Chapter Six: Of Ghouls and Diaries
Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me except my shame. Buffy and CO. belong to Joss Whedon and Moist owns the lyrics I blatantly borrowed.
The sun had been down for a brief ten minutes; its orange glow still lit the sky to the west. Spike stood a few doors away from the Summers home, smoking a cigarette and wondering who the red car in the driveway belonged too.
"Should I...?" Spike asked himself, wondering if it would be safe to knock upon Buffys door when she had someone visiting. He grinned at his own thoughts. "She's expecting me. I wouldn't want to disappoint." He chuckled and proceeded to the front door of the Summers home. He ground out the butt of his cigarette under his boot and knocked twice. A few minutes passed and the door opened to reveal Dawn.
"What do you want?" Dawn asked, obviously trying to sound brave and failing.
Spike let his demon face come forward for a brief moment, chuckling under his breath when Dawn jumped, afraid. "I don't want you, bite-size." He said to her, still grinning. "Where's the Slayer?"
"Buffy?" Dawned squeaked. "She's asleep. Having a nap before patrol."
"Dawn?" Giles asked as he came into view from the kitchen. "Who is it?"
"Um..." Dawn stepped back from the door, revealing Spike.
Giles sighed. "What do you want?"
"To see the Slayer." Spike rolled his eyes and gestured to Dawn. "I already asked the li'l one."
"Go away, Spike. Buffy doesn't need any more complications tonight." Giles said and shut the door in Spikes face.
"Pillock." Spike muttered, walking down the street a few houses before doubling back through the yards of Buffys neighbors. Once outside the Slayers house again, he peered up at her bedroom window. The lights were off and the room was silent. "But I'm already invited." Spike grinned, climbing the tree and sliding open the window to slip quietly into Buffy's bedroom.
A quick check on her alarm showed that she was going to sleep for another ten minutes. Spike turned the alarm off, knowing that Giles and Dawn wouldn't disturb the Slayer until the time was up. He was about to wake Buffy when his eyes fell upon a little book resting on her dresser.
"What have we here?" Spike thought as he picked up Buffy's diary. He picked the flimsy lock easily enough and flipped the book to the latest entry.
Dear Diary,
I found out today that Riley's a ghoul. That means he's....
Spike knew all that. He scanned through the entry until he came to the part where he had left Buffy. Her reactions to his leaving and his returning were extreme. He needed to know why.
...After his being such a friend to me, he left! He blew me off and left me alone. It hurt so much. I mean, I have small feelings for him (wrong, I know.) and just when I thought we were getting somewhere, he left me. I cried on his shoulder, I trusted him. Of course, I really should've learned my lesson. The second I care for them they leave me. Why do I always fall in love with men who won't love me back? Am I such a masochist?
But then he came back. I don't know how long he was gone. Long enough for me to break my mirror and smash those silly trinkets Riley had given me. I really went insane for a moment; I can't remember much of it. But then Spike came back. He held me and told me he wouldn't leave. I don't believe him. But I'm a trusting fool, and fell asleep in his embrace. It felt so wonderful and I feel so guilty. Aren't I supposed to be nursing the heartache Riley gave me? But no, I'm falling asleep in the arms of my
best-enemy and enjoying it way too much.
Spike woke me up before sunrise. He told me that he had to go. It hurt so much that he was leaving, I didn't even think of why. He had to point out that the sun was almost up. I felt so stupid.
He promised to come back tomorrow. I don't believe him. I hope he doesn't come back. I don't know what he wants from me. I'm scared that I'll give it to him, whatever it is. They always want something, that's why they stay. Once they have it, or once I can't give it to them, they leave. That's how it works. I'm sure that's in the handbook too. I really have to get myself a copy of that. Maybe it could save me some pain.
"Bloody hell." Spike muttered, replacing the lock and putting Buffy's diary back on her dresser. "She certainly comes with baggage." He thought, gently sitting down on the bed beside her sleeping form. A glance at the clock told him that his ten minutes were almost up.
He watched Buffy sleep, for a moment. Marveling at how small and innocent she looked at rest.
