Over The Summer
folder
BtVS AU/AR › Het - Male/Female › Buffy/Spike(William)
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
29
Views:
2,006
Reviews:
86
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
BtVS AU/AR › Het - Male/Female › Buffy/Spike(William)
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
29
Views:
2,006
Reviews:
86
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BtVS), nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 11-20
Chapter 11
English Department Hallway
Faith was in complete shock by what she was seeing from inside her Professors office. `So B’s not the good girl everyone thought her to be.’ Faith turned to go to her next class. `My day just got a whole lot better.’
*****
Professor Winthrop’s Office
Spike and Buffy were so involved in their kissing session that nether of them heard the brunette cheerleader walk through the door. “Buffy are you . . .O GOD GOD!” Cordelia quickly shut the door behind her than turned back to the blonde couple.
Buffy and Spike jumped apart after hearing the cheerleader yell.
“Um. . .Ms. Chase this isn’t what it looked like.”
“Really? Cause from where I was standing it looked like you were making out with one of your students.”
“Cordelia! What are you doing here?”
“Buffy, I came back to see if you were okay. Anya and I were getting worried about you. You’ve been gone for almost an hour and we need to get to the stadium soon.”
“I’m fine. I didn’t realize that it was getting so late. We should probably get going.”
“Did the two of you work everything out or did you just jump into the kissing?”
“Cordelia.”
“What? I need to know if I wasted all this time talking to Anya about the different sexual positions she enjoys just so you could make-out with our Professor, or if the two of you actually worked things out.”
Buffy turned to face Spike. “Did we?”
“I really don’t know.”
*****
Football Stadium
“Okay ladies were going to run through the routine for half-time one more time before the other team gets here.”
All the girls took their positions while one of the JV girls turned on the music for them.
“5, 6, 7, 8. . .”
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Chapter 12
6:35pm- The Big Game
The game had started no more than two minutes ago and Sunnydale was already down by 6 points.
“Spike, please tell me again why we are here.” Dru asked from her seat in the stands next to her husband. “The last time I checked you didn’t even like American Football.”
“Dru, Luv. I already told you why I came to the game. If you didn’t want to come you could have stayed with your Father at his shop.” Spike snapped back at his wife; tried from her asking the same question yet again.
“I just wanted to spend time with my husband. Is that so wrong? I’ve barely seen you since classes started, and I’ve been helping Daddy with his store. And your always out late with your band on some gig somewhere. We hardly see each other anymore. It’s turning into the summer all over again.” Dru finished as a tear ran down her cheek.
Spike wrapped his arms around his wife and whispered into her right ear. “Pet, I’m sorry. Please Luv, don’t cry. I know we haven’t had much us time lately, and I am happy you wanted to come with me tonight. Really. And I promise you, this is nothing like what happened over the summer.” Spike locked eyes with Buffy by the field for a moment before trying to comfort his wife. “Dru, over the summer was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. I told you then, and I’ll tell you now. I want to be with you, and only you. I want to be there for our child.”
Dru nodded her head and Spike turned his attention back to the game trying to make himself believe the words he had just spoke.
*****
From the track around the football field the Varsity Cheerleaders were trying their best to not only encourage the team themselves, but also all the people who had come out to see the big game.
“TOUCHDOWN SUNNYDALE, TOUCHDOWN!”
clap, clap
“TOUCHDOWN SUNNYDALE, TOUCHDOWN!”
clap, clap
“TOUCHDOWN SUNNYDALE, TOUCHDOWN!”
Just then Riley pasted the football to Angel resulting in a touchdown putting Sunnydale in the lead 18-12 at the beginning of the half-time.
As the teams left the field, the fans made their way to refill the drinks, get more food, use the restrooms, and talk to friends about how they thought the team was doing and what they thought the outcome would be.
*****
As Buffy was getting a drink to help her throat recover from all the yelling she was doing, someone walked up behind her.
“Buffy”
Buffy turned around only to come face to face with Faith Wilkins.
“Faith, to what do I owe this non-pleasure?”
“Why, B. I’m hurt you think so little of me.”
“Faith, why don’t you cut to the chase and tell me what you want. If you haven’t noticed there is a football game going on, and what with me being the Varsity Cheerleader who took your spot, I do have more important things to be doing.”
“Like making-out with our English Professor?”
Buffy’s eyes widened. “What!?”
“Oh, you heard me B. If I was you, I think I might start being a little nicer to me. Well the game is getting ready to start up again, you should probably get back out there.” With that said Faith left leaving a shocked Buffy behind.
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Chapter 13
The Bronze-After Game Party
The Bronze was the place to be. Everyone who was anyone was there to help celebrate in the victory of the UC Sunnydale’s Varsity Football Team. The final score had been 31-24, Sunnydale winning by one touchdown from the 30 yard line with less than a minute on the clock. If the football players weren’t already thought as gods, they were now.
Riley and Angel seemed to have the attention of every female in the club, boyfriends or not.
Throughout the club people were laughing, dancing, and just having a good time. With the exception of one girl.
Buffy stood in the corner of the club waiting for the band on stage to go backstage. From her spot in the corner she could see everyone in thdiffdifferent groups.
At the tables in the middle of the seating area set the Varsity Football players and the Varsity Cheerleaders.
As the tables went out so did the popularity of the groups sitting at them.
For the first time in her life Buffy felt left out. And having this feeling made her wonder how people who felt that way all the time made it through each and every day.
*****
Buffy watched from her spot as Faith walked through the door with her own group of friends, better known at Sunnydale High and now UC Sunnydale for their sexual talents more than anything else.
Faith and Buffy hadn’t gotten along from the first time that Buffy and her family arrived in Sunnydale, and it only got worse as the summer came to an end. Faith blamed Buffy for everything that went wrong since the first moment Buffy and her family moved to Sunnydale. Buffy took Faith’s spot on the UC Sunnydale Varsity Cheerleading Squad. And this only got worse when Buffy took Faith’s spot in her ex-boyfriend Riley Finn’s heart.
`And I helped apply Faith with the ammunition to destroy me.’ Buffy thought as she watched Faith, Darla, and Amy make their way to the middle tables.
Buffy looked back up to the stage as the band finished their latest set, deciding it was time to see some old friends.
*****
Backstage-Dressing Room
“Spike I thought Dru was coming out tonight.” Deacon stated from his spot by the mini-bar.
“She was, but she changed her mind. Didn’t want to be in a smoky club, what with being pregnant and all. She’s spending the night at her Pop’s, then the two of them goin’ have breakfast in the morning’.”
“How’s Dru’s Father doing anyways?” Carter questioned.
“Has his share of good and bad days. Dru’s kinda worried about the cancer comin’ back. She’s taking him to the doctors next week for his check-up.”
As Carter was getting ready to continue his questioning when there was a light knocking at the door.
“I got it . . .” Spike said as he walked towards the door.
“Buffy!?”
Buffy walked into the dressing room closing the door behind her.
“We need to talk.”
*****
[L.A. Last May-Spike’s Apartment
“What do you want to talk about?”
Buffy took a seat on Spike’s couch in the apartment that he shared with the other band members.
“Are Carter and Deacon here?”
“No, Luv. Carte left town for the weekend, and Deacon and Alyson made plans to spend the weekend in her Father’s beach house.”
“Oh . . .”
“So, what do you want to talk `bout?”
Buffy took a deep breath and locked eyes with Spike who was now sitting in the armchair across from her.
“Us.”]
*****
Backstage- Dressing Room
“Who knows about us?” Spike asked Buffy with a puzzled look on his face.
“Faith”
“Who?”
“Faith . . .Faith Wilkins. The Mayor’s daughter. Sluttish brunette; hangs all over Riley Finn in your English class.”
“Bloody Hell! How’s she know?” Spike locked eyes with Buffy. “Did you tell her?” The last question came ou an an angry tone.
Buffy looked shocked and hurt that he would even think that. “What!?”
“While, you did tell your cheerleader friend.”
“How could you think I would just go around telling everyone what happened between us? I would never tell Faith anything, except what cave to go live in for the rest of her life. Faith hates the fact that Riley likes me more than just a friend, and that I took her spot on the squad this year. From what everyone has told me Faith was the girl that other girls wanted to be, and all the boys wanted to date.”
“So, is that your place now?”
“You could say that.”
