DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything to do with Buffy the Vampire Slayer - it
all belongs to Joss Whedon.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This fic's about 4 chapters from the end, so I would really appreciate some encouragement.also, I have some ficlets in the works, so please keep your eyes open for those. In the meantime, please review!
Chapter 8
Buffy had woken up the next morning like she had the day before - earlier than usual. She'd found Spike there with her, assuming he must have gotten into bed after she'd fallen asleep. She'd brushed her teeth, and then went to her wardrobe to pick a first-day outfit, just like she'd done yesterday.
But this time, even more thoughts were zooming through her head. What was she really letting herself into going to work for this guy? What did she even know about him and his company? Nothing.
Just the fact that she was getting paid double.
"I'm pathetic" she thought to herself. "All I care about is the money. Not that I could get hurt, not about the place I'm gonna be spending several hours a day at - the money. That's it."
It was sad for her to think like this, but it was true. They'd barely managed to gather up enough savings they had in a foreign bank to get this house, but they all knew that soon enough the money would run out. It reminded her of the time after she'd been brought back from the dead, and how tight money was then.
It frightened her - how far would she go to earn some money? How much would she hide from her friends. . .?
She'd promised them that as soon as she found out about the demon, she'd kill it, and then quit her job. It would be too dangerous to stay working there.
But. . .what if it wasn't that bad? What if, this demon was just a one-off nobody knew about. . .maybe her boss would keep asking her to fight, humans this time - she'd proved she was brilliant at it - and keep paying her extra. No one would have to know. . .
She shook her head. She couldn't keep that much hidden away from everybody, it wasn't fair on them.
She had picked an outfit and put it on, while Spike remained in deep sleep. She left the room quietly, taking care as she shut the door behind her.
After stepping down the stairs, Buffy received a strange déjà vu as she caught sight of Kennedy in the kitchen, but this time, Dawn was there too. They were eating breakfast together and talking. As soon as they saw her, they abruptly stopped.
'Good morning Buffy,' Kennedy said politely.
'Morning guys,' Buffy said, suspicious of the fact they'd stopped their conversation so quickly. 'What were you talking about?'
Dawn's eyes widened. 'Oh, nothing really, school stuff. Y'know. . .snore.' She smiled evasively. 'So. . .going to work?'
'Yeah. . .' Buffy sat down with them, and got an apple from the centre of the table where there was a fruit bowl. 'Were you guys talking about me?' she asked bluntly.
'No! No. . .what gives you that idea?' Kennedy answered too quickly. Buffy raised an eyebrow, as she bit into the apple.
'I think you should be asking, what isn't giving me that idea,' she spoke with her mouth full. 'I'd have less to say.'
Kennedy winced. 'Sorry Buff. I was just telling Dawn about what happened last night, and we were saying that. . .well. . .' she was hesitating.
Buffy swallowed her piece of apple. 'What? What were you saying?'
Dawn finished off Kennedy's sentence: 'We were saying that we think it's a bad idea for you to go work for this guy. We think you should go back to the wrestling place tonight, go to the changing rooms, find the wrestler- demon you fought last night and kill it, forgetting about this job.'
Buffy shut her eyes, fed up. 'Will you guys give it a rest already?! I've faced much bigger dangers than this, and you didn't lift a finger then. Why all of a sudden the "keep Buffy protected from the whole demon world" crap?'
Kennedy and Dawn shifted in their seats. Buffy was waiting for an answer. 'Well?'
'Honestly sis, we don't even know,' Dawn answered. 'All we know is, life at the moment is the best it's been in a long time. You're not the only chosen one anymore, you can have a proper life - which makes it a hell of a lot easier on us. We just don't want any stupid dumbass demon coming to ruin it.'
'What makes you think I can't fight it so I can stop it doing just that?' Buffy protested.
'We don't wanna take the risk,' Kennedy said in a finalised tone.
'It'll be taking a much bigger risk letting it run free. . .'
'Look, we're not saying don't kill it,' Dawn corrected. 'We're saying kill it, then step away from the guy that led you to it in the first place.'
'I think you guys are really overreacting about this. . .' Buffy said. 'The guy is a harmless loser! He probably just gets aroused watching two women get it on in a ring!'
'Maybe, maybe not. . .' said Kennedy. 'But still. . .stay away from it if you can Buff, OK?'
Buffy sighed. 'Alright, alright, if it'll get everybody off my back. Is this why you all keep bugging me about this? To make sure I quit?'
'We love you sis, that's why,' Dawn said. She stood up and swung her backpack over her shoulder. 'I'm off to school. See ya later.' She went out the door.
