A/N: Don't I spoil you guys! Two chappies in one night! Actually, I feel
bad about the lack of recent updates, so here you go.try and not ruin your
dinner!
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Chapter 19: Nighttime Visitor
Joyce flew through the door of the Sunnydale police station. Her hair was undone and messy, her makeup haphazardly applied. Scanning the chairs, she spotted Willow sitting with a boy who had green hair. Joyce hurried over to the couple.
"What happened?" she demanded soon as she sat down.
Willow stopped talking to Oz and turned to Joyce. "I'm not too sure myself. Oz and I just got here about five minutes ago."
Joyce stood and looked around the station. She spotted a blue uniform and walked over to it. The officer wasn't much more help than Willow, so Joyce resigned herself to sitting in the chairs until Buffy and Spike appeared.
They didn't have to wait long. A few minutes after Joyce sat back down; a pale Buffy and a livid Spike walked stepped from a hallway into the chairs. Immediately, Joyce, Willow and Oz walked up to them, both women shooting questions and Oz looking calm as he always did.
Buffy put her hands out, to stave off the flow of words. "Just hold on a minute, guys, and we'll tell you what happened."
They sat while Spike continued to talk to the Detective. Hands flew, mostly the bleach blonds, and finally they shook hands. Spike walked back to the small group and he and Buffy told them what happened that morning, omitting certain details from the night before.
Willow was the first to react. "What a sick bastard! What kind of person does shit like this, this is just way too fucked up for words. If I get my hand on that guy, he better watch out. I'll yank his nuts off and shove them down his throat."
Joyce looked at Willow with an appalled expression, but Spike could appreciate the sentiment.
Oz reached to Willow and gently stroked her hand. Immediately, Willow began to calm down, and she threw him a grateful expression.
Joyce cleared her throat. "Hmm, well, it seems to me that there is nothing left to do here, so, Buffy, why don't you come home and take a shower and perhaps change your clothes. Spike, you can use the shower as well, separately, however."
Both Buffy and Spike blushed at this, but Joyce and Willow just smiled.
"Actually, Mrs. Summers, I have to work today, so I'll just run home." Spike said and smiled at Joyce. "But thank you for the offer." Joyce smiled back at him. "Not a problem. Ready to go, Buffy?"
Buffy nodded. "I'll catch up to you."
Joyce nodded, and walked toward the exit. Willow gave Buffy a tight, quick, hug. "Don't think you're going to get away without major spillage of details," she whispered and grinned. She grabbed Oz and they headed out.
Spike pulled Buffy close to his side and kissed her hair. "How you doing, luv?"
She shrugged. "I'm plenty wigged, I mean, that was completely of the freaky. Two roses, probably from the same psycho. I don't even know what he wants. And the picture! Sick pervert, I'm going to rip his balls off."
Spike chucked. "Seems to be a lot of that going on."
Buffy smiled. "Well, you know, it just feels like such a violation of privacy. He just watched us and took a picture. What do you think he wants?"
Spike shrugged. "I really don't know, luv. The police know now, they'll figure it out."
Buffy snorted. "The cops here couldn't find a doughnut shop, let alone some crazed psycho."
Spike flicked her nose and then kissed her. "Have faith, pet. I have to work today, but I'll call you tonight, okay?"
Buffy nodded. "Okay."
Spike opened his mouth to speak, and then closed it again. Buffy saw him and elbowed him. "Spit is out, what were you going to say?"
Spike laughed. "Well, first of all, I wanted to know if you had to work tonight."
Buffy shook her head. "Nope, off tonight. Whoo hoo for that, my poor feet need a night off. What else?"
Spike gave a half-shrug. "Well, I wasn't really planning on telling you like this, but I heard a friend of mine say that he was looking for a new bookkeeper-secretary type person to help him out. I told him that I might know someone, and I was going to recommend you, but I didn't want you to think that I was trying to force you out of your job or anything. Anyway, just think about it and let me know."
Buffy smiled at him. How incredibly sweet this man is. "I don't have to think about it, I'd love to. I have experience, and I can write out a résumé and everything, if need be."
Spike grinned and felt a rush of air whoosh out of him. "Okay, then. His name is Alexander Harris, here's his phone number. Give him a call, or stop by his restaurant. Just tell him that you're Buffy and he'll let you interview."
Buffy considered the number and then looked at Spike. "This wouldn't be the same man you waiter for, would it?"
Oh, shit, busted. "Well, pet, you see, it's like this." Spike was cut off by the ringing of his cell phone.
He answered with a gruff hello, and then rolled his eyes. "I'll be right there."
