Aftermath

Disclaimers: The usual blah blah blah that we all know.

A/N: I'm not above beging. AFF is allowing reviews to be posted again, so please, be kind and review! Spufiness is coming, you just have to be patient with me.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Buf Buffy walked along the sidewalk slowly, doing a bit of window shopping after meeting Dawn for lunch. It had been almost a week since the song dedication on the radio, or anything else that made her thing Spike was still alive. Slowly she was going back to being hopeful, but not really letting herself think he could be alive. She smiled slightly, pausing to look in the window of her favorite little antique shop. The owner, Mary, had a lovely display of old fashioned music boxes in the window. The door opened with the cheerful tinkling of a bell and Buffy stepped into the softly lit shop.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite customer!" Mary smiled cheerfully, coming around the counter to hug Buffy. Smiling warmly, Buffy returned the hug. "Hello Mary. Just met Dawn for lunch and decided to stop in and look around and talk to you.” The elderly woman smiled. "It's always a pleasure to have you visit dear. Don't you look pretty today!" She stepped back, admiring Buffy's long sleeved black shirt, knee length purple and black plaid skirt, black shoes with a bit of a heel. "Purple is a lovely color on you dear. You look around a bit and I'll put on some water for tea and get you some scones, fresh baked this morning." Buffy nodded, smiling. Mary always reminded her of a smaller Mrs. Doubtfire. She wandered around the shop, fingers lightly trailing over a few things here and there. As always she was drawn to anything Victorian, the objects always made her feel closer to Spike.

"Well, this is new." Carefully she ran her hands over the smooth, inlaid wood of the large box, lifting the lid with a smile. "Oh, I get it, it's an oversized music box. Cool." Carefully she turned the handle, watching the copper colored disc move in a slow circle as the notes tinkled out. "I know this song.... what is it........" Suddenly her eyes widened with the realization that the music playing was My Heart Will Go On from Titanic. She blinked back tears, not wanting to be a complete mess when Mary came from in back. "It's a beautiful song, isn't it dear." Mary smiled, gently laying a hand on Buffy's arm. Nodding slowly Buffy closed her eyes. "You're thinking of your young man again, aren't you. Has there been anything else happen lately?" Shaking her head Buffy sighed raggedly. "No, nothing. Maybe it was all wishful thinking. He liked this song, of course he had to say he didn't so he wouldn't come off as a poof or something, but I know he liked it. How did you get this thing to play it? I know the music box itself is original, everything you sell is, but the song is new." Mart nodded. "That's simple to explain dear. It seems the new discs the company is making for the reproductions, fit the original as well." Gently, Mary patted Buffy's hand. "Leave that playing. The tea should almost be ready. Why don't you have a seat and we'll talk more once I bring the tea out.

Mary hummed softly as she placed two delicate china tea cups and a matching tea pot on a silver tray along with a plate of still warm scones. "How is she?" The soft voice startled her, almost making her drop one of the cups. "Now how many times do I have to tell you, it's not polite to sneak up on an old woman like that! She's not having a good time of it right now. The song upset her." She turned, her soft brown eyes fixeing on the young man standing near her.

"And it's very bad form of you to not give her anything for over a week. I have half a mind to tell her you're back here." Sighing he shook his head. "Mary, don't. I'm sorry. It just hasn't worked. You know how much trouble I was in for what I've already done. I got to lay low for a bit ‘til things settle down." Sighing she nodded. "Well, I suppose you're right. I'm not a very good influence, am I. Here I'm supposed to be keeping an eye on you and should have sent you back and I haven't done it." Smiling she patted his cheek gently. "Age does have its privileges my dear boy. You just leave things to me." A smile lit his eyes as he hugged her. "You're a saint." Laughing she swatted his arm. "I'm far from it and you know that but a compliment is a compliment. I'm a meddling old woman, and they can just stuff their blasted timeline. I'm the one who's supposed to bokinoking after you so I say it's up to me. Now you just me me handle them and you think of something nice to do for her to make up for this past week." He nodded meekly, a mischievous and teasing sparkle to his eyes. "Yes Gram. Whatever you say, I'll do just that." Laughing she picked up the tray. "For, once, you really should."

Mary smiled, setting the ornate silver tray down on a small table. "Here we are dear, sorry I took so long, I forgot to turn the stove on to heat the water. Getting absent minded in my old age. Now, tell me more about your young man. You obviously still love him a great deal." Buffy nodded. "I do, more than ever. I just wish he was here to know that." Mary smiled, nodding. "I'm sure he knows dear, wherever he is. You've got to have patience and not give up hope. It seems to me that you two were meant to be together. Things have a way of working themselves out. You two were meant to be together and so you shall. Just have to give it some time. I thought I'd lost my dear Edward for sure in the war, but he came back to me and mark my words, so will your William."

Buffy sighed. "Thank you Mary. Somehow, I always feel better, more hopeful that Spike's still alive out there when I talk to you." "Well it's good to know I'm good for something!" Mary laughed warmly. "Now, I want no arguments from you young lady, you're to take that music box home with you, or I can have it sent over later. I had no intention of selling it ry. Iy. It might as well be enjoyed and cared for than sit here collecting dust. I won't take no for an answer young lady." Buffy's shoulders slumped in defeat. "All right, I'll take it with me, but only because you insist."

"Who'd have thought such a sweet lil ol' lady could be as sneaky an' underhanded as me........" He chuckled softly, watching the two talk and listening to the conversation. Mary was right, something needed to be done and today too. Maybe a walk would clear his head and give him some ideas. Reluctantly he turned, going out the back door silently.

Buffy smiled, writing down the address of the house for the deliveryman. "Thank you for everything Mary. Especially the music box. I really should get home before someone starts to worry and they form a search party to look for me." She laughed, shaking her head. "I'll come by again soon, I promise." Mary nodded. "You're always welcome here Buffy. Anytime you need a cup of tea and someone to talk to, I'm here. Now it looks like it’s going to rain. Best be on your way. I don't want you catching a cold." Buffy hugged her gently. "All right I'm going I'm going." Smiling she stepped outside, shivering slightly at the sudden chill in the air and the loud crack of thunder. "If you don't like the weather around here, wait a few minutes." She muttered to herself, hurrying toward home without noticing she was being followed at a distance.


A/N: Again, be kind and review, please.