Chapter 12
Breathe Buffy breathe. Okay, you can do this. It’s just a bunch of uptight British guys in tweed suits. Nothing you can’t handle. I live on a Hellmouth, a couple of glorified librarian’s are nothing to worry about.
Shrugging off her anxiety and putting on her best, do not piss me off or you’ll be sorry, expression, Buffy entered the front door of the Magic Box. The little bell chimed merrily when she came in, however the group that faced her all bore similarly grave expressions.
Buffy counted four men and one woman standing around the shop, all facing her, although it appeared that they had been examining the shop’s merchandise. Anya’s peeved expression and various items she was clutching in her hands suggested the ex vengeance demon had had a few altercations with the Council members over what was being sold in the shop.
“Ah Miss Summers. So glad you could join us at last.”
Buffy turned her attention to the shelves Quentin Travers and Giles had been standing behind. Giles was looking less than pleased and it was clear the men had had words before she arrived. She ran her gaze over the head of the Watchers Council and disliked everything about the man and his predictably tweed outfit.
“Glad you could find the time to meet us at last. I hear you have some useful information for me.”
Sure she’d promised to be nice but there was no reason to put up with his obvious contempt for her when she could just cut to the chase now, was there?
Travers gave her a knowing smile that didn’t reach his eyes. He strode across the room to stand across from Buffy, the other Watchers standing around like sentries, looking down their noses at her.
“Indeed. However, I’m sure Mr. Giles mentioned the evaluation we intend to run before providing you with such valuable information. We can’t have it falling into the wrong hands after all.”
Faint grumbling could be heard and Buffy spotted her friends gathered around the table near the back. Judging from the shove Willow gave him in the arm, Xander had been the one complaining. Buffy nodded at them in acknowledgment before facing Travers again.
“I see. So the Slayer, Chosen One and all, might be the wrong hands? Excuse me if I’m a little confused, I just thought my title as a Champion for the World would be enough to prove me worthy of information that could prevent yet another apocalypse.”
“Normally that would of course be the case but since the incident with Faith we’ve learned to be very careful about who we confide in. Even if they are the ones meant for the job.”
Buffy smiled wryly to herself, crossing her arms and quirking an eyebrow at him.
“Oh right, of course. How silly of me. Naturally after one of your Slayer’s decided to switch sides and turn evil, you’d want to tighten the leash. Then again, as one of the longest living Slayer’s who stopped Faith you might reconsider and share. After all, we all want to stop Glory right? It would be a shame for the world to end after all.”
“And as one of the longest lived Slayer’s you should have no difficulty passing. Relax Miss Summers. I’m well aware of your mistrust of us since the cruciamentum. We’re not asking you to risk your life this time.”
“You’re not? Oh goody. That makes a change.”
Giles shot her a warning glare but she ignored it. If they weren’t testing her through violence they clearly had some other crafty plan in mind to catch her out. She was no fool. They were definitely up to something, keeping their cards close to their chest.
“All we’re asking is that you allow us to observe you and your allies for a short period of time to discover how you run things here. Since you broke contact with the Council we’ve been rather curious as to how you’ve fought your battles. You reign victorious over all your enemies so far and we want to see what sort of strategy is involved. A Slayer has never had quite so many…companions before. We’d like to see how your team functions, on and off the field.”
Buffy frowned. Observation? They wanted to see how she ran things when she wasn’t under their thumb huh?
“So basically you, what, follow me and my friends around taking notes and at the end if your curiosity’s been satisfied and you accept that I’ve been doing a good job you’ll let me in on the info you have on Glory?”
“Precisely. We will of course need to assess your physical abilities in the field and your training routine, however, it will be by observation only as you patrol, no secret tests sapping your strength.”
He appeared to be telling the truth. Giles and the others were watching her, waiting for her answer. They were going to be under observation too but Buffy knew they’d do whatever it took to help so it was up to her to decide if she wanted to agree to it.
“Out of curiosity, say I refused the evaluation, what happens then?”
