DISCLAIMER: All characters of the Buffy Universe belong to Joss Whedon.
TIME: An Alternate Version of the aftermath of Season 6, Episode - "ENTROPY"

RATING: PG-13

PAIRING: Spike/Anya

COME WHAT MAY

A Fanfic by Jasmine Cora

5 - An Air of Relief

After a night of spicy buffalo wings and a few dances, both Anya and Spike felt as if a weight that had no buisness being there, was permently lifted off their shoulders. They now found comfort in the fact that they were so close in friendship, even all this time when they never truly gave it a thought. Despite the fact that things still were akward on Zander and Buffy's end, Anya and Spike had made the decision to move on. They had realized no one was truly in the wrong ... but be damned if Spike and Anya were to be pinned or glared upon.

Even with the akwardness, Anya couldn't avoid Zander. Despite what had happened, Buffy still was the slayer. Demons and vampires still continued to plaque Sunnydale and the Scooby Gang was still ... the Scooby Gang. Spike didn't appear much at the Scooby meetings anymore. The ones who could truly admit to missing him outloud were Dawn and Anya ... well, she mainly admitted it to herself in her mind. Because of the situation, it was out of place to say so ... besides, they would all think the wrong thing. Zander was only present through phone lines, saying he was too busy at work to head over. Everyone knew it was to avoid Anya. Buffy was there, but silent. Having Anya there was akward for her, so she found very little to say. Dawn on the other hand, knew Spike's part in this was because of his love for Buffy and her rejection of him as well as using him. She couldn't blame Spike. She wasn't even sure if she could fully blame Buffy ...

The next morning, Dawn made her way downstairs to the kitchen. She was having a craving for some Honey Nut Cheerios. As she made her way in, she stopped in her tracks as she noticed Buffy's presence. She stood there in front of the island, an empty bowl in front of her and the box of Honey Nut Cheerios on the side of her. Buffy looked a bit disheveld, as if she just got out of bed. Which would of meaned she did in fact stay in bed all day yesterday. Her hair was up in a ponytail, a little messy ... more so then when she went out for a night of slaying. She wore a white tank top and grey sweatpants. She stared at her empty bowl in an daze, her arms collapsed and hung at her side.

Dawn approached her slowly, wondering if Buffy was feeling okay. "Buffy?" she softly called out. "Over ..." Buffy softly replied back. "Over? W-What's over Buffy?" Dawn questioned. "My morning ... there's no more Honey Nut Cheerios." Buffy pouted. Dawn rolled her eyes and smiled. For a second Buffy had her a little worried. Dawn walked over and took the box of cereal off the table and walked over to throw it in the trash. Buffy still remained dazed as she continued her staring contest with her empty bowl. Dawn walked back over to Buffy and gave her a hug.

"How are you feeling? Any better?"

"I dunno. I guess. I almost don't know what to feel."

"Are you ... feeling hurt ... jealous ... maybe-"

"NO!" Buffy replied loudly. It was enough to make Dawn take a few steps back. Buffy caught herself as she crossed her arms. "No ... nothing like that. I-I mean, I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt ... but ... but I'm not jealous, I mean ... its Spike. It's not like we're in love ..."

"But Spike is. And if it isn't love, why are you hurting?" Dawn quickly remarked. Buffy sighed heavily. How could she explain herself now when Dawn had put it so truthfully. Buffy had told Spike over and over again ... this wasn't love, just lust ... she was using him. But it did hurt. But she wasn't ready to admit that she had started to care for Spike. She couldn't stomach it now. "I know Spike and Anya hurt you and Zander ... but there's equal blame here. No one's wrong ... no one's right. Its just ... hurtful." Dawn concluded, not sure of what else to say. Buffy covered her eyes with her hands as she continued to run her hands through her hair. "Has Zander checked in at all?" Buffy asked.

"He's called. Been Mr. Constructo latley. He was calling Willow about patroling last night ... since- well, since you weren't exactly getting to the slaying."

Buffy felt a knot in her stomach. She felt bad for keeping Spike and her a secret from everyone, yet everyone seemed to understand ... except Zander. She wanted to clear the air with him. It was everything that had happened that made the idea of Spike and Buffy hard for Zander to digest. Buffy wasn't ready to approach him yet. "No one home sitting Slayer, Dawnie. I'll be back patroling tonite. Where's Will?" Buffy asked, noticing a certain red head was absent from the group. "Oh, she's at the Magic Box ... researching and helping Anya with the store."

"Oh. How's Anya?" Buffy asked, not truly feeling any ill feelings towards Anya at all.

