Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Joss owns it all damn him!
Okay I'm posting this unbeta'd since everyone's been clamoring for an update :) - no really, thanks for the reviews, much appreciated!
I'm racketing up the angst a notch, but please believe me when I say this story will have a happy spuffy ending.
***
Chapter 18 - Dreams
Buffy woke up the next morning alone in bed. She pulled the pillow next to her close and inhaled William's musky scent. She smiled at the reminder of her lover, and then smiled some more at the fact that she had a lover. Who would have thought that she would be living a high roller's life in Las Vegas, taking a lover, and building a whole new life?
After her shower and quick breakfast provided by room service, Buffy sat down to skim the morning paper. Before she could get through the front page her phone was ringing and she jumped up to grab the receiver.
"Hello?" She asked breathlessly, her features turning from curious to delighted, "Really?!" She managed to squeak out. "It's official?" Her head bobbed up and down at each new fact the caller announced. "When can I see it? Today?"
After a few more happy words, Buffy dropped the receiver back into place. It was hers! The studio owner had accepted her offer and they would be going into escrow as soon as all the papers could be filed! She couldn't believe it. Spreading her arms wide she spun in a circle, smiling and laughing at the thought of once more having eager to learn students at her feet.
The first thing she wanted to do was call Will and let him know the good news. She couldn't wait to share her happiness with someone. Who better than the man she was in love with? The real estate agent had told her she could pick up the keys that afternoon for a quick look through. Although the property wouldn't become hers officially until escrow closed, the current owner was fine with her doing a walk through to start compiling the things she would need for the renovation. She wanted Will to be there with her so that he could see the space she'd picked out.
Quickly she dialed his office number and waited as the phone rang. His assistant picked up and greeted her with a warm, "Hello." Within a few seconds she was connected and Will's rich accent was filling her ear.
"Spike here." The greeting was crisp as usual.
"Hi Will!" Buffy couldn't contain her excitement.
"Hello.Buffy." Spike's gut twisted at the sound of her voice. The pain in his chest grew inexorably at the thought that he couldn't allow himself the fantasy any longer. What could he say? How could he explain to her? Images of last night's love making assailed him as she continued to speak.
"Could we have lunch today? I have a surprise to show you!" Buffy was exuberant, having no idea of Will's current internal dilemma.
Spike came back to himself at the invitation. See her again? He couldn't, not if he expected to keep his hands off her. "Sorry, luv. I'm afraid I've got a busy day today. Won't be able to see you." There, he just had to ease in to it.
"Oh."
He could practically hear the pout in her voice and he had to check the impulse to make it better.
"That's okay, I understand. What about dinner tonight?" She asked hopefully.
Shaking his head Spike replied, "Sorry, luv. I'm afraid I've taken too much time off work already. I've got a lot to catch up on." Spike squeezed his eyes shut at the white lie.
"Oh." Buffy's head was spinning. It was because of her that he'd been taking time off, so she couldn't be upset, could she? "That's okay. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Maybe." Spike's answer was noncommittal. "I'll call you."
Buffy hung up the phone in a daze. Her high spirits having completely fled at the tone of the conversation she'd just shared with Will. He'd sounded so.indifferent.as if he could care less one way or the other when they would next see each other.
Had she been so naïve to believe he might have had feelings for her? Or maybe she was just overreacting. He did have a lot of responsibilities and he had taken a lot of time off to be with her this past week. Maybe he really was just busy. She perked up slightly at the thought. She would just have to show him her new studio later, when he was free, that's all.
For now she needed to get ready to see her new space. But she was still too excited and happy to go alone, she wanted to share her feelings with someone, so she once again dialed the phone.
"Hello?"
"Joyce? It's Buffy. Are you busy this afternoon?"
They arrived at the empty building just after 2 pm. They'd had a quick lunch at the buffet at the Crypt and then did a quick circuit of the shops before heading out. As they pulled up to the property Joyce gave out a low whistle.
"Buffy, this is just perfect." They stepped out of the car at the same time, as Joyce continued to speak. "This is a great location, close to several suburban neighborhoods, and far enough from the strip that families wouldn't mind bringing their kids here." She turned to take a look at the building itself. "And it's so large! What a great space!"
"It is wonderful, isn't it?" Buffy asked, her eyes wide and her face flushed. "It's twice the size of the studio I had in Trader's Corners, and the location is wonderful. I bet I'll have students knocking on my door before I even finish the renovations! It's like a dream come true."
Joyce watched Buffy and couldn't help having some of the young woman's excitement rub off on her. "I'm sure you'll be a huge success!" Hooking arms they entered the building together.
"I know it doesn't look like much from the inside. It's been abandoned for awhile. But I have the money to restore it, and it'll be perfect once I'm through with it." Buffy spoke in rush.
