Coo Coo Ca-Choo

Spike woke up, stiff and sore all over from his cramped position in his car all night. The first rays of sunlight were on the horizon. He got out and went to use the facilities and to stretch his legs some and then after getting a soda out of one of the vending machines once again resumed his place in his Desoto and pulled out of the rest area to go home.

Buffy sat in the same place she had been sitting all night long, clutching Spike’s shirt. She had yet to sleep. She just sat there and stared off into space. Finally she had to get up to use the bathroom. On her way back, she stopped in the kitchen and grabbed a 6-pack of beer. It was 7am. She drank 3 down back to back and then picked up her telephone and dialed Willow.

“Hello” came a groggy voice on the other line.
“Willow, it’s me Buffy” she said.
“Buffy? Is everything alright? It’s 7am on a Sunday morning” Willow told her.
“Yes, I know. Don’t people get up this early for church on Sundays though?” Buffy asked.
“Yeah, I suppose, but I’m Jewish you goof” Willow replied.
“Well, synagogues then” Buffy stated.
“Well, I’m up now. It’s O.K. You sound like you’ve been crying. What’s wrong? It’s not your mom is it?” Willow said fearfully thinking Joyce may have had a relapse.
“No. No. Mom is fine. Umm.. Can you come over?” Buffy asked.
“Yes but can you tell me why?” Willow answered.
“Because if you don’t come, I think I’m going to drink myself into oblivion and do something I probably shouldn’t do” Buffy said softly, for the first time somewhat admitting to Willow she had an alcohol problem.
“I will be right there. Don’t do anything stupid! I’m on my way” Willow hung up and grabbed some clothes to throw on, woke Tara to tell her where she was going and then rushed out the door.

Buffy hung up and opened another beer. A part of her wanted to die but the other part that wanted to live had made her call Willow. While she was waiting, she decided to call Spike’s dorm just to check and see if he was O.K. She couldn’t take it anymore. She dialed the number and asked for Spike. She was told to hold on and she waited for several minutes before finally there was a voice on the other line.

“Hey, Buffy?” the voice said but it wasn’t Spike’s voice.
“Umm..who are you? I was looking for William...er Spike. I know it’s early but I need to talk to him.” She told the person.
“Yeah, I know. This is his roommate, Xander. You remember me? Uhhh..Will never came home last night. I thought he was with you.” Xander informed her.
“No, he isn’t. He left last night after the movie. Oh god. What if something happened to him?” Buffy started to cry again. She didn’t think she had any tears left in her but apparently she did.
“Crap. Why did he leave? He told me he was staying over at your place?” Xander was getting nervous.
Buffy sobbed, “We had a fight...and...he left me....and oh god, if anything happened to him, I...I can’t...” she trailed off.
“Another fight? Christ woman. What did you do to him this time? What is wrong with you?” Xander was becoming angry.
“He thinks I lied to him...and...well..I guess I did... not telling my friends about him...and we ran into them..and there was a huge scene and he hates me now...but I love him, Xander...I do..so much. I’m so sorry.” Buffy sobbed on and on.
“If you love him, why don’t you tell HIM that? Why do you lie to him? Why do you hurt him? He’s been my best friend for years, lady and I don’t know who you think you are doing this to him over and over. You must really be a great piece of ass for him to keep taking this shit!” Xander shouted at her.
“I’m so sorry...please...” Buffy hung up not able to deal with it anymore.

Xander stood in the hallway blazing with anger. He lashed out and punched the wall, sticking his hand clear through it. That was right when Spike came walking up.
“Jesus, mate. What the hell is going on?” Spike questioned.
Xander pulled his bloodied hand out of the wall and grabbed Spike in a huge bear hug.
“Damn, I thought something had happened to you, that you were hurt or dead.” He clung to him.
A few other boys happened along then, eyes widened at the public display of affection. Xander and Spike pulled away from each other. One of the other boys held up his hands and said, “Hey...don’t ask...don’t tell” and the boys snorted and walked away.

“Thanks whelp. To complete my utterly brilliant night, the whole dorm is gonna think we’re a couple of poofters now.” Spike said.
Xander grabbed him and pushed him into their own room.
“Sorry, man. Buffy just called though looking for you and you never came home and she freaked out crying thinking something happened to you and I was pissed off at her and scared too...” Xander ranted.
“Alright, mate. Slow down. Take a breath.” Spike told him.
“I’m fine. Safe and sound. See?” he held up his hands and pointed at himself.
“Well, I don’t know about sound” Xander grinned.
“Bloody funny, that’s what you are’ Spike responded.
“So you break up with the bitch for good this time?” Xander asked.
“Don’t call her that” Spike answered.
“Oh sorry. Excuse me. She told me what happened. Well at least what I could make out between the sobs and she sounded kinda drunk to me, her speech was kinda slurred.” Xander informed him.

Spike’s jaw twitched. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers.
“I need to go make sure she is O.K.” he finally opened his eyes and said.
“WHAT? Are you crazy? Look, Will this is getting to be ridiculous...” Xander began his protest.
“It’s none of your business, alright?” Spike shouted.
Xander’s eyes widened and mouth opened. “Fine, whatever. Just trying to look out for a friend. When she burns you again, don’t come blubbering to me again”
“Look, Xan, I’m sorry. But if she thinks something bad ‘appened to me and she is drinking and..Christ, I know I’m a stupid git but I gotta make sure she knows I’m O.K. though and she doesn’t do anything to ‘urt ‘erself.” Spike explained.

