AN: Some reviewers commented on the way I write Riley's character. While I
*am* a big S/B fan, that doesn't mean poor Riley deserves to be bashed.
He's not a bad guy, okay? But this isn't gonna be a B/R story. As it
happens, they go their seperate ways this chapter anyway - I got bored with
him. Like you wouldn't.
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*
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CHAPTER FOUR
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*
Riley reached the hall first and gaped at what he found there. Oh, the humanity.....
A bunch of stools had been knocked over, wheelchair kid rolling away from them to the cheers of onlooking children. Another boy stood at the opposite end of the hall who had obviously pushed him.
Riley strode over to Spike, who was busy giving pointers to an attentive audience.
"That was a good effort, Johnny," he was saying, "But... try putting a bit of a spin on him next time, use his leg to-"
My God, thought Riley. He's using that poor crippled child as a human *bowling ball*! He shoved Spike away where he hit the wall with a thump, and then cradled the child in his arms protectively. Said child squirmed uncontrollably, so Riley had to set him free before turning on Spike.
"How DARE you play such a dangerous game with these innocent children?" he roared, "They could've been seriously hurt!" He grabbed the disgruntled vampire and dragged him towards the exit.
"Good game, kids!" Spike yelled, thumbs up as he vanished through the door.
They all waved farewell.
Buffy followed the guys outside, hurriedly saying goodbye to June (who appeared to be in shock).
When she reached them, Riley had Spike cornered and one of his meaty fists was pulled back in readiness. "I've been wanting to do this since I met you....." he was muttering.
"Slayer!" Spike spotted Buffy with thinly veiled hope. "Little help? You need me!"
Buffy folded her arms calmly. It wasn't like Riley was gonna *kill* him, right? She shrugged. "Sorry Spike. It might seem harsh, but I think it's fair."
"I thought it would be fun is all!" he protested, "Me and Dru did it all the time when I was in *my* chair!"
"You did not." She couldn't help but smile at the thought, though.
Damn. He was on his own. Spike tried to think of something that could save him from an ass-kicking - the guy must have some kind of weakness...
"Uh....." Think, Spike, think!
He pointed wildly, feigning excitement. "Look!" he cried, "There's *another* disadvantaged boy!"
Riley whirled eagerly, scanning the streets. "Where?!"
Man, was he stupid. Spike used his distraction and ran.
"Gah!" screamed Buffy in frustration. "Bye Riley! See you tomorrow!" Then she sprinted after Spike into the night. "Get back here!"
Riley frowned in confusion. "I don't see any boy....."
*
*
*
How long was this ridiculous chase going to go on?
Buffy slowed her pace as she had to admit she'd lost the annoying vamp. Calm down, she told herself. Just because your life is over and Riley hates you... You'll find Spike soon enough - he can't help but get into trouble! Then, you'll torture him for information before killing him in the most painful way possible. She took a deep breath, spirits considerably lifted.
Right then.
She walked a bit further, realising she was just outside the entrance to one of Sunnydale's many graveyards. Unfortunately, this one backed onto some woods - a perfect hiding place. She shrugged. It was as good a place as any to start, he'd most likely be found in a creepy place like this... She reconsidered. Or maybe a bar. He *did* like to get drunk a lot.
A commotion beyond some trees came to her attention and she smirked as she made her way over. As expected. He was so predictable. Like she'd said, trouble was Spike's middle name... She idly wondered if he *had* a middle name, and if so what it was. Ah well, she could torture that out of him too.
Buffy threaded through the trees and surveyed the sight before her.
A demon that was about eight feet tall and looked to be made of lumps of solid stone was swinging huge fists as Spike was jumping and dodging desperately to avoid them.
"YOU WILL PAY!" boomed the demon, batting a tree aside like a twig and sending it into orbit. Spike was beginning to think that maybe he'd been better off with the idiot Riley.
"MONTHS I HAVE WAITED, UNDEAD ONE!" it continued angrily. "AND I SHALL HAVE MY KITTENS, ELSE YOU WILL DIE!"
Buffy cleared her throat, deciding to interfere. "Whoa... time out, okay?"
The demon paused, and Spike sighed in relief. Then skillfully segued it into a growl - he didn't want to be caught being grateful for the intervention of a...
"SLAYER..." growled the demon, voice like gravel. "THIS IS NOT YOUR CONCERN, I HAVE NO FIGHT WITH YOU."
"Good to know." She sent Spike an exasperated look. "What did you do now?"
"Nothing!"
"Spike! You must've done *something*!"
"You'd think so, wouldn't you?" he said thoughtfully. "But no." Somehow Spike didn't think the Slayer would approve of using kittens as currency.
"LEAVE US!" the demon ordered Buffy.
Buffy heaved a sigh. "Love to, believe me. But I kinda need him. Now, if you'd only promise not to *kill* him - maim, perhaps? Then maybe..."
"NEVER!" cried the enraged demon. "IF HE CANNOT PAY, HE DIES BY MY HAND!" It shook the aforementioned (very large) hand in a nervous Spike's direction.
