Chapter 7
Tuesday morning, Buffy had criminal psychology and art history, after lunch. She had trouble deciding what exactly 'wittle Buffy' was suppose to be when she grew up. Her creative side screamed for her to be an artist, or maybe follow in her mother's steps and become a gallery owner. Her inquisitive and reach-out-to-others side liked the psychology.
'One more semester. Then I'll choose', she told herself while walking with Dawn, over to the Giles-Calendar driveway. The sight that met her had her frown.
"What happened to you?", Buffy asked, while taking in Angel's very bruised and almost purple nose. Her eyes traveled to Spike and she noticed his usually sharp jaw line was slightly swollen, the faintest violet shade on it. She watched quizzically back and forth from them, while they scowled.
"Angry doorknob, I think", Connor answered chuckling, while giving Dawn a wink. Dawn blushed, his wink having a double meaning for her. Angel rolled his eyes and went over to Buffy and planted a kiss on her cheek, before telling her to get in the car.
Spike grimaced at Angel, while Buffy scrunched her nose at Angel's behavior. She would have to find courage to call off their date. She did not like him ordering her around, or the way he would get physical around her. 'Too soon', she thought, even though she knew if it was a certain peroxide blonde, who did it, she wouldn't have minded at all.
She got in the car and noticed Spike was watching her, in a way that made her really self-conscious. She gave him a look that asked 'what'. He answered by carefully darting his tongue out to lick his lips, staring a moment at hers before looking at her eyes again.
Buffy's eyes refused to see into his again and stared out the window, in silence, the remaining ride to campus. Once on campus she bolted for her lecture hall, barely taking the time to thank for the ride. Spike trailed behind her. He had developing psychology for his first class and it was in the same building as her class.
"What's the hurry, luv?", Spike asked coming up beside her.
Buffy eyed him over and tried to calm the heat that rose in her, at the view of his tight blue t-shirt and faded jeans. "Want to get a good seat", she replied. Spike noticed how she had swallowed, when she looked him over and smiled, enjoying the effect he had on her. He was also taking his time admiring the way she looked in the form fitting, white capri pants and pink tank top. He let his eyes roam across her petite body, imagining how she would look naked this close.
"Why do you keep looking at me like that?", Buffy asked in a slightly agitated voice. Images of him hot and heavy with Drusilla, were popping into her mind. He had no right to look at her like that, if he and Drusilla were as close as Dru had said they were.
"When I see something I like, I look at it and if I still like it..", Spike leaned close to her, brushed a strand of her hair behind her hair, looked up to the sky, acting casual, before whispering in a low voice that sent tingles down Buffy's spine; "Then I take it."
Spike brushed past her, with a very smug smirk on his face. Buffy was stunned for a few seconds, before Spike turned facing her, cocking his head to one side, smirk still on his lips as he bit his lower one.
"Coming, pet?" Buffy's eyes widened. 'Is everything that escapes this man's lips sexual innuendo?' She shook her head and left for the lecture hall, him trailing behind her once more.
When Buffy entered the auditorium, she spotted Riley in his usual seat. Buffy purposely sat as far away as she could. She was not ready to face Riley on her own yet. It was one thing to face him with the gang, because he was part of it. She couldn't expect Xander to brush off one of his best friends for her sake.
Buffy took out the lecture schedule to check what was today's topic. Of course it had to be stalker profiles. 'How fitting. Great! Just great', Buffy thought, as she pulled out her note pad. Professor Reed came out and soon had everyone's attention.
"What characterizes a stalker could be an immense need to be close, to achieve some closeness to a person the stalker considers unattainable. Or it could be a conscious way to get to know his or hers victim. The stalker could have already decided to kill the victim, or he could simply be so frustrated by the unattainability of the person he might kill him or her. I think we've all heard the line 'If I can't have you no one will' in movies and such.", the professor started her lecture with.
Buffy shuddered. The professor made it sound like all stalk victims ended up dead and due to recent feelings, Buffy didn't like that idea. Buffy listened intently to the different kinds of stereotypical profiles for stalkers. As she listened to the professor go on about the victim profile she frowned. She didn't really fit any of them. Maybe the horror movies and her imagination, was finally getting the better of her. That's it. She was just imagining things. 'Silly girl', she chided herself.
***********
Cordelia had just finished her classes for the afternoon and was headed to meet up with her boyfriend, to steal some smooches, before meeting up with her philosophy study group. She spotted him sitting at a bench just outside her lecture hall.
