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Author's Chapter Notes:
Sorry to disappoint, this isn't a real update. Just the last chapter I posted that has been deleted... along with all the reviews I got for it. I can't believe I lost all my reviews for this chapter without having a chance to read them. I checked before leaving and I had about ten reviews, decided I'd read them when I'd get back, then I came back home and 'poof' they were all gone. Now I'll never know what you guys had to say :( Crapola. Oh well, I'll live lol
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Chapter 37: Unavailable



"You have four new messages. Message one, Friday 4pm."

Standing on the front porch of her house, Buffy rummaged through her purse to find her keys while holding on to her cell phone with her shoulder.

"Hello luv, it's me. I haven't heard from you in a couple of days and I was starting to miss you. Hope you all right then. Give us a call when you got a chance, kitten. Love you."

"Press one if you would like to hear this message again. Press two if..."

She locked the front door and put the keys back in her black leather bag. Being careful not fall off her four inches heels, she hurried to her car, only to curse under her breath when she realized she still needed the keys that she'd just dropped back in her messy purse.

" Message two. Friday 9pm."

"Yeah, it's me again. They're just about to turn the lights off for the night and I thought I might take a minute to try calling you again. I was hoping to hear your voice before going to bed, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen tonight. Sorry for sounding like such a Nancy boy, luv. Guess I was just feeling a bit lonely tonight, is all."

Hands on the steering wheel, Buffy closed her eyes when a wave of overwhelming guilt washed over her at hearing Spike‘s words. She’d been upset after their last meeting and just wanted a little time alone to think things through. Maybe she should have at least emailed him.

"Whatever you're doing, I hope you're having a good time and you're thinking about me. I'll talk to you soon. Good night luv."

"Sorry, baby." She whispered in the empty car.

She put the key in the ignition and started the engine, then quickly backed out of the drive way without bothering to look in the rear view mirror first. The angry driver she cut off honked furiously.

"Oops. SORRY!" She waved apologetically, as if it would make the guy forget she almost got them both killed, then drove off.

"Message three. Saturday 10pm."

"Hello Buffy, it’s Wesley. I've been trying to get a hold of you at home and on your mobile since last night without any luck. I hope you're all right. I have important news. If you could please call me back as soon as you get this message, I'd appreciate it. I'll be at the office tomorrow morning, but you can call me at any time on my mobile. Talk to you then."

"Damn it!" Buffy hit the steering wheel in annoyance.

"What news, Wesley? Good? Bad? Could you be any more vague?" She asked, not taking into consideration the fact that the phone could not answer. She had been waiting for so long to put the ‘save Spike plan‘ in motion that she‘d finally lost her patience and decided that tonight was the night. Her secret relationship with Spike could not go on forever without someone finding out about it, especially now that they had a baby on the way. So she decided she couldn‘t afford to wait one more day. But maybe what Wesley had to say would force her to change her plans. It would have been kinda nice to know what news he had before leaving the house, but then again, she had only herself to blame for not answering her phone all weekend.

She turned the red convertible at a sharp angle, nearly missing the entrance to the Fish Tank's parking lot. Another risky maneuver, followed by a brutal stomping on the brake brought the small car almost between the two yellow lines of a parking spot.

Two large bikers were watching the scene with a mixture of worry and amusement on their faces. She'd come too close to their precious Harleys for comfort, but at the same time there was something incredibly amusing about seeing this little blonde California girl driving like a spaz. She flashed them a smile and they finally went back to their conversation, reassured that she had turned the engine off and there wasn't any more risk to their beloved machines.

Buffy pressed two on her cell to save the message and continue listening.

"Message four. Sunday 3pm."

"Hey, it's Spike again. Yeah, I am well aware of how this looks. Weird insecure boyfriend not getting a soddin' clue when it hits him in the face. Even the guards are looking at me like I'm pathetic. But I can't help it, I'm starting to get worried luv. You never spent a weekend without calling me at least once. I had the impression something was off last time we saw each other. I should have paid more attention. It's probably something I did or said I usually know when I'm being a stupid git and say something I shouldn't, but maybe I got so good at putting my foot in my mouth that I don't even realize it anymore. So... yeah. If you're mad at me, tell me what I did so I can apologize properly and try to make it better. OK then, I'll talk to you later... Love you."

Overwhelming guilt gave way to unbearable guilt. When she'd decided that she didn't want to talk to anybody this weekend, it never crossed her mind that playing hermit Buffy would get Spike this worried.

Buffy turned the overhead light on and used her Blackberry to send him an email. He wouldn't get it tonight because it was already too late, but at least he'd get it first thing in the morning and thanks to the time and date on the email, he would see that she sent it as soon as she got home... Even if technically, she never 'got home' since she never left in the first place.