“Well then you’ll have wasted everybody here’s time, we would have Mr. Giles deported, seen as we’ve been so lenient in allowing him to continue teaching you, despite quitting his position as your Watcher and we would have to insist that a new Watcher be assigned to you to train you properly. You are the Chosen One after all, you have to fulfil your duties as the Slayer.”
She knew it. She knew they had some nasty back up plan to make sure she did what they wanted.
“And if I fail? Same consequences right?”
Travers smiled. Naturally he was enjoying this. He hadn’t liked being slighted one bit when she and Giles had turned their backs on him and now he was getting his revenge.
“Now your getting it.”
Giles’ face was a picture of outrage. He stepped up to Travers and attempted to stare the man down.
“Hang on! You can’t…”
“I think you’ll find I can Rupert. Now I suggest you back down and let Miss Summers make her decision. I’m sure you’ve trained her well. There’s no way she could fail right?”
Buffy stepped in before Giles could respond. There was no use fighting them. She was up to their challenge. She’d just have to do her best to impress them and behave accordingly, no matter how much it irked her.
“It’s okay Giles. I won’t fail. It sounds like a perfectly reasonable request Mr. Travers. I accept.”
“Of course you do. Very well then. It’s getting quite late and we‘ve had a rather long flight. I suggest we all go get some rest and start the evaluation tomorrow, agreed? Unless you were planning on patrolling. In which case I can have some of my team accompany you.”
“No I don’t think so. As you said it’s late and there hasn’t been much action lately since Glory arrived. I think I’ll go home and check on my Mom and sister. You do look rather tired. You should all go get a good night’s sleep so you’re not suffering from jet lag when you’re following all of us around tomorrow.”
Travers nodded and turned to his team. Like the good, respectable puppets they were, they moved to the exit as a unit, clipboards in hand. Travers bade them a final goodnight before joining his team outside. They left all the tension they’d generated in the room behind, however.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Buffy’s shoulders slumped and she glanced over to her friends. They were all pretty uncomfortable looking and Giles was being especially quiet, polishing his glasses, obviously disturbed at the news that he would possibly be deported. Anya was busy returning all the items she’d saved from the Watchers back on the shelves. She was also being unusually quiet, which was especially unnerving. Their lives were going to be under the scrutiny of the Council for the next few days and nobody was looking forward to that. Least of all Buffy. If they were going to follow her everywhere it would make seeing Spike a hell of a lot more difficult. And that wasn’t going to sit well with her or him.
“You guys ready for this?”
“I’m not sure anyone can be ready to have their lives put under a microscope but sure, we know you have to do this, we all heard what the consequences will be otherwise.”
“Thanks Xand. God these next few days are going to be hell. Sometimes I really hate being the Slayer.”
Giles came over to pat her on the shoulder.
“It is a large burden to bear but you’ve managed very well over the years. I know it’s difficult but we will see this through.”
She smiled up at her ex Watcher and placed her hand over his. He really was like a father to her.
“Thanks Giles.”
Willow perked up a bit, trying to bring the group back to a more cheerful mood.
“He’s right, and you won’t have to do this alone. It involves all of us. We’re all going to do what we can to make sure you pass.”
Heads bobbed in agreement and Buffy was grateful to have such good friends. She wouldn’t have made it this far without them. They were a great team. The Council had to see that.
“I know guys. Thank you so much for doing this. Really, I know it’s not easy.”
“Well it isn’t like we’ve got much choice. They’re not letting us refuse.”
Anya, always truthful, to a fault. But it was a relief to hear her speaking again, even if it wasn’t the best thing she could have said. Being quiet for so long was just weird, no matter how often they might have wished for it in the past.
“Yes, well, I suggest we go home and get some sleep before dealing with them. It wouldn’t do to be exhausted when we have to answer their questions. Would you like a lift home Buffy? You could definitely use the rest knowing what they’ll have in store for you tomorrow.”
