Chapter 1:

Buffy Summers-Pratt was having a quiet night in. Her husband was out of town on a ‘business meeting.’ Buffy was getting some well deserved R and R. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. She frowned, looking at her watch. It was 10.15.

Whom could that be?

She tiptoed to the door, then looked through the peephole. The boyishly handsome face of Xander Harris peered back at her. Her husband’s friend and boss and all around good guy. In fact, over the last couple of years, he and Buffy had become fast friends as well.

She unlatched the door to find him looking a bit haggard. His usually well combed hair was unruly and he his shirt and tie were undone.
“Hey Buff,” he said, waving a folder at her. “Can I come in?”
“Of course,” she said, stepping aside.
“Are you okay?”

“We need to talk,” Xander said, walking into her living room.
“About what? Buffy said, her eyes knitted with a frown. She did not like the grim sound of his voice.
“Spike,” Xander said, looking down at the floor.

William?

“Spike isn’t…” Buffy began, but Xander cut her off.
“Here…I know. That’s why I’m here.”

She folded her arms over her chest.
“What is this about?” she asked, her voice anxious.
Xander swallowed, then gave the file to her.
She opened it, leafing through the pages.
“I don’t…….”

“Spike’s been stealing,” Xander said simply, sitting down on the couch.
“From the firm.”

Buffy’s felt her heart drop.

“No,” she whispered, shaking her head. “No.”
“He wouldn’t,” Buffy said frantically. “He couldn’t.”

“Has Spike been…..acting any differently?” Xander asked softly.
Buffy’s eyes widened. Spike had been awfully quiet lately. As if something was bothering him. She’d tried to talk to him about it, but he just waved her away.

“Why would he do this?” Xander asked his eyes filled with pain. “I mean, he made two-hundred thousand dollars last year. Why would he do this?”
Buffy felt her heart rip.

Oh no. Oh please no.

Her mother’s gallery had suffered heavy losses over the last year. Buffy had taken over after her mother’s death. The first year had been an unmitigated disaster. Buffy had even considered selling it off, but Spike had talked her out of it.

“We’ll manage,” he had sworn.
“But the money,” Buffy protested.
“I can get money,” Spike had chuckled which had caused her to roll her eyes.
“How?”
“I steal from the rich and I….”
“Give to the poor?”
“Sod the poor,” he growled, winking at her, which made her laugh.
“I keep it all.”

At the time, she’d thought nothing of it. But now…..

“Buffy,” Xander said. “I have to let Spike go. I just have to.….”
She nodded her head, numb with grief and anger.
“You should call a lawyer,” Xander said sympathetically, breaking through her fog.
“What?……” Buffy said, still unable to comprehend his words.
“The cops Buffy,” Xander said, as if he were dealing with a small child.
“They’re going to want to investigate.”

“You’d…..you’d do that?” Buffy whispered.
“You’d do that to us? To your friends?”
“What choice do I have?” Xander said, unable to meet her eyes.

“Don’t,” Buffy said, sitting down next to him, touching him on the arm.
“Please. I’m begging you. We’ll be ruined.”
“Buffy,” Xander protested.
“Please Xan,” she begged in desperation. “Please.”

He loosened his tie, tossing it aside. “I guess I could leave the cops out of this,” he said, finally.

Buffy felt relief flood through her.
“I could convince the senior partners not to press charges. Let Spike resign quietly and pay back the money.”

“Xander….” she said effusively, “I don’t know how to…..”
“But I need a reason,” he said, looking up at her, his voice low and and his eyes strangely intense.

“You need to give me a reason not to.”

Buffy withdrew her hand, as if she had felt a shock. Her heart began to race.

What does he mean….

“Xander?” she asked, her eyes questioning him.
“I need a reason Buff,” Xander said, his eyes flickering to her lips.
“A reason not to.”

“I don’t under…..”
“Yes you do,” Xander cut her off, touching her on the leg, his hand gently squeezing her thigh, making her suck in breath.

She looked at his hand, her eyes as wide as saucers.

“You want your husband not to rot in jail for the next ten years,” Xander said, his voice soft.
“And I…..want you.”

“You want me?” Buffy echoed, her head dizzy and her mouth incredibly dry.

“You know I do,” Xander said, his voice heating up, his hand squeezing her leg.
“I’ve wanted you since the day we met.”

“I….I…….” Buffy stuttered, moving away.
“Don’t deny it,” Xander said harshly.
“We both know it’s true.”

That forced her to think about it. How she’d tumbled into his arms the first time he’d arrived at the gallery.
“Can I have you?” he’d asked.
She’d laughed and held up her ring.
“Married. Sorry.”

She’d seen the flicker of disappointment in his eyes, but to his credit he’d recovered well enough. They’d had a good laugh after they’d discovered he was her husband’s boss. They’d become close friends as well, laughed
and flirted and hung out. More than once she’d noticed him notice her, but had dismissed it with a knowing smile. Looking back, Buffy realized that she always knew that he wanted her. She’d just never given it any real thought.

“I can’t,” she whispered, her eyes pleading with him.
“We can’t. I love my husband. I can’t betray him.”
“Love me tonight,” Xander said, taking her hand.
“And you’ll still have a husband to love tomorrow.”

Buffy slapped him. Hard. She gasped at the pain she felt in her hand and at what she’d done. She almost apologized to him before she remembered what he was asking of her.

“Get out,” she said, the thought now making her shiver with rage. The nerve of him. Coming here and expecting her to….
“No,” he said simply.
“No?” Buffy said, her eyes flashing with rage.
“Are you going to rape me or something?”
“Never,” he said, genuinely shocked. At least he pretended to be.
“I’d never hurt you.”

“Leave,” she insisted.
“Please.”

“I wanna make love to you,” Xander said.
“With you.”
Buffy felt her knees shake.
Make love? To me? With me?

“Not a chance,” Buffy said, outraged.
“Spike stole two million dollars,” Xander said.
“That’s ten years. Without parole.”
That deflated her. Ten years? Ten fucking years? She couldn’t bear the thought of him being away for ten days, let alone ten years.
Her eyes filled with tears.

Spike….you stupid, proud ass.

And then he’d be out, a voice whispered. Without a license. Without being able to do the only thing he’d ever loved. And then what? And then what’s left?

She looked at Xander then. He was looking up at her with his soft brown eyes.

Would it be so bad?

The fact that she’d even considered it shocked her to her very core. She’d never have thought herself capable of even considering it. But then, she’d never have thought Spike capable of stealing. And she was desperate.

No. No. I can’t. We can fight this. We can fight this…

“Be with me,” Xander said, extending his hand.
“Be with me tonight and this all goes away. I promise.”

Buffy looked at his hand. Her heart wasn’t racing anymore, it was about to burst from her chest.

No. No. No. You don’t have to.

“Spike doesn’t have to go to jail,” Xander said, his voice soft and soothing.
“I can help you. If you’d only let me.”

Buffy looked at him, for the longest time.
“If….if we do this,” she stammered, unable to believe her own ears.
What am I saying?

“Buffy,” he whispered, his eyes lighting up with joy. He came forward,attempting to take her into his arms. Her hand shot out, restraining him.

“IF….we….do….this……” she said, making it amply clear that this was far from a done deal.
“Everything goes away,” Xander said.
“I promise.”
“Which means?” she said, pulling away. She needed some distance between them.

Xander sighed. “I let Spike resign. Quietly. Spike finds a new job. He pays us back. With interest. Thirteen percent. No cops.”

“And I’m supposed to what….just trust you on that?” she said, scowling.
“Being the boss has its perks,” he shrugged, almost shyly.

“So you could help us?” Buffy asked, her eyes wide.
“Without…..”
She couldn’t even bring herself to say it.
Us sleeping together.

“My ass would be on the line,” Xander said, trying to make her understand the gravity of it all. “My reputation at the firm. My career, if I’m ever found out. I could lose everything if I’m caught covering this up. God knows the senior partners wouldn’t lift a finger. I might even
end up sharing a cell with your husband.”

She stared at him, unable to comprehend him.
“Then why would….?”
“For you,” he said simply.
For me?

“I’m not worth….” she said frantically.
“You are,” Xander said, “you are to me.”

Suddenly she had a thought. If Xander was so infatuated with her, then chances are he was lying to get her into bed. This whole thing could be a con.

“I need to talk to Spike,” she said, thinking quickly as righteous anger rose within her.
His face fell. “You think I’m making this up?”
“No,” she blurted out, eager not to offend him. On the off chance that what he was saying was true, she’d need him.
“I just….need to…..hear him say it.”

He folded his arms, his eyes darkened. Buffy felt hope flare in her heart.

“Just once,” she said. Xander picked up the phone,
dialled Spike’s number.
“Go ahead,” he said. The flare died. Instantly.
“You didn’t hear this from me,” Xander said, sitting down on the sofa, rubbing his hands through his hair.

Buffy held the phone to her ear, letting it ring.
“Hello love,” she heard a voice say suddenly. “Miss me?”
“Will,” she said, her voice shaking.
“What is it?” he said, his voice filling with concern.
“Is it true?”
“Is what true love?”

She could barely bring herself to ask.
“Two million dollars,” she said.
Silence. She could hear him suck in a breath.
“Who told you?” he said, after a long pause. He voice sounded miserable.
“Anya,” she replied, looking at Xander, her voice quaking.
“Yeah,” he said finally. “It’s true.”
The pain in his voice was an arrow through her heart.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Buffy whispered.
“Baby, I wanted to,” Spike said, his voice breaking. “But…”
Buffy didn’t want to hear anymore. She threw the phone into the wall, shattering it.

“I’m sorry,” Xander said tenderly.
“No you’re not,” Buffy snapped.
“You’re not sorry at all.”

“I am,” Xander insisted. “I’m sorry for you.”
“Me?” Buffy said.


“You don’t deserve Spike,” he said, shaking his head.
“You deserve….”
“You?” Buffy mocked, “Prince fuck me or I’ll send your husband to jail charming.”

For the first time this evening, Xander’s face hardened.
“It’s your choice,” he said casually. “One night with me, or ten years alone. Fifteen if the prosecutor wants to make a point.”
She looked at him with disdain she had to work hard to disguise.

Her eyes flashed, then faded.
God help me.

“Okay,” she said softly.
“Is that a yes?” Xander asked, unable to believe his ears.
Buffy felt the air go out of her. She was too tired to argue anymore. She just wanted it over with. So she could forget.

“Yes,” she said, to the empty room. Xander stood, then closed the distance between them, intending to take her into his arms.
“Wait,” she said. He looked at her expectantly.
“Promise me,” she said, biting her lip. “Promise you’ll…..help. After…..tonight.”
She knew how damn naive she sounded. He was trying to get her into her pants. Of course he’d say yes. He’d promise her the sun, the moon, the earth and all the stars in the universe. And then….

“I promise,” Xander said as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. Buffy looked into his eyes, trying to determine if he was lying. They were earnest brown and shining with something she couldn’t
quite comprehend. It distressed her. She could understand lust. Disgusting as his actions were, she could understand lust. But lo….

No. No. He doesn’t love me. If he really loved me he’d never do this.

“Rules,” she said suddenly, as if she remembered. He raised a brow.
“We need….to….set…. ground rules,” she faltered.
“Just one rule,” Xander declared, in a tone that brooked no argument.
“Tonight I get to have you. All of you.”

As if to make his point, his hand slid down from her waist to cup her bottom, squeezing it possessively. Buffy gasped at how casually forward he seemed. But he wasn’t done talking.

“Everything I want,” he said. “Everywhere I want. And as many times as I want.”
He squeezed her ass again and again and again, as he made his demands, making her nostrils flare.
Mine, his eyes seemed to say.
Tonight, you’re all mine.

That wasn’t exactly what she had in mind. She was hoping for a quickie in the dark after which he’d get the hell out. She thought to protest, but he cut her off.

“And tomorrow, you get everything you want,” he whispered. And then they just stared at each other, knowing that this was it. The point of no return.

Yes or No?


Buffy put her hands on his hands, which were firmly on her ass. She enjoyed the bitter disappointment that flashed in his eyes when she pushed them off her.

How do you like them apples?
“Okay,” Xander said dangerously, turning to go. “Jail it is.” “Wait,” Buffy said, after he’d taken two steps away, her voice faltering. Xander looked back to see a pained, angry look cross Buffy’s face. And then she was stepping back into the shadows. Xander waited two beats then followed. He saw her standing by the bedroom door, facing him, her face obscured by darkness. She looked his way for a long time before she stepped inside. Leaving the door open. Xander’s lips curved upwards as he stepped forward, running his hand across the face of the door, then closed it behind them.

Buffy felt like she’d spent just moments in the bathroom. Once inside, Xander had taken complete charge. He had insisted she get ‘dolled up’ for him. He’d even picked out something for her to wear.

I look like a stepford slut, she thought, staring at herself in the mirror. What am I doing?

A knock on the door, told her it she was out of time.
“Just a minute,” she said loudly, trying not to betray her anxiety. She looked at herself in the mirror, took a deep breath and opened the door.

Xander was sitting on the bed, waiting for her.
When she stepped into view, Xander felt his heart stop.
As he’d requested (but really ordered), she’d slipped into a little black number that showed a lot of her golden tanned legs and more than a hint of cleavage. Her hair was shiny and coiffed and her face was shiny and perfectly done
up. She was, by far, the sexiest thing he had ever seen.

“Come here,” he said, his voice just a caress on her shoulder. It made her shiver. With hate. She knew that despite the softness of her voice, it was an order.
Xander switched on the bedside light, bathing them in a soft golden glow. He patted the place where he wanted her to sit, right by his side.

She took her spot, trying not to look at him as he quickly tossed off his shirt.

Immediately, she did a double take. He was absolutely ripped. His arms were muscular and lean and his stomach was layered with abs. Whoa. Who knew that underneath those layers of clothes, hid a fantastic bod. Her breath quickened. Despite her disgust with this situation, she
couldn’t help but feel a little turned on by his sculpted physique.

“Been working out,” he said, smiling at her, noticing that she had checked him out.
“Can we not talk?” she said, glaring at him.
Xander simply lay back against the headboard.
“Come here,” he said, extending his hand.
Buffy considered her options. Her very bad options.
Face to face?
No. I don’t wanna look at him.
Back to face?
No. A world of No.
So what then?
Sideways it is.

Buffy bit her shiny looking lip, then crawled over to him and positioned herself across his lap.

“So beautiful,” Xander whispered in awe, surveying her.
He let his hand run up her long smooth legs, caressing and stroking, as his lips found her neck. Buffy closed her eyes, determined to block out as much of this experience as she could. His tongue lapped the salt of her neck, sending a shiver through her as his hand massaged and manipulated the tanned golden flesh of her legs.

No. No. Oh god No. This is wrong. I can’t be turned on.

“Stop that,” she protested, her voice sounding harsher to herself than to him. Her hand found his, stilling his manipulations.
“We had a deal,” Xander said, his voice still gentle. “Remember?”

Spike. Jail. Bastard.

Her hand loosened instantly. Xander picked her up quickly, then turned them around and took them to the middle of the bed, laying her down.

“God you’re beautiful,” he whispered, touching her cheek.
“Don’t,” she said, closing her eyes and looking away.
“Just…..don’t.”

Xander cupped her chin to make her look at him.
She bit her lip when he brought his face down to meet hers. When their noses touched she closed her eyes. She could sense him hovering over her, feel his breath on her face. And suddenly he was gone.

Buffy opened her eyes, to see him putting his shirt back on. She blinked a few times, not understand what the hell was going on.

“What?????” she said, her voice barely a croak. So she tried again.
“What are you doing?”

“I’m leaving,” Xander said, his voice flat. “Forget it. Just….forget it.”

“Forget what?” Buffy said.
“Our…..arrangement.”

“But…..”
“This isn’t what I want,” Xander said. “Not like this.”
Buffy would have screamed at him if she could summon the energy.
“This….isn’t…..what……you…….want?”

“I want Buffy,” Xander said.
“The one full of life and laughter and love. Not an unwilling corpse.”
“Then that’s too fucking bad,” Buffy said harshly.

“Just…..forget the whole thing,” Xander said.
“Fine,” Buffy said. “Get out.”
She massaged her temple. trying to digest this information.
“Wait,” she said, as if it had just occurred to her. “What about Spike?”

“What about him?” Xander said, not looking at her.
“You promised,” Buffy said, her voice trembling with accusation.
“You promised you’d help.”

“You didn’t give me a reason,” Xander said, tucking in his shirt and turned to go. “What the hell do you want from me?”

Buffy said, her voice shaking with fury as she rose from the bed.

Xander looked back at her. He considered it.
“I want you,” he said simply.
When Buffy opened her mouth to argue he added,
“To forget about Spike,” he said. “He doesn’t exist anymore.”

Buffy goggled at him.
“I want you to seduce me. To make love with me. Make me believe you want me.”

Oh you have to be fucking kidding me, Buffy thought as her
mouth hung open, searching for a response.

“This is ………crazy” she spluttered.
“Your choice,” Xander said quietly.

There was no threat in his voice. Then again, there really didn’t need to be.
He held all the cards. Buffy knew that this was the only way to keep her
husband out of jail. She exhaled deeply.

“So, what then?”
He took a long pause, considering the situation.
“Let’s start over,” he said.
“Okay,” Buffy said.

“Newlyweds,” Xander spoke.
“Huh?” Buffy asked, completely bewildered by him. “Who?”
“You,” he stated, chuckling at the look on her face.
“And me. Us.”

“I….”
“We’re on our honeymoon,” Xander added quickly.
“And you can’t keep your hands off me.”

Oh, Buffy thought. He wants us to pretend. Newlyweds.
Totally not crazy.

