Changing Lives

By Mabel Marsters

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot!

Chapter Thirty-Five

Spike had had a good weekend. On Saturday he'd tried to repay the kindness Rupert had shown by making him a traditional English breakfast. Spike's plan backfired slightly due to the fact that he seriously couldn't cook. But Rupert gamely tucked into his burnt bacon, undercooked eggs and surprisingly nice sausages.

In the evening Spike and Oz had gone through the songs the Dingoes were singing at Thanksgiving and Oz surprised Spike by playing him a melody he'd put to one of Spike's lyrics.

Ooooooo

Spike was walking into the school building on Monday morning when he heard a girl's voice call out.

"Hi!"

He looked up and saw a tall slim brunette walking towards him. She was immaculately dressed in a short brown skirt, tight fitting cream top and high-heeled pumps. Cordelia Chase - cheerleader extraordinaire – most popular girl in school - was smiling broadly. Spike glanced over his shoulder to see who she was looking at. There was no one behind him. He looked back at Cordelia.

"Oh, Spike, you're so funny," she trilled.

"Wot?" he asked, puzzled.

She got to him and linked her arm through his.

"So how was your weekend?" she said, walking with him.

"Erm…yeah, it was good, thanks," replied Spike.

"Great, I had a lovely one too. I went shopping and found the most gorgeous dress for the dance. It's royal blue so you'll have to get a tie to match," she gushed.

Spike stood still, "I wot?"

"You need to make sure you have a royal blue tie," stated Cordelia.

"Why do I need a blue tie?" asked Spike. "Wot the hell is she going on about?"

"So that we match, of course. I know you haven't got a car so I'll pick you up, okay?"

Spike shook off her arm. "Cordelia, wot are yer goin' on about?"

Cordelia frowned at him, "Us going to the seniors Thanksgiving Dance together, silly. Oh look, there's Harmony. I'll see you later about what time I'll collect you. Harm! Wait for me!" she said and she hurried away.

Spike stood there bemused for a moment then shrugged and made his way to class.

Ooooooo

Out of habit he made his way to the library for lunch, eating it alone while listening to his iPod. Rupert told him he no longer needed to check in with him each day. He could go to the cafeteria if he wanted but for today he stayed where he was.

In English class the teacher had made a point of commenting to the class how good Spike's latest assignment had been. He and Buffy caught each other's eyes, both enjoying the fact that their efforts were being appreciated. Spike had forgotten the kick he got from doing good academic work.

"Yeah, Willow, watch out. Old Spike might give you a run for your money after all," he thought with a smile.

The rest of the day passed quickly and after school Spike walked home with Oz. Rupert had encouraged him to make his own way home, although the offer of a ride was always there.

The pair of them talked about the upcoming Dingoes Ate My Baby concert which was taking place the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. It would be the first time they'd played in about two months as Devon and Oz kept arguing all the time. Oz wanted to start to do mostly original songs whereas Devon was happy to belt out cover versions of well-known songs. In the end the other band members had managed to arrange a compromise with four of Oz's songs being included in the set. Oz had conceded, as without the lead singer there would be no concert anyway. Spike promised to make sure he was allowed out to go see them even though he was very apprehensive about asking to go to The Bronze again.

Ooooooo

On Tuesday Spike went for his regular session with Monica.

"Morning, Spike. How are you today?" she asked as he settled himself into his usual chair.

"Hi Monica," replied Spike, "Yeah, I'm good, thanks. I'm not grounded anymore. I'm a free man." He grinned at her.

"That's good news," said Monica, "Mr. Giles must be pleased with how you're doing."

"Er…well…not so sure about that. I think he figures I'm less likely to get into trouble if I'm surrounded by people instead of being on my own," said Spike sheepishly.

"And have you got some people in mind?" asked Monica, noting that he hadn't said friends.

"Um, there's Oz and I've had lunch with his friends a couple of times. Rupert likes Oz; he thinks he's a good influence."

"Oz is a very level headed boy," said Monica "So what do you think? Is he a good influence?"

Spike stared at her for a moment before ruefully admitting that he was.

"'Ave you spoken to Rupert this week?" asked Spike.

"No, I haven't. Why do you ask?"

"Thought he might 'ave talked to you about wot 'appened on Thursday night," said Spike.

