Author's Note:

Hey everyone... I AM SO SORRY for the lack of updates! I was at School, and my computer died. And I damn near lost everything. SO I am in the process of working to put everything back together on my mom's computer... And hoping for a new computer! That being said, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE bear with me. I am on break for a while so I promise LOTS of updates, They just might be awhile in coming.

Welcome to my life.

Chapter 3

The next morning, Amy woke up quickly. Ever since she was a little girl, she had always woken at once when her name was called or when her alarm went off. She very rarely slept in. It helped immensely when she was in high school and even now in college, it especially helped when she had to work. She stretched for a minute before looking over to where Spike had spent the night. It was the first time that a guy had ever spent the night.

He was still asleep. Amy thought that he looked very adorable when he was asleep. She peeked at the clock and saw that she still had at least another two hours before she even needed to get up and get dressed. She snuggled down into her blankets and snuggled up against Spike, who pulled her closer and nipped her ear, before giving her a lazy kiss on the lips.

"Spike, I gather that you are wide awake and have been for some time? I have time before I have to jump in the shower and get dressed for work. You want anything for breakfast?" She kissed his shoulder as he moved his arm and caressed her stomach drawing a squeak from her. She sat up against her pillows and stretched, just as she was about to get out of bed, she was yanked back down by Spike.

"You are going nowhere lady. You are staying right here." Spike growled making her laugh. He smiled at her and sat up as well, pulling her into his arms for a hug, which she gladly accepted. They stayed there like that for a few minutes, before Amy bounced out of bed. Spike pouted while she went into her closet to get a clean uniform.

"You could call off sick. I am sure that your boss wouldn't mind. He seems like a nice guy." He laughed as he said it so she didn't take him very seriously. She shook her head at him and went down the hall to get a shower. After a few minutes, she came back with a towel wrapped around her and stepped into the closet, pulling the door mostly shut behind her.

"No I can't. Patrick depends on me and the others who work there. He doesn't get many people who stay very long, which is a shame. Plus the money's good. The customers aren't so bad either. So the does have its perks." She smirked and poked her head out to see Spike getting dressed as well. She sat down next to him and tickled his sides.

"Well, can I at least drive you to work and pick you up tonight? Mom wants you to come for dinner tonight. She called when you were in the shower. Don't worry, you will have a chance to change and shower before we head over. It's good because we live next to each other. Mom's going to be making chicken Parmesan tonight." Amy smiled and nodded. She finished getting ready and they went downstairs to eat breakfast.

"I have an hour before I even have to leave Spike. I have already fed the cats, I watered my plants, and I don't have anything else to do before leaving. Usually I leave now and walk to the shop. But since you are giving me a ride, I don't have to leave for another 40 minutes." She thought about it for a moment and continued.

"Which is awesome, but it means that I am going to have to readjust my schedule. Especially since later tonight I will have to go to my parent's house and pick up the truck. I am not depending on you to give me rides everywhere that I need to go." Spike kissed her cheek and pulled her up from the couch and led her out the door to the truck and helped her inside before closing the door.

As he drove her to the Coffee Shop, Spike was planning a date in his head. Normally he didn't move this fast, but there was something about Amy that made him want and need to be around her all of the time. After he planned the date out, he turned his attention to the presentation that he was giving at the university on Thursday. He knew that Amy went there and he knew that she was in the class that he was presenting in.

"Hey Amy. I wanted to warn you. I am going to be giving a presentation on Tuesday at the university and I know that you are in the class, so we can't give off that we are seeing each other. It would be improper and give the impression that you have an unfair advantage. And before you ask, no I am not going to tell you what I am presenting." Amy nodded and got out of the truck. She smiled at him and blew him a quick kiss.

"That's fine Spike. I understand. I get off at 6 pm tonight. That is if you would still care to pick me up. I would appreciate it." It was Spike's turn to nod and smile. After Amy shut the door and went inside, he drove away, intent on finding something to do with himself while she worked. He decided to go to the station and work on baby cakes and give her a tune-up. He had not had a date with her for some time, so he was overdue.

Amy walked into the beginning of the breakfast rush. She quickly punched in, stored her things, grabbed an apron and started taking orders. They had 3 new waitresses that morning and she was the only one with experience. Which was fine as she really didn't mind training new people, they had to learn somehow. Sometimes she let them flounder for a bit before helping.

"Amy! Order up. Take them with you and show them how it's done." She nodded and took the food from the cook and walked briskly to the table and set the orders down gently. She directed two of the girls to clear several tables that were a mess and the third to restock the empty tables. They complied quickly.

Toward the end of the breakfast rush, the bell over the door jingled and Amy looked up after the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Walking towards the counter, was James and he wasn't alone. She mentally rolled her eyes and went to see if he wanted to order or just come in to harass her. She could see Patrick placing his hand on the phone that was hanging on the wall. She shook her head and held up a finger.

