Notes: This chapter I had originally planned to have after my prologue but I felt I needed to set up the reasons behind Spike's homecoming originally and to see Giles reaction to the news. Plus, I thought it would be fun to inject a bit of intrigue into the story as well. As always reviews are greatly appreciated! If I suck please tell me so I can fix my suckage if ya get my drift. I will apologize in advance as I've just started school but I'll make a great effort to update on the weekends…of course reviews always warm the cockles my heart and warm cockles make me write faster…*hint hint*
I own nothing….yet….watch out Joss I'm coming for you, you won't know where or when but I'll get them *hehehehe*
Okay in my dreams….on with the show
Chapter 2: A Storm Blows InAnxiety coursed through him, flooding his veins with adrenalin resulting in the nervous energy that now captivated his twitching body. His legs bounced up then down in rapid succession; upon the floor lay the remains of his black nail polish. Wrinkles creased his brow; wound tighter then a top he was on the verge of literally exploding.
Breathing deeply to the point of hyperventilation he attempted to combat the rage welling inside of him which was a Herculean feat in and of its self; especially, with those naughty little voices in the back of his head prompting him to indulge acts of a more violent nature. Unfortunately, he was seated in the rear section of the aircraft; thus, making him one of the last passengers to debark.
To make matters worse he was unable to indulge in the sweet forgetful oblivion that is sleep because luck of all luck his seat was next to the rear jet. Oh yes, he was cranky, irritated, sleep deprived, possibly homicidal, and bloody well pissed off! Minutes passed and still he was confined to his seat. Shifting once more he drew a last claming breath.
"Why the hell are you nervous" his mind berated his body. " Why the hell do you care! A little trip down memory lane shouldn't have your knickers in a twist mate"
God what he wouldn't do for a pack of smokes right now! He'd sworn he would never come back, that he would never return to this God forsaken town. There was too much pain here; there were too many memories, memories that for the past two or so years he had managed to blot from his active conscience.
Time and distance had made them impotent, yet being here, just on the bloody airplane knowing that in a moments time he would be back standing on ground he had stood on many times, ground that his weaker self had trod, ground that she treads.
Don't think mate, don't think, not about her.
He'd go crazy for sure if he did. So much was left unsaid; so much was left undone in good Ol' Sunnyhell.
Now free to make his escape, he took long strides down the length of the plane. His skin prickled as he neared the exit, bending his head he powered through swarms of people milling about the gate.
Upon lifting his head he became aware of two people, one of whom he hoped never to lay eyes on again
~~~~
He spoke no kind word to them, uttered no cheerful greeting, offered no loving embrace. Rather, he met them with silence. Eyes hard he waited as they approached. The first move was theirs and theirs alone, he had nothing more to say in the matter.
He took a moment to examine the persons before him; his father was the picture of the man who has sent him away all those years before. No, Rupert Giles had succeeded in his life ambition to never change. A tall man, he possessed a proud face, which peered at the world thorough plain glasses, that suspiciously required constant cleaning. Unsurprisingly, now was one of those moments.
As Rupert struggled with forming something intelligent words which to great the column of black that was his estranged son, William or Spike as he now deemed himself, an odd nickname earned at boarding school now his chosen identity, turned his gaze upon his elder sister.
Striking, she possessed a face similar to his own. Framed with blond hair and the keeper of two small eyes: eyes that were at any moment demanding pools of fire or ice. She was the dominant one in their relationship and her grandiose personality was about as blunt as a double-edged sword No, she was not one to mince words, he knew it was she who would speak first.
Indeed, time seemed to have forgotten Sunnydale. Nothing had changed; even the airport looked the same. No one had changed, his father the same tweed clad glasses wearing stuffed British librarian, his sister the popular vixen who breathed fire.
But he had changed, more them that he had transformed himself into the cocky, self-assured rebel without a cause bad boy that didn't give a damm about anything or anyone image that now stood before his currently speechless blood relations.
There was no way in hell he was going to give into his past fate as a geek, as a nobody. Things would change, they would have too; he would make them
~~~~
Anya's salutation brought him back to reality.
" Welcome back my wayward brother. I see your fashion has not improved. I mean, if you were planning to go Goth you should've at least had the sense to dye your hair black instead of going all Billy Idol. I mean it wasn't enough that Daddy had to spend all that money to send you way to school which you managed to get kicked out of, but you had to come back looking like an eighties reject as well. Not to mention you never wrote!"
He couldn't help but chuckle. Nope she hadn't changed a bit.
" 'Ello to you too sister dearest. I knew you missed me."
Both smirked at this, not the warm smile of siblings reunited but of competitors. Giles coughed, finding that his glasses were once again in need of a good polish and a buff. There they stood his two children staring at each other and grinning madly as if they were engaged in a great battle of the wills, waiting to see who would flinch first, who would break.
Yet, he still couldn't find the words with which to speak to William. Quinton had warned him, but God he had never expected this! When his son stepped of the plane looking like a hooligan he had nearly dropped dead of heart failure. Standing in silence he had a chance to look the boy over, the change that had occurred was startling. But more startling then even his physical appearance was the change he saw in his son's eyes.
They were hard when he looked into them, hard as ice and sharp as flint. When he had smiled, if you could call it that for it bore more resemblance to a sardonic smirk, at Anya's greeting turned tirade, it had never reached his eyes. Good Lord, he was seventeen now, when he left he was only thirteen, I've missed so much and it shows.