“Fine, you didn’t tell her. That doesn’t tell me how she found out.”
Buffy turned away from Spikes questioning eyes, and in a low voice responded “She saw us kissing.”
“What?”
“She. Saw. Us. Kissing. Or rather me kissing you.”
“How could you let this happen?”
“Me!? Oh no Mr. You are not blaming this all on me.”
“You kissed me, how is that my fault.”
“You said you were going to leave your wife for me. What did you think I was going to do? And you kissed me back.”
“Fine. What do we do now? What does she want?”
“I have no clue. But whatever she wants is going to involve me.”
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Chapter 14
Next Day-The Magic Box
“Thank you for calling `The Magic Box’. Ethan Rayne speaking, how may I help you?”
Ethan Rayne had been the owner of `The Magic Box’ for the past 9 months, taking over after the last owner was killed.
“You should be getting a package in the mail within the next few days.”
“. . .”
“Thank You. Have a nice day.”
“I take it business is going well.” Dru stated from her seat at the table found in the middle of the shop.
“Yes Drusilla, business is going well. You’re here almost everyday, you know how business is.”
“I know. I was just checking.”
“You worry to much my darling.”
“I’ll have you know it’s a daughters job to worry about their Fathers.”
“I thought it was the other way around.”
“Not anymore. You’ve been ill, so I get to worry about you from now on.”
Ethan walked with his daughter to the back room that he had turned into his offices.
“And what about your troubles?”
“I’ve got everything under control.”
“Please let me know how you have everything under control Drusilla.”
“Everything will be fine, you have nothing to worry about.”
“Dru, please tell what you are planning on doing in five months when it’s time for you to give birth, and there’s no baby to be born. You‘ve taken this lie to far.”
“Everything is under control!” Dru yelled to her father. “In five months I will have a baby, and Spike will never think of leaving me again.”
Ethan wrapped his arms around his now crying daughter. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt. I know how upset you were when you found out Spike was having an affair. Dru, I helped you come up with how to keep him from leaving you. All I am saying is, if Spike finds out that you were never pregnant, he will leave you for good this time.”
“I won’t lose him . . .I can’t” Dru whispered into her father’s chest.
*****
Loft Apartment-Living Room
Ring, Ring, Ring
Buffy rushed to reach the phone before it woke up any of the other girls who were taking full advantage of their first weekend off after a long week of classes.
“Hello; Buffy speaking.”
“Elizabeth, Hello.”
“Hi Daddy. How are things in New York?”
“Good, things are good. How are things in Sunnydale?”
“Things are going good here. Sunnydale won the big game on Friday. Dawns been going to school everyday and doing her homework. I promise you everything is fine.”
“Good, Listen I called to let you know that your mother and I are going to be in New York for two more weeks, and then your Mother wants to stop in Chicago for another few weeks to see the new art display that they have and to also check in with some of her family members.”
“But Daddy, You’ll miss my first college Homecoming. Not to mention the fact that Dawnie has her first middle school dance coming up in a few weeks.
“Elizabeth I know, and your mother and I are very sorry. We have business that still needs to be taken care of here. You will make sure that one of the staff members takes lots of pictures of Dawnie in her dress and you‘ll make sure she has everything she need to make her first dance memorable, right?”
“yes, daddy.” Buffy replied in a low whisper.
“Look, sweetie I have to go now. Your mother will call later this week. Tell Dawn we love her.”
“I will.”
“We love you too. Bye.”
Before Buffy could get out her goodbyes the phone was already dead.
“Who was that on the phone?” Cordelia asked as she wrapped her robe tighter around her.
“My Father. He called to let me know that he and me Mother won’t be home for another four weeks now.”
“Buffy I’m sorry.”
“It doesn’t bother me that they won’t be here for me, they never really were. I just didn’t want Dawnie to have to deal with our parents never being there for her too.”
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Chapter 15
Summers’ Mansion
“Dawnie are you here?” Buffy asked as she walked into her families new mansion.
“Ms. Summers I thought I heard you.”
Buffy turned around to face the person that was speaking to her. “Maria, Hello. I just came by to check on Dawnie and. . .”
“And have your laundry done?”
Buffy looked down at the bag of clothes she was holding. “You know me to well.”
“I’ve been around you for the past eighteen years, it’s my job to know you.”
“Buffy!” Dawn yelled as she ran down the stairs and engulfed her older sister in a long hug. “I’ve missed you. It’s so quite around here with you gone and mom and dad away on business.”
Maria walked over and took Buffy’s bag of dirty clothes. “I’ll give these to one of the maids to do for you. Why don’t the two of you go out by the pool and I’ll bring you something to drink.”
“Thank you Maria.”
*****
Summers’ Mansion- Poolside
“. . .That is so unfair.” Dawn whined after hearing about her patents being gone for another four weeks.
“Dawnie I’m sorry. You and I both know that their work is very important to them.”
“Yeah, more important then their own children.”
“Dawn you know that’s not true. Mother and Father love us very much, they just have a lot to get back in order after the move.”
“Which I blame on you.”
“What!? Why?”
“Buffy our parents were fine in L.A. The only reason we had to move was because of you. Daddy didn’t want you to be in a new town without him around.”
“Thanot not true. They decided to move here so Mom could open her own Art Gallery.”
“We lived in Los Angeles. Do you really think that mom couldn’t have opened her own gallery there? Why on earth would she pick a town that isn’t even on any maps if she really wanted her business to go places.”
“That’s not the point.”
“It is so the point. They took me away from my friends so that they could be close to their precious Elizabeth. What would they think of you if they knew that you had an affair with a married man?”
“Dawn. We are not talking about this any longer, do you understand?” Buffy said as she moved from her seat and walked towards the door.
“Mom would be discussed with you. And Daddy, he would never look at you the same way again. I mean he can barely look at you now after what happened with Parker.”
“You don’t know what your talking about.”
“Don’t I? I know exactly what you let Parker do to you.”
Buffy turned back towards Dawn. “You know nothing.”
“Really? I’m not so stupid thirteen year old Buffy. I know what happened for the three years you were with him. What I don’t know or understand is why? Why would you let him treat you that way?”
“Your just a child, you don’t know anything.”
“He was your first. You slept with him for the first time on your seventeenth birthday your Junior year of High School after going out with him for a year an a half. You would always go with him to any fart party that was going on and stay out all night when Mom and Dad were out of town. Most of the time when you came home in the morning Maria would draw you a warm bath and you would stay locked in your room until it was time for school on Mondays.”
“Dawn please stop.”
“And every now and then I would see you trying to cover up bruises that you had. Buffy it doesn’t take a genus to figure out what was going on.”
“You don’t understand.”
“Your right I don’t. I don’t understand why you would stay with someone who treated you that way. I was eleven and I knew what he was doing to you wasn’t right.”
“I thought he loved me.” Buffy replied as a tear ran down her face.
“The only think Parker loved about you was the sex and you know it. When Daddy found out just how far your relationship was with Parker it made him sick. Your suppose to be my role model. The only thing I’ve learned from you is how not to be a slut by doing everything that you didn’t do.”
Before Buffy knew what was going on her hand came in contact with Dawn’s left cheek.
Dawn brought her face back towards Buffy as she placed her right hand over her stinging cheek. “You hit me.”
“Dawnie I’m so sorry.”
“You hit me.”
Buffy reached for Dawn.
“Stay away from me. I hate you.” Dawn yelled as she ran past Maria and up to her room.
Buffy crumbled to the ground in a fit of tears as Maria walked over and wrapped her arms around the petite blondes shacking body.
“Shh. . .”
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Chapter 16
Loft Apartment
“Willow have you seen my text book for American Politics anywhere?” Tara asked as she made her way through the different books that were scattered around the dinning room table.
Willow looked up from her laptop. “I think Anya was reading it. Something about learning about the people she would one day be taking money from.”
“She does knoat mat most of the people in that particular book are dead by now doesn’t she?”
“I tried to explain that to her but she was having none of it.”
“I guess I could work on my govern ins instead. . .Do you know where that book might be?”
“Anya tool them both.”
“Alright. American History it is. Do you mind if I join you.”
“Of course not. The more brains the merrier.”
*****
“Buffy what are your plans for tonight?” Cordelia asked as she ran her hands over the clothing in Buffy’s walk-in closet.
