ONE NORMAL LIFE / TWO EXTRAORDINARY LIVES
folder
BtVS AU/AR › Het - Male/Female › Buffy/Spike(William)
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
210
Views:
11,346
Reviews:
182
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
BtVS AU/AR › Het - Male/Female › Buffy/Spike(William)
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
210
Views:
11,346
Reviews:
182
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BtVS), nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
ON THE ROAD
CHAPTER 65 - ON THE ROAD
The alarm went off at 5:00am, causing Buffy to groan, as she mumbled, "Hit the snooze, hit the snooze."
William was still mostly asleep, snoring quietly.
"Ug," she moaned, leaning over him to hit the snooze button.
Still asleep, his arms went around her, pulling her close to him. She smiled, and settled on his chest for a few more blissful minutes of sleep and closeness.
In what only seemed like seconds, rather than minutes, the alarm once again went off.
"Damnit!" she said, turning it off for real this time. Xander had wanted to be on the road at 5:30am. That gave her and William only 20 minutes to get up and out.
"William," she said.
"Huh?" he mumbled, in his sleep.
"We have to get up. It's after 5 and we only have 20 minutes before we're supposed to leave.
He groaned, opening his eyes. He pulled her toward him and kissed her.
She broke the kiss of after a minute, "I'm sorry. We have to get up. Afraid there's no time for that this morning," she said.
He stuck out his lower lip, pouting, "Oooo."
"Yeah, me, too, but we really have to get going. I can hear the others already.
"Buffy, William, rise and shine!" Dawn said at their door.
"We're up, just getting up," she answered.
"See?" she said to William.
"I know."
The night before, they had made love once more, staying up later than they should have. Buffy decided they could perhaps sleep during some of the trip the following day. Heck, she or William weren't driving.
They sat on the side of the bed, pulling on their pants.
"Wish I'd showered last night," she said.
"Yeah, me, too. Got all sorts of stuff on me last night."
Buffy giggled.
"Buffy!" Willow called.
"We're getting dressed," she called back.
"Got some travel cups yesterday, so fill 'em up, coffee's made."
"Thanks, Willow."
"Don't think we'll have time for breafast, have to get something on the road," she said to William, who had yet to have any fast-food.
"Okay."
They packed the few things they hadn't packed already in the small suitcases that Willow and Dawn had bought for them on their last trip to Wal-Mart.
Then they changed the sheets to the new, clean ones that she'd purchased, leaving a note for Leroy, explaining that she didn't have time to wash the old ones. She'd debated ie she should just take the old ones along, but decided against it.
"These really need to be washed," she said, grinning at William.
He grinned back, "I'd say!"
They walked out to the living room. William pulled the curtains back and looked at Clear Lake one more time.
Buffy joined him.
"Thank you," he said.
"For what?"
"For bringing me here, for...this."
She took his hand, "Maybe we'll come back someday."
"That would be nice. I hope so. It's where I'll remember falling in love with you," he said, turning toward her.
She looked at him, her eyes glistened with tears, "I know. Me, too."
She kissed him, then said, "We have to..."
"I know...we have to go."
She nodded, and taking his hand they went to the kitchen, pulling their suitcases with their other ones. Then filling their new travel mugs with coffee, they went out to the RV.
Xander was standing by the RV's door.
"You ready, kids?"
"We're ready."
"Good. Willow and Dawn brought everything else out, so that's that."
"Yeah, that's that," Buffy said, sadly.
"Wait!" William said, suddenly, bolting back toward the house.
Buffy looked at Xander, and shook her head, then followed William inside.
"What is it?"
"Where is it?"
"What?"
"The empty jar that was on counter!"
"It's by the window."
He turned and got it, "Want a keepsake," he said, and headed toward the sliding door with the jar.
Buffy followed him. He went out onto the deck, then ran down to the beach. She followed him.
"I was going to do this yesterday, and I forgot," he said, filling the jar up with sand.
She smiled, "I'm glad you remembered."
He turned and gave her a smile like a little boy who'd just found the biggest shell on the beach.
"I know it's just sand, but..."
"It's more."
"Part of us."
"I know."
They hurried back into the house, then back out again, William still clutching the jar.
Xander looked at him, "What was that about?"
"Memories," Buffy answered for him, as they walked into the RV to join the others.
As they entered they smelled food. Angela waved to them, as she was turning over an omelet and tending bacon.
“Figured you guys didn’t even eat,” she said, smiling, her long dark brown hair, pulled into a loose ponytail that went half way down her back.
“You dt hat have to do this. We could have gotten something on the way.”
“Eh, no problem. We decided to try to cut back on road food the last time we went camping. Easier on the stomach, plus, this is easier than cooking outdoors. All the comforts of home.”
“All the work, too. Let me help you.”
“I’m almost done here, Buffy. You can help clean up after breakfast, how’s that?”
