Conflict of Interest

“What? Who?” Xander said excitedly.

“Angel did it and the Mayor and his sidekick Mr. Trick helped cover it up. I threatened to go to the police and, well, you see what Richard did to me.” Anya said teary eyed.

“That bastard! I knew it! I knew he did it!” Xander exclaimed.

“He will kill me now, you know that don’t you?” Anya said with sad eyes.

“No. He won’t. I won’t let anyone, leastall all him; harm you in anyway, ever again. Isn’t that right, Chief?” Xander looked at Gunn for confirmation.

“I better go get a posse to bring the Mayor and this Trick fellow in.” Gunn said.


Buffy willed herself to go back into the house when she realized that Spike still hadn’t come out. She found him huddled against the wall staring blankt wht what remained of his “almost” ex-wife. The man was in shock.

“Spike. Come on. You need to get up.” Buffy helped Spike to his feet and putting her arm around him, walked him to the door and outside.

They sat on the front step in silence, Buffy holding Spike’s hand, trying to comfort him. Finally he spoke.

“We need to get out of here before someone sees us.” He said flatly.

“What? We need to call the police.” Buffy protested.

“Are you insane?” Spike looked at her incredulously. “Listen to me. We’re going to leave, go back to my office. We’re going to take the deal with Angel. Then we’re going to forget this all ever happened and go on with our lives.” Spike said.

“How can you say that? He had her killed Spike! We can’t let him get away with this!” Buffy yelled.

“EXACTLY! He had her killed and if we don’t do what he says, you’re next! I couldn’t bear the pain Buffy. I can’t lose you.” Spike teared up.

“I can’t believe you, Spike! YOU! Of all people! You NEVER give up! You’re just going to give into this madman?” Buffy fumed.

“What choice do I have?” Spike yelled back. “If we go to the police then this thing between us becomes public and then you could lose your job. I could be disbarred. You were right all along Buffy. It IS a conflict of interest. Not to mention Angel will kill us both more than likely.”

Buffy sighed and crouched down, taking Spike’s face in her hands, “Spike, I love you. I know that now. I love you more than anything and if it means losing my robes, I don’t care anymore. We’re not going to cave into that murdering bastard. If he goes free, he will kill again and he very well may try to kill us anyway regardless if we go along with him. He is sick and cannot be trusted.”

“I’m scared Buffy. Look what he did to Dru. My God.” Spike hung his head.

“I know. I’m scared too but we have to do this, Spike. Come on, let’s go.” Buffy offered her hand and pulled him up off the step.

Buffy led Spike to the car and retrieved her cell phone from her purse. She took a deep breath and dialed 9 1 1.

“911 Operator; what is your emergency?” the voice came through on the other end.

“Yes, this is Judge Buffy Summers. st fst found Drusilla Giles dead at her home. Can you please send someone out?” she told the operator.

After giving the house details, she disconnected the call and looked over at Spike, leaning against the side of the car, hanging his head in worry. Buffy stepped closer to him and put her hand on his arm.

“It’s going to be O.K. Spike. I’m sorry about Dru. I know you probably don’t believe me. It’s true, I hated her but I would never wish this on anyone and I know you did love her, at some point at least.” Buffy tried to console him.

Spike reached up and grasped her hand and gave it a slight squeeze.

“Thanks luv. I appreciate that.” He said softly.

They continued holding hands, awaiting the police’s arrival.


Before Gunn got halfway down the hall, his phone went off. His eyes widened at the news he received on the other end. He finished the call and turned and made his way back to Anya’s room.

Xander and Anya looked up as Chief Gunn stepped back into the room.

“That was quick. Are they bringing the Mayor in?” Xander asked.

“It appears we have a detour.” Gunn said.

“A detour?” Xander questioned.

“I just got a call from dispatch. Judge Summers just called in a murder.” Gunn answered.

“Murder? Who?” Anya asked.

“Drusilla Giles. It appears the Judgund und her at her residence.” Gunn replied.

“Drusilla Giles? As in Spike Giles wife?” Xander responded.

“One and the same” Gunn said.

“That bastard Spike! He killed his wife, didn’t he? Why the hell was Judge Summers at their house?” Xander jumped to conclusions because of his intense disliking of Spike.

