When He Was Bad - September 2006
Chapter Forty
Xander, Anya, Spike, Dawn, and Cordelia were waiting at the airport for Giles and Willow's plane to land. After what seemed like an eternity their Willow was finally going come home. Buffy had to work late that day, and the idea of seeing Dawn and Spike together was just too painful for her to deal with. She knew she had plenty of time to catch up with her best friend. Xander and Anya kept giving one another uneasy glances as they watched Spike and Dawn hold hands. They weren't dating anymore, well not this week anyway. Cordelia sat there, filing her nails, she was only there because she promised Angel that someone from Angel Investigations would be there to welcome the former witch. Considering that she and Angel were the only ones that knew her very well, and it was broad daylight, that left Cordelia back in Sunny D, unfortunately.
They saw Giles and Willow walking towards them, seemingly out of nowhere. Giles hadn't changed much in the few months it had been since they had last seen him. Willow was paler than she had been, if that was at all possible. She looked well though. She had a look of happiness, weariness, and relief on her face, if it was possible to have such a combination. Oddly enough the red head ran towards Spike and threw her arms around him. In her new world, she felt the closest to him. Spike vigorously returned the hug, stoking the girl's hair.
"Oh God, I missed you all so much." Willow exclaimed excitedly, letting go of Spike.
The group then partook in a rather clumsy and embarrassing group hug; it almost felt like some of the pieces were finally coming together. They went to get all the luggage and headed toward The Bronze to let off some steam and catch up. Xander had warned Spike already that Buffy was going to get off work at nine, so he and Dawn could make with the big exit and not make with the big scene.
"How you holding up Red?" Spike asked her seriously, setting a drink in front of her.
"OK. Some days are better than others. I just feel so strange here. Like everyone moved on without me or something. I'm worried that I won't fit in anywhere anyone."
"Rubbish. True, we have all moved on, but it wasn't without you, ducks. It will take some time. You'll be staying with Buffy and I'm sure you'll ease back into things."
"I know, I'm just a little frightened." Willow admitted.
"Chin up. Things get to be too much; you don't hesitate to call me." Spike said seriously.
"So how are things going with you and Dawn?" Willow asked, honestly not meaning to pry.
"Fine. So you finish that latest book in our 'Nerds of Classical Literature' club?" Spike asked.
Willow thought it was really strange how Spike changed the subject so quickly. She wondered why he didn't want to talk about Dawn with her. She knew he trusted her not to break his confidence. Why would he simply avoid her like that? She didn't want to push though. It was her first day back, there would be plenty of time for pushing later on.
"I'm not sure if you would call 'Lord of the Flies' classical literature, Will. I mean it was kind of short, and really gory."
"It's a bloody brilliant book. That Jack, now there's a bloke I would have wanted on my side back in the day." Spike responded.
"OK, now you sound like the old Spike. The one that wanted to kill all of us."
"Come on, you know I didn't really want to kill you all, just Buffy." Spike replied, only half joking.
With that Xander and Dawn showed up. Dawn grabbed Spike and they headed out to the dance floor. It was the first time that Xander or Willow had seen them together. It was a little unnerving.
"It's just not right." Xander finally said.
"No it's not." Willow replied simply.
"I never thought I would say this, but I really wish that Spike and Buffy would just get back together."
"You and me both. Spike totally avoided my question when I asked how he and Dawn were getting along. He almost looked miserable when I asked."
"I know what you mean. He avoids all Dawn related questions. It's obvious the guy isn't happy, he's torn Will."
"Yeah, I suppose he is."
With that Buffy walked through the door of The Bronze. She was wearing brown leather pants and a low cut cream colored blouse. It was obvious that she had gone home and changed before coming to the club. Xander was out of his seat before she had a chance to notice anyone.
"Hey Buffy, why don't we go upstairs. It's cozier." Xander asked.
"Where is everyone?" She asked innocently.
"Man, you sure got off work early. It's only 7:30 pm."
"Yeah, my boss let me off early when I told her Willow was coming home." Buffy answered, searching for Willow.
Buffy's search stopped when she saw a lean man with dirty blonde hair dancing with a slender woman with long dark hair. Her mouth just hung open. Xander quickly grabbed her hand and they went to the upper balcony. When they got up there, Buffy just walked to the railing and stared down at her former lover and sister.
"I thought they were leaving right after Willow's plane got in." Buffy stated.
"Yeah well, you know, long time, no see, thought we would all catch up before you got off work." Xander responded lamely.
"Do you want me to go?" Buffy replied, half in a daze.
"No, I'll get Anya to tell Spike and Dawn to leave, no biggie."