"Well..." considered Buffy. "I guess I could always tell Giles that there was an unfortunate accident... really nothing I could do-"
"Hey!" shouted Spike. "I've *helped* you! I saved the world, remember? You can't abandon me after all we've been through together!"
Buffy nodded gravely. "You're right." she said, then turned to the demon, hands clasped and eyes wide. "I realise now that I just can't let you kill him! Spike's *always* been there for me when it was convenient for him!"
"Slayer!" he whined desperately. "Stop taking the piss and do something!"
"Oh fine." She supposed she couldn't really let him die. But that better be some *quality* info he had on those commandos...
"Listen," said Buffy, attempting to be reasonable. "Why don't we all just sit down, have a chat... I'm sure if we *calmly* talk about this, you guys can work something out! I think the problem here is communication." She smiled encouragingly.
Spike nodded. "Oprah's right." That earned him a glare from Buffy.
"YOU WOULD DEFEND HIM?" questioned the demon of the Slayer. It beat its stony breast. "THEN I WILL KILL THE BOTH OF YOU!" it screamed. It promptly kicked at Buffy, sending her shooting towards Spike. He broke her fall (and maybe a couple of his ribs), so she managed to get to her feet again soon after, unharmed.
"I can't fight that thing!" she gasped. It was too powerful, her blows would do nothing to hurt it. "What the hell did you do, anyway?" She frowned. "And what was that about kittens?"
"We gotta run." wheezed Spike, getting to his feet and pointing to the woods that Buffy was now profoundly glad were there.
And run they did, demon close behind.
"Thanks Slayer," Spike managed to say as he ran, "I *knew* you cared."
"Shut up Spike."
They dodged the trunks and lumpy roots of the trees, demon breathing down their necks.
"We make one hell of a team!" he continued, lifting his palm for a high five.
"Shut up or I trip you." panted Buffy.
"Right." He concentrated on running away.
The pair cleared the woods, having gradually left the lumbering demon behind, and skidded to a halt.
Dead end.
They were on a cliff looking down at a beach below, and then the ocean as far as the eye could see. The cliff wasn't impossibly high, but it was very steep and rocky and no-one would survive a fall like that. Not exactly ideal, but climbing down was the only way - their stony friend was getting closer.
Buffy approached warily as Spike prepared to go down. "Are you sure it's safe?" she asked dubiously.
He shrugged non-commitally. "Well it ain't getting any safer."
She couldn't argue with that. "Point."
They began their descent.
*
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*
*
TBC.....
*
*
Sunnydale *is* near the sea, right? (If not, it is now. Or that was one big- ass forest.)
*
*
ast*P
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*
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CHAPTER FOUR
*
*
Riley reached the hall first and gaped at what he found there. Oh, the humanity.....
A bunch of stools had been knocked over, wheelchair kid rolling away from them to the cheers of onlooking children. Another boy stood at the opposite end of the hall who had obviously pushed him.
Riley strode over to Spike, who was busy giving pointers to an attentive audience.
"That was a good effort, Johnny," he was saying, "But... try putting a bit of a spin on him next time, use his leg to-"
My God, thought Riley. He's using that poor crippled child as a human *bowling ball*! He shoved Spike away where he hit the wall with a thump, and then cradled the child in his arms protectively. Said child squirmed uncontrollably, so Riley had to set him free before turning on Spike.
"How DARE you play such a dangerous game with these innocent children?" he roared, "They could've been seriously hurt!" He grabbed the disgruntled vampire and dragged him towards the exit.
"Good game, kids!" Spike yelled, thumbs up as he vanished through the door.
They all waved farewell.
Buffy followed the guys outside, hurriedly saying goodbye to June (who appeared to be in shock).
When she reached them, Riley had Spike cornered and one of his meaty fists was pulled back in readiness. "I've been wanting to do this since I met you....." he was muttering.
"Slayer!" Spike spotted Buffy with thinly veiled hope. "Little help? You need me!"
Buffy folded her arms calmly. It wasn't like Riley was gonna *kill* him, right? She shrugged. "Sorry Spike. It might seem harsh, but I think it's fair."
"I thought it would be fun is all!" he protested, "Me and Dru did it all the time when I was in *my* chair!"
"You did not." She couldn't help but smile at the thought, though.
Damn. He was on his own. Spike tried to think of something that could save him from an ass-kicking - the guy must have some kind of weakness...
"Uh....." Think, Spike, think!
He pointed wildly, feigning excitement. "Look!" he cried, "There's *another* disadvantaged boy!"
Riley whirled eagerly, scanning the streets. "Where?!"
Man, was he stupid. Spike used his distraction and ran.
"Gah!" screamed Buffy in frustration. "Bye Riley! See you tomorrow!" Then she sprinted after Spike into the night. "Get back here!"
Riley frowned in confusion. "I don't see any boy....."
*
*
*
How long was this ridiculous chase going to go on?
