Title: Forgiving Evil
Chapter 6/12: Company?
(see chapter one for more detail)
Buffy woke up the next morning from a wonderful dream of her and Spike. She showered and dressed and met Dawn in the kitchen for breakfast.
"So, how are you gonna explain to everyone about Spike being back?" Dawn questioned her sister. She poured herself a glass of orange juice as Buffy sat down across from her.
Buffy sighed. "I don't know. I think I'll wait to get each of them alone and explain to them that what happened in the past is just that; it's the past. And Spike's changed and they are just going to have to accept that. Xander's gonna be at the Magic Box today, helping Giles put together shelves. I'll talk to them then."
"But Buffy, don't you have a meeting with Social Services today? Remember Saturday is Social Services day? I cleaned my room and everything." Dawn stood up and put her cup in the sink and returned the orange juice container to its spot in the fridge.
"Dammit!" Buffy exclaimed. "I completely forgot." She checked the calendar. "Okay, there's a person coming at two o'clock. I have plenty of time to tidy up and look presentable. Oh, I should probably clean up Willow's room, too. I know she's still in England, but if I have to give a tour of the house…" Suddenly there was a loud clap of thunder and rain came pouring down outside.
Dawn looked over to Buffy. "Is that a bad omen?"
1:50 PM at the Summer's residence…
Buffy walked down the stairs as she went over her imaginary checklist. "Dawn's training at the Magic Box. Her room is clean. My room is clean. Willow's room is clean. Dishes are done. Living room is clean." She looked down at her outfit: a long denim skirt and a peasant top. "I don't look like a slut. Check."
As she reached the bottom step she heard the backdoor open in the kitchen and she turned to see Spike folding up his blanket.
She was surprised to see him, but nonetheless pleased. "Spike, what are you doing here? Up for another afternoon stroll?" she asked with a smirk.
"Well, the storm blocks out most of the sun and I figured I'd come over for a quick visit and see how you and the Nibblet are doing." He answered.
Then they heard the knock on the door. "Company?" Spike said as he placed his blanket on the counter.
"Social Services. You can stay, but no talk of crypts or demons. If they ask, you live in an apartment a few blocks away, Dawn's helping out at the Magic Box and Willow's on vacation in England." Buffy prompted Spike as she went to answer the door.
"Hello, Buffy Summers, I presume." Buffy opened the door to find a middle-aged woman much like Mrs. Chroeger had looked. The lady introduced herself as Maria Stevens. She took a seat on the couch and Buffy fled to the kitchen to get her a glass of water. She returned with Spike in tow. She took a seat in the chair and Spike stood behind her.
"This is my friend William." Buffy motioned towards Spike. "He arrived just a few minutes ago, I hope it's okay if he's here."
"Oh, its fine. It'll help me to better understand Dawn's surroundings. Let's start with a few questions." She paused to take out a pen and paper. "Who lives in the house?"
"Myself, Dawn and my friend Willow. She's in England right now, but she'll be home in a few weeks." Buffy answered.
"I was to understand that there was another woman living here."
Buffy's expression darkened and she tried to answer but all she could do was stutter. Spike came to the rescue. "Yes, Willow's girlfriend Tara lived here until last May when she was killed."
"Oh dear, I am so sorry. What happened to her?" Maria inquired.
Spike answered before Buffy could. "An insane man with a gun tried to shoot Buffy and her friend Xander in the backyard but his shots missed and went through the bedroom window upstairs. Tara and Willow were there. Tara was killed instantly and Willow… well, it was bad. Dawn was close to Tara, as we all were, and it's been had without her." Buffy tried her best not to cry and Spike put a hand on her shoulder.
Maria wrote something down in her notebook and continued with the questions. "What has Dawn been doing with herself all summer?"
"She's been working out a lot. I do kick boxing and she trains with me now. Our friend, Mr. Rupert Giles who owns the Magic Box downtown, has a training room that we use. She's there right now actually." Buffy hoped that Maria wouldn't push the topic, but Buffy's answer seemed to be sufficient.
There were a few more questions about chores and daily activities, Dawn's friends and Buffy's friends. Then Maria asked for a tour of the house.
"This is Dawn's room. My room is down the hall and Willow's room is right over there." They walked down the hallway and Maria opened the door to the bathroom. She walked around inspecting it. "What happened to that shelf over there? It looks like something was thrown into it." Maria pointed to the shelf near the window that Buffy had thrown Spike into.
Buffy had cleaned it up but never got around to fixing the shelf. Damn, what was she gonna say?
She was surprised to hear Spike answer. "Oh, that was me. I was in here and I tripped over the corner of the counter and like the clumsy person I am, managed to knock over the shelf. I insisted that Buffy let me fix it, I haven't gotten around to it yet."
Spike's answer seemed to satisfy Maria and they moved on to other rooms. The rest of the day went much the same as they lied to cover up strange things in the house such as the trunk of weapons, which she explained were antiques from her grandfather.
It was already five o'clock when Maria left. Buffy waved to her from the door and then collapsed on the couch.
"That was exhausting!" she complained. Spike sat down next to her and began to massage her back. "When did you learn to do that?" she asked, surprised that Spike could relieve all her tension with just his hands.
"I've been around for 128 years, pet. I've learned some stuff." He chuckled under his breath and couldn't help but smile at the fact that she let him touch her.
When Spike finished the massage Buffy leaned back onto his chest and closed her eyes. "Hmm, you're a good pillow." She mumbled.
Suddenly the front door opened and a drenched Xander walked into the living room. "Hey Buff, what's up? Just stopped by to-" Xander noticed the two snuggled on the couch. "What the f-"