Spike had sunk low before, but being babysat by Xander was a new depth.
Staying at Xanders had seemed like a life line at the time. It was
preferable to the cold damp basement of sunnydale high, but not by a long
shot. And the spanish inquisiton that went alongside going out. the only
bearable thing about it was being so close to the slayer.
Spike heard the door open, he didn't want to face Xander, as he remembered how angry he had looked after catching him kissing Buffy in the graveyard.
That kiss, it had haunted him since the moment it had happened, the ghost of the kiss lingered on his lips as he remembered the moment that the slayers soft pink lips had met them.
She had said she loved him. It was a slip, but she had at least admitted that it was true. Still, the very fact she had said it only created more questions. Spike was well aware of the many shades of what people claimed was 'love'.
"Spike," He heard Xanders voice eminate from the hallway.
"Sod off!" He replied, he didn't owe anyone any explanations, and he wasn't about to answer to Xander, to explain his actions.
"I've brought someone to meet you."
"Bugger" Spike whispered to himself. Now his curiousity was peaking and he realised at that moment that Xander had won, he would naturally answer the call and see who Xander had bought round. Of course, it didn't take much to guess who it would be, the only person he had yet to meet, the only person new on the scene was Buffys ex boyfriend, 'Pike'.
"Ok then," Spike groaned as he got up from his comfy chair, "But you had better put the bloody blinds down- this hair- do is flammable you know, want to keep myself pretty."
As Spike walked into the dimly lit living room, he nodded at Xander who in turn nodded at the tall stranger next to him.
"Pike, meet the blood sucking fiend, otherwise known as Spike. Spike meet Buffys ex- boyfriend, Pike."
The first thing Spike noticed was that Xander was furious, but trying to hide it. Spike could practically smell the hatred, but he ignored it as he surveyed the tall stranger in front of him.
Spike had to concede- the guy was incredibly handsome, and he could see how a fifteen year old school girl would be putty in his hands. Pike was tall and thin, his muscles were evident through his short sleeved shirt and he could see what was obviously a washboard stomach. Pike held out his hand and Spike met it with his own hand. "Nice to meet you Spike," Pike said. He found himself to be surprised as to how cold Spikes hand actually was. The hand was totally devoid of any warmth, it actually seemed to be sucking his own warmth from him. He pulled his hand away from Spikes firm grip quite abruptly.
Spike grunted and sat down on one of the old sofas Xander had procured from somewhere. He invited Pike to sit down, although it wasn't actually for him to say. He didn't hold for those stupid notions, of what was the done thing.
Pike took the invitation and sat down, far enough away from him to feel safe. The guy looked quite nervous, Spike observed. He then realised that the guy had never been in the presence of a vampire that wasn't trying to kill him. Spike grinned, if there was one thing he loved, it was the feeling of power he got when he realsie that someone was scared of him. Fear had been his best weapon throoughout his reign as king bad ass vampire. It gave him control, minions, respect.
Pike looked nervously over at Xander, and he took the hint and sat down between them.
"So this isn't awkward in the slightest." Xander commented, "Sitting between buffys boyfriend, and her ex boyfriend. All we need now is for Angel and Riley to turn up and we've got ourselves a party."
Spike grimaced at the Angels name, and had to wonder wander what Buffy had seen in the big poof, and then Riley- there was a mistake waiting to be made. How he would love to rip that blokes head from his shoulders and suck out his insides. Spike realised that it wasn't perhaps the most appropriate thing to do, though he had enjoyed seeing the guy bring about his own downfall- paying vampires to bite him- what the hell was that about?
Spike looked over at Pike again, so perhaps this guy wasn't the worst boyfriend material Buffy had gone for. The guy seemed sincere enough.
"So this whole silence thing." Xander began again, "It's really comfortable." 'Maybe this wasn't the wisest idea' Xander thought to himself, ' the tension in here is so thick I could choke on it.'
"How about those niners!?" Xander started again.