“I have major plans that consist of studying for my Economics’ test that I have tomorrow. Why?”
“I was just wondering.”
“Cordelia you don’t ask questions dealing with plans unless you already have them. So spill.”
“I was kinda thinking we could go hang over at Angel’s tonight.”
“Why does it have to be ‘we’? Why can’t it just be ‘you’?”
“Because Riley will be there, and no fun can be had with Angel if Riley is in the next bed.”
“So. Just have Angel come over here then. You have your own room, with a door that locks none the less. Anya has Xander over here almost every night.”
“That’s Anya, and Xander is friends with both Willow and Tara. I don’t want them to feel weird with Angel around.”
“Since when do you care about people feeling weird about anything.”
“I don’t.”
“Then why are we having this conversation?”
“Can we just change the subject now.”
“No. I want to know why you don’t want Angel to come over here?”
“So, what were you saying about your sister earlier?”
“Cordelia.”
“Please just drop it Buffy.”
“Fine. Dawn and I had a fight about why our parents moved to Sunnydale. She started talking about how it was my fault that she had to move and leave behind all her friends. Then she went into how our parents would react if they found out about what happened over the summer, and how discussed Mother would be and the way Father would react to everything. Then she went in about my ex-boyfriend Parker.”
“The one that. . .”
“That same one.”
“What happened after that.”
“She just kept talking about it, and how our Father had reacted after finding out how far Parker’s and my relationship had gone.”
“He knows about it all?”
“He doesn’t know how offend certain things happened but he knows that they happened.”
“Wow. My Father would probably ship me off somewhere while he hired people to take out the guy who did those things to me.”
“Parker comes from an equally powerful family as me. If we had gone public with any of it Parker would have come out as the victim do sole to the fact that his Father is a Judge in the courts in L.A.”
“It’s times like that you wish you’d dated someone with less money. But only times like that. What else happened with you and your sister?”
“She kept talking, and I’d finally had enough. I slapped her.”
“Buffy. . .”
“She still won’t talk to me. It’s been four days. Maria says that she doesn’t talk to any of them, and the only time she leaves her room is to go to school or et set something to eat.”
“Doesn’t she have a dance coming up next week?”
“Yeah?”
“I think I have a plan to get you and your sister talking again.”
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Chapter 17
Dress Shopping
“Buffy, what color should do you think Dawn’s dress should be?” Cordelia asked as she ran her hand over the different colors and styles of semi-formula dresses as Dawn tried on the first five she had picked out.
“Huh?”
“Buffy, I asked you what color your sister’s dress should be.”
“I’m sorry Cordy. I really appreciate you getting Dawn to talk with me again, but I’m not much for shopping right now. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”
“Faith?”
“Did you see the way she was looking at me in class on Wednesday? I have no idea what she has planned.”
“Buffy don’t worry about it now. There’s nothing you can do about it right now.”
Buffy sighed. “I guess you right. God, how could I have been so stupid? It’s bad enough I kissed my English Professor, but not as bad as the fact that he’s married.”
“Buffy your not stupid. I would have never made out with my Professor in school with the door cracked open for anyone who stop in front of it to see. But that’s not the point. You have some unresolved feelings, you both still do. Now, if you don’t start helping me pick out your sister’s dress I’ll never speak to you again.”
Buffy let a small smile play across her face. “I wouldn’t want that, now would I?”
“Hey!”
“Dawn lets get this fashion show on the road.”
*****
Two Hours Later
“What do you think about this one?” Dawn asked as she walked out of the dressing room.
“That’s the one.” Cordelia stated as she saw her friend standing in front of her.
“Are you sure?” Dawn questioned as she looked at her reflection in every possible angle.
“Yes! It’s prefect.”
“It doesn’t make me look fat does it?”
“No!”
“But. . .”
“Dawn you weigh less then your sister over here, if that’s possible.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll get this one.”
“Great. Cordelia and I will be by the cashier when your ready.”
“Okay. Then we get food, right?”
“Food is a defendant must after hours of you trying on almost every dress in the shop.”
“Your just as bad when it comes to your own dress shopping.”
“Go now, or you pay for it with your own money.”
“I’m gone.” Dawn said as she walked back into the dressing room.
“Cordy thanks for doing this for us. It was really nice of you.”
“I have my moments. But you are so going to owe me in the future.”
*****
Food Court
Riley and Angel seat at a table with their drinks, relieving the past game, while they waited for Angel’s younger brother it get his food.
“Did you see how I made that last touchdown? It was amazing!”
“I swear Angel, the way you talk people are going to think football is the only thing your good at.” Cordelia said with a grin on her face as she and Buffy took seats next to their dates for Homecoming.
Angel pulled Cordelia down onto his lap. “I’ll have you know I’m good at many things.” Cordelia took her own seat next to Angel as Buffy took one next to Riley.
“Um. Lets keep this PG. My little sister is with us.” Buffy said motioning towards Dawn who was walking back to the table with Connor.
“Sorry kido.” Riley replied as he made room for the younger teens to sit.
“So, what brings you lovely ladies to the mall this afternoon?“ Angel asked as he placed his hand on Cordelia’s uncovered knee.
“We’re helping Buffy’s little sister pick out her dress for her first middle school dance next weekend.”
“Oh, Connor your going to that right?”
“Yeah.” Connor looked at his brother with a worried look in his eyes. ‘Please don’t do what you are about to do. Please. Please. Please.’
“Why don’t you take Buffy’s lil sis as your date.” A rep replied knowing just how much Connor would hate him for it.
Dawn just sat there as all the older teens turned to face the younger couple.
“That is if Dawn doesn’t already have a date.”
“No.” Dawn answered as her face reddened.
“Alright then. Connor ask Dawn to the dance.”
Connor shot glares at his older brother before turning towards Dawn. “Um. . .Would you. . .Would you like to go with me?”
“Sure.”
“Really?”
“Pick me up at 7:30?”
“Okay.”
“Isn’t young love so adorable?” Angel asked in a mocking tone.
“Dawn here’s some money, why don’t you and Connor go walk around the mall and I’ll have Harry pick you up in the front and drive you both home around seven.” Buffy said as she put her wallet back into her purse.
“What about my dress?”
“I’ll drop it off at the house when I tell Harry what time to get you and before I head back to campus.”
“Okay.”
Once the younger teens were out of sight the older one returned to talking about their own lives.
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Chapter 18
10:43am-Professor Winthrop’s Lecture Hall
“That concludes class for today. Don’t forget that your papers are do next week, and I will not except anything late.”
The lecture hall was filled with the noises of student shuffling papers and pick up their belongings. And the sound of their shoes going down the steps and out into the hallway.
“Ms. Summers I’d like to speak with you for a moment alone.”
“Sure. Cordelia why don’t you go ahead and I’ll meet you in the front quad.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, go ahead.”
“Alright. Don‘t forget to close the door this time.”
“Goodbye Ms. Chase.” Spike said as he closed and locked the door behind her.
“So, what would you like to speak with me about?” Buffy asked as Spike walked back over to his desk where she was standing.
“The final project for this class.” Spike said as he pulled out a set of paper from his briefcase.
“What about it?”
“I think it might beder der for you then it will be for the rest of the class.”
“Why is that?”
Spike handed Buffy the papers he was holding. “This is a outline I made for the final project.”
Buffy read over the paper before looking back up towards Spike. “You want us to write ablifelife changing events that happened to us to make us who we are?”
“Yes. I feel as a teacher that people write with more feeling when the assignment is based on their real lives.”
“Let me get this right. You as the teacher feel that your students write with ‘more feeling’ when they have to most likely relive extremely painful moments, all for a grade.”
“Buffy I knew that this project would be hard for you, that’s why I decided to tell you about this months before its actually due.”
“How sweet of you to be thinking of others.”
“Buffy . . .” Spike whispered in a low voice as he reached his hand out towards her.
“I have to go, I suppose to be having lunch with my friends right now.”
Spike stood in silence as Buffy stumbled around gathering her books and bag.
“I’ll see you in class next week?”
Buffy just nodded her head and walked out the door.
*****
Loft Apartment
“At least he told you about it.”
“Cordelia I don’t think I will be able to do this.”
“Why not?”
“I slapped my sister all because she was talking about it.”
“I see your point.”
