Chapter 44.
The Summers'
Home.
Buffy and Dawn returned from their rare moment of sisterly bonding to find Fred, Marisella and their mom sitting outside talking.
"Hi there you two." Joyce said as she got to her feet and gave her daughters a big hug.
"Hi mom." Dawn said as she looked over and waved at Fred and Marisella.
"Hi Buffy, could I talk to you for a minute, inside." Fred said softly, trying her best to smile.
"Sure." Buffy said with a nod and then walked inside with Fred.
Fred led Buffy back into the kitchen and then looked around and decided upstairs would be more private and ran up the stairs with Buffy right behind her.
Once at the top of the stairs, Fred walked into Buffy's bedroom and closed the door behind her, "Okay, now that I'm here I feel kind of silly because I don't even know if I should be telling you any of this."
"Okay, but something must be on your mind. You're acting a bit strange don't ya think?" Buffy asked with a grin.
"I guess so." Fred acknowledged with a sigh and then sat down on the edge of the bed, "I just had this conversation with this girl I used to know. She told me some things that were really unbelievable and awful and I don't know what to do."
"I'm sorry. How can I help?" Buffy asked as she sat down beside Fred.
"I don't know." Fred said, unsure what to do next, "I'm not sure you can, but I just needed to talk to someone about all this. It wouldn't hurt so much if I didn't still care about her, but I do. Is that crazy?"
Buffy laughed, then quickly
stopped as she saw Fred staring back at her, "I'm sure it's not
crazy, but since I don't know what this person said or did to you,
I'm not quite sure what to say."
Fred filled Buffy
in on the whole situation with Eve and then stood and waited for her
response.
"Well, I don't know if that helped, because I still don't know much about this Eve person. It sounds horrible what she did and if she's truly evil then maybe you are better without her in your life." Buffy said, trying to console Fred as best she could.
"That's just it, I don't know if she is all bad." Fred fell back on the bed, looking back up at Buffy, "I think she was always a bit of a manipulator, but she wasn't like that with me. I did feel like she was sincere when she apologized and owned up to all this. Which is another thing, she didn't have to tell me any of this. She wanted to. I think maybe she's changed, but then again, what if I just hope she has because I want her still? I wish there was some way to find out if she's changed or not."
"What did you have in mind?" Buffy asked, laying down beside Fred.
"Oh, I don't know. It can't be bad. Maybe this Kate person has the answers. She did find her in Texas and spent some time with her. Yes, that's what I need to do, talk to her." Fred said excitedly, "I need to go back to LA."
"Hold on Fred." Buffy said, grabbing her arm as she tried to leave the room, "Kate is on her way here. She should be here in a couple hours."
"Really? That's great." Fred said excitedly and gave Buffy a big hug.
Buffy held on as Fred spun her around the room, but the fun and laughter came to a quick halt as Fred tripped over Buffy's foot and the two of them went crashing to the floor.
Fred landed on top of Buffy and was embarrassed and mortified at what she'd done. Leaning down to see if Buffy was still breathing, Fred was relieved that she was, but before she could enjoy the feeling Buffy had spun her around and straddled her, resting comfortably over her stomach.
"Why did you do that?" Fred asked, not sure what to make of Buffy's new found position looking down at her.
"I just felt the urge to." Buffy said as she held Fred's arms just above her head and smiled at her, "You really need to learn how to dance. You could hurt someone with those feet of yours."
"I know, I'm such a klutz sometimes." Fred said, turning her head as she let out another cute embarrassed laugh, "I hope I didn't hurt you. Somehow I don't think I do though."
Buffy slid her hands down Fred's arms and down to her waist, then slid them up over her blouse, looked into her eyes and soon noticed herself getting the slightest bit aroused as she looked down at Fred's small breasts.
Fred had her hands free, but made no attempt to move, choosing to lie back and see what Buffy was going to do next.
"You're just so pretty." Buffy said softly.
"Thank you." Fred whispered, smiling back at Buffy, "So are you.".
Buffy took one more look at Fred's sexy mouth and couldn't control herself any longer. She dove down and began kissing Fred hard and deep. Fred responded instantly and wrapped her arms around Buffy and held her tight.
Fred pulled back from the kiss and stared at Buffy for the longest time, not saying a word, just taking in all her beauty. Finally, she pulled herself to a sitting position and took Buffy's hands in hers, "I probably shouldn't be doing this. It feels so good to kiss you and hold you and I just feel like maybe it's not what you want."
