1 Title : Still you
2 Author : Sophie
Part : 1/6
Website : http://www.geocities.com/spikesophiesteph/index.html
2.1.1 Pairing : S/B
Rating : R
Spoilers : General S 6 – starts on Hell's Bells. Kind of AU after that.
Feedback : I live for that! sophie_limbourg@hotmail.com
Distribution : Yes, just let me know.
Disclaimer : I owe nothing (sob)
Summary : Spike meets an old acquaintance and Buffy has a taste of her own medicine.
Author's note : For my story I pretended Anya and Xander got married. Normal Again didn't happen. The rest is pretty much like on the show.
Title and lyrics are from Josh Groban "You're still you". Also lyrics from Seal "Kiss from a rose."
Thanks very much to Heather for the beta.
"Through the darkness…I can see your light…"
Spike was waiting for his date to come out of the bathroom. What was she doing in
there ? he thought, exasperated. Now that the whelp and his ex-demon girl were married happily ever after, he didn't see any reason to hang out more. And he was still a little shaken by his earlier conversation with Buffy. He couldn't believe she had told him she was hurting. And he still couldn't decide if it was actually a good or a bad thing. Like when she had broken up with him and had called him…
" William ?"
He turned around. It was that girl…Anya's demon friend. The one that had locked them all in the casa Summers a few weeks ago. He couldn't remember her name.
" Hey…"
" Halfrek."
" Right. Halfrek."
Once again, an odd sense of familiarity overcame him. Besides, that girl knew his real name…
" Do we know each other? "he asked.
" Yes, we do…but it's been a long time. I'm not sure you'll remember me. Can we…can we talk ?
More and more intrigued, he acquiesced.
" Sure. Let's go here."
He opened a door, leading to a quiet library. He closed it behind them.
Halfrek turned around, facing him. Her demon face was gone.
Spike stopped dead in his track.
" Bloody Hell…Cecily ?
"So, you do remember me ?" Cecily asked, looking pleased.
" Yeah…very well, actually"
All his memories of Cecily had been a little painfully awoken last year during a memorable conversation with Buffy.
" What are you doing here ?"he asked, though the exact question should have been 'how did you go from prude Victorian girl to vengeance demon?'
She laughed.
" I could ask you the same question. Last time I saw you –or rather didn't see you because you were in a coffin- was at your funeral. You were dead."
"Well, I still am, technically. I'm a vampire."
" Oh…That explains a lot of things…and this interesting outfit…I love the duster, though."
There was an awkward silence. Confused, Spike had no idea what to say next. Seeing her again, after what? about 120 years…This girl had been his first love. The one that had inspired his best poetry…Uh, his best awful poetry. She was still as pretty, looking maybe a little older than he remembered. But she was also the girl that had rejected him cruelly on this night where his life had changed forever.
" Cecily…"
" William…we can't really talk right now . I have to go back to Anyanka. But I would like to see you again…I guess we have a lot of things to say."
He raised an eyebrow.
" Do we ? I thought all had been said and done last century…the 'you are beneath me' part was very clear to me."
A painful look appeared on her face.
" That's precisely what I want to talk about. Please, William ?"
He finally agreed.
"Ok then. Tomorrow night. Do you know the Espresso Pump ?"
She nodded.
" Let's meet there around 8.00 pm".
She smiled.
" Thank you. I'll see you then."
She left, leaving the door open. Spike sighed. Bloody women…Like he hadn't enough problems with one, a second arrived to complicate things a little bit more. Which reminded him…
" Oh, balls !"
He had completely forget the third one…his date. Who must be rather pissed off for waiting.
Yep, complicated was definitely the key word.
" Xander and Anya are going to leave," Dawn said. "And his family too, thank God for that."
Buffy smiled.
" Yeah…the demons are not always the one who look like demons."
"Like Anya's friend…Halfrek. She's rather nice, finally. Ok, she locked us all in the house, but after all it was kind of my fault…
Buffy gave her a pointed look.
"…and that's probably not a good idea to remind you that. Anyway, I saw Spike talking to her. He even disappeared with her in a room for some time…I didn't know he was into that kind of girl. And Tarantula was mightily pissed off !
" Who?"
" His date. I don't know her real name. But that one fits perfectly, don't you think ?"
" I suppose so…"replied Buffy absently.