“I’ll wait,” Xander said, sitting down, gesturing for her to get back
ito the bathroom.
Buffy felt her world spin, but nodded, she took those few steps towards the
bathroom.
When she opened the door, she heard him call out to her.
“Buffy,” he said, she looked back at him.
“Make it real,” he said.
There was almost a pleading tone in his voice. Almost. But this time,
she heard the threat.

That’s my price.

Buffy shut the door. She resisted the urge to slam her head into it.
This is insane, she thought desperately. I can’t do this.
“You have to,” she said quietly.
She stared at herself in the mirror.

But how can I? How?

She thought about it, before an old method her high school drama
teacher had waxed on about.

Immersion, she remembered. It was called immersion.
Living in character.

She knew she simply didn’t have the time, so she closed her eyes.
Quickly, she tried to build up alternate history of their ‘characters.’
“Newlyweds,” she muttered. “Me and Xander. On our honeymoon.
Newlyweds. On our honeymoon. Can’t keep our hands off each other.”

Xander sat on the bed, tossing his shirt to the ground once again. He
waited for a few seconds, his impatience growing. He was about to call
to her, when the door swung open.

“Hey baby,” she said to him. She leant against the door, somehow
accentuating her long smooth legs. Her voice was husky. Her eyes were
ablaze.
“Miss me?”

Xander couldn’t believe it. This wasn’t the same woman. Just a short
while ago, she seemed so unsure of herself. So meek. But that woman was
gone.Vanished behind the door. This magnificent creature stood tall and
proud, accentuated by her high heels. She was eyeing him as if he were
her prey.

“Come here and I’ll show you,” Xander said his voice husky with lust.
She stepped to the bed playfully, giving him a seductive smile.
“What do you think?” she asked, biting her lip playfully.
“Like my outfit?”

“I dunno,” he said, standing up to extend his hand.
“I think I need a closer look.”
When Buffy placed her hand in his, she was jolted back into
reality. Her eyes widened. She stared at his hand. She
swallowed, looking at him, blinking hard. Her “character” melted away.
And it all came flooding, rushing, gushing, back to her.
Spike. Jail. Blackmail. Xander. Pretend.

Newlyweds, she thought, closing her eyes. Newlyweds in love. She
dedicated the whole of her self to those very thoughts, and with great
effort, cleared her mind. And then she let herself be filled by
those thoughts. When she opened her eyes, she wasn’t
herself. She was someone else. Someone new. Someone swept up in
love and want and need.

“Better?” she asked, smiling seductively.
“Barely,” he said, reaching out for her.
Buffy felt her breath quicken when his hands curled around her waist,
then pulled her flush against him.

Xander looked into her eyes deeply, as if trying to determine something.
“I love you,” he said, cupping her chin, his eyes a soft brown.
“I love you so much.”

Spike’s Buffy would have screamed. She would have slapped him. She
would have told him to go to hell. She would have kneed him in the groin.
But that Buffy wasn’t here. That Buffy had been pushed down, so deep
that she could only see and hear what was happening as if it was to
another person.

“Show me.” she said, her voice husky.
Disappointment flickered behind Xander’s eyes. Just for a moment.
Then it was gone.

“Can I have you? Xander asked, softly. He wanted to give her
another chance. He needed to hear her say it.
“I’m yours,” she said, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
“Take me.”

Buffy opened her eyes, blinking hard. Once. Twice. Thrice. She felt the pillow against her head first, then the ache of her limbs, and lastly, her body, naked and sweaty. She raised her head, rubbed her eyes with her hands and sat up.

“Morning,” a lazy, smug voice said, as a hand caressed her back, making her look over her shoulder.

Buffy gasped when she saw Xander lying back against the headboard, a sly satisfied smile on his face. And then she remembered.

“Oh,” she said, as the memories came flooding back.

Last night. The things I…..we…….the things we did.

“Oh god,” she whispered, shutting her eyes, realizing that she was too overcome with shock to feel anything. She was damn glad of that. She didn’t want to feel. Not yet. Not now. Not ever.

“Morning,” Xander said, running a finger down her back, pausing to caress her flesh.

“No,” Buffy said, pushing his hand away angrily, turning around to glare at him, clutching the sheet to herself. She was happy to focus on her rage, anything to distract from the hurt she knew was coming. Eventually.

“That’s……..over.”

Xander chuckled, gently tugging at her bedsheet. She’d put on a hell of a show last night. And now, he expected it to continue. For a little while at least.

“Soon,” Xander said, giving the sheet a tug. “Not yet.”

“It is,” Buffy hissed, “you promised……..”

“You’ll get everything you want,” Xander whispered. “I remember.”

Buffy opened her mouth to tell him to leave, but he cut her off.

“After I get everything I want…….” he said, biting his lip and pulling at the sheet. Buffy folded her arms, stopping the cloth from moving any lower.

“Are you sure?” Xander said, the threat in his voice unspoken, but present.

It would all be for nothing, she realized. She wanted to have left the things she did last night, no, the things that that Buffy did in the darkness, but she had no choice.

Just a little while more.

Buffy’s hold on the sheet slackened and he tugged until only their nakedness was left between them. As Xander came forward and took her in his arms, Buffy realized he had absolutely no intention of letting her go. Until he absolutely had to. She was right. He kept her in bed all morning, his smooth voice coaxing threats that she knew that would have made her skin crawl, had she been able to feel.

Xander Harris couldn’t stop himself for grinning as he dressed himself. He’d done it. He’d bedded Buffy Summers, his dream girl. He’d had her in every way a man could have a woman last night. At least twice. He’d made sure of that. And this morning was just the cherry on….her cherry. He noticed that she wasn’t looking at him. He wondered if she was wary of antagonizing him.

“You should go,” Buffy said, her voice weary.
“I need to……….”

Buffy stopped herself. She wouldn’t think of him. She wouldn’t. Not until Xander was gone.

“Welcome back your husband,” Xander said, giving her a sly smile. One she had seen up close, several times already. One that would haunt her dreams.

“I know. He’s a lucky man”

“Go,” Buffy said, turning her head. “Just….go.”

Xander nodded, then sat down. He bent over her, then turned her face until she was looking at him.

“Goodbye Buffy,” he whispered, touching her face. And then before she could stop him, he kissed her one last time. A long, insistent kiss that went on forever. When Buffy opened her eyes, he was licking his lips, savouring a final taste of her. She closed her eyes again and when she opened then he was gone.

Like a bad dream that never happened. But it had happened. And it wasn't a dream.

What now? she thought desperately, looking around. What now?

Chapter 6

At four a clock, Buffy finally managed to drag herself out of bed. She only had a couple of hours until Spike came home. She made her way to the bathroom, and jumped into the hot shower. She brushed until her gums nearly bled, washed and scrubbed until her skin was raw and pink and clean. Even though she refused to think about it, she knew she was trying to rid herself of his smell and scent of him. She focused on cleaning herself, keeping her mind occupied. The last thing she wanted to do was to reflect on what had happened last night. And this morning.

“Nothing happened,” she whispered, as she dried her hair, trying to make herself believe it. “Nothing,” she said determinedly, opening her eyes to stare at herself in the mirror. She knew it wasn’t true, but she didn’t care. She was going to make it so.

“Just a bad dream,” Buffy said in a hushed voice. “A bad dream.” She nodded to herself firmly and stepped out of the bathroom. She chose a flowery, feminine dress that always made her feel good and got dressed slowly, trying to minimize the soreness in her body that was a harsh reminder of the truth. She tended to her make up, then glanced at the clock. 17:45. She didn’t have much time. She looked around to see that the room was a mess. Her eyes fell on the black negligee she had worn the night before, startling proof of both her undying love for her husband and her infidelity to him.

Whore, she heard a voice whisper in her mind, insidiously. Whose, she couldn’t tell. Perhaps it was Xander’s. Perhaps Spike’s. Perhaps her own. Her lips quivered just a little, her eyes watered and then she took a deep breath and was back in charge. Quickly she began clearing up. She picked up the outfit and tossed it into the corner, then did the same with the sheets and the pillow cases, without any emotion. She quickly made the bed, then bent down, looking for trash under. And she stared at what she found.

Used condoms. And plenty of them. More evidence of what never happened. Despite being ‘in character’ she’d been smart enough to insist that they use protection. And Xander had agreed, albeit very reluctantly. But only in exchange for her going down on him. And staying until the very end. Something he’d made her do so many, many times. Even just thinking about it now, for a moment, made her sick.The whole thing had played out as a farce. They had pretended to be two lovers bantering. But neither of them was delusional enough to actually buy into it. They both knew exactly what was going on. They were making a deal. Her virtue for his silence.

She hurried into the bathroom to get a packet of tissues, gathering up the condoms, when she suddenly stopped. We used condoms last night. And this morning……..right?

“Right,” Buffy said, “of course we used condoms this morning. Of course we did. That was the deal.”

And then she remembered. She had awoken, sleepy and groggy. Xander had caught her off guard. He’d threatened her into letting him have her. Again and again and again.
Without condoms, Buffy realized suddenly, feeling absolutely nauseous.

“No,” she whispered, shaking her head. “No. No. No. No.”

“NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” she screamed flinging the tissues and the condoms away, letting herself collapse to the floor and weep. She didn’t know how long she stayed there. She didn’t care. She screamed and cried until she passed out. When she awoke, she found that the room was pitch dark. She wiped her tear soaked cheeks with her hands, then looked around.

“Spike?” she whispered into the darkness. She stood on shaky legs, then turned on the bedside light. The room was empty. She went to the hall, expecting to find him just sitting there, looking at her. Empty. The kitchen? Empty. The guest bedroom? Empty. She reached for the house phone, but it wasn’t there. She spotted her mobile on the coffee table, then snatched it up.

12 Missed Calls. 4 new messages. All from William.

Her hands trembled as she clicked on the messages.

“Plane delayed. Should be back later on tonight. I love you.”

Next message.

“Plane cancelled. Should be back tomorrow. Bloody southwest airlines. I love you. I’m sorry.”

Next message

“Buffy, call me. Been trying to reach you. Please. I’m sorry love. I’m sorry. Please.”

Final message

“Don’t shut me out love. Please don’t shut me out. I tried to tell you. So many times I tried. I just couldn’t.
Please. I love you. Call me back. Please.”

Buffy stared at the phone, then dialled his number. He picked it up on the second ring.

“Buffy,” he whispered, “Where have you been? I’ve been going crazy….”

“I’m fine,” Buffy managed to croak. “Honey, I just took a sleeping pill. I haven’t been feeling well.”

“Oh thank god,” Spike said, his voice sounding clearly relieved.

A moment of awkward silence rested between them.

“Look,” Spike said, taking a deep breath. “I didn’t want
you to worry. I’ve hired the best lawyer to defend me. And we …..”

You don’t need a lawyer, Buffy almost blurted out. Not after what I…. Oh god, what did I do?..

“Just…..come home Spike,” she said instead. “Come home to me.”

“I’ll be there tomorrow,” Spike promised.
“I love you,” Buffy whispered, hanging up the phone, then stared at it. "You have no idea how much I love you."

She hugged herself, making her way back into the bedroom and turned on the lights. All she saw were condoms and tissue papers. And then she remembered.

The condoms.

She searched the drawers of her room frantically. She couldn’t find her morning after pills. Or her prescription.

“Did Xander take them?” she asked herself, shaking her head. After last night and this morning, she wasn't ready to put anything past him.

“Did you take them, you bastard,” she asked, her voice breaking. Yet she managed to control herself. Moments later, she realized what she had to do. She swallowed her pride and dialed the number of her ultimate frenemy.

“Yeah,” she heard a gruff voice answer.

“I need your help,” Buffy said.

“Hello to you too blondie,” Faith said, sickly sweetly. “It’s been a while.”

“Come over,” Buffy said. “And……”

“And?” Faith repeated, her interest suddenly peaked.

Buffy gulped. “And…..bring……”

“Bring what blondie?” Faith teased. “A dildo? Loverboy ain’t getting it done? I'm touched....”

“Bring some morning after pills,” Buffy said, hanging up the phone.

“Well fuck me,” Faith whistled. “Blondie’s a bad girl. Who knew?”

“Shut the fuck up,” the guy sleeping next to her growled.

“Get the fuck out,” Faith responded.

“Seriously?” he asked, raising his head. Faith smiled, bending over to retrieve a stun gun she’d kept under her bed since college. She brandished it threateningly, and he threw up his arms.

“Call me,” she mocked as he beat a hasty retreat, falling all over himself to get away. "Loser."

Faith searched her stash until she came upon her morning after pills. She looked at them, and then called Buffy back.

“I’m out,” she said.

“What?” Buffy croaked. “You’re………out?”

“What can I say,” Faith grinned, enjoying herself.

“Keep looking. Please.”

“Oh I can keep looking,” Faith said, checking her nails. “I was just……….”

“Just what?” Buffy asked.

“Just wondering why you need morning after pills.”

“Because I had sex,” Buffy growled. "Duh."

“You told me you were trying to have a baby. Remember?“ Faith teased. "And don't morning after pills......"

Oh god. Buffy remembered. That's why she hadn’t refilled her prescription. Of course.

“We changed our minds,” Buffy said, her voice shaking.

“You’re lying B,” Faith said, clearly amused. “So tell me. Who didja fuck that wasn’t your husband?”

“No one,” Buffy insisted.

“Bbye B,” Faith threatened.

“It wasn’t like that,” Buffy blurted out.

“So you did,” Faith grinned. “Who?”

“No one,” Buffy insisted. “Faith please…..”

“Where?” Faith said, switching tacks. “You gotta gimme something B. Or no pills for Buffy.”

“At home,” Buffy whispered, her eyes filling with tears. “In my bed.” She didn't want to say anything, but she couldn't help herself. It was like drawing poison from her veins.

“You’re so nasty B,” Faith grinned. “Now be a good girl and tell me who it was.”

“Xander Harris,” Buffy whispered instinctively, “It was Xander. He…”

“Spike’s boss?” Faith chuckled, “Well what do you know. Mr happily married nice guy has a working dick. Well, that’s one way of getting your husband ahead. Giving his boss some head.”

Buffy felt tears come to her eyes.

“Did you enjoy it B?” Faith taunted, eager to extract one last pound of flesh.

“No,” Buffy croaked. She knew she couldn't stop now, even if she wanted to. “He blackmailed me. Faith, I didn't want to. But I had to. I had to pretend. Otherwise...."

Faith stopped breathing. What the fuck.

"What are you saying B?" she said carefully.

"I think........i think he raped me."

"I'll be right over," Faith promised.

"He raped me," Buffy realized, letting the phone fall to the floor.

Faith rubbed Buffy’s back as the blonde wiped a tear from her face. She had listened in disbelief as Buffy recounted what had happened last night. Her disbelief had turned to shock when she had heard the proposal that Xander had placed before Buffy. And then anger, when Buffy had told her that she had let him in her bed last night.

“I made sure we used protection,” Buffy said quickly.

“Every single time?” Faith asked skeptically, shaking her head. "How?"

“Yes,” Buffy whispered. “I.....made sure of it.”

“And the pills?” Faith asked, looking down at the pills in her hand.

“Just…….to be safe,” Buffy said, faltering a little.

Buffy couldn’t bring herself to tell Faith what had happened this morning. She just couldn’t. She would take the pills and then things would be fine. Completely fine. Faith looked at her disbelievingly, knowing that Buffy was holding something back. She decided to ignore it.

“Buffy,” Faith said, shaking her head. “You know you can’t trust that son of a bitch. Right?”

“I know,” Buffy said miserably. “I didn’t have a choice.”

“I’m sorry,” Faith said, exhaling audibly. “I’m here for you okay? Whatever you need.”

“Thanks,” Buffy said, drying her eyes.

“You hear me B?” Faith asked. “Whatever you need.”

Buffy frowned when Faith gave her a hard stare, as if trying to comprehend what Faith was saying. She stared at the pills on the table for a while, before she reached out for one, praying that it would work.

The next day…..

“I can explain,” Spike said. They had been sitting across the table for the last hour, each of them trying to find the words.

“Yes or no?” Buffy asked, looking down at her lap.

“It’s not that simple,” he said softly.

“Explain it to me,” Buffy said, keeping her voice deliberately steady.

“I…..borrowed….some….money,” Spike said. “Just for a little while. Until things got better. I kept paying some of it back from my salary. It……didn’t really cost anyone anything.”

It cost me everything, Buffy wanted to scream at him. He can never know, she had realized, as she tossed and turned on the very bed on which she had betrayed her marriage vows. Never.

“So…what happened?” she asked, a hint of bitterness creeping into her voice.

“Xander found out,” Spike said, tapping the table nervously. “But he said he’ll cover for me. Until I pay all of it back. He swore.”

Bastard, Buffy thought, with loathing she fought hard to conceal.

“It’ll be okay,” Spike promised, reaching out to take her hand in his. “I swear. We’ll take care of it.”

I already did, Buffy thought. Oh god, what did I do?

They lapsed into a long silence once again.

“I’m….going to stay in the guest bedroom,” Buffy said, withdrawing her hand.

“Buffy…….” Spike said as she rose from her seat, then walked away. “We can get past this.”

The plea in his voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Not today,” Buffy said, wiping her hand with her eyes.

Spike stared blankly after her, unable to believe what he had just heard. He had done this for her. He expected her to be upset, but surely not this much. He wasn't stealing. Not exactly.

“Fuck,” he whispered, rubbing his head.

I need a bloody drink. Or ten thousand.

When he heard his cellphone buzz he swore, but he felt glad when he saw who it was.

“Hey man,” Xander’s concerned voice said. “When didja get back? How are you?”

“I’m okay,” Spike said, rubbing his head, his voice ragged.

“Lemme guess?” he heard Xander say, in an amused voice. “Buffy.”

“Yeah,” Spike chuckled. “Buffy.”