'You might wanna leave too,' Kennedy suggested, pointing at her watch. Buffy nodded.
'Yeah, I should be heading off.' She grabbed her purse. 'I'll see you all tonight; I'll tell you if I find out anything more about this demon- wrestler.' Kennedy nodded and waved goodbye as Buffy followed her sister's example and left.
**********
She arrived at the office 5 minutes before she had to, at 8:55. She hadn't expected to be as nervous as she was. . .why was it she had this horrible feeling in her stomach every time she thought about confronting this guy?
Stepping into the office, she could see she wasn't the only early person. There were three other people there; a nerdy looking-man, sitting at a computer typing mechanically, a similar looking woman doing the same, and another woman wearing glasses, with her hair in a tight bun. Buffy thought it wisest to approach her rather than the other two.
'Excuse me,' she said approaching the woman. 'It's my first day as secretary. Do you know where I'm meant to go?'
The woman stopped her business, and just stared at Buffy for a moment. 'You seem smarter than the others,' she said in a faraway voice. Buffy assumed this woman meant the other workers in the office, but thought it was a strange comment in itself.
'Uh. . .I wouldn't think so,' she replied honestly. 'Could you tell me where to find. . .' Buffy realised she didn't even know this guy's name. She was letting somebody employ her, and she didn't even know his name. '. . .your boss?' she finally said.
The woman was still staring at her. 'You look just like the others. . .almost.' She started encircling Buffy. 'You're a bit different. There's something unique about you. . .a certain glow.'
Buffy was beginning to feel uncomfortable. 'Uh. . .OK. . .'
Just then, to her great relief, the only person she recognised walked into the office. The man who had employed her. He was carrying a briefcase, and looked like the average business man.
The two people who had been sitting at their computers and typing immediately looked up and replied in unison: 'Good morning Mr. Cooper.'
Buffy realised there was something very strange going on around here. These people weren't normal. Could they have been robots?
'Good morning,' he replied to them, hanging his coat up. 'Ah! Miss Summers!' he said, noticing Buffy. 'Right on time - in fact early! I'm impressed!'
'Yes, well, first impressions are everything,' she said, quickly moving away from the creepy woman with the glasses and tight bun. 'Where do I start training?'
'Ready to get straight to work. . .I like that!' the man said, walking away, and gesturing to Buffy to follow him. She did so.
He walked over to a desk in the corner - noticeably larger than the rest.
'Right. . .' he began. 'This is where you will spend the day. Answer the calls - they'll probably all ask for me. To transfer them, press this button,' he pointed to a button labelled with a red "C". 'If they're asking for somebody else, you type the code corresponding to the name here,' he pointed to sheet sello-taped to the desk. 'My meeting schedule is here,' he pointed to a large piece of paper that was the main thing to be seen on the desk. 'If someone would like an appointment, just write their name down in the slot according to the date and time. Your lunch by the way is from 1 until 2.' He finished and looked at her. 'Got it?'
Buffy nodded uneasily.
'Great,' he started walking away.
'Wait!' Buffy called out. He turned around. 'Yes?'
'W-was that the training?' she asked confused. He nodded. 'It's easy. Get to work. Oh, and, uh, I'd like to talk to you afterwards. Could you pop into my office around tennish?'
Buffy was bewildered. This was the job she'd had to wrestle a demon for? Transferring calls and filling out slots? A five-year old could do it. And why was this man treating her as if nothing had happened the night before? And why did we he want to see her later?
'Sure,' she answered, realising he had been standing waiting for her to say something.
'See you then,' he said cheerily, as he went into his office, shut the door behind him, and a very distinct click was heard of locking it.
Buffy sat down at her desk. This job was easy. . .too easy. Anybody could've gotten it, why had she? And what was worse. . .she now had to think of a way to pass the time, because this certainly wasn't going to keep her that occupied.
**********
Five more creepy workers arriving, one phone call and one appointment arranged later, it was ten o'clock. Buffy couldn't think when she had been more bored. This was surely the most pointless thing ever. And her boss hadn't even emerged out of his office. What could he have been doing in there?
She'd remembered that he'd wanted to see her at 10, so she went over to his door. She knocked politely three times, and waited for the door to open.
Mr. Cooper opened it. 'Buffy! Come in!' He let her in and shut the door behind her. 'How are you finding the job?'
'Good! Good. . .so, what did you want to talk to me about?' she asked innocently, gazing at the things on his desk.
He smiled widely. 'Last night of course!' he exclaimed. 'You are one of the best fighters I've seen in a while; you could be a really big hit!'