“Fair enough.”
“Why don’t you and William put your stuff in the bedroom?”
“Okay.”
Buffy and William lugged the suitcases back toward the bedroom.
“Wow!” William said.
The room was paneled in dark Cherrywood, with built in cabinets in every conceivable spot. The room was about 8’ x 12’, and by far, the largest object in it was the king sized bed, which was covered in a quilt made up of dark tones of blues, creams, and burgandy. There were little flood lights in the ceiling and one behind the bed. It even had a built in TV.
“I second that wow, and add a, ‘we really shouldn’t have this room,’ to that. The bed is large enough for Xander and his whole family. They should really have it.”
William nodded, “You’re right. What should we do?”
“I’ll talk to him later. We’ll just put our stuff into the cabinets for now. I don’t want to say anything during breakfast.”
William’s legs started to buckle as the RV started to roll.
Buffy raised the shade on the window and William came over to her to look out.
“Goodbye Fullers,” she said, “see you later.”
William just looked as the last of the lake left the window’s view.
She turned and pushed him down on the bed and jumped on top him, “It is a nice bed, isn’t it?”
He looked at her shocked.
She laughed, “I’m kidding,” she said kissing him.
“I’m glad, I was…” her tongue in his mouth stopped his talking, “ummm.”
“Did I work up your appetite?”
“In more than one way,” he said, his eyes partly closed.
Buffy jumped up, “Come on, time to eat.”
“Tease!”
“I know.”
Willow was sitting on a couch with Alex, while Angela was feeding Ann, who was in a high chair at the small table.
“Dig in, guys,” Angela said.
“Where’s Dawn?”
“She’s up there riding with Xander. She said she could get him to South Bend, so he could catch the highway to Indianapolis.
“I’ll be right back,” she told William, and went up front.
“XandXander, Dawn.”
“Hey Buffy. You have breakfast yet?”
“Just about to. What about you?”
“Angela fed me before you guys were even out here, so I’m good until lunch,” Xander said, patting his stomach.
“Dawn, you know how to get Xander to South Bend?”
“Yeah, Willow and I drove over there the other day. Besides, want to spend some time with Xander.”
“Okay, I’ll leave you two, see you later.”
Buffy went back to the main room and joined William on one of the ces wes with a plate of eggs and bacon.
They were eating, and talking, when about 20 minutes later, the RV accelerated, as they got on the highway. Buffy looked over at William, who was starting to look a bit funny.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing. I don’t know.”
“Your stomach?”
“Maybe.”
“Hold on,” she said, getting up. She went up to the front.
“Dawn, did you happen to remember to buy that Dramamine?”
“Yeah, it’s in my suitcase. Why? William?”
“Yeah. Think so.”
ll gll go get it.”
Buffy took the seat next to Xander.
“Oh, don’t tell me he’s going to get sick!” Xander said.
“Don’t worry, he’ll be alright. I hope. He’s not used to cars.”
“So he told me. God, he’s so different!”
Buffy nodded.
“He doesn’t seem anything at all like Spike, nothing,” Xander said, shaking his head.
“That’s because you never got to know him like I did, when he wasn’t just trying to be the Big Bad. I mean, don’t get me wrong, he seems really different on the outside, I’ll give you that, but on the inside, he’s a lot the same. He’s sensitive, he’s loving, he’s loyal, he’s…”
“I’ll have to take your word for that Buffy. Don’t worry, I believe you. If you hadn’t seen all that, guess you wouldn’t have been with him then, huh?”
She looked over at Xander, “No, yes. I mean, after I came back, I wasn’t exactly looking for those things, didn’t even want to see them, yet there they were, whether I wanted to admit it or not.”
“Yeah, but then he…”
“Let’s not, okay? It was more complicated than just that single incident. Bes, es, he…and now. Now, now…it’s all good.”
He looked at her, with his one eye, “Okay.”
“Buffy,” Dawn called.
“Talk to you later.”
“Sure, Buffy.”
“Where’s William?”
Dawn motioned over to the bathroom. They could hear him vomiting.
“Is he sick mommy?” Alex asked, looking concerned.
“Think he just got an upset stomach from the car, just like yo soo sometimes,” Angela answered.
“I think I’m going to be sick, too.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Uh-huh!”
“Oh, dear!”
“William, you okay?”
“Uh, better now, I guess.”
“You want my help?”
“No, pretty sure I can vomit quite well on my own.”
“Don’t have to be shirty.”
She could hear more retching from the bathroom.
Angela walked up with Alex in tow, “Is he done? Seems like Alex needs to puke, too.”
“William? Are you done yet? Alex needs to throw up, too.”
William opened the door, “I’m so sorry, Angela. It’s not the food, just my stomach. My stomach and the movement.”
“Nothing to apologize for, William,” she said, directing Alex into the bathroom, and closing the door behind both of them.
