What I want
By
Natalie Elizabeth
Chapter 3
Spike pulled to a stop outside the gallery. Buffy looked out the window and stared up at it.
"Is this is," she asked.
Spike nodded.
Buffy got out of the car and took a better look at it. It was one of the nicest places she had seen in Sunnydale so far.
"C'mon, I'll show you around."
Buffy followed Spike into the gallery. It was what she had expected, paintings and sculptures. Spike leaned over the front desk and began moving things around. He finally pulled a piece of paper out and handed it to Buffy.
"Here, fill this out. I'll go find my dad."
Buffy took the paper then sat down on one of the chairs and began to fill out the application. There wasn't much she could fill out, but she hoped it would be enough. A man walked in from the direction Spike had gone.
"Hello, I am Mr. Giles."
Buffy looked at him blankly. Was she supposed to know who this person was?
"William's father" he clarified.
Buffy still looked confused.
"The gentleman you came in with?"
"Oh! Spike."
The older man shook his head and took off his glasses and began to wipe them. "I swear! My son and that intolerable name."
Buffy smiled and stood up, "Hi, I am Buffy, it's a nice place you have here."
"Well, thank you," he said, placing his glasses back on and holding out his hand for her to shake.
Buffy took his hand and shook it, before looking around the gallery some more.
"So, William tells me you have just arrived in Sunnydale."
"Umm, yeah today actually."
"And you are already looking for a job. Well that's very good. Finally a young one with initiative."
"Thank you. I don't like depending on my parents, you know."
"Well, I wish my son thought the same way."
"Excuse me, sorry to interrupt."
Buffy turned to see the women who had just entered.
"I'm Joyce, you must be Buffy."
Buffy nodded.
"Well if you would like to come into my office, I have a few minutes to spare."
Buffy nodded and followed Joyce into her office. Handing Joyce her form, Buffy sat down on a chair.
"So Buffy Summers," Joyce said reading off the sheet. "You're new to Sunnydale."
"Yes. Just got here today."
"So you are studying with William, I see, I hope he didn't scare you. He can be a little intimidating."
Buffy shook her head. "No. He was actually very nice."
"Really most people don't get that view."
Buffy laughed. "Well I'll admit, I was a bit taken back by his appearance, but he was the only person to talk to me while I was there and he seems nice."
"Oh he is, don't tell anyone, but he's a real sweetie. So Buffy, why do you want this job"
Buffy looked up sheepishly, "Umm well not to be rude, but I would really like the money and I don't want to work at a fast food place"
Joyce laughed. "That's perfectly fine, it's good to know that you need the money, that way I know you are going to be committed to the job."
"Oh yes I would be very committed. I really would like this job. I wouldn't be late or cause you trouble or anything. I just need the money to keep me going. I am studying, like you mentioned, so my hours are mainly after class, I hope that's ok."
"That's perfectly ok. Well I should tell you the kind of work that I would be employing you for. I afraid most of it isn't very glamorous. It would be unloading the new stock in the back room and that in itself can be very dusty work. On occasion we do get tour groups coming through, you know school groups and 50's tours. So cleaning up for their arrival and even showing them around may be part of it. Oh and once a month or as often as requested we do an art show, they are usually held on a Friday night. So you would be expected to attend to help with the patrons, sort of rent a crowd at the same time"
Buffy started laughing. "That all sounds fine with me, it sounds great in fact. How many hours do you require me to do, if I get the job that is."
"I have got about 15 hours worth of work, I know it's not much, that's why I was after a college student. Of course that doesn't include any shows I do and there is always overtime to be done"
Buffy smiled, "Well that sounds great to me."
Joyce looked down at the form Buffy had filled out.
"I notice you didn't write an address or phone number down."
Buffy winced. "Umm yeah I thought that might be a problem. See I only just got here today, so I am staying at a hotel for the time being. I was looking at housing when Spike saw me. I figured if I can get a job then I would be able to see what I could afford. I know that's going to be a problem."
Joyce put down Buffys form then picked up a picture on her desk. She looked at it for a while and Buffy began to fidget in her seat.
"Do you get along with children Buffy," Joyce asked.
