Chapter Thirty
The next day it was raining in Sunnydale. It seemed as though everyone's sprits were down with the downpour. Except for Darry's. Kellie was depressed about the current situation at hand with Spike. Buffy was upset to think that Spike might be right about a new evil coming to Sunnydale and was feeling at a loss without Giles. Willow was depressed because she was starting to realize how much she missed Tara. Dawn was upset because Steven hadn't called her last night.
Darry, however, was in high sprits because Oz had promised to see her again today. Darry was surprised how much she liked Oz, after they had just met. She was also surprised that she was able to like him at all, after what had happened with her parents she had shut herself off. She never let anybody get near and she never let herself get near to anybody; just the way she liked it. However, there was something about Oz that was different; something that she just couldn't resist.
Buffy sat at the kitchen counter with her chin rested in the palms of her hands. Darry walked over to the blonde. "What's got ya down Buff?" She asked.
Buffy looked over at Darry. "Nothing, patrol was a bust last night, that's all." Buffy answered.
Dawn came tearing down the stairs with the phone in her hand. "It's him! It's Steven!" She yelled happily before taking her hand off the mouthpiece and greeting Steven on the other line.
Willow studied the teenager. "At least someone is happy. Ah, to be young again." Willow muttered.
Darry turned to her friend. "Will you listen to yourself? You're only twenty, there's still plenty of time to be excited about someone's phone call. I bet if you called Tara, she'd tell Miss Kitty Fantastico that it was you on the phone." Darry said.
"Yeah probably." Willow muttered and then did a double take. "How did you know about Miss Kitty?" She asked.
Darry blanched, remembering that she had promised Anya that she wouldn't tell Buffy or anybody about what happened at Amy's. "Uh, no reason." She said, looking away.
Dawn was chatting away to Steven on the phone, her features bright. "Yeah…that sounds like lots of fun. Really, great! Yeah…right…1630 Revello Drive. No, just my sister and some friends….yeah. Okay…sounds great. Bye." Dawn said and clicked the 'off' button on the phone.
"Well that sounded like an engaging conversation." Kellie muttered.
"Steven wants to take me to the movies tonight!" Dawn gushed and smiled.
"Happy for ya." Kellie muttered and banged her head against the kitchen table.
Darry studied her cousin, who was continuing banging her head. "Does that feel good?" Darry asked.
"Yes, it feels better then the pathetically large amount of pain I feel right now." Kellie answered and lifted her head.
"Okay." Darry muttered and walked over to her cousin. "Don't worry, it'll get better. It always gets better." Darry said.
"Whatever." Willow muttered, cluing herself in on the pain that Kellie felt was heartache.
"Okay, that's it; you people are ruining my good and optimistic mood. I'm getting outta here." Darry said and stood up.
"Where are you going?" Buffy asked.
"Oz's apartment." Darry answered.
"He gave you his apartment number?" Willow asked.
"Yeah, this morning on the phone." Darry answered and grabbed a jacket off the hook.
"He called?" Willow asked.
Darry frowned and fidgeted, not sure if she should answer that question because Willow seemed slightly upset. "Um, yeah." Darry said slowly and then covered her head with the raincoat hood. "Gotta go." She said and dashed out into the rain.
Kellie watched her cousin go and then thudded her head against the table again. Dawn glanced over at Kellie. "You shouldn't do that you know, it's not good for your head." Dawn remarked as Kellie continued to hit her head on the table.
Kellie looked up. "Don't you have somewhere to be?" She asked and frowned.
Dawn shook her head. "Not until 6:30 tonight." Dawn answered cheerily.
Buffy looked up at her sister. "You have to be back by 9:00." She muttered and turned away before Dawn could protest.
Kellie stood up and looked out the window at the rain. "It looks like its clearing up." She remarked.
Buffy checked over the pantry and then the cabinets. "Good, then you can go to the store and shop for me." Buffy said.
"Do you ever do your own shopping?" Willow asked, studying her friend.
"This is your house too and you don't do any shopping." Buffy said and began making a list of the things they needed.
When she was finished, she handed the list over to Kellie who didn't bother to read over it; she stuffed it into her pocket and put her jacket on. Without a backward glance, Kellie left the house and walked down the drive.
Willow turned to Buffy. "When are you going to talk to Xander about turning the attic into a room for those two? They were keeping me up last night." Willow said, though the way she said it, it was clear that she didn't really care.
"I'll call him today." Buffy said and took the phone away from Dawn, who was watching it as though it would ring again.
Buffy dialed Xander's number and had a quick conversation with him. When she hung up the phone, she turned to Willow and said, "He said he'd come over later and look at the attic."
Willow nodded.
It didn't take Kellie long to get all the things on Buffy's list. By the time everything was bagged and paid for, the rain had stopped and the sun was peaking through the clouds. Kellie hefted all the bags and stumbled out of the store. She had to peak between bags just to see where she was going.
Halfway down the street, she stumbled and ran right into someone passing by. Kellie cried out in surprise as she dropped all the bags onto the wet pavement.
"I'm so sorry." Said the person she had run into. Kellie didn't look up as she dropped onto her hands and knees and began to scoop the things back into the tattered grocery bags.
It wasn't until the person she had run into started helping her pick up the scattered groceries that she looked up to see who it was. It was a boy who looked about her age, or Darry's age, with sandy-blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. His skin was tan and his muscles were well toned which made her believe that he played sports or worked out.
