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Chapter 17 – And the Winner is…


“You’re on your way home?” Buffy asked into the cell phone as she
straightened her desk, ready to go home after a long day.

“Yeah,” Spike replied. “Hopefully I won’t have to come back here for
another week. I guess we’ll have to see. I’m sorry I’m running late.”

“It’s okay,” Buffy said with a shrug he couldn’t see. “Besides, I’m still
at the school. I decided to work late and take advantage of you not being
here. It’s your job, it’s important.”

“Not as important as you,” he said softly, wishing he could be there to hold
her.

“Is that a line?” Buffy asked with a smile.

“It could be,” he said with a chuckle. “But in this case, it’s the truth.”
Spike got quiet as he stared at the endless road ahead of him, the lights of
Los Angeles shining behind him. “I love you, baby.”

Buffy smiled at the whispered words, knowing she would never get tired of
hearing them. “I love you, too,” she said softly, turning off the lights to
her classroom as she walked toward the exit. “You be careful. I don’t want
my boyfriend to get in an accident.”

“What about your husband?”

Buffy stopped in her tracks as the exit door slammed behind her. “What are
you saying?”

“I want to be with you, Buffy,” he said quietly. “We’ve been through more
than most couples…I think we’re ready.”

“Spike-“

“Although, I’m not ready to make it official, yet.”

Buffy began slowly walking to her car. “So…was that just a joke? Make a
halfhearted attempt at a proposal and then take it away?”

“No,” Spike said with a smile. “It means, when I make it official, you’re
going to have everything you deserve. The ring, champagne, candlelight, and
most importantly…me.”

Buffy laughed with him. “I’ll tell you what, you bring yourself home, and
the rest can be up for debate.”

“Okay, luv,” he said softly. “I’ll see you soon. I love you.”

“I love you, too. Be careful.”

Buffy disconnected the call with a smile still on her face.

“You think you’ve won, don’t you?”

Buffy felt her heart drop into her stomach at the sound of that chilling
voice. Not wanting to show any weaknesses, she dropped her bag onto the
hood of her car, turning to face Drusilla.

“I know I’ve won,” Buffy replied, crossing her arms over her chest. She
could barely see the other woman in the shadows, and Buffy was suddenly
wishing she hadn’t decided to work late that night. “What do you want?”

“My husband.”

“I’m sorry, but that’s the wrong answer,” Buffy said in a falsely bright
tone. “You’ll get the lovely parting gift of divorce papers…oh, wait!” she
continued, in faux innocence. “You already got those this morning, didn’t
you?”

“He will always come back to me,” Drusilla replied, stepping out of the
shadows.

Buffy’s eyes widened at the sight of the moonlight glinting off the
butcher’s knife in her hands. She tried to discreetly step back, wanting to
put as much distance between herself and Dru as possible.

Buffy jumped in shock as the other woman lunged for her, swinging the knife
in her direction. Buffy was barely able to sidestep her, pressing herself
against the car.

“You know,” she said, feeling a lot more confident than she had any right to
be. “I always thought you were a psycho…thanks for confirming it.”

Drusilla shrieked, thrusting the blade at Buffy and slicing down the length
of her arm. Buffy could hear the fabric being shredded under the sharp
blade, but her only thought was to get to safety. Managing to break away,
Buffy made it ten feet before Dru’s voice filled her ears.

“I always knew you were a coward. You could never face up to anything.”

It could have potentially been the stupidest thing Buffy had ever done, but
she was tired of always backing down. Of always being the one to give in.
Turning around, Buffy backtracked her steps, ignoring the knife in the
woman’s hand as Dru watched her approach with a shocked expression.

With one swift movement, Buffy’s leg kicked out, dislodging the knife from
her grip and sending it clattering to the ground as Buffy swung back with
her arm and connected a solid punch to the Drusilla’s jaw.