"I don't know how you can say that the way I was kissing you." Buffy said as she tried to kiss Fred again, but felt Fred pull away again. "You had to feel it was all real and I was so into it. I still am if you'd just close that pretty mouth of yours and start kissing me again."
"I just don't want this to be some reaction to what I found out about Eve and if I'm not mistaken, I could've sworn you and Faith had something going. Am I wrong?" Fred asked, noticing Buffy's eyes light up at the mention of Faith's name.
"Faith is a friend. Yes, she's a good friend and we have this amazing chemistry, but something is always getting in the way." Buffy sat up and let out a sigh as she felt the moment was slipping away, "But, I feel things for you to. I can't believe it really, but Faith sensed there was something between you and me the first time she saw us together. I think that proves we have some chemistry of our own. As for Faith, we work together. She's off helping an old friend and then we'll get back to slaying, but for now, I want to kiss you. You're not afraid of a little kiss are you?"
"Oh that's a loaded question." Fred smiled, "I don't think we were going to stop at just kissing. Do you?"
"Is that so bad?" Buffy asked as she slid closer to Fred and kissed her hand.
Fred smiled, but pulled back yet again, "No, it's not bad at all, but if we are going to regret it the next day, I just don't know if it's worth it.
"I don't want to think about all that right now. I know I wouldn't regret it. That I'm positive about. I'm not cheating on Faith, I'm not." Buffy slid back in beside Fred, putting her arm around her small waist, "Maybe one day we'll get together or maybe not, but right here, right now, sitting beside you, feeling your lips against mine and your hands on my body, I know one thing. I want you and I know you want me to. If you don't, look me in the eyes and tell me and I'll accept it."
Fred sat up, looked Buffy in the eyes and as she struggled to find the words, she knew she couldn't lie and gave in to her passion and practically tackled Buffy as she lunged forward for another kiss.
Buffy didn't mind one bit as she easily balanced Fred as they fell back to the ground, this time Fred was on top looking down at Buffy, pulled off her top, tossed it up on the bed and leaned down and kissed Buffy passionately.
The two girls were locked in a very wet kiss when once again the voice of Buffy's little sister shook them both to their feet.
"Buffy. Buffy. Buffy!" Dawn screamed as she walked up to Buffy's bedroom door and took a look inside.
Fred was putting on her top and Buffy was adjusting her hair as Dawn walked up to her sister, "What is it?" Buffy asked, trying not to look guilty.
"You could at least answer when I'm calling. It's rude not to." Dawn walked past Buffy, looked at Fred and then back at Buffy and her eyes lit up, "OMG, you two were doing it in here weren't you?"
"We were not. Now what do you want?" Buffy demanded as she dragged Dawn back out of her room.
"She's pretty, but you really shouldn't have sex with the doors open or with mom right downstairs or with Fred's mom right downstairs. You have so much to learn." Dawn said calmly, trying to keep a straight face.
"Oh you little brat." Buffy said as she grabbed Dawn and pushed her gently up against the wall, "What do you want?"
"Let go of me." Dawn screamed, causing Sigmund to wake from his slumber to another happy sight.
Poking his head up from inside Dawn's sweater, he came face to face with Buffy's chest, "Wow, what a nice sight to wake up to. You two sure go at it a lot. I like it. So, who was kissing who? I missed that part."
Buffy, Fred and Dawn all looked at Sigmund with the same disgusted look, "Shut up." They all said in unison.
"Hey, that's animal cruelty. I could report you. Bad words hurt you know." Sigmund said with a fake sad pout and quickly cuddled up against Dawn's breasts.
Dawn tapped Sigmund on the head, "Stop that. I said not the boobs. If you do it again I'm sending you back to Wesley or I'll just let Buffy have you.
"No, no, no. No need for that." Sigmund pulled away from Dawn's breasts, "I just misjudged the space and accidentally rubbed against your…I won't do it again. Scout's honor."
Buffy rolled her eyes and leaned in to stare Sigmund in the eyes, "You were never a boy scout you little vermin."
"So, I believe in their code of ethics. Now, I'm going back to sleep, wake me if any of you starts kissing." Sigmund said and then crawled back inside Dawn's sweater and rested against her stomach.
"Enough about Sigmund." Dawn yelled, "I was supposed to come get you two because we have company. So, when you're done making out, maybe you'll come say hi."
