FOOLS FOR LIFE:
CHAPTER 32: Decisions
Another hour or two had gone by. Things were getting old fast. Spike stayed outside or, when he was inside, in the background at least. He was just biding his time now that he'd made his decision. Cutting the Scoobies out was definitely on. They wouldn't agree. And they were taking too bloody long and weren't looking at was right under their bloody noses.
Harris, of course, was as useless and stupid as usual. Red wasn't quite herself, trying to do magic while not trying to do magic too much. Her little lovebird was constantly worrying about her. And then there was Anya who didn't really care all that much about this whole thing, not like they did, anyway...
There she was now, trying to remind Dawn of her debt for all the trinkets she stole from the Magic Shop, suggesting maybe SHE should pay for the stuff Rack was going to be getting. He had to chuckle a little at that, seeing the Niblet's bewildered expression, as well as Anya's hopeful face and her smiling attempts at niceties while throwing words like 'tax not included' and 'weekly installments' around.
Through it all, he knew he needed to get cracking. Time was a-wasting. Buffy had not quite been the same ever since they'd had their little.....blood scene outside. She was looking into mirrors and windows constantly, to check if she still had a reflection. And she did. But it was clear that the thought that soon maybe she wouldn't, wasn't all that outrageous.
Yes, time was slipping. And he was going to act. But he couldn't quite do it alone unfortunately. He had several options at this point, neither of which was all that convenient.
He saw Harris go to the kitchen. Good, the bloody git got antsy every time Spike got near Anya. He must have been eating himself up while they were at Rack's. The thought made him grin, but in all honesty he couldn't blame him entirely.
Now, he'd been in the background long enough for his presence to fade a little, with no one paying him that much attention anymore, and walked over to Anya and Dawn as smooth and soundless as a cat.
"So, with about 24 Saturday afternoons and 3 after-school shifts per week over the same time period, you should be able to make just enough for..." Anya was still firing away on a gulping little Dawn.
"Hey, luv, go easy on the bit," he said, trying to sound casual. "I told you I'd take care of that didn't I?"
Anya looked up (as did Dawn, with some relief at the interruption) "Yes, and of course I believe you, because you are known for paying for things," she said sarcastically. "What are you going to do, rob Xander again?"
"Maybe I will." Spike grinned. "That not good for ya, luv?"
Anya's eyes changed a little and she gave a little shrug. "Would work......"
Spike winked at Dawn who hid her smile and he sat down on the armrest of the couch, next to her, facing Anya. "By the way, pity we went through all that crap with Rack only to find Halfrek couldn't do anything," he said.
"Yeah, tell me about it," Anya frowned, thinking of her merchandise.
"Still, who knows, maybe she can still help, if the love birds figure something out. You uh.... said she was still in Sunnydale right? You sure about that?"
"Yeah," Anya nodded. "It's very clear, now that she's left that place."
"You really sure now? Wouldn't want to have to go wandering through alleys again like last time." He shrugged a little. "Y'know, when it turns out to be a little vaguer than you thought." He was working hard on his casual tone and he didn't notice Dawn look up at him with slightly suspicious eyes.
"Hey, Rack's place was very well clouded! Of course I'm sure. Her presence is very clear now. I could sense her pop up on the other side of town after she teleported out of that alley. Probably in some motel room, trying to get her courage up to face D'Hoffryn or waiting for him to get tired of waiting and show up himself."
"Oh, right then. Just wondering," Spike shrugged. He got up as he noticed some of the others were about to enter the room again. He had hoped to know a little more specific, but this would have to do. Couldn't ask more without Anya getting suspicious.
He strolled to the kitchen, to sit on the porch again, still never noticing Dawn looking at him with a slight frown on her little eyebrows.
Outside on the porch he could still hear them inside, yapping away. Basically saying what they all knew already: 'Going to try a spell', more book surfing, 'careful', 'will all be fine', 'not to worry', yap, yap, banter, witty remark, stupid joke, 'let's all get some rest too', 'school night for Dawn', Anya ribbing Xander, yap, yap, quip, giggle, babble, another stupid joke, Anya saying something terrifying she meant to be reassuring, yap, yap, Willow trying to soothe. Quip. Yap. Babble. He could have written it all out before they even started.
God he'd really spent way too much time with this lot.
Still, he liked the 'all get some rest part'. He'd hoped Buffy would still go out and slay some vamps, but it didn't look like it. He could suggest it, but it would make them suspicious. The lovebirds in particular had a tendency to see things pretty quickly.
