Relentless Revenge ((COMPLETE))

Chapter 3: Contradictions

Chain smoking and growling at anyone who dared get too close, Spike paced impatiently at the LAX Airport curb. 'Where are those silly bints?\inceince his airplane had landed ahead of schedule, he knew they were not at fault. He was just impatient to see Buffy and confirm for himself that she was fine. He would have taken a shuttle, but Red and Lil' Bit had been so excited to show off their new driving skills that Spike just didn’t have the heart, figuratively and literally, to deny them.

Finally, his poor, black Desoto came into view, carefully navigating theoticotic airport traffic. “Not too shabby. Hey, is that a new dent on the hood...How the hell did they get a soddin' dent in the hood?” Throwing down his cigarette, Spike stepped off the curb to make sure they saw him, and he could tell when they did by Dawn's enthusiastic waving out the passenger side window. As they pulled up, Spike jumped quickly back onto the curb or chanced losing his toes. Even though he had on his steel toe boots, he still didn't trust his feet to the Red and Nibblet driving test.

As it was, one tire came to rest on top of the curb next to Spike's foot. Before the car even came to a complete stop, Dawn was out hugging Spike. Willow slid across the front seat and out the passenger side door to give Spike a hug of her own. Then the girls herded Spike into the back seat of his own car. He couldn't help but cringe when he heard Dawn yell, "My turn! It’s my turn!" Spike closed his eyes and shuddered, 'Bloody hell!'

Out on the highway back to Sunnydale, Spike was finally able to concentrate enough to talk since Dawn's driving on the open road no longer resembled a 3 AM drunk. "How's the Slayer? Did she take last night off?"

”No,” Willow rolled her eyes and looked at Spike over the front seat, “but she said she would take tonight off so we can all celebrate together."

Before Spike could even ask, Dawn turned around and opened her mouth to explain. “No, no, Bit, let Willow answer. You keep your eyes on the road." Spike pushed her back around as they barely missed a scenic tour of the locitchitch. “Well, Red, what’s the important occasion?”

"Don’t know. Can’t say. All I know is that Buffy wanted to tell everyone at once.” Shooting a knowing look at Dawn, “And even Dawn has been sworn to secrecy. We are all meeting at the Bronze later."

Spike started to light a fag until he caught Willow now glaring at him. With a dramatic, long suffering sigh, he put the cigarette away, "Red, how are the repairs coming at the Magic Box?"

"Good. Well, actually great! Giles was right. Fixing my own mess has been better for relieving guilt than baking cookies."

"Water and electric on?"

"Yeah, why so interested?"

"The Watcher said I could crash there since the crypt is Clem's home now, not mine. Platelet, drop me off there so I can get cleaned up, and I'll meet you at the Bronze in half an hour. And you don't have to park on the curb this time. All four tires on the street."

Dawn and Willow sneaked a conspiratorial smile. Both knew what the other was thinking. The Big Bad Vamp had to gussy up before seeing the Slayer. Operation Matchmaker was going well, indeed. Mental high five.

*****

Upon joining the Scoobies at their usual table at the Bronze, Spike wasn't sure what he had expected, but the warm welcome he received was not one of the possible scenarios he would have ever imagined. Of course, Dawn and Willow were happy to see him, but Willow’s new warmth and friendship still unnerved him a tad. Harris was his usual sour self but with uncustomary restraint. However, it was Buffy's reaction that made him think that he must be dreaming. Greeting Spike as she would a friend, the Slayer seemed genuinely happy to see him. As he sat down, Buffy even ordered him a beer and one of those onion thingies that she knew he loved.

"We're celebrating tonight.” Dawn was busting at the seam, “but I know Buffy wants to tell you herself.”
Sitting back and relaxing, Spike suspected he already knew the surprise.

"No more Smelly Buffy. I quit the Double Meat Palace today." Letting that sink in for a few moments, Buffy lowered the second boom, "The council has put me on salary including the time since my resurrection..."

