Bargains

Thank you so much for the reviews…they are what keep me writing.

I am a Spuffy writer, so never fear…I don’t think I could do Angel and Buffy justice cause I don’t think they belong together.

Bargains_3

“Not L.A. And not here. Somewhere in the middle. There's a, a place. I gotta go now…” Buffy grabbed the keys and walked calmly out the door.
~~~~~~~~~

Spike made his way to the Summers’ house. Patrol had taken about an hour and a half, He tried to speed it up but it seemed there was an influx of fledges out tonight. “Bout bloody time.” Spike growled when he had finally made it safe for the residents of Sunnydale once again.
~~~~~~~~~

“Angel?” She ran towards him and wrapped her arms fiercely around him. Angel let his arms wind around Buffy’s waist and pull her closer to him.

“Buffy…I can’t believe it’s really you…” Angel said softly.

“It’s me…”

“Are you…do you need anything?” He questioned. “This is just so…surreal…”

“No…I’m good…well not good…but here…I don’t need anything…” Buffy said softly.

~~~~~~~

Spike raised his hand and knocked. ~ Haven’t done that in five months. ~ He was used to just walking in, but since Buffy had returned he didn’t feel he could. He wasn’t the only one Dawn had anymore. ~ Best not to forget that. ~

Suddenly Dawn threw the door wide and jumped into his arms. “Spike! I was so worried…where were you?”

Spike held on to Dawn so she didn’t fall. “Sorry Bit. I did a quick patrol so your big sis didn’t have to. I don’t think she’s up to facing the nasties just yet.” He gently placed Dawn on her feet.

“AAWWW that’s so sweet Spike.” Dawn smiled. “I were just gonna have dinner…want to join me? There’s some blood in the fridge.”

“Sure…” Spike smiled and followed her into the kitchen.
~~~~~~~~


“Thanks Angel. I’m glad I came to see you…I’m so glad we could work things out between us.”

“So am I Buffy…” Angel sighed softly, giving her a quick hug goodbye.
~~~~~~~~~

Spike glanced around, not seeing Buffy. “Big sis ok?” He whispered into Dawn’s ear.

“Yeah…she uh, she had to go somewhere…” Dawn said softly back.

Spike nodded. He helped Dawn bring food and blood to the table.
~~~~~~~~~

~ Ok. So now what do I do? Should I tell Spike how I feel or…what if he really doesn’t love me anymore? I mean he could have just been wigged and that’s why he ran, but what if that’s not it? If I would have asked him before I died to spend the night holding me I would have woken up with him beside me. And I swear when I looked into his eyes I saw his love for me but…what if I was wrong? What if I was just being needy? I guess I’ll know next time I see him. ~ Buffy sighed as she pulled into the driveway.
~~~~~~~~~

“Yeah…I’ll go…” Spike growled sullenly. “Bloody wrapped around your finger’s what I am…sorry excuse for a Big Bad if you ask me…”

“Dawn squealed in delight. “Thanks Spike! You’re the best!”

“Finish eating then bit, don’t want you to waste away.” Spike smiled at the excited teen.

“Ok…now all I have to do is convince Buffy…”

“Convince Buffy what?” Buffy asked walking into the kitchen.

“Buffy! You’re back…” Dawn smiled.

“Yeah…here I am…what do you need to convince me of?” She asked. She quickly glanced around and her eyes stopped on Spike. He quickly looked away, biting his tongue so he didn’t say anything he’d regret.

~ Bloody hell! She went to see Peaches. I’m such a bloody Git! ~ Spike felt tears welling up in his eyes. He could smell him, all over Buffy. He glanced down at the congealing blood in his mug. Couldn’t tear his eyes away from it, couldn’t look up at her. He could feel her eyes on him, like a caress. He leaned over and whispered in ’s e’s ear without looking up at Buffy. “I’m going out for a smoke…come get me when you’re ready to go…”

Dawn nodded and looked back at Buffy. “I want to go to the Bronze tonight… I want to celebrate…” Dawn smiled.

“Oh…” Buffy watched Spike leave. ~ Why is he leaving? As soon as Ie ine into the room he leaves. ~

“Buffy? Aren’t you listening to me?” Dawn pouted. She watched Buffy-watching Spike. She saw the longing and sadness in her eyes. ~ She’s got a thing for Spike! When did that happen? ~

“Yeah…sorry I just…what did you say?” Buffy asked distractedly.

“I said all the scoobies will be there… they want to celebrate you…being back.” Dawn said. Buffy looked so lost…so sad. “You look like you’re about to cry…Buff…what’s wrong?”

“What? Nothing…nothing…Uh…I don’t really feel like…” She looked up, into Dawn’s pleading eyes. “Ok…I’ll go…but not for long.”

“Go get ready…I’ll go tell Spike you’re coming too…”

“Spike’s coming?” Buffy questioned. ~ What if he doesn’t want me to go? ~ Buffy glanced at the door. “Maybe I should…stay home…maybe he doesn’t want me to…”

“Buffy…don’t be a dumbass! Spike is still totally in love with you. He just…he’s scared and he doesn’t want…”

“If he’s so in love with me why…why did he leave the room as soon as I came in?” Buffy asked bitterly. “Dawn…He doesn’t…”

Dawn just smiled. “Buffy…go have a shower and get dressed ok?” Dawn said softly giving her a quick hug.
~~~~~~~~~~

