Ok..this is written as part of a larger story I will continue as I get
time. It is my first attempt at writitng in the Buffy "universe", so please
review it and let me know what you think.
It takes place sometime in the near future of Season 6. I do not want to interfere with the actual timeline, this is just a side adventure for the cast, though I'm sure some future episodes of the real show will eventually contradict this in many ways..hehe.
As always, I do not own, nor do I gain any monetary value from using any of the copyrighted peoples, places or references in this story.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Big Wig-gins
A cool breeze blew in as the sun beat down on another near perfect day in Sunnydale. As nearly perfect as any day got in the town that called the Hellmouth home. Despite the demonic mystical energy that constantly permeated the environment, all things seemed right. Except, of course, for the arrival of the most important person to ever set foot in the city limits. Congressman Harold Savage of the state of California was visiting as a part of his re-election campaign. Determined to help rid the fair city of Sunnydale, if he is re-elected, of all the so called "strange events" that have happened over the years. His speech was still going on nearly an hour after he'd stepped up onto the podium.
"Doesn't this guy know about the old routine?" asked Xander Harris of his group. "You know, crime bad, taxes bad, elect me and be happy. Then shake a few hands, kiss some babies and leave." He then looked around with his trade mark half smirk to see if anyone was agreeing with him. As usual, they were giving all of their attention to something other than him.
"Well, points for effort, but his length leaves something to be desired," responded Buffy Summers local, and essentially only, Vampire Slayer. Her blonde hair whipped past her face in a strong gust of the breeze. She used a hand to brush it back, but all of this only added to her already annoyed expression.
"Yeah ,well, I've never gotten that complaint. My length is something to totally be desired!" quipped Xander. He was then grabbed by the arm and tugged to his left.
"Keep dreaming sweetie,"this from his bride-to-be, and one time vengeance demon, Anya. "Let's go see if there are any concession stands." She pulled harder to emphasize her need for him to follow.
"Ok, we cou- Hey!" Xander's realization of the put-down rendered him speechless as he was drug along trough the crowd.
Buffy's best friend, Willow Rosenberg, moved in to fill the space vacated by the quarreling couple. Her red hair gleamed in the sun as Buffy looked towards her. "So what do ya think about his platform Buffy?"
A confused look crossed the Slayer's face as she contemplated the question. "Well...uhhh..it's wooden. Wooden is good right? I mean, the last thing we need is for some important congressman to come here and die from an accident caused by a shoddy platform! We have enough unexplained accidents around here to add any explained ones."
Willow giggled at her friend's attempt to be funny. Then sobered, but kept smiling, when she realized that Buffy was serious. "No. Buffy! I mean his political stance. You know, his list of things he says he'll do when he gets re-elected? Especially his promise to investigate all the strange stuff that goes on around here."
Buffy tried not to look too embarrassed as she answered. "Oh, right. I knew that. Really!" She gave up and fully blushed. "Mmmmm, ok, fine. So I had no idea. But still, I hope he does. Not that I think he actually will, but it would be nice, you know. To get a little help around here. We work way too hard sometimes!"
"Hey, no argument from me on that one! And I'm not even the Slayer. But don't you think it would be a little weird? I mean, look at what happened the last time the government tried to help. Riley was cool and all but the rest of it I could have lived without going through."
Buffy's eyes glazed for a moment as her memories took her back to that period of time. "Ditto. Oh well, either way I don't really wanna hear anymore, I gotta go find Dawn. I'm supposed to get her from her school group when this whole thing is done. Wanna come? Think we're gonna pig on some pizza or ice cream when this is over."
Willow brightened at the mention of ice cream, but then frowned when she remembered. "Nah, can't, I gotta meet Tara in a bit at the magic store. She wants to do a movie tonight. Ohh, but I might be able to talk her into dinner and a late movie! Maybe we could meet you in a bit at the pizza place?"
"Sure! We won't be there for awhile anyways. I think Dawn's teacher is gonna make her stay for the whole thing, but she's in a big class so I want to get a head start on looking for her. See ya in a couple hours then?"
