[Reviews - 111]
-
Table of Contents [Report This]
Microsoft Word Chapter or Story | ePub eBook Chapter or Story | Printer Chapter or Story

Has been viewed 2892 times

- Text Size +




Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the new update. And in record time! Haha. Well, I hope you all enjoy it. It gets a little angsty toward the end, but this will be a Spuffy romance after all is said and done.
Chapter 9 – Surprise Arrival

Sunnydale Airport

Spike debarked his flight and made his way to baggage claim. He quickly grabbed his bags and made his way to the front of the airport to find a cab. It didn’t take him long to flag down a cab and he pulled his bags in the back seat with him as he looked at the driver through his shades and said, “1630 Revello Drive.”

While the driver began on his way, Spike pulled out his cell and turned it back on. A few seconds later his phone beeped to let him know that he had a voicemail. He pressed and held down the 1 key and waited. He punched in his code and listened for the voicemail. His breath hitched when he heard her voice.

‘Hi… it’s me… I just wanted to let you know what was going on. I know we were supposed to talk today, but my sister called me last night and I had to fly home.’ There was pause. ‘It’s hard being back here. It’s hard for me to let you in, but I hope you can give me some time to figure it all out… to figure out what I want. I love you.’

For whatever reason, Spike chose to save the message before he closed his phone and began staring at the passing houses as the cab neared Revello Drive. He remembered the area well even though he hadn’t been home in the last 5 years. He’d kept in touch with his dad and Jenny, but he hadn’t bothered to come home for a holiday much less a visit.

His thoughts were still wandering over such things when the cab lurched to a stop in front of the very familiar Summers’ house. He thanked the driver and paid his fare before getting out with his bags. He walked up to the front door with no plan or back up plan for that matter. He set his bags down on the front porch before ringing the doorbell. There was no answer and he was half tempted to climb up the tree and get on the roof at Buffy’s bedroom window, but he didn’t. Lucky for him he remembers someone who might be able to tell him where Buffy was. Leaving his bags on Buffy’s porch, knowing that no one in Sunnydale would steal them off someone’s front porch, he starts jogging down the street.


Moments later Spike is knocking on someone else’s door in hopes that they will be home. The door opens and Spike is face to face with an old friend whom he hasn’t spoken to since graduation. Without giving the person a chance to have the first word Spike begins to speak, “Look, I know you must think very little of me right now, but I’m here because of Buffy. I really care about her and I came to be here for her, but she’s not at home. Is there any chance you might know where she is and be willing to tell me?”

Willow stared down her old friend as he spoke. He appeared to be speaking from the heart though, and Willow had always had a soft spot for the William/Buffy romance. When he had finished having the first word she gave a moment’s pause before saying, “I do know where she is, and I’ll do better than telling you where she is…” This time she paused for dramatic effect just to tease him. “I’ll take you to her.”

Spike released a breath he didn’t realize he was holding in. Here was Buffy’s best girlfriend and she was being nice to him. Did Buffy tell her something that she hadn’t told him? He didn’t give it much thought as he watched Willow grab her keys and purse and lead the way to her car.

“Thank you Willow,” he said.

“No problem Will.” She climbed into the car and started the engine. A minute later they were on the road. “When did you get into town?”

“About a half hour ago. Took a cab to Buffy’s but no one was home.”

“No, I don’t guess so. Buffy is at the hospital with Joyce. Dawn is in school. And I think Xander is at the hospital too, to help out with little Will. Hospitals aren’t much fun for kids, but I’m sure he’s having fun with Xander.”

Spike smiled at the thought of his son getting to know his high school friends. “How is Joyce?”

“She’s strong, and she’s happy to have Buffy and Will around. We don’t know much yet. There’s a biopsy scheduled for tomorrow. Then we’ll know more.” Willow looked over at William who appeared to have a very solemn expression. “Are you okay?” she asked softly.

“Yeah, just concerned. Joyce is a good woman and I know she means a lot to Buffy and the niblet. I don’t know what they’ll do if…” He trailed off, not wanting to say that thought aloud.

“I know what you mean. I think we’re all afraid of how bad it could be, but at this point we just need to think positively.”

“You’re right.” He smiled softly at her. “So, you live at your parents’ place now?”

“Yeah, but it’s my place now.” She gave him a ‘yeah, I know’ look and smiled. “During my senior year at UC Sunnydale they decided to start traveling the world. Mom’s writing books and Dad’s just taking it easy. So, I’m left with the house which I don’t hate.”

“Sounds nice.”

“It is.” She parked the car in the lot and they got out. She locked it and they headed inside.

“How is she going to take me just showing up here unannounced?” he asked, half to himself and half to Willow.

“I honestly don’t know, but I think it will be good for her to have you here. Just take it nice and easy, yeah?”

“Yeah, I can do that.”

