Disclaimer: See previous chapters
Spoilers: I'm playing it safe and saying everything up through 'Older and Far Away' - plus, you know, the previous chapters of this story.
Author's Notes: I'M SO FREAKIN' SORRY!! I haven't updated in so long, I don't even remember! Every time I do something else creative, writing or drawing, anything!, I think guiltily, 'I should be working on 'And Baby Makes'. But I can't! I have plotted this chapter out SO much in my head, that I'm sick of it! I know exactly what I want to happen, but I'm not entirely sure how to write it, and until I write it, I can't go on to some new challenge. But THIS is the chapter I've been waiting for almost since I started the story. I'm thinking in the next installment, you'll find out how Buffy could concieve with Spike. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with magic, and is about the only original thought in the whole story (I have so far not read any story that uses MY explanation). Also, I'm only updating because I've left you hanging for so long, but . . . the chapter isn't actually complete. It just kind of STOPS. I'm hoping after updating, and hearing what you guys think, I'll get my little rear in gear and start writing again. OK, go read the story!
* * * * * * * * * * *
Spike nodded at Buffy's exclamation, giving Jonathan a little nudge toward the group. "Found him lurkin' outside."
Jonathan frowned incredulously, turning to look at Spike. "'Lurking'? I was gonna come in here anyway!" Spike snarled at him, making Jonathan jump and scrunch his shoulders up, like he had when a bully had been about to attack him. So many things just didn't change after high school, he thought. He turned back toward the group, coming only slightly out of his scrunch when he saw the look on Buffy's face. ((She's angry. At me?)) He wouldn't discount it, considering he had been trying to outsmart her, 'get her out of the way' for when they were going to rule Sunnydale. He had to placate her, fast. "I came here for a truce!" he cried, really not wanting her to hit him. She was stronger than she looked.
Buffy didn't even pause in her anger. "A truce? Wait, I've heard this one before. 'I want to help you stop my evil cohorts!' You think I'm really gonna believe you? After you tried to frame me for murder?"
Spike walked up beside her, touching her shoulder to get her attention. "Luv, the last time someone wanted to 'help you stop his evil cohorts', he was tellin' the truth, remember?"
Buffy frowned, knowing that he was right. He should be, after all, he had been the one calling the truce that night. She brightened slightly, realizing that even if Jonathan was telling the truth, she could still question and intimidate him. She'd been feeling kind of useless lately, since Spike didn't want her to patrol, and all they'd really been doing was research. Now it was time for a little Buffy-fun. She crossed her arms loosely over her chest, looking intimidating. "All right, Jonathan. Explain why you're calling a truce. Please."
Jonathan fidgeted, then finally said, "Could-- could I tell you, privately?" He'd never really been one for the spotlight, and having everyone glare disapprovingly at him really wasn't helping.
Buffy paused only briefly before nodding. "We can go into the training room." She led the way, surprised when Spike came with. Well, if Jonathan wanted to tell her something, she supposed he'd have to do it in front of Spike as well. Because, after all, they were a team. ((We are? Since when?)) But it was true. Sometime during the past few months, they had become a team. And she didn't really think it had that much to do with the baby holding them together. She was relieved to know that - and didn't dwell on why it relieved her.
She shut the door behind them, then turned and leaned casually against it, looking at Jonathan. She could tell he understood the significance of her choice of spots - he wasn't leaving this room until she was satisfied.
