Buffy lifted her head, checked the mirror a final time. She ran a
critical eye over herself, making sure everything was right. Today was
the day. Her hair was in it's 'responsible coif', her smoky grey
eyeliner subtly smudged, lips glossed to a pretty shine. The white
button up shirt had the first three buttons undone. Non-threatening to
females, enticing to males. Check. The simple grey skirt ended just
below her knees, and she wore a pair of simple black heels. She decided
at the last minute to throw on a pair of dangle earrings and some scent,
and went downstairs to make toast before Xander came to pick her up. He
wanted, as way of congratulations, to take her to work on her first day.
She strolled into the kitchen, determined to not burn the toast.
Spike was sitting at the kitchen island, twirling a spoon in his fingers as he watched the microwave intently. Breakfast comes first. Sniffed. Noticed Buffy. "Morning, Slayer."
Immediate bristle. Shouldn't he be asleep or something? "Spike."
He just watched her as she put the bread in the toaster. Much more interesting than the spinning mug in the microwave. Especially where her shirt was unbuttoned.. Wait a minute. She was NOT leaving the house like that. He said as much.
She just leveled a cocked eyebrow at him. "Excuse me?"
"I said at least two more buttons." Gestured. "Don't want some insipid *human* gettin' the wrong idea. Or anythin' else, for that matter."
"Right. I forgot that you have a say, still. Since we're not-" her toast popped up, saving her from the rest of her spiteful remark. She buttered her toast and leaned across the counter. "So no one's allowed to look but you?"
Snorted. "Right." Microwave beeped, and he retrieved his mug.
She was seriously considering undoing one more button. "Dawn will be home at four."
He nodded, sipped at his mug. As if it were a cup of coffee, and not blood. "Yeah. I know. Make sure Bit does 'er homework and all that. Either me or the Wicca's will see to it."
"Right. Tell her I'll be home before eight."
Another nod. Followed by another sip. It was as if Spike was operating on automatic... And he was. It was either that, or physically restrain himself from either shaking her, or... well, the other option involved a bit more than shaking. Cocked his head at her toast. "Is'at all you're eating?"
She looked at him quizzically. "I'm having orange juice, too..."
A dry chuckle. "You need protein, Slayer. You're gonna be starving before lunch."
She sighed and dug in the fridge. "No meat. No eggs."
He had moved next to her. Damn that vamp.. whatever vampy thing he was using that allowed him to sneak up on her like that! He held up a slice of cheese. "Make cheese toast. It'll make me feel better about this."
She wrinkled her nose. Why did he have to stand so close?? It made her fidget. No Buffy! Bad! Don't fidget CLOSER. "Um... ew. I'll just... eat it on the way."
"Make sure you actually EAT it, Slayer." Returned to his mug. "Cause I'll search every trash can from here to that bloody store, if I have reason to think you tossed it."
She gave that the appropriate eyeroll it deserved. Smoothed her hand down her front, checking for imperfections. "Necklace!"
Spike jumped, nearly spilling his mug on himself. Morning was *really* not his favorite time of day. Growled at the mug. Looked up. "What're you talking 'bout, Buffy?"
"I need a necklace..." She mumbled as she brushed past him, only to come back down a couple minutes later, wearing a dangling necklace, leading all eyes straight down the unbuttoned shirt. It did finish off the outfit nicely.
All eyes, including those of a half asleep vampire. "Bloody hell. You're just determined, aren't you?"
She took a drink of her orange juice. "To what?"
"To do absolutely everything I ask you not to do." Finished his mug in one gulp, and stared into the empty container as if it had betrayed him. Growled. "I hate mornings. Especially Monday mornings."
"Why are you so grumbly?? Geez. I try to get ready for work and look nice, and all you do is criticize me! God! You'd think I came downstairs in a leather jumpsuit with a whip!"
He actually seemed to be considering that particular mental image for a moment. Then shook his head. "I got up on the wrong side of the cot this mornin', luv. Sorry."
She huffed and glared. The fact that he'd woken up ALONE on the cot was what was getting to her. Two days of glares and avoidance. She opened the cheese slice, picking it apart, sticking the occasional tiny piece in her mouth, but otherwise just obliterating the slice.
Spike gave a sigh, and got up, washing his mug in the sink. "I'm going back to sleep. Nothing else to do."
"Right." She heard Xander pull up. Grabbed her purse, and walked to the door.
He got up and locked it after her, then headed down into the basement. Bored. Bored and frustrated. Bored, frustrated, and lonely. He could keep going. NEEDED something to do. Anything. Anything at all. Sat on the cot. Bored, frustrated, lonely, and heading for pissed. Not a good place to be.
-========================================================================= ===========================
Buffy slipped into the passenger's seat, a frown creasing her brow. "Mornin' Xander."
He grinned at her. "Mornin' Job Girl! Excited?"
Dryly, "Thrilled."
He glanced at her as they stopped at the stoplight. "What crawled into your cornflakes, Buff?"
"Spike." She huffed out a breath. "He has been so down on my about this. I was excited. Really excited."
He patted her on the back. "Aw, don't let one undead party pooper get ya down, Buffster! You're in the working world now! A proud member of the Money Earners Society." Laughed. "Or, you will be, as soon as Anya gets her website up."
She grinned. "I'm really nervous. What if they don't like me?"
He looked at her incredulously. "Well, you'll have to kill them all, then." Serious tone of voice.
She nodded. "Thought so. Right. I don't think you get a reference if you kill co-workers."
He laughed. "No, I mean, if they don't like you, then they're demons. And you have to kill them. Cause no human could resist you!"
She smiled, a lot more relaxed than when she had gotten into the car. "Thanks."
He grinned. Made his 'Superhero Voice'. "No need for thanks, miss. All in a day's work for Support Guy!"
Buffy laughed, then sighed determinedly as they pulled up to the store. "And here I am. Xander?"
"Yep?"
She gestured to herself. "Do I- I mean... am I... Do I look all right?"
He glanced up and down and whistled appreciatively. "Buffy, you're beautiful. Have I ever told you that before?"
She shook her head. "I don't think so. But I really needed to hear it today."
He reached over and pulled her to him in an in-car-sideways-hug. And put a quick, friendly kiss on top of her head. "Don't worry, Buffy. You'll knock 'em dead." Laughed. "You're good at that."
She laughed, hard, and kissed his cheek. "Thanks, Xander. Have a good day."
"You too, honey. Don't forget to pick up milk, eggs, and bread on the way back to your house with the white picket fence." Couldn't resist. Rolled down the window to add, "And get some more dog food! I think Spike's goin' hungry lately!"
She glared playfully at him and waved as he drove away. Took a deep breath and braced herself. Ok... Think Breadwinner. BE the breadwinner.
========================================================================== ======================
Spike paced back and forth in the basement. And back and forth and back and forth and back and.. phone. Phone on the table. He nearly smacked himself on the forehead. Duh. He could call Madison. Long distance bills be damned. No roaming charges. Yeah. Right. Not according to the last.. Nevermind. Picked up the phone and dialed.
After two rings, a male voice answered, "Hello?"
"Will? It's Spike. Madison there?"
"Oh. Hey, man. Yeah.. lemme find her. How's it going?"
Shrugged, and it carried through into his voice. "Most things good, some things not so much. Girl problems, mostly."
Understanding grunt. "Bitches." Yeah... He was talking about Laura.
