Remember Me

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Joss owns it all damn him!

Uhm…some angsty parts coming up. There may be some very very
minor abuse in upcoming chapters.

***

Chapter 10 - When Darkness Falls

Buffy was humming softly as she got ready for dinner. Tonight she'd
picked out one of the full body sarongs she'd bought just the other
day in one of the local shops. It was made up of different shades of
blue and green, mimicking the rippling waters of the Pacific Ocean.
She let her hair hang loose about her shoulders, framing her face w
so
soft curls. The only thing she'd put in her hair was a small decorative
clip covered with iridescent mother of pearl shells.

She continued to hum along as she spritzed herself with a dash of
perfume, then passed Will on his way into the bathroom to check his
own appearance. She couldn't remember being happier than she'd
been today. They'd had almost a perfect day. They'd talked, and
laughed, and discovered things about themselves they never knew.
They'd spent almost the entire day together. And tonight the
conference was hosting a luau. Buffy'd never been to a luau before
and she was looking forward to it, another new experience that the
two of them could share together.

But what really thrilled her was how affectionate and loving Will had
been all day. Since that talk they'd had on the beach, he hadn't
stopped touching her. Holding her hand, kissing her, wrapping her up
in his arms. God, she couldn't get enough! Maybe tonight he'd finally
give in and let them make love. What would it be like to have Will
make love to her? Knowing him he'd be sure to make it the most
wonderful experience of her life.

"Ready, luv?" Spike asked, stopping to peck her on the cheek. He
was wearing very casual khaki trousers with a blue Hawaiian print
shirt. Buffy loved it because the blue of the flowers almost matched
the color of his eyes exactly.

"Hello, handsome." Buffy made sure to place her peck square on his
lips before pulling away to wink at him.

Spike laughed, and reached out for her. He pulled her close, hands
on her waist and bent his head to give her a proper kiss. He'd been
thinking about their relationship all day. At least since the
conversation they'd had on the beach. Ever since they'd started on
this crazy trip Spike had been learning more and more about Buffy
and the things she'd felt for him over the past ten years.

He still couldn't quite believe it. It was too close to his fantasy for him
to not have doubts, but he was getting closer and closer to the
realization that Buffy did indeed have stronger feelings than friendship
for him. Or at least it seemed so. Could he be wrong? Could this be
some wild side effect of her injury? It didn't seem likely. But he would
still take things slowly and cautiously. At least that was the plan. But
every time he was with her, especially when they were alone like this,
he found it harder and harder to keep his hands, and his lips, off of
her.

When the kiss finally ended, Spike didn't pull away completely.
Instead he kept his eyes closed and touched their foreheads together
letting their breaths mingle. They stayed that way for a minute, just
holding onto each other before Buffy spoke. "I love you."

Spike sighed heavily, his heart constricting. Did she reameanmean it the
way he'd always longed for her to? "Love you too, Buffy." He
whispered back.

"We'd better get going." Spike let his fingers trail down her arm and
then clasp her hand in his. "The sooner we get there the sooner we
can leave."

Buffy laughed. "Will, it won't be that bad! Maybe you'll have fun.
They're supposed to have hula dancing and even a fire eater!"

"Sounds like a barrel of laughs, luv." He answered, deadpan.

She slapped him lightly on the shoulder. "You're such a party
pooper!"

"Oi!" He mocked cringed from the blow and the insult. "How do you
know there isn't another reason entirely that I want to leave early?"
Oh god, had he really just said that? Spike swallowed heavily waiting
to see what Buffy would say.

Buffy's heart almost stopped. Did he mean that the way it sounded?
"Maybe we don't have to go at all?" She ventured quietly.

Spike's heart was beating triple time. Did he want to do this with
Buffy? Who was he kidding? *Of course* he wanted to do this with
Buffy! But the real question was, should he? No matter what her true
feelings were for him, wouldn't it still be taking advantage of her when
she remained under the impression that they were truly engaged?

"No, luv. I think we probably need to make an appearance at least."
And it would give him some time to at least think about the
consequences some more. God, he could be risking everything.

"Oh, okay."

The disappointment in her voice, made Spike pull to a stop. He
tugged on her hand until she was facing him, and then he kissed her
again. It was slow and sweet and promising. And he knew in that
instant that there was really nothing left to think about. There was
only one decision he *could* make. But stubborn as he was he still
wanted to go through the motions. So he ended the kiss and without
another word pulled her out the door and down the hall.

***

The nights out here were incredibly dark. The luau was being held
right on the beach, with several tiki torches set up to illuminate the
party. He watched as Buffy made her way over to the buffet table
and tried the poi. The face she made was ridiculous and it almost
made him smile, but he curbed it before it could appear. There was
no doubt that she was beautiful. There was also no doubt that she
was unmistakably Will's. It only made him want her more.

The bastard had everything that should rightfully belong to him. He
was king of a multimillion dollar kingdom, and had all the comforts
and luxuries that came with it. Including the beautiful courtesan.
Damn him!

