Title: Road Trip Author: Joyce Maetta
Email: zinehall@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: Joss owns everything. Quotes are from "Nightmares".
Spoilers: Season 5 pre Joyce's surgery.
Summary: Buffy and Dawn visit their dad. A curious platinum haired vampire is on their trail.
Rating: PG-13
Chapter 3 ******************************************************* Los Angeles. Hmm. If he didn't absolutely need a Slayer fix, Spike would not be on the road driving to the City of Angels. Bloody Hell, even the name of the city sounded like a gaggle of poofters. But Spike was surprised to find himself having a good time as he cruised steadily in the DeSoto. The old bird had been cantankerous lately but tonight she purred like a kitten. Maybe this would be a good night after all. Yeah, baby, you and me along with Jack Daniels and a shotgun. We're ready.
******************************************************************** As Dawn slept, Buffy was restless with the need to have a good father-daughter conversation. She looked hesitantly at Dawn, sighed and left the room double checking the lock on the door. Never could be too careful in the big city.
Conveniently, the office building was within walking distance of the hotel. There were lots of people out at this late hour. In Sunnydale, most of the beings who populated the streets were demons. Wow, she wondered, maybe this is why Angel loves this city. As she entered the parking bay, her slayer senses thrummed a tune along her neck. She surveyed her surroundings and did not detect any movement. She didn't even catch the barely noticeable sliver of platinum hair which peaked out from a column.
"That's my girl," Spike whispered as Buffy drew closer.
An ever present stake made an appearance in Buffy's hand which she held aloft. She was in thorough hunter mode. She heard a rustling sound as Spike stepped out.
Buffy threw her hands up. "Oh, it's just you. And what, might I ask, are you doing here? It's not like you're enough of a pest in Sunnydale. Why here and now?"
Spike started to move his lips.
"No, I don't want to hear your crazy reasoning. I'm definitely not in the mood for it. "
"But Slayer, I'm sure I could make it worth your while". Spike looked her up and down and placed a hand on his abdomen moving it down.
Buffy caught the motion but chose to ignore it. "Did you follow us?"
"Well, hello to you, too, pet." Spike threw his hands up and started to pace. "It's just that I missed you on patrol. Thought maybe something was wrong and that maybe Big Bad could help."
"Wrong, eh? The only thing wrong is you being here." The tension rose up unbidden. This day was just too much. First Dad and now this. She advanced on Spike and gave him her usual greeting.
"Ow. There now, pet. Easy on the cheekbones."
He had the nerve to just shrug off her punch, did he? She would show him who was boss. A solidly planted front kick sent Spike flying into the column which previously hid him. Spike hit it shaking some of the concrete loose. He licked some blood off his split lip, rolled and hid his smile.
Buffy grabbed him, picked him up and punched him again and again.
"How...dare...you....follow...me!" She was livid as she took her anger out on Spike. "My day has been bad enough already. My own dad doesn't have time for us. I certainly don't need to have a helpless vamp around to look after, too, Spike."
"Nice to see you care for me, luv."
"Don't call me that!" She dropped Spike and stomped away and set her jaw.
Spike got up, moved closer and very carefully hooked his arm around Buffy just as she was shifting to load a kick. It caught her off guard and they tumbled to the pavement. Spike was on top. His eyes took in the glory. Suddenly he kissed her passionately. And joy of all things, Buffy kissed back. Shocked at her own response, Buffy disentangled herself and ran off.
Spike, deliriously happy, ran in front of her. "That the best you can do?" He licked his lip suggestively.
"Go away, Spike." Buffy backed up and sprinted back to the hotel , all thoughts of her original mission having completely vanished.
Spike gazed at the retreating figure. Her dad won't see her, eh? Well, not if I have anything to do about it.
*********************************************************** Buffy woke up to tendrils of sunlight filtering their way through gossamous curtains. A slight breeze filled with the scent of the ocean caused her to inhale deeply as she smiled and stretched with satisfaction. A brief picture of Riley flitted across her closed eyes. She looked confused before collecting her thoughts. Riley was really gone. But why was that not bothering her so much now? Riley was perfect. She should be grieving his loss, like forever right? At the least she should be working diligently on some way to get him back? Because, he couldn't possibly have a new girlfriend this soon. Could he? And I will not think about last night. Spike. Did I feel something? Buffy shook her head and climbed out of the bed.
Dawn still slept peacefully. Buffy smiled. Good, more bathroom time for me, she thought.
The need to speak, really speak, to her father, just grew stronger in Buffy, as she showered languidly. Painful memories of a disturbing dream came to the surface. In hindsight, she knew it was a dream but she couldn't shake the possibility of there being some actual truth in a statement made by her father.
