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What Is To Be
-Sixth-
By Annie
2003-09-13
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Spike hung up the phone, looking over at Buffy with a rather huge smile on his face and she giggled, getting to her feet.
"Didn't expect her to be so happy," he admitted and Buffy raised her eyebrows as she came up to stand before him.
"Don't underestimate my sister," she then said, "she'll surprise you any day."
He smirked at that.
It was seven o'clock in the morning and Buffy looked ravishing in a pair of worn, gray pajama bottoms and a big pink sweater. Her hair was loosely put up in a ponytail, and he loved how it swayed whenever she turned, or even moved, her head. They had been talking with the old homeland for nearly half an hour, the receiver being passed around from an astounded Giles to a happy Willow - wanting to know all about the spell which brought him back, how it felt, how it was now - her inquiries turning into an endless stream, finally stopped by a whining and begging Dawn who started her conversation with a squeal of a joy she did nothing to quiet down.
"Sleep well?" Spike now asked and it was Buffy's turn to smirk.
She had noticed it too, that silence which kept ending up between them as their eyes seemed to always get stuck in the other's and they simply looked at each other; waiting for some sort of revelation, perhaps. Of where they were supposed to go from here.
"You already asked me that," she now pointed out and he smiled, shaking his head a little at himself.
"Right," he said, jumping down from the desk he had been seated on and she looked up at him, her hand brushing against his and she felt her heart skip a beat.
He bit his lower lip, almost leaning into her to bury his nose by the side of her neck and breathe vanilla and moisturizer and that sweet shampoo she used. But she broke eye contact and walked passed him, making him take a small breath to shake himself out of the place that was her. Then he followed her into the foyer, where the others were gathered.
Angel was talking with Cordelia and Wesley, and as the two blondes walked through the doorway they all looked their way with rather grim expressions on their faces.
"Whoa, love fest in the room," Buffy grumbled and Spike chuckled.
"Doesn't bode well, does it, Slayer?"
She stopped, turning her head to him and he could see in her eyes the turmoil within her at the mention of her old nickname. He also remembered. All the times he had used it. She seemed to see it on him and her gaze grew warm right before Angel called her name.
"Here goes," she sighed, giving the man at her side a meaningful eyebrow raise and he smiled again, watching her join the group of three.
"It must feel so strange," Susannah said as she came up to his side.
"What?" he asked, turning his head to her.
"Well, haven't you noticed the way she acts around Angel?" she wondered and he furrowed his brow. "I think she's the only one to have a reason to be happy about this whole world-coming-to-a-close situation," she added. "It brought her back here, didn't it?" she finished at his very skeptical expression.
"To Angel?" he asked and she nodded, a very sober expression on her face.
"Trust me, hon, a girl never, NEVER forgets her first true love," she stated, nodding to the vampire and Slayer and Spike looked back at them just as Buffy smiled at something Angel was saying to her by leaning forward and placing his mouth next to her ear.
Then she shook her head a little, giving him a small push on one arm.
Spike swallowed hard.
"She could've come back anytime," he murmured, looking to the side where there was nothing but air as Susannah had already left the spot vacant. "She could've," he repeated firmly, looking back at the two and feeling a stinging, weakening apprehension tear through him.
What if all the small reasons he had for hoping she felt more was brought on by her happiness at having him be all right? What if all the very small signs he thought he kept seeing was brought on by his much too big need for them to be there, his want for them to exist? What if he was fooling himself into believing that she...
Not a good idea to jump to conclusions.
No, exactly, not in any aspect. He wasn't who she had once known, but he wasn't someone else either. Whatever was there he wasn't going to rush it. They could be friends, he knew they could. If Angel was who she wanted, then he would be happy for them.
Sod that! He couldn't even imagine the hell it would be to have to see those two together!
"You okay?" Fred brought him back to earth by asking and he looked at her, trying to not look too caught off guard. "You look a little pale..."
"No, I'm good," he assured. "Just... wondering what the bloody crisis is this time," he added with a gesture to the small congregation still having their meeting.
"Oh," Fred said. "Personally, I hope it ISN'T something 'bloody'," she added and he was about to open his mouth and explain that that hadn't been how he meant it when he came to the conclusion she was merely teasing him.
"Witty," he muttered with a mock-sour expression and she smiled.
"Actually they're discussing an outing tonight. They want Buffy to patrol, look for anything she might see as unusual. A fresh pair of eyes can be all it takes, according to Gunn," Fred stated and Spike gave her a look of ill- contained surprise before he thanked her for the information and stalked up to his former grandsire.
