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MAKE HER OWN WAY

Chapter 4: ‘Addicted to Love!’


Buffy got home a little before 3:00 that afternoon. When she walked into the apartment, she knew right off that Will wasn’t there and she got a little nervous for a moment. A small white note set on the coffee table, right by her book of Great Artists. ‘Princess’ it said on the outside in Will’s lovely handwriting. She opened it quickly and read the contents: I’m going to stop by the office for like an hour, baby, it began. I have some stuff to clear up. I’ll be home by 5:00. How about we go out to eat tonight? Wear something pretty, okay? I want to show my girl off to everyone. I have a surprise for you, so be prepared, it’s really big, baby. I just know you’ll love the idea. Love you always, Will

She wondered what Will was planning for them, though she had no doubt it would be ‘big’; Will’s ideas were always, big. Buffy took a long soak in the large tub and thought about her plan to go back to school. Maybe if she started off slow, going back to school, getting her degree, she could somehow begin to take control of her life back. If things worked out, she’d even be able to get a nice career going in the Arts field that she so loved and this thought excited her so much that she dismissed the resentment she felt for Will earlier over ‘The Chateau’ job. Xander had been more then understanding about her refusal to take her old position back; a little too understanding for Buffy’s taste. Apparently William had made it clear to their friend that Buffy was not coming back to work there, period. “Just like William to always work things his way,” she grumbled, suddenly irritated with him again.

‘Flashback; Buffy’s POV’


It was Friday night at the Bronze, Buffy’s second job and certainly her least favorite one. Riley Finn, the manager and her boss had informed her it was time to announce ‘last call for alcohol’ around the club, even if it wasn’t yet time for it. She had reminded Riley that it was only 12:45 AM, far too early to cut off the booze from the patrons, but he’d been adamant. “Go ahead, Buff,” he ordered again, “everyone’s getting’ off early tonight. I’m tired and with Samantha so close to delivering our baby, I want to get home as soon as possible.” This seemed reasonable enough to Buffy so she did as she was told and informed the club patrons that it was cut off time for the beer, mixed drinks and wine the place served.

“Just as well,” she muttered to herself as she took the last orders of the night, “I need to get home and hash this ‘problem’ out with Angel.” They’d argued that very afternoon; about her quitting this very job of all things. Angel didn’t want her to quit, either of her jobs; no doubt because it was Buffy that paid for most everything they had or did together. Not that Angel could afford much of anything, except his own apartment, of course, that he swung quite well, with his folks allowance they sent him every month. His band was not doing real well, locally or otherwise and Buffy realized quite a while back, it would never be a success. For one thing, there was a certain lack of talent; she just hated to be the one to tell Angel that. (The one time she did, Angel had become enraged and oh brother!) Besides, she liked Oz, the lead guitar player and her best friends, Willow Rosenberg’s boyfriend. The truth was, Oz and Devon, the drummer and even Scott Hope, the bass player would have been much better off without Angel in the band. Problem was it ‘was’ Angel’s band and no one had the guts to tell him he lacked the necessary talent to keep the whole thing together. He could sing, Angel could, but he was not that spectacular enough to carry his weight with the other, true musicians.

Buffy dragged her bone weary ass out of the back entrance to the Bronze along with Cordelia, or Cordy as she was called, another waitress.. They always made it a point to walk out together to their cars, at least in twos or accompanied by one of the bouncers from the club. The Bronze was not in the best part of town and there had been problems before after hours so Riley made sure all of the girls never went outside alone. Tonight Buffy was just beat out, the two jobs were taking their toll on her; along with college and of course, Angel O’Connor. She dared a thought to the handsome Mr. Giles who’d left her that outrageous tip and sweet note the other day at the restaurant. Angel had no idea that Buffy had been tipped that kind of money, or he’d blow it, for sure, on some stupid amp or ‘other things’ even worse.

Thinking back on Mr. William Giles, she felt a bit guilty, she did love Angel, at least she thought she did, but that British guy at The Chateau was pretty outstanding. “Probably just the money that’s so attractive,” she thought outloud, “he’s probably the biggest dick head in the State.” Cordy stopped by Buffy’s car with her, her own car sat right next to it. Although Cordelia Chase worked at the Bronze, she came from pretty good money herself; this was Cordy’s way of rebelling against her strict parents. Buffy was sure the ‘working girl’ thing was just a passing phase with her friend. Cordelia was saying something to Buffy, but she didn’t quite catch it all, she was too busy staring at the black Porshe that was across the now fairly empty parking lot. Most of all, Buffy was too busy staring at Mr. William Giles, himself, who was leaning up against ‘his’ Porshe apparently, smoking a cigarette and staring right back at her.

