Previously on Buffy: The band receives a 1 at contest and on the bus ride home, things get a little…heated between Spike and Buffy. In more ways than one. By the end of the trip they're not speaking (big surprise) and Buffy drives home with her mother…
To FunkyDevil: Congrats on the promotion!
Buffy spent that morning lounging around her house and doing a whole lot of nothing as she brooded. She wasn't sure exactly when the huge rush of feelings had come on, but suddenly, Spike was all she could think about. It killed her that he didn't feel the same. After she showered, pulled on some sweats and a tank top, and fastened her hair into a loose ponytail, she went downstairs in search of nummy goodness, desperate to get her mind off of the peroxide blonde who had captured her affections.
"Ugh, I'm starved!" she exclaimed as she entered the kitchen. "Mom- " She stopped short when she saw her mother sitting at the counter talking to… "Spike?"
Her heart did a little flip-flop but she did her best to hide it, putting on a scowl and looking incredulous— the second part wasn't that hard. What was he doing in her house? The pair at the counter looked up simultaneously. "Spike?" Buffy's mother questioned as she turned to him. "I thought your name was William…"
"Nickname," he explained. William? Had he been trying to impress her mother? Her arms folded across her chest as she eyed him. "Do you mind if I have a word with your daughter, Mrs. Summers?"
"Not at all," the older woman replied doubtfully. She rose. With one last dubious glance back at him, Joyce left the kitchen and headed up the stairs.
Buffy turned slowly to face him, trying to look as annoyed as possible. "What the hell are you doing in my house?" she questioned angrily while doing her best to ignore the rapid beat of her heart and the heat that rose in her face due to his mere presence.
"Wanted to talk to you," he said in a low voice, his head tilted downward as he stepped towards her.
"What could you have to say that I could possibly want to hear?" She resisted the urge to back away and stared at him defiantly.
"That I'm a bad, evil man who had no right to say those things to you? That I'm unfit to- " by then he was so close that she could feel his breath with each word he spoke, "-touch you?" He made as if to grip her upper arms and her breath hitched in anticipation even as he jerked his hands away for effect. "Or that- " he dropped to his knees before her, "-you're beautiful, I was wrong," he spread his arms in entreaty, "and…I'm sorry."
Buffy's had fumbled around for the wall behind her, and she braced herself, staring down and him in disbelief. His eyes were naked and raw, and any doubts she'd had of his sincerity vanished. As he kneeled before her, he continued to gaze up at her with eyes that were remorseful yet playful, as if hoping his theatrics would dissipate some of her malevolence towards him. Despite the teasing glint in his eye, she knew he really was sorry.
Her heart melted and she bit her lip, still unable to fathom the fact that he would go this far to expiate for the hurt he had caused. And why? He didn't know how she felt. He didn't know, and yet he'd apologized. Could that mean that he- ? No. She squashed down the tiny flutter of hope that rose in her chest. Just because he'd had the decency in him to apologize, it didn't mean…and yet it did.
The Spike she knew apologized to no one. He pushed, shoved his way through life and took what he wanted. He was selfish and arrogant and egotistical… Spike did not offer apologies. Ever.
Then she remembered Drusilla. The way he doted on her, the way he cared for her…and she knew that Spike did apologize. When he cared enough to do so. She remembered when she had seen him hug his mother that first day she'd gone to his house, inquire about how her day had been…She had longed— even though she had denied it then— for him to show the same concern for her.
And now he was, still kneeling before her, unwaveringly patient as she silently considered him. She knew then that he did care; for the same reason she had hidden her feelings, so had he. Neither of eager to be hurt again, they had ignored what they wanted. Despite the fear, however, he had taken a chance. Now it was her turn…
She smiled, her lips wavering uncertainly. "Well…if this is the best you can do…" she said doubtfully, trying to pretend his contrition hadn't very nearly moved her to tears. He slowly climbed to his feet and grinned down at her.