"Hey," he said.
"Hello," Angel gave a nod and Spike shook his head before grabbing the others arm, making him put all his attention on the former.
"You planning on sending her out there by herself?" he asked and now he also had Buffy and Cordelia's eyes on him.
"As a matter of fact..." Angel began, but Spike cut him off, letting his arm go harshly as he said:
"You're crazy! Bloody hell, we don't know what's out there! It could be anything!"
"Lack of credit not appreciated," Buffy chimed in, Spike ignoring her completely.
"What - you gonna equip her with a stake, some holy water and then send her on her merry way?" he demanded, Angel getting an extremely serene look on his face before he replied:
"Actually I had planned on blessing her with at least an axe."
Spike's eyes widened at that.
"Should I perhaps remind you of all the nasties I've slain, pretty much by myself and sometimes in a very huge lack of any kind of weapons?" Buffy asked. "The list is extensive."
"An axe won't slice and dice a question mark, Angie!" Spike exclaimed.
"Good grief, whatever happened to Peaches?" Angel replied sarcastically and Spike's eyes grew hard with impatience at the interruption in his tirade, then he continued it with:
"She can't fight the un-known and it'd be bloody suicide sending her out there without back-up!"
"Murder," Cordelia corrected. "It'd be murder."
"You guys!" Buffy said. "I think I should at least have a say in the matter!"
"'I can fend for myself' or 'I have the skill to pull it off' or 'I don't need your protection' will be sentences best stuffed back in that dusty compartment in the back of your throat," Spike stated and she frowned, crossing her arms over her chest in dislike.
"I CAN fend for myself, Spike," she shot. "And I DO have the skill to pull 'it' off, I patrolled the streets of Sunnydale for SEVEN years! And I really don't need your protection, don't patronize me!"
"I'm NOT patronizing you! You haven't been here the past few months! You don't know how long we've tried to figure this out, and we still have practically ZERO!" he retorted.
"THAT'S why I wanna get out there, see if I can't help turn that zero into some other number - preferably one higher than just one or two! And EXCUSE me, by the way, for not BEING here while all the bookworm-y stuff went down, but SOMEONE forebode the asking of me to join in!" she barked and his jaw line grew set as he gave her a glare.
"You're still too bloody stubborn for your own good!" he then yelled.
"Yeah, well, YOU'RE still too damn much of a know-it-all!" she yelled back and there was three seconds of silence as they seemed about ready to go head-to-head on the matter.
Then they both smiled, so suddenly it made Angel and Cordelia exchange a wondering look. Buffy giggled, shaking her head slowly, and Spike chuckled.
"I'm not telling you what to do," he then said.
"I know," she replied. "I know you're not."
"I didn't mean to sound like I don't know you," he stated. "'Cause believe me, I remember every last facet of your strength, and..."
"Spike," she interrupted with another smile. "I..." She trailed off and he smiled back. "I'm sorry," she said and his smile widened slightly.
"Me too," he agreed.
"Now THAT was intense," Cordelia said, looking from Buffy to Spike. "Do you usually fight like this, 'cause next time I wanna bring some popcorn."
Spike gave her a look and she smiled brightly before she turned and left the three.
"I was GOING to say," Angel now spoke up, "that as a matter of fact I was thinking about you showing her the sights. If you don't mind a late night out under town," he added and Spike cocked an eyebrow before he turned his eyes on Buffy again.
"No, I think I can stomach it," he then replied and she gave him a slap on the chest before she said:
"See. Don't you feel stupid now? Next time get all the facts BEFORE you pick a fight."
His eyebrows rose high at that and then he asked:
"And deprive this group of the first real speck of entertainment they've had in all the time I've known them?! Never!"
She merely smirked.
"So, what sights are you taking me to?" she then asked.
"You'll see," he answered her, seemingly leaving the subject at that.
***
Six hours later Buffy rose and stretched.
They had been gathered around the research table for the past four-and-a- half hours and she was less than the average stiff.
"I think it's time for lunch," she said and the others were not late to fall in line with that idea.
The seven of them left the stuffiness of the conference room for the ventilated air of the kitchen. The conversation quickly picking up as their brains got a rest from the strain of looking for clues unwilling to show.
Buffy began to chow on her left-over sandwich from the night prior, looking over at Spike who was digging in on one freshly made, and she nodded her approval to the one she was tasting which made him smile at her.