"Wake up, luv." Spike whispered, gently stroking Buffy's cheek. She smiled and curled into his touch but did not wake.
"Slayer," He whispered, slightly louder. "Wake up."
"No." Buffy mumbled, her body curling around Spikes. "Comfy."
"Slayer," Spike ground out, trying to force himself to not respond to the sexy little body that had curled itself around his. "If you do not wake up this instant, I shall wake you up in the most interesting way I know how."
"Promise?" Buffy giggled, opening her eyes.
"Yes." Spike grinned at her, "Now, are you awake?"
"Yup." Buffy answered, still burrowed under the covers of her bed. She looked up at Spike, smiling. "You really did come back." She observed, amazement in her voice.
"That I did." Spike removed his hand from Buffy's face and stood. "Now, any moment Dawn and Rupert are going to break down the door. You're supposed to be getting ready to patrol."
"Argh." Buffy whined, still not getting out of bed. "I don't wanna."
Spike walked to the window, smiling at Buffy's antics. "But you do want to. I'll wait for you, ok?" Buffy nodded, still not moving from the bed while Spike climbed out the window.
"Slayer?" His voice floated in the window a few moments later "If you don't get up, I'm going to come see what you're hiding under the covers."
Buffy blushed furiously, and got out of bed, holding a blanket from the bed around her. She left the window open, but closed the blinds. Dropping the blanket, Buffy hastily threw on a robe, still blushing. She hadn't thought that Spike would return, otherwise she would've put some clothes on before she fell into bed that afternoon.
"He came back." She spoke to herself softly, an unbelieving smile upon her face. A knock sounded softly on her bedroom door. Buffy ran to the door and opened it, revealing Giles, his hand descending to knock again.
"I'm up." She said, in response to Giles unanswered question.
"Oh...G-Good." Giles stuttered. "Dawn and I will be leaving now. Tara and Willow will be meeting us at my flat. Will you report in after patrol?"
"Sure thing." Buffy answered. "Thanks for taking Dawn tonight, Giles. I know Riley could get into any home he wanted.... but I have a suspicion that he would come here first. Dawn needs to be protected."
"N-Not a problem, Buffy. Um...Have a good patrol." Giles gave Buffy his best fatherly smile before heading downstairs to collect Dawn and leave.
Buffy flicked on her stereo, turning up the volume. She grabbed some things from her room and went to the bathroom to shower, forgetting about Spike and her open window. A short time later, Buffy walked back into her room, her hair dripping down her shoulders and into the towel, which was her only clothing. Her stereo poured out the heavy sounds of rock music.
I'm walking this railings edge
Just to feel this good.
And freaky be beautiful
You came following me.
Like I knew you would.
Buffy nodded her head in time to the music, putting her shower things down. She half danced to her closet, opening the doors to peruse her extensive wardrobe.
Freaky be beautiful, He falls
And his blood, it sprays so cold
On my face, he feels so cold.
The song wound to a close, and Buffy was still deciding on what to wear. She had already thrown her new blood-red bootleg pants onto her bed and was digging through her closet for a shirt. A loud wolf-whistle made her jump in surprise, as she spun around the towel she was wearing nearly came undone. She clutched at it, blushing red enough to match her pants.
"Spike!" Buffy exclaimed, half surprised to see the bleached vampire casually leaning against the window frame. "Don't you have any decency?"
"No." Spike answered, a gleam in his eye.
"Well...." Buffy sputtered, not knowing how to reply to that.
"Well, what?" Spike asked, grinning mischievously. "You're the one taking bloody forever to get dressed. Hurry up!"
Buffy stood, waiting for Spike to leave so she could get ready. He didn't. "Aren't you going to go?" She asked, tapping her foot impatiently.
"No." Spike answered, still smiling. "I said I wouldn't leave. You need to be reassured that I won't."
"Argh!" Buffy exclaimed and grabbed a flimsy black blouse from her closet before collecting her pants and underclothes. She stalked off to the washroom and change to the sound of Spikes laughter.
Some time later, Buffy and Spike were walking down her street. He was still chuckling over the incident in her bedroom. Buffy tried to ignore him, but her blush gave her away.
