Author: Bitten And Staked
Title: City of Angels - Chapter Seven - On the road.
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Summary: Buffy discovers a dark secret of Spikes as they drive to LA, when they stop for gas Buffy gets disgruntled over the absence of pet names.
Timeline: set in between season 5 and 6, in my alternate world where Buffy didn't die. Spike's crypt is trashed during the final showdown and Dawn convinces Buffy to let him stay since he protected them both.
Series: Part 7 of ?
Pairing: Buffy and Spike. Romance, love and nooky.
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: everyone else owns Buffy and all associated with her.
Feedback: always welcome so email me - webmaster@talesoftheslayer.com
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As it grew dark Spike placed all the bags into the back of his car, now parked on the driveway. Dawn was helping him as best she could but for every bag she carried, Spike carried three.
Buffy had spent the afternoon clearing up the mess in his Desoto and he was more than slightly miffed at the fact she had cleaned his windows. This meant that they were going to have to do all the travelling to LA at night, they were to leave in the next half hour so they would arrive at her dads house just before sunrise. Spike felt a little tentative about this arrangement, any misjudgement and he would be dust.
"You're sure about this?" He turned to Buffy as he entered the house one last time.
"If it gets a little bright out then I'll drive as best I can, you can take cover in the back, I won't let you go all dusty on me." She placed her hand on his arm and smiled at him, hoping it was reassuring to him.
"Pretty words Buffy but you are not driving my baby. Just have to put my foot down and we'll be there in no time." Spike grinned at her then with a predatory look switched his attention to the cool box that Dawn was carrying.
"What is in this? Drinks and stuff? Because it isn't that far to LA."
"It's Spikey snacks Dawn, don't open it." Buffy took it off her and placed it in the trunk.
"Ewww blood." Dawn grimaced and backed away from it.
"Something about you Summers women makes you forget I'm a vampire? Can't live for two weeks without the stuff Dawn. Course I could just drink your sister?" He grinned wickedly at Buffy.
"Not even funny Spike, get in the car." Buffy swung the door open and scooted into the passenger seat. "Everything locked and checked, ready to go captain."
Spike started the engine and turned to Dawn. "Buckle up kiddies."
Slamming his foot to the floor they swung out of the driveway at breakneck speed. Spike shoved a tape into the player and Buffy pulled a face at the music that came blaring out. She turned the volume down a fraction but didn't bother protesting about his choice of music. It was only when they had left Sunnydale and Dawn was fast asleep that she started talking.
"Who is this crap?" Buffy amused herself by teasing him, it wasn't as bad as his usual choice.
"Stiff little fingers." Spike answered back without taking his eyes off the road, his cargo was too precious to risk a lengthy look at Buffy.
"So stretch them a little or we could stop at the next gas station."
"Name of the band Buffy." Spike chuckled to himself.
"Oh, I need to get out more. How far left to go? I think Dawns asleep already."
"Could count visiting LA as getting out big time, we've still got bloody ages to go Buffy but we need gas soon."
"Great cause I think I need to pee. You think we should wake Dawn when we stop?"
"Let her sleep, she told me earlier how excited she was about seeing LA for the first time for real, I think it's got to her a little."
"Yeah, must be weird for her to know that this is the first real time she's seen dad." Buffy watched Spike as he fingers tapped on the wheel in time with the music, marvelling at how he even managed to drive his car with attitude.
"Poor little bugger. I remember the last time I saw me mum." He shuddered a little then went quiet, Buffy didn't know why but she scooted a little closer to him so she could be of comfort. It must have been some time ago since he had seen his parents.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Just…" Spike growled and put his foot down on the accelerator harder.
"Okay, not asking." Buffy held her arms up and backed away a little but he caught her arm.
"Stay. Last time I saw me mum I was turning her to dust. She wasn't a well woman, thought I was helping but instead I released this terrible demon in her. Looked peaceful when she went though."
"You turned your mother Spike? That's a little sick."
"You telling me Buffy, given the opportunity you wouldn't have done the same for Joyce?"
"No." Buffy looked sickened at herself. "Yes, it crossed my mind but it wasn't the right thing to do."
"I know Buffy, I realise that now. Your mum was great I really liked her. Sorry that I was too much of a day fearing idiot to be there for you at the funeral. Harris wouldn't even let me leave flowers." Spike concentrated on the road allowing no trace of emotion to cross his face, but Buffy could feel it in his voice and she rested her hand on his shoulder.
"I know she liked you too. Angel was there at the grave with me all night but she never liked him, it felt wrong somehow."
"Speaking of baby face, are you going to see him when you're in LA?"
Buffy could see the crest of a tidal wave of emotion cross Spikes face before he buried it deep inside. She knew it must have been playing on his mind this weekend, his supposed girlfriend just nipping out to see her ex.
"No, not a good idea. He'd kill you and strangely I don't want that."
"So I won't go with you, I'll go out with Dawn." Spike couldn't mask the hurt as the thought of her seeing Angel again crossed his mind.
"I said no and I meant it. I don't want to see him without you but if you come with me I know you'll fight each other." Buffys face remained placid and unfazed when Spike looked at her.
"Buffy?" His voice sounded strangled, it was weird recently how much talking they had done rather than spitting jibes at each other.
"I'm over him Spike, I'm over Riley and all the rest. These two weeks I'm putting it all behind me. No slaying unless necessary. You told me to let go, so I am and it feels good."
Spike could only smile in response as he pulled into a gas station and got out to fill the car up. Buffy bounced out of the car and around to where he stood.
"Honey, I have to pee. Don't leave without me." She planted a kiss on his cheek and grinned at him as she walked towards the bathroom.
When he was done with the car Spike leant against the bonnet and lit up a cigarette. He watched Buffy as she walked around the little store looking at the magazines and then pouring herself a coffee to go.
Smiling to himself he watched her hips switch side to side as he walked back towards him. She placed the magazine down on the bonnet and put the coffee on top of it.
"Ready to go Buffy?" Spike went to move but Buffy put her hand on his chest and pushed him back down onto the bonnet.
"What's with all the Buffy? Where did Pet and Love go? All today you've been calling me and Dawn by our proper names." She pouted slightly at him and all he could think about was biting that lip.
"Practising is all. Don't think your old man would like me calling Dawn niblet or platelet or bitesize. Might be hard to explain."
"I can understand that but why no pet and love?" She was still pouting at him and he looked pensive in response.
"Missing my pet names Buffy?" Spike frowned at her as he tried to make out what the problem was, she seemed to like being called pet and love these days.
"I wouldn't say no to them being reinstated." She took the cigarette from his hand and threw it to the floor. "Naughty William. Don't smoke around my dad okay?"
"Why not?" Spike looked the tiniest bit pissed off.
"Because he would kill me. Please William." Buffy looked up at him and he chuckled at her. "What now?"
"Just wondering how often you're going to accidentally call me Spike." He stood up and pulled his keys from his pocket.
"If I do I'll just say it's your name in your band."
"Band?"
"Well I have to explain the way you look somehow. Wait!" She stopped him as he was about the round the car to the drivers side.
Buffy reached up and ruffled his hair lightly causing the waves to come untangled. He looked a little wilder that way and she liked the way it softened the strong contours of his face. She caught his eyes and sighed into them, they were like pools of deep blue water, smooth on the surface belying the terrifying undercurrent.
Running a finger along her lip she found herself beaming up at him like a fool.
"You alright pet?" Spike broke her reverie.
"Sure, now I am." She liked the reinstatement of the pet names he had for her, she always felt uncomfortable when he called her Buffy. Like he was telling her off for something.
"Then get in the car because we're wasting time."