Author: Luci Marie (xxlucimariexxyahoo.com)
Story Title: But Then You Smile
Rating: PG-13 to NC-17
Pairing: Buffy/Spike
Story Summary: After Andrew spills about Spike, he, Buffy and Dawn fly to LA. Will Spike and Buffy be able to build a relationship, or will some new baddies get in their way...
Timeline: Takes place after Damaged. Anything else that went on after that is null and void in this story.
Credits: Well we know I'm not thanking the WB! Anyways, thanks to Sammi who somewhat Betad this. And my sister, who actually gave me the idea with one of her stupid comments!
Disclaimer: Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, Angel: The Series and all related characters are property of Warner Brothers, Mutant Enemy, and the great Joss Whedon. I am simply a crazed fan with nothing better to do.
Distribution: Put it where you want. Just give me credit and try to let me know about it.
Feedback: Means more to me than free ice cream
--$--$--$--$--$--
Chapter Title: Andrew's Oops
Chapter Summary: Spike and Angel argue. Andrew does something stupid. Normal stuff really...
Posted: 6.7.04
-----------------------------------------
But Then You Smile
Chapter 1 - Andrew's Oops
"Oh! And it was so cool! Because then, then Angel tried to take Dana and I was all, 'oh no, no, no my friend!' and he got so mad! And then, and then I told him about us not being on the same side anymore! That made him even madder! He tried to attack me, but thanks to my mad, new skills, I was able to block his oncoming blows! And it was so cool because I got to do all this stuff! And I found out what blood tastes like!" Andrew finished in one breath.
Buffy rolled her eyes. She had been listening to this all morning. Ever since Andrew returned from his trip to LA to get Dana and decided to stop in Rome on the way back. He'd come in last night around nine and hadn't shut up since. It had been easy to ignore everything he was saying when she was half asleep, but this morning he was in full gloating-and-exaggerating mode, and Buffy was finding in increasingly difficult to block him out.
She turned around to wash the breakfast dishes as Andrew continued.
"Ew," Dawn said from where she sat at the table next to him, "You tasted blood?"
Andrew shrugged, "Not exactly, but Spike said that it tastes alot like pennies. So I found a penny and licked it."
Dawn blinked, "You mean Angel," she said, trying to figure out her algebra homework.
Andrew's eyes widened for a minute. He laughed nervously, "Yeah, I mean Angel. Spike! Why would I say Spike?!" he laughed again, "Because he burned and died in the hellmouth and now he's dead and he's not alive or anything anywhere," he took a sip from his water glass and glanced over at Buffy.
Buffy had stopped rinsing and was looking at the window blankly.
Andrew winced at his continuous stupidity, "I...Buffy...I didn't mean...Sorry..." he sputtered.
Buffy turned to look at him, resting her hands on the counter, "Its okay Andrew," she went back to the dishes.
Andrew paused for a moment, and for that brief time, Dawn and Buffy both hopefully thought he was done.
"Oh! And then, did I tell you about how I stalled Dana when she attacked us in the alley?" Andrew asked, his excitement level rising again.
Buffy sighed, "No Andrew, no you haven't," she said sarcastically.
Unfortunately, Andrew didn't pick up on the sarcasm, "I didn't?! I can't believe I forgot! Well...see, me and Spike, we were in this little alley- thing and..."
Dawn looked up from her notebook, "You mean Angel," she corrected again.
Andrew shuffled nervously, "That's what I said. Now quite yourself, I'm getting to the good part," he took a breath to continue.
Dawn shook her head, "No, you said Spike."
Andrew shook his head, "No I didn't. You'd better get your hearing checked little girl, because I believe you are hearing things that have never been said," he lied.
Buffy set the plate she was drying down, "No, Dawn's right. You said Spike. Again."
Andrew resorted to the fake laughter once more, "No, no. I can assure you I said Angel. Besides, even if I didn't, it wouldn't matter because Spike's not alive...well undead, and well in LA. It's not like Angel brought him back or anything. That's just silly. I meant Angel. Angel. I must be getting my thoughts con--Holy Hobbit I need to shut up..." he sank down into his chair.
It took half a second for Buffy and Dawn to both be on him. Andrew squealed and winced, covering his face with his hands, "Please don't hit me! I'm innocent!"
Buffy reached down and pulled him out of the chair, dragging him into the living room. Once there, she threw his whimpering form down on the couch and stood in front of him, arms crossed. Dawn was quick to run in and assume the same position.
"Now Andrew," Buffy said calmly, "Tell me what the hell in going on, or I swear to God, I will rip your ears off. Slowly," she smiled.
Andrew began to stutter out an explanation, "Well...um...see. I, um. Um, went to LA and Spike. He was there. And I guess Angel did something. And I would have told you but...oh God. He's going to kill me!" Andrew sputtered.
Dawn and Buffy both blinked and looked at him like he was crazy, "Wait...huh?" Dawn asked.
