40-Love

Disclaimer: Joss owns Btvs

A/N: Hi all. Sorry for the delay I've been kinda busy with real life. But here's the newest chapter. Enjoy. Skyz.

~*~

Chapter Four-

The pounding would not stop. It had been going on for the past five minutes, and finally fed up Lindsey McDonald got out of bed. He strode purposefully down the stairs and straight to the door. His handsome face scrunched up in a scowl he unlocked the door and swung it open.

Only to groan as he was unceremoniously shoved aside.

"Bout bloody time," Spike snapped as he stalked to the middle of Lindsey's livingroom and glared at him. "I've been bangin' on that door for ten minutes at the least!"

Lindsey shook his head in disgust.

"Five," he shot back. "I counted. What do you want? I'm rather busy at the moment," he added with a glance to the stairs.

Spike paused to peer at him then inclined his head to the stairs as well. A slow grin peeked out as he lowered his head for a moment.

"Oh," he drew it out knowingly. "Got your bloke here then?" Spike asked.

Lindsey stiffened and stared at Spike through continuing cooling eyes.

Spike smirked and gave a shrug.

"Don't quite care how your boat floats mate. It's nice you're gettin' some. That's why I'm here. I've got a problem, and he goes by the name of The Gunn," Spike spat out.

Lindsey adjusted his flimsily tied robe and leaned back against the wall.

"What are you talking about?" he asked patiently.

"What am I talking about? Weren't we just talkin' about boyfriends?!" Spike demanded angrily.

Lindsey arched a brow.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" he asked delicately. It was so much fun to get at Spike like this, he mused, as Spike's face went red and then white as he paled.

"No!" Spike hissed out explosively. "Buffy does!"

Lindsey had the grace to look surprised even though he wasn't. What did Spike expect, he wondered.  That Buffy would wait around forever for him to pull his shit together? He suspected that was exactly what Spike had always planned on. How the winds turn…

He frowned. Or something like that…

"Uh…well that's… Why are you so upset? It's not like you two are together any more are you? Is that all? I can't really help you out here pal. So there's the door," Lindsey gestured to the door as he headed back for the stairs.

"No! Listen I want to know everything there is to know about this bloke. I wanna know how many fillings he's got in his teeth. Who he's slept with, what he does for a living. I want to know everything," Spike snapped.

Spike ignored Lindsey's incredulous snort and began to pace. He was filled with anxious energy, and wanted to get rid of it as quickly as possible. And finding everything there was to know about Charles Gunn would help him achieve his inner peace. Bastard. He scowled as he thought of Gunn and Buffy.

What had she been thinking bringing him there? She was supposed to be helping him! Not dragging boyfriends along for the ride, he thought resentfully. And what was up that judge Anya? She was definitely one weird woman.

"What's this guy's name again?" Lindsey asked as he scrounged around for a legal pad and a pen. "And why don't you just hire a private detective? I'm a lawyer Spike. I don't do things like this," he felt compelled to remind Spike that.

Spike turned burning blue eyes to Lindsey and shook his head exasperatedly.

"Don't you think I know that Linds? I'm askin' you to get a PI involved. But I want you to supervise what he's doin' and such. Look this git's name is Charles Gunn. You should have seen him yesterday! Actin' all big and in charge! Bloody bastard came to my house with my wife. I couldn't believe it. She's all like 'oh you're wonderful Gunn', 'so handsome Gunn'- well that was Harm but still! Can you believe that?!"

Lindsay successfully hid his shock at Spike having mentioned Charles Gunn's name, and nodded vigourously as Spike waited for some kind of response.

"That…sucks," he said somewhat lamely as he thought about Charles Gunn. He shot a quick look up the stairs and gritted his teeth together.

Spike studied Lindsey's distracted face and grimaced.

"Hey," he said shaking off his anger for a moment. "Yeah, well you're a nice lookin' bloke and it's not um… Hey you got yourself a decent man down here," he called up the stairs. "I'll be pushin' off now. Get me everything you can on The Gunn. And while you're at it get me my damn divorce! I can't believe that judge; she's off her gob mate. Should have seen her yesterday, she was like a- hell I don't even know what- But I'll tell you what, she'd better get over this shit, I'm not gonna get back together with Buffy! Ever," Spike swore vehemently before he dashed to the door and swung it open.