No, this is how it was. Now play the hand you're dealt. Wait for the moment, it'll come. If they're going to sleep soon, it can work just as well, just be a little more careful. He felt the object in his pocket. It was still there, where it had been since he'd been by his crypt this morning. All that waiting in the alley earlier had been good for the thinking. He hadn't been sure if it would be necessary to get it as he walked over here, maybe the Scoobies would have worked something out, making it unnecessary. But it looked like what he thought up needed to be put into action.
He had been worried when Buffy had noticed the blood bag. For a second he thought he'd been caught. But the blood bag had been in his left pocket and that was what she'd felt. This was still secure in his right. Good, because that would have been a lot harder to explain than the blood. Still, he had to bring it along. Without it, this would be really problematic. The last night had shown him that. She wouldn't fall for the booze-challenge trick a second time.....
"I don't know what you're planning," it sounded from behind him, "but I'm on to you."
He turned and saw Dawn joining him on the porch. He raised his eyebrows and looked at her, not sure what to say. This was the last thing he'd expected.
"That whole thing with Anya," she continued, "you were so obviously pumping her for info." She looked at him with folded arms and her round lips trying to look firm, but coming across as a tad pouty.
Spike started to laugh in an 'I-don't-know-what-you're-talking-about' kind of way, but she stopped him. "No! I don't care. I just...." She closed her eyes for a moment. When they opened again to look at him they were equal parts pleading and commanding.
"If you can help her, do it. I don't care if the others like it or not. I don't care what you need to do for it. Just .....help her, Spike."
He looked at her, and said nothing. He couldn't think of anything that wouldn't insult her, get more protests from her, or give himself away completely. Then he just gave her a barely perceptible nod. And a look that seemed to give a solemn promise.
She just nodded back and went back inside the house. Spike watched her go and silently shook his head. The Summers women were something else. Made him wonder once again why that idiot father of theirs split.
Inside everyone was sitting in the living room. Still talking, trying to plan, attempting to bring levity. Buffy just sat on the couch, looking at her reflection in the glass of the window. Now that it was dark outside it was as clear as a mirror. "So, anyone want some more hot cocoa?" Willow asked. Some nods, some shakes. Buffy was still zoning. "Hey Buff, you want a refill?"
"Hmmm?" Buffy said, still absent minded.
Willow sat down next to her. "Look Buffy, your reflection is still there. And if it's going to disappear, looking at it won't help you know?"
At first Buffy didn't respond, apparently still not really listening. Then she said "Man, I have really pretty eyes don't I?"
Willow opened her mouth to say something but couldn't quite think of anything.
"I mean, look at them, they're stunning!" Buffy continued. "And my hair, it's so golden and silky..the way it waves and falls over my shoulders!"
"Uh....yeah I suppose." Willow exchanged a look with Tara that read as "uh oh" as understanding dawned on both of them. Anya's eyes widened and looked at Xander. "And I thought you said it was inappropriate to praise yourself in public too much!"
Before Xander could reply Willow nudged Buffy. "Uh, Buffy, not that you're NOT pretty, I mean you are, but.."
Buffy looked up. "Hm? Well, I mean, look at me, I'm gorgeous!!" Then realization hit her. "Oh my god..."
"That...would be another aspect of the Spike, I assume," Xander said.
"Oh my god!" Buffy repeated as she covered her eyes. "I didn't just say that, did I?" Then she peeked at her reflection again, and frowned. "But man, look at me! Those lips!"
She looked at Willow next to her. "This....this is how he sees me isn't it?"
Willow nodded and patted her hand.
Later that night, everyone went to bed. Spike had disappeared and they assumed he was at his crypt, or killing some demons to vent or simple having a meal. Almost everyone agreed to sleep in the Summers house in case something happened that needed everyone's help or attention.
Tara and Willow were cuddled in bed together already, talking about the day, and what they were thinking of doing. Xander was on the couch downstairs, already snoring loudly. Anya was the only one to leave, having 'a shop to open in the morning you know'. Dawn lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering what was going to happen.
Buffy's room was still light though. It was very visible from the ground. Had anyone looked outside under the tree in front of the house, they would have noticed Spike hadn't gone that far after all.
He looked up at Buffy's window as he had so often before. He flicked his cigarette away and walked towards the house.
The moment had come.
