Denial Thy Name is Riley
Chapter 2
Riley Shuffled back to his dorm, he had been lucky on the walk back, and so far, he'd managed to avoid seeing any one. As he opened the door, he groaned as he saw his luck had run out. Lounging on his bed was Forrest, who sat up as he saw Riley enter.
"Hell man, what's up with you?" exclaimed Forrest, smirking as he took in Riley's appearance.
"Had a run in with Buffy and her dog". Said Riley, going into the bathroom to peel off the offending jeans.
"Not Buffy again? Man, you need to leave well alone. She keeps humiliating your sorry ass". Exclaimed Forrest.
Riley re-emerged from the bathroom in his sweat pants.
"Not for much longer though," Smiled Riley.
"What's up now?" asked Forrest.
"Well, you know that guy she is with?" Asked Riley.
"Yeah, I've seen him around town a few times," said Forrest.
Riley looked at Forrest, smugly.
"I had a nagging feeling I knew him from somewhere before," Said Riley
"And?" asked Forrest
"It's hostile 17, I'm sure of it. I just happened to call him, that to her face. She didn't deny it and it got her as mad as hell," said Riley triumphantly.
"Well what's the big deal bro? It's not like he can hurt anyone being chipped and all," said Forrest.
"I am going to see Professor Walsh, you coming?" asked Riley.
Damn! Thought Forrest as he trailed in Riley's wake, Riley really was a virgin. He needed to get laid!
"Spike, you awake?" asked Buffy.
"Yeah pet, wide awake and thinking we both need a shower,"
Buffy wrinkled her nose, she had to agree. The idea of licking cream off each other had been sexy in practice, but now it smelled like someone had been eating cheetos.
"The shower can wait five minutes, I need to talk to you about something important," She insisted.
"You have my undivided attention," Leered Spike, as he trailed one hand down her naked thigh.
"Stop that, I can't concentrate while you are doing that!" She scolded.
Spike pretended to look hurt, but sobered up when he saw she was being deadly serious.
"When I was out walking Shakespeare, I bumped into someone quite literally," Buffy said.
"Who?" asked Spike.
"Riley, and he seemed pretty pissed off, which might not be a good thing," she said anxiously.
"The little boy doesn't scare me; sounds like it's just a case of the green eyed monster love," mocked Spike.
"No, I think it's more than that, he threatened to split us up. I don't think it's safe for you around here at the moment, I have a feeling there is more to Riley than meets the eye," She said .
"Slayer, I love when you worry about me, but aren't you worrying a bit too much. It's Riley for hell's sake, what's that over grown teddy bear gonna do to us?" he exclaimed.
Buffy frowned
"Well, there was something he said, that I didn't understand. But it sounded insulting, so I knocked him to the ground for it," She admitted.
Spike Chuckled at the thought.
"What did he say that got you so hot under the collar love?"
"He called you hostile 17, does that mean anything to you?" She asked.
Spikes smile faded.
"Bleeding hell!" he exclaimed.
"What is it Spike?" asked Buffy.
"Oh, nothing except the wanker must be one of those soldier boys who put this bug zapper in my head," He answered.
"Oh God, it all makes sense now. All those dates he kept bailing on, and that beeper for ever going off," Said Buffy.
"Looks like it," answered Spike.
Buffy looked at him and for the first time in a long time she felt afraid. She wasn't going to let Riley and his friends, who ever they were, get their hands on Spike a second time. Admittedly, she didn't know much about them, but she wasn't taking any chances and she certainly didn't trust Riley.
An idea suddenly occurred to Buffy.
"Spike will you be ok for a couple of hours, I have to go out for awhile," She asked.
"Ok pet the re-runs of Dawsons Creek are on this afternoon, anyway,"
"God, you and TV!" She exclaimed rolling her eyes.
"Forgetting something?" Asked Spike.
"What?" she asked,
"Shower?" he answered,
"Oh yeah, don't want to go out smelling like cheesy puffs," She smiled
"You need one too, come on," She said, pulling the reluctant Spike off the bed.
He looked her up and down.
"What's in it for me sweetheart?" He pouted.
