Fool for Love:
...Until the End of Time (Or the End of the World)
By obi's girl
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: All of the following songs do not belong to me. Same goes for the characters of Buffy & Angel. They are from the mind of Joss Whedon; Moulin Rouge from the genius that is Baz. I Wish You Love is from Eye of the Beholder. Come What May, Elephant Love Medley, Nature boy, Children of the Revolution (re-named Children of the Night, for this fics purpose), Rhythm of the night, Material Girl, & Gorecki (Interlude: One Day I'll Fly Away come from Moulin Rouge, the movie itself. Later music (I don't know what they might be until I actually write the piece, but I do know they don't belong to me).
Spike stared at the floor as he took another drink. The Slayer, the one he loved more than his whole life was gone. He loved her and she rejected him. Although he should have known it would happen. He wasn't good enough for her - always the excuse, or reverse. With Drucilla, he wasn't evil enough and she left him.
His life was hole, a big dark hole and there was nothing holding him back from jumping into that hell. When he originally came back to Sunnydale it was to destroy the Slayer and now, in turn, she destroyed him - his spirit, his passion for un-dead life. It was enough to drive him crazy and make him do something stupid.
Of course, it wouldn't be the first time. He was never really smart, never good enough for the loves in his cursed life. With nothing else to do or choice, Spike stood up and grabbed his stuff and walked out the door.
Five minutes, four minutes, three minutes, two minutes...He stormed back in, covering his head from the light of day. Oh yeah, never really smart he forgot it was day - not the best time of day to leave Sunnydale.
**
Giles glanced over at his nephew. Amazingly, in a short time, he and Buffy had become close friends. When she broke up with Angel, she came over and talked to him and he consoled her, telling her it would be all right and things would work out. Buffy told him thanks and kissed him on the cheek before leaving. Of course, they never seemed to be apart. They were always together and the strange thing was, they weren't even dating. They were just good friends.
"Giles?" Willow questioned.
He turned to her and smiled. "Oh right, the meeting. Sorry, I forgot." And he gestured for Anya to set the "open" sign to "close." Giles knew it was pretty much pointless to have a "Scooby" meeting since Sunnydale had been reasonably quiet, which was good but for a couple months, it started to worry him because it was too quiet. Something was up.
Christian looked at him and as he started to leave, but Giles smiled it was all right and he sat back down next to Buffy. Buffy in turn glanced at her Watcher, "So, what's on tap tonight? Any big bad ugly?"
"No, not at the moment ---."
She smiled, "Great, 'cause there's this Karaoke thing at the Bronze. Free MIC night and grand prize," she glanced at Xander, "Drum roll, please." And he started drumming the table, until she cut him. "Getting as far away from here as possible - meaning out of Sunnydale. Which I think is a valid prize, I mean nothing happens here anymore."
He shrugged, "Probably, but because it's been really quiet around here and it normally isn't, we have reason to suspect something maybe be coming."
Buffy rolled her eyes, "Why? I mean, why does quietness constitute an alert? Quiet is good. Cheers for quietness." She glanced at Christian and she smiled back.
"I'm not saying it's anything big, but we should still be kept on alert in case something happens..." he paused briefly, removing his glasses, "and on a softer note, tonight is my last performance at the Pub."
Willow frowned, "Last performance? Why? Giles, you're so good? Why last performance?"
"Because I can't shuffle the shop and requests and demands from the public."
Buffy smiled, "Yeah, and having those cute gurls throw themselves at you is really terrible. You should put a restraining order on them. Bad gurls!"
"Yes, very bad gurls.... You're all invited to come. It's at 8:00 tonight."
Anya shrugged, holding Xander's hand, "We would love too but we can't. We were planning on having dinner by the fire and having lots, and lots of sex afterwards." Xander smiled. Buffy looked away, laughing a bit as Giles huffed, glancing at Willow and Tera.
"Sorry, Mr. Giles. Willow's tutoring tonight and I'm going to help her." Tera replied.
Buffy shrugged, "I guess it'll be only me and Christian." She glanced at Willow, "Who will you guys be tutoring?"
Will smiled back, "Dawn - don't worry we're not going to get into magicks. I know you're policy about that but she needs some help with math - summer school and everything. You and Christian have fun." And she winked at her. Buffy looked at her suspiciously, but before she could say anything else Giles adjourned the meeting.
"Well, I guess we're going to be dates." Christian mused as Buffy grabbed her jacket. She smiled back at him. Boy, did he love that smile.
"It's not a bad way to end the night and the Bronze isn't going anywhere. I think the Karaoke thing is weekly, so it will still be there tomorrow through Sunday." She glanced at Willow. "It will be fun."
He nodded yes, "So, I'll pick you up 7:30, then?"
She shrugged, "Sure." And left the Magic Box.
Christian smiled, "Yes." Willow gave him a look as he turned to her, crossing his arms, "What?"
"You. You, gawking all over Buffy. Could you be anymore obvious?"
He frowned, his eyebrows dropping. "Is it that obvious I like her?"
"Yeah, and that's why it's only going to be you two tonight. Actually, when Giles told us about the Pub, we planned to be busy so you would be alone." Will paused, sighing, "When you live on the Hellmouth, a little romance can go a long way. And it's helpful to have your head some place else besides having to worry about the world ending or worse." She smiled at him, "anyway, have a nice time." and the Wicca left.