Susannah was sitting beside him, talking about something which he listened to with somewhat faked interest, or so Buffy thought. Or maybe it was just what she WANTED to think...
She sighed, turning to Cordelia who was taking another bite of her salad.
"So, what's the deal with Susannah anyway?" the former asked and Cordelia finished chewing as she looked up at her.
Swallowing she then replied:
"She works here, helps out, and in return gets food and housing." Buffy gave her a meaningful look at that and Cordelia smiled. "Of course, that's not the deal you're curious about," she said and Buffy shook her head.
The Slayer hesitated, but couldn't keep the question back any longer.
"Is she and Spike...? I mean, are they...?" she asked quietly and Cordelia raised her eyebrows before she seemed to realize the end part to the question, filling it in as well as answering when she said:
"...together? No. Not at all. Though Susie seems to want him bad enough."
Buffy cocked an eyebrow at that, looking over at the two.
"They look so familiar with each other," she murmured, fighting to keep the jealousy out of her voice, but feeling rather certain that the other could hear it.
"They're good friends," Cordelia admitted. "They've gotten close, you know? Living so close and everything you tend to."
"Yeah," Buffy agreed. "'Course. You tend to."
But tonight I'll have him all to myself, she then thought and she had a small smile of contentment spread over her lips as she took a second bite on her sandwich. And little miss Interruption over there'll have no way of barging in on us then, will she? Nope. Zero-one to the Slayer. Yeah, I'm bad. And... I'm actually ready to get into a catfight over him.
This thought was so amusing that she couldn't help but let out a laugh.
***
That evening she left the hotel with Spike at nine o'clock. Her most trusted weapon tucked at the small of her back and in a sheath behind her back rested a sleek sword. He carried the same choice of protection, though his sword was heavier.
She glanced at him where he walked by her side, his concentration seemed to be at its peak as he kept his eyes faced forward. He reminded her of nights they had done exactly this... with the exception, of course, that she then had considered him a liability and a pain in her ass for insisting on following her every move.
She smiled at the thought, turning her head forward again.
Spike gave her a brief, side-ways glance as he noticed her take her gaze off him. Seeing her small smile he asked:
"What?"
It widened and she turned her head to him, making him mirror the movement.
"Just... thinking," she replied and he cocked an eyebrow.
"About?" he encouraged an elaboration and she smirked.
"Wouldn't you just love to know?" she teased and he smiled as well.
They grew quiet again, walking as such for a few minutes and Buffy having a stream of questions flowing through her head. There had been no time for them to talk about anything, and the fact that Susannah hovered as something of a shadow whenever there might have been a chance that the Slayer got to spend some time with him alone hadn't exactly improved the matter.
"Susannah's nice," Buffy spoke up and Spike once again looked at her.
"She's been there," he then nodded and at that Buffy stopped, he did the same.
"WHY didn't you contact me?" she asked and he shook his head at her hurt expression.
"I didn't think I should," he murmured.
"HOW could you think that?!" she exclaimed.
"It's a long story..."
"I've got time," she cut him off.
"It's not a story meant to be told in a back-alley..." he tried and she sighed.
"What are we doing here anyway?" she then asked, looking around at the place he had taken her.
"Well," he merely said, bending down and after a short second of struggling he got the lid off the tunnel leading down and into, what she assumed, the sewers.
"Oh, now I get what Angel meant by 'a night UNDER town'," she said as Spike gestured for her to take the lead.
He merely smirked, watching her as she climbed down and then not being late to follow.
"Wonderful smell," Buffy stated as he jumped down from the ladder to land beside her. "What is this - Odor Number Five?" she quipped and his smile widened.
"We'll take this way," he then said, pointing down the tunnel to her left and she nodded, starting up as he did.
"So, what are the sights?" she asked.
"Just some hang outs that Angel usually checks out if he needs information... They know me now, so it's pretty safe," he answered and she raised her eyebrows.
"'Pretty' safe?" she asked and he gave a small shrug with one shoulder.
"When's anything completely safe?" he asked back and she merely gave a nod saying that was very true.
"So, what do you think this prophecy is all about?" she asked.
"Aside from the obvious 'destruction of all life' clause on the final page?" he wondered and she smiled at that. "I dunno," he admitted. "I've been scanning the books and I haven't been able to find anything on this blind demon about to wake..."