"Maybe I should go say something to them." Buffy said as if she wasn't listening to a word that was coming out of Xander's mouth.
"That's a bad plan Buff. It's Willow's first night back. Let's not make with the dramatics right now. Please. You can call Dawn tomorrow and scream at her all you want." Xander pleaded.
"Xander, why do I feel numb?" Buffy asked.
"Probably just shocked."
With that Buffy came back to reality. She felt completely numb. She wasn't angry or pissed or even sad. She didn't feel anything. She didn't think she had enough left in her to feel.
"Why?" Was all Buffy said.
"What can I say. People do strange and fucked up things. Sometimes they don't even know that they're doing strange and fucked up things." Xander answered the best he could.
Buffy just nodded and went to sit on one of the upstairs couches. Xander sat next to her, holding her hand.
"Buffy, the only reason I'm going to tell you this is because it's the truth and I think you should know it."
"What?"
"It seems to be the popular consensus that Spike is miserable with Dawn. Any fool, except for your darling little sister could see he's still in love with you."
"Then why does he stay with her if he's so unhappy?" Buffy asked seriously.
"He probably has no idea how to end it for starters. I mean he had no business getting into a relationship like that in the first place, and now he doesn't know how to get out. He doesn't want to hurt her feelings. Buffy, he thinks you don't care about him one way or the other."
"Are you trying to tell me that he's using my sister?" Was her only answer.
"No Buffy, I'm sure it's nothing like that. It's just he won't say anything about their relationship to me or Willow. And Dawn won't talk either. I have no clue what's going on between them." Xander responded honestly.
"Xander, you're my friend, but I do not want to talk about this right now. I admit I was a little shocked at first, but I'm OK now. I just need a drink to calm my nerves."
"When are you going to want to talk about this? When it really is too late to do anything, or do you want to just live in your happy little world of denial with your sister?" Xander spat at his friend.
"I'm serious Xander. This is not up for debate, we are not talking about this anymore. Could you please ask my sister and Spike to leave. I would like to talk to my best friend if it's OK with them." Buffy hissed.
"Fine." Xander responded in his best "fuck-you too" voice.
When Xander reached the lower level he saw that Spike and Dawn were playing pool.
"Uh guys, maybe it's time for you guys to go." Xander said.
"Why? It's only 8:00, got another hour before we have to leave." Dawn replied.
That's when Spike sensed her. He hadn't seen her in years, but he could feel her all the same. She was as unhappy as him it seemed. Maybe all the wankers had been right, maybe Buffy really did miss him.
"She's here, isn't she?" Spike asked.
Xander only nodded.
"Maybe I should go up and say hello. It would be the polite thing to do."
"Probably not a good idea right now Spike. See, it's Willow's first night back and we all really want to have an Emergency Room free evening. Will, she's pissed. Just take Dawn and we'll talk about this later." Xander pleaded.
Spike could see the desperation in his eyes. Spike knew that they should leave, he grabbed Dawn's arm and they began to make their way to the exit. He looked up and saw a small figure standing in the shadows. He stared at it with his intense blue eyes and mouthed a few simple words.
Buffy saw Spike staring at her. She knew he couldn't actually see her, but she could have sworn he mouthed the words "I'm sorry" to her.
Dawn released herself from Spike's grip and spun around back toward the group. Dawn had been drinking pretty steadily all night, and at this moment it was clear she was drunk. Spike tried to grab a hold of her once more, but she simply pushed him away.
"So what? Why do we have to leave? Is Buffy jealous because I can do the one thing she can't or something?"
"Luv, please, let's just go before you say something you'll regret."
"Honey, I can handle this. I'm sick of sneaking around. Spike and I are in love and you all just need to deal with it."
Everyone clearly saw Spike wince when Dawn said that the two of them were in love. In that moment all of Willow and Xander's suspicions were confirmed.
"Sweetie, come on, you'll hate yourself in the morning. Please, it's a long drive back, let's just go." Spike pleaded once more.
"You know, sometimes I miss it when you were a vampire. At least you had a backbone then." Dawn slurred.
No one could deny the hurt in Spike's eyes. Even Giles felt sorry for the poor lad.
"You know that's why my sister doesn't want anything to do with you. You're just a big book wormy pussy now. Hell, I could probably kick your ass." Dawn spat at him.
"Come on Dawn. You're drunk. Just let Spike take you home. You're already going to feel bad about this in the morning." Cordelia finally spoke up.
"I don't feel so good." Dawn said all of the sudden
Spike got her outside just in time for her to empty the contents of her stomach. She then passed out and Spike took the lithe body into his arms. He apologized to everyone quickly and then he was gone before anyone could say anything.