Spike chuckled. "And you sound like you're worse off than me, mate."
He sighed. "She'll come back. She always does. Every other month. 'Will.. I think we should see other people.' Every two weeks after that, calls me crying. Cannot break up with her. Hurts to try. But I do hate her." Did his voice lack conviction, or was it just the connection?
Spike chuckled. "Watch out. That's how they draw you in. The woman I love? We started out as mortal enemies, literally trying to kill each other." Snorted. "Although, I'll be the first to admit that the urge is still there."
Will sighed. "I could never touch her. I want to kill her sometimes, but I could never hurt her." He rolled his eyes. "And now that you know I'm whipped, here's Maddy."
Spike was still chuckling when she came on the line. "Tell Will 'Welcome to the club' for me, okay, pet?"
"Right on it." She relayed his message to Will, then said, "Puppy! How are you?"
He flopped back on the cot. "Really glad to hear a friendly voice, how's that?"
"Sounds like a problem to me."
Shook his head. "No. Not really. A break, s'all."
"A... break?"
Snorted. "Yeah. Buffy and I are taking a break from each other for awhile. And, before you say anything, it was my idea."
"Well... Hold on. So very confused. Why?"
A growl entered his voice. "She got a job. I can get her everything she needs, and we were gonna discuss it, and she just goes out and they practically throw the bloody job at her."
Madison's brow wrinkled. "Is she working at Hooter's or a strip bar?"
"It's that stupid Sears look-alike about a mile and a half away."
"No nakedness?"
Cocked his head. "No." Growled. "Unless she's not telling me something."
"Then... Puppy... what's so wrong?"
He gaped. *Madison* couldn't see it?! She was.. she was supposed to be on HIS side! "I.. you.. she.." Stammered, growling slightly. Not able to articulate the.. the.. WRONGNESS of this.
Sensed her 'traitorous' nature. "I just mean... she has to get money, right?"
"But.. but.. *I* can get money for her! She doesn't need to! She could just stay here, and only have to worry about patrolling, which is plenty. Not to mention that there's bound to be another apocalypse sooner or later. There's usually one a year around here."
She just waited for him to realize how ridiculous that sounded. She was slightly disappointed when he didn't. "Puppy, you love Buffy because she's strong, right?"
"A lot of reasons. But that's one of 'em. Yeah."
"Um... sense of duty, responsibility, and independence?"
Shrugged. "Yeah. I guess. Why?"
"Well, if she changed all that, it would change the way you feel about her, wouldn't it?"
Thought for a moment. "Yes. Because she wouldn't be Buffy anymore."
"Right. And... I know Dru was... kind of dependent. And Harmony was clingy and needy. Buffy is neither. Do you really want her to be?"
Hell no. "Hell no."
"All right. And what are you gonna do on this little break of yours? Which I'm telling you, is just inspired." Sarcasm, much?
He fishmouthed. Was silent.
"Well?"
Quiet, slightly annoyed. "I don't know."
"Can you kiss her?"
Dejectedly. "No."
"Date her?"
Worse. "No."
"Mm... Someone dug themselves a hole." She was markedly disappointed in him. "I can't get over it. It's like the whole women's lib thing never happened. I mean, you LIVED through it."
"Yeah, but-"
"So should I not be at school? Should I just get married and have a couple brats?"
"Madison.." The tone of her voice hurt. A soft, almost inaudable whimper.
She went too far. Apologetically, "I'm sorry, Puppy. I'm- I just... I want you to see it from her side, but I'm not doing very good at listening to yours, am I?"
Plaintively. "No."
Very quietly, "I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I.." Sighed, gave a rueful chuckle. "I'm a bleedin' idiot. And now Buffy's pissed at me, and it's all my bloody fault. Me and my stupid Nineteenth Century thoughts. Bloody idiot." There was a sound that really sounded as if he'd just either hit his head against the wall, or bopped himself with a book. "Ow."
Small laugh. "Don't hit yourself."
"I didn't. I leaned back, and I forgot that I'd moved the cot closer to the basement wall." Sighed. "I still could help, though. She won't even let me get money for her!"
Madison gave a mental sigh. He was still right in his own mind. "Maybe- ya know what? I'm just gonna listen." No more yelling.
He shrugged. "Nothing really to talk about. Except that I'm living in the Slayer's basement, cause the Hell Bitch totalled my crypt while we were gone."
"No. Are you all right? I-I mean... did *any* of your stuff survive?"
Shrugged. "Couple of notebooks, and an extra duster."
"Did anything important survive?"
"The notebooks." No need to tell her why. She knew.
She nodded, relieved. "Good."
He stretched out on the cot. "Actually, it's not all bad. I mean, Buffy's lettin' me live in her basement, and I get to see Niblet all the time. And help with stuff. I like it here."
"Good. I'm glad you're happy there. How mad is she at you?"
"Probably pretty mad. And I didn't help. Got up in a bad mood and snarked at her this mornin'."
Small moan. "About what?"
Suddenly, it seemed really bad. Moaned. "Her outfit, eating habits, the job again... Damn. I'm screwed. She's never gonna let me touch her again, is she?"
"Mmm.... I'm putting money on 'not this month, boy'."
Whimper. "Bloody hell. Someone stake me."
"What? One month of over a hundred and twenty years, and you're giving it up?" Cajoling smile.
He chuckled. Pained sounding. "You don't get it, pet. I've been waiting so long, wanting so long... It's torture!"
"Well, look on the bright side. You've already had her, so you know what to look forward to when she's done being pissed with you."
"If she's ever done being pissed." He sounded so.. so.. pitiful, that it was cute. "And, by the way, knowing makes it worse. Imagine if someone suddenly told you that chocolate was outlawed. How would you feel waiting for the appeal?"
She laughed. "All right. Got the point. What are you gonna do waiting for the appeal? Got any pretties lined up?"
"What!?" The tone said 'unthinkable'.
"Well, break, ya know... That means not dating *each other*. Not 'not dating anyone'."
Shook his head. "No. I don't. I can't. When I love someone, I'm faithful. Even when I'm not technically bonded to it. I don't cheat. Even when it'd technically be legal." Chuckled softly. "Madison, I was faithful to Buffy when she *hated* me. What does that tell you?" In his mind, the bot didn't count. Hell. Didn't exist.
"That you need enough therapy to make any shrink rich."
Confused, "Huh?"
"That's what it tells me. The fact that you were faithful even when she hated you, convinces me that you could make any shrink rich off you."
Proudly. "It tells me that I have self control."
"It tells me you have obsessive tendencies. Fostered by feelings of inadequacy, and/or not feeling loved at some important part of life."
"I.. you.. Damn psycho books." He knew how it was supposed to be pronounced. He was just playing with her. Goading her.
She was sticking her tongue out at him. "Bite me, Spikey."
"My fangs can't reach that far, *Maddy*." Play growl.
She laughed. "So. Anything else new?"
Shrugged. "I still hate Harris. Rupert is annoying but I like him. The Wiccas have taken to messing with me, and Dawn wants me to write her history paper on the Boxer Rebellion for her. That's about it."
"Gonna write the paper?"
"I'm gonna *help* her. I was there, just not really paying attention." Feral growl. "It was a good year. Killed my first Slayer, then..." Trailed off, the Puppy part of him taking over. "Oops. Sorry. Forgot. Bad Spikey."
She shrugged. "No big. Part of you. All of it. Enjoyable gruesome killing, included. You're made to enjoy it."