'Thanks!' Buffy said with fake gratitude. 'But. . .I hope you don't mind me asking. . .what is your part in the whole thing?'
His smile faded. 'Why do you want to know that?' he asked sounding paranoid.
'Oh, no reason!' Buffy said, trying not to sound too suspicious. 'I was just wondering. . .'
'Well, I just help around there, OK? Happy?' he said, telling her this in an aggressive voice. She stood back, hoping he wouldn't be too angry at her. She nodded.
'So. . .' he was calming down. 'I was thinking. . .how would you like to have a re-match with Kate tonight?' Buffy's eyes widened.
'What?! No. . .no, I couldn't, once with her was really enough. . .'
'Listen, Buffy,' he sat down on his desk, looking at her. 'I know what you're thinking - we had a deal yesterday, we should today as well. Well. . .I'm prepared to offer you an extra two weeks paid holiday, and. . .a 30% raise.'
Buffy was taken aback. This man was offering her more money?! And two weeks extra PAID holiday?!?! All this just to fight Kate the Stupid again?
'OK,' she said, surprising herself with the confidence she had.
'Fantastic!' the man seemed pleased. 'Same time, same place tonight. Do you still have the card?'
'Uh. . .yeah. . .' Buffy answered.
'Use it to get in like you did yesterday, alright?' She nodded.
'Now you can get back to work,' he pointed to his door. 'I'm very excited about you Buffy. . .really, I am.'
She smiled weakly, as she left the office, shut the door, and went back to her desk.
How low was she? She was a shallow, shallow person. Why was she fighting Kate again? She'd barely managed to escape her last night, how was she going to do it without Faith, Kennedy, and the trusty weapons bag?
At the thought of Kennedy, he stomach lurched. She had been so concerned about Buffy this morning. . .as had Dawn. . .and Spike. . .and all her friends last night. She'd promised them she would quit this job as soon as she killed Kate. . .but now, seeing that her boss was ready to keep giving her more money and benefits, that was the last thing she wanted to do.
Partly disgusted with herself, but trying to push that to the back of her mind, she realised what she had to do.
She'd have to lie to those who cared about her.
**********
A/N: If you're wondering about the boss' name, it's based on a creepy guy I know (my friends will know who I mean. . .don't forget the umlaut ;-)). TBC. . .Buffy breaks a promise, and she prepares for a repeat of her fight, kinda angsty.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This fic's about 4 chapters from the end, so I would really appreciate some encouragement.also, I have some ficlets in the works, so please keep your eyes open for those. In the meantime, please review!
Chapter 8
Buffy had woken up the next morning like she had the day before - earlier than usual. She'd found Spike there with her, assuming he must have gotten into bed after she'd fallen asleep. She'd brushed her teeth, and then went to her wardrobe to pick a first-day outfit, just like she'd done yesterday.
But this time, even more thoughts were zooming through her head. What was she really letting herself into going to work for this guy? What did she even know about him and his company? Nothing.
Just the fact that she was getting paid double.
"I'm pathetic" she thought to herself. "All I care about is the money. Not that I could get hurt, not about the place I'm gonna be spending several hours a day at - the money. That's it."
It was sad for her to think like this, but it was true. They'd barely managed to gather up enough savings they had in a foreign bank to get this house, but they all knew that soon enough the money would run out. It reminded her of the time after she'd been brought back from the dead, and how tight money was then.
It frightened her - how far would she go to earn some money? How much would she hide from her friends. . .?
She'd promised them that as soon as she found out about the demon, she'd kill it, and then quit her job. It would be too dangerous to stay working there.
But. . .what if it wasn't that bad? What if, this demon was just a one-off nobody knew about. . .maybe her boss would keep asking her to fight, humans this time - she'd proved she was brilliant at it - and keep paying her extra. No one would have to know. . .
She shook her head. She couldn't keep that much hidden away from everybody, it wasn't fair on them.
She had picked an outfit and put it on, while Spike remained in deep sleep. She left the room quietly, taking care as she shut the door behind her.
After stepping down the stairs, Buffy received a strange déjà vu as she caught sight of Kennedy in the kitchen, but this time, Dawn was there too. They were eating breakfast together and talking. As soon as they saw her, they abruptly stopped.
'Good morning Buffy,' Kennedy said politely.
'Morning guys,' Buffy said, suspicious of the fact they'd stopped their conversation so quickly. 'What were you talking about?'
Dawn's eyes widened. 'Oh, nothing really, school stuff. Y'know. . .snore.' She smiled evasively. 'So. . .going to work?'
