Chapter 46
On the Road

"Where are we going?" Buffy asked as Spike drove down the road.

"Not sure. Not like we can go to my place."

"We can't go to the loft because Tara is there, and Parker will probably go looking for me there first. What about your apartment?"

"Nope. Deacon and Carter are there and I really think we need some alone time."

"Right. Can't go to the mansion because my Parents are back in town."

"Guess not."

Buffy watched as the car passed the 'Now Leaving Sunnydale' sign. "You're leaving town."

"I know."

"Why?"

"People can't find you if you're not there to be found."

"So, where are we going?"

"How 'bout the first place we meet?"

"L.A.? That's a two hour drive."

"It's Friday night. No classes until Monday to worry about."

"What about Dru?"

"She was going out of town with her Father this weekend because I told her that the band had to practice all weekend long."

"Oh…"

*****

Los Angeles-Two Hours Later

"Pet we're here." Spike said as he turned off the engine to his car.

Buffy looked up from where her head was resting on Spike's leg. "Where's here?" Buffy asked trying to wake up completely.

"The motel."

"Motel?" Buffy asked fully sitting up now.

"While we needed a place to stay for the night, and I didn't think there was a need to spend a great deal of cash for just one night. If you want to stay the weekend we can find a better place tomorrow."

Buffy stepped out of the car. "This is fine."

Spike joined Buffy outside of the car and headed towards the main office. "I'm glad." Spike took hold of her hand. "Let's get us a room and get settled in."

"Sure." Buffy said following Spike close behind, not liking the way that some of the men in the parking lot were looking at her.

Spike noticed Buffy's tension and wrapped a protective arm around her shoulder. "You're safe with me Luv."

Buffy leaned into his hold. "I know."

*****

Sunnydale-Drusilla and Spike's House

"Where could they be?" Drusilla asked as she paced back and forth in her living room.

"How the hell should I know? You're the one that is suppose to know Spike's every move." Carter stated from his spot on the couch.

"I do."

"Really? Then were is he, or Buffy for that matter?"

After a few moments silence Drusilla turned to face Cater.

"This is all your fault!" Dru yelled.

Carter smiled at Dru's outburst. "How's that?"

"'Cause you said there was no need to follow him tonight."

"He was suppose to be at the hotel until tomorrow morning Dru." Carter stated in a higher tone then before.

"While he's not." Dru yelled back. "He's off some place with your whore."

Carter stood from the couch and walked over towards Dru and grabbed both of her arms. "Buffy is NOT a whore! If anyone is a whore here Dru it would be you."

"You didn't seem to mind it to much a few hours ago." Drusilla bit back as she pulled herself free of Carter's hold.

"It's was just sex."

"Please, I'm the best you've ever had." Drusilla said as she ran her hand over Carter's chest.

Carter grabbed hold of Dru's wrist and pushed it away. "You're good I'll give you that, but you are no where near the best. Now I understand way Spike was planning on leaving you over the summer."

"And way's that?" Drusilla questioned.

"You've got all the moves down to a 'T', but you've got none of the emotions."

"You Bastard!" Drusilla yelled as she slapped Carter across the face.

"Now, now Dru. No need for name-calling. I wouldn't want Spike to find out about that bundle of joy you're not carrying."

"You wouldn't." Dru stated in shock.

"Are you sure about that?" Carter asked with a grin on his face.

"You'll lose Buffy forever."

Carter nodded his head. "Can't lose something you never had to begin with."

Carter turned from where Drusilla was standing in shock and headed towards the front door.

"CARTER!" Drusilla yelled as he open the door.

"Talk to you later Dru." Carter called over his shoulder before slamming the door shut behind him.

"CARTER!!!!!!!"

*****

Los Angeles-Off Road Motel

"Here you go Pet." Spike said as he handed Buffy a glass of water.

"Thanks."

"No prob. Can I get you anything else?"

"No, I'm fine." Buffy simple replied.

"Are you sure 'cause I…" Spike asked as he nervously paced back and forth in front of the bed that Buffy was sitting on. Which also happened to be the only one in the room.

"Spike. I'm fine."

"Right." Spike said nodding his head.

"Maybe you should sit down." Buffy said as she pointed to the chair across from the bed.

"S'pose you're right." Spike stated as he pulled the chair away from the wall and sat down.

After a few moments Buffy decided to ask the question that had been on her mind since Spike has knocked Parker out.

"Tell me what happened earlier."

"Not much to tell really. Went to the hotel, talked with Faith, told her the deal was off and came to rescue you from that nightmare you call an ex-boyfriend."