But tonight Angel was going to get back a little of his own. He slunk
through the shadows, watching and waiting, biding his time.

***

Spike watched as Buffy threw her head back and laughed. She was
caught up in the excitement of the night, watching the fire eater and
the other island entertainers. Spike had to admit it was impressive.
He didn't know how anyone could be disciplined enough to learn to
swallow a huge ball of fire on demand.

They'd been at the luau for a few hours, while he both dreaded and
wished for the time when they could be alone. He knew what would
happen once they got there, but he was determined at least to do the
right thing. He wanted her there was definitely no denying that, but
he knew he couldn't have her. Not without being honest first. He'd
thought long and hard about what he was going to do. He had to tell
her the truth.

He'd weighed all the pros and cons. Spike just couldn't imagine the
truth hurting her anymore than what he'd already been doing. He
wasn't even sure if she'd forgive him for what they'd already done.
But he could hope, and wish, and pray that once he'd confessed to
her, shetilltill want him. Still love him. At least enough to still be his
friend. But, Lord he wanted more.

He watched her carefully. He'd been watching her carefully ever
since the accident. She seemed almost completely healed. The only
evidence left were the few stitches on her forehead. And her memory
loss. Why couldn't she remember? Would she ever remember?
That was one thing he'd thought about long and hard. If she never
did remember, they could be married and in love and together for the
rest of their lives. And she'd never know the difference. But he
would.

Spike sighed, running his fingers through his disheveled hair.
Wanting...wanting...everything, and knowing how precarious his
chances at having that really were. At this point he'd even settle for
just a small crumb, but bloody hell he wanted, *longed*, for it all.

"I'm just going to get a drink, do you want anything?" Buffy asked as
she stood from their seats on the straw covered floor.

"I'll go, luv." Spike started to stand but she put a hand on his
shoulder to stop him.

"No, I'm already up. Besides my legs were falling asleep. It's just a
short walk." She tilted her head over to where the bar sat, just a few
feet away from where the luau was being hosted.

"Okay, kitten. Just some pineapple juice for me." He needed to keep
a clear head if he wanted to make sure he said the right words
tonight.

She leaned down and gave him a quick peck on the lips before
turning to walk away. Spike turned his own attention back to the
entertainment; still marveling at the bravado it took to actually swallow
fire. Those men must have some pretty big stones. He watched as
they juggled long torches back and forth before finally swallowing the
last of them down. When the hula dancers came on he realized that
it had been more than just a few several long minutes since Buffy had
left for the drinks.

He stood and looked around, but didn't see her anywhere near the
bar. Spike made his way over to the bartender. "Have you seen my
fiance? She was wearing a sort of green dress. Shoulder length
blonde, hazel eyes?" He described her while continuing to scan the
area.

"Sorry, don't remember anyone like that." The man shrugged
helplessly.

Maybe she had gone inside to use the restroom? He stood outside
the ladies room door, wai waited until a woman came out. He asked
her politely if she'd seen Buffy, or if she could at least go back into the
restroom and see if she were still there. But no luck. Where had she
gone?

He tried their room next. He entered, panting from having run up the
flight of stairs, impatient for the elevator. "Buffy?" He called as he
raced through the main room and into the bathroom. But the suite
remained silent.

Buffy was gone.

***

Buffy's heart was racing and she knew that if she didn't concentrate
on breathing she would probably hyperventilate and end up passing
out. She had woken up blind folded, the back of her head throbbing
from the blow she'd been dealt.

When she tried to raise her hand to feel for the bump, she realized
that she'd been tied down. Both her legs and arms were bound to
what she assumed were bedposts, since she was obviously lying on
a mattress.

She had no idea who had her or why. The last thing she
remembered was heading over to the bar for a couple of drinks. On
the way she'd decided to detour to the restroom and stepped off the
regular path and onto the grass hill that led back up to the main hotel
lobby. It wasn't exactly well lit, with only tiki torches spaced every few
feet. She hadn't seen anyone or anything, though she hadn't exactly
been looking.

Whoever had taken her had definitely done it before she'd reached
the lobby. She still had to use the restroom, and fear made the need
even greater. Who would want to kidnap her? Maybe she had
enemies she didn't remember? Wouldn't Will have told her, reminded
her to be extra careful? God, Will must be worried sick.

"Hello?" She called out, not knowing whether she really wanted an
answer or not. "Please, I really have to use the bathroom." She
could feel the blush from her head all the way up to her toes. How
humiliating to have to ask your captor to not let you wet your pants.

Her panic increased when she heard heavy footsteps on the carp
T
The blind fold was whisked off her head, forcing her to blink her eyes
against the bright light. When her eyes had finally adjusted, she felt
her stomach drop and the bile rise in her throat.

Angel.

And then she couldn't stop the tears. Oh my god! She'd never told
Will. She'd meant to let him know about her conversation with
Harmony. But she'd never gotten around to it. And now it was too
late. He wouldn't even know where to start looking.

Angel smirked at her, and so she did the only thing she could think of
to do. She screamed.