He laughed. "Yeah. But that particular story... I get kind of wrapped up when I tell it. If I didn't stop there, I'd be giving you nightmares forever."
"Ah... I understand. I appreciate it."
Chuckled. "You're welcome. I'm just scared that one day Bit's gonna ask me for that story. I used to tell her some of the less gruesome ones, but she's gettin' older, and wanting to know about this stuff. I'm the obvious one to ask."
"She trusts you enough to ask. That's really sweet."
"Or scary, from Buffy's point of view. She'd probably stake me if I even told Niblet that the jacket that I wear came off my second Slayer."
"Yeah... I could see it. Especially in her present mind set."
He chuckled. "No. Staking'd be too easy. She'd probably make me take a bath in holy water, straddle a cross, go get a tan, and *then* stake me."
"Yeow. Seriously THAT mad?"
"If I know Buffy, yes. She won't even let me touch her. This morning, I was getting her a slice of cheese (she needed protein), and we brushed against each other, and she sucked in a breath and jerked back like I was a branding iron."
"Or she really wants you and she's just mad. What'd she say to a break?"
Shrugged. "She agreed. Then said no break for two minutes, and kissed me."
Madison rolled her eyes and smirked.
"What is it?" The silence made him curious.
"Just shaking my head. So... You both want eachother, but you're mad, so you take a break to guarantee that there will be no making up for... how long?"
"We didn't say."
"Yeah. Just about stupid, if you ask me. How are you gonna fix it?"
Cocked his head. "Fix it? I just.. I thought she'd figure out what she was doing, and everything'd be okay."
"Oh, right. She's gonna come home tonight, and tell you she quit?"
"Most likely, no." Muttered, "I wish."
She jumped and squealed loudly suddenly. "God! Trevor!" She hit him in the chest, there was muffled laughter on her end of the line.
Spike cocked his head. "Madison?" Soft growl. 'Trevor'.
She came back. "Trevor just walked into my house and scared the hell outta me."
Growl carried over. "Trevor, eh?"
"Yes, my friend Trevor."
"Your 'friend', Trevor."
"Hey! No weird little quotey thingies." Paused. "Well... Um..."
Growl. " 'Um' what, Madison?"
"Um..." She watched his retreating back, going to the living room to have a 'man's talk' with Will about football. "There's been... kissage."
Growl got louder, and lip curled over his canine.
"Yeah, that's what I said, too, but only in the non-threatening, yummy way."
Snarl. "If he hurts you, Madison, so help me, I'll-"
"Yeah, I know exactly what you'll do." She sighed. "I'm just... we're just.... having fun... lots of fun."
Growl again. "Fun that entails *what*, exactly?"
She cleared her throat. "Um... fun, of the... fun variety."
Snorting snarl. "Fun of the what *kind* of fun variety, Madison?"
Tucked her hair behind her ears. "Um... kissing, and... stuff."
"*Stuff*?" The rumble was cutting through his words, now. "If I were in your room with you, Madison, would you let me near enough to smell you?"
"No," she squeaked.
Escalated to an almost roar. She heard hard breathing through the phone as he fought to calm himself.
"Not... not sex." 'Yet,' she qualified in her head.
"Then WHAT don't you want to tell me!?" Oops. Not calm enough, yet. More deep breaths. Eyes closed. Count to.. hell. Five thousand. In Gaelic.
"It's-you're.... it's DIFFERENT telling a guy what you did with a guy!"
"I tell you about Buffy!" Oh. Great. Now he sounded betrayed.
She sighed. "He makes me feel really good, and safe, and beautiful. We never DON'T have fun. We haven't...slept together yet."
Lost his place in his counting. " 'YET'! Yet!" Moaned. "Oh god, what's next? I swear, if Bit comes home and tells me that she's *dating* I will kill the wanker. Slayer or no Slayer, I will kill him." His eyes were flashing gold, and his teeth lengthened and hit the phone. "OW! Bloody hell!" Rubbed at his upper jaw.
"What?? I'm not TEN! Big girl, here."
Sighed, whimpered in pain from his fang (which he was almost certain that he'd cracked, damn hard phone), and sighed again. "I know. I know. Just.. after..." He couldn't even say the wanker's name. "That jackass who hurt you, I don't.. Does he know? Does Trevor know about you?"
"Yeah. Trevor's known about me since I was eight."
A bit of relief there, and it was audible in his voice. " 'At's hood.." What part of his voice she could understand, considering it sounded like he had something in his mouth.
"What are you... chewing on?"
He took it out of his mouth. "Ice. I cracked a fang."
"On what?"
"Ug hone." Moved the ice. "The phone."
"Should I ASK how?"
Moved the ice BEFORE speaking this time. "I vamped when I was pissed, and the phone was a little too close to my mouth. Are you happy, now!?"
Small giggle. "That's what you get. Treating me like a kid."
Started to growl, then winced and put the ice back. "Slot fugi."
"It's not funny?"
"Mo."
She snickered. "Of course not."
A 'grr' then moan. "Owww. Manmtit! Lovdly shell."
Another laugh. "Want me to let you go, Puppy? You seem to be having a lot of problems."
"Bleah." Moved the ice, tried again. "Yeah. I guess so. Ow." Heard the door shut upstairs. "Besides, I think Bit is home."
"Oh. Tell her I say hi. And if you tell Buffy I stuck up for her, I'll never scritch you again."
Whimper. "You wouldn't..."
"*You* wouldn't?"
"Ow. I won't. Come on, though, pet! You know I'm in the dog house over here. You'd take that away?" Extremely pitiful sounding whimper.
Defeated sigh. "No..."
"Thank you." Moan. Ice back in mouth. Out again. "I love you, Madison."
"I love you, too, Puppy."
He hung up and shoved the ice back into his mouth soon after. It was at that moment that the basement door opened.
"Spike?" Dawn wandered down the stairs. "Ready to write my report?"
He looked up. "Ey, Iblep." Oh, damn. Forgot about the ice. "Hey, Niblet."
She jumped a bit, because he was in game face. Then, "What's wrong??"
Sighed. "Cracked fang. Don't ask."
She gave a concerned pout. "It's ok,though?"
"Yeah. Will be." Put the ice back in. "Ib a libble whild."
A corner of her mouth quirked up. "In a little while. Good. Now... the Boxer Rebellion..."
========================================================================== =============
Buffy looked around. They had her in one of those little 'in between everywhere' checkouts, just like at Sears. She could run the machine, and knew with pride that she had checked out fifteen people flawlessly. It was shaping up to be a really great day. Which should have made her nervous. She had a break in less than an hour, though, and she was looking forward to it. She wore the heels to attract Spike's attention, as with the shirt. Arouse his ire, anger, jealousy, and sure, just... arouse. But now she was wondering if she shouldn't have brought a pair of sneaks to change into.
A young man was browsing a collection of music boxes nearby. Which one would his mom like more? The birds, or the one with the deer? He looked around. Needed a second opinion. Preferably a female's opinion. Ah. The woman over behind the little checkout counter might be able to help. He picked up both boxes and headed over. Cleared his throat, as she appeared to be looking at something on the floor. "Excuse me? Miss?"
Her head snapped up, from her intense focusing on the 'owwww, holy shit why'd I wear these' shoes. Pasted on a smile for incredibly gorgeous specimen in front of her. "Hi! Can I help you with anything?"
