A/N: Great! So chapter 2 is up. A warning for those who like the Buffy/Riley pairing, sorry, it's not gonna be like that for most of the fic. If anyone has any suggestions, just leave a review. (P.S. A review would be so awesome!)

Chapter 2: Missions

Buffy had successfully avoided going over to Giles' place for two weeks because she was too busy focusing on her "schoolwork." She still patrolled every night, having to lie to Riley every time a Slayer thing came up. Even worse, Riley hadn't made any further moves other that hugs and pats on the shoulder.

Willow wondered if Spike was the reason that Buffy hadn't gone to visit Giles, even to check that there was nothing of the supernatural brewing. She didn't think that the spell was going to last this long. Willow even used the library as an excuse to get out of the room that she and Buffy shared so Buffy and Riley could have alone time. Buffy would get over it soon enough, she was sure of it.

* * *

Riley watched Buffy intently from where he sat at his desk. He was supposed to be grading papers, but something else had definitely caught his attention. Professor Walsh was in the middle of a lecture, and for once, Buffy seemed to be interested. She leaned slightly in her chair as the professor talked. Riley thought it was adorable how her eyebrows knitted together as she processed the new information in her mind.

"Tomorrow, I want to see everyone's research paper on my desk. Remember, this paper is worth a third of your grade," Professor Walsh said as the students began to file out of the classroom. Riley noticed Buffy grimace.

Riley waited for Buffy and Willow outside the door. Willow noticed him and decided that that was her cue to take off.

"Hey Buffy, I'm going to the library. Don't know when I'll be back. Bye!" Willow rushed off in the other direction before Buffy could protest. Riley just had that stupid grin on his face,

"So do you have that paper done already, or are you going to spend the whole night doing it?" Riley asked. "You didn't seem too pleased that it's due tomorrow."

"No, it's done. It's just not perfect. I'm actually trying not to worry about it too much. If only I knew someone on the inside. Someone who could perhaps give me a generous grade?" Buffy smiled up at him, which only made Riley laugh.

"Aw, Buffy, you know I couldn't do that. And I'm sure that you wrote an amazing essay. Or at least one that doesn't make you flunk." Buffy shoved Riley lightly as they both laughed. "So, does that mean that you're free tonight? Cause I was thinking that we could go to that club that you always talk about, The Bronze was it? We could dance or—"

"Sure," Buffy cut him off. Riley wasn't actually sure what they could do. He had never been to the club before and he wasn't sure what was there. Other than the obvious duhs, like dancing and drinks. "I'd love to."

Riley was surprised that she even said yes at all. They had been hanging out a lot lately, but she just seemed to be a little distracted, like she was thinking about something that wasn't real.

"Great! How about I pick you up at your room around eight, does that sound good?" Riley was beaming.

"Yep, that's fine."

"Alright I'll see you then. I gotta go to class now. Bye." Riley silently congratulated himself for having the courage to ask her. He had wanted to do that for a week now, but couldn't bring himself to do it. He really liked Buffy, even as insane that she might be.

Buffy watched as Riley walked in the other direction. She could tell that Riley was nervous, but she just smiled as she continued walking. Finally, he had made a move.

Spike watched with intent as Giles paced about the apartment. He knew it was because the Slayer hadn't checked in with him in over two weeks. Spike knew that nothing had happened to girl, but Giles kept muttering something along the lines of 'she promised' and 'she should have at least called.'

"She's not a child, Rupes. I'm sure that she's just fine," Spike called from where he stood in the kitchen. Giles didn't seem to care to lock him up anymore, despite his little stunt a few weeks ago. Not like he could escape now anyways; it was still sunlight out.

"And what do you care?" Giles stopped his pacing for two seconds to glare at him before he started it up again.

"I don't. But you're going to wear a hole in the floor if you keep that up," Spike noted. Giles looked down at where his feet where, as if imagining the scenario Spike was depicting. He looked up at Spike for a second until he turned away, deciding that it wasn't going to happen.

The microwave then beeped and Spike pulled out a mug with blood in it. He found the Weetabix that Giles kept around and crushed enough to mix in with the blood. Just as Spike was about to take a sip, he looked over the rim of the cup and saw Giles' look of disgust. He smirked at the human and continued to finish his dinner. He didn't care whether or not ol' Rupes cared about his eating habits; he was a vampire!

It's what I do, Spike thought to himself. I don't judge your human habits.

Spike looked outside. It was only about twenty minutes until the sun set completely; he could feel it. He was just itching to get out. Not just for the hunt, though it did call to him, but just to get out of here. Plus, the government installed chip rendered him physically unable to hunt humans anymore. He couldn't even hurt one! Spike found that very limiting. Sometimes, the Whelp deserved a good smack every now and then, and Spike felt that he should be the one to deliver it. Sometimes, he thought, it's worth it.

