Start Chapter 9.
Ok, I own nothing. Get it yet? Chapter nine, the Aftermath. haha. To... Will, thanks for liking this. AND TO!!!!!
Everyone pay attention here.
TigerWolf- for reviewing my story 4 times.
Arwen for reviewing my story three times.
And for Raven, who's read most of my Buffy stories. You have no idea how much I appreciate you all.
Ok, if you liked this story, you may like my next one, it is a typical story with a little twist of lime for added flavor, and a bit of Wild Turkey, to take the edge off. I'll prolly post it in maybe three or four PARTS. Not chapters. Please review it. It is my baby. I love it.
Walking hand in hand into the Summer's home, Spike knew that buttering toast was not all he had to look forward to. He also knew he had to wait till Dawn got him to see to the rest of his restless thoughts.
He looked at Buffy, who had been quietly contemplative since they got to her sidewalk.
"Whatcha thinkin', luv?"
"That I'm still comfortable with you. I don't feel sick nervous. And I feel waaaay overdressed for the decor in this room."
Pulling Buffy close and nuzzling at her throat, his hands worked their way to the back of her dress, pulled the lace. "I can fix *that*."
She pushed him back, giving him a reprimanding look. "Spike! It is..." She glanced at the clock in the hall. "One thirty? Wow... we spent so much time... at your place."
"Yeah..." He nuzzled her throat again, biting her softly with still blunted teeth. "We've got a half an hour..." His hand grabbed her hip, pulled her up closer to him. "We've done worse for time."
"..." Her mouth worked, but her voice didn't. "Spike... Dawn could walk in-"
"But she won't... I promise..." To cut off her half-hearted protests, he claimed her mouth, his lips playing first harshly, then gently against hers.
Neither heard the door creak open, twin laughter die on young lips.
"Oh. My. God. I SO KNEW IT!!!!"
Buffy yanked herself from Spike, her green eyes huge, and shocked.
Dawn crowed. "Ohhhh YEAH! I knew it! Sp- Will!" She glanced at Andrew, who looked a little embarrassed, and trying not to laugh.
Spike looked at Buffy. They both knew this wasn't a joke anymore. It was a foundation. A beginning. A chance. A choice.
Buffy took Spike's hand, looked at Dawn. "I love you, Dawnie."
She sensed the mood change. "I love you, too." She reached for Andrew's hand, slightly worried.
He grasped Dawn's hand, his thumb rubbing over the top of it comfortingly.
"Sp- William and I... I love him, Dawnie. And he makes me happy. I want... I want to keep him. In the daytime."
Dawn flung herself at Buffy, and reached out for Spike. The three hugged, and Andrew smiled, knowing there were things he didn't understand... But even a fool would be able to sense the love this room was handing out like party favors.
Finally Buffy pulled out her sister's choke-hold. "You're home early."
Dawn laughed. "We just got back from Wal-Mart."
"What?"
"Yeah. We had a beanbag race down the aisle, it was fun."
"Only cuz you won," Andrew griped loudly.
"Well, mate," Spike clapped him on the shoulder. "Get used to losing. If you make the terms of surrender appropriate, it's not really that bad after all."
After receiving 'looks' from both ladies, he attempted to rush the two teenagers back out to the porch. "I'm sure your little bits are waiting up."
As Dawn lay in her bed, rehashing the nights events, on the brink of sleep, Buffy poked her head in.
"Did you have a good night, Dawnie?"
"Mmmm... It was the best... I love you."
"Love you, too."
"Buffy?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you and Spike keep it down, please? I really need to sleep."
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Good night Dawn."
Spike stayed on the couch. He wasn't happy about it. But he would do it.
The next morning, Buffy shook them all awake two hours before the Scoobies arrived. Dawn eyed her evilly.
"Do you KNOW what time it is?" She sounded slightly possessed, and Spike took a cautious step back, should the Niblet explode and green insides splatter the wall. He didn't want caught in THAT crossfire. Goo took forever to get out of clothes.
Buffy clanged pans to the stove top, and took a deep nervous breath. "We're telling the Scoobies today, Dawn."
"That you're a vicious evil woman? We already knew. Big newsflash. I'm going back to bed."
"That I love Spike."
Dawn froze on her way to the stairs. "We're telling? We're TELLING!? Xander?"
She trembled slightly... Give her Glory, any day, over Xander's hatred of Spike. "Yes."
"Good. Asshole."
Startled, Buffy just stared at her sister.
