Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Joss owns it all damn him!
***
Chapter 3 - Morning After
Buffy woke with a start. Her heart was racing and her mind was scattered. Where was she? Stepping out of bed, the night came rushing back to her. She could feel herself begin to hyperventilate so she sat back down and leant forward to place her head between her knees.
'Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.' She told herself. When she'd gotten herself under some control, she stood once again and began to explore the suite. William had shown her around last night, but she'd been too dazed to really take note.
With each new discovery her eyes widened with delight. She stepped out of the bedroom into the main suite to find a wall of windows, floor to ceiling. It looked like she must be on the 30th floor, at least! And there was even a remote control for the curtains!
She wandered the room, finding a beautiful oak entertainment center. Another button on the remote had the doors sliding open to reveal a big flat screen TV with DVD player attached. A 5 disc cd player sat to the right, and inside the cabinet directly underneath she found a vast selection of music and movies.
When she'd explored all there was to see in her rooms, she sat on the couch contemplating the events that had brought her here. How could this all have happened so fast? It was insane! These types of things just don't happen.
Maybe it was a mistake? Her mind whirled around the possibilities. Oh god! What would she do if it were? It wasn't as if she could pay the bill for the hotel room. Deciding that waiting was not an option, Buffy stood to get dressed. After readying herself for the day she made her way back down to the lobby floor, asking a passing bellhop where William's office was; she headed that way.
***
Spike stared at the various monitors in front of him; black and white silent images greeted him. Images of men, women, and families all spending the day, and their money, at his casino. Normally watching the play of events before him would relax and center him, but today he hadn't been able to focus on much of anything.
His thoughts kept returning to the tiny slip of a woman ensconced in their penthouse suite. She looked more like a kindergarten teacher than a gambler. And what exactly was she running away from? There had to be more to her story than just an overbearing ex-fiance.
When his phone rang his hand reached out automatically, "Spike."
"Good morning son." Rupert Giles greeted his eldest.
"Hi Da. Guess you heard the news huh?"
"Word does get around. So how much did the Crypt give up this time?"
"1.8 and change. No worries, we'll make it back within the week."
"Oh, I have no doubt of that." Giles could hear a hint of something in his son's voice. "Why don't you tell me about the lucky winner."
Spike sighed inwardly. How to describe her. She wasn't like anyone he'd ever met. Definitely not his type either. And where had that thought come from? "She's young," he started. "Naïve. She looks like some hapless school teacher, though she never actually got around to telling me what she does for a living."
"Don't suppose she'll need to continue doing it either." Giles inserted.
"No, definitely not. But.she's so innocent. She'll definitely need some protection once we hand over the money. The wolves will be banging down her door, and she won't know how to defend herself." Spike mused.
"And you plan to do it for her?"
"No. Just sort of steer her in the right direction." He couldn't leave her to fend for herself, now could he?
Giles smiled, he knew that tone. "So, your mother and I might be coming out to see you soon."
"Oh?"
"She misses the baby. You know she can't stay away from Dru for that long." Spike grinned. Dru and her new husband Scott had just had their first child, and his parents couldn't get enough. Spike tuned back into the conversation just as his Da was finishing up. "So we'll be going by to visit Dru this weekend, and then heading up your way."
"Great! Can't wait to see you both."
"Maybe we can meet the new high roller while we're there. What was her name again?"
"Buffy." Spike had a flash of green eyes and gold hair. "Buffy Summers."
Just then the door opened. Buffy stopped short in the doorway, looking apologetic and nervous. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were busy. Your assistant said - "
"Come in." He waved at her to take a seat, then continued his conversation. "Speaking of the lucky winner she just walked in. Gotta go. Give my love to Mum."
"I'm so sorry. I can come back later. I didn't mean to bother you." Buffy insisted.
"No bother. I asked Allison to let you in whenever you arrived."
"But I didn't mean to interrupt." She waved at the phone he'd just hung up.
"No problem. Just Da checking on how much money we're giving away this time." Spike smiled encouragingly at her. She was extremely attractive when she was nervous chewing on her bottom lip until it was red and puffy. But he rather preferred her calm, then nervous. The idea that she was uncomfortable around him didn't sit well.
"About that." She began. "Well, I just wanted to be sure. You know. That there was no mistake?" She looked up at him with big round eyes.
"Mistake?" Spike stood to come around the desk, leaning against it just in front of her chair.
"Yes. I just.Well it occurred to me that these things just don't happen, not in real life, not to me." She finished in a quiet whisper.