"Hold it," she interrupted, stopping and he halted as well, looking around in search of the threat she seemed to have picked up the vibes from, realizing there was none when she looked up at him and he met her gaze as she asked: "Did you just say the words 'scanning' and 'books' in a sentence? Have YOU been sitting with your cute little nose tucked into actual bound pages containing rows and rows of letters forming words forming a picture in which YOU'VE sought to find the proper details, is this what you're telling me?"
"Well, yeah. But I think you did a much better job at it," he replied and her face split in a grin.
"You are a man of astonishments, Spike," she stated and he tilted his head slightly to one side before he said:
"And you're the only one who's called me that name since I was brought back."
Her face turned solemn, and she suddenly looked regretful. He smiled reassuringly, tentatively reaching up a hand and sliding it into her locks, through them and to her cheek. She leaned her head into his touch, then returned his smile.
"Old habits die hard," she murmured and he chuckled, removing his hand and then nodding.
"Your voice calling me that is the only one which won't send shivers of discomfort through me, reminding me of what it stands for," he then said and her gaze grew tender at this admission.
"It's not that I can't see you as a 'William'," she assured and he smirked. "'Cause I can!" she added. "It's just... it's a lot to get used to and just being able to see you again is huge..."
"It is?" he wondered and she gave him a look.
"You know it is," she answered. "And changing your name on top of that... I mean, I guess it's more of a changing it BACK, since 'William' is your ACTUAL name, but I..."
"Did you miss the part where I said it was okay?" he interrupted gently and she looked sheepish.
"No," she then replied, voice slightly drifting and his smile broadened. "I just want you to know..."
"I do," he said.
They started walking again.
"I heard about your traveling," he said after a few moments and she nodded. "That's good, that you got to do that... Where have you been?"
"Everywhere," she mumbled.
"Favorite city?" he asked and she smiled at how the topic of conversation had turned from heavy to light in the blink of an eye.
"London," she then answered, looking at him in a way that made his throat dry up and his palms sweaty and his heart beat just a little bit faster. "I could live there," she added silently and he thought he sensed a second meaning to those words in her eyes, but a sound behind them made him drop any further musings into it as he turned around, Buffy doing so in the same moment and their hands going for their weapons.
It was, however, quite a lot too late.
From the shadows all around them stepped a group of demons, twelve in plain sight, but the Slayer got the feeling that there were more lurking in the darkness.
"'And on the sixth day there shall be silence as the people arises in acknowledgement and trust'," Spike recited quietly, making Buffy look at him again.
"Which means?" she asked, turning her eyes back on the attackers.
"That we're in trouble," he grumbled. "Big and real bloody trouble."
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Hey, y'all! Oh, wow. It's so much fun getting reviews and getting reviews from you is, of course, the best. ;) Thanks a lot for great feedback! This is what I breathe! (Apart from taking this story to the last chapter, naturally) ;)
Special thanks to Captain (for the feedback on both four and five! So great that this keeps bringing the flavor of your taste! Also, *lol* to the wanting to like Susannah part. That was hilarious! Love it that I manage to get into your head!) :), wolf116 (OMG! You have got to be kidding me here! Yeah, they 'spred' the disease, then! Gosh, that's simply sick, isn't it?! Glad you still like!) :), thechosen1 (hope you enjoyed the rest of the chapters, my friend!) :), Winters1 (hehe, okay, good to know!) :P, Taelyn (Susannah is not a well-liked character and I cannot imagine why! ;) Sulfuric acid? Really? You are quite cruel, anyone ever tell you that? Love it that ya love it!) :), Hope (lot of requests for Susannah's death... :) And happy that this one rocks your jocks! *grin*) ;), Tobert (another plea for Susannah's demise! Oh, sorry, demand. *smirk* Great that you're liking it regardless!) :) and darklover (was this fast enough?!) ;).
Okay, so I have some killer ideas for what to do with Susannah. She needs to either for away, very far away or have her hair fall out and toes fall off, have Spike punch a railroad spike through her head (though I believe it would be difficult to pull this off and stay true to current character) or I could just revert to the good old suggestions of using sulfuric acid or a hard, intense bitch slap. Well, you guys are wonderful for providing such nice tidbits. Is she really that awful? *smiles gleefully*
You guys are awesome and you make me wanna get the chapters out there faster than fast just to see what you'll think of them so don't stop putting out your thoughts, okay? Hope you enjoyed this chapter as well!!!
A.M.L, Annie.