**
Buffy rolled her shoulders as she walked home. Barely even night and already she had the urge to slay something, anything. Slayer vibrato. She was glad things were quiet in Sunnydale but still, sometimes she missed the nightly slayage. The pounding, running and beating vamps up - of course she didn't the Hellmouth either. They were always really nasty; always grand and this one, if there were a one, would be her sixth. She laughed. If it came to her 50th Hellmouth, then it there would have to a party for being able to stay alive that long.
Life in Sunnydale, never a dull moment. She glanced around the corner and noticed Spike, dragging a suitcase out his crypt and she walked over. Once he saw her, he was bound to head back inside but it was too late. "Spike, where ya going?"
He shrugged, taking out his smoke, "Away from you and from here! I don't need your crap anymore, Slayer and I sure as bloody hell, don't need these feelings, so I'm going to leave."
"To where?"
"Where else? I'm going to look for Dru, see if maybe she'll take me back." He spat, "which a whole lot better than sticking around here, with nothing happening! ...That and Passions has taken a really bizarre twist with vampires and the such."
She laughed, causing him to glare at her. Spike growled, "I'm dead serious, Slayer. It's over - I'm leaving and I'm not ever coming back. Ever!"
Buffy waved her hand, "Then by all means, leave. And good luck with looking for Dru and everything."
"What? No hug or cry, 'Oh Spike, please don't leave me! I need you,' - that sort of bit?"
"No. But sincerely, good luck looking for Dru." She replied, walking off towards her house.
Spike nodded, yelling back, "Well fine! I will look for her and when I do, we're going to come here and kick your Slayer ass!" She only waved in return and Spike bit his lip. "Bloody goodbye, my love." And he continued on his way.
He huffed, "This story is about love. The woman I loved... is dead to me. There was a gurl, a very strange enchanted gurl. They say she wandered very far, very far over heaven and hell. A little shy and sad of eye but very wise was she."
"And then one day, one magic day she passed my way. While we spoke of many things - Fools and kings, this she said to me "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return"
Spike grunted, switching shoulders. "Goodbye, no use leading with our chins. This is where our story ends. Never lovers, ever friends; goodbye, let our hearts call it a day but before you walk away I sincerely want to say...I wish you bluebirds in the spring to give your heart a song to sing and then a kiss but more than this - I wish you love. Wish you love."
"My breaking heart and I agree that you and I could never be. So with my best, my very best, I set you free." He paused, glancing back one last time, hopeful she was there but nothing. "I wish you shelter from the storm. A cozy fire to keep you warm - but most of all when snowflakes fall...I wish you love." The vampire turned around, stolen tears in his eyes, "My breaking heart and I agree that you and I could never be. So with my best, my very best, I set you free - But most of all when snowflakes fall...I wish you love."
He sucked in his gut, looking back, "Good bye, good 'old Sunnydale way." And headed off.
**
Christian smiled, walking home. He had a date with Buffy. Truth was, he would have asked her out sooner but she was still grieving over her double break-up (Angel ... & Spike). Angel, he could understand but Spike, he didn't think it would affect Buffy as much. Anyway, he was gone from her life and everybody else's, making him free to pursue the Slayer.
If things did ever work out, he would have to thank his Uncle. Giles had told him so much about her, he practically made Christian fall in love with the, even though he hadn't yet met her. Giles. Did he know about his infatuation with his Slayer? And if he did, what were his feelings about it? Giles thought of Buffy as his own and Christian supposed as long as she was happy, Giles would be happy. 'Cause theoretically speaking, dating on the Hellmouth was anything but easy. In fact, sometimes disastrous literally.
But he wasn't' worried. He loved her, yes he loved her and long ago, he had vowed to remain in Sunnydale and be by Buffy's side no matter what. He smiled again, "I have a date with a beautiful gurl." He sighed, ".... Never knew I could feel like this. It's like I've never seen the sky before. Want to vanish inside your kiss - Every day I'm loving you more and more. Listen to my heart can you hear it sing? Come to me and forget everything." He paused, smiling proudly, "Seasons may change, winter to spring - But I love you till the end of time."
Christian smiled, picturing Buffy getting ready for the date. Brushing her golden hair, getting slight suggestions from her kid sister, raving and raving. "Come what may, come what may, come what may. I will love you until my dying day."
"Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place; suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace; suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste. It all revolves around you - and there's no mountain too high; No river too wide, sing out this song and I'll be there by your side."
"Storm clouds may gather and stars may collide but I love you until the end of time." he paused, looking to the moon, "Oh come what may, come what may. I will love you until my dying day. Come What May."
He smiled, stretching his arms wide, "I will love you - Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place. Come what may, come what may - I will love you until my dying day." And he hurried off to the house to get ready as well.
**
Buffy wearily walked into the house, shutting the door closed silently as she rushed upstairs to check on Dawn. It was strange living in the house. The two of them were so used to seeing their mother come through the door or make dinner and....there were just so many memories. Buffy initially wanted to move out since the house was too big for the two of them, but Dawn stubbornly argued that she didn't know any other home that carried so many memories and Buffy agreed not to sell.
But it still didn't make things any easier. The memories remained and they were stronger with each passing day. Everywhere she looked, there was something that reminded Buffy of her. Maybe that was why Buffy opted to spend more time out of the place, 'cause it was easier to deal. At home, all there was just memories - good and bad. She turned a corner towards Dawn's room and knocked. The girl looked up from her bed, writing in her journal.
"Hey." Buffy whispered, coming in and sitting on the bed, "Look, I'm going out tonight. It's Giles' last performance at the Pub. So, will you be okay here until Tera and Willow come?"