Buffy ignored the last part of his statement. "What did you talk to her about?"

Spike locked eyes with Buffy. "You."

"What about me?"

Spike looked away from Buffy. "That I would have stayed with you if my wife wasn't pregnant. That I love you."

"Still?"

Spike relocked eyes with Buffy. "Always."

Buffy stood up from the bed and walked over towards the window. "We'll see if you feel the same way after you hear what I'm about to tell you."

Spike stood up from the chair and walked towards Buffy, turning her around to face him.

"What is it?"

Buffy stepped away from Spike. "First, I don't think we have to worry about Faith telling her Father or the college about the affair."

"Why's that?"

"Cause I think Faith is working for someone else."

"What?" Spike asked in disbelief.

"When I got to the hotel I saw her talking to a person outside of her room."

"Maybe it was someone who worked for the hotel. The room was pretty much ready for a long night."

"I really don't think that was the case."

"Who was it?"

Buffy took a deep breath before looking at Spike. "Drusilla…"

Chapter 47

Los Angeles

"Drusilla?" Spike questioned in utter and complete shock.

"I saw her leaving Faith's room right before Parker pulled me into his room."

"What reason would Dru have to be there?"

"I don't know."

Spike looked at Buffy. "But you have an idea."

Buffy nodded her head. "I think Faith is working for Drusilla."

"That's insane." Spike yelled. "What could Dru possibly gain from Faith working for her?"

"You." Buffy whispered

"She already has me." Spike yelled again.

Buffy looked away from Spike for a moment then turned back to face him. "Maybe she doesn't see it that way."

"Then what way do you think she sees it?" Spike bit back.

"That I have you."

The room was filled with an uncomfortable silence once again as Spike tried to figure out if what Buffy was saying could really be true.

"This is crazy." Spike finally stated.

Buffy walked over to Spike and placed a hand on his arm. "Spike, just try to hear me out."

"Why should I?" Spike yelled as he pulled away from Buffy's outreached hand. "Dru has nothing to do with this."

"She has everything to do with this." Buffy yelled back.

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"Why is it so hard for you to believe that your wife is actually capable of doing something like this?"

"Because she's my wife damnit. I've known her all my life."

"Maybe that's the problem."

"What?"

"You've known her to long, you're not thinking with a clear head."

Spike nodded his head, knowing that Buffy was right, and that she would never lie to him about something this important.

"What do you think?"

The question caught Buffy by surprise. "'bout Drusilla?"

"Yeah, about Dru."

Buffy took a deep breath before telling Spike her theory about his wife and who was working with her. "I think that she found out somehow that you were having an affair before she walked in on us together, and that you were planning on leaving her for the other person. I think that the deal with Faith was a way to keep me from ever being able to be with you again."

"How's that?" Spike asked not fully understanding why Faith would be the key person keep them apart.

"Faith and I hate each other, everyone knows it. What they don't know is the real reason behind the hatred."

"I thought that she hated you because she feels that you keep taking things away from her. Her more popular friends started to hang out with you when you first moved here. You beat her out for the spot on the varsity cheerleading squad. Even her ex-high school sweet heart likes you now."

Buffy nodded. "That's what everyone in Sunnydale thinks. The truth of the matter is that Faith and I go back to when she was living in L.A. and we were both starting middle school together. The hate we feel for one another has had years to grow into what it is today."

*****

UC Sunnydale Campus-Dorms

KNOCK-KNOCK

The door to the dorm room opened to reveal a somewhat shocked person behind it. "Faith? What are you doing here?"

"Can I come in?" Faith asked in a low whisper.

"Yeah, sure. Angel's out with Cordy right now. What can I do for you?" Riley asked as he stepped away from the door to let Faith walk in.

Once the door was closed Faith turned to face Riley. "I'm a bitch."

"What?"

"I am. I'm a heartless bitch."

"Where is this coming from?" Riley asked still shock first at that fact that Faith was in his dorm room and second at the fact that she was calling herself a bitch.

"Did you love me?" Faith asked in a low whisper.

Riley walked closer to Faith and tilted her chin up. "What is this about?"

Faith stepped away from him. "We were together for almost four years. Did you love me any of them?"

"Of course I loved you."

"Then why?"

After a moment of figuring out what it was that she was asking Riley started to shake his head. "Faith, we've already talked about this."

"I just don't understand. You say that you loved me…"

Riley interrupted Faith. "My loving you wasn't the problem."

"Then what was?" Faith asked somewhat angrily.