Willow started to walk in the direction she needed to go. "Sure, I... I mean maybe. Don't wait for us!" she trailed off as she was caught in a surge of people and swept away.
Buffy waved to the already gone ex-witch, and then set her thoughts to finding her sister. "Ok, so, this isn't going to be a small teenage girl in a giant hay stack of people, or anything," She mumbled to herself. She turned in place, shading her eyes from the sun with one hand, until she saw the flash of yellow back towards the main parking lot of the square. Hoping the sight of a school bus meant the eventual sight of school students, Buffy started to make her way through the throng.
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Seeing the blonde haired girl he was supposed to be watching, turn to leave, Special Officer Demario snapped his small walkie talkie up to his mouth and pressed the transmit button. "This is Spotter 1 to Spotter Patrol. Subject making towards the parking lot. Might be leaving. All units keep visual until the last possible moment. Confirm." His thumb slid off the button as he awaited confirmation from his men. Once they all checked in, he made his way to the back of the crowd, trying to keep up with the target's movement. His mission was just to watch, for now.
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Dawn and her big sister made their way to the pizza place almost a full two hours later. The congressman had indeed been longwinded. So much so, that Buffy had stolen her sibling away from her school group before the seemingly never ending political rally had even begun to wind down. "Thanks again for getting me out of there, Buffy. And I thought school was boring. That guy should win an award or something. Or, should it be a reprimand? I mean, boring is bad, so I don't think you would get an award. Except, you only get in trouble when you are bad at something, not good. Ugh, I dunno. What do you think?" When her sister didn't respond, Dawn prompted, "Buffy?"
Buffy blinked and looked at her sister. "What?" When Dawn's eyebrow raised and she frowned, Buffy shook her head. "Ehhhhgh. I'm sorry. What were you saying? I guess I drifted a bit." She then looked pleadingly at her younger sister.
Dawn kept her dissaproving look as long as she could before she broke into a small laugh. "A bit? Buffy you couldn't have been farther away if you had been on the moon. It's ok, nothing important. So what gives? Boys....demons....or, considering your past, both?"
It was Buffy's turn for a dissaproving glare. "Neither, thank you. I'm not sure. Just tired I guess. Plus those Secret Service guys, or whatever, standing all around the congressman. They give me wiggins, what with their Men In Black look and their stern expressions. You can't see their eyes behind those super dark glasses and I guess I think they're always watching me. I'm glad they're only here for today."
Dawn rolled her eyes as she spoke. "Oh please! So like being God's gift to the supernatural isn't enough for you? You think the government of the whole country has to worship you too? I don't think your head's gonna fit in the resturant."
Buffy playfully slapped her sibling on the shoulder as they turned towards the door to the pizza parlor. "As if! Now c'mon, I'm hungry. I just hope Wil and Tara aren't waiting on us."
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In a discrete motel room, miles away from the square or the pizza resturant, a brown haired, blue eyed man, looked over a bundle of papers. His attention was fully directed at them until a knock came at his door. He lifted his paunchy visage towards the entrance as it quietly opened. Another brown haired man entered, but his eyes were hidden by dark sunglasses. He closed the door behind him and walked over to stand at relaxed attention in front of the desk. Congressman Savage put down the papers and leaned back in his chair. "Report."
The man took off his sunglasses to reveal gray eyes and a satisfied expression. "We maintained visual throughout your speech, sir. Until she left. She traveled south in a green Buick and we picked her up a couple minutes later at one of our check points. We followed her to a house that was not at the designated address. She is still there as we speak. We assume it is a friend or family member. We're running the plates on the car and the house's address now. We should have that info in the morning."
The Congressman smiled. "Excellent work Agent Demario. If she leaves, make sure she is followed, where ever she may go."
"Yes sir. I have men on twenty four hour watch." Demario looked down and fiddled with his glasses for only a moment before asking. "Sir? If I may ask, when will we be ordered to pick the target up? My men are a little frustrated at being removed from their usual assignments to follow a girl. Not that they won't follow orders. It's just that, they are a little confused why some of the best operatives in the country are following one single, young woman. Anything I could tell them would help, sir."
