Au Contraire, Au Pair
folder
BtVS AU/AR › Het - Male/Female › Buffy/Spike(William)
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
19
Views:
8,788
Reviews:
107
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
BtVS AU/AR › Het - Male/Female › Buffy/Spike(William)
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
19
Views:
8,788
Reviews:
107
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 3
Chapter 3
Over the next few weeks of summer, there was a sense of watchfulness between the two; a hyper-charged awareness of their situation. Most of the time Buffy would forget everything but the sweet little boy who was beginning to love her and trust her with everything in his heart. But his handsome and available father was never far from her thoughts either.
One day she thought she’d pitch in and help the cleaning service replace all of the linens upstairs. She had a huge stack for each of the bathrooms. She dropped a pile in James’, then her's, then at the end of the hallway was William's. She hadn’t seen him back from his run, so she thought he would appreciate fresh smelling towels when he got back. She walked through the bedroom into the open bath when she stopped. She could hear a shower running. Not wanting to draw attention to herself, she quietly tip- toed to the counter, set down her armload and tried to quickly scurry out when she heard the water turn off. She didn’t want to turn around (oh, she did but she knew that would be Wrong) and she heard William gasp at her being in the bathroom.
She threw her hands up to her eyes and stammered out, “I thought you’d want fresh towels so I brought them up here and I didn’t know you were in here and I’m sorry but here you go.” She quickly ran out and vowed to only do her own job and leave everyone else to their own.
*******
Most days William would work for several hours at a stretch secluded in his office, but would come out in the late afternoon and want to join Buffy and James in their play. As the summer grew hotter, more and more of that time was spent in the pool.
Buffy was tossing rings into the shallow end of the pool, and James was happily grabbing each of them in turn, and showing off his new found skill at opening his eyes under water. Buffy felt a charge of electricity and turned and saw William walking towards them. “May I join you?”
“Dad! Watch me! Watch me!” James did his best duck impression, and turned tail up and headed straight for a red ring by the stairs. He popped up and said, “did you see me? Buffy showed me how to look under water!”
“She did, huh? She seems to be working out pretty well, wouldn’t you say? Should we keep her?” He let Buffy see his wink. She had to fight to keep her blush down.
“Yeah, Dad. Don’t let her go away, okay? I don’t like it when people go.” William’s heart stopped for a few beats. James didn’t seem to want to pursue that line, so he let it drop. He was pleased to see Buffy swim over to him grab him and swim like a mother otter, with James resting on her trunk.
“James, I’ll stay as long as you let me. Besides, who would I have so much fun with? You are my swimming buddy, my truck buddy, my bug buddy...”
“Don’t forget pirate buddy! And story buddy!”
“That’s right. She stood in the water and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tight. William felt a lump in his throat. His poor son didn’t have much luck when it came to mothers, but in Buffy he had found a true friend. She obviously cared for him beyond the requirements of her job, and was so giving with her heart. Maybe she can help me, too, he thought.
He snapped out of his reverie and saw that James was climbing out of the pool. “I need to go to the boy’s room. I’ll be back in a bit!” Buffy smiled after him and watched as he dried off, then went inside. She remembered who else was there and got flustered, trying to find a place to rest her eyes. William began to take off his shirt by pulling his collar over his head. Buffy couldn’t help but stare at his abs, flexed as they were with the motion. *Oh my god, I could file my nails on that. Hmmm.* Her eyes began to glaze over as she imagined being close enough to him to use her nails.
“Do you mind if I join you? It’s a bit hot out, and I could use the cool down.”
“Oh! Um, I mean, it’s your pool. I know James would love the chance to show off all of his tricks. He’s getting really good at doing a cannonball.”
William smiled at her, and dove under the water, effortlessly stroking across the length of the pool to where she was holding on to the side. Her heart raced as she realized he was swimming straight to her. He popped up next to her, grabbed on to the rail, and with one hand raked his hair back from his face.
“I want you to know how much we have come to enjoy you being here. I know James absolutely adores you. Nothing pleases me more than to know that he is happy. It’s been a long time.” He looked away, shook his head and then turned back to her.
“I’m sorry that things didn’t work out for you and your wife.” *No I’m not.*
“Ex-wife. And I’m not. I’m happier now than I’ve been in a very long time. Something tells me that you have something to do with that, too.” And with that, he popped back under the water and began swimming laps.
Her heart began racing. *Me? I’m making him happy? No, no Buffy. You misunderstood. He’s glad that you hel helping him with his son. Calm down. Just watch his arms as he drives through the water. Or his ass. No! No watching! Getting out! Need to dry off and be with James. Need to be in the water held by the sexy British man, but MUST dry off and do my job.*
She pulled herself out of the water and walked to the chair with her towel resting on it and began rubbing herself dry. William pretended to focus on his swim all the while watching her out of the corner of his eye. *My god, that body. She has no idea what she’s doing to me. *
Her eyes were closed as she leaned to one side and squeezed the water out of her hair, then wrapped it up like a turban and walked inside, hips gently swinging.
