Love Hurts

Chapter Four.
Buffy pulled back and wiped her eyes."Sorry, I got your shirt soaking wet.I think there's possibly some snot too" she smiled
"S'ok. Not the first time a bird's covered me in it,doubt it'll be the last neither." he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and stroked her cheek clear of a remaining tear.
"Why are you here? I mean, if you don't mind telling me. "

"My Da died when I was young, not sure how, can only just remember him.My Mum did all she could for me but she couldn't cope.She turned to drink to help keep her numb.She lost her job because of it and we struggled.I did my best to earn what I could ,where I could . I came home from school and found her passed out.Nothing unusual about that ,so I went to my job ,packing groceries at the local shop.When I came home she was still in the same place ,same position" . Spike sighed and pulled Buffy closer " I tried to wake her up.She felt cold so I covered her up and went to bed.When I got up for school she was still there ,but she was blue.I called a doctor,they came and examined her and they told me she'd died the day before.Probably was dead when I first saw her on the couch.Choked on her own vomit,they said."

Buffy saw the emotions play behind his eyes , no tears fell , he just held on to her as though she was anchoring him , she reached up and stroked his cheek.Spike smiled sadly and carried on.

"I was bought here and didn't even get to go to my Mums funeral. Not that it was much of one.They sold the house ,didn't get much for it , but it paid off her debts. Been here two years now, I tried to run away ,each time they catch me and Elisabeth locks me up as a punishment.I'll just be glad to get away from here."
"Me too.And I'm sorry about your Mum. "

Spike pulled her in closer still and kissed the top of her head.Thoughts ran wildly through his mind, none making a connection and becoming anything worthy of voicing. For now he was content just to sit here,in the dark and hold Buffy. He felt her shift and snug closer into his side, her head resting on his shoulder, her hand laid on his chest and he knew that he would do anything for her. He closed his eyes ,her breath on his neck had evened out ,telling him that she had fallen asleep.Spike drifted off a few minutes later.

Breakfast had come and gone and there was still no sign of Spike or the new girl,Buffy.Elisabeth paced her office.The police had no joy in finding them and that frustrated her no end.To make matters worse, she was expecting the couple today, how could she tell them that the girl they were most interested in, was missing? Yes, she thought , I'll be glad to see the back of that girl .

Buffy turned over and collided with something that lay next to her. She opened her eyes slowly, allowing them to adjust to the light before she focussed on Spike. At first she was shocked to find him there but then last night came flooding back and she smiled. She raised her head up and looked down her body,his hand was resting on her hip and the other had been her pillow.One leg had been between hers,his head rested on the same arm she had used .While he remained asleep, Buffy took the time to study him.His look screamed danger but in truth ,he was sensitive and caring.His cheekbones were something to envy and his blue eyes reminded her of the ocean , one that she could drown in. His lips were soft and full and when they had brushed against her neck, she had felt a shiver run down her whole body,not that she had taken the time to register that at the time. With light touches, Buffy ran her hand down his chest ,it was hard ,muscular but not overly so . She pulled at her lip with her teeth and her hand strayed to his stomach.It wasn't just his chest that was nicely formed.Her eyes drifted down lower and she saw the bulge that grew under her gaze.Her eyes shot back to Spikes face and she gasped when she was met by his bluer than blue eyes.

"Having fun pet?"
Buffy instantly pulled away and stammered out an apology.Spike could have kicked himself , he had scared her and now she was caught between staying and fleeing. He reached out and caught her hand, stopping her babbling apologies and holding her in his gaze.

"I'm sorry if I spooked you love,didn't mean to.It's not everyday I wake to find a gorgeous girl by my side ."

Buffy smiled ,a little and sat back down . "I guess we'll be in trouble for this , I'm sorry for getting you caught up in my problems"
"Don't fret, I've been in worse shit than this,believe me.She probably thinks we've run away" Buffy looked back into his eyes and they stared at each other for what seemed like forever. Spike pulled her close to him and felt the tension ease from her body." Can we stay like this a while longer, we're going to get punished regardless, may as well make it worth it" He felt her nod against his chest.

It was now getting late in the morning and the couple were due any minute .Buffy was still missing and Elisabeth was frantic. If she messed up this meeting then Mr O'Connor would hold back his sizable ' donations ' , not to mention what he could possibly do to her.Letting him down was not an option she had.


