London Calling
Chapter 2
Buffy stared at the letter on her lap for a few seconds before picking it up; she read the contents before looking at Giles.
"It's not so bad is it? An all expenses paid trip to London for two weeks," asked Giles.
" But at what expense to me? They can't be trusted Giles, apart from wanting to discuss my possible return to their fold, I can't see why they need to see me so urgently," said Buffy.
"You are the slayer, and with Faith in a coma as well as being out of her mind, you are or were their strongest warrior, they need you, more than you need them remember that, it could be a starting point to getting what ever you might need in life Buffy, they are a well funded organisation," reasoned Giles.
"What do I need with a future? The odds are that I won't live past twenty five anyway," she replied.
Spike looked at her, a mocking expression on his face.
"One can hope," he said
Buffy pulled a face at him.
"Don't see why he has to tag along," said Buffy, pointing at Spike.
"The council have probably got wind of the fact that Spike has been neutered and want to study him," said Giles.
"More scientific experiments? Had enough of that with the soldier boys who put the chip in my head in the first place, on second thoughts you can stick your trip, it's not like it's a novelty to me, with England being my mother country and all," said Spike.
Giles smiled at Spike in an annoyingly knowing way, which made Spike's blood boil.
"You really don't know who you are dealing with Spike, besides I am sure they can come up with something to please that mercenary little unbeating heart of yours," said Giles.
Spike's interest was peaked, it had been a long time since he'd been to England, and the idea that there may be large amounts of cash involved, had him more than eager to comply.
"They won't off me when I get there will they?" asked Spike.
"Believe me Spike if all they wanted to do was kill you, they would have done it already," said Giles.
"Can I have a couple of days to think about this?" asked Buffy.
"Yes, yes of course, the Council were expecting that, but on Saturday evening there will be a private plane waiting on the tarmac at Sunnydale International," Giles replied.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Buffy made her way back to her dorm, her feet dragged over the distance, it was all quiet and dark in her room, she sat down on her bed not even bothering to turn on a light. A few moments later Willow entered the room; she switched on the light and let out a little scream as she saw Buffy sitting there.
"Hey Buffy, why are you sitting in the dark, is everything okay?" asked Willow.
"Not really," said Buffy.
"Your date with Riley not go well?" asked Willow.
"Had to cancel that, Giles wanted to see me," Buffy replied.
"Oh, I hope it wasn't anything end of the worldy?" asked Willow.
"Depends on how ya look at it, he wants me to go to London, or should I say the Watchers council wants me to go to London," said Buffy.
"Ooh a trip to Europe, don't suppose you want to take a friend along, hint, hint?" asked Willow.
Buffy looked at her friend.
"If only I could, but sorry already have a travel companion," said Buffy.
"Riley? You two made up and he's taking you on a surprise trip?" asked Willow.
"Well, I am going with a guy of sorts, just not Riley," said Buffy.
"I can't think who, you're just gonna have to tell me Buff," said Willow.
"Spike," she replied.
"Haha, that's a funny one, no really who?" asked Willow again.
Buffy sighed.
"I already told you, Spike," said Buffy.
"Huh?" asked Willow.
"Seems the watcher's council want to see Spike as well as myself and thought that they could kill two birds with one stone and we could travel together," said Buffy.
"I don't know about killing two birds, more like you'll end up killing each other, you're not going are you?" asked Willow.
"I have a couple of days to think about it, I don't know, I guess at least Spike is harmless, being chipped and all," said Buffy.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike took a slow walk back to Xander's basement, not in any great hurry to return, ok he was a vampire, they were supposed to like dank dark living conditions, but Xander's place went beyond that. He was glad that Dru couldn't see him now; she'd think him really pathetic, living amongst the slayer and her friends, not being able to bite anyone or even fight. He could hear her cackle in his head as if she was standing behind him.
If only he hadn't thrown in his lot with the slayer and helped her defeat Angelus, Dru might never have left him. Spike grinned to himself. This trip might be the perfect opportunity to get a little pay back on the blond pest.
He entered Xander's basement, Xander was getting naked with Anya, Spike looked away at the disturbing sight, of all the bad luck, he thought to himself.
"Honey I'm home!" yelled Spike loudly, shutting the door with a bang.
Xander and Anya leapt apart like two scalded cats.
"Spike! I was trying to have an orgasm, can't you come back later?" asked Anya as she buttoned up her dress.
"Yeah Spike, this is the first time I have had a chance to be alone with Anya since you moved in here," complained Xander.
"Well I wouldn't want to ruin that five minutes of playtime," said Spike.
"He's very good actually, it takes at least ten," said Anya defensively.
"Woo-hoo Harris, didn't know you had it in you," smirked Spike.
"Shut up Spike, before I make you homeless," warned Xander.