** **
TBC! (duh)
CHAPTER 32: Decisions
Another hour or two had gone by. Things were getting old fast. Spike stayed outside or, when he was inside, in the background at least. He was just biding his time now that he'd made his decision. Cutting the Scoobies out was definitely on. They wouldn't agree. And they were taking too bloody long and weren't looking at was right under their bloody noses.
Harris, of course, was as useless and stupid as usual. Red wasn't quite herself, trying to do magic while not trying to do magic too much. Her little lovebird was constantly worrying about her. And then there was Anya who didn't really care all that much about this whole thing, not like they did, anyway...
There she was now, trying to remind Dawn of her debt for all the trinkets she stole from the Magic Shop, suggesting maybe SHE should pay for the stuff Rack was going to be getting. He had to chuckle a little at that, seeing the Niblet's bewildered expression, as well as Anya's hopeful face and her smiling attempts at niceties while throwing words like 'tax not included' and 'weekly installments' around.
Through it all, he knew he needed to get cracking. Time was a-wasting. Buffy had not quite been the same ever since they'd had their little.....blood scene outside. She was looking into mirrors and windows constantly, to check if she still had a reflection. And she did. But it was clear that the thought that soon maybe she wouldn't, wasn't all that outrageous.
Yes, time was slipping. And he was going to act. But he couldn't quite do it alone unfortunately. He had several options at this point, neither of which was all that convenient.
He saw Harris go to the kitchen. Good, the bloody git got antsy every time Spike got near Anya. He must have been eating himself up while they were at Rack's. The thought made him grin, but in all honesty he couldn't blame him entirely.
Now, he'd been in the background long enough for his presence to fade a little, with no one paying him that much attention anymore, and walked over to Anya and Dawn as smooth and soundless as a cat.
"So, with about 24 Saturday afternoons and 3 after-school shifts per week over the same time period, you should be able to make just enough for..." Anya was still firing away on a gulping little Dawn.
"Hey, luv, go easy on the bit," he said, trying to sound casual. "I told you I'd take care of that didn't I?"
Anya looked up (as did Dawn, with some relief at the interruption) "Yes, and of course I believe you, because you are known for paying for things," she said sarcastically. "What are you going to do, rob Xander again?"
"Maybe I will." Spike grinned. "That not good for ya, luv?"
Anya's eyes changed a little and she gave a little shrug. "Would work......"
Spike winked at Dawn who hid her smile and he sat down on the armrest of the couch, next to her, facing Anya. "By the way, pity we went through all that crap with Rack only to find Halfrek couldn't do anything," he said.
"Yeah, tell me about it," Anya frowned, thinking of her merchandise.
"Still, who knows, maybe she can still help, if the love birds figure something out. You uh.... said she was still in Sunnydale right? You sure about that?"
"Yeah," Anya nodded. "It's very clear, now that she's left that place."
"You really sure now? Wouldn't want to have to go wandering through alleys again like last time." He shrugged a little. "Y'know, when it turns out to be a little vaguer than you thought." He was working hard on his casual tone and he didn't notice Dawn look up at him with slightly suspicious eyes.
"Hey, Rack's place was very well clouded! Of course I'm sure. Her presence is very clear now. I could sense her pop up on the other side of town after she teleported out of that alley. Probably in some motel room, trying to get her courage up to face D'Hoffryn or waiting for him to get tired of waiting and show up himself."
"Oh, right then. Just wondering," Spike shrugged. He got up as he noticed some of the others were about to enter the room again. He had hoped to know a little more specific, but this would have to do. Couldn't ask more without Anya getting suspicious.
He strolled to the kitchen, to sit on the porch again, still never noticing Dawn looking at him with a slight frown on her little eyebrows.
Outside on the porch he could still hear them inside, yapping away. Basically saying what they all knew already: 'Going to try a spell', more book surfing, 'careful', 'will all be fine', 'not to worry', yap, yap, banter, witty remark, stupid joke, 'let's all get some rest too', 'school night for Dawn', Anya ribbing Xander, yap, yap, quip, giggle, babble, another stupid joke, Anya saying something terrifying she meant to be reassuring, yap, yap, Willow trying to soothe. Quip. Yap. Babble. He could have written it all out before they even started.
God he'd really spent way too much time with this lot.
Still, he liked the 'all get some rest part'. He'd hoped Buffy would still go out and slay some vamps, but it didn't look like it. He could suggest it, but it would make them suspicious. The lovebirds in particular had a tendency to see things pretty quickly.