Xander smirked as his brain flashed several delicious memories. Of him and Buffy acting out his many fantasies.Oh if you could only see your precious Buffy, Xander thought, shutting his eyes. See what she did to me. With me. What she let me do to her. If you could only see…..

“Listen man,” Xander said, trying to sound sincere. “I had to tell Anya. I’m sorry. I couldn’t keep it in, ya know? She’s my wife. I promise she’s cool.”

“You sure about that?” Spike asked, swallowing heavily. “My arse is on the line.”

“She hates the old man’s guts,” Xander chuckled. “As much as she likes you. Don’t worry. It’s like it never happened.”

It was yet another of the things that had infuriated Xander about Spike. The way his wife acted around him. Like a fucking schoolgirl. The way she shut her eyes when Xander made love to her. The way she bit her lip from moaning the wrong name. He grit his teeth, swallowing the bile that rose in his throat. It cut deep, knowing that his wife preferred another in her bed.

But not as much as knowing that your wife had another, Xander thought, smiling nastily. He felt an overwhelming urge to tell Spike what he had done, but controlled himself. No, as much as he’d enjoy torturing Spike, he knew that there was one thing he enjoyed even more. Bedding Buffy again. And again. And again. He saw no reason to stop.

“How did Buffy take it?” Xander asked, unable to resist a double entendre.

I know exactly how she took it, Xander thought snorting. She loved every minute of it. Even if the bitch pretends otherwise.

“Not well,” Spike said gruffly.

“Don’t worry,” Xander said. “She’ll come around.”

“Thanks,” Spike said, hanging up the phone.

She’ll come all right, Xander thought running his hand over the soft sheets he was lying in. Right here. I’ll make sure of it. Or she'll see your ass rot in jail.

“Can I have you? she heard a soft voice whisper in her ear.



A voice that was tender and sinister all at once.



“No,” Buffy whimpered, as she lay under the covers. Her eyes were heavier than she could bear, yet deep sleep eluded her. She was halfway there, stuck between two worlds and belonging to neither.



“I’m yours,” she heard a husky voice say inside her head. A voice that sounded urgent with need. But a voice that shook with trepidation. “Take me.”



Whose voice was that? she wondered drowsily. A moment later she had her answer. Mine. It’s my voice. But it wasn’t. It couldn’t be. She’d never say that to another man. She’d never cheat on her William. Never.



Her eyes were closed. She could feel his breath warm on her face, then a soft pair of lips graze her mouth, experimentally. She froze. Those weren’t her husband’s lips. Whose lips were those? Alarm bells set off in her head. Those strange lips lingered on her mouth. Smacking softly.



“No,” she mumbled.



A moment later the lips felt insistent. And then almost with a hint of menace. And then she did the only thing she could do to defuse the tension. She kissed him back, again and again and again. As if trying to soothe his rage. Her hands were over his shoulders and running through his hair, trying to calm him down, reassuring him that she was his. Only his.



But it only stoked his passions and urged him on. Now his mouth had opened and his tongue was licking her lips, begging her to let him in. She had no choice. A moment later she opened her mouth and his tongue found hers. The tongues swirled about like two dancers, lapping and licking and sucking. They tongue kissed until they couldn’t breathe, separated to draw in breath and then kissed some more.



Buffy wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She was going to throw up.



“Fuck I love tasting you,” a voice rasped with undisguised glee. She opened her eyes to see him grinning at her.

Smile. Smile. Smile.



And then she was smiling and telling him she loved tasting him too.



Memories flashed quickly before her eyes. She was completely naked, her legs were over his shoulders, his mouth on her quim as his hands kneaded her breasts. Her weak protests had been pushed away. She had bitten her own mouth so hard that she could taste her own blood.



She was kneeling between his legs, looking up at him. He was stroking her hair, his lustful eyes urging her on. And then he watched her pleasure him with her mouth. He was always watching her.



And then he was on top of her. Inside her. Behind her. Thrusting away. Whispering in her ear, telling her how much he loved her. Telling her how beautiful she was. Telling her how much he loved fucking her. Demanding she tell him she loved him. Demanding she admit that she loved him fucking her. Demanding she scream his name.



And she had. She had done everything he asked of her. She had lied to him. And to herself. It was her only way of coping that night.



And then Buffy leant over the side of the bed, spilling out the remnants of her pathetic dinner. And she wept. Wept until she had no more grief left in her.

“We have to attend a dinner,” Spike said, breaking Buffy out of her
reviere. They were sitting on opposite ends of the couch .“On Saturday.”

“Oh….” Buffy said, “Okay.”

The last month had been the worst of their marriage. There had
developed a wall between them, an invisible boundary that both of them
could sense. Spike had made some attempts to engage Buffy, but when he
was rebuffed, he had backed off and given her space.

“Where?” Buffy asked idly.

“At the Hart estate,” Spike said, looking at his phone. “Huh.”

Buffy almost blanched, glad that her husband wasn’t looking at her.

The Hart estate was owned by Hiram Hart, he of the Wolfram and Hart.
Father of Anya Jenkins-Hart. Which meant….

“What?” Buffy said, a pit growing in her stomach.

“Just got a message from Anya. Apparently Hiram Hart’s looking to get
into the art biz.”

“Oh,” Buffy said. Spike was looking at her quizzically, and she forced
herself to smile. A millionaire expressing interest in acquiring paintings was supposed to be a good thing. But she couldn’t ignore the sick feeling in her stomach. She didn’t want to see him again. Buffy
knew she had to play this carefully. As far as Spike knew, she was angry and sad at his behavior. And nothing else. In the past she’d always lectured him about how much she loved attending these balls and
how the chance to spread the word about her new artists always brought in revenue. So now she couldn’t just turn on a dime. Even if she wanted to.

“This is good right?” Spike asked, giving her an encouraging smile. He reached forward, trying to take her hands in his. And Buffy decided let him have his crumb. “Good,” Buffy said, letting Spike bring her hands to his lips and kissing them softly. “Really good.”

I’ll handle it, she resolved.

“Where’s my phone?” Anya whined, “I’m running late for the show.”

“Try the hall,” Xander said, running his thumb across the touchscreen of his wife’s phone he had hidden under the covers, deleting the last few messages he had sent.

“Saturday,” Xander whispered, slipping the phone smoothly under a pillow.

Saturday….

Buffy and Spike walked into the ballroom arm in arm. Her eyes widened as she took in the sculpted marble statues, the expressionist paintings and the boutique décor. Hiram Hart was clearly a man of
expensive tastes. Or at least his decorator was. “Ka-ching,” Spike whispered in her ear, giving her a sly smile, that she returned momentarily, but then faltered.

“What is it love?” Spike asked gently frowning.

“Hey guys,” a cheerful voice interrupted, saving Buffy from having to
answer. She looked over to see Anya giving her the fakest smile she’d
ever seen.

“I’m so glad you made it,” she intoned, looking directly at Spike, her
voice slightly shrill. “Both of you,” she added a moment later, giving
Spike a wink and a nudge and adding a high pitched laugh.
Bitch, Buffy thought.

“Just happy to be here luv,” Spike said, putting his arm around Buffy
and squeezing gently thrice. Buffy recognized the old code that she
and Spike had come up with.

Let’s get away from this crazy bint.

“Cya around,” Buffy pursed her lips, then led her husband away,
leaving Anya looking after Spike wistfully .

“Whew,” Spike said, putting his mouth to her ear. “That was close.”

Can I have you? she heard, jerking her head around, making Spike startle.

“Right,” Buffy said, letting out a little chuckle. “That was close. Yeah.”

I need to talk to someone, she realized. She’d spent the entire month
in denial, trying to put it out of her mind. Nothing happened had been
her mantra. But it had. It kept coming back to her, at the oddest of
times.

I need to get past this. Otherwise I’ll go crazy. He forced me into
pretending otherwise, she thought bitterly once again. He forced me
into pretending. But we both know what it was. It was rape. I couldn’t
say no. Those words were on a loop in her brain, like a damn record
that was stuck. I couldn’t say no. But I couldn’t not say no.

“Do you mind if I cut in?” Buffy heard him say. Her heart stopped, she
was sure. She steeled herself. She had prepared for this. She thought.
Act normal. And then she looked at him.

“Hey,” she said. But her eyes remained
cold. Bastard, she thought as anger flooded her as he stood there,
smiling at her husband, then at her. She could make out the hint of
smugness in his smile, the knowing look in his eye. Suddenly she was
gripped by the fear that Spike would read it in his eyes.

“Sure thing Harris,” Spike said, giving his own hand to Xander in an
imitation of a Victorian gentleman. Buffy was glad to read the
irritation beneath his playful banter. “I thought you’d never ask.”

“Not you bleachboy,” Xander said bristling.

Buffy looked at her husband, torn between wanting to have him save her
from this uncomfortable situation and not asking any questions about
why she was feeling uncomfortable about dancing with Xander.

“I wanna dance too,” a chirpy voice said, as Buffy was about to
answer. Anya suddenly appeared out of nowhere, grabbing Spike’s arms.
Spike gave Anya a forced smile then glanced at Buffy as she literally
dragged him onto the dance floor, throwing a look back at Buffy that
said ‘God Help Me.’

“They look good together,” Xander said softly, but Buffy could see the
jaw tighten, “but not as good as……..”

“Go away,” she said, raising the glass to her lips so that Spike
couldn’t see what she was saying.
“Meet me upstairs,” Xander said, out of the corner of his mouth. “We
need to…………talk.”

Buffy’s heart began to pound. Her head spun.

“No,” she said, as firmly as she could manage.

“Upstairs. Second room from the left,” he muttered, walking away
before Buffy had a chance to respond. She kept her eyes on her
husband, gritting her teeth when she saw Anya pawing at him. And then
she saw Spike’s shoulders tense. She followed his gaze until she saw
Xander having an animated discussion with Hiram Hart, the silver
haired attorney famous for his cowboy hats. She looked back to see
Spike give Anya a tight smile as she continued to blather on about
something. And when Xander’s eyes flickered towards her she understood
the very real threat that he posed.

Xander glanced at his phone when he heard a tiny ping. Upstairs, the
message said. He grinned with satisfaction, excused himself from the
appallingly dull conversation over mergers and stock acquisitions with
Hiram. He glanced at Spike and Anya. His wife was literally fawning
over Spike. And the prick looked like he was enjoying the attention.
Enjoy dancing with my wife Spikey, Xander thought, I’m going to go
dance with yours.

Upstairs, Buffy waited.

I can’t let it happen again, she decided. I can’t. I won’t. I’ll find
a way. And yet it rang hollow to her ears. Coming here was a mistake.
She heard the door creak open and there he was. Looking at her.

“You look beautiful,” Xander grinned.
“What do you want?” she said, trying not to cringe. She knew what he wanted.

“To dance,” Xander said, gently locking the door behind him.

“No,” Buffy said, flinching at the sound.

“Just one dance,” Xander said, giving her a sly smile. “Please.”

“Fuck you,” Buffy hissed.

Xander grinned, “I was hoping for some foreplay first.”

Buffy quickly snatched up the pen knife that was on the table behind
her and brandished it at him.

“Stay away from me,” she said, “or so help me god….”

“You’re right,” Xander said, taking a step back. “I should go. To
Hiram. To the auditors. To the cops.”

“Shouldn’t I?” Xander asked, seeing the knife waver in her hand.

“No,” Buffy said, shutting her eyes.

“Do you want me to stay?” he asked.

No. No. No.

“We had a deal,” she whispered helplessly, shutting her eyes.

“We still do,” he said gently, coming closer. He took the knife from
her hand and tossed it onto the sofa, then touched her face gently.

“As long as I get what I want.”

Buffy looked at him. She saw obsession in his eyes. It frightened her.

How could she have missed this? Had it always been there?

“Have you slept with him?” Xander asked sinisterly, his hand tightening on her
waist so much Buffy was afraid he’d leave a bruise. The gall of the
question so took her aback that it was all she could do to instinctively shake her head and blurt out a response.

“N..n…no….”
He let out a sigh he had been holding then backed her up, trapping her
against the desk.

“Good,” he said chuckling, gripping the solid oaken fixture, “because
you……..are…….mine.”

He bent down to seek her mouth out for a kiss, but she turned her
face. He frowned, trying again, but she denied him once more.

Bitch, he thought, snarling. An idea suddenly struck him and he almost
laughed with twisted pleasure. He grasped her hips and turned her
around. Buffy realized what he had in mind a moment too late. She
tried to struggle against him, but he had her hands and body pinned
down.

“Stop,” she said harshly, still struggling.

“You’ll love it,” he soothed, “just like you did that night.”

“No,” she hissed, looking back at him, suddenly finding her anger.
“We both know what that was.”

Her words caused his eyes to flicker with rage.

“This is going to happen Buffy,” Xander said, almost matter of factly.

“Let’s make it nice and slow,” he whispered softly, making her shut
her eyes and struggle.

“Trust me,” he hissed, his voice suddenly a hot white fury that made
her fear for her life.

Buffy forced herself to swallow the panic in her throat. And to stall
for time. She took a deep breath.

“You’re right,” Buffy said. “You’re right,” she repeated louder, “I
did………love it. I……I was just…..afraid of admitting it.”

Buffy looked back, knowing that she’d say whatever it took to stall
for time. She couldn’t let that happen. Not again. She had to get away.

“Really,” Buffy whispered softly, as she stared at his big brown eyes.
And she knew he wanted to believe her. She just knew. He was
delusional. And she could play that to her advantage. She just needed
to get to her cellphone.

“Xander……..that night……was……….”

Disgusting.

“Amazing,” she finished, hating herself for saying these words.

“I knew it,” Xander said, sighing in relief. “I knew it.”

“Nice and slow?” she asked, looking back at him and giving the perfect
cheerleading facsimile of a smile.

“You be nice,” he grinned maniacally, using one hand to undo his
pants, as the other flipped up her skirt. “And I’ll go slow.”

“Wait,” Buffy said, when she felt him tug at her panties, making him
narrow his eyes. She’d remembered where she’d stashed her purse.

“Let me prove how much I loved it,” she said, licking her lips
provocatively, her hand carefully hooked
into his belt, trying to avoid contact.

“Later,” Xander said, although Buffy could tell he was tempted.

“Who says there’ll be a later?” she said.

“Oh there’ll be a later,” Xander whispered.

“Glad you think so,” she challenged. All the while she silently prayed that
he’d take the bait. When she felt him turn her around she exhaled.
Now comes the hard part, she thought, looking up into his eyes.

“Show me,” Xander ordered, loosening his grip on her.

“Get on the table,” Buffy said. Xander allowed her to turn him around
and push him onto the table, then watched her slowly unbuckle his
pants. Buffy milked it for all it was worth, hoping that someone would
knock at the door or call. Nothing happened.

She knelt in front of him, and her fingers closed on the purse she had
stashed under the table. She managed to open it up, but when her
fingers felt the metallic phone she thought she saw him a flicker of a frown at her absent hand. So she
stood up, pulling out her compact and some lip gloss.

“Wanna freshen up,” she said, popping open the mirror.

She painstakingly reapplied it, taking her time as Xander watched her with an intensity that made her want to scream.
Please somebody. Anybody.

“How do I look?” Buffy asked, gently nudging the phone towards her with her heel.
Don’t stamp on it. Don’t stamp on it.

“Perfect,” Xander whispered, bending his head in to taste her. And
Buffy just stood frozen as his lips came closer and closer, then shut
her eyes and took a breath.

Spike surreptitiously looked around, wondering where Buffy was.
Somehow he had landed up in the midst of Hiram and his cronies, who
were babbling about the latest injustices perpetrated by the activist
courts.

Wankers, he thought, gritting his teeth and forcing himself to smile.
Anya had a firm grip on his arm and was looking on with a proud smile,
as if he was hers to show off. Spike had once been flattered by the
attention, but now he was just put out. Suddenly, he decided, he
needed to get away for a bit.

“Did you see where Buffy went pet?” Spike asked Anya, turning his
head, slightly.

Anya smiled. Just a little closer baby. Oh look at those cheekbones. I
could cut myself on those.

“Daddy I’m going to go show William around,” Anya said loudly,
dragging Spike away before he could protest.

“Whatever you say princess,” Hiram Hart said, trying hard to conceal
his displeasure as his fellow partners chuckled. He was trying to
decide if the boy was worthy of taking a seat at the table. But what
gave him pause was the way his daughter was behaving. She was married
for Christ’s sakes. Hell they both were. Not that he was particularly
fond of her husband, but still. It wouldn’t be good for the company’s
image if these things were found out.

In my day at least we had the good sense to keep these things quiet,
he thought, sipping his whisky.

Buffy placed a finger on Xander’s mouth. “You’ll mess it up,” she
said, thinking quickly. She sank to her knees before he could counter
her, then grasped for the phone.
Her expert fingers quickly typed a message, then realized she needed to have a look. But she couldn’t look away. He was watching her like a hawk.

“Say cheese,” Buffy said, brazenly pointing the phone up at him and
pretending to snap a picture as she quickly scanned the message and
pressed send. With a flick of her finger she switched on the camera
and snapped a few shaky pictures of him.

Delete those later.

Xander plucked the phone from her hands. Buffy waited, her heart
hammering in her chest as he glanced at the screen.

Don’t check the messages. Don’t check….

“Take off your clothes” Xander said, turning the phone back down onto
her, crooking his head to one side, his voice dangerous.

Oh god. Pictures.

Buffy’s fingers shook as she undressed herself slowly, shimmying out
of her dress, making him hiss when he saw her lacy pink underwear.
Come on. Come on. Come on, she prayed, desperately hoping that her
message had been received, read and acted upon.

“Your hair,” Xander growled, trying to position the camera perfectly.
“Put it up.” He couldn’t see her face. He needed to see her face. It
had to be perfect. Just perfect.