They signed in at the desk and began walking to Joyce’s room. He remained quiet with his thoughts the rest of the way to the room, and when they reached the door he stopped. He had no idea what he was going to say to her. Just then Willow touched his shoulder and he looked up at her. That was all he needed. The simple touch gave him a quiet confidence and he knocked quietly on the door. A moment later Buffy opened it and stood before him slightly slack-jawed.


Willow looked from one to the other and knew that they were more in love with each other now than ever. She just wasn’t sure what it would take to make the two realize that they were indeed meant for one another. Will bonded them for life and that was one thing in their favor, but thought they needed a little something extra. What that something was, she didn’t know that yet. Instead of watching their interaction any further Willow moved into the room to talk to Joyce.


Buffy stood staring at Spike for a long moment. She opened her mouth to say something more than once and closed it again. She gave him a puzzled look before finally saying, “What are you doing here?”

That wasn’t what Spike expected her to say, but then again he wasn’t ever sure of what to expect from her. Even when they were friends she was unpredictable. “Yeah… about that…” He fumbled with his words for a moment, cursing himself for sounding like the blubbering poet he had been as a kid and early teen. “I called you yesterday, a few times actually and you never picked up, so I got worried and came over to your house. When I was knocking on your door your neighbor poked her head out and explained that you’d come home because of some emergency with your mum.” He paused before adding, “I thought you could use a friend.” His eyes shifted from her face down to his feet and he shoved his hands in his pockets.

Buffy listened quietly and watched his eyes shift. When she saw how he shoved his hands in his pockets it made it seem like he was laying himself at her mercy and while it was totally endearing it also made her feel uneasy. This wasn’t the sexy, strong man she used to know and it made her wonder what had happened over the last 5 years to change him. She didn’t hesitate to say, “Thank you.”

He looked up to meet her gaze and he gave her a small smile which he was overjoyed to see she returned with her own small smile. A moment later he was surprised to feel her small hand caressing his cheek. “You’re welcome.”

“It means the world to me that you came here… to be here for me.” She smiled softly and stepped closer to him. “Let’s talk later, okay?”

He nodded and followed her lead as walked into the room.

“Mom, you remember William, don’t you?”

“Of course I do,” she said cheerfully. “It’s nice to see you again. How long has it been now?”

“Five years ma’am,” he said without much hesitation.

“Yes, that sounds about right.”

Buffy glanced at her mother and hoped there wasn’t an overprotective mom grilling coming right now. She released a sigh when her mom next spoke to Willow.


“Go,” Joyce urges them all, especially the reluctant Buffy. “Spend the rest of this beautiful day doing something other than cooping yourself up in this stuffy hospital room.”

“But what about you? I don’t want to leave you all alone,” Buffy replied.

“I’ll be fine dear. I’m sure Dawn will want to come by after school and besides, I could use the rest.”

“Okay,” she gave in hesitantly. “But I’m coming back with Dawn in a few hours.”

“I would expect nothing less.” Joyce waved them goodbye with a small smile.

Buffy shut the door behind her and heaved a sigh. When she opened her eyes she had concerned looks from her friend and Spike. “I’m fine,” she lied.

“Buffy…” Willow began.

“Nope, fine. Where’s Will?”

“Still with Xander. I think I’m going to go catch up with them now and spend some time with the little man. You go have some fun.” Willow gave her the resolve face.

“Okay, something fun it is.” Buffy smiled.

“Fun?” Spike raised an eyebrow in question.

“Yes, fun. Any ideas?”

“You inviting me to come along for the ride, love?”

“Got anything better to do?” she asked.

“Never.”

“Okay then. Are you hungry? Cause I’ve barely eaten a thing all day.”

Before he could speak he heard her stomach growl. “Food it is then. Any preference?”

“Food is food,” she replied diplomatically. “But how about that old diner in town? We can grab some food and eat it outside.”

“Sounds lovely kitten.”


Once they’d ordered and sat down outside Buffy began to think about that talk she’d promised him. She just wasn’t sure she really wanted to have it right now, so she continued eating her burger and fries.

Spike on the other hand couldn’t stop staring at the gorgeous girl sitting across from him. He was so in love with her it felt like he was suffocating. But the thing on his mind was whether she felt the same because that message she’d left him made it seem like there were some unresolved issues between them. And he desperately wanted to resolve any and all of them.

Buffy noticed the staring and adoring looks and while it was nice it was also a little strange for her. To break the silence she said, “What?”

Spike cleared his throat and spoke quietly. “You… you’re so beautiful.”

She couldn’t help but blush. “Yeah, because sleepless nights look so beautiful on me,” she said sarcastically.

“No, you do,” he said seriously and when she gave him an incredulous look all he said was, “When have I ever lied to you?”

“Right.”

“Right what?” he asked.

“Nothing…” she said. “I’m just tired,” she added softly.

