Rated M do to physical violence, lesbianic lime-lemon zest, and regular lime-lemon zest.

Are we still on for the double date?

you bet pet

Buffy rolled her eyes, despite the lack of effect through text messages.

and dont you roll your eyes like always do, youre my pet. s'not like I'mma call you any different

"I stand corrected," she chuckled, noting that once again he did not insert apostrophes for 'dont' and 'youre' but did so for 's'not' and 'I'mma'.

10 years you been calling me that, and I still continue the thought process, 'should I address you as master?'

A blush crawled across her face, and a smile broke out. At least there was one thing going well for her in life. No, nevermind to y'know, the loss of all wealth and the abusive husband. Spike constantly told her to leave, but she still helpless clung to the love in the past her and Angelus had for each other. He was such a promising business man, and just, was never the same one night.

Though Spike wanted her to leave Angelus he also wanted to be a supportive friend, and in doing so went along with her in attempts to have a normal social life. Like her latest activity, 'get Angel out of the house'. Her reasoning standing, 'maybe if he was at least a more social drunk, he would feel better about the finances'.

Well if you want to kitten...in private ;D

The blonde laughed quietly as she sat in the living room, not wanting to wake up Angelus from sleeping. She looked at the time, noticing that it was time to leave for work. She knew that if anyone else made comments to her like that towards her, she would tell them off, but considering the ten year span of their friendship, it seemed very normal from Spike.

I have to go to work, see you later this evening

have a nice day luv

She pocketed her phone, and grabbed her cooled waffles off the plate, eating them plain as she walked out the door to her job. She was working as a trainer at a local gym around the block from her flat. The flat that she lived in with Angelus was the last unsold property that belong to her fully and completely. And though they did not go bankrupt, Angelus' habits continued to dig a bigger and bigger hole for the heiress. She was fortunate though that the work that she did have, she enjoyed quite thoroughly.

"Dru, darling you already agreed to it."

"But William dear, I have made more plans, and it's so hard to break those plans. Especially with all the build up between us," she spoke huskily as her thoughts drifted to her adulterous activities. The woman tilted her head back as she recalled the ecstasy between her and her current squeeze.

Spike's expression hardened as he frustratedly thought about his wife. Never through their relationship has she ever been true to him. They did not even share the same bed. The only reason they got married was due to the request of his own dying mother, and he could never say no to his mum. Even if it did mean hammering in the final nail to his own coffin. At this point the only reason why they remained together is because one, they left each other alone, and two, it gave Buffy a slight semblance of sanity to think that her best friend was at least happy in his own marriage.

The things that he'd done for the women he loved.

What was he suppose to do for tonight though? Instead of a double date, it'll be Buffy and Angelus plus Spike. Ugh, a third wheel. "I'll see what happens later he mumbled to himself, looking up from his seat, he noticed that the eccentric woman left his presents. He toyed around on his phone, not really having anything to do. He had already managed the company and accounts for the day, and he had also already dealt with his annoying wife. He flipped through his phone, and slid out the keyboard, considering his thoughts. Staring at the words on the screen he sighed knowing that his latest poem was pretty awful. He always liked to write, but it seems he never got any better at it.

Consumed in discontent,

I do not stir

Only waiting for your call

to steal you from that cur

If you say you are still happy

I shall never move

Only waiting for your call

to you, my love I shall prove

He shook his head in his own disappointment. "Oh well," he typed in a few lines to follow, but tried not to give it much for thought. He never let anyone else read his works anyway, so it was not a big deal. As long as no one else read it, maybe he could keep his sanity over it. Heaven and Earth knows that he was already still having difficulty containing his obsession with his longtime friend.

Sure he was past the stealing panties and creating a shrine phase of his obsession, (hadn't done that for 4 years), and sure they had a few close moments in high school, but she was always rather peculiar about their relationship. Afraid almost. He loved her though. Never would stop. Couldn't it seemed, especially stranded in a marriage with a cheating wife and no love of her own to offer.

Habit would have it that he would start browsing pictures of his friend. Over the years he had accumulated quite the collection. Beach pictures, self taken portraits, and few photos 'taken' from boyfriends. They were mostly taken from before her marriage, when Angelus loved her dearly, and prized her for all that she was worth. He licked his lips as his gaze raked of over the pixels.

