, then she turned to Spike.

“You needn’t have done that, love, it’s not your fault” Buffy looked up at him big-eyed, and put her finger to his lips.

“Shush…I know. But what I said was true, I don’t like them. My gran used to grow them, and I hated the smell of them…plus, well hey, they’re from Angel, so” she shrugged.
She went to remove her finger from his mouth, when Spike gave a playful snarl and captured her finger gently between his lips, Buffy shrieked and giggled,

“Sorry, you made me jump!” She removed her finger from his mouth, and Spike kissed her nose and looked at his watch.

“I gotta scram, babe, fancy staying a bit later tonight, then we could go eat?”

“Great!”

“Good, so after the army base, come back here with Ford. Ring me if there’s any problems”

“Will do”

“And Buffy”

“Yes?”

“Whatever you do pet, don’t enlist, will you?”

“I won’t!”

He winked and blew her a kiss.

The makeup lady had seen all this through the mirror, and smiled. She was pleased, she liked Spike, always had.

He was always polite, please and thankyou, the boy had been bought up right.

She’d seen what had happened with him and Dru, and her heart had nearly broken for him. A few times he’d drifted down to pour his heart out to her and she’d listened and they’d have a mug of hot chocolate.

But this time she could see that there was much more to it with this young blonde than he just being her manager. But she wouldn’t say anything, she’d keep things to herself. But this she did know, given half a chance, they could have something really special, she could feel it in her very bones.

*********


“You ok?” Ford frowned at Buffy

“Yeah…yeah, just got to me a bit, all those people banging on the car when we were trying to drive in”

Buffy leant against the wall, taking deep breaths. Ford nodded and said,

“Yeah, it can be a bit daunting, ‘specially when you’re not used to it. I don’t think the bigwigs were expecting quite so many to come down here, security wise it’s been a bloody nightmare. I think they thought our VidCam man was a terrorist!”

Ford idly tapped the wall with the toe of his boot, waiting for them to be called so they could start making the video. He hated waiting around.

Buffy had spent the last hour signing autographs and shaking hands.

“Come on…come on…we’re already an hour and a half late….” Ford was getting impatient.

“Ok, I’ve had a bloody ‘nough o’ this, shall we see if they’re ready for us now?” Ford went to open the door, but a soldier wearing desert fatigues came through to them and said,

“Ma’am, sir, we’re ready for you now” Ford breathed an ‘at last’, and led the way through the door and Buffy followed him out onto the makeshift stage that had been set up. A huge roar went up from the gathered crowd, and Buffy smiled and waved. Ford had already done a sound check, and he checked with his VT operator that everything was ready to roll. The PA Buzzed and gave a little feedback, but it was fine. Buffy picked up the microphone and shouted,

“Hello everybody!”

They shouted hello back

“Thanks for coming…having fun - Want to hear my song?”

The crowd roared, and Ford started the tape. Buffy sang, and to her amazement, quite a few of the audience joined in.

After she had sung ‘Will Love Find A Way’, she sang the other song on the CD, ‘Missing You,’ and it too got a great reception from the crowd. Afterwards the Colonel thanked her for taking the time out to come and see them. Because of the crowds and their busy schedule, the army had arranged for them to be taken off the base by helicopter, it would be Buffy’s first trip in one.

“Come on, follow me” Ford said grinning.

“But the car is-“

“Going to be bought to us. We’re going home in style!”

When the door opened out onto a runway, and Buffy saw the helicopter waiting, rotors spinning, ready for take off her eyes bugged.

“We’re going back in – OH WOW!” She was helped into the chopper by a soldier, who after seeing that she was all strapped in jumped down and slid the door into place. It was incredibly noisy, and she had to shout at Ford, even though he was sitting opposite her.

“Never been in one before!”
She couldn’t stop grinning, and then they felt the slight lurch upwards of take off. The pilot banked steeply and Buffy looked out and down to where she’d just been on stage, and she was shocked by the sheer numbers of people down there, and a field full of parked cars.

“You’ll get used to it!” Ford hollered back. Her hair blew wildly around but she didn’t care, this was something she could get used to!

They came to land on the Helipad roof at Aphrodite Records. Because they’d had to get permission to land, to get the ‘all clear’ from Cordelia via computer, she’d tipped Spike off, who was waiting for them.

When they landed, he ran over and opened the door.

“Well! What have we here!” Spike held her around the waist and lifted her out. Buffy had wrapped her arms around his neck giving him a big hug, she couldn’t stop grinning.

“That was SO wow! – Me! In a helicopter!”

“Come on babe, we’ve got to move, he’s got to take off again” they ran to the door with their arms around each other.

“So…getting a taste for the high-life are we?” Spike teased.

“It took us AGES to get onto the base, there were hundreds of people!”

“Thousands more like, I know…you’ve already been on the local news,” Spike said, smiling at the wondrous look on her face.

“Local girl stops traffic, Jefferson Army Base besieged by crowds all wanting to hear and see the new singing sensation, Buffy!” Buffy giggled.

“Come on, let’s get a drink, shall we?” Buffy eagerly nodded and they went to the café. The café itself was closed for food, but you could get drinks via help-yourself machines.

“Here she is!” Xander said grinning at her. As Buffy and Spike walked in. Harmony put her magazine down and came over and hugged her.
“You were fantastic! It looked like you’d been doing it for years, didn’t it Pookie – we saw you on the local news – can’t wait to see the video – did you see loads of hunky soldiers?”

“A few…not my type though!” She flashed Spike a look; and he just smiled.

Buffy noticed that Xander had a light gauze bandage over the knuckles of his right hand.

“God, I was SO nervous when we first got to the base, all these people were banging on the sides and roof of the car, but once I got out, I was fine – and the helicopter home – I mean, can I just say WOW again!”

“Oh I left the Party in the Park concert in London last year in a helicopter, boy, is it noisy!” Harmony said. They all sat down and Spike bought over the juice Buffy had asked for.

Buffy took a long drink.

“Thanks! Hoo! I needed that! She patted her chest, and then grinned at Xander, and nodded towards his hand.

“And what’s this I’ve been hearing about you, Xander ‘Bonecrusher’ Harris?” Xander looked a little sheepish, but everybody else was grinning.

“Had to teach somebody some manners…”

“And bought them down a peg or two!” Harmony leaned over and gave his arm a gentle squeeze.

“Anyway, you two look nice, going out?”

“Yeah, have you heard of the writer-cum-director Tara MaClay?” Harmony asked

“Yes, actually, she was one of the judges when I won the show! Buffy said

“Well, she’s a friend from my school days. We’re going to the Premier of her film ‘Fates’.

“That’s nice. Oooh, excuse me!” Buffy’s stomach rumbled.

“I’ve had nothing since a banana at 11.30 this morning!”

“Didn’t the army base put anything on for you?”

“I was too busy, signing autographs, meeting and greeting to eat anything”

“Well, we must be going…are you ready Harm?” They all said their goodbyes and Xander and Harmony left.

“So babe…what do you want to do, restaurant, take-away, me cook?” Spike asked, at last being able to give her a proper cuddle.

“Hmm…it’s a shame Luigi doesn’t do take out…I just LOVE their Lasagne Al Forno… oh and that Tiramisu!” Spike smiled, flipped open his mobile and said,

“I don’t think it’s beyond the range of possibilities”

*********

Dru looked around the room. It had changed since she’d last been there. For starters, there was this huge big picture window now that overlooked the swimming pool and gardens. And there was wood panelled flooring and all the heavy old furniture had been replaced with modern stuff. Two lots of leather sofas faced each other with coffee tables in between, and against one wall was a large built-in plasma TV screen.

“Dru………Dru, come on, what are you doing?” Cecily called from the bedroom.

“Think I’ll have to go get her” Cecily got up off the bed, while Sweet prepared three lines of coke.

“Dru, come on love, we’re going to play games!”

Dru was running the fingers along the shelf above a big open fireplace, staring at herself in the mirror above it.
Cecily came right up to her and held her arm.

“Dru?”

“All different, now”

“Yes, it’s all different, it looks much nicer now, don’t you think? Do you like the window – see the gardens and the fountains are still there…remember when Daddy had the parties and we used to play in the fountains?”

Dru frowned.

“Fountains. – And the lions! There can’t be any more war Ceccy!”

**What the fuck is she on about now** Cecily looked puzzled, thought Dru was ‘off on one’, and tried to gently pull her towards the bedroom

“Lions? There were never any lions, love. And the war won’t hurt us, not here; we’re quite safe here. Come on.”

Dru gave Cecily a ‘look’.

“Not here! There ARE lions in Trafalgar Square. With the fountains. And war is bad”

“Oh, yeah, those fountains and lions…yeah well, never mind. Come on pet, Daddy’s waiting for us, don’t want to keep him waiting and make him cross, do we?” Dru allowed herself to be led into the bedroom, where she played ‘copy-cat’ and snorted the coke like the others………

***********

“Not Thursday’s show then, so when?” Glory asked irritably
Cordelia knew better than to book something for Buffy without prior consent from Spike.

“I don’t know Miss Benson, she really does have a very busy schedule”

“But my studios are less than half an hour away, next Tuesday then”

“Let me see…” Cordelia tapped away on her keyboard.

“No, sorry, she’ll be in New York for ‘Holden’s Weekly’, look, I’ll do my best to-“

“Just get Spike to ring me!” Glory snapped, and threw the phone down with disgust.

“And thankyou and goodbye to you too, bitch!” Cordelia muttered to the tone beeping in her ear.

“And I thought you told ME that talking to myself was the first sign of madness!” Xander said grinning. Cordelia grinned, did a ‘double take’ look at Xander.

“Blimey, as if I didn’t know…who dressed you this morning?”

“Why? – What’s wrong with it – Harmony said-“

“Ah ha – thought so!” Cordelia stalked over to him, and Xander looked a little confused.

“What are you trying to hide, hmm?” Xander leaned away from her, but she kept coming towards him, forcing him to back away.

“Come here!”

“No! N-o-o-o-o-o, no, get off! Ow! Mind my bad – Ouch. No! No! Cordy!”
She grabbed the neck of his top and pulled so it gaped open, revealing a hickey.

“Ha! I knew it!”

“No, Cordy, shush, be nice, look please…don’t tell anybody, we haven’t, you know…done…not yet, we were just kissing!”

“Just kissing – right!” Cordy gave him her patented, ‘I believe you –NOT! Look.

“Please Cordy” Xander looked pained, her demeanour softened

“Oh, okay…but well, hey – nobody can say that’s self inflicted, can they!”

“We’re trying to keep it a secret, me and Harm – we well, just want to see what happens!” Cordy quirked an eyebrow and as she was leaving she said,

“Harmony keep a secret? – You’ll be telling me you believe in the Easter Bunny next…and the Tooth Fairy, and Santa Claus………”

********

“Hmmm”

“That good, baby?”

“Oh god – Yes! Yes…”

“Want more, kitten?”

“Uh huh”

“Ready…open a little wider…”

“Oh yes…ooh, there, there, yes! The extra chocolaty bit – ooh, hmmm!” Buffy now had her eyes closed in rapture, and her mouth closed around a spoonful of tiramisu.

“You’re turn…open wide…there…oh. All gone!” She put the empty container onto the coffee table.

“Good thing too! Can have too much of a good thing you know!”
Spike said. Buffy snuggled back into Spike’s chest as they curled up on her sofa.

“Spike”

“Hmm?”

“You know next week”

“Uh huh”

“Will you be able to come to New York with me?”

“I’ll see what I can do pet…I can’t promise, I’ve got to sort tour-dates for Gunn, and we’ve just signed this country singer, Caleb, we’ve poached him from Midnight – much to Quentin Travers annoyance, anyway, I think Sweet wants me to sort things out with him too, although I’ll try and get Xander to do it.”

“Who does Xander manage?”

“Harmony, well he does now. Anyanka. Although she pretty much does it all for him. – S’cuse me” Spike yawned.

“Do you think that they’ve got something going together?”

“Who, Harmony and Xander? – Dunno pet”

“I think they make a nice couple!” Buffy yawned and stretched.

“Think that’s my cue to go isn’t it
– I’m tired, you’re tired”

“Oh, must you?”

“Well, I don’t want to, but I think it best, don’t you?”

“No. Definitely not best. I’m all snuggly and warm now”
Buffy shimmied her shoulders a little. Spike kissed the top of her head. He loved her soft blonde hair, with its faint smell of fruity shampoo. Spike chuckled and closed his eyes, he was SO glad she said that, coz he didn’t want to go at all………

*********

Sweet had taken a Viagra and while they were waiting for it to work, he suggested to the girls that they ‘put on a little show’ for him. Cecily was more than happy to comply with her Daddy’s wishes, and she began to kiss Dru.

Lorne was sitting in the lounge, with his dressing gown on waiting for the others to arrive, fellow ‘stable-mates’ of Cecily’s from Sweet’s adult movie empire. Kendra, Forrest and Amy.

**********

Spike woke with a crick in his neck; he focused on the little sleeping blonde in his arms, and leant his head down, kissed her cheek softly and whispered,

“Hey, beautiful………baby…wake up sweetheart” Buffy stirred with a swift intake of breath, and her eyes fluttered open

“Oh, hi” she stretched as she sat up; Spike felt her warmth leave him.

“It’s twenty past three, I really should go, pet”
Buffy mewled and took his hand.

“We can just cuddle…silly you going home now…” Buffy led him upstairs.

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

“………She’s booked for Holden’s Weekly on Tuesday, Chart Express want her for one of their ‘quickie’ five minute interviews, which we could do at the airport, Hot! Magazine want to do a spread on her……… and Glory Benson wants her, ASAP – I wouldn’t book until you give me the nod” Cordelia reeled off, looking expectantly at Spike.

“Ok. Have you booked the flight to New York?”

“Monday lunchtime from LAX, to JFK”

“What hotel?”

“The Sheraton – as usual”

“Right, you can book another ticket and room, tell Hot! Magazine they can come to the hotel to do the interview – Tuesday…AM, tell them ring me at the Sheraton to confirm and Oh, where is it now………ah, here we are… there was something about her doing a signing at The Mega Music store in Albany? – Check the date of that for me will you, please, Chart Express at the airport – um…yeah – that’s quite a regular thing for them, isn’t it – airport interviews – can I leave you to check the Albany thing?” Cordelia nodded.

“Will do. What about Glory – can I leave the ignorant bitch to you – I’ll swear at her if I have to speak to that cow again?”

“Yup”

“This room at the Sheraton…shall I just book a double?”

Without looking up from checking a phone-number he wanted, Spike said,

“No, two singles…I’m taking a little vacation time, god alone knows I’m entitled…I haven’t had a holiday in what………must be four years now!”

“Yeah, I know, just checking!” Cordelia was grinning when she left the office.

Spike picked up the phone and dialled.

“Glory Benson please…Spike Carling, Aphrodite…ok, yes, I’ll hold…thanks…”

“Spike!”

“Glory – What’s this about wanting Buffy ASAP, where’s the fire?”

“I want to strike while the iron’s hot, darling…after all, who knows, she could be yesterday’s news next week…a one-hit wonder”

“That won’t happen. She’s a very talented young lady”

“Hmmm…I’ll bet you’d know all about her ‘talents’, after your little display of affection at the party the other night,”

“What’s the matter Glory, jealous?”

“Me? Jealous? Of what darling?” her tone incredulous

“Of the fact that you’re not as young, not as beautiful, not as talented?”

Glory gasped, but quickly tried to recover and she just spluttered, Spike continued,

“She’ll come on the show if and when I say – and don’t try getting onto ‘Daddy’ about it – he doesn’t like to be bothered about the day-to-day stuff…and you wouldn’t want to screw up your main supply of publicity now, would you”
Spike put the phone down.

Xander came into the office carrying the morning newspapers.

“Seen this?” He threw a copy of the LA News on Spike’s desk.

Spike picked up the copy of the newspaper and unfolded it.

‘ROCK GUITARIST TRICK IN BRAWL WITH PAPARAZZI PHOTOGRAPHER’
The headline screamed.

“What’s new?” Spike asked, shrugging

“Read on”

Spike read on that, apparently incensed that Trick, 31, real name Ron Ward, had been caught coming out of a nightclub called the Barracuda Reef with someone other than his regular girlfriend, he’d smacked the photographer, who had unfortunately fell badly and hit his head hard, rendering him unconscious since, and he’d had to undergo an operation to remove a blood-clot from his brain, it was touch-and-go if the guy would live.

Spike threw the newspaper down with annoyance.

“Give me strength! Do they listen? Huh? Do they EVER fuckin’ listen to a word that’s said to them? After the other night, I said ‘Keep a low profile’ Sweet won’t stand much more of you – any of you. Rack’s always so bloody high I don’t think he EVER comes down to earth, and that bloody drummer, what’s-his-face?”

“Animal” Xander said, helpfully.

“That’s him, he’s still awaiting sentencing for possession of heroin – The European tour has been cancelled, Texas, Boston and Seattle don’t want them…and as for their latest album – it’s a joke. It should have been released on June the 4th – it still isn’t halfway done and we’re over half way through bloody August”

“Bad boys though, crowd pullers where they can go…Philly…Detroit…Cleveland”
Xander said, leaning against his desk.

“Well, we’ll see if Sweet still thinks so after this…three gigs isn’t enough to cover the cost of the drugs they use, let alone anything else – and if this bloke, this photographer chappy dies, Trick could be looking at a murder sentence”

“Yup, he could” Xander nodded. Spike’s phone rang, and still annoyed, he snatched up the receiver.

“What now?” Spike practically barked

“Spike?” Buffy jumped slightly

“Oh! Sorry baby…hello – you caught me at a bad moment” his tone really softened.

“It’s ok. Have you got some time to spare between now and lunch?”

“Let me see………(he flicked through his desk diary) um…yeah, actually – give me ten, and I’m all yours!”

“Good. I want to come and help me pick five other songs for my album, there’s three definite, and eight others to choose from”

“Ok babe”

Xander went to start work, when Spike saw the name ‘Caleb’ on the sheet in front of him.

“Xander…this new signing of ours, Caleb – I want you to be his manager”

Xander perked up immediately.

“Really? – Wow!”

“Well, it shouldn’t be too hard, he’s already an established artist, got a big fan-base…you need to get him working on an album and get him on tour…here’s the number of his fan club – his wife runs it for him. Talk to her to find out things, she’ll tell you all about the country music venues and that” Spike handed Xander the info-sheet.


“Right! Great, I’m right on it – Caleb – Good ‘ole country boy at heart, Yee Haw!”
Xander said, grinning, miming twirling a lasso.
Spike’s brow rose up, and Cordelia blinked at him as she walked into the office.

“Did I hear…did he just ‘Yee Haw? – I’m going to have to slap the enthusiasm outta that guy!” Cordelia said smiling.

“Be my guest! Yee Haw, indeed…oh fuck, I‘ve only just got him out of Hawaiian shirts…you don’t think he’ll go all cowboy on us now, do you?” Spike asked, smiling Cordelia rolled her eyes, and said,

“Don’t worry…I’ll get harmony to sort him out – right sign this please………and this………that one, there………and that………thankyou!” Spike did as he was asked and scribbled his signature on various slips and documents.

“Ok, ready for this? -Tickets are booked, as is the hotel, - and Hot! Magazine said great, they’ll confirm with you Tuesday, I’m waiting on the Mega Music thing, and Chart Express said they’d see her in the VIP lounge at LAX pre-flight”

“Great, right, I’m disappearing for an hour, important business, just take a message if there’s anything, ok? - I’ll be back around late lunchtime” Spike stood and left the office with Cordelia.

He chatted with her while waiting for the lift.

“So, you reckon he and Harmony have a ‘thing’ do you?”

“Uh huh…why do you think he’s wearing a roll-neck sweater…hickey-ville! Although he swears they were just kissing! – Oh and listen, they want to keep things ‘secret’ – so don’t go saying anything, will you?”

“Me?” Spike smiled, then continued,

“Do you think for one second Harmony would be able to?”

“That’s what I said!”

“Still…good luck to ‘em – I think she’ll be good for him!” They both smiled and Spike went down to the recording suites.

Chapter 15

“No, I’m sorry, not while HE’S on the judging panel. You’ll just have to find somewhere else to hold the book review finals”

“Please darling…for me – it’ll be good publicity for the restaurant” Jenny slipped her arms around Rupert’s neck.

“I don’t want him at the restaurant, it’s as simple as that – and publicity? – Jenny, it’s one of, in fact if not THE best restaurant in LA – I don’t need the publicity – good or otherwise. The food speaks for itself” Rupert said, he was holding her around the waist.

“But all this trouble between you and Ethan was over thirty years ago, can’t you forgive and forget?” Giles gently pushed her away, removed is glasses and began to clean them.

“Don’t you understand? - Ethan Raine held a lot of sway with both the public and the music business in those days; it was his comments on the Juke Box show that ruined the Rocketeers – our last single bombed because he rubbished it to hell and back, and we split up” He put his glasses on and faced her.

“Rupert…is it really that? Or is it the fact that Ethan had a fling with your wife?” Rupert felt all the blood drain from his face, and he gave her a cold hard stare. Immediately Jenny wished to god she hadn’t said that, she was disappointed, and wanted to show how upset she was.

“I’m going to the studios. Then I’m going to the restaurant. Goodbye” He turned and angrily wrenched the door open and left.

