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Chapter 7 The Barracks
Buffy and Faith had finally managed to get dressed and ready, and were finally on their way to the barracks. It had become dark outside and they were having trouble staying on the path. They didn't make it easy for each other either, shoving each other playfully out of the way every now and then.
Buffy was still in a haze after the day's events. Setting record time on California Pride and the little confrontation with Spike in the bathroom, made Buffy believe that nothing could remove the happy smile curved on her lips.
"So you and Spike, huh?" Faith brought Buffy back to the current moment, by asking her question in a similar way Buffy had asked hers just a few days prior. Buffy's smile turned into a shy one.
"Why? What do you know?" Buffy asked.
"Just the way you two are looking at each other, the little flirtatious banter you've got going on. That and there's the little fact that Spike should have gone mental by now, because of Drusilla's arrival", Faith finished with a shudder.
"I've been meaning to ask you about that. What is the deal with that? I kinda caught that they had been an item and all." Buffy hesitantly let out with a shrug. Faith snorted in response.
"An 'item'? That's gotta be this millennia's biggest understatement. They were inseparable. Well at least Spike was inseparable from Dru." Faith said the last name with a slightly venomous tone
"What happened?" Buffy dared to ask. Faith sighed before beginning.
" Both Spike and Drusilla arrived here a couple of years back. I knew the second I laid eyes on him that he was cool. which he is. and oh so sexy. but still a good guy. But Dru, not so much. She is the craziest- skankiest- ho I have ever met- and I have been around. Anyway, she did some voodoo magik something on Spike, he was mad for the crazy ho, all the while she is mackin on every man on the place. Tara, Ethan Rayne's step daughter even told me that Drusilla had even slept with Ethan to have him influence Giles to give her better horses to ride"
"Tara is Ethan Rayne's stepdaughter? That was the girl Spike was yelling at earlier today, right? Why did she flinch like Spike was about to hit her?" Buffy interrupted Faith's little tale. Faith, quirked an eyebrow in return.
"How about we do this one sordid tale at a time?" Faith questioned
"Sorry, go on." Buffy replied while smiling sheepishly.
"Yeah, well, it was about that time, that Angel O'Toole's father died and left his entire estate to Angel. Now Angel was loaded and hot.enter Drusilla hell bent on becoming Mrs. O'Toole. I tried telling Spike what she was doing, but he refused and still proclaimed her his dark princess, until the day he walked in on Drusilla and Angel doing it in the stables of all places. 5 months later Drusilla became Mrs O'Toole.", Faith finished.
"Wow, poor Spike. That explains a lot. Is he. is he over her?" Buffy hesitantly asked.
"I'd say yeah. He's had a couple of one-night-stands. At the time he wasn't able to seriously commit to anyone new, but I'd say he's getting there" Faith answered with a rare reassuring smile. Buffy swallowed the jealousy that rose in her when she heard about Drusilla and the one-night-stands and decided to change the subject.
"What about Tara?"
"That is actually one hell of a strong girl. She may have seemed frail, crying like she did this morning, but I think I would have been a lot worse if I had been in her shoes. Her old man used to use her like a punching bag. She came here to live with her mother and stepfather a few years back. A year after she came, her mother died, but Tara still stuck around," Faith finished with a frown. Buffy's smile had faded as well. She felt so sorry for the people here. They had all had so much sorrow and pain.
"What about you? What's your story?" Buffy asked.
"Cheesus B? You're one nosy little thang aren't you? I'm Faith don't- really-know-my-last-name Jackson. Grew up in a catholic orphanage hence the little rebellion against catholic ideals. All I know about my mom is that she was a hooker and my father probably was one of her Johns. When I was twelve, Giles came in to the orphanage and took this guy Gunn and me out of there. Don't give me that look. I don't need your pity. I had a happy childhood. Growing up here was the best thing that could have happened to me. Giles never adopted me, I was in his foster care, but I still consider him a sort of father figure. Gunn is working at Santa Anita. You'll probably meet him. He comes out here every now and then."
When Faith finished Buffy decided that she should probably save her questions about why Ethan Rayne had hit California Pride like he had for a later time. Climbing up a small hill, Buffy saw lighting appear just ahead and the sound of rock music could be heard pouring out of the barracks. Both girls entered and got hollers and lustful looks immediately.
