CHAPTER 37 - LIKE OLD MARRIEDS
"What time is it?" she asked Spike, looking out at the sun, which now seemed to be low in the sky.
"Dunno, pet," he answered.
"Oh, bugger it!" he exclaimed, suddenly.
"What?"
"Suppose we ought to check with home anyway," Spike said, going to get the phone and modem.
She walked over to the couch and sat down as Spike dialed up.
"It's three-thirty," he said, handing her the laptop.
"Already?" she asked, surprised the day had gone by so quickly.
"Yeah," he answered, sadly, as he put his arm around her.
She took the laptop and looked at all the different live-cam scenes. She laughed at Andrew when the camera spotted him, trying to hide something in the back of the freezer.
Spike looked over her shoulder and snorted, "Wanker!"
"Poor Andrew, a fish out of water," she said.
"Yeah, he's a fish out of something alright!"
"I know," Buffy said, "A Fish Called Andrew!"
Spike rolled his eyes.
"Oh, there's Willow!" Bufff said.
Wicca 1: Buffy?
Slayer 1: hi, Will
Wicca 1: what's up?
Slayer 1: just finished lunch
Wicca1: late lunch
Slayer1: had a late breakfast, too
Wicca 1: slept in late, huh?
Slayer 1: needed my beauty rest
Wicca 1: I bet...
Slayer 1: no comment...
Wicca 1: is your beauty rest named Spike, by any chance
Slayer 1: might be
Wicca 1: ROTF
Slayer 1: STOP!
Wicca 1: ok, ok...
Wicca 1: "Oh Spike, I love your wicked energy"
Spike was reading over his shoulder, shaking his head, "Tell Red, I'm going to do more than snark at her if she doesn't quit!"
Slayer 1: Spike says hello and that he's going to bite you
Wicca1: tell him I'm so scared. Hi Big Bad!
Spike turned away, "Glad to know I'm so scary."
Buffy patted his arm, "You are honey, Willow's just having fun."
"Yeah, well, she won't be having fun, when I decide to have her for lunch tomorrow!" Spike said, indignantly.
Buffy turned back to the screen.
Slayer1: Is Xander there?
Wicca1: yeah, want to talk to him
Slayer1: please
She waited a few minutes until Xander came on.
Carpenter1: hey Buff, how's it goin'?
Slayer1: great! what about you?
Carpenter1: fine, all quiet, that's a good thing
Carpenter1: how's vamp boy treating you
Slayer1: really well, no worries, okay?
"Carpenter1? he should call himself 'Whelp1'," Spike snickered.
"Spike!" Buffy said, defending her friend and elbowing him hard in the side.
"Ouch!"
Slayer1: Spike says to tell you hello
Carpenter1: yeah, sure he does, tell him I also don't say to tell him hello
Spike laughed and Buffy just shook her head.
Carpenter1: what's up?
Slayer1: need you to do a favor, big favor
Carpenter1: sure, what?
Slayer1: need you to take on some roomies
Carpenter1: who? whom? how many?
Slayer: about 4 or 5, same number of girls sleeping on my bedroom floor
Slayer1: Xander?
Carpenter1: sure, but can I ask you why?
Slayer1: because I need to have my life working for me, in order to do my job
Carpenter1: SPIKE? and Spike's a part of that plan?
Slayer1: yes, in part, a big part
Carpenter1: BUFFY! NO!
"That Whelp! Who does he think he is?" Spike asked angrily, "I'd like to once just give him a good thrashing!
"Stop! Not helping. You know he's just looking out for me, however, misdirected that is at times," Buffy said, trying to diffuse him.
Spike laughed bitterly, but he knew she was telling the truth, just the Whelp and Giles never, ever cut him a break, no matter what he'd done.
Suddenly he stopped and turned to her, "You want me to sleep in your bedroom with you when we go back?" he asked, stunned.
"What did you think? That I was going to make you sleep in the basement, pretend that this," she motioned to them both, "never happened?"
