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Chapter Sixteen:

“Riley…it’s been such a long time.” The last time I saw you, your pants were around your ankles.

“Yeah…what’s it been…a year or so? What have you been up to, Buffy?”

“Oh…well, I’ve been working at…a pub…but it’s a really popular place.” Buffy felt her cheeks burning.

Riley gave her a stern look, “You know, Buffy, you really shouldn’t waste your degree.” He smiled smugly, “I’m interning at a major law firm in Manhattan this summer.”

Buffy felt sick to her stomach, “That’s…great, Riley.” She noticed that Spike and the woman by Riley’s side were both staring at them with the same puzzled expression on their faces. Somehow, the fact that Spike was sharing an expression with a woman that looked not unlike the dancers Buffy had caught Riley playing twister with a year before made Buffy feel particularly insecure. Buffy turned to Spike with a tight smile, “Spike, this is Riley. Riley and I used to date back in Sunnydale. And for about a day in New York. Buffy saw a strange expression cross Spike’s face before it was replaced by a polite smile.

“Pleasure to meet you, mate,” Spike said like it wasn’t a pleasure at all. Spike looked at Buffy and gestured towards the woman. “Buffy, this is Drusilla Rayne. She’s the artist whose paintings you were admiring at my flat.”

Buffy took a moment to take in the woman’s long dark hair and creamy complexion. Oh god, she’s everything I was afraid of. She looks so elegant and graceful…and she’s with Riley of all people. “Yes, I find your paintings to be quite interesting. I haven’t seen anything like them before,” Buffy commented politely.

Drusilla smirked at Spike, “What a sweet little girl you’ve befriended, my prince.” Her words made Buffy feel suddenly inadequate. She dropped Spike’s hand and wrapped her arms around herself. Drusilla turned towards Riley and patted his chest, “Be a dear and get me a glass of wine.” Riley nodded at Buffy and Spike and headed off towards the bar.

Drusilla aimed a sickening smile at Buffy. “Did Spike tell you that we were together for twelve years?” Buffy gasped. She had known they were together for quite awhile but, at only 23, it was hard for her to imagine that lengthy of a relationship.

Spike gritted his teeth, “Yes, well, we weren’t together that whole time, were we, Dru?”

Drusilla smiled, still focused on Buffy, “We might have our separations here or there, but my William always comes back to me.”

Spike had enough. “Is there something you wanted, Dru?”

Turning back to Spike, “You know what I want, my sweet prince.”

“Yeah, well, you’re not going to get it.” He put his arm around Buffy’s shoulders. “It’s been grand, Dru, but we really must be on our way.” Without waiting for a reply, he steered Buffy away and towards the table her friends were occupying.

Faith noticed them first as they reached the table, “Yo, B! I see you brought us a present!”

Buffy slid her arm around Spike’s waist, “Mine…not yours. Guys, this is Spike. Spike, this is Willow and Tara.” Spike smiled at the red-head and the girl with the sweet face that she had her arm around. “And this is Anya and Faith. You’ve seen them both at the pub.

Anya smiled at Buffy and Spike, “You two had sex.”

“Anya!” Buffy gasped, mortified.

Anya shrugged, “What? You’re all glowy…and you have a massive hickey on your neck. More power to you, I say. You two make a much more attractive pair than you and Angel. Mostly, because the professor’s such a hottie.”

Buffy put her head down, “Can we talk about something else?”

Spike laughed and rubbed her back, “I don’t know, luv, I kind of like where this conversation is going.”

Faith nodded. “Yeah, B, you don’t date for a year, then you bag two hot guys in a week. I’m proud of you!”

Spike frowned, “Okay, I’m starting to like this conversation less.”

Faith laughed, “Don’t worry, Professor Sexy, she got groiny with you while she was sober. I have a feeling she’ll be up for a repeat performance.”

Buffy groaned as she lightly banged her forehead on the table.

“Guys,” Willow admonished, “knock it off. You’re embarrassing her. Let them enjoy each other in peace.”

Buffy raised her head. “Thanks, Willow.”

Willow smiled, “No problem…but you do realize I expect you to call me with all the details later?”

Buffy rolled her eyes, “I so need a drink right now.”

Spike wrapped his arm around her shoulders and gave her a little squeeze. “What do you want, luv? I’ll hit the bar.”

“Something with rum…whatever is fine. Thanks.” Buffy smiled at him.

Spike looked around the table. “Anyone else need a refill?” After a chorus of no’s, he got up from the table and headed for the bar.

Buffy regarded her friends, “Hey, guys, I’m gonna go to the ladies’ room for a minute. Let him know where I went if he gets back before me.”

Willow nodded, “‘Kay, Buff. You want company?”