Full of irrepressible exuberance, Dawn just couldn't keep silent and added, "She got a big fat check today special delivery for the back pay."

Buffy looked directly at Spike for the next part, "…and they set up a college fund for Dawn." Spike broke eye contact first as Dawn, Willow, and Xander all started talking at once. Questions flew around the table at a hectic pace.

*****

After answering their questions for a few minutes, Buffy turned to Spike. "Want to get your ass kicked at pool?"

Spike raised his scared eyebrow as he turned to look at her, "Who’s daring?”

"Me, of course." Buffy stood up and grabbed Spike by the arm, towing him towards the pool tables. "Come on. What are you chicken?"

"No, I'm a pig, remember? Oink, Oink." Not the best comeback, but he was still in shock that the Slayer had him by the arm, dragging him along with her - in public, no less!

When they arrived at the table, Buffy let him go, "Thanks. I really mean it."

"For what, luv?" Still stunned and now confused on tdid did he miss something here?

"For the check, the salary, Dawn's college fund, and allowing me one of my dearest dreams to quit that fast food Hell.” Now she had a mischievous glint to her eyes, “Do you think they will let me keep the hat?"

"Let's take it out and shoot it. Put it out of its misery and all that rot."

"Tomorrow night, during patrol. It's a date…But thanks for everything."

”Luv, you've got it wrong. Thank the Watcher...”

"Don't even start. Your lying is pathetic. I called him already and got the whole story out of him. You, Giles, a Feryal Demon, and Travers all in the same room was such a Kodak moment. The snot was the best part.”

Now embarrassed, Spike still tried to cover up, "I just provided the muscle..."

"Spike, is that really you in there? Take the credit and the thanks already. Besides, I sorta already suspected you when I read the part about Dawn's college fund - dead give awayead,ead, get it? Buffy joke."

Buffy humor? Now Spike was really starting to get suspicious. Handing her a cue, he stepped up to the table.
Buffy chuckled since it was not often anyone saw Spike nervous, but she decided to let him off the hook. Approaching the table herself, she asked, "Whose break?"

"Ladies, first."

Buffy stepped to the head of the table, leaned over to line up her break. Standing behind her, Spike was mesmerized by the delightful view of her delectable ass as she eyed her first shot. Letting him know that she knew of his perusal, Buffy looked over her shoulder at him with a slow smile before taking her first shot. God, he was suddenly as hard as the cue he was holding. Maybe pool with Buffy wasn't such a great idea after all. But what was he nuts? No way would he walk off from that view, but it was very difficult to keep up their usual banter without sexual innuendos creeping in.

Having sunk a stripe ball in the corner pocket with her break, Buffy walked to the opposite end of the table, lining up her next shot. She bent over providing him with a luscious view of her cleavage this time. Spike caught himself starting to step over to get a better look. Not that the one provided was shabby by any means.

Buffy may have missed the shot, but her plan was working. She watched Spike stiffly walk up for his first shot, an easy one which he missed. He retreated to the balcony rail, leaving the pool table between them.

'Ok, Hard to Get Guy. Let’s try this. ' As if trying to decide her next shot, she walked all around the table, “accidentally” brushing up against him in the process. Her efforts were rewarded with a low growl that gave her goose bumps.

For once, Spike could not think of anything to say. ‘Ok, the first 'view' could have been an accident, the second could have been a coincident, but the third time, deliberately brushing up against him, was no accident. The Slayer was flirting with him, Spike, a Master Vampire. ‘You have stepped into the SunnyD Twilight Zone.’

Yes, Buffy was flirting and thoroughly enjoying every minute. While Spike was taking each of his turns, Buffy planned her next move. Still unsure where exactly this was going, she didn't really care as long as it ended in a bed. Well, the bed was optional. They never needed one before. Ok, so as long as they ended up naked together. Yum, naked Spike - rubbing, stroking, kissing a naked Buffy…

"Slayer?" Buffy was staring at Spike with a glazed look on her face. Buffy’s turn to shift uncomfortably.