Buffy understood why Giles had wanted her to live in the mansion and not here. The barracks residents were undressing her with their eyes. That and it could not be healthy to be around all the smoke inside.
A slight panic rose in Buffy when she saw that Faith launched herself into the arms of a bulky guy she had seen at the stables earlier, leaving her to fend off the pack of hungry wolves by herself.
"Forrest and I are gonna be gone for a while. Are you all right, B?" Faith asked while she was being carried away across the back of who Buffy presumed to be Forrest.
"I guess." Buffy replied meekly. Not long after they left, Buffy found herself surrounded by several horny men. She couldn't wait for Faith to finish up. Whatever it was she was doing. After ten minutes of interrogations and blaring music, she excused herself to go out for some fresh air. She saw that there was a ladder standing against the building and climbed it.
Once on top of the she took a moment to look at her moonlit surroundings. There were a few sun beds, chairs and tables. She could barely make out the view the chairs were facing and noticed it was facing the dirt track. She laid down in one of the sun beds chuckling to herself because of Faith's behavior. She was taken aback when she heard a cough, right behind her. She whipped her head around and looked at the intruder with a glaring look when she saw that it was Parker.
"Hey. Don't shoot. Besides, I come bearing gifts", Parker joked lamely while offering her one of the beer bottles.
"Thanks," she said taking the offered bottle.
"Hope the boys didn't give you to much of a scare. It's just hormone overload. The only other girl that dares to come around here is Faith. It's safe to say that the boys do appreciate some new blood." Parker had sat down on her sun bed and looked casually towards the stars.
Buffy was feeling a bit uncomfortable alone with him -especially so close. 'Why couldn't he sit in one of the other chairs?' Her uneasiness only grew when he turned around and touched her cheek.
"Your father must have been a thief, because he stole the stars and put them in your eyes." Parker said while studying everything else on her body, but her eyes. 'Ohmigod. He did not just use the lamest pickup line in history on me, did he?!' Buffy's inner rambling was cut short when she felt his open mouth on her lips. Buffy went with her first notion of ways to react and gave him a hard slap across his cheek. Her eyes widened when he pulled away and just smiled at her.
"You like it rough, huh?" he more stated than asked while leering at her.
"No! I don't *like* at all. In fact, personal space is a *big* issue for me!", Buffy yelled while trying to push his weight off her body. He just chuckled in response before diving in for another kiss. Buffy cringed and tried to slap him again, but this time Parker caught both her hands. Buffy laid underneath him, writhing to try and get away, with no success. When she felt him glide his tongue over her bottom lip she opened her mouth, only to chomp down hard, with her teeth when she felt his tongue enter.
Parker hollowed in pain as he pulled away from Buffy. "You fucking Bitch!", he screamed before backhanding her. Buffy's head whipped back from the blow. She tilted her head back slowly to face the man that stood, holding his hand in front of his mouth from pain.
"Tell me you did not just hit me!", she seethed through clenched teeth while giving him a death glare. She sprung up to hit him and shoved her knuckles straight in his face. Before she managed to deliver a second blow and run away like she intended to, he had managed to get her on her back again and was tugging at the buttons of the leather pants, she was wearing.
"Lay still, you fucking tease!", he spat at her.
"No", Buffy whimpered, as she tried to force away the tears that sprung to her eyes. She was beginning to panic when she suddenly felt all of Parker's weight being lifted off of her. She looked up to se a seriously pissed Spike lifting a terrified Parker by the lapels of Parker's jean jacket.
"You do know the meaning of the word 'No', don't you, pillock?", Spike icily ground out at Parker.
"What's it to you *Spike*? Is she your girl? I just thought I'd give the girl the feel of a real man We both know how good you're at keeping your girls satisfied", Parker spat and snickered at the sudden paleness in Spike's face. He used the moment to shove Spike away and escape the grip he had been in.
"Shut your trap, if you know what's good for you", Spike threatened.