“Nah, I’ll be back in a minute.” Buffy got up and began winding her way through the tables of people. Finally, she reached the hallway with the ladies’ room and stepped in. She inspected her neck in the mirror. God, I can’t believe I have a monster hickey. I really have to cover this up better. A little smile played on her lips. It’s totally worth it, though. It felt amazing when I was receiving it…he’s amazing. She smiled as she rummaged through her purse for concealer. She didn’t notice that someone had walked in the bathroom until she looked in the mirror and saw the reflection. She jumped in surprise, “Drusilla!”

Drusilla smiled, “You seem a bit on edge, Sunshine.”

“Oh…I just…didn’t hear you come in. You surprised me.” Buffy continued going through her purse, though her mind was completely focused on the woman next to her.

Drusilla tilted her head, “So, you’re here with Spike, little lamb? He’s really quite an...impressive man. ‘Tis a pity your time with him will be so short.”

Buffy stopped her rummaging but continued looking down at her purse. “What do you mean?”

“I meant what I said before, dearie, he always comes back to me.” She gazed at Buffy’s neck. “My William always was good with his teeth.”

Buffy zipped her purse with shaky hands. “I’ve…I’ve gotta go.” She headed towards the door.

As Buffy exited the bathroom, Drusilla called after her, “Have a lovely evening, Sunshine!”

Buffy hurried back to the table and found that Spike had returned with her drink. She took her seat and grabbed her drink, downing it in one go. Spike gave her a worried look and leaned over to her ear, speaking quietly, “You okay, luv?”

Buffy took a breath, “Yeah…I just…I’m not feeling well all of the sudden.”

“Why don’t we head out, pet? We can lounge around and watch movies at my place.”

Buffy bit her lip, “Actually, Spike, I think I might stay at my place tonight.”

Spike looked hurt, “After what happened earlier, I thought you’d want to be with me. You said you had nightmares at your place anyway.”

“I know. I just like to be home when I’m not feeling well…with all my stuff…ya know?” Buffy was hoping he’d drop the subject.

“Well, that’s fine, luv. Why don’t I just spend the night at your place?”

Buffy’s eyes widened. “Nooo, Spike, my place isn’t anything like yours. You wouldn’t like it at all.”

“Sweetheart, it’s your home. If we’re going to be together, I’m going to have to see where you live at some point, right?”

No. “I guess,” Buffy mumbled.

Spike smiled, “All right, then it’s settled.” He drank the last of his beer. “I’m ready to head out when you are.”

They said their goodbyes and caught a cab back to Buffy’s place. Spike had noticed that Buffy was being a bit aloof. She let him put his hands on her, but she made no movements to touch him. Spike paid the driver, and they stepped out of the cab in front of an old apartment building. Living in the neighborhood, Spike had seen this building before, but had never given it a second thought. It was just another dilapidated building. They walked through the front doors, and Buffy led Spike to a set of stairs.

“Sorry…the elevator’s broken again.”

“No problem, luv, a little exercise never hurt anyone.” They climbed the stairs to the third floor of the building and walked about halfway down a long, dark hallway. Buffy stopped in front of a door and inserted her key in the lock. She opened the door and flicked on the lights.

“Well…here it is.” She tossed her purse on the couch and turned around to face Spike. He had a serious expression on his face.

“You’re moving in with me, pet.”

Buffy shook her head and blinked, “Excuse me?”

“There are no exterior locks on the building,” he glanced at her door, “and your door locks are shit. There are cracks in the ceiling, and things keep breaking. It isn’t safe. I don’t want you staying here anymore.”

Buffy was pissed, “Well, thank you for your concern, Spike, but I’ve been living here on my own for a year now. I think I’ll be fine.”

"Now, don’t go and get angry, pet. I just care about you and your safety. I’m going to be worried sick all the time knowing you’re staying in this deathtrap, and anyone at all could get in here with no problem.”

Buffy sighed, “Look, I understand your concern, I do, but I’m not giving up my apartment, and I’m not moving in with you. We have kind of a weird pace going with this relationship already. We should keep our separate spaces for awhile.”

Spike saw that she wasn’t going to budge on the issue. “All right, luv, then at least let me stay with you on the nights you want to sleep here.”

“Spike…” The idea of having Spike by her side every night was very appealing. Really, it was probably the only way she would get a good night’s sleep. But Drusilla’s words kept playing through her head. She didn’t want to become too dependent on Spike if he was just going to drop her down the line. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“Come on, luv, you said yourself that you’ve slept better on the nights that I’ve been with you.” Spike really didn’t understand what the problem was.

Buffy took a deep breath and looked him in the eye. “No, Spike, I mean I don’t think we’re a good idea.”


Chapter End Notes:
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