"Ever," Spike yelled again as he slammed the door shut.

Lindsey ran a hand through his hair and made a face.

"I thought he'd never leave," the voice came from the stairs and Lindsey turned slowly.

"How long have you been eavesdropping Anya?" he asked easily as he slumped into the nearest chair, and crossed his arms over his chest.

Anya danced down the steps clad only in one of Lindsey's shirts and gave him a huge grin.

"Oh since he came in," she told him. "You know he's really an odd one isn't he? Why does he think you're gay?  I can't believe he doesn't see how much he still wants Buffy! Anyone with eyes can see it. Can't you see it?" she demanded of Lindsey as she stood in front of him, hands on hips.

Lindsey looked up at her and couldn't help but grin.

"Sure I can see some residual feelings of lust but love? I don't know. Listen what's this about Gunn? I didn't even know Spike knew Gunn."

Anya gave a laugh as she thought back to yesterday.

"Well Gunn's Buffy's friend and he came with her yesterday. Buffy decided to use Gunn to make Spike jealous. And it worked amazingly well if I do say so myself. Though it would have been better if she'd actually kissed Gunn. That would have rea-"

"So Gunn's okay with playing out Buffy's little game?" he asked curiously.

Anya smirked.

"I don't think he had much of a choice. Besides I don't think it will last long. They're bound to get back together soon. How do my boobs look honey? I was talking to Harmony Kendall yesterday and she has a great plastic surgeon," Anya began but broke off as she saw Lindsey's distant eyes.

"Well what am I going to do about what Spike wants? He wants me to investigate Gunn. I doubt he'll be thrilled with the fact he's married. And known Buffy for years. What should I do?"

Anya pursed her lips and considered that.

"Well," she murmured slowly. "It could work in our favor telling Spike that. It'll spur him on. He doesn't look like a man who would take kindly to sharing his wife. Though he surely got around himself."

Lindsey scowled and shot her a sharp look.

"Our favor?" he echoed.

She sent him a sultry look.

"Don't you want them back together? I think they make a smashing couple and look wonderful together. It would make fantastic headlines in the tabs. And I would be the reason behind it all," she gushed happily plopping down onto his lap.

She linked her arms around his neck and nibbled on his jaw.

"Well I think I can get something for Spike. It would be nice if they got back together," Lindsey mused to himself. "So, okay. I won't stop you from trying to hook 'em back up. Now where were we?" he asked.

Anya grinned as she settled her lips over his.

~*~

Spike gunned the engine of his Ferrari and turned up his radio as he roared down the street. The pounding beat of The Sex Pistols filled the interior of the car.

He didn't really want to dwell on Gunn or Buffy for that matter, but they wouldn't leave his mind, dammit. He couldn't believe the way she'd fawned all over him. It was sickening. Absolutely.

He gagged and scowled even more.

She never fawned over him, he thought angrily. But then again, a voice whispered in his head, he hadn't given her the chance though had he? They hadn't started out fawning all over eachother. More like falling onto eachother, ready to fuck at the drop of a hat. For him it had been lust and something he hadn't ever felt before. Was it love? He wasn't sure, but he knew it had been an emotion he'd never imagined feeling. Ever.

Until her and he'd pursued her like a bull in heat, not caring whether he looked ridiculous or unmanly. And when he'd gotten her it hadn't been enough. Nothing was ever enough.

Maybe if he'd opened his eyes back then… Known what he knew now.

Irritated with his thoughts he shook his head and concentrated on driving.

All he wanted now was to get the divorce and move on with his life as best he could. But not before he found out all he could on that man Buffy was so fond of.

~*~

"LEAVE ME ALONE!"

The yell was ear splitting and so like her sister Buffy could only grin, then shake her head as she heard Dawn slam shut her door. Her eyes met her mother's and she watched Joyce smile back at her.

"Well that went exactly like I thought it would," Joyce mused as she took a sip of her coffee and sat back on the couch. She crossed her legs and waited for her eldest to offer her thoughts.

Buffy knew her mother was waiting for her to say something, anything and she so did not want to. In fact she would rather poke a rattle snake with a stick then continue down this path.

"So um…how've you been Mom?" she asked with the slim hope that Joyce would let this topic drop.

