Complicated

Complicated Part 2

You'll find all the intro stuff in Chapter one.

"Um, come on in." Spike told his un-expected guest. His visitor pushed past him, taking in the surroundings with a critical eye. His gaze followed the pointed look at the wet, white towels that sat in a clumpy mess at the edge of the bathroom, by the open door.

"Laundry much Spike?" was smirked at him, following a classic nose wrinkle and an "eew!" Spike felt the warmth of embarrassment creep up to his face.

"Ha, bloody ha!" he mumbled, walking over and gathering up the offensive pile. He went into the bathroom and dumped it into the sea-foam-green wicker hamper. Wiping off his hands on a clean 'dry' white towel, he headed back to his guest. Said guest was busy being nosey: touching stuff and looking around the small but classy apartment.

"Careful pet..." Spike winced as his guest sat back down the priceless statuette so carelessly picked up. <If anything happens to this stuff, I'm dust! The owner of this place would make sure of it. Yeah, 'Dust In The Wind' would be more than just a song.> "Can I get you anythin?" He asked hopefully.

"Naw, I’m good."

"So." Silence.........Spike hated silence.

"Yeah…um…so, why didja leave like that?"

"Wot?"

"Don't play dumb with me Mr. Vampire."

"That's Master Vampire to you, love."

An eye roll from his guest. "Whatever, Spike. Now answer the damn question."

"You really wanna know pet?" As his guest gave him a 'duh' look, Spike motioned to the black leather love seat.

He, in turn, settled down in the black, crushed velvet EZ-Boy, propped his Doc's on the small Victorian ottoman, and picked up his silver lighter off of the glass and bronze tea-cozy table next to the chair.

His pale, slender fingers wiggled out a cigarette from his near empty pack. He placed it between his lips. With a flick of his wrist, and a 'click', the lighter flared suddenly…the flame touching the tip. He inhaled, looked thoughtfully at nothing in particular. In fact, he looked like he wished he could just put the past few hours behind him. He took one more drag, and then looking pointedly at his guest, he drawled. "Are you sure ya wanna hear this luv? Cause it's a long story."

"Spike, I'm not leaving till I know everything."

'Everything pet?"

Spike had to bite back his laughter at the 'resolve face' his guest suddenly sported.

<Ah, yes, where to start? Where indeed.> He did not feel like reliving that little scene from Hell that he'd experienced at Xander’s apartment earlier that evening. But, his mind had different plans.

After knocking loudly on the door, Dawn had 'eeped' at the irritated way Xander had thrown open the door, nearly knocking her over in the process. He clearly was not happy. Yet, being 'good ole' Xander, he had ushered them in, pointedly leaving Spike out of the invite. No, instead, he'd seemed almost gleeful that Spike could not enter. Heh.

And rude? Wow, if Xander had been any ruder, Spike thought Buffy was gonna bop him on the head, just like little bunny fu-fu. Buffy had been very 'rah-rah' about Spike living with Xander. Telling the slayerette all of the plus reasons for living with the Vampire. When Xander did not look properly impressed, Buffy had hit him with the heavy arsenal. Thus, bringing about her victory and his defeat.

But, Xander being Xander, (and realizing that no matter what he said, Buffy was gonna get her way) had not disappointed them all as he bowed low and quipped, " I invite you in." Spike had to hide his smirk as Xander muttered "Nimrod." Then, Buffy had told them that he had a soul. Dawn and Xander seemed dubious, but cheerleader Buffy had in the end won them over.

Spike on the other hand was feeling claustrophobic. A closet? They expected him to sleep in a bleedin' closet? Spike had had enough. Especially after the way Buffy had practically jumped 5 feet and all he'd done was lightly touch her arm. That'd made up his mind for him. "Sorry, I'll go, this can't work." And, after a few well-placed "Bollocks" He had stormed out the door, into the night.

He had come back to this apartment, and decided to cool his heels, while he tried to make sense of it all. He had been in the middle of a very lovely memory when a knock at the door had interrupted his chain of thought. Reluctantly, he'd opened the door to find Clem standing there, his arms full of a big box with a small sack placed precariously on top. It was full of snacks, and other things for a nice housewarming gift.

Spike had removed his burden from him and had invited the loose skinned demon inside. Clem had taken the cold beer Spike offered him and draining it, had asked for another. Spike looked at him, suspicion mounting. Clem only drank like that when he was upset. After the fifth beer, Spike had helped the tipsy demon to sit down on his black leather love seat. With shaking hands, Clem had told Spike about his latest job, the Internet gig, and in a rush had mentioned to him the news that would soon change his un-life. The real reason he'd stopped by.

An argument had soon ensued, leaving both demons upset. Then, Clem had issued his ultimatum: "Tell him, or I will!"

So, Spike had been left with no other alternative than to usher his friend out, before he punched him out. Clem had then left, still threatening to 'tell." Spike had no doubts that he would do just that. Obviously he had, cause looky who was here! Slender fingers snapped in front of his aquiline nose.

"Spike!"

Blinking rapidly, he waited until his eyes adjusted. <Bloody Hell!> He'd been staring at nothing. Well, not 'nothing', more like through someone…heh. And that 'someone' was beginning to look very pissed. Okay, time for the big guns.

Spike pouted. A tiny, pink pout. And, just for good measure, he added the anime eyes. Who could resist those cerulean blue eyes of his?

"Spike!" It was said softer now. <Heh, the pout and the eyes…gets em every time.> Another drag off of the nearly gone ciggie, and then he tamped it out in the crystal ashtray on the tiny end table.

"Okay, if I do tell you, you haveta promise not to tell the Slayer."

His guest thought for a moment, eyes twinkled softly, "Okay Spike, I promise! Now, gimme the dish!" Grinning, his guest tucked in long legs and leaned forward, so eagerly, Spike half expected to watch a topple off of the couch.

Smiling, Spike shook his blonde head. "Sshh, pet, all in good time. This story is a long one, won't they be worried about you?"

"Na, got it covered. Now, stop stallin' start spillin'."

Spike leaned back deeply in his lounger, steepled his long fingers, and looking straight at his guest, he began.

“Well, it started a long time ago, before you came. I saw him out on the dance floor, dancing by himself, and wished I could dance with him. But, I was there for a different reason. Still, I'll never forget how cute he looked, shaking his ass.” Spike smiled at the memory.

"Uh, Spike?"

"Yeah luv?"

"Um, ya got a bit of drool..."

Wiping off his mouth, he glared at his guest."Ha, bloody ha." His guest said nothing, merely smirked and crossed slender arms, settling in for what was sure was to be a long, yet entertaining story, if the drooling Vampire was any hint.