Spike shrugged, "Didn't know if you'd think it was best, luv, that's all," he said, his heart swelling, as he realized what a step this was for Buffy to take. Not only to have trusted him this weekend, given him all her love; but for her to take their relationship back to Sunnydale, back to the cold, hard reality of not only the fight, but the scrutiny and surely the disdain of those that were closest to her.
"Willow, do you see that?" Xander said, "she wants me to take some of the girls to my place so she can move vamp-boy into her bedroom. Can't believe she would ever let him do that, be with him again..." he went on, just as Giles entered the room.
Giles walked over to the computer screen just as Buffy's message appeared.
Slayer1: YES! and I can't, won't apologize for that, for Spike, for loving him anymore! I do love Spike, I know that now and I'm sorry if that hurts you or disturbs you or Giles or anyone else, I really am, AND I know where your concern is coming from, but it's NOT valid anymore
Carpenter1: how can you be sure?
Slayer1: because I am, and that's what counts!
Carpenter1: I see
Slayer1: will you do this favor for me?
Carpenter: sure, whatever
Xander got up with disgust from the computer, "I don't understand her," he complained to Giles.
"I knew this was a bad idea," Giles said, glaring at Willow.
Slayer1: Xander?
Wicca1: he's gone Buffy
Slayer1: I see
Wicca1: if it's any consolation, I support you Buffy
Slayer1: thanks, Will
Wicca1: if you love Spike and he loves you, then I don't see why you two shouldn't be together, why wouldn't you?
Slayer1: I can't think of any good reasons
Buffy looked at Spike, who seemed to be staring off toward the fireplace, deep in thought.
He looked over at her, then at the screen, "You're amazing, do you know that, my heart?" he said, his voice full of emotion.
She looked at him, staring at her with all this limitless love that she'd denied existed, denied herself, denied feeling back, and was filled with regret that it had taken them, her especially, so long to come to this point.
Slayer1: I'll see you later Willow, and thanks, you're the only one there who seems to understand
Wicca1: I do, I know what it feels like to be in love, think there are others who will support you, too
Slayer1: it would be nice, but if not, I'll survive, always do
Slayer1: bye, Will, see you tonight
Wicca1: bye Buffy, see you soon
Willow logged off the computer.
"I don't know how you can support, even encourage Buffy in this 'relationship,' with Spike!" Giles said, angrily.
"Number one, Giles," Willow said, cooly, "I didn't encourage anything, but I do support whatever 'personal,' decisions Buffy makes about her lovelife, even if it's with Spike! He's not evil anymore, but you guys just won't see that," she turned around, looking accusingly at both Xander and Giles.
"Numbe two," she continued, "I can't see how you won't support her. If she's happy, even for a while, why can't you just be happy for her? Doesn't she deserve this little; this much?" Willow asked.
"I'll do whatever Buffy asks, Willow, you know I will," Xander said, "but if Spike ever hurts her or anyone else here, then I....well, I just wouldn't be surprised is all."
"That's all she's asking, is that you give him a chance, a little trust. I think Spike's earned it, even when he was killing again, it wasn't him, it was The First triggering him."
"And how do we know that's not going to happen again?" Giles asked, "instead of sleeping chained up, like he should until we figure this thing out, he'll be sleeping right with Buffy, able to kill her in her sleep!"
Xander shuddered.
"I don't think that will happen. If he get's triggered again, we'll deal, Buffy will deal, as painful as that may be, she will do what's right, you know she will, Giles!" Willow said.
"I hope so, Willow, I hope she will be able to do what she has to, if it comes down to that," Giles said, shaking his head.
"She will, Giles, she will. In the meantime, it wouldn't hurt you guys, and it would help decrease the stress Buffy already feels; already felt before she almost got killed the other night, if you guys just accept this. Otherwise, all you'll do is create a rift between all of you and what 'greater good' purpose would that serve?" she asked, accusingly, looking at Giles.