No, this is how it was. Now play the hand you're dealt. Wait for the moment, it'll come. If they're going to sleep soon, it can work just as well, just be a little more careful. He felt the object in his pocket. It was still there, where it had been since he'd been by his crypt this morning. All that waiting in the alley earlier had been good for the thinking. He hadn't been sure if it would be necessary to get it as he walked over here, maybe the Scoobies would have worked something out, making it unnecessary. But it looked like what he thought up needed to be put into action.
He had been worried when Buffy had noticed the blood bag. For a second he thought he'd been caught. But the blood bag had been in his left pocket and that was what she'd felt. This was still secure in his right. Good, because that would have been a lot harder to explain than the blood. Still, he had to bring it along. Without it, this would be really problematic. The last night had shown him that. She wouldn't fall for the booze-challenge trick a second time.....
"I don't know what you're planning," it sounded from behind him, "but I'm on to you."
He turned and saw Dawn joining him on the porch. He raised his eyebrows and looked at her, not sure what to say. This was the last thing he'd expected.
"That whole thing with Anya," she continued, "you were so obviously pumping her for info." She looked at him with folded arms and her round lips trying to look firm, but coming across as a tad pouty.
Spike started to laugh in an 'I-don't-know-what-you're-talking-about' kind of way, but she stopped him. "No! I don't care. I just...." She closed her eyes for a moment. When they opened again to look at him they were equal parts pleading and commanding.
"If you can help her, do it. I don't care if the others like it or not. I don't care what you need to do for it. Just .....help her, Spike."
He looked at her, and said nothing. He couldn't think of anything that wouldn't insult her, get more protests from her, or give himself away completely. Then he just gave her a barely perceptible nod. And a look that seemed to give a solemn promise.
She just nodded back and went back inside the house. Spike watched her go and silently shook his head. The Summers women were something else. Made him wonder once again why that idiot father of theirs split.
Inside everyone was sitting in the living room. Still talking, trying to plan, attempting to bring levity. Buffy just sat on the couch, looking at her reflection in the glass of the window. Now that it was dark outside it was as clear as a mirror. "So, anyone want some more hot cocoa?" Willow asked. Some nods, some shakes. Buffy was still zoning. "Hey Buff, you want a refill?"
"Hmmm?" Buffy said, still absent minded.
Willow sat down next to her. "Look Buffy, your reflection is still there. And if it's going to disappear, looking at it won't help you know?"
At first Buffy didn't respond, apparently still not really listening. Then she said "Man, I have really pretty eyes don't I?"
Willow opened her mouth to say something but couldn't quite think of anything.
"I mean, look at them, they're stunning!" Buffy continued. "And my hair, it's so golden and silky..the way it waves and falls over my shoulders!"
"Uh....yeah I suppose." Willow exchanged a look with Tara that read as "uh oh" as understanding dawned on both of them. Anya's eyes widened and looked at Xander. "And I thought you said it was inappropriate to praise yourself in public too much!"
Before Xander could reply Willow nudged Buffy. "Uh, Buffy, not that you're NOT pretty, I mean you are, but.."
Buffy looked up. "Hm? Well, I mean, look at me, I'm gorgeous!!" Then realization hit her. "Oh my god..."
"That...would be another aspect of the Spike, I assume," Xander said.
"Oh my god!" Buffy repeated as she covered her eyes. "I didn't just say that, did I?" Then she peeked at her reflection again, and frowned. "But man, look at me! Those lips!"
She looked at Willow next to her. "This....this is how he sees me isn't it?"
Willow nodded and patted her hand.
Later that night, everyone went to bed. Spike had disappeared and they assumed he was at his crypt, or killing some demons to vent or simple having a meal. Almost everyone agreed to sleep in the Summers house in case something happened that needed everyone's help or attention.
Tara and Willow were cuddled in bed together already, talking about the day, and what they were thinking of doing. Xander was on the couch downstairs, already snoring loudly. Anya was the only one to leave, having 'a shop to open in the morning you know'. Dawn lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering what was going to happen.
Buffy's room was still light though. It was very visible from the ground. Had anyone looked outside under the tree in front of the house, they would have noticed Spike hadn't gone that far after all.
He looked up at Buffy's window as he had so often before. He flicked his cigarette away and walked towards the house.
The moment had come.
** **
TBC! (duh)