Buffy obeyed, albeit as slowly as she could manage without pissing him off.

“How do I look?” Buffy asked, trying not to hyperventilate.

“Almost perfect,” Xander grinned, “Almost.”

And Xander reached down to touch her face gently, then curled around
her hair and pulled her head into his lap.
“Perfect,” he hissed.
“So this is one of my rooms,” Anya said, biting her lip, leaning
against the door, her hand already turning the lock behind her.

“Yeah,” Spike said, looking around and not really looking at the
French bed, the lattice windows and the designer furniture.

“I should probably go look for Bu….”

“How are things with you and Buffy?” Anya asked.

“Fine,” Spike said, taken aback by her directness. He could never get
used to that.

“You can talk to me you know,” Anya said, coming a little closer.
“Thanks,” Spike said, warily.

“You can lean on me Spike” she said, her eyes hopeful and a little
glazed. “In every way.”

And then they heard someone scream.

Xander froze. A single scream became a multitude of screams. All
saying the same thing.

“Fire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

His eyes widened in horror.

“We have to get out of here,” Xander said frantically, snatching for
his clothes as the screams and the sounds of feet stomping reached a
crescendo.

Buffy reached for her dress, her hands shaking in relief, then quickly slipped into it.
“I’m going out the back,” Xander said, sniffing the air.

“You take the front.”

Buffy didn’t argue. She didn’t care. She just wanted him gone.

Xander looked at her, his eyes clouding over with frustration, and
Buffy could see that he was gritting his teeth, angry at being
thwarted. In his left fist, she saw a flash of something silvery and
shiny, something he idly deposited in his shirt pocket.

Oh no, Buffy thought. The phone. The pictures. Oh god.

“Wait,” Buffy croaked.

The phone, she thought desperately. The goddamn phone.

“What?” he snapped, desperate to make a run for it.

Gotta get the phone.

Without giving herself a chance to think about it she flung herself at him.
“I’m scared,” she whimpered as her hands grasped at the front of his
shirt. “I don’t want to die.”

“Stop it,” Xander snarled, trying to shake her off. “We need to go.”

Buffy knew this wasn’t going to work. He was shaking about too much.
So out of sheer desperation, she kissed him. Xander struggled for a moment, but then his need got the better of him and he gave in.

Riley. Riley. Riley, Buffy thought, her hand inching towards the coat
pocket, keeping her mouth firmly shut, even as his hands and mouth pawed at her. Somehow the image of her college boyfriend kept the bad thoughts at bay. For now.

When she pushed Xander away, he had a self satisfied smirk on his
face. “I knew it,” Xander grinned.
She loves it. The slut.
Buffy had to restrain herself from scratching out his eyes. And
then he turned and disappeared through a wood paneled side door.

Buffy spat. And spat again. She wiped her mouth with the back of her
hand, gathered her purse and ran like hell. She ran down the steps,
through the now empty ballroom and straight into a firefighter who
guided her towards the milling crowd.

“Buffy!!!!!!!!” Spike yelled, from behind her. He was just now exiting
the house, she realized. He had stayed behind to look for her. Her
heart warmed.

“Let’s go home,” she whispered, when he drew her into his arms.
“False alarm everybody!!!!!!!!!!!” yelled a large blonde fireman,
wiping his brow. “Fucking rich people,” he muttered to a brown haired
colleague who just shrugged.

When she reached home, she locked herself in the bathroom and drew out
the phone and wiped her entire gallery of photographs clean. And then
she dialled the number she had texted.

“You allright B?” Faith said breathlessly.

“Yeah,” Buffy said.

I’m not allright. I’m scared out of my mind.

“No sweat. I always wanted to yell fire at a rich person’s place. Too
bad I wasn’t really there. Would have liked to see it ya know. All those wall street scumbags scurrying around.”

“How did you?” asked Buffy.

“I’ve dated a whole lotta firemen,” Faith said, checking her nails.

“Got their numbers on speed dial. Called it in. Everybody in this
crummy town knows the Hart estate.”

“Faith,” Buffy said.

“Don’t thank me yet,” Faith replied, her voice hard as nails. “Let’s put the son
of a bitch down.”

“So,” Tara said, fixing her client with a gentle smile.

“I…..” Buffy stuttered. “I don’t know where to start.”

“At the beginning usually works for me,” Tara grinned.

Buffy laughed. She really laughed. And then she caught herself, which made Tara frown.

“What’s wrong?”

“I haven’t…….I haven’t……laughed….”

Tara said nothing, she just looked at her client kindly. The question was obvious. Why?

“Isn’t there supposed to be a couch or something?” Buffy said, trying to lighten the mood, looking around Tara’s dusty office.

“It’s in the back. I also have a wooden pipe and a monocle,” Tara replied cheekily.

The grins faded after a few moments.

“Buffy……..” Tara said. “Whatever you say here is between us. Just us.”

“Just us?” Buffy whispered.

Tara nodded. “It’s a sacred trust. I’m here to help.”

“Okay,” Buffy said swallowing. “Okay. I…..”

Tara waited, keeping her hands on her knees, biding her time.
“I was raped,” Buffy whispered, exhaling.

Despite herself, Tara found her knuckles clenching until they turned white.

“I’m sorry,” Tara said, resisting the urge to reach across and touch Buffy’s hand or her shoulder. The blonde had wrapped her arms around herself protectively. She didn’t want to be touched right now.

“Buffy,” Tara said gently. “You know this wasn’t your fault. Right?”

Buffy’s lips trembled. Her eyes watered.

“It. Wasn’t. Your. Fault,” Tara emphasized.

Buffy exhaled, trying to hold it in.

I….should have said no. I couldn’t say no. He forced himself on me. I told him he could. I should have fought back. I couldn’t fight back.

“Recently?” Tara asked. Buffy nodded.

“It’s okay,” Tara said, “we don’t have to talk about it today.”

She needs a rape counselor.

“I….I want to,” Buffy said determindly, surprising Tara. “I need to. I want……I need….it gone. Out of me.”

“It’s……gonna take some time,” Tara said, brushing her hair back. “And work.”

And then she waited until Buffy began to talk. Her husband was out of town. He came over. His disgusting proposal. Talking to her husband on the phone. Making the decision. And despite her professionalism, Tara found herself spellbound. And sick to her stomach.

“And then?” Tara said, dreading what came next.

“He……made me….dress up for him,” Buffy said, a disgusted look on her face. “Like some fucking whore. Like I wasn’t a real person. And then……”

Tara’s waited.

“But it wasn’t……….enough. He…..he made me……pretend…..that …..I……wanted”

“Pretend you wanted him?” Tara whispered, utterly shocked inside, but trying to project an air of professional calm.

My god. This guy’s a psychopath.

“He made me……do things..” Buffy said, as a tear flowed down her face.
Tara didn’t ask. But Buffy answered.

Buffy dabbed at her eyes with her palm. “Things I’d never. Things I wouldn’t…….And I just…..let him. How could I just let him…….why didn’t I fight back”

“He threatened you,” Tara reasoned, “Buffy he could have killed you. The most important thing is that you survived.”

Buffy shut her eyes, squeezed them tight.

“He made me say yes,” Buffy said, tucking her chin into her chest, tears streaming down her face. “Before…..and then….when he was…....every time we…..”

“Buffy I’m so sorry,” Tara said, aching to reach out and touch her shoulder. “That wasn’t real. You know that wasn’t real.”

“He made me tell him….. that I loved….loved it…..loved him”

“But you didn’t,” Tara said reassuringly. “Not inside.”

“I can hear myself,” Buffy said harshly, “hear myself saying….…. these things…..to that….bastard.”

“That was for him,” Tara said, quietly. “To make him believe it was real…….”

And maybe to make you believe it too. To make you feel this way. The sick fuck.

“I feel…..god,” Buffy said, trying to master herself. “Ashamed. Angry. God I’m so angry.”

“Sweetie, it’s okay to be angry,” Tara soothed. “I’m not going to tell you how to feel, but you have nothing to be ashamed of. Nothing to feel guilty about.”

“When does it stop?” Buffy mumbled, shaking her head. “The pain.”

“With time,” Tara sighed. “Talking about it is just the first step.”

“Have you…..told anyone?” Tara asked carefully.
Your husband? The cops?

Buffy shook her head. “I can’t. My husband would…..he’d kill him.”

The look in Buffy’s eyes assured Tara of the fact that she wasn’t exaggerating.

“And I can’t tell the cops. He has……this power over me. Over my life.”

“You should see a lawyer,” Tara urged. “Just……talk to one. You can’t let him do this to you.”

“I will,” Buffy lied. “I’ll see a lawyer. I promise. But right now….I just needed to tell someone.”

“Thank you,” Buffy said. “For talking to me. It….helps.”

Tara tried to give Buffy a soothing smile. She just wished she could do more.

“How about some coffee and doughnuts?” Tara suggested eagerly.

“Sure,” Buffy replied, giving her a weak smile.

“I’ll be right back,” Tara said, rising from her desk. “Okay sweetie.”

Buffy nodded, reaching for the tissues on Tara’s desk.

When Tara returned, she found her office empty. On her chair was an envelope filled with 200 dollars and a note.

Thank You.

“You’re welcome,” Tara whispered sadly, running a finger over the envelope.

Xander lay back in his office chair, idly toying with his pen. He gazed across the hall into the conference room as Spike, seated at the mahogany, engaging with the senior partners of Wolfram and Hart.
His father in law seemed to be looking on with pleasure, he noted, his eyes narrowing just a little. And then he let out a dismissive pfft inside his head. He golfed with the senior partners every weekend.

I’m married to his only daughter. Soon the old man will be gone and that chair will be mine. My sweet Ahn will make sure of it.
And with that he pressed a button that closed his office curtains and locked the door to give him privacy. He put aside thoughts of his wife and work and focused on the woman he truly loved.

“Buffy,” he whispered, closing his eyes.

She kissed me, he thought grinning. I knew she wanted it. I knew it. She’s just guilty about being married.

He pictured her lying on her stomach, her perky pink ass high in the air. Then he was taking her from behind with short, hard jabs as she moaned his name.

“Yeah,” he rasped, stroking himself. But somehow it wasn’t enough. Something was missing. He took a moment, and then thought about Spike walking in on them. He grinned when he pictured the shock and hurt on the face of the bleached idiot.

And then Buffy was craning her head to look at him, a wicked smile on her face. She took his hands from her hips and placed them on her breasts.

“Don’t stop,” she begged, squeezing his hands over her breasts. And then Xander winked at Spike as he began thrusting his hips again. And Bleachboy just stood frozen, unable to do anything but watch.

“Yes,” Xander hissed.

He has to know. I need him to know.

When Xander stepped out of his executive restroom after a shower and a change of clothes his eyes fell upon a woman casually looking around the office.
He took in the spectacular hourglass figure, emphasized by a tight blue outfit that ended an inch below her panties. His eyes trailed down her finely shaped legs that ended in four inch heels.

“Hello,” Xander said, affecting a pleasant voice.

“Mr Harris?” the woman said, in a deep throaty voice, turning to look at him.

Nice, Xander thought, running his eyes over the curvy brunette.
“That’s my father,” Xander chuckled, bringing a half smile to the stranger. “I’m just Xander. And you are?”

“I’m Faith,” the brunette replied, “your new secretary.”

And I’m going to end you.

“Anything?” Buffy asked nervously.

God, it had been a month.

Faith had been working at Wolfram and Hart for a whole month, and she wasn’t any closer to getting the goods on Xander. The only thing the brunette had been getting better at was fending off his advances. She’d even managed to spill coffee on Xander’s laptop and get some friends to check it out, but nothing turned up.

Buffy's nerves were fraying too. Xander hadn’t done much more than text her this past month, mainly because of his fixation with Faith. But Buffy knew this was merely the calm before the storm.

“Looks like the son of a bitch is clean,” Faith sighed. “Too clean. I
mean way way too clean.”

“I don’t know how much longer I can do this,” Buffy said. “I can’t take this anymore.”

“Legally, he’s solid,” Faith said. “But….”

“But?” Buffy asked.

“There might be an…extra-legal way of doing things,” Faith said.
“If you’re up for it.”

“Okay,” Buffy said.

Buffy knew she had no choice. So she did exactly as Faith instructed. She texted Xander telling him she was missing him and that she wanted to meet him Friday night.

“I’m not sure about this,” Buffy said nervously, pausing at the doorway of the hotel lobby.

“Relax B,” Faith reassured her, taking her hand. “I’ll be right behind you. I promise. Just make sure you “drop” the room key a few feet away from the door.

Buffy nodded, her lips quivering for just a second. Faith gave her the tiny vial, which Buffy slipped inside her purse.

“What did you tell him?” Faith asked, trying not to bring up
William’s name.

“That I’m with you,” Buffy said.

“Okay,” Faith sighed. “Good.”

Ready? Faith’s eyes asked. Buffy nodded.

She knew there was no other way. Xander’s place was heavily guarded. Her place was out of the question. It had to be here.

Here and now. They had to get him. Buffy took a breath, and then
entered the lobby. Faith waited for a couple of minutes and followed Buffy inside.

Faith kept at a distance, watching Buffy approach the lobby.

“Hi,” Buffy said, leaning against the counter to keep from shaking as she addressed a thin, tall concierge. “I’m….Mrs Harris,” she
said, trying not to wince. “There’s….a key…..left here for me.”

“Change of plan,” she heard a voice say. Buffy froze. She flinched when she felt him kiss her shoulder and his arm curl around her waist.

“You……were supposed to wait upstairs,” Buffy said nervously, failing at trying to sound casual.

“I just couldn’t wait,” Xander whispered. “Let’s go.”

Buffy tried to think quickly. “Which room did we get?” Buffy said, her mouth as dry as cotton.

“The most expensive one,” Xander grinned, his hand moving up from her stomach. “That’s all you need to know.”

Buffy caught his hand before it strayed into a dangerous area,
and shot him a look that said not here.

“Which room?” she asked the concierge. I’ll get Faith the room number. Somehow. I’ll get it to her.

“The honeymoon suite Mrs Harris,” he said fawningly.

“Would you mind sending up your best bottle of champagne?” Buffy requested.

“Already done,” the concierge remarked.

“Satisfied?” Xander asked, as Buffy looked back at him.

Over his shoulder, Buffy saw a Faith being spoken to by a large, bald-headed guard in a uniform. She heard the man raise his voice a little, and saw Faith take two steps back so that she was out of view, obscured by some plants. The voices got louder. The concierge swore, apologized profusely and stepped out from behind the desk to go deal with the situation.

Xander craned his head in that direction. Buffy panicked. If Xander saw Faith, he’d get suspicious. And then the jig was up.

“Take me upstairs,” Buffy said huskily, making Xander look back at her and smile.

“Yeah?” he said, leaning in for a kiss, but Buffy placed her hands
on her mouth, stopping him.

“Upstairs,” she said, simply.

Faith managed to sneak a peak at Xander taking Buffy’s waist and walking towards the right, until they were out of sight.

“Look,” Faith hissed, still keeping her voice low, just in case.

“I’m here to meet a friend. He’ll be down any minute.”

“I understand Madam,” the concierge said smoothly, “But I’m
afraid I’ll need a name. The hotel lobby is for guests of guests only.”

“My business is private,” Faith said, her voice steely.

That’s exactly what I’m afraid of, the concierge thought.

“Then I’m afraid you’re going to have to wait outside, Madam,” he said, feigning politeness.

The bald headed guy attempted to take Faith’s arm, but a look made him reconsider. Faith folded her hands and walked out, surreptitiously checking her cellphone to see if she’d gotten a message from Buffy. Already, she was planning to sneak back in and get upstairs. All she needed was a few minutes.

“Keep your eye out for that one,” the concierge muttered,
“Hookers.”

Buffy thanked the almighty for the crowded elevator. But as soon as they’d stepped out onto the fifteenth floor, they were alone. And Xander’s grubby hands were pawing at her, making her feel dirty.

“Not here,” Buffy said, when Xander pinned her against the wall, “Inside.”

“Here,” Xander rasped, his eyes devouring her. “Now. I can’t wait.”

“But……” Buffy said, searching her mind for a way to get them inside. She needed to get inside. “But it’s our honeymoon,” she blurted out.

Xander froze, his lips on her neck.

“Baby,” she pleaded, touching his face. “Our first time should be special. Not like this”

Xander took a moment to consider it.

“You’re right,” he said, standing up to look into her eyes. “Sorry baby.”

“It’s okay,” Buffy said, trying to breathe normally. “I forgive you.”

“I don’t believe you,” Xander said, his tone playful, but with a hint of seriousness.

Buffy managed to hold his gaze.

Pretend it’s Riley. Safe. Non-threatening. Riley.

“Let me show you,” she whispered, taking Xander’s hand and
pulling him after her.

Faith swore to herself. The bald-headed security guy was basically stalking her.

Come on fatty, Faith thought, as she lingered at a safe distance across the street from the hotel. Go have your ciggy. You know you want to.

But the security guy only stared at her. Faith grit her teeth in frustration, then decided that she’d walk away, give it fifteen minutes and circle back.

“Be careful B,” Faith whispered, looking up at the brightly lit rooms of the hotel, before she turned on her stylish heels and walked away.

Just be careful.

On any other occasion, Buffy would have found herself speechless at the elegant and spacious suite. But she barely noticed. Already, her brain was whirring as she tried to focus on her plan and taking in her surroundings.

Xander directed her to the nearest closet, and Buffy opened it up to find a vast array of lingerie and ran her hands idly through the silk and sheer fabrics.

“Something in red,” Xander suggested, his hand resting on the small of her back.

“I think I can manage that,” Buffy said, breathlessly. Xander mistook her nervousness for ardour and smiled. Buffy saw his good mood and chanced upon it.