Spike was bringing a girl and then disappeared with another ? She felt a pinch in her stomach. Oh, not because she cared. No, she was probably just hungry. After all, she hadn't eaten since…two hours ago.
" Buffy ? Buffy !"
She snapped out of her thoughts.
" What ? Sorry, Dawn, I…"
" You weren't listening to me," Dawn accused.
" Yes I was ! I…"
" What did I just say ?"
" Well, you talked about Spike and his date."
" No, after that !"
Buffy could see her sister was really angry.
" I'm sorry Dawn. I wasn't listening" she admitted, feeling guilty.
" As usual" said the younger in a bitter tone. I'll go find Tara or Willow. At least they listen to me."
" Dawn, wait…"
Buffy sighed. She knew her sister was right. She had problems focusing, these last few weeks. And she had thought that breaking up with Spike would arrange that. That she would have more time to spend with her sister and friends. But she couldn't help wondering about him. What he was doing…where…with whom…
I don't care about him. I never did. He was just good in bed. Or rather…incredibly amazing…the way he…
Buffy felt a familiar twinge between her legs and gasped. Oh, God. I have to think of something else, and quickly !
" Buffy ? Are you ok ? You look all flustered."
" Tara ! Um…I'm ok. It's just...It's really hot in here, don't you
think ?"
" Well, actually I was looking for a sweater because I thought it was cold…but maybe you are the hot kind of person…"
She blushed.
" Not in that way, of course…I mean…"
Buffy laughed and hugged her.
" I know what you mean, Tara, don't worry. And I feel better. Thank you."
" Oh…you're welcome."
" Dawn told me Anya and Xander were leaving. I think we're going to hit the road too. I'm kind of beat. Too much emotions…"
And not only from the wedding, she thought.
Tara acquiesced.
" Dawn's with Willow. I'll get our coats"
Buffy headed towards Willow and her sister. Dawn was still clearly mad.
" We're gonna go home. Dawn, I'm sorry. I know I haven't been the best sister in the world lately..I want to make up for that, ok ? Tomorrow, we'll go to the movie. Just you and me."
Dawn pondered on the idea for a few seconds. She finally made a half-smile.
" Movie sounds good…Ok. But please, Buffy, try to be more attentive…"
" I will…I promise."
Dawn nodded but Buffy could see her sister was not entirely convinced. It was time for Dawn and her to renew the bond they had once share.
" Are you done with the training, Buffy ? We're going to miss the movie."
"I'll be ready in two minutes. Don't worry."
Dawn nodded and came back into the shop. It was closed now. But Anya was still there, doing her favourite activity: counting the money she had made during the day.
Xander was watching her fondly. They had decided not to go on honeymoon immediately, so they could save a lot of money and make a beautiful trip someday, on an exotic island somewhere.
" Hey Dawn! Ready for our capitalism dance ?"
Dawn smiled.
" Non, thanks Anya. Not really in the mood."
"Oh…problems at school ?
Dawn shrugged.
"No…It's not important."
Buffy arrived at that moment.
"Ok; I'm ready. Let's go."
She watched the clock.
"We still have some time. It only starts in 20 minutes."
" Yes, but I want to see the trailers. Bye Anya, Xander?"
" Bye girls. Have a good time."
As they walked on Main Street and passed in front of the Espresso Pump, Dawn took Buffy's arm.
"Look ! It's Spike and Halfrek…"
She entered the small coffee shop before Buffy had the time to stop her The last thing she wanted for the moment was to see Spike, especially Spike having coffee or whatever with another woman.
"Hey guys !" Dawn greeted them.
Spike and Halfrek both raised their heads in a perfect ensemble.
"Hello Nibblet. You're on your own ?"
"No, Buffy is with me…was with me…here she is."
A very reluctant Buffy approached the table.
" Hey Spike…Halfrek."
It was the first time Buffy was seeing Halfrek with her human face, and she hated to admit it but she was a pretty girl.
"Slayer…"
"Hello, Buffy" Halfrek said. "Spending some quality sister-time ?" she asked with a knowing smile.
"We're going to the movie" Dawn said.
Buffy was trying her best to avoid Spike's gaze. She had to find something to say. Something to show it didn't affect her the least to see Spike sitting cosily with another girl.
"I thought you guys didn't know each other ?" she finally blurted out.
Great. So much for the not-obvious comment.
