Title: Welcome Back, Kotter… I Mean, Spike
Summary: Homecoming time
Spoilers: Post "As You Were"; goes off on a tangent from there!
Pairing: Who do you think? B/S!
Rating: PG-13, I guess.
Disclaimer: You know the deal. Even though I wish I owned Spike, I own nothing. All belongs to Joss. I just play.
One Week Later… About 9:00 p.m.
"Please?"
"No way, Spike."
"PLEASE?"
"For the last time, NO!"
"Come on, luv. It's tradition!"
Buffy rolled her eyes to the sky, as if there was someone who would help her.
"Come on. You know I'll just keep on driving in circles until I get my way."
She sighed and shook her head. "I know." Throwing her hands in the air in defeat, she said, "Fine! I guess it's late enough for people not to notice until tomorrow."
Spike grinned. "I love you, Buffy."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," she grumbled in reply. Looking over at his smiling face, she immediately softened her demeanor. Buffy hadn't' seen him this happy since... well, she's never seen him this happy. He was practically giddy. "I love you too, Spike. Now look out, here it is!"
Spike gunned the engine. "YEEE HAAAW!" he yelled as he crashed over the 'WELCOME TO SUNNYDALE' sign. "Home sweet home!"
Buffy raised and eyebrow questioningly at him and tried to contain the giggles that where threatening to escape.
"What?" he asked.
"Spike, did you just yell 'Yee Haw'?"
"Yes. Never speak of it again."
******
They stood outside the Summers' residence.
"Why aren't we going inside?"
"I don't know if I can do this, luv," Spike said.
Okay this was a first. "Why not? What's wrong," Buffy asked, confused.
"I just can't. They're all gonna try to dust me or something."
Buffy just laughed at him, relaxing. "Is that all you're worried about?"
"'Is that all?'" he repeated. "First off, Dawn's going to beat the living hell out of me for leaving her the minute I walk through that door!"
"Well, yeah she's mad, but after a slap or two, she'll drown you in hugs and kisses," she said with a smile.
"I'm glad you find my impending death so amusing."
"Stop exaggerating."
"I am not. Well, if Dawn doesn't kill me, then Red'll curse me for sure."
"You already talked to Willow! Did she sound like she wanted to do you bodily harm?"
"What about Tara?"
"Duh! Tara practically shoved me out the door to get you back!"
"Okay, I know Tara likes me. That was a bit much. But Xander. Xander will definitely try to stake me!"
"I wouldn't worry about him. He had what alcoholics call a moment of clarity. You make me happy and that's all that matters. That and the fact I'll kick his ass if he tries to hurt you."
"Oh really?"
"Mmmmhmmmm," she replied, linking arms with him. "So the only thing you actually have to worry about is Anya talking you to death. There's no avoiding that."
They both laughed at that. "Listen," Buffy continued, "I'm scared too. But they've all been okay with this for a while now. And I've realized it doesn't matter what they think. It's what I think. And if they don't like my decisions, then they aren't really my friends."
"Have I told you today how much I love you?"
"Not in the past 5 minutes, no."
Spike grinned and leaned down to press a soft kiss to Buffy's lips. "Let's do this."
*****
"Hey everyone, we're home," Buffy called upon entering the house. They dropped their bags in the hallway and walked into the living room where they found Dawn watching TV.
"Hey sweetie."
"Hiya nibblet," Spike said, shyly.
"Buffy! Glad you're finally home," Dawn replied, giving her a hug. "William," she said, turning to the vampire.
The last thought that Spike had before he felt Dawn clobber him in the stomach was 'Oh shit. Nothing good happens when a Summers' girl calls me 'William' in that tone of voice.'
"You slimy, no good, two-faced, son of a bitch vampire! How could you leave us like that!"
"Oh dear," was all Buffy said as she watched Spike double over in pain while Dawn ranted. "Let's get you on the couch. Sit down."
"I suddenly… have the need… for air…" he gasped. "Oh shit," he muttered as Dawn once again loomed over him. He covered his head with his arms to ward off any more blows she might deliver. Instead, she curled up on his lap and fiercely wrapped her arms around his neck. "I missed you so much! Don't you ever do that again!"