Oz sat on a black iron bench patiently waiting for his girl. He saw her exiting the doors and smiled as she glowed upon seeing him. He noticed a couple of jocks eyeing her over in want, and Oz actually grinned, when he thought how they would react, when she'd fling her arms around his neck.
'Ah Priceless', he thought as Cordelia did even better. Cordelia actually straddled his lap and kissed him roughly, right in front of the now shocked football crew.
"Miss me baby?", Oz asked, a smile in his eyes, but his other features their usual stoic manner. Cordelia climbed off his lap, suddenly very aware of what she had been doing, out in public and in daylight no less. She settled for him having an arm slung around her waist, her holding his hand.
"In the way 'I can't wait for us to be alone again, so you can work that fabulous mouth of yours on me ', I'd have to say yes", Cordelia replied before asking, "I'm kinda seeing that happening later tonight. Don't you?"
"Dingoes", he replied in his usual short manner, before quickly remembering his girl, had a thing for real conversational skill. "Rehearsal. That British guy, Spike was it? He's auditioning today." At Cordelia's pout he added, "That doesn't mean I won't be up for some TLC post band thing"
Pout gone in favor of a smile on Cordelia's lips, she continued; "I'm actually meeting up with Spike in a few. Study group thingy for Philosophy. I can't believe I failed that course last semester. I mean, how was I supposed to know there was more than one Greek guy? Anyway, study group is me, Wills, Buffy, Spike, Angel and Riley! I so don't see that going well. Did you see Angel and Riley yesterday? Boy, did they look ready to rumble" Oz just nodded.
A couple of smooches later they parted and Cordelia headed towards the spot on the lawn where she spotted the group. As expected, daggers of ice, were being thrown in the looks between Riley and Angel. Cordelia stared questioningly between Angel and Spike and found she was wondering, just how they had ended up bruised. She shrugged it off and joined them on the soft grass matt for a study session.
Buffy felt truly awkward. In between fending off Angel's hands, the killer looks shared between him and Riley and Spike staring at her, she was just about ready to loose it, when Spike did something to drive her over the edge. He took off his t-shirt, to reveal his perfect, lean and toned muscles. Perfectly chiseled chest, and seemingly sculptured abs. Buffy's eyes widened and she tried to cover her gasp with a cough. Spike curled his lips in a smirk, amusement showing in his crystal blue eyes, at her reaction.
"What's the matter, pet? Something down the wrong pipe?", he asked her. She responded by only glaring at him, not willing to let any of the others catch on, to what had really brought out her reaction. Willow just smiled, knowingly and decided to follow Spike's example, to catch some of the afternoon rays, and took of her shirt to be only clothed in her tank top and skirt.
"So, Thomas Aquinas' mission was to integrate Aristotle's philosophy to common Christian philosophy. Aquinas' strong belief in God, led him to interpret Aristotle so that it wouldn't differ too much from christian belief.", Buffy said, trying to sum up what she had read.
"Please! The bloke didn't believe in God that strong. He believed in philosophy. His only motive was not to be burned at the inquisition. That's why he formed this new line in philosophy, to please society, so that he could continue to read what he loved.", Spike interrupted. He was actually agreeing to what Buffy had said, but he wanted to frustrate her and see how strong opinioned she was.
Although Buffy knew Thomas might have other motives, she did not care for the rude way Spike had tried to shatter her opinion. "I don't know how you guys study on your side of the pond, but on this side we stick with facts until we can form a believable argument to support our opinion!", Buffy had raised her voice and her cheeks had become slightly redder. Spike smiled in response, very pleased with his result before replying; "Don't get your knickers in a twist, luv. Was only yanking your chain to see if you'd come out and play"
Buffy threw her arms in the air, sighed in frustration, before throwing her back to the lawn, staring up to the sky and mumbling; "Why me?"
Study session went on without too many heated interruptions. After an hour Spike announced he had to leave for band rehearsal.
"I can give you a lift. And maybe, if Oz thinks I'm a good girl for doing that, he might let me stay." Cordelia said, her eyes dreamy, at the prospect of seeing her beau a little bit sooner.
"That sounds good, just need to stop by my place to pick up the gear. Allright?", Spike replied. Cordelia nodded and with that the entire group dispersed.
When Spike entered the garage of the house the band rented, the band members greeted him. He had already met Devon, the lead singer and Oz, the bass player and was know introduced to the drummer, Gunn and the keyboard player and mixing board operator, Whistler.