He shifted a little from foot to foot. "Uh.. I was wondering.." Damn. He was not good at this. Way to sound sure of yourself, Jesse. "I, uh.. I'm trying to figure out which of these boxes my mom'll like better. It's for her birthday. I think.. I think I need a second opinion." Kind of a half grin.
She grinned back into his green eyes. "Ooh. Birthday's. I've never had much luck with those myself-" cut herself off. Yeah... Scare the customer. Go, Employee of the Month. "Um... What's your mother like?"
He shrugged. "She likes animals. And classical music. So I thought I'd combine them. But I can't decide between the birds or the deer."
"Mm..." She looked between the boxes, then, "Birds. Deers are so... Bambi. Or.. hunter-y. Either way is a no-win." She smiled.
He looked at the box. "Oh. Thanks.." Looked at her nametag. "Buffy." Extended a hand. "I'm Jesse, by the way."
She shook his hand. "Hi, Jesse. I hope your mom likes her present. It's really beautiful. And thoughtful."
He gave a half embarrassed look. "Thanks. I, uh.. I just hope she agrees with you." Put the bird box on the counter. "I guess I'll go ahead and pay for this, while I'm here."
Whee! Another sale! Oh geez! Tone it down, Buffy! You sound like Anya. She giggled.
He gave that half grin again. She was cute. And nice. Show some backbone. "Uh.. I don't suppose you'd like to get a cup of coffee, sometime?" Damn it. Like *that's* an original line. Had the urge to smack his forehead into the wall.
She looked up from her very studious workings at the register. "Oh." That.. 'I'm about to shoot you down' oh. "Actually, I'm-" She stopped. Dating someone? No... And he had been mean this morning. And quite frankly- she broke off her musings. Don't piss yourself off again. "-on a break. In.. in a little bit." Smiled at him.
Jesse blinked. He'd been sure that she was about to say something like 'I've got a boyfriend'. "Are.. Are you saying yes?"
Was she? She was. Was she? She was...? Yes. "Yeah..." Another slightly nervous smile. "I guess I am."
He grinned, slightly larger this time. "Okay.. I'll wait for you, then?" Stop sounding nervous. Don't be an idiot!
"Um... sure. You know what? There's a Gloria Jean's across the street. Just... get a table, and I'll meet you there in... about twenty minutes? I've got a lunch coming to me."
He nodded. "Okay. I'll see you there." Took his purchase and walked off. Feeling kind of dazed. That line had actually *worked*? Part of him was expecting his alarm to go off right about now.
She watched him walk away, as pleasing going as he was coming. Buffy! She shocked herself sometimes. But...wow. Had a NORMAL guy just hit on her? Had she AGREED?
========================================================================== ================
Buffy walked in the door, barefoot, holding her high heels. Lunch had been really fun. Jesse was nice, from a slightly wealthier family, and was studying to be a lawyer. He said he wanted to go to dinner with her tonight, but she had declined, saying how she wanted to have dinner with her little sister, so they had made plans for two nights from now. A good first day, all in all, even though she did feel a little sneaky. As soon as she entered the house, Dawn shouted, "I MADE DINNER!!!! COME ON AND EAT! WE'RE HUNGRY!"
She gave a small laugh, and dropped the shoes, and made her way to the kitchen, viewing the slightly burned pancakes, eggs, and too-dark-to-be- healthy sausage patties. A celebratory dinner, carrying on a Summers tradition. "It looks wonderful, Dawnie." She inhaled deeply, as she hugged her frazzled looking sister, who had apparently put a lot of effort into this. "Mmm... And I'm so hungry, too."
Dawn smiled and shoved her into a seat. "Good. Congratulations to you, on your first day, at your new job. Now let's eat." She sat opposite Spike.
Spike raised his mug toward the Slayer. "I may not like it. But congratulations, luv."
A small smile, mostly for Dawn's benefit. "Thanks ever so."
He gave a half nod and sipped through his straw. Looked at the younger Summers. "Why don't you tell Buffy what you did today, Bit."
"I finished that stupid report, that was really boring. But I made it really good, and it sounds a lot better and more interesting, 'cuz Spike helped me, and, ya know, he was there and all, killing the Slayer, and he knew a lot of stuff about the Rebellion." She titled her head. "But a lot about what the hooker's wore, but, anyway, he knows like about the customs, and why the people were mad, and he made it kind of a lot less stupid than Mr. Burgensen made it, and I didn't fall asleep when he was talking at all." Took a deep breath after that, and smiled hugely.
Spike, meanwhile, was trying to hide a chuckle at the look on Buffy's face. Not to mention wondering if all teenagers can say that much in one breath, or if it was just Dawn.
She blinked, but then converted it all back to a teenage speaking scale and was right on board with her. "That's great, Dawn. I bet you oodles of money, that I'm gonna get on my paycheck, that you get an A."
Dawn grinned. "Yeah. But what about you? How was work??"
Spike cocked his head. Why was Buffy suddenly blushing slightly?
"Um... I'm working a register, and it's a lot easier than I thought it was gonna be. And the people are really friendly. Well, most of them anyway. One lady was kind of snooty, but I would be too, if I had $175 to spend on a pair of heels."
Spike was staring at her. Something. There was something that she wasn't telling them. Hiding something. He cocked his head a little, and took another sip from his mug, through his straw.
Dawn leaned forward. "Any hot guys?"
And now the blush was creeping up her neck. Spike continued to watch, but now he was sniffing a little, as well. But, with all the people she'd been around that day, it was hard to isolate if there was anything suspicious.
She sighed. "A couple. That were waaay too old for you. Heck, too old for me, too." And one had been. And Jesse. He wasn't hot. He was gorgeous.
Dawn gave a small pout, but nodded.
Spike cocked his head again, the other way. Sniffed again. There was something... Something that made the short hairs on the back of his neck stand up. But he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Well, with the break, their normal banter wasn't forthcoming. So Dawn improvised. "Spike cracked a fang today."
Spike half choked.
"Spike *what*??"
The vampire shrugged. "I cracked a fang. Hurt like hell for awhile, but it's okay, now."
"On what?" In that 'how on EARTH did you manage that' tone. And she frowned at him, flicked the straw he had been sipping out of. "Doesn't hurt, huh?" She firmed her mouth, said quietly, flippantly, "Getting good at not telling me things."
Spike gave a growl, and winced. "I'm fine, Buffy. And, if you must know, I cracked it on the phone."
Sweetly, "If you're biting the phone, you need to feed more."
Dawn's head moved back and forth, watching like it was a tennis match.
"Bloody hell. I didn't do it on purpose, Slayer." He gestured to his mouth. "You think I *wanted* to feel like there's a broken needle in my jaw?"
She shrugged around a mouthful of pancakes. "Never did know what you wanted."
Half growl again, ignoring the pain. "You've always known exactly what I've wanted, Slayer. I've made it bloody clear enough. Not to mention telling you several times."
"Don't growl at me." Sharply. She turned her head deliberately towards Dawn. "This is very good Dawn. I haven't had a good dinner like this in a long time."
She nodded. "Thanks. I did it all by myself. I wanted a proper Summers dinner of congrats." Licked her lips nervously. Oh my, did she hate the fighting.
Spike looked at Dawn, pushing the anger down to smile at her. "Your sister's right, Bit. You outdid yourself."
Dawn smiled, relaxing visibly. "Thanks. It does taste ok?"