Monica shook her head.

"I guess I'd better tell yer," said Spike and he went on to tell her the whole story.

"I do agree with Mr. Giles that you certainly have a knack of finding trouble," she said when he'd finished. "How are things between you and Angel?"

"Wot?" asked Spike, looking down to avoid her eyes.

"You know exactly what I mean, Spike. Do I have to spell it out?" She waited to give Spike a chance to talk before continuing when he stayed silent. "You were staring each other down in the corridor. Then you come in with a bruised hand and Angel misses a day of school. When he does turn up his face is a mess. Am I putting two and two together and making five? Or am I right?" said Monica firmly.

"You're right." mumbled Spike. He met her eye, "Please don't tell Rupert."

"Why didn't you tell me all about it? It seems a bit out of character for you to be fighting," she said.

"Wasn't really a fight. I only hit 'im once and James was right, the bigger they are the 'arder they fall," Spike replied.

"Who's James? I haven't heard you mention him before."

"Crap!" "He's a guy I knew in England. He said he was bullied a bit then he hit the lad who was giving 'im trouble and that put an end to it. He...er...told…er…William about it when he said Angel was always on his back." He glanced at Monica.

"Oh," replied Monica.

It seemed plausible but by now she knew Spike's body language well enough to know that he wasn't being completely truthful with her.

"What provoked you to hit him?"

"It was 'im that set me up with the locker search. He'd put a bottle of vodka in it. If Oz hadn't taken it from me I would 'ave been expelled for sure. Just sort of saw red I suppose. I was sick of 'im causing me trouble and getting away with it," said Spike with a hard expression. "I know I shouldn't 'ave, okay?"

"At least you know that violence isn't the answer," said Monica.

"I said I shouldn't 'ave hit 'im, not that it wasn't the answer," replied Spike, "He's left me alone since then, hasn't he?"

Monica opened her mouth but before she could speak Spike continued.

"Look, I'm not planning on doing it again. Already 'ad the lecture off Oz, all right?"

Monica laughed, "In that case I definitely do agree that Oz is a good influence."

"Yer don't 'ave to mention this to Rupert, do yer?" asked Spike, blue eyes pleading as they met hers.

"No, Spike, I won't," replied Monica, "But I will if I hear that you've done anything like it again."

"Fair enough."

Ooooooo

Spike walked hesitantly into the cafeteria feeling very much 'William', not 'Spike.' He scanned the tables after he'd made his selections, eyes quickly settling on Buffy. She was on her own, the others having not arrived as yet. He walked over to her, glad she was alone so he didn't feel so much like he was intruding.

"Hey Buffy," he said as he sat opposite her.

"Hi Spike, how's freedom suiting you?" she grinned at him.

"God, she really is beautiful." "Um…okay I guess, 'aven't seen much difference really so far," he said.

"At least you can come out of the library. If you had stayed in there any longer I think you would have started wearing tweed like Mr. Giles," joked Buffy.

Spike chuckled, "Can't see me ditching this for a tweedy jacket," he said, indicating his beloved duster.

"No," laughed Buffy, "Bleached hair and tweed – unmixey things, I think."

Xander and Willow arrived, followed shortly by Oz, who grabbed a quick bite then left again for rehearsals.

"So Spike, have you asked Mr. Giles about coming to The Bronze to see the Dingoes yet?" asked Xander.

"Um…no…not yet," said Spike, "But I will."

"You can ask tonight when I'm tutoring you," said Buffy, "That way Mr. Giles will know you're coming with us."

"Good idea," said Spike, thinking that Rupert was less likely to say no if Buffy was there.

"Has Oz told you how the rehearsals are going?" Xander asked Willow.

"Okay, I suppose. Devon still isn't happy about doing Oz's songs and Oz isn't happy about the way he's singing them. He hasn't said anything though. He's just hoping that Dev turns in a good performance on the night," she replied.

"It's such a shame things are like that between them. I love the Dingoes," said Buffy.

Ooooooo

"Hi Buffy," said Spike, smiling at her as she entered the library for the tutoring session. He was feeling more confident around her now and was hoping (or was that dreaming?) that the Dingoes concert might end up being a bit of a date like that last time.

She glared at him and threw her bag on to the table with unnecessary force.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she snapped.

