AN: Dedicated to those who reviewed chapter one. Thanks guys!

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CHAPTER TWO

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"Spike." Riley considered the name and frowned thoughtfully, as Buffy closed her eyes and hoped to wake from this nightmare. Don't remember, please... don't remember what I told you last week...

"Wasn't that the name of your." he made little air quotes, "'fiancé', Buffy?"

She winced. Dammit.

Spike laughed loudly, still pinned to the ground. "You told him about that?" He said incredulously. Then he batted his eyelashes at her. "Oh, Sl- Buffy, I'm touched. Truly. Our brief time together meant that much to you?"

Buffy's eyes widened and she shot Spike a look of death before shaking her head at Riley.

"Joking! He's... joking." She laughed weakly, punching Spike 'playfully' on the shoulder and making him wince. "Such a kidder."

Riley looked exceedingly confused. He squinted at Spike. "You look very familiar. And how do you know Buffy?"

Spike raised a brow. "Never seen you before." He smirked, looking at Buffy's panicked face and deciding to have some fun. "I'm a good friend of Buffy's. Known each other for years, isn't that right pet?" He winked at her.

"You truly are evil." She said flatly. He was so obviously going to ruin any chance she had with Riley, who still seemed to be looking at Spike closely.

"He doesn't look *that* old." He finally commented to Buffy.

"Hey! You told him I was old?" Spike said indignantly.

"Well you are!" she hissed defensively.

"Yeah, but only old literally, not old *aged*."

"That makes no sense."

"You know what I mean!" He paused, worried. "...Do you think I look old?" After all, he hadn't seen himself in a while. How old had he been when he was turned anyway? What if -

"Well..." Buffy said thoughtfully, "Your whole image does kinda date you."

Spike gasped in horror. "Does not! It's timelessly bad-ass."

Buffy's mouth quivered as she supressed a smile. She'd had no idea he was so vain. "Does too."

"Does not."

"Does-"

"Guys!" It was Riley, not sure quite what to make of them. He'd kinda got the feeling they'd forgotten he was there. He finally stuck out his hand in greeting and forced a smile. "...Spike...I'm Riley. Riley Finn."

When Spike didn't respond Riley realised that Buffy was straddling him and had his arms pinned, making handshakes impossible.

"Uh, Buffy? Maybe you should let your... friend go."

Spike nodded in agreement. "This position demeans us both."

Buffy looked mortified and scrambled up immediately, yanking Spike behind her while keeping a firm hold of his wrist, hating to do it but unwilling to let him escape again. Her thoughts were racing. God, how must this look to Riley? She wondered. Will he ever speak to me again? Spike was so... deader after this.

"So Riley" she said brightly, desperate to salvage some semblance of normalcy. "Watcha doing out here this evening?"

He still looked bewildered but smiled at Buffy and replied: "Well, every Wednesday night I volunteer to help at a youth club downtown. Some of the kids there have had a pretty rough time - I try to do what I can."

Spike sniggered and Buffy elbowed him none-too-gently in the side. She looked up at Riley, eyes shining with adoration.

"That is... wow. Riley, that's so good of you."

Spike rolled his eyes as Riley shrugged modestly, saying "It's actually kinda fun." He looked at Buffy shyly. "You could come with, if you want? We can always do with more help down there."

She beamed. He was still interested in spending time with her! "I would *love* to, Riley!"

Spike cleared his throat pointedly from beside her, feeling ignored, and her face fell. "...But I can't."

Looking mock-sympathetically at the other man, Spike sighed. "We already have... plans." He leered at a disgusted Buffy, scandalizing Riley thoroughly.

Then he reconsidered, seeing a possible escape route. "But hey, if you really wanna go, don't let me stop you. I'll be fine, really." Spike slapped her on the ass playfully (wondering idly what he could get way with), and saw Buffy grit her teeth to stop herself from lashing out and sending him flying in front of her new boy toy.

He nodded to Riley cheerfully and made to leave, but Buffy kept hold of his wrist, squeezing it in warning.

"No Spike." She said flatly. "You know that can't happen." She squeezed even harder and glared at him.

"Oh, ow. I mean, it's your call love."

He rolled his eyes at Riley. "She can't bear to be without me," He said confidentially. "We're like *that*." He crossed his fingers in a show of closeness. "Inseparable."

Riley's smile was becoming rather forced. Who was this guy anyway? "Well," he managed. "You're... both welcome to come."

Buffy was shaking her head in apology, trying to think of a way to turn Riley down but still appear interested in him as Spike considered his options: get dragged back to the Watcher's place to be tied to a chair or chained to a bath, OR get another chance at escaping the Slayer whilst corrupting impressionable children at the same time.

He grinned. "I'd love to."

Buffy stared at him. This could not be happening. "No, you wouldn't!" she cried desperately. "We have to do... that thing."

"No." Spike said carefully. "We don't. Buffy, these poor children need us."

He looked at Riley again. "Seriously, I'll go. I'm all about helping those less fortunate." He glanced at Buffy and shook his head sadly. "Unlike some people."

Riley caught the look and regarded her warily. And she'd seemed like such a nice girl too...

"Oh, me too, I always help those in need!" she spluttered quickly, thinking of the numerous times she had saved the world and everyone in it. She *so* helped people, way more than Riley! "But-" she floundered, biting her lip. Could she get out of this without looking like a selfish bitch? She didn't think so. It wasn't fair.

In one last futile attempt to end this mess, she turned to her nemesis and dragged him aside. "Please, Spike." She whispered. "Don't do this." Her eyes were actually pleading with him! He almost felt... sorry? But that was impossible - she was the Slayer, he hated her. And besides, he was *evil*.

"You don't have to join us, y'know." He said pleasantly.

She gave up. She couldn't exactly drag Spike back to Giles kicking and screaming in front of Riley! So wherever the infuriating vampire went, she had to go. How had things come to this? She consoled herself with the knowledge that Spike was in for a world of pain after this was over and looked to Riley, a false smile plastered on her face.

"Lead the way."

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TBC... when I am appropriately inspired.

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ast*P