"Having you, raising you, seeing you everyday. Do you have any idea of what that's like?" She couldn't help but see his smug frustrated look. Did he really hate her so?
"You embarrass us with all the crazy stunts you pull.." Buffy kept telling herself that she really didn't have anything to do with her parents' divorce but there was that smidgen of niggling doubt which steadily irritated her. She really didn't know what to think. And now he couldn't be bothered to see her and Dawn? Buffy could obsess long into the night about her father without his actually having done something to contribute to more obsession. Buffy shook her head and turned off the water. She listened for Dawn moving about. When she didn't hear anything, she slowly dried herself off and tried to think positive thoughts. I must be strong for Dawn's sake. Lord knows, I'm not strong enough for mine.
Dawn banged at the door. " Buffy? What's taking you so long? I really have a need to be in there."
Buffy smiled. That's my Dawnie. She wrapped the towel around herself and walked out.
Pacing the room was getting old after awhile. Buffy checked her clothing once again to assure that she was going to look good for her dad. Maximum parental approval. That was the goal. Sensible shoes and longer than usual non leather skirt. She also checked over the outfit that Dawn had laid off. Yeah, we're looking like good girls of the non sluttish variety, she thought. All that was left was the actual seeing the father thing. That phone was going to ring any moment now.
As if on cue, the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Buffy! Uh, sorry I couldn't see you girls yesterday. You know how it is. Business and all."
"Dad, can we ..."
"Honey, someone's on the other line. Got to go now. You girls have a good day and I'll see you tonight for dinner, OK? Have Miss Dennehy show you around."
"But Dad..."
"Bye, honey."
Click. Just a dial tone. Buffy sank down onto the bed looking downcast. A cheerful Dawn came out of the bathroom. Buffy got up and turned away. She could do this. There was that strength issue again.
"Hey, kitten. Ready for breakfast?"
*********************************************** Hank placed the phone down softly. He really didn't want to disappoint his daughters but it couldn't be helped. Miranda, an old dear friend, had arrived in Los Angeles after he had agreed to be available for the girls. She was only in town for a few days and he just couldn't put her off, now could he? She had certain charms which he found irresistible, like now, as she sashayed those charms into his lap. What was a fellow to do?
TBC
Email: zinehall@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: Joss owns everything. Quotes are from "Nightmares".
Spoilers: Season 5 pre Joyce's surgery.
Summary: Buffy and Dawn visit their dad. A curious platinum haired vampire is on their trail.
Rating: PG-13
Chapter 3 ******************************************************* Los Angeles. Hmm. If he didn't absolutely need a Slayer fix, Spike would not be on the road driving to the City of Angels. Bloody Hell, even the name of the city sounded like a gaggle of poofters. But Spike was surprised to find himself having a good time as he cruised steadily in the DeSoto. The old bird had been cantankerous lately but tonight she purred like a kitten. Maybe this would be a good night after all. Yeah, baby, you and me along with Jack Daniels and a shotgun. We're ready.
******************************************************************** As Dawn slept, Buffy was restless with the need to have a good father-daughter conversation. She looked hesitantly at Dawn, sighed and left the room double checking the lock on the door. Never could be too careful in the big city.
Conveniently, the office building was within walking distance of the hotel. There were lots of people out at this late hour. In Sunnydale, most of the beings who populated the streets were demons. Wow, she wondered, maybe this is why Angel loves this city. As she entered the parking bay, her slayer senses thrummed a tune along her neck. She surveyed her surroundings and did not detect any movement. She didn't even catch the barely noticeable sliver of platinum hair which peaked out from a column.
"That's my girl," Spike whispered as Buffy drew closer.
An ever present stake made an appearance in Buffy's hand which she held aloft. She was in thorough hunter mode. She heard a rustling sound as Spike stepped out.
Buffy threw her hands up. "Oh, it's just you. And what, might I ask, are you doing here? It's not like you're enough of a pest in Sunnydale. Why here and now?"
Spike started to move his lips.
"No, I don't want to hear your crazy reasoning. I'm definitely not in the mood for it. "
"But Slayer, I'm sure I could make it worth your while". Spike looked her up and down and placed a hand on his abdomen moving it down.
Buffy caught the motion but chose to ignore it. "Did you follow us?"
"Well, hello to you, too, pet." Spike threw his hands up and started to pace. "It's just that I missed you on patrol. Thought maybe something was wrong and that maybe Big Bad could help."
