Summary:       Buffy has a plan to bring Spike out of the shadows.

Disclaimer:    Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy own everything.  But I wouldn't mind leasing Spike from them for a couple of weeks :)

Feedback:     As always, appreciated.

Seeing Spike Through Buffy's Eyes Chapter 12 - Battle Plans

"So let me get this straight," Xander started, "you are going to make Spike jealous?  By using Angel?  Buffy, this has got to be the worst plan in the history of worst plans.  Are you out of your mind?  Have you given any thought to what he'll do to the two of you?" 

Everyone was sitting in the Summers' living room, stunned at what Buffy was proposing.  She had called Angel the night before, asking for help.  "Whatever he does, he'll have to come out and face me to do it.  I've tried everything else I can think of.  This is the answer."  Buffy had on her resolve face.  No one was going to make her change her mind.

"What I don't get is how you got Angel to agree.  Not the biggest fan of the Spike-Buffy relationship."  Tara nodded her agreement with Willow's observation.  When Buffy had told Angel that she was in love with his wayward childe, the explosion in LA probably sent shock waves all the way to NY.  

"He's my friend.  He wants me to be happy."  Buffy didn't add the part about Angel seeing this as the perfect opportunity to torture Spike.  Ever since she had gone to LA a few months ago to fill Angel in on exactly what had been going on in her life, the older vampire had been dieing to get his hands on Spike.  Truthfully, but sadly, both of them knew the great-love they once shared was all but a memory.  Too much time had passed.  They were different people now.  And although both had gone through horrible experiences, they wouldn't trade what they had now for anything.  Angel had his own family, his own friends.  They were his world.  "It took longer for me to convince Cordelia to go along with it than it did to convince Angel.  She even wanted to come along to monitor the situation, but Angel put a stop to that.  The last thing we need is a jealous minor demon mucking up a perfectly good plan."

"But a jealous master vampire is okey-dokey."  Xander was going to try one last time.  "Buf, this isn't going to work.  Spike is not going to fall for it.  He's going to KNOW what you're doing."

"Probably.  But that's why I need Angel."  Buffy needed her friends on board with this.  "Don't you understand?  When I kissed Nick, I felt that he was angry.  Everything else has just been this vague sense about him.  If he was jealous enough to put off those kind of vibes about a kiss with a guy he doesn't even know, he'll flip if he sees me with Angel.  Even though he'll know it's a trick, he won't be able to contain himself.  Only Angel has that power over him."

"Angel and you."  Dawn was worried like the rest of the Scoobies, but she thought Buffy's plan had merit.  Either Spike would come after the ex-lovers or he would leave town, not being able to stand seeing the two of them together.

"Well, I for one, think it will work."  Anya said to the group.  All eyes turning to look at her.  "Spike is a very possessive man.  His own jealousy, fueled by the demon will force him to stop Angel from invading what he perceives as his territory." 

"I'm not sure I like being called territory, but thank you, Anya."  Buffy was pleased that someone was on her side.

Anya just smiled.  She appreciated it when her friends found her advice helpful.  "Yes, well, jealousy, revenge, it was sort of my forte, you know.  Don't go around inflicting pain for a thousand years without picking up on a few things." 

Xander scowled at Anya.  "I don't like it.  I don't like it at all.  It's a bad, bad, bad idea."

Buffy was annoyed.  "Then don't come.  You don't have to be there when it happens.  I was hoping for a little support, and maybe back-up, but I can do this without you."  Bitchy-Buffy knew the words were wrong the second after they left her mouth.  She had hurt Xander.  Just because she was frustrated didn't mean she should continue taking it out on him.  Buffy knelt in front of him, the apology plain on her face.  "Xan, I'm sorry.  And I'm wrong.  I do need you there.  I do need your support.  I know I've been out of control lately.  And I apologize for the training incident.  But if I don't take care of this, it's only going to get worse.  Will you help me?"         

Xander looked at the anxious Slayer.  Buffy was trying to get her life back, he knew that.  Maybe this was the only way.  At least with Angel there, things wouldn't get too far out of control.  If Spike went wonky, Angel could handle him.  Or they'd stake each other.  Also, not of the bad.  "Okay, I'm in."

"Dawn can spend the night at our apartment, " Tara volunteered.  Buffy had been through too much in the last year.  She deserved a happy ending.  "I don't think you will want her in the house when you to, uh, make-up?"  Willow raised an eyebrow in her girlfriend's direction.  Tara just shrugged her shoulders.

"Ew!"  Dawn scrunched her nose as she talked.  "I hadn't thought about that.  No, I don't want to be anywhere near the house.  Maybe I could move in with you permanently."  Buffy lightly punched her in the arm. 

"Seems it's up to you, Will."  Xander said to the remaining Scooby.  "In or out?" 

Willow slung her arm around Buffy's shoulders.  "In.  You can always count on me.  Besides, I don't want to miss the fireworks."