Whistler was a pretty cryptic type, sort of like Oz, the only difference Whistler wouldn't shut up. The only one who seemed to sometimes grasp, anything that came out of the tiny man with a bowler hat, was Oz who nodded in agreement at some of Whistler's comments.
"Brewsky?", Whistler asked Spike, holding out a bottle of beer. Finally Whistler had formed a sentence, if he could even call it that, very well a question, that Spike understood the entire meaning of.
"Thanks", Spike replied as he took the offered bottle. After some small talk, three ordered in pizzas and two six-packs of beer shared between them, Spike opened his guitar case. He revealed his black and silver fender electric guitar and awes were heard around the room.
"Man, how did you get your hands on this beauty?", Gunn asked as he gently held up the guitar.
"My Mum got it for me, for my fifteenth birthday. Apparently her brother was one of Grateful Dead's writers and this, this beauty was owned by Jerry Garcia", Spike replied taking his guitar back from Gunn and admiring it.
The whole room was completely stunned. After about five minutes, Spike hooked the guitar to the amplifier and started on the riffs for the solo on Scar Tissue by Red Hot Chili Peppers, He was soon accompanied by the rest of the band.
"That was awesome! I think it's safe to say, that you now can proclaim yourself a Dingo. Ready to do some of our stuff? Have to get you read for next Saturday's jam at The Bronze", Devon said, as they ended the song. Everybody nodded their agreement with him.
*********
Buffy caught a lift home with Angel. She had really wanted to get a lift from someone else, but that wasn't happening since Angel conveniently lived across the street from her. Of course, she could have insisted on walking home, but that somehow lost its attraction, when Buffy remembered how furious her father would get. She had now, accepted that yesterday's stalker feelings was nothing more than just that, feelings.
Besides, this could be just the opportunity she needed, to excuse herself from their date. She sat in the car contemplating just how she was going to let him down gently.
"So Buffy, is it just me or is Cordelia, really, really thickheaded", Angel brought her back from thoughts as new ones appeared. 'Okay, maybe not so gently!'
"I'll have you know Cordelia is even more intelligent than most people! It's not her fault, she has no motivation for taking philosophy, other than the extra credit. And I don't think I want to go out on a date with a guy, who talks dirt about my friends!", Buffy spat angrily
"Jeez Buffy! What crawled up your ass! Ease up.", Angel yelled part angry, part confused. Buffy stared at him eyes wide. 'Did he say what I just think he said?' "So I'll at least see you Friday?", Angel said as he had managed to calm himself, and was making googly eyes at her again. They had arrived in Revello drive by that time and Buffy really needed to calm herself.
She got out of the car, angrily stomped up the path to the front door and slammed it once inside. 'And to think he had the nerve to call Cordy thickheaded!' Joyce came from the kitchen to see what all the racket was about.
"Honey what's wrong? You weren't followed again, were you?", Joyce asked her daughter who stormed past her, into the kitchen and plopped into one of the stools at the kitchen counter.
"No!", Buffy growled. Joyce caught the sneaking suspicion that boys were the reason of her daughter's apparent angered state. It always was, either that or this Drusilla who seemed to get a kick out of seeing her daughter miserable. Joyce carefully took her place at the other side of the counter, peeked into her daughter's narrow eyes and waited for Buffy to continue.
"It never seizes to amaze me how incredibly annoying men are! I mean, do they have a brain region solely for the purpose of blocking out actual intelligent words, that may escape their mouth and seep into their brain! Eureka! I think I figured it out. It's not that the ego and sex part of the brains are too large to fit in their brain. That little Y added in the chromosome balance causes actual brain clogging.", Buffy ranted and Joyce waited, biting her lip so she wouldn't laugh at her daughter's logic.
"Well if it isn't my daughter the genetics scientist? Falling asleep to the Discovery Channel again?", Joyce teased and couldn't suppress her smile, as she knew Buffy had a nocturnal habit of watching anything on TV when she couldn't sleep. Buffy softened as her mother teased and couldn't help but pout.
"It does sort of make sense doesn't it?", Buffy asked showing the trademark Summers' pout and puppy eyes. Joyce could no longer suppress her laugh at her daughter's antics. When she calmed she remembered the earlier phone call.