"So you and Buffy."Pike began
"Is none of your damn business." Spike got up. "Look I'm not hanging round here, sitting through a damned spanish inquisition. Theres nothing going on between me and Buffy if it's killing you that much. She's her own woman and can make her own damned decisions."
PIke got up and found some reminants of courage in the pit of his stomach.
"Actually," he said, "if there is something going on between you and Buffy, it is my damned business. Prison didn't stop me caring about her, and if you think I'm going to sit back and watch some sick loved up vampire seduce Buffy, then you don't know who you're dealing with."
Spike laughed. "You think you can stop Buffy doing what she wants? I suggest it's you who doesn't know who you're dealing with where the Slayer is concerned."
"So I don't have a say in who Buffy chooses to see, but I can sure as hell make sure it isn't you." Pike produced a stake from his back pocket, Xander stood up quickly between them both.
"Ok, calm it down guys, don't want to be doing anything dusty."
"Am I supposed to be scared? You're just a boy, and not even the slayer could bring me down. If it wasn't for this damn chip, you'd be dead already for just bringing that bloody thing in here."
Pike and Spike were eyeball to eyeball, they both seemed determined to have a go at each other. Xander put both hands on Pikes shoulders and pulled him down on to the sofa.
"OK, guys, time out. If you hadn't noticed this is not a boxing ring. I don't fancy having to clean up after you two. Just calm down Ok." Xander pulled Spike down next to Pike.
"Even if you wont admit it yet, you two have quite a lot in common, you're on the same side."
"So why have you come back here Pikey? Come to reignite some old flames?" Spike wanted to hear from the horses mouth just what were Pikes intentions.
"ok, being brutally honest, I'd be lying if I said I never had any hopes of getting that special something back with Buffy, but being realistic, a lot of time has passed, she's changed almost beyond recognition, and I must have too. My main reason for being back is to help in the big fight. I can't go back to L.A as if nothing ever happened. I want to take out as many big bads as humanly possible, and help Buffy deal with the whole crusade of it."
"How noble." Spike sneered, "trying to come to the rescue of the maiden in distress. Except, if you hadn't noticed kid, this is not just any maiden you're on about rescuing. This is a maiden who can fend for herself, is fiercly independent and wont let you rescue her."
"Quit it Spike," Xander said, "If you didn't notice, our Buffy can get really lonely, she cuts herself off from all of us, without exception. Pike is a link to her old life, maybe, if she connects with him, we'll find her being more open with us. Maybe this will help her to realise that we are all here by her side. Maybe Pike is the link we need to get through to the real Buffy she's hidden inside."
Spike and Pike glowered at each other and sat back into the sofa. Quietly taking in what had been said. Both realised that Xander had a very good point.
"So you still love her then kid?" Spike asked, lighting up a cigarette.
"Yeah," Pike looked Spike in the eye, "I still love her. She's a hell of a woman."
"couldn't agree more." Spike blew out wispy smoke and watched it dissipate.
Xander leaned back, 'finally, they agree on something,' he thought.
"I don't think theres a man who has met Buffy that hasn't fallen head over heels for her." Xander said.
"What is it with that?" spike asked the room, "has the girl got enhanced pheromones or what?" Pike grinned.
"Look man, I have no intensions of trying to get Buff back with me. She wants to be with you, fine. I'm sure the girl doesn't need any extra hassle of being peace keeper." Pike said, "And god, can I bum a fag, I'm gasping here." Spike threw over a cigarette to Pike who lit it and inhaled deeply.
"what is it with that anyway? Thought you guys don't breathe- so you wouldn't get anything out of it right?" Pike asked.
"Well it's not like the bloody things are gonna kill me is it?" Spike retorted. "Not like mr wooden and pointy over there. Mind putting that thing away, it's giving me the creeps." Pike removed the stake and stashed it back in his jeans.