She was poised like a pinup girl, her full body exposed in her frilly pink and white polka dotted push-up and panties. Angelus was so proud that when he still associate with other people would send all his guy friends the images she sent him. A little scummy, but it was high school. And he didn't want to look gift horse in the mouth. He restrained himself not wanting to give in to his desire again.

He glanced at the clock. Time passed by too slow sometimes.

Buffy wrapped the towel around herself and stepped out of the shower. A frown struck her expression as she recalled that Angelus refused to go out, yet again, and told her to 'shut her whore mouth' about going on a double date with Drusilla and Spike. He hit her again. Pushed her down and struck her back with a half-full bottle of whiskey. Boy did it throb.

It felt like he might of hit her sore rib.

And she felt that worst of all, she was going to be a third wheel. The yelling and beating was nothing new, not since a few months into her marriage. What hurt is that she would have to spend time with her best friend and his beautiful wife. If his wife was present though, perhaps he would not notice the pain she was feeling physically. He would pressure her into leaving Angelus again, which she felt she still could not go through with. She still loved him. Wanted to help him. She thought she could still help him, if he would only let her.

'ey luv, got a bit of bad news. Wifey seems to have business elsewhere t'nite, so it seems that it'll just be me

Buffy felt like a weight in heart had been lifted, it would be just her and him.

It's alright, Angelus isn't feeling social as it is.

then itsa date, just me in you

and***

A laugh escaped her as she noted the later correction. 'Oh I wish,' a mild blush hit her again, but she had at this point come to terms with all the naughty thoughts that ran through her mind while with Spike. They had been close to spending some intimate time together some years ago, and since she threatened to arrest Angelus for assault a year and a half ago she has had plenty of time to daydream without too much guilt.

Well since its no longer a double date, wanna hang somewhere other than the french place?

Hmm, can we go to that thai place?

anywhere you want pet, I'll pick ya up

I will be ready in 30

Buffy skipped out of the bathroom, and quickly dressed into the outfit that she had laid out. It was a black pencil skirt with a slit up the right thigh, and red sleeveless corset blouse. After 25 minutes of fussing with makeup and hair, she stepped out into the living room where Angelus lay awake in his chair staring at the television.

"You're going out," he stated, not even bothering to have his eyes leave the screen.

"Yes dear, to hang out with Spike, you're welcome to come still if you'd like," she spoke clearly while adjusting her earrings, not wishing to incur any further wrath from him that day. She heard him shift, and saw that he was facing her.

"You're such a slut Buffy, why could you ever think it was appropriate to leave the house dressed like that?" His words resonated in the vault ceiling as he stood up from his chair.

"I'll go change, sorry, I suppo-"

He struck her down mid sentence, and pinned her to the ground with his foot on her sternum, " I said, how could you think that it was appropriate you cunt? I didn't ask for your excuses!" The room filled with the thud of his punches and her wimpers. She held back her tears, and only held up her arms to defend herself from the barrage of his assault.

Buffy gasped hearing the most welcomed noise. She heard the turn and click of the key in the front door. In the a quick motion the door open, and Spike was hauling Angelus off of her injured frame.

"What's your fucking deal mate?" Angelus mocked in a pseudo accent.

Spike turned towards the man after assisting Buffy and shocked her as he decked Angelus in the face, knocking him straight onto his ass. He could not stop there though, straddling the man he continued to maul the man in a mixture of hurt and rage on behalf of his dear friend.

Only after a sob from Buffy did Spike realize the man was out cold. He licked his lips and stood up heading towards the kitchen sink to rinse his hands.

"Pet, do you need to see a doctor?"

"I-I think so, " she spoke softly as she stumbled towards the counter to lean against it.

He cringed as he sense her pain, "lemme grab your coat, and I'mma take you to my physician."

"Spike, I can't afford that, I don't have insurance anymore. And you've paid for too many of my visits."

"Luv," he gently guided her, "I have you on my insurance, and have had you on since after the first time he struck you. And might I say, this indeed the very last." He walked her down the steps and into his car, and started off to the doctors.

Silent tears ran down the apples of her cheeks as shudders ran through her body. Spike eyed her dutifully, and cursed himself. He felt like scum.

