Who is Who ((COMPLETED))

Chapter 6, Surprises Abound
*So* not wanting to wake up. Buffy stretched with relish, enough to make any feline proud, and then actually purred when she thought about the previous night’s dream. If that was a Slayer’s Dream, she’d take two, please!! But Dawn had to go to school so she rolled out of bed.

Seeing that her sister was already downstairs, big shock there, she was met with the delicious smells of breakfast drifting up the stairs as she went down. Willow must be feeling guilty again. Not only had she cooked dozens of cookies to help alleviate her guilt, but had moved on to entrees, not just desserts. Well, she should feel guilty. “Will, I…”

But the sight in the kitchen brought her up to a complete halt. Frozen to the spot, she slowly took in the site of her best friend, not busy at the stove, but sitting comfortably at the table sipping coffee with a small smile on her face. Granted the smile was small, no teeth showing, but as mas more of a smile than she had seen on her friend in a while. And if Buffy did not know better, she could hear Willow starting to hum the theme to the Twilight Zone.

Willow glanced up and smiled at her, now giving a flash of white, “Hey, Buff.”

“Hey,” was all Buffy could say since she was now distracted by the sight of her sister fixing an elaborate breakfast of pancakes, fruit, juice, and other items that were highly questionable. Buffy blinked a few times just in case she was still dreaming. Nope, it was her sister making all domestic-y.
Seeing her sister enter the kitchen, Dawn quickly brought a glass of juice to Buffy.

But as the shock began to wear off, suspicion began to set in. Buffy didn’t need Slayer’s senses to know something was up with this hormonal teenager. “Dawn, what do you want this time?” giving her best Buffy in Charge look.

Dawn continued to bustle around the kitchen, “Buffy, how many pancakes do you want?”

“Dawn…”

Willow decided to meddle just a little, good naturedly of course. “Dawn was just showing me her progress notice from summer school.”

As Buffy took it, now knowing she had found the reason behind the chipper teenager cooking instead of the sullen teenager mad about attending summer school to make up a lost Algebra credit. However Buffy received her third shock of the morning when she saw the 91 next to “Algebra”, and yes, that was Dawn’s name at the top. She checked. Stunned, she just starred at Willow, trying to give her ‘what’s up with that’ look which Willow returned with a shrug and continued to sip her coffee. Buffy knew Dawn was capable of a 91, easy, but that it just wasn’t a priority. Too many creepy crawlies in Sunnydale much more interesting than homework.

Dawn rushed over to set a full plate in front of Buffy, then sat down, also. After watching Buffy take her first couple of bites, “Buffy, I am passing my class, today is Friday so I don’t have school tomorrow, my room is clean, I did my laundry – CanIpatrolwithyoutonight?” The last coming out in a rush.

Now this was the Dawn Buffy knew. With a sigh of relief, she started to answer but then thought again looking at Willow. “Depends…I thought you would rather work on your computer. In fact, I asked Willow to look into your email. So Willow, what is going on?”

Subtle as a sledge hammer. Before Dawn could even start her indignant rant, Willow put a hand on her arm, giving a slight squeeze. “Dawn, Buffy asked me to check because she was concerned.” Squeezing Dawn’s arm harder to keep her silent, Willow continued. Addressing her friend, “Buffy, the emails are harmless. Friends kinda stuff with a new pen pal, a friend of Giles. Giles hooked her up with a friend who can help with the Algebra.” Ok, that was putting it on a little thick…

Now catching on, Dawn thought she would help. “Yah, his name is Will, and Giles suggested we talk. Pen pal-y. He’s great! He says I should work hard in school…”

Sensing the conversation was about to get out of hand, Willow intervened. “Dawnie, how about we practice driving today. I been a slacker the last couple of weeks, but I thought I could drive you to school, and then after school, you could drive us back home.”