"You being to scared to let me."

"That's not true."

"Really? The first time I told you that I loved you, you freaked out."

"I did not." Faith stated in shock.

"Faith, you ran out on me." Riley yelled at her.

"We were to young. It was to soon in our relationship for you to be having those type of feelings about me." Faith stated trying to make herself believe it as well.

"You didn't think that we were to young to be having sex. And as far as to soon in the relationship, we were together for over two years before I told you how I really felt."

After a few moments of an utter and complete silence Riley turned to face Faith. "What brought all of this on in the first place?"

"I was with a man tonight." Faith said in a low whisper.

"Oh…" Riley stated not knowing why he was feeling jealous of this information.

"When he got there I asked him about a few things and it got me thinking. This man is willing to give up everything that means anything to him all for some women because he loves her. I don't think I've ever felt that way about another human in my entire life." Faith said as she walked over and sat down on one of the beds in the room.

"That's not true." Riley stated following Faith over to the beds and sat opposite of her.

"Yes it is. I'm heartless. Unable to love, or let myself be loved just like you said. I push everyone away because I don't want to get hurt, but in the end I'm alone and hurt." Faith finished as a tear rolled down her cheek.

Riley pulled Faith into his arms and ran his hand up and down her back slowly. "You're not alone. I will always be there for you when ever you need me."

Faith pulled away from Riley and looked up into his face. "What about Buffy?"

"I'm falling in love with her."

Chapter 48

Los Angeles

"Faith and I knew each other before I moved to Sunnydale. We were actually really good friends until she went after my boyfriend."

Spike gave Buffy an unbelieving look.

"I know what you're thinking. 'Poor little middle school girl got her boyfriend taken away from her. What a tragedy.' But it has to do with more than just that."

"Go on." Spike said as he sat down in the chair waiting for Buffy to continue with her tale.

"It started out as small things at first. She was jealous of my relationship with Alyson, and that I would always pick Alyson instead of Faith for anything."

"Like what?"

"Any and everything really. From cheerleading to the guys I dated."

"Guys?"

"That was what pushed her over the edge the most. She couldn't understand why someone would want to be with me instead of her. And it didn't help that I started to date the guy that she had a major crush on."

"Really? That doesn't seem like something you would do."

"And neither was sleeping with a married man, but I some how managed that one." Buffy said jokingly.

"Funny."

"I thought so. Now back to the history lesson. Nick was the guy's name, and he was the type of guy that every girl wanted for herself."

"And you had him."

"Yep." Buffy said popping the 'p'. "Faith tried everything in her power to get him for herself, but nothing worked."

"Never settle for second best." Spike stated proudly.

"Or so I thought."

"What happened?" Spike asked knowing that the tale was about to take a wrong turn by the tone of her voice.

"We were at the last party of the eight grade year, and I walked in on Faith in bed with Nick."

"Wow."

"I wasn't willing so Nick turned to someone who was."

"Faith."

"What can I say Faith likes sex. It's no wonder she thinks that she's so good at it, she's been doing it long enough."

"And what ever happened to good ole Nick?"

"I broke up with him at the party, it was a night packed full of drama. The couple that had been together the longest broke up, and everyone was once again there for me, not Faith. Nick and his family moved to Indiana and I never saw him again. Faith moved to Sunnydale and continued to hate me."

"So you hate Faith because she slept with your boyfriend?"

"Not as much as someone would think."

"Then why?"

"I only hate her for blaming me for everything that has gone wrong in her life. I'm only one person, I don't have that type of power."

"And you think that Dru is using this in order to get me back for good?" Spike asked placing all the information together in his head.

Buffy nodded her head. "Yes, but I don't think that it's just Faith. I think that Drusilla has others helping her."

"Like who?"

"Other than Faith? She has to have her Father's help. He has got to be in on this, she spends all her time with him."

"He would do anything to make sure that she stays happy. No matter who gets hurt along the way."

"I don't think that it's just Faith and her Father though. There has got to be at least one more person in on all of this." Buffy stated as she started to pace back and forth in front of where Spike was seated.

Spike stood up and stopped her pacing. "Who?"

Buffy locked her eyes with his. "Someone we both know, and trust."

Chapter 49

Sunnydale

After some time away Carter decided that it was best if he got back over to Dru's to figure out how they were going to make everything work out.

"Where are they?" Drusilla asked for what felt like the thousandth time that evening as she looked out the window in the living room.

"I don't know Dru. And if you ask me again I'll leave, and let you figure out this all on your own."