Savage frowned at this and leaned forward. He burned his gaze into the man. "I do not want their understanding, Agent. Merely their loyalty. Everything will be made known to them, in time. I assigned them to this mission, because they are the best. This girl is very important, and I didn't want amatuers screwing it up." He leaned back again, and his expression softened. "Don't worry, Agent. You can tell your men they will be back to their prefered assignments in no time, if they so wish. But you can also tell them, if they really want to reach the top, that they should stick with me. When I succeed at my mission, we'll all be going places."
Agent Demario smiled. "You'll get re-elected sir! I don't think you even need to make it a mission. It will happen on it's own!"
Savage smiled now. "My mission takes me a little past Congress, Agent."
Demario couldn't help a shocked looked. "You mean...y-you wanna run for the Presidency?"
Savage's smile broadened. "Let's just say I wanna be a...world leader."
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"Sorry guys. I guess I'm just not up on the whole political situation of the world. Little to preoccupied with the, keeping the world here and not in hell, thing." Buffy slumped a little as she took a sip from the straw she had been swirling around in her chocolate malt.
Willow looked over and tried to console her best bud. "It's ok Buffy. We know you have more important things to worry about. Me and Tara just like discussing stuff like this. But we'll move on to something more...uhh...Slayery. Or, more interesting for all present, at least." This last was directed at Dawn who was nearly hidden behind her massive milk shake.
Dawn peaked out from behind it as she grabbed a straw. "Thanks. I mean, I got it and stuff, but it was almost as boring as listening to the Congress guy talk. So how about we talk about...ummmm...boys?" she asked hopefully.
Buffy nearly spit her mouthful of malt out as she turned to glare at her sister. "Dawn!"
Tara interrupted any response from the junior Summers. "It's alright Buffy. If Dawny wants to talk boys, we can do that. Right, Willow?" she asked her lesbian partner.
Willow swallowed her last bite of pizza and nodded. "Sure! After all, I once dabbled in the more masculine gender. I would say I could hold my own in a conversation about boys." She leaned forward towards Dawn and pseudo-whispered, "So you got anyone in particular in mind, you wanna talk about?" She smiled and winked.
"Well...there is this one guy-" Dawn didn't get to finish her sentence.
"So. The youngest Summers is about to start breakin' hearts to, eh?" Spike, also known as William the Bloody, moved to lean against the high backed side of the booth Buffy and Dawn sat in. The bad-forced-good vampire reached into his pocket and withdrew a lighter to light the cigarette he already had in his mouth.
Buffy craned her neck around to look up at the undead antagonist. "Spike! What the hell are you doing here? Isn't there anyplace in this town I can go that you can't find me?"
Spike inhaled and then blew out smoke as he talked. "Don't flatter yourself, Slayer. I'm 'ere for a bit of cheesy satisfaction, that's all. The fact that you're here is pure coincidence."
Buffy didn't buy a word of it. "You eat pizza now? What next? You go out and toss a baseball around with your buddies? Maybe some apple pie?"
Spike's black leather duster creaked as he leaned forward to bring his head almost level with her's. "For your information, it doesn't make me any happier than it does you. I used to hate the stuff. Now I can't seem to get enough of it. Makes me feel all bloody domesticated." He rose again to his full height and took another drag from his smoke.
"Great, now if we could just get him to use the litter box," Willow teased. Her companions at the table all laughed.
Spike turned his bleached blonde head towards the far corner where Willow sat. "Well I see Red's gettin' all frisky," his eyes moved slightly left to look at the fourth girl at the table. "I wonder what lover's doing with those two hands below the table."
Tara's eyes went wide as she understood the vampire's insinuation. At the same time Willow opened her mouth to protest, Buffy jumped up out of her seat and grabbed, the one-time horrible poet, by the collar. "Spike! If you don't get out of here right now, I'll-"she trailed off as she caught the genuine hurt look in his eyes. It struck a cord inside of her that she didn't want to acknowledge at the moment. She let go of him and sat back down.