"I don't think I will. Come on Spikey. The girl deserves at least a little warning." Parker turned his head and spoke to Buffy," I mean this guy's last girlfriend, she actually came to me for a little satisfaction. Besides a little fiery thing like you probably need a real man, like me to teach you a few things."
A look of fear shone in Buffy's blue green eyes as Parker once again headed for her. Spike reached to stop Parker and had to dodge a blow the dark- haired man threw at him. Spike wasted no time landing a hard punch in Parker's face. Parker fell backwards from the force of the blow and sat up glaring at Spike. His scowl only grew and his eyes narrowed when he dabbed his fingers to his split lip and they came back bloody.
"If I ever hear you lay a finger on her again. I swear, I'll waste no time in tracking you down and bash in that nancy-boy face of yours. Now sod off, before I change my mind", Spike finished with an icy smile. Parker got up and purposefully shoved his way past Spike while glaring at Buffy.
After his head disappeared down the ladder, Buffy finally let out the shaky breath she didn't knew she was holding. Slumping down to the sun bed she let the tears run freely as well. Spike was by her side instantly and pulled her into a tight comforting embrace. She grabbed him tightly desperately wanting the soothing he was offering her. She let her final guard down and the first sobs shook through her tiny frame.
"Shh, pet. He's gone now. I won't let him get near you again. Relax. Did he hurt you? I mean physically?" 'Of course she had been hurt you wanker, she's only crying her eyes out.could you sound more inept?' Buffy nodded in response and Spike was just about to let her go and start his way after Parker, muttering things about beating the pillock until his own mother wouldn't recognize him, when she held him tighter.
"Don't. Please don't? Don't leave me here alone. Besides, I hit him first.", her sobs had calmed and she clutched onto Spike as her life line, nuzzling his neck, inhaling his smell. Spike, bit back his first urge and stayed holding her, tracing little circles on her back. Once again he found himself wishing he could hold her without her being upset.
"I'm sorry", she softly said, after a while. Spike pulled back with a surprised look on his face and searched her eyes.
"What on earth for?" he asked.
"For dragging you into the middle of this. For crying my heart out into your arms the second time in two days. I'm usually not like this. I'm usually able to handle my self, you know? In fact, back when I was a kid, the bullies gave me a stupid nickname. They called me slayer, because I could beat the crap out of them any day," she mumbled.
"Slayer, ey? You're gonna regret telling me that," he grinned for a second, then grew serious again, remembering what she had said before. "And you have absolutely nothing to be sorry about. Playing the hero is one of my favorite hobbies, luv. Happy to oblige anytime, makes me feel all manly," he quipped.
Buffy laid her head back into the crook of his neck while whispering against his throat; "Thank you". Spike drew hard breath as her closeness and her tickling breath sent a pleasant shiver through him.
"You're welcome," he replied softly. "What do you say we head on back to the house? I'll make you a nice cuppa hot chocolate. Guaranteed to make you feel at least a little better. How does that sound slayer?" He had to get them out of there quick. Being so close to her and not kissing her becoming more impossible by the second and he didn't want to take advantage of the situation.
"*That* name is something you're taking to the grave, or I'll show you just how I earned it, William," Buffy responded while swatting him playfully on his arm.
The two of them made their way up to the main house, playfully bantering. Once they got inside Spike told Buffy to go to her room and he'd come up with the hot chocolate. He stopped by Giles' study, to let him know what Parker had done. Giles became furious and told Spike he would deal with it.
After a talk, Spike went back to the kitchen to make the hot chocolate. When he had finished making it he brought to steaming cups up the stairs. He couldn't help, but chuckle softly when he came inside Buffy's room, at the sight that greeted him.
On the bed, Buffy lied curled up into a ball, breathing evenly as in slumber. He went to her and carefully crouched down to tuck some of the hair in her angelic face behind her ears. As his hand brushed against her face a content smile crossed her face. Spike stood up to leave thinking; 'More chocolate for me then'
"Spike." He stopped and turned around at the sound of her voice. "Could you. Do you think you might stay? Just for a little while?" Buffy asked sleepily. Spike was eager to comply and took of his boots before climbing into bed behind her. He regretted it immediately when he realized he now had to lie in a bed with her and couldn't touch her.
