A/N: I hope everybody is liking the new version of the story. I'm sorry about switching it, but between emails from people and my own beta, the overwhelming consensus was that A.J needed to be moved to a minor role and Xander to a major one. Also, I know I gave Willow some very Faith-like attributes, but is MY fic and A/U too, so I decided that Willow never got the chance to be the bad girl or anything and I'm going to let her be one. If you like it, heck even if you don't, feel free to drop me a line about it. I love reviews, I just wish I could bottle the gooshy feelings they give me.
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Chapter 8: Showdown
William stared out of his office window. Numerous stacks of files sat on his desk in haphazard piles, but he didn't pay them any mind. His thoughts centered on Buffy. It was Monday and she'd been on his mind since Friday. He didn't have the slightest clue as to his actions. He'd basically attacked her in the parking lot before begging her for her name. William had never begged anyone for anything, ever. It was a humbling feeling to realize that had she not given it to him, he was fully prepared to march back into the club and plead with one of the dancers to tell him who she was. Xander'd just given him a quizzical look, but didn't press when William refused to account for his whereabouts or his bizarre behavior. They'd left shortly after that and he'd had an intimate conversation with his hand that night. It was ridiculous the amount of time he'd spent debating over going back to the club and her.
Not even Drusilla had captured his attention like this. It was different with Dru though. Her dad owned another large law firm and their parents were overjoyed when they'd started dating. His mum had practically been seeing orange blossoms, white tulle and hearing church bells. At the time, William thought that he was ready for that; thought Drusilla was the one for him, his match. Now, he was definitely having doubts. Dru'd never inspired such feelings in him. That line of thought brought him full circle back to Buffy.
This is getting me no where. I have to see her again. William thought, and then forced his attention back to the files on his desk. Blah, blah, blah, how stupid are these wankers? The door to his office flew open and nobody other than Drusilla Catherine Gardner Chapman strolled in, head high and eyes glittering. His secretary Margaret ran in after her, looking both fearful and frazzled. William smiled at Margaret and motioned for her to leave. Margaret gave a sigh of relief, and then discretely closed the door behind. The two former lovers faced each other until Drusilla broke the silence.
"William, my darling, the birds have told me that you've been naughty," she said in her musical voice. William rolled his eyes and sighed. Xander was right. What did I see in her?
By all rights, Drusilla was a stunning woman. She was tall and thin, a pale ballet dancer body with long limbs and small breasts. Her long hair was deep brown and her eyes a crystalline blue. Her voice was a smoother, more cultured version of his. All in all, they seemed to be a perfect pair, both British, beautiful and wealthy as sin. Needless to say, the breakup cause quite shock thorough not only their families, but their peers as well. William didn't give a shit, but his mum and dad were livid. God, what did I do to deserve this?
"Ello Dru, what can I do for you?" he asked.
"My Spike, are you still angry with Princess?" Drusilla asked and moved toward him.
"Well you are definitely not my favorite person at the moment, so why don't you tell me what the hell you want or bugger off," William replied. He waited for a moment, and when she said nothing, he shrugged and picked up a file, "You know the way out."
"I'm pregnant Spike," she said quietly, all trace of madness gone from her voice. Spike looked up sharply and narrowed his eyes.
"So, what the hell do I care for?" he asked.
Drusilla sighed. "There's a possibility that it might be yours."
William, who had been en route to his liquor cabinet, froze and slowly turned around. "What the hell do you mean possibility? How far along are you?"
Dru had the decency to drop her eyes. "Six weeks," she replied.
"And yet, six weeks ago, we were practically engaged. Are you telling me that you were fucking someone behind my back?" William asked in a deceptively calm voice.
Drusilla nodded and then whispered "Angel."
"WHAT!" William roared and threw his glass across the room. It hurt, oh how it hurt inside. She had been cheating on him with that bloody bastard. Hot tears burned up his throat and threatened to spill over. "Get out."
"But Spike," she started and he interrupted her.
"Get the fuck out, NOW. FUCKING LEAVE!" he screamed and Dru quickly ran out.
William collapsed and felt tears course down his cheeks. The pain tore at him and he wanted to die. Get out, need to leave.
William stood up and wiped his face, a destination clear in mind. He was heading to Frankie's Bar to get belligerently drunk. Maybe after a few drinks, the raw feeling eating at his stomach would disappear. Maybe he would forget that Dru was a cold and ruthless bitch. Maybe visions of a golden goddess would stop their torment of his mind.
"Maybe I'll just pass out and wake up with amnesia," he muttered, and then strode out of the office.
Ten minutes later, William walked into Frankie's. He sat at the bar and ordered a scotch from the bartender.
"Hey, pal, you ok? 'Cause you don't look so good," the bartender said as he served the drink.
"Thanks, mate, but I'm just gonna sit here and drink awhile." Spike swirled the ice in his glass as he spoke.
The bartender shrugged. "Ok then, I'll be here if you want another."
Soon, William was ready for another, then another and another. He had just started his fourth drink when he spotted a short blonde head moving toward the bar. William couldn't see the face, but he knew it was her, Buffy.
"Bloody hell," he muttered. Feelings of excitement and dread coursed through him. What the hell am I going to do if she spots me?
Two minutes after the thought, William felt a tingle skate down his neck. He slowly turned around and met Buffy's gaze. She was sitting at the bar, smiling slightly. Although she was smiling, there was a panicked look in her eyes. She's looking like you probably do, mate. William deliberately rose from his stool and slowly walked to where she was sitting. The closer he got, the wider her eyes did. By the time William had reached her stool, her eyes were so wide William thought that they might pop out of her head.
"Hello again, pet," William said with cockiness that he did not feel. Right now he was so nervous that he feared his knees would give out on him.
"Hi, Spike," Buffy replied and then William did sit for fear of falling. Her voice was slightly husky and sounded like she'd just come from the bedroom.
"What brings you to Frankie's, luv?" William asked. He wanted to touch her so bad, just reach out and rub his thumb over her bottom lip. She had the most adorable habit of nibbling on it when she was nervous. William wanted to nibble on it for her.
"I've been having kinda a rough day," Buffy answered with a sigh. "Why are you here?"
"Drusilla," William replied.
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A/N: Until next time, my pretties.