“I feel quite the fool!”
“Don’t be silly. Lot’s of people get motion sickness.”
“That makes me feel lots better.”
“Shirty.”
“Where did you ever pick up that expression,” he asked her, exasperated.
“From you.”
“Me? I never…oh.”
She nodded, “Long time ago. Sort of like it. Come on, Dawn has some Dramamine for you to take.”
“What does that do?”
“Calms down the motion sickness. Might make you drowsy, though.”
He looked alarmed.
“It’s not bad, it’s…Oh. No, nothing like the strong stuff they gave you, nothing at all. I’ve even taken it.”
Angela was walking back, with Alex in hand, “Don’t worry William. Even Alex takes it sometimes. Come on, you two, it’s 7-Up and Dramamine fou bou both.
After Angela gave them the 7-Up to take with the Dramamine, “Small sips,” she had warned, William sat on one of the couches, and Alex crawled up there next to him.
“Your tummy sick, too?”
William nodded, “Better now, though.”
“Mine, too,” he said, patting his, then William’s.
“Want to read me a story?”
“I’d love to. Where’s your book?”
Alex jumped down, eliciting a warning, “Don’t run, Alex!” from Angela.
He retrieved his book, then crawled back on the couch next to William.
“The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh,” began William.
A half-hour later, Angela was playing with Ann in the bedroom and Buffy was washing up the breakfast plates and cups in the galley. Willow came up to her and pointed, “Look.”
There on the couch, fast asleep, was William, book in his lap, and Alex, leaning against him.
Buffy and Wilbothboth smiled.
“How cute is that?” Willow whispered.
Buffy nodded, “He looks like him.”
“Who? Alex? Looks like William?”
“No,” Buffy said, “Alex looks just like Xander. And a bit of Angela. They both have the dark eyes and hair, and so does Alex. Now Ann on the other hand…she’s blonde, like…”
“Anya?”
“Yeah, either her or the mailman,” Buffy whispered, and they both giggled.
“No, I think it’s Anya’s doing.”
“Me, too. Think Xander ever thought about it?”
“I’m sure he must have.”
Alex woke up, “Where’s my mommy?” he asked.
“She’s in the bedroom with your sister,” Buffy said, who’d been sitting on the couch, opposite William and Alex, just watching them.
When Alex got up to go find Angela, Buffy took his place, curling up next to William, who started to stir.
“How you feeling?” she asked, when he opened his eyes.
“Better. Kinda dry.”
“Here,” she said, handing him the 7-Up.”
“I was reading ie tie the Pooh, then I don’t know what happened.”
“You both fell asleep. Alex just got up to find Angela,” she said, staring at him and smiling.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
He looked at her.
“You just looked cute. The both of you asleep, book open on your lap.”
“Post ‘puking’ cuteness, eh?”
She giggled, “Yeah, guess you could say that.”
He shook his head. Women! Finding the daftest things endearing!
He drank the 7-Up, as Willow walked up.
“Feeling better?”
“Ythanthanks.”
“Want some crackers or something.”
“Maybe in a while. Just thirsty right now.”
“Okay, but you should eat something, you threw up all your breakfast.”
He nodded.
A few minutes later, the RV stopped.
Dawn walked back, as did Xander.
“Got to fill up the tank,” he said, “stretch my legs.”
Buffy looked out the window at the gas station they’d stopped at.
“Can I do anything?” William asked.
“I don’t know, come on out, I’ll see.”
William got up and followed Xander outside.
Dawn, Willow, and Buffy all looked out the window, as Xander showed William how to fill up the tank; how to use enter how much he wanted, how to use the gas hose. Once Xander was sure he was good, he walked over to the hood and opened it, checked the oil and some other fluids, then slammed it shut.
“It’s done,” William said.
“Okay, hold on,” Xander said. He came back and showed him how to replace the hose and cap the gas tank.
They got the receipt from the machine, then got back in the cab. Xander pulled the RV over to the air hoses, then once again, had William follow him out, giving him a lesson on tire pressures and gages.
They were about 45 minutes outside of Indianapolis. It was about 7:45am.
“Think we’ll go about another 2 - 3 hours or so,” Xander said, “then we’ll stop to rest for about an hour. Then we’ll make the final push past St. Louis, which will probably take another 3, maybe 4 hours.”
They all agreed.
“Why don’t you let me drive for a while, and you can watch the kids,” Angela suggested.
“Okay,” Xander agreed.
“If you want to go up there with Angela, we can watch the kids,” Willow suggested.
“I’m alright by myself. My dad taught me to drive this years ago,” Angela said, taking the keys from Xander.
Xander settled down on the couch opposite William and Buffy, with Dawn and Willow at either side. Ann crawled up on Xander’s lap and Alex was playing on the floor.