Once he saw that he had Kellie's attention, the boy smiled. "Sorry about that, really I should have been paying attention." He said.
Kellie was charmed by his smile, quite like Darry was charmed by Oz's smile. "It's okay, I guess I should have been paying more attention." Kellie said and lifted one of the bags.
"No, it's not your fault. I'll give you a hand with these things." He offered and lifted two of the bags.
Kellie picked up the other two. "I'd offer you my hand but it's kinda full right now, my name's Kevin Martini." The boy said.
Kellie smiled. "I'm Kellie Kennedy, new to the charming town of Sunny D." Kellie said.
Kevin smiled. "Well, that makes two of us." He said. "Where are you taking these?" He asked and motioned to the bags with his head.
"Oh, home; the friend that I'm staying with asked me if I'd run to the store and get these things." Kellie answered.
She and Kevin began walking down the sidewalk, chatting about nothing impractical as Kellie led the way to the Summers house. When they finally arrived, Oz's van was parked in the drive as well as Xander and Anya's car.
Kellie knocked on the kitchen door with her foot because she couldn't open the door with her hands. Dawn bounced over to the door and opened it; she glanced over at Kevin before reentering the house.
"Kellie's back!" Dawn yelled, telling everyone in the house that indeed Kellie had arrived. Anya ran into the kitchen and stopped short when she saw Kevin.
"Okay, someone I don't know." Anya said and slunk backward.
Buffy entered the kitchen once Anya said that and looked over at Kevin. She studied him. "Okay, hello new person." Buffy muttered and walked over to Kellie and took the bags.
"This is Kevin. Kevin this is Buffy and Anya and the rest of the household is in the other room I guess." Kellie said and introduced everyone.
Kevin set the bags on the counter and followed the other three into the living room to meet the rest of the Summers household.
"Kevin this my cousin Darry, this is Oz, that's Xander, that's Dawn, Buffy's sister. And everyone this is Kevin." Kellie said.
Darry waved 'hello' to Kevin and smiled. Kellie knew exactly what that smile meant: 'see I told you that there was someone better.' Kellie couldn't help but smile back. Darry was right, for once -as far as she knew-, and for once, she was happy that her cousin was right.
As the day progressed, Spike wished it would end. For, as soon as the sun went down, he could go to the Summers house and tell Kellie how he really felt about her. He had almost everything worked out and was currently working on tying up the lose ends in his head. His only problem would be if Buffy saw him before he got a chance to talk to Kellie and chased him away; after all, she made it perfectly clear that he wasn't to come near her house.
Spike looked out the window for what felt like the millionth time and sun still didn't look like it had gone down anymore then it had the last time he looked out the window. With a sigh, Spike turned away and began to recite the lines in his head once more.
As the sun finally began to sink in the sky, Kevin decided it was time for him to take his leave. Despite Kellie's protests. It appeared as though it was time for everyone who didn't live at the Summers house to leave as well. Anya, however, was in no mood to go because she wanted to eat at the Summers house because Xander was a horrible cook.
Darry and Oz said their goodbyes and were first to the door; when Oz opened it, he was surprised to see Spike standing on the stoop.
"Spike?" Darry said, her voice laced with distaste.
The vampire looked up at them, surprised to see them standing there. "Ah, yeah hi." He said and attempted to walk in. "Wanna invite me in?" Asked the vampire.
Buffy was by Darry's side in a split second. "No." She said sternly. "Spike get the hell out of here." Buffy commanded.
"Don't get your knickers in a twist I wanna speak to Kellie." Spike said and took a step back.
"She doesn't want to talk to you." Darry said and crossed her arms in front of her.
By this time, everyone had crowded around the door. When Kellie saw who was demanding everyone's attention, she felt her heart leapt into her throat.
"Spike? What are you doing here?" Kellie asked.
"Looking to speak to you actually. Now invite me in so I can have a word." Spike said and looked down at the ground.
Kevin peaked out from behind Anya and Xander. "Who's this guy?" Kevin asked.
"No one and he's just leaving." Kellie said and pushed her way up beside Darry and Buffy.
Spike brightened when he saw her. "Good Kellie, there you are. I need to talk to you." He said.
"I don't want to talk to you." Kellie said sternly.
Darry glanced over to her cousin, surprised at how much she was repelling Spike.
Kevin joined the group by the front door and pushed Darry back so he could get a better look at Spike. "Who is this guy Kellie?" Kevin asked.
Spike glared at him and then looked at Kellie. "Who's this guy?" He asked with strong distaste apparent.
Kellie looked back and forth from Spike to Kevin, not sure of what to tell either of them. "Spike this Kevin and he is my new…boyfriend." She said, not sure of how Kevin would take the news.
Kevin, however, didn't seem to mind what Kellie said and put his arm around her shoulders. "That's right, and I'm pegging you as the ex-boyfriend. Well, let me tell you, she doesn't want to talk to you so just go away." Kevin said, not sounded quiet as tough as he wanted to.
Apparently, Spike thought so too because he just started laughing. "Oh please and what are you going to do about it?" Spike asked.
Kevin looked surprised and then looked over at Buffy. "I'll deal with it Spike." Buffy said. "And you know what I'll do about it." She said, eyes narrowing.
"Was that a threat?" Spike asked, growling.