"That's not gonna happen, anyway I will be out of here on Saturday, I'm off to the blue yonder for a couple of weeks, so you can get all the sex you want," said Spike, shuddering slightly at the idea.
"You are gonna leave Sunnydale for a couple of weeks? I think Buffy might have something to say about that," said Xander.
"She knows, and what's more she's coming with me!" said Spike confidently.
Anya laughed, Xander just continued to stare at Spike open mouthed.
"Uh-oh Willow must have been casting spells again," said Anya.
"Either that, or Spike here, has been out drinking," said Xander
"I am neither drunk or under a spell, Buffy and I are going to London together for an all expenses paid trip," said Spike.
"I am calling Giles, you're scaring me," said Xander.
"Really?" asked Spike hopefully.
Xander went over to the phone and dialled Giles's number; he came back a few moments later. Spike folded his arms and looked at Xander.
"Well?" asked Spike.
"It's all true," said Xander.
"You don't think Spike and Buffy are starting up again, do you Xander?" asked Anya.
Spike laughed bitterly, not quite meeting the couple's eyes.
"Yeah right, when hell freezes over maybe," said Spike.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Saturday
It was late afternoon, Buffy pulled her suitcases out of the closet in her dorm room and threw them on the bed, she sighed in resignation, there were a million reasons why she shouldn't go and only a few as to why she should. It was madness, but she had finally made up her mind to go the previous evening. Riley had stalled her after her class with Professor Walsh, and had been demanding that she make up her mind about them, Buffy had told him that she still needed time. After angrily telling her that she could take all the time in the world, because he'd had enough, Buffy had decided that some time away from Sunnydale was just what she needed. Just because she was travelling with Spike, there was nothing that said they had to hang out together.
She opened up the drawers and threw the clothes from them in her case, haphazardly, wiping away angry tears from her face. Buffy wished Willow was around right now, but her friend was off with some member of her Wicca group again. Buffy couldn't blame her; she hadn't exactly been a lot of fun to be around lately.
Buffy fumbled through her underwear draw, her hand closed over something small and round, she looked down in surprise, seeing the heavy silver ring that Spike had given her when they had been 'engaged' She had never got round to returning it, the memory of the whole thing too shaming for her. Buffy had felt that she couldn't endure the snarky comments Spike was likely to make on it's return, so she had shoved it away and had forgotten about it until now. She picked it up and looked at it, before tossing it in her suitcase, she would find the right moment, while they were away to return it to him.
Buffy zipped up her cases, checked her passport and papers were in her bag, and sat down on her bed and waited for the time to pass.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was 8:00pm; the Sun had well and truly gone down, as Buffy left the campus in a taxi, headed towards the airport, she sighed sadly. Willow hadn't returned, so Buffy had had to resort to leaving Willow a note on her bed.
The taxi pulled up at the airport, Buffy got out, there really hadn't been time to let her friends know of her decision, so it had been a lonely farewell. The only person she had informed was Giles, she had her luggage stowed away and was surprised when she was escorted to the VIP lounge. She opened the door, "Surprise!" shouted all her friends. Buffy smiled in gratitude, glad of some friendly faces to see her off.
Willow came forward and gave Buffy a balloon with the brightly coloured words, "bon voyage" across it. Anya also stepped forward with a large paper bag of grapes, she handed the bag to Buffy.
"You are supposed to give grapes to people when they are sick Anya," explained Xander.
"Oh, but I thought she was sick, she's going away with Spike isn't she?" asked Anya.
"That's not so much a sickness, as temporary insanity," Xander replied.
"Thanks for the support guys, speaking of Spike, where is he? Not that I care," said Buffy.
"He's already on the plane, said being around too many goody goodies made him want to vomit," said Willow.
"That figures," said Buffy.
Giles came forward; he looked at Buffy in concern.
"Are you okay with this? I mean really?" asked Giles.
"Yeah, I need some time away, this is a perfect excuse for a vacation, or at least it would be if Spike wasn't waiting for me," said Buffy.
"It's not too late to back out you know," said Giles.
"Yes it is, besides, any fool can see that this means a lot to you and your future career, you've been more than a father to me, it would be bad of me if I couldn't return the favour, after all it's only two weeks, how much can happen in that short time?" replied Buffy.
She said her goodbyes to her friends and climbed the few steps up into the private jet; the stewardess closed the door behind her. Buffy looked around the plane; it was equipped with every luxury a traveller could want, Spike was already seated in one of the soft cream leather seats, nursing a large whiskey in his hands.
"Slayer! Was starting to think you'd chickened out, but here you are," said Spike.
Buffy put down her bag and took a seat as far away from him as possible. The announcement came over the speaker for them to put on their seatbelts; Buffy buckled up and sank back into the comfort of her seat, as the feeling of inevitability washed over her and the plane speeded up for take off, she suddenly wondered if she had been a little too hasty.
