Buffy rolled over, smacking at the alarm clock on the nightstand. She hadn’t slept a wink, and now she was supposed to go to class all day and do what? Learn? Letting her foul mood get the better of her, Buffy decided she was going to give herself a day off from classes to sit and wallow in her misery. Pulling the covers over her head, she closed her tired eyes and willed herself to sleep.
Spike gave up on sleep and got out of bed. Throwing on a pair of shorts he walked into the living room and frowned when he didn’t hear the shower running. Had Buffy left early today in hopes of avoiding him? Letting out a mournful sigh, Spike went in the bathroom and started his morning routine.
Spike got his books together and was almost out the door before the phone rang. Looking at his watch, he noticed he was running late. Deciding to let the machine get it, Spike walked out the door shutting it behind him.
Buffy began to stir at the sound of the phone. Letting out a groan; she pulled herself out of bed. Who ever was on the phone better have a damn good reason for calling and waking her up. Buffy picked up the phone and grumpily mumbled into the phone, “Hello?”
“Buffy where are you?” Willow asked concerned for her friend.
“Willow I didn’t get any sleep last night so I decided to take the day off,” Buffy explained sounding completely exhausted.
“Well, not exactly the best day to take a mental health day Buffy, did you forget about your final in English?” Willow asked frantically.
“Oh shit!” Buffy yelled as she jumped out of bed shuffling around her room for something to put on.
“Listen, I told professor Greenburg you had a doctors appointment this morning and that you would be a little late so I suggest you get your ass down here fast before he changes his mind about letting you take your test,” Willow informed Buffy.
“Willow, I don’t know how to thank you enough,” Buffy gushed gratefully.
“Yeah, well thank me after you get here and take your test,” Willow replied teasingly.
“I’ll be there in a flash,” Buffy replied hastily. “Oh and thanks again Wills, you’re a God send.”
“Yeah, yeah, just hurry up and get here.”
“Okay bye!” Buffy said quickly before hanging up. Frantically Buffy rushed around her room in an attempt to make herself presentable. Thankfully she had taken a bath the night before so she wasn’t feeling too grungy. Pulling a brush through her hair, Buffy grabbed her tooth brush and brushed her teeth before running out the door.
Buffy ran across campus to her English class barely avoiding passing students. She was just about to her class when she ran smack into what felt like a brick wall. Buffy tumbled backwards and looked up to see Spike staring down at her, confusion clearly written across his face.
“Buffy what are you doing?”
“As much as I would love to stay and chat, I’m late for my final,” Buffy explained dryly as she grabbed her books off the floor.
“Here, let me help you up,” Spike offered, extending his hand out to Buffy.
Buffy hesitantly took Spike’s hand. Once on her feet she offered him a smile. “Well I better get going,” Buffy muttered awkwardly.
“Yeah,” Spike replied solemnly.
“I guess I’ll see you at home then?” he asked hopefully.
“Sure, I’ll see you at home,” Buffy agreed and then hurried off to her class.
Spike stood and watched as Buffy ran down the hall. He needed to do something special for Buffy to make up for the fact he wouldn’t be home with her for the holidays. Spike let a small grin curl at his lips as an idea came to mind. Pulling his cell phone from his pocket he dialed the familiar number. Once the line was answered, he grinned into the phone and asked, “Hey Red, think you can do a huge favor for me?”
Buffy walked out of class and rubbed at her tired eyes. She had managed to get there in just enough time to take her final and turn it in before class was over. She had agreed to meet Willow for coffee to tell her all about what had happened the night before. Buffy really wasn’t in the mood, but she at least owed Willow an explanation as to why she really had been late. Buffy wrapped her arms tightly around her slender frame fighting off the chill and headed to the small coffee shop just off campus.
Willow sat waiting expectantly for Buffy with a huge grin on her face. She had spoken to Spike, and together they had come up with a plan to get things back on track with the two blondes. Willow’s job was to make sure Buffy was home by four o’clock to give her plenty of time to get ready for the romantic night Spike had planned for them.
Spike had made reservations at the Hyatt hotel restaurant for a romantic candle lit dinner for two and then he was going to take Buffy for a walk on the beach. He had wanted to get them a room for the evening, but he didn’t want to be too presumptuous and make Buffy think he was just trying to seduce her into sleeping with him. Willow had squealed giddily at Spike’s plan and assured him that Buffy would be putty in his hands.
Buffy walked into the cozy little coffee shop and went to sit next to Willow on one of the couches. Buffy placed her order with one of the waitresses and then turned to Willow.
“Well I managed to take my exam,” Buffy replied, letting out a sigh of relief.
Willow gave Buffy a self-satisfied smile. “You’re welcome.” Letting her look turn more serious, she asked, “So what happened?”
Buffy gave Willow a crestfallen look as she explained everything. “Well when I got home from shopping everything was great. I took a hot bath, Spike ordered dinner, and everything was perfect until he told me he was going to England for Christmas.” Buffy swallowed the knot that was forming in her throat and continued. “I was so upset that I just told him I was tired and went to bed.” Buffy finished letting her tears fall.