Dawn ran up to her sister. "Don't hurt him Buffy, he just wants to talk to Kellie." Dawn said and smiled at her sister.
"Well he's not gonna." Buffy said and glanced over at Spike.
Spike just rolled his eyes and then turned back to Kevin. "Okay, just take your mitts off her for a minute so I can talk to her." Spike said, attempting to be reasonable.
Kevin attempted to do a 'tough man' stance. "Oh yeah and what will you do if I don't?" Kevin asked.
"I'll beat you to a bloody pulp." Spike said. Buffy almost laughed at how funny it sounded and how 'scared' Kevin looked because he was the only one in the house who didn't know that Spike couldn't make good on his word.
"Oh yeah? Why don't you come on in and see who gets beat to a bloody pulp." Kevin said.
"No!" Buffy yelled but it was too late, Spike had been invited in.
Spike pushed Buffy and Darry aside (and got a slight head ache) as he entered the house. Kevin backed up, almost knocking Anya down. Kellie frowned and rolled her eyes. "Spike stop." She commanded. "This is insanity." She muttered.
Spike ,however, seemed to be more jealous then he let on (which meant he cared more about Kellie then he let on) so he ignored Kellie's words. He leapt at Kevin and tackled him to the ground. Both Anya and Kevin hit the ground and Anya rolled over on her side to get a better view of what was going on. Spike delivered a punch to Kevin's jaw; Kevin cried out in pain.
Kellie and Darry both leapt for Spike; the two pulled him off Kevin. "Spike what are you thinking?" Kellie exclaimed, appalled by the behavior of the vampire who she once thought was halfway decent.
Spike made for Kevin again but Darry punched him in the face, much like Buffy would do. Dawn winced when Spike staggered back, holding his noise.
"You little…" Spike growled and made for Darry, grabbing her arm. He cried out in pain and held his head. Darry rolled her eyes and hit Spike again.
Buffy decided to step in, surprised that Darry could hold her own as well as she did; however, Buffy didn't know how surprised she was because Darry was pretty tough, even when she wasn't a werewolf.
"Okay, that's enough of that Spike. He'd better leave before you get a migraine." Buffy suggested and grabbed him by the shoulders and shoved him out the door.
"Don't even think about coming back." Buffy cautioned, already making a metal list of the things needed for the spell that would keep Spike out.
Kellie walked up beside Buffy in the foyer. "Spike I never want to see you again. What were you thinking coming back here? I've already broken my heart once over you and I'm not going to do it again." Kellie said and slammed the door.
Darry looked over at her cousin, who was making her way over to where Kevin lay on the ground. She dropped to her knees beside him. "Are you alright Kevin?" She asked.
Kevin nodded and sat up. "I think so." He said and rubbed his jaw.
Darry glanced over at Oz, who was also looking at her. He walked over to Darry and put his hand on her shoulder. "Was that the kinda of 'healing' you wanted Kellie to do?" Oz asked.
Darry looked up at him. "She was sorta harsh, I guess. Maybe she really likes Kevin as much as she made it appear to Spike." Darry said, shrugging her shoulders.
Oz nodded. "And maybe Spike really likes Kellie as much as she liked him." Oz pointed out.
Darry raised an eyebrow. "You really think?" She asked.
Oz shrugged. "There's only one way to find out." Oz said.
Darry and Oz managed to slip out of the house without much of a problem, since everyone was fussing over Kevin and getting ingredients for the spell. They got into Oz's van and drove to the cemetery where Darry knew Spike kept up residence. Darry and Oz walked toward the crypt where Spike lived.
"Do we just knock on the door?" Darry asked.
Oz walked up and kicked the door open (it was a poorly made door since the crypt was so old) much like Buffy would have done. Darry shrugged. "That works too." She muttered.
Spike was sitting in one of the rotted chairs holding a rag up to his bloody nose. When Darry and Oz entered the crypt, the vampire looked up and grimaced when he saw whom it was.
"What, come to beat me up some more?" He asked and took the rag away from his nose.
Darry frowned. "I'm sorry Spike, it was just a spur of the moment thing." Darry apologized.
Spike shrugged. "So, what brings you to my humble abode?" Spike asked and stood up.
"It's about Kellie." Oz said and then looked over at Darry as to say 'you know more about this then me so you handle it from here.'
Spike nodded. "Oh yeah? Come to bring more tidings of good joy from the little bird are you?" Spike asked.
"Not really. I have a question to ask you and if you don't answer it truthfully I'm going to break your nose again." Darry said.
Spike frowned. "Really taking after the ol' Slayer aren't you?" Spike asked. "Go ahead, ask." He added.
"Do you really care that much about Kellie? That much that you had to beat up Kevin?" Darry asked.
Spike stared at her for a second. "Yeah I do; I came over to Buffy's house to reconcile with her but what do I get? A broken nose and a earful of cruel words." Spike said.
Darry frowned, Kellie had been a little harsh and now that she knew that Spike really cared for her it made the words even crueler. "I wish I knew something to tell you Spike. I can't very well say 'She'll get over Kevin and come back to you' because I don't know how true those words are." Darry said.
Oz decided to add his part. "I heard her cry over you last night, Spike. She really does care for you, she just needs to realize it." Oz said.
Darry smiled at him, he had just summed up everything that she wanted to say. "Exactly." Darry nodded.
Spike frowned. "I don't know if it'll be that easy." He muttered.