"So, what are we hunting tonight?" Spike asked, tiring of teasing the Slayer.
"Riley." Buffy answered quietly.
"Why?" Spike was confused; he thought that Buffy had given G.I. Joe a break.
"Giles says that I have to kill him." Buffy answered, her voice tinged with sorrow. "Kinda like killing a lame animal. Puts them out of their misery. 'Sides that, if I don't he'll be hunted and tortured by anything evil who knows what he is."
"Um, Slayer?" Spike asked, stopping and forcing Buffy to turn and look at him.
"What, Spike?" Buffy asked, concerned at the strange tone in Spike's voice.
"It's a long story, but I know where Riley is."
"What? How?!" Buffy questioned, wondering how Spike could possibly know what had happened to Riley after the events of last night.
"Well...Harm' found him," Spike began, and told Buffy the entire story.
"So, he's chained up in a dingy room in the back of your crypt." Buffy stated flatly once Spike had finished.
"Yeah. I couldn't stand to give him any blood, so he's in pretty bad shape." Spike explained, as he and Buffy began walking in the direction of his crypt.
"Why didn't you tell me before?" Buffy asked, a little hurt that Spike would have hidden this from her.
"'Cause I was gonna let him go tonight." Spike avoided looking Buffy in the eye. He was really intending on killing Riley, come sunrise. "I thought that you gave him a break. I was gonna send his bloody ass out of Sunnyhell as fast as I could."
"Oh." Buffy smiled and suddenly slipped her hand into Spike's as they walked. He missed a step, tripping slightly.
"What are you...?" He asked before Buffy hushed him, and leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder as they walked.
"We're just a regular couple, you and I." Buffy whispered "Walking to the park on a date. There isn't something big and yucky following us. Everything is sweet and romantic." She grinned, and slipped Spike a stake. She giggled suddenly and playfully swatted him before letting go of his hand and taking off towards a nearby park at a light jog. "Am I right?" She called back to him.
"I wish you were." Spike muttered under his breath before taking off and following Buffy. He wondered what was following them, but knew better than to look back.
Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me except my shame. Buffy and CO. belong to Joss Whedon and Moist owns the lyrics I blatantly borrowed.
The sun had been down for a brief ten minutes; its orange glow still lit the sky to the west. Spike stood a few doors away from the Summers home, smoking a cigarette and wondering who the red car in the driveway belonged too.
"Should I...?" Spike asked himself, wondering if it would be safe to knock upon Buffys door when she had someone visiting. He grinned at his own thoughts. "She's expecting me. I wouldn't want to disappoint." He chuckled and proceeded to the front door of the Summers home. He ground out the butt of his cigarette under his boot and knocked twice. A few minutes passed and the door opened to reveal Dawn.
"What do you want?" Dawn asked, obviously trying to sound brave and failing.
Spike let his demon face come forward for a brief moment, chuckling under his breath when Dawn jumped, afraid. "I don't want you, bite-size." He said to her, still grinning. "Where's the Slayer?"
"Buffy?" Dawned squeaked. "She's asleep. Having a nap before patrol."
"Dawn?" Giles asked as he came into view from the kitchen. "Who is it?"
"Um..." Dawn stepped back from the door, revealing Spike.
Giles sighed. "What do you want?"
"To see the Slayer." Spike rolled his eyes and gestured to Dawn. "I already asked the li'l one."
"Go away, Spike. Buffy doesn't need any more complications tonight." Giles said and shut the door in Spikes face.
"Pillock." Spike muttered, walking down the street a few houses before doubling back through the yards of Buffys neighbors. Once outside the Slayers house again, he peered up at her bedroom window. The lights were off and the room was silent. "But I'm already invited." Spike grinned, climbing the tree and sliding open the window to slip quietly into Buffy's bedroom.
A quick check on her alarm showed that she was going to sleep for another ten minutes. Spike turned the alarm off, knowing that Giles and Dawn wouldn't disturb the Slayer until the time was up. He was about to wake Buffy when his eyes fell upon a little book resting on her dresser.