“He knew I would react this way.”
“Maybe if you talk with him, he can give you a different assignment for the final project.”
“No. I’ll do the paper. I’m tried of running from my past.”
“You’re not really running from it if it’s right in front of you.”
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Chapter 19
Buffy’s Bedroom
{The bedroom was lit with dozens of candles, and rose petals covered both the path way to the bed and the bed itself.
“Is all this for me?” Buffy asked as her eyes began to tear up from the beauty of the room.
“Of course Luv. Who else would it be for?” Spike asked as he wrapped his arms around Buffy’s small waist.
“It’s beautiful.” Buffy said as she turned to face Spike, still wrapped in his arms. What’s the reason behind it?”
“Don’t always need a reason.” He said as he lead her further into the room. “But since you asked I’ll tell you, after you open your gift.”
“I get a gift?” Buffy asked with a large smile on her face.
Spike nodded. “More than one, Pet. That is, of course if you’re a very good girl.”
“What if I don’t want to be a good girl?” Buffy teased with a pout on her face.
Spike grinned at Buffy’s pout before leaning down and nipping at her lower lip. “You’ll want to be.”
They both locked eyes for a moment. Both seeing how much the other loved and wanted them.
“You’d better sit down or we’ll miss the whole purpose of this evening.”
Buffy took a seat in a chair in the corner of the room. “You mean this night isn’t just `bout sex?” She asked with a grin on her face.
“No, this night is about much more than just sex.” Spike answered in a rather serious tone as he pulled out a small ring box and kneeled in front of Buffy.
Buffy’s eyes widened as she watched Spike’s movements.
“In this box is a symbol of my love for you.” Spike opened the box to reveal a large emerald cut ruby set on a platinum band. “The jeweler at the shop said it was the deepest red ruby he had ever seen, and coming from a man who has been doing this for the past 45 years, you tend to believe him.”
Buffy raised a shacking hand to the ring. “Spike, its beautiful.”
“The color represents how deeply my love for you goes.” Spike pulled the ring out of the box. “I wanted you to have something that every time you saw it you would think of me, and know how much I truly love you.” Spike then placed the ruby on Buffy’s ring finger.
“I’ll never take it off. I. . .”}
“. . .love you. . .”Buffy muttered while she turned her head in her sleep.
Willow closed the door of her sleeping roommate’s room and went back to the phone that was waiting down stairs.
“I’m sorry she’ll still asleep at the moment. Can I take a message?”
“. . .”
“I’ll be sure she gets the message.”
“Who was that?” Tara asked as she walked over to where Willow was standing.
“An old friend of Buffy’s from L.A. He said his name was Parker.” Willow answered as she wrote down the message for Buffy.
“Oh. I was planning on making pancakes. Do you want?”
“With funny shapes?” Willow asked as a large grin formed on her face, jumping up and down slightly.
“Of Course.”
“Lets go.” Willow interlocked her arm with Tara’s never noticing the message fall behind the cabinet the phone rested on.
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Chapter 20
Summers’ Mansion
It was a little after six and Buffy and Cordelia were trying their best to get Dawn to claim down so they could finish getting her ready for her first middle school dance.
“My hair is all wrong, and this dress really does make me look fat. Connor going to be here soon and nothing is going right.” Dawn yelled at the older teens as she paced her room.
Cordelia was just about to say to hell with the whole thing and leave Buffy to deal with her annoying sister all by herself. “Buffy I can’t take it anymore. Your sister is driving me crazy. I could be out parting right now with Angel, but instead I’m here helping you get your sister to forgive you for slapping her when after thinking about I think you were in the right with the whole thing.”
“Cordelia I know, and I’m really sorry. I will make this up to you, I promise.”
“Yeah well you’d better make it up to me. Thank god Mother and Father stopped have children after me.”
“Hello. This is my night and the two of you aren’t helping.”
Cordelia was heading towards Dawn when Buffy stopped her. “Why don’t you go get some air and I’ll finish up here.”
“Fine.”
Buffy turned to Dawn once Cordelia left the room. “Alright. Your hair looks great. The dress does not make you look fat. And Connor won’t be here for another hour. You need to claim down. Cordelia went through a lot of trouble to help you out tonight and I think it’s best if you thank her for it before you leave.”
“But. . .”
“I also think that if your smart you will sit your little ass down before you really do ruin all the work Cordy and I have gone through over the past two hours.”
“I. . .”
“Do it.”
“Yworsworse than Maria.” Dawn said as she sat down in the chair in front of her vanity.
“I’ll take that as a complement. Now, I’m going to go find Cordy and I’ll come get you when Connor shows up.”
Buffy was opening the door when she heard her name called.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
“What are big sis’s for? I’ll be back soon.”
*****
The Bronze
“It was a complete nightmare.” Cordelia said from her seat next to Angel.
“It wasn’t that bad.” Buffy added.
“Buffy please, we did your sisters hair and makeup like a thousand times.”
“Okay, your right. It was a nightmare. But it was wroth it. Did you see her face light up when she saw Connor at the foot of the stairs? It was so sweet.”
“I take it my little brother might get lucky tonight?”
“Um. Hello her older sister is sitting right in front of you. If any part of your brother even come close to getting lucky tonight, lets just say he won’t be much of a man when I’m done with him.”
“Can we change the subject now? I really don’t want to spend the rest of my night talking about thirteen and fourteen years olds when I could be dancing with a certain varsity football player.”
“I guess you could dance with Riley. I’ve been wanting to take Buffy for a spin. Ow! I was just joking.”
“Keep it up mister and you’ll be going home alone.” Cordelia said as she took Angel’s offered hand and headed to the dance floor.
*****
An Hour Later
“Tell me again why I had to come with the two of you?” Spike asked as he entered The Bronze.
“You came with us because Dru is helping her father at the shop again, and we need you here in order to get chicks.” Deacon stated as he surveyed the club for his next conquest.
“And youd med me here for that because?”
“It simple. More girls come around us when you’re here. Your married so the girls who wanted you turn to us in their time of need.”
“So, let me get this straight. The girls want me. But upon my not being available thern trn to you.”
“Right.”
“You need some serious help Deacon. And what about you Carter?”
“I’m just along for the ride like you are.”
“Ah.”
“Besides, I more of a long term kinda guy. Unlike Deacon, who’s trying to get over the love of his adult life by making it all about his next lay.“ `I’d actually like a girl like Buffy.’ Carter thought to himself, knowing how Spike would react if he ever learned the fact about his feelings for the girl Spike was ready to leave his wife for. Carter had been there for Buffy when she had found out about Drusilla. Carter knew how much pain she was in, and in that moment he knew he never wanted to see her hurt that way again. Carter knew that Buffy was aware of his feelings for her, and he knew that she would never feel the same way. Clearing his head of all thoughts he joined the others in looking around clubclub.
Spike was looking around the club; it was different being on the floor instead of on the stage. When he was on the stage he got a rush. He knew everyone was there to see the band, and he always felt good about being able to get audiences full attention with the sound of his voice. As he looked further through the club his eyes came to rest on a petite blonde who was dancing dangerously close to a much taller man.
“Spike, whose Buffy’s new man?” Deacon asked as he watched the way Buffy was moving her hips.
Spike turn to face Deacon. “What!?”
Deacon pointed out onto the dance floor. “Over there.”
Spike looked back on the dance floor, only this time he could see Buffy’s face just before Riley leaned down and captured her lips.
“How come you didn’t tell us she could move like that?” Deacon asked still in shock by how much he was being turned on by just watching Buffy move her hips.
Carter punched Deacon in the arm.
“OW! What was that for?”
Carter nodded his head towards Spike was now looking at the opposite side of the club.
“Oh. . .”
Spike never knew anything could hurt more than the day Buffy found out the truth. But now, seeing Buffy making-out with another man felt like his world was falling apart overover again. He knew he had no right to feel this way. Buffy was free to be with anyone she wanted. But he still couldn’t help but feel a touch of jealousy.
*****
On the dance floor Buffy was having a hard time keeping up this act. She liked Riley, and at any other time in her life she would have been head over heels for him. But right now her mind was screaming for Spike. To have Spike’ hands and lips running all over her body. To have him whisper loving words into her ear after hours of making love. To just be with him. After a few moments Buffy pulled away from Riley and took his hand. “Let’s get out of here.”