Buffy hugged her best friend.  "I love you guys.  Okay, let's go over this one more time…"

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To the casual observer, it was just another week in the Summers' household.  To the trained eye, it was apparent the Slayer was going to war.  Armor and weapons (a new ultra-sexy outfit for Buffy, along with matching lingerie), rations (blood that had been bought at Willy's), blockades (new dark, heavy curtains that hung in the master bedroom), allies (phone calls made to Angel to confirm his participation), battle strategy (figuring out the best or worst things Angel could do to Buffy).  It was going to be a surprise attack.  The enemy didn't have a chance.     

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"Buffy, Michael's here."  Dawn walked into her sister's room.  Buffy had just finished with her shower.  She was sitting on the bed, staring into space.  Dawn sat down next to her.

Buffy was trembling.  "Dawnie, what if it doesn't work?  What if he doesn't come for me?"  Some time in the past few days, Buffy's anger had turned to self-doubt.  "What if he doesn't want me?" 

Dawn laughed.  She knew she shouldn't, but she couldn't help it.  "Yeah, Spike doesn't want you.  Buffy he's totaling in love with you.  That doesn't just go away, you know.  He's been your shadow for like three weeks now.  He just needs a push.  I'm sure he'll have an explanation for what's been going on.  Trust me.  And if you can't do that, trust yourself.  You're the one who's been feeling him.  DOES he still want you?"

Buffy thought about it.  Yes, he did want her.  Under everything she had been feeling about his presence, there was a sense of longing.  "When did you get to be so smart?" Buffy asked.  "I'm supposed to be the wise older sister." 

Dawn hugged her.  "Normally you are, but Spike has a tendency to throw you off balance.  Now, like I was saying when I walked in, Michael's here.  We're gonna pick up something to eat, then meet you at the Bronze." 

"Okay.  Tell him I said hi, and I'll see the two of you later."  Buffy watched her sister leave the room.  She stood up, facing herself in her mirror.  "Now or never."

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When Buffy, Xander and Anya walked in, Willow and Tara were already seated at a table.  Hellos were exchanged and drinks were ordered.  Now all they had to do was wait.

"Buffy, is he here?"  Tara leaned over to ask the Slayer who had been surveying the crowded club.

Buffy took a one more quick glance around the room.  With the people and the noise it was hard to pick him up, but she did.  "Around somewhere.  Can't pinpoint the location.  I think he moves around, so I can't get a lock on him."

"Buf, you sound like your trying to identify a target for a missile launch, " Xander said, then switching topics, but not really switching topics, "When's brood-boy getting here?"

Buffy turned her attention back to the group.  No use looking for someone who didn't want to be seen.  He'd be coming out to play soon enough.  "Sometime after ten.  He said it depended on the traffic.  I didn't want him to arrive too early.  Afraid Spike would sense him.  What time is it now?"

"A little after eight."  Willow answered.  She, like the others, was full of tension and useless energy.  "Let's dance or something.  Sitting doing nothing is giving me the heebie-jeebies."         

"You guys go ahead and dance.  I'll just wait here."  Buffy was brooding.  No other way to describe it.  And she knew it.  Hang around vampires long enough, you pick on some of their more annoying traits, she thought.

"Xander, you go with the girls.  I'll stay here with Buffy."  Buffy had helped Anya cope after the almost-wedding.  She wanted to return the favor.  After the others were gone she said, "I like your outfit.  Very come-get-me."

"Not too much slut puppy?"  Buffy looked down at what she was wearing.  Basically it was nothing.  A few strips of fabric to cover the most important parts, but not much else. 

"I wouldn't where it on a job interview, but I think it's perfect for the occasion.  May I borrow it sometime?"  Anya beamed at her friend.      

"If it's in one piece when the night is over, sure."  Buffy loosened up.  Anya was good company when she wanted to be. 

"Oh, in that case, I'll never see it."  Anya had made the effort to be more human.  What Spike had written in his letter had made her think.  It was her duty to be their link to the day-to-day world.  She felt honored to have such a special calling.  "So, how many different sexual positions do you anticipate being in later this evening?"

Buffy almost choked on her drink.  

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During her conversation with Anya, Buffy relaxed a little.  The ex-demon had a way about her, Buffy admitted.  She danced with her friends and played one game of pool with Xander.  Well, half a game.  She couldn't lean over the table in her skirt.  Way too short.  Xander almost fainted when he caught a glimpse of her barely-there underwear.  After that, he played with some guys he knew from work.  Michael joined them when he arrived. 

Dawn had made a beeline for her sister and her friends, waving at some people she knew, but not stopping to talk.  "What's the sitch?" 

"Waiting.  Boredom and waiting.  How was dinner?"  Buffy wanted something other than Spike to occupy her mind.

"It was okay.  We ran into Rachel Burton."  Dawn explained about the almost-boyfriend-stealing incident.  "She thinks that just because I'm a year younger than Michael, I shouldn't be dating him.  She can be such a bitch."