“Hey…” She said sitting down on the top stair beside him.

“Hey Bit…did you convince her?” Spike asked softly. He threw his but into the can Dawn had put there for him.

“Yeah…She’s just going to have a shower.” Dawn rested her head on Spike’s shoulder.

“I’ust ust be shoving off then…” Spike started to stand.

“Don’t you dare…you said you’d go…” Dawn grabbed his arm and pulled him back down.

“Yeah but she’s going now and…she probably doesn’t want me there…” Spike said sullenly.
~~~~~~

Buffy finished doing her hair and was trying to decide on something to wear.

Suddenly a knock on the door interrupted her musings. “Yeah?” She yelled through the closed door.

“Are you gonna be ready sometime this century?” Dawnned ned through the door.

“I’m just trying to decide on what to wear…” Buffy said distractedly, still searching in her closet.

“Can I help?” Dawn opened the door and walked in. “Pants or dress?” Dawn asked.

“I don’t know…what do you think?” Buffy asked.
~~~~~~

“Bloody hell is she still coming? You were up there forever!” Spike complained as soon as Dawn reached the living room.

“Yeah sorry, she couldn’t decide what to wear.” Dawn sm. “I. “I hope I made the right choice. She’ll be right down.”

Spike heard her coming and his jaw dropped as he looked up and watched her walk slowly down the stairs, her eyes on him and him alone.

“You guys ready?” She asked casually.

“Yeah…let’s go…” Dawn smiled at Spike. “You can close your mouth now Spike…” She teased.

“I…what?…I…uh…yeah…ready to go…” He shook his head to clear it.

Buffy was smiling widely. She was quite please with the reaction her outfit got. She was wearing a long black leather skirt, with a bright red camisole tank top, black leather boots and jacket completed the outfit and her golden hair hung in loose waves.

Spike walked over to the door and opened it, stealing glances at Buffy. “Do I look ok?” She asked self-consciously. She had never seen Spike speechless before.

“Bloody breathtaking pet. You are gorgeous.”

Buffy smiled up at him. “Thanks…”

“S’no problem Luv…” Spike smiled shyly as he led his girls out of the house. ~~~~~~~~


Spike and Xander were just finishing up a game of pool, before they returned to the table Buffy had to ask. “What’s up with Spike and Xander?…It seems like they’re getting along…”

“Yeah…they’ve been doing it since…you know since…”

“I died?” Buffy questioned, garnering stares from around the table. ~ Wow. Guess I’m not supposed to say that… ~

“Uh…yeah…Spike saved Xander’s life a couple of times, Xander came to respect him not only that but…how he treated Dawnie…being there for her and all that. It’s kinda strange but…you being gone gave us a chance to get to know Spike without the whole stalker thing hanging over us…Spike didn’t know we were gonna try to bring you back…He’s really smart and fun to hang out with. We all really like him.” Willow giggled.

“What?” Buffy asked glancing behind her where a waitress was flirting with Spike. She was furious. She wanted to go over there and rip her head off. ~ BITCH!

“Sorry,’s j’s just…she’s been flirting with Spike for months now and he keeps brushing her off…but she keeps coming back…it’s so funny…I mean he’s told her that he has a girlfriend and everything but she just wont give up…She’s almost a dumb as Harmony…” Willow glanced at Buffy and saw her eyes welling up. “What? What did I say Buffy?”

“Nothing…It’s not you…” Buffy answered. “Who is she?”

“Who’s who?” Willow asked confused.

“Spike’s girlfriend!” Buffy growled.

“Uh…He doesn’t have one…that I know of anyway…” Willow stammered.

