Buffy’s driving skills made Spike on edge. Defensive didn’t even begin to describe her style. Racing the engine as they pulled away should have been a clue, but fifteen minutes down the highway, Spike was checking his seatbelt and had a white knuckled grip on the armrest.
Buffy was honking the horn and yelling at other drivers, whipping in and out of traffic. "Learn to drive, asshole!" Buffy shouted out her window, honking her horn repeatedly. “Move it, grandpa!" then more honking and swerving. Buffy noticed the frightened look on Spike’s face, wondering if maybe she could slow down a little.
“Lighten up, Slayer. Quit acting like a baby,” Buffy chided.
“I’m allowed to be scared. WATCHOUT!” Spike’s legs both locked and his hands shot out to brace himself against the dash.
Buffy swerved the large sedan into the next lane, nearly avoiding rear-ending a minivan. “What?! Just trying to get you to LA as quick as possible.”
Spike looked at her, appalled. “Are you planning on us arriving alive?”
Buffy snickered, “Already dead, Slayer. But I do have precious cargo.” She relaxed her pressure on the gas pedal, and reached over and placed her hand on his tense thigh. “Sorry, Spike. I didn’t mean to scare you. No worries.”
Spike caught the smirk that followed her apology. “No worries, huh?” He instantly relaxed at her touch, realizing once more that there was something almost electric going on between them. He placed his hand over hers and slowly began to rub circles on the back of her hand.
She felt it too. When they touched, a spark ignited. I need to find out what this is. I’ve never felt like this about anyone. Not in all my years…
The three-hour drive felt like it was done before it started. They chatted; they flirted, and at times just enjoyed the silence of simply being alone together. Pulling into the small garage under the Hyperion, Buffy found her spot next to Cordelia’s and parked. Angel had assigned parking spaces years ago, and each time she parked, she felt like she was home.
“You ready?” Buffy asked, eager to introduce Spike to everyone.
Sliding across the seat, he placed his hand behind her neck and pulled her into a heated kiss. He’d been dying to kiss her for the last three hours, but had been afraid to take her attention off her driving.
Buffy eagerly returned his kiss; she too had been looking forward to this. Their open-mouthed kisses allowing their tongues to dance with each other.
Things were heating up in the front seat when they were interrupted by a knock on the driver side window.
Both Buffy and Spike immediately prepared for battle, but Buffy recognized the man standing outside her car. “Spike, meet Angel,” Buffy said straightening her clothes.
The awkward introduction in the garage had Spike blushing like the busted horny teenager he was.
“So, this is the new Slayer who has drawn the interest of my grandchilde,” Angel said like a concerned father.
Spike wasn’t exactly sure what to do in this bizarre situation, so he offered his hand with his introduction. “William Pratt, but please call me Spike. It’s an honor to meet you, Angel. Buffy’s spoken of you often.”
Angel laughed, “Relax, Spike. I’m not her father, and no need to be so formal.” He shook his hand, secretly assessing his strength in the handshake, then slapped him on the back. “Let’s get inside, it’s a bit too musty for my taste down here.”
Spike was introduced to Cordelia first. She had been waiting eagerly at the top of the stairs.
“Sorry I didn’t come down to greet you. Angel wanted to make sure this wasn’t a trap, that you hadn’t tricked Buffy into bringing you here to kill us all.” She looped arms with Spike, escorting him into the lobby. His striking looks weren’t lost on Cordelia, and she had already picked up the hands off vibe from Buffy, but she figured Buffy would allow her to be hospitable.
In the large atrium of the lobby, there were several large, inviting couches. “Have a seat, Spike. Let me get everyone in here to meet our guest.”
“Isn’t it a little late, er um, early? We could wait until later if you’d like,” Spike was uncomfortable, and even more so if Cordy was going to wake people up in the middle of the night.
“It’s neither around here, Spike. We keep vampire hours here most of the time.”
Spike couldn’t help himself as he stifled a laugh. “Well, I guess I keep those hours myself.”
“Can I get you something to drink or eat? Not all of us are on a liquid diet here,” Cordy offered with a grin.
“Thanks, Cordelia. That would be great. Whatever you have handy.”
“Call me Cordy, and I’ll be right back,” she said as she turned to leave.
“Will do, Cordy.” Spike watched as she winked at him on her way out of the room.
“I see Cordy likes you,” Buffy said as she plopped down next to him on the couch.
Angel sat across from them on the opposite couch. “Buffy, retract your claws. Cordy is just welcoming our guest. Besides, she’s seeing someone,” Angel said with a twinge of embarrassment.
Buffy shifted, leaning forward on the edge of the couch. “Really!? Well, it’s about time. You two have been dancing around each other for years!”
Angel gave a slight smile, then changed the subject. “So, how are things in Sunnydale?”
Buffy sensed that Angel was uncomfortable with the topic of his love life, and figured as long as he didn’t want to discuss his, she didn’t have to discuss hers. “Things have been really quiet. I’m guessing the demon population knowing the new Slayer had arrived had something to do with that. Plus, we have been patrolling together.” Buffy sat back on the couch, leaning into Spike, who cautiously put his arm around her shoulders.
