Chapter Ten: Faking It

Wednesday

The next night, Spike met Buffy at her door once again. Now that he had time to prepare. Spike was determined to show her as much of London as he could later that evening after dinner.

As they finished their meal he asked, "Are you ready to venture out this evening and see the sights?"

Excitedly she replied, "Yes! I've been looking forward to it all day."

They rose from their dinner table and exited the hotel. Outside the carriage that Spike had procured earlier waited for them.

Spike had the driver take them to all the local sites of interest. As they came to each one, they stopped and exited the carriage. He made sure that Buffy had her complete fill of each site they visited. They stopped at the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and a number of other places along the way.

It happened when he had taken her to a lovely little site that overlooked Big Ben. Buffy was admiring its beautiful majesty. Spike was admiring her loveliness. He was standing slightly behind her. "You're very lovely," he practically whispered into her ear. He wasn't planning on saying anything to her, but it just slipped out.

Buffy turned to him. With a shy smile she said, "Thank you. And you're very charming yourself." She looked away, and returned to her musing.

"But?"

He could tell that she was struggling with herself, as she turned to face him once again. "William," she took his gloved hand as she spoke. "You're very attractive, and I do enjoy your company."

"But . . .?" he repeated.

"But . . . there is someone else in my life. I never meant to hurt you. We haven't even known each other for that long."

He couldn't help but gaze deeply into her eyes when he asked, "Who is he?"

Buffy hesitated for just a moment. "No one you should concern yourself with."

Spike could see the struggle in her eyes, it was all so clear.

"Do you love him?"

"I'm still sorting things out. If only he'd give me the time to do so," she said wistfully as she turned back to gaze up at Big Ben. Time was running out and they both knew it.

Spike let the conversation drop, he didn't want to hear anymore. He just wanted to enjoy the rest of their time together and not think about what might have been. Even so, Spike thought that it was the most romantic evening that he had ever had. And especially the most romantic he had ever shared with Buffy.

Spike didn't want the night to end. As their evening came to a close he had their driver drop them off a few blocks away from their hotel. He wanted to have a late night stroll with Buffy one last time. It wasn't quite the same as SunnyD, but it would do.

They had only walked a few blocks when from out of what seemed like nowhere two thugs came upon them.

"Hey Mate," the one said to Spike. "Give up your valuables, if you don't want anythin' to happen to your lady friend here."

Spike didn't know what to do. His first instinct was to fight and pulverize these two blokes for threatening Buffy. But William wouldn't react like that.

He didn't have time to decide on a plan of action. Buffy had already made her decision. She turned her back on him and was now pounding on the poor bloke. The man didn't seem to know what had hit him. He was just standing there in a state of dazed shock as Buffy kept on punching him. He didn't even have sense enough to fall down.

Spike was careful to keep his eye on Buffy. When he was certain that she wasn't looking his way, he aimed a few good punches at the fellow in front of him. He couldn't stand having to hold himself back from just pummeling the rotten bugger. How dare these two miscreants attack them? Spike hated pretending to be a weakling. But every time Buffy looked at him, he had to pretend that he was cringing in fear from this lousy blighter. He almost blew his cover as one of his punches landed with a resounding, sickening "crack" as he broke his opponent's nose.

Buffy swung around just in time to see Spike clutch his own face and whimper. He hated it! He hated having to pretend. It was driving him crazy.

The moment she turned away again, Spike landed another couple of quick punches, one to the man's jaw and the other to his abdomen. The assailant fled, just as Buffy's attacker was now doing.

Spike smiled to himself. He couldn't quite believe that Buffy had fought in that dainty piece of green fluff she wore. Surprisingly, the dress wasn't even the worse for wear for it. Spike nearly laughed at the absurdity of the situation, but then he remembered he had to stay in character. William, at least, wouldn't appreciate such a rousing display of violence.

When she finally turned to him, Spike just stared at her with his mouth slightly agape. "My God! What do you think you were doing?" He said to her in a very shocked voice.

"I was defending us!" Buffy huffed as she looked at him.

Spike had allowed his attacker to land a few punches to make it look good for Buffy and poor pathetic William.

"You could have gotten yourself killed," he tsked. "I don't know how it is where you come from, but here in England, that is no way for a lady to behave." His tone was huffy, as he looked her up and down in disgust. Spike was trying to go for the appalled look, but it didn't quite work.

Spike looked at a very down cast Buffy. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "But those ruffians could have seriously hurt you."

Buffy just looked at him with open hostility. She turned and walked away. He heard her say under her breath, "Good going there Slayer. Now he thinks you're some kind of brute."

Spike smiled to himself, that was his dear sweet Buffy, always being too hard on herself.

He could feel the rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins. The fight had gotten him all heated and excited. Adding to that, he could sense Buffy's own arousal. All he wanted to do right now was to take Buffy in his arms and ravish her. Though he knew he couldn't, and shouldn't. Instead he caught up to Buffy and extended his arm out to her. She took it without a single word. They headed back to their hotel in silence.

Spike returned Buffy to her door. Looking down at her, his eyes filled with concern, he finally spoke. "Are you all right? Those ruffians didn't hurt you did they?"

"No. I'm fine," the edge was no longer in her voice, as it had been earlier, though she seemed to be leery of his newfound concern.

Spike was worried about her, he didn't want her mad at him - or actually William. He tried once again to make peace with her. "I'm sorry," he bowed his head for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. "It's just that you frightened me." He raised his eyes to hers, "I've never seen a woman behave like that here. Perhaps America is a bit more . . . progressive. I've heard of the things that have happened to ladies out west. And I'm sorry that you felt you had to protect yourself. I should have been the one to stop those hooligans, not you." With a small, tentative smile and a raised brow, he continued, "Do you think you can forgive me . . . a second time?"

Spike knew the moment that she had softened to his plight. He was supposed to be William, and wasn't supposed to have a clue as to who she was. How could she not forgive him for his earlier outburst?

Buffy gazed into his eyes as she replied, "Of course." She picked up on his lead as she added, "Where I come from . . . creatures, like those men, are common. I'm sorry, for not realizing how my actions would bother you."

Spike's smile broadened with her words. "Good. Then may I see you again tomorrow? If you don't have any other plans, of course."

"That would be lovely. I'll even try to behave." She gave a little laugh with that.

Spike grinned at her. Then as per usual, he bowed over her hand and wished her a "Good evening," as soon as her door was closed, Spike hurried to his room. Spending such a romantic evening with Buffy had sparked something within him. An idea was forming in his head, an idea too delicious to pass up. Spike smiled wickedly to himself as his plan began to take form.