"Aren't you curious as to why I didn't set you up Buffy?" Joyce wanted to know.

Buffy grimaced and looked away.

"Not really. In fact I just remembered I have an appointment I have to-"

"It's because you're married and like it or not I won't see you cheat on Spike. Though if I were his mother I'd give him a whippin' he'd never forget. No one hurts my baby and gets away with it. How are things between you two?"

"How do you think? We're at eachother's throats. I don't know how I'm gonna get through this mom. It's official I've become the most pathetic loser of all time," Buffy mumbled dejectedly.

Joyce reached out and took Buffy's hand in hers.

"No honey you aren't. I love you and believe me when I tell you, you're special, and there'll be someone for you out there. I know you thought it was Spike and to be honest so did I but… Well he wasn't ready for that kind of commitment. Come out with me tonight. I want to cheer you up."

Buffy was tempted to say no, that she wanted to be alone. But she thought better of that and nodded. If she got out and had a nice time then maybe she'd be more inclined to get through this ordeal, and come out stronger.

"I'll come," she promised. "This restaurant wouldn't happen to be the same one where Dawn's blind date is taking her would it?" Buffy asked amusedly.

Joyce smiled.

"It would indeed."

~*~

"What do you mean she's checked out?" Spike snapped out as he glared at the desk clerk. He waited impatiently for an answer that wasn't forthcoming.

"Um…I told you. Ms. Summers has checked out of her room and left the hotel this morning." The skinny man paused to take in Spike's reaction and then swallowed. "That's all I know."

Spike leant forward resting his arms on the desk and glaring at the man.

"Did she leave here alone?" he demanded.

"Uh…"

"Uh…um…answer the damn question! It can't be that hard," Spike mocked coldly. He wanted to know where exactly his wife was at and with whom. If it was Gunn… He'd… He frowned slightly. He didn't know what he would do. He should leave this alone, he thought abruptly. Just walk out of here and let her lead her life, and be done with it all.

"Yeah. She was with a man. I think she called him…something-a weapon… Oh! Gunn! That's it. She was meeting someone and Gunn drove her," the man blurted out triumphantly.

Spike's eyes narrowed and he felt his lips curl up into a snarl.

"Gunn," he growled before he moved from the desk and stalked out.

There's no way he was going to let this continue and have her cheat on him! He didn't care that he sounded like a hypocrite and a jealous husband. Which he assured himself quickly, he was neither. He couldn't be jealous could he?

Of course not. He and Buffy were so over. Burnt to a crisp and about to be cinders…

So then why are you running around town chasing after her? The traitorous voice asked as he slipped into his car, and raced away from the hotel.

"I'm not chasing her," he muttered aloud. "I'm just lookin' for her. I wanna talk to her."

About what he wasn't sure, but knew once he saw her, he'd know.

~*~

"Isn't this nice?" Joyce asked as she settled herself down at her youngest daughter's table.

Dawn glared at her mom and then at Buffy who was hovering at the side of the table.

"Aren't you going to sit down too? After all you chased my date away," Dawn grumbled angrily.

Buffy smirked as she took a seat.

"No honey I think you did that all by yourself," she told her with a laugh. Joyce watched her daughters as Dawn made a face at Buffy and discretely gave her the finger.

Buffy took a sip of her water and studied the table cloth for a moment trying to gather her thoughts. She'd thought coming out would keep her thoughts off Spike. Hell she'd thought the flight she had booked would give her some kind of perspective. She didn't really know why she was feeling so confused.

It wasn't like she didn't want this divorce, she did. She wanted it badly, to just be free again. To do as she wanted and not to be chained to Spike any longer than necessary. But this thing Anya had cooked up wasn't going help her with that. It was one thing to think she was over the man when she never saw him, but now that she'd be around him for two months…

She had no idea what was in store for them.

"So how's it going with you and Spike?" Dawn asked curiously. "You jump his bones yet?" she added with a snicker.

Buffy's head jerked up and she glared at Dawn.

"What?! No. There was no-jumping of bones. Nothing, nada, zilch," she muttered indignantly.

"Really Dawn it's none of our business who Buffy's involved with. You aren't sleeping with him again are you? Though no one can blame you considering how you two started out," Joyce mused with a sly grin cast Buffy's way.

Buffy felt heat fill her cheeks as both her sister and mother looked over at her expectantly.