"Buffy, you're uncle Joe called earlier. He invited us out to L.A next week. Your dad and I are combining it with a business trip. I need to meet up with an artist, a really big artist, who's considering letting me show his work at the gallery. Dawn's coming too and I think it would be a great time for you to sort out things, with your cousin. Dawn get along fine with her. You used to be such good friends, growing up. I think you should take this time to call a truce.", Joyce pleaded with her daughter.
"Please! The only reason Dawn and Faith get along is 'cause Dawn hasn't had any boyfriends Faith could steal. That, and the fact, that Faith sneaks Dawn into clubs and buy her drinks. I can't believe you actually allow them to be together, after last time when Dawn came home drunk! 'Sides classes are really important this semester and I can't miss even one", Buffy replied, once again agitated.
"Breathe, honey, breathe! At least think about it. Your father and I, really don't like the idea of you spending a week on your own in this house, after yesterday."
"It's no big deal. The more I think about it, I think my imagination got the better of me. I could probably stay in Willow's room, if that makes you feel any better. It's not like she'll actually use it now that Tara and her are back together.", Buffy told her mother before she headed up the stairs to her room. Buffy got halfway down the second-store hallway before Dawn intercepted her. The two of them went into Buffy's room
Dawn joined Buffym sitting down on Buffy's couch and spare bed. "You and I, need to talk" Dawn told her sister, who had buried her face in her hands. Buffy raised her head to meet her sister's gaze, bidding her to continue.
" I talked to Spike. He told me a few interesting things." Dawn was smiling at her sister. Buffy gave Dawn a look and a hand gesture that said 'And what?' Dawn's smile grew even bigger. She wanted her sister's curiosity and attention and had succeeded.
"Before I tell you, I need you to tell me what's going on", Dawn said, trying to put on something that resembled Willow's resolved face, letting her sister know she would not spill until Buffy did.
"Tell you what? What's going on with what?", Buffy asked a little annoyed. She didn't need her sister butting in, or her little games.
"Okay let me see if I can sum up what I've been thinking. Friday at dinner, you and Angel making it with the sickening puppy love looks, Saturday at the mall, you looking disappointed when I told you what Spike said, Sunday morning cranky Buffy, cranky Spike, happy Angel. When Connor told me I assumed something had happened with you and Angel, only you liked Spike. But then Spike told me something that actually made sense in a way that was *not*. If you like Spike and he likes you, why on earth are you going out with Angel?", Dawn said as she gave Buffy a accusatory and disapproving look.
"Hold up a sec. You said Spike likes me!" 'Care to explain why he's all with the closeness with Dru?', Buffy silently added not wanting to expose Dawn to the implied closeness. She huffed before continuing, " Dawn did he tell you this?" Dawn nodded vigorously in response, believing this information would thrill her sister.
Buffy's eyes widened before she exclaimed; "I can't believe it! Are all men complete idiots? I mean did he actually believe he could two-time Dru and me? Not only that, but he's corrupted my sister into helping with his sick games", Buffy was ranting angrily and pacing her bedroom floor, arms crossed. Dawn scrunched her nose in confusion at her sister's display.
"He's not serious about Drusilla. He likes you", Dawn tried to convince her sister.
"Ha! And to think I would actually fall for that! He's only looking to carve one more mark in his bedpost, and guess what!? I'm not the girl supplying. Does he actually believe I'd touch him after he's been with Dru? Who knows how many STD's he's gotten by now! Yuck!", Buffy shuddered at the thought. Dawn rolled her eyes. She had obviously caught her sister at a bad time and couldn't possibly convince a stubborn and pissed Buffy. She sighed and left the room to go call Connor and ask how he was dealing with the whole 'being grounded' thing. Then complain about her own, grounded state.
*********
Laughter and hisses of pleasure, were muffled by heavy blankets, in a big four-post bed, in the Wyndham-Price mansion. Ten minutes later a brunette's head came up from the covers and let out a contented sigh. It was followed by Wesley's head, who had a satisfied smile.
"Well, Lilah, you think you might be able to help with my little problem?", Wesley inquired, referring to their previous conversation
"Yes. It will take time though. A plan, as grave as this, can't be rushed. I'll have my associate be very careful to cover his tracks. Trick has never been close to getting caught before, but just to make sure, we have to cover our tracks with him as well. If he does go down, I have to make sure he doesn't take us down with him.", Lilah Morgan explained as she lazily stretched.
"Good", Wesley replied, his satisfied smile growing wider with a gleam of evil.