"The wet naked lady of course," She grinned, running off in the direction of the bathroom.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
An empty bottle of shower gel and an hour later, Buffy and Spike walked down the stairs. Giles was asleep on the sofa, snoring lightly. Shakespeare was resting at his feet, the golden retriever looked up at the newcomers, wagging his tail excitedly as he saw Spike. Spike bent down to pet the dog.
"Shakespeare really loves you Spike, but then who could blame him?" She asked, planting a kiss on his blonde head.
Buffy's eyes went to the coffee table, there rested a half empty bottle of JD and a tumbler.
"Giles has been drinking again," Sighed Buffy
"Leave Dad alone, he has a lot to deal with," Scolded Spike.
"Spike, please never call me dad again. And another thing, I don't drink because I am feeling sorry for myself, I drink to knock myself out so I don't have to listen to you two," Said Giles angrily.
"Oh Giles, hi we thought you were asleep," Said Buffy, awkwardly.
"Well, I was until you two thundered down the stairs," Snapped Giles.
Buffy quickly masked the hurt expression on her face. Even though Giles was unable to see it, Spike did.
"Just cos you are feeling all cranky watcher, don't take it out on my girl," Said Spike.
Giles sat forward turning his head in the direction of Spike's voice
"What are you going to do about it tickle me?" Sneered Giles.
"Oh, pack it in you two! I have to go out for a while. I expect you both to play nicely while I am gone," Buffy told them.
"Please don't leave me alone with him!" begged Giles.
"Don't you worry about us love, we can watch Dawsons Creek together, and.. oh sorry forgot you can't watch it, but you can listen to it any way," Said Spike.
Giles just groaned, and shook his head.
"Please don't be gone long," said Giles, to Buffy.
Buffy turned to go.
"Where's my goodbye kiss then?" Asked Spike.
Buffy frowned
"Sorry I forgot," She answered.
Spike pouted at her in pretend hurt.
"Keep doing that with your lip and I will bite it," she said, going into his arms for a kiss.
"Is that a threat or a promise?" He grinned, bending his head towards hers.
"Oh God this is going to be a long day," said a voice from the sofa.
Buffy exited the house, leaving Giles alone with Spike.
"You know she doesn't really love you, don't you?" Asked Giles.
"Look mate if you are not going to be nice, I can always go upstairs and watch this," Said Spike.
Giles ignored him and continued.
"Think about it Spike, about the day you asked Buffy to marry you. One minute you were fighting like kids, and the next thing you were down on one knee asking Buffy to marry you. How weird is that?" Asked Giles.
No answer.
"Spike? Spike?" Repeated Giles to the empty room. Spike couldn't hear him; he was already back in his room watching TV.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Buffy entered the Espresso Pump looking for a free computer terminal. She spied one in the far corner and made her way over to it. Sitting down at the empty seat, Buffy took her wallet out of her jacket, and removed her credit card. It looked as shiny as the day her mother had presented her with it, on the day she had left for college.
Her mother's words were ringing in her head, "Only use in cases of emergency, not for things like a new pair of boots that have caught your eye," She had said.
"Well this is an emergency," Buffy said to herself
She raised her fingers to the keyboard and typed in the words "Vegas Wedding Chapels" Buffy looked over her shoulder before continuing. She couldn't help shake the feeling that she was being watched.
Riley watched Buffy from across the street, keeping to the shadows as best as he possibly could. He had managed to convince Professor Walsh that Buffy and hostile 17 needed watching. After giving Professor Walsh a detailed description, she had confirmed he was the escapee they were looking for. Riley's first instinct had been to organise a mission to capture Hostile 17 or Spike, as Buffy called him.
Professor Walsh had frustrated him, as all she would authorize was a surveillance of the couple. Saying it would be interesting to see how the demon and the human interacted with each other. Well, he thought it was sick. Anyone who got their rocks off with a living corpse, was seriously twisted. Riley was getting bored, he had been standing there for over half an hour and all she had done was surf the Internet and drink coffee.
His mind started to wander; suddenly he came back to the present with a jolt; as a car drove by at speed, and sprayed Riley with filthy rainwater.
"Shit!" yelled Riley.
This really wasn't his day. He looked across to the Coffee shop, he needn't of worried. Buffy wasn't there to hear his expletive, she was long gone.