Riley nodded his head and retrieved their belonging and took Buffy’s offered hand once more.
Buffy cast one last look towards Spike before she headed home, with Riley.
-----------------------------------------------------------
English Department Hallway
Faith was in complete shock by what she was seeing from inside her Professors office. `So B’s not the good girl everyone thought her to be.’ Faith turned to go to her next class. `My day just got a whole lot better.’
*****
Professor Winthrop’s Office
Spike and Buffy were so involved in their kissing session that nether of them heard the brunette cheerleader walk through the door. “Buffy are you . . .O GOD GOD!” Cordelia quickly shut the door behind her than turned back to the blonde couple.
Buffy and Spike jumped apart after hearing the cheerleader yell.
“Um. . .Ms. Chase this isn’t what it looked like.”
“Really? Cause from where I was standing it looked like you were making out with one of your students.”
“Cordelia! What are you doing here?”
“Buffy, I came back to see if you were okay. Anya and I were getting worried about you. You’ve been gone for almost an hour and we need to get to the stadium soon.”
“I’m fine. I didn’t realize that it was getting so late. We should probably get going.”
“Did the two of you work everything out or did you just jump into the kissing?”
“Cordelia.”
“What? I need to know if I wasted all this time talking to Anya about the different sexual positions she enjoys just so you could make-out with our Professor, or if the two of you actually worked things out.”
Buffy turned to face Spike. “Did we?”
“I really don’t know.”
*****
Football Stadium
“Okay ladies were going to run through the routine for half-time one more time before the other team gets here.”
All the girls took their positions while one of the JV girls turned on the music for them.
“5, 6, 7, 8. . .”
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 12
6:35pm- The Big Game
The game had started no more than two minutes ago and Sunnydale was already down by 6 points.
“Spike, please tell me again why we are here.” Dru asked from her seat in the stands next to her husband. “The last time I checked you didn’t even like American Football.”
“Dru, Luv. I already told you why I came to the game. If you didn’t want to come you could have stayed with your Father at his shop.” Spike snapped back at his wife; tried from her asking the same question yet again.
“I just wanted to spend time with my husband. Is that so wrong? I’ve barely seen you since classes started, and I’ve been helping Daddy with his store. And your always out late with your band on some gig somewhere. We hardly see each other anymore. It’s turning into the summer all over again.” Dru finished as a tear ran down her cheek.
Spike wrapped his arms around his wife and whispered into her right ear. “Pet, I’m sorry. Please Luv, don’t cry. I know we haven’t had much us time lately, and I am happy you wanted to come with me tonight. Really. And I promise you, this is nothing like what happened over the summer.” Spike locked eyes with Buffy by the field for a moment before trying to comfort his wife. “Dru, over the summer was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. I told you then, and I’ll tell you now. I want to be with you, and only you. I want to be there for our child.”
Dru nodded her head and Spike turned his attention back to the game trying to make himself believe the words he had just spoke.
*****
From the track around the football field the Varsity Cheerleaders were trying their best to not only encourage the team themselves, but also all the people who had come out to see the big game.
“TOUCHDOWN SUNNYDALE, TOUCHDOWN!”
clap, clap
“TOUCHDOWN SUNNYDALE, TOUCHDOWN!”
clap, clap
“TOUCHDOWN SUNNYDALE, TOUCHDOWN!”
Just then Riley pasted the football to Angel resulting in a touchdown putting Sunnydale in the lead 18-12 at the beginning of the half-time.
As the teams left the field, the fans made their way to refill the drinks, get more food, use the restrooms, and talk to friends about how they thought the team was doing and what they thought the outcome would be.
*****
As Buffy was getting a drink to help her throat recover from all the yelling she was doing, someone walked up behind her.
“Buffy”
Buffy turned around only to come face to face with Faith Wilkins.
“Faith, to what do I owe this non-pleasure?”
“Why, B. I’m hurt you think so little of me.”
“Faith, why don’t you cut to the chase and tell me what you want. If you haven’t noticed there is a football game going on, and what with me being the Varsity Cheerleader who took your spot, I do have more important things to be doing.”
“Like making-out with our English Professor?”
Buffy’s eyes widened. “What!?”
“Oh, you heard me B. If I was you, I think I might start being a little nicer to me. Well the game is getting ready to start up again, you should probably get back out there.” With that said Faith left leaving a shocked Buffy behind.
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Chapter 13
The Bronze-After Game Party
The Bronze was the place to be. Everyone who was anyone was there to help celebrate in the victory of the UC Sunnydale’s Varsity Football Team. The final score had been 31-24, Sunnydale winning by one touchdown from the 30 yard line with less than a minute on the clock. If the football players weren’t already thought as gods, they were now.
Riley and Angel seemed to have the attention of every female in the club, boyfriends or not.
Throughout the club people were laughing, dancing, and just having a good time. With the exception of one girl.
Buffy stood in the corner of the club waiting for the band on stage to go backstage. From her spot in the corner she could see everyone in thdiffdifferent groups.
At the tables in the middle of the seating area set the Varsity Football players and the Varsity Cheerleaders.
As the tables went out so did the popularity of the groups sitting at them.
For the first time in her life Buffy felt left out. And having this feeling made her wonder how people who felt that way all the time made it through each and every day.
*****
Buffy watched from her spot as Faith walked through the door with her own group of friends, better known at Sunnydale High and now UC Sunnydale for their sexual talents more than anything else.
Faith and Buffy hadn’t gotten along from the first time that Buffy and her family arrived in Sunnydale, and it only got worse as the summer came to an end. Faith blamed Buffy for everything that went wrong since the first moment Buffy and her family moved to Sunnydale. Buffy took Faith’s spot on the UC Sunnydale Varsity Cheerleading Squad. And this only got worse when Buffy took Faith’s spot in her ex-boyfriend Riley Finn’s heart.
`And I helped apply Faith with the ammunition to destroy me.’ Buffy thought as she watched Faith, Darla, and Amy make their way to the middle tables.
Buffy looked back up to the stage as the band finished their latest set, deciding it was time to see some old friends.
*****
Backstage-Dressing Room
“Spike I thought Dru was coming out tonight.” Deacon stated from his spot by the mini-bar.
“She was, but she changed her mind. Didn’t want to be in a smoky club, what with being pregnant and all. She’s spending the night at her Pop’s, then the two of them goin’ have breakfast in the morning’.”
“How’s Dru’s Father doing anyways?” Carter questioned.
“Has his share of good and bad days. Dru’s kinda worried about the cancer comin’ back. She’s taking him to the doctors next week for his check-up.”
As Carter was getting ready to continue his questioning when there was a light knocking at the door.
“I got it . . .” Spike said as he walked towards the door.
“Buffy!?”
Buffy walked into the dressing room closing the door behind her.
“We need to talk.”
*****
[L.A. Last May-Spike’s Apartment
“What do you want to talk about?”
Buffy took a seat on Spike’s couch in the apartment that he shared with the other band members.
“Are Carter and Deacon here?”
“No, Luv. Carte left town for the weekend, and Deacon and Alyson made plans to spend the weekend in her Father’s beach house.”
“Oh . . .”
“So, what do you want to talk `bout?”
Buffy took a deep breath and locked eyes with Spike who was now sitting in the armchair across from her.
“Us.”]
*****
Backstage- Dressing Room
“Who knows about us?” Spike asked Buffy with a puzzled look on his face.
“Faith”
“Who?”
“Faith . . .Faith Wilkins. The Mayor’s daughter. Sluttish brunette; hangs all over Riley Finn in your English class.”
“Bloody Hell! How’s she know?” Spike locked eyes with Buffy. “Did you tell her?” The last question came ou an an angry tone.
Buffy looked shocked and hurt that he would even think that. “What!?”
“While, you did tell your cheerleader friend.”
“How could you think I would just go around telling everyone what happened between us? I would never tell Faith anything, except what cave to go live in for the rest of her life. Faith hates the fact that Riley likes me more than just a friend, and that I took her spot on the squad this year. From what everyone has told me Faith was the girl that other girls wanted to be, and all the boys wanted to date.”
“So, is that your place now?”
“You could say that.”
“Fine, you didn’t tell her. That doesn’t tell me how she found out.”
Buffy turned away from Spikes questioning eyes, and in a low voice responded “She saw us kissing.”