“You just said…”

“Oh!!! Oh, yeah I said that he said he did but he doesn’t…he was just trying to let her down easy…Buffy are you…jealous?” Willow questioned. ~ Could Buffy have feelings for him? ~

“I am SO not jus…Ius…I just…I don’t know…”
~~~~~~~

“Care to dance with me Luv?” Spike asked placing his hand gently on her back.

Buffy nodded and linked her fingers with his; she let him lead her to the dance floor.
A new song started as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

Games, changes and fears
When will they go from here
When will they Stop
I believe that Faith
Has brought us Here
And we should be Together Babe
But we're not

Buffy hadn’t heard this song before, the beautiful soulful voice singing her thoughts brought tears to her eyes.

“Buff? ... Slayer? Are you okay?”

”I'm here. I'm good.” She let the tears fall freely.

”Buffy, if you're in ... if you're in pain ... or if you need anything... or if I can do anything for you...”

”You can't.” She almost choked on her tears.

I Play it Off but I'm Dreaming of You
I'll keep my Cool but I'm feelin’

I try to Say Good-bye and I Choke
I try to Walk away and I Stumble
though I try to Hide it, it's Clear
My world Crumbles when You are not Near
Good-bye and I Choke
I try to walk Away and I Stumble
though I try to Hide it, It's Clear
My world Crumbles when You are not Near


“Well, I haven't been to a hell dimension just of late, but I do know a thing or two about torment.” He placed his fingers under her chin, lifting her face so she had no choice but to look into his eyes.

”I was happy. Wherever I ... was ... I was happy. At peace. I knew that everyone I cared about was all right. I knew it. Time ... didn't mean anything ... nothing had form ... but I was still me, you know? And I was warm ... and I was loved ... and I was finished. Complete. I don't understand about theology or dimensions, or ... any of it, really ... but I think I was in heaven. And now I'm not. I was torn out of there. Pulled out ... by my friends.”

Tears fell slowly down his cheeks at her confession.

I may Appear to be Free
but I'm just a Prisoner of your Love
I may seem Alright and Smile when you Leave but my Smiles
Are just a Front, just a Front

I play it off but I'm Dreaming of You
I'll keep my Cool but I'm feelin’

I try to Say Good-bye and I Choke
I try to Walk away and I Stumble
though I try to Hide it, it's Clear
My world Crumbles when You are not Near
Good-bye and I Choke
I try to walk Away and I Stumble
though I try to Hide it, It's Clear
My world Crumbles when You are not Near

Buffy raised her hand and brushed the tears from his face. “I’m sorry…I’m so sorry Luv, for what you lost…I wish I could give it back to you…”

“Spike…the only time I’ve really felt anything… since I’ve been back, is when I’m with you…I want to…would you…do you still love me?” She asked in a small little voice.

“Yes. God Buffy I love you so much…”

Here is my Confession
May I be your Possession
Boy I need your Touch
Your Love Kisses and Such
With all my Might I Try
But this I can't Deny, Deny

I Play it off but I'm Dreaming of You
I'll keep my Cool but I'm Feelin'

I try to Say Good-bye and oke oke
I try to Walk away and I Stumble
though I try to Hide it, it's Clear
My world Crumbles when You are not Near
Good-bye and I Choke
I try to walk Away and I Stumble
though I try to Hide it, It's Clear
My world Crumbles when You are not Near

“I want to…I want to be with you Spike…I want to feel loved…Only you can do that for me…would you do that for me?” She was pleading.

“I thought…I thought you’d want to be with Angel…” Spike grimaced. “Sorry…none of my business…”

“Did Dawn tell you I went to see him?” Buffy asked. The song had ended, still they stood there in the middle of the dance floor looking into each others eyes. Nothing else existed at that moment but them.

“Bit didn’t tell me anything, uld uld smell him on you when you got home…”

“You want to know?” She asked.

~+~+~+~ FLASHBACK ~+~+~+~
Angel pulled back and looked into her eyes. “It’s not the same is it? With us I mean…I can feel it Buffy…you’re in love with someone else aren’t you?”

Buffy’s eyes locked with his. “Yeah…” She whispered. “I’m sorry Angel…I …I loved you till the day I died…when I was brought back…things changed for me…our lives are so different now…He’s…”

“Don’t tell me just yet…I don’t think I could take it…I know we could never really be together anyway and I know you have someone…I just don’t think I could deal…if I knew…He’s a lucky guy…If he ever hurts you…”

“I know…Do you…have somebody? I can feel the change in your feelings towards me too…”

“Yeah…you wouldn’t believe me if I told you…” Angels smiled. “It’s strange Buffy…but this was much easier than I thought it would be…let’s go inside and grab a drink…we have two hours before I have to leave…”

Buffy nodded and followed him inside.
~+~+~+~ END FLASHBACK ~+~+~+~

“Me? You’re in love with me?” Spike looked into her eyes and waited for her answer.
~~~~~~~~~~

TBC…I hope someone is still reading this….