"James. What rock did you crawl out from under this time." She gave him and his companion a menu each and asked if they wanted drinks. James ordered eggs and hash browns with black coffee. His companion, who gave Amy the creeps worse than anything, ordered pancakes and Skim Milk. Amy went to post the order and get their drinks.

After giving them their drinks, she went and checked on the other tables before letting Patrick know that she was going to take her break in the actual break room instead of going for a walk. She usually got a half hour for break and would walk down to the little pond where ducks were usually in abundance. Patrick understood. He cautioned her to not go for a walk. He didn't trust James.

Amy sat in the break room and relaxed, getting herself a cup of coffee before kicking off her shoes while calling Spike. She didn't want to alarm him or bother him, but she wanted his advice. It's what friends did for each other. She highly doubt that he would be upset or angry with her for calling him. He picked up on the third ring.

"Scarlatti." Amy laughed.

"Hi Spike. How are you doing? Where you at anyway? I'm on my break so I wanted to call you and see what you were up to." Her voice sounded tight, even to her own ears and she prayed that Spike didn't pick up on the change in pitch. Such as not the case. He was quiet for a moment before clearing his throat.

"Amy, is something wrong? Because your voice sounds weird and I would venture a guess to say that you sound slightly stressed out. What's wrong?" Amy smacked herself in the forehead. She forgot just who it was that she was speaking to. Of course Spike would pick up on the changes. It's what he was trained to do.

"Everything's fine Spike. I am on my break and we have 3 three girls today. I am the only one with experience. It's annoying. I should have called in sick today like you suggested. I couldn't though. The reason I called besides visiting and flirting is that James is here. He hasn't bothered me or made any remarks, but it's just weird." Spike was silent for a moment.

"Want me to come in and visit? I haven't had any lunch yet. Or have someone drop by? Because James needs to learn that the two of you aren't going out anymore and he doesn't have the right to terrorize my friend. I'm not very intimidating, but Ed is here. He's pretty intimidating." Amy snickered and shook her head.

"Um, you can stop in. He might be gone by then. I don't know. I got to go now I have like 3 minutes left of my break, I still have to pee and get my shoes back on. Hugs and stuff to you Spike. See you soon. Drive Safe." She hung up the phone and went about finishing her break. When she came back out front, she noticed that James and his companion were still there, lingering over coffee. She rolled her eyes and nudged Patrick.

"Patrick. I don't trust those two at all. I called Spike and I think that he's going to drop by for a bit. I know you don't like friends just dropping by, but he's with the Strategic Response Unit. Maybe by him being here, James will realize that he's really not welcome here. I hope that's ok." She smiled when Patrick nodded. Just then James called her name.

"Amy, I want you to meet someone. This is Pablo. He's a French filmmaker. He's interested in you for his next picture. I think you should take the opportunity. I know that you want to be an actress. I went ahead and sent him some pictures before he agreed to come in for a visit." Amy just looked at him and rolled her eyes.

"Pleased to meet you Amy. Do you have time to sit down and talk after your shift? I really want you for my next film." Amy shook her head and turned to walk away. Pierre grabbed her arm, just above the elbow. Amy yelped. She turned back to him and looked down at her arm and then at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Get your hands off of me. Now. I am flattered, but I am not interested at this time. Let go of me before I call the cops." She tried to yank her arm free, aware of Patrick coming over. She held up a hand. She gave the guy a dirty look and then gave the same look to James, who was sitting there smiling.

"What seems to be going on here Ladies and Gentlemen?" Amy looked up into Spike's eyes and then Ed's. She had never felt more relieved. She continued to try to tug her arm from Pierre's grasp. She noticed that Spike had his hand resting gently on his sidearm, which was unsnapped. He wasn't in uniform, but he still looked impressive.

"These two men are harassing me officers. James is my ex-boyfriend and his friend grabbed my arm when I refused an offer for a film that he is apparently doing. I know what kind of filmmaker he is. I want no part in any of his films. When I attempted to walk away he grabbed my arm rather tightly." Ed frowned.

"Gentlemen. I want you to leave the premises. Now. I am going to wait here until you do. If you are not out of this building in five minutes, I am arresting both of you." Ed stood there with a perpetual frown on his face waiting for one of them to do something stupid. Pablo stood up and smiled. He set a business card on the table.

"Here's my card. Please think about my offer and call me with your decision. Until we meet again. James, let's go and talk more elsewhere. Good day officers." They paid their bill quickly and left with Ed walking after them to the door to ensure that they left the parking lot. After a couple minutes he came back and sat down at the counter.

After a few more minutes, having taken Amy's statement and having put the card into an envelope to deliver for fingerprint testing, they left after informing Patrick that there would be a patrol coming by every hour or so to discourage James and Pablo from coming around again. Patrick thanked them both and returned to his task behind the counter.