“Been a long time, eh, guys? Last time we were all together like this was in that old Winnebago Spike was driving, I was the one with motion sickness. Remember teasing me about the shrimp Spike? And Glory was trying to capture Dawn so she could use her as her keeeey…player. Her key soccer player …” Xander stopped, catching himself. Stupid, stupid, stupid!
“So she could use her on her own team,” Buffy added quickly, giving Xander a wide-eyed look.
“Uh, yeah, that’s it,” Xander said.
“You capture players for the other team here?” William asked, confused, “like chess?”
“Uh, no. Not exactly. It was a…special game we were playing,” Buffy said.
“You played soccer?” William asked Dawn.
“Yeah, that’s me, key soccer player.”
“That’s a lot like our rugby, you’ll have to show me sometime.”
“Uh, sure. Been a while, though, don’t really remember how anymore,” Dawn said, barely having enough time for the necessary wiggle-room out of it.
“Oh, I see,” William said, looking confused at one of the many cryptic things they would say around him, but then not quite say.
The next couple of hours were just spent catching up with each other’s lives. They talked, but didn’t mention the past, except in general terms, always careful to not say anything in front of William that would confuse him.
For the most part, he just ignored the ambiguities, while cataloging this latest bit of the puzzle to suss out later. What hurt him, was that they hardly ever mentioned anything about him, or what role he played in their lives. When they did, they would quickly either change the subject or not say anything important that he could gather any clues from.
Ann had fallen asleep for a while in Dawn’s arms, and Xander had joiAngeAngela for a while, right before they pulled over outside of Terre Haute in a rest area.
“Figured we’d have lunch here, then rest for a while,” Xander said.
Dawn and Buffy helped Angela make sandwiches, while Willow watched the kids with Xander.
“Angela, the kids and I are going to take a little nap for about an hour, before we get back on the road. Buffy, William, you don’t mind, while we’re on the road, if we take our naps in the bedroom, do you?”
“Oh, gosh no! It should be your room anyway, we both think so,” she said, and William nodded.
“No, that’s okay, we’ve already got the tent for when we stop. Don’t worry about that.”
“But, Xander…”
“Forget it, it’s all decided,” he said.
“Really, Buffy, we’re perfectly happy in the tent.”
“If you’re sure…”
“We are.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“Yes, thank you,” William added.
“If you guys want to lie down, too, just pull out the couches.
“Sounds good,” said Willow, yawning.
“Yeah, sounds good to me, too,” Buffy said.
“I think I’ll pass. I’ll go wander over to the ‘oasis’ there and have a look around while you old fogies take a nap,” said Dawn, laughing.
“Go ahead, yuck it up Dawnster! One day, you’ll enjoy the finer points of nap taking! Must be my age. Think having kids does that to you,” Xander said.
“No, must be the age thing, because we like them, too,” Buffy said, “and I never used to nap. Ever.”
Xander shook his head, “Heck, Buffy, I don’t remember you ever sleeping, especially at night, what with all the patro… Partying. All the partying you used to do,” Xander said, mentally kicking himself, for once again having slipped, not only in front of William, but in front of Angela, too, who didn’t know of the truth of their Sunle ple past.
Buffy smiled at him, “Yep! That was me, all with the partying every night!”
William just looked at her.
“What? I was young once,” she said to William, laughing it off, nervously.
He wasn’t quite convinced. Somehow he couldn’t see Elizabeth as someone who ‘partied,’ at least not in the way it was implied.
They pulled out the sleeper couches for themselves and for Willow and laid down.
An hour later, Xander got up, leaving Angela and the kids still in the bedroom and made his way through the RV. He stopped to look at Buffy. She was lying curled up with William, her head under his chin, her arm over his chest. William had one arm around her back, his other on her hair. Xander heard her murmur in her sleep and saw William, still asleep, too, kiss the top of her head, at which she snuggled in closer to him.
Xander just stared, trying to make sense of it all. How had Buffy, formerly the chosen one and only vampire slayer, become Elizabeth? Lover of William, formerly Spike the vampire, formerly William the Bloody? Nothing made sense anymore. No scratch that, he thought, nothing to do winythnything remotely associated with Sunnydale ever made any kind of sense.
He looked toward Willow and saw she was watching him. She smiled at him and motioned him over. He came and sat down on the edge of her bed.
“Hard to understand,” he whispered to Willow, pointing to Buffy and William.
“Not really, it’s always been there in one form or another,” Willow said.
“You really believe that? That it’s always been there? This…thing between them?” he asked, struggling for what to call it.
“I do. I know it,” Willow said, “how else would you explain it?”
“I don’t. I can’t wrap my brain around it yet,” he said, scratching his head, “so you think it’s some grand design? Destiny?”
“I think destiny might just be the best word as of yet to explain it,” Willow said, smiling at Xander, “or, there is one other word.”
“What’s that?”
“Love.”