“Buff? Are you even hearing me?” Cordy asked in exhasperation. Then she looked at the direction that her friend was staring and saw William. “Oh shit!” Cordy cried out, excitedly, “that’s him isn’t it? That’s the English guy from the Restaurant, huh?” Buffy thought Cordelia might start jumping up and down in excitement for her, making her a bit sorry she’d ever told the brunette about the other night. “Cordelia,” she hissed, “stop it. He’ll think I actually talked about him; told people about the tip and note and everything. Stop it! I mean it!” Cordelia stopped doing her version of Xander’s ‘Snoopy Dance’ and mumbled, “go over there! Go Buffy Summers, I mean that. He’s following you, finding out about you, I just know it! He’s mesmerized by the great Buffy Summers! Go, go now!” Buffy was afraid that the taller brunette girl was going to start clapping her hands together in delight. Cordy detested Angel with a passion and of course she’d welcome any opportunity to get Buffy to dump him. “Look!” Cordy squealed in delight, “he’s coming over here!” She grabbed Buffy’s arm roughly, “you stay and talk to him, I’ll make myself scarce,” she ordered with a conspiratal wink.

Buffy looked at her friend as if she’d lost her mind. “Cordelia,” she sighed in frustration, “I don’t even know this guy. He could be a stalker or something. God, Cordy, look how he followed me here!” Cordy stopped giggling long enough to give Buffy that patent ‘wiser then thou’ look she was so famous for. “Buff,” she whispered, at least for once, “Xander told me this guy is ‘the real deal’ and I mean the ‘real, real deal! He went and talked to Xand about you that night, asked all about you, what you were taking in college, your social life, everything!” Buffy shot her friend a look of betrayal. “Sorry, Buffy. But Xander told me not to tell you and you know the ‘girlfriend’ code of honor; ‘never ever repeat a secret your significant other tells you!’ Not unless it’s under threat of death or loss of your trust fund,” she added quickly. Buffy had to consider what Cordy had told her. Xander and Cordy had been together for two years now and it definitely looked permenant. Besides, Xander adored Buffy, everyone knew that, he’d never steer her wrong about some other man and his intentions towards her.

“Besides,” Cordy reasoned, “Riley’s car is right here,” she pointed at the 4 X 4 truck next to the Buffy’s older Mustang, “and the bouncers are still here. They’ll be out in just a few. Your’e safe, Buff, promise!” Buffy pondered Cordy’s words, yes Riley would be out in fifteen minutes or so, Clem and Larry, the bouncers, would be right ahead of him; she ‘was’ safe, after all. Besides, Buffy Summers could take care of herself very well, thank you. “Oh,” Buffy muttered, “alright, Cordy. Goodnight and drive careful.” Cordy just went ahead and did it, she clapped her hands together in delight, hugged Buffy goodnight, jumped into her sporty blue Mazda Miata and sped off. Once Cordelia had left, William sauntered the rest of the way to Buffy and her car. “Yours?” he pointed at the lime green colored 1970 Mustang to which she responded with a silent nod. “Cute,” he said simply and glanced away from her. Now that the man was actually up close and personnal, neither of them seemed to be able to say much to each other.

“So,” Buffy stammered, breaking the silence first, “what’s a guy like you doing in a place like this, William Giles?” she asked, ‘oh that was original, Buffy,’ she chided herself. “Looking for you, Princess,” he answered, stating the obvious while breaking into a rather stunning smile. “Damn but he’s fine,” Buffy sighed inwardly. “Oh,” is all she could say back, trying to avoid his indigo blue eyes and failing miserably. “I was wondering, Miss Buffy Summers,” he began softly, “if maybe you’d have a cup of coffee with me. Someplace close by, of course?” Buffy jumped a bit, startled by the question, “what, like tonight, I mean this morning? I mean, like now?” she asked, stumbling on her words. “Yeah,” he chuckled, evidently amused by her nervousness, “if you’re afraid I’ll bite, you can drive your own car, meet me. There’s a café right down the street, I’m sure you know it?” She was actually considering this insane thing, until she remembered Angel and their ‘talk’ they had to have. “Uhm, I can’t,” she mumbled, “I have to get home, sorry.”