Buffy knew what was about to happen, so she just cocked an eyebrow at him and grimaced. "Go, you're off the hook, now. Tonight, we're having some words about what the hell is up with you."
Spike nodded, felt a small weight hit into his stomach and gave Buffy a quick kiss. "I'll call soon, pet. Promise and all that rot."
He dashed out of the police station, and Buffy slowly walked out behind him, then over to her mother's car. "Okay, I'm ready to take a shower."
Joyce simply nodded and pulled out of the parking lot. Silence reigned between mother and daughter until Joyce just couldn't help herself. "Buffy, did you sleep with Spike?"
Buffy stiffened and then forced herself to relax. "And if I did, why would it be a concern of yours?"
Joyce sighed, annoyed. "Nice try, Buffy, but the offended teenager routine only works if you are a teenager. You know damn well I like the boy; I'm just concerned about you. I know you've never been with someone before."
"Haven't we already had this conversation? Yes, I slept with Spike. Yes, I wanted to. And yes, it scared me at first, but it was the right thing to do, and I know it. I don't regret it, and I won't allow my relationships to all be dictated by one crazy man. Besides, Spike found me a job as a secretary for his friend. I could quit stripping..doesn't that make you happy?" she asked bitterly and looked out the window.
Silence resumed in the car until Joyce pulled up in front of their apartment complex. "I understand what you're saying, Buffy, and I admire the woman you've become. I haven't been the most supportive person, I know, but I also know that whatever happens, I trust you and your judgment."
Both women burst into tears and reached across the console to hug one another. "Let's go inside, I've got big news to tell you and A.J," Joyce said, stepping out of the car.
Buffy bounded up and down on her toes. "Ohhh, what is it? Did you win a million dollars? Are you getting married to Mel Gibson? What, what, what?"
Joyce laughed at her daughter. "Not going to say anything without A.J, so you might as well take a shower and settle down."
Buffy smiled, and then bounded up the stairs to their apartment. She unlocked the door and burst in, hurrying to her room. Joyce walked inside just in time to hear her daughter shriek.
Buffy ran out of her room. "Where did this come from?" she asked her mom, holding up a red rose with the thorns cut off.
Joyce looked at it quizzically, and then recognition flashed. "Last night, after you and Spike left, I saw it on your bed. I assumed that he had given it to you."
Buffy felt herself shaking and took several deep breaths for control. She immediately turned and walked back into her room, searching for the note. She found it among the sheets on her bed.
DID YOU LIKE THE PICTURE?
She walked to the kitchen and called the police. Moments later, Detective McClain showed up at their apartment. He questioned both Buffy and Joyce about the flower, put it in an evidence bag, and promised to contact them if anything turned up. After he left, Buffy and Joyce sat at the kitchen table, drinking hot chocolate.
Joyce stood up and walked to her room. Moments later, she returned with a bottle of brandy, and she poured a generous helping into both mugs.
Buffy gave her an incredulous look and Joyce shrugged. "Hey, sometimes even the most patient mother needs something to drink. You two could try the patience of the Pope."
They both laughed at that, and A.J walked into the apartment. He looked at him mom and sister, then at the brandy bottle and rolled his eyes. "You two are beyond weird, you know that?"
This only made the women laugh harder, and pretty soon A.J was sitting in the kitchen, laughing along side them. After their giggles subsided, Joyce told her children her good news.
"I got a job!" she squealed, Buffy joined in. A.J slowly backed away from them, instinctively knowing the male etiquette to avoid girls making that sound.
When they calmed down again, Joyce told her children that Mr. Rupert Giles, brother to Edward Giles, had hired her to be the overall manger of his new antique shop. It would open in a few months and take the place of the gallery where she used to work. Even better was the fact that she stared right away and would make three times as much as she did at the gallery.
The members of the Summer's household decided to celebrate their newfound good luck by opening a bottle of wine (for Joyce and Buffy), some soda (for A.J) and a ordering large pizza, everybody picking one topping. They put in a video and crowded onto the ancient couch in the living room.
After fighting about who got to put what elbow where, A.J and Buffy finally settled down to watch the movie. Halfway through was declared potty-break time, and A.J ran to the bathroom. Buffy yelled at him, but he just ignored her and locked the door.
Someone knocked on the front door.
"Buffy, honey, can you get that?" Joyce called from the kitchen.
"Sure, mom, no problem," Buffy yelled back. She flung the door open and then felt faint as all the blood rush from her head to her feet. It was him! The man who almost destroyed her, leaning against her doorstep as casual as an old friend.
"What, Buff, not happy to see me?"