Buffy handed the computer and phone to Spike and he shut them down.
"Maybe it isn't such a good idea for me to sleep in your bed, Buffy. What if The First does decide to trigger me, again, right when I'm there with you? Maybe that's when he'll decide that it's time for me," Spike said.
Buffy shrugged, "I don't know, Spike. I guess we'll take it a day at a time. In any case, I need to know that you can come to me at night, if you want, if I want. And I do want you, Spike, need you with me, need your love, your strength..." she said, looking at him.
"You know I'm yours, Buffy," Spike said, "anytime, anywhere, forever."
He hesitated, "But Buffy, you know things will be different when we go back, luv," Spike said.
Buffy nodded, "Yeah, I'll have to be General Buffy. Might even have to bust your chops, again," she said, regretfully.
"You do what you have to do," Spike said, "and if that happens, I'll understand that it's your job, your calling, that makes it necessary; and, if you don't want me in your bed one night, or any nights...well, I still have the cot downstairs, right?" Spike asked.
Buffy kissed his neck, "Don't want to fight with you again, Spike, ever! Not saying we never will, but it will never mean that I don't love you, that I won't continue to love you...always. Do you understand that Spike?" Buffy asked, looking at him.
He nodded, "Yes, I do, Buffy. It means that we're a couple, just like old marrieds, and sometimes we'll fight, but unlike old marrieds, we get to make love and make-up," he said, venturing a smile.
Relived, she nodded her agreement, as she melted once more into his hard body and softest heart, and allowed him to carry her into the bedroom for that make love and pre-make-up he was talking about.
Their pleasure was no less great, for the fact that this time, they made love gently to each other; as if it were their first time, instead of their last, in this house...for now.
Afterward, they lay in each other's arms, looking at each other, stroking each other's faces, running their fingers through each others hair, and rubbing each other's backs, in mutual giving and receiving. Their hands, once again, came together over the necklace, tracing the lovebirds that symbolized their feelings for each other.
"What time is it?" she asked Spike, looking out at the sun, which now seemed to be low in the sky.
"Dunno, pet," he answered.
"Oh, bugger it!" he exclaimed, suddenly.
"What?"
"Suppose we ought to check with home anyway," Spike said, going to get the phone and modem.
She walked over to the couch and sat down as Spike dialed up.
"It's three-thirty," he said, handing her the laptop.
"Already?" she asked, surprised the day had gone by so quickly.
"Yeah," he answered, sadly, as he put his arm around her.
She took the laptop and looked at all the different live-cam scenes. She laughed at Andrew when the camera spotted him, trying to hide something in the back of the freezer.
Spike looked over her shoulder and snorted, "Wanker!"
"Poor Andrew, a fish out of water," she said.
"Yeah, he's a fish out of something alright!"
"I know," Buffy said, "A Fish Called Andrew!"
Spike rolled his eyes.
"Oh, there's Willow!" Bufff said.
Wicca 1: Buffy?
Slayer 1: hi, Will
Wicca 1: what's up?
Slayer 1: just finished lunch
Wicca1: late lunch
Slayer1: had a late breakfast, too
Wicca 1: slept in late, huh?
Slayer 1: needed my beauty rest
Wicca 1: I bet...
Slayer 1: no comment...
Wicca 1: is your beauty rest named Spike, by any chance
Slayer 1: might be
Wicca 1: ROTF
Slayer 1: STOP!
Wicca 1: ok, ok...
Wicca 1: "Oh Spike, I love your wicked energy"
Spike was reading over his shoulder, shaking his head, "Tell Red, I'm going to do more than snark at her if she doesn't quit!"
Slayer 1: Spike says hello and that he's going to bite you
Wicca1: tell him I'm so scared. Hi Big Bad!
Spike turned away, "Glad to know I'm so scary."
Buffy patted his arm, "You are honey, Willow's just having fun."