"It's not. I'm thinking lunch should wrap it up quite nicely though. My treat."
"Well, only because you're paying."
"But of course."
She smiled a genuine smile this time, the familiar butterflies already stretching their wings and taking flight. "Mom!" she called up the stairs. "I'll be back in a while!"
The time had flown by fast, and before she knew it, two hours had gone by. He had taken her to the Doublemeat Palace and they had talked and laughed over burgers and fries. As they made their way out, they passed Cordelia and a few other members of the cheerleading squad who glanced between the pair dubiously. Everyone knew of the animosity between the two blondes and seeing them together was not unlike seeing a leopard and a wolf strolling down the street together. Odd, disconcerting, and a little scary.
Buffy couldn't help but laugh at their blatant stares as she climbed into the Desoto and Spike questioned, "Something funny, pet?"
She shook her head in amusement and changed his stereo from the punk rock it was currently blaring to the next available station.
"Hey!" he cried, attempting to change it back.
She batted his hand away as the Divinyls 'I Touch Myself' came on.
He smirked as he listened to the lyrics. "Trying to tell me something, luv?"
"Ew!" She whirled on him. "A world of no!" She smiled guiltily. "I just…like the song."
"Mm." He nodded. "Sure about that?'
"So sure." She smirked. "That's more like you when you think of me."
"And if it is?"
"Buffy blanched. "Well, then…" Did he really? "Do you really?"
He shrugged noncommittally.
Buffy sank into silence, contemplating this fact. She was more than a little turned on.
"Fueling your fantasies, am I?"
"No!" she protested, a bit too vehemently. "And where are we going?"
"That's for me to know…" he teased her with the familiar cliché.
She rolled her eyes.
When he pulled up in from of the movie theater, she grinned. "So, ya paying for this too?"
He parked and got out of the car. "Still apologizing, aren't I?"
"Actually, I thought that part was over with. This is kinda ranging on date territory…Is this a date?" she ventured. Please say yes…
"No!" Spike scoffed. "Are you off your bird?" He snorted and waved his hand dismissively. Her heart fell. He paused, and then asked hopefully, "Do you want it to be?"
She smiled slowly. "Maybe…"
He grinned. "Well then maybe it is…"
They walked together towards the theater and slowly, instinctively, both their hands reached out and twined together, almost shyly, which was a first for both the outspoken blondes. Their bodies leaned towards one another and anyone looking on would have seen just another happy couple on their way to a movie…
The following week was busy and the pair hardly saw each other. That Friday, after school, the gang decided to remain in the band room since they had to be back at five to prepare for the football game anyway. The six of them were lounging on the floor, eating food delivered by Xander and Oz, when a shadow loomed over them. Buffy looked up to see Spike holding a large soda from the gas station, gazing down at her with amusement. "Hey," she chirped, ignoring the heat that effused her being at the sight of him.
"Hey," he replied, sitting casually at her side, as if it were something he did on regular occasion.
"Hey, man," Oz greeted at Spike's nod.
The group looked at Buffy in bewilderment, with the exception of Oz— who merely continued eating, and Willow— who hid her smile as she covertly gazed at her best friend. After several tense minutes of forced conversation, Buffy got up to dispose of her trash and Spike silently rose to follow. Once they were in the hallway, Buffy laughed and commented, "That was awkward."
Spike sipped his drink in agreement. "Could've saved me sooner there, luv."
She shrugged. "It was cute. Plus, you were adjusting. Kinda like when you buy those goldfish and have to leave them in their bag when you stick them in the tank with the other fish so that they don't, ya know, die. Of shock or whatever…"
"You sayin' there's a reason I have to adjust?" he asked as they commenced walking down the hallway.
She realized her faux pas and replied, "Nah, just comparing you to a goldfish…kinda orange and funny-looking."
"You little- "
Buffy burst into hysterics and tore off down the hallway; Spike gave chase.