“Right then. I’ll take you home,” he said, standing to throw away their trash now that they were done eating. When he came back to the table he kneeled beside her and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “Tell me what’s going on up there, yeah?”

There was a moment of silence as she looked into his eyes and saw the determination there. “You’re so not giving up, are you?”

“No, I’m really not,” he said with a small chuckle.

“Fine,” she said with a faux pout.

“God…” he lost himself with that pout and quickly repositioned himself so he had pulled them both up and was holding her in his arms as he kissed her senseless. He smiled against her lips as she melted against him almost instantly.

When they broke for air a moment later she playfully hit his chest. “What was that for?”

“Pouting,” he said with a nonchalant shrug.

“Oh, you don’t get away with that so easily mister.”

“What’re you gonna do about?” he asked as he pulled her against his body once more so she could feel exactly what she did to him.

“Oh…” she said again, losing her train of thought. A second later she pushed at his chest and said, “That’s so not fair. How can you make me lose my train of thought like that?”

“Just part of the charm,” he said with a smirk as he sat down at the picnic table again and pulled her down so she was sitting across his lap. “So what was it you wanted to talk to me about earlier?”

She furrowed her brows, successfully giving him a confused look while her heart was racing and thoughts were running through her mind. ‘Is now the time? Do I really want to have ‘the talk’ now?’

He saw the look and could tell she was thinking about it. He didn’t want to make her uncomfortable so he backed off hoping that might help to put her at ease about whatever it was she wanted to talk to him about. “It’s ok pet. You don’t have to do this now. We can talk some other time. I’m not going anywhere.” He smiled and brought her hand to his lips to leave a feather light kiss on it.

Buffy had to smile at this. He sounded so sincere and she wanted to believe that every word. She just didn’t want to get hurt again. She couldn’t deal with him leaving again.

It took her a moment to gather her thoughts as she wiggled in his lap a little and removed her arms from where they were around his neck.

He held onto her hips to try and make her stop wiggling, but there was no way to be subtle about it.

“Sorry,” she said with a light smile that immediately faded once it had made an appearance.

‘This really is gonna be a serious talk, isn’t it?’ he thought with a little apprehension.

“Well…” she tried to begin but stopped again. She stood from sitting on his lap. She couldn’t think when he was touching her. “Going… let’s start there…”

“Going?” he asked. She wasn’t making any sense but he didn’t want to interrupt her.

“You said you weren’t going anywhere. How do you know that? How can you say something like that when you don’t know what will happen? I just… I can’t do this if…” she let out a sigh as she ran her hands through her hair.

Spike stood and put his hands on her shoulders. Just as he started to say, “Buff—”

“Don’t. Just don’t,” she said with a finger to his lips. “I need to get all of this out.” She looked him in the eyes and began to get lost in those baby blues before she realized it and turned around so she wasn’t looking at him. She took a deep breath as she began to get her feelings out. “There’s so much to say and I don’t really know where to begin.”

After a pause she continued with her back still to him. “I love you. I’ve loved you since high school. I wanted to tell you that night after the party, but I didn’t want to make it harder for you to leave. God, even then I was afraid. I was afraid you’d leave me even if I said it but I hoped you’d stay. I wanted you to stay so badly but I was too afraid to ask you to.

“And I’m scared now too Wil—Spike… I’m scared of how much I love you. It came back in a rush… as soon as I saw you in LA. I didn’t want to admit. You hurt me so much when you left the first time. I was pregnant with you baby and you weren’t there. You don’t know how scared I was, how much I wanted you there with me and you weren’t. I tried to get in touch with you, but first you’d moved and then some wrong number. You called once… one time after you left… that’s it.

She took another breath as she turned around to face him. “How could you do that? Did you just forget about all that we shared? And I’m not talking about the sex. I’m talking about our friendship. Did it mean so little to you that you… would never even call or write… or anything?

Buffy looked him in the eyes and the pain she was feeling was mirrored in his eyes. “I left Sunnydale because everywhere I went you were there. I couldn’t deal with that anymore, so I left. I started over and made a life for myself and my son… our son. I love you now, more than I loved you 5 years ago but…

There was a question in her eyes. “How do I know you won’t leave us again? I can’t deal with the pain of losing you all over again.”


To be continued…


Chapter End Notes:
I know I know. I left you with a lovely cliffhanger. I'm still sorting out chapter 10, but I'll have it done as soon as I can. And hopefully my characters will behave. It seems they've started to get a mind of their own. This chapter wasn't supposed to include dinner or a big talk, but off they went...

Do review. I love it when I get reviews. And I feel like people don't really like it when I don't get them. So, please if you like the story... REVIEW!!! I'll take constructive criticism too. Anything is welcome really. :)

Duchess

Oh & thank you to all who have been reviewing! Special thanks to Cissi and cordykitten. And a shout out to Kiera (I hope you've been reading)



You must login (register) to review.