Title: Twisted Perspectives
Chapter: 6/?
Author: SpikesPet
E-mail: spikes_pet@ameritech.net
Author Archive: http://spikespet.tvheaven.com
Feedback: Fuels the writing machine.
Distribution: No big, just let me know where.
Notes: Many thanks to my betas: Mezzibelle, Wisconsin Square and Barbara Steele. A
nod to all those who gave this story a quick once over…you all know who you are.
Notes2: I don't know exactly how much of this story will be able to be posted to this site.
It all depends on the turns the story takes. Should the rating go above what is
allowed…contact me and I can tell you how to receive updates.
******************************************************************
Giles walked in the door to the small, greasy diner. The place was empty with the
exception of one table, where Xander, Anya, Willow and Tara sat. He strode over and sat
down.
"Good, we're all here," Xander said through a mouthful of chicken sandwich.
"Yes, but why are we meeting here?" Giles asked. He studiously avoided looking at
Xander's lack of table manners. "The store would have been fine."
"Well, I didn't want to run into Buffy or Spike and this place has the best chicken
sandwiches," Xander explained while cramming half of his sandwich in his mouth.
"So, I take it we're here to discuss the rather peculiar behavior both have exhibited
recently then?"
"Yep," Willow said. "So I guess you noticed too, huh?"
"Yes, Buffy calling me watcher and Spike showing me some respect? It was painfully
obvious."
"Oh, you don't even know the half of it," Xander exclaimed, half chewed food tumbling
out of his mouth and down on his shirt.
"Oh? Do tell," Giles said, interested. He then added, "After you've finished eating."
******************************************************************
Buffy stood in the shadows outside of Spike's crypt, contemplating the door. She
crushed out a cigarette and took a deep breath. She knocked and waited for an answer.
Sensing him approaching, she couldn't help but fidget with the lighter in her pocket.
The door swung open and she walked in. Spike closed it behind her hiding from the
deadly rays of the sun. "You do realize that I'm a vampire. I sleep during the day."
"I know…and you weren't sleeping. We need to talk."
"No. No, we don't. Nothing to talk about."
"Spike, I love you. You're all I think about. Last night proved that there's…"
He spun to face her. "Last night proved nothing. A bout with temporary insanity
maybe."
"How can you say that? We almost kissed," she said, taking a step towards him.
"Almost, maybe. But we didn't. Get over it." He turned away from her burning gaze.
"Get over it? This isn't some meaningless little game. It's something real." Walking
over to him, she put a hand on his shoulder. He shrugged it off.
"There is nothing between us. We fight demons together. That is all. It's a working
relationship."
"People fall in love at work all the time."
"Not vampires…and definitely not with the slayer. You've made a mountain out of a
mole hill."
"How can you say that? How can you deny what you feel?" she asked, grabbing his arm,
forcing him to face her.
"I told you…all I feel is pity. That is what last night was about…but it won't happen
again."
"You…you used to love me. Why not now? What did I do? What, because I actually
feel the same…you, you…just turn it off?"
"Slayer…it was wrong. You know that and so do I. You slayer…me vampire. Sick, it
was." He couldn't bear to look at her, instead focusing on the dirty floor.
Buffy wasn't sure if she was going to throw up or burst into sobs. "I'll be back at sunset.
We have a Scooby meeting," she said through clenched teeth. Message delivered, she
turned and walked out.
******************************************************************
Buffy followed Spike through the door into the Magic Box. Giles walked past them and
flipped the sign to closed. Xander, Anya, Willow, Tara and Dawn sat around the table at
the back. As the pair approached the group went silent, grim, serious expressions
overtaking each of them.
"What is this?" Buffy asked sarcastically. "Some kind of intervention?"
"Um...not really...well we, uh, just wanted to..." Willow struggled, looking quite
uncomfortable. Tara grabbed her hand in a show of support.
"We feel it necessary to discuss your rather odd behavior as of late," Giles supplied,
removing his glasses. He began to polish them. "We are not here to be accusatory or
insulting." He directed the last part at Xander.
"Look, if this is about last night..." Spike began, looking towards Tara.
"No, this isn't just about last night, Spike. Please let us tell you our concerns and then we
can carry on a discussion," the watcher said. "It seems that..."
Xander interrupted, "that Buffy is acting insane and Spike is being too nice, which makes
it obvious he's lost his mind too."
"Xander, that is quite enough," Giles reprimanded. "This is to be an open discussion."
The younger man snorted; shoving his chair back, he glared at Giles.
"I see no reason to avoid the issue," Xander muttered, narrowing his eyes at Buffy. She
sneered at his words.