“Rupert, RUPERT – Come back - I’m sorry – please, I - I didn’t mean…shit. SHIT!” Jenny kicked out at the coffee table, and winced as the front door slammed shut and she heard his car start and speed off in a flail of gravel.

***

“………Jenny! – How could you say such a thing?”

“Oh Anya! I know, I know! As soon as I said it I could have bitten off my tongue…oh, what’s the use! I tried to get him at the studios all morning, I’ve left three messages for him at the restaurant, and he still hasn’t contacted me – this is another possible relationship I’ve ruined”

“Not necessarily, he just might be busy. Where are you now?”

“At your place”

“My flight is due in tonight at 9.30, will you meet me from the airport?”

“Sure, no problem”

**********


“So, we’ve got, Will Love Find a Way, Missing You, and Lovers Walk, those are the three definates…now, Wish Upon a Star, Maybe Tomorrow, I’ll Be There, Coming Home, and it’s between either Message To You or…um…Take My Hand, yeah?” Buffy looked at Spike

“Definitely. Which one do you prefer out of those two?”

Buffy shrugged and said

“I don’t mind – they are both nice songs”

“Well, you can always use the one you don’t use now on your next album, so shall we give Ford the casting vote, he might find one is better than the other time-wise for the CD” Spike suggested, and Buffy readily agreed.

“Okay!” As they were alone, Spike gently pulled her towards him and slipped his arms around her. Buffy smiled up at him, and he said,

“Want some good news?”

“Uh huh!”

“I’m coming to New York with you” Buffy’s face broke into a beaming smile, and she bubbled enthusiastically,

“REALLY! – Oh Spike, that’s fantastic! – Oh god, I’m SO pleased – It’ll be brilliant with you there too!” She gave him a big kiss and hug. Spike grinned, he was very happy that she was so pleased.

“Now, I won’t try and hide the fact that there’s a lot of work to do there pet, but if I manage things carefully time-wise with your commitments, we should have time for a little fun too, see the sites, go shopping”

“Oooh! I’m SO excited!” Buffy jiggled up and down grinning.

“Yeah, me too, Kitten. Ever been before?”

“No – can’t wait, so you will show me round?”

“I’d love to baby – oh, I hear footsteps” Buffy stepped from between standing between Spike’s legs, and they stood casually next to each other, Ford came in.

“Chosen then?” Ford asked Buffy

“Uh huh, you’ve got the casting vote on the last one – see which one’s better time wise Spike said, I’m easy which one it is”.

**********

The terrified screams from Dru had Cecily racing into Sweet’s bedroom, were she could see Dru in great distress, with her hands tied to the cast-iron bed-frame, which she was struggling and pulling against it with all her might.

“………Untie her… I said UNTIE –(Sweet quickly complied) There, that’s it…it’s ok, it’s ok. Dru, listen to me, Dru, it’s me…you’re ok pet, it’s alright, I’ve got you, shush…that’s better……… you’re ok” Cecily cradled Dru to her naked body, soothing her, and Dru calmed somewhat, panting and whimpering.

Sweet got up off the bed. He was naked. Lorne entered the bedroom, tying his robe.

“What happened?”

“Don’t know. She just freaked out on me” Sweet said, going across to his drinks cabinet and pouring himself a very large brandy.

“Bloody hell Daddy…couldn’t you see the state of her wrists? – They’re rubbed red-raw” Cecily said angrily.

“She was enjoying it! Begging for more – we weren’t doing anything we haven’t done before, and she didn’t use the safe word – I’d have stopped!”

“Can you get her tablets…they’re in her purse” Cecily asked Lorne, who went to fetch them.

“Well, have you re-established the rules, she forgets things easily, it’s been two years since you-“

“Of course I did! What do you take me for!” Sweet downed his brandy, reached for the decanter and poured himself another generous measure.

“Shush…you’re ok baby, I’ve got you” Cecily held Dru firmly, drawing the cover over them. Lorne came back with her tablets.

“Does she need water?”

“Please”

“Dru…Dru…what’s the safe word, hmm? Tell me, what is your safe word to make Daddy stop?”

“Butter- butterfly…it’s butterfly” Dru whimpered.

“Butterfly. Ok, so why didn’t you say it pet…here you go, take these…” Cecily handed Dru two of her tablets, and Lorne handed her a glass of water.

Dru looked scared

“It’s ok pet, it’s your medicine”

Dru complied and took the tablets. Cecily smoothed the hair out of Dru’s face.

“You scared us pet, why didn’t you use the safe word?”

“I don’t know…in the hospital…they put me in one of those jacket things…so I couldn’t get out…and I shouted butterfly, but nobody ever came” Cecily frowned, but then suddenly realised what Dru meant, and a wave of sympathy swept over her. She kissed her friend’s forehead and said,

“You go to sleep now, hmm? You rest love”

“Is Daddy mad with me?” Dru wiped the tears from her face.

“No pet. He can come play with us while you go to sleep okay?”

“Okay” Cecily got up out of the bed, and Dru lay down in the foetal position and pulled the covers up.

“Come with me” Cecily switched the light off and Sweet and Lorne followed her.

“Daddy, no more bondage games with her. Seems she had a – a flashback of some sort, and you tying her up reminded her of being in a straight jacket at the hospital, and it freaked her out, poor thing. She said she used to cry out ‘Butterfly’, but nobody came and let her out. She’s too fragile for this.”

“Cec, you coming back to bed?” Kendra’s voice drifted from the other bedroom.

“In a minute, baby”

“Come and join us if you want, leave her to sleep. She’ll be fine in the morning, I’m sure” Cecily tried to reassure Sweet.

“No, I – I’ll just stay with Lorne, okay?” Sweet said, finishing his second large brandy.

“Okay, see you later then” Cecily went back to her room.

“You ok Daddy?” Lorne asked

“I will be if you hold me” For the first time in ages, Lorne thought how small and vulnerable Sweet looked.

“Come on…Your Lorne will sort things. I’ll make things better for you” he led Sweet off to his room.

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

“Carling-Blake’s office”

“Ah, um…hell-hello. Um, your switchboard put me through. I er, I was wondering…see the thing is, it’s well – I don’t really know where to start-“

“Look, sir, can I help you, because I’m very busy, and my time is precious” Cordelia said frostily. She often had the switchboard put members of the public through to her with silly requests, for autographs or some such, and she went mad at them for wasting her time.

“My daughter, it’s about my daughter, I’ve been given to believe she’s signed to your record company”

“Your daughter? – I see. Who would that be then?”

“Her name is Buffy, Buffy Summers, she won the Search For a Star competition, I kinda lost contact with her, and I was wondering whether you could tell me, is she there?”

“I’m sorry sir, I do know who you mean, but I couldn’t possibly divulge any such information like that to a stranger over the phone. You’re her father you say – don’t you have a home phone number for her?”

“I do, but well, it never gets answered”

“Okay. Look, I’m not promising anything, but if you leave me your name, and a contact number, I could see that she gets it”

“Oh, um… I don’t think…well things ended badly, you see” Hank said. Cordelia rolled her eyes. She’d seen it a hundred times before. Father buggered off when the child was young, and then once their progeny got a whiff of fame, they came crawling out of the woodwork…

“I’m sorry sir, but taking your name and a contact number is the best I can do, company policy.”

“Well, I don’t hold out much hope, but here goes, I’m Hank Summers, and she can reach me on, 555 5042. Tell her – um no, doesn’t matter. Thankyou, bye”

“I’ll see she gets it, goodbye”

Cordelia went into the messenger bay and gave one of the runners a note for Spike. Ten minutes later he came up to the office.

“Hi, wanted to see me?” he held up the note. Cordelia nodded

“Yeah. Where’s Buffy?”

“First floor, having photo’s done for ‘Billboard’ magazine, why?”

“Has she ever said anything to you about her father?”

“Her father? – You mean the – hold on, let me get this right…the low-down, two timing, lying, cheating, no good son-of-a-bitch? Him, that father –“

“Hmm, thought so. He just phoned, wanted to speak to her. I told him I couldn’t possibly reveal her whereabouts, but I took his name and number, thought I’d sound you out first” She wrote down the info and held it out to him.

“Right. Good, thanks, Cordy”

“Welcome. They all come crawling out of the woodwork sooner or later, don’t they?”

“Yeah…I just hope it doesn’t upset-what’s that?” Spike frowned, then Cordelia did; they could hear singing (of a fashion) getting louder. The office door opened, and in walked Xander, wearing jeans, a denim shirt and a leather waistcoat – and horror of horrors – cowboy boots. EMBROIDERED cowboy boots. Cordelia and Spike exchanged looks.

“………even though you’re gone, my heart still yearns for-what. WHAT?” Xander stopped ‘singing’ and looked at the them.

“Don’t think you’re coming in here, singing ‘Home-on-the-bloody-Range’ songs
matey-boy, coz you’re not. I. Will. Slap. You” Cordelia said, leaning her head forward to emphasise the last four words.

“Yeah, and I’ll bloody hold you while she does it! Xander! – What have you got on?” Spike frowned, staring at his friend’s feet.

“What these?” Xander grinned and raised a foot, and then said,

“Neat aren’t they!” Again Cordelia and Spike exchanged another look.

“Um…what does Harmony think?” Cordy asked

“Well, she wasn’t too sure at first, but when Caleb said he’d get her a pair too, and she’s going to come to the Line-dancing session at the Cactus Gulch Saloon tonight meet some of Caleb’s friends”

Cordelia grabbed Spike’s arm.

“If I hear so much as one teeny, weeny, tiny ‘Yee Haw’ off of him, I swear I’ll-“

“Ow, Cordy, ow, ow, OW!” Spike winced and rubbed his arm where Cordelia’s nails had started to dig in.

“Sorry! But I mean it, Spike!”

“Well look pet, if he does, you have my full permission to lasso him to a chair
and subject him to any kind torture you think fit…starting with those boots!” Cordy grinned at Spike, and mouthed ‘thankyou’!

“Right, well, I’ll be off – um good luck!” Spike said

“I’m going to need it, I don’t have much sense of rhythm”

“I meant Cordy…and I think those last two words of your sentence were un-necessary!” Spike and smiling, and Cordy began to giggle, while Xander tried to work it out…

“Later!” Spike left the office still smiling.

“…Going to need it…I don’t um, don’t have much sense of…don’t have much sense. I. Don’t. Have. Much. Sense. – Hey! Bloody cheek!” Xander looked indignantly at a giggling Cordy.

“We’re only playing. I suppose we should be thankful you haven’t got to manage Ilyria – god alone knows what you’d look like if you did!”

“She of the blue hair? – She’s with us now?” Xander asked

“She signs with us tomorrow. She’s finished with Sony.”

“Wow…Spike going to manage her?”

“Actually, I don’t know yet, I suppose we’ll find out later this evening at the monthly meeting”

**********

“It’s a new one, Luigi asked us to try it, see what we think!” Spike handed Buffy a two-pint container full of extra rich Tiramisu ice cream.

“Ooh, yummy!”

“Buffy” Spike looked serious, and Buffy walked around the island counter in her kitchen, and put her arms around him.

“What’s the matter baby?” It crossed her mind suddenly that he was going to have to let her down over New York. Spike held her to him, smoothed hair from her face and said,

“Now don’t worry, all Cordelia did was take his name and number. It’s your father. He phoned this afternoon, wanting to speak to you”

“What? – Why the – of all the bloody- what a nerve! Huh, didn’t want to know when mom was dying – or the funeral…cheeky bastard! Um, sorry!” Buffy bit her bottom lip, and looked a little sheepishly at Spike, who just cuddled her up.

“Don’t worry petal. We see it a lot. It happens all the time. Wayward fathers come crawling out of the woodwork when they think their progeny are famous”

“Huh. Father. Just because a man donates sperm, doesn’t make him a father.”

“I take it you don’t want the contact number he left then”

“No I don’t. Besides which, he knows where I live, and this number!”

“I know kitten – so, we going try out this ice cream, or what?”

“Sure! I’ll – oh hold on” Buffy answered her mobile.

“Hi Cordy…Spike, yes he’s here, hold on – Spike, it’s Cordy” She passed him her phone and went to get some dishes for the ice cream.

“Hi Cordy - Is it? – Oh………it is, yes, sorry. I forgot to turn it back on when I left the recording suite” Spike switched on his mobile.

“So what’s the problem?………………BLOODY HELL – I clean forgot – I’ll be right there – thanks, bye”

“Problems?”

“The monthly meeting! I clean forgot all about it! I should have been there twenty minutes ago – I’m sorry pet – I’ve got to scoot – Sweet hates to be kept waiting” Buffy’s shoulders dropped, and she put the spoon down and came round to him

“It’s okay, can’t be helped. I can play catch-up (she eyed a mountain of correspondence) – have a bath, do some laundry, and I must phone Willow, and that”

“I’m sorry babe, I’ll make it up to you”

“I’ll keep you to that” He gave her quite a passionate kiss, and went to the front door.

“I am sorry love – don’t you eat all that ice cream, save me some!” They smiled at each other.

“I will, well, I might! Never mind – you drive carefully, now” she gave him another kiss and he left. Buffy waved and closed the door, and thought she’d better phone Willow.

***

Spike entered the room swiftly and threw his car keys down on the table.

“Sorry I’m late”

“Yes, well, you’re here now. Lucky Cordelia knew where to contact you since your mobile was switched off”
Sweet said, but Spike didn’t rise to it, he said nothing. Sweet addressed the assembled team, of Xander, Spike, Glory Benson, Ethan Raine, three other mangers and of course Cordelia taking the notes.

“Right, first things first, new signings. We have Caleb, from Midnight Music, I hope you’re up to speed with his style and venue’s Spike”

“Actually-“ Xander piped up, but Cordelia quickly gave him a light kick under the table so he’d say nothing. Xander took this to mean that Spike hadn’t got around to telling Sweet that he’d passed him over to him, so he stayed quiet. Sweet had totally ignored him anyway.

“Then we have Betty – sorry, I keep getting that wrong, Buffy. Buffy? – Is it?”

“Yes” Cordelia said.

“Right. I take it as read you’re ‘on top’ of things there”
Sweet said, smirking, as was Glory Benson. Cordelia could see Spike beginning to seethe out of the corner of her eye, and knew Sweet was needling him for being late. Dangerous. Boss or not, you only pushed Spike so far…

“Hopefully we have Ilyria signing tomorrow, Tom, I want you to take her over” One of the other managers nodded.

“Now, last but not least, we have Noiz…dear, dear, dear. What do we do about Noiz, hmm? Spike – you’re their manager, any ideas?” Sweet asked sarcastically. Spike had had enough. He looked at Sweet dead in the eyes and said pointedly,

“Plenty. First off I think that we should get to their drugs supplier and put him out of the picture – don’t you? - That might calm them down a bit.”

Sweet wasn’t stupid, he knew that Spike knew it was him supplying the band, he wondered whether Spike also knew it was him that supplied ‘Animal’ the drummer with the heroin he’d been found in possession of, and was awaiting sentence for.

Spike continued, thought he’d continue to needle Sweet.

“I mean, if it were to come out in open court just WHO had supplied Animal with the heroin, then maybe-”

“Hey, come on…I look at it this way – naughty boys, eh? It’s rock and roll! All good publicity, odd fight with photographers…and who hasn’t been caught in possession of class A drugs…practically de rigeur for a rockstar !” Sweet said jovially, trying to lighten the mood, and shut Spike up. But Spike wasn’t in the mood to be shut up, he continued,

“Yeah well if you’re prepared to put up with it Sweet – all well and good, you know what they say put up or shut up – just don’t come nagging me coz things are being cancelled right left and centre. Look, we need to get Trick into rehab-”

“You’ll be lucky, he won’t go voluntarily!” Glory said. Spike flashed her a look, and repeated,

“Get Trick – and Rack really, but most of all, get Trick into rehab, coz if this assault charge suddenly escalates and this photographer dies it’ll be a manslaughter charge he’ll be on, and he’ll have no option. What we need is damage limitation here. Get him into Rehab, one of those private London clinics, let them drop off the scene for a while until the heat dies down. Then we can do the comeback tour”

Spike was flying close to the wind here, but he didn’t care, Sweet wanted to play dirty – bring it on, but when all was said and done, what Spike had said was 100% right.

“Okay, moving on. Gunn” Sweet said

“That little spat on your show, wasn’t very well reported” Sweet addressed his comments to Glory.

“It was in your papers!”

“I know that, but it didn’t even rate a mention in any of the others”

“Because it’s self-publicity – the tabloids are sick of it, they KNOW it’s all a put up job” Glory said wearily.

“Yeah, get someone to do a ‘drive-by’ on her, get some proper publicity then!” Spike said quietly, only Cordelia, Xander and Glory herself heard this.

“DO YOU MIND!” Glory snapped at Spike, but he Cordy and Xander were grinning.

“Not at all.” Spike stared Glory out. Sweet wondered what was eating Spike, and it crossed his mind if it could be about Dru being back.

The put-down of Glory broke the tension a little, and Spike sat back, idly playing with his keys. He knew his value to Sweet, and Sweet did too. Spike was the best manager around by far – Sweet couldn’t afford to loose him. That’s why he let Spike get away with the sarcasm and answering back.

“Okay, anything else?” Xander looked at Spike.

“Yeah. I’ve passed over the managing of Caleb to Xander. He’s more up on venues and that style of music, personally, I wouldn’t have a clue. Xand’s the man. Also he now manages Harmony. The girl needs a change of image, she’s 25, and getting too old for the ‘Teeny-Bop’ princess label. Her change of style at the radio awards got her front pages in seven papers, all very positive – we should go with it. Plenty more ‘Harmony’ wannabe’s in the wings – we could pick up half a dozen no sweat” Spike said. Sweet looked at him, and nodded

“Okay, I’ll leave it to you, if you think Alexander here is capable”

“He’s more than capable” Spike said. Xander’s chest almost swelled with pride, and he was SO grateful at Spike for speaking up for him, saving him the job of stammering and bungling through it and making Sweet think he was an idiot…

“Getting back to Be-uffy. Her album coming on is it?”

“It’s done. That’s how much of a professional she is – just ask Ethan here – what was it you said about her when she came on your show?” Spike turned to the show-host

“Oh, um, er well I um, said that, erm…well, how m-much of a professional she was…I don’t like f-f-first timers – but you couldn’t tell”

“I LOVE them!” Glory smiled her evil smile

“Done is it? Well, when is it going to be released?” Sweet was impressed

“We’ll see this New York trip out of the way first, get some more TV behind her – I should say mid September – third week somewhere around there, then a Christmas release, and then January she’ll start a 20 date tour”

“Not let the grass grow on this little lady, have you?” Sweet tried to grin, but as usual, it looked like a lop-sided leer.

“Spike’s taken a ‘special interest’ in this one, haven’t you darling?” Glory said, acidly.

“Who’s going to New York with her?” Sweet asked

“Me. I am, taking two days personal time. The other two days I’ll be working, getting in touch with my contacts, getting her some TV and that”

“Personal time eh? How very…dedicated, but then, you always were dedicated, weren’t you Spike………” Glory said giving Spike an evil grin.

Sweet noticed his right hand beginning to shake, and knew it was time for him to go, and take his ‘medicine’. He stood up.

“Daddy! We were going to discuss my new show” Glory sat forward, shuffling papers

“Some other time, Glory” Sweet went to the door and turned

“But Daddy – you said - ”

“Now I’m saying some other time – Spike, a word please” Cordy glanced at Spike as he stood and followed Sweet out of the door.

“I know how things are, it must be a little hard for you at the moment, it came as a shock to me when I saw her, so I’ll let your – lets say, less than respectful attitude pass this time – but speak to me like that in front of the others again, and you and I will fall out”
Sweet didn’t give Spike time to reply, he turned and walked into the waiting lift.

Spike frowned, then his brows rose, he was thinking,‘ hard for me, and a shock when he saw her – saw who? What the hell was he on about now? And then he shrugged. It must be the drugs, he thought, addled his brain. He went back into the conference room to Xander and Cordy.

“Spike! Thanks mate – I can’t believe how easy you made that seem!” Xander actually hugged him.

“Hey! Steady on, it’s ok mate…um, oh, didn’t you have somewhere to be?” Spike spied Harmony, looking like an extra from ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ waving at them through the glass doors.

“What – oh blimey, yes – line-dancing - I’ll see y’all tomorrow, pardners!” Xander picked up a cowboy hat, plonked it on his head and left.

When Spike looked at Cordy, he grinned.

“Glad I’m out of the office tomorrow – he’ll be Yee Haw-ing and Howdy –Pardners all day!”

Cordy narrowed her eyes.

“I MIGHT just loose your expenses form if you don’t help me out here!”

“Ooh, temper, temper…you could always get Harmony in, discuss her change of image for a few hours”

“Is THAT supposed to make me feel better?” Cordy glared at Spike.

“Or, you could pass everything over to the typing pool as we know Sweet won’t be in for another week now, and you could go shopping with Buffy – I’ll even sign a chit for a little something for yourself” Spike smiled, Cordelia grinned, and kissed his cheek.

“I KNEW I liked you really!”

“I’ll bring her in for nine, there’s one or two things to sign, but if you could be available from, lets say………10 o’clock – I want her to shop for New York, Holden’s Weekly, and something really nice to wear at a fancy dinner”

“Company cheque book?”

