"Share?" sputtered Xander, clearly torn between laughter and horror. "You want her to take both of them? That's your great advice?"
"I didn't say it was great," said Anya, sounding affronted. "It was just an idea. Back in the demon world, there used to be all sorts of interesting gossip about Angel's little crew of vampires. Not that I ever listened to such things of course; I was busy with my career," she ended primly.
"Yes, sweetie, we know all about what a good little demon you used to be. But I can't believe- what gossip?" finished Xander, clearly fascinated despite himself.
Buffy had to admit she was fascinated, too. She had known both Spike and Angel for years, had alternately fought and loved them, and she had never heard word one about this. "Yeah, spill, Anya."
"Well, all right, but you both know how I feel about gossip. And it isn't like I know very much. I was quite involved with my vengeance back when they were a happy little family."
"Yes, yes, you were a demon among demons. Now spill!" demanded Buffy.
"Well," said Anya, settling into her story with a little smile on her face that showed clearly how much she was enjoying being the center of attention. "I was in Europe for some of the same time that Angelus and his family were there. I won't say that our interests overlapped, but there were a few times when we were both in same place..." she let her voice trail off, playing it for all she was worth.
"Oh, give it up!" yelped Buffy. "I'm dying here."
"Okay, well, you know Angelus turned Dru because he was obsessed with her, had to make her his. But then along comes Spike, and Dru wants him, but she's totally Angel's, so they share."
"At the same time? asked Buffy, trying to rid her mind of the tantalizing images that were crawling through it. Angel and Spike and... She quickly substituted the mental picture of Dru with one of herself and it was all she could do not to shiver. Get it under control, she thought to herself sternly, this is not the place to trail off into to fantasy-land.
"Well," continued Anya, clearly getting into her story, "you know vampires are more, um, flexible in their desires. They both saw something they wanted in Dru and, well, through Dru, they both saw something they wanted in each other."
Yep, there were the mental images Buffy had been trying to keep at bay. Pale, sinuous Spike and dark, powerful Angel... and that would explain why Spike knew that she tasted of Angel. So disturbing, so... wow, yeah. Just pretty much... Why was she hanging out with these two, when there was Angel and Spike and oh my.
"Where you going, Buffy?" asked Xander as she gathered her stuff up and started to head towards the door.
"Um," said Buffy vaguely, "Dawn, you know, is home alone. And Conner, you know what a hard time he has taking care of himself."
"Uh-huh," said Xander, not convinced. Buffy darted out of the apartment to the sound of Anya's laughter.
"Don't bring that up," snarled Angel. "That was a long time ago, and it wasn't me at all. It was Angelus."
"And you know that I've always found your little split personality fascinating. I loved you. Angelus, Angel, you two are the same. The difference would be what exactly? Angel is a hell of lot more whiny? Oh, and yeah, sleeping with the woman I love. No, wait. Angelus did that too. No, I'm really not seeing the difference between you. 'Specially now that I have that pesky little soul problem in common. Doesn't make that much of a difference."
Angel was glaring, his mouth a thin line, but he wasn't saying a word. Spike took in the look on his face and kept talking.
"Did you tell her? About us? That there used to be an us?"
"Did you?" Angel challenged.
Spike looked away for the first time. "Man, you think I was baring all my secrets to the Slayer? When I was trying to get into her knickers? Right, would you have done that? 'Oh, Buffy, oh, Buffy, have I mentioned how I used to shag Angel?' Were you thinking that would have worked? I mean, at least she liked you! I was going against nature, going after her. Did I tell you about our first time? It was up against the wall-"
He broke off when Angel hit him again. "I don't want to know about your first time! I don't want to know about any time. I don't want to know anything about whatever thing you two had, that you call love."
"God's sake, will you bloody well stop hitting me? Told you already I'm not going to fight back. She called it that, too, Angel. She loved me. You heard her say it. And you're changing the subject. What, a few years pass and you can't remember anything? Oh, I'm hurt."
"That's over. Just like you and Buffy are over. It's Buffy and me now. And Dawn and Conner. We're a family."
"You mean like we used to be?" snarled Spike. "That's a fine recommendation for you and Buffy making a go for it. That worked so well for you last time."
Angel glared, bared his teeth, but had nothing to say in response. Giving Spike one least angry look, he turned away and stalked into the house. Just before the door slammed, Spike heard him growl, "Stay away from my family."
"At least two of those people are my family, too," said Spike, not caring that no one could hear him.