The Winning Hand

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

Okay I'm posting this unbeta'd since everyone's been clamoring for
an update :) - no really, thanks for the reviews, much appreciated!

I'm racketing up the angst a notch, but please believe me when I say
this story will have a happy spuffy ending.

***

Chapter 18 - Dreams

Buffy woke up the next morning alone in bed. She pulled the pillow
next to her close and inhaled William's musky scent. She smiled at
the reminder of her lover, and then smiled some more at the fact that
she had a lover. Who would have thought that she would be living a
high roller's life in Las Vegas, taking a lover, and building a whole
new life?

After her shower and quick breakfast provided by room service, Buffy
sat down to skim the morning paper. Before she could get through
the front page her phone was ringing and she jumped up to grab the
receiver.

"Hello?" She asked breathlessly, her features turning from curious to
delighted, "Really?!" She managed to squeak out. "It's official?" Her
head bobbed up and down at each new fact the caller announced.
"When can I see it? Today?"

After a few more happy words, Buffy dropped the receiver back into
place. It was hers! The studio owner had accepted her offer and
they would be going into escrow as soon as all the papers could be
filed! She couldn't believe it. Spreading her arms wide she spun in a
circle, smiling and laughing at the thought of once more having eager
to learn students at her feet.

The first thing she wanted to do was call Will and let him know the
good news. She couldn't wait to share her happiness with someone.
Who better than the man she was in love with? The real estate agent
had told her she could pick up the keys that afternoon for a quick look
through. Although the property wouldn't become hers officially until
escrow closed, the current owner was fine with her doing a walk
through to start compiling the things she would need for the
renovation. She wanted Will to be there with her so that he could see
the space she'd picked out.

Quickly she dialed his office number and waited as the phone rang.
His assistant picked up and greeted her with a warm, "Hello." Within
a few seconds she was connected and Will's rich accent was filling
her ear.

"Spike here." The greeting was crisp as usual.

"Hi Will!" Buffy couldn't contain her excitement.

"Hello…Buffy." Spike's gut twisted at the sound of her voice. The
pain in his chest grew inexorably at the thought that he couldn't allow
himself the fantasy any longer. What could he say? How could he
explain to her? Images of last night's love making assailed him as
she continued to speak.

"Could we have lunch today? I have a surprise to show you!" Buffy
was exuberant, having no idea of Will's current internal dilemma.

Spike came back to himself at the invitation. See her again? He
couldn't, not if he expected to keep his hands off her. "Sorry, luv. I’m
afraid I've got a busy day today. Won't be able to see you." There,
he just had to ease in to it.

"Oh."

He could practically hear the pout in her voice and he had to check
the impulse to make it better.

"That's okay, I understand. What about dinner tonight?" She asked
hopefully.

Shaking his head Spike replied, "Sorry, luv. I'm afraid I've taken too
much time off work already. I've got a lot to catch up on." Spike
squeezed his eyes shut at the white lie.

"Oh." Buffy's head was spinning. It was because of her that he'd
been taking time off, so she couldn't be upset, could she? "That's
okay. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Maybe." Spike's answer was noncommittal. "I'll call you."

Buffy hung up the phone in a daze. Her high spirits having
completely fled at the tone of the conversation she'd just shared with
Will. He'd sounded so…indifferent…as if he could care less one way
or the other when they would next see each other.

Had she been so naïve to believe he might have had feelings for her?
Or maybe she was just overreacting. He did have a lot of
responsibilities and he had taken a lot of time off to be with her this
past week. Maybe he really was just busy. She perked up slightly at
the thought. She would just have to show him her new studio later,
when he was free, that's all.

For now she needed to get ready to see her new space. But she was
still too excited and happy to go alone, she wanted to share her
feelings with someone, so she once again dialed the phone.

"Hello?"

"Joyce? It's Buffy. Are you busy this afternoon?"

They arrived at the empty building just after 2 pm. They'd had a quick
lunch at the buffet at the Crypt and then did a quick circuit of the
shops before headout.out. As they pulled up to the property Joyce
gave out a low whistle.

"Buffy, this is just perfect." They stepped out of the car at the same
time, as Joyce continued to speak. "This is a great location, close to
several suburban neighborhoods, and far enough from the strip that
families wouldn't mind bringing their kids here." She turned to take a
look at the building itself. "And it's so large! What a great space!"

"It is wonderful, isn't it?" Buffy asked, her eyes wide and her face
flushed. "It's twice the size of the studio I had in Trader's Corners,
and the location is wonderful. I bet I'll have students knocking on my
door before I even finish the renovations! It's like a dream come
true."

Joyce watched Buffy and couldn't help having some of the young
woman's excitement rub off on her. "I'm sure you'll be a huge
success!" Hooking arms they entered the buildtogetogether.

"I know it doesn't look like much from the inside. It's been abandoned
for awhile. But I have the money to restore it, and it'll be perfect once
I'm through with it." Buffy spoke in rush.

"It's already perfect Buffy." Joyce answered. "Why didn't you invite
William out to see it with us?" Joyce wondered absently, but her gaze
focused sharply at the slight frown that marred Buffy's brow at the
question.

"Oh, I tried. He was too busy at the office." Buffy shrugged trying to
appear nonant.ant.

Joyce's own smiled curved down for a moment. Will was busy, but
she didn't think he was any busier than usual.

"I'm so happy that you'll be staying in Vegas dear." Joyce walked
over next to Buffy. "That means we'll be able to see each other
whenever I visit." She gave the younger woman a quick hug. "And of
course you'll always be welcome at the Atlantic City Crypt. As well as
the Sunnydale Castle, as I'm sure Giles has told you!" Joyce smiled
down at her.

"Yes." Buffy laughed at Joyce's fervor. "I've fallen in love with the
desert. I've also fallen in love with your family. So don't be surprised
if I take you up on those offers!" Buffy smiled up at her.

Joyce's expression turned suddenly serious, making Buffy gulp
nervously. "Is that all you've fallen in love with?" The question was
voiced quietly, Joyce's eyes never leaving Buffy's.

They stared at each other for a moment. Buffy's eyes began to tear
up before she answered in a barely audible whisper, "No."

"Oh my dear." Joyce pulled Buffy into a warm hug. "Don't worry,
everything will turn out beautifully. I know my son; he can be as
stubborn as his father, but just like Rupert when he loves, he does it
with his entire being."

"I suppose that only matters if he's actually fallen in love." Buffy
pulled away, sniffling quietly.

"Like I said, I know my son. Things will work out, you'll see." Joyce
reassured her.

Buffy only nodded.

***

She was surrounded by beautiful women; long legs, and big breasts
abounded. The music surged around her as the women lined up and
began to kick, the sequins on what little clothing they wore sparkling
under the stage lights. Buffy felt like a kitten in a den of lionesses.
This was the kind of woman Will wanted. The kind of woman that
could capture and *keep* his interest.

Buffy twisted and turned in her sheets, her head thrashing on the soft
pillow as the dream tormented her. A loud clap of thunder boomed
outside her window and she shot out of bed her heart pounding
furiously.

Turning toward the window to acknowledge the rain, she fell back her
head landing on the crumpled pillow, her breathing harsh. As her
pulse calmed an icy determination came over her. Whether Will
wanted her or not wouldn’t change the course of events she'd put into
place since arriving in Vegas. This *would* be her new home. She'd
never go back to Trader's Corners. And if Will didn't want her; didn't
love her? Well, her heart would mend wouldn't it? People didn’t
actually die of broken hearts did they?