“Of course”

“Right. Well, if I’m doing that, I’ll go type up these minutes now – see you”

“Thanks Cordy, I appreciate this”

“No, Spike, thank YOU!”

***********


“New York! – Buffy, that’s fantastic!” Willow and Buffy were sitting cross-legged facing each other on the sofa.

“I know, and even better, he’s coming with me! I’ll have to do work of course, I’ve got the show, and a signing in a big music store, and then there’s a magazine want to do a spread on me, and an interview with Chart Express at the airport, there’s one or two other bits and bobs, but Spike said that if he manages it right, we’ll still have time for sight-seeing and shopping!”

“Hmm…god, this ice cream is heaven! – So, come on, what’s he like – does he kiss nice?”

“Nice? NICE? Willow – he’s, he’s fantastic! I’m, well, I really falling for him”

Willow smiled a little hesitantly.

“Aren’t you happy for me Will?” Buffy asked

“What – of COURSE I am! – But, well, he must have hundreds of girls after him; he’s very good looking. And he meets all the top stars and spends time with them, and um…that”

“But he doesn’t – I said this…is it like this with all the female singers, but they usually have what’s called ‘minders.’ Managers only usually spend about an hour a week with their acts. He said it was different with me…I really, really like him Will” Buffy smiled at her friend

“Well good! Just, just be careful, I don’t want you to get hurt, that’s all”

“I know. Now, I want to ask you a big huge favour”

“What’s that?”

“Would you move in here for a few weeks, look after the house for me”

“That would be great – and doing me a favour! I could get some Oz time!” Both girls giggled.

“Not very romantic when you’ve got a heavy-metal freak the one side, and a girl that’s learning to play the viola the other side…kinda hard to get in the mood…”

“Oh guess what, Angel sent me flowers, and my dad rang the record company!”

“NO!”

“Oh yes – and I’ll tell you this much……………”

***********


“Is that it, one case – you travel light!” Jenny abandoned the luggage trolley she’d got and took Anya’s case off her.

“I went there to write songs – not to holiday, so, how’s things?”

“Let’s get back to yours, I’ve got a Thai style banquet for three in case you were extra hungry, get a bottle of wine open and I’ll tell you all about it”
Jenny hauled open a taxi door and they got inside.

***

“………Hmm, any more of that lemon grass and coconut chicken? – Thanks, so go on, what happened then?”

“Well, I was SO disappointed he said no I couldn’t use the restaurant for the book review, I said it then about Ethan and his Mrs, I couldn’t help it, it just sort of came out”

“The one thing I told you never to bring up – Jenny…I’ll tell you now, I spoke to him this afternoon” Anya said

“What – where? When? I’ve left messages everywhere, at the studio, the restaurant, his mobile – and he hasn’t got back to me“

“He’s too angry to speak to you”

“I’ve blown it then” Jenny’s shoulders dropped and she heaved a sigh.

“Give it a week or two, he may come round”

“If he knew just how sorry I was…”

“The more you push it, the more I think he’ll dig his heels in. Give him some time to cool off, and then in a few weeks, phone him, telling him you’ll be in town, suggest going for a coffee or something” Anya said

“But what if he says no?”

“Then you know you’ve blown it”

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


“Dru…Drusilla”

“Hmm?”

“Do you want to come out with us? – We’re going to a rock concert, then clubbing”

“Oh, no…no thanks”

“Sure – you’re welcome”

“No thankyou. I’ll stay in and watch TV. Besides which, I haven’t any money”

“Ask Daddy! He’ll give you some” Cecily said, throwing off her robe and standing naked in front of her wardrobe, she began to sift through the rails of clothes.

“I don’t like to…Cecily, where are my tablets?”

“Hmm – sorry pet, what?” Cecily came out of her wardrobe, holding up a leather basque with a net tutu by Vivian Westwood, holey stockings and impossibly high platform heeled shoes

“My medication, where is it – it was in my purse”

“Oh, and it’s not there now? Um…let me think………ah, I know, it’s at Daddy’s, we had to give you some when you went all…well, shall I ring him for you”

“I DO need it” Dru looked pained, she didn’t want to be a bother to anyone.

“Ok, well let me get dressed, and I’ll sort things for you”

“………you will – great I’ll tell her, bye!” Cecily put the phone down, and went into the lounge where Dru was watching TV.

“Daddy’s sending Lorne over with them for you okay pet, don’t wait up!”

She kissed her friends cheek, leaving a smear of deep purple punk lipstick.

“Have a nice time”

“We will! – Bye-ee!”

Half an hour later, Lorne knocked on the door.

“Daddy’s worried about you. He wants you to come and stay with him” Lorne told her.

“He’s not mad with me then?”

“Course not. Cecily gone out has she?”

“Yes. To a concert, all punked up, scary makeup. I didn’t want to go”

“Come back with me Dru. I’ll take care of you. Me and Daddy” Lorne held his hand out to her, and like a child she nodded and allowed herself to be led to the car.

Chapter 16

Buffy couldn’t help grinning broadly as the taxi pulled up outside the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

“I’m SO glad the Sheraton messed up the bookings – and now we can stay here!”
Spike grinned at her child-like enthusiasm.

“Sure about the suite though, I can book another-“

“Spike, I’m sure I’m sure, okay – it’s what I want” They smiled at each other, and Spike went to check in while the bellhops sorted out the luggage.

Five minutes later, Buffy was looking out over a magnificent view of Central Park, after looking around the suite in wonder at the huge bathroom with sunken whirlpool bath and giant walk-in shower, lounge with every thing you could want, and a bedroom with a massive bed.

“Wow…look at that for a view!” Buffy turned and saw that Spike was on his cell phone, but he smiled at her and ended his call and came over to the big picture window.

“Sorry, I didn’t realise you were on the phone” Buffy said

“It’s okay pet. Look, I’ve just bought that ‘One-To-Watch’ interview forward, if we can get that in before we have to go off to the record store signing, it means you can have…um…let me see…three – yeah, a good three hours shopping – before the shops close, if you want”

“Oh wow! Oh yes please!” Buffy bounced on the balls of her feet, she wasn’t in the slightest bit tired, more like a kid on Christmas eve!

“And er, where is it…ah, here we are – spending money” Spike held out a cheque to her. Buffy’s eyes went huge, and she sat down heavily in the nearest chair.

“Oh my god! I’ve never – I mean – but what if-oh!”
Spike chuckled at her incredulity.

“Babe, your single is number one, your album will do the same, that’s a drop in the ocean”

Buffy saw the words ‘five hundred thousand dollars’, and couldn’t comprehend such amounts of money…HER money!

“Are you tired pet?” Buffy shook her head

“Hungry?”

“Um…a bit. How long have we got before I’ve got to do anything?”
Spike looked at his watch again.

“Well, I didn’t know just how tired you’d be, so didn’t book anything until three o’clock this afternoon.”

“Oh good!”

“Would you trust me on this?” Spike said, holding her around the waist. Buffy smiled up at him, and slipped her hands around the back of his neck.

“Course”

“I know you said you don’t feel tired, but, have a rest now. You’ll feel better for it later on”

“Ok…will, um…will you stay with me?”

“Course I will pet” Spike had his lips by her forehead, and he kissed it softly.
Buffy yawned, and then giggled.

“I didn’t think I was tired!” Buffy led Spike into the bedroom. While she carried on into the bathroom, Spike took off his shoes and sat on the bed. He thought it prudent to set his watch alarm, just in case they fell asleep.

Buffy came back into the bedroom, threw the skirt she’d been wearing over the chair, and looked at Spike who was sitting on the bed with his back to her. She could hear a little beeping sound. She crawled over the bed and knelt behind him, slipped her arms around his neck and looking over his shoulder she said,

“Oh. I thought you’d got one of those computer game things…what are you doing?” Spike pressed the winder of his watch in, and put it on the nightstand, he turned his head and said to her,

“Just setting my watch alarm, so we don’t oversleep” He kissed her nose lightly and Buffy looked at his lips for a second or two, then she began to kiss him properly. Without breaking the kiss, he shifted around, and they somehow managed to manoeuvre themselves to lying down facing each other.

“Are you really sure about this love, I don’t want you to think I-“

“Sure I’m sure…” Buffy lay more on her back with Spike leaning over her, their kisses becoming more wanton and passionate.
He began to kiss and nibble at her neck, making her pant and writhe. Suddenly he stopped.

“Um…sorry babe, but I, well, I haven’t got any………I need to get condoms” Buffy shook her head and said,

“It’s ok, I’m on the pill for irregular… I’m safe, okay?” one thought hit Spike
**Wow, bare-back** not only was he going to make love to this beautiful woman, it was going to be as nature intended…he resumed kissing her

“God baby, you smell so good, you’re SO beautiful” Spike breathed in her ear. With slightly shaky fingers, she began to undo his shirt, and pushed it down his arms. Raising up slightly, Spike threw it off him and onto the floor, and he in turn gently removed her sweater.
He then started to kiss lower on her neck, and the tops of her breasts. Buffy could feel him trying to find the clasp of her bra at the back, so to help she pressed on the rose covered clip in the front and the cups parted, and she raised up and let it slide off her arms. All she had on now were her tiny panties. Spike still had his jeans on. He began to nuzzle at her soft firm breasts, kissing and teasing her nipples, flicking with his tongue and sucking them in turn to hard nubs, making Buffy gasp and hold his head to her. In between his ministrations, he would murmur how lovely she was, how soft she felt. He quickly skimmed down kissing her abdomen, and settled between her satin-soft thighs. Buffy raised her head off the pillow, slightly frowning,

“Wha-where are – oh – OH!”
Slipping her thighs over his shoulders, he undid the tiny bows at her hips, and dropped the little scrap of lace-edged silk on the floor, and then Spike said softly,

“So you don’t forget who’s doing this to you…I’m going to write my name with my tongue over a very special place………”
Her head snapped back onto the pillows as a wondrous sensation overtook her body.

Wiggling his tongue over her labia, he gently parted her inner lips until he found his prize, and proceeded with a stiffened tongue-tip to paint the letters of his name over her clitoris, every so often teasing her opening with long deep strokes, that had Buffy breathless. Her head whipping back and forth, she was totally mindless to anything other than the sheer unadulterated pleasure he was giving her. Clutching handfuls of bedding, her hips rocked of their own volition, and she couldn’t breathe properly, her neck arched, eyes tight shut, her mouth open, she was gasping, such sensations she’d never had, fact was she’d never had oral sex before.

“Mmm……… baby…is that good, huh?”
Buffy tried to answer, honestly she did. A slightly strangulated, ‘Yea –hmm, ooooohhhhh’………was the best she could manage, as words eluded her. Spike chuckled and continued his ministrations, finally sliding a finger inside her hot, tight depths to rub her G spot, causing Buffy’s already maximum loaded senses to trip to over-load and she cried out and bucked her hips as a series of mini-orgasms ripped through her.

Spike couldn’t stand the tight confines of his jeans any longer, and he quickly undid the belt and snapped open the top button. The sheer size and weight of his monster hard-on made the zip open on it’s own, and he speedily shed them and kicked them on the floor.

Leaning on one forearm, Spike reared over her and began to kiss her neck and then her lips, blindly Buffy reached for him, and she felt his whole body stiffen and he gasped when her fingers closed around his huge erection. Her fingers didn’t meet he was so big, and her eyes flew open, her first thought was that he’d never fit!

Glancing down what she saw only confirmed her first thought. He was absolutely massive! She circled her thumb over the leaking slit, lubricating the head, and Spike gasped and closed his eyes, letting his head drop to her neck.

“Baby – oh gods – I’ll be gentle, go slow – oooh!” he shuddered as he felt her put him at her opening, and he slowly began to enter her. Buffy arched her back, and Spike withdrew and thrust forward several times before he was a little over half way inside her. They were both gasping – she was so tight and hot and glorious – Buffy wanted him so much, she began to firmly thrust her hips up towards his. Spike reached down and snagged her behind the knee and drew her leg up towards her chest, and Buffy followed with the other leg automatically, and crossed her ankles behind his back, high up around is waist. Spike slowly sank fully inside her to the hilt, pushing right into her cervix, he could feel the tight hot cushiony squeezing of her inner walls surround him, and he knew she felt so good that he wouldn’t last, he wanted her too much for too long – he’d wanted her the second he’d set eyes on her, and the actual act of their union was so much better than he’d imagined.

Buffy’s fingers flexed, she held his shoulder, his biceps, feeling the straining muscles under her fingers, their hips churning, the sensations and feeling they were giving and receiving were so utterly unbelievably good that neither could speak at first, it was hard enough to just drag air into their lungs! He leaned down and kissed her, their tongues fort for dominance, before moving onto her neck. She had noticed that his neck was particularly sensitive, and when she lightly bit down and sucked, it sent him wild, as did the kneading of his shoulders and the light raking of her nails down his back. Spike upped the pace and began to thrust harder and faster much to Buffy’s delight; she too matched his pace. She marvelled at Mother Nature that she could accommodate him so completely, he utterly filled her to the brim – and the feeling was indescribably good.

“Baby…oh god, so good………you’re too, good……I can’t hold…” Spike began to babble

“Do it! Don’t…stop, ooh…oh yeah…oooh, Spike, don’t stop, harder…oh, I’m oh, ooooohhhhh – “

“Buffy – oh – me too…I’m…aaaaahhhhh – “

Thrusting at an incredible pace, Spike felt the first involuntary clench of her orgasm, and knew he couldn’t hold back any longer himself, he thrust up as hard as he could. She felt him swell, stretching her that little bit more, the sweet tight clench of her femininity milking him as he shot a heavy load inside her, both crying out the longest deepest hardest orgasm they’d ever had. Ever. Ever, ever, ever……………

Spike came to with his head on the pillow. Buffy had run a hand through her hair, leaving her palm resting on her forehead. They were both panting hard.
When she could speak, Buffy croaked,

“I honestly didn’t know it could be like that, so fantastic, so completely………”

“Incredibly, wow?” Spike finished for her.

“Babe, that was…well…quite simply the best, you were incredible” he leaned up and gave her a soft kiss.

“Me? It was you!” She deepened the kiss, her tongue fighting a duel with his. He was still rock hard, still inside her.

“Are you sore pet, shall I –“ he went to move, but Buffy gave him a squeeze with her thighs, and she held on tight to his shoulders, and Spike grinned down at her.

“More. Again” She demanded, smiling up at him, and Spike, ever happy to comply began to thrust slowly again; slightly awestruck that he’d remained hard. She picked up his rhythm and they were both able to last longer this time, bringing each other to the dizzying heights of pure ecstasy that even rivalled their first time, culminating in an earth-shattering climax that left them both exhausted, and they fell asleep wrapped in each others arms.

***

Buffy stirred, then came awake fully. The first thing she realised was that she was snuggled up to a very sexy, very naked Spike. The second thing she noticed, was that the phone was ringing.

“Spike…Spike”

“Hmm – “

“Phone’s ringing, baby”

Spike shifted on his back and groped for the phone on the nightstand.

“Yeah?” he asked sleepily, then he sat up

“Right, um sorry…jet-lag caught up with us, um, give us fifteen minutes would you, and um, send up some coffee and sandwiches please…thankyou” Spike put down the phone and turned to Buffy and said,

“We overslept! The watch alarm went off but we must have been in too deep a sleep to hear it. One-To-Watch are here for the interview, I said to give us fifteen, you go have a quick shower, I’ve ordered coffee and sandwiches, is that ok baby…sorry ‘bout the rush”
He leant over and kissed her.
Buffy hugged him to her for a second and said,

“That’s fine – I won’t be long” She got up and went and had a quick shower. Five minutes later she came back into the bedroom wearing her towelling robe.

“We doing the interview up here?”

“Don’t mind, do you pet?”

“Course not…jeans will be ok, won’t they, they don’t want pictures?”

“We can always get Cordelia at the office to fax through photo’s – oh – that should be the room-service”
Spike went and opened the door. And a man wearing a white jacket wheeled in a trolley with a mountain of assorted sandwiches and a huge pot of coffee and cups and that. Spike tipped him and immediately set about pouring them both a drink.

**********


All through the interview, Spike sort of hovered in the background. He kept on catching Buffy’s eye, and they couldn’t stop smiling at each other, a fact picked up on by the interviewer. At the end, as she was packing her tape recorder and things away she said to Buffy,

“Is he your boyfriend?” Buffy looked at Spike and grinned.

“Spike? Spike is my manager, and my…yes, my boyfriend” she glanced at him again, and he was grinning.

“Thought so…the air sort of, well crackles around you, and you haven’t taken your eyes off each other the whole time…” She smiled at Buffy and continued,

“Not that I blame you, he’s all sorts of gorgeous, isn’t he! Well, nice meeting you Buffy, and good luck with the album – not that you’ll need any luck”
She held out her hand and Buffy shook it, grinning and said thankyou. The woman left.

As soon as the door was shut, Buffy was in Spike’s arms, and they were kissing.

“What time is the car coming for us?”

“Twenty minutes”

“Right, well, I suppose I better put a bit of colour on my face, I must look a fright!”

Spike gave her a quick kiss and said,

“Nope, you look beautiful to me love” Buffy smiled and blushed slightly, which she knew was silly, but still…

*****

“Oh my GOD! They are not all here to see me are they?” The limo passed the front of the MegaMusic Store and Buffy stared with amazement at the huge crowds of people. She could see marshals holding them back behind barriers that tightly zigzagged their way up to the store entrance.

“Well they sure aren’t here to see me, pet!”

The popularity of her own celebrity still surprised her. The car slid smoothly into the parking bay at the back of the shop where they were met by the manager at the fire-exit door.

They were both ushered in quickly, and Spike said he’d wait in the manager’s office for her.

Buffy came out into the shop, through a door marked ‘Private’ and the first 50 of the waiting crowd had been let in. Stacked all around were copies of her CD, and a life-sized cardboard cut outs of the picture of Buffy standing on the shore adored the shop floor and windows advertising her song and the fact that she would be appearing at the shop to sign copies. Her song was playing over the air and for an hour and a half Buffy signed copies of the CD cover, and shook hands.

Spike had prudently got the store to get some already signed photos (stamped ones done by the secretaries) of Buffy in, so if they sold out of the single, the customers wouldn’t be too disappointed and would have something to show for their patient queuing.
This was good thinking on his part as the store had, in fact, sold out it’s allocated 1500 copies of the CD, people had been buying it all the previous day and the morning too.
After thanking the very happy manager, Buffy and Spike left and got back into the car.

“Here, put these on pet, and I bought this for you to put on…right, I think you said shopping was the order of the day, yes?” Excitedly Buffy put the little pale blue cardigan on, and the dark glasses, and Spike asked the driver to take them to Madison Avenue rather than back to the hotel.

Bowled over by the fact that she could see all the designer stores, let alone shop in them, Buffy went into Versace, Armani, La Perla, Prada, Dolce and Gabbana, DKNY and Calvin Klein. She also visited Bloomingdales, and she’d spent a fortune!
She’d probably spent more in two and a half hours, than she’d spent in her entire lifetime. But she was bubbly happy as they walked through the shops, shops she’d only ever dreamed about going into, let alone buying anything! She was hand in hand with Spike, she’d never honestly been so happy.

They’d had to make several trips back to the car to load her shopping. By seven o’ clock it was dark and they both were hungry.
Spike asked the driver to take them back to the hotel via Broadway, so Buffy could see all the theatres and the bright lights.

When they did get back to the hotel Spike asked her what she wanted to do, go out, eat in, or send for room service. Thanks to the afternoon sleep, they didn’t feel all that tired, and Buffy wanted to be out, experiencing it all.

“Don’t tire yourself out Kitten, you’ve got that TV show tomorrow morning remember, and we want you to be all bright eyed and bushy tailed for that!” Spike reminded her.

“I know. We won’t be too late back…now, I don’t know about you, but I’m starving!”

“Yup, me too babe!”

“I fancy a big, juicy steak…yeah that’s what I want” Buffy rubbed her tummy, nodding.

“Sounds excellent, I know just the place” Spike said grinning.

They both got changed and took a cab and went to a restaurant Spike knew off Madison Ave. Where they both had huge steaks with fries and salad a bottle of good wine and then they shared an enormous ice cream confection that defeated them both in the end and they had to leave some as they were both full.

“Shall we walk a few blocks, look at the shops and then get a cab the rest of the way?” Spike suggested, which Buffy was happy to do.

They were soon back at the hotel, were there was several messages for Spike. While Buffy did her thing in the bathroom, Spike set up his laptop in the sitting room and caught up with a little work. Buffy called him from the bedroom.

“Will you be long, baby?” She stood there leaning against the doorjamb, one hand seductively holding near the top of the door, her one hip thrown into profile. Saucily she ran her tongue along her top lip. She was wearing one of her purchases, a filmy little bit of lacy nothing, held together with tiny satin ribbons that accentuated her curves and made her look so utterly desirable and so sexy that Spike went and just shut down his laptop and join her straight away!

“You like?”

“Uh, uh, I LOVE…but I prefer you totally naked, c’mere you sexy little minx!” Buffy squealed as Spike made a playful dive for her and she very quickly allowed him to ‘catch’ her. She slid her arms around his neck and said seductively,

“So…whaddya gonna do now you’ve caught me, huh?” Grinning, she teased and ground her hips against his growing erection, making him catch a breath.

