It had been two months, and sixteen days with no sign of Spike. Buffy
would have thought he had left town if Dawn hadn't mentioned from
time to time that she had spent time with him. He had been avoiding
her and doing a great job of it, and it hurt. "So, what do you
think?" Dawn said with a bright smile.
"Huh?" Buffy said awakening from her thoughts.
"My birthday party. My sixteenth birthday party."
"Oh."
I was thinking of maybe having a costume party, that would be cool,
don't cha think?"
"Sure, you are the birthday girl, it's your day so you should have it
like you want." Buffy smiled encouragingly.
"I'm so glad you said that cause...Uhm...I was gonna invite Spike. If
that's ok with you."
"Sure," Buffy said trying to hide the excitement in her voice.
"I wasn't sure you'd want me to, I mean I figured you guys had a
fight, a pretty bad one, cause he's been all avoidy."
"No, it's ok. I mean he deserves to be there, he protected you while
I was gone."
"He still does, and he's majorly over protective. I figure with a
Slayer for a sister and a Vamp for a brother, I'll never get to
date." Buffy stared at her in wonderment. "What?"
"You think of Spike as your brother?"
"Well, yeah...kind of, as dysfunctional as we are, we're a family."
Dawn said as she stood and grabbed her books, ready for
school. "Laters." With that she headed out the door.
"Yeah, I guess we are." Buffy said with a sad smile.
~~~~
"Happy Birthday, Dawnie!!" Tara exclaimed as she entered the kitchen.
"Thanks," Dawn replied as she and Tara embraced. Tara handed Dawn her
present. "Double thanks. Wow you look great."
"I'm Joan of Arc."
"Cool, you know Willow had that same costume one Halloween." Dawn
said.
"Yeah I know, she told me. And look at you...Uhm who are you suppose
to be, exactly?"
"Morticia Addams, you know the Addams' family."
"Oh, so, where's Buffy and Will?"
"They're upstairs, I think they're still getting ready."
"Well, I'll go see how they're doing." Tara said as she headed for
the stairs. When she reached the top she moved to Buffy's room door
and gently knocked.
"Come in." Buffy called from the other side of the door. Tara stuck
he head in and then smiled at Willow who sat on the bed, dressed in a
tinker bell type custom. She then walked in and shut the door behind
her. "Hey," She said brightly. "You look great."
"Thanks, you too."
"Thanks, uhm Where's Buffy?" Willow pointed to the opened closet
door, and suddenly clothes started flying out. "What are you doing in
there?"
"I can't find anything to wear." Buffy grumbled and Willow and Tara
stared at the many garments resting about the room.
"Uhm...right?" Tara said with a smile.
"Spike's coming." Willow said plainly with a soft smile.
"Spike...uhm..." Tara began to stutter.
"It's ok Buffy told me about her and Spike, and that you knew
already."
"Oh," Tara said with a sigh. "So she's nervous about Spike coming?"
"No!" Buffy said as she emerged from the closet. "I'm not nervous
about Spike coming, I could so care less." Buffy said defiantly, and
both Tara and Willow gave her a nonbelieving look. Buffy rolled her
eyes and then with a huff plopped down on the floor. "Ok, ok I am.
It's been nearly three months, since I saw him last. You know when he
dumped me."
"Buffy, Spike didn't...Ok he did but he still loves you, you don't
just stop loving someone just because you discover you can't be with
them. And it doesn't mean it's forever, maybe Spike just needs time."
Tara stated not noticing the look of hope now in Willow's eyes.
"No, this time was different, if you had seen his eyes, he meant
every word he spoke. He wants something I don't know I can give him,
and he's not willing to wait around to see if I change my mind."
Buffy said glumly. Outside they could hear the rumbling of a car, and
Willow moved to the window.
"Guess who just arrived. Whoa he's wearing an Egyptian, Pharaoh style
costume. You know with the headgear, bare chest, little skirt, and
let me just say WOW! And, oh...oh, uhm." Willow said.
"What?" Buffy asked as she moved to her friend's side. They looked
down at the Blonde vamp as he helped a woman, who looked to be
dressed as Cleopatra, from the passenger side of his car. They stared
with open mouths as the woman leaned up and kissed him softly on the
lips, causing him to smile sweetly. "Oh." Buffy repeated.