Dawn shrugged, giving her a confused look. "Sure. Um, I know it's none of my business but who are you going with, as in a date?"
"Christian. Everybody else is pretty much bogged up. It's okay, though I suspect this was some kind of set-up to get the two of us alone."
She laughed, "Well, what else would it be? You know he likes you, right? I see it. When I come into the shop, he doesn't pay attention to no one else but you. Why not go with him?"
Buffy frowned, looking down. "Dawn, romantic entanglements...they don't work for me. You know that. Dating on the Hellmouth is pretty much - what's the word?"
"Impossible?"
"Yeah, and Christian is nice but...." she began with some prompting from Dawn but Buffy stopped herself before she went on and head to her own room to get dressed.
**
"Uncle, are you here?" Christian called as he entered the flat. He searched the house until he found Giles grabbing his guitar case from the closet. He removed it briefly, looked it over and smiled. Christian smiled at him. "So, this is really your last night? Aren't you going to miss it?"
Giles closed the case and looked at his nephew. "I will, a little bit but I have a shop to run...and oh yes, I will the miss gurls screaming more, more, more but I think I can deal with it. Of course, that could be just the older me talking."
"Well, I better get ready. I'm meeting Buffy at 7:30 at her house. Good luck, tonight, Uncle." And Christian disappeared down the hall to the guest room.
**
Summer's House, 7:30 p.m.
Buffy hurriedly rushed to the door, Dawn at her back, a grand smile on her face. Buffy looked through the peephole. Willow and Tera. She smiled, opening the door, hugging Willow first, and nodding to Tera. "Hey Dawny, ready to tackle those fractions?" Will joked as Christian showed up.
He smiled at them all, especially at Buffy. She glanced at him. Buffy thought he would show up in Giles' clothes but thankfully, the man had a wardrobe of his own. Black vest, white shirt and black pants - very classy compared to what she was wearing. Blue pants and a reddish-orange-pink, tank top. But it was all right. He extended his arm to her and Buffy took it smiling, glancing at Dawn.
"Be good, and remember..." she started.
"I know, I know. No messing with Wicca magic." Dawn stated, closing the door and turning tot he gurls, nodding, "So, what spell are we working on tonight?"
**
Buffy frowned, walking towards the Pub. Christian saw her dismay and smiled, causing her to smile. "Sorry. I'm just a little worried about Dawn. She's been through a lot this past year - I just want to make sure she's safe."
"Always the caring sister - one of the things I like about you." He smiled back as they came to the Pub. They sat down at one of the outside tables.
It was a beautiful night. Really peaceful, extremely peaceful and for the first time, Buffy understood Giles' worry. Sunnydale was never like this. Something was always going on, some crisis and a Sunnydale without crisis didn't seem like Sunnydale. Something had to be up. Her date frowned, taking a drink of his water. "Don't tell me you're thinking about work?"
She shrugged, scowling partly. "I am, but tonight is not about work. I don't even want to think about it. I left my stake at home and that's where it stays."
"Buffy!" Giles cried as he came from the front, greeting her and Christian. He was dressed pretty formally - matter of fact it looked like what he normally wore every day. "Glad the two of you could make it."
"We're glad too and good luck." Buffy replied, sitting down as he walked away. She glanced at Christian, "Actually, this my first time hearing Giles but from what I've heard from Willow, Tera and Anya - he's great. Xander was there too but it totally freaked him out."
He laughed, "Um, while we wait, do you want to order anything? It is around dinner."
She shrugged, "Hot chocolate and a Danish is fine with me, besides we could always go to the Bronze afterwards get real food there. The Pub isn't known for it's spectacular food selection."
"I thought we were going to skip the Bronze?"
Buffy nodded, "Well, either that or accompanying me on Patrol." At that she scowled, remembering 'no work talk.' "Sorry. It seems like I'll never it get out of my system - the Slaying and constant worry about the world ending."
"It's what you do. It's who you are. I accept that."
"I'll still try not to mention it again." Buffy added, glancing at her watch. 7:50, only 10 minutes until Giles came on. After that, things were quiet - Buffy was lost, thinking about the meeting earlier that day and work, though she told him she wouldn't. And lately, since she got back, the Slaying was all she could think about it. It was becoming almost an obsession, which was crazy since she hated her life as the Slayer. She smiled at Christian.
And lately, she had also been spending a lot time with Giles' nephew, who wasn't that bad. Christian was actually pretty normal, normal being that he wasn't a vampire with a soul, or a player, or a Commando working for the US Military. He was Christian, simple guy - nothing mysterious about him and Buffy liked that. There had never been any simple guys in her life. There was always something strange about them that attracted her but not Christian.
Earlier, she almost admitted to Dawn her feelings about him but stopped herself because she wasn't ready to go to that place, to fall in love again. Falling in love and giving your heart to someone never really worked out for her. For a time, everything seems prefect but before she knew it, everything slowly started to decline in a downward spiral. It scared her, especially with him. If she was falling in love with him, it meant risking her heart and feelings all over again. Was she ready for that? More importantly, what if something disastrous happened and he would end up getting more than hurt, killed even. The Hellmouth could be deadly dangerous - a mad house even but she didn't want to get him killed.
At that, she started to cry. Christian turned to her and frowned, taking her hand from across the table. When those sweet eyes looked at her, Buffy broke some more. Buffy removed her hand from his, running off, and a saddened look on Christian's face.