Clearing his throat once more Giles finally found his voice.
" Ah yes, it is good to have you back William"
Spike broke from Anya's gaze; turning to look at Giles he cocked an eyebrow.
" Names not William mate it's Spike"
God what an awful name he thought, Anya being Anya said it for him.
"Spike…come on Will how lame is that, where'd you get it anyway?"
Spike's eyes shone anger; his lips spoke anger
" It's Spike alright! 'n it's none of your Bloody business where I got it! Got it"
"Woah! PMSing mister, I got it Spike I still think it's lame though."
Spike merely rolled his eyes in response. Giles however, was looking on mortified at his son's language.
" So you get my things"
"wha..oh yes, you effects are in your old room, I suppose we should get back so you can get settled in. Tomorrow you will start school with Anya."
" Bloody lovely"
" Hey it's not like I want all my friends to see what a freak you've become"
"Enough! Both of you!"
He would not have this constant bickering any longer.
" I expected more from both of you really this is quite petty. I know the situation is not ideal but we need to suck it up and make the best of it. Anya you are not to speak to Willi…"
Spike glared at him
"…Spike that way, there are far more important things to discuss besides his choice of attire. Spike I will not have you speaking in such a manor in my presence….and now with that's said… lets go home."
Clap, clap, clap Spike's hands gave a mocking applause.
"About time, we've been standing here for God knows how long."
And so they made their way through the airport. Anya in the lead followed closely by Spike, Giles glumly brought up the rear. The car ride home was deathly silent, so much so that his own inhaling and exhaling seemed deafening. At least they're not interrogating me about what happened. The last thing he wanted was Giles and especially Anya asking nosy questions about him.
~~~~
After unpacking he just stood in the middle of his old habitat and remembering. It was a simple room, white walls, a few windows, blue carpeting with a bedspread to match. Oh how his skin crawled to be there, for if he stood there long enough he could almost imagine he was thirteen again. What a ponce he was then. First thing he did was to dispose of he old memorabilia and pictures; he had no need for them now. Softly he heard a knock upon his door. It creaked with opening and in stepped his father.
" Settled in all right are you?"
He received a nod.
" Ah well I suppose you'll be wanting to retire…"
Not knowing what else to say Giles trailed off into silence.
Spike was starting to get annoyed with his father's lack of articulate speech.
"Right…well as much as I have enjoyed standing in silence with you it would be awfully nice if you vacated the premise of my room mate."
There was no way Giles would let Spike indulge in his insolence. He had to put his foot down, something he had never done with his son; he simply didn't have to. The William of the past was so compliant. Spike on the other hand needed to be reminded of his place. And Giles was determined to remind him.
"I am not your mate…I don't know all the details of your expulsion and I'm not going to push the matter with you yet. Quinton Travers will contact me tomorrow evening to discuss the matter after which you and I will have a little chat. As for school you will be on your best behavior and if I hear otherwise the consequences will be dire. Are we clear on that?"
Spike merely grinned
"Sure thing Rupes….now if you don't mind"
He slowly advanced toward Giles backing him into the hall. Giles made a last attempt to assert his authority.
" I am not Rupes, I am your father. You may not like me right now but I think I am intitled to a little respect from you."
"Goodnight Rupert"
His face cold as he shut the door in his father's face. On the other side Giles was crestfallen but nothing of the sort leaked from underneath his Englishmen's' reserve.
~~~~
He found quickly that sleep refused to come to him. So many thoughts, so many feeling were surging through his mind. He paced, he smoked, he sweated, and he paced some more. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth: his thoughts continually hounding him.
No matter how hard he tried, how hard he willed himself to be still his body refused to obey. A quick glance a clock told him it was 1:45 Monday morning.
Dammit, Dammit all to Hell! Why did Travers have to send me back Damm him anyway. Damm Rupert for sending me away! Damm Druscilla for being a ho and leaving me! Damm Liam, great wanker. Damm her for being so bloody perfect!
His mind screamed what his mouth could not. God he was really messed if he couldn't say her name. For so long he had buried her, pushed her down, trained himself never to speak of her. He growled in frustration.
" Screw this I'm outta here."
Going to his closet he pulled out a black hooded sweatshirt. Throwing it on his naked torso he neglected to zip it up leaving his chest mostly exposed. He was already clad in a pair of loose fitting black drawstring pajama pants; pulling his hood over his head, he shoved his bare feet into his combat boots, grabbed a pack of smokes and his lighter.
Hosting his window open he quickly descended into the night. Luckily, his room was the only one on the first floor. Walking with no destination in mind, he followed his feet through the deserted town. He went up streets, down alleys, and through graveyards and cemeteries until finally with a lit cigarette in hand his feet ceased to walk.
As Irony would have it he stood outside the cause of his most potent and beguiling vexation. It was her house. He could see her room from where he stood; expectedly the light was out. Having sweet dreams no doubt, and blissfully unaware of my presence beneath your very window.
" I'll be seeing you….Buffy Summers. I'll be seeing you."
He whispered to the night air.
************************************************************************
Wow…that was long very long very very long. Okay remember if you thought this sucked please tell me…constructively. And if you liked it please, please tell me!
Thanks for reading! Bye for now….I should update Saturday….optimistically however that might not happen….I promise I'll try my darnedest though.