"As far as threats go, I've heard better," Dawn stated around her straw.
Willow leaned over and touched Buffy's arm. "What's a matter Buffy? You ok?"
Buffy looked up and pulled her arm from her friend's reach. "Nothing. I'm fine. I'm just not in the mood to put up with him right now. Besides, I can't make a scene of kicking his ass, in the middle of all these people." She didn't even look his way as she said, "Get out Spike. Now."
Spike quickly put a satisfied, cocky smirk on his face as he straightened his clothes. "That's ok, I think my order's up anyways. And I got friendlier shadows at my crypt than you people. Their a good bit more quiet too." He turned to leave, but then quickly snuck in close to Buffy's ear. "I'll save a piece for you Slayer. It might be cold by then, but you do like sausage don't you?" With that he did an about face and started to stroll off towards the pick-up counter. But before he could take two steps, a thin pink denim sheathed leg snaked out and tripped him up. It was gone again before he even hit the floor.
The unsuspecting vampire hit the table in front of him face first and caused a tremendous crash as he knocked everything from it, attempting to maintian his balance. He caught himself on his knees, but was covered in spilled soda pop and even half a piece of pizza. Buffy called out in her sweetest voice, "Oh sorry mister! I should have warned you the floor was wet there!" Most all the patrons of the establishment turned to look at the platinum creature of the night as he picked himself up and tried to clean himself off. He froze and looked up to find everyone's eyes on him. He could even hear a few snickers and some whispered comments about him coming from somwhere in the vicinity. He sneered and growled low in his chest just as he whirled to face his assailant. Buffy only smiled politely and giggled. At this, Spike angrily took a couple more swipes at his clothes and then bolted for the door. Completely forgetting his pizza.
Buffy turned back to her table, and said to all it's occupants, "Well, I guess Spike isn't a center of attention kind of guy." Willow and Tara both giggled along with her.
Only Dawn remained unhappy. "I think it was kinda mean. Admittedly kinda funny too, but still mean." When she saw the stern look from her older sister, Dawn just went back to drinking her shake.
"It's not like he hasn't done things to deserve it. I'm sure he has probably even done things we don't know about that.....would...warrant a good tripping, and my god that's a big shake!!"
Tara glanced over at Dawn. "See? I'm not the only one."
"I wasn't paying any attention before. You plannin' on rolling home or what?" Buffy's eyes were still wide as she asked Dawn.
Dawn rolled her eyes as she again momentarily parted from her straw. "I can handle it. Ask Tara. She got me started on these."
Tara's jaw dropped as she first looked at Dawn and then at the dissaproving up swing of Buffy's eyebrows. "I-I didn't...I mean. She...uhh...I...ummm...hey baby?" she nudged her girlfriend with her elbow. "Aren't we supposed to be at the movie in like f-five minutes?"
Willow frowned and looked down at her watch. "No, more like a half hour-" Only after another "not so" gentle nudge from her lover did she raise her eyes to look at Buffy. "Yes! I mean, yeah, we are. We'd better go." She pulled some money from her pocket and threw it on the table. She then looked to her significant other and gave her a "nice going" look. "After all, "she started, getting up from the table, "we wouldn't want to miss the....blank screen and stuff."
Buffy watched all this, somewhat stunned but also amused, as Tara grabbed her jacket from the back of the booth. "I like the t-trailers," she smiled meekly and then turned and hurried towards the door.
Willow grabbed her coat as well and followed Tara. "Bye Buffy. Bye Dawny."
"Bye guys!" Dawn called through a not entirely swallowed puddle of shake. She then looked over at Buffy, annoyed. "Good going Buffy. Way to ruin the mood."
Buffy looked back at her with attempted innocence. "What did I do? I only said-. Ughhh...nevermind. Just finish your-.......resevoir of chocolate and let's go home, ok?" She turned to grab the bill and go pay it, when she realized. "And don't even come crying to me in the morning when your jeans don't fit!" With that she got up and proceeded to the cashier.
