A/N : Don't have much time for a note this morning but I wanted to update as quick as I could since this story seems to be pretty popular. I wanna say thanx to all those who reviewed; twisty-treat, spike wuvs buffy, ms trick, SouthernRain, Summer1, RoboShiflo, SpIkEs AnGeL, Rachel, tinkerbell42 - you guys rock! Here's the next chapter...
(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)
Chapter 3 - Stage Two
Back from their extensive shopping trip, Lady Joyce and her daughter Elizabeth climbed out of the chauffeur driven car, as staff rushed to take their purchases from them. There was one bag however that Buffy did not allow them to take. Instead she forced it under her coat and hurried inside the house, not waiting for her mother or anyone else. Just inside the doors she was grateful to spot the girl she needed.
"Wills, thank God" she gasped, speedily taking the bag from under her coat and thrusting into Willow's hands.
"This can't get in with the other shopping" Buffy hissed, "You have to keep it for me"
"What is the big deal about this bag?" the red-head spoke at a normal volume and Buffy shushed her.
"Not the bag, the contents Wills" she whispered, looking back over her shoulder "I need you to hide it for me, anywhere, just make sure it's somewhere where no-one will find it" she just needed that bag to be gone before her mother came in and saw it.
"Do I get to see what's inside or could you at least give me a clue?" Willow asked, confused by her friend actions and words.
"Not right now, but later, I promise" Buffy nodded, backing away towards the door and her mother came in.
"Elizabeth what were you doing talking to that Rosenburg girl?" Lady Joyce looked annoyed and Buffy thought fast.
"I was just telling her not to loiter in the hall, mother" she smiled, "I know you don't like the staff hanging around in the main part of the house" she smiled as innocently as she could and it seemed to work.
"Thankyou Elizabeth" her mother smiled, stifling a yawn, "I think I'm going to go up to my room now"
"Me too" Buffy nodded, "It's been a long day"
The Summers women ascended the large staircase and went to their respective rooms, only one of them actually planning to stay there of course. Buffy had plans that were far more important than sleeping, she needed to see Willow.
'The wonder that is the internal phone system' Buffy thought to herself, 'maybe there are perks to this house'. She picked up the receiver and dialled down to the staff quarters and directly through to Willows room.
"Hey Wills, it's Buffy" the blonde whispered into the receiver.
"Hey" the red-head greeted in kind "You gonna tell me about the mystery bag now?"
"Yes, soon" Buffy promised "Are you alone in your room?"
"Who else would be here?" Willow laughed lightly, but somewhat sadly too, Buffy didn't appear to notice.
"Okay, I'm coming down. Wherever you hid the bag, go get it now please" she said quickly, before hanging up and creeping out of her bedroom and down to the staff quarters.
With a light tap on the door, Buffy entered the room of her best friend and found said friend seated cross-legged on her bed, the bag clasped tightly in her hands as if it were made of gold.
"Where were you keeping it?" the blonde asked, coming to sit opposite Willow, also with her legs crossed.
"Under my bed" she admitted, "I couldn't think of anywhere else"
"Won't your Mom find it?" Buffy said with concern, but her friend just shook her head.
"She never bothers to come in here, she just stands by the door to see if it's tidy, I have to clean up and change the bed clothes myself so no-one will ever find it...whatever it is?"
"Oh right" Buffy shook her head, realising she still hadn't explained what the bag was for or her master plan. She took the bag from her friends hands and pulled out the contents, explaining as she did so.
"This is our secret Will, and I know you'll keep it cos I trust you completely...I decided if I had to live my life the way I do I wanted to have just one night, one wild night, where I can be free"
Willow gasped and smiled at the same time, excited by her friends plan but also slightly shocked. Exactly what did a wild night contain? Her eyes went wide as she studied the clothes that had spilled from Buffy's precious bag.
"You're actually gonna wear these?" she gaped.
Buffy nodded and smiled wide.
"Yes, for one night I'm gonna be a normal girl"
"This is normal?" Willow asked, shocked by the length, or lack thereof, the black leather skirt in her hands. Without waiting for an answer to her question she continued, "How did you manage to get these?"
"When Mom was trying on clothes" Buffy explained, "I went over to 'the other side'" she declared dramatically with a giggle at the end, causing her friend to laugh too, "I managed to get the skirt and a couple of tops over to the counter and paid for before she came out, but there's more stuff that I need"
"More?" Willow was astounded by all that her friend was telling her.