"Do you think you might hold me? Like you did before?" Buffy whispered hesitantly in a tiny voice. Spike gratefully obeyed once more and pulled her into his arms, spooning her from behind, one arm splayed around her waist.
Buffy fell a sleep, minutes after, the soothing aroma of Spike surrounding her. The day's events had exhausted her. When Spike heard her breathing evening out, he moved his arm carefully to sit up and leave. He was stopped as Buffy rolled around and put her arm across his chest, still soundly a sleep. 'Brilliant! Now I have to lie here, look into her beautiful face smell her nice hair and not touch her until she bleedin' moves again' He didn't dare to move. He knew Buffy had really had a hard day and needed the rest. He had to let her sleep.
****** "Fuck, Forrest!" Faith's hissing voice sounded through the barracks as she shook the sleeping form next to her.
"With pleasure," Forrest groggily responded. The promise of something good, pulling him out of the arms of sleep.
"No! Forrest! The time! It's friggin' 8 AM. We were supposed to be in the barn by now. I'm not even supposed to sleep here, remember?" Faith said, while trying to fend off Forrest's groping arms.
"Shit," he exclaimed as her words sunk in and they both started to dress. They left the room and discovered that they weren't the only ones late. Apparently it must have been a long night and the living area looked messy, littered with broken beer bottles.
"What happened here?" Faith asked the other occupants of the building.
"Parker," one of the workers replied.
"Gawd! What mess did he manage to get himself into this time?" Forrest asked, while rolling his eyes.
"Actually I think the correct answer to what happened here is; Rupert Giles, or should I call him Ripper?" Jonathan, another rider, offered.
"What?!?" Faith asked disbelievingly.
"Yeah. Apparently Parker attacked Buffy or something and Giles found out and came down here and wrestled Parker, before firing him and tossing him out with his stuff. Safe to say we don't have to worry about Parker snatching the good rides anymore."
"That's what you're glad you don't have to worry about? He attacked Buffy! I gotta go check on her!" Faith said with an eye roll. The guys looked at each other in confusion each wondering what they had done this time to get the 'you-are-such-a-moron-look' a la Faith.
Chapter 7 The Barracks
Buffy and Faith had finally managed to get dressed and ready, and were finally on their way to the barracks. It had become dark outside and they were having trouble staying on the path. They didn't make it easy for each other either, shoving each other playfully out of the way every now and then.
Buffy was still in a haze after the day's events. Setting record time on California Pride and the little confrontation with Spike in the bathroom, made Buffy believe that nothing could remove the happy smile curved on her lips.
"So you and Spike, huh?" Faith brought Buffy back to the current moment, by asking her question in a similar way Buffy had asked hers just a few days prior. Buffy's smile turned into a shy one.
"Why? What do you know?" Buffy asked.
"Just the way you two are looking at each other, the little flirtatious banter you've got going on. That and there's the little fact that Spike should have gone mental by now, because of Drusilla's arrival", Faith finished with a shudder.
"I've been meaning to ask you about that. What is the deal with that? I kinda caught that they had been an item and all." Buffy hesitantly let out with a shrug. Faith snorted in response.
"An 'item'? That's gotta be this millennia's biggest understatement. They were inseparable. Well at least Spike was inseparable from Dru." Faith said the last name with a slightly venomous tone
"What happened?" Buffy dared to ask. Faith sighed before beginning.
" Both Spike and Drusilla arrived here a couple of years back. I knew the second I laid eyes on him that he was cool. which he is. and oh so sexy. but still a good guy. But Dru, not so much. She is the craziest- skankiest- ho I have ever met- and I have been around. Anyway, she did some voodoo magik something on Spike, he was mad for the crazy ho, all the while she is mackin on every man on the place. Tara, Ethan Rayne's step daughter even told me that Drusilla had even slept with Ethan to have him influence Giles to give her better horses to ride"
"Tara is Ethan Rayne's stepdaughter? That was the girl Spike was yelling at earlier today, right? Why did she flinch like Spike was about to hit her?" Buffy interrupted Faith's little tale. Faith, quirked an eyebrow in return.
"How about we do this one sordid tale at a time?" Faith questioned
"Sorry, go on." Buffy replied while smiling sheepishly.