"What have we here?" Spike thought as he picked up Buffy's diary. He picked the flimsy lock easily enough and flipped the book to the latest entry.
Dear Diary,
I found out today that Riley's a ghoul. That means he's....
Spike knew all that. He scanned through the entry until he came to the part where he had left Buffy. Her reactions to his leaving and his returning were extreme. He needed to know why.
...After his being such a friend to me, he left! He blew me off and left me alone. It hurt so much. I mean, I have small feelings for him (wrong, I know.) and just when I thought we were getting somewhere, he left me. I cried on his shoulder, I trusted him. Of course, I really should've learned my lesson. The second I care for them they leave me. Why do I always fall in love with men who won't love me back? Am I such a masochist?
But then he came back. I don't know how long he was gone. Long enough for me to break my mirror and smash those silly trinkets Riley had given me. I really went insane for a moment; I can't remember much of it. But then Spike came back. He held me and told me he wouldn't leave. I don't believe him. But I'm a trusting fool, and fell asleep in his embrace. It felt so wonderful and I feel so guilty. Aren't I supposed to be nursing the heartache Riley gave me? But no, I'm falling asleep in the arms of my
best-enemy and enjoying it way too much.
Spike woke me up before sunrise. He told me that he had to go. It hurt so much that he was leaving, I didn't even think of why. He had to point out that the sun was almost up. I felt so stupid.
He promised to come back tomorrow. I don't believe him. I hope he doesn't come back. I don't know what he wants from me. I'm scared that I'll give it to him, whatever it is. They always want something, that's why they stay. Once they have it, or once I can't give it to them, they leave. That's how it works. I'm sure that's in the handbook too. I really have to get myself a copy of that. Maybe it could save me some pain.
"Bloody hell." Spike muttered, replacing the lock and putting Buffy's diary back on her dresser. "She certainly comes with baggage." He thought, gently sitting down on the bed beside her sleeping form. A glance at the clock told him that his ten minutes were almost up.
He watched Buffy sleep, for a moment. Marveling at how small and innocent she looked at rest.
"Wake up, luv." Spike whispered, gently stroking Buffy's cheek. She smiled and curled into his touch but did not wake.
"Slayer," He whispered, slightly louder. "Wake up."
"No." Buffy mumbled, her body curling around Spikes. "Comfy."
"Slayer," Spike ground out, trying to force himself to not respond to the sexy little body that had curled itself around his. "If you do not wake up this instant, I shall wake you up in the most interesting way I know how."
"Promise?" Buffy giggled, opening her eyes.
"Yes." Spike grinned at her, "Now, are you awake?"
"Yup." Buffy answered, still burrowed under the covers of her bed. She looked up at Spike, smiling. "You really did come back." She observed, amazement in her voice.
"That I did." Spike removed his hand from Buffy's face and stood. "Now, any moment Dawn and Rupert are going to break down the door. You're supposed to be getting ready to patrol."
"Argh." Buffy whined, still not getting out of bed. "I don't wanna."
Spike walked to the window, smiling at Buffy's antics. "But you do want to. I'll wait for you, ok?" Buffy nodded, still not moving from the bed while Spike climbed out the window.
"Slayer?" His voice floated in the window a few moments later "If you don't get up, I'm going to come see what you're hiding under the covers."
Buffy blushed furiously, and got out of bed, holding a blanket from the bed around her. She left the window open, but closed the blinds. Dropping the blanket, Buffy hastily threw on a robe, still blushing. She hadn't thought that Spike would return, otherwise she would've put some clothes on before she fell into bed that afternoon.
"He came back." She spoke to herself softly, an unbelieving smile upon her face. A knock sounded softly on her bedroom door. Buffy ran to the door and opened it, revealing Giles, his hand descending to knock again.
"I'm up." She said, in response to Giles unanswered question.
"Oh...G-Good." Giles stuttered. "Dawn and I will be leaving now. Tara and Willow will be meeting us at my flat. Will you report in after patrol?"
"Sure thing." Buffy answered. "Thanks for taking Dawn tonight, Giles. I know Riley could get into any home he wanted.... but I have a suspicion that he would come here first. Dawn needs to be protected."