**
Buffy huffed, walking down Main Street, her arms folded around her middle. Love. Why now? She wasn't ready for it and yet, she felt some feeling that she was falling in love...with him and it scared her. It just wasn't fair. She tried love before and always, each time, thing ended badly, very badly. So why, put herself through the heartache all over again? It was horrifying. Most of all, she hated it - this feeling of falling for someone else. She paused before the old abandoned church.
Not long ago in the same church, she and Riley found out each other's identities after sharing their first kiss. And she knew - they were doomed; the fact that it was doomed from the very beginning but back then, she wanted to believe this time it would be different. This time. Things would work and they would live happily ever after. Ever after never came, and somehow through time, she never believed it would come. She shrugged, looking down, "I follow the night - can't stand the light. When will I begin to live again?" The Slayer huffed, "One day I'll fly away - leave all this to yesterday. What more could your love do for me? When will love be through with me? Why live life from dream to dream and dread the day when dreaming ends."
"Buffy!" Christian cried as he found her. She stared back at him and started to cry, but he held out his hand to her and stubbornly nodded no. He walked forward slowly, cautious not to scare her off again. "Buffy, please!"
She looked down, frowning, "What more could your love do for me? When will love be through with me?" Buffy glanced at the old clock. 8:05 - Giles performance had already started unless he noticed they were gone and postponed until they returned. "Christian, I can't go back."
He nodded, "What are you talking about? The performance, you told Giles you would be there - he would be very disappointed if you ---."
"No, not that. " she interrupted, turning away and abruptly facing him again. "Christian, something is happening between us and it needs to stop. It needs to stop now before somebody gets hurt, 'cause love does that."
"Love?" he echoed, staring back at her, "...then you do feel ---."
Buffy nodded no, "I thought I did - No, I can't. I've been hurt too many times; I can't do this."
"Can't or won't?" Christian asked, nearing her. "Buffy, I do have feelings for you - I won't deny that."
"You should!" she yelled back, "I can't love. I tried to several times, but it never worked. I'm the Vampire Slayer, love is forbidden, a curse."
He laughed, smiling at her, "Love is not a curse, Buffy. It's human nature to be loved. Love is a many splendid thing. Love is like oxygen. All you need is love."
She rolled her eyes at him, heading back down the street but he persisted, "All you need is love."
Buffy turned back to him, a look if disbelief on her face. She did believe in love once but that was a long time ago; it almost seemed like a different age but no, she would not give into him. If she did, she was sure she would end up hurt like all those other times she gave her heart. "Love is just a game."
"I was made for loving you baby; you were made for loving me!" he sang, flashing her his biggest smile.
She nodded, how boyish and young he was but a golden heart. A sweetheart, but no, no giving in. Don't give in, never give in. "There's no way of loving me baby."
He smiled at her again, this time Buffy felt weak, staring at him. "Just one night; give me just one night."
Buffy huffed, "There's no way, 'cause eventually you'll pay."
Christian swung around one of the lamp poles, holding his right arm out, "In the name of love; One night in the name of love!"
She nodded, rolling her eyes, "You crazy fool. I won't give in to you!" leaving.
But once again, his sweet voice broke into song and she froze. Persistent and stubborn, then again so was she. "Don't leave me this way; I can't survive without your sweet love. Oh baby don't leave me this way."
The Slayer looked away, praying and hoping. She wasn't ready for love or was she? Love had spat her so many times...No, not again, never again. "You think that people would have enough of silly love songs."
"I look around me and I see it isn't so, oh no." He laughed.
Buffy turned, staring blankly into the night as Christian stood behind her. "Some people wanna fill the world with silly love songs." And she faced him again.
How easy it would be to lose her heart to him? Or maybe she all ready did, 'cause he leaned foreword, caressing her cheek, singing softly. "Well what's wrong with that I like to know, 'Cause here I go again." He spread his arms wide, jumping onto a street bench, "Love lifts us up where we belong," he glanced down at her. She was worried about him and amused at the same time. At least he was breaking some part of her, made her realize some positive feeling. "Where the eagles fly on a mountain high."
Finally, she grabbed his hand, helping him down. "Love makes us act like we are fools. Throw our lives away for one happy day."
"We can be heroes just for one day."
She nodded, "You, you will be mean."
Christian smiled, following her to the park. "No I won't"
Buffy looked back at him, settling down on the swing, "And I, I'll Slay all the time."
He sat down next to her, holding her hand and smiled, staring into her blue eyes. "We should be lovers." He whispered.
She nodded no defiantly, like before though deep down, it didn't seem like a bad idea. All her past loves, she was happy for a time and at some point, it did work and with him, it wouldn't be so bad to risk it? He was the One, a voice said. She smiled, despite herself. "We can't do that."
"We should be lovers and that's a fact."
Buffy studied him a moment, fantasizing how wonderful it would be to wake up beside him and feel so safe. "No nothing would keep us together."
"We could steal time," he said, tilting his head and she smiled back, "Just for one day."
"We can be heroes forever and ever; we can be heroes forever and ever. We can be heroes...." they sang. "Just because I, and I will always love you..." Christian sang, lost in her eyes.
She shrugged, taking hold of his hands, entwining them with her own. "I only can't help...."
"Loving You." He finished, "How wonderful life is now..."
Buffy's eyes lit up, staring back at him, leaning closer and closer... Suddenly the ground started to shake and she fell into his arms. Earthquake. Thankfully, it was only momentarily but still...something about it gave Buffy chills. She let go of Christian, staring at the street. No one seriously was hurt, though some people were in shock. The Slayer walked on, until coming to a complete stop in the middle of the street and knew... Something was coming, and it was big, very big.