Dawn only rolled her eyes.
It takes place sometime in the near future of Season 6. I do not want to interfere with the actual timeline, this is just a side adventure for the cast, though I'm sure some future episodes of the real show will eventually contradict this in many ways..hehe.
As always, I do not own, nor do I gain any monetary value from using any of the copyrighted peoples, places or references in this story.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Big Wig-gins
A cool breeze blew in as the sun beat down on another near perfect day in Sunnydale. As nearly perfect as any day got in the town that called the Hellmouth home. Despite the demonic mystical energy that constantly permeated the environment, all things seemed right. Except, of course, for the arrival of the most important person to ever set foot in the city limits. Congressman Harold Savage of the state of California was visiting as a part of his re-election campaign. Determined to help rid the fair city of Sunnydale, if he is re-elected, of all the so called "strange events" that have happened over the years. His speech was still going on nearly an hour after he'd stepped up onto the podium.
"Doesn't this guy know about the old routine?" asked Xander Harris of his group. "You know, crime bad, taxes bad, elect me and be happy. Then shake a few hands, kiss some babies and leave." He then looked around with his trade mark half smirk to see if anyone was agreeing with him. As usual, they were giving all of their attention to something other than him.
"Well, points for effort, but his length leaves something to be desired," responded Buffy Summers local, and essentially only, Vampire Slayer. Her blonde hair whipped past her face in a strong gust of the breeze. She used a hand to brush it back, but all of this only added to her already annoyed expression.
"Yeah ,well, I've never gotten that complaint. My length is something to totally be desired!" quipped Xander. He was then grabbed by the arm and tugged to his left.
"Keep dreaming sweetie,"this from his bride-to-be, and one time vengeance demon, Anya. "Let's go see if there are any concession stands." She pulled harder to emphasize her need for him to follow.
"Ok, we cou- Hey!" Xander's realization of the put-down rendered him speechless as he was drug along trough the crowd.
Buffy's best friend, Willow Rosenberg, moved in to fill the space vacated by the quarreling couple. Her red hair gleamed in the sun as Buffy looked towards her. "So what do ya think about his platform Buffy?"
A confused look crossed the Slayer's face as she contemplated the question. "Well...uhhh..it's wooden. Wooden is good right? I mean, the last thing we need is for some important congressman to come here and die from an accident caused by a shoddy platform! We have enough unexplained accidents around here to add any explained ones."
Willow giggled at her friend's attempt to be funny. Then sobered, but kept smiling, when she realized that Buffy was serious. "No. Buffy! I mean his political stance. You know, his list of things he says he'll do when he gets re-elected? Especially his promise to investigate all the strange stuff that goes on around here."
Buffy tried not to look too embarrassed as she answered. "Oh, right. I knew that. Really!" She gave up and fully blushed. "Mmmmm, ok, fine. So I had no idea. But still, I hope he does. Not that I think he actually will, but it would be nice, you know. To get a little help around here. We work way too hard sometimes!"
"Hey, no argument from me on that one! And I'm not even the Slayer. But don't you think it would be a little weird? I mean, look at what happened the last time the government tried to help. Riley was cool and all but the rest of it I could have lived without going through."
Buffy's eyes glazed for a moment as her memories took her back to that period of time. "Ditto. Oh well, either way I don't really wanna hear anymore, I gotta go find Dawn. I'm supposed to get her from her school group when this whole thing is done. Wanna come? Think we're gonna pig on some pizza or ice cream when this is over."
Willow brightened at the mention of ice cream, but then frowned when she remembered. "Nah, can't, I gotta meet Tara in a bit at the magic store. She wants to do a movie tonight. Ohh, but I might be able to talk her into dinner and a late movie! Maybe we could meet you in a bit at the pizza place?"
"Sure! We won't be there for awhile anyways. I think Dawn's teacher is gonna make her stay for the whole thing, but she's in a big class so I want to get a head start on looking for her. See ya in a couple hours then?"