This William looked dissapointed, but not necessary dissuaded by her refusal. “Boyfriend at home?” he asked with a slight pout. ‘Oh brother,’ Buffy thought when she saw that pout, ‘this guy is going to be trouble!’ “Well, no, not exactly at home, really. I mean, yes, I have a boyfriend, but we don’t live together or anything. In fact,” she admitted more to herself then him, “Angel’s probably not even at my place right now. God knows where he is or what he’s up to right this minute.” The look on William’s face brightened, “well, then, Buffy,” he said hopefully, “there’s no reason you can’t meet me now, is there?” First Buffy wondered why she was standing here telling this virtual stranger her personnal business; the second thing she wondered about is just how much William Giles ‘did know’ about Angel and the rest of that personnal business of hers. “Just how much do you know about me, Mr. Giles?” she asked, a very serious look on her face. “Not enough, Princess,” he responded evenly. “That’s why we need to go somewhere and talk, right now.”

Buffy glanced around the parking lot, “my boss, Riley, will be out soon, to go home and all, right behind the two bouncers that help him close up. “If you are not an honorable man, William Giles, they’ll see it in a heartbeat, understand?” William broke out in a grin, “well, Buffy I assure you, I’m a very honorable man. Just ask my Mum. I’ll give you her number in England, but she might be busy, though. She’s probably getting ready for a big dinner party and needs to plan the menu with the cooks. But, I’ll just jot the number down on this matchbook and……” Buffy rolled her eyes and tried not to smile, “okay, okay, I get it, William,” she sighed. “You’re an honorable man, at least in your mother’s eyes.” She couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “Besides,” William rambled on with a smirk, your boss, Riley Finn and his two boys won’t be out for a while. Not until we’re both gone, at least. Had a chat with Finn earlier, he seems like a nice bloke, bit dense, but nice family man. Anyway, he was more then happy to wait until you’d made up your mind before he went home. I understand his wifey’s due any minute, shouldn’t really keep the poor girl waiting for hubby, should we. Why don’t you just follow me in your little car there and everyone will be happy. A real win/win situation for all concerned.” Buffy sighed with resignation, “oh, alright, William.” That’s how William and Buffy’s relationship had begun.




‘Present Day’


Buffy wrapped a plush, huge bath towel around her dried, naked body. She picked the CD player remote up from the end table and flipped through the disc selector until she found the one she was looking for ‘Robert Palmer’s ‘Riptide’ CD. Not only did she just love his ‘Addicted to Love’ song, but she just adored the singer himself. It nearly broke her heart when he’d passed away recently, way too soon; way too young. As strains of the song pounded through the stereo system, Buffy danced around the bedroom to the beat. She shook her bottom to the music as she pulled various outfits out of her the walk-in closet and tossed them on the bed. While she considered ‘the’ outfit to where to dinner tonight, with Will, she sang the lyrics of the song she knew so well: ‘The lights are on, but your not home; you’re mine, you’re not you own’. Shimmying about , Buffy held the black leather mini-skirt that Will had just bought her up to her waist and studied the look in her full length mirror. She almost had a heart attack when she saw Will’s reflection, standing right behind her in the mirror. “Wow,” he purred with a smile, “my own hot little private dancer!”

“Dammit Will!” she cried in alarm, “you nearly gave me a heart attack! What the heck! When did you get so darn good at sneaking up on me like that?” He grabbed the little skirt from her hands and tossed it on the bed with the other discarded clothing; “I believe I’ve always been pretty good at ‘sneaking up on you’ Princess,” he smirked again. Will picked her up and kissed her on her nose, “love the skirt, sweetheart,” he glanced over at the black leather mini, “but prefer you in this. Or out of it.” He pulled the towel off her body and attempted to carry her over to the clear side of their bed. “Oh no you don’t, William Giles,” she said, struggling from his graspy hands, “I’m still mad at you about the damn sneak up trick!” She grabbed the towel from the floor and wrapped it back around her, “besides, I’m all clean and smelling nice. I’m going to finish getting ready for out dinner date, no monkey business, understand?” With a stern glare, she turned and flounced back into the bathroom to finish getting ready.

Spike chuckled to himself, “and any sane person could fault me for pulling out all the stops to keep her?” Buffy was a woman that a real man just had to have, no question. He fingered the bogus birth control package in his pocket, the one that Dr. Snyder had ‘perscribed’ for him to replace Buffy’s real pills. “Buffy,” he called out to her, casually, “did you call Willow or Tara about the school thing?” She came out of the bathroom, her silky blue robe pulled tight around her, “yeah, but no one answered. I left a message on their machine. I’m sure one of them will call me tonight or tomorrow.” His breath caught in his throat as he looked at her; it always did when she was like this, no makeup, her hair undone and damp from the shower. Buffy was beautiful inside and out; he was more determined then ever not to lose her. “Baby, I’m going to change, then have a smoke. Why don’t you go out and check the answering machine, maybe one of the girls have returned your call already?” With a nod okay, Buffy hurried out to the phone to check the messages, which gave Spike the chance he needed to slip the placebo pills back into the medicine cabinet. When he closed the cabinet door, he caught his reflection in the mirror again; it taunted him, or so it seemed. “You want to lose her, wanker?” he guiltily asked his image. The mirror Spike didn’t have an answer for that one.