“What?”
“She. Saw. Us. Kissing. Or rather me kissing you.”
“How could you let this happen?”
“Me!? Oh no Mr. You are not blaming this all on me.”
“You kissed me, how is that my fault.”
“You said you were going to leave your wife for me. What did you think I was going to do? And you kissed me back.”
“Fine. What do we do now? What does she want?”
“I have no clue. But whatever she wants is going to involve me.”
---------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 14
Next Day-The Magic Box
“Thank you for calling `The Magic Box’. Ethan Rayne speaking, how may I help you?”
Ethan Rayne had been the owner of `The Magic Box’ for the past 9 months, taking over after the last owner was killed.
“You should be getting a package in the mail within the next few days.”
“. . .”
“Thank You. Have a nice day.”
“I take it business is going well.” Dru stated from her seat at the table found in the middle of the shop.
“Yes Drusilla, business is going well. You’re here almost everyday, you know how business is.”
“I know. I was just checking.”
“You worry to much my darling.”
“I’ll have you know it’s a daughters job to worry about their Fathers.”
“I thought it was the other way around.”
“Not anymore. You’ve been ill, so I get to worry about you from now on.”
Ethan walked with his daughter to the back room that he had turned into his offices.
“And what about your troubles?”
“I’ve got everything under control.”
“Please let me know how you have everything under control Drusilla.”
“Everything will be fine, you have nothing to worry about.”
“Dru, please tell what you are planning on doing in five months when it’s time for you to give birth, and there’s no baby to be born. You‘ve taken this lie to far.”
“Everything is under control!” Dru yelled to her father. “In five months I will have a baby, and Spike will never think of leaving me again.”
Ethan wrapped his arms around his now crying daughter. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt. I know how upset you were when you found out Spike was having an affair. Dru, I helped you come up with how to keep him from leaving you. All I am saying is, if Spike finds out that you were never pregnant, he will leave you for good this time.”
“I won’t lose him . . .I can’t” Dru whispered into her father’s chest.
*****
Loft Apartment-Living Room
Ring, Ring, Ring
Buffy rushed to reach the phone before it woke up any of the other girls who were taking full advantage of their first weekend off after a long week of classes.
“Hello; Buffy speaking.”
“Elizabeth, Hello.”
“Hi Daddy. How are things in New York?”
“Good, things are good. How are things in Sunnydale?”
“Things are going good here. Sunnydale won the big game on Friday. Dawns been going to school everyday and doing her homework. I promise you everything is fine.”
“Good, Listen I called to let you know that your mother and I are going to be in New York for two more weeks, and then your Mother wants to stop in Chicago for another few weeks to see the new art display that they have and to also check in with some of her family members.”
“But Daddy, You’ll miss my first college Homecoming. Not to mention the fact that Dawnie has her first middle school dance coming up in a few weeks.
“Elizabeth I know, and your mother and I are very sorry. We have business that still needs to be taken care of here. You will make sure that one of the staff members takes lots of pictures of Dawnie in her dress and you‘ll make sure she has everything she need to make her first dance memorable, right?”
“yes, daddy.” Buffy replied in a low whisper.
“Look, sweetie I have to go now. Your mother will call later this week. Tell Dawn we love her.”
“I will.”
“We love you too. Bye.”
Before Buffy could get out her goodbyes the phone was already dead.
“Who was that on the phone?” Cordelia asked as she wrapped her robe tighter around her.
“My Father. He called to let me know that he and me Mother won’t be home for another four weeks now.”
“Buffy I’m sorry.”
“It doesn’t bother me that they won’t be here for me, they never really were. I just didn’t want Dawnie to have to deal with our parents never being there for her too.”
----------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 15
Summers’ Mansion
“Dawnie are you here?” Buffy asked as she walked into her families new mansion.
“Ms. Summers I thought I heard you.”
Buffy turned around to face the person that was speaking to her. “Maria, Hello. I just came by to check on Dawnie and. . .”
“And have your laundry done?”
Buffy looked down at the bag of clothes she was holding. “You know me to well.”
“I’ve been around you for the past eighteen years, it’s my job to know you.”
“Buffy!” Dawn yelled as she ran down the stairs and engulfed her older sister in a long hug. “I’ve missed you. It’s so quite around here with you gone and mom and dad away on business.”
Maria walked over and took Buffy’s bag of dirty clothes. “I’ll give these to one of the maids to do for you. Why don’t the two of you go out by the pool and I’ll bring you something to drink.”
“Thank you Maria.”
*****
Summers’ Mansion- Poolside
“. . .That is so unfair.” Dawn whined after hearing about her patents being gone for another four weeks.
“Dawnie I’m sorry. You and I both know that their work is very important to them.”
“Yeah, more important then their own children.”
“Dawn you know that’s not true. Mother and Father love us very much, they just have a lot to get back in order after the move.”
“Which I blame on you.”
“What!? Why?”
“Buffy our parents were fine in L.A. The only reason we had to move was because of you. Daddy didn’t want you to be in a new town without him around.”
“Thanot not true. They decided to move here so Mom could open her own Art Gallery.”
“We lived in Los Angeles. Do you really think that mom couldn’t have opened her own gallery there? Why on earth would she pick a town that isn’t even on any maps if she really wanted her business to go places.”
“That’s not the point.”
“It is so the point. They took me away from my friends so that they could be close to their precious Elizabeth. What would they think of you if they knew that you had an affair with a married man?”
“Dawn. We are not talking about this any longer, do you understand?” Buffy said as she moved from her seat and walked towards the door.
“Mom would be discussed with you. And Daddy, he would never look at you the same way again. I mean he can barely look at you now after what happened with Parker.”
“You don’t know what your talking about.”
“Don’t I? I know exactly what you let Parker do to you.”
Buffy turned back towards Dawn. “You know nothing.”
“Really? I’m not so stupid thirteen year old Buffy. I know what happened for the three years you were with him. What I don’t know or understand is why? Why would you let him treat you that way?”
“Your just a child, you don’t know anything.”
“He was your first. You slept with him for the first time on your seventeenth birthday your Junior year of High School after going out with him for a year an a half. You would always go with him to any fart party that was going on and stay out all night when Mom and Dad were out of town. Most of the time when you came home in the morning Maria would draw you a warm bath and you would stay locked in your room until it was time for school on Mondays.”
“Dawn please stop.”
“And every now and then I would see you trying to cover up bruises that you had. Buffy it doesn’t take a genus to figure out what was going on.”
“You don’t understand.”
“Your right I don’t. I don’t understand why you would stay with someone who treated you that way. I was eleven and I knew what he was doing to you wasn’t right.”
“I thought he loved me.” Buffy replied as a tear ran down her face.
“The only think Parker loved about you was the sex and you know it. When Daddy found out just how far your relationship was with Parker it made him sick. Your suppose to be my role model. The only thing I’ve learned from you is how not to be a slut by doing everything that you didn’t do.”
Before Buffy knew what was going on her hand came in contact with Dawn’s left cheek.
Dawn brought her face back towards Buffy as she placed her right hand over her stinging cheek. “You hit me.”
“Dawnie I’m so sorry.”
“You hit me.”
Buffy reached for Dawn.
“Stay away from me. I hate you.” Dawn yelled as she ran past Maria and up to her room.
Buffy crumbled to the ground in a fit of tears as Maria walked over and wrapped her arms around the petite blondes shacking body.
“Shh. . .”
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Chapter 16
Loft Apartment
“Willow have you seen my text book for American Politics anywhere?” Tara asked as she made her way through the different books that were scattered around the dinning room table.
Willow looked up from her laptop. “I think Anya was reading it. Something about learning about the people she would one day be taking money from.”
“She does knoat mat most of the people in that particular book are dead by now doesn’t she?”
“I tried to explain that to her but she was having none of it.”
“I guess I could work on my govern ins instead. . .Do you know where that book might be?”
“Anya tool them both.”
“Alright. American History it is. Do you mind if I join you.”
“Of course not. The more brains the merrier.”
*****
“Buffy what are your plans for tonight?” Cordelia asked as she ran her hands over the clothing in Buffy’s walk-in closet.
“I have major plans that consist of studying for my Economics’ test that I have tomorrow. Why?”
“I was just wondering.”