“How about you go shower?” she suggested innocently. “Give me a few minutes.”

Xander looked at her intently, almost as if searching her for any signs of betrayal. Xander stared at her for a long second, then turned in the direction of the bathroom.

Buffy listened carefully, pretending to inspect the items of the closet. Only when she heard the bathroom door shut and the shower turn on, did she let out a heavy sigh and allow a stray tear to emerge. Quickly, she wiped her wet cheeks.

Hurry, she thought.

She took of her heels and walked over to the bar. She opened the expensive champagne and poured it into the two empty
glasses provided. As per Faith’s instructions, she retrieved her purse from the sofa, opened the vial and poured it into one of the drinks. She let it settle at the bottom of the drink, then stirred
carefully.

“What is it?” Buffy remembered asking, earlier that day, when they had met at Faith’s apartment.

“Don’t worry B,” Faith said, “It’ll get the job done. He’ll be out like
a light.”
“So….after we drug him……we….” Buffy stuttered.

“Not at the hotel,” Faith reminded her. “Too much security. Too many cameras.”

“So what then?” Buffy asked.

“You leave,” Faith said. “Make sure you’re seen on your way out. You have to make sure of that.”

“And then?” Buffy asked.

“I call in a friend,” Faith said, cryptically. “Someone who owes me. And then……”

“You…..” Buffy said, in a hushed voice.

“Not me,” Faith said. “My friend. Takes care of him.”

And then Buffy heard the shower turn off. She forced herself to deliberately walk back to the closet, her footsteps muffled by the carpeting. And then she was back, pretending to examine the vast array of outfits.

After a few moments, she felt his presence behind her.

“That was fast,” she said, casually.

“Couldn’t wait,” Xander said.

She could feel his eyes burning a hole through her back.

“I can’t wait either,” Buffy said, her voice choking up with emotion, just a little. And then she fought to get control of herself.

I’m going to enjoy watching you suffer, you bastard.

“I said Red,” she heard him say. “Red. Not black.”

He sounded a little miffed, she realized.

Remember B, she remembered what Faith said. You have to
keep him sweet. Right until he has that drink.

“Sorry,” Buffy said, turning to give him her fake cheerleading smile. He was standing there only in a pair of pants, a towel
draped over his chest.
“All these clothes. I just lost track.”

Buffy leafed through the closet, pulling out something red. It was practically a tablecloth, she realized.

“How about this?” she asked, modeling it on herself.

A slow smile spread over Xander’s face.

“I’ll go change,” Buffy said, walking past him, when suddenly she felt his hand on her arm. Her heart pounded as he turned her
around so that she was looking into his eyes.

“I can’t wait,” he said, his eyes twin pools of darkness, then began pulling her close.

Make him trust you, she remembered Faith saying, resisting the violent impulse she felt.

“I can’t wait either,” she said, closing her eyes to pretend Xander was someone else, when their lips met.

Riley. Riley. Riley, Buffy thought, and then she pushed him off her, then walked away.

Xander watched her go, then got into bed, all the while playing with the phone he’d kept hidden in his hand.

Time for the fun and games to begin, he thought, as he clicked on the phone to stop recording.

Then he began typing out a text message. He looked down at it, with satisfaction and pressed send.

Across town, William's cellphone buzzed. He looked up from the pile of papers on his desk, and thought about ignoring it. He had a ton of work to get through.

Could be Buffy, he thought. He picked up the phone and frowned. It was from someone unknown. He opened the text message and read it. He blinked. Then read it again. And again. And again. And again. There were only had seven words, but they were enough to cause his hands to shake.

Do you know where your wife is?

William forced himself to remain calm. He dialed his home number.

Pick up love, he thought, his heartbeat ticking up. Pick up. Pick up.

No reply.

Buffy was at home. Wasn’t she? No wait, she was with Faith.
William dialled Buffy’s cellphone, trying his best to ignore the message. It rang a few times and went to voicemail. He tried to speak, but found that he couldn’t. So he hung up. He tried to call back the number, but found that it just rang. His heart hammering now, he called Faith.

“Oh shit,” the brunette cursed, looking down at her phone. It was William.

Why the fuck was he calling?
Faith knew she couldn’t answer the phone. He’d want to talk to
Buffy, which right now was out of the question.

“Pick up goddamnit,” William growled. “Pick up.”

“Sorry Will,” Faith whispered, turning off her phone and putting it in her pocket as she hung around just outside the hotel, waiting for the coast to clear.

William tried Faith’s number again and again and again. Finally, out of options he texted back the strange number.
Who is this?

There was another reply. But this time, it was an audio file. Spike clicked on it, downloading it to his phone. He hesitated to open it, then pressed play.

“I can’t wait,” he heard a female voice say. The voice was unmistakeable. It was Buffy. The tone was one Spike had heard before. It sounded raw with emotion. Intimate.

And then he heard a sound he couldn’t quite identify. A muffled sound.

He knew he had heard it, but he couldn’t believe it. So he clicked on the file again. Once again, he heard it. He paused on the muffled sound. Listened to it closely. Again. And again. And again. Soft and wet. Soft and wet.

It’s a kiss, Spike thought, in a daze. A kiss.

He stood there for a moment, his world shattered.

It couldn’t be he thought. And then he got another file. He clicked on it, almost robotically.

“I’ll go change,” he heard her say, her voice trembling a little.
There was no mistaking the voice. That voice. It was Buffy! His mind swam. What the hell was going on? Where was Buffy? And with who? And then he received another text. This time with an attachment.

Don't worry about Buffy. I'll take care of her tonight. She's in good
hands.

William’s hands shook as he clicked on the attachment. Instantly, a photo of Buffy appeared. She was holding up a tiny red negligee against her body, as if modeling it for someone. She was smiling.

Another message arrived.

Have a great night Willy. I know I will. And don't worry about
Buffy. I'll take good care of her.
XOXO

William stared at the phone in his hand, squeezing hard. And then he flung it against the wall, crying out in rage and despair. He found the nearest wall and punched it again and again until he’d sunk to the floor, cradling his head in his hands as tears fell from his eyes.

Xander turned his new phone off and tossed it aside, a wide grin on his face. He could only imagine the pain bleachboy was going through. So many fancy things you could do with a cellphone these days, he mused.

He lay back in bed, sighing. If only you knew it was me Willy. Alas, I have my good looks. And a reputation at work to keep up. Can’t be seen stepping out on the boss’s daughter.

And then the bathroom door opened, drawing his attention to it. Buffy slowly stepped into view. She was wearing a red negligee that ended an inch below her panties and showed a lot of cleavage.

Buffy said nothing. She just tried to breathe normally and let Xander look at her. Keep him distracted. From the corner of her eye, she could see that the drinks she had made were untouched. She needed to get him to drink.

So she took a few steps towards the bed, her heart pounding. Her hands shook as she casually lifted the champagne glasses from the small table.

Buffy sat down on the bed, trying to keep her expression pleasant, handing Xander a delicate glass. He said nothing, but a small smile curled around his mouth. He examined the drink and brought it to his mouth but her hand stilled him.

“No,” she said. “Not like that.”

She brought his hand and the champagne glass to her lips. The one she hadn’t drugged.

“Like this,” she said, taking a small sip. And then she offered her own glass to him.


“To us,” she proffered. He grinned.

Oh the son of a bitch liked the sound of that, she thought.

“To us,” Xander said. Smugly.

Buffy’s heart raced as she watched the liquid brush his mouth. She had to stop herself from tipping the glass and trying to force it down his throat. She couldn’t afford to get him suspicious.

Drink you son of a bitch, she thought, keeping a fake smile plastered across her face. Drink.

After a small sip, Xander pulled his head back, licking his lips.

“Delicious,” he declared, plucking the glass from her hand, then took another sip. Buffy's eyes lit up.

“Too good to drink all at once,” he said, placing the glass on the night table behind him.

Buffy tried desperately to keep the smile frozen onto her face, even as she began to panic.The light dimmed in her eyes. She frantically tried to think of a way to get him to drink.

“But it'll….” she began, but he cut her off.

“Gotta go slowly,” he rasped, his hand curled around her thigh and squeezing softly, making her shiver.

With fear.

“Savour it,” he added, his eyes running up and down her body, lingering on her breasts.

Buffy searched his face for any signs of intoxication. She did notice that his eyes seemed a little duller and his words slurred slightly. But then his hand moved up to her waist. And his grip was strong. Far too strong. And then he was laying back and pulling her down with him.

“This will be a night you’ll never forget,” Xander whispered, when she was finally lying on top of him. “I promise.”

Buffy tried to block out her predicament, thinking of an escape route. But she couldn’t suppress the anger she felt flare up inside her.

“Neither will you,” she said, her voice hushed and deadly.

Xander looked up to see her eyes darkly hooded and nostrils flaring.

He smiled, mistaking her anger for ardour. Buffy gasped when Xander roughly spun them around, pinning her underneath him, finding the wind momentarily knocked from her. Xander smirked, mistaking her heavy breathing for pleasure.

Not a word was spoken for a few seconds. And then Buffy felt
Xander’s hand move against her. Slowly. Buffy didn’t have to look down. She knew he was undoing her negligee.

Faith, she thought desperately. Where are you?

“Let me,” Buffy said, moving her hands to try to still his, hoping to buy some time. But Xander just brushed her hands aside. Her gaze flickered to the champagne glass by the night stand. If only she could get on top of him. She could reach for the champagne glass and get him to drink.

“Xander……” she began. Chuckling. Nervously.

“I don’t want to just lie here. I need to…”

“You need,” Xander said, his voice raspy, his fingers still working the strings.

“To relax,” he added. And with a few final pulls of his fingers, Buffy felt the strings come undone.

“And let me take you,” he rasped.

Buffy could hardly breathe as he began slipping the tiny scrap of fabric off her shoulders.

“I missed you,” Xander said, kissing her neck. “Missed you so much baby.”

“I......” Buffy began, as he began kissing lower.

Make him believe it, Buffy thought desperately. It was her only
choice.

Her voice caught and cracked. “I missed you too.”

William cried until he had no tears left. Then he got angry.

Savagely angry And then he remembered the location tracker on Buffy's phone. Quickly, he logged onto his laptop and into the software.

The location sprung up immediately. It was close by. A hotel. Less than five minutes away!

“Fuck!” Faith swore, as she saw William practically bound into the hotel. “Oh fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!”

When William reached the front desk, he was out of breath. He'd run the entire way over.

“May I help you?” the concierge said, taking in his ragged form.

“I,” William said, breathing heavily. He wracked his brain. “I'm looking for someone. 25. Blonde. Green eyes. Buffy?”

“I don't know any guest by that name,” the concierge said. His brows furrowed. “Green-eyed blonde, you said?” he asked. “Surely, you mean Mrs Harris.”

William's heart stopped. “Mrs Harris?”

His mind raced. Xander? It seemed impossible. He was so....non-threatening. So pliant. William was numb.

“Yes,” the concierge said. “Mr and Mrs Harris checked into the honeymoon suite, not ten minutes ago. A beautiful couple.”

The smile on the concierge's face made William sick to his stomach.

“I got the distinct impression they didn't want to be disturbed,” the concierge said, the tiniest smirk on his face. “If you know what I mean.”

William had to restrain himself from punching the man's lights out.

“No,” William said. “They.....they're expecting me.”

“Would you hang on a moment,” the concierge said. “I'll place a call up to their room.”

But William wasn't about to wait another second. Ignoring the man's protests, he quickly made his way to the elevator.

When William reached the penthouse, he found the door locked.
He attempted to jimmy the door, but had no luck. Quickly, he ran down a flight of stairs. Fortuitously, he saw a housekeeping cart and an open door. There was a master key kept right atop the cart.

William swiped it quickly, and raced back upstairs. And yet his hands shook when he inserted the master key in the door. He placed his head against the door, praying that this was all a huge practical joke. And then he opened the door.

As he stepped into the large empty living room, his heart warmed. It was empty. But then he heard it. Something. William wasn't sure what it was. Until he took a few steps forward and was right outside the door of the bedroom.

The sounds were muffled. But distinct. And then he knew.

William felt the hot tears run down his face. Even now, he refused to believe it.

No, William thought. Pitiably. She loves me. I know she does.

Bloody fool, he heard himself say. His voice was harsh. Mocking.
Thinking she loved you. Thinking she could ever love the likes of you. You're beneath her. Always have been.

William steeled himself the best he could. The door was slightly ajar. A sliver of light pouring through it. And William looked.

They were at the foot of the bed. Draped in the sheets. A small bedside lamp illuminating them. Their faces were half covered with shadows.

He saw Xander whisper something in her ear. Buffy shut her eyes, taking a deep breath. When she opened her eyes, they were wet. William saw her jaw quiver with emotion.

He told her he loves her, William thought. His heart crumpled.

Buffy knew she was out of options. She'd stalled as long as she could. Fended him off, all the while pretending she was being playful. Until Xander had whispered a sinister threat in her ear. Against her husband.

Forgive me, William Buffy thought, blinking back tears, taking a shaky breath.

She touched Xander's face, letting her fingers run over it, willing herself to see someone else. Anyone else. The best she could do was conjure up an image of an ex-boyfriend in her mind's eye.
So Buffy shut her eyes and pretended, dipping her head towards Xander. But when their noses touched, Buffy froze.

I can't, she thought to herself. Despairingly.

William saw longer and longer shadows fall across their faces as they got closer and closer.

Xander decided he was done waiting. He dipped his head slightly, letting his lips brush up against Buffy's mouth.
William felt like he'd been stabbed through the heart.

He wanted to cry out. But he found himself unable to speak. To move.

When their mouths remained that way – frozen and unmoving – William felt a perverse hint of hope. That Buffy would stop this. That she'd push Xander away. Tell him she loved her husband.

Buffy knew this was a test. That her life could depend on it.
Certainly her husband's freedom. She knew what she had to do. Make Xander think she wanted him. Again.

So she threw her head back a fraction. And ever so slightly turned her face to the side. As if she were kissing Xander back.
Her ploy succeeded. Xander turned his face to the opposite side and increased the pressure against her mouth.

Buffy couldn't think. Couldn't breathe. She just needed a moment to think. So she pulled back a little, rising up to take a much needed gasp of air.

But Xander wasn't prepared to let her slip away. He grabbed her by the hips and pulled her back to him. This time, he wound his hand in her hair and pulled her mouth against his.

This time, there was no trace of tenderness in his lips. Buffy knew what he wanted. To fuck her. To prove that she belonged to him. That he owned her.

You'll never own me, Buffy thought. Angrily.

The spark turned into a blaze that would have destroyed everything. Buffy knew she was playing a dangerous game. Without any cards. She needed to bide her time. So she did the only thing she could. She took all her pent up sorrow and and hurt and rage and put it into the kiss.

Fiercely.

Xander mistook her emotions for ardour. He was only too happy to go along with the notion, slipping her tongue into his mouth.
William made the same fatal mistake. He stood there. Shocked. Disbelieving. Watching Buffy and Xander kiss.

Passionately, to his blurry eyes.

William was horrified. But he couldn't look away either.

Then Xander moved to kiss Buffy's shoulders and neck. He saw his wife throw her head back and run her hands through his hair.
Buffy pretended the best she could.Willing him to be someone else. Anyone else. Until he stopped. Buffy looked down. She found him staring up at her. Intently.

Buffy knew this was another test. She put on her best fake cheerleader smile and dipped her head towards him feigning a kiss.

At the last moment, she raised her head, leaving him searching for air. When he angled his head upwards, she pulled back again.
Xander decided he was done playing. He crooked a finger at Buffy, beckoning her to him.

You have to, Buffy told herself. She angled her mouth downwards
and Xander rose up to meet her lips.

Spike witnessed the entire charade. As if from behind a haze. He watched them tumble back onto the bed and disappear from sight.

He opened his mouth but he'd lost his voice. He began taking a step forward but her voice cut him off.

“Oh god,” Buffy moaned. “Xander!”

“Buffy,” he heard Xander sigh. Then he chuckled. Salaciously.

And then the bed began creaking. And he knew. Spike felt like he'd been punched in the chest. Hard.

He reeled back, legs unsteady, breath knocked out of him. He tried to hold on to something. Anything. He failed.

He stumbled back, like a punch-drunk boxer. Back into the hallway. He collapsed against the door frame. Just out of sight.

Tears running down his face. His ears filling with the sounds of their sighs and moans.

William's POV

When William awoke his cheeks were wet. He didn't know when he'd fallen asleep. For a moment he wondered where he was. He looked around to see he was in a hotel room.

He heard it: Masculine growls. Feminine moans. A steady stream of curses. Gruff sounding 'fucks' alternating with high-pitched squeals of 'oh fuck' and 'fuck yeah'.

William blinked. In confusion. He raised himself on shaky legs, using the door as leverage. He spun around and looked.

They were at the foot of the bed. Face to face. Xander was seated on the edge of it, his legs dangling off. Buffy's legs were either side of him. Her hands were wrapped around Xander's neck. William saw Buffy's powerful calves ripple as she used the bed as leverage to bounce up and down in Xander's lap.

Xander's eyes were rolling back, but his hands had a firm grip on his wife's tiny waist. His fingers were interlocked around the small of her back, guiding her in such a way to allow their hips to thrust in sync.

“Oh,” Buffy moaned. “Oh god.”

His boss merely chuckled. Salaciously. William knew that chuckle well. He remembered the as look well. It was the same chuckle Xander would give in the boardroom everytime a hot young thing turned up. The I'm gonna get me a piece of that ass look, it was called around the shop.

“Yeah,” Xander said. “Fuck yeah.”

William found himself dazed. Transfixed. Neither his wife nor his boss took noted his presence. Suddenly, Xander stood. And in one motion, picked Buffy up, turned her around, slung one foot over his shoulder and began driving into her.

