Confusion

By: Lynn

Summary: See Chapter 1

Rating: R

Disclaimer: The usual.

A/Ns:

spikesoul666 – Thanks for the reviews.  I promise to try and update more often!

Raine77 – Thanks for pointing out the continuity issue.  I forgot it was his grandmother.  As it's a little too late to change it now, let's just say that as it's an AU story, that this is the way it happens in my little universe.  Same goes for any other mistakes, as I'm sure I'll make them.  Sorry if that confuses anyone, but, if I'm able to do so while staying true to my story, I'll fix any mistakes that people point out!

Anyway, to all my reviewers: Thank you very much! I appreciate it.  Keep the reviews coming!! J

On with the story…

Chapter 7

            "No, no, you have to block!"  Spike stopped the sparring session, letting Victoria catch her breath.  They had been at it for hours and, while Victoria was a natural, she still had a lot to learn.

            "I'm sorry.  Can we take a break, please?"

            "Sure, pet."  Spike flopped down to the floor and laid down, arms and legs spread wide, as he stared up at the high ceiling.  Victoria looked down at him for a second, before demurely sitting down next to him.  Spike rolled over onto his side, supporting his head with one arm.

            "So, luv.  Tell me more about yourself."

            "Ah… well, I'm in my second year of training at the Watcher's Headquarters.  George and Edward are in their third.  I haven't decided for sure, but I think I'm going to focus on either prophesies or demon languages."

            "Why not the field?

            Victoria looked at him as if he were crazy. "If they won't even teach me to fight, why would they let me be a field Watcher?"

            "Oh, right.  Sorry, I keep forgetting Toto."

            "What?"

            "Never mind.  Go on."

            "George and I are the last of our family.  My parents were both Watchers, but my Father angered a Master vampire by slaying his paramour.  The vampire killed them.  He probably would have killed us as well, but we were away at school at the time." Victoria's voice broke, and her eyes misted over as she remembered that horrible time of her life.  Spike reached out and squeezed her hand.

            "I guess that's about it for the major stuff."

            "Now on to the gossip…"  Spike winked at her and broke out his trademark leer.  Victoria blushed deeply.

            "I have no gossip."

            "Of course, you do, pet.  Everyone has gossip.  Starting off, any beaus at the school of yours?"

            Victoria blushed, looking away. "No."

            "Liar."

            She looked down at her lap, hands wringing together. 

            "No, really.  I…I mean, there is someone I…but it will never happen."

            "Edward?"

            Victoria looked up, gasping. 
            "Yes.  How did you know?"

            "Well, luv, you only hang out with him and your brother.  And I saw how you were looking at him the other night.  So, why won't it work?"

            Victoria looked back down, sighing.  "Because he loves Lydia."

            "Lydia?"

            "The Slayer."

            "Does she love him?"

            Victoria looked up, eyes flashing. "NO!  I don't understand.  He spends all of his time courting her, and she gives him nothing in exchange.  To her, it's all about duty.  Plus, she told me that she could never accept his troth, as she was the Slayer and had specific responsibilities."

            "Ah, pet.  It appears we have something in common – a Slayer ruining our love lives.  My Slayer's ruined me for other women.  All I know is her."

            Victoria smiled, pleased at the change in topic.  "Tell me about this…Buffy, you said?"
            Spike leaned back, resting his head in his arms and closing his eyes as a smile danced across his face.  And he began to speak of Buffy, telling Victoria all the things he wanted to say to Buffy.  Telling her how much and why he loved the Slayer.  He told her all of it, not knowing that his mother was at the door, listening as well, her heart going out for her son.  She knew how well he could love, and how much it must pain him that that love wasn't enough.

                                                            *                      *                      *

            William and Buffy were walking along the beach, as Dawn ran nearby, jumping in the waves.  William was carrying a picnic basket, and Buffy was carrying her shoes.  Earlier that morning, Dawn had decided that, as they didn't know how long William and Spike were going to be switched, they should spend as much time as possible having fun, showing William the world.  Buffy, however, had been strangely silent all day, trying to figure out what her heart and dreams were telling her, as her brain shut them down at every turn.

            Her brain was losing though, as she kept thinking how handsome William looked, how pleasant and funny, how passionate.

            You idiot!  Don't you realize that everything you love about William is what makes him Spike!  Why can't you just admit it to yourself!

            Because if I do, then I just know something will go wrong.  Spike will never return, and I'll just be left with the person who looks and sounds like him, but doesn't have the experiences and the memories that made Spike love me! 

            Ugh…avoiding again…

            Buffy resolutely shook her head.  The little devil and angel Buffys weren't going to show up in her brain today.  Today was about fun, and that's what would happen, if she had anything to say about it!

            Dawn ran over to them, finally deciding it was time to eat.  William flung the blanket out and set the picnic basket down on top of it.  The two girls sat down, as he kneeled to take the food out for them.  The simple lunch was quickly eaten, and the three sprawled out on the blanket, enjoying the day.  Dawn smiled, watching William and Buffy interact out of the corner of her eye.

            Who is she kidding? She's THROWING herself at him.  She's probably thinking something like "It's okay.  He's not REALLY Spike.  I can be attracted to him.  I can flirt with him.  And when he and Spike switch back, Spike will never know how I giggled at all his jokes, and touched his biceps constantly, and "carelessly" tossed my hair over my shoulder every now and then.  Because he's not really Spike."  God, how obvious can she be?

            But it is kinda cute…If only she realized that it's not William she's in love with…

A/N Sorry this is so short.  I have a lot to do, but I felt bad that the last chapter took so long.  Look for another chapter soon.