"Slayer? It's your shot, luv." As she brushed by him again, he smelled the intoxicating smell of her arousal. What the bloody hell is going on? Not only was the Slayer flirting with him, but she was flirting with him in a public place. The whelp must not be watching or he would have interrupted by now. Spike looked around the club but didn’t see Xander. ‘The boy must be off marking his territory.’

Very undignified for a vamp, Spike jumped a mile when he unexpectedly felt her heat and sweet body against his back, her voice in his ear, "Earth to Spike. Your turn." His next shot sent the cue ball flying off the table and over the balcony. The only advantage of his pathetic playing was Buffy was now leaning over the balcony trying to get someone to throw the ball back up. Spike, of course, stood back and enjoyed the spectacular view her ass again provided.

Cue ball retrieved, Buffy brought it to him. "Spike, how would you set up this next shot?" The next thing he knew he was standing close behind her, point over her shoulder to help her line up the shot. The shot required her to make a bridge with her hands for the cue to avoid hitting another ball illegally. "Show me how..." When she wiggled back against him, Spike had had enough. Slamming both their cues in the holder, he grabbed Buffy and headed for the back exit.

Dbelobelow, Willow and Dawn were doing the happy dance. Xander was watching them with disgust.

Willow was the first to sit back down, "Phase 2 of Operation Matchmaker accomplished, Captain Dawnie. Steps 3 and 4 were highly successful."

Xander's jaw dropped open, "Huh - What operation? And huh, what phase? Again, huh?"

Willow just laughed, "Captaio yoo you want to explain our ingenious plan?"

Dawn turned to face Xander, "Step 3 - get Spike back to Sunnydale. Step 4 - Buffy is nice to Spike."

"And by the looks of Buffy's flirting and their departure," Willow wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, "Phase 3 may be accomplished tonight."

Xander stood up, "I *so* don't want to know what Phase 3 is. Are you both nuts? This is Spike, attempted rape in the bathroom Spike."

Both Dawn and Willow hit him but in opposite shoulders. Willow glared at her best friend, "And you left Anya at the alter to explain your behavior. Not physically, but mentally way too harsh. To beat that, you expected her to shake it off and continue. Just because you are bitter, unhappy, and scared of who you are, doesn't mean you can be cruel to others. Namely, Spike. Buffy and Spike don't have to be as miserable as you or me. If anyone feels that way, it should be me. And I don't. I am happy for them."

Looking at Xander’s now bowed head, Dawn added softly, "Spike's changed, and I know Buffy loves him even if she doesn't know it yet. And he loves her."

Willow grabbed her best friends hand, "You've got to let it go." Knowing he was outnumbered, Xander got up and headed to the bar to get another beer, but still heard Dawn’s next question to Willow, "Do you think they're suck facing yet?"

******

Dawn got it in one. They were currently kissing. Spike had brusquely ushered Buffy out the back exit to the alley and guided her over to a secluded part. Buffy was immediately on him.

Yes, Dawn, they were kissing, but to Buffy’s shock, Spike set her back at a safe distance. "I'm not you lap dog anymore." He couldn’t believe he had done it but was glad. He just wasn’t willing to go down this particular path again. He had changed but he didn’t think she had enough?

Buffy snapped, "Did Africa cure you of me?" With embarrassment and anger rising, Buffy wondered what was wrong with him. This is what he wanted, wasn’t it?

Needing something to do with his hands Spike lit a cigarette. Bullocks, this was not when, where, or how he had planned to have this conversation.

As he paced, Buffy fumed, "Yeah, leaving – always a great answer to your problems."

It was on the tip of his tongue, ‘Look who’s talking,’ but decided against a snarky reply for once. There was alreenouenough fuel on this fire. “I thought it best. Even though I never wanted to hurt you, I still attacked you. In a word, unforgivable.” Spike waved off her reply so he could continue. “I was wrong when I told you that you belong in the dark with me. Truly, pet, you’re a mixture of dark and light. But that’s the funny part, I don’t even belong completely in the dark anymore. We are both unique in our own way and should revel in it instead of fighting each other. Did Africa teach me that? I expect so, and I’m glad for it now.”