"Yeah, well, it was about that time, that Angel O'Toole's father died and left his entire estate to Angel. Now Angel was loaded and hot.enter Drusilla hell bent on becoming Mrs. O'Toole. I tried telling Spike what she was doing, but he refused and still proclaimed her his dark princess, until the day he walked in on Drusilla and Angel doing it in the stables of all places. 5 months later Drusilla became Mrs O'Toole.", Faith finished.
"Wow, poor Spike. That explains a lot. Is he. is he over her?" Buffy hesitantly asked.
"I'd say yeah. He's had a couple of one-night-stands. At the time he wasn't able to seriously commit to anyone new, but I'd say he's getting there" Faith answered with a rare reassuring smile. Buffy swallowed the jealousy that rose in her when she heard about Drusilla and the one-night-stands and decided to change the subject.
"What about Tara?"
"That is actually one hell of a strong girl. She may have seemed frail, crying like she did this morning, but I think I would have been a lot worse if I had been in her shoes. Her old man used to use her like a punching bag. She came here to live with her mother and stepfather a few years back. A year after she came, her mother died, but Tara still stuck around," Faith finished with a frown. Buffy's smile had faded as well. She felt so sorry for the people here. They had all had so much sorrow and pain.
"What about you? What's your story?" Buffy asked.
"Cheesus B? You're one nosy little thang aren't you? I'm Faith don't- really-know-my-last-name Jackson. Grew up in a catholic orphanage hence the little rebellion against catholic ideals. All I know about my mom is that she was a hooker and my father probably was one of her Johns. When I was twelve, Giles came in to the orphanage and took this guy Gunn and me out of there. Don't give me that look. I don't need your pity. I had a happy childhood. Growing up here was the best thing that could have happened to me. Giles never adopted me, I was in his foster care, but I still consider him a sort of father figure. Gunn is working at Santa Anita. You'll probably meet him. He comes out here every now and then."
When Faith finished Buffy decided that she should probably save her questions about why Ethan Rayne had hit California Pride like he had for a later time. Climbing up a small hill, Buffy saw lighting appear just ahead and the sound of rock music could be heard pouring out of the barracks. Both girls entered and got hollers and lustful looks immediately.
Buffy understood why Giles had wanted her to live in the mansion and not here. The barracks residents were undressing her with their eyes. That and it could not be healthy to be around all the smoke inside.
A slight panic rose in Buffy when she saw that Faith launched herself into the arms of a bulky guy she had seen at the stables earlier, leaving her to fend off the pack of hungry wolves by herself.
"Forrest and I are gonna be gone for a while. Are you all right, B?" Faith asked while she was being carried away across the back of who Buffy presumed to be Forrest.
"I guess." Buffy replied meekly. Not long after they left, Buffy found herself surrounded by several horny men. She couldn't wait for Faith to finish up. Whatever it was she was doing. After ten minutes of interrogations and blaring music, she excused herself to go out for some fresh air. She saw that there was a ladder standing against the building and climbed it.
Once on top of the she took a moment to look at her moonlit surroundings. There were a few sun beds, chairs and tables. She could barely make out the view the chairs were facing and noticed it was facing the dirt track. She laid down in one of the sun beds chuckling to herself because of Faith's behavior. She was taken aback when she heard a cough, right behind her. She whipped her head around and looked at the intruder with a glaring look when she saw that it was Parker.
"Hey. Don't shoot. Besides, I come bearing gifts", Parker joked lamely while offering her one of the beer bottles.
"Thanks," she said taking the offered bottle.
"Hope the boys didn't give you to much of a scare. It's just hormone overload. The only other girl that dares to come around here is Faith. It's safe to say that the boys do appreciate some new blood." Parker had sat down on her sun bed and looked casually towards the stars.
Buffy was feeling a bit uncomfortable alone with him -especially so close. 'Why couldn't he sit in one of the other chairs?' Her uneasiness only grew when he turned around and touched her cheek.
"Your father must have been a thief, because he stole the stars and put them in your eyes." Parker said while studying everything else on her body, but her eyes. 'Ohmigod. He did not just use the lamest pickup line in history on me, did he?!' Buffy's inner rambling was cut short when she felt his open mouth on her lips. Buffy went with her first notion of ways to react and gave him a hard slap across his cheek. Her eyes widened when he pulled away and just smiled at her.