"Tell yer wot?" asked Spike in confusion, "Yep, dreamin'."

"Don't fool with me, Spike."

"I 'aven't a clue wot yer talkin' about," replied Spike, "Has she found out I'm really William? How the hell has she managed that?"

"The dance," she shouted.

"Dance? Wot dance?" asked Spike, "I don't know anything about any dance. Do you mean seeing the Dingoes?"

"No, not the Dingoes, not the Dingoes," said Buffy in exasperation.

"Yer gonna 'ave to 'elp me out 'ere, pet," said Spike, tilting his head on one side and risking a smile.

"Stop doing that."

"Doin' wot?" asked Spike, "Soddin' 'ell, wot's she going on about now?"

"Going all cute and piling on the sexy English accent," she said, still glaring at him.

"Can't 'elp my accent," said Spike, "Cute? Sexy? Did she really just say sexy?"

"Yeah, but sometimes it's more noticeable than others, like now when you're trying to put me off asking you about Cordelia," said Buffy, actually stamping her foot in temper.

Now Spike really was confused. "Cordelia? I thought you wanted to know about the dance?"

"Aha! So you know about the dance now?" said Buffy triumphantly.

Spike stood up and took hold of Buffy, a hand on each arm.

"Stop."

It was a toss up as to who was more surprised at his firm tone – Buffy or Spike himself.

Buffy fell silent.

"Look Buffy, I'm not messing with you. I really don't 'ave any idea wot you're talking about. I'm not that fond of getting yelled at for something I don't even know about, okay? So why don't you just slowly and quietly tell me wot's bothering you so much?"

"God, are his eyes always that blue? Boy, does he look hot when he's being all masterful."

"Buffy?"

"Huh?" she shook her head, "Where did those thoughts come from?" she refocused, "Um…why are you going to the Thanksgiving Dance with Cordelia?" "And not me?"

"The wot with Cordelia?"

"The dance! It's all over the school. Cordelia's told everybody. I'm sure you'll look lovely in your tuxedo and royal blue tie. It'll bring out the colour of your eyes," said Buffy.

"But…how? I've never said I'll go with her. I never even knew about the dance until you just told me," replied Spike. "Oh."

"Oh? What do you mean 'oh'?" asked Buffy.

"Um…this morning," said Spike, letting go of Buffy and taking a step back. "Oh no." he added quietly.

"So it is true then?" said Buffy, wondering why it hurt so much.

"I guess so," said Spike. He couldn't take it in. "Oh my God, how did this happen? I'm going to a dance with the most popular girl in school."

"Look, I'm not feeling so good," said Buffy, "I'm going to have to go home now. Sorry." She picked up her bag and rushed out of the door, tears glistening in her eyes.

Spike looked up as he heard the door slam shut, snapped out of his thoughts.

"Buffy?"

Rupert popped his head out of his office.

"Is everything alright? What was the shouting about?"

Spike tore his eyes from the door. "Buffy's not feeling well so she's gone home."

"You let her go? Why didn't you call me so I could give her a ride? She shouldn't be walking home if she's feeling ill," said Rupert.

Spike just gaped at him stupidly, his mind reeling. "Buffy thinks I'm cute and was angry at me for going to the dance with Cordelia. Am I really going to a dance with Cordelia Chase? I don't want to – I want to take Buffy."

"Spike!" said Rupert sharply.

"Huh?"

"Come along, let's go and find Buffy and take her home," said Rupert, striding out of the library.

"Okay," said Spike, gathering up his books, throwing them in his bag and running after him.

Ooooooo

They caught up with Buffy not far from the school. She was walking slowly along the street, head down, her hands plunged deeply into her jacket pockets.

"Buffy," called Spike as they stopped the car next to her.

She looked up.

"We're gonna give you a ride home. Okay?"

She nodded. Spike leapt out of the front seat and climbed into the back. Buffy got in and pulled the door shut.

"Sorry to hear you're feeling unwell," said Rupert. "I couldn't believe that Spike let you go without offering you a ride home."

"That's okay, Mr. Giles. I did kind of rush off," said Buffy quietly.

When they got to Buffy's house, Joyce insisted that Rupert and Spike come inside.

"I'm going up to my room, Mom," said Buffy and she disappeared up the stairs.