"Dawn!" Spike's voice boomed reproachfully. The way it filled the room was slightly scary. Like getting sent to the principal's office for... no.... No. They didn't know that yet. 'Keep your mouth shut,' Dawn told herself.
"What?" She tried to look at him coolly. And failed.
"Harris may be a stupid whelp, but he'd give his life for you or your big sis without a moment's notice. He helped take care of you while Buffy was gone, and he takes you to school every morning. You will speak more respectfully."
She opened her mouth in protest.
"Not. A. Word. Unless. It's. Respectful."
She nodded meekly. Then said in one quick breath, "But it just pisses me off that he's so holier-than-thou, when really... I mean... Anya's been doing evil sooooo much longer than Spike. I mean face it." She looked at him. "You were a Big Bad. But only 'cuz you killed Slayers. Anya'd tear off your delicates in one sweep and send you to a dimension where you have to use them for fishing bait for six eternities."
Silence engulfed the kitchen as Buffy noted the logic of her sister's argument, and Spike winced, his hand slowly moving down his pant front, his hand trembling as he thought of the horror of that statement.
"All right. You've made your point. Now be nice and set the table."
The Scoobies arrived, and Buffy served the biscuits, gravy and eggs, feeling very jittery. Spike was quiet, a rarity for him, and Dawn spilt her orange juice twice.
"Ok... Um... With the quietness and weird vibes." Xander tried to crack a joke.
Buffy laughed half-heartedly. Then, "We need to have a Scooby meeting."
"What up, Buff? New big bad?" Willow grinned engagingly.
"No... Well... Kind of... No. Not new big bad. I need to talk. And you all aren't allowed until I'm finished."
"But," Anya interjected, "What if we have a question? Should we be taking notes?"
"No... Umm..." Buffy glanced at Spike, who simply arched his scarred eyebrow and shrugged, a definite 'up to you' gesture. He loved the bint, but he was sick of it. If she was serious, now was the time. The only thing he wondered at was if she could do it, and how self-righteous Harris would be.
Buffy sighed angrily. "This is ridiculous. I've been sleeping with Spike. I refuse to apologize for my personal life, especially when it will NOT be bringing on an apocalypse. I love Spike. He stays." Her gaze drifted to Xander. "You two want to have pissing matches, fine. But there will be no 'evil' shit anymore."
Xander sat, his mouth opening and closing. "You two SLEPT together!? Noooo..."
Willow perked up, reaching her hand palm up across the table. "I believe that will be.. oh... fifty dollars, Mr. Harris."
"You BET on my sex life??"
"Oh yes," Anya told her. "Willow and I thought you two have been fu- having lots of sex for about a month now. We won. And now, he will be my slave. And Willow's." The ex-demon frowned. "In a non-sexual way."
"I... Wait. No. *No.* HOW can you be in love with that? For the record, I say, EVIL. Bad. BIG bad. VAMPIRE." He spoke more slowly. "Vam-pi-er... Remember the fangy things. I vant to suck your bloooood." He made sucking noises in his throat, sucking his bottom lip under his top row of teeth, giving a ridiculous impression of a mentally handicapped vampire on acid.
"I'm evil." A very quiet Anya spoke up.
"What? An, you are not. Not anymore."
"Neither is Spike," Buffy said, a bit defensively. Under the table, Spike's hand gripped her knee, rubbing it reassuringly.
"No... Xander... You go on about the evil thing all the time. And it's not funny. I have been alive for over a thousand years. Doing terrible things to people. Terrible. And half of the people I tortured... I can't even remember their names or faces. I have killed, and maimed, and terrorized more people than Spike could ever dream of. So... if Spike is unacceptable to love... I must be, too."
"Anya! HE SUCKS BLOOD!"
"And I sucked souls. Which is a more grievous offense, do you think? I love you, but sometimes you are such a bitch. And here's something else. He can't bite people. And even if he could, for Buffy, and Dawn, I think he wouldn't. I like him. Him and me and Tara. We know we're loved... but we'll never be original Scoobies. We're the second string Wonder Team. He looks out for people."
Xander was floundering. "He can't change." He was desperate, he knew.
"Then I guess neither can I." Anya stood and grabbed her purse. "Watch out everyone. I might punish you. I'm a vengeance demon you know. Evil evil evil."
Xander grabbed her arm. "You're not. You're mine. I love you. I'd do anything for you, and you are a good and decent human being."
"Then give Spike a chance, Xander. I got one. He deserves the same."