TBC
Chapter 2
Riley Shuffled back to his dorm, he had been lucky on the walk back, and so far, he'd managed to avoid seeing any one. As he opened the door, he groaned as he saw his luck had run out. Lounging on his bed was Forrest, who sat up as he saw Riley enter.
"Hell man, what's up with you?" exclaimed Forrest, smirking as he took in Riley's appearance.
"Had a run in with Buffy and her dog". Said Riley, going into the bathroom to peel off the offending jeans.
"Not Buffy again? Man, you need to leave well alone. She keeps humiliating your sorry ass". Exclaimed Forrest.
Riley re-emerged from the bathroom in his sweat pants.
"Not for much longer though," Smiled Riley.
"What's up now?" asked Forrest.
"Well, you know that guy she is with?" Asked Riley.
"Yeah, I've seen him around town a few times," said Forrest.
Riley looked at Forrest, smugly.
"I had a nagging feeling I knew him from somewhere before," Said Riley
"And?" asked Forrest
"It's hostile 17, I'm sure of it. I just happened to call him, that to her face. She didn't deny it and it got her as mad as hell," said Riley triumphantly.
"Well what's the big deal bro? It's not like he can hurt anyone being chipped and all," said Forrest.
"I am going to see Professor Walsh, you coming?" asked Riley.
Damn! Thought Forrest as he trailed in Riley's wake, Riley really was a virgin. He needed to get laid!
"Spike, you awake?" asked Buffy.
"Yeah pet, wide awake and thinking we both need a shower,"
Buffy wrinkled her nose, she had to agree. The idea of licking cream off each other had been sexy in practice, but now it smelled like someone had been eating cheetos.
"The shower can wait five minutes, I need to talk to you about something important," She insisted.
"You have my undivided attention," Leered Spike, as he trailed one hand down her naked thigh.
"Stop that, I can't concentrate while you are doing that!" She scolded.
Spike pretended to look hurt, but sobered up when he saw she was being deadly serious.
"When I was out walking Shakespeare, I bumped into someone quite literally," Buffy said.
"Who?" asked Spike.
"Riley, and he seemed pretty pissed off, which might not be a good thing," she said anxiously.
"The little boy doesn't scare me; sounds like it's just a case of the green eyed monster love," mocked Spike.
"No, I think it's more than that, he threatened to split us up. I don't think it's safe for you around here at the moment, I have a feeling there is more to Riley than meets the eye," She said .
"Slayer, I love when you worry about me, but aren't you worrying a bit too much. It's Riley for hell's sake, what's that over grown teddy bear gonna do to us?" he exclaimed.
Buffy frowned
"Well, there was something he said, that I didn't understand. But it sounded insulting, so I knocked him to the ground for it," She admitted.
Spike Chuckled at the thought.
"What did he say that got you so hot under the collar love?"
"He called you hostile 17, does that mean anything to you?" She asked.
Spikes smile faded.
"Bleeding hell!" he exclaimed.
"What is it Spike?" asked Buffy.
"Oh, nothing except the wanker must be one of those soldier boys who put this bug zapper in my head," He answered.
"Oh God, it all makes sense now. All those dates he kept bailing on, and that beeper for ever going off," Said Buffy.
"Looks like it," answered Spike.
Buffy looked at him and for the first time in a long time she felt afraid. She wasn't going to let Riley and his friends, who ever they were, get their hands on Spike a second time. Admittedly, she didn't know much about them, but she wasn't taking any chances and she certainly didn't trust Riley.
An idea suddenly occurred to Buffy.
"Spike will you be ok for a couple of hours, I have to go out for awhile," She asked.
"Ok pet the re-runs of Dawsons Creek are on this afternoon, anyway,"
"God, you and TV!" She exclaimed rolling her eyes.
"Forgetting something?" Asked Spike.
"What?" she asked,
"Shower?" he answered,
"Oh yeah, don't want to go out smelling like cheesy puffs," She smiled
"You need one too, come on," She said, pulling the reluctant Spike off the bed.
He looked her up and down.
"What's in it for me sweetheart?" He pouted.
