28. She Does Now

DAY 11

After dinner, Buffy spotted Spike standing by the steps of the cafeteria. She had missed the meal because she had been working on finishing up the choreography for the 'Somewhere Ballet.' The piece was extremely long, and she knew that if she wasn't completely prepared, the kids would trample her the next morning. "Hey!" Buffy said, jogging over to where Spike was standing. He gave her a dirty look and began walking away. 'What's going on? He seemed to be ok this morning. Granted, we didn't really speak; but things weren't tense and all 'eeee!' like the last time.' She ran after him and tapped him on the shoulder. "What's up, mopey? Didn't you hear me?"

Spike turned around and glared at the petite woman. He fished in his pockets and pulled out a smoke; knowing that if he didn't keep his mouth occupied he'd be shouting at her again. As angry as he was, he didn't want a repeat of the horrible fight they had the week before. "Yah, I heard you."

Buffy's face fell. "Oh." She stared at him with wide eyes when he started lighting a cigarette. She pushed him into a hidden area, so he wouldn't be seen by any campers' prying eyes. "So. . ." she started slowly, "how's your day been so far."

He inhaled his cigarette sharply, blowing out a long stream of smoke. "Look, I'm not one for small talk, al'right?" He eyed her body up and down. She was wearing one of her cute dance outfits, with the tank top and dance pants hugging every curve. "What do you want?"

Buffy frowned. "Nothing, I just wanted to see how you were." She lowered her eyes from his, and started to fidget with the edge of her shirt.

Spike held out his arms and spun in a slow circle. "I'm fine. . .Never been better." He stared into her eyes intently. "Now, why don't you tell me what you really brought me back here for?"

She swallowed down the large lump in her throat. "Really, that's all. I thought that . . ." 'We were going to be able to work through this. Maybe, build up a friendship . . .start fresh.'

He chuckled low in his throat. "Thought what? That you'd get me alone for a little outdoor playtime?" Taking in another drag of his cigarette, he breathed out as he spoke. "I thought we covered that one already?"

She lifted her eyes to his, and put on a brave face. "Spike, I'm not going to fall for your tough-guy act this time. It won't work."

"Is that right?" He smirked and snuffed his cigarette out on the heel of his shoe. "You mean to tell me, you're not thinking of jumping my bones right now?" Off her glare, he laughed. "Maybe not RIGHT now; but the thought had crossed your mind."

Buffy crossed her arms over her chest and stood her ground. "It doesn't have to be this way."

"What way?" he asked, innocently.

She sighed and took one of his hands in her own. "Do you think maybe we can get together later on? Maybe talk a few things over?"

He looked up at the sky and laughed loudly. "NOW she wants to talk?" he asked to the heavens. Spike fixed his blue eyes back to her green ones. "Sorry, luv, you're going to have to take a number." He pointed past her to where Drusilla was standing.

"Drusilla?" Buffy laughed. "You're not seriously getting together tonight with that whack-job?"

"Takes one to know one, pet."

"Point taken." She nodded her head slowly. "But just remember that I tried." She gave him a pointed look and turned to walk towards her cabin.

Spike pulled out another smoke and lit it. She seemed so sincere. . .he'd almost given in to her request. He looked over at Drusilla, who was now waving in his direction. He sucked in on his cigarette. 'Well, Spike, there's no getting out of it now. I just hope she doesn't start talking about burning fish again.'

-------------------

Later That Evening

". . .fish."

"Huh?" Spike asked, snapping out of his thoughts.

"I said - Go Fish." Drusilla said with a giggle. "That is the game we're playing, right? Unless, you were interested in something with a li'l more . . . action. . ." She gave him a sideways smile and placed her cards on the table between them.

Spike shook his head, completely missing her come-on. "No. . .this is good. I needed somethin' a little low-key tonight." Drusilla sighed and picked up her cards, resuming the game. "Besides, with all the pennies in the kitty, I might be able to double my salary before the night is through."

Drusilla chuckled, knowing exactly what he meant by the statement. The money they made at Sunny-D would barely cover the cost of a Tube ride when they got back home. She picked a card from the deck and let out a sharp squeal. "Oooo . . .King of Cups!"

Spike looked at her skeptically. "That's a club, princess."

She pouted; annoyed that he didn't want to play along. "I know, silly. It's just that my tarot deck is so much more fun." She gathered up all the cards and placed them under the table. "This is rather dull. Don't you think we could find something else to keep us busy?"

Spike leaned back against the couch, and watched warily as she flounced over to sit beside him. "Like what?"

Next thing he knew her lips were on his. Out of pure instinct, he responded and deepened the kiss. Snapping out of it, he wrenched his mouth from hers and lightly pushed her away. "I'm sorry, Dru." She pouted and crossed her legs under her body. "I thought you said you wanted to get together as friends? You know. . .feel closer to home for awhile?"

