Said the Lion to the Lamb

Summary: Spencer sees the way Esme looks at Josslyn.

A/N: This is brought on my the fact that I saw people on twitter wonder what Joss would do if Esme tried to steal Cam from Joss. For me, my mind went to, "what if Esme isn't straight or even bi at all? What if she tried to get Joss?" Also inspired by spoilers of her trying to latch herself onto Joss.

Companion Piece to Traitor.

"Well she's certainly full of fire." Esme says, dropping the sweet act and smirking as she watches Josslyn's retreating back.

Spencer's dark eyes narrow, brows furrowing. "Don't even think about it, Esme." He says, voice dripping with protectiveness. He knows exactly what Esme is capable of. At least some of it. After all, this girl was all too willing to help him stalk Ava. The girl had even used the woman's dead daughter against her. He knows she's bad news. It's exactly why he has to keep her away from Josslyn. His blonde friend was like Carly in looks and in some of her personality yet she was also genuinely sweet and kind in a way Carly just wasn't. It was that heart that had made it easy for Nelle to manipulate her. He knows that's not something that would happen again, that Josslyn wouldn't let it, but still.

She glares at him darkly. "It's funny how you think you're so much better than me. Do you really think Josslyn, Cameron, or that pretty girl you like, Trina would be so forgiving if they knew you were Ava's stalker?" She reaches out to smooth out the collar of his button up shirt. She laughs a laugh that's full of warning. "I mean, I may have set fire to your bitch of a stepmother's car, but everything we've been doing has been because of your hurt and anger. And you know that I set fire to that car and dropped that ID tag in front of it. You're keeping it secret. Even defended me against sweet Trina's accusations. More lies, right there."

He knows that the words she saying are true and he closes his eyes against them with a deep sigh. "Look, just...leave Josslyn alone, okay? She doesn't need to be messed with."

A small hand reaches out to grip his chin roughly, sharp, manicured nails digging into his skin as Esme's facade completely drops, the darkness in her sparking out and lighting up her eyes like lightening. She seems almost demented as she locks her eyes with his and her breath puffs out against his cheek as she leans in close, smelling of cinnamon and vanilla. "You act as if I'm the lion and Josslyn is some poor, helpless little lamb. It's pretty obvious she can handle herself. Besides, I don't really think you're one to judge me. Think of all that I know about you. How I can demolish your life right before your eyes." She releases her grip on his chin then and smiles, patting his cheek with the hand, gentler than she had been just moments before. "Think about what I said, Spence." She walks away from him, leaving him frozen in his chair.

It's a few days later and Josslyn is sitting with Cam and Trina at Kelly's after their classes, the three of them having milkshakes setting before them when Esme comes in, pulling Spencer along to a table a few feet away from them. Josslyn does her best to ignore them as she reaches out to sip her milkshake

"Why won't Esme stop staring at you?" Cam asks his girlfriend, his voice full of concern and confusion.

Trina glances over then and sees that what Cam had just said is indeed true. The brunette's eyes are locked on her best friend, unblinking. She frowns a bit and fixes the two with a glare. Spencer quickly looks away and Esme's smile just grows wider. She isn't put off at all by Trina's behavior. "What the hell?" She murmurs.

"I confronted Spencer the other day." Josslyn confesses softly. "I wanted to when you first told me about his lies, but it was my mom and Jason's wedding and it got busy." Her blue eyes lock with Trina's when she says this. "I was telling him to be himself and that I knew he was a good person. That he should show everyone the person I knew he could be. That he deserved to be happy. And then Esme showed up. She put her hand on my leg and complimented me on my bikini and then wanted to go shopping with me." She gives a shrug of her shoulder. "I said no and left. I guess that could be why she's looking at me."

Cam and Trina exchange worried looks then look at Spencer who glances up then, his expression matching theirs. Weird. Cam determines that he'll confront Spencer about this once Josslyn and Trina leave for their dorm to get ready for the party a guy on the PCU football team is having tonight. For now, he and Trina make sure that Esme doesn't come up to their table, working as a team with Spencer to ensure that she leaves Josslyn alone as the blonde leaves the table to go to the bathroom.

"Spencer, Esme." Cam says, giving as polite a smile he can muster about ten minutes after his best friend and his girlfriend leave. He tries to not give himself away or cause Esme to suspect anything. He knows that while Trina and Josslyn have both butted heads with Esme, he hasn't. Hopefully that can work in his favor. "How have you two been?"

It's Esme who speaks then, crossing her arms on the table and giving him a grin. "Spence and I were discussing what classes we're going to take at PCU." She answers brightly. "Do you have any suggestions?"

Cam freezes in disbelief at that, sharing a look with Spencer who has the gall to look away. "Uh...not really. I mean, they're all pretty good."

She pouts at that. "Well that's too bad. Good thing I have my ways of finding things out." She smirks then before she gets out of her chair rather gracefully, resting her hand on Spencer's forearm and pressing a kiss to his lips.

Spencer kisses her back reluctantly and doesn't even watch her leave.

The entire thing looks as if it's fake to Cameron, on both Esme and Spencer's parts. It confuses him more than a little bit but he shakes his head. Maybe it's just because it felt awkward to show affection in front of him. "Anyway, why is your girlfriend looking at Joss? She didn't take her eyes off of her the entire time that she was here."

The other boy seems to grimace at the question, knowing that he can't tell the truth as much as he may want to. "Look, Esme...she just doesn't no how to go about making friends." He lies for what feels like the millionth time. It tastes like ash on his tongue.

Cam's eyes narrow at him, studying him carefully. He doesn't believe a word of what Spencer is saying. He's known Spencer his entire life and he can see his tells. "Look," He sighs. "Just...make sure that your girlfriend leaves mine alone. You and Joss used to be close and I know you two talked the other day. You know that Esme is the last thing she needs. I've gotta go get ready. I've got to pick Trina and Joss up later."

Spencer pulls out his wallet once Cameron leaves and pulls out a fifty dollar bill to leave as a tip before he goes up to pay. He knows Cameron is right and he's going to try his best to protect Josslyn from Esme, he knows that it might be an impossible tasks, however. Esme has a way of getting exactly what she wants that's absolutely terrifying.

The End