Spike sat down on his bed and hung his head. “God help me Xan but I love ‘er. I want to try to make it work.” He started.
“I thought you already tried and she screwed up again.” Xander replied.
“Yeah, she did. But...I thought about it all last night after I left her. Not that what she did wasn’t wrong but I mean...it could’ve been worse. It’s not like she cheated on me or something like that” Spike tried to rationalize.
“You’re just making excuses for her. The girl has issues. Big time.” Xander responded.
“I know that! So, what do I do? Run away every time the going gets rough? You know ‘ow my bloody temper is and I fly off the ‘andle and say things better left unsaid and make things worse.” Spike admitted.
“You gotta do what you gotta do. I just don’t want you to get messed up by this chick anymore than she’s already messed you up” Xander stated.
“You’re a good friend, Xan.” Spike told him.
“Yeah and you’re a....poofter” Xander grinned and punched him in the shoulder.
“Give us a kiss, mate..” Spike grabbed Xander jokingly.

Xander squealed and dodged him, running to the other side of the room.
“Gotta go see a girl, I’ll see you later, whelp” Spike saluted him and exited their room.

Willow had been listening attentively to Buffy’s frantic and slurred speech about Spike being dead because of her for the past hour. She had arrived shortly after Buffy’s phone call with Xander to find a hysterical and inebriated Buffy. She finally got Buffy calmed down enough and she went to the kitchen to make a big pot of coffee.

There was a knock on the door and Buffy stumbled to it. She threw open the door to reveal Spike standing there, looking haggard and worn however not quite as bad as she must look. She launched herself into his arms, “You’re alive! Oh God! William, you’re alive! I was so scared. I thought I would die myself.” She was sobbing into his chest and clutching onto him with bruising force.
“Buffy...baby..it’s alright. I’m alright.” He tried to soothe her.

That was the sight that greeted Willow as she came out of the kitchen upon hearing the knock and commotion.
“Umm..Hi” she gave a little wave to Spike “You must be William”
He looked at her from over the top of Buffy’s head. “Yeah...umm..can you ‘elp me with ‘er?” he asked.
Willow came up and helped untangle Buffy from around William and they both led her to the sofa.
“I just started a pot of coffee. Looks like you could use some too” Willow said.
“Thanks. Yeah. ‘ow long ‘as she been like this?” William asked.
“Since I arrived at least. Probably all night but she just called me this morning. By the way, I’m her best friend, Willow” she told him.
“Ahh..yes. I’ve seen you in pictures she ‘as from college” William gave her a small smile.

Buffy was near the point of passing out with exhaustion and because of the alcohol.
“William...I’m sorry...love you...forgive me...” and with that she did indeed pass out.
Great, the bloody chit finally tells me she loves me and she is passed out drunk, he thought to himself.
“Can you ‘elp me get ‘er into bed, Red?” Spike asked Willow.
“Sure” Willow giggled at being called “Red”.

They got Buffy back to her room and tucked under the covers. Spike leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. “Love you too, baby” he said out loud softly. He turned around to see Willow watching him with a curious expression on her face and he blushed slightly.
“Want some of that coffee?” she smiled.
“Yeah, please.” He answered her.

An hour later Willow and Spike were in deep conversation over their coffee about Buffy. Willow told him how she had just found out about him today and most of it was slurred babbling so he filled her in on the rest of the “saga known as Buffy and Spike”. Willow told Spike how she had always thought Buffy had a problem with drinking but never said anything and regretted now that maybe she should have. Spike knew the reasons for why Buffy changed so drastically in college that Willow didn’t but he tolr thr that some things Buffy need to tell her herself. It wasn’t his place.

“I’ve never seen her act this way over anyone, William...or do you prefer Spike?” Willow told him.
“Spike is fine” he replied.
“Buffy has never been big on the committed relationships. She dated a lot of guys but I never seemed to see her with the same guy twice so this is major for her” Willow informed him.
“Yeah, it’s major for me too, Red.” Spike replied.
“I think she really loves you, Spike” Willow looked him in the eye.
“I love ‘er too, Red. God, I love ‘er so much. We just keep ‘urting each other though” he admitted.
“Have you guys thought about counseling? And Buffy could definately benefit from AA or some type of treatment program.” Willow inquired.
“No, we haven’t discussed any of that yet but we should and will” he responded.
“Will you be alright if I leave you with her? I’ve got to get back to my girlfriend, Tara, oh, I’m a lesbian in case Buffy didn’t tell you.” Willow said matter of factly.
“She had mentioned it and your bird, Tara, yeah.” Spike let her know. “Go on, I’ll be O.K. I’ll stay with ‘er.”
“It was nice meeting you, Spike. Sorry it had to be under these circumstances. Tell Buffy I will call her tomorrow to check in” Willow informed him as she put her coat on and picked up her purse.

Spialkealked Willow to the door, “Thanks for everything, Red. I’m glad Buffy has a good friend like you”.
“Thanks, Spike. Take care and get some rest yourself. You look like you need it” and she turned and made her way down to the parking lot.

Spike closed the door, went to the kitchen and made sure the coffee pot was shut off then went to Buffy’s bedroom. She was laying on her side now snoring softly. He slipped off his boots and shirt and slid under the sheets with her wearing only his jeans. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against him. He kissed her hair and lost himself in sleep and in her.

Continued in Chapter 12- Did it Work?