Soon, though, she was out of sight and he slowed to a walk, listening intently. He noticed the door of the auditorium silently swing shut and pulled it open, staring into the vast darkness of the room. Stepping inside, he allowed the door to close heavily behind him.
His eyes adjusted slightly and he peered around. He'd always had unusually good night vision. "Fee, fi, fo, fum, I smell a little…girl," he growled, trying to sound as menacing as possible, and unbeknownst to him, succeeding. He heard her sharp intake of breath from somewhere to his left and began to feel his way in that direction.
Her voice, disembodied, floated from somewhere in the room…"Are you a giant?" She sounded like a frightened child and he grinned. So she wanted to play the victim…"'Cause I'm thinking you're more the big bad wolf," she continued timidly.
"Oh, I'm gonna eat you all up, pet…but I think I'm more a vampire…" he murmured dangerously as he came to the wall, realizing he had reached the end of the room. Now where was she...?
"Oh yeah?" came the scared voice again, closer this time. "Well then," she whispered meekly, "I'll be a vampire slayer." Without warning, she jumped onto his back and he rolled to the ground, landing prone beneath her. Now this was a game he liked…With her legs clamped tight around him, holding what felt like a pencil against his chest, she breathed, "Gonna put a wooden stake through your heart."
"Not if I bite you first," he countered seductively, instantly rolling them over so that he was on top. Instead of holding her down, as she had anticipated, he rose and fell back into the darkness and she sat up, confused by his sudden and complete disappearance.
"Spike?" she called out worriedly.
No answer.
Rising, she reached out her arms and felt the wall behind her, leaning on it uncertainly and letting her pencil fall to the ground. Her senses were on alert, every nerve tingling, but it made no difference and suddenly, before she could even process what was happening, he was on her, clamping her arms to her sides and growling softly into her ear. "What kind of vampire slayer," he purred, his fingers digging sensuously into her wrists, "drops her only weapon?"
She could feel his breath on her neck and the faint touch of his lips against her skin. Was he actually going to bite her? The thought was exhilarating and she tensed in anticipation when suddenly, he pushed her more firmly into the wall and pressed his body to hers, effectively stifling any movement she might try to make. She could feel every inch of hard, lean muscle intimately pressed against her curves and was pretty sure she could feel…that. Her sudden arousal hit her hard, making her dizzy. Biting back a gasp, she halfheartedly tried to extricate her arms from his unrelenting grasp. She had been turned on before, but this… She closed her eyes, trying to quell the overpowering lust she felt.
Just as she wondered what he was going to do next, he lifted his head from the crook of her neck and her eyelids flitted open questioningly. Before she could blink, he crushed his lips to hers with a ferocity that stunned her. In the same motion, he lifted her against the wall and ground his sex between her thighs. She shuddered involuntarily, overwhelmed by sensation.
Her muffled "mmph!" only spurred him on, and he forced his tongue past her lips even as she twined her legs around his waist. True to his word, he was devouring her. Whole. And she didn't mind one bit.
He pushed his hips forward once more, and, when it elicited the same response, he kissed her more voraciously and began thrusting against her rhythmically. Her lips attacked his in kind as he dry-humped her into the wall. As he sped up, Buffy bit back a gasp. She felt him smirk against her lips, but couldn't sum up the mental capacity to care, much less admonish him. This was just too much… The seam in her jeans rubbed against her most sensitive spot with each of his vicious undulations and she clung to his shoulders, squeezing her eyes shut against his onslaught. Oh god, oh god, oh god, oh god, oh god, ohgodohgodohgodohgod…
His erection was fully noticeable by now and the monstrous bulge only served to increase their friction. One hand still on her hip, the other began to roam under her shirt, playing with the soft skin beneath and trailing slowly upward.
