In This Together-

Chapter 3: Someone To Talk To

Willow had called Buffy the day after. So Buffy hadn't had much time
at her new apartment. Willow could tell her new best bud wasn't in the
best mood so she suggested that her, Buffy and Tara have a girl’s night
in with the basic chocolate ice cream and romance movies. Willow was
determined to get to the bottom of Buffy's issues.

Buffy had no idea about what Willow was up to but she herself had no
idea about how she felt about Spike. She felt so much for him that
night at the club yet he was a perfect stranger to her. She did feel
like she had violated herself in letting someone she hardly knew touch
her the way Spike did. They had been gone for a half hour that night
and everyone else had no clue on to where they had gone off to.


She was the kind of person who wouldn't sleep with someone till she
knew them very well and felt completely safe with them . Why did she
feel that for Spike but not Riley who she had know for over five years
and dated for three? She didn't want to answer these questions in fear
for what she might fiut. ut.


Buffy dragged her things up the three flights of stairs to Willows
apartment. Before she could reach for the doorknob it swung open
revealing a very hyper red head.

"Hey Buff." She greeted letting her into the apartment.


~~~
Spike walked over to the table he and Xander were sharing and placed
two beers down. He was about to sit down when Xander stood. Spike eyed
him curiously, Xander only pointed and said.

"Pool table's free."

Spike nodded and both men picked up their beer bottles and went over
to the pool table. They arranged the balls in the triangle; Spike
chalked his cue and hit the white, watching as it connected with the
rest, making them scatter across the table. He saw the first ball go
into the pocket and moved to take another shot. He lost concentration
as Xander started speaking.

"So how have you been?"

"Not bad, glad I finally graduated." Spike answered as he let Xander
past to take his shot.

"Yeah, but see I have the pleasure of never having gone to college. I
was the sensible one. I decided against getting any qualifications and
instead spent some fun time in the crazy world of unemployment."
Xander joked "And now, I'm a construction worker. Who'd have thought
it?"

"Not me, from what Cordy told me you were never very good with your
hands." Spike teased.

"You laugh, bleach boy. But all I have to say is 'Dru'."

Spike shut up at that. Knowing that his friend was not being mean in
bringing up his ex, but it was still a sore spot for him. Neither of
the two men were trying to be cruel with their ribbing of one another,
and the each knew that. But some subjects were better left alone. But
the subject had come up and Spike decided not to let it get to him too
much, and instead use it to get another dig at Xander.

"Your one to talk. You know all about crazy, any bird that dates you
must be insane."
Both men looked at one another and erupted into laughter.

~~~
The three girls had nestled on the floor with blankets everywhere and
they sat in front of the glowing TV screen as "Practical Magic"
played. Willow and Tara made little comments throughout the movie such as.

"That spell would so never work." and the other would comment like
this. "Actually honey, it would if they use raven feathers instead of
hawk."


Buffy was very amused at the couple. She was glad she got to know
these people they were exactly like the friends she had before she
dumped them to be with Riley.



Spike and Xander had finished their game and were now sitting at their
table again. They weren't talking too much. Mostly because of the
constant interruption if girls flirting with Spike. And Xander watched
as numerous women gave Spike the eye. Xander was envious sometimes,
because the girls always wanted Spike. Spike had the looks of a model,
deep blue eyes, and amazing cheekbones. He was just the definition of
the word gorgeous, if you looked up the word in a dictionary, you
would likely see a picture of Spike next to it. But Spike was a pretty
decent guy. And Xander could get girls too. Just not as many. But
things were too quiet for Xander's liking, the joking had ended a
while ago and it had been more or less silence ever since. And Xander
being Xander decided to change that.

"Did you hear Giles is renting out the apartment over his garage?"

Spike's head snapped round to look at his companion,.

"No. Who to?" he asked, interested in the answer.

"I don't know. Willow didn't say. She just said she was speaking to
him the other day and he told her he was renting it out. But that
apartment has been empty for a while, he may as well make some money
out of it."

Spike nodded agreement "Yeah, I guess you're right. No point in it
just lying empty."


"Ok this topic is boring me already," Xander sighed, "Let's get to the
good stuff."

Spike looked at him, knowing what was coming next and dreading it

"Women." Xander grinned.

~*~
After the movie they sat and talked about everyone and how they met
each other. Buffy had told stories of her school days and the friends
she had back then. Now they were on a subject Buffy wished they could
avoid.' Boys' and 'Girls' in Willow and Tara's case.


~*~
Spike groaned as he listened to Xander go on and on about who was the
hottest celebrity, female of course.

"Angelina Jolie is pretty hot. She has a great body, but I don't like
her mouth, she kind of looks like a trout. It's just too big. I'll
tell you who is beautiful though, Keira Knightly. She is beautiful.
And I love her accent. Come on man, who do you think is hot?"

By now they weoth oth a little intoxicated as they had drunk quite a few beers.

"Well, I have to say I prefer blondes like..." before he got a chance
to finish Xander cut in.

"Speaking of blondes, I meant to ask, what was with you and Buffy the
other night?"

"Nothing was with me and Buffy the other night." Spike lied, but
Xander saw right through it.

"Liar." Xander said. Spike groaned again.

"Okay, here's what happened"


~*~
Buffy hadn't mentioned her and Spike's sexual encounter to anyone but
Willow and Tara knew. It was all in her eyes. So they decided to
casually bring it up.

"So, Buffy. Did you have fun meeting everyone yesterday night?" Buffy
nodded 'yes'

"What about Spike? Some people don't like him." Buffy could help but
cough at that, which reassured the fact for Willow and Tara about the
other night.

"He's sweet." Buffy finally managed to say.
That was it, now Willow and Tara were going to go in for the kill.

~~~~
I like him, Ok. Enough with the 3rd degree. I'm starting to think
this isn't a sleepover, more of an interrogation." The two girls
listened to every word.
"Spikes, well...

~~~~
"Amazing, the sex was amazing. I swear I have never felt anything
like being with her before in my life. It was so great. But you whelp,
better not open your mouth to anyone about what happened." Spike
warned as he finished his tale.

Xander's mouth gaped in amazement; he shook his head to clear the fog
that had gathered during the story.

"I swear." he managed.
~~~~
Buffy had started to ramble about Spike.

"... I mean Spike is just the perfect man, he has to whole bad bay
attitude which every girl loves but he doesn't have the bad boy
jerkiness. And those eyes, those eyes look through you into your very
soul... so how did you two meet him?" Buffy turned to the girls to
realize they had fell asleep. Buffy laughed then went to sleep
herself. But not until she murmured to herself one last time "Spike is"
~~~
"Amazing. I already told you Xander how much more do you really need to know?"

Spike was glad he was a bit drunk; otherwise he would be mortified at
having told that story. But too late to do anything about it now.
Xander didn't answer.

"Ok then mate, I think it's time to go"

Xander nodded, they both stood and half walked, half staggered out of the club