Buffy looked at her confused. "Umm yeah I guess, why do we do many school tours?"
"We get a few but that's not why I am asking," Joyce handed Buffy the picture she was holding. "That's my 15 year old daughter Dawn."
Buffy looked at the picture and smiled. "Will she be coming to the gallery a lot," Buffy asked.
"Yes she does come here time to time. Right now she's in the stage where she thinks she can run the world and old enough to do it."
Buffy laughed "I remember when I was like that."
Joyce took the picture back and placed it on her desk. She looked at Buffy's form again before finally looking up at her.
"I'll make you a deal, Buffy."
Buffy looked at her suspiciously but nodded.
"You seem like a nice person, William said you were really friendly and I can see you're not nervous around strangers. I like those qualities, they will of good use in the gallery."
"So are you saying I have the job?"
Joyce smiled. "That and I'll go you one better, I have a spare room at my house."
Buffy was smiling, she had the job but there seemed to be a condition.
"If you want the room, it's yours."
Buffy was surprised. "Are you serious?"
Joyce nodded.
"Wow," Buffy said, "I am just so surprised; I mean you don't really know me."
"Well, I am generally a good judge of character. You seem like a nice person Buffy and you seem to need a job and a home and I am offering you that. The job isn't the greatest I'll admit that and the room is a little small but if you want it its yours"
Buffy face was hurting as she was smiling so much. "Umm I don't know what to say, I mean yes ill take it, thank you so much"
Joyce smiled. "Well, I am glad I can help, I remember the first time I was out on my own, made a few bad decisions, marrying my husband was one of them."
Buffy frowned, she didn't really want to get in the middle of anything. Joyce noticed her worried face.
"Oh don't worry, we're divorced, it's just me and Dawn at home"
Buffy smiled. "Ok, umm how much do you want for the room?"
"Nothing."
"What? I can't pay you nothing."
"Well see that's part of the deal, you come in and do a few extra hours of work and we'll call it even"
"Doing a few extra hours is hardly going to cover it, I have to pay you something."
"Come in and do a few extra hours and keep my daughter company and it will be even."
Buffy furrowed her brow. "So do a little over time for free and baby-sit and that's all you want?"
Joyce nodded. "Yep, you won't really need to baby-sit Dawn too much, just as long as someone is home for when I am at the gallery at night. That's all I ask. You can the run of the house, eat, shower, whatever."
"Are you sure," Buffy asked. "I don't eat much or take long showers and I wouldn't mind spending time with your daughter."
"Then it's settled," Joyce said standing up holding out her hand. "Welcome to the gallery and my home."
Buffy stood up and began shaking her hand furiously. "Thank you so much. You don't know how much this means to me, seriously."
"That's fine Buffy really. I'll give you a week to settle in with school then I'll get you to start ok?"
Buffy nodded.
"Would you like to see the house?"
Buffy shook her head. "Oh no I have taken up to much of your time already."
"Don't be silly. William," Joyce called.
Spike walked in smiling. "Everything going all right in here ladies?"
Buffy smiled brightly and Joyce nodded.
"Miss Summers here is going to join us at the gallery."
"That's great pet," Spike said looking over at Buffy.
"Are you busy today William?"
Spike looked over at Joyce. "Umm no why?"
"Well seeing how Buffy here doesn't have anywhere to live, I have offered her the spare room at my house."
"Really," Spike asked surprised.
"Yep," Buffy said smiling. "I just have to do a few extra hours over time and look after her daughter and that's all."
"Wow, that's really nice of you, Joyce."
"Well, you said she was a nice person and I can see she is, saves me getting someone to baby-sit Dawn too. Dawn and I could use some fresh blood in the house."
"Really, thank you again."
"You're doing me a favor, so William if you're not busy, could you take Buffy over to the house to look at the room?"
"Oh no, you don't need to do that!"
"I'll do it," Spike said happily.
"Are you sure? I mean you have already done so much for me today. . "
"Nah come on, the bit will be home soon."
"The Bit," Buffy asked, following Spike out.
"Yeah Dawn, she's great. I think you two will get along well."
"Feel free to move in whenever, Buffy," Joyce yelled after them.
"Thank you. I will," she said, waving goodbye.