What Is To Be
-Sixth-
By Annie
2003-09-13
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Spike hung up the phone, looking over at Buffy with a rather huge smile on his face and she giggled, getting to her feet.
"Didn't expect her to be so happy," he admitted and Buffy raised her eyebrows as she came up to stand before him.
"Don't underestimate my sister," she then said, "she'll surprise you any day."
He smirked at that.
It was seven o'clock in the morning and Buffy looked ravishing in a pair of worn, gray pajama bottoms and a big pink sweater. Her hair was loosely put up in a ponytail, and he loved how it swayed whenever she turned, or even moved, her head. They had been talking with the old homeland for nearly half an hour, the receiver being passed around from an astounded Giles to a happy Willow - wanting to know all about the spell which brought him back, how it felt, how it was now - her inquiries turning into an endless stream, finally stopped by a whining and begging Dawn who started her conversation with a squeal of a joy she did nothing to quiet down.
"Sleep well?" Spike now asked and it was Buffy's turn to smirk.
She had noticed it too, that silence which kept ending up between them as their eyes seemed to always get stuck in the other's and they simply looked at each other; waiting for some sort of revelation, perhaps. Of where they were supposed to go from here.
"You already asked me that," she now pointed out and he smiled, shaking his head a little at himself.
"Right," he said, jumping down from the desk he had been seated on and she looked up at him, her hand brushing against his and she felt her heart skip a beat.
He bit his lower lip, almost leaning into her to bury his nose by the side of her neck and breathe vanilla and moisturizer and that sweet shampoo she used. But she broke eye contact and walked passed him, making him take a small breath to shake himself out of the place that was her. Then he followed her into the foyer, where the others were gathered.
Angel was talking with Cordelia and Wesley, and as the two blondes walked through the doorway they all looked their way with rather grim expressions on their faces.
"Whoa, love fest in the room," Buffy grumbled and Spike chuckled.
"Doesn't bode well, does it, Slayer?"
She stopped, turning her head to him and he could see in her eyes the turmoil within her at the mention of her old nickname. He also remembered. All the times he had used it. She seemed to see it on him and her gaze grew warm right before Angel called her name.
"Here goes," she sighed, giving the man at her side a meaningful eyebrow raise and he smiled again, watching her join the group of three.
"It must feel so strange," Susannah said as she came up to his side.
"What?" he asked, turning his head to her.
"Well, haven't you noticed the way she acts around Angel?" she wondered and he furrowed his brow. "I think she's the only one to have a reason to be happy about this whole world-coming-to-a-close situation," she added. "It brought her back here, didn't it?" she finished at his very skeptical expression.
"To Angel?" he asked and she nodded, a very sober expression on her face.
"Trust me, hon, a girl never, NEVER forgets her first true love," she stated, nodding to the vampire and Slayer and Spike looked back at them just as Buffy smiled at something Angel was saying to her by leaning forward and placing his mouth next to her ear.
Then she shook her head a little, giving him a small push on one arm.
Spike swallowed hard.
"She could've come back anytime," he murmured, looking to the side where there was nothing but air as Susannah had already left the spot vacant. "She could've," he repeated firmly, looking back at the two and feeling a stinging, weakening apprehension tear through him.
What if all the small reasons he had for hoping she felt more was brought on by her happiness at having him be all right? What if all the very small signs he thought he kept seeing was brought on by his much too big need for them to be there, his want for them to exist? What if he was fooling himself into believing that she...
Not a good idea to jump to conclusions.
No, exactly, not in any aspect. He wasn't who she had once known, but he wasn't someone else either. Whatever was there he wasn't going to rush it. They could be friends, he knew they could. If Angel was who she wanted, then he would be happy for them.
Sod that! He couldn't even imagine the hell it would be to have to see those two together!
"You okay?" Fred brought him back to earth by asking and he looked at her, trying to not look too caught off guard. "You look a little pale..."
"No, I'm good," he assured. "Just... wondering what the bloody crisis is this time," he added with a gesture to the small congregation still having their meeting.
"Oh," Fred said. "Personally, I hope it ISN'T something 'bloody'," she added and he was about to open his mouth and explain that that hadn't been how he meant it when he came to the conclusion she was merely teasing him.
"Witty," he muttered with a mock-sour expression and she smiled.
"Actually they're discussing an outing tonight. They want Buffy to patrol, look for anything she might see as unusual. A fresh pair of eyes can be all it takes, according to Gunn," Fred stated and Spike gave her a look of ill- contained surprise before he thanked her for the information and stalked up to his former grandsire.
