Title: Best Laid Plans 1/16
Author: Forsaken2003
Pairing: Spike/Xander
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I own none; all belong to Joss Whedon
Comments: Always welcomed!
Summary: Xander decides he wants to help Spike and Buffy get together. What better way than to pretend they are dating?
Warnings/Spoilers: Season 5
Beta'd by: Whichclothes
Part One
Spike finished telling his stories of killing the two slayers. Buffy's expression was one of disgust and fear. Fear because one day she knew that she would have the same fate as them; it didn't matter how many people she had by her side.
"The only reason you've lasted as long as you have is because you've got ties to the world. Your Mum. Brat kid sister. Scoobies. They tie you here but you're just putting off the inevitable. Sooner or later, you're gonna want it and the second, the second..." He clapped his hands in her face on the word "second..." The clap slapped the air right in front of Buffy's face, making her flinch. He savored this at last. "That happens, I pray to God I'm there. I'll slip in - have myself a real good day."
Spike was quiet as he let it all sink in. Then he started to button up the leather coat that had once belonged to Nikki. Finally he spoke again. "Here endeth the lesson. I just wonder if you'll like it as much as she did-"
Buffy cut him off, not wanting to hear his voice anymore. She got all that she wanted from him. "No. This is all- You're wrong."
A grin was on Spike's face and he was pumped up from his lesson. "Hey. You asked. Sorry if the
answer isn't cuddly enough for you-"
That was it. Buffy had enough of him. She was done. Her voice was low and deadly. "Get out of my sight, Spike. Now."
"Ooooh, did I scare you? You're the Slayer. Do something about it. Hit me," Spike taunted her, his grin still in place.
Buffy didn't move, but Spike could read her murderous look. It was turning him on. He wanted another go round - badly. "Come on. One good swing. You know you want to." He wanted her to also!
"I mean it…" Buffy said and she did, she wanted to smack that smug look off Spike's face.
"So do I. Give it to me good, Buffy. Do it." Spike hopped on the balls of his feet.
"Spike-"
Spike lost himself, grabbed Buffy and moved in to kiss her. He almost did, his lips were so close to hers, but Buffy jerked her head away, stunned by his action.
"Spike..." Buffy said. That seemed to be the only word she could say.
As he held an unneeded breath with hope, Buffy continued. "What the hell are you doing?!"
Buffy was still in Spike's grasp, her skin warming him. "Come on. I can feel it, Slayer. You know you want to dance."
Buffy locked her eyes with his. She could feel his intensity, his desire. "Say it's true. Say I do want to..." She shoved him brutally backward, breaking the embrace. He fell hard to the ground. "It wouldn't be you, Spike. It would never be you." A wad of money was pulled from her pocket and tossed at him. It scattered over him and the ground. Her expression filled with contempt. "You're beneath me." With that, Buffy walked away without as much as a backwards glance. Spike was living with the pain of his initial humiliation all over again.
Spike tried to collect himself. He got off the ground and began to gather up cash all the while trying to stifle a sob. Buffy's words rang down through the years. He became the same spurned and awkward young man that he once was. Her words hurt him more than her blows ever had. The pain was so much that he didn't even notice he was being watched.
Xander watched the scene play out. Listened as Spike told Buffy how he killed his two slayers. How he was turned and what William had been like. Never in a million years would Xander have thought Spike could be a gentle soul, caring for his sick mother. His mouth had dropped open when he saw Spike try to kiss Buffy. He wasn't shocked when Buffy denied him. Not just because she had a boyfriend but because Spike had tried to kill her many times.
What did shock him was how cruel Buffy had been throwing words back at Spike that had obviously stung him all those years ago. That still stung him today. Buffy wasn't usually a spiteful person and he could understand almost being killed by a vampire with her own stake had been traumatizing but it wasn't like Spike was trying to kill her. Yes, him trying to kiss Buffy was out of the norm but didn't seem like a reason to be so cruel.
Realization crashed over Xander as he watched Spike leave the alley. He actually felt bad for him. Maybe it was because he knew what it was like to be rejected, especially being rejected by Buffy. Walking home Xander thought of a way to help Spike. He wasn't going to split Buffy and Riley up because he knew Riley was going to leave. He could see it in his eyes. Riley loved Buffy but he knew she didn't return those feelings. Those feelings would always be towards Angel. But maybe Spike would be able to replace him. After all anyone would be better than Angel!