That night, after everyone had returned home, Anya sat at the kitchen counter of her and Xander's apartment. She was thinking as well as having a midnight snack; Xander was sound asleep in their bed, unaware that she had gone.
She was thinking about the events of the night at the Summers house. Kevin had a sore jaw from Spike's attack but when the vampire had tried to hit Darry he ended up with a headache. Anya attempted to put the pieces together and ended up with something like: Kevin=no headache; Darry =headache and broken nose.
It didn't make since, how could Spike hit Kevin with the chip in his head and be perfectly fine but the second he even touched Darry he got a headache as a reward.
The only way for that to be possible was if Kevin wasn't entirely human. Anya shook her head at that thought. Wouldn't that be stupid?
The next day, Kellie was in a better mood then the day before. She awoke to find that everyone else was already downstairs and eating breakfast. Dawn was telling Buffy, Darry and Willow about her date last night. Anya was also seated at the kitchen table, listening to Dawn's story as though she cared.
Kellie entered the kitchen with a little bounce in her step and a warm greeting for all in the kitchen. Darry didn't even have to ask what had gotten her cousin so happy because it was rather obvious. However, what was not obvious was why Anya had come to pay them a visit so early in the morning. She let on no reason to why she came; she was laughing and talking with Buffy and Dawn like she was a normal human. However, in the short time to Darry had known her, she had learned that if Anya came over there was something Anya wanted.
Anya had planned on telling Buffy about what she thought about Kevin when Kellie walked in. Plus, Dawn wouldn't shut up and let her get a word in anyway. Even if it was about saving the world and bringing down Sunnydale's demon population down.
Kellie walked over to the kitchen table and sat down beside Anya, who slightly inched away. What if Kevin was one of those demons that if you touched it then you would become the demon as well? Anya was already an ex-demon but she didn't want to be a different sort of demon so it was better to stay away from Kellie.
Kellie didn't seem to notice that Anya was backing away from her. She couldn't help but gush about the phone conversation that she had had with Kevin last night after he left. Willow and Darry had been forced to leave the room and sleep in the living room because Kellie wouldn't shut up so they could sleep.
Anya felt slightly sorry for Kellie, if Kevin did indeed turn out to be a demon. But then again, demons could make good partners sometimes, Anya thought, maybe Kevin was a good demon. Well, it looked as though she would never get a chance to tell Buffy, or anybody, about her suspicions about Kevin.
Someone entered the back kitchen door, startling everyone in the room. It was Oz and he was dragging along something covered in blanks and smoking slightly.
Buffy rolled her eyes because she knew exactly what Oz had with him. "Look what I found." Oz said deadpan and shoved Spike forward.
Spike peered out from behind the blankets and blinked. "Hello all, it's a beautiful sunny morning." Spike said, once again trying to be polite.
"Cut the crap Spike." Buffy said and stood up. "What part of 'don't ever come back' don't you understand?" Buffy asked.
Spike pushed back some of the blankets over his head, looking around. "I need to talk to you Kellie." He said sternly.
"Well, I don't want to talk to you. Just leave me alone." Kellie said and stood up and walked out of the kitchen.
Buffy, Willow, Anya, and Dawn followed Kellie out of the kitchen, leaving Oz and Darry alone with Spike. Spike frowned and looked over at Darry. "I know she still cares about me." He said, hoping that he sounded matter-oh-factly.
Oz shook his head and Darry couldn't help but agree, even after all that she had told Spike last night. "She really doesn't Spike, I think she really likes Kevin. He's more suited to her, don't you think?" Darry said, hoping she didn't sound harsh.
Spike shook his head. "No, she still cares about me." He said again.
"No and I'll prove it to you." Darry said and turned to face the entrance of the kitchen where she could see into the living room, where Kellie was sitting on the couch with Dawn. "Kellie, I accidentally killed Spike; that's okay right?" Darry yelled, hoping that Kellie heard her.
"Um…okay that's fine…whatever." Kellie called back.
Darry turned back to Spike and shrugged. "See." She said.
Spike couldn't hide his disappointment, though he tried. "Fine whatever." He muttered. "Just let me stay here so I don't burn in the sun." Spike said.
Darry shrugged. "Buffy would probably flip out if she knew you were here." Darry said and shrugged her shoulders as if to say 'sorry, can't help ya.'
Spike frowned again. Oz looked at the vampire. "I'll take you home or to your crypt or whatever Spike." He offered.
Spike shrugged. "Fine." He said.
Darry bid Oz and Spike goodbyes before going into the living room to join Kellie and the others. Only Dawn and Willow were with Kellie, Buffy and Anya were nowhere to be seen.
Anya had told Buffy that she needed to speak to her and led her into another room.
"Buffy, there's something I noticed about Kevin and Spike last night." Anya began.
"When?" Buffy asked.
"When they were fighting, that's the thing. Spike was exactly able to hit Kevin and not get a headache. When he hit Darry he did get a headache, see what I'm saying?" Anya said.
Buffy thought for a minute. "The only way Spike would be able to hit Kevin would be if Kevin wasn't human. If he was a….no, you don't think?" Buffy asked.
Anya shrugged. "It was just a thought that crossed my mind last night." She said.
Buffy nodded. "We need to keep a close eye on him, and Kellie, then." Buffy said. "She has a date with him tonight." Buffy remembered.