"Fine. What about that Parker guy that Buffy was suppose to be with tonight? Do we at least know what happened to him?" Drusilla asked as she turned to face Carter.

Carter ran a hand through his freshly washed hair. "Yeah, he's held up at some bar."

Drusilla turned back to the window and looked out watching as the moon disappeared making way for the early rays of a new day to come. "Everything was going so well until now."

"Face it Dru, Spike love's Buffy to much to just let her completely out oh his life, even for you and what he believes to be his child."

Drusilla's eyes flashed fire. "You're wrong. My Spike will come back to me. He always does."

Carter tried hard not to chuckle. "Not this time."

"I'll prove you wrong." Dru yelled back as she walked over towards the phone.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm calling Spike." Dru said as she picked up the phone.

Carter stalked over towards the phone and pulled it out of her hand. "You can't."

Drusilla pulled the phone back away from Carter. "I'm his wife and I refuse to lose him to that little whore."

*****

Los Angeles

"Do you mind if I take a shower." Buffy asked as she walked over towards the bathroom.

Spike looked up from the notepad he was writing on. "I thought we were trying to figure out who was working with Dru besides her Father and Faith."

Buffy sighed and walked back towards Spike. "I can still feel Parker's hands on my body, I need to take a shower."

"Of course." Spike answered not liking the fact that Buffy had brought up Parker's name.

Buffy walked back towards the bathroom and stopped just outside the door. "Why don't you order some food and after I'm all clean and we eat we can try to find out who our mystery person could be."

Spike nodded his head. "Sure thing Luv."

RING-RING

Both Buffy and Spike looked around the room and towards their own cell phones.

"It's mine." Spike said as he picked up his phone. "You go shower while I take this, then I'll order us some food. What do you want?"

RING-RING

"How about Mexican?"

"Sounds good to me." Spike answer as Buffy walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.

RING-RIN…

"'ello?"

"…"

"Dru?" Spike asked as he stared at the closed bathroom door.

"…"

"Is everything alright?" Spike asked with concern in his voice.

"…"

"I'm in L.A."

"…"

"I have a meeting with a club owner tomorrow who is looking for a band to play the night of their grand opening."

"…"

"No, Deacon and Carter are still in Sunnydale."

"…"

"It's just a meetin' to give the owner a tape of us playin'."

"…"

"I'll be back before Monday."

"…"

"Have fun with your Father this weekend."

"…"

"Bye Luv."

*****

Sunnydale

"Goodbye." Drusilla said as she hung up her phone.

"So?" Carter asked as he stopped pacing back and forth.

Drusilla turned to face Carter. "He said that he was in Los Angeles."

"Why?" Carter asked. "Did he say that Deacon and I were with him?"

"No, he said that you two were still here."

"When's he coming back?"

"Before Monday."

"What do we do now?"

"Think of a new plan."

*****

Los Angeles

"Who was that on the phone?" Buffy asked as she walked out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around her body.

Spike took a deep breath as he took in the way Buffy looked. "Dru."

"Oh?"

"She was demanding to know where I was."

"Did you tell her?" Buffy asked as she sat on the bed running a brush through her hair.

"Told her I was here in L.A. doing something for the band."

"Did she believe you?"

Spike nodded his head. "I guess so. Seemed like she was only interested in where I was and when I'd be back in town."

"And?" Buffy asked as she walked over towards Spike and stood in front of him noting the tone in which he was talking about his wife.

"I think you're right about the whole Dru thing. I really was hoping that you were wrong, but after that phone call…"

Buffy place her hands on either side of his face then tilted it up towards her. "Spike I'm sorry. I didn't want to be right about this."

Spike looked at her with laughter in his eyes.

"Alright, I kinda did. But not as much as you think."

"S'okay Luv." Spike said as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"What happens next?"

"We find out how long this has been goin' on and who's all involved with it."

"Then what?"

"We change the rules."

Chapter 50

Los Angeles-Next Morning

"Mmm…" Buffy mumbled as she moved closer to the warm body that was lying next to her with strong arms wrapped around her lower waist.

"Mornin' Luv." Spike whispered as he placed a kiss on her forehead.

Buffy's eyes shot open at the voice she was hearing. "Spike?"

Spike ran a hand up and down her arm. "Yeah Pet, it's me."

"What…Where are we?" Buffy asked as she sat up slightly and looked around the room.

Spike propped himself up on his elbow. "In L.A., remember?"

Buffy lower her head back down onto the pillow. "Oh, yeah." She then turned to face Spike. "What time is it?"