'Yeah. . .' Buffy sat down with them, and got an apple from the centre of the table where there was a fruit bowl. 'Were you guys talking about me?' she asked bluntly.
'No! No. . .what gives you that idea?' Kennedy answered too quickly. Buffy raised an eyebrow, as she bit into the apple.
'I think you should be asking, what isn't giving me that idea,' she spoke with her mouth full. 'I'd have less to say.'
Kennedy winced. 'Sorry Buff. I was just telling Dawn about what happened last night, and we were saying that. . .well. . .' she was hesitating.
Buffy swallowed her piece of apple. 'What? What were you saying?'
Dawn finished off Kennedy's sentence: 'We were saying that we think it's a bad idea for you to go work for this guy. We think you should go back to the wrestling place tonight, go to the changing rooms, find the wrestler- demon you fought last night and kill it, forgetting about this job.'
Buffy shut her eyes, fed up. 'Will you guys give it a rest already?! I've faced much bigger dangers than this, and you didn't lift a finger then. Why all of a sudden the "keep Buffy protected from the whole demon world" crap?'
Kennedy and Dawn shifted in their seats. Buffy was waiting for an answer. 'Well?'
'Honestly sis, we don't even know,' Dawn answered. 'All we know is, life at the moment is the best it's been in a long time. You're not the only chosen one anymore, you can have a proper life - which makes it a hell of a lot easier on us. We just don't want any stupid dumbass demon coming to ruin it.'
'What makes you think I can't fight it so I can stop it doing just that?' Buffy protested.
'We don't wanna take the risk,' Kennedy said in a finalised tone.
'It'll be taking a much bigger risk letting it run free. . .'
'Look, we're not saying don't kill it,' Dawn corrected. 'We're saying kill it, then step away from the guy that led you to it in the first place.'
'I think you guys are really overreacting about this. . .' Buffy said. 'The guy is a harmless loser! He probably just gets aroused watching two women get it on in a ring!'
'Maybe, maybe not. . .' said Kennedy. 'But still. . .stay away from it if you can Buff, OK?'
Buffy sighed. 'Alright, alright, if it'll get everybody off my back. Is this why you all keep bugging me about this? To make sure I quit?'
'We love you sis, that's why,' Dawn said. She stood up and swung her backpack over her shoulder. 'I'm off to school. See ya later.' She went out the door.
'You might wanna leave too,' Kennedy suggested, pointing at her watch. Buffy nodded.
'Yeah, I should be heading off.' She grabbed her purse. 'I'll see you all tonight; I'll tell you if I find out anything more about this demon- wrestler.' Kennedy nodded and waved goodbye as Buffy followed her sister's example and left.
**********
She arrived at the office 5 minutes before she had to, at 8:55. She hadn't expected to be as nervous as she was. . .why was it she had this horrible feeling in her stomach every time she thought about confronting this guy?
Stepping into the office, she could see she wasn't the only early person. There were three other people there; a nerdy looking-man, sitting at a computer typing mechanically, a similar looking woman doing the same, and another woman wearing glasses, with her hair in a tight bun. Buffy thought it wisest to approach her rather than the other two.
'Excuse me,' she said approaching the woman. 'It's my first day as secretary. Do you know where I'm meant to go?'
The woman stopped her business, and just stared at Buffy for a moment. 'You seem smarter than the others,' she said in a faraway voice. Buffy assumed this woman meant the other workers in the office, but thought it was a strange comment in itself.
'Uh. . .I wouldn't think so,' she replied honestly. 'Could you tell me where to find. . .' Buffy realised she didn't even know this guy's name. She was letting somebody employ her, and she didn't even know his name. '. . .your boss?' she finally said.
The woman was still staring at her. 'You look just like the others. . .almost.' She started encircling Buffy. 'You're a bit different. There's something unique about you. . .a certain glow.'
Buffy was beginning to feel uncomfortable. 'Uh. . .OK. . .'
Just then, to her great relief, the only person she recognised walked into the office. The man who had employed her. He was carrying a briefcase, and looked like the average business man.
The two people who had been sitting at their computers and typing immediately looked up and replied in unison: 'Good morning Mr. Cooper.'
Buffy realised there was something very strange going on around here. These people weren't normal. Could they have been robots?
'Good morning,' he replied to them, hanging his coat up. 'Ah! Miss Summers!' he said, noticing Buffy. 'Right on time - in fact early! I'm impressed!'
'Yes, well, first impressions are everything,' she said, quickly moving away from the creepy woman with the glasses and tight bun. 'Where do I start training?'
'Ready to get straight to work. . .I like that!' the man said, walking away, and gesturing to Buffy to follow him. She did so.