"Wouldn't even think of it, bit."
"Huh? What? What'd we miss?" Xander said as the rest of the gang arrived in the living room.
"Just Dawn beating on Spike," Buffy replied.
"You couldn't have waited 2 more minutes? I would have paid good money to see that!"
"Shut up, Xander."
"Shut up, Xander."
"Shut up, whelp."
"Well, can I at least make fun of him for singing in
public? I've been waiting for weeks to
do that!"
Dawn rolled her eyes and leaned over to whisper something in Spike's ear.
"Alexander Leville Harris!! I swear--" Anya began to admonish, but was cut off by the grinning vampire.
"What's this I hear about me doing push-ups?"
"Oh no, not again," Xander groaned as he rushed towards the bathroom.
"Dawn, what did we tell you," Willow scolded.
"I know, I know, but at least he'll fit into his tux for the wedding!"
"Oy vey."
Buffy just had a confused look on her face. "I missed something again, didn't I?"
"Actually, luv, you didn't miss a thing," Spike said, smirking.
"Don't worry," Dawn said. "I'll explain it all later."
*****
"….. and Cecelia is going to come by for a few days next week to drop off the car. Plus she wants to meet everyone."
"How come you just didn't drive home, Buffy," Anya asked.
Everyone laughed at her question. "It's bad enough she insisted on driving to L.A. by herself!" Willow replied.
"We needed to get her off the street as soon as possible before she started killing people," Spike agreed.
"Hey, I'm not that bad!" Buffy pouted.
They all just looked at her. "Okay, okay! I guess failing the test 3 times constitutes as bad!"
"S'okay, luv. You're foray into that territory just proves how much you love me," Spike said, putting his arm around her shoulder.
"Yeah yeah," she grumbled. "Anyway, I hate to break this party up, but I'm exhausted and someone has school in the morning…"
"Fine," Dawn said, rolling her eyes. "Point taken. Goodnight all." She gave Spike another hug. "I'm so glad you're home," she whispered in his ear.
"Me too, bit. Me too."
"Well," Anya said, getting up, "I'm glad you're back and I'm glad Buffy is finally getting with the touch feelys in public with you. But now Xander and I need to go home so we can talk about the way you're supposed to treat your friends. Bye everyone."
"I guess that means no sex tonight," Xander said meekly as he followed her out.
Soon it was down to just Tara, Spike, Buffy and Willow relaxing in the living room.
"Okay," Tara said, "Was it just me or
did it seem like that exchanged should have been flipped around?"
Willow nodded vigorously. "Looks like they're taking lessons from each
other!" she said with a giggle.
Buffy had to stifle a huge yawn. "All righty then. I think it's p.j. time. I'm gonna get ready for bed."
"Same here," Willow said. "I'll help you bring the rest of your stuff upstairs."
"I'll be up in a few minutes," Spike said to Buffy. "I just want to talk to Tara for a minute. You don't mind, do ya, Red?"
Willow and Buffy
exchanged a knowing look. "Not at
all. See you in a few."
When they were alone, Tara turned to Spike. "What's up?"
"I just wanted to thank you."
"For what?"
"I know you were the one who helped the most with this whole situation. And you're always had faith in me and what not. You've never been anything but kind to me. So, thank you," he finished with sincerity.
"Well, if I remember correctly, you helped me out once yourself."
"What do you mean?"
"Remember? She's a demon, punch, ow, ow, nope she's normal. Yeah it hurt at the time, but you don't know how you saved me. So thank you."
Spike smiled softly. "I guess we're even then, huh?"
"I guess so," she smiled at him. "I'm guessing everything is going to be okay
with you and Buffy finally?"
They were interrupted by a voice from upstairs.
"Spiiiiiikkkkee…. I'm waiting," Buffy called in a sing-song voice.
"Yes ma'am. Everything is just fine," he replied with a grin.
~THE END~
(finally!! LOL)