Cordy returned with a tray full of drinks and snacks. “OK, AB for Angel,” handing him a glass, “B for Buffy, and an iced tea for Spike, and another for me. Spike, would you prefer hot tea? I forgot you were English. I can…”
“No, thank you, Cordy. Iced tea is perfect.” Spike took a sip and then reached for some chips and dip.
The front doors opened to a tall black man and a waif like brunette, both armed and covered with blue slime. Spike was startled, but he quickly noticed no one else seemed threatened.
“Hey, Gunn, Fred. Come meet Spike,” Buffy said squeezing Spike’s hand, then whispering in his ear, “Fred is short for Winifred.”
Spike stood; arm out stretched as they approached. Gunn wiped his hand clean on his pants before offering it to Spike. “Nice to meet you both,” Spike said, shaking Gunn’s hand. Fred stood meekly behind Gunn and offered a small wave.
They put their weapons by a large cabinet near the office.
“We need to get the nasty demon slime off of us, but we’ll be back after we get cleaned up, and if you don’t mind, maybe a nap,” Fred announced as she took Gunn’s hand.
“That’s fine, Fred. We’ll be here a few days at least. Plenty of time to get caught up,” Buffy said.
Angel and Cordelia were sitting next to each other, not as close as Buffy and Spike, but closer than coworkers would sit. Buffy took in Angel’s body language, and decided to start the conversation.
“So, I’m sure you’ve told Cordy everything we've spoken about over the phone, but I know I have some questions and am sure Spike has a few, too. Let me start by saying, we’ve read all the Watchers’ diaries you left at my place, and honestly, I think Spike might be better without a Watcher. What can a human Watcher do to train a superhuman warrior? Seems like this Council, would have had the sense to have the Watchers be at least as strong as a Slayer. Am I wrong?” Buffy was looking back and forth between Angel and Spike.
“No, you’re not wrong,” Spike commented. “Seems like I’ve accomplished more than any of the trained Slayers. I have to wonder if the human connection makes them weak. Not just in their training skills, but the distractions that come from an average human’s life.”
Angel wondered just how much he should tell them. He’d been around many years, and had even killed a Slayer or two before he’d gotten his soul back. I think I will let Rupert tell you more about it when he arrives in the morning. It really isn’t my place to discuss the Council and why they do the things they do.
“I made a call to the Watchers’ Council as soon as Buffy had identified you as the new Slayer. There are two senior members left, Rupert Giles and Ethan Rayne. Rupert will be here in the morning, ready to offer you their services.” Angel watched the shock on Spike’s face.
“A Watcher for me? But… I just assumed that I would never…” Spike was having a hard time choosing his words.
Cordelia, who had been quietly sipping her tea, spoke, “Spike, this is a lot to take in, I know. I felt the same way when I was given my powers. But listen to what Mr. Giles has to offer. You never know, he might have a fresh look on the role as Watcher. And if the Watchers’ Council wants to be in business, seems to me they need someone to watch.”
“Powers? You aren’t human either?” Spike’s head was filled with more questions than he thought he could ask in a lifetime. Cordelia didn’t set off any warnings when he’d arrived. “But you aren’t a demon?”
“Not exactly, Spike. I was given visions. Visions of people or demons in need of help, blinding and painful visions of people in need. But to survive the damage these would cause to my human body, I was infused with the essence of demon. So I’m a hybrid of sorts.”
“Kind of like a vampire, then? Half human, half demon. Are you soulless?” Holding Buffy’s hand in both of his.
“No, Spike. Cordelia still has her soul. She wasn’t turned; she was offered her power by he Powers That Be,” Buffy looked sad at her comment.
Cordelia moved closer to Buffy and placed her hand on her knee. “Your time is coming, Buffy. Don’t be sad.”
“I know, Cordy. It’s just so hard fighting the demon in me. The things it says…” Buffy turned to Spike and buried her head in his shoulder.
Buffy had told him about her constant struggle, but she’d left out the fight she was having on a regular basis regarding him. Want. Take. Have. And that Slayer blood making my demon scream to drain him dry. How will I ever be able to keep him safe if I am constantly haunted by the demon?
“Buffy, be strong. You’ve come so far, and I believe in you.” Angel had scooted to the edge of his couch, a little jealous that she had turned to Spike for comfort. “You’ve had a long trip. Why don’t you two get some rest and then we can talk more later.”
Cordy stood, and gathered up her tray . “You have clean sheets on your bed, and I put Spike in the room next door.”
Angel emitted a low growl barely audible to Cordy and Spike, but loud and clear to Buffy. With a roll of her eyes, she led Spike up stairs.
Rupert ‘Ripper’ Giles sat on his international flight, checking his watch for the fourth time. As he set his arm back on the armrest, he saw his mark of Eyghon tattoo peeking out from under his rolled up his sleeve.
He covered it and raised his plastic airline cup of scotch, draining its contents.
He could run, but he could not hide…