Remember Me

Chapter 8 - Confessions, Promises, and Nicknames

Buffy woke in the morning alone. The stab of disappointment she felt
sharpened when she realized Will's pillow was cold and he was no
longer in the suite. He must have left hours ago. She frowned, was
he regretting there intimacy last night?

Deciding to think on the bright side, Buffy got up and started the tub
for a bath. The bathtub was large and had whirlpool jets, something
that Buffy planned to take advantage of. Indulging in a long bubble
bath was one of her favorite pastimes. It was always abl rel relax
her. And with the stitches in her head, a bath was preferable to a
shower in order to keep the wound dry.

She sank into the tub, turning the small radio in the bathroom on low.
Closing her eyes she let her mind linger on last night, remembering
the feel of Spike's hands on her and shuddering. Daydreaming, she
never heard the door open and so was startled when a deep voice
greeted her.

"Morning, luv." Spike had watched her for several minutes before
announcing his presence. Though the bubbles covered most of her
beautiful body, her peaked nipples rose just above the surface. He
suppressed a groan, and hoped that Buffy didn't acknowledge the
growing bulge in his pants. He really couldn't allow a repeat of last
night, or heaven forbid, any *more* intimate moments.

Buffy let out a small eek, before here eyes popped open to find Spike
staring down at her. Even though they'd obviously shared an intimate
relationship, and had nearly made love last night, she still felt the
blush creeping over her face. She supposed it was natural to feel shy
being the only naked person in the room.

Despite her embarrassmshe she gave him a warm smile, glad to see
he'd returned to the room before she had to go looking for him.
Maybe he didn't regret their night together after all?

"Good morning." She greeted him. "Would you like to join me?"

Spike's posture immediately stiffened. "I'm afraid I've got a busy
morning, Buffy. I just came back to say good morning and let you
know that I'd be in workshops most of the day."

"Oh." She couldn't hide her disappointment.

The look on Buffy's face almost made him take it back. There was
only one workshop he really had to attend; the rest were optional.
But in order to maintain his sanity, Spike thought he should attend
any and all events available.

"We'll be able to meet up for dinner, though." Spike offered.

"When will you be through?" How was she supposed to ingratiate
him with her love if they didn't spend any time together?

"The last workshop lets out at 4, so we can meet back here at 4:30,
okay, luv?"

Buffy sighed, she supposed she really had no choice. "Okay." She
gave him a halfhearted smile.

Giving in to temptation, Spike leant down to give Buffy a goodbye
kiss. As soon as their lips touched, Spike knew it had been a
mistake. Lust burned through him, causing his groin to tighten and
his throat to constrict. He felt wetness seep into the collar of his shirt
as Buffy's hand lifted and wrapped around his neck, bringing him
closer and deeper into the kiss.

Spike wanted to rip his clothes off and join her in the tub. He wanted
to trace her curves with his soapy hands and blow the bubbles off her
body as he kissed every inch of her. He wanted to feel her exploring
him, touching, kissing, and licking every bit of his skin. He groaned.

Buffy felt the rumble of sound echo from his mouth to hers. The
residual tingle rippled through her body and caused her nipples to
peak and her toes to curl. She let out a small cry of disappointment
when he finally pulled away from her.

"I'd better go, luv." Spike panted. Buffy felt a small pulse of triumph
when she saw the telltale bulge in his trousers. But the tiny victory
was soon overshadowed with frustration when he stood to leave.

"Okay, Will. I'll see you this afternoon." He did come here to work
after all. She couldn't expect him to spend all day with her, could
she?

After Will left Buffy stayed in the tub until the water turned cold.
Drying off she put on her bikini and got ready to go to the beach.
Unfortunately her injury had pretty much curtailed most island
activities for her. There were still a few things she could do. Really
she just had to avoid soaking her stitches.

She could try parasailing, or even kayaking as long as the waters
weren't too rough. She couldn't really afford getting dunked, although
it probably wouldn't hurt that much. But she wouldn't be getting the
stitches out until at least the end of the week. Sighing she laid her
bag and towel down on the lounge chair and then sat beside them to
take her sandals off.

Yeah, she supposed there were still a few activities she could
participate in. But she didn't want to do them alone! She wanted Will
with her. Maybe he would have more free time tomorrow. She
spread her towel out and grabbed a paperback from her bag before
getting comfortable on the chair.

Before long Buffy was so engrossed in her book that she didn't see
the new occupant of the chair to her right. "Ahem," the woman next
to her tried to get her attention but to no avail. Finally the woman just
leaned over and poked Buffy in the shoulder, making her let out a
startled yelp.

"Hey!" Buffy turned to scowl at the new comer. She was surprised to
find Harmony, a friendly smile plastered on her face.

"Hi Buffy!" Harmony greeted her.

"Hello." Buffy answered warily.

"I brought you some magazines. I thought it might be fun, if you
hadn't already picked everything out." Harmony showed her the
variety of wedding magazines she'd brought. "Since the boys are
busy I thought we could hang out together."

Buffy wasn't exactly thrilled about the idea, but she didn't want to
appear rude. And she was sort of interested in starting the plans for
their wedding. She didn't remember them making any decisions yet.
"Sure. That sounds great. Thanks, Harmony."

To her surprise Buffy was actually having a pretty good time.
Harmony had some great advice on bridesmaid dresses and floral
arrangements, which Buffy took to heart. Around noon they both
decided to break for lunch and head up to the lobby restaurant
together.

"So, are you and Angel thinking of getting married soon?" Buffy
asked, wondering how Harmony knew so much about wedding
arrangements. The frown that marred Harmony's face had her
wishing she could take back the question.

"No."

"Did you want to talk about it?" Buffy asked.