Buffy nodded, forking a huge bite of pancake. "The best."
Spike nodded, swallowing part of a sausage. He didn't usually eat at dinner, but... Dawn had cooked, so.. exceptions. Dawn smiled again, and that make it completely worth it to swallow another burned bite of sausage.
"Well guys, you better hurry up. Third Watch in ten minutes."
Spike was sitting at the kitchen island, twirling a spoon in his fingers as he watched the microwave intently. Breakfast comes first. Sniffed. Noticed Buffy. "Morning, Slayer."
Immediate bristle. Shouldn't he be asleep or something? "Spike."
He just watched her as she put the bread in the toaster. Much more interesting than the spinning mug in the microwave. Especially where her shirt was unbuttoned.. Wait a minute. She was NOT leaving the house like that. He said as much.
She just leveled a cocked eyebrow at him. "Excuse me?"
"I said at least two more buttons." Gestured. "Don't want some insipid *human* gettin' the wrong idea. Or anythin' else, for that matter."
"Right. I forgot that you have a say, still. Since we're not-" her toast popped up, saving her from the rest of her spiteful remark. She buttered her toast and leaned across the counter. "So no one's allowed to look but you?"
Snorted. "Right." Microwave beeped, and he retrieved his mug.
She was seriously considering undoing one more button. "Dawn will be home at four."
He nodded, sipped at his mug. As if it were a cup of coffee, and not blood. "Yeah. I know. Make sure Bit does 'er homework and all that. Either me or the Wicca's will see to it."
"Right. Tell her I'll be home before eight."
Another nod. Followed by another sip. It was as if Spike was operating on automatic... And he was. It was either that, or physically restrain himself from either shaking her, or... well, the other option involved a bit more than shaking. Cocked his head at her toast. "Is'at all you're eating?"
She looked at him quizzically. "I'm having orange juice, too..."
A dry chuckle. "You need protein, Slayer. You're gonna be starving before lunch."
She sighed and dug in the fridge. "No meat. No eggs."
He had moved next to her. Damn that vamp.. whatever vampy thing he was using that allowed him to sneak up on her like that! He held up a slice of cheese. "Make cheese toast. It'll make me feel better about this."
She wrinkled her nose. Why did he have to stand so close?? It made her fidget. No Buffy! Bad! Don't fidget CLOSER. "Um... ew. I'll just... eat it on the way."
"Make sure you actually EAT it, Slayer." Returned to his mug. "Cause I'll search every trash can from here to that bloody store, if I have reason to think you tossed it."
She gave that the appropriate eyeroll it deserved. Smoothed her hand down her front, checking for imperfections. "Necklace!"
Spike jumped, nearly spilling his mug on himself. Morning was *really* not his favorite time of day. Growled at the mug. Looked up. "What're you talking 'bout, Buffy?"
"I need a necklace..." She mumbled as she brushed past him, only to come back down a couple minutes later, wearing a dangling necklace, leading all eyes straight down the unbuttoned shirt. It did finish off the outfit nicely.
All eyes, including those of a half asleep vampire. "Bloody hell. You're just determined, aren't you?"
She took a drink of her orange juice. "To what?"
"To do absolutely everything I ask you not to do." Finished his mug in one gulp, and stared into the empty container as if it had betrayed him. Growled. "I hate mornings. Especially Monday mornings."
"Why are you so grumbly?? Geez. I try to get ready for work and look nice, and all you do is criticize me! God! You'd think I came downstairs in a leather jumpsuit with a whip!"
He actually seemed to be considering that particular mental image for a moment. Then shook his head. "I got up on the wrong side of the cot this mornin', luv. Sorry."
She huffed and glared. The fact that he'd woken up ALONE on the cot was what was getting to her. Two days of glares and avoidance. She opened the cheese slice, picking it apart, sticking the occasional tiny piece in her mouth, but otherwise just obliterating the slice.
Spike gave a sigh, and got up, washing his mug in the sink. "I'm going back to sleep. Nothing else to do."
"Right." She heard Xander pull up. Grabbed her purse, and walked to the door.
He got up and locked it after her, then headed down into the basement. Bored. Bored and frustrated. Bored, frustrated, and lonely. He could keep going. NEEDED something to do. Anything. Anything at all. Sat on the cot. Bored, frustrated, lonely, and heading for pissed. Not a good place to be.
-========================================================================= ===========================
Buffy slipped into the passenger's seat, a frown creasing her brow. "Mornin' Xander."
He grinned at her. "Mornin' Job Girl! Excited?"
Dryly, "Thrilled."
He glanced at her as they stopped at the stoplight. "What crawled into your cornflakes, Buff?"
"Spike." She huffed out a breath. "He has been so down on my about this. I was excited. Really excited."
He patted her on the back. "Aw, don't let one undead party pooper get ya down, Buffster! You're in the working world now! A proud member of the Money Earners Society." Laughed. "Or, you will be, as soon as Anya gets her website up."
She grinned. "I'm really nervous. What if they don't like me?"
He looked at her incredulously. "Well, you'll have to kill them all, then." Serious tone of voice.
She nodded. "Thought so. Right. I don't think you get a reference if you kill co-workers."
He laughed. "No, I mean, if they don't like you, then they're demons. And you have to kill them. Cause no human could resist you!"
She smiled, a lot more relaxed than when she had gotten into the car. "Thanks."
He grinned. Made his 'Superhero Voice'. "No need for thanks, miss. All in a day's work for Support Guy!"
Buffy laughed, then sighed determinedly as they pulled up to the store. "And here I am. Xander?"
"Yep?"
She gestured to herself. "Do I- I mean... am I... Do I look all right?"
He glanced up and down and whistled appreciatively. "Buffy, you're beautiful. Have I ever told you that before?"
She shook her head. "I don't think so. But I really needed to hear it today."
He reached over and pulled her to him in an in-car-sideways-hug. And put a quick, friendly kiss on top of her head. "Don't worry, Buffy. You'll knock 'em dead." Laughed. "You're good at that."
She laughed, hard, and kissed his cheek. "Thanks, Xander. Have a good day."
"You too, honey. Don't forget to pick up milk, eggs, and bread on the way back to your house with the white picket fence." Couldn't resist. Rolled down the window to add, "And get some more dog food! I think Spike's goin' hungry lately!"
She glared playfully at him and waved as he drove away. Took a deep breath and braced herself. Ok... Think Breadwinner. BE the breadwinner.
========================================================================== ======================
Spike paced back and forth in the basement. And back and forth and back and forth and back and.. phone. Phone on the table. He nearly smacked himself on the forehead. Duh. He could call Madison. Long distance bills be damned. No roaming charges. Yeah. Right. Not according to the last.. Nevermind. Picked up the phone and dialed.
After two rings, a male voice answered, "Hello?"
"Will? It's Spike. Madison there?"
"Oh. Hey, man. Yeah.. lemme find her. How's it going?"
Shrugged, and it carried through into his voice. "Most things good, some things not so much. Girl problems, mostly."
Understanding grunt. "Bitches." Yeah... He was talking about Laura.
Spike chuckled. "And you sound like you're worse off than me, mate."
He sighed. "She'll come back. She always does. Every other month. 'Will.. I think we should see other people.' Every two weeks after that, calls me crying. Cannot break up with her. Hurts to try. But I do hate her." Did his voice lack conviction, or was it just the connection?