The next day it was raining in Sunnydale. It seemed as though everyone's sprits were down with the downpour. Except for Darry's. Kellie was depressed about the current situation at hand with Spike. Buffy was upset to think that Spike might be right about a new evil coming to Sunnydale and was feeling at a loss without Giles. Willow was depressed because she was starting to realize how much she missed Tara. Dawn was upset because Steven hadn't called her last night.
Darry, however, was in high sprits because Oz had promised to see her again today. Darry was surprised how much she liked Oz, after they had just met. She was also surprised that she was able to like him at all, after what had happened with her parents she had shut herself off. She never let anybody get near and she never let herself get near to anybody; just the way she liked it. However, there was something about Oz that was different; something that she just couldn't resist.
Buffy sat at the kitchen counter with her chin rested in the palms of her hands. Darry walked over to the blonde. "What's got ya down Buff?" She asked.
Buffy looked over at Darry. "Nothing, patrol was a bust last night, that's all." Buffy answered.
Dawn came tearing down the stairs with the phone in her hand. "It's him! It's Steven!" She yelled happily before taking her hand off the mouthpiece and greeting Steven on the other line.
Willow studied the teenager. "At least someone is happy. Ah, to be young again." Willow muttered.
Darry turned to her friend. "Will you listen to yourself? You're only twenty, there's still plenty of time to be excited about someone's phone call. I bet if you called Tara, she'd tell Miss Kitty Fantastico that it was you on the phone." Darry said.
"Yeah probably." Willow muttered and then did a double take. "How did you know about Miss Kitty?" She asked.
Darry blanched, remembering that she had promised Anya that she wouldn't tell Buffy or anybody about what happened at Amy's. "Uh, no reason." She said, looking away.
Dawn was chatting away to Steven on the phone, her features bright. "Yeah…that sounds like lots of fun. Really, great! Yeah…right…1630 Revello Drive. No, just my sister and some friends….yeah. Okay…sounds great. Bye." Dawn said and clicked the 'off' button on the phone.
"Well that sounded like an engaging conversation." Kellie muttered.
"Steven wants to take me to the movies tonight!" Dawn gushed and smiled.
"Happy for ya." Kellie muttered and banged her head against the kitchen table.
Darry studied her cousin, who was continuing banging her head. "Does that feel good?" Darry asked.
"Yes, it feels better then the pathetically large amount of pain I feel right now." Kellie answered and lifted her head.
"Okay." Darry muttered and walked over to her cousin. "Don't worry, it'll get better. It always gets better." Darry said.
"Whatever." Willow muttered, cluing herself in on the pain that Kellie felt was heartache.
"Okay, that's it; you people are ruining my good and optimistic mood. I'm getting outta here." Darry said and stood up.
"Where are you going?" Buffy asked.
"Oz's apartment." Darry answered.
"He gave you his apartment number?" Willow asked.
"Yeah, this morning on the phone." Darry answered and grabbed a jacket off the hook.
"He called?" Willow asked.
Darry frowned and fidgeted, not sure if she should answer that question because Willow seemed slightly upset. "Um, yeah." Darry said slowly and then covered her head with the raincoat hood. "Gotta go." She said and dashed out into the rain.
Kellie watched her cousin go and then thudded her head against the table again. Dawn glanced over at Kellie. "You shouldn't do that you know, it's not good for your head." Dawn remarked as Kellie continued to hit her head on the table.
Kellie looked up. "Don't you have somewhere to be?" She asked and frowned.
Dawn shook her head. "Not until 6:30 tonight." Dawn answered cheerily.
Buffy looked up at her sister. "You have to be back by 9:00." She muttered and turned away before Dawn could protest.
Kellie stood up and looked out the window at the rain. "It looks like its clearing up." She remarked.
Buffy checked over the pantry and then the cabinets. "Good, then you can go to the store and shop for me." Buffy said.
"Do you ever do your own shopping?" Willow asked, studying her friend.
"This is your house too and you don't do any shopping." Buffy said and began making a list of the things they needed.
When she was finished, she handed the list over to Kellie who didn't bother to read over it; she stuffed it into her pocket and put her jacket on. Without a backward glance, Kellie left the house and walked down the drive.
Willow turned to Buffy. "When are you going to talk to Xander about turning the attic into a room for those two? They were keeping me up last night." Willow said, though the way she said it, it was clear that she didn't really care.
"I'll call him today." Buffy said and took the phone away from Dawn, who was watching it as though it would ring again.
Buffy dialed Xander's number and had a quick conversation with him. When she hung up the phone, she turned to Willow and said, "He said he'd come over later and look at the attic."
Willow nodded.
It didn't take Kellie long to get all the things on Buffy's list. By the time everything was bagged and paid for, the rain had stopped and the sun was peaking through the clouds. Kellie hefted all the bags and stumbled out of the store. She had to peak between bags just to see where she was going.
Halfway down the street, she stumbled and ran right into someone passing by. Kellie cried out in surprise as she dropped all the bags onto the wet pavement.
"I'm so sorry." Said the person she had run into. Kellie didn't look up as she dropped onto her hands and knees and began to scoop the things back into the tattered grocery bags.
It wasn't until the person she had run into started helping her pick up the scattered groceries that she looked up to see who it was. It was a boy who looked about her age, or Darry's age, with sandy-blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. His skin was tan and his muscles were well toned which made her believe that he played sports or worked out.
