Chapter 3
Buffy stared at the two in confusion. Brother? How was he her brother?
Cordelia interpreted Buffy’s confused look. “Actually, half-brother.”
“But, you're British,” she said, gesturing to Spike.
“That’s the non-half, luv,” he said with a smirk.
“Same father, different mothers,” Cordy explained. “Spike spent most
of his time growing up in England before he moved here to finish out high
school and has been a permanent pain in my ass ever since.”
“Hey,” he said indignantly.
“Well,” Cordy continued, ignoring her brother. “If you’ll excuse me, I
need to be making the rounds.”
Buffy turned to face Spike. “Brother?”
“Yep. William Chase at your service. Can’t quite get it through your
head, can you?”
“It’s just, you’re both so different.”
“Not really. Just have to scratch the surface a little bit. We’re
both passionate about our work, both have a temper, and we both watch out
for the other.”
“That part must be more cleverly hidden,” she said with a grin.
Spike smiled, gently swirling the champagne in his glass. “She’s my
little sister. I gotta be on the look out for her. Although, she definitely
doesn’t need protecting. The girl’s got a mean streak.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“Care to dance, pet?”
“Sounds good to me.”
Spike took her glass from her and set it down on a nearby table with
his own. Taking her by the hand, he lead her out onto the dance floor and
wrapped her in his strong arms. Both felt the electricity that seemed
to crackle between them as they held each other close.
Spike looked deep into Buffy’s eyes before he spoke. “So, why does
someone like you want to become a model?”
“Quick cash.”
Spike laughed. “At least you’re honest.”
“Seriously, I don’t. Cordy approached me, and it was all a whirlwind.
She’s sold a couple of pictures, and here I am.”
“So what do you want to do?”
“I want to be a teacher.”
“Yeah, that’s different.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I’ve known a lot of models, and nearly all of them have told me
they were destined to be the next big thing. Not one had planned for the
next step in their lives when the cameras were pointed in another direction.”
“A lot of models, huh?”
Spike smiled. “Not in the way you’re thinking. Well…not all of them in
the way you’re thinking. So, what do you want to teach?”
“Kids. I love the age around kindergarten when they’re so open and
willing to learn, and they just look up at you with those big eyes that are
trying to figure out everything as fast as they can.”
Spike looked at her for a long minute. “Like the way your eyes look now?”
Buffy blushed. “Are you calling me a child?”
“No, not exactly. It’s just you have this innocence about you.”
“Is that a good or bad thing?”
“Depends on the circumstances, pet.”
“Like…?”
“Like…the ways of the world. Whether you’re ready to face them head on.”
“Sounds like you speak from experience.”
“I’m an associate at Wolfram and Hart. I think it’s safe to say I’ve
seen a good portion of the things that go bump in the night and the hardships
life can send your way.”
Buffy contemplated him for a minute. “And you don’t think I have what
it takes?”
“Didn’t say that, pet. I’m saying that I’m a guy approaching the
thirty-year mark, and I’m still figuring everything out.”
Buffy stayed quiet for a few minutes as one song blended into another.
“So, where do you go to school, luv?”
“UCLA.”
“Good university. My alma mater. I’m guessing you’re heading into
your junior year?”
“You’d be guessing right.”
“So, is L.A. home for you?”
“It is for now.”
“For now?”
“My mom lives in a little place called Sunnydale. It’s about two hours
away. That’s my home.”
“Home is where the heart is,” he said with a smile.
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “Home is where my mom is.”
“So you’re close with her?”
“Yeah. Wasn’t always that way, but she stuck through it for the awful
teen years. I think she read every book she could get her hands on that
dealt with raising an unruly teenager.”
“Didn’t picture you as a trouble maker.”
“I wasn’t. Well, not really. There just always seemed to be a fight
breaking out when I was around, and I’d try and break it up. Eventually,
people just started thinking I was the cause.”
* * * * *
After a long night, Spike drove Buffy back to her apartment.
“Not exactly the Four Seasons, but it works,” she said as he helped her
out of the car.
Spike walked her up to her door and stared at her for a minute as she
turned to face him. There was something about this girl that made him want to
hold on to her. He had never felt this way before, and it was a little
disconcerting. He knew that he had to see her again. She had such an
openness that he found refreshing.
“Can I take you out to dinner next week?”
Buffy smiled shyly, looking at the floor. “I’d like that.” Raising her
eyes to meet his, she saw him smile.
“Great, how about Friday at eight?”
“Sounds good.”
“I’ll see you then.” Spike slowly tilted her chin up and leaned
forward, lightly caressing her lips with his own before pulling away. She’s had
more passionate kisses in her life, but this one made her feel light-headed
as he stepped back and started down the stairs. With a giddy smile, Buffy
let herself in her apartment. As soon as the door shut behind her, she
hopped up and down like an excited little girl.
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