"Hey," he said.
"Hello," Angel gave a nod and Spike shook his head before grabbing the others arm, making him put all his attention on the former.
"You planning on sending her out there by herself?" he asked and now he also had Buffy and Cordelia's eyes on him.
"As a matter of fact..." Angel began, but Spike cut him off, letting his arm go harshly as he said:
"You're crazy! Bloody hell, we don't know what's out there! It could be anything!"
"Lack of credit not appreciated," Buffy chimed in, Spike ignoring her completely.
"What - you gonna equip her with a stake, some holy water and then send her on her merry way?" he demanded, Angel getting an extremely serene look on his face before he replied:
"Actually I had planned on blessing her with at least an axe."
Spike's eyes widened at that.
"Should I perhaps remind you of all the nasties I've slain, pretty much by myself and sometimes in a very huge lack of any kind of weapons?" Buffy asked. "The list is extensive."
"An axe won't slice and dice a question mark, Angie!" Spike exclaimed.
"Good grief, whatever happened to Peaches?" Angel replied sarcastically and Spike's eyes grew hard with impatience at the interruption in his tirade, then he continued it with:
"She can't fight the un-known and it'd be bloody suicide sending her out there without back-up!"
"Murder," Cordelia corrected. "It'd be murder."
"You guys!" Buffy said. "I think I should at least have a say in the matter!"
"'I can fend for myself' or 'I have the skill to pull it off' or 'I don't need your protection' will be sentences best stuffed back in that dusty compartment in the back of your throat," Spike stated and she frowned, crossing her arms over her chest in dislike.
"I CAN fend for myself, Spike," she shot. "And I DO have the skill to pull 'it' off, I patrolled the streets of Sunnydale for SEVEN years! And I really don't need your protection, don't patronize me!"
"I'm NOT patronizing you! You haven't been here the past few months! You don't know how long we've tried to figure this out, and we still have practically ZERO!" he retorted.
"THAT'S why I wanna get out there, see if I can't help turn that zero into some other number - preferably one higher than just one or two! And EXCUSE me, by the way, for not BEING here while all the bookworm-y stuff went down, but SOMEONE forebode the asking of me to join in!" she barked and his jaw line grew set as he gave her a glare.
"You're still too bloody stubborn for your own good!" he then yelled.
"Yeah, well, YOU'RE still too damn much of a know-it-all!" she yelled back and there was three seconds of silence as they seemed about ready to go head-to-head on the matter.
Then they both smiled, so suddenly it made Angel and Cordelia exchange a wondering look. Buffy giggled, shaking her head slowly, and Spike chuckled.
"I'm not telling you what to do," he then said.
"I know," she replied. "I know you're not."
"I didn't mean to sound like I don't know you," he stated. "'Cause believe me, I remember every last facet of your strength, and..."
"Spike," she interrupted with another smile. "I..." She trailed off and he smiled back. "I'm sorry," she said and his smile widened slightly.
"Me too," he agreed.
"Now THAT was intense," Cordelia said, looking from Buffy to Spike. "Do you usually fight like this, 'cause next time I wanna bring some popcorn."
Spike gave her a look and she smiled brightly before she turned and left the three.
"I was GOING to say," Angel now spoke up, "that as a matter of fact I was thinking about you showing her the sights. If you don't mind a late night out under town," he added and Spike cocked an eyebrow before he turned his eyes on Buffy again.
"No, I think I can stomach it," he then replied and she gave him a slap on the chest before she said:
"See. Don't you feel stupid now? Next time get all the facts BEFORE you pick a fight."
His eyebrows rose high at that and then he asked:
"And deprive this group of the first real speck of entertainment they've had in all the time I've known them?! Never!"
She merely smirked.
"So, what sights are you taking me to?" she then asked.
"You'll see," he answered her, seemingly leaving the subject at that.
***
Six hours later Buffy rose and stretched.
They had been gathered around the research table for the past four-and-a- half hours and she was less than the average stiff.
"I think it's time for lunch," she said and the others were not late to fall in line with that idea.
The seven of them left the stuffiness of the conference room for the ventilated air of the kitchen. The conversation quickly picking up as their brains got a rest from the strain of looking for clues unwilling to show.
Buffy began to chow on her left-over sandwich from the night prior, looking over at Spike who was digging in on one freshly made, and she nodded her approval to the one she was tasting which made him smile at her.