"Well, we do, actually. We're like…old friends."
"Right. Very old friends," Spike added, with that cocky grin she loved and hated so much. Oh, she wished she could punch him right now to erase that smirk…or better, pour the hot coffee on his most precious parts…though that could provoke irreparable damages…
She realized she was staring at his so-called precious parts, and worst of all, he was staring at her staring at him. She blushed furiously.
"We have to go" she said, rather rudely.
"Well…see you around."
"Enjoy the movie" Halfrek said.
" Bye Nibblet…Buffy."
Buffy took Dawn's hand and almost dragged her out.
" Ok, that was kind of rude" Dawn said. "Are you jealous, or what ?"
" What ? Of course not ! Don't be ridiculous"
Dawn looked offended.
" I'm certainly not the most ridiculous one here."
Buffy stopped.
"Dawn. We're here to spend some time together. I don't want to talk about Spike."
" Geez, I really wonder why" muttered Dawn.
They made it just in time for the movie, but the mood was ruined.
"Well…that was interesting" Halfrek said.
"What ?"
" The little conversation we just had with Buffy and Dawn…What's going on between you
two ?"
" The Nibblet ? Oh, I'm kind of her big bad brother…protect her and all that…she's a wild kid. I like her".
"Yes, I noticed that. But I was talking about Buffy."
He shrugged.
"Nothing's going on."
Which was not really a lie. Nothing was going on * anymore*.
" Let's talk about you instead" he said, quickly changing the subject. "You said there were things you wanted to explain."
She acquiesced, took a sip from her coffee. She seemed to hesitate.
" It's been so long ago" she sighed. "I don't know where to start…how to say this."
"How to say what ?"
"That…that night I rejected you…in a really awful way, I know…well, that's because I had no choice."
Spike frowned.
"What do you mean ?"
" My father had ordered me to marry Lord Cavisham. Everything was already arranged."
"What ? That pompous old sod ?"
"Yes. I was furious. Furious because I had to marry a man twice my age, but also because I was in love with another man."
"Ok, but what does it have to do with me ?"
Cecily watched him in the eyes before replying:
"Because that man was you, William. I was in love with you."
TBC…
2 Author : Sophie
Part : 1/6
Website : http://www.geocities.com/spikesophiesteph/index.html
2.1.1 Pairing : S/B
Rating : R
Spoilers : General S 6 – starts on Hell's Bells. Kind of AU after that.
Feedback : I live for that! sophie_limbourg@hotmail.com
Distribution : Yes, just let me know.
Disclaimer : I owe nothing (sob)
Summary : Spike meets an old acquaintance and Buffy has a taste of her own medicine.
Author's note : For my story I pretended Anya and Xander got married. Normal Again didn't happen. The rest is pretty much like on the show.
Title and lyrics are from Josh Groban "You're still you". Also lyrics from Seal "Kiss from a rose."
Thanks very much to Heather for the beta.
"Through the darkness…I can see your light…"
Spike was waiting for his date to come out of the bathroom. What was she doing in
there ? he thought, exasperated. Now that the whelp and his ex-demon girl were married happily ever after, he didn't see any reason to hang out more. And he was still a little shaken by his earlier conversation with Buffy. He couldn't believe she had told him she was hurting. And he still couldn't decide if it was actually a good or a bad thing. Like when she had broken up with him and had called him…
" William ?"
He turned around. It was that girl…Anya's demon friend. The one that had locked them all in the casa Summers a few weeks ago. He couldn't remember her name.
" Hey…"
" Halfrek."
" Right. Halfrek."
Once again, an odd sense of familiarity overcame him. Besides, that girl knew his real name…
" Do we know each other? "he asked.
" Yes, we do…but it's been a long time. I'm not sure you'll remember me. Can we…can we talk ?
More and more intrigued, he acquiesced.
" Sure. Let's go here."
He opened a door, leading to a quiet library. He closed it behind them.
Halfrek turned around, facing him. Her demon face was gone.
Spike stopped dead in his track.
" Bloody Hell…Cecily ?
"So, you do remember me ?" Cecily asked, looking pleased.
" Yeah…very well, actually"
All his memories of Cecily had been a little painfully awoken last year during a memorable conversation with Buffy.
" What are you doing here ?"he asked, though the exact question should have been 'how did you go from prude Victorian girl to vengeance demon?'