"The wet naked lady of course," She grinned, running off in the direction of the bathroom.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
An empty bottle of shower gel and an hour later, Buffy and Spike walked down the stairs. Giles was asleep on the sofa, snoring lightly. Shakespeare was resting at his feet, the golden retriever looked up at the newcomers, wagging his tail excitedly as he saw Spike. Spike bent down to pet the dog.
"Shakespeare really loves you Spike, but then who could blame him?" She asked, planting a kiss on his blonde head.
Buffy's eyes went to the coffee table, there rested a half empty bottle of JD and a tumbler.
"Giles has been drinking again," Sighed Buffy
"Leave Dad alone, he has a lot to deal with," Scolded Spike.
"Spike, please never call me dad again. And another thing, I don't drink because I am feeling sorry for myself, I drink to knock myself out so I don't have to listen to you two," Said Giles angrily.
"Oh Giles, hi we thought you were asleep," Said Buffy, awkwardly.
"Well, I was until you two thundered down the stairs," Snapped Giles.
Buffy quickly masked the hurt expression on her face. Even though Giles was unable to see it, Spike did.
"Just cos you are feeling all cranky watcher, don't take it out on my girl," Said Spike.
Giles sat forward turning his head in the direction of Spike's voice
"What are you going to do about it tickle me?" Sneered Giles.
"Oh, pack it in you two! I have to go out for a while. I expect you both to play nicely while I am gone," Buffy told them.
"Please don't leave me alone with him!" begged Giles.
"Don't you worry about us love, we can watch Dawsons Creek together, and.. oh sorry forgot you can't watch it, but you can listen to it any way," Said Spike.
Giles just groaned, and shook his head.
"Please don't be gone long," said Giles, to Buffy.
Buffy turned to go.
"Where's my goodbye kiss then?" Asked Spike.
Buffy frowned
"Sorry I forgot," She answered.
Spike pouted at her in pretend hurt.
"Keep doing that with your lip and I will bite it," she said, going into his arms for a kiss.
"Is that a threat or a promise?" He grinned, bending his head towards hers.
"Oh God this is going to be a long day," said a voice from the sofa.
Buffy exited the house, leaving Giles alone with Spike.
"You know she doesn't really love you, don't you?" Asked Giles.
"Look mate if you are not going to be nice, I can always go upstairs and watch this," Said Spike.
Giles ignored him and continued.
"Think about it Spike, about the day you asked Buffy to marry you. One minute you were fighting like kids, and the next thing you were down on one knee asking Buffy to marry you. How weird is that?" Asked Giles.
No answer.
"Spike? Spike?" Repeated Giles to the empty room. Spike couldn't hear him; he was already back in his room watching TV.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Buffy entered the Espresso Pump looking for a free computer terminal. She spied one in the far corner and made her way over to it. Sitting down at the empty seat, Buffy took her wallet out of her jacket, and removed her credit card. It looked as shiny as the day her mother had presented her with it, on the day she had left for college.
Her mother's words were ringing in her head, "Only use in cases of emergency, not for things like a new pair of boots that have caught your eye," She had said.
"Well this is an emergency," Buffy said to herself
She raised her fingers to the keyboard and typed in the words "Vegas Wedding Chapels" Buffy looked over her shoulder before continuing. She couldn't help shake the feeling that she was being watched.
Riley watched Buffy from across the street, keeping to the shadows as best as he possibly could. He had managed to convince Professor Walsh that Buffy and hostile 17 needed watching. After giving Professor Walsh a detailed description, she had confirmed he was the escapee they were looking for. Riley's first instinct had been to organise a mission to capture Hostile 17 or Spike, as Buffy called him.
Professor Walsh had frustrated him, as all she would authorize was a surveillance of the couple. Saying it would be interesting to see how the demon and the human interacted with each other. Well, he thought it was sick. Anyone who got their rocks off with a living corpse, was seriously twisted. Riley was getting bored, he had been standing there for over half an hour and all she had done was surf the Internet and drink coffee.
His mind started to wander; suddenly he came back to the present with a jolt; as a car drove by at speed, and sprayed Riley with filthy rainwater.
"Shit!" yelled Riley.
This really wasn't his day. He looked across to the Coffee shop, he needn't of worried. Buffy wasn't there to hear his expletive, she was long gone.
TBC