Not believing her luck, Dawn quickly agreed. “That would be terrific! We could even drive to the mall later to, um, practice in the parking lot.” As she and Willow made a hasty retreat from the kitchen, Dawn remember her original purpose for the morning. “Buff, can I *please* go on patrol.” Adding her best puppy dog eyes for good measure. When she heard the “ok,”, she yelped with glee and left the kitchen in a swirl of long, brown hair. She had to get out of the house before Buffy changed her mind.

Willow was waiting for her. “You owe me one,” she said with a smile.

“Big time.” How easily alliances can be formed, and how surprised a certain bleach blonde vamp would be that it was over him. It was truly a day for surprises.

*****

“You should have seen me drive today. I only hit four curbs this time, and Willow hit only two, but she really nailed that trash can.”

“Would you please stop yapping all the time. It is so distracting.” It was Buffy’s turn to whine, and Dawn’s turn to roll her eyes, but little sis didn’t complain. Buffy was letting her patrol. So she bit her lip trying to quell her nervous tendency to babble.

Suddenly, Buffy stopped. Her Slayer senses on yellow alert.

“Are you getting that tingly feeling, oh, Spiderwoman?” Dawn looked around, trying to feel what her sister felt.

“Why not a fledgling or two? Something simple, but noooo. Dawn, get behind me. This one is no new dirt digger.” But then, the Slayer’s senses soared to red alert. She could feel vampires from all sides. Great! And Dawn was here, too.

Making sure Dawn had a stake and that they were back to back, the fight began. The one in front of the Slayer attacked first. Trying to help Buffy and her own odds, Dawn took on the smallest of the four. As Buffy knocked the first vamp to the ground with a round-house punch, she took on the two others that were coming from either side. Buffy punched one in the nose with lightening speed as she lashed backwards with a sharp kick to the chest, knocking the other vamp back easily 15 feet. She had thought there were a total of five vamps out there, but Dawn had taken on only one which would make the fourth. She chanced a look at Dawn, but what worried her the most was that she couldn’t spot the fifth vamp. *So* not the moment for a time out, Buffy went back to work. Her three opponents didn’t have the good sense to stay down, or better yet, run.

Dawn was not faring as well. She had drawn the smallest vamp, but he sounded the cockiest, verbally toying with her all the while. Dawn did get in two big hits to his face, but the vamp just laughed, causing her to drop her stake and back away. Now Dawn was starting to become truly afraid. “What’s the matter, little girl? Not the mini-slayer you thought you were, are ya? But, ummm, you smell so delicious, and nice of you to wear a shirt with easy neck access. Great choice for the occasion. Blue looks so good on you, but so will red.”

Dawn could see Buffy out of the corner of her eye under attack again by the other 3 vampires. She was giving it to them good, but they were still coming back for more. Dawn looked around frantically for her weapon, any weapon for that matter. When she looked back at her attacker, preparing to use her fists, the vampire was no longer staring at her neck but slightly above her right shoulder. Still slowly backing up, Dawn bumped into a solid wall of cold muscle. “Great, now I am a sandwich for you blood suckers. My sister is going to be SO pissed!”

“Having fun, Nibblet?” she heard a low, familiar voice in her ear. Before she could even answer, Dawn felt herself lifted up to sit out of the way on the top of a near by tomb. “Mind if I take a turn?”
Spike joined the fray, shifting into game face. “Now, whelp, how about we have a go, or are you just going to bluster all night? I haven’t had a good fight for a bit. Been traveling, y’know, and I’m due.” In a flurry of moves faster than Dawn could follow, Spike quickly dispatched the first cocky vamp.
Giving Dawn a quick snarky grrh and a wink, Spike came up behind another vamp who was circling behind Buffy, lifting him so his feet dangled above the ground. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Now you need to wait your turn, mate. The Slayer will be with you in a minute.”

Buffy staked one vampire while knocking the other one towards Spike and his new captive.
Still fighting on the other two, Buffy had temporarily frozen at the sound of that voice only heard in her dreams lately but fast found herself knocked on her ass. Promptly recovering, she tackled one adversary to the ground. “I don’t need any help from an out-of-towner.” She drove the stake in and was soon only sitting on a pile of dust. Getting up, she kicked the other vamp in the face sending him towards Spike.

