Author's Note: First things first – Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the wonderful reviews! I really appreciate every word and I'm happy to know that at least a few of you are enjoying my rambling! J About this chapter – I can't believe how quickly I wrote it! Still feeling really bad about how long it took for me to get the last chapter up, so this is nice and long (and hopefully good!). This chapter is mainly a big set up for the rest of the plot – yes there actually is one and will be coming soon! Anyways, just to be repetitive – please review and tell me what you think!
Chapter 7 – Fairytales and Punching BagsXander sat at the big wooden table as he watched his fiancé fiddle with the seating arrangement for their wedding reception for the millionth time. The first thing she had done that morning was, well… Xander couldn't help but grin. The second thing she had done that morning was to call the caterers and tell them there would be at least one, maybe two unexpected guests coming to the wedding and to prepare extra plates for them. She had then called the hall to ensure that they would know the numbers had changed, and then she had spent an hour trying to choose the perfect outfit before they went over to Buffy's house to pick up Arabella. He couldn't remember when Anya had been so interested in what someone else thought of her. Actually, he couldn't think of a single time before now.
Anya kept on talking about Arabella until the wee hours of the morning once they got home. She had told more stories about her demon days than he wanted to hear. Arabella was a reminder of the one thing Xander had tried to push to the back of the mind as the wedding got closer: Anya didn't regret, and often missed, being a demon. Don't get him wrong, Xander loved Anya more than he ever thought possible. Anya was his world. But sometimes, when she would mention some random vengeance she had done or a demon she knew, it would scare him. What if she decided to go back to her demon days? What if she left him?
He was brought back to reality by a loud-pitched squeal. Jumping out of his seat and grabbing the nearest weapon, Xander scanned the room only to find Anya kneeled down behind Arabella looking at the label of her jeans.
Standing up, Anya grabbed the back of Arabella's shirt and checked the tag there as well. Anya then smacked Arabella on the arm while the woman just laughed.
"Those are Dolce & Gabbana jeans! And that top – it's Miu Miu! Why do you have such nice clothing and I don't?" Anya pouted and looked over her friend appraisingly. She was wearing a pair well-fitting jeans, a white lacy top, and tan stiletto boots. She didn't look like she was wearing all designer clothing, but Anya had a sixth sense for anything that had to do with money. Anya continued to pout as she turned to Xander, who was still standing, stake in hand. "Xander, why can't I have Dolce & Gabbana jeans? I'm the one getting married!" This elicited more laughter from Arabella while Xander worried about thinking up an excuse that would work with Anya-logic.
Arabella smiled at Xander, recognizing the look of terror for what it was. Anyanka had always liked money. She knew that now that her old friend was human, her love for green would have just increased. "Anyanka, I spent an exorbitant amount of money on these jeans that should have could have been used in a much more productive way."
"How?" Anya was still pouting as she sat down at the table with Xander. She looked up at him with big pleading eyes, eyes that Xander knew he could only resist for a certain amount of time.
"Well, for starters I could have tripled the amount on the stock market easily." Instantly Anya's attention had snapped away from Xander and she was beside Ari in a flash.
"Really? How do you do that? Are there things you know that I don't which could make me more money? Tell me now!" Anya was already grabbing a pen, notepad, and her stock portfolio from behind the register counter.
"Anyanka, really. I've been living in this dimension for over 750 years, acting as a human. I can pretty much tell you what businesses will fail and which will succeed simply by reading their basic financial information and their mission statement." As Anya ushered Arabella into the back office for questioning, Arabella turned her head and smiled at Xander. He mouthed thank-you as he flopped back into his chair with a sigh of relief. He would definitely have to get some notes from Arabella on how to distract Anya.
An hour later, Xander was being the dutiful fiancé and ringing up a customer's purchase of snake tongue while he tried to not look completely disgusted. As he said the classic "thank-you for shopping at the Magic Box" the two women came walking out of the back room laughing. At seeing Xander at the cash register, Anya quickly bustled over to count her money.
Xander moved back over to his usual seat and was followed by Arabella, who plopped down in the chair beside him.
"Anyanka, I forgot to ask, but do you carry unicorn balm?" Arabella called as she lazily flipped through the book in front of her.
"Of course," Anya side happily as she realized that Xander had made her money and she was about to make more.
"What's unicorn balm?" Xander asked, shrugging off the concept that unicorns actually existed.
"Oh, it's a balm you rub on your temples. It's very relaxing and wards off all who want to do you harm," Anya said matter of factly while she went to retrieve the small vile of it she kept out front.
"Anya, honey, wouldn't that be a useful thing for you to give, say, us, to use? The whole warding off harm thing definitely sounds appealing."
"It's very expensive and rare. Plus it doesn't stop evil and harm, just deters it a bit." Anya came over to the table and patted Xander's arm in support. "The things that want to hurt the Scoobies would only pause before they tried to kill us if we used it." She then went over to the counter to wrap and ring up Arabella's purchase.
"I'm just going to pop to the back room to grab my wallet," Arabella smiled as she got up.
As soon as she disappeared, the chimes above the door rang as a frazzled looking Willow, a very angry Buffy, and a sullen looking Dawn stormed in.