Susannah was sitting beside him, talking about something which he listened to with somewhat faked interest, or so Buffy thought. Or maybe it was just what she WANTED to think...
She sighed, turning to Cordelia who was taking another bite of her salad.
"So, what's the deal with Susannah anyway?" the former asked and Cordelia finished chewing as she looked up at her.
Swallowing she then replied:
"She works here, helps out, and in return gets food and housing." Buffy gave her a meaningful look at that and Cordelia smiled. "Of course, that's not the deal you're curious about," she said and Buffy shook her head.
The Slayer hesitated, but couldn't keep the question back any longer.
"Is she and Spike...? I mean, are they...?" she asked quietly and Cordelia raised her eyebrows before she seemed to realize the end part to the question, filling it in as well as answering when she said:
"...together? No. Not at all. Though Susie seems to want him bad enough."
Buffy cocked an eyebrow at that, looking over at the two.
"They look so familiar with each other," she murmured, fighting to keep the jealousy out of her voice, but feeling rather certain that the other could hear it.
"They're good friends," Cordelia admitted. "They've gotten close, you know? Living so close and everything you tend to."
"Yeah," Buffy agreed. "'Course. You tend to."
But tonight I'll have him all to myself, she then thought and she had a small smile of contentment spread over her lips as she took a second bite on her sandwich. And little miss Interruption over there'll have no way of barging in on us then, will she? Nope. Zero-one to the Slayer. Yeah, I'm bad. And... I'm actually ready to get into a catfight over him.
This thought was so amusing that she couldn't help but let out a laugh.
***
That evening she left the hotel with Spike at nine o'clock. Her most trusted weapon tucked at the small of her back and in a sheath behind her back rested a sleek sword. He carried the same choice of protection, though his sword was heavier.
She glanced at him where he walked by her side, his concentration seemed to be at its peak as he kept his eyes faced forward. He reminded her of nights they had done exactly this... with the exception, of course, that she then had considered him a liability and a pain in her ass for insisting on following her every move.
She smiled at the thought, turning her head forward again.
Spike gave her a brief, side-ways glance as he noticed her take her gaze off him. Seeing her small smile he asked:
"What?"
It widened and she turned her head to him, making him mirror the movement.
"Just... thinking," she replied and he cocked an eyebrow.
"About?" he encouraged an elaboration and she smirked.
"Wouldn't you just love to know?" she teased and he smiled as well.
They grew quiet again, walking as such for a few minutes and Buffy having a stream of questions flowing through her head. There had been no time for them to talk about anything, and the fact that Susannah hovered as something of a shadow whenever there might have been a chance that the Slayer got to spend some time with him alone hadn't exactly improved the matter.
"Susannah's nice," Buffy spoke up and Spike once again looked at her.
"She's been there," he then nodded and at that Buffy stopped, he did the same.
"WHY didn't you contact me?" she asked and he shook his head at her hurt expression.
"I didn't think I should," he murmured.
"HOW could you think that?!" she exclaimed.
"It's a long story..."
"I've got time," she cut him off.
"It's not a story meant to be told in a back-alley..." he tried and she sighed.
"What are we doing here anyway?" she then asked, looking around at the place he had taken her.
"Well," he merely said, bending down and after a short second of struggling he got the lid off the tunnel leading down and into, what she assumed, the sewers.
"Oh, now I get what Angel meant by 'a night UNDER town'," she said as Spike gestured for her to take the lead.
He merely smirked, watching her as she climbed down and then not being late to follow.
"Wonderful smell," Buffy stated as he jumped down from the ladder to land beside her. "What is this - Odor Number Five?" she quipped and his smile widened.
"We'll take this way," he then said, pointing down the tunnel to her left and she nodded, starting up as he did.
"So, what are the sights?" she asked.
"Just some hang outs that Angel usually checks out if he needs information... They know me now, so it's pretty safe," he answered and she raised her eyebrows.
"'Pretty' safe?" she asked and he gave a small shrug with one shoulder.
"When's anything completely safe?" he asked back and she merely gave a nod saying that was very true.
"So, what do you think this prophecy is all about?" she asked.
"Aside from the obvious 'destruction of all life' clause on the final page?" he wondered and she smiled at that. "I dunno," he admitted. "I've been scanning the books and I haven't been able to find anything on this blind demon about to wake..."