“Well now………let me see, I always thought actions spoke louder than words…” Spike gently walked her backwards and they both tumbled to the bed, where he began to pull open the little satin bows till all her delights were exposed to him, and he began to nibble on her neck fondle her breasts and suckle at her nipples, making her mewl like a kitten, getting her very hot. Emboldened by the wine she’d had earlier she gently pushed down on the top of his head and said,

“I’ve forgotten…remind me of your name again, would you?” Spike grinned at her, and after undressing himself in record speed, he quickly settled between her smooth legs and gave a repeat performance of writing his name for her, over, and over, and over again, until Buffy had lost count of the orgasms and had shouted herself hoarse.
****

Buffy woke and stretched she looked at the clock; it was 3.50am. She got up and went to the bathroom. Feeling ever so slightly sore and a little sticky, she had a shower and felt refreshed. The room was warm enough to pad around naked in, and when she got back into bed, she found Spike had shifted from lying on his side to on his back. She looked at him – and gods, he looked so hansom. His growing out bleach job tumbled mop of unruly curls, the chiselled jaw, full lips to his fine physique, well-muscled shoulders and biceps, to the six-pack abs. He was one neat package all right!

Feeling wide awake, and full of devilment, Buffy lightly traced her finger down his chest, around under his pectoral muscles and then she traced on down between his six-pack. Spike stirred slightly and she smiled. Under the sheet, she could see the outline of his huge manhood beginning to stiffen. Gently she inched the sheet down, until she had him full exposed. She fluttered her fingers through his crisp curls and tickled over his thighs. She was dying to touch him. It.
Swallowing and licking her lips, she bent her head forward, and licked the length of his shaft. Spike murmured a sigh and he moved his head to lay on his other cheek. Buffy stifled a giggle, and did it again, this time she gently took hold of him, and lifted the head to her mouth. She licked around the head, and then making her lips into a wet ‘O’ shape, she slowly slid them down, clamping them under the ridge, sucking gently. She began to slowly pump him, taking as much of him into her mouth as she could, and bringing her other hand into the mix, she cupped his balls, lightly squeezing and massaging circles over them with her thumb. Spike let out a loud pleasured groan and bucked his hips up toward her. Buffy for her part, was really enjoying herself. She’d only done this once before, and (or so she’d been told) needed a lot more practice.

The one thing she would be grateful for though, was to a certain young troubled student at her last job. Dawn her name was, always getting herself into scrapes…Buffy came round to her office area the one day to find Dawn looking at a website, ‘How to give better blowjobs’. Of course, Buffy had admonished her, closed the site and sent the girl on her way immediately, but later she secretly went back and made a note of the web address………

“Ooooohhhhh –babe!” Spike gasped.

She removed her mouth from him, although she still carried on both sets of hand movements.

“Never really done this before…tell me what to do” Buffy said softly

“You’re………you’re doing, oh, f-fine, love…oh god yes!” Spike thrust his hips up, he didn’t want to hurt her, but when her mouth returned to him and began the gentle sucking along with the slow pumping and the massaging of his balls, Spike was in ecstasy.

Trying to remember about what she’d read, she experimented with speed, and firmness of pumping and sucking, just sucking the head or sliding her mouth down as far as she could without gagging, to gauge his reaction to what he like best. The way his thighs tensed and his hips bounced when she pumped him fairly fast and firm, taking him as deeply as possible into her mouth had him mindless, his fingers tangled in her hair as he babbled how good she was doing.

She didn’t suck all the time, and for a while she just pumped and massaged, working her thumb over the fine seam that divided his balls, then she slid her fingers lower to stroke the firm ridge behind them, a very sensitive area, so she’d read, sending Spike wild. The head of his huge dick looked angry and purple and fit to burst, crying out for attention, and so Buffy took pity on him, sucking him greedily into her mouth tasting the clear fluid pre-cum. Twenty minutes of this and Spike couldn’t last out anymore. She noted his breathing got faster and shallower, his hips bounced a little higher and his moans and groans of pleasure got more frequent.

“Babe, I‘m, oh god yeah, so good…I’m gonna…oh yes…oh babe, don’t stop, oh yeah, yeah, oh – god, I’m coming – uhn, uhn, uhn, uhn – ah, ooooohhhhh………oh god, baby, that was…oh!

He’d warned her in plenty of time that he was coming, so she could move her mouth away, but much to his delight and pleasure she chose to stay and she even swallowed, without gagging. She kissed up his abdomen and chest and then she kissed him lightly.

“Any good?” She asked with an impish smile.

“What can I tell you babe…stupendous!”

“Good. I couldn’t sleep!” Spike grinned at her and cuddled her up, kissing the top of her head.

“So I gather. Lucky me then, eh?” They cuddled and just talked for about an
hour, and then they both fell asleep. They were both awake again by half past seven, and they made love slowly and gently, gradually building to a terrific crescendo for them both. Afterwards they decided to give the Jacuzzi a whirl before a room-service breakfast of freshly squeezed orange juice, cereals, bacon and eggs, tea, toast and honey. Spike said it was a good idea to have a hearty breakfast as she was filming and had no idea as to what time lunch would be.

“I was hungry anyway…must be all this energy I’m using!” Spike flashed her a sexy grin, and Buffy wondered just when she’d gotten so bold! She grinned while she buttered a piece of toast.

********

Buffy was shown to her dressing room, which was small, but pleasant enough. Spike said he’d take the opportunity to get on with some work, and when Buffy went off to make-up, he plugged in his laptop and set about catching up.

“Which show are you on, the first or the second, do you know?” the makeup lady asked.

“First, does it make a difference?”

“Well, they record two shows, and the set is changed in between, just a matter of colour co-ordination” the lady explained.

Holden’s Weekly was a popular show, a mixture of celebrities and the general public who had been in the news that week. Buffy had looked through the ‘running order’ and saw that she was ‘sandwiched’ between the local guy who’s dog had saved his life by literally dragging him out of a burning building, and a lady who had once weighed a little over 4001b, but thanks to a special diet had lost three quarters of her body weight.

It was Buffy’s turn, and she was introduced and she came on-set to rapturous applause, the previous guest was still seated, and his dog barked and wagged his tail, Buffy waved to the audience and sat down next to them. The audience laughed as the dog took a shine to Buffy and kept nudging her to fuss and pet him, which Buffy duly did! Holden was the perfect host, and he asked her the usual questions about winning the Search for A Star show, they showed a clip of her singing, as she wasn’t going to sing live, and he asked her how her life had changed, about her forthcoming album and the twenty date tour she was going to do.

They did something new to Buffy while doing a show, and took a ‘live’ phone call from a member of the public, which was put out on air. The call was from a lady who was getting married to her Marine boyfriend, and they both loved the song so much that they were going to have it played at the ceremony. Buffy was very touched and she said thankyou and congratulations to the lady and her fiancé.

Holden wound up the first half of the show, the two guests (and the dog!) getting their applause, and then a ‘before’ photograph of an enormous lady was shown, then it showed her as she was now in the flesh, a trim slim happy looking person, now a quarter of the size she used to be, who smiled and waved to the camera.

“All that plus controversial senator Brad Rico, coming up after this break, don’t go away now!” Holden said to camera

They cut to the commercials, and the first guests could leave. Buffy unclipped her microphone and made her way down the corridor to her dressing room where Spike was waiting for her, watching a small portable TV.

“Hey – was I any good?” She smiled and went and kissed him lightly.

“Brilliant as usual my little baby, although you were nearly up-staged by a cold nose and a waggy tail!” Spike kissed her nose.

“I know – Ruddles what a fantastic dog eh – he was so cute? It was amazing, they don’t know how a dog that size could drag an unconscious man out of a burning house…”

“Well, come on babe, chop-chop, we have to get back to the hotel, Hot! Magazine are due in an hour”

*******


There were six people from Hot! Magazine, the interviewer, a photographer, a lighting man, a sound recordist and two stylists, one doubled up as a makeup artist . Buffy was going to have a six-page spread done on her, she had hundreds of photos taken with at least two dozen changes of clothes. They chatted about her style and life-style, her music and taste in general – and the whole thing took just over two and a half hours.

While Buffy and the Hot! Magazine crew worked in the sitting room, Spike worked in the bedroom, phoning contacts and making arrangements. He’d got her two radio interviews, a teatime teen show slot and as a feature on a local cable-access music show.

She did one of the radio interviews over the phone, and the cable-access show feature from a bench in Central Park, all arty camera angles, that sometimes switched to black and white. It was late afternoon, and Spike knew that she would be feeling pretty tired by now, as he was.

“Anything else today?”

“Nope, just rest – I thought we could go to the Little Italy area tonight – grab us something wonderful to eat, that okay by you pet?” Buffy squeezed his hand and said,

“Hmm, sounds fantastic…so, what have I got to do tomorrow?”

“Sight seeing and more shopping, if you want, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and anywhere else your little heart desires”

Buffy leaned in and kissed his cheek, and Spike let go of her hand and put his arm around her shoulder, hugging her to him. She slipped her arm around his waist, leaning her head on his strong shoulder, and they slowly wended their way back to the hotel.

*********

“Oh my god, that has to be the best thing I’ve had in my mouth since…(she mouthed) ‘this morning’ !” They both giggled and Spike held out a forkful of spaghetti Bolognese to her.

“So, how come you know New York so well, all the best places then?”

“I used to live in Queens for a while – I started off in acting – did drama and English at uni, I got a chance to come to NY for twelve months. We used to do things in Central Park, off Broadway shows, stuff like that, then I drifted into music, became more interested in it than acting. I’d got a few good contacts in the music business, thanks to my father really. He used to let out the estate grounds for pop concerts…that’s how I met Sweet. He was just a manager back in the early nineties. He said to me if I ever needed a job, to go see him – so in 1998 I did. He’d just started Aphrodite then, and it was a case of being in the right place at the right time. Several of the top bands had contracts ending with the label they were all at, he broke away, signed them up, and never looked back since”

Buffy sat back and dabbed her mouth.

“That was superb!”

“Want to try their Tiramisu – even better than Luigi’s!”

“Really, is that possible?” Buffy laughed, and a small man, typically Italian looking came out of the kitchen.

“Hey Tony…long time no see!” Spike called over. The man squinted at Spike for a second or two, and then grinned and came from behind the bar over to their table.

“Will-yam! How are you…let me look at you…so, where you hide yourself these days, huh?” After a big back slapping hug Spike sat down and said,

“Based in LA now Tone, gotta go where the music takes me!” Tony pretended to look disgusted and batted the air in front of him.

“LA – Ah – My daughter, Sophia, she’s in LA – she say to me, Papa – nowhere do they do great Italian food – is all wheat-grass and egg-white omelette, she cannot get decent spaghetti vongolé!” Everybody smiled

“What is she doing?”

“Fashion – she is in final year at university – then she wants to go home to Milano” Tony looked at Buffy and smiled

“You have eye for very pretty lady!” Buffy blushed and Spike grinned

“I do indeed, let me introduce you, Tony, this is Buffy, Buffy, Toni Corelli “ Buffy smiled and shook his hand.

“So, you here long?”

“Unfortunately no, we go the day after tomorrow Buffy is a singer and we are here doing promotional work”

“Mixing business with pleasure, no doubt!” Tony nudged Spike, and they both grinned. A tall young man came through from the kitchen and called over to Tony in Italian.

“That is my youngest boy, Tomasso – I must go, try and come again before you go, huh?” He hugged Spike again, and kissed Buffy on both cheeks.

“We’ll try”

Tony went back into the kitchen, and the waitress placed a large portion of Tiramisu between them.

“Hey, do you know why there are so many Italians called Tony in New York?” Spike whispered, and smiling Buffy shook her head.

“Because coming from Italy, they had To NY on their luggage! Here, taste this and tell me what you think!”

“Hmm….this has GOT to be sin on a plate” Buffy said dreamily closing her eyes and savouring every mouthful.

When they left twenty minutes later, after Tony insisting that they didn’t pay, they walked a block and then got a cab back to the hotel.

The rest of the trip passed in a whirl, they went site seeing, shopping and Buffy did the interviews Spike had arranged. He’d also managed to get her a spot on one of the big late night chat shows, and they had to make a dash for the airport to catch their flight back home. They were sitting on the plane, ready for take-off, Spike was holding her hand.

“Well, did you enjoy it babe – your first trip?”

“I loved every second of it – New York will always be so special to me now”

“Me too babe!” They felt the plane pick up speed as it began to taxi down the runway and then take off.

Spike had always liked New York, and he had a better reason to do so now, it was where he fell in love with a girl called Buffy………

Chapter 17

“So, how was New York?” Cordelia asked a grinning Spike

“Loud, noisy, busy, fantastic! – How have things been here?”

“Loud, noisy, busy, not so fantastic”

“Oh?”

“I’m afraid I had to bring Xander into line!” Cordelia said grinning.

“Really? – Do tell!” Spike perched against her desk and waited for her to elucidate.
She went over to the photocopier and began to duplicate sheets while telling Spike all the office gossip and stuff that had gone on while he was away.

*******

“Buffy………Buffy, it’s one o’clock, lunch time” Willow gently shook her friend who’d fallen asleep in the armchair. A sea of designer shopping bags and her open luggage surrounded her.

“Wha- oh (she yawned and stretched) Hi Will…golly, is it that time already?”

“Yup…you don’t have to be anywhere, do you?” Willow asked

“No, got a day off!”

“Great, we can catch up, I don’t have any lectures this afternoon!” Willow said grinning, then she added,

“Want lunch – I was going to have a salad”

“Great, I need to cut down, I’ve been stuffing myself silly in New York. Let me go have a shower, and then I’ll tell you all about it!”

***

“………Look Will, real live, well, not live, but REAL Manolo’s!”

“Wow – “ Willow looked at the strappy sandals Buffy was holding up in awe.

“They cost an arm and a leg of course, and then I bought this dress in Prada. I mean, I didn’t think they’d let me through the door! – And um, oh here, this is for you!” Buffy handed Willow a DKNY bag with a dinky little shoulder purse in it in Willow’s favourite pink.

“Oh Buffy –thankyou – it’s lovely! Gods, I can’t use it – what if it gets damaged?”

“Don’t be silly! – Oh, and there’s this – I got one too - I might wear it in bed!” Buffy handed her another bag, and Willow took out an over-size ‘I (heart) NY’ tee shirt.

“There’s a baseball cap around here somewhere too…” Willow dropped her arms from holding up the tee shirt and grinned at her friend.

“So, how was it – you look different somehow”

“Different? How?” Buffy smiled and shook her head.

“I don’t really know…happy – you look really happy – your eyes are shining, and you’re all bubbly and excited – oh! I know! – I know what it is!” Still bemused, Buffy shook her head smiling,

“What, I haven’t cut my hair or anything!” Buffy smoothed her hair

“No. Not your hair. You’re in love!”

“What- no!” Buffy giggled through the word, lowering her gaze

“You are – aren’t you?” Smiling Willow ducked her head to try and look a smiling Buffy in the eyes. She looked up and smiled shyly and said,

“Well, yeah, ok, yes I am – Oh Willow – I had THE most FANTASTIC time of my life!”

She proceed to tell Willow what a brilliant time she’d had, obviously not going into detail on certain aspects of the trip, all about the things she did in the interviews and shows.

When she’d finished Willow got up and said,

“Now to bring you back down to earth with a bump!” She handed Buffy a bundle of letters and bills. Buffy rifled through them and stopped at one in particular, and held it up. She looked at Willow.

“You know who this is from, don’t you?”

“Your dad?” Willow said, biting her bottom lip.

“That’s the bastard” Buffy threw it to one side and began to open the bills.

“Oh, and um…I think your washing machine has had it, it works, just, but it’s making an awfully funny noise”

“Yeah, it was on its way out before I did the song at the Bronze” Buffy looked up from reading the bill.

“Actually, I don’t know if I could bear to part with it really, it was because it had developed a worrying squeak persuaded me to do the talent contest in the first place! I thought if I won the $1000, I could have it repaired. I’ll put it in the garage, and order a new one”

“Just like that!” Willow said, grinning

“Yeah…just like that! – No worries!”

*******

With her face devoid of makeup, and her blonde hair stuffed under a well pulled down baseball cap, and wearing tatty jeans, white tee and a denim jacket, nobody gave the woman a second look as she casually walked down the back alleyway. She stopped, made a very quick call on her cell-phone, and looked up and down the alley. The fire door opposite her opened, and Willy motioned for her to step inside, which she duly did.

“Well – what did this journalist mate of yours get?”

“A name, two addresses, and his birthplace”

“Come on then, hand it over!”

“I think you should be nice to me, if you want this-ah-a-a-a-ahh-h-h-h-OW!”

“Just GIVE IT, you little weasel!”

“Ow!” Willy frowned rubbed his throat and passed over the slip of paper to her.

“A frat house – and an Army Cadet Training Centre… …you said an address!” The blonde looked annoyed with the hapless barman. This time it was Willy’s turn to get indignant, and he bickered back,

“Listen, you do your own footslog – it’s not like you’re payin’ for any of this!”

“I’ll buy you a drink sometime – and remember, don’t go shooting your mouth off about this…I’m arranging a little surprise!”
The blonde said over her shoulder as she pocketed the piece of paper and pulled open the fire door and left.

Willy slammed the fire door shut mumbling to himself how she thought she was SO funny, buy him a drink indeed………

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

Anya was almost annoyed at the lack of attention that Xander was giving her. He used to follow her around like a little lap dog with his tongue hanging out for her, hanging on her every word – and now, well, he didn’t even bother to look up from his computer monitor when he spoke to her.

It wasn’t that she fancied him or anything…she liked him enough, but well…she supposed it was an ego thing…since she split with Sven, there had been a distinct lack of action as regards men and her, and she was starting to feel it. She liked the company of men better than women, and most of all, she liked sex. And of late- well she’d had neither. She’d phoned Rupert Giles and arranged a lunch-date with him as she’d always been able to talk to him, she’d get a decent lunch, and commiserate with him over Jenny’s faux pas………


**********

“Where is she?” Sweet asked Lorne.

“In the garden, I was just going to call her in for morning coffee”

“Ok. She’s got to see the doctor again…although I’m not sure those tablets they’ve got her on are helping her much. She seems…Zombified”

“Well Daddy, you can ask him when he comes after lunch this afternoon. Maybe he can change them or something. There’s got to be more than one type of medication she can take” Lorne said.

“Yes. Ah, this will be my call from Switzerland, get the accountant on the phone for me please, I need to know exactly how much I can transfer to my accounts in Geneva and Zurich”

“Consider it done” Lorne said and left Sweet’s office.

********

“………You’re kidding, what, voluntarily – I don’t believe it!” Spike said incredulously

Cordelia nodded

“Honestly. When it was put to them what you said about if he was convicted if that photographer died, he knew he’s be looking at a mandatory 15 years minimum. Luckily for him, the guy came round Monday evening, and it looks like there will be no permanent damage, but he will still be charged with assault. As he’s in rehab of his own accord, his lawyer says that will count to the good of his case”

“And Animal?”

“Ah…if he gives up the name of his supplier, then they might go a little more leniently on him. The amount he was found in possession of was classed as for personal use, so the pushing charge has been dropped, so if he’s lucky, he could just end up with a fine, as long as he goes to rehab too”

“Well, he isn’t going to give up Sweet is he? – Oh, let him sort it out, no doubt if Sweet throws enough money at the problem it’ll ‘go away’ so to speak. Let’s see if we can get Rack to go rehab too, get three for the price of two!” Spike said grinning, and Cordelia laughed.

There was a knock at the office door and Glory walked in without waiting for an answer.

“Do you keep phone-books for different states?” She walked up to Cordelia’s desk.

“Uh huh, where do you want?”

“Iowa” Cordelia went over to the filing cabinets and found the appropriate book and gave it to Glory, who took it without a thankyou and left.

“Wonder what’s in Iowa?” Cordelia mused

“Who cares…so did Sweet sign those shopping receipts alright did he?” Spike asked

“Yup…he didn’t bat an eyelid. He never does with yours”

“Good. Did you get yourself something?”

“Nice little Chanel jacket, thankyou!” Cordelia said grinning, and Spike smiled.

“So, how did the trip go?”

“Fantastic – got a lot of work done!”

“I’m not on about work!”

“That’s ALL I’m telling you!”

“Spoilsport!”

“That’s me! – So where’s Xander?”

“Um…not sure, he was sorting out Caleb’s tour dates, I think”

“How are things between him and Harm?”

“Ah, the ‘secret’ relationship!” Cordy said, grinning. Spike also smiled

“Well, she’s stuck to him like a limpet every opportunity she gets, when she thinks no-ones looking that is, and they are totally nauseating when they rub noses and coo at each other…she calls him Pookie, and he calls her Poppet. I was half tempted to pinch the window cleaner’s bucket yesterday and dump the contents over them!”

“Ah, don’t be cruel…” Spike laughed.

“Anyway, if there is anything you want doing today, can I please have it by lunchtime, I’m going early”

“Oh – don’t tell me you actually have a life beyond these walls!” Spike quipped

“Funnily enough, I was only thinking that the other day. I reckon I’ve more than earned that Chanel jacket in unpaid overtime anyway! Yes, the said jacket is going to get an outing…I have a date!”

“With whom?”

“Mind it!”

“Come on, spill!”

“Shan’t, won’t, will not! – My lips are sealed!”

“Where’s that expenses form you forged my signature on?” Spike asked with a grin.

