Chapter 3.
"Time for the Spring Poking already?"
"Just making sure there are no more Evil Trio cameras. "
"Did you stop them?"
"Warren, Jonathan and Andrew got clinked, no more lame arch nemesis for me."
"I'm glad, feels kinda anticlimactic though, after all they put you through"
"I did get to smash Warren's balls" that make him give her a tiny smile
They both move to sit side-by-side on a wooden bench. Xander fidgets uncomfortably, and then takes a deep breath.
"How did we get here?"
"Scenic route. Long drive."
"The past few weeks..."
"I know."
"I thought I hit bottom, but ... it hurt. That you didn't trust me enough to tell me about Spike. It hurt."
"Maybe I should have told you, bud god I was so out of my self I- I'm sorry I should have"
"Maybe you would have, if I hadn't given you so many reasons to think I'd be an ass about it."
"Guess we've all done a lot of things lately we're not proud of."
"I think I've got you beat."
"Wanna compare?"
"Not so much."
They smile tentatively at each other.
"I don't know what I'd do ... without you and Will."
"Let's not find out." She half pleads, Xander nods. They hug.
"I love you. You know that, right?"
He nodded "I love you too, and I'm serious if you need to talk..."
"Thanks"
There was a long silence.
"So not talky?"
She shakes her head "believe me there are no words" she says standing up. He follows after her.
"I know the feeling" he says understandingly.
"I don't want to brood about it now, you want some breakfast? I made pancakes"
He mocked-cringed "I though you gave up on that killing me thing. It's so last week"
"Funny"
And they made thee way back to the house, where they were briefly followed by a grinning Tara and Willow, the 4 sat there having breakfast and trying to enjoy each others company, and with there minds set up on rebuilding the bridges that had been falling in their relationship.
"Morning love" said the male voice from the dining room as she came out of her bedroom.
"Spike! You scared me, what are you doing up so early?"
"I dropped early last night, tired with all the unpacking, good thing the place came with a confy bed, so much better than a sarcophagus"
"You're cheery; I've never seen you cheery before" she said getting to the kitchen to make her breakfast.
"Well I've moved in to a nice place, birds are singing, sun's shinning bright" she gave him an odd look.
"Okay so sun's shinning not my thing, but I'm in the company of a beautiful kind woman in a beautiful morning, why shouldn't I be cheery?"
"Flattery will get you everywhere" they both grinned. He goes to stand beside her.
"Good, so I was thinking, you know how Clem's gonna help me bring the rest of my stuff later today, we should have him over, have a few drinks. celebrate"
"Oh! a house warming party!. I can invite Hallie; we can rent videos or something, anything to keep our minds of they-who-can-not-be-named"
"Brilliant plan pet"
"Yes well, I am brilliant"
"So what's on the agenda for today?"
"Magic Box, Dawn starts working for me today, then I'm going to stupid Xander's place see if I left anything there"
"I see, so are you gonna tell them about our new living situation?"
"I'll tell Dawn I guess, I don't even want to meet stupid Xander today"
"Maybe I should be there when you tell Bit, you shouldn't face the hordes alone, side's I think i need to talk to her"
"What if Buffy comes along, are you up to it?"
"She's gonna find out anyway, we're not doing anything wrong and It wont matter to her anyway since my feelings are only real for me" he spat out bitterly.
"At least she didn't leave you at the altar".
"At least you're not love's bitch, me on the other hand still love the bitch"
"What? you think I don't love stupid Xander? Just because I'm concentrating on my anger towards the guy doesn't mean I-"
He brings a hand to her face, partly to confort her, partly to make her look at him "Hey, shush, t'is ok, I know you love him, but I'll get better I promise"
"How do you know?" he knows she's pleading with him for an answer that makes sense, that would make the hurting go away, so he smiles softly before responding.
"I Know you're a strong beautiful woman, sexy as hell and so sweet and caring that would make any bloke turn heaven and hell upside down to make her happy, even if you don't need it because above all luv, you're a survivor, the pain will go away eventually even if the love doesn't"
"Spike?"
"Yeah?"
"Stop that now or I'll probably ask you to kiss me and then one thing would lead to another and ... I don't think is a good idea even though it's very tempting" She finished with an apologetic shook of her head.
He was amused. " 'kay pet, won't mention again how amazing you are"
"Thank you" She said and they shared a smile. It was nice to know that even when you were going through so much hurt ans sadness, there could be someone who'd remind you that there wasn't only pain to this world.
Dawn noticed Anya was all jumpy and fidgety, while dusting the shelves behind the counter, she had been at the store since 4 and Anya had her cleaning every single item they owned, not saying more to her than "do this" and "now do that", but at time went by the Vengeance demon seemed more uncomfortable around the girl, that's what made Dawn almost drop the jar of mandrake roots she was cleaning when the other one spoke.
"Dawn"
"Yeah?"
"Is someone picking you up? Or do you need a ride?"
"I was walking actually, so I should probably be going before sunset, you know how Buffy gets"
"I know, so why isn't she picking you up? "
"Well for one she has a late shift at the Double meat, but I don't think she wants to be coming here so soon after you and, well you know"
"Yeah about that, I though I should let you know that-"
"arggh no! I so don't want to know more about you and Spike, I already watched enough so spare me any more details .please"
"But Dawn, you see I have to tell you something"
"No no no, I won't let me get suck in your weirdness, I'm feeling guilty as it is to not hate Spike 'cause of what he did to her and actually blaming her a little, but don't give me excuses or anything becaus-"
"No this is not about that I just thought you should know that Spike and I are living together" Anya managed to blurt out as fast as she could before Dawn cut her off again.
The look in Dawn Face would had been amusing, even comical under other circumstances, and Anya would have said something about it if not for the faint gasp coming from the door of the backroom of the store, where a shocked Slayer was standing, mouth agape.
"You and Spike are whating together? "Buffy finally manage after a few seconds.