"I...He'll never want to marry me." Harmony finished sadly.

"Why? Don't you think he cares about you?" Buffy put her hand out
to cover Harmony's on the table.

"No." Harmony sighed heavily. "He just likes to sleep with me."

"That can't be true!" Buffy was indignant. "Why would he bring you
on this trip, if that's all he wanted?"

"Because everybody else was bringing someone, so he had to as
well." Harmony shrugged.

"Oh, Harmony." Buffy patted her hand in comfort. "Do you love
him?"

It was a long time before Harmony answered. "I thought I did." She
whispered, head down. "But he's changed so much. He used to be
so sweet. He was the first guy in a long time to treat me as
something more than just a ditzy blond." Harmony sighed. "But he's
never happy anymore. Now, it's like he's just angry all the time."

"Harmony," Buffy leaned forward urgently. "Does he ever hurt you?"

"Hurt me?" Harmony looked startled for a moment. "No. Not
physically anyway. It's just that his company means so much to him.
And they're having so many problems. The past year has been really
rough. I think he might resent Will."

"Will?" Buffy's heart started to race. "My Will?"

"Yes. Will's been so successful this past year. He's outbid Angel on
almost every book he's really wanted. And to top it all off he's the
press' darling. Angel fumed when he saw that article on Sunnydale's
most eligible bachelors a few months back. It might not have been so
bad if Will hadn't made the cover."

Buffy remembered the magazine. They'd interviewed her as one of
Will's closest friends. Hmmm, that had been about 3 months ago. So
their relationship must be extremely recent. Though Buffy supposed
it shouldn't surprise her that he proposed right away, they have
known each other for almost a decade already. They didn't really
need the getting to know you, hand holding, first date stage of
coupledom. Buffy frowned, something didn't quite add up.

"Buffy? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. Angel won't do
anything." Harmony reassured. "You know how competitive boys
can get. I'm sure that's all it is."

"I'm sure you're right." Though Buffy still resolved to tell Will what
she'd learned. "Let just finish lunch, okay?" But before she picked up
her fork again, Buffy addressed Harmony once more, "But...if
something does happen, if Angel or or says anything that makes
you uncomfortable, let me know. Promise me you won't stick around
if Angel starts to blame you for all his troubles, okay?"

"I promise." Harmony smiled at her. It felt good to have someone
care about her, even if it was a woman she'd only met days before.
"Thank you, Buffy."

"Just make sure you keep that promise."

***

Buffy was getting ready for dinner when Spike arrived back in their
room. Spike inhaled the lingering scent of Buffy's perfume as he
entered. He could hear her tinkering around in the bathroom,
probably putting the finishing touches on her makeup.

Quickly he changed into the cotton shirt and slacks he was wearing
for tonight's dinner. Before he could put his loafers on, Buffy was
emerging from the bathroom. Her hair was up in a french twist, held
together by one very large hair comb. Her outfit was casual, as the
outline had noted was tonight's theme. Her skirt was a floral print
sarong in differing shades of purple. Her top was a white knit halter.
And to top the ensemble off she wore a matching orchid in her hair.

"Beautiful, luv." The compliment flew from Spike's lips.

Buffy blushed prettily. "Thank you, Will."

Spike stepped forward and gathered Buffy into his arms. "Can I ask
you something, Buffy?"

"Sure, Will, anything." She snuggled into his embrace.

"Ever since your accident you've only ever called me Will. Do you not
remember my nickname, luv?" Spike asked, worried that this was
just another piece of Buffy's memory lost.

"'Course I know your nickname, Will. You only asked me to start
calling you that almost four years ago." Buffy chuckled. "But you
know why I call you Will instead of Spike."

"No, luv. You never said."

"I didn't? Not even when we first started dating? I'm sure I would
have told you." Buffy murmured. "Are you sure?"

Spikrsedrsed himself. "Well, maybe you did, and I've forgotten?"

"Well...it's just..." Buffy began, "It's just that it's something of mine."

"Yours, luv?"

"Yes. You make everyone outside of work call you Spike." Buffy
explained. "Don't you remember that even before we started seeing
each other I used to call you Will occasionally?" Spike nodded.
"That's because it felt special. It felt special because I was the only
one you allowed the privilege. And it sort of made me feel connected
to the boy I met in college."

"Why would you want to feel connected to that wanker?" Spike
asked, surprised.

Buffy slugged him in the shoulder. "What do you mean? You were
the smartest, sweetest guy I'd ever met."

"In other words, I was a pouf." Spike scowled.

"Will! No, of course not. Even then I'd felt an attraction to you, but
you never seemed to want anything but friendship from me."

"You were attracted to me back then?" Spike was amazed. He found
it hard to believe that Buffy was attracted to him even now.

"How can you think you're so unattractive?" Buffy wondered aloud.
"You were Sunnydale's number one most eligible bachelor just a few
months ago." Which reminded her that she really should tell him
about her conversation with Harmony earlier.

"But back then?" Spike asked again.

"Yes, back then!" She slugged him in the shoulder for the umpteenth
time.

"But...but...my hair was all poufy, and my clothes were so...boring."

"Those things didn't matter to me." Buffy answered him softly, her
lips grazing his cheek ever so slightly.

Spike was flabbergasted. Buffy had been attracted to him? Could
this be another symptom of the accident and the memory loss? He
couldn't understand how Buffy could feel that way about him without
him knowing it. He'd made a study of her for the past ten years, you'd
think he'd notice any affection she might have harbored for him.

Before he could question her further she kissed him stoutly on the
lips, leaving him dazed and confused. Then she grabbed his hand
and tugged him toward the front door. "Come on or we're going to be
late for dinner." And then they were out the door.