“Whoa there. We don’t know who killed her yet. I know you don’t like Spike, Xander but do you really think he is a killer?” Gunn said.

“It’s obvious why Buffy was there too, Xander. I mean, really.” Anya exclaimed.

“Huh? Why?” Xander looked over at Anya.

“Because her and Spike have been banging each other for months. Please, like you didn’t know? It’s so obvious those two are desperately in love with each other.” Anya said as if everyone in the world was privy to her insight.

Gunn and Xander’s jaws both dropped at Anya’s assumption.

“What? How? What?” Xander said perplexed.

“Three excellent questions.” Gunn replied.


Chief Gunn and Xander Harris pulled up to the crime scene 30 minutes later to be met with an irate witness.

“Look, mate. I’ve answered your bloody questions a hundred times. Enough, alright?” Spike swore at the detective questioning him.

“Well, look what we have here. You know, I guess the stories are true about you Spike.” Xander said smugly.

“Yeah, whelp, what’s that?” Spike replied.

“You’re a real lady killer” Xander responded.

Spike jumped up towards Xander and made an attempt to grab him by the neck.

“You bleeding idiot!” Spike yelled as he was dragged off of Xander by the detective and Gunn.

“Stop it this instant!” Buffy said as she came walking over.

“How could you, Xander? Dru is dead. Can’t you put your petty bullshit pissing contest with Spike aside for at least one day?” Buffy said staring daggers at him.

Xander had the decency to blush, “Sorry Judge Summers. It’s just...how do we know he isn’t the one who did this?”

“Because I know for a fact that he didn’t.” Buffy answered.

“How is that, Judge?” Gunn stepped in.

“Because he was with me all afternoon.” Buffy replied.

“With you?” Xander almost choked as he remembered Anya’s comment.

Buffy swung her head back around to Xander, “Yes, Xander. He was with me. I was with him. We were with each other. Having sex. O.K.? Everyone happy now? I was having sex with Spike Giles! There. I said it. Is that O.K. with you all?” Buffy looked all around at all the men surrounding her with a challenge in hyes yes to dare and say anything smart back.

Spike’s eyes bugged out as Buffy revealed their secret to everyone within earshot.

“Uhh Buffy…err Judge Summer’s is a bit distraught over what has happened here. She might not know what she is saying.” Spike spoke up.

“Spike! What are you doing?” Buffy swiveled to him.

“As your lawyer, I’d advise you not to say anything more, Judge Summers.” Spike said firmly.

“My lawyer? Huh?” Buffy looked confused.

“Did you kill Drusilla?” Xander said.

“Who, me?” Both Buffy and Spike said at the same time.

“What the hell is going on here?” Gunn threw his hands up in the air.

“Don’t answer that” Spike looked at Buffy.

“Alright. Why don’t we all take a ride down to the station so we can figure this out?” Gunn directed.

“What about the other thing?” Xander nudged Gunn.

“I’ve already sent a few deputies out and I’m on my way to meet them. You go with these two back to the station and I’ll meet you there.” Gunn informed Xander.

“What other thing?” Spike asked.

“To arrest the Mayor.” Xander replied.

“Christ, Xander. Why don’t you announce it to the whole town?” Gunn shook his head.

“Sorry…” Xander said.

“You’re arresting the Mayor?” Buffy asked.

“I can’t comment” Gunn said and stalked off to his car.

“This is turning out to be one hell of a day.” Xansaidsaid as he watched Gunn’s back.

Xander turned back and motioned for the detective to come over to handcuff Spike.

“Look Harris, I know you’ve had the hots for me for years but really, can’t we save the handcuffs for private?” Spike drawled, back to his usual sarcastic self.

“Ha ha. Very funny Spike. Just going by the book.” Xander replied.

“How come Buffy doesn’t get handcuffed then?” Spike said, not thinking.

“Hey!” Buffy protested as she too then was cuffed and read her rights.

As they all walked to a squad car, Xander turned to them and said, “Hey...isn’t you being her lawyer kinda a conflict of interest?”

Spike and Buffy gave each other a look and then sighed in unison.

Continued in Chapter 8- In the Interest of Justice