Tuesday morning, Buffy had criminal psychology and art history, after lunch. She had trouble deciding what exactly 'wittle Buffy' was suppose to be when she grew up. Her creative side screamed for her to be an artist, or maybe follow in her mother's steps and become a gallery owner. Her inquisitive and reach-out-to-others side liked the psychology.
'One more semester. Then I'll choose', she told herself while walking with Dawn, over to the Giles-Calendar driveway. The sight that met her had her frown.
"What happened to you?", Buffy asked, while taking in Angel's very bruised and almost purple nose. Her eyes traveled to Spike and she noticed his usually sharp jaw line was slightly swollen, the faintest violet shade on it. She watched quizzically back and forth from them, while they scowled.
"Angry doorknob, I think", Connor answered chuckling, while giving Dawn a wink. Dawn blushed, his wink having a double meaning for her. Angel rolled his eyes and went over to Buffy and planted a kiss on her cheek, before telling her to get in the car.
Spike grimaced at Angel, while Buffy scrunched her nose at Angel's behavior. She would have to find courage to call off their date. She did not like him ordering her around, or the way he would get physical around her. 'Too soon', she thought, even though she knew if it was a certain peroxide blonde, who did it, she wouldn't have minded at all.
She got in the car and noticed Spike was watching her, in a way that made her really self-conscious. She gave him a look that asked 'what'. He answered by carefully darting his tongue out to lick his lips, staring a moment at hers before looking at her eyes again.
Buffy's eyes refused to see into his again and stared out the window, in silence, the remaining ride to campus. Once on campus she bolted for her lecture hall, barely taking the time to thank for the ride. Spike trailed behind her. He had developing psychology for his first class and it was in the same building as her class.
"What's the hurry, luv?", Spike asked coming up beside her.
Buffy eyed him over and tried to calm the heat that rose in her, at the view of his tight blue t-shirt and faded jeans. "Want to get a good seat", she replied. Spike noticed how she had swallowed, when she looked him over and smiled, enjoying the effect he had on her. He was also taking his time admiring the way she looked in the form fitting, white capri pants and pink tank top. He let his eyes roam across her petite body, imagining how she would look naked this close.
"Why do you keep looking at me like that?", Buffy asked in a slightly agitated voice. Images of him hot and heavy with Drusilla, were popping into her mind. He had no right to look at her like that, if he and Drusilla were as close as Dru had said they were.
"When I see something I like, I look at it and if I still like it..", Spike leaned close to her, brushed a strand of her hair behind her hair, looked up to the sky, acting casual, before whispering in a low voice that sent tingles down Buffy's spine; "Then I take it."
Spike brushed past her, with a very smug smirk on his face. Buffy was stunned for a few seconds, before Spike turned facing her, cocking his head to one side, smirk still on his lips as he bit his lower one.
"Coming, pet?" Buffy's eyes widened. 'Is everything that escapes this man's lips sexual innuendo?' She shook her head and left for the lecture hall, him trailing behind her once more.
When Buffy entered the auditorium, she spotted Riley in his usual seat. Buffy purposely sat as far away as she could. She was not ready to face Riley on her own yet. It was one thing to face him with the gang, because he was part of it. She couldn't expect Xander to brush off one of his best friends for her sake.
Buffy took out the lecture schedule to check what was today's topic. Of course it had to be stalker profiles. 'How fitting. Great! Just great', Buffy thought, as she pulled out her note pad. Professor Reed came out and soon had everyone's attention.
"What characterizes a stalker could be an immense need to be close, to achieve some closeness to a person the stalker considers unattainable. Or it could be a conscious way to get to know his or hers victim. The stalker could have already decided to kill the victim, or he could simply be so frustrated by the unattainability of the person he might kill him or her. I think we've all heard the line 'If I can't have you no one will' in movies and such.", the professor started her lecture with.
Buffy shuddered. The professor made it sound like all stalk victims ended up dead and due to recent feelings, Buffy didn't like that idea. Buffy listened intently to the different kinds of stereotypical profiles for stalkers. As she listened to the professor go on about the victim profile she frowned. She didn't really fit any of them. Maybe the horror movies and her imagination, was finally getting the better of her. That's it. She was just imagining things. 'Silly girl', she chided herself.
***********
Cordelia had just finished her classes for the afternoon and was headed to meet up with her boyfriend, to steal some smooches, before meeting up with her philosophy study group. She spotted him sitting at a bench just outside her lecture hall.