Willow had gotten pretty much the same story from Spike. Not wanting to give away the fact that she had already talked to Spike, Willow gave Buffy’s hand a comforting squeeze.
“Buffy I’m so sorry, I’m sure you guys can work this out,” Willow replied supportively.
Buffy wiped at he eyes. “Thing’s are just so stressed between us Wills. Ever since the night Spike told me he loved me there has been this wedge between us and neither of us knows what to do about it,” Buffy explained mournfully.
“You guys really need to talk things out,” Willow suggested.
“What am I supposed to say, ‘Spike why don’t you ever want to touch me anymore?’ I mean really,” Buffy retorted dryly.
Willow knew now what the real problem was. Buffy felt like Spike didn’t want her like that anymore. Trying to hide her amusement Willow gave Buffy a knowing look.
“Buffy, I think maybe the reason Spike hasn’t been as affectionate with you is because he’s scared you’re gonna turn him away,” Willow suggested.
“Why would he think that?’ Buffy asked incredulously.
“Buffy think about it, Spike majorly screwed up by telling you the one thing that a girl dreams about hearing from the guy she loves when he was drunk. He knows it was wrong, but he’s been trying to make it up to you ever since, and from what you’ve told me, you haven’t exactly reassured him that you feel the same way,” Willow pointed out gently.
Willow was right. Every time Spike told her he loved her she would either change the subject or smile up at him shyly. No damn wonder he’d been so standoffish with her. Buffy put her face in her hands and let out an aggravated groan.
“Oh god, this is all my fault,” Buffy chastised herself.
“Buffy no,” Willow quickly reassured her friend. “This isn’t anyone’s fault in particular. I think you guys have just misunderstood one another, that’s all,” she supplied soothingly.
“Willow why can’t I just tell him I love him?” Buffy asked in almost a whisper.
Willow felt her heart go out to the small blond sitting next to her. “Buffy love’s a funny thing. Sometimes we know in our hearts that we love someone, but our head always seems to get in the way,” she replied knowingly.
Buffy looked up at Willow and offered her a small smile.
“Wills, how did you get to be so damn smart?” Buffy asked teasingly.
“I don’t know, maybe when you decided to be all denial girl about Spike,” Willow joked.
Both girls took one look at the other and burst out laughing. Buffy composed herself and took a cleansing breath. “Wills what am I gonna do?” she asked in a serious tone.
“The only advice I can give would to be completely honest with Spike. If you love him, tell him. Spike already made the first step so now all you have to do is follow,” Willow replied diplomatically.
“Why does that sound so much easier said than done,” Buffy complained.
“Buffy if you want to be with Spike then you need to be honest with him. Stop using lame ass excuses to hide behind how you really feel,” Willow stated matter a factly, giving her friend the resolve face.
Buffy looked at Willow aghast. Her friend had only been this forward with her a few times, and funny enough, it always had to do with Spike. Buffy let a hurt look cross her face.
“Harsh much?” Buffy asked in a sullen voice.
“Sorry, but that seems to be the only way I can get your attention,” Willow replied gently. “Buffy I just don’t want you to miss out on what could be ‘The One’, you know? Spike loves you and I know you love him, so you just need to let it happen and stop hiding behind what ever excuses you can possibly think of to not let Spike in completely.”
Buffy thought about what Willow had said. It was true; she was using excuses to keep her heart protected. Spike loved her and it was about time she let him know in return how much she loved him too. Just because he was going to be gone for the holidays was no excuse to punish him, after all, it was just a day. They could have their own Christmas before he left. Feeling a jolt of excitement run through her, she looked up at Willow with a huge smile on her face.
“Willow, you’re right. I’m gonna tell Spike exactly how I feel,” Buffy boasted proudly.
Willow let a smile grace her pretty face. “Good!” Willow chirped. Looking down at her watch she noticed it was a quarter to four. With covert sneakiness, Willow suggested, “Buffy, I bet Spike’s probably home by now, you should go and talk to him.”
“Yeah, I’ll talk to you later then?” Buffy agreed eager to get home to Spike.
“Sure! Call me with all the juicy details,” Willow replied with a knowing smirk. She had to hold back a giggle at knowing Buffy was going to have more details to dish than she expected.
Buffy grabbed her things and gave Willow a giddy grin. “See ya,” she chirped before bouncing out the door and back to her dorm room.
“See ya,” Willow called back as Buffy walked out the door. With a mischievous grin she said to herself, “Have fun!”
[Reviews - 740]
-
Table of Contents [Report This]
Chapter or Story |
Chapter or Story | 
Chapter or Story
Has been viewed 3769 times
- Text Size +
-
Table of Contents [Report This]
Chapter or Story |
Chapter or Story | Chapter or Story - Text Size +
Author's Chapter Notes:
Thanks to MidnightGirl, spuffette, Cordykitten, seraiza, Brat, lacey, spikesbabi, BuffyandSpikeForever, lindsay, kassie, LittleTigerBaby, Lisa, Kristin, carri, and bluebird for the amazing reviews! You guts kick serious ass! Also thanks to Mac for the amamzing beta job, girl you never cease to amaze me! Smooches! Well enjoy everyone! Disclaimer in full effect!