"Buffy," Dawn started meekly, "when did you start smoking?"
"I know, it's a horrible habit. It's just that I've been so stressed lately. I needed
something," she explained tenderly.
"I suppose that's why you're drinking too, right?" Xander said.
"I thought I'd made myself clear last night," Buffy growled.
"Buff, its just that...we're your friends...no, more than that...your family. And right
now...we're worried," Willow explained.
"I know Red, and I appreciate that. But, you have to understand, slayer here, I can take
care of myself."
"And why in the hell are you talking like him?" Xander asked, pointing an accusatory
finger at Spike.
"Habit, I guess. Where are you going with all of this?"
"For Christ's sake, Buffy! You were all over him last night and you said you love him!
And you don't see a problem with any of this?" Xander shouted at her.
"I don't need to explain myself to you...any of you!" Buffy yelled back. She turned on
her heel and stormed out.
"And you!" Xander spun to face the vampire. "You did this, didn't you? In here being all
polite...you can't fool us, pal. We can see right through you. So, spill it...what did you do
to her?" The shouting, red-faced boy dove for the vampire but was stopped by Giles.
Spike's eyes widened, almost comically. Hot tears burned in his eyes, threatening to spill
down his cheeks. His jaw began to quiver. Swallowing back his emotions, he said, "I
didn't do a damn thing. I...I can't believe you'd even think I would." He turned slowly
and walked out of the store.
"Well, see...that wasn't so hard," Anya said.
******************************************************************
Buffy walked into Willie's and ignored the stampede of vampires and demons rushing the
exits. She sat down at the bar and Willie hurried over to her.
"Uh...slayer, what a nice surprise. I just wanna say I don't know nothing," Willie said
with a big, cheesy grin on his face.
"That's not why I'm here."
"Why then? Cuz, I gotta say, you're bad for business."
"Tequila, a bottle, and it better not be that watered down shit either," she said, fumbling
in her pockets.
"Huh? I...I don't think I heard you right."
"You heard me...now give me what I came for before I get angry and decide to use your
spine as a xylophone." She threw a balled up twenty on the bar and shot him a menacing
glance.
Willie muttered to himself as he grabbed a bottle and glass and set them in front of her.
She nodded her approval. After lighting a cigarette, she opened the bottle.
******************************************************************
Spike had patrolled every cemetery, park, and alleyway in Sunnydale. He'd dusted every
vamp and slain every demon he'd come across. It hadn't made him feel any better. He
still felt numb.
He was a tad surprised that he hadn't run into the slayer. 'Not that I'm looking for her,' he
reminded himself, as he walked into Willie's. He'd thought maybe the weasel-like
barkeep might have some information on the Ycormack demons. At least, that's what
he'd told himself.
As a result, Spike wasn't sure why he altered his course when he spotted the familiar
narrow shoulders and long blonde hair. Nor could he explain why he sat down next to
her at the bar.
Buffy turned and said, "Oh, its you," even though she'd sensed him coming.
"Drowning your sorrows, slayer?" Spike asked.
"I suppose. Why are you here?"
"Gonna ask Willie about the Ycormacks," he answered. After a brief silence, he asked
staring off into space, "do you...I mean...do you think they are right...about us, I mean? Is
there something wrong?"
She chanced putting a hand on his shoulder and was relieved when he didn't pull away.
In a quiet, gentle voice she said, "No, love, they're wrong." She snubbed her cigarette
and turned toward him, tilting her head. "They've never been satisfied to let me make my
own decisions. 'Specially the whelp. And he's always been jealous...of the Poof and now
you. You know how he exaggerates things.... he's just gotten the troops rallied, 'sall."
Looking around at the small dive, Spike asked, "Can we get outta here? Maybe patrol?"
"If that's what you'd like," Buffy replied getting up.
******************************************************************
They ended up back at Spike's crypt, sitting on top of his sarcophagus. They were side-
by-side but not touching. "You know, you're the only one I can really talk to anymore,"
he said. "Clem doesn't seem to understand me. Oh he's all big with advice...but that isn't
what I need. I just want someone to listen."
Buffy sat and listened, nodding every once and awhile. She fought the urge to take him
in her arms and make him forget. Forget what the Scoobies said, forget Clem, forget that
he is an outcast of the demon world and a reject of the human one. She could not stop
herself from putting her hand on top of his, in a reassuring gesture. She fully expected
him to draw his hand away in revulsion--maybe even kick her out of his crypt; he did
neither. She was sure her heart would leap out of her chest when he laced his fingers
with hers and dropped his head to rest on her shoulder. The two sat in silence; each
taking comfort from the other.