Once he saw that he had Kellie's attention, the boy smiled. "Sorry about that, really I should have been paying attention." He said.
Kellie was charmed by his smile, quite like Darry was charmed by Oz's smile. "It's okay, I guess I should have been paying more attention." Kellie said and lifted one of the bags.
"No, it's not your fault. I'll give you a hand with these things." He offered and lifted two of the bags.
Kellie picked up the other two. "I'd offer you my hand but it's kinda full right now, my name's Kevin Martini." The boy said.
Kellie smiled. "I'm Kellie Kennedy, new to the charming town of Sunny D." Kellie said.
Kevin smiled. "Well, that makes two of us." He said. "Where are you taking these?" He asked and motioned to the bags with his head.
"Oh, home; the friend that I'm staying with asked me if I'd run to the store and get these things." Kellie answered.
She and Kevin began walking down the sidewalk, chatting about nothing impractical as Kellie led the way to the Summers house. When they finally arrived, Oz's van was parked in the drive as well as Xander and Anya's car.
Kellie knocked on the kitchen door with her foot because she couldn't open the door with her hands. Dawn bounced over to the door and opened it; she glanced over at Kevin before reentering the house.
"Kellie's back!" Dawn yelled, telling everyone in the house that indeed Kellie had arrived. Anya ran into the kitchen and stopped short when she saw Kevin.
"Okay, someone I don't know." Anya said and slunk backward.
Buffy entered the kitchen once Anya said that and looked over at Kevin. She studied him. "Okay, hello new person." Buffy muttered and walked over to Kellie and took the bags.
"This is Kevin. Kevin this is Buffy and Anya and the rest of the household is in the other room I guess." Kellie said and introduced everyone.
Kevin set the bags on the counter and followed the other three into the living room to meet the rest of the Summers household.
"Kevin this my cousin Darry, this is Oz, that's Xander, that's Dawn, Buffy's sister. And everyone this is Kevin." Kellie said.
Darry waved 'hello' to Kevin and smiled. Kellie knew exactly what that smile meant: 'see I told you that there was someone better.' Kellie couldn't help but smile back. Darry was right, for once -as far as she knew-, and for once, she was happy that her cousin was right.
As the day progressed, Spike wished it would end. For, as soon as the sun went down, he could go to the Summers house and tell Kellie how he really felt about her. He had almost everything worked out and was currently working on tying up the lose ends in his head. His only problem would be if Buffy saw him before he got a chance to talk to Kellie and chased him away; after all, she made it perfectly clear that he wasn't to come near her house.
Spike looked out the window for what felt like the millionth time and sun still didn't look like it had gone down anymore then it had the last time he looked out the window. With a sigh, Spike turned away and began to recite the lines in his head once more.
As the sun finally began to sink in the sky, Kevin decided it was time for him to take his leave. Despite Kellie's protests. It appeared as though it was time for everyone who didn't live at the Summers house to leave as well. Anya, however, was in no mood to go because she wanted to eat at the Summers house because Xander was a horrible cook.
Darry and Oz said their goodbyes and were first to the door; when Oz opened it, he was surprised to see Spike standing on the stoop.
"Spike?" Darry said, her voice laced with distaste.
The vampire looked up at them, surprised to see them standing there. "Ah, yeah hi." He said and attempted to walk in. "Wanna invite me in?" Asked the vampire.
Buffy was by Darry's side in a split second. "No." She said sternly. "Spike get the hell out of here." Buffy commanded.
"Don't get your knickers in a twist I wanna speak to Kellie." Spike said and took a step back.
"She doesn't want to talk to you." Darry said and crossed her arms in front of her.
By this time, everyone had crowded around the door. When Kellie saw who was demanding everyone's attention, she felt her heart leapt into her throat.
"Spike? What are you doing here?" Kellie asked.
"Looking to speak to you actually. Now invite me in so I can have a word." Spike said and looked down at the ground.
Kevin peaked out from behind Anya and Xander. "Who's this guy?" Kevin asked.
"No one and he's just leaving." Kellie said and pushed her way up beside Darry and Buffy.
Spike brightened when he saw her. "Good Kellie, there you are. I need to talk to you." He said.
"I don't want to talk to you." Kellie said sternly.
Darry glanced over to her cousin, surprised at how much she was repelling Spike.
Kevin joined the group by the front door and pushed Darry back so he could get a better look at Spike. "Who is this guy Kellie?" Kevin asked.
Spike glared at him and then looked at Kellie. "Who's this guy?" He asked with strong distaste apparent.
Kellie looked back and forth from Spike to Kevin, not sure of what to tell either of them. "Spike this Kevin and he is my new…boyfriend." She said, not sure of how Kevin would take the news.
Kevin, however, didn't seem to mind what Kellie said and put his arm around her shoulders. "That's right, and I'm pegging you as the ex-boyfriend. Well, let me tell you, she doesn't want to talk to you so just go away." Kevin said, not sounded quiet as tough as he wanted to.
Apparently, Spike thought so too because he just started laughing. "Oh please and what are you going to do about it?" Spike asked.
Kevin looked surprised and then looked over at Buffy. "I'll deal with it Spike." Buffy said. "And you know what I'll do about it." She said, eyes narrowing.
"Was that a threat?" Spike asked, growling.