"They do here." Spike smiled at her. "And they obviously do to you." He leaned forward and placed his forefinger beneath her chin. Lifting her face until their eyes met. "It's all real. It's all happening. And it's all yours."
Spike moved to take the seat next to hers. His hand came up to capture one of hers and held it there. "Now, we can't hand over the full amount until you can get your ID and all that rot straightened out." Her face fell, and he hastened to continue. "But I'll advance you some cash now that you can use until we can get the rest to you."
"Thank you so much Mr. Giles."
"Spike. Or William if you prefer. But whenever I give a girl 2 million I insist we be on a first name basis." He smirked at her causing Buffy to blush profusely.
"Oh! I never thought about what this would mean for you! I mean 2 million is a lot isn't it? You don't have to pay me all at once. You can give it to me in installments if you like." Buffy assured him.
Spike stared down at the woman before him. How could anyone be so.selfless? She was definitely one in a million, or two million as the case may be. Spike smirked inwardly at his own joke.
Spike reached out to cup one of Buffy's cheeks in the palm of his hand. He stole a moment to study her face, her eyes dropping down to stare at the floor rather than meet his intense gaze. "You are a sweet thing aren't you?" He whispered huskily. Withdrawing his hand, he let loose a light chuckle. "The Crypt never makes a bet it can't afford to lose."
He stood abruptly and made his way back around his desk. Pulling out the first drawer he grabbed the petty cash box and began to count out hundreds. "$5,000 should probably do until we can get you the rest, don't you think?" Buffy nodded her eyes focused on the money. She'd never seen so much all at once before! "You should go out, indulge yourself today. We've got a spa and a salon in the hotel, you should avail yourself of them." Spike offered as he finished counting.
Handing over the money he sat behind his desk once more. "Now, do you have a lawyer?"
"Lawyer?" Buffy repeated, trying not to feel too awkward holding the large bundle of bills.
"Yes. You'll need one to help get your ID situation straightened out, and someone to help you once you've gotten all the money."
"Help me?" She felt like an idiot. She didn't seem to be able to grasp any of his meanings.
Spike smiled at her. "Yes. Once your name gets out, you'll find out you have relatives you never heard of before. You'll also have every charity on earth banging down your door. And not all of them will be legitimate." He cautioned her.
"Oh." Buffy fidgeted in her seat. "Well I don't really have a lawyer. Except for the one that handled my mother's estate when she passed. But he's back in Trader's Corners and really don't want to use him."
"No, I don't suppose you would." Spike felt a tightness in his chest. What was she running from? "I have a friend. He's a lawyer in Los Angeles; we went to university together. You can trust him. If you like, I can give him a call and see if he's free to take you on?"
"Yes that would be wonderful. Thank you Mr. G - William."
"Now, I've given the press a basic idea of your story. Just that you're from a small midwest town and that you'd prefer to keep your name out of the papers for now. That you're still adjusting to the idea that you've hit the jackpot. They're satisfied for now, but it won't hold them for long." Spike watched her face for any signs of fear or discomfort.
Buffy gulped. She knew she'd have to face Angel eventually. But she hoped that the longer she waited the better chance he might have give up on her and moved on already. Her bottom lip trembled slightly.
"Are you okay luv?" Spike asked.
"Yes. I'm so sorry to put you through all this trouble."
"Stop apologizing. It's annoying. You have nothing to be sorry about."
"I'm sor - " Buffy stopped and chewed on her bottom lip instead.
"Are you sure there's nothing I can do to help you Buffy?"
"No. I-I just need some time to figure out how to handle Angel. I'm not ready to face him yet." She swallowed audibly. "I'm afraid of him."
Spike's features darkened visibly. "Did he hurt you?"
"No!" Her answer was quick, making Spike quirk an eyebrow at her. "He doesn't need to use physical force when intimidation works just as well." The look on her face was miserable. Spike wanted nothing more than to wipe that look away.
"Okay, luv." Spike soothed. "Let's not worry about it for now, yeah? Why don't you go pamper yourself today. Go to the Spa. Have a massage. Have a makeover." He was back at her side again. His hand reaching out unconsciously to tuck a strand of hair back behind her ear. "Have dinner with me tonight." Where had that come from? Spike shook his head slightly.
Buffy blinked at the invitation, then slowly nodded. "Yes, I'd like that."
He nodded back at her. "Okay then. Off with you." He helped her out of her chair and saw her out the door.
"See you tonight then luv."
"Yes. See you then Will." She gave him a dazzling smile before disappearing down the corridor.