She thought about it for a moment and nodded slowly. "That is wha' I said." She leaned in closer to him. "But you know how we could feel even closer . . .?" She ran her fingers up his arms and across his lips, only to have him stop her abruptly.

"Not tonight. What I need is a friend." He looked her directly in the eyes as he spoke. "Do you think we could try that?"

She sighed and moved back to the floor. "Fine." She picked up the cards and began dealing again, before adding, "I just thought you might want to move on, is all, considering that's what Buffy's doin'."

Spike's head snapped up at her remark. "What did you say?"

Drusilla shrugged. "You know, since she's snoggin' Angel, an' all that . . .I thought you might be ready to move on as well." She looked at him out of the corner of her eye, and went back to dealing the cards, an evil smile spreading across her face.

"Where'd you hear that?" Sure, he had seen Angel kiss her, but after his brief run-in with Buffy he had convinced himself that it was just a misunderstanding; that it would blow over in no time.

The raven-haired girl picked up her cards and began organizing them into pairs. "Darla. According to her, Buffy and Angel have been goin' behind her back for some time now."

Spike felt his skin start to burn and grabbed the cards from the table. "Well, why would I care about that?"

Drusilla smiled innocently and pulled a card from the deck. "No reason."

-----------------

DAY 13 - After In-Time

"Get up!"

Buffy lifted her head from her pillow and looked drowsily towards the girl standing above her. "Huh?"

"I said, GET UP!" In one swift motion, Willow pulled Buffy out of her bed. "We're into the second week of camp and you haven't been out to The Bronze once since before the kids got here."

Buffy yawned and sat back down on her bed. "I'm sorry, Wills. I kinda wanted to stay in tonight."

Willow shook her finger in her friend's face. "Not a chance, missy." She grabbed her friends hands and lifted her up once more. "Now I want you to march over to that closet and pull out something sexy!"

"But . . ."

"No buts! Well . . .except for yours in those cute leather pants you love so much." Buffy stared at her friend blankly. Willow pointed to her own face. "You know what this is. . ." Buffy nodded slowly, furrowing her brows in recognition. "That's right, it's my resolve face. Now go make yourself look hot. I don't want to see you in anything even closely resembling the depression overalls, my dear."

Buffy gave in and walked over to her closet and slowly began looking through her wardrobe.

Willow snapped her fingers. "Come on! The guys are already there. . .get a move on!"

Buffy's heartbeat raced and she turned to look at her friend. "Will . . .I'm not feeling so well. Do you think I can sit this one out? Maybe we can go out tomorrow night. . ."

"No way, chicka! I'm on grounds tomorrow. Plus, it's going to be fun." She walked towards her friend and squeezed her cheeks like an aunt would do to a toddler. "You'll see."

Buffy rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine . . .but you have to protect me from Angel. He hasn't left me alone for the last few days. He's such a . . ." she thought for a moment before finally giving up. "I don't know; but something really clingy and annoying . . . that slobbers. A lot."

Willow laughed happily, glad her friend finally had seen the light about Angel. "My pleasure. . ." She sat down in Buffy's desk chair. "But what about another sexy soccer stud?"

Buffy zipped up her pants and pulled a black v-neck shirt over her head. "Who knows. . .I haven't talked to him since yesterday. I know we . . .er . . .HE decided that we shouldn't see each other. But, he's been really distant. Like the King of Avoid-o-Land."

"Oh, sweetie," Willow stood up and patted Buffy on the head. "Afraid your title is being threatened?"

Buffy smacked her hand away, and laughed at the remark. "A little. . ." She paused and then continued. "But seriously, he's been really weird."

Willow shrugged and watched as Buffy applied her make-up. "I don't know what's up with him. He hasn't been around much lately. But he'll be there tonight."

Buffy sighed and pulled her hair into a knot, securing it with a pair of painted chopsticks. She turned to her friend and twirled in a circle. "How do I look?"

"Stunning, my darling." She drawled in a posh accent.

Buffy smiled. "Considering it took me all of five minutes to throw this look together . . . I think I look damn good." She grabbed her purse from the dresser and started towards the door, only to stop when Anya rushed into the room, heading straight for her dresser. "Hey, Anya. We're heading to The Bronze. Wanna come?"

Anya opened her drawer and started fishing for something that was apparently extremely important. "No, go ahead!" she shouted from practically inside the drawer. "I have my own plans." She pulled out a lace bra and matching panties, smiling widely at them. Remembering she wasn't alone she turned to the girls behind her and waved them off. "Run along!"

Buffy was about to confront Anya about her nightly secret rendezvous, but Willow had her out the door before she could say a word.