Dawn ran up to her sister. "Don't hurt him Buffy, he just wants to talk to Kellie." Dawn said and smiled at her sister.
"Well he's not gonna." Buffy said and glanced over at Spike.
Spike just rolled his eyes and then turned back to Kevin. "Okay, just take your mitts off her for a minute so I can talk to her." Spike said, attempting to be reasonable.
Kevin attempted to do a 'tough man' stance. "Oh yeah and what will you do if I don't?" Kevin asked.
"I'll beat you to a bloody pulp." Spike said. Buffy almost laughed at how funny it sounded and how 'scared' Kevin looked because he was the only one in the house who didn't know that Spike couldn't make good on his word.
"Oh yeah? Why don't you come on in and see who gets beat to a bloody pulp." Kevin said.
"No!" Buffy yelled but it was too late, Spike had been invited in.
Spike pushed Buffy and Darry aside (and got a slight head ache) as he entered the house. Kevin backed up, almost knocking Anya down. Kellie frowned and rolled her eyes. "Spike stop." She commanded. "This is insanity." She muttered.
Spike ,however, seemed to be more jealous then he let on (which meant he cared more about Kellie then he let on) so he ignored Kellie's words. He leapt at Kevin and tackled him to the ground. Both Anya and Kevin hit the ground and Anya rolled over on her side to get a better view of what was going on. Spike delivered a punch to Kevin's jaw; Kevin cried out in pain.
Kellie and Darry both leapt for Spike; the two pulled him off Kevin. "Spike what are you thinking?" Kellie exclaimed, appalled by the behavior of the vampire who she once thought was halfway decent.
Spike made for Kevin again but Darry punched him in the face, much like Buffy would do. Dawn winced when Spike staggered back, holding his noise.
"You little…" Spike growled and made for Darry, grabbing her arm. He cried out in pain and held his head. Darry rolled her eyes and hit Spike again.
Buffy decided to step in, surprised that Darry could hold her own as well as she did; however, Buffy didn't know how surprised she was because Darry was pretty tough, even when she wasn't a werewolf.
"Okay, that's enough of that Spike. He'd better leave before you get a migraine." Buffy suggested and grabbed him by the shoulders and shoved him out the door.
"Don't even think about coming back." Buffy cautioned, already making a metal list of the things needed for the spell that would keep Spike out.
Kellie walked up beside Buffy in the foyer. "Spike I never want to see you again. What were you thinking coming back here? I've already broken my heart once over you and I'm not going to do it again." Kellie said and slammed the door.
Darry looked over at her cousin, who was making her way over to where Kevin lay on the ground. She dropped to her knees beside him. "Are you alright Kevin?" She asked.
Kevin nodded and sat up. "I think so." He said and rubbed his jaw.
Darry glanced over at Oz, who was also looking at her. He walked over to Darry and put his hand on her shoulder. "Was that the kinda of 'healing' you wanted Kellie to do?" Oz asked.
Darry looked up at him. "She was sorta harsh, I guess. Maybe she really likes Kevin as much as she made it appear to Spike." Darry said, shrugging her shoulders.
Oz nodded. "And maybe Spike really likes Kellie as much as she liked him." Oz pointed out.
Darry raised an eyebrow. "You really think?" She asked.
Oz shrugged. "There's only one way to find out." Oz said.
Darry and Oz managed to slip out of the house without much of a problem, since everyone was fussing over Kevin and getting ingredients for the spell. They got into Oz's van and drove to the cemetery where Darry knew Spike kept up residence. Darry and Oz walked toward the crypt where Spike lived.
"Do we just knock on the door?" Darry asked.
Oz walked up and kicked the door open (it was a poorly made door since the crypt was so old) much like Buffy would have done. Darry shrugged. "That works too." She muttered.
Spike was sitting in one of the rotted chairs holding a rag up to his bloody nose. When Darry and Oz entered the crypt, the vampire looked up and grimaced when he saw whom it was.
"What, come to beat me up some more?" He asked and took the rag away from his nose.
Darry frowned. "I'm sorry Spike, it was just a spur of the moment thing." Darry apologized.
Spike shrugged. "So, what brings you to my humble abode?" Spike asked and stood up.
"It's about Kellie." Oz said and then looked over at Darry as to say 'you know more about this then me so you handle it from here.'
Spike nodded. "Oh yeah? Come to bring more tidings of good joy from the little bird are you?" Spike asked.
"Not really. I have a question to ask you and if you don't answer it truthfully I'm going to break your nose again." Darry said.
Spike frowned. "Really taking after the ol' Slayer aren't you?" Spike asked. "Go ahead, ask." He added.
"Do you really care that much about Kellie? That much that you had to beat up Kevin?" Darry asked.
Spike stared at her for a second. "Yeah I do; I came over to Buffy's house to reconcile with her but what do I get? A broken nose and a earful of cruel words." Spike said.
Darry frowned, Kellie had been a little harsh and now that she knew that Spike really cared for her it made the words even crueler. "I wish I knew something to tell you Spike. I can't very well say 'She'll get over Kevin and come back to you' because I don't know how true those words are." Darry said.
Oz decided to add his part. "I heard her cry over you last night, Spike. She really does care for you, she just needs to realize it." Oz said.
Darry smiled at him, he had just summed up everything that she wanted to say. "Exactly." Darry nodded.
Spike frowned. "I don't know if it'll be that easy." He muttered.