"Wrong, eh? The only thing wrong is you being here." The tension rose up unbidden. This day was just too much. First Dad and now this. She advanced on Spike and gave him her usual greeting.
"Ow. There now, pet. Easy on the cheekbones."
He had the nerve to just shrug off her punch, did he? She would show him who was boss. A solidly planted front kick sent Spike flying into the column which previously hid him. Spike hit it shaking some of the concrete loose. He licked some blood off his split lip, rolled and hid his smile.
Buffy grabbed him, picked him up and punched him again and again.
"How...dare...you....follow...me!" She was livid as she took her anger out on Spike. "My day has been bad enough already. My own dad doesn't have time for us. I certainly don't need to have a helpless vamp around to look after, too, Spike."
"Nice to see you care for me, luv."
"Don't call me that!" She dropped Spike and stomped away and set her jaw.
Spike got up, moved closer and very carefully hooked his arm around Buffy just as she was shifting to load a kick. It caught her off guard and they tumbled to the pavement. Spike was on top. His eyes took in the glory. Suddenly he kissed her passionately. And joy of all things, Buffy kissed back. Shocked at her own response, Buffy disentangled herself and ran off.
Spike, deliriously happy, ran in front of her. "That the best you can do?" He licked his lip suggestively.
"Go away, Spike." Buffy backed up and sprinted back to the hotel , all thoughts of her original mission having completely vanished.
Spike gazed at the retreating figure. Her dad won't see her, eh? Well, not if I have anything to do about it.
*********************************************************** Buffy woke up to tendrils of sunlight filtering their way through gossamous curtains. A slight breeze filled with the scent of the ocean caused her to inhale deeply as she smiled and stretched with satisfaction. A brief picture of Riley flitted across her closed eyes. She looked confused before collecting her thoughts. Riley was really gone. But why was that not bothering her so much now? Riley was perfect. She should be grieving his loss, like forever right? At the least she should be working diligently on some way to get him back? Because, he couldn't possibly have a new girlfriend this soon. Could he? And I will not think about last night. Spike. Did I feel something? Buffy shook her head and climbed out of the bed.
Dawn still slept peacefully. Buffy smiled. Good, more bathroom time for me, she thought.
The need to speak, really speak, to her father, just grew stronger in Buffy, as she showered languidly. Painful memories of a disturbing dream came to the surface. In hindsight, she knew it was a dream but she couldn't shake the possibility of there being some actual truth in a statement made by her father.
"Having you, raising you, seeing you everyday. Do you have any idea of what that's like?" She couldn't help but see his smug frustrated look. Did he really hate her so?
"You embarrass us with all the crazy stunts you pull.." Buffy kept telling herself that she really didn't have anything to do with her parents' divorce but there was that smidgen of niggling doubt which steadily irritated her. She really didn't know what to think. And now he couldn't be bothered to see her and Dawn? Buffy could obsess long into the night about her father without his actually having done something to contribute to more obsession. Buffy shook her head and turned off the water. She listened for Dawn moving about. When she didn't hear anything, she slowly dried herself off and tried to think positive thoughts. I must be strong for Dawn's sake. Lord knows, I'm not strong enough for mine.
Dawn banged at the door. " Buffy? What's taking you so long? I really have a need to be in there."
Buffy smiled. That's my Dawnie. She wrapped the towel around herself and walked out.
Pacing the room was getting old after awhile. Buffy checked her clothing once again to assure that she was going to look good for her dad. Maximum parental approval. That was the goal. Sensible shoes and longer than usual non leather skirt. She also checked over the outfit that Dawn had laid off. Yeah, we're looking like good girls of the non sluttish variety, she thought. All that was left was the actual seeing the father thing. That phone was going to ring any moment now.
As if on cue, the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Buffy! Uh, sorry I couldn't see you girls yesterday. You know how it is. Business and all."
"Dad, can we ..."
"Honey, someone's on the other line. Got to go now. You girls have a good day and I'll see you tonight for dinner, OK? Have Miss Dennehy show you around."
"But Dad..."
"Bye, honey."
Click. Just a dial tone. Buffy sank down onto the bed looking downcast. A cheerful Dawn came out of the bathroom. Buffy got up and turned away. She could do this. There was that strength issue again.
"Hey, kitten. Ready for breakfast?"
*********************************************** Hank placed the phone down softly. He really didn't want to disappoint his daughters but it couldn't be helped. Miranda, an old dear friend, had arrived in Los Angeles after he had agreed to be available for the girls. She was only in town for a few days and he just couldn't put her off, now could he? She had certain charms which he found irresistible, like now, as she sashayed those charms into his lap. What was a fellow to do?
TBC