Willow started to walk in the direction she needed to go. "Sure, I... I mean maybe. Don't wait for us!" she trailed off as she was caught in a surge of people and swept away.
Buffy waved to the already gone ex-witch, and then set her thoughts to finding her sister. "Ok, so, this isn't going to be a small teenage girl in a giant hay stack of people, or anything," She mumbled to herself. She turned in place, shading her eyes from the sun with one hand, until she saw the flash of yellow back towards the main parking lot of the square. Hoping the sight of a school bus meant the eventual sight of school students, Buffy started to make her way through the throng.
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Seeing the blonde haired girl he was supposed to be watching, turn to leave, Special Officer Demario snapped his small walkie talkie up to his mouth and pressed the transmit button. "This is Spotter 1 to Spotter Patrol. Subject making towards the parking lot. Might be leaving. All units keep visual until the last possible moment. Confirm." His thumb slid off the button as he awaited confirmation from his men. Once they all checked in, he made his way to the back of the crowd, trying to keep up with the target's movement. His mission was just to watch, for now.
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Dawn and her big sister made their way to the pizza place almost a full two hours later. The congressman had indeed been longwinded. So much so, that Buffy had stolen her sibling away from her school group before the seemingly never ending political rally had even begun to wind down. "Thanks again for getting me out of there, Buffy. And I thought school was boring. That guy should win an award or something. Or, should it be a reprimand? I mean, boring is bad, so I don't think you would get an award. Except, you only get in trouble when you are bad at something, not good. Ugh, I dunno. What do you think?" When her sister didn't respond, Dawn prompted, "Buffy?"
Buffy blinked and looked at her sister. "What?" When Dawn's eyebrow raised and she frowned, Buffy shook her head. "Ehhhhgh. I'm sorry. What were you saying? I guess I drifted a bit." She then looked pleadingly at her younger sister.
Dawn kept her dissaproving look as long as she could before she broke into a small laugh. "A bit? Buffy you couldn't have been farther away if you had been on the moon. It's ok, nothing important. So what gives? Boys....demons....or, considering your past, both?"
It was Buffy's turn for a dissaproving glare. "Neither, thank you. I'm not sure. Just tired I guess. Plus those Secret Service guys, or whatever, standing all around the congressman. They give me wiggins, what with their Men In Black look and their stern expressions. You can't see their eyes behind those super dark glasses and I guess I think they're always watching me. I'm glad they're only here for today."
Dawn rolled her eyes as she spoke. "Oh please! So like being God's gift to the supernatural isn't enough for you? You think the government of the whole country has to worship you too? I don't think your head's gonna fit in the resturant."
Buffy playfully slapped her sibling on the shoulder as they turned towards the door to the pizza parlor. "As if! Now c'mon, I'm hungry. I just hope Wil and Tara aren't waiting on us."
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In a discrete motel room, miles away from the square or the pizza resturant, a brown haired, blue eyed man, looked over a bundle of papers. His attention was fully directed at them until a knock came at his door. He lifted his paunchy visage towards the entrance as it quietly opened. Another brown haired man entered, but his eyes were hidden by dark sunglasses. He closed the door behind him and walked over to stand at relaxed attention in front of the desk. Congressman Savage put down the papers and leaned back in his chair. "Report."
The man took off his sunglasses to reveal gray eyes and a satisfied expression. "We maintained visual throughout your speech, sir. Until she left. She traveled south in a green Buick and we picked her up a couple minutes later at one of our check points. We followed her to a house that was not at the designated address. She is still there as we speak. We assume it is a friend or family member. We're running the plates on the car and the house's address now. We should have that info in the morning."
The Congressman smiled. "Excellent work Agent Demario. If she leaves, make sure she is followed, where ever she may go."
"Yes sir. I have men on twenty four hour watch." Demario looked down and fiddled with his glasses for only a moment before asking. "Sir? If I may ask, when will we be ordered to pick the target up? My men are a little frustrated at being removed from their usual assignments to follow a girl. Not that they won't follow orders. It's just that, they are a little confused why some of the best operatives in the country are following one single, young woman. Anything I could tell them would help, sir."
