Chapter 3 – Freeing the Hostages

The road was quiet in the almost midnight hour. Spike felt that he was dreaming and wondered how long it would take until he woke. He hoped it wasn't for a while because he wanted to see how far this would go and he didn't want to lose the way his body felt in the aftermath of making love to her again. The memory of her still clung to his skin. He glanced over at her as she stared out the window. Her eyes were blank and unseeing and he wondered if she regretted him already. When she turned and smiled gently at him, he relaxed. It wasn't a big smile or could even be deemed a happy smile, but it was a smile followed by a scooting until she was beside him. Buffy took his hand from the wheel until it was around her shoulders so that she could settle against his side and he was a happy man. Just like the first time he had ever made love to her.

It had been late July, one of those nights when the air was sticky and hot, hanging heavy over everyone and everything. His mom was at work and he had just returned from his own job and was enjoying having the small trailer to himself. If they were both there, then there was no privacy, in the small box they shared. He was stretched out on the couch in nothing but a faded pair of jeans that if he stood would hang low on his hips. The small air conditioner was pumping as hard as it could but wasn't doing very much, so he had the fan on also, anything to relieve the oppressive heat.

He almost jumped through his own skin when there was a timid knock on the door. No one came out here so it took him a second to assimilate that there really had been a knock, when another louder one sounded followed by a desperate whine, "Please someone be home."

That galvanized him into action and he hurried to the door. He knew that voice, had been listening to it as far back as he could remember. Not that he ever talked to her really but her voice was always around, strident in her little group of friends, giving speeches as class whatever's and loud and insistent as cheerleader. You couldn't escape Buffy Summers in this town, no matter how hard you wanted to.

This was going to be fun, he thought as he pulled the door open. And with that his whole world changed.

He felt like he had been punched in the stomach. Buffy was standing by the bottom step in a pair of white denim shorts and pink halter top. Pink lip gloss coated that mouth and her hair was pulled back in a high pony tail. She looked like cotton candy and unconsciously he licked his lips.

"Hi, Spike, may I use your phone?" Then when he only continued to stare at her she added, "My car broke down about a half mile down the road."

Finally tearing his eyes away from those lips, he glanced over her head as if he could see the car then back down to her. A small chuckle as he looked at her again. She wasn't even sweating in this heat. And he guessed when you were part of the elite, sweat didn't dare touch you, and even when he was thinking it, he could feel a bead of sweat roll down his chest.

"You think my car breaking down is funny?" she asked.

"No, come in, phones over there," he said gesturing to his left. That was when he noticed she was watching that bead of sweat as it now slid down his stomach. He cocked an eyebrow at her when she didn't move. "Do you want to use the phone or stand out there in the heat?"

That moved her into the house. He waited frozen as she looked around, waiting for a gesture or face to indicate her superiority over his home but she didn't, only located the phone and headed toward it.

"I could look at it for you," he offered.

"Nah, thanks anyway, my dad has this auto club thing and he's picky about this shit." She replied as she hopped up to sit on the counter and dialed the phone.

All he could do was wait but as he sat on the edge of the couch again, he kept glancing at her and she kept glancing at him and every once in a while their glances would collide. And every time they did he felt a tightening in his groin and the temperature in the room rise.

"Do you want a soda?"

She nodded eagerly and he moved off the couch. The area was small and in order for him to reach the refrigerator he had to slide between the table and her. From her position on the counter she could have reached it herself but that wouldn't have been as much fun as brushing against her leg when he bent over to rummage in the fridge to find them a drink. He was shocked when he felt her fingers touch him, slowly tracing the scar across his upper back from when he had gone through a window when he was thirteen. As he stood she didn't remove her hand, didn't feign ignorance in what she was doing, only allowed it to shift as he moved, over his shoulder until it rested on his upper chest. This time when their eyes met he knew.

Buffy was looking to take a walk on the wild side. The poor side. The whatever side and it was up to him if he wanted to or not.  He took her offer. He had been watching her since he was three and saw her in the grocery store. Even then she was beautiful and it was funny because she had been in pink that day too. A little princess. And since then every girl in his life had been compared to her and been found lacking in some way. To be able to taste the real thing even if it was just a fuck to her was too tempting. Maybe if he had her and found and tasted her flaws then he could forget.