“You attacked me and felt remorse. I used you and beat you to a bloody pulp for no good reason. You tried to apologize, but I never did. Maybe I should have been the one to leave.” Buffy took a deep breath. “And I’m sorry. I think I get it now. We are loners, odd balls, never to be normal, but we could be grey colored misfits together.”

Last year, hell, only a few months ago, those words would have sounded like bells from Heaven, but no, not now. “I now know that it would have never worked, luv. I’ve got to have more, and you deserve more. We are too loyal by nature, too monogamous to ever have an extended casual affair kept forever secret and be able to walk away or watch the other walk away later.”

Buffy had never thought about it that way, but knew he was right. Watching him with Anya had hurt too much. She wasn’t sure what to say next. “You’ve hurt me, and I know I’ve hurt you. I pushed you away so many times.”

Spike caught himself both he started babbling about love. “And I meet all my challengers head on, you being the biggest, but being with you now is different. It should be different. I had to learn the hard way, but learn it I did and won’t rush it now. It is worth the wait if we can get this right, for it to last.”

“But it felt right then and right now. I have just been too scared to admit it.”

“Sure, it is safe kissing and shagging with me because you think I am going back to London soon. As safe as telling your secrets to a dead man.”

A thoroughly confused and frustrated Buffy took a swing.

Spike caught the punch before it could connect with his face, “Don’t get me wrong, pet. I would love to spar with you, but I will not be a punching bag ever again because you want to avoid your feelings for me. No more blows in anger between us ever again.” Spike threw her fist back. “It’s got to be all or nothing this time. We hide nothing from no one and that includes the Council of Wankers, the Watcher, the Scoobies, not from anyone, not even each other. But know this also, if we have a go at this again, if you say yes, know that I won’t walk away ever again. I will fight to keep you, and that includes the Platelet.” Spike stopped his pacing and looked her square in the eye, “You’ve got to commit – all or nothing. No half measures until you suss it out. And I don’t think you even know yet.”

Not knowing what to say, Buffy turned and went back in the club. Damn him for always being so right. Who died and made him Dr. Laura? Caught up in her frustration, Buffy walked on out the front entry to patrol and hopefully clear her head.

Not knowing she had left the club completely, Spike stayed outside to finish a cigarette and to let her cool off. Reviewing the argument over in his head, he had figured she had been running out of options. When she got frustrated with him, she either hit him, kissed him, or ran away. The kiss hadn’t worked. He had stopped the hit. So the only option left was to run. When would she learn there was a fourth option – to just love him. Stop fighting it, trust and love him.

Buffy had just entered the first cemetery, mentally arguing with herself. Maybe she should be in a loony bin because Spike’s contradictions were driving her crazy. But who was she to complain about Spike’s contradictions when she was a mass of them herself. Dawn had been absolutely right the other night, her mind versus her body were constantly at odds where Spike was concerned. How many times had she told him she didn’t trust him, but then fell asleep in his presence? How much more trusting was that to completely let down her guard around a Master Vampire? How many times had she told him no and the proceeded to screw him silly? How many times had she told him to leave town and then was hurt when he finally did? How many times had he told her that he loved her but now was acting like he could care less? With that question came the next contradiction which stopped her in her tracks. The Slayer wanted this Slayer of Slayer’s love. This thought floored Buffy. Self realization sucked! She wanted ‘Ignorance Is Bliss-ville’ back.

Annoyed at the prick of pain on her shoulder blade, Buffy grumbled, “Busy. Thinking here.” She sed aed at the mosquito that bit her shoulder, but instead of a lump forming from the insect bite, she found a small dart. “What the hell…?” was all she was able to get out before her world started to spin and vision blacked out. The Slayer she crumpled unconscious on the ground.

TBC…