"Yeah, well, she won't be having fun, when I decide to have her for lunch tomorrow!" Spike said, indignantly.
Buffy turned back to the screen.
Slayer1: Is Xander there?
Wicca1: yeah, want to talk to him
Slayer1: please
She waited a few minutes until Xander came on.
Carpenter1: hey Buff, how's it goin'?
Slayer1: great! what about you?
Carpenter1: fine, all quiet, that's a good thing
Carpenter1: how's vamp boy treating you
Slayer1: really well, no worries, okay?
"Carpenter1? he should call himself 'Whelp1'," Spike snickered.
"Spike!" Buffy said, defending her friend and elbowing him hard in the side.
"Ouch!"
Slayer1: Spike says to tell you hello
Carpenter1: yeah, sure he does, tell him I also don't say to tell him hello
Spike laughed and Buffy just shook her head.
Carpenter1: what's up?
Slayer1: need you to do a favor, big favor
Carpenter1: sure, what?
Slayer1: need you to take on some roomies
Carpenter1: who? whom? how many?
Slayer: about 4 or 5, same number of girls sleeping on my bedroom floor
Slayer1: Xander?
Carpenter1: sure, but can I ask you why?
Slayer1: because I need to have my life working for me, in order to do my job
Carpenter1: SPIKE? and Spike's a part of that plan?
Slayer1: yes, in part, a big part
Carpenter1: BUFFY! NO!
"That Whelp! Who does he think he is?" Spike asked angrily, "I'd like to once just give him a good thrashing!
"Stop! Not helping. You know he's just looking out for me, however, misdirected that is at times," Buffy said, trying to diffuse him.
Spike laughed bitterly, but he knew she was telling the truth, just the Whelp and Giles never, ever cut him a break, no matter what he'd done.
Suddenly he stopped and turned to her, "You want me to sleep in your bedroom with you when we go back?" he asked, stunned.
"What did you think? That I was going to make you sleep in the basement, pretend that this," she motioned to them both, "never happened?"
Spike shrugged, "Didn't know if you'd think it was best, luv, that's all," he said, his heart swelling, as he realized what a step this was for Buffy to take. Not only to have trusted him this weekend, given him all her love; but for her to take their relationship back to Sunnydale, back to the cold, hard reality of not only the fight, but the scrutiny and surely the disdain of those that were closest to her.
"Willow, do you see that?" Xander said, "she wants me to take some of the girls to my place so she can move vamp-boy into her bedroom. Can't believe she would ever let him do that, be with him again..." he went on, just as Giles entered the room.
Giles walked over to the computer screen just as Buffy's message appeared.
Slayer1: YES! and I can't, won't apologize for that, for Spike, for loving him anymore! I do love Spike, I know that now and I'm sorry if that hurts you or disturbs you or Giles or anyone else, I really am, AND I know where your concern is coming from, but it's NOT valid anymore
Carpenter1: how can you be sure?
Slayer1: because I am, and that's what counts!
Carpenter1: I see
Slayer1: will you do this favor for me?
Carpenter: sure, whatever
Xander got up with disgust from the computer, "I don't understand her," he complained to Giles.
"I knew this was a bad idea," Giles said, glaring at Willow.
Slayer1: Xander?
Wicca1: he's gone Buffy
Slayer1: I see
Wicca1: if it's any consolation, I support you Buffy
Slayer1: thanks, Will
Wicca1: if you love Spike and he loves you, then I don't see why you two shouldn't be together, why wouldn't you?
Slayer1: I can't think of any good reasons
Buffy looked at Spike, who seemed to be staring off toward the fireplace, deep in thought.
He looked over at her, then at the screen, "You're amazing, do you know that, my heart?" he said, his voice full of emotion.
She looked at him, staring at her with all this limitless love that she'd denied existed, denied herself, denied feeling back, and was filled with regret that it had taken them, her especially, so long to come to this point.