TBC
Chapter 2
Buffy stared at the letter on her lap for a few seconds before picking it up; she read the contents before looking at Giles.
"It's not so bad is it? An all expenses paid trip to London for two weeks," asked Giles.
" But at what expense to me? They can't be trusted Giles, apart from wanting to discuss my possible return to their fold, I can't see why they need to see me so urgently," said Buffy.
"You are the slayer, and with Faith in a coma as well as being out of her mind, you are or were their strongest warrior, they need you, more than you need them remember that, it could be a starting point to getting what ever you might need in life Buffy, they are a well funded organisation," reasoned Giles.
"What do I need with a future? The odds are that I won't live past twenty five anyway," she replied.
Spike looked at her, a mocking expression on his face.
"One can hope," he said
Buffy pulled a face at him.
"Don't see why he has to tag along," said Buffy, pointing at Spike.
"The council have probably got wind of the fact that Spike has been neutered and want to study him," said Giles.
"More scientific experiments? Had enough of that with the soldier boys who put the chip in my head in the first place, on second thoughts you can stick your trip, it's not like it's a novelty to me, with England being my mother country and all," said Spike.
Giles smiled at Spike in an annoyingly knowing way, which made Spike's blood boil.
"You really don't know who you are dealing with Spike, besides I am sure they can come up with something to please that mercenary little unbeating heart of yours," said Giles.
Spike's interest was peaked, it had been a long time since he'd been to England, and the idea that there may be large amounts of cash involved, had him more than eager to comply.
"They won't off me when I get there will they?" asked Spike.
"Believe me Spike if all they wanted to do was kill you, they would have done it already," said Giles.
"Can I have a couple of days to think about this?" asked Buffy.
"Yes, yes of course, the Council were expecting that, but on Saturday evening there will be a private plane waiting on the tarmac at Sunnydale International," Giles replied.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Buffy made her way back to her dorm, her feet dragged over the distance, it was all quiet and dark in her room, she sat down on her bed not even bothering to turn on a light. A few moments later Willow entered the room; she switched on the light and let out a little scream as she saw Buffy sitting there.
"Hey Buffy, why are you sitting in the dark, is everything okay?" asked Willow.
"Not really," said Buffy.
"Your date with Riley not go well?" asked Willow.
"Had to cancel that, Giles wanted to see me," Buffy replied.
"Oh, I hope it wasn't anything end of the worldy?" asked Willow.
"Depends on how ya look at it, he wants me to go to London, or should I say the Watchers council wants me to go to London," said Buffy.
"Ooh a trip to Europe, don't suppose you want to take a friend along, hint, hint?" asked Willow.
Buffy looked at her friend.
"If only I could, but sorry already have a travel companion," said Buffy.
"Riley? You two made up and he's taking you on a surprise trip?" asked Willow.
"Well, I am going with a guy of sorts, just not Riley," said Buffy.
"I can't think who, you're just gonna have to tell me Buff," said Willow.
"Spike," she replied.
"Haha, that's a funny one, no really who?" asked Willow again.
Buffy sighed.
"I already told you, Spike," said Buffy.
"Huh?" asked Willow.
"Seems the watcher's council want to see Spike as well as myself and thought that they could kill two birds with one stone and we could travel together," said Buffy.
"I don't know about killing two birds, more like you'll end up killing each other, you're not going are you?" asked Willow.
"I have a couple of days to think about it, I don't know, I guess at least Spike is harmless, being chipped and all," said Buffy.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike took a slow walk back to Xander's basement, not in any great hurry to return, ok he was a vampire, they were supposed to like dank dark living conditions, but Xander's place went beyond that. He was glad that Dru couldn't see him now; she'd think him really pathetic, living amongst the slayer and her friends, not being able to bite anyone or even fight. He could hear her cackle in his head as if she was standing behind him.
If only he hadn't thrown in his lot with the slayer and helped her defeat Angelus, Dru might never have left him. Spike grinned to himself. This trip might be the perfect opportunity to get a little pay back on the blond pest.
He entered Xander's basement, Xander was getting naked with Anya, Spike looked away at the disturbing sight, of all the bad luck, he thought to himself.
"Honey I'm home!" yelled Spike loudly, shutting the door with a bang.
Xander and Anya leapt apart like two scalded cats.
"Spike! I was trying to have an orgasm, can't you come back later?" asked Anya as she buttoned up her dress.
"Yeah Spike, this is the first time I have had a chance to be alone with Anya since you moved in here," complained Xander.
"Well I wouldn't want to ruin that five minutes of playtime," said Spike.
"He's very good actually, it takes at least ten," said Anya defensively.
"Woo-hoo Harris, didn't know you had it in you," smirked Spike.
"Shut up Spike, before I make you homeless," warned Xander.