"Oh yeah" Buffy declared, "You've seen the other girls Will, the ones from the other side of town. I need the boots, the jewellery, the make-up..."
"Buffy, you're gonna look like..." Willow searched for the least offensive term.
"A real woman" Buffy interrupted, "And not some carbon copy, perfect princess, younger version of my Mom"
"I know you just want to...rebel" the red-head sighed, "but do you really think this is good idea? Lying to your Mom and buying this stuff and, I mean, you really don't know much about the 'wild' side of town"
"Oh come on, Will" Buffy whined, "You have to be on my side, I'm gonna need your help if I'm gonna pull this off"
The young Summers girl knew she was putting her best friend in an awkward position but she wanted her freedom so much, just once, and there was no way she could do it without a little conspiritual help from Willow.
The red-head sighed. Half of her wanted to help and see Buffy be happy, another half knew it was wrong, 'and a third half wants to play this game too and go wild for a night' she thought before almost laughing out loud at her own stupidity 'too many halves!'
"I'll help you Buffy" she smiled, "Just so long as you're careful"
"I will be Will, I promise" Buffy swore her oath with a dramatic hand over her heart, "But right now I have to go get some sleep. Tomorrow's Saturday and I have to convince my Mom I need to go shopping again without her wanting to come along...that's not gonna be easy" she sighed as she stood up and made for the door.
"I'll keep these safe" Willow promised, stuffing the skirt and two silky, low cut tops back in the bag"
"Thanks Will, I don't know what I'd do without you" her blonde friend grinned before slipping out of the door.
The next day, after much persuasion, Joyce gave in and let Buffy go shopping without her, sending one of the house maids with her for help, company and as a chaperone of sorts. That gave Buffy a problem, how did she lose the maid long enough to buy what she needed?
"Susan" the girl turned to her companion, "Could you wait here for me, I have to use the bathroom" she smiled, sweetly before disappearing through the racks of clothes covering the shop floor and toward the ladies facilities at the back of the store. But Buffy never actually went as far as the toilets, she doubled back and went out of the shop doors, heading across the street to a shoe shop she'd spotted before. After a pair of black leather knee length boots had been purchased, Buffy took a chance and headed to the store next door to get the make-up she wanted - bright coloured nail polishes, much louder lipstick and darker eye make-up than Lady Joyce would ever allow and a few more bits and pieces. By now Buffy knew Susan would be worrying and looking around for her, but it didn't matter she had excuses planned.
Hurrying to the chauffeur driven car, parked just a little way down the road, Buffy got the drivers attention.
"Hey, I left...something...in the back" she smiled, innocently, "So, I'm just gonna get it"
The driver smiled back at her, buying her story completely and not noticing the bag of products she'd bought that rested at her feet.
"Very good, ma'am" he nodded as she headed into the back of the car, shoving her bag containing her new boots and make-up under one of the seats. She would make sure when they rode home that she would sit where her goods were hidden so Susan would not find them.
Quickly, as soon as the items were hidden, Buffy headed back into the store and found Susan.
"Miss Elizabeth" the maid gasped, "Where on earth have you been?"
"Sorry Susan, I really don't feel so well, I honestly thought I was gonna..." she faked throwing up to get her point across and Susan frowned.
"But you weren't in the bathroom when I checked"
"I went outside" Buffy answered immediately, "I needed some air and then I remembered I had some indigestion tablets in the car so I went to get them, but I still feel dreadful so I think we should head home"
"Oh of course, Miss Elizabeth, if you're that unwell" the maid sympathised as Buffy feigned pain in her stomach and general faintness. She shocked herself at just how well she was able to lie. She almost convinced herself of her sickness! She had had no real practice at deceit but it seemed to be a skill that came naturally to her. 'That'll be useful' Buffy told herself as she climbed into the car, seating herself over the place where her new possessions were securely hidden.
Once the car arrived back at the house, Buffy knew Willow would be waiting as that was the plan. Susan got out of the car and offered the young girl assistance but she waved the maid away and asked her to go inside and get her a glass of water and she would come in in her own time. The maid did as she was told, as always, and Buffy hurried the packages out of the car and her best friend took them away to the hiding place.
Buffy tried to look as ill as possible as she went into the house, but it took much effort to hide the smile that wanted to appear on her face - stage two was complete.
To Be Continued...