It was the kiss that broke the spell. When Xander and Buffy's lips joined in a desperate clash – of teeth and tongue – that was utterly wanton.

The bile rose up in William's throat and he found himself staggering away from the scene. Suddenly, he was on his knees, puking his guts out on the expensive carpet. The sounds of his retching were drowned out by the loud noises coming from the bedroom.

“Oh God,” Buffy was moaning. Over. And over. And over again.
William felt like he was being stabbed through the heart. He tried to rise again, but found his feet unsteady.

“Oh God, Xander,” Buffy was moaning. “Oh yeah, Xander.”
The sound of it made him ill all over again. Made him throw up again. William shut his eyes tight. Trying to block it out. But try as he might, William couldn't. His ears picked it all up. In excruciating detail.

“Oh God, Xander. Oh yeah, fuck me harder!”
“Yes, Xander. Yes Xander. Oh my God, Xander, I’m cumming, baby!”

William wiped tears from his eyes. At last, Xander spoke.

“So am I, Buffy,” Xander said. “I’m so close, baby.”

“I’m cumming, Xander, oh God, I’m cumming, Xander!”

“Oh fuck, yeah Buffy, so am I, baby, oh yeah, here it comes.”

“Oh Xander, oooh Xander,” Buffy was moaning.

“Oh fuck,” Xander gasped. “Oh fuck! Buffy!

Suddenly their voices broke. Buffy's high-pitched squeal came first. Then Xander's guttural growl.

And all that was left were the grunts, hisses and heaves and sighs that followed in its aftermath.

“Yeah,” he heard Xander rasp. “Fuck... that was...”

The girl in question was breathing. Heavily.

“Fucking fantastic,” Xander concluded. Chuckling.

“Mmmmm,” Buffy said. In agreement.

William couldn't bear to look. But he could practically see it in his mind's eye. Xander lolling against the pillow. Buffy stretching her lean, flexible limbs. Experimentally. Suddenly, Xander's voice broke through again.

“Come here,” Xander said. Amorously. “I'm not nearly done with you.”

“Stop that,” Buffy said. She sounded annoyed now.

William heard the sounds of bedsheets. Rustling.

“I need to use the bathroom,” Buffy said. Firmly.

This time, Xander sighed. Deeply.

A beat passed.

“Want some company?” Xander asked.

“Maybe later,” Buffy said. Her voice was clipped.

And then he heard the bathroom door closing and the sound of a lock turning. William closed his eyes. Felt his anger rise. And
Spike opened them.

Buffy's POV

Buffy prayed for her ordeal to end soon. Xander's gentleness, feigned as it may have been, had the benefit of letting her pretend. She could have shut her eyes and thought of someone else. Anyone else. But soon, Xander had turned rough. Enough to frighten her.

Buffy wanted to fight back. To say no. To scream. But she'd found herself paralysed. Frozen with fear. Buffy felt like a rag doll as Xander had positioned them over the side of the bed, and began taking what he wanted. Without a care or concern for her.
Buffy put on an expression that could be construed as want, then gave herself over. Soon, she felt faint. Even a little sleepy. Until she heard his smug voice in her ear.

“Like that, baby?” Xander asked. “Like me fucking you?”
Buffy knew Xander wasn't going to stop. Not until he got what he wanted. She decided playing along would be the safest way to go. For now. Her time would come.

“Yeah,” Buffy said. Through gritted teeth. She feigned pleasure by throwing her head back and sighing. She heard Xander click his teeth together from behind her. Unhappily. Felt his body stiffen behind her. His nails dug into her hands.

“Yeah....what?” Xander asked.

His voice was dangerous now. It sent a chill through Buffy. She hastened to soothe his fragile ego.

“I like you... fucking me,” Buffy said. As huskily as she could manage. Her voice trembled.

“Knew it,” Xander said. Smugly. He paused to catch his breath. Sighed. “Knew it the first time I laid eyes on you. Remember?”

It all came back to Buffy. How she'd tripped over in her new high heels she'd overloaded her credit card for and fallen into Xander's arms.

“Can I have you?” he'd asked.

His eyes had been soft and brown. Wide and hopeful.
Buffy had laughed at his goofy pick up line, held up her hand, and showed him her ring finger.

“Married,” she'd told him. “Sorry.”

She'd seen how his face fell a moment later. A dark shadow fall across it. Only for a moment. So quickly, Buffy had convinced herself she'd imagined it. And when William had introduced his wife to his new boss, they'd shared a good laugh. But Xander's eyes had never left Buffy all evening. At the time, she'd been flattered by his interest.

“I remember,” Buffy said. Trembling. Her voice trembled as well.
“Yeah?” Xander asked. He picked her up, then shifted them to the bed. “Remind me.”

Buffy gasped when Xander dropped her down, pulling her slightly back to allow her to ride him. But Xander kept Buffy's arms pinned. The passing of control was no more than illusory. Buffy knew she had no choice.

“Right before the... gala,” Buffy said. Moving her hips back and forth.

“What gala?” Xander asked. Taking control by gripping her hips with his hand. Moving her at a pace he desired. His voice was conversational. Buffy knew this was yet another one of Xander's powerplays. Yet another mindfuck.

“The...” Buffy said. Taking a deep breath. She forced herself to focus on the memory. Sought to distract herself.

“The gala we threw... to...fix...” Buffy said. Gulping in heavy breaths.

“Fix?” Xander asked. Sighing.

“Fix the museum,” Buffy managed to ground out.

“Yeah,” Xander said. Taking a deep breath.

The conversation stalled as they both returned to their respective tasks. Xander trying to take as much pleasure as he could for himself and Buffy trying to make it through this.

Telling herself it was okay. That she was okay. That she was just protecting herself. And then, much to her chagrin, Xander spoke again.

“Couldn't believe you were with him,” Xander muttered. “Fucking loser.”

Buffy felt it all then: Guilt. Shame. Rage. But she knew she couldn't let it out. Not yet. She searched for a way to change the subject. And fell upon a tried and tested method: Playing to the male ego.

“Ohhhh,” Buffy sighed. Throwing her hair back. “Oh Xander. Don't stop. That feels good.”

But Xander seemed to have a one-track mind.

“What did you see in him any way?” Xander wondered. “I didn't think he could even... get it up.”

Buffy felt her anger flare. She leaned back and looked at Xander. Disdainfully.

“Maybe we could talk about this later,” Buffy hissed.
Xander only chuckled. He bent forward, trapping her underneath him. Buffy felt his hand take a hold of her hip, holding her in place.

“Gonna fuck you like this now,” Xander rasped. In her ear. “You wanna be fucked like this? Huh?”

Buffy knew what Xander wanted. To exercise his power over her. To dominate her. Buffy refused to rise to his bait. Xander responded by grabbing her by the hair.

“Answer me,” Xander growled. Angrily. His brown eyes, which were once so soft, had turned cold and hard.

“Yeah,” Buffy said. Hoping that would mollify him.
When Xander didn't respond, Buffy found herself shaking like a leaf. She forced herself to speak again.

“I wanna be fucked like this,” Buffy added.

Doing her best Britney Spears meets porn star impression.
Xander's smile was slow. And wicked. It made her shiver. Buffy knew she had no choice. That there would be no revenge without survival. So she played the part.

As she had before. Telling him exactly what he wanted to hear. Making him believe she wanted him. Telling him she was close. That he was making her cum. Until he was, at last, finished.

Spike didn't know how long he just stood there. Head bowed. Silently shaking with rage. Trying to master his emotions. He looked up. The door was ajar. Still. Golden light flowing through it.

And behind it, two wraiths.The anger returned a thousand-fold, this time with a righteous fury. He was about to burst through the door with murder in his heart when her heard Buffy speak.

“A toast,” his wife said.

"To us,” his boss echoed her. Smugly. The sounds of two glasses clinking softly came wafting through.

A thousand questions raced through Spike's mind. They were celebrating? What were they celebrating exactly? For how long had this been going on?

Spike forced himself to wait.

"And to being the boss,” Xander added. Suggestively. “And all its perks.”

Buffy laughed. The sounds of her high-pitched tone wafting through cut Spike to the quick. And yet, something made him wait. And listen.

“Speaking of which...” Xander said. His voice trailling off suggestively.

“Are you calling me a perk?” Buffy asked. There was something deeper in her voice. Something dangerous. Spike couldn't quite place it.

C'mere Buff,” Xander said. His voice grew deeper. Rougher. “Let's keep this party going.”

Spike heard Buffy's soft footsteps on the carpet.

“Will is waiting for me,” Buffy said. His name seemed to catch in her throat.

This time, it was Xander who laughed.

“Don't worry about him,” Xander sneered. Dismissively. “I have big things planned for Willy. Promotions, pay hikes, and foreign trips. Lots and lots of foreign trips.”

Is this why Buffy is sleeping with Xander? Spike thought

incredulously. To advance my career?

“I....” Buffy began. But Xander cut her off.

“Which means... you and I are gonna be spending a lot of quality time together,” Xander said. “Hell, I might even keep him around when the old man finally dies."

"How does vice-president of Executive relations sound?” Xander added. Pompously.

“I don't think...” Buffy demurred.

“Just as long as he keeps pulling all nighters in the boardroom,” Xander said. His voice dropping an octave. “While we keep pulling all nighters in the bedroom.”

Buffy laughed. There was that laugh again. Something about it just felt off. Wrong. But Spike didn't have time to think about it. He burst through the door to see....

Xander had Buffy against the bed. His mouth was on her neck. Hands attempting to part her bathrobe. Attempting to part it.

As one, they both turned their faces to look at him. First came the shock of it. For both of them. Then, unmitigated horror. But only for Buffy.

“Will,” Buffy gasped. Her eyes were as wide as saucers.

So wide. So innocent, Spike thought. Grimly. My loving wife.

A slow smile spread over his boss's face.

“Well, well, well,” Xander said. “If it isn't good old Willie.

Got my message?”

“Or are you here to pick up some pointers on how to please the missus?” Xander added. Grinning like a drunken idiot.

Message? Buffy wondered. What message?

But before she could dwell on it, Spike stepped forward. When Buffy saw her husband's nose flare, fists tighten and eyes turn black as night she knew she had to act.

Before William did something that landed himself in jail for years. Before it was all for nothing.

“Will,” Buffy said. “Don't! Please!”

Spike froze. He stared at his wife. Unable to believe what he was hearing. He was so angry he could barely speak.

Xander sighed. He held up one hand, as if to placate William. But he didn't even bother removing the other from around Buffy's waist. Who was still struggling to extricate herself from his grasp.

“Look,” Xander told him. Putting on a sympathetic expression. “I know I've had a real hard on for you lately.”

“And an even bigger hard on for Buffy,” Xander said, guffawing at his own joke, then losing his train of thought.

Spike couldn't believe his ears. Xander, who'd clearly had too much to drink, was treating this entire thing like a joke. Like this wasn't his life. His marriage.

He found himself shaking with rage as he stepped forward.

“Xander stop,” Buffy said. She looked furious now. She elbowed him in the stomach and pushed him away.

Xander stumbled back on uncertain legs.

“Will, don't! Please,” Buffy begged.

Spike ignored Buffy and took another step forward, Xander, entirely unconcerned with his own safety in this state, rambled on.

“I love my Ahn, but she can be a real dead fish, ya know?” Xander said. Morosely. “Just lies there and takes it.”

Stumbling back and away from Spike. Who raised his fists now. Menacingly.

“You're a lucky man Willie,” Xander said. He sighed dreamily. “Buffy's quite the firecracker in the sa...”

But Xander never got to finish that thought. Spike slammed one fist into his face. Then another. Each harder the next. A torrent of blood seemed to spurt from Xander's nose, which broke with a resounding and satisfying crack to Spike's ears. Xander went down like a sack of potatoes.

Spike raised his boot over Xander's face. Preparing to stomp the life out of him. His face was stone. Eyes dead.

“Will,” Buffy cried out. “Please.”

But her words had no effect. Buffy knew she had to say something to shock her husband out of his enraged trance. She knew the truth was out of the question. That it would only spur him on.

She racked her brain for something. Anything. It flashed before her eyes. The worst thing she could possibly say. But she had no choice.

“I love him!” Buffy said.“Please don't hurt him.”

Spike looked shocked. Utterly shocked. He reeled back, unable to find his footing, then crashed into the wall behind him. He looked shattered as he sat there. His head in his hands.

Even as their words had their desired effect, Buffy found her hating herself. But not as much as she hated Xander Lavelle Harris. She swore to make him pay. And pay soon. I'll fix it later, she vowed. I'll explain everything.

“I knew it,” Xander crowed. Hoarsely. “All the ladies love the Xanman.”

The blood was streaming down his nose now and coating his lips. When Xander licked it with his tongue, Buffy found herself shuddering with disgust.

“Shut up,” Buffy hissed. Finding she had to restrain herself from kicking his head in herself. “Just. Shut. The. Fuck. Up.”

Xander sighed. Deeply. Turning to address Spike again.

“Okay,” he said. Wiping his nose with his hand. Leaving a red smear acrosss his fingers and cheek.

Xander held up his hand and waved it in Buffy's general direction.

“Not gonna lie, mate. I thought about it, ya know? I mean, which red-blooded man wouldn't right?” Xander began.

Spike looked at Buffy. His wife was on the bed. Her face a mask of grief. Her hair dishevelled. Eyes red. Her hands clutching at her robe.

When Spike gave him a murderous look Xander fumbled.

“B...B...But I n...never meant to disrespect you. Not likethat. Not in your own bed,” he added. Hastily.

Spike froze. Seemingly unable to register the words. Then turned an accusing gaze on Buffy.

“I....” Buffy began. She hesitated and swallowed. “It's not...that....”

She searched for an explanation and failed.

“Buff,” Xander said. Pitifully. “It's time to come clean.”

Buffy found herself struck dumb. After all this time, Xander was just gonna confess? To everything? She couldn't believe her ears.

Spike looked similarly afflicted. Torn between wanting the truth and not wanting to hear a thing.

“I was just in the neighbourhood,” Xander said. “One weekend when you were away. Thought I'd say hey. Swear to god mate. Just wanted to look out for her.”

“Next thing I know, Buffy's asking me if I want a glass of wine,” Xander said. “And we're laughing. And drinking wine. And laughing. And then....”

And as Xander spoke of his version of events, Spike couldn't help but see it in his mind's eye.

They were on the couch. Perched on opposite ends.Wine glasses in hand. Buffy's hair was pulled into a ponytail. Her face scrubbed clean of makeup. She was wearing a loose white top and sitting shiva.

Xander's shirt sleeves were rolled up. His top button undone. Tie haphazardly thrown over his shoulder. They were drinking wine. And laughing.

“It's nice to see ya Buff,” Xander said. Gently touching her hand. “It's been too long.”

“I know!” Buffy said. She seemed to consider it. “Why don't you and I do something fun tonight? Just the two of us?”

Xander raised his brow. “Really?”

“Yeah,” Buffy said. “Will is out of town and Anya is...”

“Where is she exactly?” Buffy asked. Her cute nose wrinkling up like a little bunny.

“Off somewhere in Europe,” Xander said. Waving his hand.

“See?” Buffy said. “Abandoned by our worse halfs.”

“I'll drink to that,” Xander chortled.


Buffy giggled, then extended her wine glass towards his. Xander extended his own, gently letting his glass meet hers with a gentle clink.

“So, what you wanna do?” Xander asked. Casually.

I don't know,” Buffy said. Pensively putting her hand under her chin. “Something fun. Something comforting.”

“Would lap dancing enter into that scenario?” Xander enquired. Tongue firmly ensconced in his cheek. “Because I'd find that extremely comforting.”

Xander looked at Buffy. Expecting her to laugh uproariously or brush it off. But she didn't.

She only took a languorous sip of wine, letting the silence build the tension.

She let the wine swirl around her mouth, enjoying the taste before she downed it.


“I could see that scenario presenting itself,” Buffy said. As a coquettish smile spread across her face. “If you play your cards right.”

Buffy's words left him struck dumb. Xander said nothing. The silence built. And built. And built. Then he broke into awkward laughter. Buffy said nothing. Just stared at him with an intrigued look. Her eyebrow slightly raised at his response.

“Okay. You do know I'm Xander right?” he said. Holding up his hand. “Your friend? Your husband's boss?”

Buffy took another sip of wine. Then, she scooted a little closer.

“I guess I'm just surprised at how glad I was that you stopped by,” Buffy said. Her gorgeous face growing contemplative. Her soft hand gently stroking the wine glass stem. Idly.

“It's funny. Living with someone,” Buffy said. A hint of bitterness creeping into her tone. “You see them everyday... but you don't really see them... ya know?”

“Yeah,” Xander said. Agreeably. Mostly because he didn't know what to say. “It's funny. And it's just getting funnier.”

Buffy put her finger to Xander's lips. Shushing him.

“I....” Buffy began. Breathlessly. “Have this... fantasy.”

She bit her lip and played at being coy for a moment before she spoke again.

“Of being a naughty secretary,” Buffy said.

Xander exhaled. Looking dazed.

“Your boss is a lucky man,” he said. Weakly.

A sour look flashed across Buffy's face.

“I'm self-employed,” Buffy said. Sourly.

“Oh,” Xander said. “I.... I knew that.”


Buffy didn't seem to notice his misstep. Instead she sighed deeply. Taking yet another sip of wine. Eyeing Xander from behind hooded eyes.

Was she drunk? Xander wondered. He hadn't been counting, but he could have sworn she'd had at least a couple of glasses already.

Buffy nodded to herself. As if arriving at a decision. She downed the rest of her wine in one quick sip, then leaned forward. Her loose T-shirt affording only the barest hint of cleavage.