The atmosphere of the room relaxed as Pike and Spike started talking small talk away from the subject of Buffy. Xander relaxed as he felt the need to be peace keeper slip away, and left the room to let Pike and Spike bond, only slightly worried that he would return to either a dusty scene, or a dead Pike.
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Spike heard the door open, he didn't want to face Xander, as he remembered how angry he had looked after catching him kissing Buffy in the graveyard.
That kiss, it had haunted him since the moment it had happened, the ghost of the kiss lingered on his lips as he remembered the moment that the slayers soft pink lips had met them.
She had said she loved him. It was a slip, but she had at least admitted that it was true. Still, the very fact she had said it only created more questions. Spike was well aware of the many shades of what people claimed was 'love'.
"Spike," He heard Xanders voice eminate from the hallway.
"Sod off!" He replied, he didn't owe anyone any explanations, and he wasn't about to answer to Xander, to explain his actions.
"I've brought someone to meet you."
"Bugger" Spike whispered to himself. Now his curiousity was peaking and he realised at that moment that Xander had won, he would naturally answer the call and see who Xander had bought round. Of course, it didn't take much to guess who it would be, the only person he had yet to meet, the only person new on the scene was Buffys ex boyfriend, 'Pike'.
"Ok then," Spike groaned as he got up from his comfy chair, "But you had better put the bloody blinds down- this hair- do is flammable you know, want to keep myself pretty."
As Spike walked into the dimly lit living room, he nodded at Xander who in turn nodded at the tall stranger next to him.
"Pike, meet the blood sucking fiend, otherwise known as Spike. Spike meet Buffys ex- boyfriend, Pike."
The first thing Spike noticed was that Xander was furious, but trying to hide it. Spike could practically smell the hatred, but he ignored it as he surveyed the tall stranger in front of him.
Spike had to concede- the guy was incredibly handsome, and he could see how a fifteen year old school girl would be putty in his hands. Pike was tall and thin, his muscles were evident through his short sleeved shirt and he could see what was obviously a washboard stomach. Pike held out his hand and Spike met it with his own hand. "Nice to meet you Spike," Pike said. He found himself to be surprised as to how cold Spikes hand actually was. The hand was totally devoid of any warmth, it actually seemed to be sucking his own warmth from him. He pulled his hand away from Spikes firm grip quite abruptly.
Spike grunted and sat down on one of the old sofas Xander had procured from somewhere. He invited Pike to sit down, although it wasn't actually for him to say. He didn't hold for those stupid notions, of what was the done thing.
Pike took the invitation and sat down, far enough away from him to feel safe. The guy looked quite nervous, Spike observed. He then realised that the guy had never been in the presence of a vampire that wasn't trying to kill him. Spike grinned, if there was one thing he loved, it was the feeling of power he got when he realsie that someone was scared of him. Fear had been his best weapon throoughout his reign as king bad ass vampire. It gave him control, minions, respect.
Pike looked nervously over at Xander, and he took the hint and sat down between them.
"So this isn't awkward in the slightest." Xander commented, "Sitting between buffys boyfriend, and her ex boyfriend. All we need now is for Angel and Riley to turn up and we've got ourselves a party."
Spike grimaced at the Angels name, and had to wonder wander what Buffy had seen in the big poof, and then Riley- there was a mistake waiting to be made. How he would love to rip that blokes head from his shoulders and suck out his insides. Spike realised that it wasn't perhaps the most appropriate thing to do, though he had enjoyed seeing the guy bring about his own downfall- paying vampires to bite him- what the hell was that about?
Spike looked over at Pike again, so perhaps this guy wasn't the worst boyfriend material Buffy had gone for. The guy seemed sincere enough.
"So this whole silence thing." Xander began again, "It's really comfortable." 'Maybe this wasn't the wisest idea' Xander thought to himself, ' the tension in here is so thick I could choke on it.'
"How about those niners!?" Xander started again.
"So you and Buffy."Pike began
"Is none of your damn business." Spike got up. "Look I'm not hanging round here, sitting through a damned spanish inquisition. Theres nothing going on between me and Buffy if it's killing you that much. She's her own woman and can make her own damned decisions."