TBC
...Until the End of Time (Or the End of the World)
By obi's girl
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: All of the following songs do not belong to me. Same goes for the characters of Buffy & Angel. They are from the mind of Joss Whedon; Moulin Rouge from the genius that is Baz. I Wish You Love is from Eye of the Beholder. Come What May, Elephant Love Medley, Nature boy, Children of the Revolution (re-named Children of the Night, for this fics purpose), Rhythm of the night, Material Girl, & Gorecki (Interlude: One Day I'll Fly Away come from Moulin Rouge, the movie itself. Later music (I don't know what they might be until I actually write the piece, but I do know they don't belong to me).
Spike stared at the floor as he took another drink. The Slayer, the one he loved more than his whole life was gone. He loved her and she rejected him. Although he should have known it would happen. He wasn't good enough for her - always the excuse, or reverse. With Drucilla, he wasn't evil enough and she left him.
His life was hole, a big dark hole and there was nothing holding him back from jumping into that hell. When he originally came back to Sunnydale it was to destroy the Slayer and now, in turn, she destroyed him - his spirit, his passion for un-dead life. It was enough to drive him crazy and make him do something stupid.
Of course, it wouldn't be the first time. He was never really smart, never good enough for the loves in his cursed life. With nothing else to do or choice, Spike stood up and grabbed his stuff and walked out the door.
Five minutes, four minutes, three minutes, two minutes...He stormed back in, covering his head from the light of day. Oh yeah, never really smart he forgot it was day - not the best time of day to leave Sunnydale.
**
Giles glanced over at his nephew. Amazingly, in a short time, he and Buffy had become close friends. When she broke up with Angel, she came over and talked to him and he consoled her, telling her it would be all right and things would work out. Buffy told him thanks and kissed him on the cheek before leaving. Of course, they never seemed to be apart. They were always together and the strange thing was, they weren't even dating. They were just good friends.
"Giles?" Willow questioned.
He turned to her and smiled. "Oh right, the meeting. Sorry, I forgot." And he gestured for Anya to set the "open" sign to "close." Giles knew it was pretty much pointless to have a "Scooby" meeting since Sunnydale had been reasonably quiet, which was good but for a couple months, it started to worry him because it was too quiet. Something was up.
Christian looked at him and as he started to leave, but Giles smiled it was all right and he sat back down next to Buffy. Buffy in turn glanced at her Watcher, "So, what's on tap tonight? Any big bad ugly?"
"No, not at the moment ---."
She smiled, "Great, 'cause there's this Karaoke thing at the Bronze. Free MIC night and grand prize," she glanced at Xander, "Drum roll, please." And he started drumming the table, until she cut him. "Getting as far away from here as possible - meaning out of Sunnydale. Which I think is a valid prize, I mean nothing happens here anymore."
He shrugged, "Probably, but because it's been really quiet around here and it normally isn't, we have reason to suspect something maybe be coming."
Buffy rolled her eyes, "Why? I mean, why does quietness constitute an alert? Quiet is good. Cheers for quietness." She glanced at Christian and she smiled back.
"I'm not saying it's anything big, but we should still be kept on alert in case something happens..." he paused briefly, removing his glasses, "and on a softer note, tonight is my last performance at the Pub."
Willow frowned, "Last performance? Why? Giles, you're so good? Why last performance?"
"Because I can't shuffle the shop and requests and demands from the public."
Buffy smiled, "Yeah, and having those cute gurls throw themselves at you is really terrible. You should put a restraining order on them. Bad gurls!"
"Yes, very bad gurls.... You're all invited to come. It's at 8:00 tonight."
Anya shrugged, holding Xander's hand, "We would love too but we can't. We were planning on having dinner by the fire and having lots, and lots of sex afterwards." Xander smiled. Buffy looked away, laughing a bit as Giles huffed, glancing at Willow and Tera.
"Sorry, Mr. Giles. Willow's tutoring tonight and I'm going to help her." Tera replied.
Buffy shrugged, "I guess it'll be only me and Christian." She glanced at Willow, "Who will you guys be tutoring?"
Will smiled back, "Dawn - don't worry we're not going to get into magicks. I know you're policy about that but she needs some help with math - summer school and everything. You and Christian have fun." And she winked at her. Buffy looked at her suspiciously, but before she could say anything else Giles adjourned the meeting.
"Well, I guess we're going to be dates." Christian mused as Buffy grabbed her jacket. She smiled back at him. Boy, did he love that smile.
"It's not a bad way to end the night and the Bronze isn't going anywhere. I think the Karaoke thing is weekly, so it will still be there tomorrow through Sunday." She glanced at Willow. "It will be fun."
He nodded yes, "So, I'll pick you up 7:30, then?"
She shrugged, "Sure." And left the Magic Box.
Christian smiled, "Yes." Willow gave him a look as he turned to her, crossing his arms, "What?"
"You. You, gawking all over Buffy. Could you be anymore obvious?"
He frowned, his eyebrows dropping. "Is it that obvious I like her?"
"Yeah, and that's why it's only going to be you two tonight. Actually, when Giles told us about the Pub, we planned to be busy so you would be alone." Will paused, sighing, "When you live on the Hellmouth, a little romance can go a long way. And it's helpful to have your head some place else besides having to worry about the world ending or worse." She smiled at him, "anyway, have a nice time." and the Wicca left.