“I'm so sorry Mr Harris,” Buffy said. Drawing out the last two words. In a sultry manner. “I know my performance.... has left a lot to be desired lately.”

“Buff,” Xander managed to say. Chuckling nervously.

“I just want you to know,” Buffy said. Leaning forward. Letting her mouth open to show just a hint of tongue. “I'll be working hard to make it up to you. I can stay as late as you want tonight. Anything you need. I'm all yours.”

A line that cheesy in a porno film would have made Xander guffaw. But hearing it from this goddess next door left him harder than Chinese algebra.

“A...anything?” Xander stammered. Absent mindedly-adjusting his crotch for relief. The wanton look on Buffy's face left no doubt as to her meaning.

“Anything to keep the boss happy,” Buffy vowed. By now, she'd loosened her hair and was twirling a golden lock. “Anything.”

And Xander froze.


Xander felt stricken by Buffy's indecent proposal. After a long moment of indecision, he swallowed, then shook his head.

“I don't think...” Xander began. Sounding miserable.

And then Buffy burst into laughter. Uproarious laughter. The tension in the room deflated instantly.

“Hardy har har,” Xander said. Crossing his arms and rolling his eyes. Buffy laughed and laughed and laughed. Holding her tummy. Almost tumbling off the couch in the process.

“Oh god,” Buffy said. Covering her face with her hands. “I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I couldn't resist. Your face.”

Xander looked at her. Crossly. He tried not to smile. But he couldn't help himself.

“I should go,” Xander said. “It's getting late.”

“Oh come on,” Buffy said. Pouting now. In a way that lent absolutely no relief to Xander's still throbbing member. “I said I was sorry. You're not mad, are you?”

“No,” Xander said. Reassuringly. “I'm not mad. I just have to go. Big meeting in the morning.”

All Xander wanted to do was get home, get some privacy and wank off like a madman. At least his cock had softened to semi-hard now. He hoped he wouldn't lose control and take care of himself in his car.

Buffy sighed. “Fine,” she said. Sulking now. Poking him in the chest. “Ya big baby.”

“Hey!” Xander said. “Take that back.”

“Wuss!” Buffy said. Snidely.

A moment of silence. And then they both laughed.

Xander stood up, smoothing out his clothes.

“I'm glad I came by,” Xander said.

Me too,” Buffy said. Sincerely. And then something seemed to occur to her. “Oh crap!”

“What?” Xander said.

“You think you could do me a solid?” Buffy said. Wincing.

“Sure,” Xander said.

“There's this big spider in my room,” Buffy said. “Like yuge. Yuuuuggee.”

“Want the big, rugged manly man to take care of it?” Xander said. Flexing his muscles.

“Yes, please,” Buffy said. Like a dainty southern belle.

“Say no more,” Xander said. “Lead the way.”

Xander followed Buffy into the room. She plonked down on the bed.

“Where did you see it last?” Xander enquired. Looking around.

“Top of the armoire,” Buffy said. Pointing to the far corner.

Xander walked over, then got on his tip toes. Scanning the room.

“I don't see it,” he said. Frowning.

“I'm gonna use the little girl's room,” Buffy said. “And there had better be a big, dead bee when I get out. And take your shoes off if you're going to get up on the bed.”

“Yes ma'am,” Xander said. Doffing his invisible cowboy hat.

Buffy gave him a smile and shut the door. Xander barely heard the lock turn into place and the water running as he began his quest again in earnest. Making sure to chuck off his shoes.

“Here bee bee bee...” Xander muttered. “Here bee bee bee.”

He examined the armoire. Scanned the bookshelf. Ran his fingers over the IKEA desk. Checked the wardrobe and the bedside table. Nothing. Xander frowned.

“Buff?” he called out. Loudly over the running water.

“Yeah,” she said.

“I don't see anything.”

“Keep looking!” Buffy said. So he did. Again. Twice. Meanwhile, he could hear Buffy singing over some pop ditty in the bathroom.

Finally, his patience exhausted, Xander took a seat on the edge of the bed. Waiting to be reproached for his utter failure.

Xander noticed the song change. This was something a bit more uptempo. Just a little faster.

Buffy was a good singer, Xander thought. Better than good, in fact.

Xander paused for a moment, attempting to place the song. His knowledge of the genre was practically non-existent, but even he recognised a Britney Spears number.

Buffy solved the puzzle for him. Her girlish, high-pitched easily sailed over the sound of the running water.

“What's practical, what's logical, what the hell who cares? All I know is I'm so happy when you're dancing there...”

Xander by now, had decided to lay back and get comfortable. He put a pillow under his head and shut his eyes.

He didn't know when he'd realised the water had stopped running. A few minutes later, he heard the blow dryer.

Then, he heard the bathroom door creak open. Finally. Xander didn't know if ten minutes had passed or an hour. He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. Then something occurred to him. He frowned.

“Was it a spider or a bee?” Xander enquired.

“Does it matter?” Buffy asked. Haughtily. Dismissively.

Her tone left Xander confused. He sat up to look at her. His heart stopped. His jaw hit the floor. And almost took a pratfall off the bed.

Buffy was in a black corset. Satin. Form fitting. The outfit was intricately embroidered, lacy and, best of all, sheer. Her breasts, so high and firm on their own, now pushed upwards for his viewing pleasure were practically bursting out of the outfit.

Xander could see her strawberry coloured nipples playing hide and seek from behind frilly lace. Xander's eyes glazed over. He was practically salivating.

“Alone at last,” Buffy declared. Raising one smooth leg in the air and seductively rubbing it against her thigh.“Mr Bossman.”

“Jesus fucking Christ,”Xander swore. Running wide, hungry eyes over her face and down her form. His jaw clenched. Buffy's golden hair was perfectly coiffed. Make up flawless. Lips perfectly pink. Cheeks coloured. Nose and chin shiny.

Buffy put her hands either side of her hips, striking a seductive pose to highlight her hourglass physique. Drawing his attention to her tight midriff and slender hips. She was perfection made whole.

Xander's erection swelled to full mast in record time. His cock throbbed so hard his eyes nearly watered.

And all the while, Britney's siren song played on loop in the background. Luring him to his sweet demise. Buffy decided to join in.

“I'm a slave for you,” Buffy crooned. “I cannot hold it. I cannot control it.”

Placing one hand above her left breast and the other one on her belly. Then she ran them both across her lithe body. Slowly.

Dear god, Xander thought.

Through the haze of lust, Xander registered the fact that her breathless tones were an in fact excellent imitation of the pop princess. And a killer body to boot.

“I won't deny it,” Buffy purred. “I'm not trying to hide it... Baby.”

The girl in question was clearly feeling it. Momentarily lost to the world, she let Britney take over the vocals. Placing her hands either side of the bathroom panel for support, Buffy began swivelling her hips.

Christ, Xander thought. His breathing growing more strained as his eyes laser focussed on Buffy's slender hips swaying in smooth, long, sensual motions.

Christ, help me. I'm weak. I'm a weak, weak man. Help me Lord.

But his prayers remained unanswered. Meanwhile, Buffy, assisted by Britney, seemed more than happy to fan the flames of his dark desires.

Get it, Get it, Get it, Get it, Oh!

Get it, Get it, Get it, Get it, Woah!

Get it, Get it, Get it, Get it, Oh!

Get it, Get it, Get it, Get it, Woah!

Buffy, still swivelling her hips in perfect sync with the music, made sure to chime in with every 'oh' and 'woah' at the end of each line. With feeling. The feeling being horny as all hell and down to fuck.

Get it, Get it, Get it, Get it, Oh!

Get it, Get it, Get it, Get it, Woah!

Xander, grateful for the preview of a soundtrack he'd already saved in his mind entitled Buffy in orgasm, found himself dying to get in some personal time with the artist.

And the grammy goes to... Xander thought. Nonsensically.

Buffy, clearly building to a big finish, ended her impromptu performance with a sexy little thrust of her hips and a husky 'like that' that left Xander's balls tingling.

Buffy's face was glowing with an impossibly golden sheen. She'd barely even broken a sweat. She wasn't even breathing heavy. One cleansing breath was all it took for her to regain her composure.

Xander, meanwhile, was on the verge of collapse.

“Buff,” Xander spluttered. Finally managing to speak.“Nearly gave me a heart attack."

“Oh, I'll give you a lot more than that,” Buffy vowed. With a wide smile.

Putting one hand behind her head and the other on her hip, Buffy turned to her left until he could see her in profile, raised her chin slightly and flicked her hair over her shoulder.

Xander's eyes followed the wave of shiny, golden hair cascading down her back. When his eyes got a mere glimpse of her heart-shaped bottom, Xander exhaled. Audibly. Buffy responded by thrusting her hips at him and sticking her bottom upwards. That knocked the wind out of him.

“Christ,” Xander whispered. Licking his lips. Unable to stop his sinful eyes from devouring whatever he could see of her. "Have mercy."

“Right in one,” Buffy giggled. “Mercy from Agent Provocateur."

Buffy turned even further, putting almost her full bottom on display. It took Xander a few moments to appreciate what he was seeing. Like staring at the sun. His eyes took a moment to adjust.

The thin scrap of black fabric running down her ass crack was a perfect contrast to her apple cheeked buttocks. Her ass was full. Firm. Pert. Lush.

It was a thing of beauty. The kind of ass that belonged in the hall of fame. Every hall of fame. Hell, it needed its own wing.

Xander wanted to slap it. Until its healthy, pinkish hue had turned into a scarlet red. Then he found himself wanting to kiss it. Lovingly. Worshipfully. Take his time committing it to memory. Mapping every curve. Letting his lips touch every inch.

No, he wanted to nibble on it. Here and there. At first. Then everywhere. Until she'd dissolved in a fit of giggles. Then he found himself wanting to give her a proper spanking. But above all else... he wanted to fuck the living shit out of it.

Xander clenched his teeth so hard his jaw almost locked up. He crossed his legs and fisted the bedcovers with both palms to keep himself from lunging at her. The effort caused him to let out a soft, strained sound. Like a wounded animal dying.

"Six hundred big ones," Buffy declared. Twisting her face over her shoulder to ascertain his reaction."Money well spent wouldn't you say?"

Worth every fucking penny, Xander thought. Who knew giving Willie that raise would really pay off?

The thought made him snigger. Then, he felt queasy.

William, he thought. He doesn't deserve this. And neither does Ahn.

Xander attempted to voice that thought but nothing emerged. All he could hear was the sound of his own breathing. Heavy. Strained. His mouth was incredibly dry.

The fact that he hadn't moved towards her made Buffy pout. The effect of her perfect lips puckered up was devastatingly sexy. She stepped forward. Still swaying her hips enticingly.


“Come on,” Buffy said. Pouting now. Stepping forward now. “It's a party. Aren't you gonna open your present?”

“It's not that I don't want to,” Xander began. Finally managing to find his voice. “Because I do. Want to.”

“So you admit it,” Buffy interrupted. Triumphantly. Seizing on her victory. Taking two more steps forward. Until she was towering over him. “You want me.”

“Buff,” Xander began. He attempted to rise from the bed to place some distance between them, but Buffy pushed him back down with one hand. She was surprisingly strong.Then she cut off his escape by placing her leg on the bed.

For the first time, Xander registered that she was wearing heels. They were black and satin. With an over sized bow and a six-inch stiletto that screamed of sex.

Sex. Sex. Sex. Sex, is all Xander could think. On a loop.

Naughty, dangerous, dirty, pulse-racing, heart-pounding, ball-slapping, eardrum-splitting, earth-shaking, life-changing coitus.

Then it finally hit home. The wine. The laughing. The teasing. The outfit. The make-up. The shoes. It had all been a set-up. Buffy had planned this. For days? Months? Years?

Xander's hard-on swelled to comically painful proportions. He bit his lip so hard he could nearly taste blood. Buffy saw it on his face. And made a move. She reached down to take his hand, then placed it on her thigh. Then made him squeeze.

“Fuck,” Xander said. The flesh was incredibly firm. And burning hot to the touch. The perfect appetizer for the feast on offer.

Xander squeezed her thigh. Hard.

“My husband won't be home tonight,” Buffy declared.

"Yeah?" Xander managed to say. Giving her thigh a possessive squeeze


Yeah. Your husband. Good old what's his face. Left you alone. With me. Fucking dope. Fucking dipshit. Fucking loser.

"Yeah," Buffy said. Sensually. Playfully. She seemed amused by Xander's reaction to just her thigh. She decided she needed his undivided attention.

She bent forward, placed her fingers under his chin and made him look at her. Giving him a truly spectacular view of her cleavage. Which his eyes drank in with a wild hunger.

“Which means...” Buffy began. Lifting his chin to make him look at her face. Their eyes met and locked.

“You and I can party. All night long,” Buffy said.

“P....party,” Xander rasped. Licking his lips. God, he was so hard. He couldn't think straight. “Yeah.”

Party. Yeah. Party with Buffy. Good old Buff. In the Buff. Yeah. Fuck. Fuck yeah. Fuck Buffy. Fuck Buffy. Fuck Buffy. Fuck Buffy....

“Are you happy, Mr Harris?” Buffy enquired. Seductively twirling a stray lock of hair. “Because it's my job to make you happy.”

Happy? Xander thought. So happy. So. Very. Fucking. Happy.

Xander was so happy he could have wept.

“I meant what I said earlier,” Buffy said. “I'll do anything to keep the boss happy. Anything.”

And Xander broke. He dove in head first, planting open-mouthed kisses on her thigh that made Buffy giggle, then gasp when she felt his greedy hands cup her bottom.

“Buffy,” Xander mumbled through soft, small kisses. As he made his way upwards. To the promised land.

And then Spike heard Xander's voice again.


“I tried bro,” Xander said. Pleadingly. “Not to. I swear it.”

“Shut up,” Spike snarled. Turning away from them.Shutting his eyes. Hard. But he couldn't stop seeing it.

Xander's face buried between Buffy's legs. Greedy mouth moving frantically. His wife's hand in Xander's hair. Squeezing it. Playing with it. Clutching it. Holding him to her.

Buffy biting her lip. Then throwing her head back. Eyes rolling in the back of her head in bliss. Until she was letting out a stream of constant praise for Xander's efforts between her legs.

“Oh!"

"Oh yeah!”


“Oh, yes! Oh yes"

"Like that!"

"Yeah. Just... like... that!

“Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!"

"Xander, yes! Oh god! Oh Xander!

"Oh god yes,"

Oh my god. Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god..."

“Fuck! Fuck yes! Fuck yes!

“Fuck, I'm gonna cum...“Oh... Oh I'mma...hunh...."

“Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.”

Until his wife was reduced to squealing incoherently. Legs trembling and useless. And then Xander was putting his hands on her hips, lifting her up momentarily as he moved to sit directly underneath her. Then he let her plonk down. On his face.

Growling and grunting as he devoured her being. Like a wild animal swallowing its prey. Until Buffy was howling her pleasure to the moon. And screaming his name. Before she shook, shuddered and wept in pleasure.

No, someone else was screaming. Someone else was shaking, shuddering and weeping. But not in pleasure. In agony.

He was weeping. Shaking. Shuddering.

He. He.

Him. Him

Me. Me.

And then William opened his eyes.

William was panting as if he'd run a marathon. His eyes were wet. He wiped at them with the back of his hand.

When he opened his eyes, he saw his sitting on the bed. Buffy was trembling.

“And then?” he asked her. His voice hoarse.

Buffy found herself trying desperately to block it all out. Everything that had happened that night. Everything she did. But it was all coming back to her.

No, no, no, no, she thought.

Buffy buried her head between her knees. Then clamped her hands over her ears.

William knew he wasn’t going to get any answers from her. Besides, he couldn't barely even stomach looking at her any more. Giving her a contemptuous glance, he directed his gaze to Xander.
“And then?” he asked.

“I…” Xander began. Nervously. “I don’t know what you want me to say, man.”

“Tell me what happened,” William said. Simply. Flatly.

“I….I mean….we…” Xander said. Bashfully rubbing the nape of his neck and looking down. “We…”

William found a fresh surge of anger coursing through him.

“Go on,” William said. “Say it.”

“Look,” Xander said. Sighing. “I think we should all just take…”

“I wanna hear you say it,” William growled.

He didn’t know why. But he needed to hear it. From Xander’s lips, if not Buffy’s.

“What you did. Both of you.”

William looked over at Buffy. Her eyes were shut. She’d begun rocking back and forth gently.

“Buffy and I,” Xander began. Delicately. “Made love. Okay? We made love, Will.”

Buffy found herself wanting to let out a primal scream.

That is not what happened, Buffy thought. You motherfucker. You bastard. She screwed her eyes shut tighter. Clamped her hands over her ears harder. Until she’d shut out the world. And everything had gone black.


William scoffed at Xander’s use of the euphemism.

“Come off it, mate,” he said. “You bleedin’ shagged each other. Right?”

William stared at Xander. Hard.

“Right?” he asked. Again.

William had begun pacing around the room now.

“Right,” Xander said. Finally. Softly. Raising his hands. “Whatever you say, man.”

Suddenly, William halted in his tracks.

“How many times?” he asked.

“Sorry?” Xander asked. Blinking.

Had he heard the question correctly?

“How. Many. Times. Did. You. Fuck. My. Wife,” William queried. Enunciating every word.

Oh, this is too good to be true, Xander thought. I guess Willie wants all the sordid details.

Xander had to stop himself from smiling. He forced himself to screw up his face.

“I…” Xander began. “I wasn’t exactly keeping count man.”

The hell I wasn’t, Xander thought.

“More than once,” William asked. “Right? Right?”

He seemed almost hopeful now. Xander could see a faint ray of hope in his eyes. If it was only once, William could explain it away somehow. To himself. A mistake. An error in judgment. Something. Anything. That would help him understand.