I think I may just go out of my mind, soon, William thought to himself. I need to do something about this before I lose it entirely.
******
Later that night, William left the library and went up to the playroom. He couldn’t help the smile that came at the scene before him. On the large sofa was his son sound asleep in the arms of Buffy, a forgotten book on the floor next to them.
He carefully lifted his son into his arms, and tucked him into his bed. He padded back to the playroom and watched her sleeping for a moment. She was curled on her side, one arm resting on her hip. A blanket was draped over her lower body, but was slowly slipping to the ground. Without thinking of the implications, he leaned over, slipped one arm under her neck, the other under her knees and lifted her to his chest. As he began the walk to her bedroom, she nestled against him, burying her head into his neck. One hand absentmindedly slid up his chest to behind his neck where her fingers began to wind themselves into the hair at his nape. She was still asleep.
As he nudged the door to her room open with his foot he could hear her mumbling to herself. He paused for a moment and listened. “We shouldn’t do this. I’ve wanted you since I first saw you.” She then giggled in her sleep. “Oh, Mr. Giles... Be gentle. You are the first man I’ve been with.” He froze. Surely it’s just sleep talk. A girl this lovely couldn’t possibly be a virgin?
He carried her to her bed, laid her on it and began tucking the sheets around her. She turned in her bed feeling for the warmth that somehow left her. As Buffy opened her eyes, she could see William sitting on the edge of her bed, tucking her in. Her eyes got huge and she was fully awake now.
“I’m sorry to startle you. You fell asleep in the other room, so I brought you in here to ensure a good night’s sleep.”
“Oh, thank you. You didn’t need to do that. How embarrassing.” *Oh my god, did I drool?*
“Not at all. It was my pleasure.” As he stood to leave, he fought a smile and said, “did you know that you talk in your sleep? See you tomorrow.”
She sat up and stared at the empty space in her doorway. She knew exactly what she was dreaming. Certainly he didn’t hear her... *Oh my god. No wonder he bolted out the door. Well, I guess that is that.*
******
Back in his room, William’s mind was going a mile a minute. It’s obvious she is interested. I want her to be, but should I do anything about this? If it goes wrong, will she stay here for James? Am I prepared to cause more loss in his short life? A part of him nagged back, what if it worked out? I certainly care about her as a person, Lord knows physically I am attracted to her... What if it works out? Don’t I deserve happiness? And with that last thought he began to prepare for talking it over with Buffy.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for my first ever review! I'll keep it coming if you all do the same!
Over the next few weeks of summer, there was a sense of watchfulness between the two; a hyper-charged awareness of their situation. Most of the time Buffy would forget everything but the sweet little boy who was beginning to love her and trust her with everything in his heart. But his handsome and available father was never far from her thoughts either.
One day she thought she’d pitch in and help the cleaning service replace all of the linens upstairs. She had a huge stack for each of the bathrooms. She dropped a pile in James’, then her's, then at the end of the hallway was William's. She hadn’t seen him back from his run, so she thought he would appreciate fresh smelling towels when he got back. She walked through the bedroom into the open bath when she stopped. She could hear a shower running. Not wanting to draw attention to herself, she quietly tip- toed to the counter, set down her armload and tried to quickly scurry out when she heard the water turn off. She didn’t want to turn around (oh, she did but she knew that would be Wrong) and she heard William gasp at her being in the bathroom.
She threw her hands up to her eyes and stammered out, “I thought you’d want fresh towels so I brought them up here and I didn’t know you were in here and I’m sorry but here you go.” She quickly ran out and vowed to only do her own job and leave everyone else to their own.
*******
Most days William would work for several hours at a stretch secluded in his office, but would come out in the late afternoon and want to join Buffy and James in their play. As the summer grew hotter, more and more of that time was spent in the pool.
Buffy was tossing rings into the shallow end of the pool, and James was happily grabbing each of them in turn, and showing off his new found skill at opening his eyes under water. Buffy felt a charge of electricity and turned and saw William walking towards them. “May I join you?”
“Dad! Watch me! Watch me!” James did his best duck impression, and turned tail up and headed straight for a red ring by the stairs. He popped up and said, “did you see me? Buffy showed me how to look under water!”
“She did, huh? She seems to be working out pretty well, wouldn’t you say? Should we keep her?” He let Buffy see his wink. She had to fight to keep her blush down.
“Yeah, Dad. Don’t let her go away, okay? I don’t like it when people go.” William’s heart stopped for a few beats. James didn’t seem to want to pursue that line, so he let it drop. He was pleased to see Buffy swim over to him grab him and swim like a mother otter, with James resting on her trunk.
“James, I’ll stay as long as you let me. Besides, who would I have so much fun with? You are my swimming buddy, my truck buddy, my bug buddy...”