She tensed…the only one who had ever gone this far was Angel…Before she could decide whether to protest or not, his hand was cupping her breast, squeezing ever so slightly, and her mind went blank again. His ministrations were gentle despite the hard movements of his mouth and hips. Oh god, this boy is talented…
His thumb caressed her already hard nipple through her lace bra and she moaned into his mouth. By then, she was propelling her hips against his with equal fury and in response, he squeezed harder, causing her to yelp in surprise. He grinned into their kiss once more and Buffy threw her head back. She was so close…she was about to—
Light flashed through her closed lids and, her eyes snapped open in confusion. The entire auditorium was illuminated and, when she turned her head towards the lighting control, she could see the startled eyes of Andrew and Jonathan, geeks extraordinaire, staring back at her.
Panting, Spike swiveled his head around to glare at he two nerds, causing them to quail and flee. Spike turned back to her and kissed her lips, but Buffy awkwardly extricated herself from his embrace and he smiled at her, giving her nipple one last pinch before removing his hand from beneath her blouse.
Buffy leaned back against the wall, still breathing heavily, and said, after a moment of heavy silence, "Wow, we should uh, go back, huh?" Her cheeks burned as she stared at the man before her. She was completely flustered, not able to believe what they'd been doing in the dark moments earlier, yet he seemed completely composed, as if he did this sort of thing all the time.
Well, of course he did… Feeling the familiar prickle of shame and anger, she pushed them aside. They'd already been through this, she was certain— well, fairly certain, at least— that this meant something to him, and until he showed her otherwise, she would give him the benefit of the doubt.
As they headed out of the auditorium, she started when she felt his hand reach out to grasp hers. Slowly, she relaxed and twined her fingers with his. When they got to the band room, they wordlessly broke apart and Buffy silently lamented the loss of the blissful contact. Neither was ready for the questions that would inevitably follow if they were seen holding hands, so the separation was necessary.
Buffy went to her band locker to get her shorts and t-shirt that she would wear under her band uniform and shrieked when Willow jumped at her, knocking her against the door. "What happened?" the redhead demanded excitedly. "Tell me something happened…I saw the was he was looking at you!"
Buffy grinned. "Something happened. Whoo, did something happen!"
"Buffy!" Willow shrieked.
"He chased me into the auditorium— we were playing tag— and then he shoved me up against a wall and kissed me." Buffy bounced up and down happily.
Willow gasped, "That's kinda kinky…"
"Then," Buffy lowered her eyes naughtily. "He kinda touched me," she gestured towards her breasts, "and then Jonathan and Andrew caught us."
Willow's eyes widened. "That's so sexy!" she breathed. "Except for the whole Jonathan and Andrew part…" she paused. "Do you think they'll tell?"
"Nah," Buffy replied confidently. "They're probably too afraid of what Spike would do to them."
The girls smiled secretively as they walked through the band room into the main building. "I'm so happy for you!" Willow exclaimed as they entered the restroom.
Buffy beamed. From her stall, she said, "I really like him, Wills. I dunno when or why, but it's like, he's different this year…or I'm different. Am I different?"
"Same old Buffy," Willow replied. "Same old Spike. New insight, maybe?"
"Don't go all analytical girl on me…"
"I just mean your personalities are the same, but maybe your perspectives have changed enough to let you into those personalities and see things in each other that were always there in the first place."
Buffy pondered this. "Or maybe it's just the school system."
Upon Willow's silence, she elaborated, "If we hadn't been paired for three classes, and Mrs. Laurens hadn't paired us for projects, none of this might've happened. School sucks, but it always did have those good-for-you ulterior motives…"
"Altruistic motives, you mean?"
"Yeah, those," Buffy agreed.
As they emerged from their respective stalls, Willow couldn't help but think, Or maybe it's just fate…
Hey everyone, this chapter was supposed to be up much sooner, but then I got grounded for two weeks and wasn't allowed on the computer, and then my summer band started, and as I'm section leader this year, I was way busy. Then school started and, well, you know the drill…