Chapter 3
Spike pulled to a stop outside the gallery. Buffy looked out the window and stared up at it.
"Is this is," she asked.
Spike nodded.
Buffy got out of the car and took a better look at it. It was one of the nicest places she had seen in Sunnydale so far.
"C'mon, I'll show you around."
Buffy followed Spike into the gallery. It was what she had expected, paintings and sculptures. Spike leaned over the front desk and began moving things around. He finally pulled a piece of paper out and handed it to Buffy.
"Here, fill this out. I'll go find my dad."
Buffy took the paper then sat down on one of the chairs and began to fill out the application. There wasn't much she could fill out, but she hoped it would be enough. A man walked in from the direction Spike had gone.
"Hello, I am Mr. Giles."
Buffy looked at him blankly. Was she supposed to know who this person was?
"William's father" he clarified.
Buffy still looked confused.
"The gentleman you came in with?"
"Oh! Spike."
The older man shook his head and took off his glasses and began to wipe them. "I swear! My son and that intolerable name."
Buffy smiled and stood up, "Hi, I am Buffy, it's a nice place you have here."
"Well, thank you," he said, placing his glasses back on and holding out his hand for her to shake.
Buffy took his hand and shook it, before looking around the gallery some more.
"So, William tells me you have just arrived in Sunnydale."
"Umm, yeah today actually."
"And you are already looking for a job. Well that's very good. Finally a young one with initiative."
"Thank you. I don't like depending on my parents, you know."
"Well, I wish my son thought the same way."
"Excuse me, sorry to interrupt."
Buffy turned to see the women who had just entered.
"I'm Joyce, you must be Buffy."
Buffy nodded.
"Well if you would like to come into my office, I have a few minutes to spare."
Buffy nodded and followed Joyce into her office. Handing Joyce her form, Buffy sat down on a chair.
"So Buffy Summers," Joyce said reading off the sheet. "You're new to Sunnydale."
"Yes. Just got here today."
"So you are studying with William, I see, I hope he didn't scare you. He can be a little intimidating."
Buffy shook her head. "No. He was actually very nice."
"Really most people don't get that view."
Buffy laughed. "Well I'll admit, I was a bit taken back by his appearance, but he was the only person to talk to me while I was there and he seems nice."
"Oh he is, don't tell anyone, but he's a real sweetie. So Buffy, why do you want this job"
Buffy looked up sheepishly, "Umm well not to be rude, but I would really like the money and I don't want to work at a fast food place"
Joyce laughed. "That's perfectly fine, it's good to know that you need the money, that way I know you are going to be committed to the job."
"Oh yes I would be very committed. I really would like this job. I wouldn't be late or cause you trouble or anything. I just need the money to keep me going. I am studying, like you mentioned, so my hours are mainly after class, I hope that's ok."
"That's perfectly ok. Well I should tell you the kind of work that I would be employing you for. I afraid most of it isn't very glamorous. It would be unloading the new stock in the back room and that in itself can be very dusty work. On occasion we do get tour groups coming through, you know school groups and 50's tours. So cleaning up for their arrival and even showing them around may be part of it. Oh and once a month or as often as requested we do an art show, they are usually held on a Friday night. So you would be expected to attend to help with the patrons, sort of rent a crowd at the same time"
Buffy started laughing. "That all sounds fine with me, it sounds great in fact. How many hours do you require me to do, if I get the job that is."
"I have got about 15 hours worth of work, I know it's not much, that's why I was after a college student. Of course that doesn't include any shows I do and there is always overtime to be done"
Buffy smiled, "Well that sounds great to me."
Joyce looked down at the form Buffy had filled out.
"I notice you didn't write an address or phone number down."
Buffy winced. "Umm yeah I thought that might be a problem. See I only just got here today, so I am staying at a hotel for the time being. I was looking at housing when Spike saw me. I figured if I can get a job then I would be able to see what I could afford. I know that's going to be a problem."
Joyce put down Buffys form then picked up a picture on her desk. She looked at it for a while and Buffy began to fidget in her seat.
"Do you get along with children Buffy," Joyce asked.
Buffy looked at her confused. "Umm yeah I guess, why do we do many school tours?"