PIke got up and found some reminants of courage in the pit of his stomach.
"Actually," he said, "if there is something going on between you and Buffy, it is my damned business. Prison didn't stop me caring about her, and if you think I'm going to sit back and watch some sick loved up vampire seduce Buffy, then you don't know who you're dealing with."
Spike laughed. "You think you can stop Buffy doing what she wants? I suggest it's you who doesn't know who you're dealing with where the Slayer is concerned."
"So I don't have a say in who Buffy chooses to see, but I can sure as hell make sure it isn't you." Pike produced a stake from his back pocket, Xander stood up quickly between them both.
"Ok, calm it down guys, don't want to be doing anything dusty."
"Am I supposed to be scared? You're just a boy, and not even the slayer could bring me down. If it wasn't for this damn chip, you'd be dead already for just bringing that bloody thing in here."
Pike and Spike were eyeball to eyeball, they both seemed determined to have a go at each other. Xander put both hands on Pikes shoulders and pulled him down on to the sofa.
"OK, guys, time out. If you hadn't noticed this is not a boxing ring. I don't fancy having to clean up after you two. Just calm down Ok." Xander pulled Spike down next to Pike.
"Even if you wont admit it yet, you two have quite a lot in common, you're on the same side."
"So why have you come back here Pikey? Come to reignite some old flames?" Spike wanted to hear from the horses mouth just what were Pikes intentions.
"ok, being brutally honest, I'd be lying if I said I never had any hopes of getting that special something back with Buffy, but being realistic, a lot of time has passed, she's changed almost beyond recognition, and I must have too. My main reason for being back is to help in the big fight. I can't go back to L.A as if nothing ever happened. I want to take out as many big bads as humanly possible, and help Buffy deal with the whole crusade of it."
"How noble." Spike sneered, "trying to come to the rescue of the maiden in distress. Except, if you hadn't noticed kid, this is not just any maiden you're on about rescuing. This is a maiden who can fend for herself, is fiercly independent and wont let you rescue her."
"Quit it Spike," Xander said, "If you didn't notice, our Buffy can get really lonely, she cuts herself off from all of us, without exception. Pike is a link to her old life, maybe, if she connects with him, we'll find her being more open with us. Maybe this will help her to realise that we are all here by her side. Maybe Pike is the link we need to get through to the real Buffy she's hidden inside."
Spike and Pike glowered at each other and sat back into the sofa. Quietly taking in what had been said. Both realised that Xander had a very good point.
"So you still love her then kid?" Spike asked, lighting up a cigarette.
"Yeah," Pike looked Spike in the eye, "I still love her. She's a hell of a woman."
"couldn't agree more." Spike blew out wispy smoke and watched it dissipate.
Xander leaned back, 'finally, they agree on something,' he thought.
"I don't think theres a man who has met Buffy that hasn't fallen head over heels for her." Xander said.
"What is it with that?" spike asked the room, "has the girl got enhanced pheromones or what?" Pike grinned.
"Look man, I have no intensions of trying to get Buff back with me. She wants to be with you, fine. I'm sure the girl doesn't need any extra hassle of being peace keeper." Pike said, "And god, can I bum a fag, I'm gasping here." Spike threw over a cigarette to Pike who lit it and inhaled deeply.
"what is it with that anyway? Thought you guys don't breathe- so you wouldn't get anything out of it right?" Pike asked.
"Well it's not like the bloody things are gonna kill me is it?" Spike retorted. "Not like mr wooden and pointy over there. Mind putting that thing away, it's giving me the creeps." Pike removed the stake and stashed it back in his jeans.
The atmosphere of the room relaxed as Pike and Spike started talking small talk away from the subject of Buffy. Xander relaxed as he felt the need to be peace keeper slip away, and left the room to let Pike and Spike bond, only slightly worried that he would return to either a dusty scene, or a dead Pike.
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