[Baby I'm so sorry! I'm not mad. I went to my mom's for the weekend and left my phone at home. I swear that you didn't do or say anything wrong.]

OK. That was sort of a lie. But he didn't say anything to hurt her on purpose and since she couldn't tell him what he did wrong without having to tell him about the baby, then she'd have to lie.

[You might be a weird insecure boyfriend, but you're MY weird insecure boyfriend and I love you.]

Well, that part definitely wasn't a lie.

[And since when do you care what the guards think of you? Next time, just tell them to bugger off. Who knows... maybe they'll send you to my office for being a bad boy lol. See you soon.]

"There. That should take care of the guilt. At least until I fully realize that I just lied to him again."

As she clicked on send, her 'White Wedding' ring tone broke the silence of the car. The caller display informed her that Wesley was trying to reach her.

"Hello?"

There was a moment of hesitation on the other end of the line.

"... Buffy?"

"Yes Wesley, it's me."

"I apologize for being so rude. I just wasn't expecting you to answer. Your phone has been off all weekend. I was trying again in case you'd be back but I didn't think you'd pick up."

"I know. I'm sorry. I was in San Francisco visiting my mom and I forgot my phone at home." She explained, using the same excuse she had used on Spike a moment ago.

"That's quite all right. I was only worried that something might have been wrong when you didn't return my calls. I thought you'd be eager to find out what news I had for you. But if you were not home, that explains it."

"I was just checking my messages now. What do you have for me? I hope it's good news."

"I was on my way to Sunnydale actually. I'm about twenty minutes away. If you don't mind waiting, I'd rather discuss this with you in person. I could stop by your place..."

"I'm sorry, I can't right now. I... I'm not home."

"Would you rather meet somewhere else? Where are you? Are you in Sunnydale?"

"I... huh... Well, I'm in the parking lot at the Fish Tank."

"Interesting way to spend your Sunday night I must say. Does you being there have anything to do with Angel and Darla?"

Buffy couldn't help but snicker. "Believe me, this is not my idea of fun."

"I‘m sorry but I have to ask. Why exactly are you there? Isn't keeping an eye on these wankers what you pay me for? These are dangerous individuals, Buffy. I don't think it's wise to go in there by yourself."

There was a moment of heavy silence before she finally answered, deciding it was best to tell him the truth. "I couldn't wait any longer, Wesley. My life has taken an unexpected turn and time is not a luxury I can afford anymore. I need to do this now."

"Can't you wait a bit longer? A few days, maybe? The reason I was calling you is because Lilah Morgan contacted me Friday morning. She got the papers signed by a judge. I must admit, that woman is quite efficient. A copy has been sent to Sunnydale PD and now they won't have a choice but to reopen the Blackwell case. My friend Kate is working on it with her boss and all we have to do is wait for the green light."

"One more reason for me to go in there and start making with the friendlies with the psycho killers. This way we'll be closer to our goal when we do get the green light. Doesn't it make sense?"

The P.I. let out a sigh of frustration. "Can't you at least wait for me to get there? We could go in together pretending to be a couple. I'd feel much better if you were not to do this by yourself."

"No. They would never fall for that. Look, we've both observed them enough to know how they work. They get infatuated with a pretty girl, include her in their circle for a while, then get bored with her and tell her to get lost. I'm hoping to keep their interest long enough for them to trust me. They won't trust a guy as easily, believe me."

"Buffy..." Wesley tried in a pleading tone.

"Don't worry about me, Wes, I got everything under control." She lied smoothly even though her hands were shaking badly. "I'm going for the evil slutty dumb blonde routine. And we both know I'm exactly the type they go for. So it's gonna be a piece of cake."

"Fine. But I can't help but feel like I'm throwing you to the wolves."

She huffed. "This little red riding hood isn't scared of some wanna be big bad wolves. Believe me; I deal with much worst on a daily basis. I'll be fine."

Wesley chuckled. "I don't know if you're incredibly courageous or simply foolish, but one way or another, if you ever find yourself out of a job, come knock on my door. We'd be a good team I reckon."

Buffy laughed. "I'll keep that in mind. Anyway, I gotta go inside now. I'm starting to look suspicious just sitting out here in my car."

"All right then. I'm about fifteen minutes away from the exit. I'm going straight to the Fish Tank. I'll park my car in the 7/Eleven parking right next door. If anything goes wrong, anything at all, you call me and I'll get you out of there."

"Thanks Wesley. I won't stay long. Maybe an hour or two. I'll see you after."

"Good luck... And don't do anything foolish"

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