Buffy came flying back into the bedroom a few minutes later. “Will,” she cried breathlessly, “Tara called back!” He couldn’t help but smile at her, she looked like an estatic child at Christmas. “I called her back and she said I can start anytime I want! Isn’t that great Will?” She threw her arms around him and nearly knocked him over onto the bed, “it’s great Princess,” he murmered, kissing the her damp, soft hair on the top of her head, “I mean it, Buffy. It’s really wonderful.” At least Spike was being honest about the college thing for Buffy. He didn’t have a problem with her going back to school and saw the benefits for both of them. It would keep her busy, her mind occupied and most of all, make her very happy. Which would make him happy, especially since she wouldn’t earn any income of her own while she went to school. Spike just loved win/win situations, especially when he was the one doing most of the winning.


“Okay,” he was saying, “let’s go out and make this a real celebration, Princess. I’ve made reservations at ‘La Tratorria’ up the coast. You love that place, don’t you Buff?” She was so stoked about the class that right now, if Will had said they were going to Macdonalds for Big Macs and fries she’d have been estatic. Everything was falling into place for her now and she just knew it was all going to work out. “Yes, Will. I love that restaurant, you know that. It’s the place you took me on our first official date!” Then she remembered the note he’d left earlier and curiosity got the best of her. “What’s the big surprise, Will?” she asked as she took his large hand in hers. “Tell me, please?” He got a sly look on his face, “nope, not until we get to the restaurant. Don’t want to ruin the surprise.” Buffy could tell that she was not going to get the info she wanted out of him right now, so she opted to wait and needle it from him over wine at the La Trattoria. “Okay,” she pouted half-heartedly, “I’ll just get dressed in some very pretty, very simple, very short and very deadly outfit. That’ll get it out of you.”

Buffy wore her favorite little black silk dress. It was simple, yet fancy, in it’s way; classy, yet short enough to show off her long legs. The fact that the dress was backless and had no sleeves didn’t hurt either and with diamond drop earrings and matching necklace that Will had given her for her birthday, the outfit was complete. William and her sat at the best table at the La Trattoria, in fact, if Buffy remembered right, the very table they’d sat at for their first date. These were the little things that this man remembered and did for her that made her love him even more; if only…… “You’re gorgeous, Buffy,” he said warmly, toasting her with his wine glass. “You’re not so bad yourself, Mr. Giles,” she quipped back, returning the toast. Tony the Matre’D scurried over with another bottle of wine for their table, “whoa, Tony,” Buffy giggled, “we do have to get home tonight.” The older man smiled warmly at them, he’d been their waiter on that first date and always seemed to remember them, “no problem, Mrs.Giles. You need a place to stay tonight, the Inn next door is perfect.” With a wink at William, Tony dissapeared back into the kitchen area.

“Mrs. Giles?” she quirked an inquisitive brow at Spike, who just shrugged it off. “What can I say, baby,” he chuckled, taking her hand across the table, “everyone who’s sane can see a perfect love match like ours.” ‘Hmmmm’ was all she could say. “Okay,” he said, “time to throw the big surprise at you.” Buffy perked up and wiggled around in her chair with impatient excitement. He could tell she was just biting her tongue, trying not to ask what it was. Spike raised her little hand to his mouth and kissed it tenderly, “I was wondering. What do you think about going back to England for a couple of weeks. No work for me, just a vacation for us. Some time together in the old Motherland and all that?” Buffy looked at him, momentarily stunned then broke out into a huge grin. “I’d love it, Will,” she gushed happily, “I love England!” He sighed in relief, inwardly, a part of him surprised that she agreed so readily as he had hoped she would. Pulling his chair around to be closer to her, he put his arm about her slim, bare shoulders lovingly. “We’d have to stay with mum and dad for a few, of course,” he informed her cautiously, “but then we could go into the city; see some museums, shop at ‘the’ big shops Heck, baby, we could stay at the Bed and Breakfast outside of Bath you loved so much the last time for a few days. Would you like that, sweetheart?”