Jonathan swallowed nervously, then inhaled. He *really* didn't need a panic attack right now. "Okay, first of all - I'm sorry for all the things we did to you. See, we just wanted to take over Sunnydale--" he stopped at the look she gave him. Maybe telling her that hadn't been the best idea. He forged on, having the feeling it was gonna get worse before it got better. //If// it got better. "I know, it sounds dumb, but - anyway. We didn't mean to turn you invisible, that was an accident. An-and Katr-" he choked on the name, images of the young girl appearing in his mind as they always did. First, her anger at them when the spell wore off "You bunch of little boys, playing at being men. Well, this is not some fantasy, it's not a game, you freaks! It's rape!", and then, her lifeless body at the top of the stairs, Warren telling him "We did this - You, me, and Andrew." He was completely collected over the entire thing, coming up with the perfect way to get rid of the body, as well as 'the Slayer'. And at the end of it all, Warren and Andrew crowing triumphantly at their success, looking at him as if they expected him to be happy that they'd killed someone and tried to hurt Buffy. He'd finally figured out how he was different than Andrew and Warren, at least concerning Buffy - he knew her. She had stepped into their lives as the Slayer, reprimanding them for what they'd done. Well, she'd done that to him too - on more than one occasion! But whenever he thought of Buffy, he thought of the girl who'd stopped him from killing himself in the school clocktower, who had come to visit him afterward when no one else would, acting just like they always had and not caring. Buffy had always cared. She'd talked to him after the Popularity spell, when most people went back to ignoring him, like normal. And even before he'd even known what the Slayer was, or that there were such things as demons and hellmouths, she'd saved him. He remembered clearly that day during Career week when the policewoman had pulled a gun and started shooting. She'd taken him hostage and Buffy had saved him. It wasn't just things like that, though. When those swimmers had been bullying him on the beach, Buffy had stopped them. He'd been angry at her because she'd intervened, but he had to admit that he couldn't have stopped them himself. She wasn't just the Slayer to him - she was his friend, Buffy Summers.
He took a deep breath and tried again. "Killing Katrina was an accident. But after-- afterwards, Warren decided we could kill two birds with one stone if we framed you for her murder. We thought you'd feel guilty enough to turn yourself in." He'd been the one to come up with that part of the plan, unfortunately. Of the three, he was the one who 'knew' Buffy the best. He knew her sense of honor, and had figured she wouldn't let an innocent life go unpunished, even if she'd been the one to take it.
Spike and Buffy exchanged a look that Jonathan missed, too far into his own thoughts. It spoke volumes, both of them remembering when she'd gone to the police station to turn herself in, and the fight they'd gotten into.
"So why are you here now, Jonathan?" Buffy finally asked. "Except for me knowing it was you three who killed Katrina and set me up - which, to tell you the truth, I'd guessed because I knew Katrina was Warren's ex - you guys still seem in pretty good shape - for being my 'arch nemeses'." She used their own term, having asked Willow what the plural of 'nemesis' was after they'd gotten home.
Jonathan shrugged. "Because they think they're invincible now. I mean, the coroner ruled her death a suicide, they were going on and on about getting away with murder, and talking about--" he paused, willing himself to slow down, stay calm. "Talking about if you got wise to what happened, we could take care of you."
Those quiet words bothered Buffy more than she cared to admit. In a motion she didn't think about until after she'd done it, she shifted one arm to rest over her stomach protectively. She realized that in order to stop Warren and Andrew, she needed all the help she could get, and what better help than one third of the Nerd Trio?
"Alright, Jonathan, here's the deal. We've got a truce. Don't screw with me, or else." She didn't really need to bluff that much threat into her voice. She wasn't sure what she would do to him if he betrayed her, but she was certain she wouldn't have any trouble carrying it out. "You help me and my friends, and we'll keep you safe, in case the other two try to hurt you." Great, a babysitting job.
Jonathan nodded eagerly, glad that she'd believed that he was sincere - which he was! He just hadn't been sure Buffy'd believe him.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Next installment, hopefully coming soon! I just wanted to say, if you're a writer, please sign your reviews, because I love reading other people's fics, and I guarantee I'll review at least one of them. Also, if you want some pseudo-spoilers for this story, as well as other Buffy story ideas from me, visit http://silver-faery.diaryland.com/ , my little on-line diary. I've got at least three entries on story ideas, and at least one of those is for future chapters of this story. Thanks! Have fun!