For a moment Buffy was torn between accepting or refusing the offer. A lift sounded really good right now. She sighed to herself, knowing there was no way she could accept. She might be exhausted but there was no way she could go home without visiting Spike first. He’d be getting really impatient and worried if she didn’t show up soon and it wasn’t like she could call and cancel their plans. Besides, he might be able to cheer her up, even if she didn’t feel up to the wild night she’d initially had in mind. The tweedy invasion had sapped all the enthusiasm and energy right out of her.
“Thanks Giles but I think I’ll walk. I could use the time to think and the fresh night air will do me some good. Plus it just means I’ll be extra sleepy when I get home.”
“Okay, if you’re sure. Right then, until tomorrow.”
The gang said their goodbye’s and went their separate ways. Buffy wrapped her coat around herself as she stepped out into the chilly night air, and, out of sight of the Magic Box, turned towards Restfield Cemetary and her lover.
***
Spike was pacing up and down his crypt, fully clothed, including his duster and about ready to climb the walls. He’d been replaying the previous night and this morning over and over in his head all day and had worked himself up into a right state. He’d been waiting for the sun to go down, watching telly, touching up the black varnish on his nails, doing anything he could think of to keep himself occupied.
Eventually the sun had set but it did little to ease his nerves or his boredom. He still had to wait for her to finish meeting with the Council of Wankers before she could come see him. Desperate to go out and do something, he’d gone and bought blood and smokes, as well as a few snack foods he liked. That had taken all of a few minutes and he’d left again almost immediately for a quick patrol. Buffy was busy and he could definitely do with killing something. A spot of violence was just what he needed to pass the time and work out his frustrations. Unfortunately it was a slow night but he managed to find three fledgling vamps who clearly couldn’t sense power when it was right in front of them. He took his time, toying with them, for no other reason than to keep himself mildly entertained for a while. He grew tired of the pitiful fight pretty fast though and soon they were no more than dust.
So he’d returned to his crypt where he was trying desperately to stay put and wait for Buffy.
I am going to wait here for her like she said. She’s going to come here. I am going to stay right here and be patient. I am not going to go off and look for her when she’s meeting those tossers. I am not, I am not, I am…oh bloody hell!
In a whirl of black leather he stormed over to the door, flung it open and headed out into the night. He didn’t get very far, just outside the cemetery gates in fact, when he found her.
She was on her way to see him and stopped when she looked up and spotted him in front of her, looking rather sheepish that he’d been caught leaving on his way to look for her.
“I should have known you wouldn’t have the patience to wait very long.”
“Think I did a decent job of waitin’ actually. Only just left didn’ I? An’ you’ve been gone bloody long enough. It is really late y’know.”
She sighed and looked up at the sky. He could see how tense and tired she was.
“I know. I’m sorry. They decided to wait until they were all comfy in their hotel before they’d meet me. Had to skip patrol and everything. Only just got away, came straight here if it helps.”
He smiled softly at her and stepped closer, until they were face to face.
“It helps luv. So how’d it go? You know what this visit o’ theirs is all about now?”
She leaned into him and he wrapped his arms around her, embracing her in a tight hug. She took a deep breath, inhaling his comfortable scent and raised her arms to hug him back, stroking the soft leather of his coat.
“Yeah. They want to look over my shoulder for a while. Make sure I’m doing things properly. Oh and the Scoobies. They want to see how this team thing I’ve got going for me works. It’s all just curiosity apparently. If they think I’m doing a good job they’ll dish the dirt on Glory. Of course if I refused or fail they’ll withhold the info, provide me with a new Watcher and have Giles deported.”
Spike growled and held her closer. No wonder she was so worn out. This invasion of privacy wouldn’t be easy on her. Now she had to worry ‘ol Rupes would get deported as well.
“Wankers. Got nothin’ better to do with their time than to screw up someone else’s life. Don’ worry luv. You’re the toughest Slayer I know an’ I reckon I’m a pretty good judge don’ you?”
She smiled and lifted her head up to look at him.
“That really shouldn’t cheer me up as much as it does.”