He looked over at them, looking as close and at peace with each other, as he’d ever seen two people look. “Might be,” he conceded, “just might be. Um, well, time to get this thing rolling, why don’t I go find Dawn and you wake the lovebirds up,” he said, embarrassed now.
“Gotcha!’
END CHAPTER 65
The alarm went off at 5:00am, causing Buffy to groan, as she mumbled, "Hit the snooze, hit the snooze."
William was still mostly asleep, snoring quietly.
"Ug," she moaned, leaning over him to hit the snooze button.
Still asleep, his arms went around her, pulling her close to him. She smiled, and settled on his chest for a few more blissful minutes of sleep and closeness.
In what only seemed like seconds, rather than minutes, the alarm once again went off.
"Damnit!" she said, turning it off for real this time. Xander had wanted to be on the road at 5:30am. That gave her and William only 20 minutes to get up and out.
"William," she said.
"Huh?" he mumbled, in his sleep.
"We have to get up. It's after 5 and we only have 20 minutes before we're supposed to leave.
He groaned, opening his eyes. He pulled her toward him and kissed her.
She broke the kiss of after a minute, "I'm sorry. We have to get up. Afraid there's no time for that this morning," she said.
He stuck out his lower lip, pouting, "Oooo."
"Yeah, me, too, but we really have to get going. I can hear the others already.
"Buffy, William, rise and shine!" Dawn said at their door.
"We're up, just getting up," she answered.
"See?" she said to William.
"I know."
The night before, they had made love once more, staying up later than they should have. Buffy decided they could perhaps sleep during some of the trip the following day. Heck, she or William weren't driving.
They sat on the side of the bed, pulling on their pants.
"Wish I'd showered last night," she said.
"Yeah, me, too. Got all sorts of stuff on me last night."
Buffy giggled.
"Buffy!" Willow called.
"We're getting dressed," she called back.
"Got some travel cups yesterday, so fill 'em up, coffee's made."
"Thanks, Willow."
"Don't think we'll have time for breafast, have to get something on the road," she said to William, who had yet to have any fast-food.
"Okay."
They packed the few things they hadn't packed already in the small suitcases that Willow and Dawn had bought for them on their last trip to Wal-Mart.
Then they changed the sheets to the new, clean ones that she'd purchased, leaving a note for Leroy, explaining that she didn't have time to wash the old ones. She'd debated ie she should just take the old ones along, but decided against it.
"These really need to be washed," she said, grinning at William.
He grinned back, "I'd say!"
They walked out to the living room. William pulled the curtains back and looked at Clear Lake one more time.
Buffy joined him.
"Thank you," he said.
"For what?"
"For bringing me here, for...this."
She took his hand, "Maybe we'll come back someday."
"That would be nice. I hope so. It's where I'll remember falling in love with you," he said, turning toward her.
She looked at him, her eyes glistened with tears, "I know. Me, too."
She kissed him, then said, "We have to..."
"I know...we have to go."
She nodded, and taking his hand they went to the kitchen, pulling their suitcases with their other ones. Then filling their new travel mugs with coffee, they went out to the RV.
Xander was standing by the RV's door.
"You ready, kids?"
"We're ready."
"Good. Willow and Dawn brought everything else out, so that's that."
"Yeah, that's that," Buffy said, sadly.
"Wait!" William said, suddenly, bolting back toward the house.
Buffy looked at Xander, and shook her head, then followed William inside.
"What is it?"
"Where is it?"
"What?"
"The empty jar that was on counter!"
"It's by the window."
He turned and got it, "Want a keepsake," he said, and headed toward the sliding door with the jar.
Buffy followed him. He went out onto the deck, then ran down to the beach. She followed him.
"I was going to do this yesterday, and I forgot," he said, filling the jar up with sand.
She smiled, "I'm glad you remembered."
He turned and gave her a smile like a little boy who'd just found the biggest shell on the beach.
"I know it's just sand, but..."
"It's more."
"Part of us."
"I know."
They hurried back into the house, then back out again, William still clutching the jar.
Xander looked at him, "What was that about?"
"Memories," Buffy answered for him, as they walked into the RV to join the others.
As they entered they smelled food. Angela waved to them, as she was turning over an omelet and tending bacon.
“Figured you guys didn’t even eat,” she said, smiling, her long dark brown hair, pulled into a loose ponytail that went half way down her back.
“You dt hat have to do this. We could have gotten something on the way.”
“Eh, no problem. We decided to try to cut back on road food the last time we went camping. Easier on the stomach, plus, this is easier than cooking outdoors. All the comforts of home.”
“All the work, too. Let me help you.”
“I’m almost done here, Buffy. You can help clean up after breakfast, how’s that?”
“Fair enough.”
“Why don’t you and William put your stuff in the bedroom?”
“Okay.”
Buffy and William lugged the suitcases back toward the bedroom.
“Wow!” William said.