“S’ok, just managing the substitutions for you. And mate, I think you are in.” Spike shoved his captive towards Buffy while snagging her vamp that was stumbling by. “Throw me another stake this way, would you, pet? They tend to frown on those being brought on airplanes now a days.”

“Here, but I’m not you pet!” Staking her vamp for emphasis.

“God, I love a spot of violence after a long trip. Gets the kinks out! Well, hopefully not all the kinks.” As his opponent turned to dust, Dawn chose that moment to launch herself off the tomb into Spike, laughing excitedly the whole way. “Oof, don’t hold back, Nibblet.” But after a moment’s startled hesitation, “What a welcome!”

Buffy was meanwhile taking the opportunity to adjust her clothing and straighten out her hair the best she could while Dawn and Spike continued to play wrestle on the ground. Having sufficiently recovered some poise from this newest surprise of the day, she attempted to gain their attention. “I said I’m not your pet.”

“Hello to you, too, Slayer.” Helping Dawn get up, he continued. “What would you prefer? Dog? Cat?”

Conspiratorially joining in as they headed towards Revello Drive, Dawn added, “How about a Siamese or a Blue Russian?”

“ ‘Tabby.” Maybe a ‘Pomeranian’. They’re yippy like your big sis.”

Looking back at Buffy, Dawn caught her primping again. “Nah, her hair isn’t that frizzy.” Bulls-eye from the look on Buffy’s face.

“Very funny. Ha, Ha.” Buffy purposefully left her hair alone.

About a block from the house, Buffy was relieved to hear the conversation change. “Cor, Slayer. What is this town coming to? I went to my storage space to get my car, and it was gone. Nothing, not even a bloody thank you note. Can you believe it? Sodding stolen. I’ve had that car for years, and it doesn’t even survive Sunneyhell.”

Dawn giggled and Buffy just shrugged her shoulders giving Spike her best innocent look.
Spike stopped short coming up to the Summer’s house. There was the DeSoto sitting in the driveway.

“My car!” turning to glare at Buffy.

“Don’t look at me, I don’t drive it.”

“Look at all the new dents and scratches! Brat?”

Dawn smiled sweetly, “Sorry? You said you weren’t coming back, and I wanted to learn to drive. Buffy wouldn’t let me use Mom’s SUV. She said I would probably wreck it.” Oops, wrong thing to say. Definitely diversion time. Moving right along, “Willow is home. Don’t you want to say hello to her?”

Looking in the driver’s window horrified, “Platelet, how did you get it started?”

“Remember, I saw you hot-wire a motorcycle, and you always said I was a fast learner. You were such a great teacher.”

It was Buffy’s turn to glare and Spike’s to look uncomfortable. “Well, then, uh, who was teaching you to drive? The Slayer?”

“Me,” Willow said as she walked out onto the front porch. “Hi, Spike, how’s London?” she asked while trying to appear as if nothing was amiss.

Stunned, Spike turned towards Willow. “You? YOU can’t even drive!”

“Well, I figured we could learn together. You told me to move on…Willow. Car. Ergo: moving.”

“Willow,” the Slayer interrupted, “how did you know he was in London?” Putting two and two together, the then swung around to glare at Dawn. “Will? Your pen-pal’s name is Will? And London? I am going to kill Giles!” With that, she stormed into the house, slamming the door.

After the monumental bang passed, Spike turned his attention to Willow, with his sincerity evident, “Good to see you, Red. How are you?”

“Good to be seen,” giving him a quick hug, “and I am just taking it a day at a time.”

Tugging on his arm, Dawn asked, “Are you back to stay?”

Spike shook his head, “No, found out that there are some nasties headed Sunneyhell way. Just came to help. Guess we need to have one of those meetings you guys are so fond of and hash it out before they hit town.”

Willow was instantly alert. “Ok, we can meet inside as soon as I can get Xander…”

“No,” Spike answered firmly. He knew he just couldn’t make himself walk through that door, not wanting to find out if they had revoked his invitation which they bloody should have. “I take it the Magic Box is temporarily out of order.”