She took one of the cans from his hand, popped it open and took a long drink.

"I'm on hold. Good thing I'm not desperate here."

His decision made he placed his soda on the counter and moved slowly until he faced her. His eyes on her chin, he stepped forward and she spread her legs to give him room to get closer. A part of him was shouting in joy while another was trembling in fear. He had lost his virginity when he was fourteen and had been active ever since but this was his dream and it terrified him. A slight inhale and he took her into his body, the expensive perfume, the girl, the sweetness of her musk and he hardened. He swallowed and placed his hands on her knees then when there was still no resistance, he let them drift upwards, over the muscled tanned thighs, over her hips and around to her bottom. He pulled slightly, bringing her the edge and her ankles crossed behind his back. Her hand that had never left him moved behind his head through his hair and pulled him forward until his lips were on her throat.

"Uh, hello, yeah I'm broken down," Buffy stammered out as he licked, sucked and nipped on her neck. "I'll hold. No hickeys okay, my mom is like hickey patrol queen." She whispered into his ear right before she moaned as he tugged on her ear lobe.

"Okay," he told her as he moved one of his hands upwards, over her waist, along her rib cage. He held it there giving her time to stop him and when she didn't, he covered her breast with his palm, letting the weight fill it. She shifted on the counter, restless, and he rolled her nipple between his fingers and she quivered against him.

She was back on the phone again, talking to the service people and he hoped it was going to be awhile then decided if there wasn't much time he may as well go for broke, and pushed her halter top upwards so there was nothing between his hand and her flesh. She squirmed and he smiled against her skin and dived. His mouth took that succulent mound in, sucking it for all he was worth and she arched back, her head hitting the cabinets but still her hand pulled him closer.

"Forget it, I'll find someone else," she ground out before clicking the phone off and dropping it on the counter. "Three hours they said, Oh holy mother, I told them to forget it, Spike," she stammered out as he continued to assault her. His mouth was on her breast and his hand between her legs and she was shaking against him.

It was time and he pulled back. "Bedroom or your car?"

For a moment he thought he saw fear in her eyes but it couldn't be. They had known each other all their lives and the way she was acting she had to have been giving it up to her boyfriend for awhile. Maybe it was the realization that she was cheating on him that had her spooked but he waited and let her decide.

"Bedroom," she whispered as she hopped off the counter and took his hand to lead him down the short hallway to his room. "This one?" She asked as she stopped outside it and when he nodded, she stepped in and took him with her.

"Hey, Spikey, you still in there?" Buffy giggled as she snapped her fingers in front of his face.

He smiled down at her and hugged her a little tighter.

"What's up, pet?"

"Was just going to tell you not to park on my street, park over on Essex, we'll use the shortcut."

"Is this the infamous 'Buffy sneaking in at four in the morning' route?"

"Yes, it is. And just for the record, you are the only who has ever given me such trouble by bringing me home so late."

He laughed, "yeah, right."

It was too much to hope for that there hadn't been anyone else since last summer. She had dated a few boys over the last school year but from the way she acted, none of them had been serious but he didn't ask because he didn't really want to know. And every once in awhile when she needed to cut loose he would take her away somewhere to have some fun where no one knew them. Once they had gone all the way into LA, with a couple of fake IDs and had done some club hopping and that was the one and only time he hadn't gotten her home until almost dawn. It had been worth it though. That is if you were into games of pretend with a girl who didn't love you back but he was, so it was.

As he turned on to Essex, he cut the lights and motor, letting the car drift to the curb before stopping it. They got out, Buffy scooting behind him on the driver's side, and then she took the lead. Her small hand clutching his as they cut through someone's yard followed a fence through several backyards and stopped behind this huge orange tree. He watched in amazement as Buffy pulled a couple of boards in the fence away to reveal a space.

"This leads to my backyard," she whispered with a gleam in her eyes. "You stay here." Her hand settled across his lips when he tried to protest. "I've been sneaking in this house all my life and I know which window to use and where the squeaky boards are." She leaned over and her lips replaced her hand and against his lips, she whispered; "Besides you have more to lose than me. If I get caught they might have pity on me in court. Okay? Promise you'll stay here."

