Central Perk

Buffy opened her eyes slowly. She was curled up on the sofa, partially covered by the same red chenille throw that Spike had used the previous evening. She could feel that her eyes were puffy and red. She sat up quickly when she heard noise coming from the bathroom. Spike stepped out into the living room holding a washcloth in his hands. He smiled warmly when he saw her awake and looking at him.

“Hey there.” Spike greeted her as he walked over to the sofa. “Here you go,” he said as he handed her the damp washcloth. “Saw you stirring, thought that might help.”

“Thanks,” Buffy forced a weak smile as she took the cloth from him. She raised it and slowly began to wash the remnants of her tears from her face and eyes. The cool rag was soothing and she couldn’t help but sigh with relief when it came in contact with her skin. When she was finished she folded it into her lap.

“Better then?” Spike asked taking the washcloth from her and returning it to the bathroom.

“A little,” she replied meekly. She sat up bringing both of her legs under her as she did. “Spike?”

Spike was heading back into the living room when he heard her call out to him, “Yeah luv?”

Buffy was fiddling with a piece of fringe on the end of the throw when Spike came around and sat in front of her, perching himself on the coffee table. “How did I get to the couch?”

Spike sighed and took both of Buffy’s hands in his, “I carried you. You were pretty upset.”

Buffy nodded, “I was hoping it had been a dream.” She had to pause as she felt another lump form in her throat. She looked down when her eyes began to water. “I guess it wasn’t.”

Spike took her chin in his hands and raised her face to look at him. “No pet it wasn’t a dream” He began to trace his thumb along her cheek and continued, “but it’s going to be okay.” She replied with a tearful nod and a half smile.

Spike stood quickly and clapped his hands together. “Now,” he said with a smile on his face. “I’m going to go into that kitchen and cook us a fabulous dinner. Whaddaya fancy pet?”

Buffy laughed at Spike as he stood there like a butler awaiting his orders. “You really don’t have to do that Spike. I’ll just order a pizza or something.”

Spike wrinkled his face in mock offense. “Bollocks! I make a far better pizza than any of the poncey places around here. Just let me run across the hall to grab a few things that I’m sure Red doesn’t have.” He pointed to her as he walked towards the door, “Do not move.”

***
Five minutes later Spike walked back into Willow’s apartment carrying several plastic bags filled with groceries he’d taken from his kitchen. He stopped in the doorway when he saw Buffy standing at the sink running warm water over a frying pan and putting it into the dishwasher. She had already removed the clean dishes and had the washer almost completely full with dirty ones from the sink. He quietly laid his things down by the still open door and made his way over to her.

“He’s going to cook me dinner, the least I can do is the dishes.” Buffy thought to herself as she placed Willow’s large frying pan in the dishwasher. “I hope all of this stuff is dishwasher safe.” Buffy had just begun to rinse a dinner plate when she felt a hand reach around her waist.

“I thought I told you not to move.” He whispered into her ear.

“I…I just wanted to,” Buffy started to shiver at his low tone and her voice wavered.
Sensing her apprehension Spike released her from his hold. “It’s okay pet, just jo...”

As soon as she felt Spike loosen his grip Buffy moved away from the sink and turned to face him. “No problem,” she dried her hands on her jeans. “I just thought that I’d try to be of some help. I didn’t mean to…”

“Hey,” Spike held his hands up in surrender as he interrupted her. “No worries luv, just playing a joke is all. Come with me.” He took her hand and began to lead her to the bathroom. When they reached the door he ushered her inside. “You have a nice relaxing soak and by the time you’re done I’ll have dinner all ready you won’t have to worry about a thing.”


“Spike,” Buffy turned to face him, still standing in the doorway, “You don’t have to do this.”

“I really do luv. You see my pizza crust is a secret family recipe. You could watch me make it but then I’d have to kill you and then my whole night would be shot.” He winked at her as she moved to close the door.

She laughed as she watched him through the now cracked door, “So what you’re really thinking about is yourself?”

“Of course,” came his muffled reply from behind the now closed door.

***

Almost an hour later when the door to the bathroom opened again Buffy was welcomed with the soft glow of candlelight and delicious smells coming from the kitchen. She found Spike decorating Willow’s kitchen table with a red checked tablecloth and a vase with two, very large plastic flowers. Focused on his task he did not notice Buffy when turned around and went back into the kitchen to retrieve a small pail of ice that held a bottle of what she assumed must be some sort of wine, and placed it on the table as well. As she got closer to the table however, she realized that the bottle was ing ing more than a two liter of Coca-Cola. She also noticed the dishes he had placed on the table were nothing more than paper plates and clear plastic cups sat readily next to the bucket. Buffy couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face at his effort. “Is all of this for me?”