***
Chapter 3 - Morning After
Buffy woke with a start. Her heart was racing and her mind was scattered. Where was she? Stepping out of bed, the night came rushing back to her. She could feel herself begin to hyperventilate so she sat back down and leant forward to place her head between her knees.
'Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.' She told herself. When she'd gotten herself under some control, she stood once again and began to explore the suite. William had shown her around last night, but she'd been too dazed to really take note.
With each new discovery her eyes widened with delight. She stepped out of the bedroom into the main suite to find a wall of windows, floor to ceiling. It looked like she must be on the 30th floor, at least! And there was even a remote control for the curtains!
She wandered the room, finding a beautiful oak entertainment center. Another button on the remote had the doors sliding open to reveal a big flat screen TV with DVD player attached. A 5 disc cd player sat to the right, and inside the cabinet directly underneath she found a vast selection of music and movies.
When she'd explored all there was to see in her rooms, she sat on the couch contemplating the events that had brought her here. How could this all have happened so fast? It was insane! These types of things just don't happen.
Maybe it was a mistake? Her mind whirled around the possibilities. Oh god! What would she do if it were? It wasn't as if she could pay the bill for the hotel room. Deciding that waiting was not an option, Buffy stood to get dressed. After readying herself for the day she made her way back down to the lobby floor, asking a passing bellhop where William's office was; she headed that way.
***
Spike stared at the various monitors in front of him; black and white silent images greeted him. Images of men, women, and families all spending the day, and their money, at his casino. Normally watching the play of events before him would relax and center him, but today he hadn't been able to focus on much of anything.
His thoughts kept returning to the tiny slip of a woman ensconced in their penthouse suite. She looked more like a kindergarten teacher than a gambler. And what exactly was she running away from? There had to be more to her story than just an overbearing ex-fiance.
When his phone rang his hand reached out automatically, "Spike."
"Good morning son." Rupert Giles greeted his eldest.
"Hi Da. Guess you heard the news huh?"
"Word does get around. So how much did the Crypt give up this time?"
"1.8 and change. No worries, we'll make it back within the week."
"Oh, I have no doubt of that." Giles could hear a hint of something in his son's voice. "Why don't you tell me about the lucky winner."
Spike sighed inwardly. How to describe her. She wasn't like anyone he'd ever met. Definitely not his type either. And where had that thought come from? "She's young," he started. "Naïve. She looks like some hapless school teacher, though she never actually got around to telling me what she does for a living."
"Don't suppose she'll need to continue doing it either." Giles inserted.
"No, definitely not. But.she's so innocent. She'll definitely need some protection once we hand over the money. The wolves will be banging down her door, and she won't know how to defend herself." Spike mused.
"And you plan to do it for her?"
"No. Just sort of steer her in the right direction." He couldn't leave her to fend for herself, now could he?
Giles smiled, he knew that tone. "So, your mother and I might be coming out to see you soon."
"Oh?"
"She misses the baby. You know she can't stay away from Dru for that long." Spike grinned. Dru and her new husband Scott had just had their first child, and his parents couldn't get enough. Spike tuned back into the conversation just as his Da was finishing up. "So we'll be going by to visit Dru this weekend, and then heading up your way."
"Great! Can't wait to see you both."
"Maybe we can meet the new high roller while we're there. What was her name again?"
"Buffy." Spike had a flash of green eyes and gold hair. "Buffy Summers."
Just then the door opened. Buffy stopped short in the doorway, looking apologetic and nervous. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were busy. Your assistant said - "
"Come in." He waved at her to take a seat, then continued his conversation. "Speaking of the lucky winner she just walked in. Gotta go. Give my love to Mum."
"I'm so sorry. I can come back later. I didn't mean to bother you." Buffy insisted.
"No bother. I asked Allison to let you in whenever you arrived."
"But I didn't mean to interrupt." She waved at the phone he'd just hung up.
"No problem. Just Da checking on how much money we're giving away this time." Spike smiled encouragingly at her. She was extremely attractive when she was nervous chewing on her bottom lip until it was red and puffy. But he rather preferred her calm, then nervous. The idea that she was uncomfortable around him didn't sit well.
"About that." She began. "Well, I just wanted to be sure. You know. That there was no mistake?" She looked up at him with big round eyes.
"Mistake?" Spike stood to come around the desk, leaning against it just in front of her chair.
"Yes. I just.Well it occurred to me that these things just don't happen, not in real life, not to me." She finished in a quiet whisper.