Xander, Anya, Spike, Dawn, and Cordelia were waiting at the airport for Giles and Willow's plane to land. After what seemed like an eternity their Willow was finally going come home. Buffy had to work late that day, and the idea of seeing Dawn and Spike together was just too painful for her to deal with. She knew she had plenty of time to catch up with her best friend. Xander and Anya kept giving one another uneasy glances as they watched Spike and Dawn hold hands. They weren't dating anymore, well not this week anyway. Cordelia sat there, filing her nails, she was only there because she promised Angel that someone from Angel Investigations would be there to welcome the former witch. Considering that she and Angel were the only ones that knew her very well, and it was broad daylight, that left Cordelia back in Sunny D, unfortunately.
They saw Giles and Willow walking towards them, seemingly out of nowhere. Giles hadn't changed much in the few months it had been since they had last seen him. Willow was paler than she had been, if that was at all possible. She looked well though. She had a look of happiness, weariness, and relief on her face, if it was possible to have such a combination. Oddly enough the red head ran towards Spike and threw her arms around him. In her new world, she felt the closest to him. Spike vigorously returned the hug, stoking the girl's hair.
"Oh God, I missed you all so much." Willow exclaimed excitedly, letting go of Spike.
The group then partook in a rather clumsy and embarrassing group hug; it almost felt like some of the pieces were finally coming together. They went to get all the luggage and headed toward The Bronze to let off some steam and catch up. Xander had warned Spike already that Buffy was going to get off work at nine, so he and Dawn could make with the big exit and not make with the big scene.
"How you holding up Red?" Spike asked her seriously, setting a drink in front of her.
"OK. Some days are better than others. I just feel so strange here. Like everyone moved on without me or something. I'm worried that I won't fit in anywhere anyone."
"Rubbish. True, we have all moved on, but it wasn't without you, ducks. It will take some time. You'll be staying with Buffy and I'm sure you'll ease back into things."
"I know, I'm just a little frightened." Willow admitted.
"Chin up. Things get to be too much; you don't hesitate to call me." Spike said seriously.
"So how are things going with you and Dawn?" Willow asked, honestly not meaning to pry.
"Fine. So you finish that latest book in our 'Nerds of Classical Literature' club?" Spike asked.
Willow thought it was really strange how Spike changed the subject so quickly. She wondered why he didn't want to talk about Dawn with her. She knew he trusted her not to break his confidence. Why would he simply avoid her like that? She didn't want to push though. It was her first day back, there would be plenty of time for pushing later on.
"I'm not sure if you would call 'Lord of the Flies' classical literature, Will. I mean it was kind of short, and really gory."
"It's a bloody brilliant book. That Jack, now there's a bloke I would have wanted on my side back in the day." Spike responded.
"OK, now you sound like the old Spike. The one that wanted to kill all of us."
"Come on, you know I didn't really want to kill you all, just Buffy." Spike replied, only half joking.
With that Xander and Dawn showed up. Dawn grabbed Spike and they headed out to the dance floor. It was the first time that Xander or Willow had seen them together. It was a little unnerving.
"It's just not right." Xander finally said.
"No it's not." Willow replied simply.
"I never thought I would say this, but I really wish that Spike and Buffy would just get back together."
"You and me both. Spike totally avoided my question when I asked how he and Dawn were getting along. He almost looked miserable when I asked."
"I know what you mean. He avoids all Dawn related questions. It's obvious the guy isn't happy, he's torn Will."
"Yeah, I suppose he is."
With that Buffy walked through the door of The Bronze. She was wearing brown leather pants and a low cut cream colored blouse. It was obvious that she had gone home and changed before coming to the club. Xander was out of his seat before she had a chance to notice anyone.
"Hey Buffy, why don't we go upstairs. It's cozier." Xander asked.
"Where is everyone?" She asked innocently.
"Man, you sure got off work early. It's only 7:30 pm."
"Yeah, my boss let me off early when I told her Willow was coming home." Buffy answered, searching for Willow.
Buffy's search stopped when she saw a lean man with dirty blonde hair dancing with a slender woman with long dark hair. Her mouth just hung open. Xander quickly grabbed her hand and they went to the upper balcony. When they got up there, Buffy just walked to the railing and stared down at her former lover and sister.
"I thought they were leaving right after Willow's plane got in." Buffy stated.
"Yeah well, you know, long time, no see, thought we would all catch up before you got off work." Xander responded lamely.
"Do you want me to go?" Buffy replied, half in a daze.
"No, I'll get Anya to tell Spike and Dawn to leave, no biggie."