"We get a few but that's not why I am asking," Joyce handed Buffy the picture she was holding. "That's my 15 year old daughter Dawn."
Buffy looked at the picture and smiled. "Will she be coming to the gallery a lot," Buffy asked.
"Yes she does come here time to time. Right now she's in the stage where she thinks she can run the world and old enough to do it."
Buffy laughed "I remember when I was like that."
Joyce took the picture back and placed it on her desk. She looked at Buffy's form again before finally looking up at her.
"I'll make you a deal, Buffy."
Buffy looked at her suspiciously but nodded.
"You seem like a nice person, William said you were really friendly and I can see you're not nervous around strangers. I like those qualities, they will of good use in the gallery."
"So are you saying I have the job?"
Joyce smiled. "That and I'll go you one better, I have a spare room at my house."
Buffy was smiling, she had the job but there seemed to be a condition.
"If you want the room, it's yours."
Buffy was surprised. "Are you serious?"
Joyce nodded.
"Wow," Buffy said, "I am just so surprised; I mean you don't really know me."
"Well, I am generally a good judge of character. You seem like a nice person Buffy and you seem to need a job and a home and I am offering you that. The job isn't the greatest I'll admit that and the room is a little small but if you want it its yours"
Buffy face was hurting as she was smiling so much. "Umm I don't know what to say, I mean yes ill take it, thank you so much"
Joyce smiled. "Well, I am glad I can help, I remember the first time I was out on my own, made a few bad decisions, marrying my husband was one of them."
Buffy frowned, she didn't really want to get in the middle of anything. Joyce noticed her worried face.
"Oh don't worry, we're divorced, it's just me and Dawn at home"
Buffy smiled. "Ok, umm how much do you want for the room?"
"Nothing."
"What? I can't pay you nothing."
"Well see that's part of the deal, you come in and do a few extra hours of work and we'll call it even"
"Doing a few extra hours is hardly going to cover it, I have to pay you something."
"Come in and do a few extra hours and keep my daughter company and it will be even."
Buffy furrowed her brow. "So do a little over time for free and baby-sit and that's all you want?"
Joyce nodded. "Yep, you won't really need to baby-sit Dawn too much, just as long as someone is home for when I am at the gallery at night. That's all I ask. You can the run of the house, eat, shower, whatever."
"Are you sure," Buffy asked. "I don't eat much or take long showers and I wouldn't mind spending time with your daughter."
"Then it's settled," Joyce said standing up holding out her hand. "Welcome to the gallery and my home."
Buffy stood up and began shaking her hand furiously. "Thank you so much. You don't know how much this means to me, seriously."
"That's fine Buffy really. I'll give you a week to settle in with school then I'll get you to start ok?"
Buffy nodded.
"Would you like to see the house?"
Buffy shook her head. "Oh no I have taken up to much of your time already."
"Don't be silly. William," Joyce called.
Spike walked in smiling. "Everything going all right in here ladies?"
Buffy smiled brightly and Joyce nodded.
"Miss Summers here is going to join us at the gallery."
"That's great pet," Spike said looking over at Buffy.
"Are you busy today William?"
Spike looked over at Joyce. "Umm no why?"
"Well seeing how Buffy here doesn't have anywhere to live, I have offered her the spare room at my house."
"Really," Spike asked surprised.
"Yep," Buffy said smiling. "I just have to do a few extra hours over time and look after her daughter and that's all."
"Wow, that's really nice of you, Joyce."
"Well, you said she was a nice person and I can see she is, saves me getting someone to baby-sit Dawn too. Dawn and I could use some fresh blood in the house."
"Really, thank you again."
"You're doing me a favor, so William if you're not busy, could you take Buffy over to the house to look at the room?"
"Oh no, you don't need to do that!"
"I'll do it," Spike said happily.
"Are you sure? I mean you have already done so much for me today. . "
"Nah come on, the bit will be home soon."
"The Bit," Buffy asked, following Spike out.
"Yeah Dawn, she's great. I think you two will get along well."
"Feel free to move in whenever, Buffy," Joyce yelled after them.
"Thank you. I will," she said, waving goodbye.