****************************************************************
To Be Continued…
Chapter: 6/?
Author: SpikesPet
E-mail: spikes_pet@ameritech.net
Author Archive: http://spikespet.tvheaven.com
Feedback: Fuels the writing machine.
Distribution: No big, just let me know where.
Notes: Many thanks to my betas: Mezzibelle, Wisconsin Square and Barbara Steele. A
nod to all those who gave this story a quick once over…you all know who you are.
Notes2: I don't know exactly how much of this story will be able to be posted to this site.
It all depends on the turns the story takes. Should the rating go above what is
allowed…contact me and I can tell you how to receive updates.
******************************************************************
Giles walked in the door to the small, greasy diner. The place was empty with the
exception of one table, where Xander, Anya, Willow and Tara sat. He strode over and sat
down.
"Good, we're all here," Xander said through a mouthful of chicken sandwich.
"Yes, but why are we meeting here?" Giles asked. He studiously avoided looking at
Xander's lack of table manners. "The store would have been fine."
"Well, I didn't want to run into Buffy or Spike and this place has the best chicken
sandwiches," Xander explained while cramming half of his sandwich in his mouth.
"So, I take it we're here to discuss the rather peculiar behavior both have exhibited
recently then?"
"Yep," Willow said. "So I guess you noticed too, huh?"
"Yes, Buffy calling me watcher and Spike showing me some respect? It was painfully
obvious."
"Oh, you don't even know the half of it," Xander exclaimed, half chewed food tumbling
out of his mouth and down on his shirt.
"Oh? Do tell," Giles said, interested. He then added, "After you've finished eating."
******************************************************************
Buffy stood in the shadows outside of Spike's crypt, contemplating the door. She
crushed out a cigarette and took a deep breath. She knocked and waited for an answer.
Sensing him approaching, she couldn't help but fidget with the lighter in her pocket.
The door swung open and she walked in. Spike closed it behind her hiding from the
deadly rays of the sun. "You do realize that I'm a vampire. I sleep during the day."
"I know…and you weren't sleeping. We need to talk."
"No. No, we don't. Nothing to talk about."
"Spike, I love you. You're all I think about. Last night proved that there's…"
He spun to face her. "Last night proved nothing. A bout with temporary insanity
maybe."
"How can you say that? We almost kissed," she said, taking a step towards him.
"Almost, maybe. But we didn't. Get over it." He turned away from her burning gaze.
"Get over it? This isn't some meaningless little game. It's something real." Walking
over to him, she put a hand on his shoulder. He shrugged it off.
"There is nothing between us. We fight demons together. That is all. It's a working
relationship."
"People fall in love at work all the time."
"Not vampires…and definitely not with the slayer. You've made a mountain out of a
mole hill."
"How can you say that? How can you deny what you feel?" she asked, grabbing his arm,
forcing him to face her.
"I told you…all I feel is pity. That is what last night was about…but it won't happen
again."
"You…you used to love me. Why not now? What did I do? What, because I actually
feel the same…you, you…just turn it off?"
"Slayer…it was wrong. You know that and so do I. You slayer…me vampire. Sick, it
was." He couldn't bear to look at her, instead focusing on the dirty floor.
Buffy wasn't sure if she was going to throw up or burst into sobs. "I'll be back at sunset.
We have a Scooby meeting," she said through clenched teeth. Message delivered, she
turned and walked out.
******************************************************************
Buffy followed Spike through the door into the Magic Box. Giles walked past them and
flipped the sign to closed. Xander, Anya, Willow, Tara and Dawn sat around the table at
the back. As the pair approached the group went silent, grim, serious expressions
overtaking each of them.
"What is this?" Buffy asked sarcastically. "Some kind of intervention?"
"Um...not really...well we, uh, just wanted to..." Willow struggled, looking quite
uncomfortable. Tara grabbed her hand in a show of support.
"We feel it necessary to discuss your rather odd behavior as of late," Giles supplied,
removing his glasses. He began to polish them. "We are not here to be accusatory or
insulting." He directed the last part at Xander.
"Look, if this is about last night..." Spike began, looking towards Tara.
"No, this isn't just about last night, Spike. Please let us tell you our concerns and then we
can carry on a discussion," the watcher said. "It seems that..."
Xander interrupted, "that Buffy is acting insane and Spike is being too nice, which makes
it obvious he's lost his mind too."
"Xander, that is quite enough," Giles reprimanded. "This is to be an open discussion."
The younger man snorted; shoving his chair back, he glared at Giles.
"I see no reason to avoid the issue," Xander muttered, narrowing his eyes at Buffy. She
sneered at his words.