"You know you're starting to be as sarcastic as that little pest and I don't like it one bit." Buffy said trying to sound serious, but Dawn just laughed and ran down the stairs, "Hey, I'm talking to you. Damn it, she never listens to me." Buffy whined as she looked back at a laughing Fred, "You think this is funny?"
"Kind of" Fred smirked, "I just love the way you two fight and argue and yet I know you love each other." Fred explained, " I'm an only child so I love watching you interact with Dawn. One minute you're mad as hell and the next you are so sweet and gentle with her. It's nice and it's funny cause she really doesn't listen to you at all."
"I'm glad you find this amusing." Buffy smiled, again moving closer to Fred, "So, I was wondering if you wanted to out later on tonight. Maybe I could teach you how to dance at the Bronze."
"That sounds perfect." Fred sighed, fighting back the urge to kiss Buffy again.
Buffy found it just as hard to keep her lips off Fred's, "Well, I guess we better get downstairs before Dawn starts blabbing about what she thinks she saw up here."
Fred followed Buffy down the stairs and was shocked to see Eve standing in the living room and quickly grabbed Buffy and sat down, "OMG, she's here. How is that possible? What, can she teleport to?"
"Teleport?"
"It's a long story." Fred said as she peered through the railing at Eve, "Why is she here? You don't think she's stalking me do you?"
"You've got quite the imagination on ya." Buffy laughed, "But, I doubt she's stalking you. She must've come with Kate. Anyway, let me go down first and see what's going on."
Fred crept back up the stairs and stopped once she reached the top, "Thanks. I just can't talk to her right now."
Buffy nodded, put on a big smile and walked into the living room to greet Kate and Eve just as her mom slipped out the front door.
Wolfram & Hart facility just outside Los Angeles.
Spike paced back and forth as he waited for Glory to show up, checking out the fancy gadgets that lined the walls, shelves and floor of the futuristic looking room.
Glory entered the room with an entourage of lackeys following, as were Ethan, Lindsey, Gwendolyn and an elderly gentleman.
"So, this is Spike." Glory said as she walked in a circle around him, "Hmm, you're much shorter than I expected. But no matter, if you live up to your reputation we should get along just fine."
"I didn't come here to be insulted." Spike sneered, "I've been waiting here long enough. I need to get to work. If this is how slow you people work here, it's no wonder you get nothing accomplished."
"Well, that's what I'm here to talk to you about." Glory said, as she ran her hands over all the shiny things in the room as she continued, "I've had some talks with the senior partners and they feel it's best to go with one plan of attack, so you and these three, oh excuse me, these four, are going to have to work together on this. Since I don't have the time, patience and really don't care one way or the other whether you succeed or fail, you can either kill each other or put a plan together. But, by the end of the day you better have a plan, cause if not, I'll help you out with dying part when I return. I haven't decided who's plan I like the best, but I'll think on that on my way to my meeting. Have fun."
"Wait one second, who the hell is that old man?" Spike asked loudly.
Glory turned to look at the elderly man standing almost out of sight behind her, "Oh, it's really quite rude to forget someone you know Spike, but since it has been almost 20 years since you last spoke with him, please let me reintroduce you to Carlton Edwards III."
With his cane leading the way, the old man moved towards Spike, "I don't blame you for not recognizing me, I'm hardly the same man you used to know so well. But, with this new heart of mine, I feel much younger than I look."
"You look pretty old and decrepit to me. I thought you died." Spike laughed, moving in for a closer look at the Carlton, "After the council found out about your unique method of manipulating Joyce, they fired your ass. Then I heard you dropped off the face of the earth to meditate and change your ways. I see that didn't take."
"All of what you say is true, but the last part is where you get your facts wrong." Carlton said, fuming at Spike's lack of respect, "I did meditate and it did take, as you call it. I'm a changed man on the inside. In time, what you see on the outside will change right along with me."
"So you found the fountain of youth did you old boy?" Spike mocked, highly unimpressed with the man he used to admire for his corrupt ways, "Well I'm really happy for ya, but until you change completely, I don't see you being of much help, so if you don't mind, sit in the corner, take your Geritol, and we'll come up with a plan."
"You always were a smug son of bitch, but that's what I liked about you. Somehow, I don't seem to like it as much now." Carlton said not hiding his displeasure for Spike's attitude.
"I don't much care what you like, just stay out of my way." Spike said, pushing Carlton to the side as he walked up to the other three people in the room, "Okay, let's get to work. Are we gonna try and work this out or should we just get to the killing and let the best man win?"