"It's already perfect Buffy." Joyce answered. "Why didn't you invite William out to see it with us?" Joyce wondered absently, but her gaze focused sharply at the slight frown that marred Buffy's brow at the question.
"Oh, I tried. He was too busy at the office." Buffy shrugged trying to appear nonchalant.
Joyce's own smiled curved down for a moment. Will was busy, but she didn't think he was any busier than usual.
"I'm so happy that you'll be staying in Vegas dear." Joyce walked over next to Buffy. "That means we'll be able to see each other whenever I visit." She gave the younger woman a quick hug. "And of course you'll always be welcome at the Atlantic City Crypt. As well as the Sunnydale Castle, as I'm sure Giles has told you!" Joyce smiled down at her.
"Yes." Buffy laughed at Joyce's fervor. "I've fallen in love with the desert. I've also fallen in love with your family. So don't be surprised if I take you up on those offers!" Buffy smiled up at her.
Joyce's expression turned suddenly serious, making Buffy gulp nervously. "Is that all you've fallen in love with?" The question was voiced quietly, Joyce's eyes never leaving Buffy's.
They stared at each other for a moment. Buffy's eyes began to tear up before she answered in a barely audible whisper, "No."
"Oh my dear." Joyce pulled Buffy into a warm hug. "Don't worry, everything will turn out beautifully. I know my son; he can be as stubborn as his father, but just like Rupert when he loves, he does it with his entire being."
"I suppose that only matters if he's actually fallen in love." Buffy pulled away, sniffling quietly.
"Like I said, I know my son. Things will work out, you'll see." Joyce reassured her.
Buffy only nodded.
***
She was surrounded by beautiful women; long legs, and big breasts abounded. The music surged around her as the women lined up and began to kick, the sequins on what little clothing they wore sparkling under the stage lights. Buffy felt like a kitten in a den of lionesses. This was the kind of woman Will wanted. The kind of woman that could capture and *keep* his interest.
Buffy twisted and turned in her sheets, her head thrashing on the soft pillow as the dream tormented her. A loud clap of thunder boomed outside her window and she shot out of bed her heart pounding furiously.
Turning toward the window to acknowledge the rain, she fell back her head landing on the crumpled pillow, her breathing harsh. As her pulse calmed an icy determination came over her. Whether Will wanted her or not wouldn't change the course of events she'd put into place since arriving in Vegas. This *would* be her new home. She'd never go back to Trader's Corners. And if Will didn't want her; didn't love her? Well, her heart would mend wouldn't it? People didn't actually die of broken hearts did they?
Okay I'm posting this unbeta'd since everyone's been clamoring for an update :) - no really, thanks for the reviews, much appreciated!
I'm racketing up the angst a notch, but please believe me when I say this story will have a happy spuffy ending.
***
Chapter 18 - Dreams
Buffy woke up the next morning alone in bed. She pulled the pillow next to her close and inhaled William's musky scent. She smiled at the reminder of her lover, and then smiled some more at the fact that she had a lover. Who would have thought that she would be living a high roller's life in Las Vegas, taking a lover, and building a whole new life?
After her shower and quick breakfast provided by room service, Buffy sat down to skim the morning paper. Before she could get through the front page her phone was ringing and she jumped up to grab the receiver.
"Hello?" She asked breathlessly, her features turning from curious to delighted, "Really?!" She managed to squeak out. "It's official?" Her head bobbed up and down at each new fact the caller announced. "When can I see it? Today?"
After a few more happy words, Buffy dropped the receiver back into place. It was hers! The studio owner had accepted her offer and they would be going into escrow as soon as all the papers could be filed! She couldn't believe it. Spreading her arms wide she spun in a circle, smiling and laughing at the thought of once more having eager to learn students at her feet.
The first thing she wanted to do was call Will and let him know the good news. She couldn't wait to share her happiness with someone. Who better than the man she was in love with? The real estate agent had told her she could pick up the keys that afternoon for a quick look through. Although the property wouldn't become hers officially until escrow closed, the current owner was fine with her doing a walk through to start compiling the things she would need for the renovation. She wanted Will to be there with her so that he could see the space she'd picked out.
Quickly she dialed his office number and waited as the phone rang. His assistant picked up and greeted her with a warm, "Hello." Within a few seconds she was connected and Will's rich accent was filling her ear.
"Spike here." The greeting was crisp as usual.
"Hi Will!" Buffy couldn't contain her excitement.
"Hello.Buffy." Spike's gut twisted at the sound of her voice. The pain in his chest grew inexorably at the thought that he couldn't allow himself the fantasy any longer. What could he say? How could he explain to her? Images of last night's love making assailed him as she continued to speak.
"Could we have lunch today? I have a surprise to show you!" Buffy was exuberant, having no idea of Will's current internal dilemma.
Spike came back to himself at the invitation. See her again? He couldn't, not if he expected to keep his hands off her. "Sorry, luv. I'm afraid I've got a busy day today. Won't be able to see you." There, he just had to ease in to it.