He nodded because she was right and besides this should be quick and simple.

"Be careful."

This time he kissed her, letting his tongue dip into her mouth for just a moment before she went. Maybe he was wrong to let her go alone but logically she was right and he could keep an eye out for police or security from here. He watched as she opened a window and crawled in. Her hand waved and he relaxed.

She had gone from fantasy to hard core reality when he realized he had taken her virginity. He wanted to humbly ask why but he didn't know how and he lay staring at the ceiling trying to accept that he had just made love to Buffy twice. After the first time he had whispered his apology for maybe hurting her, she had pulled him to her, and they had become lost in the fire between them again.

Spike glanced over at her quickly but she was doing the same as him. Staring at the ceiling, the sheet modestly pulled over her breasts with her hands holding it in place. He knew he should say something. This had to be awkward as hell for her but he was shell shocked that this was happening and couldn't think of a thing to say. And unfortunately he said the first thing in his mind and of course it came out completely wrong.

"So, what is Angel going to say when you finally give it up and he finds out its already gone?"

A tear ran down her cheek, and he never knew if it was because of what they had done, his words or her next ones.

"We broke up three days ago. He was cheating on me."

It hit him, the reason why and it hurt like a bitch. This was her way of getting back at Angel. A revenge fuck and he was just convenient. And it had nothing to do with him at all. He stood and started to search for his jeans.

"Let's go look at your car so you can get back into town and let everyone know that you got Angel back."

The one tear turned to more as she sat up and stared at him.

"Angel is never going to know this happened."

"What's the use of doing this to get back at him if he doesn't know about it?"

She sighed softly but still didn't leave the bed.

"Please don't make this ugly."

He laughed at her whispered plea. It was ugly and it was tearing his heart out.

"Look princess, I don't mind a good toss in the sheets but I don't like being used. Usually if I fuck a girl it's because she wants me to not for revenge. It might have been nice if you'd told me first."

Then she started bawling and he felt like a damn heel. He sighed as he rolled his eyes and went to sit next to her on the bed. She cried even harder as he reached out to touch her.

"Hey, it wasn't that bad was it?"

She shook her head.

"Buffy, come on, don't cry. I'm confused here, that's all." A thought occurred to him that hurt worse than the revenge. "Are you ashamed because you fuc...slept with me?"

Another head shake.

Her arms suddenly snaked around his neck and held onto him while she cried. His hands caressed her back as the tears poured down his chest. She was trembling with the force of them and he felt even worse than before.

"You were right but it's not the way you think," she finally managed to say.

"Do you want to explain?"

At that moment he wasn't sure if he should be angry, hurt or guilty.

Buffy pulled away from him and leaned against the headboard, the sheet was gathered around her waist now and she didn't move to cover herself.

"I did want to hurt Angel and I didn't stop what was going on between us because I figured that's what I wanted to do."

He stood because he didn't want to hear anymore. "Get dressed and we'll go look at your car."

But she didn't move and acted like she hadn't heard him.

"When we got in here and…and you were touching me, I realized that Angel was still the excuse but not the excuse I thought it was for. It was an excuse to take what I always wanted."

He froze.

"Come again?"

She smiled slyly. "I could if you want to help."

But he didn't say anything and this time she pulled the sheet over her and her hand wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"I've always liked you."

"Yeah, right, just the good girl wanting the bad boy. Typical. Do you know how many girls in your circle have wanted to spend the night with me just to live dangerously? Guess you were the first to achieve it. Congratulations Buffy, you got revenge on Angel and have something to brag about to your friends."

"You don't even remember."

"Remember what?"

"Seventh grade. We were lab partners for a project in biology."

Yeah, he remembered. Every time he got close to her, he'd turn into a mass of nerves, that couldn't speak, couldn't think coherently and wanted to run for safety.

"I remember."

"And I kept asking you to go to the library for extra studying and you kept refusing."

"You were trying to hit on me?" Spike knew his mouth was hanging open as he let the memories of her at thirteen flow over him. He hadn't had a clue.