**
Buffy rolled her shoulders as she walked home. Barely even night and already she had the urge to slay something, anything. Slayer vibrato. She was glad things were quiet in Sunnydale but still, sometimes she missed the nightly slayage. The pounding, running and beating vamps up - of course she didn't the Hellmouth either. They were always really nasty; always grand and this one, if there were a one, would be her sixth. She laughed. If it came to her 50th Hellmouth, then it there would have to a party for being able to stay alive that long.
Life in Sunnydale, never a dull moment. She glanced around the corner and noticed Spike, dragging a suitcase out his crypt and she walked over. Once he saw her, he was bound to head back inside but it was too late. "Spike, where ya going?"
He shrugged, taking out his smoke, "Away from you and from here! I don't need your crap anymore, Slayer and I sure as bloody hell, don't need these feelings, so I'm going to leave."
"To where?"
"Where else? I'm going to look for Dru, see if maybe she'll take me back." He spat, "which a whole lot better than sticking around here, with nothing happening! ...That and Passions has taken a really bizarre twist with vampires and the such."
She laughed, causing him to glare at her. Spike growled, "I'm dead serious, Slayer. It's over - I'm leaving and I'm not ever coming back. Ever!"
Buffy waved her hand, "Then by all means, leave. And good luck with looking for Dru and everything."
"What? No hug or cry, 'Oh Spike, please don't leave me! I need you,' - that sort of bit?"
"No. But sincerely, good luck looking for Dru." She replied, walking off towards her house.
Spike nodded, yelling back, "Well fine! I will look for her and when I do, we're going to come here and kick your Slayer ass!" She only waved in return and Spike bit his lip. "Bloody goodbye, my love." And he continued on his way.
He huffed, "This story is about love. The woman I loved... is dead to me. There was a gurl, a very strange enchanted gurl. They say she wandered very far, very far over heaven and hell. A little shy and sad of eye but very wise was she."
"And then one day, one magic day she passed my way. While we spoke of many things - Fools and kings, this she said to me "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return"
Spike grunted, switching shoulders. "Goodbye, no use leading with our chins. This is where our story ends. Never lovers, ever friends; goodbye, let our hearts call it a day but before you walk away I sincerely want to say...I wish you bluebirds in the spring to give your heart a song to sing and then a kiss but more than this - I wish you love. Wish you love."
"My breaking heart and I agree that you and I could never be. So with my best, my very best, I set you free." He paused, glancing back one last time, hopeful she was there but nothing. "I wish you shelter from the storm. A cozy fire to keep you warm - but most of all when snowflakes fall...I wish you love." The vampire turned around, stolen tears in his eyes, "My breaking heart and I agree that you and I could never be. So with my best, my very best, I set you free - But most of all when snowflakes fall...I wish you love."
He sucked in his gut, looking back, "Good bye, good 'old Sunnydale way." And headed off.
**
Christian smiled, walking home. He had a date with Buffy. Truth was, he would have asked her out sooner but she was still grieving over her double break-up (Angel ... & Spike). Angel, he could understand but Spike, he didn't think it would affect Buffy as much. Anyway, he was gone from her life and everybody else's, making him free to pursue the Slayer.
If things did ever work out, he would have to thank his Uncle. Giles had told him so much about her, he practically made Christian fall in love with the, even though he hadn't yet met her. Giles. Did he know about his infatuation with his Slayer? And if he did, what were his feelings about it? Giles thought of Buffy as his own and Christian supposed as long as she was happy, Giles would be happy. 'Cause theoretically speaking, dating on the Hellmouth was anything but easy. In fact, sometimes disastrous literally.
But he wasn't' worried. He loved her, yes he loved her and long ago, he had vowed to remain in Sunnydale and be by Buffy's side no matter what. He smiled again, "I have a date with a beautiful gurl." He sighed, ".... Never knew I could feel like this. It's like I've never seen the sky before. Want to vanish inside your kiss - Every day I'm loving you more and more. Listen to my heart can you hear it sing? Come to me and forget everything." He paused, smiling proudly, "Seasons may change, winter to spring - But I love you till the end of time."
Christian smiled, picturing Buffy getting ready for the date. Brushing her golden hair, getting slight suggestions from her kid sister, raving and raving. "Come what may, come what may, come what may. I will love you until my dying day."
"Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place; suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace; suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste. It all revolves around you - and there's no mountain too high; No river too wide, sing out this song and I'll be there by your side."
"Storm clouds may gather and stars may collide but I love you until the end of time." he paused, looking to the moon, "Oh come what may, come what may. I will love you until my dying day. Come What May."
He smiled, stretching his arms wide, "I will love you - Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place. Come what may, come what may - I will love you until my dying day." And he hurried off to the house to get ready as well.
**
Buffy wearily walked into the house, shutting the door closed silently as she rushed upstairs to check on Dawn. It was strange living in the house. The two of them were so used to seeing their mother come through the door or make dinner and....there were just so many memories. Buffy initially wanted to move out since the house was too big for the two of them, but Dawn stubbornly argued that she didn't know any other home that carried so many memories and Buffy agreed not to sell.
But it still didn't make things any easier. The memories remained and they were stronger with each passing day. Everywhere she looked, there was something that reminded Buffy of her. Maybe that was why Buffy opted to spend more time out of the place, 'cause it was easier to deal. At home, all there was just memories - good and bad. She turned a corner towards Dawn's room and knocked. The girl looked up from her bed, writing in her journal.
"Hey." Buffy whispered, coming in and sitting on the bed, "Look, I'm going out tonight. It's Giles' last performance at the Pub. So, will you be okay here until Tera and Willow come?"