Spike chuckled. "Watch out. That's how they draw you in. The woman I love? We started out as mortal enemies, literally trying to kill each other." Snorted. "Although, I'll be the first to admit that the urge is still there."
Will sighed. "I could never touch her. I want to kill her sometimes, but I could never hurt her." He rolled his eyes. "And now that you know I'm whipped, here's Maddy."
Spike was still chuckling when she came on the line. "Tell Will 'Welcome to the club' for me, okay, pet?"
"Right on it." She relayed his message to Will, then said, "Puppy! How are you?"
He flopped back on the cot. "Really glad to hear a friendly voice, how's that?"
"Sounds like a problem to me."
Shook his head. "No. Not really. A break, s'all."
"A... break?"
Snorted. "Yeah. Buffy and I are taking a break from each other for awhile. And, before you say anything, it was my idea."
"Well... Hold on. So very confused. Why?"
A growl entered his voice. "She got a job. I can get her everything she needs, and we were gonna discuss it, and she just goes out and they practically throw the bloody job at her."
Madison's brow wrinkled. "Is she working at Hooter's or a strip bar?"
"It's that stupid Sears look-alike about a mile and a half away."
"No nakedness?"
Cocked his head. "No." Growled. "Unless she's not telling me something."
"Then... Puppy... what's so wrong?"
He gaped. *Madison* couldn't see it?! She was.. she was supposed to be on HIS side! "I.. you.. she.." Stammered, growling slightly. Not able to articulate the.. the.. WRONGNESS of this.
Sensed her 'traitorous' nature. "I just mean... she has to get money, right?"
"But.. but.. *I* can get money for her! She doesn't need to! She could just stay here, and only have to worry about patrolling, which is plenty. Not to mention that there's bound to be another apocalypse sooner or later. There's usually one a year around here."
She just waited for him to realize how ridiculous that sounded. She was slightly disappointed when he didn't. "Puppy, you love Buffy because she's strong, right?"
"A lot of reasons. But that's one of 'em. Yeah."
"Um... sense of duty, responsibility, and independence?"
Shrugged. "Yeah. I guess. Why?"
"Well, if she changed all that, it would change the way you feel about her, wouldn't it?"
Thought for a moment. "Yes. Because she wouldn't be Buffy anymore."
"Right. And... I know Dru was... kind of dependent. And Harmony was clingy and needy. Buffy is neither. Do you really want her to be?"
Hell no. "Hell no."
"All right. And what are you gonna do on this little break of yours? Which I'm telling you, is just inspired." Sarcasm, much?
He fishmouthed. Was silent.
"Well?"
Quiet, slightly annoyed. "I don't know."
"Can you kiss her?"
Dejectedly. "No."
"Date her?"
Worse. "No."
"Mm... Someone dug themselves a hole." She was markedly disappointed in him. "I can't get over it. It's like the whole women's lib thing never happened. I mean, you LIVED through it."
"Yeah, but-"
"So should I not be at school? Should I just get married and have a couple brats?"
"Madison.." The tone of her voice hurt. A soft, almost inaudable whimper.
She went too far. Apologetically, "I'm sorry, Puppy. I'm- I just... I want you to see it from her side, but I'm not doing very good at listening to yours, am I?"
Plaintively. "No."
Very quietly, "I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I.." Sighed, gave a rueful chuckle. "I'm a bleedin' idiot. And now Buffy's pissed at me, and it's all my bloody fault. Me and my stupid Nineteenth Century thoughts. Bloody idiot." There was a sound that really sounded as if he'd just either hit his head against the wall, or bopped himself with a book. "Ow."
Small laugh. "Don't hit yourself."
"I didn't. I leaned back, and I forgot that I'd moved the cot closer to the basement wall." Sighed. "I still could help, though. She won't even let me get money for her!"
Madison gave a mental sigh. He was still right in his own mind. "Maybe- ya know what? I'm just gonna listen." No more yelling.
He shrugged. "Nothing really to talk about. Except that I'm living in the Slayer's basement, cause the Hell Bitch totalled my crypt while we were gone."
"No. Are you all right? I-I mean... did *any* of your stuff survive?"
Shrugged. "Couple of notebooks, and an extra duster."
"Did anything important survive?"
"The notebooks." No need to tell her why. She knew.
She nodded, relieved. "Good."
He stretched out on the cot. "Actually, it's not all bad. I mean, Buffy's lettin' me live in her basement, and I get to see Niblet all the time. And help with stuff. I like it here."
"Good. I'm glad you're happy there. How mad is she at you?"
"Probably pretty mad. And I didn't help. Got up in a bad mood and snarked at her this mornin'."
Small moan. "About what?"
Suddenly, it seemed really bad. Moaned. "Her outfit, eating habits, the job again... Damn. I'm screwed. She's never gonna let me touch her again, is she?"
"Mmm.... I'm putting money on 'not this month, boy'."
Whimper. "Bloody hell. Someone stake me."
"What? One month of over a hundred and twenty years, and you're giving it up?" Cajoling smile.
He chuckled. Pained sounding. "You don't get it, pet. I've been waiting so long, wanting so long... It's torture!"
"Well, look on the bright side. You've already had her, so you know what to look forward to when she's done being pissed with you."
"If she's ever done being pissed." He sounded so.. so.. pitiful, that it was cute. "And, by the way, knowing makes it worse. Imagine if someone suddenly told you that chocolate was outlawed. How would you feel waiting for the appeal?"
She laughed. "All right. Got the point. What are you gonna do waiting for the appeal? Got any pretties lined up?"
"What!?" The tone said 'unthinkable'.
"Well, break, ya know... That means not dating *each other*. Not 'not dating anyone'."
Shook his head. "No. I don't. I can't. When I love someone, I'm faithful. Even when I'm not technically bonded to it. I don't cheat. Even when it'd technically be legal." Chuckled softly. "Madison, I was faithful to Buffy when she *hated* me. What does that tell you?" In his mind, the bot didn't count. Hell. Didn't exist.
"That you need enough therapy to make any shrink rich."
Confused, "Huh?"
"That's what it tells me. The fact that you were faithful even when she hated you, convinces me that you could make any shrink rich off you."
Proudly. "It tells me that I have self control."
"It tells me you have obsessive tendencies. Fostered by feelings of inadequacy, and/or not feeling loved at some important part of life."
"I.. you.. Damn psycho books." He knew how it was supposed to be pronounced. He was just playing with her. Goading her.
She was sticking her tongue out at him. "Bite me, Spikey."
"My fangs can't reach that far, *Maddy*." Play growl.
She laughed. "So. Anything else new?"
Shrugged. "I still hate Harris. Rupert is annoying but I like him. The Wiccas have taken to messing with me, and Dawn wants me to write her history paper on the Boxer Rebellion for her. That's about it."
"Gonna write the paper?"
"I'm gonna *help* her. I was there, just not really paying attention." Feral growl. "It was a good year. Killed my first Slayer, then..." Trailed off, the Puppy part of him taking over. "Oops. Sorry. Forgot. Bad Spikey."
She shrugged. "No big. Part of you. All of it. Enjoyable gruesome killing, included. You're made to enjoy it."
He laughed. "Yeah. But that particular story... I get kind of wrapped up when I tell it. If I didn't stop there, I'd be giving you nightmares forever."
"Ah... I understand. I appreciate it."