Slayer1: I'll see you later Willow, and thanks, you're the only one there who seems to understand
Wicca1: I do, I know what it feels like to be in love, think there are others who will support you, too
Slayer1: it would be nice, but if not, I'll survive, always do
Slayer1: bye, Will, see you tonight
Wicca1: bye Buffy, see you soon
Willow logged off the computer.
"I don't know how you can support, even encourage Buffy in this 'relationship,' with Spike!" Giles said, angrily.
"Number one, Giles," Willow said, cooly, "I didn't encourage anything, but I do support whatever 'personal,' decisions Buffy makes about her lovelife, even if it's with Spike! He's not evil anymore, but you guys just won't see that," she turned around, looking accusingly at both Xander and Giles.
"Numbe two," she continued, "I can't see how you won't support her. If she's happy, even for a while, why can't you just be happy for her? Doesn't she deserve this little; this much?" Willow asked.
"I'll do whatever Buffy asks, Willow, you know I will," Xander said, "but if Spike ever hurts her or anyone else here, then I....well, I just wouldn't be surprised is all."
"That's all she's asking, is that you give him a chance, a little trust. I think Spike's earned it, even when he was killing again, it wasn't him, it was The First triggering him."
"And how do we know that's not going to happen again?" Giles asked, "instead of sleeping chained up, like he should until we figure this thing out, he'll be sleeping right with Buffy, able to kill her in her sleep!"
Xander shuddered.
"I don't think that will happen. If he get's triggered again, we'll deal, Buffy will deal, as painful as that may be, she will do what's right, you know she will, Giles!" Willow said.
"I hope so, Willow, I hope she will be able to do what she has to, if it comes down to that," Giles said, shaking his head.
"She will, Giles, she will. In the meantime, it wouldn't hurt you guys, and it would help decrease the stress Buffy already feels; already felt before she almost got killed the other night, if you guys just accept this. Otherwise, all you'll do is create a rift between all of you and what 'greater good' purpose would that serve?" she asked, accusingly, looking at Giles.
Buffy handed the computer and phone to Spike and he shut them down.
"Maybe it isn't such a good idea for me to sleep in your bed, Buffy. What if The First does decide to trigger me, again, right when I'm there with you? Maybe that's when he'll decide that it's time for me," Spike said.
Buffy shrugged, "I don't know, Spike. I guess we'll take it a day at a time. In any case, I need to know that you can come to me at night, if you want, if I want. And I do want you, Spike, need you with me, need your love, your strength..." she said, looking at him.
"You know I'm yours, Buffy," Spike said, "anytime, anywhere, forever."
He hesitated, "But Buffy, you know things will be different when we go back, luv," Spike said.
Buffy nodded, "Yeah, I'll have to be General Buffy. Might even have to bust your chops, again," she said, regretfully.
"You do what you have to do," Spike said, "and if that happens, I'll understand that it's your job, your calling, that makes it necessary; and, if you don't want me in your bed one night, or any nights...well, I still have the cot downstairs, right?" Spike asked.
Buffy kissed his neck, "Don't want to fight with you again, Spike, ever! Not saying we never will, but it will never mean that I don't love you, that I won't continue to love you...always. Do you understand that Spike?" Buffy asked, looking at him.
He nodded, "Yes, I do, Buffy. It means that we're a couple, just like old marrieds, and sometimes we'll fight, but unlike old marrieds, we get to make love and make-up," he said, venturing a smile.
Relived, she nodded her agreement, as she melted once more into his hard body and softest heart, and allowed him to carry her into the bedroom for that make love and pre-make-up he was talking about.
Their pleasure was no less great, for the fact that this time, they made love gently to each other; as if it were their first time, instead of their last, in this house...for now.
Afterward, they lay in each other's arms, looking at each other, stroking each other's faces, running their fingers through each others hair, and rubbing each other's backs, in mutual giving and receiving. Their hands, once again, came together over the necklace, tracing the lovebirds that symbolized their feelings for each other.