"Oh."
He could practically hear the pout in her voice and he had to check the impulse to make it better.
"That's okay, I understand. What about dinner tonight?" She asked hopefully.
Shaking his head Spike replied, "Sorry, luv. I'm afraid I've taken too much time off work already. I've got a lot to catch up on." Spike squeezed his eyes shut at the white lie.
"Oh." Buffy's head was spinning. It was because of her that he'd been taking time off, so she couldn't be upset, could she? "That's okay. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Maybe." Spike's answer was noncommittal. "I'll call you."
Buffy hung up the phone in a daze. Her high spirits having completely fled at the tone of the conversation she'd just shared with Will. He'd sounded so.indifferent.as if he could care less one way or the other when they would next see each other.
Had she been so naïve to believe he might have had feelings for her? Or maybe she was just overreacting. He did have a lot of responsibilities and he had taken a lot of time off to be with her this past week. Maybe he really was just busy. She perked up slightly at the thought. She would just have to show him her new studio later, when he was free, that's all.
For now she needed to get ready to see her new space. But she was still too excited and happy to go alone, she wanted to share her feelings with someone, so she once again dialed the phone.
"Hello?"
"Joyce? It's Buffy. Are you busy this afternoon?"
They arrived at the empty building just after 2 pm. They'd had a quick lunch at the buffet at the Crypt and then did a quick circuit of the shops before heading out. As they pulled up to the property Joyce gave out a low whistle.
"Buffy, this is just perfect." They stepped out of the car at the same time, as Joyce continued to speak. "This is a great location, close to several suburban neighborhoods, and far enough from the strip that families wouldn't mind bringing their kids here." She turned to take a look at the building itself. "And it's so large! What a great space!"
"It is wonderful, isn't it?" Buffy asked, her eyes wide and her face flushed. "It's twice the size of the studio I had in Trader's Corners, and the location is wonderful. I bet I'll have students knocking on my door before I even finish the renovations! It's like a dream come true."
Joyce watched Buffy and couldn't help having some of the young woman's excitement rub off on her. "I'm sure you'll be a huge success!" Hooking arms they entered the building together.
"I know it doesn't look like much from the inside. It's been abandoned for awhile. But I have the money to restore it, and it'll be perfect once I'm through with it." Buffy spoke in rush.
"It's already perfect Buffy." Joyce answered. "Why didn't you invite William out to see it with us?" Joyce wondered absently, but her gaze focused sharply at the slight frown that marred Buffy's brow at the question.
"Oh, I tried. He was too busy at the office." Buffy shrugged trying to appear nonchalant.
Joyce's own smiled curved down for a moment. Will was busy, but she didn't think he was any busier than usual.
"I'm so happy that you'll be staying in Vegas dear." Joyce walked over next to Buffy. "That means we'll be able to see each other whenever I visit." She gave the younger woman a quick hug. "And of course you'll always be welcome at the Atlantic City Crypt. As well as the Sunnydale Castle, as I'm sure Giles has told you!" Joyce smiled down at her.
"Yes." Buffy laughed at Joyce's fervor. "I've fallen in love with the desert. I've also fallen in love with your family. So don't be surprised if I take you up on those offers!" Buffy smiled up at her.
Joyce's expression turned suddenly serious, making Buffy gulp nervously. "Is that all you've fallen in love with?" The question was voiced quietly, Joyce's eyes never leaving Buffy's.
They stared at each other for a moment. Buffy's eyes began to tear up before she answered in a barely audible whisper, "No."
"Oh my dear." Joyce pulled Buffy into a warm hug. "Don't worry, everything will turn out beautifully. I know my son; he can be as stubborn as his father, but just like Rupert when he loves, he does it with his entire being."
"I suppose that only matters if he's actually fallen in love." Buffy pulled away, sniffling quietly.
"Like I said, I know my son. Things will work out, you'll see." Joyce reassured her.
Buffy only nodded.
***
She was surrounded by beautiful women; long legs, and big breasts abounded. The music surged around her as the women lined up and began to kick, the sequins on what little clothing they wore sparkling under the stage lights. Buffy felt like a kitten in a den of lionesses. This was the kind of woman Will wanted. The kind of woman that could capture and *keep* his interest.
Buffy twisted and turned in her sheets, her head thrashing on the soft pillow as the dream tormented her. A loud clap of thunder boomed outside her window and she shot out of bed her heart pounding furiously.
Turning toward the window to acknowledge the rain, she fell back her head landing on the crumpled pillow, her breathing harsh. As her pulse calmed an icy determination came over her. Whether Will wanted her or not wouldn't change the course of events she'd put into place since arriving in Vegas. This *would* be her new home. She'd never go back to Trader's Corners. And if Will didn't want her; didn't love her? Well, her heart would mend wouldn't it? People didn't actually die of broken hearts did they?