The room was paneled in dark Cherrywood, with built in cabinets in every conceivable spot. The room was about 8’ x 12’, and by far, the largest object in it was the king sized bed, which was covered in a quilt made up of dark tones of blues, creams, and burgandy. There were little flood lights in the ceiling and one behind the bed. It even had a built in TV.
“I second that wow, and add a, ‘we really shouldn’t have this room,’ to that. The bed is large enough for Xander and his whole family. They should really have it.”
William nodded, “You’re right. What should we do?”
“I’ll talk to him later. We’ll just put our stuff into the cabinets for now. I don’t want to say anything during breakfast.”
William’s legs started to buckle as the RV started to roll.
Buffy raised the shade on the window and William came over to her to look out.
“Goodbye Fullers,” she said, “see you later.”
William just looked as the last of the lake left the window’s view.
She turned and pushed him down on the bed and jumped on top him, “It is a nice bed, isn’t it?”
He looked at her shocked.
She laughed, “I’m kidding,” she said kissing him.
“I’m glad, I was…” her tongue in his mouth stopped his talking, “ummm.”
“Did I work up your appetite?”
“In more than one way,” he said, his eyes partly closed.
Buffy jumped up, “Come on, time to eat.”
“Tease!”
“I know.”
Willow was sitting on a couch with Alex, while Angela was feeding Ann, who was in a high chair at the small table.
“Dig in, guys,” Angela said.
“Where’s Dawn?”
“She’s up there riding with Xander. She said she could get him to South Bend, so he could catch the highway to Indianapolis.
“I’ll be right back,” she told William, and went up front.
“XandXander, Dawn.”
“Hey Buffy. You have breakfast yet?”
“Just about to. What about you?”
“Angela fed me before you guys were even out here, so I’m good until lunch,” Xander said, patting his stomach.
“Dawn, you know how to get Xander to South Bend?”
“Yeah, Willow and I drove over there the other day. Besides, want to spend some time with Xander.”
“Okay, I’ll leave you two, see you later.”
Buffy went back to the main room and joined William on one of the ces wes with a plate of eggs and bacon.
They were eating, and talking, when about 20 minutes later, the RV accelerated, as they got on the highway. Buffy looked over at William, who was starting to look a bit funny.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing. I don’t know.”
“Your stomach?”
“Maybe.”
“Hold on,” she said, getting up. She went up to the front.
“Dawn, did you happen to remember to buy that Dramamine?”
“Yeah, it’s in my suitcase. Why? William?”
“Yeah. Think so.”
ll gll go get it.”
Buffy took the seat next to Xander.
“Oh, don’t tell me he’s going to get sick!” Xander said.
“Don’t worry, he’ll be alright. I hope. He’s not used to cars.”
“So he told me. God, he’s so different!”
Buffy nodded.
“He doesn’t seem anything at all like Spike, nothing,” Xander said, shaking his head.
“That’s because you never got to know him like I did, when he wasn’t just trying to be the Big Bad. I mean, don’t get me wrong, he seems really different on the outside, I’ll give you that, but on the inside, he’s a lot the same. He’s sensitive, he’s loving, he’s loyal, he’s…”
“I’ll have to take your word for that Buffy. Don’t worry, I believe you. If you hadn’t seen all that, guess you wouldn’t have been with him then, huh?”
She looked over at Xander, “No, yes. I mean, after I came back, I wasn’t exactly looking for those things, didn’t even want to see them, yet there they were, whether I wanted to admit it or not.”
“Yeah, but then he…”
“Let’s not, okay? It was more complicated than just that single incident. Bes, es, he…and now. Now, now…it’s all good.”
He looked at her, with his one eye, “Okay.”
“Buffy,” Dawn called.
“Talk to you later.”
“Sure, Buffy.”
“Where’s William?”
Dawn motioned over to the bathroom. They could hear him vomiting.
“Is he sick mommy?” Alex asked, looking concerned.
“Think he just got an upset stomach from the car, just like yo soo sometimes,” Angela answered.
“I think I’m going to be sick, too.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Uh-huh!”
“Oh, dear!”
“William, you okay?”
“Uh, better now, I guess.”
“You want my help?”
“No, pretty sure I can vomit quite well on my own.”
“Don’t have to be shirty.”
She could hear more retching from the bathroom.
Angela walked up with Alex in tow, “Is he done? Seems like Alex needs to puke, too.”
“William? Are you done yet? Alex needs to throw up, too.”
William opened the door, “I’m so sorry, Angela. It’s not the food, just my stomach. My stomach and the movement.”
“Nothing to apologize for, William,” she said, directing Alex into the bathroom, and closing the door behind both of them.
“I feel quite the fool!”
“Don’t be silly. Lot’s of people get motion sickness.”
“That makes me feel lots better.”
“Shirty.”
“Where did you ever pick up that expression,” he asked her, exasperated.
“From you.”