"I should have taken you out of there a long time ago. Buffy, I am so sorry, I just-" his words faltered as he knew that there were no excuses for such cruelty that he allowed to occur to his one dearest friend.

Minutes passed in silence as he drove. Eventually they found themselves at the doctors, and through slowed time and anguished movements they finished their visit. By the end Buffy was noted to have 3 cracked ribs, bruised sternum, and deep bruising all over. Spike fractured a few fingers, but told Buffy not to worry as she immediately made her guilt expression.

"Luv, I'd do it again if I had to right now. I shoulda done it a hell of a lot sooner."

She nodded silently, and found it too arduous to argue about the matter. He brought her to his home and set her up in a guest room beside his own room. Words seemed unnecessary as he catered to her needs. A small smile played her lips as he emphasized the shared door between their rooms.

It reminded her when they use to spend the night together in high school. Everyone always took turns hosting slumber parties on the weekends. All the girls would squeeze onto one bed and the boys would spread out around their own bedroom. And the door was always left unlocked for wandering teens missing their boyfriend or girlfriend. It use to be Buffy, Dru, Willow, and Cordelia. And then out the boys it would be Spike, Angel, Oz and Xander. Sometimes there would be others, but there was always same core eight.

Buffy sighed as she laid in the overly plush room while Spike went in search of more comfortable clothing for her. Despite the various color scheme changes in the room, it was the same as ever. The house had belonged to Spike's mother, and he had inherited it in her death. This was the room that and the girls had done so much gossiping and daring. In fact, if memory served her well, she had gotten her picture taken in there wearing some very naughty items. All the girls at the time were so smitten with their boyfriends that they would have photo shoots. So many naughty pictures, and the doors had to be locked lest they were disturbed.

"What'cha smile'n about pet?" Spike spoke carrying in a hand full of clothing. She eyed it, and he shrugged, "you women, I can't read your mind, so I didn't know what you might want. A lot of this Dru's reject clothing. Stuff I bought that she never wore."

"I see..." she started to sift through the articles of clothing, and found what she wanted. She went to change behind the changing wall, "I was remember the sleepovers we use to do while we were young. And the photo sessions."

"Photo sessions?"

"Surely you remember, you probably still have Dru's pictures. We'd decide on themes and all dress up sexy to send our respective boyfriends pictures. Gosh what were some themes...I know we did a food themed one. Whipped cream and other such. Catholic school girls, nurses, teachers..."

"Pin-up, dominatrix, maid, yeah I remember them now," he crossed his legs as she stepped out from behind the dressing wall hoping it covered his growing arousal enough. His case was not helped when she stepped out wear what was his own shirt and boxers. "You would wear my clothes."

"Not that I don't absolutely love the lacy frills, but tonight is all about homey comfort," she laid down gently on the bed. "Spike, you look so serious."

He broke from his focus and turned to her with a grim expression, "I need to confess something Buffy."

The blonde's own features softened, "well what's the matter?"

"Drusilla and I have been separated for awhile. Actually, depending on how you look at it, we were really never together." He gaze a rather guilty smirk, his own brow raised.

"But, she was always so obsessed with you in highschool, and even after!"

"We had a lot in common, but that was really it. As you know I got married since it was one of my mum's dying wishes, but it has been a marriage of convenience. We don't even share a bed with each other."

Buffy sat stunned at him, not having expected such a confession. Her gaze lowered as she absorbed the words. "Why" was all she said.

"Why what pet?"

"Why did you never say anything William. All these years, all that time spent in a loveless marriage? You let me complain and mope through my marriage when you had your own pain to bare?" Buffy's breath became labored and she appeared to be bordering on panicking.

"Shh, pet look at me," he cupped her cheek, a tear streaming down her cheek. "All that has ever mattered to me in these past years has been your happiness. It didn't matter what I was going through, because whatever happened to you was dozen times more important."

"William Pratt, you're such a brat."

"Yeah, maybe I am. And have an adulterous wife, and a very sad best friend. Wanna order some take-out and stay in with a movie?"

A smile expanded across her lips, sending a slight chill down his spine, "yes please."

He leant over and kissed her forehead, "alright, anything for my pet." He left the room to go get his phone to make the call.

Buffy sighed and whispered to herself, "thank you master."

R&R

Mia-san, in and out!