That night, Xander slammed into Spike's crypt with two bottles, and two shot glasses.
"Can I bloody well help you?" Spike looked up from painting his nails black.
"We need to talk. And I figure the alcohol will speed the process."
"Well then. Sounds good to me."
"I just don't want Buffy hurt. I want her to have normal. And you tried to kill me!" Xander Harris was past drunk. He was past smashed. He was past bombed. There was no word in any of the three earthly and twelve demon languages Spike knew to describe how trashed Xander was. Of course, he was on his way, too.
"I don't want her hurt either, mate. She can't have normal. And, hell yes, I tried to kill you. You're an annoying little pisser."
"I am, too!" Xander said argumentatively.
"Are not."
"Anya kicked me out. Oooooooh boy. Am I missing the sex and cuddles. So I thought. Who's to blame for this? Why, Shpike is. So, I says, I'll visit him. Ya know, this one time, Anya-"
The night passed, each regaling the other with tales of Buffy or Anya. How they were alike. Different. Finally, Xander asked, "Does she laugh with you?"
Spike stopped, thought. "Yeah. Her fair share. I love to see her smile. And laugh. Visible, audible sunshine..."
That sealed it for him. "You're not good enough for Buffy. But no one is. She's perfect. Not really, but she's my best friend. So... Keep her safe, Spike. Her, and her heart, and Dawn. Us Scoobies... we've got your back."
"I know mate. Now get on back to Anya. Tell her we played nice."
Stumbling to the door of Spike's crypt, Xander turned, a confused look on his face. "We still hate each other, right?"
"Oh, completely. Wouldn't have it any other way, you pitiful whelp."
"Yeah... up yours, Grateful Dead."
And both walked away smiling.
The morning was dawning, and so was the future, and for now, it looked like the day. Bright and warm. Just another week on the Hellmouth.
End, Chapter Nine.
Ok, kiddies! I guess that's all. I wasn't sure how to end that. But.. that's as good as it's getting. Maybe. For now, anyway, cuz I want to concentrate on "Convoluted". Part one should be up in a day or two. I really hoped you guys liked this one. There could be more later, if y'all really want it. But I apologize for the awkward flow of this story, if it reads oddly to you. R&R.
Always.
Tequila Sunrise
Ok, I own nothing. Get it yet? Chapter nine, the Aftermath. haha. To... Will, thanks for liking this. AND TO!!!!!
Everyone pay attention here.
TigerWolf- for reviewing my story 4 times.
Arwen for reviewing my story three times.
And for Raven, who's read most of my Buffy stories. You have no idea how much I appreciate you all.
Ok, if you liked this story, you may like my next one, it is a typical story with a little twist of lime for added flavor, and a bit of Wild Turkey, to take the edge off. I'll prolly post it in maybe three or four PARTS. Not chapters. Please review it. It is my baby. I love it.
Walking hand in hand into the Summer's home, Spike knew that buttering toast was not all he had to look forward to. He also knew he had to wait till Dawn got him to see to the rest of his restless thoughts.
He looked at Buffy, who had been quietly contemplative since they got to her sidewalk.
"Whatcha thinkin', luv?"
"That I'm still comfortable with you. I don't feel sick nervous. And I feel waaaay overdressed for the decor in this room."
Pulling Buffy close and nuzzling at her throat, his hands worked their way to the back of her dress, pulled the lace. "I can fix *that*."
She pushed him back, giving him a reprimanding look. "Spike! It is..." She glanced at the clock in the hall. "One thirty? Wow... we spent so much time... at your place."
"Yeah..." He nuzzled her throat again, biting her softly with still blunted teeth. "We've got a half an hour..." His hand grabbed her hip, pulled her up closer to him. "We've done worse for time."
"..." Her mouth worked, but her voice didn't. "Spike... Dawn could walk in-"
"But she won't... I promise..." To cut off her half-hearted protests, he claimed her mouth, his lips playing first harshly, then gently against hers.
Neither heard the door creak open, twin laughter die on young lips.
"Oh. My. God. I SO KNEW IT!!!!"
Buffy yanked herself from Spike, her green eyes huge, and shocked.
Dawn crowed. "Ohhhh YEAH! I knew it! Sp- Will!" She glanced at Andrew, who looked a little embarrassed, and trying not to laugh.
Spike looked at Buffy. They both knew this wasn't a joke anymore. It was a foundation. A beginning. A chance. A choice.
Buffy took Spike's hand, looked at Dawn. "I love you, Dawnie."