Chuckled. "You're welcome. I'm just scared that one day Bit's gonna ask me for that story. I used to tell her some of the less gruesome ones, but she's gettin' older, and wanting to know about this stuff. I'm the obvious one to ask."
"She trusts you enough to ask. That's really sweet."
"Or scary, from Buffy's point of view. She'd probably stake me if I even told Niblet that the jacket that I wear came off my second Slayer."
"Yeah... I could see it. Especially in her present mind set."
He chuckled. "No. Staking'd be too easy. She'd probably make me take a bath in holy water, straddle a cross, go get a tan, and *then* stake me."
"Yeow. Seriously THAT mad?"
"If I know Buffy, yes. She won't even let me touch her. This morning, I was getting her a slice of cheese (she needed protein), and we brushed against each other, and she sucked in a breath and jerked back like I was a branding iron."
"Or she really wants you and she's just mad. What'd she say to a break?"
Shrugged. "She agreed. Then said no break for two minutes, and kissed me."
Madison rolled her eyes and smirked.
"What is it?" The silence made him curious.
"Just shaking my head. So... You both want eachother, but you're mad, so you take a break to guarantee that there will be no making up for... how long?"
"We didn't say."
"Yeah. Just about stupid, if you ask me. How are you gonna fix it?"
Cocked his head. "Fix it? I just.. I thought she'd figure out what she was doing, and everything'd be okay."
"Oh, right. She's gonna come home tonight, and tell you she quit?"
"Most likely, no." Muttered, "I wish."
She jumped and squealed loudly suddenly. "God! Trevor!" She hit him in the chest, there was muffled laughter on her end of the line.
Spike cocked his head. "Madison?" Soft growl. 'Trevor'.
She came back. "Trevor just walked into my house and scared the hell outta me."
Growl carried over. "Trevor, eh?"
"Yes, my friend Trevor."
"Your 'friend', Trevor."
"Hey! No weird little quotey thingies." Paused. "Well... Um..."
Growl. " 'Um' what, Madison?"
"Um..." She watched his retreating back, going to the living room to have a 'man's talk' with Will about football. "There's been... kissage."
Growl got louder, and lip curled over his canine.
"Yeah, that's what I said, too, but only in the non-threatening, yummy way."
Snarl. "If he hurts you, Madison, so help me, I'll-"
"Yeah, I know exactly what you'll do." She sighed. "I'm just... we're just.... having fun... lots of fun."
Growl again. "Fun that entails *what*, exactly?"
She cleared her throat. "Um... fun, of the... fun variety."
Snorting snarl. "Fun of the what *kind* of fun variety, Madison?"
Tucked her hair behind her ears. "Um... kissing, and... stuff."
"*Stuff*?" The rumble was cutting through his words, now. "If I were in your room with you, Madison, would you let me near enough to smell you?"
"No," she squeaked.
Escalated to an almost roar. She heard hard breathing through the phone as he fought to calm himself.
"Not... not sex." 'Yet,' she qualified in her head.
"Then WHAT don't you want to tell me!?" Oops. Not calm enough, yet. More deep breaths. Eyes closed. Count to.. hell. Five thousand. In Gaelic.
"It's-you're.... it's DIFFERENT telling a guy what you did with a guy!"
"I tell you about Buffy!" Oh. Great. Now he sounded betrayed.
She sighed. "He makes me feel really good, and safe, and beautiful. We never DON'T have fun. We haven't...slept together yet."
Lost his place in his counting. " 'YET'! Yet!" Moaned. "Oh god, what's next? I swear, if Bit comes home and tells me that she's *dating* I will kill the wanker. Slayer or no Slayer, I will kill him." His eyes were flashing gold, and his teeth lengthened and hit the phone. "OW! Bloody hell!" Rubbed at his upper jaw.
"What?? I'm not TEN! Big girl, here."
Sighed, whimpered in pain from his fang (which he was almost certain that he'd cracked, damn hard phone), and sighed again. "I know. I know. Just.. after..." He couldn't even say the wanker's name. "That jackass who hurt you, I don't.. Does he know? Does Trevor know about you?"
"Yeah. Trevor's known about me since I was eight."
A bit of relief there, and it was audible in his voice. " 'At's hood.." What part of his voice she could understand, considering it sounded like he had something in his mouth.
"What are you... chewing on?"
He took it out of his mouth. "Ice. I cracked a fang."
"On what?"
"Ug hone." Moved the ice. "The phone."
"Should I ASK how?"
Moved the ice BEFORE speaking this time. "I vamped when I was pissed, and the phone was a little too close to my mouth. Are you happy, now!?"
Small giggle. "That's what you get. Treating me like a kid."
Started to growl, then winced and put the ice back. "Slot fugi."
"It's not funny?"
"Mo."
She snickered. "Of course not."
A 'grr' then moan. "Owww. Manmtit! Lovdly shell."
Another laugh. "Want me to let you go, Puppy? You seem to be having a lot of problems."
"Bleah." Moved the ice, tried again. "Yeah. I guess so. Ow." Heard the door shut upstairs. "Besides, I think Bit is home."
"Oh. Tell her I say hi. And if you tell Buffy I stuck up for her, I'll never scritch you again."
Whimper. "You wouldn't..."
"*You* wouldn't?"
"Ow. I won't. Come on, though, pet! You know I'm in the dog house over here. You'd take that away?" Extremely pitiful sounding whimper.
Defeated sigh. "No..."
"Thank you." Moan. Ice back in mouth. Out again. "I love you, Madison."
"I love you, too, Puppy."
He hung up and shoved the ice back into his mouth soon after. It was at that moment that the basement door opened.
"Spike?" Dawn wandered down the stairs. "Ready to write my report?"
He looked up. "Ey, Iblep." Oh, damn. Forgot about the ice. "Hey, Niblet."
She jumped a bit, because he was in game face. Then, "What's wrong??"
Sighed. "Cracked fang. Don't ask."
She gave a concerned pout. "It's ok,though?"
"Yeah. Will be." Put the ice back in. "Ib a libble whild."
A corner of her mouth quirked up. "In a little while. Good. Now... the Boxer Rebellion..."
========================================================================== =============
Buffy looked around. They had her in one of those little 'in between everywhere' checkouts, just like at Sears. She could run the machine, and knew with pride that she had checked out fifteen people flawlessly. It was shaping up to be a really great day. Which should have made her nervous. She had a break in less than an hour, though, and she was looking forward to it. She wore the heels to attract Spike's attention, as with the shirt. Arouse his ire, anger, jealousy, and sure, just... arouse. But now she was wondering if she shouldn't have brought a pair of sneaks to change into.
A young man was browsing a collection of music boxes nearby. Which one would his mom like more? The birds, or the one with the deer? He looked around. Needed a second opinion. Preferably a female's opinion. Ah. The woman over behind the little checkout counter might be able to help. He picked up both boxes and headed over. Cleared his throat, as she appeared to be looking at something on the floor. "Excuse me? Miss?"
Her head snapped up, from her intense focusing on the 'owwww, holy shit why'd I wear these' shoes. Pasted on a smile for incredibly gorgeous specimen in front of her. "Hi! Can I help you with anything?"
He shifted a little from foot to foot. "Uh.. I was wondering.." Damn. He was not good at this. Way to sound sure of yourself, Jesse. "I, uh.. I'm trying to figure out which of these boxes my mom'll like better. It's for her birthday. I think.. I think I need a second opinion." Kind of a half grin.