“Wes Price! You rat-bag! PLEASE keep it to yourself!”

“Darling, my middle name is discretion! And here…these are for you, coz I know you broke your last pair” Spike put a small packet with Dolce and Gabbana written on the front, on her desk.

She frown/smiled opened it and took out a pair of sunglasses, the type of which she had broken a month previously.

“What’s this? - Oh Spike! Thankyou! – Come here, you are a Sweetie” She gave him a light kiss on the cheek.

“You’re welcome pet. Now…I bet I’ve got a ton of emails to sift through!”

“Oh, I’ve put a Spam blocker on your account, and sifted out the rubbish, I haven’t opened anything personal, just left you the important and private ones”

“Aren’t you the bestest! Thanks!”

“Thankyou!” She waved the glasses at him and they both began to get on with some work.

*********

“Is Rupert there please…………Jenny Callender………yes, I’ll hold…………………He’s not? Oh. I don’t suppose you could tell me when he’s - no, okay then, thankyou, bye”
Jenny held the receiver to her chest, ended the phonecall with her fingers on the cut-off digits, and when she got the dialling tone again, she dialled Anyanka’s mobile.

The Four Seasons was closed, but Anya and Rupert had enjoyed a sumptuous lunch of grilled lobster and Champagne. They’d both heard the phone ring at the bookings counter, and the waitress blatantly lie about the boss not being in.

Grinning, Rupert sipped his Champagne and said to his lunch companion,

“You know who that’ll be calling, don’t you – I’ve instructed all my staff to say I’m not in – I can’t speak to her I just wish she’d take the hint!”

Not five seconds later, Anya’s cell phone rang, flashing up the name ‘Jenny C’.
“Oh, guess who this is? – I shan’t answer, I’ll let the message desk take it – anyway, sorry, do go on, Mick Jagger said what to you?”

Rupert finished his anecdote, and they both finished their drinks.

“Coffee?” he enquired

“Is it of the ‘Blended Gold’ type? Anya asked wickedly, grinning.

“Hey! That was years ago, nothing wrong in doing the odd commercial!”

“No Sweetie, I Know, in fact must run, I’m doing a commercial this afternoon for Steinbeck piano’s, it’s for the foreign market, and pays quite nicely, thankyou very much!”

Rupert stood up, and ever the gentleman he helped her on with her jacket. She turned to say goodbye, and suddenly found herself being kissed quite passionately. Slightly taken aback at first, she stood quite stiffly, but quickly yielded to his embrace and found herself totally enjoying it. She blinked open her eyes and thought, ‘wow, no wonder Jenny’s desperate to get back with him’.

“Anya…gods, do you know how long I’ve wanted to do that?”

“Huh? Erm…oh gosh, I er…”

“Meet me, tonight, please? Come for a drink upstairs at the cocktail bar – ring if you’ll be coming after hours” Rupert was rubbing her arm gently up and down, looking at her so earnestly.

“Er, Um…y-yeah – yes, yes, I’d love to!” They both smiled and the slight awkwardness had gone, especially when Anya launched herself at him for another toe curler of a kiss.

“Tonight, around nine-ish, I’ll ring if I’m going to be late…got to go, bye!”

Anya left on quite shaky legs. She got into her waiting car and told her driver where she wanted to go next. She looked up at the restaurant window, and Rupert raised his hand in a wave, she did the same. They both knew that a line had been crossed, and they’d moved on from being just friends to, well what exactly? A million other thoughts ran through her head, not least of which how would she break this to her friend Jenny?

Chapter 18

“I know it’s a lot of work babe, but I promise you can have Saturday and Sunday off.
Except, I want to take you out Saturday, somewhere special” Spike added with a grin.

He cuddled her to him. Buffy wriggled closer to him sitting on his lap, and leant her head against his.

“Really, where?”

“Where would you like to go?”

“Um…anywhere?”

“Anywhere your little heart desires, kitten” Buffy began to think…

“Ooh, I know! Oh…you probably couldn’t get a table at such short notice…we tried once, as a treat for mom, but they said they were booked up for three months in advance………”

“Where was that then pet?”

“The Four Seasons”

“Really? You want to go there – okay then, just leave it to me – and afterwards, I shall take you to a quiet little club I know, very small, very exclusive, how about that?”

“Great! You can get a table, just like that? – Colour me impressed – but then you’re so clever, I should have known you’d know what to do! I can’t wait! – I shall wear my Prada and Manolo’s!” Spike grinned and he gave her a light kiss.

Buffy reached for her itinerary and began to study it. From the Tuesday, she’d got an intensive four-day tour of interviews and appearances in mostly, Northern California. San Francisco, Oakland and Sacramento, and a stop off in Bakersfield on the way home.

“Golly, SIX interviews on Tuesday! – That’s a busy day!”

“Two are for radio pet, you can actually do the one in the car while you’re been driven to San Francisco, and the other you can do at the hotel. I know it’s a lot baby, I did warn you – oh and another thing, the hotel in Sacramento on Thursday, they will ask you to sign things for what you’ve had, and they’ll give you receipts, which is quite alright, you can have whatever you want, we just need them to claim back expenses”

Buffy nodded and put the list down and resumed cuddling him.

“I know, I don’t mind the work, I’ll hate it that you’re not with me though!”

“Me too babe, but I’ve got so much to do here. I can assure you, I’d MUCH rather be with you too!”

“I won’t know anybody there, will I?”

“Um, actually, Cordelia will travel with you there and back, she’s going to see her sister, and um…yeah, that big show, Entertainment USA – Andy and Larry will be there”

“Oh, I like them they’re so funny – they bicker like an old married couple!” Spike frown/smiled

“Yes…well, I suppose they are harmless enough!”

“But we’ll have a nice weekend to look forward to!”

“That we will pet, that we will!”

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


“Hello?”

“Hello”

“Is that… Oh er, hold on, is that um Mr Brad Fin? I wonder if you could help me, have you got a son called Riley, in the- hello, hello?”

“Sorry, I don’t have children, goodbye”

Undeterred, Glory pressed the cut-off digits and got the dialling tone again, and dialled the umpteenth time, she had 27 other phone numbers left to do spelt Fin, 76 spelt Finn, and 35 spelt Fynn to get through yet. It was going to be a l-o-n-g day………

*********

“Well, the doctor said these should be an improvement. I told him the last lot made her seem like a zombie,” Lorne said to Cecily, as he put Dru’s medication away in the cabinet.

“Where is she now?”

“In the garden, she loves it out there, that and the Gazebo, she said, ‘she feels at one with nature’”

“Really? Oh well, whatever floats her boat – I was getting very worried about her, she definitely isn’t the old Dru we used to know and love. Has she had this new stuff yet?”

“Yes, she had her first dose while the doctor was here, and she has to take another before bedtime”

“You know, you should have warned me that you were bringing her back her to be with you and Daddy, I got worried when I got home and found she’d gone”

“Didn’t think you’d notice darling, I thought you’d be either off your face, or fucking the living daylights out of somebody”

Cecily gave Lorne a ‘look’, but she didn’t say anything, as he was right. But, she HAD noticed Dru had gone after her guests had left.

“Lorne…Lorney………come play with me in the gar- CECILY!”

Cecily went over to a bright, wide-eyed grinning Dru, and gave her a hug, then smoothed back her loose flowing hair from her face.

“Hello love, you look better”

“Come with me, come and look at this!” Like a child, Dru grabbed Cecily’s hand and began to pull her through the patio doors. Cecily turned to face Lorne, and said,

“Oh, erm okay, I, oh – tell Daddy I’m here please – okay Dru, I’m coming, no need to pull my arm off!”

“Look, LOOK!” Dru pointed excitedly into a dense bush. Cecily wasn’t sure she wanted to look; hoping whatever it was, wasn’t yucky.

“What am I supposed to be-”?

“There, look, but shush, else you’ll frighten them!”

Cecily peered into the bush again, and saw for the first time a nest, with two birds in it. Her shoulders relaxed and she let out the breath she’d been holding, and smiled.

“Yes, but we mustn’t disturb them, they’re asleep” Cecily let the bush gently spring back into shape, and then turned to see Dru taking off her shoes and begin to run around the garden with her arms outstretched, laughing and happy.

“Free! I’m free as a bird!” She ran past the sprinkler that suddenly sprang to life and began to do its job, making Dru shriek and laugh, and dance in the spray. Cecily looked up to the house to see Daddy watching them from his office, and she waved. He waved back, and Cecily called to Dru that she was going back indoors. Not that Dru took any notice, she was too busy stripping off and having fun, dancing around in the spray.

“She looks a lot brighter, what did he give her?” Cecily asked Daddy.

“Some new stuff, don’t know what it’s called – she seems more like her old self”

“That all, she hasn’t, you know, had anything else?”

“Not to my knowledge”

“Must be good stuff, I might try some myself!”

“Want a ‘livener’, baby?” Daddy asked

“Could do with something – what have-“

“Here, don’t ask, just take, not too much though, this is virgin pure”

“WOW! What is it?”

“Just inhale, go on…there, what do you think?”

Cecily’s eyes glazed over and she felt lost to the euphoria. Daddy’s leering face swam in and out of focus, and Cecily felt higher than she’d ever felt in a long time………

**********

“So, p-l-e-a-s-e tell me Pookie, I can’t wait any longer!” Harmony skipped along next to Xander as he walked down the corridor.

“Wait until we get into the office!” Xander laughed

“Ok, NOW tell me!” Harmony stood with her back to the door she’d just slammed shut, and Xander went and sat down behind his desk.

“Ready for this?” he asked, grinning

“Yes! Come ON, tell me!”

“Australia!” Xander said with a grin

Harmony’s face fell, as she repeated his one word.

“Australia?”

“Uh huh, did you know, per capita, they buy more records of yours than anywhere else in the world? Outside great Britain, that is” Harmony went over to Xander’s desk and pulled up a chair.

“But, well, Australia! I thought you were going to say London – or, or Paris, or Rome!” She didn’t even bother to hide her disappointment.

“It’s a fantastic country, Harm – so beautiful!”

“I know, but…” she sighed, and looked down at her knees and said in a little voice,

“It’s so far away”

“You’ll be there for two weeks, starting off in South West Australia, Perth to be exact, then you follow the Southern coast around to Adelaide, the Melbourne, then up towards the Eastern coast to Sydney, then finally Brisbane”

“Two weeks to do five dates! No way!”

“Ok then, we could probably cut it down to ten days, but you’ll be very tired, it’s not like the venue’s are close, Oz is a vast country”

“I know, I have been there before, on holiday, but I was in the Northern Territories. Just do it, make it ten days, I’ll cope. When do I go?”

“Oh, not until after Christmas, well, end of January really”

Harmony brightened a little, it was still months away.

“But I wanted a change of image before that!”

“But Poppet, think about it, we already have your Christmas single done, and if we change your image now, and then you revert back to the ‘teeny bop’ you for Christmas, then nobody will take your transformation seriously”

Harmony looked at him. It DID make sense what he was saying, and she did SO want to be taken seriously with this total re-invention of herself………

“Besides which, Xander continued, Anya and Buffy are doing European tours after Christmas, and all being well, if we are, you know, still…well, perhaps I might just come with you” Harmony really did brighten at this news.

“Really? Oh Pookie! That would be fantastic!” she jumped up and ran around the desk and sat on his lap and began to kiss his face all over.

Cordelia walked into the office, rolled her eyes, and just stopped short of making an ‘ugh’ face.

“Oh, um, I er, I was just getting something out of my Pookie’s, I-I-I m-mean his e-e-eye, his eye, yes!” Harmony had jumped up off Xander’s lap like a scalded cat, having gone beet red, she flashed Xander a worried look. Cordelia breezed past her and handed Xander several envelopes.

“I see, I’ll have to remember that one, you kiss all over the face do you? – Personally, I find the corner of a clean hankie works better myself! Harmony, don’t worry, your secret is safe with me, besides which, you two are already the talk of the typing pool” Cordelia said with a grin

“Are we? – I mean, we are - why?”

“Do you think I listen to gossip; anyway, there are some important tour date confirmations for Caleb in there Xander, and an invitation. See you”

“Invitation eh…hmm, wonder what too?”

“Surprise Party for Sweet eh? Great, want to come with me Poppet?”

“I should think I’ve already be invited, but yes, we can go together – where is it – at his house? – I’ve never been to his house!”

“No, it’s got to be a surprise remember………oh, very swanky, it’s at that floating gin-palace moored off Long beach, The Ship-Ashore”

“Oh. Will I get sea-sick?” They both frowned

“I hope not…I’m not too good on the water either…”

**********

Buffy had her front door opened as soon as Spike had pulled up on the drive. He got out of the car and was straight in her arms, kissing her. Without breaking the kiss, Buffy closed the front door behind them and Spike pressed her against it, kisses getting more urgent.

“Hmm, god, I missed you SO much today!” Spike whispered, kissing her neck and making her shiver with delight.

“Me too, oh…hmm” Suddenly a thought hit Spike

“Um where’s er, Willow?”

Buffy pulled him towards her again, and Spike just caught her mumbling the word ‘out’.

There would have been no prizes for guessing where they went, as a trail of discarded clothes led upstairs………

They hit the bed naked, kissing and fondling, they had both been on edge all day, waiting for this moment, the sheer anticipation was foreplay enough and Buffy felt bold enough to roll them over so she was on top. Leaning on her one knee, she rose up and put him at her opening, she sank down, her breath escaping in little gasps. Spike groaned, catching hold of her hips, easing her down on him gently. Leaning forward, she held the top of the wrought iron bed head with her one hand, and using it for leverage she began to raise and lower herself on him. Her head rolled back – oh god it felt good, good, and SO good………

She felt Spike’s hands leave her hips, skim up her body and then he began to massage her bouncing breasts, thumbing her already hard nipples. She ground down hard, making them both groan with pure pleasure. Spike sat up, and Buffy shifted her legs around tighten around his back. In this position Spike was able to nuzzle her breasts, suck her nipples and kiss her sensuous mouth.
She tore her mouth away to cry out her orgasm, her tight wet clench of her vaginal muscles had Spike frantic for his own release, Buffy let her head drop to his shoulder, and she began to bite/suck a hickey on the side of his neck. Spike cried out and bucked up hard, pulling her down on him at the same time, she felt him swell and he hosed what seemed like a gallon of his essence into her, causing Buffy to climax again. Slowly, he lay back down, bringing Buffy with him, both breathing hard.
Buffy carefully disengaged herself from him, cleaned up with some tissues and then snuggled up with his arm around her. She kissed him softly.

“Been thinking of you all day” She drew patterns on his chest with her finger.

“Well, that’s good, because I couldn’t stop thinking about you either…I nearly dropped by lunchtime” he kissed her forehead.

“I fell asleep in the chair! Willow woke me up when she came home at one” Spike yawned

“Sorry pet”

“It’s ok, I can’t keep awake either, and poor baby, you’ve been to work all day! Was there lots to do this morning?”

“Wasn’t too bad, Cordelia’s very good”

“Was she happy with the sunglasses you bought her?”

“Uh huh”

“Good. Are you hungry?”

“Starving” Buffy made to get up, But Spike held her.

“Don’t go, warm, comfy, soft, you smell delicious and I don’t want you to move – I love these cuddles!” Spike said. He had his eyes closed and was smiling. Buffy giggled and snuggled up even more.

“Hmm, my pleasure…” She gave him a soft kiss, and settled back into his arms, her head on his shoulder, she slipped her arm around him. They both fell asleep.

Willow came in an hour and a half later. The first thing she saw when she opened the front door was the trail of discarded clothes leading up the stairs, and she grinned. She couldn’t hear anything, so she thought that exhaustion must have set in! She debated what to do, whether to pick up the clothes, or to just leave them. She was thirsty, so she went into the kitchen to make herself some tea. The kettle was just coming to the boil, when Buffy padded into the kitchen wearing a silky robe.

Hi, I’m making some tea, do you want some?”

“Not for me thanks”

“What about Spike?”

“How did you…” Buffy went red, but she was smiling.

“Um…the clothes trail…” Willow said with a grin.

Buffy was just relieved that Willow hadn’t heard them. As if reading her thoughts, Willow said

“Don’t mind me, I’ve got some revising to do, with my headphones on, so you can make as much noise as- um” It was Willow’s turn to go red, and they both giggled. She said goodnight to her friend and went to go upstairs. In the lounge, she saw Spike, he had his jeans on, and was just about to put his shirt on. Willow clocked the firm pecs, the well-defined biceps, the six-pack abs…and she thought what a LUCKY girl Buffy was!

“Hello and goodbye Spike, please excuse me, I’ve got an exam and I need to revise, ‘night!”

“Oh, Hi Willow – I see, well, um, you know, good luck!”

Buffy came into the lounge, and handed Spike a glass of juice.

“I need to go shopping – I’ve no food in the house!”

“You do? Well, come on then, lets go, we can pick up something to eat too”

“Sure you don’t mind?”

“No, you go get dressed – I could do with one or two bits and pieces too” Buffy finished her juice and went to get dressed.

Chapter 19

“Anya, you made it!” Giles stood from the barstool, kissed her cheek and took her coat and went and put it behind the bar. Anya drew up a stool and studied the cocktail list.

Giles came back.

“What can I get you – this is a rather good Chardonnay, or would you prefer a cocktail?”

“I want…something long, cool, fruity, yet strong!” She helped herself to some peanuts.

“Right, Anton…Get the lady something long, cool, fruity and strong, please”

The barman smiled and nodded, grabbed a cold frosted glass and began to pour in shots of Bacardi, golden and dark rums, and tropical juices of passion fruit, mango and lime, he shook it altogether over a tower of ice-cubes, and garnished the glass with slices of fruit, cherries, a paper umbrella and a couple of straws. He placed the drink on a mat in front the beautiful blonde lady.

“There you go madam, a Winds’ Barman’s Special, enjoy” Anya leant forward and caught the straws in her mouth and sucked. Giles watched her, smiling

“Any good?”

“Oh! That is gorgeous!” Again she took another long suck at the straws, so the drink was now half empty!

Giles re-filled his glass with the cold white wine.

“Sir…Sir…” Giles turned to the waitress.

“Polly, what can I do for you?”

“A Miss Jenny Calendar wants to come in, here, upstairs”

“Tell her I’m not here”

“I did sir”

“Okay…Anya, bring your drink, and come with me. Let Miss Calendar in when someone leaves”

“Yes sir”

“Um, can I get another one of these before we go?” Anya held up her now practically empty glass.

“Sure, Anton please –“ Giles pointed to Anya, and the barman nodded and set about mixing another special.

“This is cosy…and you can see out over the restaurant!” Giles led Anya into a small room come office, with a computer on a desk, a safe, a portable TV screen and a sofa and coffee table

“They can’t see me though, special glass”

There was a knock at the door, and a waitress handed Giles another drink for Anya.

“Jenny’s not going to give up, is she?”

“She will by Thursday, well, Wednesday night really, she goes to London to cover the European Book Review Awards” Anya said, accepting the drink off Giles. She kicked off her shoes and drew up her legs, getting comfy.

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

After what seemed like a million phone calls, Glory dialled the next number. She’d actually reached the name spelt with the double ‘N’ as opposed to one. She was on the ‘Z. Finn’s now.

“Hello, Zebadiah Finn?”

“Speaking, who is this, please?”

“You wouldn’t now me, and I need your help. Do you know a guy called Riley Finn? – He’d be 23, and in the army?”

“As a matter of fact, yes. Yes I do, he’s my grandson” Glory’s eyes brightened

“Really? – Um, he went to school in Sunnydale, California – dated a girl called Buffy Summers?”

“Well, I know he went to school in Sunnydale, but the young lady - I don’t know anything about that, but I have a grandson called Riley who is in the Army. Would you please tell me who you are?”

“Me? Oh, um…my name is um, Susan. Susan, er, S-S-Smith. Riley wouldn’t remember me, but I um, I used to be in the same frat house – my brother I mean, was in the same frat house as him in Sunnydale, and I’m arranging a surprise party – and he’s ALWAYS talking about Riley. Riley this, Riley that, and I’d just LOVE to invite him to this party.”

“I see, well I could give you a contact number for him”

“You could? Oh that would be wonderful, thankyou!”

“Okay then dear have you got a pen?”

“Course I’ve got a blo-um, yes, I’m ready………I see, right, thankyou! Oh, could you tell me where he is at the moment, he’s not posted abroad, is he?”

“He’s just finished a tour of duty, helping the Peace Corps, I’m sure he’s home for another month at least”

“Great, well thanks, goodbye now!”

Glory put the phone down grinning to herself………

***********

Buffy divided a bag of washed salad leaves between two plates, and added cherry tomatoes, slices of cucumber and some green onions. Spike roughly pulled apart the still warm, roasted seasoned chicken they’d bought at the supermarket and piled up the portions in a dish. He washed his hands again and cut and buttered bread rolls.
Buffy opened a bottle of cold white wine and poured two glassfuls, they opted to sit at the breakfast bar to eat.

“Hmm, this is good, all I’ve had all day is a banana at about 11 o’clock this morning!
They chatted easily, Spike telling her all the office gossip.

“………So sweet’s given Glory the go-ahead, and she can do her show ‘live’ rather than recording it, she thinks it will give it more of an ‘edge’.”

“She’s a total bitch that woman, I can’t wait to go on her show…I am due to go on it, aren’t I?” Buffy asked, before biting into a chicken drumstick.

