Breathless

As soon as the concert came to an end, Spike sprang from the booth and made his way back through the swarm of people towards the security guards by the back stage entrance. Relief surged through his body when he realized that he knew the muscular man standing there. He knew he wouldn’t have any trouble getting around Lindsey, whom he used to work with on occasion. After a brief conversation, Lindsey used his radio to let someone know who Spike was and that it was all right for him to be back there. Smiling to himself, Spike headed off to find Buffy.

Spotting her standing near the drums with the other bands members, he headed in her direction; only to be pushed rudely aside by a hulk of a man. Stumbling slightly, he quickly regained his balance preparing for a fight. What he witnessed next made tears sting his eyes and his heart race with anger; his stomach was twisting in knots. Buffy was standing on the tips of her toes, reaching upwards into the embrace of the man who had almost knocked Spike over. Seething with hatred and loss, he fled as quickly as possible.

The morning after the show, Lorne called bright and earlier telling Buffy that he had some “major important news” and that she needed to get her “sweet little behind to his office pronto!” After the meeting, Buffy hurried to her car, bursting with excitement and eager to get back home to let Riley in on Lorne’s news. She was still in shock that Serenity had been scheduled for a three month tour in the United States. Driving like a madwoman, like she normally did, she made it across town in record time back to her new home. She was still getting used to the idea that she and Riley had moved in together two weeks ago. Pulling into their driveway, Buffy flew from the driver’s seat and sprinted up the steps to the front door, rushing inside. “Riley!” she shrieked, excitedly.

Riley’s head popped around the corner with a worried expression on his face. “What’s wrong? Are you ok?”

“You will so never believe what just happened to me today!” Buffy exclaimed, excitedly. Before he had a chance to answer, she quickly added “Lorne has us booked for a three month tour! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!?” She shrieked loudly, jumping up and down around Riley, never noticing the unpleased expression on his face.

“When do you leave?” he asked with a controlled voice, trying not to let any emotion show.

“That’s the totally crazy part! We leave next Thursday and start playing in Dallas on Friday. I have no idea how I am going to get things ready that quickly; I still have to tell the school that I can’t even work part time anymore. Ugh! I have too many details to take care of!” It was then Buffy noticed the expression marring Riley’s face. “What’s the matter?” She placed her small hand on his arm, only to have it brushed away angrily.

“Don’t act like you have no idea what Friday night is!” He said, raising his voice to just below a shout. “As usual, your career is more important than mine!” He threw his hands up, causing Buffy to flinch in fear of being hit. Riley turned and walked towards the kitchen. She quickly hurried after him, asking “What did I do wrong this time, exactly?”

“Of course you forgot that Friday is the awards ceremony. How stupid was I to actually think someone as important as you would remember little old me and my stupid banquet!” Riley exploded, his voice finally reaching screaming level.

“Riley, honey, please calm down.” Buffy pleaded, “You’re frightening me. I didn’t forget about you. I’m just overly excited right now. I’m sorry the show is the same day as your ceremony, but I have to be there. I can’t pass this opportunity up, you know that, right?” She slowly stepped towards him, placing her hand on his chest, trying to get him to calm down. Relief spread through her when she saw him release the breath he had been holding inside. Tentatively, he pulled her close to him and enveloped her within his massive embrace, muttering apologies into her hair.

Finally, the day had arrived and Buffy waited patiently at the airport with Faith, Oz and Xander waiting to be allowed onto the plane. She had already said her goodbyes to Riley at home, not wanting to risk any scenes at the airport. When their flight was finally called to board, Buffy followed her band mates towards the terminal, eager to have some alone time on the plane. She hadn’t mentioned the scene with Riley to anyone, scared of what they might think of her, but she had every intention of having a serious conversation with herself and deciding whether or not Riley was the person she was destined to spend forever with. In her heart, Buffy knew that he wasn’t her soul mate, but she had to get that fact to her head.

Once on the plane, Buffy got comfortable in her seat and looked around. The small plane was filled with mostly people associated with the band. Lorne had played things safe, calling Angel and hiring two of his men for security. She had briefly met the handsome men while waiting at the gate. Wesley had a British accent and was quite attractive, but married; and Gunn was a striking black man who towered over Buffy, She instantly liked and felt secure with the both of them.

“Man, Wes, I cannot believe we are working this job! I actually got to meet and protect that fine ass Faith! What are the odds?” said Gunn, who was sitting at the back of the plane with Wesley and Lorne. “Spike would be so jealous right now. You remember how he acted when he saw Buffy. I’ve never seen him so out of it! Fred tried to talk to him several times and he just ignored her. That man ain’t ever ignored Fred. Hell, I thought those two would have ended up together instead of you marrying her.”

Wesley just stared at his stammering coworker. “Please do not ever engage me in a conversation regarding Spike and Winifred again.” He said sourly, “And, yes, he did seem quite enamored with Buffy. Though it did seem as though he knew her from somewhere before, didn’t it.”

Gunn thought about it for a second and replied, “Ya know, I think you may be right about that. Something seemed different from the way he usually acts.”

Lorne chipped in, “Who is Spike?” Wesley explained that he was an old friend of Angel’s who worked in private security. Gunn snickered and informed Lorne that Angel often referred to Spike as “Captain Peroxide” Puzzled, Lorne asked why he was called such a horrid nickname.

“Because he bleaches his hair so much it’s practically white.’ Wesley told him. Lorne immediately thought back to the night he saw Buffy run from the women’s bathroom at Caritas, disheveled and obviously upset, followed by a handsome man all in leather with platinum hair. He had never asked her what had happened since she never mentioned it, figuring Buffy had wanted to keep it private. Sipping his Sea Breeze, he wondered if this Spike was the same man and if it was what had actually happened that night.


**I worked hard to get out another chapter before leaving work this morning. Just so you guys know, I will mainly post Wednesday-Saturday as much as possible. These are the days I work and have internet access to post. Thanks and hope you like this installment. Next chapter, Spike and Buffy finally meet! Yeah!**