"You like it rough, huh?" he more stated than asked while leering at her.
"No! I don't *like* at all. In fact, personal space is a *big* issue for me!", Buffy yelled while trying to push his weight off her body. He just chuckled in response before diving in for another kiss. Buffy cringed and tried to slap him again, but this time Parker caught both her hands. Buffy laid underneath him, writhing to try and get away, with no success. When she felt him glide his tongue over her bottom lip she opened her mouth, only to chomp down hard, with her teeth when she felt his tongue enter.
Parker hollowed in pain as he pulled away from Buffy. "You fucking Bitch!", he screamed before backhanding her. Buffy's head whipped back from the blow. She tilted her head back slowly to face the man that stood, holding his hand in front of his mouth from pain.
"Tell me you did not just hit me!", she seethed through clenched teeth while giving him a death glare. She sprung up to hit him and shoved her knuckles straight in his face. Before she managed to deliver a second blow and run away like she intended to, he had managed to get her on her back again and was tugging at the buttons of the leather pants, she was wearing.
"Lay still, you fucking tease!", he spat at her.
"No", Buffy whimpered, as she tried to force away the tears that sprung to her eyes. She was beginning to panic when she suddenly felt all of Parker's weight being lifted off of her. She looked up to se a seriously pissed Spike lifting a terrified Parker by the lapels of Parker's jean jacket.
"You do know the meaning of the word 'No', don't you, pillock?", Spike icily ground out at Parker.
"What's it to you *Spike*? Is she your girl? I just thought I'd give the girl the feel of a real man We both know how good you're at keeping your girls satisfied", Parker spat and snickered at the sudden paleness in Spike's face. He used the moment to shove Spike away and escape the grip he had been in.
"Shut your trap, if you know what's good for you", Spike threatened.
"I don't think I will. Come on Spikey. The girl deserves at least a little warning." Parker turned his head and spoke to Buffy," I mean this guy's last girlfriend, she actually came to me for a little satisfaction. Besides a little fiery thing like you probably need a real man, like me to teach you a few things."
A look of fear shone in Buffy's blue green eyes as Parker once again headed for her. Spike reached to stop Parker and had to dodge a blow the dark- haired man threw at him. Spike wasted no time landing a hard punch in Parker's face. Parker fell backwards from the force of the blow and sat up glaring at Spike. His scowl only grew and his eyes narrowed when he dabbed his fingers to his split lip and they came back bloody.
"If I ever hear you lay a finger on her again. I swear, I'll waste no time in tracking you down and bash in that nancy-boy face of yours. Now sod off, before I change my mind", Spike finished with an icy smile. Parker got up and purposefully shoved his way past Spike while glaring at Buffy.
After his head disappeared down the ladder, Buffy finally let out the shaky breath she didn't knew she was holding. Slumping down to the sun bed she let the tears run freely as well. Spike was by her side instantly and pulled her into a tight comforting embrace. She grabbed him tightly desperately wanting the soothing he was offering her. She let her final guard down and the first sobs shook through her tiny frame.
"Shh, pet. He's gone now. I won't let him get near you again. Relax. Did he hurt you? I mean physically?" 'Of course she had been hurt you wanker, she's only crying her eyes out.could you sound more inept?' Buffy nodded in response and Spike was just about to let her go and start his way after Parker, muttering things about beating the pillock until his own mother wouldn't recognize him, when she held him tighter.
"Don't. Please don't? Don't leave me here alone. Besides, I hit him first.", her sobs had calmed and she clutched onto Spike as her life line, nuzzling his neck, inhaling his smell. Spike, bit back his first urge and stayed holding her, tracing little circles on her back. Once again he found himself wishing he could hold her without her being upset.
"I'm sorry", she softly said, after a while. Spike pulled back with a surprised look on his face and searched her eyes.
"What on earth for?" he asked.