Instinctively, Buffy interjected.  "Dawn, watch your language."  The teen rolled her eyes, but continued her story.  Much discussion was had about the non-ethics of boyfriend stealing.  Then, Buffy stopped the conversation with one word, "Angel."

All the girls turned as the handsome vampire made his way to their table.  "Hi, everyone.  Buffy."  Angel leaned over, giving Buffy a long, lusty kiss. 

At first she was shocked, then she remembered – Spike.  She recovered quickly, putting her arms around the dark vampire, pulling him closer to her.  It wasn't difficult to act interested.  Angel had always been a good kisser.  When they finally broke apart, she stayed close to whisper in his ear.  "So glad Cordy isn't here.  She'd kill both of us for that.  Thanks for coming."

Angel disengaged himself from his once-love.  "Like I had a choice.  Once Cordelia had a chance to think about it, she was pushing me out the door.  She likes the idea of you having your own vamp to drool over.  Makes her a little less afraid you'll come back for hers."

Xander had walked up to the table when he saw Angel arrive, followed by a very confused Michael.  "And how is the Mistress of Pain?"  Xander had a hard time imagining Cordelia and Angel as a couple.  He still wasn't sure who he felt sorry for in that relationship.

"She's fine.  I left her to deal with Connor.  She seems to be the only one he connects with."  Angel pushed the problems with his teenage son from his mind.  He had other things to think about tonight."  But I do have pictures.  We sort of had a birthday party for him a few weeks ago."  Pictures of the party were passed around the table. 

"I still have a hard time thinking of you with a child, let alone a teenager."  Buffy had been amazed when she heard about Connor.  Shocked when she learned Darla was his mother.  And completely in love the first time she held him.  She knew his kidnapping had almost destroyed Angel.  And Connor's attitude since his return from the hell dimension was just pushing Angel closer and closer to a meltdown. 

"Does take some getting used to, but he's my son and I love him."  As he collected the pictures, Angel realized there was someone in the group he didn't know.  "And who might you be?" 

Dawn jumped out of her seat.  "Oh my God, I almost forgot.  Angel, this is my boyfriend Michael.  Michael, this is our friend Angel."

Michael shook hands with the man standing next to his girlfriend's sister.  If the hand was colder than he had expected it to be, he kept it to himself.  "Nice to meet you, sir."

"The pleasure is all mine.  I've heard a lot about you.  Good things, from Buffy.  I'm glad you are taking such good care of our little Dawn."  Angel looked pointedly at the young man.  There was an underlying threat in that statement.  Because if you don't take care of her…                  

Buffy punched Angel in the arm, bringing his attention back to her.  "Don't scare him like that.  He's going to have a hard enough time dealing with – " Buffy didn't finish her sentence.  Almost forgot the reason for the visit, stupid!  "Dawn, why don't you and Michael dance."

"But, Buffy!"  Dawn wanted to know what was going on.  Angel was here now, things would start to happen soon.

"Dawnie, Angel and I need to talk about his, um, OTHER relative.  I'm sure Michael would find it very boring."  The full force of Buffy's meaning was expressed through her eyes. 

Dawn looked at Michael, then back at Buffy.  "Oh, yeah, boring.  Right.  Michael, let's dance."  Dawn dragged her boyfriend onto the floor before he could protest.

Angel had watched the scene with amusement.  "So, he still doesn't know?"  Angel was amazed the group had kept it a secret this long. 

"Nope, and I plan on keeping it that way for as long as possible.  Since he's gone, let's get back to business."  Sister-Buffy was gone.  The Slayer was in her place.

"You aren't crazy.  He's here.  And he's pissed at seeing me.  First there was shock, while I was kissing you murderous intent, now just a good health dose of jealousy and rage."  Angel kept his words soft.  He knew it was hard to hear over the din of the music, but he didn't want Spike's vampire ears to pick up their conversation.

"You got all that?  All I felt was his presence."  Buffy was a bit miffed.

"You might be the Slayer, but I'm a vampire.  A vampire from his line.  I pick up on more than you do."  Angel looked at the others around the table.  "Is everyone ready?  I don't want to fight him in the club.  We take this outside as fast as possible.  And try to keep the spectators back.  Two master vampires and a Slayer in a fight will have a tendency to draw a crowd."  The others nodded in agreement.  Angel took Buffy's hand.  "I think it's time you and I took a turn on the dance floor."

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Buffy looked up into Angel's eyes.  The band was cooperating; they had danced to three slow songs.  "Is something wrong?"

Angel didn't know what to say.  He was trying to concentrate on two things at once.  One, he was keeping tabs on the vampire watching them.  Two, he was acting infatuated with the woman in his arms.  He had kissed her several more times.  He had run his hand up and down her back, brushing along her butt before settling at her hip.  He had even nuzzled her neck.  The entire time, he could feel the rage building in his childe, but there was something keeping him in line.  Like he had a secret.  A thought occurred to Angel causing a flash of gold to pass in his brown eyes.  His next words escaped through clenched teeth.  "Buffy, did Spike ever… bite you?"   

---TBC