Spoilers: I'm playing it safe and saying everything up through 'Older and Far Away' - plus, you know, the previous chapters of this story.
Author's Notes: I'M SO FREAKIN' SORRY!! I haven't updated in so long, I don't even remember! Every time I do something else creative, writing or drawing, anything!, I think guiltily, 'I should be working on 'And Baby Makes'. But I can't! I have plotted this chapter out SO much in my head, that I'm sick of it! I know exactly what I want to happen, but I'm not entirely sure how to write it, and until I write it, I can't go on to some new challenge. But THIS is the chapter I've been waiting for almost since I started the story. I'm thinking in the next installment, you'll find out how Buffy could concieve with Spike. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with magic, and is about the only original thought in the whole story (I have so far not read any story that uses MY explanation). Also, I'm only updating because I've left you hanging for so long, but . . . the chapter isn't actually complete. It just kind of STOPS. I'm hoping after updating, and hearing what you guys think, I'll get my little rear in gear and start writing again. OK, go read the story!
* * * * * * * * * * *
Spike nodded at Buffy's exclamation, giving Jonathan a little nudge toward the group. "Found him lurkin' outside."
Jonathan frowned incredulously, turning to look at Spike. "'Lurking'? I was gonna come in here anyway!" Spike snarled at him, making Jonathan jump and scrunch his shoulders up, like he had when a bully had been about to attack him. So many things just didn't change after high school, he thought. He turned back toward the group, coming only slightly out of his scrunch when he saw the look on Buffy's face. ((She's angry. At me?)) He wouldn't discount it, considering he had been trying to outsmart her, 'get her out of the way' for when they were going to rule Sunnydale. He had to placate her, fast. "I came here for a truce!" he cried, really not wanting her to hit him. She was stronger than she looked.
Buffy didn't even pause in her anger. "A truce? Wait, I've heard this one before. 'I want to help you stop my evil cohorts!' You think I'm really gonna believe you? After you tried to frame me for murder?"
Spike walked up beside her, touching her shoulder to get her attention. "Luv, the last time someone wanted to 'help you stop his evil cohorts', he was tellin' the truth, remember?"
Buffy frowned, knowing that he was right. He should be, after all, he had been the one calling the truce that night. She brightened slightly, realizing that even if Jonathan was telling the truth, she could still question and intimidate him. She'd been feeling kind of useless lately, since Spike didn't want her to patrol, and all they'd really been doing was research. Now it was time for a little Buffy-fun. She crossed her arms loosely over her chest, looking intimidating. "All right, Jonathan. Explain why you're calling a truce. Please."
Jonathan fidgeted, then finally said, "Could-- could I tell you, privately?" He'd never really been one for the spotlight, and having everyone glare disapprovingly at him really wasn't helping.
Buffy paused only briefly before nodding. "We can go into the training room." She led the way, surprised when Spike came with. Well, if Jonathan wanted to tell her something, she supposed he'd have to do it in front of Spike as well. Because, after all, they were a team. ((We are? Since when?)) But it was true. Sometime during the past few months, they had become a team. And she didn't really think it had that much to do with the baby holding them together. She was relieved to know that - and didn't dwell on why it relieved her.
She shut the door behind them, then turned and leaned casually against it, looking at Jonathan. She could tell he understood the significance of her choice of spots - he wasn't leaving this room until she was satisfied.