“Yeah,” Xander said. Trying his best to sound sorrowful. “Sorry.”

He saw William’s jaw clench. His fists tighten. He began to pace again. He could see his lips mouthing the words ‘in my fucking house. In my fucking bed’. Over and over again.

“Ballpark it for me,” William snarled suddenly.

“What?” Xander asked.

Xander could hear the gears grinding away in William’s head. The morbid curiosity was killing him. And Xander was loving it.

“How many times, mate?” William asked.

Xander shifted uncomfortably where he stood. But inwardly, he found himself snickering. He was actually having fun. Pretending to squirm while torturing William with all the salacious details.

“I mean,” Xander began. Pretending to go over it in his mind. “I guess I’d have to say…”

Enjoying seeing the anguish on William’s face grow as he continued to revise the count upwards. He waited a few moments longer. To prolong William’s anguish. Until he could take no more.

“Three?” William asked. Through gritted teeth. “Four?”

“I’d say five or six,” Xander said. Enjoying the thunderstruck look on William’s face.

“Five or six,” William whispered. To himself. Xander saw a kaleidoscope of emotions flash across William’s face. Mostly anger actually. And a healthy dose of denial.

That’s right, Willie. Your wife and I did it six ways from Sunday, Xander thought. More than you ever managed with the Mrs in one night I wager. No wonder she’s begging for more.

“And then twice again in the morning,” Xander added. Unable to resist one delicious, final twist of the knife sticking out of William. Then pretended to look repentant when William glared at him threateningly.

“Buffy said you had a late afternoon flight,” Xander said. Weakly. “That we could spend the morning in.”

When William stepped forward menacingly, Xander threw up his hands.

“Don’t hit me again!” he said in his best whiny voice. “Please! I’m sorry! I’ll do anything.”

William grunted with disgust, then looked away. Towards Buffy.

“Why?” William asked. “Tell me why, luv.”

Buffy remained where she was. Seated on the bed. Head between her legs. Hands over her ears.

“Talk to me,” William snarked. He stepped forward. His temper flaring. Teeth bared. “Was it me? Was it? Was it something I did?

“I deserve to fucking know!” he screamed. “What did I do?”

Still, she said nothing.

Finally, William exhaled. Then knelt in front of the bed. On his hands and knees.

“Say something,” he said. Tears running down his face. Until he’d collapsed on the floor. “Anything. Please. Luv. Please.”

Xander found himself wanting to puke at the sheer sentimentality on display. Jeez, he thought. Get a grip, mate.

“Okay,” she finally said. Softly. Swallowing the lump in her throat.

William raised his head.

“You want the truth?” Buffy asked. Wiping the tears off her face.

William nodded.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

Oh shit, Xander thought. She’s not gonna…

“Yes,” William croaked. “Please.”

“It was you,” Buffy said. Coldly. “Something you did.”

“What?” William asked.

Buffy turned to look at Xander.

“You wanna tell him or should I?” she asked.

Oh fuck, Xander thought.

“Uh…” Xander began.

“Where should I fucking begin?” Buffy said. Contemptuously.

“Should we start with that shitty ass apartment we have, Will? Or the shitty ass car you drive?” Buffy said. Angrily.

William didn’t understand. At all. What was she on about? The apartment? The car? What the fuck?

“Maybe it’s the fact that we haven’t taken a vacation in five fucking years,” Buffy continued. Shrilly. “Or the fact that you’re never home. Never there for me. Why is it always about you, Will?”

“I mean, it’s not like we’re rolling in it either,” Buffy added. “So where do you spend all the money, Will? Got some whores stashed away I don’t know about?”

“Where… where is this coming from?” William asked. Gawping at her. “I don’t understand.”

Buffy took in a little breath. Time to go nuclear. Still, she took in a breath and prepared herself. For what she had to do.

I’m sorry Will, she thought. But you have to go. I need you to go. I’ll explain everything later.

“And maybe if you’d been just a little more giving in bed,” Buffy said. Caustically. Leaning forward and lowering her voice. “I wouldn’t have needed Xander to scratch that particular itch.”

“Oh and since you’re just dying to know,” Buffy added. “It was seven times.”

Yowza, Xander thought. Grinning widely now. Buff. Be still my heart.

William’s eyes widened in disbelief. He didn’t know what to say.

But Buffy wasn’t done.

“I thought I was marrying a man,” Buffy said. Turning back to William. “But what I got was a lost, little boy. What a fucking disappointment you are, my darling husband.”

William just sat there. Shaken to his very core.

“Right,” William said. Just sitting there. Shaken to his very core. Under the cold, empty gaze of his wife. Never noticing her hand tightly gripping the bedsheet so hard it had turned white.

“Right,” he said again. Slowly, heavily, he rose to his feet.

“Have a nice life then,” he said. Coldly. “Fucking bitch.”

Buffy watched the man she love walk out the hotel apartment. Leaving her with the man she hated most in the world. Again.

For a moment, Buffy stared after William. Then she heard him speak.

“My my my,” Xander said. Shaking his head. “You are full of surprises. Aren’t you Buff?”

Buffy turned her head. The son-of-a-bitch was casually leaning back against the wall. A gleeful look across his face. The hungry look in his eye made Buffy’s skin crawl.

“I do my best,” Buffy said breezily. Somehow forcing a winning smile across her face.

“I think,” Xander began. Pushing himself off the wall and stepping towards her. “We should pick this party up right where we left off.”

Buffy felt a stab of fear in her chest. She had to resist the urge to clamp both hands across herself.

“Oh I bet you do,” she said. Flirtatiously. Sitting up a little, she bent her head to one side and flipped her hair.

“Mr Boss Man,” she added. In a low, sensual voice.

Play it cool, she told herself. Be the ditzy blonde. That way, he’ll never see it coming.

Now, Xander was grinning like an idiot. He could barely contain himself, Buffy saw. When he jumped forward and onto the bed, Buffy scooted back until she was against the headboard. Grabbing the bedsheet and wrapping it around herself as she did. Playfully.

“C’mere,” Xander said.

“Nuh-uh,” Buffy said. Flirtatiously. Baring her front teeth, she put her forefinger to her teeth and gave him the biggest smile she could manage.

Smile, smile, smile, Buffy told herself. Just a little longer.

“Anything to keep the boss happy, right?” Xander rasped. Scooting forward a little.

“Is that what I said?” she asked. Letting out a loud, cloying giggle.

“Yeah,” Xander said. Scooting even closer now.

Suddenly, Buffy stuck her foot out and poked him in the chest. Keeping him at bay.

“I’m thirsty,” she pouted.

For a moment, Xander looked annoyed. Until he spotted the champagne glass on the bedside table. Quickly, he leaned over and scooped it up. Then passed it to her without a second thought.

“Drink up,” Xander said.

Dammit, Buffy thought.

“To us,” Buffy said. She raised the glass to her lips, then pretended to take a sip. Letting it drip down her chin instead, which she subtly wiped with her hand.

Xander didn’t even noticed. He was eyeing the bedsheet now. Which was wrapped around Buffy.

“Mmmm, that’s good,” she added. Hoping to trick him into drinking it.

Come on, she thought. Come on.

“C’mere,” Xander said again. This time, his voice was low. Rough. His eyes were rough as well.

Get him to drink, Buffy thought. You have to get him to…

Buffy, still clutching the glass in her hand, steeled herself. Then, letting the bedsheet drop, scooted closer to him. Suddenly, they were in front of each other. The moment he leant in for a kiss, Buffy sat up on her haunches. So that she was looking down at him.

For a moment, Buffy couldn’t contain the disdain in her eyes.

You’re beneath me, she wanted to scream down at him. Instead, she smiled at him with frozen eyes. Hoping he wouldn’t notice.

When he put his hand on her hip, Buffy had to resist the urge to jump out of her skin. She placed a light hand on his chest, then manouvered them both around until Xander had his back against the headboard.

“Wanna taste?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he growled. Both his hands were on her hips now. He was about to pull her down and into his lap.

Buffy knew she was out of time. So she did the only thing she could think of. Parting her robe with one hand, she tipped the glass downwards. And let a few drops fall on her breasts.

“So taste,” she said. Adopting a suitably amorous expression.

Xander looked in awe of her.

“Oh Buff,” Xander said. Shaking his head. A moment later, he had buried his face between Buffy’s breasts and his hungry mouth and tongue were lapping at her tits.

“Christ,” he was muttering. “So good.”

This time, Buffy couldn’t conceal the disdain she felt for him.

“You like that?” she asked. Her voice soft and dangerous.

“Yeah,” he said. His tongue emerged to lap at her nipple.

“Want another taste?” she asked.
“Yeah,” he said. Grinning wickedly.

Here goes nothing, Buffy thought. She tipped her head back as much as she could of the liquid into her mouth. Then, placing the glass on the bedside table, gave him the most wanton look she could summon.

When Xander let out a feral growl, Buffy knew he’d taken the bait.

Yes, she thought. That’s right. You know you want to.

Slowly, Buffy lowered herself to him. Carefully swirling the drink around in her mouth. Making sure she wasn’t swallowing any of it.

When she felt Xander’s hand at the back of her head, Buffy froze.

Let him make the move, she thought. You have to let him…

Then he was pulling her mouth down on his.

Drink you son of a bitch, Buffy thought.

And drink it he did. Greedily. Hungrily. Delighting in it.

Until Buffy had no more left to give.

Drink you son of a bitch, Buffy thought.

Slowly, she’d begun passing the wine from between her lips and into Xander’s eager, open mouth.

He drank it all. Greedily. Hungrily. Delighting in it. Making happy slurping sounds.

When she’d finally passed the last of the liquid into Xander’s mouth, she raised her mouth and took a deep breath.

“That was amazing,” Xander said. Licking his lips to savour both the taste of her and the wine. Looking up at her in awe.

Forcing a pleasant look on her face, Buffy tittered. Resisting the urge to wipe her lips with the back of her hand.

“I’m glad you enjo..” Buffy began. Finding herself cut-off with by a kiss from Xander.

“Mpph,” Buffy said. As he placed his hand on the bed for support and spun them around. She attempted to extricate herself from his grip, but found his hold on her far too strong.

“Now,” he said. “Let’s you and me resume our private party, yeah?””

“Baby,” Buffy protested. Even as he lay her down.

Oh god, she thought. No. Please.

“I’m all sticky,” she said. Turning her voice whiny and nasally. “I feel gross.”

“I like you sticky and gross,” he said. Burying his face in her neck and planting kisses everywhere.

When she felt his hardness nudging her quim, Buffy shut her eyes.

Faith, she thought. Desperately. Where are you?

When the door opened, they both turned their heads to it.

To find Faith and a middle-aged cleaning lady standing there. The older woman clasped her hands over her face in shame, then fled muttering a string of obscenities in Spanish.

“Sorry I’m late,” Faith declared. “You would not believe traffic.”

“Faith?” Xander asked. Sitting up a little, he stared at her hard. “What the fuck are you…”

“You didn’t tell him?” Faith asked Buffy. Folding her hands across herself and raising her eyebrows.

Now, Xander looked back at Buffy.

“Tell me what?” he asked. Suspiciously.

When Buffy hesitated, Faith jumped in.

“Buffy got you an early birthday present,” the brunette said. “Me.”

Xander looked back at Faith. Who’d placed her hand on her hip and struck a sensual pose now.

Xander found himself beaming now.

“Happy birthday babe,” Buffy said. Trying to feign enthusiasm as best she could, she let out a giggle.

“You really are full of surprises,” Xander said. In awe.

“Come join us babe,” Buffy said. Extending her hand towards Faith. Her eyes begging for help.

“Sorry,” Faith said. Stepping closer.

Xander, watching Faith approaching them with hungry eyes, completely missed Buffy subtly gesturing with her hand to the champagne glass by the bedside.

Faith picked up the glass. Then raised it to her own lips.

“To new experiences,” she said. Dipping her head back, she pretended to take a sip. Then found Xander’s hand on her forearm. Pulling her closer.

Faith knew what she had to do. Finish making Xander drink.

“Got some room for one more?” she asked. Looking down at Xander.

“Always,” he said. Faith placed her hand on Xander’s shoulder, then gently turned him towards her.

“You don’t mind do you babe?” she asked Buffy. “I’d like to get in on the action.

You okay B? her eyes said.

“Help yourself,” Buffy said.

No, Buffy said. I’m not. But I will be. Once we do this. Thank you.

Finding Xander’s hold on her had slackened considerably. Clearly, he was eager to play with the shiny, new toy.

“Plenty of me to go around ladies,” Xander said. Keeping his hand on Buffy’s waist. “Let’s keep the claws to ourselves. For now.”

Faith chuckled derisively. Then quickly straddled Xander and placed her left hand on his throat. Her right hand continued to hold the champagne glass

“Oh that’s cute,” Faith said. Shooting Buffy a look that says ‘follow my lead’. “He thinks he’s in charge here.”

Faith squeezed Xander’s throat. Not hard. But hard enough to make it hurt a little.

“He does,” Buffy said. In a slightly nervous voice. “That is cute, isn’t it?”

“I am,” Xander said. Smirking. Already, his right hand was undoing the left strap of Faith’s dress. “Just the many, many perks of being top dog.”

“See, I don’t think you wanna be in charge,” Faith said. Sitting up a little in his lap, she lowered the other strap. Then shimmied off the dress. Revealing her stunning $500 black basque Agent Provocateur Lingerie.

“Oh, I think I do,” Xander grinned. Kicking away the dress, he pulled Faith down into his lap. When he attempted to kiss her, Faith raised her face.

Undaunted, Xander began peppering her neck with kisses. Faith shot Buffy a look that said ‘help me out here B’. Buffy leaned over and put her lips to Xander’s ear.

“You don’t,” she whispered. Her breath heated. “Trust me.”

“No?” he asked. Turning his face slightly to look at her even as he continued to kiss Faith’s neck. His eyes were cloudy. “And why not?”

Already his hands were undoing Faith’s bra. The brunette’s eyes were growing alarmed now.

“Because,” Buffy said. Huskily. “Faith and I really wanna give you your first birthday present.”

“The first of many,” Faith chimed in. Playfully pushing away his eager hands and giggling.

“Yeah?” Xander said. His eyes grew greedy now. “What is it?”

“A nice…” Buffy began. Leaning forward to place a hand on his chest. Then gently pushing him onto his back.

“Long,” Faith added. Leaning forward and placing her hand on his chest.

“Relaxing…” Buffy added.

The women locked eyes. Both knowing what lay at the top of any red-blooded male’s list when it came to a menage e trois.

“Birthday blowjob,” they said. Together.

Now, Xander was beaming. His eyes had lit up at the thought of these two gorgeous women on their knees in front of him.

“You still wanna be in control?” Faith teased. Raising her eyebrow.

“Do you?” Buffy asked. Sternly.

“No ma’am,” Xander said. Looking from woman to woman. And readily laying back. “I’m all yours.”

“Happy birthday baby,” Buffy said. Running her hands across his chest and tittering.

Smile, smile, smile, she told herself.

“Happy Secretary’s Day,” Faith said. Raising the glass in a toast as she put one hand behind her to ostensibly undo her bra.

Xander cackled.

“I’ll drink to that!” he said. Joyfully.

Faith seized the moment. Scurrying forward, she placed the glass at the brim of his lips.

“Then drink,” she commanded. Swirling it around to make sure all the powder at the bottom was absorbed into the liquid. “And enjoy your birthday blowjob.”

When Xander eagerly opened his mouth, Faith poured all of it down his gullet. When it was done, she shot Buffy a triumphant look.

We got em B, her eyes said. It’s just a matter of a minute or two.

Buffy exhaled softly. Then immediately rose to her feet and stepped away from the bed. Retrieving her bathrobe, she quickly put it on and pulled it over herself.

Faith, meanwhile, had also rolled off the bed. And, walking over to Buffy, placed her hand on her back.

“It’s okay, B,” Faith whispered. “It’s over.”

Xander by now, had placed his hands behind his head. In expectation of what was to come. A moment later, he raised his head.

“What’s the hold-up?” he said. Sounding put out. Eyeing both women with annoyance.

“Just girl talk,” Faith said. Keeping her tone light to play for time. “Just give us a sec baby. We’ll be right with you.”

Xander let out an unintelligible grunt. Flopping back on the bed.

“That’s the problem with you fuckin’ women,” he muttered. “Get all emotional. For fuck’s sakes, it’s just sex.”

Buffy turned around. And glared at him.

“Leave it B,” Faith whispered. “It’s just another minute.”

But Buffy was seething now.

“It wasn’t just sex!” she seethed. “You blackmailed me! You sick fuck! You raped me!”

Xander blinked.

“What?” he said. Blinking hard. “What the fuck did you…”

When he attempted to sit up, he found himself falling back to the bed. Clumsily.

“You raped me!” Buffy screeched. “You sick fuck. You motherfucker!”

Now, she found herself flying at him. Fists ready to strike him senseless. Xander, meanwhile, was shaking his head furiously. Trying to rouse himself from his stupor.

“You…” he mumbled. “The fuck did you..”

“B!” Faith gasped. Moving quickly, she intercepted Buffy and wrapped her arms around her. “Don’t. Stop. That’s not part of the plan.”

“Screw the plan,” Buffy spat. “He… he…”

“I know,” Faith whispered. Into Buffy’s ear. “I know, B. I know.”

When Buffy crumpled to the floor, Faith sat down alongside with her. She held her friend for a long time as she wept. Her body shaking and shuddering.

“I’m okay,” Buffy said. Finally. In a rough, raspy voice.

“You sure?” Faith whispered.

“Yes,” Buffy said.

“We stick to the plan, right?” Faith asked.

“Yes,” Buffy said. Sounding exhausted now. “We stick to the plan.”

“Okay,” Faith said. Breathing heavily. “We stick to the plan.”