“Really? - Yes, well, I suppose so. Be careful though pet, she’s a tricky one; never know what she’s up to, and I wouldn’t put anything passed her, she’s treacherous” Spike warned, then he smiled and said,

“Xander drove Cordy to distraction the night after that going to the line-dancing thing with Caleb, so she tells me!”

“Really? – I can imagine…still, you can’t say he lacks any enthusiasm for his job!”

Spike’s phone beeped, and he looked at the text.

“Oh brilliant! This trip of yours, the man I wanted to take you, he’s just confirmed, chap called Clem will be your minder/driver. He’s a really lovely bloke, very quiet, and genuine. He had some problems with his face when he was a kid, a disfigurement, but he had to have loads of operations, but he’s fine now, just a couple of scars – but he’s happy-go-lucky, and I’d trust him with my life, so that’s why I wanted him for you – I know he’ll look after you for me”
Buffy gave Spike a sexy smile, her eyes flashing; she’d thank him properly later.

“Ah, thanks, baby.”

“Oh, and another thing, here’s yours, but I thought we could go together if you like” Spike slid an envelope across the counter to her. She opened it and read,

“Invitation to a surprise 50th birthday party for Sweet…where is, oh – the Ship-Ashore – I’ve read about that place! Fifty eh?” She slipped the card back inside the envelope.

“I know, I think it’ll be a surprise even to him, being fifty, he’s pushing fifty-six at the very least!” Spike yawned, and apologised.

“Sorry nothing, baby! I keep falling asleep if I stop long enough, and you’ve been to work all day!”

They finished up their food and took the rest of the wine into the lounge and sat cuddled up on the sofa.

“Sure you don’t mind me staying baby?”

“Course I don’t mind! – It’ll be lovely to wake up with you” Spike leaned down and nibbled her ear, making Buffy hunch up her shoulder, giggling.

“Shall I put this in the fridge, and we go on up?” Buffy held the half bottle of wine.

“Great idea!”

***

“I don’t feel so tired now!” Spike said, having dashed upstairs, got undressed and got into bed, with Buffy close on his heels.

“Me neither!”

“So………you would have no objections, if I were to do this…………”

“Ooooohhhhh – no, no ob-jections – oh god, no, none at all – again!” Spike roved between her breasts, kissing and sucking her nipples, nibbling her neck, whispering sexy things in her ear, getting Buffy hot and needy. He teased her with little pecking open-mouthed kisses, until she held the back of his head to her and plundered his mouth with her tongue. Fluttering her fingers down his back, lightly raking her nails against his firm corded muscles, she then slipped her hand around the front of him and began to cup and fondle his balls in their heavy sac, making Spike buck towards her hand catching a breath. Slowly sliding her hand up and down his solid shaft, she shifted her leg so Spike could slip between them easily.

“Not being too much for you, am I baby?” Spike breathed in her ear. Buffy arched her back and held him to her, her hips rocking, desperately wanting him inside her.

“Gods no, I want you so much, please baby, plea----ooooohhhhh!”

Needing no further encouragement, Spike pushed up gently inside her – tight, wet, glorious, he’d never tire of this, he knew. It was like she was made for him. Slow languid movements soon gave way to a more frantic coupling, and the sensations built to a terrific climax for them both, gasping and crying out their joy. They made love until exhaustion eventually set in, and then they slept peacefully.

**********


“Oh gods…I’m so sorry Anya…this has, well, it’s never happened to me before! I was fine with J…”

He just stopped himself short of saying Jenny. He didn’t need to make Anya feel worse than he did already.

“God! I’m so embarrassed!” Giles was sitting on the side of the bed, his head in his hands. Anya lay in bed, naked, disappointed and frustrated.

“Well, don’t worry, I understand…it happens to all men sometimes – or so I’ve read”
**Not to men with me though** Anya thought bitterly. And to be fair, she’d tried everything, kisses, massaging, fondling, sucking…all to no avail. She wanted to suggest that there was a myriad of things he could do to her, and it might get him in the mood, but he seemed resigned to be in the ‘total failure’ mode, an nothing was going to alter that. Where was the Viagra when you needed it?

She ran her hand down his back, in what she hoped was a re-assuring manner, and said,

“Maybe you’re just tired, or it could be too much wine –or - ”
Giles stood up, took his robe from the back of the door and slipped it on, and stood briefly in the doorway,

“Sorry – I………sorry” he left the room.

He couldn’t bear to be touched, or even looked at, at the moment. Anya shifted onto her back and stared at the ceiling and sighed.
**So much for Jenny’s rampant stud**

She could hear the shower begin to run in the bathroom, and she frowned. Maybe she was wrong, but it felt like he was trying to wash away the memory of what had, or rather had not happened, like it was dirty or something. There was nothing else for it, she flung back the bedclothes, got dressed as quickly as she could, and left. Giles heard her car pull away just as he’d switched the shower off, and he leaned against the bathroom wall, dripping, thankful she’d gone and he didn’t have to face her or her anger or pity at his impotence………

**********

Dru practically pounced on Sweet’s desk, she’d been ‘playing’ in the garden, she was naked and still slightly wet from the lawn sprinklers
“Can we go out, Daddy? I want to go out! Can we huh - please?” Dru asked, wild eyed and grinning.

“Well! You’ve certainly changed your tune young lady - I will say that!” Sweet looked up from reading investment documents.

“Course we can go out, and where would my little princess like to go, hmm?”
Dru held out her arms and began to sway and waltz around the room.

“Dancing! I want to go dancing! And play! I want to play games and have fun!”

“Sounds good to me!” Cecily said entering the office, sipping from a very large vodka and tonic, with ice and lemon. Dru took it off her, waltzing around, spilling a little, before she stopped and downed the lot, handing a grinning Cecily back the now empty glass.

“So, where do you want to go?”

“The Hacienda!” Dru said

“Um, you’ll have a job pet, it burned down two years ago. How about the Basement…or George’s Number 8?”

“Okay!” Dru agreed, without having ever been to either club.

“Actually…I was thinking of buying the old Hacienda site, and rebuilding it…” Sweet said

“And I could work there!” Dru said, suddenly looking more lucid and alert than ever. Everyone smiled

“If you want, Princess, but why do you want to work?” Sweet asked, as if indulging a little child

“For money!”

“My Princess, you can have whatever you want, Daddy will buy it for you, you know that!” Dru smiled and went and hugged him.

“Thankyou Daddy!”

“That’s alright my Princess…tell you what, how about my two best girls go out and buy something pretty to wear for tonight, hmm?” Dru clapped her hands with excitement.

“Great! Come on then Dru, um, but first pet, we better get you something to put on, you can’t go like that, all naked can you!” Cecily said smiling.

Dru followed her out of the office and they went upstairs to see what they could find for her to put on.

*********

“Hey, sleepyhead, wake up!” Spike bent over and kissed her lightly.

“Hmm? Oh – I – morning baby!” Buffy yawned and stretched, and noticed Spike was up, dressed, washed and all minty fresh.

“Cup of tea for you Kitten, I must shoot off, there is some stuff I need from home before I go into the studios, and I want to change too, no need to set the gossip-mongers tongues wagging, is there? – I can be back by 8.45 to pick you up, if you like?”
Buffy sat up.

“Would you? That would be great…hmm, (she sipped her tea) this is just how I like it, not too strong, not too milky, no sugar, perfect!”

“Good, okay then pet, see you in an hour” He kissed her again and left. Buffy cupped the tea-mug in her hands and smiled to herself. She heard the front door shut, and his car drive off. There was a soft knock on her door, and she called for Willow to ‘come-in’.

Willow was also up, washed and dressed.

“Hi!”

“Hi, listen, tonight, I was going to ask Oz round, would that be alright, I don’t want to cramp your style if you and Spike were, well, you know, planned on staying in or anything?”

“No, course not! Ask him over”

“You sure?”

“Positive, There’s a ‘thing’ tonight, rehearsing for a charity Christmas record, doubt if we’ll be home this side of midnight” Buffy sipped her tea.

Willow smiled and said,

“Great. So…he makes nice tea!”

“He make you some too?” Buffy asked grinning

“I was half asleep when I padded into the kitchen in my PJ’s and robe, then I see him making tea and he asked if I wanted some!”

“We um…we didn’t, well did we make a – did we disturb you, at all?” Buffy felt a little embarrassed asking, but she’d rather know.

“No! Told you, I always fall asleep with my headphones on now, it is supposed to help you learn while you sleep!”

“Learn what? – Song words?”

“No, uses and comparisons of High Level computer languages, for example, Algol, Cobol, Fortran – and their uses in efficient object programming to debug – sorry! Don’t want to bore you!“ Willow stopped as she could see Buffy’s eyes start to glaze over.

“Was any of that in English – coz I didn’t understand a word of what you just said!” Buffy smiled at her friend.

**********

“Pookie!”

“Hmm?”

“You know this party”

“What party, Poppet?” Xander looked up from reading an info sheet on Caleb’s first concert venue.

“Sweet’s surprise birthday one”

“Oh that, yeah, um, shush baby, you never know who’s listening…come and sit on my lap and whisper” Grinning, Xander patted his thighs.

“Ok………Right, I -!” Harmony began, until Xander stayed her with a hand on her thighs.

“Oooh, don’t wriggle Poppet…it um, well that’s better...go on, what about this part-oh! Excuse me! Don’t you EVER knock?” Xander glared at the blonde.

Glory had barged into the office without the customary politeness, again.

“Oh DO get over yourselves, like I’D be interested in a no-hoper like you, and his animated Barbie doll. Where’s Cordelia?”

“How the hell should I know, have you tried looking in her office – and how dare you call - Glory – come back here………I said, Come – “

“Leave it Pookie, she isn’t worth it” Harmony said, placating him. She hadn’t moved off his lap this time.

“She’s an ignorant bitch – I HATE that woman. I wish somebody would bring her down a peg or two!”

“Her time will come, I’m sure”

“How dare she call you-“ Harmony put a finger over his lips, and then leant forward and kissed him.

“Don’t let it bother you Pookie, she’ll do it all the more”

Xander looked at Harmony and smiled

“Yeah, you’re right. So Poppet, what were you going to say about the party?”…………………………

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

“Can I leave you to get that Buffy, I’m out the door - bye!” Willow shouted, and she heard Buffy call back ‘Yes’, and then she answered the phone.

“Hello………hello, hello – is there anybody there? Hello – oh-“

“Buffy! Don’t hang up, please” Buffy’s eyes widened with shock, and she caught a swift little breath, and then swallowed.

“What do you want?” She hissed through gritted teeth.

“Come on love, don’t be like that to your old dad”

“What? Like what – what the bloody hell do you expect me to do, huh, jump for joy?”

“I’m sorry love”

“Oh. I see. You’re sorry. Well that makes everything alright then, doesn’t it?”

“Buffy, please love. Let me explain”

“Well go ahead! I’m waiting, explain”

“Not here, not now love, not over the phone. I could come to the house”

“Oh no you couldn’t! Mom didn’t want you here when she was alive, so I certainly don’t want you here now she’s dead. That’s dead, dad. Dead as in gone, not here anymore – not that that bothered you at all!”

“Buffy! It was over love, end of, your mother and I, we were finished. I left so we could stop hurting each other, hurting you with the arguments!”

“So you think you can just swan…” Buffy swallowed rapidly, then bit her bottom lip, the tears threatening to fall, and she didn’t want him to hear her cry.

“Just let us meet somewhere. Let me try and explain”

“NO!”

“Please Buffy! I swear if you’ll just meet me once, let me explain, and if you don’t want to know after that, then, well fair enough. At least we can say we tried”

“No………I don’t know…I………I can’t deal with this, not now!”

“When then? I’m still at Westwood’s, you can contact me there. Please love. When you’re ready, just give me a chance”

“I’ll see – gotta go” Buffy slammed the phone down and stared at it, the tears began to fall unchecked.

Spike pulled up, got out of the car and trotted up to the front door, and opened it, calling out cheerily.

“Hi baby, I came back early – hope you don’t…Buffy – Oh baby, what on earth’s the matter Kitten?” Spike took the stairs two at a time, to where she was sitting at the top. Buffy stood and she felt safe wrapped in his arms. She snuggled up and sniffed.

“My dad phoned…caught me by surprise”

“Oh love………come on kitten, don’t upset yourself. Do you want me get your number changed, hmm?” His lips brushed her forehead and he gave her a little squeeze.

“No…no it’s okay…”

“Did he say something mean to you, baby?”

“No, not really…he just, well, he wants a chance to explain things”

“Don’t let him force you into doing something you don’t want to do, kitten”

“I won’t. I’m just being silly. It just surprised me, hearing him after all this time, that’s all” Spike held her face gently, wiping her tears away.

“You feel up to coming into the studios?”

“Course! I’ll just go wash my face.”

“We’ve got time for breakfast if you want pet”

“Yeah? - Great”

“I’ll go down and start”

“‘Kay”

Spike snatched a quick kiss and Buffy went into the bathroom, while he headed on down to the kitchen.

***

Buffy dusted her fingers of crumbs over her plate and she wiped her mouth on a napkin.

“That was delicious!”

“I used to live on ‘eggy bread’ when I was a student. So babe, are you ready – you’ll meet the rest of Sweet’s ‘stable’ today. Ilyria, Caleb, Anyanka and a few ‘free-lancers’. It should be good”

“Stable – it sounds like we’re race-horses!”

“Just a phrase baby! – Golly, look at the time – we better scoot”

“Well, I’m ready – come on then!”

Chapter 20


The night out at George’s Number 8 had been a great success. If you didn’t know of Dru’s mental illness, you wouldn’t have thought anything was wrong with her at all. She even danced with a few different guys. Sweet kept an eye on her, and she didn’t take any ‘recreational’ drugs, she didn’t feel the need but she had a few drinks, and was fine. Cecily got rip-roaring drunk, and had also taken two snorts of coke. She was doing more and more drugs lately, finding she needed more just to feel ‘normal’, let alone get a ‘buzz’.

When they got home to Cecily’s house, Dru said she’d stay with her to look after her. Cecily managed to stagger upstairs, and just take off her top and one shoe before collapsing on the bed. Dru finished undressing her, and covered her over. She’d dropped a clip-on earring, and knelt on the floor to look for it under the bed, where she found several long boxes.

Dru pulled one out and began to sort through the contents of letters, bills, concert programmes, tickets and photographs. They were mostly of Cecily from work, ‘glamour’ shots, but there was some from a beach party they’d had about four years ago, and Dru took a swift intake of breath when she pulled out a picture of herself holding hands with Spike, they were both windswept and laughing, dancing on the beach at twilight, with a huge bonfire behind them. Spike had been doing the music and had set up some huge speakers either side of a basic turntable.
Dru remembered this; it all suddenly came flooding back to her like it was yesterday. She even remembered what they’d been dancing to at the time. Spike had put on ‘On the Beach’ by Cliff Richard as a joke.

She stared at the picture for a long time, before quickly sorting through the box to see if she could find any more. She found three, and some others from parties and functions in another box under the bed. Dru sat on the floor looking at them. She hardly recognised herself. She picked out one particularly good black and white ‘arty’ shot of Spike, moody looking, like some Matinee Idol, all square firm jawed and angled cheekbones, it had been taken by a friend of theirs who was training to be a photographer. She couldn’t remember the girl’s name now, and she turned the picture over, hoping there would be something written on the back, but all there was, was a date, 1998. She felt her stomach lurch and she swallowed the lump in her throat. Dru turned the photo back over, and stroked the face, she whispered,
“Spike………what happened to us, we were so happy…”

Cecily coughed, bringing Dru out of her reverie, and she looked at her friend. Then she coughed again, more violently this time, and raised her head and began to wretch.
Dru quickly scrabbled everything up off the floor and moved out of the way before Cecily threw up over the carpet.

“Oh Cec, are you alright?”
On receiving no answer, and as Cecily didn’t move or make to get up, Dru frowned. Putting the photographs carefully on the nightstand, she went and fetched a bowl and cleaning materials and began to clean up.

**********

“Alright, ALRIGHT! I’m coming, jeez, what’s so bloody important!” Quickly securing her robe around her, a tousle-haired Anyanka yanked open her front door.

“Flowers for Miss Anyanka Petersen” The deliveryman pushed an absolutely huge bouquet of cut mixed blooms into her hands and Anya was suddenly blinking and wide-awake. She mumbled thanks and shut the door with her hip, while she searched for the card inside. Placing the bouquet on the side, she fished out the card and opened the sealed envelope and read,

“Dearest Anya, I’m so sorry for my behaviour last night, PLEASE forgive me, don’t let this ruin out friendship, you mean so much to me, love Rupert, XXXXX PTO. Anya turned over the card and read, Dinner, my place tonight, 9.00pm? Please say yes, Let me know.
She smiled, and picked up the bouquet.

“Hmm, cream roses, tiger-lilies in orange and pale pink, blue iris and white peonies…all my favourites…must have cost a fortune…Okie-dokie Rupes, I’ll give you another chance”
After putting the flowers in water, she rang his mobile. When she got the message facility, she realised he’d be rehearsing his show, and she just said,
“Thankyou for the flowers, they’re beautiful, I’ll see you tonight – bye”
As soon as she put the phone down, it rang, making her jump. She smiled, thinking it was Rupert eager and pleased that she’d forgiven him, she picked up and said,

“You know I couldn’t stay mad at you, especially when-“

“Anya?”

“JENNY!”

“Well, Ow…that’s a burst eardrum”

“SORRY! S-sorry, I um…I, well, I thought that you were R-er, I-I mean, um, somebody…somebody else, sorry!”

“Okay, were on the other ear now, don’t shout down this one, please! Listen love, this is my last night in town before I go to Paris, can we meet for supper?”

“Supper, um well, er, no. No, not really – I’m um, well, we’re doing this charity record thingy today you see, and I said I’d go and play the piano, no idea what time we’ll finish” Anya said, crossing her fingers behind her back!

“Oh………no chance of seeing you until I get back then”

“When will that be?”

“Anya, are you okay? You sound…strange – have you got a guy there or something?”

“A guy? No, no! No guy, ha-ha!”

Jenny frowned, then shrugged.

“Thing is, I’ve left my spare contacts in your bathroom, I’ve got one pair, but I’m having to clean them overnight and put them straight back in the morning and the cleaning fluid makes them sting, I really need my other pair. So can you take them with you, and I’ll drop by the studios and pick them up?”

“NO, um, l-look, I tell you what, I’ll have them sent over to you now, just in case things get delayed – you don’t want to be late for your flight, do you?”

“Well no, I do have enough to do – can you bring them over yourself now – we could have coffee”

“Um, sorry I’m…having my hair done, then I’m straight to the studios”

“Hair done? For rehearsals?”

“No, cut and streaked again!”

“But I thought…oh well, never mind, it’ll keep until I get back, I suppose”

“What? What will keep?”

“I tried to see Rupert last night. I went to the Winds bar”

“I know”

“Sorry – how do you know?”

Anya screwed her eyes up and bit her bottom lip at her mistake.

“I d-drove p-passed. Saw you outside”

“Why didn’t you stop?”

“I, I couldn’t, I um, I was a passenger, in a car with s-some agents from Steinbeck’s. I’d been doing a commercial for them all afternoon, we were going for a meal at the Albany, I could hardly shout, Stop, there’s my friend, could I?”

“Okay. Did me no good though. I didn’t see him, he wasn’t there”

“Who?”

“Giles, silly. Although I swear I could smell his Hugo Boss aftershave lingering on the air, I must have just missed him”

“Oh. Oh, um, yeah, you m-must have”

“Have you seen him?”

“Seen him?”

“Seen Rupert Giles, god, what is the matter with you Anya, it’s like pulling teeth trying to get a straight answer out of you today, you’re acting awfully strange!”

“Sorry! Sorry, I just got up. I had a bad night, so I took a pill, I’m still groggy” Anya lied.

“Oh. Well look, don’t forget to send me my contact lenses over will you, and I’ll see you in three weeks time, unless I get a better offer in London”

“Right, yes, I won’t forget. Well good luck, keep in touch won’t you, bye!” Anya practically threw down the phone like it was hot. She hated lying to her friend, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to stop herself blurting out what had, or had not happened between herself and Rupert, wanting forgiveness for jeopardising their friendship for going with Rupert behind Jenny’s back. Except she didn’t, well, she tried, but!

One thing she DID know was, she knew she couldn’t face Jenny right now and see just how upset she’d get if she learned what had really happened…
Anya got her driver to take the contact lenses over to Jenny’s flat. At least she knew that with Jenny out of the country, she’d have three weeks minimum grace to sort this thing out with herself and Rupert either way…

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

Harmony’s words washed straight over Xander’s head as she led him into her bedroom. Her idea was to show him her party outfits, but she didn’t quite know what to wear. Thing was, all she had on at the moment was a push-up bra and tiny briefs…making all rational thought nigh-on impossible for Xander
He glanced at the bed and had certain ‘painful’ memories come flooding back.

“Sit…okay, I can’t decide whether to wear long or short, or wear trousers…oh god, what if I fall in the water…I better not wear long, it could get caught up I propellers or something, what do you think?”

“Yes!” Xander said, automatically.

“You don’t think I’ll fall in, do you?”

“Hmm? Course!”

“YOU DO – That’s it! I’m not going!”

“What? Why not?”

“Because you just said you thought I’d fall in!”