"Listen," she hissed. "I'm not going down that road with Spike again. We're getting our divorce in two months time. And when it's final I'll be free to move on, and hopefully never have to see him again."

Dawn watched her closely a frown on her young face.

"You say that as if you actually mean it," she said carefully.

Buffy smiled and raised her glass of water in the air.

"I do. To me and a life free of Spike the traitorous leech," she intoned.

"I'll drink to that," Joyce murmured and took a sip of her wine.

"Well you know what? I won't. I don't think it's fair the way you blame Spike for this Buffy," Dawn muttered as she studied her menu. "In fact I think it's probably your fault he's done the things he has. You're no catch," she added bitingly.

"Dawn," Joyce snapped out rather shocked.

Buffy flinched and ground her teeth together.

"You don't know anything about our marriage Dawn," she told her coldly.

"Don't I?" Dawn taunted.

Buffy gave a deep sigh. She didn't want to talk about this, especially with Dawn. Who held onto her school girl crush with a death like grip. Her marriage was no one's business, and she knew Dawn only wanted to get at her. Which didn't make it right, but she understood Dawn's anger. Hadn't she felt anger when her marriage first started to deteriorate right before her very eyes?

She certainly didn't blame Spike for everything that had gone wrong. At least not anymore. Now that the years had passed and she was older she could look back. See that it was both their faults. It made two people to make a marriage to work, and only one to shatter it. She wasn't sure when it had started but Buffy had distanced herself from Spike after they'd gotten married.

Despite his rough and crude exterior Spike was an insecure man. Who would have thought it? She hadn't. Never suspected what depths lurked beneath his bleached blond surface. He hadn't let her see it and she'd been shocked at how needy he'd become once they'd been married. She knew she was an independent woman, and that for her the career she'd built for herself had always come first.

She'd tried at first to take off more time to spend with him. He was just as busy as she was, but he didn't take any time off to visit her while she was away. He'd always figured it was her responsibility to come to him. At first she'd enjoyed it. She'd been all over the world playing tennis, but she'd never been all over the world with Spike. It had been a new experience, seeing things through his eyes.

She'd loved him and he'd loved her.

But she hadn't known him.

And it turned out he hadn't known her either.

Maybe if things had been different, if he hadn't pursued her. Taken her over and consumed her with his passion for life and for her. Maybe if they hadn't been so young…

The maybes went on and on. She wasn't going to think about what if anymore, she'd stopped doing that years ago. She was fine with how things had turned out. She had to be.

She wasn't used to failure, and it stung that she hadn't been able to make their marriage last, but she hadn't been able to put up with Spike. Not after he'd insisted she give up her own career as the number one tennis player in the world, and spend her time with him on tour. He'd turned into a jealous, possessive man, and in doing so had pushed her so far away… that when he finally came to his senses she was half way across the world.

She wasn't going to even get into all the things he'd done to her. It was in the past and she could get over most of it, if not all of it once they were free of eachother.

"Earth to Buffy," Dawn kicked her under the table.

Buffy's head jerked up. And her eyes glanced off her sister and landed on the woman striding towards them. Flickered to the man trailing after her.

Groaned.

"Dammit," she muttered.  She glanced at Dawn and then to her mother. "Be nice," she told them sternly.

"Wh-"Joyce began to ask.

"Hello there Buffy," the woman paused at the table and gave them all a small tight smile.

Buffy didn't even manage a smile. She nodded and glanced at the man who came to a stop beside the woman.

"Hello Darla. Hey Angel," Buffy said stiffly.

"Hello Buffy, Joyce, Dawn," Angel nodded to them as he ducked his head and shuffled his feet in the uncomfortable silence.

Joyce took a gulp of her wine and regarded Angel through narrowed eyes.

"Angel," she said curtly. "Darla. It was nice seeing you."

It was a clear dismissal.

Darla's face tightened and she glared at Joyce.

"Angel and I were just here for a quick bite before we head off to San Francisco. So I heard about you and Will. You must be humiliated. I mean devastated," Darla drawled out.

Buffy's eye lashes lowered and she let a small smile form.

"Actually I'm looking forward to it. It's about time Spike came back to the game. And if I can help him, well that's just great," she lied through her teeth.