“Cordelia you don’t ask questions dealing with plans unless you already have them. So spill.”
“I was kinda thinking we could go hang over at Angel’s tonight.”
“Why does it have to be ‘we’? Why can’t it just be ‘you’?”
“Because Riley will be there, and no fun can be had with Angel if Riley is in the next bed.”
“So. Just have Angel come over here then. You have your own room, with a door that locks none the less. Anya has Xander over here almost every night.”
“That’s Anya, and Xander is friends with both Willow and Tara. I don’t want them to feel weird with Angel around.”
“Since when do you care about people feeling weird about anything.”
“I don’t.”
“Then why are we having this conversation?”
“Can we just change the subject now.”
“No. I want to know why you don’t want Angel to come over here?”
“So, what were you saying about your sister earlier?”
“Cordelia.”
“Please just drop it Buffy.”
“Fine. Dawn and I had a fight about why our parents moved to Sunnydale. She started talking about how it was my fault that she had to move and leave behind all her friends. Then she went into how our parents would react if they found out about what happened over the summer, and how discussed Mother would be and the way Father would react to everything. Then she went in about my ex-boyfriend Parker.”
“The one that. . .”
“That same one.”
“What happened after that.”
“She just kept talking about it, and how our Father had reacted after finding out how far Parker’s and my relationship had gone.”
“He knows about it all?”
“He doesn’t know how offend certain things happened but he knows that they happened.”
“Wow. My Father would probably ship me off somewhere while he hired people to take out the guy who did those things to me.”
“Parker comes from an equally powerful family as me. If we had gone public with any of it Parker would have come out as the victim do sole to the fact that his Father is a Judge in the courts in L.A.”
“It’s times like that you wish you’d dated someone with less money. But only times like that. What else happened with you and your sister?”
“She kept talking, and I’d finally had enough. I slapped her.”
“Buffy. . .”
“She still won’t talk to me. It’s been four days. Maria says that she doesn’t talk to any of them, and the only time she leaves her room is to go to school or et set something to eat.”
“Doesn’t she have a dance coming up next week?”
“Yeah?”
“I think I have a plan to get you and your sister talking again.”
----------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 17
Dress Shopping
“Buffy, what color should do you think Dawn’s dress should be?” Cordelia asked as she ran her hand over the different colors and styles of semi-formula dresses as Dawn tried on the first five she had picked out.
“Huh?”
“Buffy, I asked you what color your sister’s dress should be.”
“I’m sorry Cordy. I really appreciate you getting Dawn to talk with me again, but I’m not much for shopping right now. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”
“Faith?”
“Did you see the way she was looking at me in class on Wednesday? I have no idea what she has planned.”
“Buffy don’t worry about it now. There’s nothing you can do about it right now.”
Buffy sighed. “I guess you right. God, how could I have been so stupid? It’s bad enough I kissed my English Professor, but not as bad as the fact that he’s married.”
“Buffy your not stupid. I would have never made out with my Professor in school with the door cracked open for anyone who stop in front of it to see. But that’s not the point. You have some unresolved feelings, you both still do. Now, if you don’t start helping me pick out your sister’s dress I’ll never speak to you again.”
Buffy let a small smile play across her face. “I wouldn’t want that, now would I?”
“Hey!”
“Dawn lets get this fashion show on the road.”
*****
Two Hours Later
“What do you think about this one?” Dawn asked as she walked out of the dressing room.
“That’s the one.” Cordelia stated as she saw her friend standing in front of her.
“Are you sure?” Dawn questioned as she looked at her reflection in every possible angle.
“Yes! It’s prefect.”
“It doesn’t make me look fat does it?”
“No!”
“But. . .”
“Dawn you weigh less then your sister over here, if that’s possible.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll get this one.”
“Great. Cordelia and I will be by the cashier when your ready.”
“Okay. Then we get food, right?”
“Food is a defendant must after hours of you trying on almost every dress in the shop.”
“Your just as bad when it comes to your own dress shopping.”
“Go now, or you pay for it with your own money.”
“I’m gone.” Dawn said as she walked back into the dressing room.
“Cordy thanks for doing this for us. It was really nice of you.”
“I have my moments. But you are so going to owe me in the future.”
*****
Food Court
Riley and Angel seat at a table with their drinks, relieving the past game, while they waited for Angel’s younger brother it get his food.
“Did you see how I made that last touchdown? It was amazing!”
“I swear Angel, the way you talk people are going to think football is the only thing your good at.” Cordelia said with a grin on her face as she and Buffy took seats next to their dates for Homecoming.
Angel pulled Cordelia down onto his lap. “I’ll have you know I’m good at many things.” Cordelia took her own seat next to Angel as Buffy took one next to Riley.
“Um. Lets keep this PG. My little sister is with us.” Buffy said motioning towards Dawn who was walking back to the table with Connor.
“Sorry kido.” Riley replied as he made room for the younger teens to sit.
“So, what brings you lovely ladies to the mall this afternoon?“ Angel asked as he placed his hand on Cordelia’s uncovered knee.
“We’re helping Buffy’s little sister pick out her dress for her first middle school dance next weekend.”
“Oh, Connor your going to that right?”
“Yeah.” Connor looked at his brother with a worried look in his eyes. ‘Please don’t do what you are about to do. Please. Please. Please.’
“Why don’t you take Buffy’s lil sis as your date.” A rep replied knowing just how much Connor would hate him for it.
Dawn just sat there as all the older teens turned to face the younger couple.
“That is if Dawn doesn’t already have a date.”
“No.” Dawn answered as her face reddened.
“Alright then. Connor ask Dawn to the dance.”
Connor shot glares at his older brother before turning towards Dawn. “Um. . .Would you. . .Would you like to go with me?”
“Sure.”
“Really?”
“Pick me up at 7:30?”
“Okay.”
“Isn’t young love so adorable?” Angel asked in a mocking tone.
“Dawn here’s some money, why don’t you and Connor go walk around the mall and I’ll have Harry pick you up in the front and drive you both home around seven.” Buffy said as she put her wallet back into her purse.
“What about my dress?”
“I’ll drop it off at the house when I tell Harry what time to get you and before I head back to campus.”
“Okay.”
Once the younger teens were out of sight the older one returned to talking about their own lives.
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Chapter 18
10:43am-Professor Winthrop’s Lecture Hall
“That concludes class for today. Don’t forget that your papers are do next week, and I will not except anything late.”
The lecture hall was filled with the noises of student shuffling papers and pick up their belongings. And the sound of their shoes going down the steps and out into the hallway.
“Ms. Summers I’d like to speak with you for a moment alone.”
“Sure. Cordelia why don’t you go ahead and I’ll meet you in the front quad.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, go ahead.”
“Alright. Don‘t forget to close the door this time.”
“Goodbye Ms. Chase.” Spike said as he closed and locked the door behind her.
“So, what would you like to speak with me about?” Buffy asked as Spike walked back over to his desk where she was standing.
“The final project for this class.” Spike said as he pulled out a set of paper from his briefcase.
“What about it?”
“I think it might beder der for you then it will be for the rest of the class.”
“Why is that?”
Spike handed Buffy the papers he was holding. “This is a outline I made for the final project.”
Buffy read over the paper before looking back up towards Spike. “You want us to write ablifelife changing events that happened to us to make us who we are?”
“Yes. I feel as a teacher that people write with more feeling when the assignment is based on their real lives.”
“Let me get this right. You as the teacher feel that your students write with ‘more feeling’ when they have to most likely relive extremely painful moments, all for a grade.”
“Buffy I knew that this project would be hard for you, that’s why I decided to tell you about this months before its actually due.”
“How sweet of you to be thinking of others.”
“Buffy . . .” Spike whispered in a low voice as he reached his hand out towards her.
“I have to go, I suppose to be having lunch with my friends right now.”
Spike stood in silence as Buffy stumbled around gathering her books and bag.
“I’ll see you in class next week?”
Buffy just nodded her head and walked out the door.
*****
Loft Apartment
“At least he told you about it.”
“Cordelia I don’t think I will be able to do this.”
“Why not?”
“I slapped my sister all because she was talking about it.”
“I see your point.”
“He knew I would react this way.”
“Maybe if you talk with him, he can give you a different assignment for the final project.”
“No. I’ll do the paper. I’m tried of running from my past.”