"If it isn't three of my favourite ladies from Revello Drive. How are you three this fine morning?" When all he got were three sets of glares, he realized that it might be time to make a hasty exit. "That good, huh? Maybe I'll just go and get us some donuts. Nothing like sugary pastry to make all troubles go away." Xander smiled nervously as he tried to make a hasty exit, only to be stopped by the shrill voice of his soon-to-be blushing bride.
"Xander Lavelle Harris, you will not be leaving me here alone with these three!" She promptly got three glares sent in her direction. "What? You all look very angry and very scary. And I'm having a happy day with lots of money. I don't want it to be ruined."
Anya went back to carefully packaging the unicorn balm while Xander sat back down in his seat. Willow sat beside him, and leaned over to let Xander in on what was happening.
"Dawn got busted at the Bronze last night by Spike." She whispered, looking around nervously. She didn't want to deal with another Dawn and Buffy shouting match like the one that happened walking to the Magic Box.
"What did Evil Dead see her doing, chatting it up with some boy from her school?" Xander snickered, sure that whatever it was couldn't be as bad as the three girls thought.
"Or drinking beer, smoking, and dressed in practically nothing."
"WHAT?" Xander couldn't help himself, but promptly leaned back towards Willow. "I mean, what? Are you sure?"
"Unfortunately yes. I've never seen Buffy this mad. And I think Dawn is even angrier than Buffy because of Buffy's reaction. All they did was fight last night. And then Spike and Buffy were yelling. This morn – "
"Wait, wait, wait. What do you mean Spike and Buffy are yelling? Why was he even there?"
"He's the one that found Dawn. I think he was just as angry about it as Buffy and they were letting off steam together."
"Or she was kicking him to the curb after he served his purpose," Xander snorted.
Willow gave him an annoyed look as she said, "Xander, you know how I feel about Spike, but you have to admit he really does care about Dawn."
Xander just rolled his eyes and went back to watching as Anya yet again fiddled with the reception seating plan.
Buffy and Dawn had positioned themselves on either side of the room. Dawn was near the counter rearranging jars, while Buffy had busied herself with looking out the window, praying that Tara would come soon. They had a lot to talk about.
The room was dead silent for a few moments when the telltale sound of boots could be heard coming from the back room. All looked up as Ari made her entrance, hand buried in a large purse as she looked for a wallet.
Without looking up, she said, "Anyanka, you do take VISA, right? I hope so. I'm almost out of unicorn's balm and it's impossible to find. Now where is my wallet?" She paused at the entrance to the main part of the shop, still searching around the large bag. Finally she emitted a cry of triumph, her hand appearing with a small wallet to show for its journey. She looked up with a smile and headed over to the register, where Anya was eagerly waiting.
Ari was about to hand over the plastic card when Dawn swung around, revealing her face. "Bhagavantu." Arabella whispered quietly, freezing mid-movement. Anya was the only one to hear and her head snapped up with a look combining shock and panic on her face.
"What did you say, Ari?" Anya's voice was a tense whisper as she tried to remain calm and take the credit card.
"I said nothing important. Just mumbling to myself." Arabella smiled and prayed Anya didn't hear her clearly.
"No you didn't, you said – "
"Nothing!" This time the word came out harsher, but Anya held her ground in their quiet, unnoticed argument by the Scoobies around them. Speaking more loudly as she signed the receipt, Arabella said, "Anyanka, how about taking me to the hotel now? I'm still quite tired from all that happened yesterday and I really am dying for a nice bath." She turned around and headed towards the training room where Xander had stored her suitcases earlier. "Xander, would you mind helping me with my luggage again?"
"Sure." Xander got up and started to follow, oblivious to the tension rolling off Anya and Ari. Anya followed moments later, after telling Dawn to watch the register and warning her that she knew the exact amount of cash in it.
The three females remaining looked around nervously, two refusing to look at one another. After easily ten minutes of silence, Buffy jumped up from her perch and loudly announced, "I'm going to train!" She made a quick beeline for the back of the shop, leaving a stressed best friend and scowling sister in her wake.
Once in the training room, Buffy quickly taped her hands and began to slowly punch and kick at the punching bag that hung in one corner of the room.
"Treat me like an adult!" PUNCH. "Lock and key. Please!" KICK. "I'll show her lock and key!" JAB, PUNCH, KICK. "And of course, of all people to find her." PUNCH. "It has to be," PUNCH, JAB. "Spike!" KICK. "Oh Arabella." KICK. "Old friends my ass." PUNCH, PUNCH, JAB. "Oh Ari. Oh Lamb." KICK, KICK, KICK. "Why," PUNCH, "does," PUNCH, "he," PUNCH, "have," PUNCH, "to," PUNCH, "call," PUNCH, "her," PUNCH, "that!" KICK, KICK, KICK.
Just then, there was a loud knock at the door. Buffy spun around angrily, "What now!" she snapped as the door opened.
Tara poked her head in timidly, afraid to disturb Buffy while training. She had come in the back way, realizing that Buffy would probably make an exit from the front to train as soon as she could. She knew it would be best to talk to Buffy before she even tried to deal with Dawn. She knew both were impossibly stubborn, but from what Willow told her on the phone, Buffy had the right to be stubborn on this matter.