She sensed the mood change. "I love you, too." She reached for Andrew's hand, slightly worried.
He grasped Dawn's hand, his thumb rubbing over the top of it comfortingly.
"Sp- William and I... I love him, Dawnie. And he makes me happy. I want... I want to keep him. In the daytime."
Dawn flung herself at Buffy, and reached out for Spike. The three hugged, and Andrew smiled, knowing there were things he didn't understand... But even a fool would be able to sense the love this room was handing out like party favors.
Finally Buffy pulled out her sister's choke-hold. "You're home early."
Dawn laughed. "We just got back from Wal-Mart."
"What?"
"Yeah. We had a beanbag race down the aisle, it was fun."
"Only cuz you won," Andrew griped loudly.
"Well, mate," Spike clapped him on the shoulder. "Get used to losing. If you make the terms of surrender appropriate, it's not really that bad after all."
After receiving 'looks' from both ladies, he attempted to rush the two teenagers back out to the porch. "I'm sure your little bits are waiting up."
As Dawn lay in her bed, rehashing the nights events, on the brink of sleep, Buffy poked her head in.
"Did you have a good night, Dawnie?"
"Mmmm... It was the best... I love you."
"Love you, too."
"Buffy?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you and Spike keep it down, please? I really need to sleep."
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Good night Dawn."
Spike stayed on the couch. He wasn't happy about it. But he would do it.
The next morning, Buffy shook them all awake two hours before the Scoobies arrived. Dawn eyed her evilly.
"Do you KNOW what time it is?" She sounded slightly possessed, and Spike took a cautious step back, should the Niblet explode and green insides splatter the wall. He didn't want caught in THAT crossfire. Goo took forever to get out of clothes.
Buffy clanged pans to the stove top, and took a deep nervous breath. "We're telling the Scoobies today, Dawn."
"That you're a vicious evil woman? We already knew. Big newsflash. I'm going back to bed."
"That I love Spike."
Dawn froze on her way to the stairs. "We're telling? We're TELLING!? Xander?"
She trembled slightly... Give her Glory, any day, over Xander's hatred of Spike. "Yes."
"Good. Asshole."
Startled, Buffy just stared at her sister.
"Dawn!" Spike's voice boomed reproachfully. The way it filled the room was slightly scary. Like getting sent to the principal's office for... no.... No. They didn't know that yet. 'Keep your mouth shut,' Dawn told herself.
"What?" She tried to look at him coolly. And failed.
"Harris may be a stupid whelp, but he'd give his life for you or your big sis without a moment's notice. He helped take care of you while Buffy was gone, and he takes you to school every morning. You will speak more respectfully."
She opened her mouth in protest.
"Not. A. Word. Unless. It's. Respectful."
She nodded meekly. Then said in one quick breath, "But it just pisses me off that he's so holier-than-thou, when really... I mean... Anya's been doing evil sooooo much longer than Spike. I mean face it." She looked at him. "You were a Big Bad. But only 'cuz you killed Slayers. Anya'd tear off your delicates in one sweep and send you to a dimension where you have to use them for fishing bait for six eternities."
Silence engulfed the kitchen as Buffy noted the logic of her sister's argument, and Spike winced, his hand slowly moving down his pant front, his hand trembling as he thought of the horror of that statement.
"All right. You've made your point. Now be nice and set the table."
The Scoobies arrived, and Buffy served the biscuits, gravy and eggs, feeling very jittery. Spike was quiet, a rarity for him, and Dawn spilt her orange juice twice.
"Ok... Um... With the quietness and weird vibes." Xander tried to crack a joke.
Buffy laughed half-heartedly. Then, "We need to have a Scooby meeting."
"What up, Buff? New big bad?" Willow grinned engagingly.
"No... Well... Kind of... No. Not new big bad. I need to talk. And you all aren't allowed until I'm finished."
"But," Anya interjected, "What if we have a question? Should we be taking notes?"
"No... Umm..." Buffy glanced at Spike, who simply arched his scarred eyebrow and shrugged, a definite 'up to you' gesture. He loved the bint, but he was sick of it. If she was serious, now was the time. The only thing he wondered at was if she could do it, and how self-righteous Harris would be.
Buffy sighed angrily. "This is ridiculous. I've been sleeping with Spike. I refuse to apologize for my personal life, especially when it will NOT be bringing on an apocalypse. I love Spike. He stays." Her gaze drifted to Xander. "You two want to have pissing matches, fine. But there will be no 'evil' shit anymore."