“No! Don’t be silly! Sorry…Harm, baby, you’re driving me wild!”

“But you said-“
Xander stood up, and went over to her and slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her towards him.

“I won’t let you fall in Poppet!” He towered over her, ready to ‘pounce’ any second. She beamed up at him

“You’ll hold onto me really tight?”

“Real tight, like this” Xander slipped his arms a little tighter around her, and his head dropped to her neck………

“Oh Pookie……………”

**********

“How’s it going, have you contacted him yet?” Glory asked her researcher.

“Not yet, we’ve left two messages on his telephone answering machine, but so far he hasn’t got back to me yet”

“Damn. What sort of message has you left?”

“What sort? What do you mean, what sort? – I told him my name is Cassie Newton, I work for Glory Benson’s cable show, and would he be interested in coming on the show, if so to contact us, and I left a number”

“Well no wonder he hasn’t phoned back! Tell him we’re doing a reunion show, and we want to surprise Buffy – bit like ‘This is Your Life’”

“But they finished, he might not want to know-“

“Oh come on! She wrote a love-song for him, won a competition with it goddamn it! She was pining for him. Still is!”

“You don’t know that! She could have moved on – he could have, or worse, just say SHE has, but HE hasn’t – that would be horrible for-“

“I tell you what might be horrible, my researcher having to look for another job, this side of Christmas! Just DO IT!” Glory hissed. Cassie sighed

“Yes, Glory”

“Good. Promise him anything, I want that guy here. Now, what about her parents?”

“Who, Buffy’s?” Cassie asked

Cassie rolled her eyes and hissed,

“No, bloody Britney Spears! Course Buffy!”

“Her mother is dead, and she said something derogatory about her father in an interview – I don’t think she’s seen him in years”

“Really…where did you read this?” Glory gave a wicked smile.

“Can I get back to you on that? – I need to look it up” Cassie said

“See that you do………we could be having ourselves a nice little reunion party”

Cassie glanced at Glory, but Glory was off on one of her ‘Power Ego Trips’ and
imagining how Buffy would act, knowing it was a ‘live’ show, so she couldn’t flounce out, it would put her in a dreadful light with the general public, and could ruin her career – so she’d have to grin and bear it………that would teach the prissy little madam to keep her smart mouth shut of sarcastic comments, wouldn’t it?”

Cassie began to look up the info Glory wanted via her computer. She knew she didn’t like Glory’s methods, morals or scruples, not one little bit. Unfortunately, Cassie also knew it would be practically impossible for her to find another job with this serious heart complaint she had, and she wouldn’t have a hope in covering it up during a medical if she tried for another job, so it looked like Glory had her over a barrel, and she’d have to comply with her female bosses wishes, but she didn’t have to like it, did she?

**********

Spike sat in the sound booth with Xander, Ford was down with all the artistes in the biggest recording room, number 4.

“Okay people…break over…come on please, lets get on (he clapped his hands to get their attention) now, I want to take it from the top, Ilyria, I want you to sing the lines, ‘free from pain, free from fear, enjoy all that we hold dear, and then Buffy you come in with ‘Gift of freedom. Gift of life, free from pain and free from strife’…”

Everybody stood, putting down paper cups of drink and picking up their song-sheets.
“Okay everyone, ready? Who writes these bloody lyrics, anyway!” Ford got ready to start the music

“Er, that would be you, mate!” One of Gunn’s backing singers said, grinning.

“Alright, don’t rub it in, ready, and a one, two, a one, two three, four…”

Ilyria took up the haunting refrain in less aggressive manner than she usually sang in. Buffy sang out loud and clear, and Ford looked up towards the sound booth

“How was that, Spike?”

Spike pressed the ‘talk’ button, and said,

“Sounded fine to me” although she couldn’t see him Buffy smiled towards the
sound booth.

“Right then, the chorus, we want a Gospel choir thing going on, think………think Madonna’s ‘Like a Prayer’, feel free to do ‘oh yeahs’ and all that, and keep a strict tempo, a one and (clap) and two and (clap) and three (clap) etc, okay, probably be easier if you did clap – we can add it after…so, I’ll get Anya to just play you the basic tune…when you’re ready love”

Anya played it simply, note by note, with Ford singing as an example.

“ Stop the hunger, stop the war, living in fear, will be no more… … …”

“Okay now please people…your turn”

They worked on the song all afternoon and into the early evening, and then people wanted to get off home.

Buffy went up to the sound booth with Harmony.

“So, what did you think?” Buffy asked brightly

“Well, a cheesier song you won’t find, but if it raises a few thousand for the cause then, hey, go cheese!” Spike said and everyone grinned.

“Want to come to Luigi’s for a quick bite – we won’t stay late, there’s something I want to do when I get home, so I don’t want to be back late” Xander said with a smile

Buffy shrugged and looked to Spike for an answer.

“Yeah ok, great” he said nodding

“What’s that then, Pookie?” Harmony asked

“You’ll soon find out!” Xander said with a wink. Spike and Buffy grinned and followed the couple out and down the corridor. Spike whispered,

“I think he means someone, NOT something!” Buffy snorted a giggle and they all got into the lift.

**********

Cassie Newton eased her car off the parking lot after watching Xander and Harmony, Spike and Buffy leave the studios.


She’d seen the manger, Spike say something to Buffy and they both laughed, he’d put his arm around her shoulder and hugged her towards him, kissing her forehead.

Now Cassie wasn’t big on relationships, fact was, she was 22 and had never had one herself, she was too scared to get involved, bearing in mind her medical condition. But one thing she did know, was that it definitely didn’t look like the young blonde singer Buffy was ‘pining’ for her old soldier boyfriend anymore, in fact her body-language alone told the tale that that relationship was long dead, coz Buffy had got herself a new beau in the shape of her manager.

As Cassie eased her car into the busy evening traffic, she wondered again if she should do her bosses’ bidding, and lure this Riley Finn chap to the studios under any sort of false hopes………

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

Chapter 21A


“Can you stay with me tonight?” Buffy asked as they pulled up on her driveway.

“Sure, but I’ll need to go early in the morning and then come back for you, ok?”
Buffy smiled and they got out of the car.

“There’s a light on, do you think Willow’s in?”

“Um, let me think…no, probably not, she teaches an evening class tonight, but she comes home first, leaves the light on for the burglars!”

Buffy opened up and they went in.

“Willow…Will, are you home?” Buffy called. On receiving no reply, they took their coats off and hung them up.

“Want a drink or anything?”

“Uh-uh, come here you gorgeous little girl!” Buffy grinned and went straight to him.

“’Kay, now I’m here, what are you going to do, huh?”

“This!” Spike went to home in for a kiss, but Buffy leaned out of his grasp grinning, and suddenly lightly pushed him away, and made for the stairs

“You’ll have to catch me first!” And ran up the stairs. Giggling and in hot pursuit, Spike ran after her, easily catching before she even reached the top step.

“Gotcha! Now young lady…I’m going to show you what I do to naughty little girls!”

Buffy’s eyes flashed and she said sexily,

“What EVERY naughty little girl?” Spike grinned and gently pulled her into the bedroom, closing the door and leaning in close he whispered,

“Oh no, just THIS naughty girl!”

“Can’t wait………………………”


**********

When Anya got to the restaurant at 9.10, Rupert was already waiting for her; he’d been hovering around the booking desk.

“Anya! You made it…come on through…let me take your coat…hungry?”

“Starving, I missed lunch”

He felt like a schoolboy on a first date. Nervous and fumbling, her slight lateness adding to his anxiety, he almost dropped her jacket.

“Drink?” He did the gentlemanly thing and pulled out the chair for her

“Great. I’ll have a vodka Martini” He went to the bar and ordered her drink, bringing back two menus, and gave her one, putting her drink down by the side-plate.

“There you are…so, good day – you had me worried, being a bit late…I thought, well…” Anya took the menu, and placed it on the table, taking a sip of her drink.
Rupert cleaned his glasses nervously.

“Giles, please. Look, lets just put last night behind us, and start again, shall we? Pretend it never happened”

He put his glasses back on and stared at her owlishly.

“This……… all this nervousness, there no need, honestly. Last night was just a silly glitch, okay?”

“I AM truly sorry Anya, really – “

“Giles, it’s all forgotten, just like a bad dream. Now………let me see, I’m starving – what’s good today?” Giles knew it was the end of the matter, and felt his shoulders drop and he began to relax at last. She opened the menu and perused the contents. Maybe he hadn’t blown it after all.

“Ooh! Look at that. The duck breast with foie gras mousseline and truffle oil sounds good for starters………then I think I’ll have………the calves liver. Oh, no I won’t, I’ll have the roast lamb shank with juniper and rosemary jus, crushed new potatoes and the braised red cabbage with sherry vinegar and raisins, thankyou. What are you going to have?” Anya folded the menu shut and handed it back to the waitress

“Well, the crab’s fresh in from Chesapeake Bay, I’ll have the baked crab claws with the foaming lemon cream sauce, and then I think…hmm, I can’t decide between the venison casserole with red wine and redcurrant gravy, spring onion and parsley dumplings, or-“ Anya sat up, looking surprised

“Where’s that? I didn’t see that! – No, no, it’s ok. I’ll stick to what I ordered. After all, I can always try yours can’t I love?” The waitress smiled and retracted the menu.

“I don’t know whether to try the pheasant. Hmm…then there’s the wild boar.”

“Have the venison, I want to try that!” Anya said cheekily. Giles smiled and closed the menu and handed it to the waitress.
“Okay then, the crab claws and the venison, thankyou Polly – oh, and a bottle of the um………yes, the 87 Red Burgundy – that okay with you Anya, as we both have red meat?”

“Fine”

“Yeah, make sure it’s the 87”

“Sir”

“So…I nearly dropped us in it this morning” Anya said, sipping her drink

“Oh?”

“Jenny phoned me, she wanted to come over or me to go over to her hotel, she’d left her spare contact lenses at mine, and she told me she came here to see you last night”

“Oh god, what did you say?” Giles put his glass down

“Well, when she said ‘I went to the Winds bar last night, I said, I know…………”

**********


Lying snuggled up together Buffy had her head on Spike’s shoulder.
“I’m going to miss you the next four days”

Spike turned his head and kissed her forehead.

“I’ll miss you too, kitten”

“Really?” Spike moved more onto his side to face her, so her face now rested against his bicep. With his other hand he stroked her hair from her face.

“Course really! Buffy…I don’t want you to feel rushed, or feel like I’m pressurising you, but you’re in my thoughts 24/7. I’ve really fallen for you – but I don’t want to rush and spoi-hmm…mmmmmmm” Buffy had begun to kiss him, her passion mounting. She broke the kiss, and leaned over him, looking him straight in the eyes

“You’re not rushing or pressurising me, it’s what I want, YOU, are what I want”

Spike raised his head and began kissing her, gently pushing her backwards and he manoeuvred himself to lie between her legs.
Slipping between her satiny soft golden thighs, he nuzzled and ‘scented’ his cheeks on her dark curls, before licking the length of her hot sex. Buffy felt electrified, parting her femininity with his probing tongue, he found his prize, and swiped his tongue up and down and back and forth very fast over her clit. Buffy cried out in pure pleasure, her heels rammed into the mattress as his relentless talented tongue worked it’s magic on her. He worked his tongue lower to mop up her flowing nectar, her hips bounced as she experienced a series of little orgasmic flutterings.
“Please baby, want you, I want you so much”

Her small fingers closed around his rock hard thick length, she began to pump slowly ………

“Oh Gods, yes, yes, I want you”. He could feel she was ready, he knelt, lined himself up, thrust forward, slowly, oh so slowly, he began to slide inside her, tight, moist heat. He withdrew and then thrust forward again, giving her time to adjust to his incredible size. Buffy arched her back and her neck, mouth open, eyes closed, she groaned so erotically as he thrust up deep inside the core of her need.
“Oh, God Buffy!” Spike moaned, God she felt SO good, tight, wet, glorious. Moving her hips in time with his thrusts twenty minutes of this, Buffy thought she’d explode with exquisite pleasure.
“Ooohh – Gods Spike. So big-so good, oh yeah, hard, harder OOH GODS!”

She thrust up hard in time with his thrusts, nothing had ever, ever felt this good. She locked her ankles tightly around his waist; she could feel he was fully seated inside her. Spike thrust harder and moved his hips from side to side, sending delicious tremors all through them both. They both let out cries of pure lust, and suddenly her orgasm was upon her, she was mindless, her head thrashing from side to side, Spike cried out,
“Buffy, ah, Kitten, I’m not …… going to last oh, Buffy, Buffy – Oh god Buffy, I- I love you!”
His head dropped to her neck, as his tender words washed over her he felt her nails dig into his shoulders, and the first tight clench of her orgasm, she cried out
“Spike! Oh god - I love you, you too………ooooohhhhh…………”
Her climax had tripped him over to his own, and he pumped spurt after spurt of thick semen inside her, crying out her name. Both panting hard, Spike kissed her gently, looked into her eyes.

“I do Buffy, really, I mean it, I love you”

Buffy’s stomach back-flipped and she felt as if she could burst with happiness. She pulled him towards her.

“Good, because I really mean it too, I love you” They lay like that, still joined for ages. Just basking in the afterglow together.

They eventually fell asleep, but both woke later, making love again.


*********

Buffy, singing her head off along with the radio tried to close her case again, to no avail. Opening it with a sigh, (but even that didn’t shift the big smile she had on her face) she re-arranged certain items, and decided against taking her boots, and hairdryer and took them out.
She closed the case again, and it shut with a satisfying click, and hauled it off the bed.

“Buffy…when will you be back?” Willow stood cleaning her teeth in Buffy’s bedroom doorway. She’d stood there watching her friend looking so happy for a full minute before speaking.

“Friday evening – I’ve left you some cash to cover any eventualities, and don’t forget the new washing machine comes on Wednesday I’ve paid for them to plumb it in properly, but – DON’T whatever you do let them take the old one, it goes in the garage” She was still grinning

“Right, anything else?”

“Don’t think so. You can always phone my mobile. Is Oz going to stay here?”

“He’s busy with his band, but I think he said something about Wednesday. What if…well, what if your dad phones again, what shall I tell him?”

“Tell him the truth, I’m away at the moment, and I haven’t decided what to do yet. He’s waited ten years to contact me, he wait another few weeks” Willow nodded.

“So…are you going to be on anything I can watch?” Willow asked, grinning.

“Um, not sure, the ‘live’ things I’m doing are mostly kids programmes, one is a link between programmes…oh, I’m on the Alan Wavecrest show, but I think they record it, so it might be on at a later date, I’ll ring you”

“Can we get that on cable?”

“Yeah, station 35.”

“Right. And now, are you going to tell me what’s given you that silly big grin that hasn’t shifted, even when you were talking about your dad?”

“Grin? I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Buffy said, beaming even more. Willow smiled and shook her head.

They both heard a car draw up on the driveway.

“That’ll be Spike!” Buffy grinned and ran downstairs and opened the front door.

“Hi baby, all done finished packing?” Spike pulled her close and gave her a smacking kiss on the lips, his arm around her shoulders.

“Yeah, I haven’t taken much, just the one case, and an overnight bag” Spike looked amazed

“Wow, I’m impressed! Just show Anya and Harmony how to do it please, they always take so much, they need a truck for their clothes alone!”

“Well, I figured that if I wear the same jeans and stuff, nobody is going to see on the radio, are they?”

“Exactly! Anyway pet, time’s getting on, shall I go get the luggage and I’ll take you to the studios”

“Okay, it’s in my bedroom, I’ll just go say goodbye to Willow – oh – oh thanks Will, Spike was going to do that!”

Willow appeared at the front door, and put Buffy’s suitcase and overnight bag down.

“There you go! – Hi Spike!”

“Hi Willow, I’ll just go put these in the boot – trunk you know what I mean!” Spike grabbed the luggage and Buffy went and got her coat and purse.

“Well, see you Friday evening. Just ring me if there are any problems, okay” Buffy hugged her friend.

“You can always ring me too Will, just in case, here this is my mobile number” Spike handed Willow one of his business cards.

“Right, thanks – well go have a great time Buffy!”

Buffy grinned as she got into the car and waved to her friend, and Spike drove them to the studios to go and meet Clem.

**********

Chapter 21B

“Hello?”

“Hello? Cecily – Where the fuck are you – don’t tell me you’ve forgot-“

“No, um, no, I’m not Cecily, I’m her friend, Dru”

“Is she there?”

“Um, she’s not well, she had a real bad night I think she’s got a bug or something. Who is this please?”

“It’s Tucker, I’m at the studios – she was due to start shooting a new series today, Candy’s World Trip. Can I speak to her?”

“Er, um, well she’s asleep…can I get her to phone you?”

“Asleep? Oh fuck…Sweet’s just gonna LOVE this…I’ve got the worlds biggest male porn star sitting here waiting, and she’s still a fuckin’ ‘SLEEP!”

“Oh, she was with Daddy last night, he’ll be cool about things, don’t worry, she really wasn’t well”

“Well, I hope you’re right, and tell her to get her arse in here pronto, we can fix her up. Despite what you say, Sweet ain’t gonna be too happy paying the Master $10,000 a day just to sit around”

“Okay, will do, bye” Dru put the phone down and went upstairs. She opened the curtains and window in Cecily’s room. Cecily was curled up into a ball with the covers tightly round her.

Dru sat on the bed and pulled back the comforter.

“Cec…Cecily…Come on Cec…wake up!”

“Go way!”

“I’ve had this guy called Tucker on the phone for you”

“Uh…oh…wha’s –the-time?”

“It’s twenty past ten”

“Come back lunchtime”

“He said you were to go to the studios, he’ll fix you up. Something about Daddy having to pay the Master to sit around” Cecily suddenly sat up with a jolt, and wished she hadn’t. Her head swam and she felt nauseous, there was a faint smell of disinfectant in the air that added to her discomfort.

“Oh fuck, oh god…I forgot all about the movie”

“Want some coffee?” Dru stood up from the bed.

Cecily threw back the bedcovers. Each movement felt like torture to her whole body. She swung around and put her feet on the floor, reaching for her purse she took out a packet of Marlboro cigarettes and a lighter.

“Ew! This floor is wet…why is the floor wet Dru?” Cecily shakily lit a cigarette, it wasn’t easy, she had the shakes so much the flame wouldn’t connect with the tip at first.

“You were sick, I cleaned it up”

“Oh, right, thanks…fuck, my head…where did we end up, where did we go last night?”

“Daddy took us dancing! We went to…The Basement, and then onto George’s No. 8, don’t you remember?” Dru had picked up the photos she’d left on the nightstand and began to look through them.

“Huh? Oh, um, yeah, yeah, that’s right” Cecily wouldn’t have remembered if she’d gone to the moon and back last night, she’d done so much coke.

The phone rang again; its piercing tone had Cecily wincing.

“Get that for me would you love, if it’s Tucker, tell him I’m in the shower and I’ll be there by lunchtime, ‘kay?” Cecily stubbed out her cigarette, and then made a concerted effort and got up out of bed, lurching to the bathroom.

“Okay!” Dru said brightly. It wasn’t Tucker, but Sweet.

“Daddy!”

“Hello princess. Where’s Cecily?”

“She’s in the shower”

“Tucker, a man at the film studios tells me she hasn’t gone to work”

“Oh she was sick in the night, but she’s okay now, she’ll be going there by lunchtime”

“Did she say that?”

“Yes Daddy, honestly”

“Okay princess, I’ll see you later”

“Bye Daddy!”

“CECILY!” Dru called. Cecily stood up from the sink unit, pinching her nose, wiping it on the back of her finger, waiting for the rush of euphoria.

“Yeah?”

“That was Daddy”

“Is he mad at me?”

“No, I told him you were sick, but you’d be at the film studios lunchtime”

Cecily relaxed a little

“’Kay. Did you say something about coffee?”

“Sure…want breakfast?”

“Just coffee, love”

“Kay”

Cecily looked into the mirror at her reflection. Her eyes were a little bloodshot, she knew she was doing way too much coke and other stuff than was good for her, that and the late nights, the alcohol and lack of food was doing her no good at all, she would have to slow down. She’d get this series of six movies out of the way, and then go on a little holiday. Her head clearing, she squirted paste onto her toothbrush and began to clean her teeth. Dru appeared in the doorway, holding what looked like a photograph.

“Coffee’s on. Cec…does Spike still work at Aphrodite?” Cecily rinsed and spat, and ran the tap to clear the sink.

“Spike, um, well yeah, I think so, he’s Noiz’ manager. Why? What have you got there?” She turned to look at her friend after wiping her mouth on the towel.

“Oh…just some pictures I found”

“Let me see…oh god! I remember that beach party! Ooh! V-e-r-y arty…I don’t know why I’ve got that one” Cecily was looking at the Matinee Idol Spike photo.

“It was from when I lived here before. Has he…have you seen him, you know…recently?”

“Who, Spike? Um, oh god…let me see…not since, hold on, when did Noiz do Dallas? Let me think…oh, Easter, yeah, Easter weekend. Why – Oh Dru, don’t tell me…you don’t…”

“Don’t what?”

“You don’t still love him, do you?” Cecily looked at Dru, who just turned away and said quietly,

“Coffee’s ready”

**********


“Oh, er, hi. I wonder if you could help me? I’ve been left several messages on my Ansa phone, I’ve been away for a few days, and these messages, well, I’m not sure if you’ve got the right person”

“What’s your name?”