Dawn shrugged, giving her a confused look. "Sure. Um, I know it's none of my business but who are you going with, as in a date?"
"Christian. Everybody else is pretty much bogged up. It's okay, though I suspect this was some kind of set-up to get the two of us alone."
She laughed, "Well, what else would it be? You know he likes you, right? I see it. When I come into the shop, he doesn't pay attention to no one else but you. Why not go with him?"
Buffy frowned, looking down. "Dawn, romantic entanglements...they don't work for me. You know that. Dating on the Hellmouth is pretty much - what's the word?"
"Impossible?"
"Yeah, and Christian is nice but...." she began with some prompting from Dawn but Buffy stopped herself before she went on and head to her own room to get dressed.
**
"Uncle, are you here?" Christian called as he entered the flat. He searched the house until he found Giles grabbing his guitar case from the closet. He removed it briefly, looked it over and smiled. Christian smiled at him. "So, this is really your last night? Aren't you going to miss it?"
Giles closed the case and looked at his nephew. "I will, a little bit but I have a shop to run...and oh yes, I will the miss gurls screaming more, more, more but I think I can deal with it. Of course, that could be just the older me talking."
"Well, I better get ready. I'm meeting Buffy at 7:30 at her house. Good luck, tonight, Uncle." And Christian disappeared down the hall to the guest room.
**
Summer's House, 7:30 p.m.
Buffy hurriedly rushed to the door, Dawn at her back, a grand smile on her face. Buffy looked through the peephole. Willow and Tera. She smiled, opening the door, hugging Willow first, and nodding to Tera. "Hey Dawny, ready to tackle those fractions?" Will joked as Christian showed up.
He smiled at them all, especially at Buffy. She glanced at him. Buffy thought he would show up in Giles' clothes but thankfully, the man had a wardrobe of his own. Black vest, white shirt and black pants - very classy compared to what she was wearing. Blue pants and a reddish-orange-pink, tank top. But it was all right. He extended his arm to her and Buffy took it smiling, glancing at Dawn.
"Be good, and remember..." she started.
"I know, I know. No messing with Wicca magic." Dawn stated, closing the door and turning tot he gurls, nodding, "So, what spell are we working on tonight?"
**
Buffy frowned, walking towards the Pub. Christian saw her dismay and smiled, causing her to smile. "Sorry. I'm just a little worried about Dawn. She's been through a lot this past year - I just want to make sure she's safe."
"Always the caring sister - one of the things I like about you." He smiled back as they came to the Pub. They sat down at one of the outside tables.
It was a beautiful night. Really peaceful, extremely peaceful and for the first time, Buffy understood Giles' worry. Sunnydale was never like this. Something was always going on, some crisis and a Sunnydale without crisis didn't seem like Sunnydale. Something had to be up. Her date frowned, taking a drink of his water. "Don't tell me you're thinking about work?"
She shrugged, scowling partly. "I am, but tonight is not about work. I don't even want to think about it. I left my stake at home and that's where it stays."
"Buffy!" Giles cried as he came from the front, greeting her and Christian. He was dressed pretty formally - matter of fact it looked like what he normally wore every day. "Glad the two of you could make it."
"We're glad too and good luck." Buffy replied, sitting down as he walked away. She glanced at Christian, "Actually, this my first time hearing Giles but from what I've heard from Willow, Tera and Anya - he's great. Xander was there too but it totally freaked him out."
He laughed, "Um, while we wait, do you want to order anything? It is around dinner."
She shrugged, "Hot chocolate and a Danish is fine with me, besides we could always go to the Bronze afterwards get real food there. The Pub isn't known for it's spectacular food selection."
"I thought we were going to skip the Bronze?"
Buffy nodded, "Well, either that or accompanying me on Patrol." At that she scowled, remembering 'no work talk.' "Sorry. It seems like I'll never it get out of my system - the Slaying and constant worry about the world ending."
"It's what you do. It's who you are. I accept that."
"I'll still try not to mention it again." Buffy added, glancing at her watch. 7:50, only 10 minutes until Giles came on. After that, things were quiet - Buffy was lost, thinking about the meeting earlier that day and work, though she told him she wouldn't. And lately, since she got back, the Slaying was all she could think about it. It was becoming almost an obsession, which was crazy since she hated her life as the Slayer. She smiled at Christian.
And lately, she had also been spending a lot time with Giles' nephew, who wasn't that bad. Christian was actually pretty normal, normal being that he wasn't a vampire with a soul, or a player, or a Commando working for the US Military. He was Christian, simple guy - nothing mysterious about him and Buffy liked that. There had never been any simple guys in her life. There was always something strange about them that attracted her but not Christian.
Earlier, she almost admitted to Dawn her feelings about him but stopped herself because she wasn't ready to go to that place, to fall in love again. Falling in love and giving your heart to someone never really worked out for her. For a time, everything seems prefect but before she knew it, everything slowly started to decline in a downward spiral. It scared her, especially with him. If she was falling in love with him, it meant risking her heart and feelings all over again. Was she ready for that? More importantly, what if something disastrous happened and he would end up getting more than hurt, killed even. The Hellmouth could be deadly dangerous - a mad house even but she didn't want to get him killed.
At that, she started to cry. Christian turned to her and frowned, taking her hand from across the table. When those sweet eyes looked at her, Buffy broke some more. Buffy removed her hand from his, running off, and a saddened look on Christian's face.