Spike looked at the clock that was hanging on the wall that Buffy had her back to. "Little after seven. You should go back to sleep."

"Sleep is good." Buffy mumbled as her eyes slowly closed. They shot back open when she felt the bad move. "Where are you going?" Buffy asked as she held onto his arm.

"To get us a few things." Spike said as he pulled his shirt over his head.

"Stay."

Spike turned to face Buffy and took in the site of her lying in a bed with only a thin sheet to cover up her nakedness. "I don't think that's such a good idea."

Buffy sat up and wrapped the sheet tighter around her body. "Please, I sleep better when you hold me. You make me feel safe."

Spike walked back over towards the bed. "You are safe."

"Then stay." Buffy said as she held out her hand.

"Alright." Spike said as he took Buffy's hand and let her pull him back towards her.

After the two blondes were settled in the bed comfortably Buffy raised her head from where it rested on his chest. "Spike?"

"Huh?" Spike asked with closed eyes.

"Were watching me sleep earlier?"

Spike opened his eyes and looked down at her. "Yeah…"

"For how long?" Buffy asked remembering a time when he had told her that he could watch her sleep for the rest of his life and still think she looked like an angel.

"Not that long." Spike responded remembering the same thing Buffy was.

"Spike." Buffy said in a tone that she knew he was lying.

"An hour or so."

"Spike." Buffy said as she placed her head back down on his chest.

Spike sighed. "Alright, most of the night."

"Spike?"

"Yeah?"

"Go to sleep." Buffy said as she closed her eyes with a grin on her face.

"Right." Spike stated as he closed his eyes and pulled her closer to his body.

*****

Sunnydale-Loft Apartment

"Cor…"

"Mmm…"

"Cordy…"

"Five more minutes." Cordelia begged as she pulled a pillow over her head.

"Cordelia." Angel yelled as he pulled the pillow away from her.

"Huh?" Cordelia asked as she shot up in her bed.

Angel ran a hand down her back to help her relax. "I have to get back to the dorm."

"What time is it?"

"Almost eight. I need to pick up a few things before I head over to the mansion to have brunch with my Father and Connor."

Cordelia looked around the room then nodded her head. "Okay. I'll come with you."

"You don't have to. You could stay here and get some more sleep. I know you didn't get much last night." Angel said with a happy grin plaster across his face.

Cordelia shook her head and crawled out of her bed. "I can't. I have things I need to get done before Buffy get home."

"How long will you take?"

"Fifteen minutes tops."

"Fifteen minutes." Angel stated in a firm voice.

"You could join me in the shower." Cordelia said as she ran a hand down Angel's chest.

"That would take more then fifteen minutes, and you know it." Angel stated as he looked down at Cordelia with lustful eyes.

"It'll be worth the time." Cordelia said as she pulled Angel into her bathroom.

*****

UC Sunnydale- Thirty Minutes Later

Angel stopped dead in his tracks as he pushed open the door to his and Riley's dorm room causing Cordelia to run into him.

"Angel…Oh My God!" Cordelia yelled as she saw the couple wrapped in each other arms.

Riley shot up out of the bed causing Faith to wake up. "What?"

"What the HELL is going on? How could you do this to Buffy?" Cordelia demanded.

"This isn't what it looks like." Riley pleaded for Cordelia to believe him.

Faith was getting ready to say something, but Cordelia cut her off. "Shut up Faith."

"Hey!"

"Cordy calm down." Angel said as he placed a hand on her lower back.

Cordelia pulled away from Angel's comforting touch and walked over towards Faith. "Having one guy who loves Buffy wasn't enough for you last night, you had to go after Riley too."

"What is she talking about?" Angel asked Riley.

"Not sure."

"Do you really hate her that much?" Cordelia yelled.

"You don't know what you're talking about Cordelia." Faith stated as she took a step towards Cordelia.

"You're pathetic Faith. You've been trying to be better then Buffy ever since she moved to Sunnydale." Cordelia moved closer towards Faith. "Well guess what Faith, you will NEVER be better than Buffy."

"You BITCH!" Faith yelled as she let her hand slap Cordelia across the face.

"WHORE!" Cordelia yelled back as she grabbed Faith's hair with all her might.

"Ladies, Ladies." Angel stated as he and Riley pulled the two off of each other.

"If anyone's a whore around here, it's your better then thou Buffy." Faith bit back.

"WHAT?" Riley asked in shock.

Faith turned to face Riley. "She's the one who had an affair with a married man after all, not me."