--------------------

"All right. I think it's about that time," Xander said, rubbing his hands together. He looked around the table at Cordy, Oz and Spike. "I'm going to kick it into hyper-drive."

Cordy pulled him towards her, giving him quick kiss. "Kick some ass."

He grinned happily. "Oh I plan to."

Cordelia watched him make his way to the Karaoke stage. She turned back to two pairs of eyes, staring at her curiously. "What?"

Oz and Spike shrugged; they still couldn't get over how open Cordy had been about her relationship with Xander.

"I'm going to get another pitcher," Spike said, rising to his feet. "Anyone want anything."

Oz shook his head. "I think I'm going to wait till Will and Buffy get here."

Spike looked at Cordy, who just shook her head. "Fine, more for me then. . ." He approached the bar and set a ten dollar bill and the empty pitcher on the counter. "Hey, barkeep. Another pitcher of Sam Adams and a shot of Tequila - no training wheels." The bartender nodded and went to fill the order. When his drinks arrived he quickly slammed down his shot and walked back to the table, wobbling slighly from the amount of alcohol in his system. After he sat down, he immediately filled his pint glass, and took a large gulp, finishing nearly half the glass.

"Woah . . .slow down there tiger," Cordy said, as she watched him down the beer. "Do you really think . . ."

**Oh my god, Becky, look at her butt.

It is so big.

She looks like one of those rap guys girlfriends.

Who understands those rap guys?

They only talk to her because she looks like a total prostitute, ok?**

Cordelia snapped her attention over to Xander, her mouth dropping wide. He continued speaking in a high-pitched voice, with one hand on his hip, the other on his head.

**I mean her butt - it's just so big.

I can't believe it's so round.

It's just out there I mean, it's gross.**

Cordelia dropped her head to the table in embarrassment. Xander then switched immediately into his deep rapper tone.

**I like big butts and I cannot lie.

You other brothers can't deny.

That when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist

And a round thing in your face - you get sprung.**

The whole crowd began cheering. Cordy, slowly lifted her head and looked around the room. Besides Spike, who was busy refilling his glass, every person in the room was on their feet. She couldn't hold anymore and got up to join them. She let out a loud yell and started dancing to the music.

**Oh, baby I wanna get with ya.

And take your picture.

My homeboys tried to warn me

But with that butt you got**

"MAKE ME SO HORNY!" everyone yelled along with Xander.

Spike rolled his eyes and took another large gulp of his beer. He turned towards the door just in time to see Willow enter, Buffy following closely behind. "Bloody hell," he muttered, before rising to his feet. He stalked over to the bar and lay a five down. "Two more shots of Tequila!" he shouted over the screaming customers. He downed them in rapid succession, and then returned to the table.

**A word to the thick soul sistas

I wanna get with ya

I won't cuss or hit ya

But I gotta be straight when I say

I wanna . . . Uuuhh

Til the break of dawn

Baby, I got it goin on**

Spike sat down, and felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey hot stuff!"

He turned to see Willow behind him. He placed a quick kiss on her cheek and took a sip of his beer, ignoring the blonde standing on his right.

"Hi," Buffy said, trying to get his attention.

He nodded at her and re-filled his glass for the third time. Well, for the third time for THAT pitcher.

Buffy sighed and took a seat on the stool beside Spike. She told Oz what she wanted, and watched full of envy as he went to go fill her and Willow's orders, before turning her attention to Xander.

**So your girlfriend rolls a Honda;

Playin' workout tapes by Fonda.

But Fonda ain't got a motor in the back of her Honda**

"My anaconda don't want none unless you've got buns hon!" Buffy yelled as she bounced up and down in her stool. Spike looked at her and couldn't help but grin at how happy she seemed. Buffy felt his eyes on her and turned to return his smile; but the minute she faced him, he immediately returned to his beer. A frown crossed her face, and she turned back to Xander's show.

**So ladies if the butt is round;

And you wanna triple X throw down.

Dial 1-900-mixalot and kick them nasty thoughts

Baby got back .**

When Xander finally finished the song, the crowd cheered for a good two minutes. He took a bow and made his way back to the table, where Cordy greeted him with a huge kiss. He smacked her playfully on her backside and took a seat. "Ladies . . .welcome." Turning to Buffy, he said, "Well Miss Summers, I haven't seen you here lately. Glad to see you could join us."

Spike snorted and took another sip from his beer. Buffy shot him a worried look out of the corner of her eye. "Yah, I've been really busy with rehearsals and my girls. They've been all about causing trouble lately."

Spike laughed loudly and muttered under his breath unintelligibly.

"What was that?" Buffy asked, leaning towards him.

He sat up straight and raised his voice. "I said-" He stared directly into her eyes. "-where's the poof tonight?"