"Maybe I should go say something to them." Buffy said as if she wasn't listening to a word that was coming out of Xander's mouth.
"That's a bad plan Buff. It's Willow's first night back. Let's not make with the dramatics right now. Please. You can call Dawn tomorrow and scream at her all you want." Xander pleaded.
"Xander, why do I feel numb?" Buffy asked.
"Probably just shocked."
With that Buffy came back to reality. She felt completely numb. She wasn't angry or pissed or even sad. She didn't feel anything. She didn't think she had enough left in her to feel.
"Why?" Was all Buffy said.
"What can I say. People do strange and fucked up things. Sometimes they don't even know that they're doing strange and fucked up things." Xander answered the best he could.
Buffy just nodded and went to sit on one of the upstairs couches. Xander sat next to her, holding her hand.
"Buffy, the only reason I'm going to tell you this is because it's the truth and I think you should know it."
"What?"
"It seems to be the popular consensus that Spike is miserable with Dawn. Any fool, except for your darling little sister could see he's still in love with you."
"Then why does he stay with her if he's so unhappy?" Buffy asked seriously.
"He probably has no idea how to end it for starters. I mean he had no business getting into a relationship like that in the first place, and now he doesn't know how to get out. He doesn't want to hurt her feelings. Buffy, he thinks you don't care about him one way or the other."
"Are you trying to tell me that he's using my sister?" Was her only answer.
"No Buffy, I'm sure it's nothing like that. It's just he won't say anything about their relationship to me or Willow. And Dawn won't talk either. I have no clue what's going on between them." Xander responded honestly.
"Xander, you're my friend, but I do not want to talk about this right now. I admit I was a little shocked at first, but I'm OK now. I just need a drink to calm my nerves."
"When are you going to want to talk about this? When it really is too late to do anything, or do you want to just live in your happy little world of denial with your sister?" Xander spat at his friend.
"I'm serious Xander. This is not up for debate, we are not talking about this anymore. Could you please ask my sister and Spike to leave. I would like to talk to my best friend if it's OK with them." Buffy hissed.
"Fine." Xander responded in his best "fuck-you too" voice.
When Xander reached the lower level he saw that Spike and Dawn were playing pool.
"Uh guys, maybe it's time for you guys to go." Xander said.
"Why? It's only 8:00, got another hour before we have to leave." Dawn replied.
That's when Spike sensed her. He hadn't seen her in years, but he could feel her all the same. She was as unhappy as him it seemed. Maybe all the wankers had been right, maybe Buffy really did miss him.
"She's here, isn't she?" Spike asked.
Xander only nodded.
"Maybe I should go up and say hello. It would be the polite thing to do."
"Probably not a good idea right now Spike. See, it's Willow's first night back and we all really want to have an Emergency Room free evening. Will, she's pissed. Just take Dawn and we'll talk about this later." Xander pleaded.
Spike could see the desperation in his eyes. Spike knew that they should leave, he grabbed Dawn's arm and they began to make their way to the exit. He looked up and saw a small figure standing in the shadows. He stared at it with his intense blue eyes and mouthed a few simple words.
Buffy saw Spike staring at her. She knew he couldn't actually see her, but she could have sworn he mouthed the words "I'm sorry" to her.
Dawn released herself from Spike's grip and spun around back toward the group. Dawn had been drinking pretty steadily all night, and at this moment it was clear she was drunk. Spike tried to grab a hold of her once more, but she simply pushed him away.
"So what? Why do we have to leave? Is Buffy jealous because I can do the one thing she can't or something?"
"Luv, please, let's just go before you say something you'll regret."
"Honey, I can handle this. I'm sick of sneaking around. Spike and I are in love and you all just need to deal with it."
Everyone clearly saw Spike wince when Dawn said that the two of them were in love. In that moment all of Willow and Xander's suspicions were confirmed.
"Sweetie, come on, you'll hate yourself in the morning. Please, it's a long drive back, let's just go." Spike pleaded once more.
"You know, sometimes I miss it when you were a vampire. At least you had a backbone then." Dawn slurred.
No one could deny the hurt in Spike's eyes. Even Giles felt sorry for the poor lad.
"You know that's why my sister doesn't want anything to do with you. You're just a big book wormy pussy now. Hell, I could probably kick your ass." Dawn spat at him.
"Come on Dawn. You're drunk. Just let Spike take you home. You're already going to feel bad about this in the morning." Cordelia finally spoke up.
"I don't feel so good." Dawn said all of the sudden
Spike got her outside just in time for her to empty the contents of her stomach. She then passed out and Spike took the lithe body into his arms. He apologized to everyone quickly and then he was gone before anyone could say anything.