"How are you Buffy? Really?" Angel asked peering at her.

"Well if it isn't the ex," Anya's voice caused Buffy to whirl in her seat and shake her head in disbelief.  Anya strolled forward her long coat tightened against the chilly night air she'd just escaped. She gave them all a smile before her eyes settled on Angel and Darla. "Oh, I'm surprised to see you out and about," she whispered in a hushed tone.

Angel frowned and Darla rolled her eyes.

"Excuse me?" she asked her tone bored.

"You know… After you're little escapade with that cabaña boy in Spain. Where you were caught having sex in that elevator, and the video came out a few weeks ago? The one where you're um…giving him oral gratification," Anya issued loudly.

Joyce choked on her drink, Dawn laughed out loud and Buffy closed her eyes.

"How dare you-"Darla began angrily lifting her hand. Angel caught it and with an apologetic smile he led his steaming girlfriend away.

"Well that went well," Anya announced as she turned to the table next to them and grinned. "May I borrow this?" she asked as she took the empty chair dragging it to Buffy's table.

"What are you doing here? And did you have to do that?" Buffy hissed her cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment.

"What did I do? I was genuinely curious Buffy. I wouldn't be able to show my face if something like that came out. I mean really what was she thinking? Everyone knows Big Brother watches everything we do," Anya groused as she looked around and waved. "It's always better to be nice to them. I don't ever want them to put me in one of their conspiracies."

"What are you talking about?" Dawn demanded looking over at Anya as if she were crazy.

Buffy wasn't quite sure herself.

"Who are you by the way?" Joyce piped up glancing at Anya with raised brows.

"Oh. I'm sorry. I'm Judge Anya Jenkins. I'm the one who ruled on Buffy's divorce case," she told them happily.

Both Dawn and Joyce shot Buffy quick looks. Which she ignored and glared at Anya.

"What are you doing here? I don't think I invited you to sit down with us," she told her coolly.

"Are you friends with Angel still?" Anya asked curiously.

Buffy felt a headache begin to form.

"Yes," she bit out.

"I don't see how that's possible. I could never be friends with my ex's. I mean it. It's weird. I would just look at them and think: I've had his penis inside me. Doesn't that seem weird? How can you stan-"

"I like you!" Dawn exclaimed happily watching her mother's jaw fall open and Buffy turn scarlet. "I know what you mean. You can't be friends with men. You're either thinkin' about their penises or they're thinking about-"

"That's enough. We aren't going to talk about that," Joyce managed to get out sharply.

God save me, Buffy thought warily as she rubbed her temples. She didn't need another round of Anya's blunt honesty. And why was she here anyway? If she didn't know any better she'd think Anya was stalking her, Buffy thought. Sending Anya a narrow eyed look she sucked in a deep breath.

"I mean have you watched Dawson's Creek? They've all been with eachother. Either had sex or almost had sex… It's icky and weird. How could Joey go from Pacey to Dawson and back again? And don't get me started on their final season! Joey was like a ping pong ball, bouncing around on anyone who offered," Anya snorted in disgust.

How had the conversation gone from penises to Dawson's Creek?

"She chose Pacey in the end," Buffy found herself saying inanely.

"As she should have," Spike's voice from behind her had her stiffening. What was up with people coming up behind her like that? She wondered angrily. "Dawson was a boring git who yanked off to Spielberg movies," he added with a smirk his hands resting on the back of Buffy's chair.

Buffy was acutely aware of how close he was standing and tried not to let it get to her. Jaw clenched tight and eyes straight ahead she tried to ignore his presence.

"What are you doing here Spike?" Joyce asked coolly. She hated the fact that Buffy was being bombarded, with what her daughter called her greatest failures. First Angel and Darla. And now Spike. Joyce still liked Spike, but once he'd hurt her daughter, her loyalty was with her own blood. She stared at him with cold eyes waiting for a response.

Spike's smirk slipped a little.

"Gotta talk to your eldest Joyce," he muttered.

"Hi Spike. How are you today?" Anya asked cheerfully. "Have you seen Lindsey today?"

He sent her a sharp look, but before he could say anything Dawn spoke up.

"If you've come to get Buffy back it's not worth the effort," she spat out.

Spike slid a glance at Dawn with a small frown. He hadn't known Buffy and Dawn were at odds. But then again he didn't know much about Buffy anymore.