Gwendolyn stepped up to Spike, "Hello, I'm a woman and I think I can hold my own against a one dimensional vampire, an old man, a paper pusher and a watchers council reject who is nothing when not in demon form, so maybe you should rethink the killing part."
"I do not push papers." Lindsay yelled, trying to sound more important than he really was, "I am a lawyer with more degrees than you have earrings, and I'll have you know, I've done my share of fighting so you shouldn't underestimate me."
"Enough posturing, we are all really, really bad, now, can we get down to business?" Ethan said from his seat to the side of the room.
"Fine, but there's no doubt my plan is going to work." Spike said confidently, "So unless I hear something better, let's just get on with it."
"Well Spike, why don't you share your brilliant plan with us one more time?" Lindsey asked.
"I will. Sit back and take notes." Spike said as he moved to the front of the room, "Okay, my plan is very straight forward. We all know the slayers are the key and the sooner we eliminate them the sooner we can take over Sunnydale, have access to the Hellmouth and in turn, we'll soon have enough demons to easily take over this world."
The room erupted in mock clapping, boos and other assorted insulted hurled towards Spike.
Ethan was the first to actually say something, "That's really nice Spike, but we all know the slayers must die, the hard part is finding a way to do this, without getting killed in the process. So why not tell us how you plan to get rid of the slayers?"
"It's not that hard." Spike added, reveling in his own sense of importance, "I've killed two already…"
Gwendolyn rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Oh enough about that, we've heard it a million times, who cares about something you did hundreds of years ago. Have ya killed any slayers lately? No, so shut up about your past exploits"
"Oh fine, but it's still true. I do know how to take out a slayer. It just involves more skill and precision than any of you can ever dream of possessing. Now, if I can continue." Spike asked and looked around the room for any objections, but when none came, he smiled, "Good. Now, even I'm smart enough to know that taking on two slayers at once is not the answer. It's obvious we need to divide them and conquer. I'm still getting some research into the new slayers, but I have picked up a few interesting tidbits already."
"Then share them and we'll see if we agree." Lindsey said sharply.
"You shut up Lindsey, you're lucky you're still alive." Spike screamed, taking a few steps towards him before laughing and continuing on, "What I've learned is the two slayers share a bond that is impossible to break, or so we've been led to believe. I find that to be very misleading. They are humans, they have weaknesses. It's our job to exploit them. One such weakness is friendship, another is love and let's not forget family. Faith has no family to speak of, but Buffy does. As for friends, we know of a handful of people the slayers have had contact with since they arrived in Sunnydale. Each of them is a possible ally or enemy, depending on whether we can use them or not. As for love, that is an area we know very little. It's also something we need to start learning more about. I propose that we use the resources of Wolfram & Hart and dig into the slayers lives and learn every little detail about them and when we have some information that's useful, we can begin to systematically destroy their lives from the inside. Once they begin having problems with their family, friends and of course their lovers, they will be ripe for killing. Any questions?"
Silence filled the room
as they took in everything Spike had just said.
Moments later Ethan stepped forward, "Well, I must say I'm
surprised at the thought you've put into this. I also have to
admit I agree with your plan. Count me in."
"I couldn't agree more. This should work." Gwendolyn nodded.
"It was pretty much the same as my plan, so I'm in." Lindsey reluctantly agreed.
Carlton stepped out from the side of the room, "You seem much more prepared than the impulsive man I remember. I to shall support your plan."
Spike stood with a proud smile on his face, "Then it's unanimous. We need to divide the tasks up. I'll look into their love lives. That seems like it could be fun."
"I'll check into their family situations more closely." Ethan said.
"I guess I'll look into their friends." Gwendolyn chipped in.
"What does that leave me or Carlton to do?" Lindsey asked, in his usual impetuous tone.
"There are still other things we need to know. For instance, we need to find out their routines. Find out some habits they have. Things they do that might help us figure out when best to attack. Why don't you look into that?" Spike asked.
"What does that leave for me?" Carlton said as he began to cough.
"Unless you change into a 21 year old's body soon, you can oversee all this on the computers they have here. We can keep in touch and share the information as soon as we get it. If that's okay with you?" Spike asked, not really listening for an answer.
"I suppose that does make the most sense for now." Carlton agreed and shook Spike's hand to seal the deal.
"Let's get to work." Spike said and then led the way out of the room.
End of Chapter 44