Willow studied her shoes fully understanding Spike’s feelings. She ed ted to enter the Magic Box about as much as he wanted to go anywhere near the Summer’s bathroom. Bad memories were hard to walk into.

Thank goodness for Dawn who came up with the solution. “How about the Bronze tomorrow night? We could meet and plan before patrol. Celebrate Spike’s return.”

“I don’t know about the celebration, but good idea, Platelet.”

Relieved, “I’ll call Xander and tell him,” Willow added earning her an eye roll and mumbling from Spike.

Dawn may have been technically older than them all, but she was still a teenager. Racing for the door, “Dibs on the phone first. I’ve got to call Janice. I’m dying for her to meet Spike. The Bronze’s is so perfect. Buffy can’t object to any of my friends accidentally on purpose being there.”

*****

After agreeing with Willow on a time to meet the next night, Spike left. The Slayer stopped him down the street out of view of the house. He could feel her approach, smell her unique scent. “What do you want, Spike? What are you really doing here?” Ah, nothing like a trip down memory lane, he thought, before pushing old, sad memories away.

“A truce, slayer. Call your watcher if you don’t believe me.” He paused, taking a deep breath, “What I did the last time I saw you here was wrong, and even I know there will never be forgiveness. In fact, there shouldn’t be. All I have come here for is a temporary truce to help. Little Bit and me, we have already made our peace, and Willow and I are making progress. Besides, Giles, Your Watcher, wants me to help. They are at least starting to trust me, and I don’t intend to let any of them down this time. After we are done, I’ll leave. That simple.”

Buffy cocked her head doubtfully while he started a cigarette, “Nothing with you, Spike, thatthat* simple.”

Spike smirked at that. How familiar everything was, so easy to slip back into old patterns. But not this time. “I have a good gig in London now. The Council pays me well. Who would have ever thought? Look, pet, I have no intentions of staying, and I’ll be gone before you know it.”

Buffy looked at him fully in the eyes for the first time since he had returned sustaining his equally intense gaze. After some long moments, her own eyereadreadable, she nodded once, and they turned to walk their separate ways.

Spike finally let out the breath that he was holding, as if he even needed it. Unable to stop himself, Spike turned back. He had always liked to watch her move, even if it was to walk away. As he finally walked away himself, he wondered if she had believed him or if he fully believed himself.

*****

Later at the Summer’s house, Buffy lay limply on her bed, clad only in a light robe, unable to sleep. She kept telling herself it was just the usually hot weather keeping her up. After more tossing and turning, she trudged down to the kitchen, made a tall glass of ice water, and went to sit on the back step hoping to enjoy a breeze.

Buffy felt him coming towards her more than she heard it. She could always tell when a vamp was close, but Spike always felt slightly different.

Kneeling in front of her, he wordlessly took a piece of ice out of her glass and soothingly stroked along the curve of her neck. Cool streams of water worked their way erotically down under her robe as the ice traveled across her hot skin. Slowly the ice made its way further down, sweeping the robe off one shoulder, dipping across the top of one breast. A deep throated moan escaped her as kisses began to follow the ice’s path.

A different kind of heat, heady and bold, surged through her body as she felt his cool, wonderfully talented mouth move down neckneck, then along her shoulder. As the ice crossed lower over her other breast, his mouth captured the first taut nipple, gently suckling. A tremor passed through the length of her body making her want to satisfy the building need, wanting to take it further, but unable to break the pure pleasure washing through her, unable to lift even a hand, afraid to break the spell. The trembling began in earnest as she felt his other hand make light, leisurely patterns, gradually making its way up her inner thigh.

Buffy woke with a start, breathless and wanting, as the sound of Dawn fumbling in the bathroom startled her from her dream. Damn, only one night back in town, and her dreams were already leaving her aching. Why did this blonde temptation have to be so … so damn tempting? She lay there absolutely still, wonng ing if a cold shower worked on women the same as it did on men. Or better yet, if she went back to sleep, maybe she could finish the dream.


TBC