Jonathan swallowed nervously, then inhaled. He *really* didn't need a panic attack right now. "Okay, first of all - I'm sorry for all the things we did to you. See, we just wanted to take over Sunnydale--" he stopped at the look she gave him. Maybe telling her that hadn't been the best idea. He forged on, having the feeling it was gonna get worse before it got better. //If// it got better. "I know, it sounds dumb, but - anyway. We didn't mean to turn you invisible, that was an accident. An-and Katr-" he choked on the name, images of the young girl appearing in his mind as they always did. First, her anger at them when the spell wore off "You bunch of little boys, playing at being men. Well, this is not some fantasy, it's not a game, you freaks! It's rape!", and then, her lifeless body at the top of the stairs, Warren telling him "We did this - You, me, and Andrew." He was completely collected over the entire thing, coming up with the perfect way to get rid of the body, as well as 'the Slayer'. And at the end of it all, Warren and Andrew crowing triumphantly at their success, looking at him as if they expected him to be happy that they'd killed someone and tried to hurt Buffy. He'd finally figured out how he was different than Andrew and Warren, at least concerning Buffy - he knew her. She had stepped into their lives as the Slayer, reprimanding them for what they'd done. Well, she'd done that to him too - on more than one occasion! But whenever he thought of Buffy, he thought of the girl who'd stopped him from killing himself in the school clocktower, who had come to visit him afterward when no one else would, acting just like they always had and not caring. Buffy had always cared. She'd talked to him after the Popularity spell, when most people went back to ignoring him, like normal. And even before he'd even known what the Slayer was, or that there were such things as demons and hellmouths, she'd saved him. He remembered clearly that day during Career week when the policewoman had pulled a gun and started shooting. She'd taken him hostage and Buffy had saved him. It wasn't just things like that, though. When those swimmers had been bullying him on the beach, Buffy had stopped them. He'd been angry at her because she'd intervened, but he had to admit that he couldn't have stopped them himself. She wasn't just the Slayer to him - she was his friend, Buffy Summers.
He took a deep breath and tried again. "Killing Katrina was an accident. But after-- afterwards, Warren decided we could kill two birds with one stone if we framed you for her murder. We thought you'd feel guilty enough to turn yourself in." He'd been the one to come up with that part of the plan, unfortunately. Of the three, he was the one who 'knew' Buffy the best. He knew her sense of honor, and had figured she wouldn't let an innocent life go unpunished, even if she'd been the one to take it.
Spike and Buffy exchanged a look that Jonathan missed, too far into his own thoughts. It spoke volumes, both of them remembering when she'd gone to the police station to turn herself in, and the fight they'd gotten into.
"So why are you here now, Jonathan?" Buffy finally asked. "Except for me knowing it was you three who killed Katrina and set me up - which, to tell you the truth, I'd guessed because I knew Katrina was Warren's ex - you guys still seem in pretty good shape - for being my 'arch nemeses'." She used their own term, having asked Willow what the plural of 'nemesis' was after they'd gotten home.
Jonathan shrugged. "Because they think they're invincible now. I mean, the coroner ruled her death a suicide, they were going on and on about getting away with murder, and talking about--" he paused, willing himself to slow down, stay calm. "Talking about if you got wise to what happened, we could take care of you."
Those quiet words bothered Buffy more than she cared to admit. In a motion she didn't think about until after she'd done it, she shifted one arm to rest over her stomach protectively. She realized that in order to stop Warren and Andrew, she needed all the help she could get, and what better help than one third of the Nerd Trio?
"Alright, Jonathan, here's the deal. We've got a truce. Don't screw with me, or else." She didn't really need to bluff that much threat into her voice. She wasn't sure what she would do to him if he betrayed her, but she was certain she wouldn't have any trouble carrying it out. "You help me and my friends, and we'll keep you safe, in case the other two try to hurt you." Great, a babysitting job.
Jonathan nodded eagerly, glad that she'd believed that he was sincere - which he was! He just hadn't been sure Buffy'd believe him.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Next installment, hopefully coming soon! I just wanted to say, if you're a writer, please sign your reviews, because I love reading other people's fics, and I guarantee I'll review at least one of them. Also, if you want some pseudo-spoilers for this story, as well as other Buffy story ideas from me, visit http://silver-faery.diaryland.com/ , my little on-line diary. I've got at least three entries on story ideas, and at least one of those is for future chapters of this story. Thanks! Have fun!