Savage frowned at this and leaned forward. He burned his gaze into the man. "I do not want their understanding, Agent. Merely their loyalty. Everything will be made known to them, in time. I assigned them to this mission, because they are the best. This girl is very important, and I didn't want amatuers screwing it up." He leaned back again, and his expression softened. "Don't worry, Agent. You can tell your men they will be back to their prefered assignments in no time, if they so wish. But you can also tell them, if they really want to reach the top, that they should stick with me. When I succeed at my mission, we'll all be going places."
Agent Demario smiled. "You'll get re-elected sir! I don't think you even need to make it a mission. It will happen on it's own!"
Savage smiled now. "My mission takes me a little past Congress, Agent."
Demario couldn't help a shocked looked. "You mean...y-you wanna run for the Presidency?"
Savage's smile broadened. "Let's just say I wanna be a...world leader."
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"Sorry guys. I guess I'm just not up on the whole political situation of the world. Little to preoccupied with the, keeping the world here and not in hell, thing." Buffy slumped a little as she took a sip from the straw she had been swirling around in her chocolate malt.
Willow looked over and tried to console her best bud. "It's ok Buffy. We know you have more important things to worry about. Me and Tara just like discussing stuff like this. But we'll move on to something more...uhh...Slayery. Or, more interesting for all present, at least." This last was directed at Dawn who was nearly hidden behind her massive milk shake.
Dawn peaked out from behind it as she grabbed a straw. "Thanks. I mean, I got it and stuff, but it was almost as boring as listening to the Congress guy talk. So how about we talk about...ummmm...boys?" she asked hopefully.
Buffy nearly spit her mouthful of malt out as she turned to glare at her sister. "Dawn!"
Tara interrupted any response from the junior Summers. "It's alright Buffy. If Dawny wants to talk boys, we can do that. Right, Willow?" she asked her lesbian partner.
Willow swallowed her last bite of pizza and nodded. "Sure! After all, I once dabbled in the more masculine gender. I would say I could hold my own in a conversation about boys." She leaned forward towards Dawn and pseudo-whispered, "So you got anyone in particular in mind, you wanna talk about?" She smiled and winked.
"Well...there is this one guy-" Dawn didn't get to finish her sentence.
"So. The youngest Summers is about to start breakin' hearts to, eh?" Spike, also known as William the Bloody, moved to lean against the high backed side of the booth Buffy and Dawn sat in. The bad-forced-good vampire reached into his pocket and withdrew a lighter to light the cigarette he already had in his mouth.
Buffy craned her neck around to look up at the undead antagonist. "Spike! What the hell are you doing here? Isn't there anyplace in this town I can go that you can't find me?"
Spike inhaled and then blew out smoke as he talked. "Don't flatter yourself, Slayer. I'm 'ere for a bit of cheesy satisfaction, that's all. The fact that you're here is pure coincidence."
Buffy didn't buy a word of it. "You eat pizza now? What next? You go out and toss a baseball around with your buddies? Maybe some apple pie?"
Spike's black leather duster creaked as he leaned forward to bring his head almost level with her's. "For your information, it doesn't make me any happier than it does you. I used to hate the stuff. Now I can't seem to get enough of it. Makes me feel all bloody domesticated." He rose again to his full height and took another drag from his smoke.
"Great, now if we could just get him to use the litter box," Willow teased. Her companions at the table all laughed.
Spike turned his bleached blonde head towards the far corner where Willow sat. "Well I see Red's gettin' all frisky," his eyes moved slightly left to look at the fourth girl at the table. "I wonder what lover's doing with those two hands below the table."
Tara's eyes went wide as she understood the vampire's insinuation. At the same time Willow opened her mouth to protest, Buffy jumped up out of her seat and grabbed, the one-time horrible poet, by the collar. "Spike! If you don't get out of here right now, I'll-"she trailed off as she caught the genuine hurt look in his eyes. It struck a cord inside of her that she didn't want to acknowledge at the moment. She let go of him and sat back down.