Oz sat on a black iron bench patiently waiting for his girl. He saw her exiting the doors and smiled as she glowed upon seeing him. He noticed a couple of jocks eyeing her over in want, and Oz actually grinned, when he thought how they would react, when she'd fling her arms around his neck.
'Ah Priceless', he thought as Cordelia did even better. Cordelia actually straddled his lap and kissed him roughly, right in front of the now shocked football crew.
"Miss me baby?", Oz asked, a smile in his eyes, but his other features their usual stoic manner. Cordelia climbed off his lap, suddenly very aware of what she had been doing, out in public and in daylight no less. She settled for him having an arm slung around her waist, her holding his hand.
"In the way 'I can't wait for us to be alone again, so you can work that fabulous mouth of yours on me ', I'd have to say yes", Cordelia replied before asking, "I'm kinda seeing that happening later tonight. Don't you?"
"Dingoes", he replied in his usual short manner, before quickly remembering his girl, had a thing for real conversational skill. "Rehearsal. That British guy, Spike was it? He's auditioning today." At Cordelia's pout he added, "That doesn't mean I won't be up for some TLC post band thing"
Pout gone in favor of a smile on Cordelia's lips, she continued; "I'm actually meeting up with Spike in a few. Study group thingy for Philosophy. I can't believe I failed that course last semester. I mean, how was I supposed to know there was more than one Greek guy? Anyway, study group is me, Wills, Buffy, Spike, Angel and Riley! I so don't see that going well. Did you see Angel and Riley yesterday? Boy, did they look ready to rumble" Oz just nodded.
A couple of smooches later they parted and Cordelia headed towards the spot on the lawn where she spotted the group. As expected, daggers of ice, were being thrown in the looks between Riley and Angel. Cordelia stared questioningly between Angel and Spike and found she was wondering, just how they had ended up bruised. She shrugged it off and joined them on the soft grass matt for a study session.
Buffy felt truly awkward. In between fending off Angel's hands, the killer looks shared between him and Riley and Spike staring at her, she was just about ready to loose it, when Spike did something to drive her over the edge. He took off his t-shirt, to reveal his perfect, lean and toned muscles. Perfectly chiseled chest, and seemingly sculptured abs. Buffy's eyes widened and she tried to cover her gasp with a cough. Spike curled his lips in a smirk, amusement showing in his crystal blue eyes, at her reaction.
"What's the matter, pet? Something down the wrong pipe?", he asked her. She responded by only glaring at him, not willing to let any of the others catch on, to what had really brought out her reaction. Willow just smiled, knowingly and decided to follow Spike's example, to catch some of the afternoon rays, and took of her shirt to be only clothed in her tank top and skirt.
"So, Thomas Aquinas' mission was to integrate Aristotle's philosophy to common Christian philosophy. Aquinas' strong belief in God, led him to interpret Aristotle so that it wouldn't differ too much from christian belief.", Buffy said, trying to sum up what she had read.
"Please! The bloke didn't believe in God that strong. He believed in philosophy. His only motive was not to be burned at the inquisition. That's why he formed this new line in philosophy, to please society, so that he could continue to read what he loved.", Spike interrupted. He was actually agreeing to what Buffy had said, but he wanted to frustrate her and see how strong opinioned she was.
Although Buffy knew Thomas might have other motives, she did not care for the rude way Spike had tried to shatter her opinion. "I don't know how you guys study on your side of the pond, but on this side we stick with facts until we can form a believable argument to support our opinion!", Buffy had raised her voice and her cheeks had become slightly redder. Spike smiled in response, very pleased with his result before replying; "Don't get your knickers in a twist, luv. Was only yanking your chain to see if you'd come out and play"
Buffy threw her arms in the air, sighed in frustration, before throwing her back to the lawn, staring up to the sky and mumbling; "Why me?"
Study session went on without too many heated interruptions. After an hour Spike announced he had to leave for band rehearsal.
"I can give you a lift. And maybe, if Oz thinks I'm a good girl for doing that, he might let me stay." Cordelia said, her eyes dreamy, at the prospect of seeing her beau a little bit sooner.
"That sounds good, just need to stop by my place to pick up the gear. Allright?", Spike replied. Cordelia nodded and with that the entire group dispersed.
When Spike entered the garage of the house the band rented, the band members greeted him. He had already met Devon, the lead singer and Oz, the bass player and was know introduced to the drummer, Gunn and the keyboard player and mixing board operator, Whistler.