“Riley Finn”

“Oh, um, right, erm, did you used to live in Sunnydale and go out with a girl called Buffy Summers?”

“Er, well, yes, yes I did, but what has that got to do with coming to some TV Studios-“

“Hold on, stay there, I won’t be a minute” Cassie put the receiver down by the phone and raced out into the corridor.

“Glory!”

Glory turned her head and angrily hissed,

“Can’t you see I’m talking!”

“Riley Finn’s on the phone, he’s the right one, I –“

“Why didn’t you say!” Glory left the guy she was chatting to standing and barged passed Cassie into the office.

“………Checked. Um, Sorry about that, but she’s been waiting ages for this call” Cassie said by way of an explanation to the guy. He shrugged and walked away.

Cassie went back into her office to find Glory leaning against her desk, being so sickly sweet and nice to this Riley Finn on the phone.

Cassie didn’t want to hear it, so she picked up her purse and went for coffee.

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

Xander thought he’d be diplomatic, and stay out of the office so that Spike and Buffy could say their goodbyes in peace.

“I’ve forgotten my sunglasses, they are in my drawer. And what are you skulking around out here for, hmm?” Cordelia asked him with a grin.

She went to go into the office.

“Cordy, don’t go in th-oh, too late” Xander frowned and turned away, rubbing the back of his head.

Cordelia went in, and came out twenty seconds later, grinning.

“They never even noticed me! Didn’t look like they were coming up for air anytime soon either! Tell Buffy I’ll wait in the car. Is Clem already down there?”

“Yes, he just took Buffy’s luggage down”

“Oh gods, will there be enough room?”

“She only had one case and an overnighter”

“Wow! I admire her restraint. Okay now listen here you, just you behave while
I’m away, d’you hear me Harris!” She grinned at him, and he grinned back.

“Spoilsport! I will. And don’t you get up to any mischief, either!”

“Moi – mischief – as if! – See you!” The lift door slid open and she left with a little wave.

The office door opened and Buffy and Spike came out.

“Ready for the ‘off’ then, well, good luck. Not that you’ll need it, but, you know” Xander said smiling.

“Thanks Xander – oh, I suggested to Spike that you and Harmony come with us to that Sweet’s party – I thought that as none of us is too keen, we can at least have a little fun together”

“Great, I’ll tell Harm later, bye then, see you Friday”

“Bye Xander. Now, I wonder where Cordelia got to?”

“She’s waiting down there in the car for you”

“Right then, are you coming down with me Spike?”

“Of course Kitten, won’t be long Xander. Don’t run off, I want you to come out with me later, to listen to some bands, okay?”

“Right” The lift doors closed taking Buffy and Spike down to the ground floor.

Spike stopped the lift between the first and second floors, and kissed Buffy.

“Going to miss you, ring me when you get there, ‘kay?”

“I will. Can I have another kiss?” Spike obliged, giving her a cuddle and whispering

“Love you”

Buffy closed her eyes and smiled, hugging him tighter, she whispered,

“Love you too. I’ll miss you” They then heard a loud banging sound and somebody shouting.

“HEY…WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE LIFT….ANYBODY STUCK IN THERE, HELLO - HELLO!” Grinning guiltily, Spike pressed a button and the lift started again, and opened on the ground floor, to a little huddle of people around it.
Spike and Buffy stepped out, looked straight ahead, saying nothing. When they passed everyone, they both let out snorting giggles by the exit doors. Spike caught her hand.

“I won’t come out to the car, Kitten, now, get as much rest as you can okay, and don’t forget to ring me – bye babe”

“I will, I promise, bye – miss you”

“Miss you” she left, and turned back and waved, Spike mouthed

‘Love you’ Buffy grinned and mouthed ‘love you too’. Smiling, he took the stairs back up to the office.

Buffy had met Clem earlier on, and thought he was very nice. He had a slight facial deformity, but he had a lovely nature, and had promised Spike to look after Buffy for him.

“All belted in? Okay ladies, Sacramento, here we come, with a slight detour to pick up the radio interviewer in Burbank!” Buffy and Cordelia laughed as they drove off the carpark.

**********


Cassie came back from coffee, and sat behind her desk.

“Oh Cass, there you are. Now, any luck finding anything about Buffy’s father?”

“Er, erm , n-no. No, sorry. The er, the art-article just said ‘father’, d-didn’t give a name”

“Oh. Oh well, never mind, least you tried!” Glory smiled. Cassie’s brow rose in surprise. She wondered briefly what alien had beamed down and taken the REAL nasty, snarky sarcastic Glory and had put this ‘nice’ one in her plac

Chapter 22


When Clem dropped the reporter at a hotel after interviewing Buffy in the car, Cordelia said,

“Either I’m getting old, or these reporters are getting so much younger these days! He barely looked 16!”

“He wasn’t, it’s for a youth programme”

“Oh. So, what’s next on the agenda?”

“Um…hold on…tonight…” Buffy read off her schedule.

“I’m on a chat show, ‘In Conversation With’”

“Oh, I’ve seen that, Wes was on it week before last”

“Wes?” Buffy asked, and Cordelia blushed. Buffy smiled

“Come on, spill!”

“Okay, but you must…you know, we’re trying to keep it hush-hush”

Buffy smiled and nodded, then gave a sideways glance to Clem.

“Oh, don’t worry about Clem, his middle name is discretion! It’s Wes Price” Buffy’s eyes flashed big and she grinned

“Ow wow Cordelia! How did you meet him then?”

“At a party. I was there with Sweet, and Wes’ Personal Assistant came over and asked me some details. You see Sweet wants to break out into mainstream films, rather than just the porn stuff, and he wondered if Wesley would be interested in the lead role for a screenplay he’s got”

“And is he?”

“Well, he could be, it all depends if this Bond thing works out”

“Oh gods, yes! I read about that, while I was on the plane going to NY! Wow, Spike’s secretary dating James Bond! – Hey, if he gets the role, we’ll have to start calling you Miss Moneypenny!”

“Don’t you dare! – Want to know the best thing?”

“Go on!”

“Well, at this party, Glory was there, you know, Glory Benson – she made no bones about wanting him, and he didn’t want to know, you should have seen her face when we left together!”

Both girls giggled and Clem smiled

“I hate that Glory – she’s a real bitch!” Buffy said, and Cordelia frowned

“You haven’t been on her show yet, have you? – I know she kept phoning me about you”

“Did she? I met her at the after-show party at the Indie Radio Awards. She came over to where we were sitting. She kept getting my name wrong, calling me ‘Betty’, and then when Spike introduced us, he said how she’s got two shows on cable, and she made some bitchy comment how I wouldn’t know that coz I’d be out clogging the arteries of the general public” Cordelia frowned again and said,

“What did she mean by that?”

“She was referring to the fact that I used to work at a burger bar, before I got the school councillors’ job”

“Cow. She really is, I haven’t met one person yet that likes her!”

“Got my own back though…I grabbed Harmony and said, ‘Oh look, there’s somebody famous over there I’d like to speak to!” Cordelia went round eyed and shrieked with laughter.

“You didn’t – oh my god, I wished I could have seen her face!”

“Yeah well, in my book, if you can’t take it, you shouldn’t dish it!” Buffy said

“Very true. Well, this is my stop coming up…Clem, can you drop me off on the Starbucks parking lot…I hope my cousin isn’t late meeting me” Cordelia unclipped her seatbelt and picked up her purse.

“Will do” Clem checked his mirror and drew up onto the lot. Cordelia got out and took two bags out of the trunk, and then waved them off.

“You ok there Buffy?” Clem asked

“Fine thanks Clem, um, how long is it until we are there?”

“Oh…in this traffic, I’d say just under an hour”

“Great, I’ll have time for a shower before my first interview”

**********

“Hello, could I speak to Miss Glory Benson, please?”

“I’m afraid she’s out, she’s at the recording studios doing her chart rundown show, can I help, I’m her researcher, Cassie Newton”

“Oh, perhaps you can, it’s Riley Finn here”

“Right! Hello, how can I help you?”

“Well you see, I’ve just been contacted by my wife, and she’s got leave and is coming home in four days time, she’s with the Peace Corps, and we didn’t think she’d be home until nearer Christmas you see, but well, as Glory told me if I came on the reunion show I could have luxury hotel accommodation for a few days, and have anything I liked, well, I know this sounds a bit cheeky but, well, could I bring my wife – would that be allowed do you think?”

Cassie couldn’t stop smiling. Wife – he had a wife!

“Your wife you say, right, um, hold on…um………” Cassie held the receiver to her chest thinking quickly, then she said,

“Um tell me Mr Finn, is Glory aware that you are married?”

“No, no it didn’t come up in conversation, why is there a problem?”

“Oh, no, no problem at all. Yes! Um, yes, that will be fine, I’ll make arrangements for another flight for you…did she say the Excelsior or the Holiday Inn do you know?”

“The Holiday Inn. Oh wow, I can’t wait, Sam will love this!”

“Sam?”

“My wife. She deserves a treat…and I wanted her to meet Buffy”

“Right…um, would you do me a favour Mr Finn, and not mention this to Glory”

“Oh, um right. Will there be a problem then – because if it-“

“NO! No, don’t worry…it’s just that she forgets what she promises sometimes, you know, luxury this, and no expense spared that, then she starts to fret about the budget, the less she knows, the um, the less she can worry about – you know how it is. Oh, that’s great – I see it won’t cost us anymore as I see we’d booked you a suite at the hotel anyway, so it’s only the cost of a flight, that’ll be absolutely no problem!” Cassie was crossing her fingers, hoping she sounded convincing.

“Really – great, so what about the flight tickets, will you -?”

“Don’t you worry Mr Finn, I’ll arrange it all, send you the flight tickets. I haven’t got to inform the hotel as you’ve got a suite already booked.”

“Well thankyou, Miss…Miss?”

“Newton, Cassie Newton. I’ll get right onto the travel people right now, and I’ll send you the airplane tickets as soon as they come through, okay?”

“Sure there won’t be a problem – because I don’t want to build my wife’s hopes up only to-“

“I assure you, Mr Finn, no problem, honestly, consider it done, goodbye”

“Thankyou, bye Miss Newton”

Cassie ended the call, and she was grinning. Glory only had herself to blame for this………after all, she did say that Riley could have anything he wanted if he came to LA for the show…and the man wanted to bring his WIFE – that wasn’t unreasonable now, was it!

Something Glory hadn’t even thought about, Cassie mused.

Immediately Cassie went on-line and arranged another flight from Iowa to LA.
“I bet she didn’t even think to ask Riley if he was even in a relationship now!” Cassie said to herself, and smiled when the ‘Flight confirmed’ noticed flashed on the monitor and she booked another ticket.

She couldn’t wait to see Glory’s face when this nasty little scheme of hers came crashing down around her ears…on LIVE TV too!

**********


“Tell me honestly, do my eyes look like piss-holes in the snow?”
Cecily stood still while Dru looked her in the eyes.

“Um, well they are a little reddish, but they’ll soon clear, open the car window and get some fresh air”

“Yeah, ok. So, you gonna come with me?”

“What, to work with you! – No way!”

“Oh come on. You won’t be asked to DO anything!”

“Sure? Coz I don’t want to get there, and then this Tucker guy thinks he can use me as a flufferer or whatever it’s called, coz he can think again!”

“A what – oh, you mean a fluffer! We don’t use ‘em – no need in this day and age, not with Viagra, the um, ‘interest’ doesn’t flag anymore, these men don’t have trouble getting and keeping ‘wood’ now, they just pop a pill before hand, and then make like the Energiser bunny all day – come on then if you’re coming, I said lunchtime, Tucker will have a fit if he has to wait any longer”

Dru followed Cecily out, to be truthful, she was more than a little curious…

**********

“Hi baby”

Buffy tingled all over when Spike’s deep sexy voice almost purred down the phone to her.

“Hi, we’ve just got here, I’m checked in and I’m going to have a shower”

“You made good time then. How was the radio interview in the car?”

“Fine, golly he was young – couldn’t have been more than 16”

“Really? – Oh yes, it was for the youth radio thing. It’s a project for kids with an interest in broadcasting. So, you’ve just got the one tonight, haven’t you pet?”

“Yes, the ‘In Conversation With’. Tomorrow’s the biggie with four!”

“Well make sure you get enough rest, won’t you kitten”

“I will, oh, someone’s at the door, I better go”

“’Kay, baby have fun”

“Can I phone you later?”

“Course you can, if I’m unavailable, leave a voice message, or a text, and I’ll get back to you if I’m not too late. Xander and me are going out doing a bit of band talent spotting tonight. I’ll let you go then kitten, bye now”

“Bye baby”

“Bye kitten”

Buffy opened the door and there stood a bellhop.

“For miss Buffy Summers” He handed her a single red rose all done up in pretty cellophane with red trailing ribbons. Buffy looked surprised, and took the flower, thanking and tipping the lad as she closed the door. She flipped the card open and read,

‘Will miss you tonight and the next three, good luck, lots of love, Spike XXX’

Buffy beamed and sniffed the heady perfume. She felt all warm and happy inside. She’d miss him too, not just the great, well, fantastic sex, she’d miss the closeness, him holding her and her waking up in his arms, her favourite thing (well, almost favourite!)

**********

“Better make it quick, the boss is already on my back this morning, so what is it this time?” Willy asked Glory. She was dressed as last time, baseball cap pulled well down over her eyes.

“I want this journalist mate of your to see if he can trace Buffy’s father”

“Shouldn’t be too difficult, what’s his name?”

“Well, if I knew that, Einstein, I wouldn’t need the help of this friend of yours now would I?”

“I thought you’d got researchers for this sort of thing!” Willy said, glaring up at her. This little bitch ought to start treating him with a bit more respect!

“I don’t want them knowing too much…stuff gets out, and I want this to be a TOTAL surprise, okay?” Glory toed the cracks in the ground with her booted foot, not looking at Willy. He knew she was a devious bitch, he didn’t know what she was planning, but it seemed really important to her, so, now was the time to put a price on the info she wanted.

“Okay…say I get him to trace daddy dearest for you. What’s in it for me?”

“Your Journalist mate will get the exclusive, honestly – it’ll be a big scoop, I promise” Willy smirked, and shook his head saying,

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no. You didn’t hear me. I said, what’s in it for ME?”

Glory stopped making patterns in the dirt and looked at him.

“You don’t think I’m doing this just for a ‘drink’ do you?” Willy smirked again, folded his arms and leant against the fire-exit door.

Glory rolled her eyes.

“How much?” she snapped. Willy pretended to look hurt.

“Oh now, don’t be like that…I thought that perhaps we could, you know…(he ran a grubby finger down her cheek) get better acquainted”

“WHAT! Why you weasely little – GET OFF ME!” She pushed him and Willy went flying backwards straight through the fire doors.

“HELLO…WILLY, IS THAT YOU DOWN THERE…WILLY…WILLY!” Warren called out over the stairwell railings. Daylight flooded in through the exit doors and Warren wondered just what his errant barman was up to this time.

Willy stood up and dusted himself down, and squinted after the quickly retreating figure of Glory running down the alleyway.

“You can run, bitch…but you won’t do that to me twice…” Willy muttered to himself

“What the fuck are you doing now?” Warren asked irritably, standing in the doorway.

“Thought I heard something boss…just some punks messing about, that’s all” Willy came back inside, slamming the doors shut and making sure that the release bars were set properly.
Warren didn’t believe him for a second, he’d heard a female voice he was sure, but couldn’t be bothered to question him about it. Willy took the stairs two at a time. He’d get the info Glory wanted, but the price for it had just gone up, two-fold.

********

The show went like clockwork for Buffy and after having a quick soda and chat with the other two guests in the green room, she left for the hotel. She said goodnight to Clem who was in the room next door, and went in her own room.

She threw off her lace shawl and kicked off her shoes and sat on the bed. She took out her cell-phone and called Spike. She got his message desk, and realised that he either must be either still out band spotting with Xander, or driving. She left him a little goodnight message and said she’d contact him sometime tomorrow between interviews.

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

Xander slapped his thigh laughing, Spike was driving.

“Oh god, did you SEE that guy! What an IDIOT – ‘What did you think of my impersonation of Slash’ he said – I don’t know how I didn’t laugh in his face!” Xander said, giggling. Spike grinned too,

“Well, you get them like that, they stand in front of the wardrobe mirror at home, playing ‘air guitar’ to Jon Bon Jovi or what have you, and they think they can be super-stars.

“But I mean, he only knew three chords!”

“Well, that never stopped Status Quo…it was the beer-belly over the hipster jeans that made me laugh – he actually told me he read somewhere the girls say they love it – I had to break it to him, that it was a six-pack the girls love, not to look like he DRANK a six-pack every night!”

This set them of laughing again.

Spike’s mobile phone beeped and he smiled as he shifted gear.

“Ah, good…I bet that’s my baby all safely tucked up in bed now, well I hope it is!” Xander smiled

“She’s a lovely girl, Spike”

“I know mate!” Spike flashed him a grin and turned off the highway to take Xander home.

“So, how’s things going with you and Harm – you ‘fessed up about still living at home with your parents yet?”

“Things are great – really well actually. But the other thing? - Well, no, I’ve not exactly come clean. I told her I’m having the place re-decorated all through, so I need to find somewhere quick, and get it decorated. Where are we, anyway?”

“Merryvale, right by Sweet’s porno film studios” Spike said. Xander ducked his head and squinted out of the window across to the low building.

“Oh yeah”

Spike slowed the car as they came to some traffic lights, and then stopped as they were on red. From off the studio parking lot a taxi cab slid into the traffic, coming along side Spike’s car. Xander casually looked out of the passenger window, and got a shock. He blinked, looked straight ahead, and then back through the side window into the taxicab. He grabbed Spike’s leg, just as the cab turned left as the lights changed, and Spike had indicated to turn right.

“Ow! Xander, what the fuck - bloody hell! Why did you do – ow – what was THAT for!”?
Spike glared angrily at his passenger, steered the car one-handed and rubbed his thigh with the other. Xander looked well shocked.

“Oh my god. Oh my GOD, you’ll NEVER guess who I’ve just seen?” Spike frowned, shifted gears and accelerated.

“Don’t tell me, Burt Reynolds. Well, it isn’t him, it’s just a guy that works there that has this big moustache and -“

“No! Spike no, listen to me!”

“ - Besides which, Burt Reynolds is too old now to-“

“Will you shut the fuck up about Burt bloody Reynolds! I SWEAR to god, I just saw ………I saw, Drusilla”

“What – don’t be a dick. Of course you didn’t!”

Spike frowned, and turned right into Park Lane.

“I swear, she looks thinner in the face, but I’d know those eyes anywhere!” Xander wasn’t smiling now, he looked deadly serious. Spike shook his head and dismissed what Xander said.

“No. Trick of the light – you saw the girl in that cab for what, a couple of seconds, max? Dru’s in England, has been for the last two years, since she, well, you know, that roof business”

“Hello, there are such things as planes you know! They fly regularly back and forth over the Atlantic!”

Spike pulled up outside Xander’s house. Every light blazed and there was a bedroom window wide open, with several items of clothing lying on the grass, there was still a shirt dangling from the sill. Even in the car, he could hear the argument that was raging inside the house. Xander’s shoulders fell, he closed his eyes and rubbed his face.

“Oh fuck. I forgot, Welfare benefit day, they’ll both be pissed out of their skulls” He turned to look at Spike, who winced in sympathy.

“Well how are you supposed to sleep through that?”

“I put the headphones on, and turn up whatever I’m listening to really loud. It drowns out everything. I didn’t even know the police had arrived last time, until the officer came into my room and took them off my head, told me they were taking my dad down to the cells to cool off”

“The police – fuckin’ hell Xand, how can you live like this?” Xander shrugged

“You get used to it”

“Come on, get back in”

“What, why?”

“You can’t go in there, it sounds and looks like a bloody war-zone!” Spike’s statement of truth was verified as a suddenly there was a loud bang and the sound of broken glass as one of the front windows smashed. Whatever had been thrown through rolled over the lawn, and the shouting could be heard even louder now.

“Get in, come on – hell, listen” Spike pushed the passenger door open from the inside, and Xander got in. They could hear the police car siren getting louder as Spike pulled away.

“But where are we going?”

“You can stay at mine tonight – and then priority tomorrow, you are going flat hunting”

When they got to Spike’s place, he got out a spare quilt from the airing cupboard and pulled out the sofa into a bed.

Nothing more was said about Xander’s ‘sighting’ of Dru, but when Spike got into bed, and after he’d listened to Buffy’s message and text’ her back, he lay down and started thinking. He hadn’t thought about Dru in a long time, and definitely not since he’d clapped eyes on Buffy.

No, Xander must have been mistaken. Trick of the light, or rather lack of it would be more accurate. Spike closed his eyes and settled down. He went to turn over onto his side, and suddenly a thought struck him, and he remembered something Sweet had said to him at the last monthly meeting, when he’d been ticking him off just before he left...

**“I know how things are, it must be a little hard for you at the moment, it came as a shock to me when I saw her,” ** Sweet had said…now, at the time, Spike thought Sweet had finally flipped, the drugs too much for his addled brain… “Oh fuck, what if he WAS talking about Dru – shit! Well, she just better stay well away from me” Spike mumbled to himself. He turned over pulling up the covers.