FORCED ROOMIES—PART ONE: explanations
"So let me get this straight," Xander began. "You got tired of Buffy and Spike's fighting, so instead of staking him like we should have a long time ago; you locked them into your apartment and you expect them to become friends?" he frowned.
Giles sighed but didn't interrupt Xander's ranting. He
had made some valid points already, and Giles would call the duo again when he
thought they would be about to commit murder. "… And she'll stake him in a
heartbeat anyway," Xander finished.
"No she won't; they are most likely still asleep, figuring out what is going on
or they've been knocked unconscious by the barrier."
"It's a killer barrier?" Xander exclaimed shocked and sat down with his arms
folded.
"It is a very powerful barrier. Xander, I assure you, things will be fine," Giles said, looking at the clock.
"Call them," Xander demanded.
Willow was as glad for the spell as Xander hated it. Not only was it a relief
to know that she wouldn't have to wear earplugs when they had a meeting, but it
brought her mind off the subject of Oz. Besides, what harm could come from
improving the relationship between Buffy and Spike? "I don't agree with
Xander," she said, "I'm glad that I can know my hearing and sanity are safe
from them."
"Then I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you're going to be the one who can walk
through the barrier to bring them their groceries," Giles said quickly. Willow
glared at him but didn't say anything.
When Willow looked across the room, she could see Anya smiling triumphantly. Willow frowned and looked away. Suddenly she saw a lot of potential in Xander's demand to remove the spell.
Joyce had a worried look clouding her face. "Joyce?
What's wrong?" Giles asked.
"It's just, Rupert, I'm worried about Buffy. She is my daughter, you know?" And
about Spike, she mentally added, because the vampire may be over three times
her age, he was like a son to her.
"Just so as to ease your mind, Joyce, they're asleep at the moment. Don't take
this the wrong way, Joyce, Willow, but I'm actually quite relieved. They are
known for almost bringing my house down due to the seer volume of their
shouting," Giles admitted. He knew things had to change between the two of
them, and if he should have to lend a hand, well he had lent a hand, hadn't he?
He'd lent his entire bloody house.
Dawn, perched on a spot of the stairs so she could hear what was being said downstairs, was fuming. This was so typical, she thought; don't tell Dawn no matter what, never mind she's thirteen or who's involved and of course what's going on! After all, it was only her sister locked in a house with Spike! Though, despite her anger because she was not invited for the official explanation, the thought of her sister and Spike brought a smile to her lips. She didn't always like Buffy, and she knew the feeling was mutual most of the time, but she did love her and though she didn't know Spike very well, she had the feeling there was the possibility for a perfect friendship, maybe even more than that.