"Hold it," she interrupted, stopping and he halted as well, looking around in search of the threat she seemed to have picked up the vibes from, realizing there was none when she looked up at him and he met her gaze as she asked: "Did you just say the words 'scanning' and 'books' in a sentence? Have YOU been sitting with your cute little nose tucked into actual bound pages containing rows and rows of letters forming words forming a picture in which YOU'VE sought to find the proper details, is this what you're telling me?"
"Well, yeah. But I think you did a much better job at it," he replied and her face split in a grin.
"You are a man of astonishments, Spike," she stated and he tilted his head slightly to one side before he said:
"And you're the only one who's called me that name since I was brought back."
Her face turned solemn, and she suddenly looked regretful. He smiled reassuringly, tentatively reaching up a hand and sliding it into her locks, through them and to her cheek. She leaned her head into his touch, then returned his smile.
"Old habits die hard," she murmured and he chuckled, removing his hand and then nodding.
"Your voice calling me that is the only one which won't send shivers of discomfort through me, reminding me of what it stands for," he then said and her gaze grew tender at this admission.
"It's not that I can't see you as a 'William'," she assured and he smirked. "'Cause I can!" she added. "It's just... it's a lot to get used to and just being able to see you again is huge..."
"It is?" he wondered and she gave him a look.
"You know it is," she answered. "And changing your name on top of that... I mean, I guess it's more of a changing it BACK, since 'William' is your ACTUAL name, but I..."
"Did you miss the part where I said it was okay?" he interrupted gently and she looked sheepish.
"No," she then replied, voice slightly drifting and his smile broadened. "I just want you to know..."
"I do," he said.
They started walking again.
"I heard about your traveling," he said after a few moments and she nodded. "That's good, that you got to do that... Where have you been?"
"Everywhere," she mumbled.
"Favorite city?" he asked and she smiled at how the topic of conversation had turned from heavy to light in the blink of an eye.
"London," she then answered, looking at him in a way that made his throat dry up and his palms sweaty and his heart beat just a little bit faster. "I could live there," she added silently and he thought he sensed a second meaning to those words in her eyes, but a sound behind them made him drop any further musings into it as he turned around, Buffy doing so in the same moment and their hands going for their weapons.
It was, however, quite a lot too late.
From the shadows all around them stepped a group of demons, twelve in plain sight, but the Slayer got the feeling that there were more lurking in the darkness.
"'And on the sixth day there shall be silence as the people arises in acknowledgement and trust'," Spike recited quietly, making Buffy look at him again.
"Which means?" she asked, turning her eyes back on the attackers.
"That we're in trouble," he grumbled. "Big and real bloody trouble."
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Hey, y'all! Oh, wow. It's so much fun getting reviews and getting reviews from you is, of course, the best. ;) Thanks a lot for great feedback! This is what I breathe! (Apart from taking this story to the last chapter, naturally) ;)
Special thanks to Captain (for the feedback on both four and five! So great that this keeps bringing the flavor of your taste! Also, *lol* to the wanting to like Susannah part. That was hilarious! Love it that I manage to get into your head!) :), wolf116 (OMG! You have got to be kidding me here! Yeah, they 'spred' the disease, then! Gosh, that's simply sick, isn't it?! Glad you still like!) :), thechosen1 (hope you enjoyed the rest of the chapters, my friend!) :), Winters1 (hehe, okay, good to know!) :P, Taelyn (Susannah is not a well-liked character and I cannot imagine why! ;) Sulfuric acid? Really? You are quite cruel, anyone ever tell you that? Love it that ya love it!) :), Hope (lot of requests for Susannah's death... :) And happy that this one rocks your jocks! *grin*) ;), Tobert (another plea for Susannah's demise! Oh, sorry, demand. *smirk* Great that you're liking it regardless!) :) and darklover (was this fast enough?!) ;).
Okay, so I have some killer ideas for what to do with Susannah. She needs to either for away, very far away or have her hair fall out and toes fall off, have Spike punch a railroad spike through her head (though I believe it would be difficult to pull this off and stay true to current character) or I could just revert to the good old suggestions of using sulfuric acid or a hard, intense bitch slap. Well, you guys are wonderful for providing such nice tidbits. Is she really that awful? *smiles gleefully*
You guys are awesome and you make me wanna get the chapters out there faster than fast just to see what you'll think of them so don't stop putting out your thoughts, okay? Hope you enjoyed this chapter as well!!!
A.M.L, Annie.