Spike jumped slightly when her heard her small voice interrupt the stillness of the apartment. He spun around and was stricken by the site of her. She had her hair pulled back iclipclip with only a few strands falling around her face. She was wearing a pink fluffy robe, no doubtedly Willow’s, and the bright fabric contrasted beautifully with the tan skin of legs, neck and arms. He moved quickly to pull her chair out and motioned for her to sit down. “All for you pet.” Buffy nodded in thanks as she took the seat he had offered her. She reached for one of the cups to begin pouring the drinks but her batted her hands away. “Ah, Ah! I’ll do that you just sit there.” He pulled the Bottle of coke out of the ice and opened it quickly grandly smelling the top of the bottle. “Ahhh,” he breathed, “A rare vintage.”

Buffy was laughing out loud as she took her neatly folded paper towel out from under her plastic silverware and put it in her lap. She looked at Spike who had returned to the kitchen to retrieve the remainder of the food. “Classy,” she muttered between giggles.

He winked at her as he placed a large pizza pan on the multicolored trivet located in the center of the table, then took his seat directly across from her and began to pour their drinks. “I tried to make it as authentic as possible. I didn’t think Red would appreciate me messing up all of her good stuff so I improvised. Plus, bonus, hardly any clean up.”

“You can’t argue with thogicogic.” Buffy took the plate Spike offered her and began to cut into her pizza with her knife and fork. She looked up and again was struck with laughter so hard it brought tears to her eyes. Spike had just taken a bite from the largest piece of pizza on the plate. Cheese connected his mouth to the slice he still held in his hand, while a small dribble of grease dripped down his chin. Her laughter continued when she watched him try to rescue a falling pepperoni and got even more cheese stuck to his fingers.

“Whaaa?” Spike asked as he tried to conceal the contents in his mouth.

Buffy contained her laughter long enough to look at him, “Keep going and you could spin a web.”

Spike finally got a hold of hapkiapkin to wipe off his hands, and remove the offending cheese from his mouth. Once his hands were decently clean he promptly shot Buffy a bird and continued to eat.

***

“Spike, that was amazing.” Buffy sighed as she observed the lack of leftovers sitting on the small kitchen table. “Where did you learn how to cook like th

“Well, I was unemployed for over two months about a year ago and during that time developed a definite appreciation for cooking shows and daytime television. Also, I live with Xander, so I had to learn to cook.”

“Why “had to”?”

He gaped at her “Have you ever tasted Xander’s cooking? Dogs won’t eat it.” Spike gulped down the rest of his wine and stood quickly. “You want a refill pet?” He asked her holding up the bottle of wine suggestively.

“No, I’m good.”

Spike nodded, “Right then, time to tidy up a bit.”

“Well,” Buffy stood and began to gather her plate cup and used cutlery, “I’ll help you.”

“No you won’t.” Spike took the plate away from her and began to make his way towards the trash.

“Spike it’s the least I could do, you cooked this amazing dinner and all I did was show up and eat.”

Spike sighed hanging his head in defeat. “Look if you really want something to do, que up a movie and we’ll watch it when I get done here.”

“Agree to let me make popcorn and you’ve got a deal.”

Spike snapped his head in her direction, “Okay, now I’m offended. You’re telling me that you still want popcorn? How is that supposed to make a bloke feel? It’s because I didn’t make desert isn’t it?”

If Buffy hadn’t known he was kidding she would have genuinely felt bad at his heart broken look. “Okay, sorry,” she said holding up her hands in defeat. “I didn’t know I was going to make you cry. I’ll live without the popcorn.”

“I was not going to cry,”

“Oh you know you we’re to”

“Was not.”

“Was to”

“Here,” Spike exclaimed handing her a fresh glass of wine, “Clearly I haven’t gotten you nearly drunk enough because you’re still talking.”

Buffy took the wine and sipped it quickly before saying, “at least I’m not crying.” She laughed as she dodged a dishrag flying towards her head.

***

“So do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really, this is the worst movie I’ve ever seen. What was it called again?” Buffy asked never looking away from the screen.

“The movie is called Glitter and that’s not what I was talking about.” Spike replied eyeing her carefully. “You know for someone who thinks this is “the worst movie she’s ever seen” you sure can’t seem to tear your eyes away.”

“It’s like a car accident.” Buffy replied still watching the television. You know that you shouldn’t look, that it’s something horrid and terrible, but you can’t tear your eyes away.

Spike chuckled, “Funny pet, and really not what I was talking about.”

Buffy sighed before she turned the movie off, “I know, you’re talking about earlier, when I was so upset. You want to know why.”

“Only what you want to tell me pet.”

She turned to face him before saying, “If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather not just now. Family stuff, and honestly I’m still trying to make heads or tails of it myself.”

Spike laid his hand lightly on top of Buffy’s and said, “When you’re ready, I’ll be here.”