Buffy looked so damn sweet, like always, really, that Spike felt that twinge of guilt again. He did have ulterior motives for dragging her off to England, immediately actually, and if she knew the half of it, she’d be furious. “We could go as soon as next week, honey,” he added, stroking her flushed cheek, “would that be okay?” She beamed back at him and nodded her head, “I’d love to Will. You know I just adore Rupert and Jenny and would love to see your sister and her husband again. And of course I couldn’t pass up that romantic bed and breakfast” she giggled, her face blushed adorably. ‘That’s my girl’ he thought, a tidal wave of warmth surging over him. “Thought I’d ring Dad and have him send the company jet this time. We can fly to New York first, for the weekend, do some shopping at Saks and Bloomingdales. Maybe buy you a whole new wardrobe for the trip, not that you need it. Plan to keep you naked in bed most of the time.” Now his sweet Buffy blushed hot and red, he just loved her innocence, no matter how long they spent together. “Okay, Will,” she whispered shyly and kissed his cheek softly, “I can’t wait, really.”


They ended up staying at the Blue Whale Inn for the night. It was just next to the restaurant and Buffy felt better about spending the night there instead of chancing driving home. Will could hold his liquer, no question, better then anyone else she’d ever known, but with things looking up for them she didn’t want to tempt fate and have them get pulled over by the CHP or worse, have an accident. Things were going too good right now and Buffy was just too supersticious to chance a problem. Their room was the best, of course, with a balcony that jutted right out over the waves of Pacific Ocean. It was pretty late, almost 10:00 PM when they registered and settled in for the night, but even though the sky was pitch black, the sea water gleamed bright and shiny from the moonlight. The view was magnificent, but she quickly went into the huge bathroom to ready for bed, while Will went out on the balcony to have a cigarette and call his dad in England to make the arrangements for their trip. All in all, things were looking pretty darn good for Buffy right now and she decided to put off another ‘ big talk’ with Will for a while longer.


“Dad,” Spike greeted his father on his cell phone as he stood looking out at the Pacific Ocean, a cigarette in his left hand. “Where are you son?” his dad asked on the other end of the line, “I hear the ocean.” Spike explained the evening to his father, Buffy’s concern over the alcohol consumption and their talk earlier in the morning. “Oh good grief, William,” his father sighed, “I hope you put things in order.” The younger Giles could just see his dad, taking off his glasses, rubbing them on his shirt nervously and it made him chuckle. “I think I’ve got it under control Dad,” Spike assured him, “in fact,” he continued proudly, “Buffy and I are coming to England, next week I think. I was wondering if you’d send the company jet over, let us fly to New York first, where I will wine and dine my precious Buffy and buy out Bloomingdales for her.” Rupert assured his only son that he’d be thrilled to do just that, anything to get him and his future daughter-in-law to England for a visit. Spike looked around to make sure Buffy was still in the other rooms of the suite, “listen Dad,” he whispered cautiously, “I’ve come up with a perfect plan to rope Buffy into marrying me, right away. Want to know what you think.”


For the next few minutes, Spike explained to his father just what he’d done to secure a marriage to Buffy and how he thought his plan would succeed. “Well done, son,” Rupert told him, “best thing in the world for you is to marry Buffy and have a little Giles’ tribe of your own. I think Buffy will come around later, see how this is for the best, truly.” Spike was so damned pleased with himself he almost shouted out to the Pacific. Making his father proud was as important to him as crushing a business rival, although, it didn’t quite rate up there with making Buffy happy. “So you think I’m right in this Dad?” he asked the old man. “Of course you’re doing the right thing, son. And William,” his father added, “nothing would make your mother and I happier then to have our first grandchild conceived on British soil. Make sure that you take advantage of your alone time together with Buffy while you’re here.” Spike laughed out loud, “no worries there, Dad,” it was his turn to assure his father, “Buffy and I ‘take advantage’ of our alone time every chance we get.” When he hung up the cell phone, Spike lit another cigarette, only smoking it half way down before stubbing it out and joining Buffy in bed. “Hope she’s still awake,” he thought to himself.


A/N: In the next chapter, we’ll meet Jenny, Spike’s doting mother and Rupert Giles his formidable father. Maybe this will explain just why Spike is the way he is. Oh, and a credit to Robert Palmer, Riptide is the CD disc in my car right now. And (wordy aren’t I) I used to own a lime green 70’ Mustang (believe it or not) so that’s why I had this be Buffy’s car. It will play into the storyline later. Thanks, Luv, S





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