She laughed.
" I could ask you the same question. Last time I saw you –or rather didn't see you because you were in a coffin- was at your funeral. You were dead."
"Well, I still am, technically. I'm a vampire."
" Oh…That explains a lot of things…and this interesting outfit…I love the duster, though."
There was an awkward silence. Confused, Spike had no idea what to say next. Seeing her again, after what? about 120 years…This girl had been his first love. The one that had inspired his best poetry…Uh, his best awful poetry. She was still as pretty, looking maybe a little older than he remembered. But she was also the girl that had rejected him cruelly on this night where his life had changed forever.
" Cecily…"
" William…we can't really talk right now . I have to go back to Anyanka. But I would like to see you again…I guess we have a lot of things to say."
He raised an eyebrow.
" Do we ? I thought all had been said and done last century…the 'you are beneath me' part was very clear to me."
A painful look appeared on her face.
" That's precisely what I want to talk about. Please, William ?"
He finally agreed.
"Ok then. Tomorrow night. Do you know the Espresso Pump ?"
She nodded.
" Let's meet there around 8.00 pm".
She smiled.
" Thank you. I'll see you then."
She left, leaving the door open. Spike sighed. Bloody women…Like he hadn't enough problems with one, a second arrived to complicate things a little bit more. Which reminded him…
" Oh, balls !"
He had completely forget the third one…his date. Who must be rather pissed off for waiting.
Yep, complicated was definitely the key word.
" Xander and Anya are going to leave," Dawn said. "And his family too, thank God for that."
Buffy smiled.
" Yeah…the demons are not always the one who look like demons."
"Like Anya's friend…Halfrek. She's rather nice, finally. Ok, she locked us all in the house, but after all it was kind of my fault…
Buffy gave her a pointed look.
"…and that's probably not a good idea to remind you that. Anyway, I saw Spike talking to her. He even disappeared with her in a room for some time…I didn't know he was into that kind of girl. And Tarantula was mightily pissed off !
" Who?"
" His date. I don't know her real name. But that one fits perfectly, don't you think ?"
" I suppose so…"replied Buffy absently.
Spike was bringing a girl and then disappeared with another ? She felt a pinch in her stomach. Oh, not because she cared. No, she was probably just hungry. After all, she hadn't eaten since…two hours ago.
" Buffy ? Buffy !"
She snapped out of her thoughts.
" What ? Sorry, Dawn, I…"
" You weren't listening to me," Dawn accused.
" Yes I was ! I…"
" What did I just say ?"
" Well, you talked about Spike and his date."
" No, after that !"
Buffy could see her sister was really angry.
" I'm sorry Dawn. I wasn't listening" she admitted, feeling guilty.
" As usual" said the younger in a bitter tone. I'll go find Tara or Willow. At least they listen to me."
" Dawn, wait…"
Buffy sighed. She knew her sister was right. She had problems focusing, these last few weeks. And she had thought that breaking up with Spike would arrange that. That she would have more time to spend with her sister and friends. But she couldn't help wondering about him. What he was doing…where…with whom…
I don't care about him. I never did. He was just good in bed. Or rather…incredibly amazing…the way he…
Buffy felt a familiar twinge between her legs and gasped. Oh, God. I have to think of something else, and quickly !
" Buffy ? Are you ok ? You look all flustered."
" Tara ! Um…I'm ok. It's just...It's really hot in here, don't you
think ?"
" Well, actually I was looking for a sweater because I thought it was cold…but maybe you are the hot kind of person…"
She blushed.
" Not in that way, of course…I mean…"
Buffy laughed and hugged her.
" I know what you mean, Tara, don't worry. And I feel better. Thank you."
" Oh…you're welcome."
" Dawn told me Anya and Xander were leaving. I think we're going to hit the road too. I'm kind of beat. Too much emotions…"
And not only from the wedding, she thought.
Tara acquiesced.
" Dawn's with Willow. I'll get our coats"
Buffy headed towards Willow and her sister. Dawn was still clearly mad.
" We're gonna go home. Dawn, I'm sorry. I know I haven't been the best sister in the world lately..I want to make up for that, ok ? Tomorrow, we'll go to the movie. Just you and me."
Dawn pondered on the idea for a few seconds. She finally made a half-smile.