That night, after everyone had returned home, Anya sat at the kitchen counter of her and Xander's apartment. She was thinking as well as having a midnight snack; Xander was sound asleep in their bed, unaware that she had gone.
She was thinking about the events of the night at the Summers house. Kevin had a sore jaw from Spike's attack but when the vampire had tried to hit Darry he ended up with a headache. Anya attempted to put the pieces together and ended up with something like: Kevin=no headache; Darry =headache and broken nose.
It didn't make since, how could Spike hit Kevin with the chip in his head and be perfectly fine but the second he even touched Darry he got a headache as a reward.
The only way for that to be possible was if Kevin wasn't entirely human. Anya shook her head at that thought. Wouldn't that be stupid?
The next day, Kellie was in a better mood then the day before. She awoke to find that everyone else was already downstairs and eating breakfast. Dawn was telling Buffy, Darry and Willow about her date last night. Anya was also seated at the kitchen table, listening to Dawn's story as though she cared.
Kellie entered the kitchen with a little bounce in her step and a warm greeting for all in the kitchen. Darry didn't even have to ask what had gotten her cousin so happy because it was rather obvious. However, what was not obvious was why Anya had come to pay them a visit so early in the morning. She let on no reason to why she came; she was laughing and talking with Buffy and Dawn like she was a normal human. However, in the short time to Darry had known her, she had learned that if Anya came over there was something Anya wanted.
Anya had planned on telling Buffy about what she thought about Kevin when Kellie walked in. Plus, Dawn wouldn't shut up and let her get a word in anyway. Even if it was about saving the world and bringing down Sunnydale's demon population down.
Kellie walked over to the kitchen table and sat down beside Anya, who slightly inched away. What if Kevin was one of those demons that if you touched it then you would become the demon as well? Anya was already an ex-demon but she didn't want to be a different sort of demon so it was better to stay away from Kellie.
Kellie didn't seem to notice that Anya was backing away from her. She couldn't help but gush about the phone conversation that she had had with Kevin last night after he left. Willow and Darry had been forced to leave the room and sleep in the living room because Kellie wouldn't shut up so they could sleep.
Anya felt slightly sorry for Kellie, if Kevin did indeed turn out to be a demon. But then again, demons could make good partners sometimes, Anya thought, maybe Kevin was a good demon. Well, it looked as though she would never get a chance to tell Buffy, or anybody, about her suspicions about Kevin.
Someone entered the back kitchen door, startling everyone in the room. It was Oz and he was dragging along something covered in blanks and smoking slightly.
Buffy rolled her eyes because she knew exactly what Oz had with him. "Look what I found." Oz said deadpan and shoved Spike forward.
Spike peered out from behind the blankets and blinked. "Hello all, it's a beautiful sunny morning." Spike said, once again trying to be polite.
"Cut the crap Spike." Buffy said and stood up. "What part of 'don't ever come back' don't you understand?" Buffy asked.
Spike pushed back some of the blankets over his head, looking around. "I need to talk to you Kellie." He said sternly.
"Well, I don't want to talk to you. Just leave me alone." Kellie said and stood up and walked out of the kitchen.
Buffy, Willow, Anya, and Dawn followed Kellie out of the kitchen, leaving Oz and Darry alone with Spike. Spike frowned and looked over at Darry. "I know she still cares about me." He said, hoping that he sounded matter-oh-factly.
Oz shook his head and Darry couldn't help but agree, even after all that she had told Spike last night. "She really doesn't Spike, I think she really likes Kevin. He's more suited to her, don't you think?" Darry said, hoping she didn't sound harsh.
Spike shook his head. "No, she still cares about me." He said again.
"No and I'll prove it to you." Darry said and turned to face the entrance of the kitchen where she could see into the living room, where Kellie was sitting on the couch with Dawn. "Kellie, I accidentally killed Spike; that's okay right?" Darry yelled, hoping that Kellie heard her.
"Um…okay that's fine…whatever." Kellie called back.
Darry turned back to Spike and shrugged. "See." She said.
Spike couldn't hide his disappointment, though he tried. "Fine whatever." He muttered. "Just let me stay here so I don't burn in the sun." Spike said.
Darry shrugged. "Buffy would probably flip out if she knew you were here." Darry said and shrugged her shoulders as if to say 'sorry, can't help ya.'
Spike frowned again. Oz looked at the vampire. "I'll take you home or to your crypt or whatever Spike." He offered.
Spike shrugged. "Fine." He said.
Darry bid Oz and Spike goodbyes before going into the living room to join Kellie and the others. Only Dawn and Willow were with Kellie, Buffy and Anya were nowhere to be seen.
Anya had told Buffy that she needed to speak to her and led her into another room.
"Buffy, there's something I noticed about Kevin and Spike last night." Anya began.
"When?" Buffy asked.
"When they were fighting, that's the thing. Spike was exactly able to hit Kevin and not get a headache. When he hit Darry he did get a headache, see what I'm saying?" Anya said.
Buffy thought for a minute. "The only way Spike would be able to hit Kevin would be if Kevin wasn't human. If he was a….no, you don't think?" Buffy asked.
Anya shrugged. "It was just a thought that crossed my mind last night." She said.
Buffy nodded. "We need to keep a close eye on him, and Kellie, then." Buffy said. "She has a date with him tonight." Buffy remembered.