**
Buffy huffed, walking down Main Street, her arms folded around her middle. Love. Why now? She wasn't ready for it and yet, she felt some feeling that she was falling in love...with him and it scared her. It just wasn't fair. She tried love before and always, each time, thing ended badly, very badly. So why, put herself through the heartache all over again? It was horrifying. Most of all, she hated it - this feeling of falling for someone else. She paused before the old abandoned church.
Not long ago in the same church, she and Riley found out each other's identities after sharing their first kiss. And she knew - they were doomed; the fact that it was doomed from the very beginning but back then, she wanted to believe this time it would be different. This time. Things would work and they would live happily ever after. Ever after never came, and somehow through time, she never believed it would come. She shrugged, looking down, "I follow the night - can't stand the light. When will I begin to live again?" The Slayer huffed, "One day I'll fly away - leave all this to yesterday. What more could your love do for me? When will love be through with me? Why live life from dream to dream and dread the day when dreaming ends."
"Buffy!" Christian cried as he found her. She stared back at him and started to cry, but he held out his hand to her and stubbornly nodded no. He walked forward slowly, cautious not to scare her off again. "Buffy, please!"
She looked down, frowning, "What more could your love do for me? When will love be through with me?" Buffy glanced at the old clock. 8:05 - Giles performance had already started unless he noticed they were gone and postponed until they returned. "Christian, I can't go back."
He nodded, "What are you talking about? The performance, you told Giles you would be there - he would be very disappointed if you ---."
"No, not that. " she interrupted, turning away and abruptly facing him again. "Christian, something is happening between us and it needs to stop. It needs to stop now before somebody gets hurt, 'cause love does that."
"Love?" he echoed, staring back at her, "...then you do feel ---."
Buffy nodded no, "I thought I did - No, I can't. I've been hurt too many times; I can't do this."
"Can't or won't?" Christian asked, nearing her. "Buffy, I do have feelings for you - I won't deny that."
"You should!" she yelled back, "I can't love. I tried to several times, but it never worked. I'm the Vampire Slayer, love is forbidden, a curse."
He laughed, smiling at her, "Love is not a curse, Buffy. It's human nature to be loved. Love is a many splendid thing. Love is like oxygen. All you need is love."
She rolled her eyes at him, heading back down the street but he persisted, "All you need is love."
Buffy turned back to him, a look if disbelief on her face. She did believe in love once but that was a long time ago; it almost seemed like a different age but no, she would not give into him. If she did, she was sure she would end up hurt like all those other times she gave her heart. "Love is just a game."
"I was made for loving you baby; you were made for loving me!" he sang, flashing her his biggest smile.
She nodded, how boyish and young he was but a golden heart. A sweetheart, but no, no giving in. Don't give in, never give in. "There's no way of loving me baby."
He smiled at her again, this time Buffy felt weak, staring at him. "Just one night; give me just one night."
Buffy huffed, "There's no way, 'cause eventually you'll pay."
Christian swung around one of the lamp poles, holding his right arm out, "In the name of love; One night in the name of love!"
She nodded, rolling her eyes, "You crazy fool. I won't give in to you!" leaving.
But once again, his sweet voice broke into song and she froze. Persistent and stubborn, then again so was she. "Don't leave me this way; I can't survive without your sweet love. Oh baby don't leave me this way."
The Slayer looked away, praying and hoping. She wasn't ready for love or was she? Love had spat her so many times...No, not again, never again. "You think that people would have enough of silly love songs."
"I look around me and I see it isn't so, oh no." He laughed.
Buffy turned, staring blankly into the night as Christian stood behind her. "Some people wanna fill the world with silly love songs." And she faced him again.
How easy it would be to lose her heart to him? Or maybe she all ready did, 'cause he leaned foreword, caressing her cheek, singing softly. "Well what's wrong with that I like to know, 'Cause here I go again." He spread his arms wide, jumping onto a street bench, "Love lifts us up where we belong," he glanced down at her. She was worried about him and amused at the same time. At least he was breaking some part of her, made her realize some positive feeling. "Where the eagles fly on a mountain high."
Finally, she grabbed his hand, helping him down. "Love makes us act like we are fools. Throw our lives away for one happy day."
"We can be heroes just for one day."
She nodded, "You, you will be mean."
Christian smiled, following her to the park. "No I won't"
Buffy looked back at him, settling down on the swing, "And I, I'll Slay all the time."
He sat down next to her, holding her hand and smiled, staring into her blue eyes. "We should be lovers." He whispered.
She nodded no defiantly, like before though deep down, it didn't seem like a bad idea. All her past loves, she was happy for a time and at some point, it did work and with him, it wouldn't be so bad to risk it? He was the One, a voice said. She smiled, despite herself. "We can't do that."
"We should be lovers and that's a fact."
Buffy studied him a moment, fantasizing how wonderful it would be to wake up beside him and feel so safe. "No nothing would keep us together."
"We could steal time," he said, tilting his head and she smiled back, "Just for one day."
"We can be heroes forever and ever; we can be heroes forever and ever. We can be heroes...." they sang. "Just because I, and I will always love you..." Christian sang, lost in her eyes.
She shrugged, taking hold of his hands, entwining them with her own. "I only can't help...."
"Loving You." He finished, "How wonderful life is now..."
Buffy's eyes lit up, staring back at him, leaning closer and closer... Suddenly the ground started to shake and she fell into his arms. Earthquake. Thankfully, it was only momentarily but still...something about it gave Buffy chills. She let go of Christian, staring at the street. No one seriously was hurt, though some people were in shock. The Slayer walked on, until coming to a complete stop in the middle of the street and knew... Something was coming, and it was big, very big.
TBC