He walked over to a desk in the corner - noticeably larger than the rest.
'Right. . .' he began. 'This is where you will spend the day. Answer the calls - they'll probably all ask for me. To transfer them, press this button,' he pointed to a button labelled with a red "C". 'If they're asking for somebody else, you type the code corresponding to the name here,' he pointed to sheet sello-taped to the desk. 'My meeting schedule is here,' he pointed to a large piece of paper that was the main thing to be seen on the desk. 'If someone would like an appointment, just write their name down in the slot according to the date and time. Your lunch by the way is from 1 until 2.' He finished and looked at her. 'Got it?'
Buffy nodded uneasily.
'Great,' he started walking away.
'Wait!' Buffy called out. He turned around. 'Yes?'
'W-was that the training?' she asked confused. He nodded. 'It's easy. Get to work. Oh, and, uh, I'd like to talk to you afterwards. Could you pop into my office around tennish?'
Buffy was bewildered. This was the job she'd had to wrestle a demon for? Transferring calls and filling out slots? A five-year old could do it. And why was this man treating her as if nothing had happened the night before? And why did we he want to see her later?
'Sure,' she answered, realising he had been standing waiting for her to say something.
'See you then,' he said cheerily, as he went into his office, shut the door behind him, and a very distinct click was heard of locking it.
Buffy sat down at her desk. This job was easy. . .too easy. Anybody could've gotten it, why had she? And what was worse. . .she now had to think of a way to pass the time, because this certainly wasn't going to keep her that occupied.
**********
Five more creepy workers arriving, one phone call and one appointment arranged later, it was ten o'clock. Buffy couldn't think when she had been more bored. This was surely the most pointless thing ever. And her boss hadn't even emerged out of his office. What could he have been doing in there?
She'd remembered that he'd wanted to see her at 10, so she went over to his door. She knocked politely three times, and waited for the door to open.
Mr. Cooper opened it. 'Buffy! Come in!' He let her in and shut the door behind her. 'How are you finding the job?'
'Good! Good. . .so, what did you want to talk to me about?' she asked innocently, gazing at the things on his desk.
He smiled widely. 'Last night of course!' he exclaimed. 'You are one of the best fighters I've seen in a while; you could be a really big hit!'
'Thanks!' Buffy said with fake gratitude. 'But. . .I hope you don't mind me asking. . .what is your part in the whole thing?'
His smile faded. 'Why do you want to know that?' he asked sounding paranoid.
'Oh, no reason!' Buffy said, trying not to sound too suspicious. 'I was just wondering. . .'
'Well, I just help around there, OK? Happy?' he said, telling her this in an aggressive voice. She stood back, hoping he wouldn't be too angry at her. She nodded.
'So. . .' he was calming down. 'I was thinking. . .how would you like to have a re-match with Kate tonight?' Buffy's eyes widened.
'What?! No. . .no, I couldn't, once with her was really enough. . .'
'Listen, Buffy,' he sat down on his desk, looking at her. 'I know what you're thinking - we had a deal yesterday, we should today as well. Well. . .I'm prepared to offer you an extra two weeks paid holiday, and. . .a 30% raise.'
Buffy was taken aback. This man was offering her more money?! And two weeks extra PAID holiday?!?! All this just to fight Kate the Stupid again?
'OK,' she said, surprising herself with the confidence she had.
'Fantastic!' the man seemed pleased. 'Same time, same place tonight. Do you still have the card?'
'Uh. . .yeah. . .' Buffy answered.
'Use it to get in like you did yesterday, alright?' She nodded.
'Now you can get back to work,' he pointed to his door. 'I'm very excited about you Buffy. . .really, I am.'
She smiled weakly, as she left the office, shut the door, and went back to her desk.
How low was she? She was a shallow, shallow person. Why was she fighting Kate again? She'd barely managed to escape her last night, how was she going to do it without Faith, Kennedy, and the trusty weapons bag?
At the thought of Kennedy, he stomach lurched. She had been so concerned about Buffy this morning. . .as had Dawn. . .and Spike. . .and all her friends last night. She'd promised them she would quit this job as soon as she killed Kate. . .but now, seeing that her boss was ready to keep giving her more money and benefits, that was the last thing she wanted to do.
Partly disgusted with herself, but trying to push that to the back of her mind, she realised what she had to do.
She'd have to lie to those who cared about her.
**********
A/N: If you're wondering about the boss' name, it's based on a creepy guy I know (my friends will know who I mean. . .don't forget the umlaut ;-)). TBC. . .Buffy breaks a promise, and she prepares for a repeat of her fight, kinda angsty.