He grinned back at her and rubbed her back soothingly, just like he had the first night he’d held her.
“Who cares as long as it does the trick. You look pretty beat pet.”
“Gee thanks. That’s what every girl wants to hear.”
“C’mon Buffy. You know I’d find you gorgeous no matter what. I’m worried ‘bout you. I can’t believe I’m sayin’ this but…maybe I should take you home, let you get some rest. You have a lot to deal with tomorrow an’ I don’ want you collapsin’ from exhaustion. Wouldn’ look good in front o’ those gits.”
The way she was staring at him was making him very uncomfortable.
“What?”
“That…is so…sweet.”
Thank God he couldn’t blush. The smile she was giving him made him feel like a schoolboy who’s crush had actually spoken to him.
Not much difference really when you think ‘bout it.
“Bloody hell woman. First I’m cute and now I’m sweet. Evil vampire remember? Ring any bells? Those words shouldn’t even be in the same sentence as me.”
She reached up to ruffle his hair affectionately, giggling at his attempt to look annoyed.
“Yeah because a really evil vampire would offer to walk me home so I could get some sleep instead of whisking me off to his crypt to do unspeakable things with me.”
He bent his head until their foreheads were touching and gave her a wide grin, massaging her back and pulling her closer.
“Careful. Might give me ideas. Chivalry only lasts so long with me. I’m doin’ my best to be considerate here. Course, I could always do as you suggested and carry you back to my bed if you wanted.”
She sighed happily, staring up into his eyes, running her fingers through his hair, which, apparently, had become one of her favourite things to do.
“Boy do I want to. But you’re right. It really would be best for me to go home and take it easy. Think I’m gonna have to accept the chivalrous route while it’s offered.”
He sighed loudly and slumped his shoulders.
“Sod it. Knew bein’ good was no fun.”
She could tell he wasn’t being serious. He cared about her too much. It was so unexpected of him, but she was learning there was a lot more to Spike than she’d ever thought possible, and she intended to find out as much about him as she could.
“Not always. But it earns you major brownie points in the boyfriend department.”
He cheered up instantly at the word boyfriend.
“Well then. Can’t rightly complain can I?”
“Nuh uh.”
She pulled him down for a kiss, soft and tender. It lasted a long time, their lips moving rhythmically against one another. It was unlike their previous, passionate kisses but it sent shivers running down their spines when they eventually broke apart.
“Mmm, I could definitely get used to this,” Buffy commented.
“Good. Next time I get you all to myself there will be plenty of kissing involved, among other things.”
“Here’s hoping the stupid Council’s visit won’t get in the way too much then. I definitely want more kissing, and other things.”
“Unless you want to test the limits of my considerate side I suggest we head towards yours before I’m forced to haul you into my crypt right now.”
“Yeah, I can see how that would be best. Darn my sensibleness. But it really is for the best.”
Pulling away she reached for his hand and clasped it, turning around so they could walk side by side to her house.
It had been a long time since Spike had held someone’s hand walking down the street. Not since he and Dru had been together, happily, before the whole mess with Angelus had gotten in the way. But he’d never had that tingling sensation he did now holding Buffy’s hand. The warm and fuzzies were in full effect.
They spent some time just walking together in companionable silence. It felt really nice, being so close with each other. When Buffy spoke, it was more out of a desire to share her thoughts with him than to break the silence.
“I really shouldn’t be this worn out. I didn’t even patrol, somebody better not die tonight because something’s out there I should have killed.”
“Well you prob’ly wore yourself out this mornin’ or need I remind you what exactly you were up to then?”
She blushed and lowered her head which he found absolutely adorable and he smirked.
“Good. I’d hate to think you’d have forgotten that. I wouldn’ worry ‘bout any nasties bein’ on the prowl. Did a quick sweep earlier an’ it was pretty much dead ‘cept these three vamps. Newbies that went down easy. Sunnydale’s safe for the night I reckon.”
She looked up at him intrigued.
“You went on patrol?”