“You’re not really running from it if it’s right in front of you.”
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Chapter 19
Buffy’s Bedroom
{The bedroom was lit with dozens of candles, and rose petals covered both the path way to the bed and the bed itself.
“Is all this for me?” Buffy asked as her eyes began to tear up from the beauty of the room.
“Of course Luv. Who else would it be for?” Spike asked as he wrapped his arms around Buffy’s small waist.
“It’s beautiful.” Buffy said as she turned to face Spike, still wrapped in his arms. What’s the reason behind it?”
“Don’t always need a reason.” He said as he lead her further into the room. “But since you asked I’ll tell you, after you open your gift.”
“I get a gift?” Buffy asked with a large smile on her face.
Spike nodded. “More than one, Pet. That is, of course if you’re a very good girl.”
“What if I don’t want to be a good girl?” Buffy teased with a pout on her face.
Spike grinned at Buffy’s pout before leaning down and nipping at her lower lip. “You’ll want to be.”
They both locked eyes for a moment. Both seeing how much the other loved and wanted them.
“You’d better sit down or we’ll miss the whole purpose of this evening.”
Buffy took a seat in a chair in the corner of the room. “You mean this night isn’t just `bout sex?” She asked with a grin on her face.
“No, this night is about much more than just sex.” Spike answered in a rather serious tone as he pulled out a small ring box and kneeled in front of Buffy.
Buffy’s eyes widened as she watched Spike’s movements.
“In this box is a symbol of my love for you.” Spike opened the box to reveal a large emerald cut ruby set on a platinum band. “The jeweler at the shop said it was the deepest red ruby he had ever seen, and coming from a man who has been doing this for the past 45 years, you tend to believe him.”
Buffy raised a shacking hand to the ring. “Spike, its beautiful.”
“The color represents how deeply my love for you goes.” Spike pulled the ring out of the box. “I wanted you to have something that every time you saw it you would think of me, and know how much I truly love you.” Spike then placed the ruby on Buffy’s ring finger.
“I’ll never take it off. I. . .”}
“. . .love you. . .”Buffy muttered while she turned her head in her sleep.
Willow closed the door of her sleeping roommate’s room and went back to the phone that was waiting down stairs.
“I’m sorry she’ll still asleep at the moment. Can I take a message?”
“. . .”
“I’ll be sure she gets the message.”
“Who was that?” Tara asked as she walked over to where Willow was standing.
“An old friend of Buffy’s from L.A. He said his name was Parker.” Willow answered as she wrote down the message for Buffy.
“Oh. I was planning on making pancakes. Do you want?”
“With funny shapes?” Willow asked as a large grin formed on her face, jumping up and down slightly.
“Of Course.”
“Lets go.” Willow interlocked her arm with Tara’s never noticing the message fall behind the cabinet the phone rested on.
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Chapter 20
Summers’ Mansion
It was a little after six and Buffy and Cordelia were trying their best to get Dawn to claim down so they could finish getting her ready for her first middle school dance.
“My hair is all wrong, and this dress really does make me look fat. Connor going to be here soon and nothing is going right.” Dawn yelled at the older teens as she paced her room.
Cordelia was just about to say to hell with the whole thing and leave Buffy to deal with her annoying sister all by herself. “Buffy I can’t take it anymore. Your sister is driving me crazy. I could be out parting right now with Angel, but instead I’m here helping you get your sister to forgive you for slapping her when after thinking about I think you were in the right with the whole thing.”
“Cordelia I know, and I’m really sorry. I will make this up to you, I promise.”
“Yeah well you’d better make it up to me. Thank god Mother and Father stopped have children after me.”
“Hello. This is my night and the two of you aren’t helping.”
Cordelia was heading towards Dawn when Buffy stopped her. “Why don’t you go get some air and I’ll finish up here.”
“Fine.”
Buffy turned to Dawn once Cordelia left the room. “Alright. Your hair looks great. The dress does not make you look fat. And Connor won’t be here for another hour. You need to claim down. Cordelia went through a lot of trouble to help you out tonight and I think it’s best if you thank her for it before you leave.”
“But. . .”
“I also think that if your smart you will sit your little ass down before you really do ruin all the work Cordy and I have gone through over the past two hours.”
“I. . .”
“Do it.”
“Yworsworse than Maria.” Dawn said as she sat down in the chair in front of her vanity.
“I’ll take that as a complement. Now, I’m going to go find Cordy and I’ll come get you when Connor shows up.”
Buffy was opening the door when she heard her name called.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
“What are big sis’s for? I’ll be back soon.”
*****
The Bronze
“It was a complete nightmare.” Cordelia said from her seat next to Angel.
“It wasn’t that bad.” Buffy added.
“Buffy please, we did your sisters hair and makeup like a thousand times.”
“Okay, your right. It was a nightmare. But it was wroth it. Did you see her face light up when she saw Connor at the foot of the stairs? It was so sweet.”
“I take it my little brother might get lucky tonight?”
“Um. Hello her older sister is sitting right in front of you. If any part of your brother even come close to getting lucky tonight, lets just say he won’t be much of a man when I’m done with him.”
“Can we change the subject now? I really don’t want to spend the rest of my night talking about thirteen and fourteen years olds when I could be dancing with a certain varsity football player.”
“I guess you could dance with Riley. I’ve been wanting to take Buffy for a spin. Ow! I was just joking.”
“Keep it up mister and you’ll be going home alone.” Cordelia said as she took Angel’s offered hand and headed to the dance floor.
*****
An Hour Later
“Tell me again why I had to come with the two of you?” Spike asked as he entered The Bronze.
“You came with us because Dru is helping her father at the shop again, and we need you here in order to get chicks.” Deacon stated as he surveyed the club for his next conquest.
“And youd med me here for that because?”
“It simple. More girls come around us when you’re here. Your married so the girls who wanted you turn to us in their time of need.”
“So, let me get this straight. The girls want me. But upon my not being available thern trn to you.”
“Right.”
“You need some serious help Deacon. And what about you Carter?”
“I’m just along for the ride like you are.”
“Ah.”
“Besides, I more of a long term kinda guy. Unlike Deacon, who’s trying to get over the love of his adult life by making it all about his next lay.“ `I’d actually like a girl like Buffy.’ Carter thought to himself, knowing how Spike would react if he ever learned the fact about his feelings for the girl Spike was ready to leave his wife for. Carter had been there for Buffy when she had found out about Drusilla. Carter knew how much pain she was in, and in that moment he knew he never wanted to see her hurt that way again. Carter knew that Buffy was aware of his feelings for her, and he knew that she would never feel the same way. Clearing his head of all thoughts he joined the others in looking around clubclub.
Spike was looking around the club; it was different being on the floor instead of on the stage. When he was on the stage he got a rush. He knew everyone was there to see the band, and he always felt good about being able to get audiences full attention with the sound of his voice. As he looked further through the club his eyes came to rest on a petite blonde who was dancing dangerously close to a much taller man.
“Spike, whose Buffy’s new man?” Deacon asked as he watched the way Buffy was moving her hips.
Spike turn to face Deacon. “What!?”
Deacon pointed out onto the dance floor. “Over there.”
Spike looked back on the dance floor, only this time he could see Buffy’s face just before Riley leaned down and captured her lips.
“How come you didn’t tell us she could move like that?” Deacon asked still in shock by how much he was being turned on by just watching Buffy move her hips.
Carter punched Deacon in the arm.
“OW! What was that for?”
Carter nodded his head towards Spike was now looking at the opposite side of the club.
“Oh. . .”
Spike never knew anything could hurt more than the day Buffy found out the truth. But now, seeing Buffy making-out with another man felt like his world was falling apart overover again. He knew he had no right to feel this way. Buffy was free to be with anyone she wanted. But he still couldn’t help but feel a touch of jealousy.
*****
On the dance floor Buffy was having a hard time keeping up this act. She liked Riley, and at any other time in her life she would have been head over heels for him. But right now her mind was screaming for Spike. To have Spike’ hands and lips running all over her body. To have him whisper loving words into her ear after hours of making love. To just be with him. After a few moments Buffy pulled away from Riley and took his hand. “Let’s get out of here.”
Riley nodded his head and retrieved their belonging and took Buffy’s offered hand once more.
Buffy cast one last look towards Spike before she headed home, with Riley.
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