"Angel," she said, and then fainted. ____________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________ A/N: I love being evil. Until next time, my pretties.
Chapter 19: Nighttime Visitor
Joyce flew through the door of the Sunnydale police station. Her hair was undone and messy, her makeup haphazardly applied. Scanning the chairs, she spotted Willow sitting with a boy who had green hair. Joyce hurried over to the couple.
"What happened?" she demanded soon as she sat down.
Willow stopped talking to Oz and turned to Joyce. "I'm not too sure myself. Oz and I just got here about five minutes ago."
Joyce stood and looked around the station. She spotted a blue uniform and walked over to it. The officer wasn't much more help than Willow, so Joyce resigned herself to sitting in the chairs until Buffy and Spike appeared.
They didn't have to wait long. A few minutes after Joyce sat back down; a pale Buffy and a livid Spike walked stepped from a hallway into the chairs. Immediately, Joyce, Willow and Oz walked up to them, both women shooting questions and Oz looking calm as he always did.
Buffy put her hands out, to stave off the flow of words. "Just hold on a minute, guys, and we'll tell you what happened."
They sat while Spike continued to talk to the Detective. Hands flew, mostly the bleach blonds, and finally they shook hands. Spike walked back to the small group and he and Buffy told them what happened that morning, omitting certain details from the night before.
Willow was the first to react. "What a sick bastard! What kind of person does shit like this, this is just way too fucked up for words. If I get my hand on that guy, he better watch out. I'll yank his nuts off and shove them down his throat."
Joyce looked at Willow with an appalled expression, but Spike could appreciate the sentiment.
Oz reached to Willow and gently stroked her hand. Immediately, Willow began to calm down, and she threw him a grateful expression.
Joyce cleared her throat. "Hmm, well, it seems to me that there is nothing left to do here, so, Buffy, why don't you come home and take a shower and perhaps change your clothes. Spike, you can use the shower as well, separately, however."
Both Buffy and Spike blushed at this, but Joyce and Willow just smiled.
"Actually, Mrs. Summers, I have to work today, so I'll just run home." Spike said and smiled at Joyce. "But thank you for the offer." Joyce smiled back at him. "Not a problem. Ready to go, Buffy?"
Buffy nodded. "I'll catch up to you."
Joyce nodded, and walked toward the exit. Willow gave Buffy a tight, quick, hug. "Don't think you're going to get away without major spillage of details," she whispered and grinned. She grabbed Oz and they headed out.
Spike pulled Buffy close to his side and kissed her hair. "How you doing, luv?"
She shrugged. "I'm plenty wigged, I mean, that was completely of the freaky. Two roses, probably from the same psycho. I don't even know what he wants. And the picture! Sick pervert, I'm going to rip his balls off."
Spike chucked. "Seems to be a lot of that going on."
Buffy smiled. "Well, you know, it just feels like such a violation of privacy. He just watched us and took a picture. What do you think he wants?"
Spike shrugged. "I really don't know, luv. The police know now, they'll figure it out."
Buffy snorted. "The cops here couldn't find a doughnut shop, let alone some crazed psycho."
Spike flicked her nose and then kissed her. "Have faith, pet. I have to work today, but I'll call you tonight, okay?"
Buffy nodded. "Okay."
Spike opened his mouth to speak, and then closed it again. Buffy saw him and elbowed him. "Spit is out, what were you going to say?"
Spike laughed. "Well, first of all, I wanted to know if you had to work tonight."
Buffy shook her head. "Nope, off tonight. Whoo hoo for that, my poor feet need a night off. What else?"
Spike gave a half-shrug. "Well, I wasn't really planning on telling you like this, but I heard a friend of mine say that he was looking for a new bookkeeper-secretary type person to help him out. I told him that I might know someone, and I was going to recommend you, but I didn't want you to think that I was trying to force you out of your job or anything. Anyway, just think about it and let me know."
Buffy smiled at him. How incredibly sweet this man is. "I don't have to think about it, I'd love to. I have experience, and I can write out a résumé and everything, if need be."
Spike grinned and felt a rush of air whoosh out of him. "Okay, then. His name is Alexander Harris, here's his phone number. Give him a call, or stop by his restaurant. Just tell him that you're Buffy and he'll let you interview."
Buffy considered the number and then looked at Spike. "This wouldn't be the same man you waiter for, would it?"
Oh, shit, busted. "Well, pet, you see, it's like this." Spike was cut off by the ringing of his cell phone.
He answered with a gruff hello, and then rolled his eyes. "I'll be right there."
Buffy knew what was about to happen, so she just cocked an eyebrow at him and grimaced. "Go, you're off the hook, now. Tonight, we're having some words about what the hell is up with you."