Whistler was a pretty cryptic type, sort of like Oz, the only difference Whistler wouldn't shut up. The only one who seemed to sometimes grasp, anything that came out of the tiny man with a bowler hat, was Oz who nodded in agreement at some of Whistler's comments.
"Brewsky?", Whistler asked Spike, holding out a bottle of beer. Finally Whistler had formed a sentence, if he could even call it that, very well a question, that Spike understood the entire meaning of.
"Thanks", Spike replied as he took the offered bottle. After some small talk, three ordered in pizzas and two six-packs of beer shared between them, Spike opened his guitar case. He revealed his black and silver fender electric guitar and awes were heard around the room.
"Man, how did you get your hands on this beauty?", Gunn asked as he gently held up the guitar.
"My Mum got it for me, for my fifteenth birthday. Apparently her brother was one of Grateful Dead's writers and this, this beauty was owned by Jerry Garcia", Spike replied taking his guitar back from Gunn and admiring it.
The whole room was completely stunned. After about five minutes, Spike hooked the guitar to the amplifier and started on the riffs for the solo on Scar Tissue by Red Hot Chili Peppers, He was soon accompanied by the rest of the band.
"That was awesome! I think it's safe to say, that you now can proclaim yourself a Dingo. Ready to do some of our stuff? Have to get you read for next Saturday's jam at The Bronze", Devon said, as they ended the song. Everybody nodded their agreement with him.
*********
Buffy caught a lift home with Angel. She had really wanted to get a lift from someone else, but that wasn't happening since Angel conveniently lived across the street from her. Of course, she could have insisted on walking home, but that somehow lost its attraction, when Buffy remembered how furious her father would get. She had now, accepted that yesterday's stalker feelings was nothing more than just that, feelings.
Besides, this could be just the opportunity she needed, to excuse herself from their date. She sat in the car contemplating just how she was going to let him down gently.
"So Buffy, is it just me or is Cordelia, really, really thickheaded", Angel brought her back from thoughts as new ones appeared. 'Okay, maybe not so gently!'
"I'll have you know Cordelia is even more intelligent than most people! It's not her fault, she has no motivation for taking philosophy, other than the extra credit. And I don't think I want to go out on a date with a guy, who talks dirt about my friends!", Buffy spat angrily
"Jeez Buffy! What crawled up your ass! Ease up.", Angel yelled part angry, part confused. Buffy stared at him eyes wide. 'Did he say what I just think he said?' "So I'll at least see you Friday?", Angel said as he had managed to calm himself, and was making googly eyes at her again. They had arrived in Revello drive by that time and Buffy really needed to calm herself.
She got out of the car, angrily stomped up the path to the front door and slammed it once inside. 'And to think he had the nerve to call Cordy thickheaded!' Joyce came from the kitchen to see what all the racket was about.
"Honey what's wrong? You weren't followed again, were you?", Joyce asked her daughter who stormed past her, into the kitchen and plopped into one of the stools at the kitchen counter.
"No!", Buffy growled. Joyce caught the sneaking suspicion that boys were the reason of her daughter's apparent angered state. It always was, either that or this Drusilla who seemed to get a kick out of seeing her daughter miserable. Joyce carefully took her place at the other side of the counter, peeked into her daughter's narrow eyes and waited for Buffy to continue.
"It never seizes to amaze me how incredibly annoying men are! I mean, do they have a brain region solely for the purpose of blocking out actual intelligent words, that may escape their mouth and seep into their brain! Eureka! I think I figured it out. It's not that the ego and sex part of the brains are too large to fit in their brain. That little Y added in the chromosome balance causes actual brain clogging.", Buffy ranted and Joyce waited, biting her lip so she wouldn't laugh at her daughter's logic.
"Well if it isn't my daughter the genetics scientist? Falling asleep to the Discovery Channel again?", Joyce teased and couldn't suppress her smile, as she knew Buffy had a nocturnal habit of watching anything on TV when she couldn't sleep. Buffy softened as her mother teased and couldn't help but pout.
"It does sort of make sense doesn't it?", Buffy asked showing the trademark Summers' pout and puppy eyes. Joyce could no longer suppress her laugh at her daughter's antics. When she calmed she remembered the earlier phone call.