Andrew shook his head, "Nuh huh, I'm not saying anything else. If I tell you, and Spike finds out, I die."
"And if you don't tell me, you're still going to die!" Buffy yelled.
This made Andrew jump, and he began to whimper again, "Fine!" he yelled, "Fine! I'll tell you everything I know! But you have to swear to God to protect me when he finds out and comes running at me all fangs and bumpies with every intention of ripping my flesh off and drinking my fluids!"
Buffy rolled her eyes, "Whatever! I'll protect you okay?! Now just...spill."
"Fine! Demanding, much?" Andrew sniffed and crossed his arms.
Buffy and Dawn both watched him for a moment, and then walked over and sat in the chairs on either side of the couch and waited.
Andrew took a deep breath, and started.
----
The doors of Angel's office burst open and hit the walls with a loud 'bang'.
Angel looked up from his desk abruptly as Spike sauntered in.
"Morning Peaches," he said casually.
Angel glared, "Do you mind?" he asked.
Spike looked at him questioningly, "What?"
Angel gestured to the doors, "Didn't you ever learn how to knock?" he asked, irritated.
Spike glanced back at the doors, "No, sorry, must have missed that lesson," he turned back to Angel, "Anyway, I need a favor."
Angel looked at him like he was stupid, "A favor?" he asked.
Spike nodded.
"You burst into my office, literally, probably putting huge marks on my doors, and ask for a favor."
"Mhm," Spike said.
Angel shook his head, "No."
"Oh come on," Spike said, taking a few steps forward, "You don't even know what I want yet."
"I don't really care what it is, the answer's no," Angel reached for the phone.
Spike wasn't about to give up though, "I just need a few grand!" he protested.
Angel dialed a number and looked back up at Spike, "For what?!" he asked.
Spike bit his lip, "Got caught cheating at a game of poker last night and the folk I was playing with threatened to turn my into a pretty little pile of dust if I didn't pay them all money I've 'won' off them in the past week back," he mumbled.
Angel stared at him for a moment, "And you really expected me to just hand you a few thousand dollars?"
Spike considered this for a moment, and then nodded, "Yeah."
Angel blinked, and then looked away, continuing what he'd been doing.
Spike sighed, "Please? It's just $7,000!"
"Spike!" Angel yelled, "Why would I give you any money!? I already give you cars! And what do you do with them? You drive them into the PACIFIC OCEAN!" he stood up and walked past Spike and into the lobby.
"It's not my fault!" Spike protested, following him.
"Really?" Angel asked, "Then whose fault is it?" he walked over to Harmony's desk, "Harmony..where's my blood?"
"Oh, right!" Harmony reached under her desk to retrieve it.
"The bloody police! That's who!" Spike insisted.
Harmony set the mug on the counter of her desk. Angel began to reach for it, but Spike reached out and grabbed it first. He lifted it up to his lips, took a huge sip, and then lowered it. Angel stood, arms crossed, glaring at him.
"What?" Spike asked.
Angel just muttered something under his breath and walked away.
Spike turned to watch him, "What?!"
----
Buffy was huddled in her armchair, knees pulled up to her chest, "But I don't understand," she said quietly, "Why didn't he call. Or try to find me?"
Andrew shrugged, "He said he didn't know how. He wasn't sure if he could 'top an exit like his'."
Buffy shook her head, "He doesn't need to!" she said, for some reason near tears, "Just coming here. Just seeing him would have topped any exit!" she looked over at Dawn, who still appeared to be in shock.
Andrew shrugged again, "I don't know. I tried to get him to let me tell you, but he said no..." he trailed off, "Don't tell him I told you!"
Buffy ignored him, "I have to go to LA. I have to see him," she said.
"I want to come too!" Dawn said.
Buffy nodded, "Yeah. Yeah, you can come. And Andrew," she looked up at him, "You're coming."
"What?! No. No, no, no! I will not be going anywhere near Spike again! He'll tear my head off and...and drink from my spleen!" Andrew yelled.
"Your spleen's in your stomach, you idiot," Dawn corrected.
"Whatever!" Andrew glared at her, "I'm not going!"
Buffy stood up and began walking towards her room, "Yes you are. Now pack up anything you've unpacked," Andrew opened his mouth to protest, but Buffy shot him a look that kept him quiet. He sunk back into the couch, "Dawn," Buffy continued, "Find me the phone number for the airport."
"On it," Dawn stood up and walked in the other direction.
Buffy continued into her room, slowly shutting the door behind her and leaning on it. She had no idea what to do. No idea what she would say to him. Yet, somehow, she felt completely confident. Maybe it was the fact that she knew it wouldn't matter. Knew that whatever was said, they'd be together. Because he loved her. And it had taken her awhile to admit it to herself, but she loved him.
And there was no way she was going to screw it up this time
--$--$--$--$--$--
A/N - R&R! I'll give you invisable cookies. Thanks for reading!-Luci Marie