~~~~
"SPIKE!" Dawn gushed excitedly as she threw her arms around the
vamp's neck. Spike returned the hug and smiled down at the girl.
"Happy birthday little bit." He said warmly.
"Thanks and you know I am the big 16, so you don't have to keep
calling he little bit." Dawn stated and Spike's face fell a little.
"Oh, yeah I guess..."
"But if you want to...you know, keep calling me that you can. Only if
you want to." Dawn said not really so grown up that she wanted Spike
to stop using the pet name he had christened her with.
"Fine, little bit," Spike said flashing a mischievous smile. "Oh uhm
this is Natalia." He gestured to the woman beside him, who smiled and
extended her hand.
"Hello Dawn and happy birthday." Dawn smiled back awkwardly as she
took the woman's hand.
"The nerve of him, bringing a date." Willow said now sitting on the
bed beside Tara, as they both watched Buffy pace about the room.
"It's ok Will." Buffy said. "When you breakup with someone,
technically that means they can see other people."
"Yeah I know but I never thought Spike would." Willow said which
caused Buffy to stop in her tracks.
"Me neither." Buffy said glumly. "I guess we better go get this over
with. How do I look?" Buffy turned in the red satin gown that swished
about her. She had chosen to go as a Rita Hayward attire, she looked
like a beauty straight from the movie pictures of the 30's and 40's.
Her hair set in big waves, parted on the side allowing one side to
fall across her eye. The dress hugged her form from her breast to her
waist and then fell loosely from her hips to her ankles.
"You look...wow." Willow said.
"Double wow." Tara seconded.
"Spike is gonna so choke when he sees you, and then you'll see he's
so totally not over you." Willow said as she stood and headed for the
door.
"Like I car...you think so?" Buffy asked as she moved to the door
followed by Tara.
"Oh absolutely," Tara agreed. "It's hard, after a breakup when you
still love that person deeply, not to react every time you see them."
Tara shot Willow a quick look and Willow gave her a quick smile.
~~~~
"So you've gone back to the eye makeup, huh Spike?" Xander who came
dressed as Napoleon with Anya as his Josephine, said slapping the
vamp on the back, playfully.
"It's just a part of the costume wanker. And how bout you, what's
with the hair you look...like..." Spike's train of thought left him
when he saw Buffy accompanied by Tara and Willow walk down the
stairs. An instant lump formed in his throat, which he failed to
swallow down.
"Hey there you guys are, where ya been?" Xander said cheerfully.
"I had a little trouble getting into the dress." Buffy lied. Buffy's
eyes fell to Spike's chest and she found it hard to concentrate. The
same could be said of Spike, who couldn't tear his eyes from Buffy.
"So, drinks all around, then." Xander offered.
"Dress," Spike said and then quickly corrected. "Yes!"
"Abs...sooolutely." Buffy said hoping no one caught the slip up.
"Ooookay," Xander said wondering what the hell was going on.
"Hey Buffy," Dawn rushed over with Natalia in tow. "Did you meet
Spike's girlfriend, Natalia? She's Russian."
"Actually, I'm Croatian, but good guess." Natalia said with a smile
as she moved to Spike and wrapped her arms around him. "Hello Buffy,
I've heard so much about you, nice to finally meet you." Natalia said
as she reach out her hand, Buffy grasped it and shook it firmly,
probably too firmly with her strength, but Natalia didn't seem to
notice.
"You've heard a lot about me?"
"Oh yes, between William and Dawn, I feel like I know you personally.
Oh but don't worry I heard nothing but good things from both."
"Uh huh," Buffy said with a forced smile as she shot Spike a
glared. "Sorry but I can't say the same, but it's nice to meet you."
"Wow you look gorgeous, Rita Hayward?" Natalia asked.
"Yeah." Buffy said instantly becoming insecure. "Sort of what I was
going for."
"Well you are definitely working that dress." Natalia said causing
Buffy to smile despite herself.
"Thanks, you look great too...both of you." Buffy said. "I think I'm
going to go help Xander with those drinks, yeah, excuse me." With
that Buffy quickly turned and headed for the kitchen. Spike's
unneeded breath caught in his throat at the sight of Buffy's bare
back which shone in the dress, which cut low in the back. Buffy
rushed into the kitchen grabbing one of the drinks Xander was about
to carry out. "Drink, drink, need a drink. Thanks." Buffy said and
then gulped it down.