“Something you should learn,” Buffy said with hard eyes as she stared at
her. “I don’t like playing the role of victim,” she continued, kicking
Dru’s legs out from under her. “And it’s really getting on my nerves that
people think they can control me.”

Walking over, Buffy picked up the knife, having no intention to use it
unless absolutely necessary. She walked to her car while keeping a close eye
on the woman staring back at her.

“Don’t move,” Buffy said in a menacing voice as she reached for her bag,
pulling out her cell phone.

Buffy gasped when she felt herself falling. She never knew how Dru moved so
fast, but she wasn’t really caring as her head cracked on the pavement.
Rolling over and jumping to her feet, Buffy jumped when she felt a hand on
her arm. Spinning around, she let loose with another kick, surprised when
she heard Lindsey’s voice as he yelled in pain.

“What’s going on?” he asked as he held his shin.

Buffy turned her gaze back to Drusilla, who was staring at her with loathing.
“Just an ex-wife, looking for payback.”

Lindsey looked between the two women before taking Buffy’s phone and dialing
the police. He hung up a moment later, watching as the women glared at each
other.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Lindsey asked Buffy.

Buffy never tore her gaze away from Drusilla as she nodded. “I’ll be much
better when the police take her away.”

* * * * *

An hour later, Buffy sat on the back of an ambulance, a blanket wrapped
around her shoulders with an icepack to her head. The cut on her arm was no
more than a scratch- her light jacket had taken the brunt of the blade, and
Buffy was relieved that she wouldn’t need stitches because she really didn’t
want to make a trip to the hospital.

“Buffy!”

Buffy looked up, taking the icepack away from her head as she saw Spike
running toward her, a panicked look on his face.

“Buffy! Are you okay?” he asked, cupping her face in his hands as his eyes
scanned her body looking for any type of injury.

“I’m fine,” she said with a small smile, breathing a sigh of relief as Spike
pressed his lips to hers. “How did you know I was here?”

Spike gestured around the parking lot at the police officers that were
milling around. “I tried to call your cell phone and an officer answered.
He told me what happened. I got here as quick as I could, baby.”

“I know,” Buffy replied, her voice exhausted after the long night. “Thank
you for being here.”

“Are you kidding? No one would be able to keep me away.” Spike kissed her
again before pressing his forehead to hers. “Luv, if I ever thought Dru
would do something like this, I-“

“Don’t,” Buffy whispered, shaking her head. “You couldn’t have known it
would be something this extreme. The important thing is that we’re okay and
she’s gone.”

“I’m just glad you’re alright.”

“She’s a fighter.”

Spike turned and faced Lindsey with a glare. “What the hell are you doing
here?” he growled.

“Lindsey helped me, Spike,” Buffy said quietly, holding onto his arm so he
wouldn’t try to approach the other man.

“Is that right?” Spike asked in a low, threatening voice. “And just what
are you doing here this late, McDonald?”

“Working late…same as your girl here.”

Spike narrowed his eyes when he felt Buffy’s hold on him tighten.

“Don’t,” Buffy whispered, shifting Spike’s attention back to her. “It’s not
worth it.”

Spike sighed, nodding as he wrapped his arms around her.

“Miss Summers,” an officer said, approaching the couple. “We have your
statement, and you’re free to go, unless you think you need further medical
attention.”

“No, I’m ready to go,” Buffy said, standing up with Spike’s assistance. She
paused in front of Lindsey as Spike was leading her to his car. “Thank
you,” she said softly.

“You’re welcome, Buffy.”

Buffy sighed, leaning her tired body against Spike. “Let’s go home.”

Spike gave the top of her head a gentle kiss before scooping her up in his
arms.

“Spike, I can walk.”

“I know,” Spike replied, not putting her down.

Buffy snuggled into his chest, breathing a sigh of relief as he carried her
to the car.


A/N Only the epilogue to go, so please stick around for it. I decided it should be a little more uplifting and make up for the majority of the angst. Also, I’d like to ask everyone to check out my new WIP ‘Guilty Pleasures.’





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