" Movie sounds good…Ok. But please, Buffy, try to be more attentive…"
" I will…I promise."
Dawn nodded but Buffy could see her sister was not entirely convinced. It was time for Dawn and her to renew the bond they had once share.
" Are you done with the training, Buffy ? We're going to miss the movie."
"I'll be ready in two minutes. Don't worry."
Dawn nodded and came back into the shop. It was closed now. But Anya was still there, doing her favourite activity: counting the money she had made during the day.
Xander was watching her fondly. They had decided not to go on honeymoon immediately, so they could save a lot of money and make a beautiful trip someday, on an exotic island somewhere.
" Hey Dawn! Ready for our capitalism dance ?"
Dawn smiled.
" Non, thanks Anya. Not really in the mood."
"Oh…problems at school ?
Dawn shrugged.
"No…It's not important."
Buffy arrived at that moment.
"Ok; I'm ready. Let's go."
She watched the clock.
"We still have some time. It only starts in 20 minutes."
" Yes, but I want to see the trailers. Bye Anya, Xander?"
" Bye girls. Have a good time."
As they walked on Main Street and passed in front of the Espresso Pump, Dawn took Buffy's arm.
"Look ! It's Spike and Halfrek…"
She entered the small coffee shop before Buffy had the time to stop her The last thing she wanted for the moment was to see Spike, especially Spike having coffee or whatever with another woman.
"Hey guys !" Dawn greeted them.
Spike and Halfrek both raised their heads in a perfect ensemble.
"Hello Nibblet. You're on your own ?"
"No, Buffy is with me…was with me…here she is."
A very reluctant Buffy approached the table.
" Hey Spike…Halfrek."
It was the first time Buffy was seeing Halfrek with her human face, and she hated to admit it but she was a pretty girl.
"Slayer…"
"Hello, Buffy" Halfrek said. "Spending some quality sister-time ?" she asked with a knowing smile.
"We're going to the movie" Dawn said.
Buffy was trying her best to avoid Spike's gaze. She had to find something to say. Something to show it didn't affect her the least to see Spike sitting cosily with another girl.
"I thought you guys didn't know each other ?" she finally blurted out.
Great. So much for the not-obvious comment.
"Well, we do, actually. We're like…old friends."
"Right. Very old friends," Spike added, with that cocky grin she loved and hated so much. Oh, she wished she could punch him right now to erase that smirk…or better, pour the hot coffee on his most precious parts…though that could provoke irreparable damages…
She realized she was staring at his so-called precious parts, and worst of all, he was staring at her staring at him. She blushed furiously.
"We have to go" she said, rather rudely.
"Well…see you around."
"Enjoy the movie" Halfrek said.
" Bye Nibblet…Buffy."
Buffy took Dawn's hand and almost dragged her out.
" Ok, that was kind of rude" Dawn said. "Are you jealous, or what ?"
" What ? Of course not ! Don't be ridiculous"
Dawn looked offended.
" I'm certainly not the most ridiculous one here."
Buffy stopped.
"Dawn. We're here to spend some time together. I don't want to talk about Spike."
" Geez, I really wonder why" muttered Dawn.
They made it just in time for the movie, but the mood was ruined.
"Well…that was interesting" Halfrek said.
"What ?"
" The little conversation we just had with Buffy and Dawn…What's going on between you
two ?"
" The Nibblet ? Oh, I'm kind of her big bad brother…protect her and all that…she's a wild kid. I like her".
"Yes, I noticed that. But I was talking about Buffy."
He shrugged.
"Nothing's going on."
Which was not really a lie. Nothing was going on * anymore*.
" Let's talk about you instead" he said, quickly changing the subject. "You said there were things you wanted to explain."
She acquiesced, took a sip from her coffee. She seemed to hesitate.
" It's been so long ago" she sighed. "I don't know where to start…how to say this."
"How to say what ?"
"That…that night I rejected you…in a really awful way, I know…well, that's because I had no choice."
Spike frowned.
"What do you mean ?"
" My father had ordered me to marry Lord Cavisham. Everything was already arranged."
"What ? That pompous old sod ?"
"Yes. I was furious. Furious because I had to marry a man twice my age, but also because I was in love with another man."
"Ok, but what does it have to do with me ?"
Cecily watched him in the eyes before replying:
"Because that man was you, William. I was in love with you."
TBC…