“Me? I never…oh.”
She nodded, “Long time ago. Sort of like it. Come on, Dawn has some Dramamine for you to take.”
“What does that do?”
“Calms down the motion sickness. Might make you drowsy, though.”
He looked alarmed.
“It’s not bad, it’s…Oh. No, nothing like the strong stuff they gave you, nothing at all. I’ve even taken it.”
Angela was walking back, with Alex in hand, “Don’t worry William. Even Alex takes it sometimes. Come on, you two, it’s 7-Up and Dramamine fou bou both.
After Angela gave them the 7-Up to take with the Dramamine, “Small sips,” she had warned, William sat on one of the couches, and Alex crawled up there next to him.
“Your tummy sick, too?”
William nodded, “Better now, though.”
“Mine, too,” he said, patting his, then William’s.
“Want to read me a story?”
“I’d love to. Where’s your book?”
Alex jumped down, eliciting a warning, “Don’t run, Alex!” from Angela.
He retrieved his book, then crawled back on the couch next to William.
“The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh,” began William.
A half-hour later, Angela was playing with Ann in the bedroom and Buffy was washing up the breakfast plates and cups in the galley. Willow came up to her and pointed, “Look.”
There on the couch, fast asleep, was William, book in his lap, and Alex, leaning against him.
Buffy and Wilbothboth smiled.
“How cute is that?” Willow whispered.
Buffy nodded, “He looks like him.”
“Who? Alex? Looks like William?”
“No,” Buffy said, “Alex looks just like Xander. And a bit of Angela. They both have the dark eyes and hair, and so does Alex. Now Ann on the other hand…she’s blonde, like…”
“Anya?”
“Yeah, either her or the mailman,” Buffy whispered, and they both giggled.
“No, I think it’s Anya’s doing.”
“Me, too. Think Xander ever thought about it?”
“I’m sure he must have.”
Alex woke up, “Where’s my mommy?” he asked.
“She’s in the bedroom with your sister,” Buffy said, who’d been sitting on the couch, opposite William and Alex, just watching them.
When Alex got up to go find Angela, Buffy took his place, curling up next to William, who started to stir.
“How you feeling?” she asked, when he opened his eyes.
“Better. Kinda dry.”
“Here,” she said, handing him the 7-Up.”
“I was reading ie tie the Pooh, then I don’t know what happened.”
“You both fell asleep. Alex just got up to find Angela,” she said, staring at him and smiling.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
He looked at her.
“You just looked cute. The both of you asleep, book open on your lap.”
“Post ‘puking’ cuteness, eh?”
She giggled, “Yeah, guess you could say that.”
He shook his head. Women! Finding the daftest things endearing!
He drank the 7-Up, as Willow walked up.
“Feeling better?”
“Ythanthanks.”
“Want some crackers or something.”
“Maybe in a while. Just thirsty right now.”
“Okay, but you should eat something, you threw up all your breakfast.”
He nodded.
A few minutes later, the RV stopped.
Dawn walked back, as did Xander.
“Got to fill up the tank,” he said, “stretch my legs.”
Buffy looked out the window at the gas station they’d stopped at.
“Can I do anything?” William asked.
“I don’t know, come on out, I’ll see.”
William got up and followed Xander outside.
Dawn, Willow, and Buffy all looked out the window, as Xander showed William how to fill up the tank; how to use enter how much he wanted, how to use the gas hose. Once Xander was sure he was good, he walked over to the hood and opened it, checked the oil and some other fluids, then slammed it shut.
“It’s done,” William said.
“Okay, hold on,” Xander said. He came back and showed him how to replace the hose and cap the gas tank.
They got the receipt from the machine, then got back in the cab. Xander pulled the RV over to the air hoses, then once again, had William follow him out, giving him a lesson on tire pressures and gages.
They were about 45 minutes outside of Indianapolis. It was about 7:45am.
“Think we’ll go about another 2 - 3 hours or so,” Xander said, “then we’ll stop to rest for about an hour. Then we’ll make the final push past St. Louis, which will probably take another 3, maybe 4 hours.”
They all agreed.
“Why don’t you let me drive for a while, and you can watch the kids,” Angela suggested.
“Okay,” Xander agreed.
“If you want to go up there with Angela, we can watch the kids,” Willow suggested.
“I’m alright by myself. My dad taught me to drive this years ago,” Angela said, taking the keys from Xander.
Xander settled down on the couch opposite William and Buffy, with Dawn and Willow at either side. Ann crawled up on Xander’s lap and Alex was playing on the floor.
“Been a long time, eh, guys? Last time we were all together like this was in that old Winnebago Spike was driving, I was the one with motion sickness. Remember teasing me about the shrimp Spike? And Glory was trying to capture Dawn so she could use her as her keeeey…player. Her key soccer player …” Xander stopped, catching himself. Stupid, stupid, stupid!