Just then, Spike remembered something that troubled him. And what do you care? That was Giles had asked him. He lied and told Giles that he didn't care, but he did. He had hoped that Buffy would make an appearance. He had dreamed of her every night for the past two weeks. Each dream becoming more and more involved. And he loved every minute of it.

Spike stifled a laugh to himself as he thought of Buffy shoving a cookie in his mouth after he complained of having "Buffy taste" in his mouth. He would never admit it to her, but Buffy taste wasn't so bad. He now understood partly why the Poofter fell for her. She was a bloody amazing kisser!

Spike had been so lost in thought that he hadn't noticed Giles left the room. He used his vampire senses and could tell that he was still in the apartment, but he apparently went upstairs for a phone call. Spike was tempted to listen further to see who he was talking to, but he decided against it. Giles was a boring stiff and Spike could only bet that his conversations weren't that much more interesting.

Spike could sense that the sun was low enough for him to go out without the worry of burning up. He took his leather coat from the coat hanger and silently slipped out the front door. Shame on Giles for not being more attentive around a vampire, especially near night time. More so, because Spike was known to take advantage of any possibility presented to him, no matter how small.

And Spike had a mission to fulfill.

* * *

Giles had finished his phone call with his old friend Olivia. She was planning on visiting him from England and he was excited. Now if only he could get rid of Spike for a few days. Maybe he could dump him on Xander. He knew the boy didn't take to the vampire, but he would reassure him that it would only last a few days.

Giles made his way down the stairs. He looked around and started to get a little concerned. He checked his watch and knew that now was the time slot for Passions reruns. Spike wasn't one to miss his show, even if he had already seen the episode. He checked all the rooms in the apartment, coming back to the lobby where he noticed a missing leather coat.

"Good lord."

Buffy stood there, contemplating whether or not her outfit of choice was too slutty. She looked at all the angles possible in the mirror that hung over the sink in her room. She wore a deep cobalt dress that ended mid thigh and a black button-down sweater that she left unbuttoned. She decided on her trademark boots, a black pair to match of course, but she was still indecisive.

Buffy leaned into the mirror for a further inspection as she checked for flyaways. Her hair was down in large waves that framed her face. Her makeup was just right, with enough eyeliner, but not too much. A few short knocks cut short her inspection. What she was wearing would have to do.

Buffy opened up the door to a well-dressed Riley. He was wearing acceptable dark wash jeans and a maroon shirt that he seemed to work with him really well. Over it he wore a heavy dark blue jacket.

"Wow, you look amazing. I mean wow. Though it's kinda cold outside, you sure you want to wear just that?" Riley asked.

"I'll probably be fine, but I'll bring another jacket just in case. Here, you can come in," Riley moved out of the way as Buffy closed the door just as two college boys ran down the hall in nothing but their boxers and capes around their necks. "I guess college doesn't make everyone mature," Buffy noted.

"Boys never really are," Riley stuck his hands in his pocket and looked around Buffy's room. He had been in here before when he came to talk to Willow about asking Buffy out. There wasn't much to look at other that a Dingoes Ate My Baby poster next to the bed on the left.

Buffy reached into her closet and pulled out a black leather jacket and tucked it into the nook of her arm. Realization spread across her face as she remembered something.

"Oh, I should leave Willow a note. She still hasn't come back from the library." Buffy scrambled along her desk for a pen and piece of paper.

"Still? Man that girl can read," Riley did an intake of breath, sounding impressed.

"Ready?" Buffy asked as she left the note on Willow's bed.

Buffy reached the door and pulled it open, only to see a familiar face block the door way.

"Spike," she whispered his name. Spike's stomach did a little flip when he heard her say his name like that, but he didn't let it show on his face.

"I want my ring back," Spike simply stated.

"What," Buffy sounded almost pained. Spike tried to ignore it. He wouldn't let her get to him.

"I want my ring back," Spike repeated. "Remember a couple of weeks ago I gave you my favorite ring? Well, I want it back." When Spike stopped explaining he finally noticed the human standing behind her. He was really tall. Could even be taller than the Poofter, Spike thought. He noticed that the human looked familiar, but Spike brushed it off.

"Buffy? Who is this?" Riley asked, pointing to figure in the doorway.

"Oh, uh Riley, this is Spike. Spike, this is Riley," Buffy sort of mumbled. She didn't like the position she was in.

"Spike as in, Spike, the guy you were 'marrying'?" Riley put air quotes around the word marrying, like he thought it to be some kind of joke.