Buffy furrowed her brows. "How should I know?" She leaned towards him and inhaled deeply. His usual scent was masked by the over-powering smell of liquor. "Take a tequila bath before you came out, Spike?" she asked snottily, trying to cover her concern.

"Sorry, I'm not some Drakkar-wearing nancy-boy, like ole Angel."

She shook her head, "What is with this Angel talk? I have no . . ."

Spike cut her off and stood from the table, struggling to find his footing. He raised his pint. "Let's have a toast." The entire table, besides Buffy, lifted their own glasses warily. "To Miss Buffy Summers, the heir to the Sunny-D throne. May she rein high and mighty above us. . .like a little Angel in the sky."

"Hear hear!" Xander exclaimed, taking a sip from his drink. Cordy smacked him, making him cough. He looked up to see everyone staring at Buffy, who was frozen in her seat.

"Sorry, I'm not much for toasts myself," Spike slurred.

"But he can sure get toasted," Cordy whispered to her boyfriend.

Spike slammed down the rest of his drink, and began pouring another. "I don't think you want that one," Oz said, placing his hand on Spike's arm.

The blonde looked up and grinned at the smaller man. "You're right! I want to sing!" Willow looked around nervously. Spike leaned in towards Buffy and whispered huskily in her ear. "I remember how hot it got you last time." He licked her ear lightly, as she refused to respond.

Spike ran towards the Karaoke machine and thumbed through the selections. He had a specific song in mind and remembered seeing it the last time he was here. He was so shocked that The Bronze had it on their list, since it was relatively new, and one of his favorites. He picked up the microphone and pointed towards Buffy. "This is for that special lady out there."

Willow placed a comforting hand on Buffy's shoulder. "Maybe it won't be that bad? Maybe he's going to sing you something really nice?" Buffy looked at her in disbelief.

The sounds of a guitar were heard through the speakers, then Spike began singing in a low, gruff voice.

**Met a girl, thought she was grand.
Fell in love, found out first hand.
Went well for a week or two.
Then it all came unglued.**

"Or not," Willow said to Buffy, as they both watched him on the small stage.


**In a trap, trip I can't grip.
Never thought I'd be the one who'd slip.
Then I started to realize
I was living one big lie. **


Spike's voice became louder as he went into the chorus.

**She fucking hates me.
TRUST!
She fucking hates me.
La la la love!
I tried too hard
and she tore my feelings like I had none.
And ripped them away.**

All eyes were on Buffy at her table; the rest of the crowd was cheering Spike on.

**She was queen for about an hour.
After that shit got sour.
She took all I ever had;
No sign of guilt -
No feeling of bad, NO!**

Buffy desperately tried to control herself. The tears were forming in the corners of her eyes, and she swallowed down the large lump in her throat. She didn't know whether to feel hurt, angry, sad, confused - or all of the above.

**In a trapped trip I can't grip
Never thought i'd be the one who'd slip.
Then I started to realize -
I was living one big lie.**

The men in the crowd were now on their feet, screaming along with the angry man - all having felt the same way before. Spike raised his voice to its full volume and let it rip.

**SHE FUCKING HATES ME!

TRUST!
SHE FUCKING HATES ME!

LA LA LA LOVE!
I TRIED TOO HARD

AND SHE TORE MY FEELINGS LIKE I HAD NONE

AND RIPPED THEM AWAY!**

During the instrumental break, Spike started making his way through the audience; stopping to shake hands with a few of the guys and snuggle some of the ladies. When he reached his table it was time to start singing again. He stopped in front of Willow and sang directly to her, more softly this time.


**That's my story, as you see;
Learned my lesson and so did she.
Now it's over and I'm glad,
'cause I'm a fool for all i've said.**

He shot one final look at Buffy, who had let a few tears fall at last, and then he started jumping up and down with the crowd.

**She fucking hates me!**

He held the microphone out to a man at a nearby table who eagerly yelled - "TRUST!"

**She fucking hates me!**

He then held the microphone out to Xander, who instead of saying 'La la la love,' just sat completely still and stared at his drunken friend.

Spike shrugged and went back to his song.

** I tried too hard
and she tore my feelings like I had none
and ripped them away! **

He let the crowd finish the song, went over to his seat and lifted his pint glass, finishing the last drop.

He stared directly at Buffy and growled out the last line.


**She fucking hates me! **

They stared at each other for a few moments. Finally, after the last beat sounded, she grabbed her purse and ran out of the bar. Willow shot him a wounded look and followed after her friend.

Spike's face fell as he watched them go. "So, you're not staying then?" He looked down at the microphone in his hand and dropped it to the table. He felt a wave of nausea sweep through his body. He looked around at the three pairs of eyes, now staring back at him in shock, and took off towards the bathroom before he blew chunks all over the floor.

The table was silent. Cordelia finally sighed, and spoke up. "Well . . .if she didn't before - she sure does now."