"Say we go someday, to London, where would we stay?" she asked
"Don't know. We'd find some old Victorian house with boarded up windows and make it ours. We'd do it up,bit by bit and ...."
He felt her sadden and stopped. "What is it ,pet? Don't like that idea?"
"No, no , I do " she hurried to say "It's just.... well my parents... they were well off. I'll inherit a small fortune , so you see, we wouldn't have that to worry about." her voice was tinged with sadness.
"Tell you what princess, we'll still find that dilapidated old house and we'll still do it up, make it ours."
"I like the sound of that" she cheered a little at the thought.

Neither of them cared that they had known each other , really known each other, for such a short period of time. Buffy could see that making plans to run away with a boy she hardly knew was crazy,but being there, in his arms, feeling safe ,made her forget logic, forget sensibilities and seize it with both hands.She had no-one , not to lean on or take comfort in and here he was ,holding her,willing to give her what she craved.
Spike breathed in the scent of her hair and smiled.This girl was willingly making plans to run with him.To go somewhere and it just be the two of them.No-one to interfere , no-one to tell them they were wrong and to split them apart .Just them. He hardly knew her, true , but he felt it, they were kindred spirits.Of course his insecurities told him that this was nothing but pipe dreams, that she wouldn't go with him and that this was just talk. He breathed in deeply and tried to push away his negative thoughts .Was he being a fool for love again? Hoping that Buffy would feel the same way ?

"You mean it don't you ,love? That we'll go as soon as we can,and leave this hell hole?"

Buffy looked down at her lap . Would she? She hated it here but it was better than being out on the streets. Then there was the foster family that was coming to see her today...... crap! Buffy looked down to see if he as wearing a watch ,not seeing one she glanced around the room and saw no clock either.

"Crap, Elisabeth will skin me alive.I was supposed to be viewed by a couple today.Shit what time is it?" she scrambled up and out of Spikes arms.He got up a moment after she had.Buffy straightened her clothes and ran her fingers through her hair. Spikes heart sank to his shoes ,she hadn't answered him and with the way she was acting now, he knew her answer. Sadly, he opened the door and walked down the hall.Buffy noticed he had left as she looked to where he had been and then to the now open door.
"Nice one Summers " Buffy huffed at herself and her predicament and made her way back down to Elisabeth's office.

Buffy sped down the hall and past a group of girls, Faith and her girls were a part of them.Buffy heard Faiths voice bellow "There's the dirty stop out,what ya reckon girls, think Spike give it to her good?" The other girls laughed .Buffy closed her eyes and shook her head until Harmony said something to stop her in her tracks.

"I bet he did, she's his type, needy and heartbroken.Every girl he's ever gone for has been just like her.You'd think he would have learned by now after what happened with Cecily"
Amy sniggered " Well you didn't complain when he was giving it to you Harm.... all we heard was 'oh Spike ,you're sooooo big"

Buffy wiped the tears from her eyes and carried on towards the office,the last thing she heard was Faith telling the girls to quit it and that Buffy was about to face Elisabeth. The girls all quietened.

Buffy sucked air in over her teeth and hesitantly knocked on Elisabeth's door.The door was snatched open and a furious looking Elisabeth stood glaring.
"Get in here Summers" the door slammed shut behind her and Buffy edged her way to the chair.

"Don't you dare sit down! Now you tell me where the hell you were last night and for the most part of today" Buffy's mouth flapped open and shut,unsure of what to say ,Buffy shrugged.Elisabeth drew back her hand and it connected with Buffy's cheek. Buffy clutched her cheek as she sat on the floor, having been knocked there by the forceful slap.

"You were with Spike weren't you?Did that wretched boy take advantage? Did you fornicate?" she screamed . Buffy could feel her anger rising .This woman was unbelievable! Slowly Buffy stood.She took her hand from her face and stared.
"No we did not, not that it is any of your business. " she took a step towards Elisabeth "You ever raise your hand to me again and so help me god, I'll make you pay" Buffy didn't wait for the wardens reaction, she left the office leaving the door open . She had to find Spike and apologize for the way she had acted this morning and to tell him that ,yes, she would go with him and the sooner , the better.