Part 3

I am a happy young woman.

I am a happy young woman sitting in the magic shop.

I am a happy young woman sitting in the magic shop, talking to my friend, Xander Harris.

I am a happy young woman sitting in the magic shop, talking to my friend, Xander Harris and NOT thinking about a stupid vampire named Spike.

Xander is talking… listen to him… Xander's your friend… Xander is normal… Xander doesn't bleach his hair… Xander doesn't wear the most unbelievably attractive black leather coats… you didn't have sex with Xander two nights ago and then walk out on him before he woke up because you couldn't believe what you had done and somehow it was his fault because he has that stupid accent where he could be saying anything and it sounds soo sexy… AHHHH!!!! Xander is talking to you!! HELLO?! What if he asks you a question??

Buffy snapped out of her mental debate and started listening to Xander. "So anyway." He said. "The boss is totally busting my butt to get this job done because the clients are totally loaded and he wants the business. So, I can't hang for long because I'm drowning in you Summers."

"WHAT?! What did you say?!" Buffy exclaimed suddenly.

"Ummm… I said my boss is busting my butt, so I can't hang for long, because I have to go to work early tomorrow." Xander answered, confusion evident in his voice. "Buff, are you ok?"

"Yeah! Yeah." She answered, nodding. "I'm fine, totally fine. I just didn't hear you, is all… hehe, stupid personal stereo, I'm going deaf… hehehe." She laughed uneasily.

"Oooook." Xander said. He wasn't fooled by her, she had been acting a little strange for a couple of days now, but he decided not to push it at this point in time.

"Ummm, I think I left some stuff in the training room." Buffy said rising from her seat. She walked over to the training room. I am a happy young woman sitting in the magic shop, talking to my friend, Xander Harris and NOT thinking about a stupid vampire named Spike. – Yeah right!!

Buffy quickly walked into the training room, not bothering to turn the light on. She began to pace. Stop it! Stop it, stop it, stop it!! Stop thinking about Spike, because if you keep thinking about Spike – then it becomes a big deal, and Spike being a big deal in your life is definitely bad. Ok. Reasons why it is bad: Spike is a Vampire, Spike is evil, Spike is soulless, Spike is mean, Spike is a smoker, Spike is a bad influence, Spike has the most gorgeous blue eyes, Spike has abs that you can scrub laundry on… AHH!! Off topic, OFF TOPIC!!!!! Spike's bad! Very, very bad! And evil! And bad!

Buffy stopped pacing and sighed deeply. "Who am I kidding?" She moaned.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Ok." She said brightly. "Pull. It. Together." She said, punctuating each word with a light slap to her face.

Buffy left the training room and walked briskly back to the table. When she got there, Anya was talking to some one on the phone.

"No, I'm sorry Rupert Giles isn't here." Anya said. Buffy's ears perked up at that and she began to listen to Anya's half of the conversation.

"Who's calling?... yeah, he's left the country… because he felt useless in America… no it's for good… is this related to the magic shop? Because if it isn't then you're wasting my time… well I do have a business to run… ok, what did you say your name was? Wesley Wheedon-what?"

Buffy jumped up when she realise Anya was talking to her ex-watcher Wesley. She grabbed the phone off Anya. "Hey!" Anya exclaimed, unimpressed.

"Hello? Wesley?" Buffy spoke into the phone, ignoring Anya.

"Yes, it's me. Is that you Buffy?"

"Yeah."

"Oh good. Don't ever let that other girl answer the phone again!"

Buffy grinned. "What's up Wesley?"

"Well I was actually looking for Rupert, I'm in some trouble with the Council."

"Giles has moved back to England."

"Damn! He's no good to me there."

"Wait, what kind of trouble are you in."

"The Council have kidnapped Fred."

"Oh my God! Wait a second, who's Fred?"

"Oh, Winifred. We saved her from Pylea, the alternate dimension sucked into a while back."

"Oh yeah, Angel told me about her. If you want I could come to LA, I've had my fair share of run-ins with the Council, maybe I could be helpful."

"Actually that would be really great. Could you leave tonight?"

"Yeah, sure. I just need to get someone to drive me and I'm on my way."

"Ok, that's great. Thank you so much!"

"You're welcome. So, why did they kidnap her? The Watcher's Council aren't exactly ethical, but they don't do things for no reason."

Wesley froze. Only then did it hit him, that this would be a very touchy issue between Buffy and Angel. "Ummm, they wanted something… uhhh… I don't want to talk about it over the phone. We'll discuss everything in detail once you're here."

"Oh, ok. I'll see you in a few hours."

"Alright, goodbye."

"Bye."

Buffy hung up the phone and turned to the questioning faces of Anya and Xander. "That was Wesley." She began. "Apparently the Watcher's Council have kidnapped Fred, the newest member of Angel Investigations."

"Those bastards!" Anya yelled. She hated the Watcher's Council and their anti-demon beliefs, so she never had any problems with voicing her dislike of them.

"It's ok sweetie." Xander said soothingly to his fiancée. He then turned his attention to Buffy. "Why did they kidnap him?"