"Buffy, you're uncle Joe called earlier. He invited us out to L.A next week. Your dad and I are combining it with a business trip. I need to meet up with an artist, a really big artist, who's considering letting me show his work at the gallery. Dawn's coming too and I think it would be a great time for you to sort out things, with your cousin. Dawn get along fine with her. You used to be such good friends, growing up. I think you should take this time to call a truce.", Joyce pleaded with her daughter.
"Please! The only reason Dawn and Faith get along is 'cause Dawn hasn't had any boyfriends Faith could steal. That, and the fact, that Faith sneaks Dawn into clubs and buy her drinks. I can't believe you actually allow them to be together, after last time when Dawn came home drunk! 'Sides classes are really important this semester and I can't miss even one", Buffy replied, once again agitated.
"Breathe, honey, breathe! At least think about it. Your father and I, really don't like the idea of you spending a week on your own in this house, after yesterday."
"It's no big deal. The more I think about it, I think my imagination got the better of me. I could probably stay in Willow's room, if that makes you feel any better. It's not like she'll actually use it now that Tara and her are back together.", Buffy told her mother before she headed up the stairs to her room. Buffy got halfway down the second-store hallway before Dawn intercepted her. The two of them went into Buffy's room
Dawn joined Buffym sitting down on Buffy's couch and spare bed. "You and I, need to talk" Dawn told her sister, who had buried her face in her hands. Buffy raised her head to meet her sister's gaze, bidding her to continue.
" I talked to Spike. He told me a few interesting things." Dawn was smiling at her sister. Buffy gave Dawn a look and a hand gesture that said 'And what?' Dawn's smile grew even bigger. She wanted her sister's curiosity and attention and had succeeded.
"Before I tell you, I need you to tell me what's going on", Dawn said, trying to put on something that resembled Willow's resolved face, letting her sister know she would not spill until Buffy did.
"Tell you what? What's going on with what?", Buffy asked a little annoyed. She didn't need her sister butting in, or her little games.
"Okay let me see if I can sum up what I've been thinking. Friday at dinner, you and Angel making it with the sickening puppy love looks, Saturday at the mall, you looking disappointed when I told you what Spike said, Sunday morning cranky Buffy, cranky Spike, happy Angel. When Connor told me I assumed something had happened with you and Angel, only you liked Spike. But then Spike told me something that actually made sense in a way that was *not*. If you like Spike and he likes you, why on earth are you going out with Angel?", Dawn said as she gave Buffy a accusatory and disapproving look.
"Hold up a sec. You said Spike likes me!" 'Care to explain why he's all with the closeness with Dru?', Buffy silently added not wanting to expose Dawn to the implied closeness. She huffed before continuing, " Dawn did he tell you this?" Dawn nodded vigorously in response, believing this information would thrill her sister.
Buffy's eyes widened before she exclaimed; "I can't believe it! Are all men complete idiots? I mean did he actually believe he could two-time Dru and me? Not only that, but he's corrupted my sister into helping with his sick games", Buffy was ranting angrily and pacing her bedroom floor, arms crossed. Dawn scrunched her nose in confusion at her sister's display.
"He's not serious about Drusilla. He likes you", Dawn tried to convince her sister.
"Ha! And to think I would actually fall for that! He's only looking to carve one more mark in his bedpost, and guess what!? I'm not the girl supplying. Does he actually believe I'd touch him after he's been with Dru? Who knows how many STD's he's gotten by now! Yuck!", Buffy shuddered at the thought. Dawn rolled her eyes. She had obviously caught her sister at a bad time and couldn't possibly convince a stubborn and pissed Buffy. She sighed and left the room to go call Connor and ask how he was dealing with the whole 'being grounded' thing. Then complain about her own, grounded state.
*********
Laughter and hisses of pleasure, were muffled by heavy blankets, in a big four-post bed, in the Wyndham-Price mansion. Ten minutes later a brunette's head came up from the covers and let out a contented sigh. It was followed by Wesley's head, who had a satisfied smile.
"Well, Lilah, you think you might be able to help with my little problem?", Wesley inquired, referring to their previous conversation
"Yes. It will take time though. A plan, as grave as this, can't be rushed. I'll have my associate be very careful to cover his tracks. Trick has never been close to getting caught before, but just to make sure, we have to cover our tracks with him as well. If he does go down, I have to make sure he doesn't take us down with him.", Lilah Morgan explained as she lazily stretched.
"Good", Wesley replied, his satisfied smile growing wider with a gleam of evil.