Five: BE FAITHFUL
Downhearted after her call to Angel --- which a shower and change into yet another stylish but affordable outfit, did nothing to alleviate --- Buffy was on her way out to patrol when Spike and Dawn arrived home.
"No need for you to go out, luv," said Spike, giving his petite fiancée a gentle kiss on the forehead as he took off his coat. "Dawn and I gave the cemet'ry a good once over."
"But Spike-" Dawn began.
Abruptly, he cut her off, "Not much out there tonight."
Dawn was startled; Spike was lying --- lying to Buffy. Dawn shot him a vexed glare which apparently he ignored.
Spike sauntered casually down the hall to the kitchen. "Why don't I make some popcorn and we can all have a quiet night in?" he called back.
Dawn looked at her sister with a distressed face then appealed in a hushed tone, "Buffy, can I talk to you upstairs a minute?"
"Sure," Buffy answered as curiosity knitted her brows in response to her sister's expression.
------- o -------
"Buffy," Dawn started solemnly after closing her bedroom door. "It's about the patrolling. Spike and I were out in the cemetery just now and... well, Drusilla was there."
"Drusilla?" gasped Buffy. "What happened?"
"She was going all spacey, screamin' and stuff. Acting all creepy, you know, like she does." The teen mimicked Drusilla's typical movements as she spoke. "Spike told her that he loves you and that she should just leave him alone. Then she went all freaky, rolling around on the ground and stuff. Spike just insisted we go."
"He didn't stake her?" inquired the Slayer.
"No. That's why I thought I should tell you about it." The urgency and concern was evident in Dawn's tone. "I mean, she looked pretty pissed... not to mention the usual craziness."
"Don't worry, Dawn," Buffy soothed. "If she turns up again, I'll take care of her." And as for you, Spike. We're going to have a little talk.
------- o -------
By the time the girls went back downstairs, Spike was lounging on the couch, beer in hand, with the popcorn and drinks for them on the coffee table.
Dawn sat down on the opposite end of the couch, nervous yet interested in what her sister was about to do. She just didn't want to be too close to the fall-out when Buffy exploded.
"I'm beat," said Buffy flatly. "I'm just going to turn."
Dawn couldn't- no, didn't believe Spike was going to get off that easily.
Oblivious to the conversation that had just transpired upstairs and focused on the curves of his beautiful bride-to-be, Spike got a devilish gleam in his eye as he watched her climb the stairs. "Well." He stretched his arms and faked a yawn. "I'm pretty knackered myself. Think I'll head up too."
"Oh please..." mumbled Dawn, shaking her head. "I'm not that young and naive." As Spike pushed himself up from the couch, she cautioned, "I wouldn't bother her now if I was you."
Spike disregarded her remark, said goodnight, and headed up the stairs.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," she sang out after him.
------- o -------
Upstairs, Spike quickly but thoroughly brushed and flossed his teeth, checked his hair, and gave his underarms a quick sniff. Judging himself ready for some snogging, he raised an eyebrow and smirked in the mirror before heading for the master bedroom. On the closed door, he knocked softly.
"Yes?" came a coy sing-songy voice from inside.
Sounds like an invitation to me, he thought gleefully as he opened the door.
Buffy sat on the chair of her vanity, facing the door, with an exasperated look on her face. "Get in here, Spike! And close the door," she ordered.
"Looks like the Slayer's a tad testy this evening," Spike teased.
Her reply was swift and stern, if vague, "You could say that."
"What have I done now?" he asked, disheartened.
"I want to know what you thought you were doing with Drusilla tonight?!" Buffy demanded. "Dawn told me you two ran into her at the cemetery and you let her go."
"Jealous?" The word had barely left his lips and he'd regretted it. Having a soul and a heartbeat hadn't done a darn thing when it came to keeping rein on his loose tongue and its smart-assed remarks.
"Jealous?!" She got up from her chair. "Is that what you think?! Is that what you want to hear, you idiot?! For God's sake, Spike. I really do wonder what goes on in your head sometimes!" she raved. "Drusilla's dangerous. Hello-o?? Vampire, remember? Not to mention she's a lunatic! You should have dusted her when you had the chance," she scolded. "It's not everyday vamps drop at my feet and roll helplessly on the ground." She waved her hands frantically around to emphasize her point as her rant continued. "She could have killed you! And Dawn! She still could, you idiot! Obviously you've forgotten the mortality reality of the being human thing."
She paused briefly to consider her words, 'Mortality reality'? Where did that come from?
Buffy shook her head and growled as if to get back on track. "You should know as well as I do- no better," she corrected, "that vampires can tell you're not one of them anymore! Just as soon as they catch the sweet smell of the hot blood running through your veins! I'm sure it didn't take Drusilla long to figure it out. She probably knew even before you realized she was there! She's crazy, not clueless, you idiot!" Pacing and shaking her head, she huffed. "Hell, even Harmony who was clueless could tell you weren't a vampire. Look where that almost got you! And I'll bet just like Harmony, Drusilla would love to sink her fangs into you again! Don't think she'd give a second thought to letting you li-"
"Buffy... Please. Give us a minute t'explain," he pleaded softly.
She took a deep agitated breath and folded her arms angrily across her chest. This'll be good...
"I couldn't do it. Couldn't stake 'er. She really is vulnerable when she gets like that and I... I didn't have the heart to do it." His gentle forlorn tone became more defensive when he said, "I'm sure you're not going to be too pleased to hear this, but there's a part of me that'll always care about 'er." He saw that Buffy was about to resume her onslaught with some scathing comment or other, so he initiated countermeasures: "Just like there's a part of you that'll always care about Angel."
He'd struck a chord: a pained look crossed Buffy's face and she turned away at the reminder of Angel.
Truth hurts, eh luv? Believe me, I know. Kills me, but I know some part of you will always love that ponce.
She couldn't recover easily from that hit, especially not after the awkward conversation she'd had with Angel earlier that evening. Returning her gaze to Spike, she saw the misery in his eyes. Those beautiful eyes... In the past months, Buffy had come to appreciate the honesty in their message. No matter what came out of his mouth, she always found the truth was in his eyes.
"Spike, I." What do I say? But she knew what needed to be said. "I'm sorry. I guess I was just... thrown by the idea that Drusilla was back, that she might hurt Dawn or you. Take you away from me. I couldn't bear to lose you again." She took a deep breath then lightened the tone of the conversation, gave it a happier spin. "I love you, you idiot. Besides, you promised to marry me. And we've got plans to make." With that she reached for him.
Emotion overwhelmed Spike as he rushed into her arms. He sealed his mouth on hers in a searing passionate kiss then he swept her up and set her down on the bed.
"You know, I could really get used to this," Buffy giggled as she began to pull off his T-shirt.
"Just hope you don't plan on getting used to calling me 'you idiot'," he muttered.