"Her. Her name's actually Winifred." Buffy corrected. "I don't really know why. Wesley said something about the Council wanting something in exchange… or someone, maybe… he didn't really get into it. Anyway, I told him I go to LA and help. So, can you drive me Xan-man?"

"I'm sorry Buff, but like I told you, I have lots of work to do and I really can't screw around." He said apologetically.

"Xander, this isn't screwing around. The Watcher's Council have kidnapped a girl."

"I know. I'm sorry. Believe me, I want to nail the Council's asses as much as you do, but I just can't miss work right now."

"No, that's ok. Sorry I sometimes forget that you guys actually have a life outside of slaying and stuff." She said sadly.

"Why don't you get Spike to drive you?" Anya suggested.

"Huh? Spike?" Buffy said nervously. "Wh-why would I want Spike to drive me?"

"Uhh, hello?" Anya responded. "He has, like, nooo life; he'll take you out of boredom. Besides, if things get rough, you don't need to worry about him – he can take care of himself."

" No, no. He's way too annoying to take with me." Buffy re-iterated.

"But by the time you get to LA, it'll be almost daybreak, so he'll just go to sleep and be out of your hair." Anya said.

"Hmmm…" Buffy thought aloud. "I'm liking the sound of that. I think I could actually live with that. I'll go ask him."

Buffy sounded bright and optimistic, but inside she was reduced to a bundle of nerves at the thought of seeing Spike again.

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Spike sat in his crypt aimlessly flipping through channels on his flickering television. He wasn't paying attention, rather, he was thinking about Buffy. I can't believe the stupid bint. She just left, after everything that happened that night, she just left. That bitch! Did she just use me for sex?... probably. Well screw her, I'm not going to get all sad over her! This wet puppy bit's getting stale!… I wonder if she'll ever want to see me again… probably not… dammit!

Spike's thoughts were interrupted when he heard a knock at the door. Well this can't be her – she never knocks…

He got up and went to the door. Upon opening the door he found the object of his desire staring up at him. If Spike had needed to breathe, then he would have passed out at the mere sight of her.

Her deep, hazel eyes looked at him with uncertainty, as she chewed on her moist, pink lower lip. Her golden hair fell over her back and shoulders, just hitting the top of her black halter top. Her red, leather pants hugged her in all the right places and she finished the classily seductive ensemble with black ankle-boots.

"Hey Spike." Buffy said quietly.

"Hey." He whispered back. Close your mouth and wipe the drool off, you bloody pillock! Once he had regained control of himself, Spike stood up a little straighter. He noticed the bag sitting at her feet.

"So, you planning on moving in, love?" He asked sardonically.

Spike wasn't going to let her know that he was hurt by her actions. Instead, he covered his feelings with his usual arrogant bravado. Buffy sensed the cover up, and at this point, it suited her just fine. She wasn't sure what her feelings were, so she didn't want to talk about what had transpired between them.

"No thanks bleach-boy. I'm here to ask you something." She answered shrewdly.

"Well then." He stepped away from the door, allowing her to enter. "Ask away."

Buffy picked up her bag and stepped inside. "Ang- Wesley and his gang in LA are in some trouble. Fred, this girl that works with them, she's been kidnapped by the Council of Watchers. Wesley rang, asking for help, so I'm going to go to LA and help them."

"So by 'Wesley and the gang', what you really mean is 'Angel and the gang'." He stated.

"No. Wesley was the one who called me and he's the one in charge around there, so what I really meant was 'Wesley and the gang'." She rebuked.

"Gee, that's swell." Spike commented with sarcasm. "Mind telling me what this has to do with me?"

"Well, I want you to drive me there. I need to get there tonight and driving is the simplest answer." She said quickly.

"Yeah, driving is the simplest answer… if YOU can drive!!" He exclaimed.

"Spike-"

"No!" He interrupted her. "I should've known. The only reason you ever some to see me is when you want me to do something for you!"

"I asked Xander first, but he couldn't miss work tomorrow." She reasoned.

"What?!" He cried. "You didn't even ask me first?!"

"What the hell?!" She squealed back. "I thought you didn't want to take me anyway?!"

"Well you're right, I don't." He said with false calm. "So why don't you sod off."

She eyed him sternly for a moment. "Spike. I really need to get to LA. Would you please drive me there?" She asked him, the seriousness evident in her voice.

Spike looked back at her pondering. "You don't strike me as the begging kind." The words rolled off his tongue softly, almost seductively.

"Stop it." She breathed. "I'm being serious."

Spike moved over to Buffy in a predator-like manner. Gently, he placed his hands on her hips. He moved his head down until her faces was barely an inch away from hers. A small smile played on Spike's lips when he noticed that she didn't resist him at all.

"So am I." He responded, his voice barely audible. Then, he walked quickly out of the crypt. Buffy sighed in frustration and went out after him.

When she got outside, she saw him standing about 20ft from his crypt, staring up at the sky. She walked up behind him. Sensing her there, he turned and spoke softly to her. "Get your stuff. We have to leave soon if we're going to make it to LA by daybreak."

Buffy gave him a genuine smile. "Thank you." She said as she took his hand in hers and squeezed it gently. Spike smiled, then squeezed her hand back and nodded in recognition.

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