"They do here." Spike smiled at her. "And they obviously do to you." He leaned forward and placed his forefinger beneath her chin. Lifting her face until their eyes met. "It's all real. It's all happening. And it's all yours."
Spike moved to take the seat next to hers. His hand came up to capture one of hers and held it there. "Now, we can't hand over the full amount until you can get your ID and all that rot straightened out." Her face fell, and he hastened to continue. "But I'll advance you some cash now that you can use until we can get the rest to you."
"Thank you so much Mr. Giles."
"Spike. Or William if you prefer. But whenever I give a girl 2 million I insist we be on a first name basis." He smirked at her causing Buffy to blush profusely.
"Oh! I never thought about what this would mean for you! I mean 2 million is a lot isn't it? You don't have to pay me all at once. You can give it to me in installments if you like." Buffy assured him.
Spike stared down at the woman before him. How could anyone be so.selfless? She was definitely one in a million, or two million as the case may be. Spike smirked inwardly at his own joke.
Spike reached out to cup one of Buffy's cheeks in the palm of his hand. He stole a moment to study her face, her eyes dropping down to stare at the floor rather than meet his intense gaze. "You are a sweet thing aren't you?" He whispered huskily. Withdrawing his hand, he let loose a light chuckle. "The Crypt never makes a bet it can't afford to lose."
He stood abruptly and made his way back around his desk. Pulling out the first drawer he grabbed the petty cash box and began to count out hundreds. "$5,000 should probably do until we can get you the rest, don't you think?" Buffy nodded her eyes focused on the money. She'd never seen so much all at once before! "You should go out, indulge yourself today. We've got a spa and a salon in the hotel, you should avail yourself of them." Spike offered as he finished counting.
Handing over the money he sat behind his desk once more. "Now, do you have a lawyer?"
"Lawyer?" Buffy repeated, trying not to feel too awkward holding the large bundle of bills.
"Yes. You'll need one to help get your ID situation straightened out, and someone to help you once you've gotten all the money."
"Help me?" She felt like an idiot. She didn't seem to be able to grasp any of his meanings.
Spike smiled at her. "Yes. Once your name gets out, you'll find out you have relatives you never heard of before. You'll also have every charity on earth banging down your door. And not all of them will be legitimate." He cautioned her.
"Oh." Buffy fidgeted in her seat. "Well I don't really have a lawyer. Except for the one that handled my mother's estate when she passed. But he's back in Trader's Corners and really don't want to use him."
"No, I don't suppose you would." Spike felt a tightness in his chest. What was she running from? "I have a friend. He's a lawyer in Los Angeles; we went to university together. You can trust him. If you like, I can give him a call and see if he's free to take you on?"
"Yes that would be wonderful. Thank you Mr. G - William."
"Now, I've given the press a basic idea of your story. Just that you're from a small midwest town and that you'd prefer to keep your name out of the papers for now. That you're still adjusting to the idea that you've hit the jackpot. They're satisfied for now, but it won't hold them for long." Spike watched her face for any signs of fear or discomfort.
Buffy gulped. She knew she'd have to face Angel eventually. But she hoped that the longer she waited the better chance he might have give up on her and moved on already. Her bottom lip trembled slightly.
"Are you okay luv?" Spike asked.
"Yes. I'm so sorry to put you through all this trouble."
"Stop apologizing. It's annoying. You have nothing to be sorry about."
"I'm sor - " Buffy stopped and chewed on her bottom lip instead.
"Are you sure there's nothing I can do to help you Buffy?"
"No. I-I just need some time to figure out how to handle Angel. I'm not ready to face him yet." She swallowed audibly. "I'm afraid of him."
Spike's features darkened visibly. "Did he hurt you?"
"No!" Her answer was quick, making Spike quirk an eyebrow at her. "He doesn't need to use physical force when intimidation works just as well." The look on her face was miserable. Spike wanted nothing more than to wipe that look away.
"Okay, luv." Spike soothed. "Let's not worry about it for now, yeah? Why don't you go pamper yourself today. Go to the Spa. Have a massage. Have a makeover." He was back at her side again. His hand reaching out unconsciously to tuck a strand of hair back behind her ear. "Have dinner with me tonight." Where had that come from? Spike shook his head slightly.
Buffy blinked at the invitation, then slowly nodded. "Yes, I'd like that."
He nodded back at her. "Okay then. Off with you." He helped her out of her chair and saw her out the door.
"See you tonight then luv."
"Yes. See you then Will." She gave him a dazzling smile before disappearing down the corridor.