“So she could use her on her own team,” Buffy added quickly, giving Xander a wide-eyed look.
“Uh, yeah, that’s it,” Xander said.
“You capture players for the other team here?” William asked, confused, “like chess?”
“Uh, no. Not exactly. It was a…special game we were playing,” Buffy said.
“You played soccer?” William asked Dawn.
“Yeah, that’s me, key soccer player.”
“That’s a lot like our rugby, you’ll have to show me sometime.”
“Uh, sure. Been a while, though, don’t really remember how anymore,” Dawn said, barely having enough time for the necessary wiggle-room out of it.
“Oh, I see,” William said, looking confused at one of the many cryptic things they would say around him, but then not quite say.
The next couple of hours were just spent catching up with each other’s lives. They talked, but didn’t mention the past, except in general terms, always careful to not say anything in front of William that would confuse him.
For the most part, he just ignored the ambiguities, while cataloging this latest bit of the puzzle to suss out later. What hurt him, was that they hardly ever mentioned anything about him, or what role he played in their lives. When they did, they would quickly either change the subject or not say anything important that he could gather any clues from.
Ann had fallen asleep for a while in Dawn’s arms, and Xander had joiAngeAngela for a while, right before they pulled over outside of Terre Haute in a rest area.
“Figured we’d have lunch here, then rest for a while,” Xander said.
Dawn and Buffy helped Angela make sandwiches, while Willow watched the kids with Xander.
“Angela, the kids and I are going to take a little nap for about an hour, before we get back on the road. Buffy, William, you don’t mind, while we’re on the road, if we take our naps in the bedroom, do you?”
“Oh, gosh no! It should be your room anyway, we both think so,” she said, and William nodded.
“No, that’s okay, we’ve already got the tent for when we stop. Don’t worry about that.”
“But, Xander…”
“Forget it, it’s all decided,” he said.
“Really, Buffy, we’re perfectly happy in the tent.”
“If you’re sure…”
“We are.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“Yes, thank you,” William added.
“If you guys want to lie down, too, just pull out the couches.
“Sounds good,” said Willow, yawning.
“Yeah, sounds good to me, too,” Buffy said.
“I think I’ll pass. I’ll go wander over to the ‘oasis’ there and have a look around while you old fogies take a nap,” said Dawn, laughing.
“Go ahead, yuck it up Dawnster! One day, you’ll enjoy the finer points of nap taking! Must be my age. Think having kids does that to you,” Xander said.
“No, must be the age thing, because we like them, too,” Buffy said, “and I never used to nap. Ever.”
Xander shook his head, “Heck, Buffy, I don’t remember you ever sleeping, especially at night, what with all the patro… Partying. All the partying you used to do,” Xander said, mentally kicking himself, for once again having slipped, not only in front of William, but in front of Angela, too, who didn’t know of the truth of their Sunle ple past.
Buffy smiled at him, “Yep! That was me, all with the partying every night!”
William just looked at her.
“What? I was young once,” she said to William, laughing it off, nervously.
He wasn’t quite convinced. Somehow he couldn’t see Elizabeth as someone who ‘partied,’ at least not in the way it was implied.
They pulled out the sleeper couches for themselves and for Willow and laid down.
An hour later, Xander got up, leaving Angela and the kids still in the bedroom and made his way through the RV. He stopped to look at Buffy. She was lying curled up with William, her head under his chin, her arm over his chest. William had one arm around her back, his other on her hair. Xander heard her murmur in her sleep and saw William, still asleep, too, kiss the top of her head, at which she snuggled in closer to him.
Xander just stared, trying to make sense of it all. How had Buffy, formerly the chosen one and only vampire slayer, become Elizabeth? Lover of William, formerly Spike the vampire, formerly William the Bloody? Nothing made sense anymore. No scratch that, he thought, nothing to do winythnything remotely associated with Sunnydale ever made any kind of sense.
He looked toward Willow and saw she was watching him. She smiled at him and motioned him over. He came and sat down on the edge of her bed.
“Hard to understand,” he whispered to Willow, pointing to Buffy and William.
“Not really, it’s always been there in one form or another,” Willow said.
“You really believe that? That it’s always been there? This…thing between them?” he asked, struggling for what to call it.
“I do. I know it,” Willow said, “how else would you explain it?”
“I don’t. I can’t wrap my brain around it yet,” he said, scratching his head, “so you think it’s some grand design? Destiny?”
“I think destiny might just be the best word as of yet to explain it,” Willow said, smiling at Xander, “or, there is one other word.”
“What’s that?”
“Love.”
He looked over at them, looking as close and at peace with each other, as he’d ever seen two people look. “Might be,” he conceded, “just might be. Um, well, time to get this thing rolling, why don’t I go find Dawn and you wake the lovebirds up,” he said, embarrassed now.
“Gotcha!’
END CHAPTER 65