"N-Not a problem, Buffy. Um...Have a good patrol." Giles gave Buffy his best fatherly smile before heading downstairs to collect Dawn and leave.
Buffy flicked on her stereo, turning up the volume. She grabbed some things from her room and went to the bathroom to shower, forgetting about Spike and her open window. A short time later, Buffy walked back into her room, her hair dripping down her shoulders and into the towel, which was her only clothing. Her stereo poured out the heavy sounds of rock music.
I'm walking this railings edge
Just to feel this good.
And freaky be beautiful
You came following me.
Like I knew you would.
Buffy nodded her head in time to the music, putting her shower things down. She half danced to her closet, opening the doors to peruse her extensive wardrobe.
Freaky be beautiful, He falls
And his blood, it sprays so cold
On my face, he feels so cold.
The song wound to a close, and Buffy was still deciding on what to wear. She had already thrown her new blood-red bootleg pants onto her bed and was digging through her closet for a shirt. A loud wolf-whistle made her jump in surprise, as she spun around the towel she was wearing nearly came undone. She clutched at it, blushing red enough to match her pants.
"Spike!" Buffy exclaimed, half surprised to see the bleached vampire casually leaning against the window frame. "Don't you have any decency?"
"No." Spike answered, a gleam in his eye.
"Well...." Buffy sputtered, not knowing how to reply to that.
"Well, what?" Spike asked, grinning mischievously. "You're the one taking bloody forever to get dressed. Hurry up!"
Buffy stood, waiting for Spike to leave so she could get ready. He didn't. "Aren't you going to go?" She asked, tapping her foot impatiently.
"No." Spike answered, still smiling. "I said I wouldn't leave. You need to be reassured that I won't."
"Argh!" Buffy exclaimed and grabbed a flimsy black blouse from her closet before collecting her pants and underclothes. She stalked off to the washroom and change to the sound of Spikes laughter.
Some time later, Buffy and Spike were walking down her street. He was still chuckling over the incident in her bedroom. Buffy tried to ignore him, but her blush gave her away.
"So, what are we hunting tonight?" Spike asked, tiring of teasing the Slayer.
"Riley." Buffy answered quietly.
"Why?" Spike was confused; he thought that Buffy had given G.I. Joe a break.
"Giles says that I have to kill him." Buffy answered, her voice tinged with sorrow. "Kinda like killing a lame animal. Puts them out of their misery. 'Sides that, if I don't he'll be hunted and tortured by anything evil who knows what he is."
"Um, Slayer?" Spike asked, stopping and forcing Buffy to turn and look at him.
"What, Spike?" Buffy asked, concerned at the strange tone in Spike's voice.
"It's a long story, but I know where Riley is."
"What? How?!" Buffy questioned, wondering how Spike could possibly know what had happened to Riley after the events of last night.
"Well...Harm' found him," Spike began, and told Buffy the entire story.
"So, he's chained up in a dingy room in the back of your crypt." Buffy stated flatly once Spike had finished.
"Yeah. I couldn't stand to give him any blood, so he's in pretty bad shape." Spike explained, as he and Buffy began walking in the direction of his crypt.
"Why didn't you tell me before?" Buffy asked, a little hurt that Spike would have hidden this from her.
"'Cause I was gonna let him go tonight." Spike avoided looking Buffy in the eye. He was really intending on killing Riley, come sunrise. "I thought that you gave him a break. I was gonna send his bloody ass out of Sunnyhell as fast as I could."
"Oh." Buffy smiled and suddenly slipped her hand into Spike's as they walked. He missed a step, tripping slightly.
"What are you...?" He asked before Buffy hushed him, and leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder as they walked.
"We're just a regular couple, you and I." Buffy whispered "Walking to the park on a date. There isn't something big and yucky following us. Everything is sweet and romantic." She grinned, and slipped Spike a stake. She giggled suddenly and playfully swatted him before letting go of his hand and taking off towards a nearby park at a light jog. "Am I right?" She called back to him.
"I wish you were." Spike muttered under his breath before taking off and following Buffy. He wondered what was following them, but knew better than to look back.