Spike sat at the kitchen table next to Rupert whilst Joyce busied herself with making the drinks. Spike had his usual hot chocolate, and she handed him another mug.

"Here, Spike, take this herbal tea to Buffy. It might help her to feel better," said Joyce, giving him directions to her room.

"Oh, okay," said Spike.

He walked quietly up the stairs and when he got to her bedroom door he gently tapped on it.

"Buffy, your mom's made you some tea."

The door swung open and Buffy stood in front of him. They stared at each other for a time before Buffy stepped aside and let him in. She sat on her bed as Spike handed her the mug of tea and pulled out the chair to her desk and sat on it.

Buffy smiled as she remembered how William had sat on his desk's chair when she'd been in his bedroom that time, rather than on the bed next to her.

"Are you…um…feeling better?"

"Spike, are you really that dumb?" said Buffy, shaking her head.

"So yer not sick then?" said Spike, "Just mad at me, yeah?"

Buffy nodded.

"But I 'aven't done anything, 'ave I?"

"The dance," said Buffy through gritted teeth.

"Wow, it does look like Buffy really is jealous." He felt himself start to flush. "I never said I'd go with 'er. I hadn't even spoken to 'er 'til this mornin'. Then she just came up and told me to get a royal blue tie. I didn't know wot she meant – honest."

Buffy actually laughed - that was typical Cordelia. She just decided she wanted something and she got it.

"That's okay, Spike," she sighed, "I was just cross that I didn't know you were going with her before she came up and told me. I thought we were getting to be friends. I thought you would have told me first."

Spike looked at her. Why was everything so complicated all the time?

"When is this bleedin' dance anyway?"

"A week from Friday, the day before the Dingoes play," replied Buffy.

"Well, if I'd known when it was on I would have asked you," said Spike, quietly feeling his blush deepen and not meeting her eyes.

He stood up and restlessly walked round the room, looking at anything but Buffy. Taking in her boy band posters, stuffed animals and a collection of photos pinned to a board. His eyes lit on a postcard at the top right corner. His heart stopped, he was sure it did. It was the postcard he'd sent from London. He became aware that Buffy was talking to him.

"Wot? Sorry," he said, turning and looking at her properly.

"Um, it doesn't matter," she said, glancing over his shoulder at the postcard.

Spike turned back to stare at the card again. "Why had she kept it?"

"You got it then?" he croaked, not turning around.

"Yes, I got it," said Buffy, lost in her own memories of the day it had arrived - how she'd been so excited then so upset.

"Why didn't you call him?" His voice was low, "It really hurt him that you didn't."

"Take a look on the back."

Spike plucked the card from the board, dropping the pin holding it onto the floor in his haste. Hand trembling, he flipped it over. He was surprised at how neatly formed his handwriting had been. Post accident he hadn't really cared whether it was tidy or not. Then he saw the telephone number at the bottom. It was smudged, the last two digits completely illegible.

Spike turned to look at Buffy, a lump in his throat. She hadn't not called him – she hadn't been able to. Buffy was sitting looking up at him; tears streaming down her face. He wanted to go over to her and take her in his arms but his feet were rooted to the spot. She was crying for William.

"Did he hate me?"

Her voice was so quiet he didn't catch her words.

"Wot?"

"Did he hate me?" she said with a little more volume.

She stared up at Spike, eyes huge, and tears still falling. He thought his heart would break for her. She even looked pretty as she cried.

"Oh Christ!" Spike just stared at her. By changing lives with James he'd hurt the one person he'd truly cared about.

"No one could ever 'ate you, Buffy."

He turned and fled the room, duster billowing behind him.

Ooooooo

Fortunately for Spike, Rupert was just preparing to leave as he got to the foot of the stairs.

"Is she feeling any better?" asked Joyce.

Spike cleared his throat, "Um…I don't think so," he muttered.

"Well, thanks for the drink, Joyce. I hope Buffy feels better soon. Goodnight," said Rupert.

"Goodnight, Rupert. Thanks again for bringing her home," replied Joyce.

As they drove home Rupert looked at Spike curiously a couple of times, wondering if he was okay. Spike resolutely looked out of the window all the way home but Rupert thought he saw him wipe his eyes.

To be continued……