"Yeah, I was because I wanted you to be my first kiss."

A noise broke him from his memories and he peered around the fence to watch her shimmy out of the window with a bag clutched in her hand. He smiled as she glanced around and made a beeline for him.

"Freeze, police."

Buffy froze, fear evident on her face and when he started to climb through the fence she shook her head and mouthed for him to go back. What kind of man would he be if he let her face this alone? And he knew something she didn't as he made his way toward her and the police officer who was holding a gun pointed at Buffy's back. His hands immediately went up when he saw that. His eyes darted between the terror on her face to the hard stone of the cop's.

"Office Beckham, it's me Spike." He said hoping that it would have some effect on the situation.

"Spike, you in on this?" Beckham asked as his free hand reached for his flashlight. The light was shone first in Spike's face then the back of Buffy's head. "Turn around slowly, young lady."

She nodded and did as he requested.

"He didn't know what I was doing. I just asked him for a ride. Honest."

"Buffy, you're babbling and making it worse, shush," Spike told her softly.

She shut up and stood trembling in the glare of the flashlight. The gun was returned to its holster but he didn't strap it in.

"What the hell is going on? You one of the girls who lived here?"

"Yes," Buffy whispered as tears started to fall again reminding both men of a kitten who was being tortured and didn't understand why.

"What was so important that you broke in there for?"

"Buffy, hand him the bag," Spike told her calmly. Her hand jerked as she brought it down and Beckham's hand rested on his gun again. "Slowly, slowly."

"Open it for me," Beckham demanded so he wouldn't have to let go of either his gun or light.

The bag was opened and the light was flashed on the contents.

"What the hell?" Beckham asked as he reached into the bag and brought out Mr. Gordo. A smile started to curl his lip but it stopped as he squeezed the stuffed animal and felt something inside. The flashlight was tucked under his arm as he clutched the animal between his hands and was ready to tear it apart.

"No, please don't hurt him," Buffy pleaded.

"What's in it?"

"Shake it. It's a bell."

This time Beckham smiled as the bell softly tinkled when he shook the animal. He turned his attention to the bag and pulled out Mr. Lido and two books.

"Those are my sister's and my diaries."

"Give those to me when you're done," Spike smirked as he spoke for the first time.

The smile turned to a laugh as the officer dumped the animals back into the bag and opened one diary, then dropped Dawn's back into the bag and opened Buffy's. He flipped the pages and then started to read an entry. Spike felt Buffy squirm next to him.

"So, you know how to cook those onion things, Spike and, oh my, is she your girl?"

"No."

Beckham winked at Buffy, "I won't tell."  He told her as he laughed. The light was flashed in their faces again so he could take in their embarrassment evident by the bright red of their complexions.

"You would have gotten this stuff back. Why commit a felony to get them?"

"Her sister was crying for her lamb. Think if it was Lindsey." Spike said as he brought up Officer Beckham's twelve-year-old daughter.

Beckham sighed as he contemplated them. "Look, I got a call on some kids sneaking through a back yard. Didn't actually see you go into or out of the house. Young lady, behave yourself and be patient and know that one of the reasons I'm letting you go is because Spike is your friend. Now go on and get out of here before I arrest you." They headed toward the fence when he hollered at them again. "Geesh, come on, use the sidewalk. Quit committing crimes on my patrol."

Spike grabbed Buffy's hand and started to run back to the car. They were both laughing as they turned the corner.

"Oh my God, that was close." Buffy said as they slowed to a walk. "How do you know him?"

"The SPD use the garage I work at to maintenance their cars. I know most of the cops in this town."

"Very impressive. I am honored to be in the presence of someone so established," Buffy joked as she pulled him toward her.

His hands settled on her waist and again wondered why but then didn't care as she pressed her lips to his.

"Thank you," Buffy said when they broke apart. "For being you and for being my friend."

He sighed as he opened the car door to let her slide in first. The small bag gathered on her lap. He didn't say anything as he took her back to the motel she was staying in but once again she was snuggled against him. And he wasn't going to argue. Wasn't that what friends were for?

TBC