The Winning Hand

Chapter 2 - High Roller

Spike placed the still form on the silk sheets. The small woman's hair
fanned out to frame her face on the cool pillow. He took a moment to
study her. She was a small thing, petite and slim. Her face drew him
in, reminding him of a fairy or pixie. Her skin was smooth and golden
tanned. Her lips were soft and full, perfect for pouting, he noted.

Who was this woman? She hadn't had any wallet, and he hadn't been
able to find a purse. His first instinct was always one of caution. Was
she a scam artist? A fraud? A felon? But looking at her, watching her
chest rise and fall with each breath, he knew she couldn't be any of
those things. There was too much innocence in her face, too much
sweetness in her features.

When he heard the soft rustling he turned to face her once more. Her
luminous green eyes opened and slowly focused on him. He felt her
tense, and immediately placed his hands in the air in a surrendering
gesture. "Don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you." He quickly assured
her.

"Who - who are you?" she stammered out, her hands coming up to
rub the sleep out of her eyes, making Spike smile at her childlike
appearance.

"My name is William Giles, but everyone calls me Spike." He took a
seat on the far end of the bed. "You made quite a commotion."

"I'm sorry. I - what did I do?" she asked tentatively.

She was adorable. 'Where had she come from?' he wondered. "You
hit the jackpot."

"Oh..." She looked like she was going to faint again, so Spike quickly
moved closer and took her hand.

"Are you okay, luv?" She nodded her head without speaking. Spike
was running his thumb over the back of her hand in soothing circles.

"H-how much?"

He shrugged. "Roughly 1.8 million."

Buffy's jaw dropped open, her eyes beginning tter.ter. Spike
reached out and gently placed a finger beneath her chin, raising it
slowly to close her mouth. He let his finger linger there for a moment,
staring intently at her tearing eyes. "None of that now pet. It's a good
thing, yeah?"

"Oh, it's a wonderful thing!" Buffy exclaimed. The tears were falling
now, Spike brushing them away gently on each cheek. "I didn't know
what I was going to do. That was my last five dollars." She rushed the
words out.

Suddenly Buffy became aware of the position they were in. She was
only wearing her t-shirt and panties underneath the silk covers. She
pulled away from him slightly, looking around the room.

"Where am I?" She wondered out loud.

"You're in a high roller's suite luv." He couldn't help grinning at the
awe on her face. "You can stay here as long as you like. And after
you leave, you'll always be welcome back at the Crypt."

"Well, I...I...how much will it cost me?"

Spike laughed out loud at that. "It's free luv." His arms gestured to
indicate the room. "A sort of thank you for spending your money here
with us."

"Oh." He loved seeing that deer in the headlights look on her. It made
her eyes go wide and round. He felt something go through him at the
sight.

"Now, don't you think it's about time I learned your name luv?" Spike
prompted.

"Oh." She blushed. "Buffy. Buffy Summers."

"Nice to meet you Buffy." He held out a hand to her. She took it
tentatively and they shook.

She was still blushing when she asked quietly, "H-how did I get
undressed?"

Spike found himself enthralled by her. It had been a long time since
he'd met someone so...naïve? Innocent? He didn't know the words,
but her blush and shy stammer were endearing. "Don't worry Buffy. I
looked away the entire time. Scout's honor." He held his hand up in
the time honored swearing position.

Buffy smiled and Spike was almost floored by the force of it. "I
somehow doubt you were a scout, Mr. Giles."

"Spike. Call me Spike." He insisted.

"Okay...Spike." She started to get out of bed, but then blushed again.
"Can you turn around please?"

Spike quickly turned away, hearing her rustle around for her shorts.
He didn't bother to tell her where he'd placed , th, the reflection in
the far windows one he didn't want to give up too soon.

When she was 'decent' he turned around once more. "Thank you so
much for all of this Spike." She made a slight face at his name. "You
don't really seem like a Spike to me."

"Well, if it bothers you, I supposed you can call me William." He
offered. "It'll just be you and Mum though. Even Da calls me Spike."

"Thank you William," She smiled shyly at him. "For everything." She
indicated their surroundings.

"Don't mention it luv. You're a high roller now after all." He went over
and took her elbow, guiding her into the main room. "Now we just
have to discuss the details."

He sat her down on the couch, and poured her a glass of water from
the bar. He then took a seat beside her. "We just need to see ID and
get everything settled. You just need to give us your account number
so we can transfer the money."

"Transfer the money?" She repeated in a daze.

"Yes. We don't really give out checks for that large an amount. It's
easier to just transfer the money straight into your bank account.
Although you will get one of those large blown up checks in front of
the press and all."

"Press?" Buffy placed a hand to her forward. She was starting to feel
dizzy again.

"You okay luv?" Spike moved in closer, taking her hand in his once
more.

"I- I can't deal with the press." She whispered.

"Why not luv? It won't be that bad, I promise."

"It's not that." She looked up at him. Her eyes large and round. "I...I..."

"You can tell me." Spike tried to soothe her.

"There's someone." Spike felt a stab of something in his chest as she
spoke. "Someone I don't want to find me."

"Husband?" Spike asked.

"Thank go!" o!" Buffy answered with obvious relief. "He was a fiance.
I tried to break it off, but he just wouldn't listen. So I just left."

"And you don't want him to find you?" Spike asked, wondering if there
were more behind the story.

"No. He's sort of...he's very...commanding. I know he'd order me
back home." She tried to explain.

"You're an adult luv. You wouldn't have to if you didn't want to."

"You don't understand!" Buffy cried in frustration. "It's not that easy."
She could feel her eyes tearing up again.

Spike ed hed her into his arms, and gently wrapped them around her.
"Shhh. Okay luv. Whatever you say. I'll handle the press for as long
as I can. But they'll want to speak with you eventually."

"Okay." She sniffled. "Thank you. I just need a little time."

They sat for a few minutes like that. Wrapped around each other.
Then Spike spoke again, "What about that account number luv?"

"Oh." Buffy thought for a second. "I guess I can find a bank here and
open an account. I don't really have one." She ducked her head
sheepishly.

"That would be fine Buffy." he assured her. "Oh and, by the way, why
aren't you carrying a purse or a wallet?"

Buffy sighed. "It was stolen the other day. That's why I was down to
my last five dollars."

Spike shook his head. How had this girl survived? She was so naïve
and clueless. He felt so protective of her, and he tried not to stop and
wonder at the feeling.

He slowly slipped away from her. She looked up at him and he was
once more caught up in her bright green gaze. "I better let you get
some rest. You've had a very exciting day."

She smiled up at him. "Thank you. I suppose I should get some real
sleep."

Turning at the door Spike stopped to say a final, "Goodnight luv,"
before disappearing.

Buffy's smile never left her face as she found her toothbrush and went
through her nightly rituals. She was still smiling when she finally
drifted off to sleep.