"What do you want to talk about?" Buffy finally demanded turning to look at him over her shoulder.

"About you're boyfriend," Spike gritted out.

"Boyfriend?" Dawn asked curious despite herself.

"What?!" Joyce exclaimed sharply.

Anya enjoyed their reactions immensely.

"You mean Buffy hasn't introduced you all? Well he's a great bloke. Right big and proper I expect. Goes by the name of Gunn," Spike said sarcastically.

Joyce's gaze sought out Buffy's in stunned silence.

"Gunn?" Joyce breathed. "Our Gunn? Charles Gunn?"

"God Buffy what's with you and guys with names of inanimate objects?" Dawn asked in disgust. "And hey isn't he-"

Anya rushed in then.

"He's really nice. I met him yesterday, Buffy has excellent taste."

Both Joyce and Dawn sent her looks that seemed to say what planet are you living on? Buffy has atrocious taste in men.

"What about Gunn?" Buffy asked then and drew all attention to her.

"Well obviously it's not right for you to be seen with him, bein' married and all. You're my wife for the next two months, and I don't want you to see him," Spike told her flatly.

"You don't want me to see him?" Buffy echoed incredulously.

Spike nodded.

"That's right. I'm your husband, and you aren't going to see him anymore. I won't allow it," he added sharply.

Anya grimaced and shook her head. He'd been doing so well until he'd said that, she mused. Stupid man. Didn't he know that would only spur Buffy on?

Buffy shoved back from her chair and startled Spike jumped back and staggered into a near by table.

"You won't allow me?" Buffy asked loudly. "You won't allow me to see Gunn anymore, because you're my husband? Well let me tell you something Spike! You haven't been my husband for three years, and for you to start acting like it, is ridiculous! This is where we stand; I'm helping you because she ordered me too." She pointed to Anya. "I don't want anything from you other than a divorce. No orders, no sexual advances. Nothing! Now I'm going home. Back to Florida and you'd better have your sorry ass on the next plane there."

Turning sharply she took in a deep breath and spoke to her mother.

"I'm going now. Thanks for dinner Mom. Dawn. I'll see you in Florida Anya," with that she grabbed her purse and strode quickly for the door.

Spike blinked in shock.

Some one tapped him on the arm and he turned automatically.

Met Angel's smirking face.

"I coulda told you that wasn't going to work," Angel told him with a chuckle.

~*~

The pounding wouldn't stop and finally fed up Willow hurried to the door, and peeked through the peep hole frowning when she saw Buffy.

Unlocking the door she stepped aside as Buffy strode in.

"I want a divorce," Buffy said without preamble.

Willow bit her lip and wondered how to answer that.

"You can't have it, not until the two months are up. Remember?" she asked hesitantly.

"Of course I remember! I can't escape it," Buffy yelled tossing her coat aside. She began to pace then, trying to work off some of her anger.

"What happened Buffy?" Willow asked softly her face concerned.

"Can't I get a quickie divorce in one of those islands? Like they do on soap operas?  I mean they do it all the time! Can't I just catch a plane there and be rid of Spike?! Can't I Will?" Buffy asked turning desperate eyes to Willow.

Willow walked towards Buffy and settled her arm around her shoulders.

"Well…no you can't. Not only is it not sanctioned by the court, quickie divorces aren't even real. It's fiction, that's why it's on soaps sweetie. What happened? Can you tell me?"

Buffy turned blank eyes to Willow and shook her head.

"I'm going back to Florida," she stated flatly.

Willow frowned.

"But I thought Spike and you had to-"

"I have tournaments to prepare for and I don't live here. I live in Florida. If I'm going to be stuck helping Spike at least it'll be on my territory."

Willow blinked.

"So you're going to Florida? Are you going to tell me what happened?"

Buffy slowly shook her head.

"It was awful and I so don't want to relive it," Buffy muttered covering her face with her hands.

"Florida," Willow mumbled feeling slightly bereft. It had been so nice having Buffy here. She didn't get to Florida to see Buffy as much as she liked. And with Buffy's busy schedule she couldn't come to L.A. all of the time either. She would miss Buffy. "You're going back to Florida an-"

"And I'm taking your husband with me," Buffy stated lifting her face to meet her friends shocked gaze.