"I dunno. Willow said she stopped by to talk ... said she seemed better when she left."

Buffy nodded in understandment. "So, what now?" Dawn asked. "Wanna have some brunch at Doublemeat Palace?" Buffy replied.

"Eye of Rat and Tongue of Warlock are on the top shelf to the right, next to Spells of Decapitation!" Anya replied joyfully to a customer. Willow sat at the table with her laptop open, eyeing Anya and her retailing skills. She seemed happier today ... and Will knew it was more then likely due to the talk she must of had with Spike. Anya began walking back towards Will, as Will shook her head. "Now how do you categorize Spells of Decaptiation ... with tongues and eyes ... of things?" Willow curiously asked. "Decaptiation is different in certain demon cultures. It doesn't always mean to chop off your head ... it could mean cut out your eye, your tongue ... your penis ...."

"AH! Okay, stop ... bad visuals! Bad visuals!" Willow replied, waving her arms. Anya laughed as she walked over to her register to count out the drawer. Willow was itching to know, and coudn't stand the anticipation of knowing. "So ... how did talking with Spike go ... no making out I hope?" Willow asked, being very blunt all of a sudden. Anya rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue. "Nope! We talked it out ... had us a little contest on who could eat the most spicy buffalo wings without a drink ... had a few dances-"

"Spike dances?" Willow questioned, wide-eyed.

"Oh, yes! Very well!" Anya replied. "Then we said good night! And that was the first night of our friendship!" Anya concluded, rocking her head back in forth, once more in high spirits. Willow's eyebrows stitched together in confusement. She closed her laptop for a second as she looked at Anya. "Friendship?" Willow echoed. "Yes ... friendship. Best buds. We found out that we are more alike then we thought, more honest towards each other then most and our understanding of each other is remarkable! We've discovered we'd be better as friends! Trust me, its made things a lot easier!" Anya exclaimed. Willow smiled. "Anya, that's great ... I'm happy for you!" Willow replied. "But-uh, don't you think it may still be akward for everyone else?" she asked. Anya shrugged her shoulders. "Oh well ...tough nookies."

"Tough cookies, Anya. Tough cookies."

Anya ignored Willow's correction of her bad pharasing, and began closing shop. "Um, Anya ... its only 11am. Why are you closing shop now?" Will asked. "Oh, well ... I need money. I like to make money but ... you see, well ... there's a Passions marathon!" she replied. Again, Willow felt a wave of confusement revolve around her. "Passions? The show?" she questioned. "Yes ... Spike has gotten me hooked on it! He talked all about it last night! I have to say I've become quite a Timmy fan! I've decided to close shop early, stop by for a few snacks, a pint of blood for Spike ... and our Passions Marathon!" Anya replied excitedly. She began quickly scurrying about the shop as Willow watched her move about. Will began packing away her laptop as she stood from the table. "O-um, okay. Well, we haven't had any bad demons popping up of late. Least someone has something to do." Willow replied, mostly to herself. Tara's image repeatedly kept popping in her head. She missed her terribly.

Anya felt a little bad. She did ask Willow to help her open up around 7am, but now more then ever Anya liked hanging out with Spike. It made her feel free and made her forget her "almost" wedding. She didn't even find interest in finding scorn women and fufilling thier wish for their torn love. She was pretty surprised how D'Hoffren didn't even check up on her. Now it didn't matter. Anya walked over to Willow and rubbed her arms. "Oh, don't leave angry! We can have more fun with the shop tomorrow! More people come with wads of money tomorrow! You'll come by tomorrow right?" Anya asked sweetly. Willow smiled. She had to admit, it was nice to see Anya happier these days. She even seemed more open in being human. She and Anya never spoke like this before. Willow nodded happily. "Yea, I'll be here tomorrow." she replied. Anya clapped her hands like a little kid. "Yay!" Willow began walking out as she noticed a leather bound book on the shelf. It wasn't there before, Willow knew. Being the book worm she was, she knew she hadn't seen the book before. Picking it up from its place, she read the title outloud.

"Almigna Dora? Uh ... Anya, can I borrow this for a few days?" Willow asked. She felt a weird attraction of curiosity for the book. Anya looked it over and shrugged. "Why not! I don't recognize it ... just make sure to bring it back soon! Could bring a good hundred or so..." she exclaimed. Willow nodded as she began walking out. "Have fun!" she called out as she walked through the door. Anya nodded as she waved a goodbye to Willow.

Anya took a look at her watch on her wrist as she noticed the time. "Dammit! Passions is gonna start soon!"