"Hey Buff you ok." Xander asked worried.
"Yeah fine, just very thirsty, and suddenly very hot, whew. Think I'm
gonna go out back for a bit, cool off."
"You sure you're alright."
"Yeah, go have fun and tell the others I'll be in, in a minute."
Buffy said as she walked out the back door. With a huff Buffy plopped
down on the top step and sadly stared up at the stars. How dare he
come here and with that..that…her. Buffy thought to herself, frowning.
"Hey." Spike spoke as he walked out on to the back porch, causing
Buffy to jump.
"What are you doing out here?" Buffy asked irritated. "I came out
here to get away from yo…to be alone." Spike smiled at her slightly
as he lifted his cigarette, shaking it between his fingers.
"Needed a smoke is all, Luv. You don't want me smoking in the house,
do you?"
"No." Buffy said as she now stared back up at the stars. Spike lit up
his fag and then took a seat beside Buffy on the step. Both sat in
silence not sure of what to say. "So," Buffy spoke first. "How did
you two meet, you and Natalia." Buffy asked looking down at her
hands, which she was wring.
"I use to date her grand mum." Spike said taking a drag from his
cigarette as Buffy eyed him suspiciously. "Back in the forties,
during the world war, I saved her grand mum, and her mum, who was
just a young girl at the time, from a concentration camp." Spike said
as he took his last drag and then flicked the remaining stub on the
ground and stepped on it.
"Oh," Buffy said stunned. "Really, so you're like a family friend?"
"Yeah something like that."
"So you're not seeing each other then?"
"If you mean romantically, no, and what's it to ya anyway? What you
don't want me but no one else can have me either?"
"I do wan…wanna another drink. I'm gonna go back inside." Buffy said
as she stood and moved towards the door.
"That's right run off like always, instead of dealing." Spike said
with a smile of disgust on his lips as he remained seated on the
step. Buffy turned to him, glaring at his back, which was to her.
"I'm not running, I'm just thirsty." Buffy defended and Spike threw
her a doubtful look over his shoulder.
"Look Buffy, you don't want a real relationship with me, I get it
now, but you don't get to ask about my personal life, ok. We're just
friends, if you can call us that, and nothing more, just the way you
want it, right?" Spike asked but Buffy couldn't answer, and just
stood there over him with her arms folded across her chest. "Right."
Spike said as he stood and brushed past her reentering the house.
"I do consider you a friend you know." Buffy said as she followed him
into the house, slamming the door behind her.
"Oh yeah since when?" Spike asked turning to face her, neither
noticed that Xander, Anya, and Dawn stood in the kitchen behind them,
fixing more snacks and drinks.
"Since…since." Buffy stumbled trying hard to think when she first
started considering Spike as something other than evil and dangerous
to her and her friends.
"Yeah like I thought, you just think of me as your own personal shag
machine. The only time you act like you like me is when were in bed
and you're screaming my name and clawing my back." Spike said in a
near hissed. At that moment Xander was spitting his soda across the
room and both Anya and Dawn just stared with a shocked smile on their
lips. Buffy and Spike didn't acknowledge their audience, but just
continued to glare at each other.
"I like you then only because you're too busy kissing my ass, among
other places, to say something stupid that's gonna really piss me
off." Buffy shot back. "You know Spike if you just wouldn't talk
you'd be a whole lot better."
"Oh, what's the matter Slayer, can't handle the truth cause that's
all I've ever given you? Unadulterated, non-sugarcoated truth."
"Ha! The truth according to Spike? Please. `You belong in the dark
with me' that's your truth?"
"Well if I'm wrong then why the hell do you keep coming to me, every
night?" Buffy's mouth dropped open to speak but then closed tightly
when she realized she had no answer. "That's what I thought. Just
love the touch don't ya luv." Spike added licking his lips a little.
"You know you're unbelievable, you really think you're like God's
gift. I mean just because you're incredible in bed, giving me hours
and hours of pleasure and multiple orgasms, that doesn't make you the
greatest lover in the world." Buffy stated causing Xander to faint
and hit the floor, as both Anya's and Dawn's grins grew bigger.
"No, just the greatest lover you've ever had." Spike said in a near
growl his annoyance growing by the second.