Spike nodded, felt a small weight hit into his stomach and gave Buffy a quick kiss. "I'll call soon, pet. Promise and all that rot."
He dashed out of the police station, and Buffy slowly walked out behind him, then over to her mother's car. "Okay, I'm ready to take a shower."
Joyce simply nodded and pulled out of the parking lot. Silence reigned between mother and daughter until Joyce just couldn't help herself. "Buffy, did you sleep with Spike?"
Buffy stiffened and then forced herself to relax. "And if I did, why would it be a concern of yours?"
Joyce sighed, annoyed. "Nice try, Buffy, but the offended teenager routine only works if you are a teenager. You know damn well I like the boy; I'm just concerned about you. I know you've never been with someone before."
"Haven't we already had this conversation? Yes, I slept with Spike. Yes, I wanted to. And yes, it scared me at first, but it was the right thing to do, and I know it. I don't regret it, and I won't allow my relationships to all be dictated by one crazy man. Besides, Spike found me a job as a secretary for his friend. I could quit stripping..doesn't that make you happy?" she asked bitterly and looked out the window.
Silence resumed in the car until Joyce pulled up in front of their apartment complex. "I understand what you're saying, Buffy, and I admire the woman you've become. I haven't been the most supportive person, I know, but I also know that whatever happens, I trust you and your judgment."
Both women burst into tears and reached across the console to hug one another. "Let's go inside, I've got big news to tell you and A.J," Joyce said, stepping out of the car.
Buffy bounded up and down on her toes. "Ohhh, what is it? Did you win a million dollars? Are you getting married to Mel Gibson? What, what, what?"
Joyce laughed at her daughter. "Not going to say anything without A.J, so you might as well take a shower and settle down."
Buffy smiled, and then bounded up the stairs to their apartment. She unlocked the door and burst in, hurrying to her room. Joyce walked inside just in time to hear her daughter shriek.
Buffy ran out of her room. "Where did this come from?" she asked her mom, holding up a red rose with the thorns cut off.
Joyce looked at it quizzically, and then recognition flashed. "Last night, after you and Spike left, I saw it on your bed. I assumed that he had given it to you."
Buffy felt herself shaking and took several deep breaths for control. She immediately turned and walked back into her room, searching for the note. She found it among the sheets on her bed.
DID YOU LIKE THE PICTURE?
She walked to the kitchen and called the police. Moments later, Detective McClain showed up at their apartment. He questioned both Buffy and Joyce about the flower, put it in an evidence bag, and promised to contact them if anything turned up. After he left, Buffy and Joyce sat at the kitchen table, drinking hot chocolate.
Joyce stood up and walked to her room. Moments later, she returned with a bottle of brandy, and she poured a generous helping into both mugs.
Buffy gave her an incredulous look and Joyce shrugged. "Hey, sometimes even the most patient mother needs something to drink. You two could try the patience of the Pope."
They both laughed at that, and A.J walked into the apartment. He looked at him mom and sister, then at the brandy bottle and rolled his eyes. "You two are beyond weird, you know that?"
This only made the women laugh harder, and pretty soon A.J was sitting in the kitchen, laughing along side them. After their giggles subsided, Joyce told her children her good news.
"I got a job!" she squealed, Buffy joined in. A.J slowly backed away from them, instinctively knowing the male etiquette to avoid girls making that sound.
When they calmed down again, Joyce told her children that Mr. Rupert Giles, brother to Edward Giles, had hired her to be the overall manger of his new antique shop. It would open in a few months and take the place of the gallery where she used to work. Even better was the fact that she stared right away and would make three times as much as she did at the gallery.
The members of the Summer's household decided to celebrate their newfound good luck by opening a bottle of wine (for Joyce and Buffy), some soda (for A.J) and a ordering large pizza, everybody picking one topping. They put in a video and crowded onto the ancient couch in the living room.
After fighting about who got to put what elbow where, A.J and Buffy finally settled down to watch the movie. Halfway through was declared potty-break time, and A.J ran to the bathroom. Buffy yelled at him, but he just ignored her and locked the door.
Someone knocked on the front door.
"Buffy, honey, can you get that?" Joyce called from the kitchen.
"Sure, mom, no problem," Buffy yelled back. She flung the door open and then felt faint as all the blood rush from her head to her feet. It was him! The man who almost destroyed her, leaning against her doorstep as casual as an old friend.
"What, Buff, not happy to see me?"
"Angel," she said, and then fainted. ____________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________ A/N: I love being evil. Until next time, my pretties.