“Had to keep busy somehow. I don’ have much patience an’ I was drivin’ myself nuts waitin’ for you.”
She smiled but kept any comments about how cute the thought of him waiting for her was to herself. She imagined what a bored Spike would be like and decided it was probably best not to keep him waiting too long in the future. It would be much easier if she had some way to contact him.
“You need a phone.”
He turned his head to look at her.
“Come again?”
“A phone, so I can reach you. There might be times when I can’t come see you or when I might need you’re help or something. It would be much easier if you had a phone, then we could at least talk to each other if we couldn’t meet up.”
He was surprised and pleased that she’d want some way to stay in touch with him. It made sense really. He just never thought Buffy would want him around. Of course that had changed last night but he was still getting used to the fact that she wanted him. He’d spent so long dreaming about it, thinking it was hopeless that it was all sort of surreal.
“Right. Guess I’ll have to get one then. Make talkin’ to you durin’ the day much easier.”
“Yeah, without the danger of burning up in the sun, although it would still be nice if you popped by now and again the way you do, in the daylight. It would be a nice surprise.”
“You’re not gettin’ rid o’ me that easy Summers. Don’ worry, I can’t resist seein’ you in the daylight, sunshine reflectin’ off that golden hair. You glow.”
She bumped his shoulder with her own and squeezed his hand. He gave her a grin in return. All too soon they reached her house.
“Well, here we are.”
“Yeah, made it home safe an’ sound. Guess you better head in ‘fore your mum comes lookin’ for you an’ finds me out here holdin’ you hostage. Don’ fancy havin’ an axe swung at my head.”
“Yeah right. You and Mom get along just fine if I remember correctly, and anyway she probably wouldn’t be all that surprised to see you.”
He tilted his head, curious.
“Oh yeah? How’s that then?”
Buffy trailed a finger up and down his shirt, her other hand still holding his tightly.
“I had to tell someone about us. Mom liked you so I figured she’d be the right person to tell. I was driving myself crazy trying to figure out what to do after you said you had feelings for me and she gave me good advice, she suspected I’d go see you so I told her that you loved me and that I’d decided to give you a chance.”
His face was a picture of adoration and wonderment.
“She knows? You told your mum ‘bout us?”
“Everything but the sexcapades, yeah.”
He used his free hand to pull her closer for another of those special, loving kisses.
“Did I mention how much I love you?”
“You might have,” she grinned, “maybe not in the last few hours…”
“Right, let me make up for it. I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you.”
The sincerity in his voice made Buffy’s heart swell with emotion. Whatever she was currently feeling for him, it was getting stronger.
“Spike…”
He caressed her cheek and kissed her again, this time running his tongue along her bottom lip and giving it a quick nibble. She parted her lips and he slipped inside, exploring her mouth and tangling his tongue with her own. It was growing more desperate when he finally pulled away and she whimpered.
“Sorry luv. Didn’ mean for that to get so intense, you need your rest an’ all. Best get you tucked up in your beddie-bye before I end up ravishing you here on the front lawn.”
Buffy was having a hard time convincing herself that Spike ravishing her anywhere would be a bad idea but eventually decided he was probably right. She couldn’t imagine how she was going to get to sleep now when all she wanted was to curl up in bed with him.
“I suppose. One more for the road?”
He smiled and moved in for another kiss, keeping it short and sweet this time. He knew he wouldn’t be able to resist the temptation otherwise.
They said their goodbye’s and Buffy went inside. Her Mom and Dawn were already in bed, she’d told them not to wait up. She hauled herself upstairs and got ready for bed, crawling into the covers. She tossed about for a while thinking of Spike and missing his arms around her. Just then a familiar tingle ran through her and she grinned. Finally settling in with the comforting presence around her she drifted off to sleep.
Outside a trail of smoke rose up from under the tree by her window. A few minutes later, he was gone, leaving a peacefully dreaming Slayer behind.
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Author's Chapter Notes:
Remember to read chapter 11 first! So any thoughts you want to share feel free, I love responding to any reviews I get as much as writing the story.