"That's not gonna happen, anyway I will be out of here on Saturday, I'm off to the blue yonder for a couple of weeks, so you can get all the sex you want," said Spike, shuddering slightly at the idea.
"You are gonna leave Sunnydale for a couple of weeks? I think Buffy might have something to say about that," said Xander.
"She knows, and what's more she's coming with me!" said Spike confidently.
Anya laughed, Xander just continued to stare at Spike open mouthed.
"Uh-oh Willow must have been casting spells again," said Anya.
"Either that, or Spike here, has been out drinking," said Xander
"I am neither drunk or under a spell, Buffy and I are going to London together for an all expenses paid trip," said Spike.
"I am calling Giles, you're scaring me," said Xander.
"Really?" asked Spike hopefully.
Xander went over to the phone and dialled Giles's number; he came back a few moments later. Spike folded his arms and looked at Xander.
"Well?" asked Spike.
"It's all true," said Xander.
"You don't think Spike and Buffy are starting up again, do you Xander?" asked Anya.
Spike laughed bitterly, not quite meeting the couple's eyes.
"Yeah right, when hell freezes over maybe," said Spike.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Saturday
It was late afternoon, Buffy pulled her suitcases out of the closet in her dorm room and threw them on the bed, she sighed in resignation, there were a million reasons why she shouldn't go and only a few as to why she should. It was madness, but she had finally made up her mind to go the previous evening. Riley had stalled her after her class with Professor Walsh, and had been demanding that she make up her mind about them, Buffy had told him that she still needed time. After angrily telling her that she could take all the time in the world, because he'd had enough, Buffy had decided that some time away from Sunnydale was just what she needed. Just because she was travelling with Spike, there was nothing that said they had to hang out together.
She opened up the drawers and threw the clothes from them in her case, haphazardly, wiping away angry tears from her face. Buffy wished Willow was around right now, but her friend was off with some member of her Wicca group again. Buffy couldn't blame her; she hadn't exactly been a lot of fun to be around lately.
Buffy fumbled through her underwear draw, her hand closed over something small and round, she looked down in surprise, seeing the heavy silver ring that Spike had given her when they had been 'engaged' She had never got round to returning it, the memory of the whole thing too shaming for her. Buffy had felt that she couldn't endure the snarky comments Spike was likely to make on it's return, so she had shoved it away and had forgotten about it until now. She picked it up and looked at it, before tossing it in her suitcase, she would find the right moment, while they were away to return it to him.
Buffy zipped up her cases, checked her passport and papers were in her bag, and sat down on her bed and waited for the time to pass.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was 8:00pm; the Sun had well and truly gone down, as Buffy left the campus in a taxi, headed towards the airport, she sighed sadly. Willow hadn't returned, so Buffy had had to resort to leaving Willow a note on her bed.
The taxi pulled up at the airport, Buffy got out, there really hadn't been time to let her friends know of her decision, so it had been a lonely farewell. The only person she had informed was Giles, she had her luggage stowed away and was surprised when she was escorted to the VIP lounge. She opened the door, "Surprise!" shouted all her friends. Buffy smiled in gratitude, glad of some friendly faces to see her off.
Willow came forward and gave Buffy a balloon with the brightly coloured words, "bon voyage" across it. Anya also stepped forward with a large paper bag of grapes, she handed the bag to Buffy.
"You are supposed to give grapes to people when they are sick Anya," explained Xander.
"Oh, but I thought she was sick, she's going away with Spike isn't she?" asked Anya.
"That's not so much a sickness, as temporary insanity," Xander replied.
"Thanks for the support guys, speaking of Spike, where is he? Not that I care," said Buffy.
"He's already on the plane, said being around too many goody goodies made him want to vomit," said Willow.
"That figures," said Buffy.
Giles came forward; he looked at Buffy in concern.
"Are you okay with this? I mean really?" asked Giles.
"Yeah, I need some time away, this is a perfect excuse for a vacation, or at least it would be if Spike wasn't waiting for me," said Buffy.
"It's not too late to back out you know," said Giles.
"Yes it is, besides, any fool can see that this means a lot to you and your future career, you've been more than a father to me, it would be bad of me if I couldn't return the favour, after all it's only two weeks, how much can happen in that short time?" replied Buffy.
She said her goodbyes to her friends and climbed the few steps up into the private jet; the stewardess closed the door behind her. Buffy looked around the plane; it was equipped with every luxury a traveller could want, Spike was already seated in one of the soft cream leather seats, nursing a large whiskey in his hands.
"Slayer! Was starting to think you'd chickened out, but here you are," said Spike.
Buffy put down her bag and took a seat as far away from him as possible. The announcement came over the speaker for them to put on their seatbelts; Buffy buckled up and sank back into the comfort of her seat, as the feeling of inevitability washed over her and the plane speeded up for take off, she suddenly wondered if she had been a little too hasty.
TBC