She grinned back into his green eyes. "Ooh. Birthday's. I've never had much luck with those myself-" cut herself off. Yeah... Scare the customer. Go, Employee of the Month. "Um... What's your mother like?"
He shrugged. "She likes animals. And classical music. So I thought I'd combine them. But I can't decide between the birds or the deer."
"Mm..." She looked between the boxes, then, "Birds. Deers are so... Bambi. Or.. hunter-y. Either way is a no-win." She smiled.
He looked at the box. "Oh. Thanks.." Looked at her nametag. "Buffy." Extended a hand. "I'm Jesse, by the way."
She shook his hand. "Hi, Jesse. I hope your mom likes her present. It's really beautiful. And thoughtful."
He gave a half embarrassed look. "Thanks. I, uh.. I just hope she agrees with you." Put the bird box on the counter. "I guess I'll go ahead and pay for this, while I'm here."
Whee! Another sale! Oh geez! Tone it down, Buffy! You sound like Anya. She giggled.
He gave that half grin again. She was cute. And nice. Show some backbone. "Uh.. I don't suppose you'd like to get a cup of coffee, sometime?" Damn it. Like *that's* an original line. Had the urge to smack his forehead into the wall.
She looked up from her very studious workings at the register. "Oh." That.. 'I'm about to shoot you down' oh. "Actually, I'm-" She stopped. Dating someone? No... And he had been mean this morning. And quite frankly- she broke off her musings. Don't piss yourself off again. "-on a break. In.. in a little bit." Smiled at him.
Jesse blinked. He'd been sure that she was about to say something like 'I've got a boyfriend'. "Are.. Are you saying yes?"
Was she? She was. Was she? She was...? Yes. "Yeah..." Another slightly nervous smile. "I guess I am."
He grinned, slightly larger this time. "Okay.. I'll wait for you, then?" Stop sounding nervous. Don't be an idiot!
"Um... sure. You know what? There's a Gloria Jean's across the street. Just... get a table, and I'll meet you there in... about twenty minutes? I've got a lunch coming to me."
He nodded. "Okay. I'll see you there." Took his purchase and walked off. Feeling kind of dazed. That line had actually *worked*? Part of him was expecting his alarm to go off right about now.
She watched him walk away, as pleasing going as he was coming. Buffy! She shocked herself sometimes. But...wow. Had a NORMAL guy just hit on her? Had she AGREED?
========================================================================== ================
Buffy walked in the door, barefoot, holding her high heels. Lunch had been really fun. Jesse was nice, from a slightly wealthier family, and was studying to be a lawyer. He said he wanted to go to dinner with her tonight, but she had declined, saying how she wanted to have dinner with her little sister, so they had made plans for two nights from now. A good first day, all in all, even though she did feel a little sneaky. As soon as she entered the house, Dawn shouted, "I MADE DINNER!!!! COME ON AND EAT! WE'RE HUNGRY!"
She gave a small laugh, and dropped the shoes, and made her way to the kitchen, viewing the slightly burned pancakes, eggs, and too-dark-to-be- healthy sausage patties. A celebratory dinner, carrying on a Summers tradition. "It looks wonderful, Dawnie." She inhaled deeply, as she hugged her frazzled looking sister, who had apparently put a lot of effort into this. "Mmm... And I'm so hungry, too."
Dawn smiled and shoved her into a seat. "Good. Congratulations to you, on your first day, at your new job. Now let's eat." She sat opposite Spike.
Spike raised his mug toward the Slayer. "I may not like it. But congratulations, luv."
A small smile, mostly for Dawn's benefit. "Thanks ever so."
He gave a half nod and sipped through his straw. Looked at the younger Summers. "Why don't you tell Buffy what you did today, Bit."
"I finished that stupid report, that was really boring. But I made it really good, and it sounds a lot better and more interesting, 'cuz Spike helped me, and, ya know, he was there and all, killing the Slayer, and he knew a lot of stuff about the Rebellion." She titled her head. "But a lot about what the hooker's wore, but, anyway, he knows like about the customs, and why the people were mad, and he made it kind of a lot less stupid than Mr. Burgensen made it, and I didn't fall asleep when he was talking at all." Took a deep breath after that, and smiled hugely.
Spike, meanwhile, was trying to hide a chuckle at the look on Buffy's face. Not to mention wondering if all teenagers can say that much in one breath, or if it was just Dawn.
She blinked, but then converted it all back to a teenage speaking scale and was right on board with her. "That's great, Dawn. I bet you oodles of money, that I'm gonna get on my paycheck, that you get an A."
Dawn grinned. "Yeah. But what about you? How was work??"
Spike cocked his head. Why was Buffy suddenly blushing slightly?
"Um... I'm working a register, and it's a lot easier than I thought it was gonna be. And the people are really friendly. Well, most of them anyway. One lady was kind of snooty, but I would be too, if I had $175 to spend on a pair of heels."
Spike was staring at her. Something. There was something that she wasn't telling them. Hiding something. He cocked his head a little, and took another sip from his mug, through his straw.
Dawn leaned forward. "Any hot guys?"
And now the blush was creeping up her neck. Spike continued to watch, but now he was sniffing a little, as well. But, with all the people she'd been around that day, it was hard to isolate if there was anything suspicious.
She sighed. "A couple. That were waaay too old for you. Heck, too old for me, too." And one had been. And Jesse. He wasn't hot. He was gorgeous.
Dawn gave a small pout, but nodded.
Spike cocked his head again, the other way. Sniffed again. There was something... Something that made the short hairs on the back of his neck stand up. But he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Well, with the break, their normal banter wasn't forthcoming. So Dawn improvised. "Spike cracked a fang today."
Spike half choked.
"Spike *what*??"
The vampire shrugged. "I cracked a fang. Hurt like hell for awhile, but it's okay, now."
"On what?" In that 'how on EARTH did you manage that' tone. And she frowned at him, flicked the straw he had been sipping out of. "Doesn't hurt, huh?" She firmed her mouth, said quietly, flippantly, "Getting good at not telling me things."
Spike gave a growl, and winced. "I'm fine, Buffy. And, if you must know, I cracked it on the phone."
Sweetly, "If you're biting the phone, you need to feed more."
Dawn's head moved back and forth, watching like it was a tennis match.
"Bloody hell. I didn't do it on purpose, Slayer." He gestured to his mouth. "You think I *wanted* to feel like there's a broken needle in my jaw?"
She shrugged around a mouthful of pancakes. "Never did know what you wanted."
Half growl again, ignoring the pain. "You've always known exactly what I've wanted, Slayer. I've made it bloody clear enough. Not to mention telling you several times."
"Don't growl at me." Sharply. She turned her head deliberately towards Dawn. "This is very good Dawn. I haven't had a good dinner like this in a long time."
She nodded. "Thanks. I did it all by myself. I wanted a proper Summers dinner of congrats." Licked her lips nervously. Oh my, did she hate the fighting.
Spike looked at Dawn, pushing the anger down to smile at her. "Your sister's right, Bit. You outdid yourself."
Dawn smiled, relaxing visibly. "Thanks. It does taste ok?"
Buffy nodded, forking a huge bite of pancake. "The best."
Spike nodded, swallowing part of a sausage. He didn't usually eat at dinner, but... Dawn had cooked, so.. exceptions. Dawn smiled again, and that make it completely worth it to swallow another burned bite of sausage.
"Well guys, you better hurry up. Third Watch in ten minutes."