“Don’t forget pirate buddy! And story buddy!”
“That’s right. She stood in the water and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tight. William felt a lump in his throat. His poor son didn’t have much luck when it came to mothers, but in Buffy he had found a true friend. She obviously cared for him beyond the requirements of her job, and was so giving with her heart. Maybe she can help me, too, he thought.
He snapped out of his reverie and saw that James was climbing out of the pool. “I need to go to the boy’s room. I’ll be back in a bit!” Buffy smiled after him and watched as he dried off, then went inside. She remembered who else was there and got flustered, trying to find a place to rest her eyes. William began to take off his shirt by pulling his collar over his head. Buffy couldn’t help but stare at his abs, flexed as they were with the motion. *Oh my god, I could file my nails on that. Hmmm.* Her eyes began to glaze over as she imagined being close enough to him to use her nails.
“Do you mind if I join you? It’s a bit hot out, and I could use the cool down.”
“Oh! Um, I mean, it’s your pool. I know James would love the chance to show off all of his tricks. He’s getting really good at doing a cannonball.”
William smiled at her, and dove under the water, effortlessly stroking across the length of the pool to where she was holding on to the side. Her heart raced as she realized he was swimming straight to her. He popped up next to her, grabbed on to the rail, and with one hand raked his hair back from his face.
“I want you to know how much we have come to enjoy you being here. I know James absolutely adores you. Nothing pleases me more than to know that he is happy. It’s been a long time.” He looked away, shook his head and then turned back to her.
“I’m sorry that things didn’t work out for you and your wife.” *No I’m not.*
“Ex-wife. And I’m not. I’m happier now than I’ve been in a very long time. Something tells me that you have something to do with that, too.” And with that, he popped back under the water and began swimming laps.
Her heart began racing. *Me? I’m making him happy? No, no Buffy. You misunderstood. He’s glad that you hel helping him with his son. Calm down. Just watch his arms as he drives through the water. Or his ass. No! No watching! Getting out! Need to dry off and be with James. Need to be in the water held by the sexy British man, but MUST dry off and do my job.*
She pulled herself out of the water and walked to the chair with her towel resting on it and began rubbing herself dry. William pretended to focus on his swim all the while watching her out of the corner of his eye. *My god, that body. She has no idea what she’s doing to me. *
Her eyes were closed as she leaned to one side and squeezed the water out of her hair, then wrapped it up like a turban and walked inside, hips gently swinging.
I think I may just go out of my mind, soon, William thought to himself. I need to do something about this before I lose it entirely.
******
Later that night, William left the library and went up to the playroom. He couldn’t help the smile that came at the scene before him. On the large sofa was his son sound asleep in the arms of Buffy, a forgotten book on the floor next to them.
He carefully lifted his son into his arms, and tucked him into his bed. He padded back to the playroom and watched her sleeping for a moment. She was curled on her side, one arm resting on her hip. A blanket was draped over her lower body, but was slowly slipping to the ground. Without thinking of the implications, he leaned over, slipped one arm under her neck, the other under her knees and lifted her to his chest. As he began the walk to her bedroom, she nestled against him, burying her head into his neck. One hand absentmindedly slid up his chest to behind his neck where her fingers began to wind themselves into the hair at his nape. She was still asleep.
As he nudged the door to her room open with his foot he could hear her mumbling to herself. He paused for a moment and listened. “We shouldn’t do this. I’ve wanted you since I first saw you.” She then giggled in her sleep. “Oh, Mr. Giles... Be gentle. You are the first man I’ve been with.” He froze. Surely it’s just sleep talk. A girl this lovely couldn’t possibly be a virgin?
He carried her to her bed, laid her on it and began tucking the sheets around her. She turned in her bed feeling for the warmth that somehow left her. As Buffy opened her eyes, she could see William sitting on the edge of her bed, tucking her in. Her eyes got huge and she was fully awake now.
“I’m sorry to startle you. You fell asleep in the other room, so I brought you in here to ensure a good night’s sleep.”
“Oh, thank you. You didn’t need to do that. How embarrassing.” *Oh my god, did I drool?*
“Not at all. It was my pleasure.” As he stood to leave, he fought a smile and said, “did you know that you talk in your sleep? See you tomorrow.”
She sat up and stared at the empty space in her doorway. She knew exactly what she was dreaming. Certainly he didn’t hear her... *Oh my god. No wonder he bolted out the door. Well, I guess that is that.*
******
Back in his room, William’s mind was going a mile a minute. It’s obvious she is interested. I want her to be, but should I do anything about this? If it goes wrong, will she stay here for James? Am I prepared to cause more loss in his short life? A part of him nagged back, what if it worked out? I certainly care about her as a person, Lord knows physically I am attracted to her... What if it works out? Don’t I deserve happiness? And with that last thought he began to prepare for talking it over with Buffy.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for my first ever review! I'll keep it coming if you all do the same!