Xander sat, his mouth opening and closing. "You two SLEPT together!? Noooo..."
Willow perked up, reaching her hand palm up across the table. "I believe that will be.. oh... fifty dollars, Mr. Harris."
"You BET on my sex life??"
"Oh yes," Anya told her. "Willow and I thought you two have been fu- having lots of sex for about a month now. We won. And now, he will be my slave. And Willow's." The ex-demon frowned. "In a non-sexual way."
"I... Wait. No. *No.* HOW can you be in love with that? For the record, I say, EVIL. Bad. BIG bad. VAMPIRE." He spoke more slowly. "Vam-pi-er... Remember the fangy things. I vant to suck your bloooood." He made sucking noises in his throat, sucking his bottom lip under his top row of teeth, giving a ridiculous impression of a mentally handicapped vampire on acid.
"I'm evil." A very quiet Anya spoke up.
"What? An, you are not. Not anymore."
"Neither is Spike," Buffy said, a bit defensively. Under the table, Spike's hand gripped her knee, rubbing it reassuringly.
"No... Xander... You go on about the evil thing all the time. And it's not funny. I have been alive for over a thousand years. Doing terrible things to people. Terrible. And half of the people I tortured... I can't even remember their names or faces. I have killed, and maimed, and terrorized more people than Spike could ever dream of. So... if Spike is unacceptable to love... I must be, too."
"Anya! HE SUCKS BLOOD!"
"And I sucked souls. Which is a more grievous offense, do you think? I love you, but sometimes you are such a bitch. And here's something else. He can't bite people. And even if he could, for Buffy, and Dawn, I think he wouldn't. I like him. Him and me and Tara. We know we're loved... but we'll never be original Scoobies. We're the second string Wonder Team. He looks out for people."
Xander was floundering. "He can't change." He was desperate, he knew.
"Then I guess neither can I." Anya stood and grabbed her purse. "Watch out everyone. I might punish you. I'm a vengeance demon you know. Evil evil evil."
Xander grabbed her arm. "You're not. You're mine. I love you. I'd do anything for you, and you are a good and decent human being."
"Then give Spike a chance, Xander. I got one. He deserves the same."
That night, Xander slammed into Spike's crypt with two bottles, and two shot glasses.
"Can I bloody well help you?" Spike looked up from painting his nails black.
"We need to talk. And I figure the alcohol will speed the process."
"Well then. Sounds good to me."
"I just don't want Buffy hurt. I want her to have normal. And you tried to kill me!" Xander Harris was past drunk. He was past smashed. He was past bombed. There was no word in any of the three earthly and twelve demon languages Spike knew to describe how trashed Xander was. Of course, he was on his way, too.
"I don't want her hurt either, mate. She can't have normal. And, hell yes, I tried to kill you. You're an annoying little pisser."
"I am, too!" Xander said argumentatively.
"Are not."
"Anya kicked me out. Oooooooh boy. Am I missing the sex and cuddles. So I thought. Who's to blame for this? Why, Shpike is. So, I says, I'll visit him. Ya know, this one time, Anya-"
The night passed, each regaling the other with tales of Buffy or Anya. How they were alike. Different. Finally, Xander asked, "Does she laugh with you?"
Spike stopped, thought. "Yeah. Her fair share. I love to see her smile. And laugh. Visible, audible sunshine..."
That sealed it for him. "You're not good enough for Buffy. But no one is. She's perfect. Not really, but she's my best friend. So... Keep her safe, Spike. Her, and her heart, and Dawn. Us Scoobies... we've got your back."
"I know mate. Now get on back to Anya. Tell her we played nice."
Stumbling to the door of Spike's crypt, Xander turned, a confused look on his face. "We still hate each other, right?"
"Oh, completely. Wouldn't have it any other way, you pitiful whelp."
"Yeah... up yours, Grateful Dead."
And both walked away smiling.
The morning was dawning, and so was the future, and for now, it looked like the day. Bright and warm. Just another week on the Hellmouth.
End, Chapter Nine.
Ok, kiddies! I guess that's all. I wasn't sure how to end that. But.. that's as good as it's getting. Maybe. For now, anyway, cuz I want to concentrate on "Convoluted". Part one should be up in a day or two. I really hoped you guys liked this one. There could be more later, if y'all really want it. But I apologize for the awkward flow of this story, if it reads oddly to you. R&R.
Always.
Tequila Sunrise