"You know it's times like this that I'm so glad I broke up with you."
Buffy stated.
"You broke up with me? Ha! As I recall that last break up was at my
request. Which I'm beginning to think was the best thing I've ever
done." Buffy's mouth gaped open at his words but then quickly snapped
shut again. "I think I'll be going now."
"I think that's the best thing you've said all evening." Buffy
sneered. Spike turned and stalked to the doorway that led out of the
kitchen. He stopped long enough to pull a small box from a pouch
hanging around his waist. He handed it to Dawn, who took it with a
sweet smile on her lips. "Happy birthday Little bit." Spike then left
the room and seconds later the sound of a door slamming rang
throughout the house.
"Hey," Willow spoke as she and Tara both entered the kitchen. "What's
wrong with Spike he seemed very mad when he left." Buffy just stood
near the back door, where Spike left her, anger etched over her face.
"Oh Buffy and Spike had a lover's spat." Anya spoke. About that time
Xander stirred lifting himself from the floor.
"Buffy, Spike, shagging?" Xander mumbled as Anya rubbed his back.
"It's ok sweetie, he's very traumatized." Anya said.
"So I guess everyone knows now." Tara said.
"Wait, you already knew?" Dawn asked.
"Yeah, me and Willow. Buffy told us." Tara said and then noticed that
Buffy still stood glaring after Spike. "Ah, Buffy you ok?" Buffy now
looked to her friends but didn't speak instead headed up the stairs
to her room.
"Ok, you guys knew Buffy and Spike were…were," Xander spoke choking
a little. "And you didn't tell me?"
"Why would they? It's none of your business, Buffy's an adult." Dawn
defended much to everyone's surprise.
"Hello, we're talking about Spike here, an evil demon who's hurt a
lot of people." Xander said.
"Ah, hello you just described your fiancée." Dawn said. "But they're
both reformed now, both good." Xander closed his mouth to that for
fear he would say something to offend or upset Anya. "Besides it
doesn't matter anyway since Spike dumped Buffy."
"Wait, Spike dumped Buffy?" Xander repeated. "That bastard, I'll kill
him." Everyone rolled their eyes at him.
"Maybe it's for the best, maybe not. All I know is, we have to be
here for Buffy, not judging her but supporting her. Dawn's right
Buffy's an adult it's her life and if she wants to be with Spike, or
not that's her business." Tara said.
Upstairs, Buffy had changed out of her costume and into some old
Sweats, and sat on her windowsill, staring out at the moon and stars,
wondering what Spike was doing, him and Natalia.
(I won't pretend that I intend to stop living
I won't pretend I'm good at forgiving
But I can't hate you
Although I have tried
MMMM
I still really, really love you
Love is stronger than pride
I still really, really love you
MMMM
I won't pretend that I intend to stop living
I won't pretend I'm good at forgiving
But I can't hate you
Although I have tried
MMMM
I still really, really love you
Love is stronger than pride
I still really, really love you
MM MM MM MM MM)
Spike had long arrived back at his apartment, having dropped Natalia
off and headed to the liquor store for some bourbon, which he now sat
on the floor in front of the freshly lit fireplace, drinking from the
bottle. He was cursing himself for letting Buffy get him so riled up,
for saying ugly, hurtful things to her, for loving her so damned
much. He gazed into the fire and wondered what Buffy was doing, and
if she'd ever speak to him again.
(Sitting here wasting my time
Would be like
Waiting for the sun to rise
It's all too clear things come and go
Sitting here waiting for you
Would be like waiting for winter
It's gonna be cold
There may even
Be snow)
A soft knock came at the door, Spike got up and moved to open the
door. He was shocked yet very please to see her standing there. He
moved to the side letting her enter and closing the door behind her.
(I still really, really love you
Love is stronger than pride
I still really, really love you
Love is stronger
I still really love you
Love is stronger than pride)
Song by Sade (Love is Stronger then Pride)
Fin…on to the next Buffy/Spike adventure, 'Twice in a Lifetime'
[Reviews - 37]
-
Table of Contents [Report This]
Chapter or Story |
Chapter or Story | 
Chapter or Story
Has been viewed 2956 times
- Text Size +
-
Table of Contents [Report This]
Chapter or Story |
Chapter or Story | Chapter or Story - Text Size +