Buffy slowed her pace as she had to admit she'd lost the annoying vamp. Calm down, she told herself. Just because your life is over and Riley hates you... You'll find Spike soon enough - he can't help but get into trouble! Then, you'll torture him for information before killing him in the most painful way possible. She took a deep breath, spirits considerably lifted.
Right then.
She walked a bit further, realising she was just outside the entrance to one of Sunnydale's many graveyards. Unfortunately, this one backed onto some woods - a perfect hiding place. She shrugged. It was as good a place as any to start, he'd most likely be found in a creepy place like this... She reconsidered. Or maybe a bar. He *did* like to get drunk a lot.
A commotion beyond some trees came to her attention and she smirked as she made her way over. As expected. He was so predictable. Like she'd said, trouble was Spike's middle name... She idly wondered if he *had* a middle name, and if so what it was. Ah well, she could torture that out of him too.
Buffy threaded through the trees and surveyed the sight before her.
A demon that was about eight feet tall and looked to be made of lumps of solid stone was swinging huge fists as Spike was jumping and dodging desperately to avoid them.
"YOU WILL PAY!" boomed the demon, batting a tree aside like a twig and sending it into orbit. Spike was beginning to think that maybe he'd been better off with the idiot Riley.
"MONTHS I HAVE WAITED, UNDEAD ONE!" it continued angrily. "AND I SHALL HAVE MY KITTENS, ELSE YOU WILL DIE!"
Buffy cleared her throat, deciding to interfere. "Whoa... time out, okay?"
The demon paused, and Spike sighed in relief. Then skillfully segued it into a growl - he didn't want to be caught being grateful for the intervention of a...
"SLAYER..." growled the demon, voice like gravel. "THIS IS NOT YOUR CONCERN, I HAVE NO FIGHT WITH YOU."
"Good to know." She sent Spike an exasperated look. "What did you do now?"
"Nothing!"
"Spike! You must've done *something*!"
"You'd think so, wouldn't you?" he said thoughtfully. "But no." Somehow Spike didn't think the Slayer would approve of using kittens as currency.
"LEAVE US!" the demon ordered Buffy.
Buffy heaved a sigh. "Love to, believe me. But I kinda need him. Now, if you'd only promise not to *kill* him - maim, perhaps? Then maybe..."
"NEVER!" cried the enraged demon. "IF HE CANNOT PAY, HE DIES BY MY HAND!" It shook the aforementioned (very large) hand in a nervous Spike's direction.
"Well..." considered Buffy. "I guess I could always tell Giles that there was an unfortunate accident... really nothing I could do-"
"Hey!" shouted Spike. "I've *helped* you! I saved the world, remember? You can't abandon me after all we've been through together!"
Buffy nodded gravely. "You're right." she said, then turned to the demon, hands clasped and eyes wide. "I realise now that I just can't let you kill him! Spike's *always* been there for me when it was convenient for him!"
"Slayer!" he whined desperately. "Stop taking the piss and do something!"
"Oh fine." She supposed she couldn't really let him die. But that better be some *quality* info he had on those commandos...
"Listen," said Buffy, attempting to be reasonable. "Why don't we all just sit down, have a chat... I'm sure if we *calmly* talk about this, you guys can work something out! I think the problem here is communication." She smiled encouragingly.
Spike nodded. "Oprah's right." That earned him a glare from Buffy.
"YOU WOULD DEFEND HIM?" questioned the demon of the Slayer. It beat its stony breast. "THEN I WILL KILL THE BOTH OF YOU!" it screamed. It promptly kicked at Buffy, sending her shooting towards Spike. He broke her fall (and maybe a couple of his ribs), so she managed to get to her feet again soon after, unharmed.
"I can't fight that thing!" she gasped. It was too powerful, her blows would do nothing to hurt it. "What the hell did you do, anyway?" She frowned. "And what was that about kittens?"
"We gotta run." wheezed Spike, getting to his feet and pointing to the woods that Buffy was now profoundly glad were there.
And run they did, demon close behind.
"Thanks Slayer," Spike managed to say as he ran, "I *knew* you cared."
"Shut up Spike."
They dodged the trunks and lumpy roots of the trees, demon breathing down their necks.
"We make one hell of a team!" he continued, lifting his palm for a high five.
"Shut up or I trip you." panted Buffy.
"Right." He concentrated on running away.
The pair cleared the woods, having gradually left the lumbering demon behind, and skidded to a halt.
Dead end.
They were on a cliff looking down at a beach below, and then the ocean as far as the eye could see. The cliff wasn't impossibly high, but it was very steep and rocky and no-one would survive a fall like that. Not exactly ideal, but climbing down was the only way - their stony friend was getting closer.
Buffy approached warily as Spike prepared to go down. "Are you sure it's safe?" she asked dubiously.
He shrugged non-commitally. "Well it ain't getting any safer."
She couldn't argue with that. "Point."
They began their descent.
*
*
*
*
TBC.....
*
*
Sunnydale *is* near the sea, right? (If not, it is now. Or that was one big- ass forest.)
*
*
ast*P