"Buffy," Dawn started meekly, "when did you start smoking?"
"I know, it's a horrible habit. It's just that I've been so stressed lately. I needed
something," she explained tenderly.
"I suppose that's why you're drinking too, right?" Xander said.
"I thought I'd made myself clear last night," Buffy growled.
"Buff, its just that...we're your friends...no, more than that...your family. And right
now...we're worried," Willow explained.
"I know Red, and I appreciate that. But, you have to understand, slayer here, I can take
care of myself."
"And why in the hell are you talking like him?" Xander asked, pointing an accusatory
finger at Spike.
"Habit, I guess. Where are you going with all of this?"
"For Christ's sake, Buffy! You were all over him last night and you said you love him!
And you don't see a problem with any of this?" Xander shouted at her.
"I don't need to explain myself to you...any of you!" Buffy yelled back. She turned on
her heel and stormed out.
"And you!" Xander spun to face the vampire. "You did this, didn't you? In here being all
polite...you can't fool us, pal. We can see right through you. So, spill it...what did you do
to her?" The shouting, red-faced boy dove for the vampire but was stopped by Giles.
Spike's eyes widened, almost comically. Hot tears burned in his eyes, threatening to spill
down his cheeks. His jaw began to quiver. Swallowing back his emotions, he said, "I
didn't do a damn thing. I...I can't believe you'd even think I would." He turned slowly
and walked out of the store.
"Well, see...that wasn't so hard," Anya said.
******************************************************************
Buffy walked into Willie's and ignored the stampede of vampires and demons rushing the
exits. She sat down at the bar and Willie hurried over to her.
"Uh...slayer, what a nice surprise. I just wanna say I don't know nothing," Willie said
with a big, cheesy grin on his face.
"That's not why I'm here."
"Why then? Cuz, I gotta say, you're bad for business."
"Tequila, a bottle, and it better not be that watered down shit either," she said, fumbling
in her pockets.
"Huh? I...I don't think I heard you right."
"You heard me...now give me what I came for before I get angry and decide to use your
spine as a xylophone." She threw a balled up twenty on the bar and shot him a menacing
glance.
Willie muttered to himself as he grabbed a bottle and glass and set them in front of her.
She nodded her approval. After lighting a cigarette, she opened the bottle.
******************************************************************
Spike had patrolled every cemetery, park, and alleyway in Sunnydale. He'd dusted every
vamp and slain every demon he'd come across. It hadn't made him feel any better. He
still felt numb.
He was a tad surprised that he hadn't run into the slayer. 'Not that I'm looking for her,' he
reminded himself, as he walked into Willie's. He'd thought maybe the weasel-like
barkeep might have some information on the Ycormack demons. At least, that's what
he'd told himself.
As a result, Spike wasn't sure why he altered his course when he spotted the familiar
narrow shoulders and long blonde hair. Nor could he explain why he sat down next to
her at the bar.
Buffy turned and said, "Oh, its you," even though she'd sensed him coming.
"Drowning your sorrows, slayer?" Spike asked.
"I suppose. Why are you here?"
"Gonna ask Willie about the Ycormacks," he answered. After a brief silence, he asked
staring off into space, "do you...I mean...do you think they are right...about us, I mean? Is
there something wrong?"
She chanced putting a hand on his shoulder and was relieved when he didn't pull away.
In a quiet, gentle voice she said, "No, love, they're wrong." She snubbed her cigarette
and turned toward him, tilting her head. "They've never been satisfied to let me make my
own decisions. 'Specially the whelp. And he's always been jealous...of the Poof and now
you. You know how he exaggerates things.... he's just gotten the troops rallied, 'sall."
Looking around at the small dive, Spike asked, "Can we get outta here? Maybe patrol?"
"If that's what you'd like," Buffy replied getting up.
******************************************************************
They ended up back at Spike's crypt, sitting on top of his sarcophagus. They were side-
by-side but not touching. "You know, you're the only one I can really talk to anymore,"
he said. "Clem doesn't seem to understand me. Oh he's all big with advice...but that isn't
what I need. I just want someone to listen."
Buffy sat and listened, nodding every once and awhile. She fought the urge to take him
in her arms and make him forget. Forget what the Scoobies said, forget Clem, forget that
he is an outcast of the demon world and a reject of the human one. She could not stop
herself from putting her hand on top of his, in a reassuring gesture. She fully expected
him to draw his hand away in revulsion--maybe even kick her out of his crypt; he did
neither. She was sure her heart would leap out of her chest when he laced his fingers
with hers and dropped his head to rest on her shoulder. The two sat in silence; each
taking comfort from the other.
****************************************************************
To Be Continued…