Chapter 27

Buffy sat silently on the couch in her living room. Spike sat next to her, holding her hand and watching as the slayer fidgeted nervously with the hem of her shirt. Joyce stood next to the couch, watching the lovers like a hawk. Sitting across from them, Principal Snyder and a Sunnydale police officer, Officer Melly, had begun to question the slayer.

"So, you were not home all night?" Officer Melly asked.

"No," Buffy replied, trying to keep her voice calm, "I was at the library for most of the night. Mr. Giles and I were studying."

"She was," Spike said, seconding the slayer.

"You were there with her?" Melly asked, standing and beginning to pace in front of the couch.

"All night," Spike replied, fighting down the urge to flash his game face at this man.

"What did you do after you were done at the library?" Melly asked impatiently.

"Is this really necessary?" Joyce Summer's asked, "Buffy is a good kid, and I don't think that she's committed any crime. But perhaps if you asked her about what you think she did…" Joyce was cut off.

"I'm sorry Miss Summers, but I need to question your daughter and her boyfriend. If you cannot accept this, I'll have to ask you leave," Officer Melly told Joyce. Mrs Summers nodded her consent and folded her arms in front of her, trying to remain clam.

"As I asked before, what did you do after you were done at the library?" Melly asked.

"We went home, just to talk. See, Spike and I…" Buffy began however Officer Melly cut her off.

"Spike…is that your boyfriends real name?"

"No, his name is William," The slayer replied.

"Continue," Melly said, motioning for Buffy to keep talking.

"Spike and I had a fight, we just got back together, you know, forgave one another, and decided to come back to the house and chat, catch up. Then you came in."

No one spoke for a few minutes. However, Officer Melly took out a small notebook and began jotting some things down. Then, Principal Snyder broke the silence.

"Well, I'm sorry to interrupt your evening, but William and Miss Summers are going to have to come with me," Joyce protested immediately.

"I really don't think that William and Buffy have done anything wrong. In fact I'm starting to question exactly how qualified you two are to be doing this investigation."

"I'm sorry you feel that way Miss Summers, but your daughter and William both need to come down to City Hall immediately. There, I promise, everything will be explained to them," Officer Melly said, speaking to Joyce as if she was a small child.

"Can I come with?" Joyce asked.

"No," Principal Snyder answered quickly, "These two need to go alone. They need to speak to the mayor." Spike and Buffy looked at one another, confused. They didn't notice that when Principal Snyder reached into his suit pocket, a stake peaked out of its corner, barely visible.

Your voice makes me tremble inside
And your smile is an invitation
For my imagination to go wild.
~ by Anonymous ~