As soon as Buffy saw who it was, her face softened with a look of relief. "Tara, thank-God!"
Tara quickly found herself in a big hug, a crying Buffy dragging her down to the floor. For a few minutes Tara just sat trying to soothe her friend. When the crying subsided to softer whimpers, she finally spoke. "Buffy, sshhh. It's OK. Things with Dawn can't be as bad as they seem. I'm sure together we'll be able to get through it."
Her words caused Buffy to burst into tears again, but through the sobs Buffy managed to say, "It's not just that. I know I can handle that."
"Then what is it?" Tara said soothingly, taking Buffy's hand in a show of support. She knew the name that was coming, she just had no idea why.
"It's this woman." Tara looked at the sniffling Buffy with a confused look. Not at all what she expected. "That's not right. She's a higher being according to Willow and Anya." Buffy let out a bitter snort at this point, "Higher being my ass."
Tara was getting more confused. Higher beings weren't something that she expected Buffy to be so negative about. Usually they brought on a calming affect. "What's wrong with her?" Tara coaxed gently.
Buffy rolled her blood shot, puffy eyes in response. "What isn't wrong with her? She's got this really fancy English accent, and she's gorgeous. And she's got loads of money, you should have seen what she was wearing today. And she always has to know everything." Buffy whined like a five year old, stray tears running down her face. "And everyone loves her. Anya's known her forever, and she's, like, best friends with Spike. I mean, does she know every demon in Sunnydale?"
Tara had to hide the grin that threatened to cross her face. Spike was close with this woman. No wonder Buffy hated her. Tara often wondered why she hadn't seen it a long time ago. Even though Buffy denied any feelings other than the lusty kind towards Spike, Tara knew better. After Buffy confided in her, Tara took every chance she got to observe the Slayer and vampire together. She even put specific effort into closely reading the two's auras when she wanted to confirm what she read through their regular actions. When there was any contact between the two – whether verbal, physical, or even just being in the same room – both their auras were blazing with colour. There was so much emotion between the two that Tara wondered how long it had been like this. Certainly longer than the last few months. With a connection like what they seemed to have Tara began to wonder if it had always been there, from the day they met.
Of course, Tara wouldn't say any of this to Buffy. She knew that Buffy could only deny the feelings she had for Spike for a certain amount of time. What she really needed was for her loved ones to show her that it was OK for her to love Spike. It pained Tara to see Buffy sacrifice her own heart out of fear about how her friends would judge her. As Tara watched Buffy cry over the pain and fear of losing the love she didn't even realize she had, Tara resolved that she would give Buffy her fairytale 'happily ever after' if it was the last thing she did. If anyone deserved it, Buffy did.
"Buffy, calm down. Who are you talking about?"
"Arabella Louise Montgomery," Buffy said with a mocking tone. "I don't trust her Tara. She's too cozy with Spike to be anything but evil."
Tara could barely hide her grin now. "So let me get this straight – she's a higher being and both Anya and Willow confirm that she's a good guy." Buffy nodded. "But you're convinced she's a bad guy because she's friends with Spike?" Buffy nodded again.
"I know you probably think it's stupid, but she's hiding something. And it's big."
"And how is Spike?"
Buffy scowled and crossed her arms. "I wouldn't know. I decided end whatever it was with him after the demon egg incident. I just don't trust her."
"So it has nothing to do with Spike?"
"No! Well, yes. But not because it's Spike. She's friends with a vampire. A vicious, infamous, evil, soulless vampire!" Buffy said for emphasis, trying to convince Tara as well as herself that what she said was true. A small part of her brain was yelling at her to stop acting like a jealous teenager. That she was being completely irrational, but if Buffy was anything, she was the queen of ignoring the part of her brain that made her face things she didn't want to face, so ignoring the small voice was easy.
Tara just gave Buffy a supportive hug. Giving Buffy her fairytale would be a lot harder than she had anticipated. She knew Buffy herself would be the biggest hurdle to overcome; Tara had just underestimated how big of a hurdle she was.
"I want you to do me a favour and come with me to the Bronze tonight."
"O…Okay. But, um, why?"
"Arabella and Spike have plans to meet and catch up. If we eavesdrop, maybe we can learn more about her." Buffy was beginning to feel better after her minor breakdown.
"Why do you want me to come with you? Wouldn't Willow or Xander be better?"
"No!" Buffy said with slight panic in her voice. "What if they talk about, you know, us? Xander and Willow can never know."
Tara sighed. "Okay, but you know I don't like lying to Willow about anything. Just tell me the time. I should probably go and talk to Dawn."
Buffy smiled at her friend like a little child that was just given a gift. "Thanks, Tara. I owe you big time for this. How about 9:15, just outside the Bronze?"
Tara nodded in agreement as she got up to head to the front of the stop. She just hoped the conversation they heard tonight didn't make things worse between the two. It could actually be a good thing, as Tara thought about it. If they were friends like Buffy said, then maybe Buffy would see a version of Spike that was less hostile and defensive than the one around the Scoobies.