Title: Lessons to Learn Chapter Ten: A Trace of William
Author: SlayrGrl55 (aka Anna)
Rating: PG
Pairing: B/S
Spoilers: Lessons
Feedback: pretty please?
Disclaimer: I don't own 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' or 'Beauty and the Best'…yet ~laughs deviously~
Spike stood in front of the dresser in his room, fiddling with his tie. Xander stood on a table next to him, giving him tips for the upcoming dinner with Buffy.
"Now, you want to impress her. Not scare her off. Control your temper. You'll have dinner, dance and then-"
Spike cut him off with a voice of uncertainty. "Then I profess my undying love? And hope she returns it?" He stopped playing with his tie long enough to look Xander in the eye.
"You care, right?" Xander asked.
"More than anything." Spike answered without hesitation. He adjusted his tie one last time and turned to present himself to Xander. He held his hands out, waiting for a reaction.
Xander looked him over and then gave a nod of respect. "Then you tell her tonight." Xander stated.
Spike sighed. "I tell her tonight."
Half an hour later, Buffy strolled into the ballroom in a beautiful golden gown. Her hair was pinned up, and loose tendrils fell on her bare shoulders. This is so awesome. She thought as she surveyed the room. The ceiling seemed to be at least a hundred feet high and candles brightened the room from all angles. She stopped at the top of the main staircase and glanced around for her dining companion. A few seconds later he appeared next to her and took her arm, leading her down the steps.
Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly
He pulled out a chair for her and then took his seat across from her. They began to eat the first course as a small orchestra began to play across the room. Recognizing the song, she couldn't resist and before she knew what she was doing she was standing up.
Just a little change
Small to say the leastBoth a little scared
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast
"I take it you want to dance, pet?" Spike joked. She just smiled in return and grabbed his hand, leading him to the dance floor.
Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
Suddenly it occurred to her that she didn't know how to dance to this type of music. She danced at the Bronze all the time, but the Bronze never played music like this. Spike felt her tense as they approached the center of the ballroom. "Somethin' the matter, luv?" he asked as he put his arms around her.
Tale as old as time
Tune as old as song
Bitter sweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong
She started to blush. "It's kind of stupid, but I just realized I don't know if I can dance to this music. Not really used to it." He smiled and started to lead them. He surprised her when he actually knew what he was doing. As Buffy caught on to the movement she looked up at him. "So, there's still a trace of William in you after all."
Certain as the sun
Rising in the East
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast
She expected him to revile the idea of his human self, but instead he just winked. They continued to dance around the ballroom for the next few minutes, completely oblivious to the small crowd of observers that had drawn. In a far corner, a teapot, a chipped cup, a candlestick holder and a clock looked on with hope.
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the beast
As the song ended they forgot their dinner and Spike led Buffy to the balcony. They took a seat on the stone bench and he took his hand in her smaller one. The orchestra played on accompanied with the chirp of crickets from the garden below them.
Spike took a deep breath and looked her in the eye. "Buffy, are you happy here? Wherever we are, are you happy here…with me?" he asked.
She smiled at his sudden shyness and wondered what William was really like. Deciding she would never know Spike's human self, she answered his question. "I am happy here, Spike. It's literally a fairy tale come true. No slaying duties and no Doublemeat Palace. It's a getaway from all my responsibilities. And being here with you is wonderful, but…" she trailed off.
"But what?" he questioned her. I knew it. She hates it here. She can't stand me.
"It's my mother. She's here, in this place. She's alive here and I don't even know where she is. She's alive, Spike. She's alive." She started to cry and Spike took her in his arms, trying his best to comfort her. Okay, so maybe she does like me. God, how could I have forgotten about Joyce? By the time her tears had stopped he had made his decision, as hard as it was.
"Luv, there's something I want to show you. Stay right here, I'll be right back." He told her. He ran to his room and picked up the item he would show her. Holding it tightly, he made his way back to her through the maze of corridors. When he returned she was staring out at the garden, lost in thought. He cleared his throat to announce his presence and she turned around. "Here."
She took the small hand-held mirror in her hands, marveling at its beauty. Spike sat down next to her and explained what the purpose of the mirror was. "Just think about anyone you want to see and the mirror will show it to you. Try it." She concentrated on the image of her mother and slowly she appeared in the mirror.
At first Buffy was happy that it worked, but as she watched the scene play out before her, she became horrified. Her mother was sick and walking the streets of Sunnydale, calling out Buffy's name. Joyce coughed and wheezed, but continued her search. She looked up at Spike with fresh tears in her eyes.
"You should go to her, Buffy." He whispered. She hugged him and gave him a quick kiss on the lips before standing up. She was about to leave when she turned back to him. "Thank you Spike."
She ran to her room, collecting her things and putting them into a bag. Once she was finished she took the horse that was tied up in the barn and took off down the path that led to town, hoping she wasn't too late to save her mother.
On the balcony, Spike sat with his head in his hands, trying his best not to cry. He had been so close to having Buffy as his own and she had slipped through his fingers. But it was worth it. He told himself. She has her mother back now. She'll be happy with Joyce. But at the mention of Joyce's name memories came rushing back to him and he finally broke down.
In the kitchen, Spike and Buffy's previous audience were sitting around trying to ignore the gut-wrenching sobs coming from their master. All they could do was hope things would turn out for the best.
Author's Note: I am SO SORRY that I haven't written in so long! I've been so busy with writing my movie script (that me & my friends are making) that I've neglected to work on this story. Again, I'm SO SORRY! Please forgive me! And if you're still reading this story, then thank you so much for sticking with me! It means a lot to me that people like my story so much! I hope you like this chapter, although it ended sadly, and I hope to get many reviews! I'll try to get up a new chapter as soon as possible! Thanks!