"As far as threats go, I've heard better," Dawn stated around her straw.
Willow leaned over and touched Buffy's arm. "What's a matter Buffy? You ok?"
Buffy looked up and pulled her arm from her friend's reach. "Nothing. I'm fine. I'm just not in the mood to put up with him right now. Besides, I can't make a scene of kicking his ass, in the middle of all these people." She didn't even look his way as she said, "Get out Spike. Now."
Spike quickly put a satisfied, cocky smirk on his face as he straightened his clothes. "That's ok, I think my order's up anyways. And I got friendlier shadows at my crypt than you people. Their a good bit more quiet too." He turned to leave, but then quickly snuck in close to Buffy's ear. "I'll save a piece for you Slayer. It might be cold by then, but you do like sausage don't you?" With that he did an about face and started to stroll off towards the pick-up counter. But before he could take two steps, a thin pink denim sheathed leg snaked out and tripped him up. It was gone again before he even hit the floor.
The unsuspecting vampire hit the table in front of him face first and caused a tremendous crash as he knocked everything from it, attempting to maintian his balance. He caught himself on his knees, but was covered in spilled soda pop and even half a piece of pizza. Buffy called out in her sweetest voice, "Oh sorry mister! I should have warned you the floor was wet there!" Most all the patrons of the establishment turned to look at the platinum creature of the night as he picked himself up and tried to clean himself off. He froze and looked up to find everyone's eyes on him. He could even hear a few snickers and some whispered comments about him coming from somwhere in the vicinity. He sneered and growled low in his chest just as he whirled to face his assailant. Buffy only smiled politely and giggled. At this, Spike angrily took a couple more swipes at his clothes and then bolted for the door. Completely forgetting his pizza.
Buffy turned back to her table, and said to all it's occupants, "Well, I guess Spike isn't a center of attention kind of guy." Willow and Tara both giggled along with her.
Only Dawn remained unhappy. "I think it was kinda mean. Admittedly kinda funny too, but still mean." When she saw the stern look from her older sister, Dawn just went back to drinking her shake.
"It's not like he hasn't done things to deserve it. I'm sure he has probably even done things we don't know about that.....would...warrant a good tripping, and my god that's a big shake!!"
Tara glanced over at Dawn. "See? I'm not the only one."
"I wasn't paying any attention before. You plannin' on rolling home or what?" Buffy's eyes were still wide as she asked Dawn.
Dawn rolled her eyes as she again momentarily parted from her straw. "I can handle it. Ask Tara. She got me started on these."
Tara's jaw dropped as she first looked at Dawn and then at the dissaproving up swing of Buffy's eyebrows. "I-I didn't...I mean. She...uhh...I...ummm...hey baby?" she nudged her girlfriend with her elbow. "Aren't we supposed to be at the movie in like f-five minutes?"
Willow frowned and looked down at her watch. "No, more like a half hour-" Only after another "not so" gentle nudge from her lover did she raise her eyes to look at Buffy. "Yes! I mean, yeah, we are. We'd better go." She pulled some money from her pocket and threw it on the table. She then looked to her significant other and gave her a "nice going" look. "After all, "she started, getting up from the table, "we wouldn't want to miss the....blank screen and stuff."
Buffy watched all this, somewhat stunned but also amused, as Tara grabbed her jacket from the back of the booth. "I like the t-trailers," she smiled meekly and then turned and hurried towards the door.
Willow grabbed her coat as well and followed Tara. "Bye Buffy. Bye Dawny."
"Bye guys!" Dawn called through a not entirely swallowed puddle of shake. She then looked over at Buffy, annoyed. "Good going Buffy. Way to ruin the mood."
Buffy looked back at her with attempted innocence. "What did I do? I only said-. Ughhh...nevermind. Just finish your-.......resevoir of chocolate and let's go home, ok?" She turned to grab the bill and go pay it, when she realized. "And don't even come crying to me in the morning when your jeans don't fit!" With that she got up and proceeded to the cashier.
Dawn only rolled her eyes.