Spike raised his eyebrows. "You told him? Somehow, that doesn't strike me as friendly getting-to-know-each-other conversation. 'Oh, by the way, I was engaged just only two weeks ago.'"

"Spike," the Slayer gritted through her teeth. She really wanted him to stop talking.

"Wait, you told me that that was all a joke you were playing on me. You two were really engaged?" Riley looked at Buffy, obviously looking for answers, hoping that she wouldn't lie to him. Again, Riley silently added to himself.

"Well kind of. It only lasted for like a day. Spike and I don't get along very well, so it kinda ended," Buffy explained as much as she could, without bringing the spell into the conversation.

"Well, to get engaged, didn't you two have to be well uh, dating?" Riley wasn't sure how this all was working out. It almost didn't make sense, and he obviously didn't have close to most of the story.

"Well—"

Spike cut her off. "It was an arranged sort of deal. We didn't have a choice. But when they realized that it wasn't going to work out, they decided to call it quits."

"Who're 'they'?" Riley wasn't taking this well. If only he knew the real story, Buffy thought.

"O-our parents," Buffy offered.

"Your parents had you guys betrothed? Since when? 'Cause dude, you're like twenty-six I bet," Riley didn't sound convinced.

"Ever since Buffy was born. I was about seven when our parents made the decision," Spike lied so coolly, Buffy noted.

"And Parker?"

"Rebellion," Buffy simply said. She noticed how easier it was to lie when Spike was here to think of things faster than she could.

"Why were you guys only engaged a few weeks ago?"

"'Cause that's when I arrived in the States."

"Riley, are you alright? I know that it's a lot of information to take in. If you want, we could still—" Buffy was cut short.

"No, um. I really need to go home and think about this. I'm really sorry Buffy." And with that, Riley shoved past Spike and made his way down the hallway. He couldn't shake the feeling that that Spike guy looked really familiar, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

Buffy looked at Spike and breathed a heavy sigh. She slowly made her way over to her bed, not even bothering to shut the door on Spike. He took that as an invitation to come in. He closed the door behind him and sat down on Willow's bed. He remembered when he tried to bite Willow several weeks ago. It seemed so long ago.

"Why did you have to come now?" Buffy whined. "Hey, isn't Giles supposed to be looking after you?"

"Rupes was really bad at keeping an eye on me," Spike smirked.

"So the two times you manage to escape, you end up coming here, why?" Buffy was now confused.

"Well, the first time I figured was Red's meddling, but now I'm here for my ring, which I would still like back," Spike prompted.

"Oh, right." Buffy got up and went over to the dresser on Willow's side of the room. They'd split half the drawers. She reached into the drawer she kept specifically for jewelry. She fished around until she found the big skull ring. She held it out in front of her, remembering when she thought that it was the greatest engagement ring there was.

She shuffled across the carpet until she stood right in front of Spike. He looked up at her and reached for the ring, but Buffy moved her hand so that it was just out of reach.

"I hate you, you know that? I really, really don't like you. You're evil and soulless, and so annoying! I—"

"Well, someone has got to get you out of your messes. Like Captain Cardboard. You can't keep lying to him forever, you know that right?" Spike pushed.

"Well, he accepted my lie about the whole engagement just fine until you came here demanding for your ring back. By the way, here you go. I don't even know why you want it so bad anyways," Buffy threw the ring at him. Unfortunately for his vampire reflexes, he caught the ring with ease.

"I got it during the seventies before I killed a Slayer. It's like a good luck charm for me."

"Do you think I care?"

"You're the one who asked, luv." Buffy grimaced at the nickname.

"Why are you even still here? Shouldn't you be lurking or scaring someone, or something?" Buffy tried elaborating with her hands with gestures Spike didn't understand.

"I think I'm having more fun annoying you." Spike leaned on the bed with his elbows while Buffy just stood there. She placed her head in one of her hands, the other wrapped around her torso.

Buffy exhaled deeply. "Why can't you just. Leave. Me. Alone?"

"Fine then! Have fun spending the rest of the night alone." And with that, Spike stormed out of the dorm room.

Buffy was left alone in the silence for only about a minute until the phone rang.

"Buffy? It's Giles, I um, seem to have, misplaced Spike. I checked everywhere, but I can't seem to find him."

"That's alright Giles. I know where he is; I just saw him."

"Oh thank heavens! Once you find him again, would you mind bringing him to Xander's place instead? I've already made arrangements with him."

"Sure, uh why though?"

"I have a friend coming over, and I'd rather Spike not be here with us."

"No problem. 'Bye Giles."

"'Bye Buffy." Buffy grabbed her leather coat and dashed out the room, off to find Spike. Again.