"For dragging you into the middle of this. For crying my heart out into your arms the second time in two days. I'm usually not like this. I'm usually able to handle my self, you know? In fact, back when I was a kid, the bullies gave me a stupid nickname. They called me slayer, because I could beat the crap out of them any day," she mumbled.
"Slayer, ey? You're gonna regret telling me that," he grinned for a second, then grew serious again, remembering what she had said before. "And you have absolutely nothing to be sorry about. Playing the hero is one of my favorite hobbies, luv. Happy to oblige anytime, makes me feel all manly," he quipped.
Buffy laid her head back into the crook of his neck while whispering against his throat; "Thank you". Spike drew hard breath as her closeness and her tickling breath sent a pleasant shiver through him.
"You're welcome," he replied softly. "What do you say we head on back to the house? I'll make you a nice cuppa hot chocolate. Guaranteed to make you feel at least a little better. How does that sound slayer?" He had to get them out of there quick. Being so close to her and not kissing her becoming more impossible by the second and he didn't want to take advantage of the situation.
"*That* name is something you're taking to the grave, or I'll show you just how I earned it, William," Buffy responded while swatting him playfully on his arm.
The two of them made their way up to the main house, playfully bantering. Once they got inside Spike told Buffy to go to her room and he'd come up with the hot chocolate. He stopped by Giles' study, to let him know what Parker had done. Giles became furious and told Spike he would deal with it.
After a talk, Spike went back to the kitchen to make the hot chocolate. When he had finished making it he brought to steaming cups up the stairs. He couldn't help, but chuckle softly when he came inside Buffy's room, at the sight that greeted him.
On the bed, Buffy lied curled up into a ball, breathing evenly as in slumber. He went to her and carefully crouched down to tuck some of the hair in her angelic face behind her ears. As his hand brushed against her face a content smile crossed her face. Spike stood up to leave thinking; 'More chocolate for me then'
"Spike." He stopped and turned around at the sound of her voice. "Could you. Do you think you might stay? Just for a little while?" Buffy asked sleepily. Spike was eager to comply and took of his boots before climbing into bed behind her. He regretted it immediately when he realized he now had to lie in a bed with her and couldn't touch her.
"Do you think you might hold me? Like you did before?" Buffy whispered hesitantly in a tiny voice. Spike gratefully obeyed once more and pulled her into his arms, spooning her from behind, one arm splayed around her waist.
Buffy fell a sleep, minutes after, the soothing aroma of Spike surrounding her. The day's events had exhausted her. When Spike heard her breathing evening out, he moved his arm carefully to sit up and leave. He was stopped as Buffy rolled around and put her arm across his chest, still soundly a sleep. 'Brilliant! Now I have to lie here, look into her beautiful face smell her nice hair and not touch her until she bleedin' moves again' He didn't dare to move. He knew Buffy had really had a hard day and needed the rest. He had to let her sleep.
****** "Fuck, Forrest!" Faith's hissing voice sounded through the barracks as she shook the sleeping form next to her.
"With pleasure," Forrest groggily responded. The promise of something good, pulling him out of the arms of sleep.
"No! Forrest! The time! It's friggin' 8 AM. We were supposed to be in the barn by now. I'm not even supposed to sleep here, remember?" Faith said, while trying to fend off Forrest's groping arms.
"Shit," he exclaimed as her words sunk in and they both started to dress. They left the room and discovered that they weren't the only ones late. Apparently it must have been a long night and the living area looked messy, littered with broken beer bottles.
"What happened here?" Faith asked the other occupants of the building.
"Parker," one of the workers replied.
"Gawd! What mess did he manage to get himself into this time?" Forrest asked, while rolling his eyes.
"Actually I think the correct answer to what happened here is; Rupert Giles, or should I call him Ripper?" Jonathan, another rider, offered.
"What?!?" Faith asked disbelievingly.
"Yeah. Apparently Parker attacked Buffy or something and Giles found out and came down here and wrestled Parker, before firing him and tossing him out with his stuff. Safe to say we don't have to worry about Parker snatching the good rides anymore."
"That's what you're glad you don't have to worry about? He attacked Buffy! I gotta go check on her!" Faith said with an eye roll. The guys looked at each other in confusion each wondering what they had done this time to get the 'you-are-such-a-moron-look' a la Faith.