Chapter 13
Strains of heavy rock music hit Buffy's ears as she entered the club. She looked around at her surroundings. Oz has been right when he said the club was small – after climbing up what seemed like impossibly steep stairs to pay the required entrance fee she now found herself looking down a short, narrow passageway which obviously opened up into the club proper. The walls were painted black and the floor was that dark wood colour that only came from countless years of spilt pints of beer and muddy shoes.
She followed the others into the club. The bar ran down the length of the room on the left hand side. The stage area was directly in front of them and the room opened up to the right, leaving a dance area of about 15" square in total. Definitely a small club and it was filling quickly, mostly with students from one or other of the universities.
"You want a drink?" Riley shouted over the music.
"Yeah, I'll have a diet coke!" Buffy hollered back. It might not be live, yet, but it was definitely loud in here. She could hardly hear herself think as she scanned the crowds to see who was here.
The whole 'marriage' thing hadn't come up again in the past couple of days. Riley hadn't brought the subject up and Buffy decided that it was wise to just keep quiet. She hadn't mentioned the proposal, or her rejection of it, to any of her friends either. She just wanted to forget all about it – it was just too much to think about with everything else.
"I can't believe that Oz finally got a real gig!" Willow gushed excitedly in her ear. Buffy looked at her and raised an eyebrow.
"And this from you, the girl who has been saying all year 'I can't believe that the Band hasn't got a real gig yet'."
"Yes, well, that was different – that was showing moral support, the way that friends should. This is different. This is real!" Buffy laughed slightly as Tara took hold of her girlfriend's hand in an attempt to stop her from getting too excited.
Buffy scanned the room once more. She smiled and turned to Xander.
"Hey!" She shouted into his ear, making him jump and spill his beer down the front of his shirt.
"God, Buff! Scare a guy much?" He growled back, frantically rubbing at his top.
"Sorry." She shrugged apologetically. "Just thought you'd like to know that I see a certain someone giving you the eye. And not for the first time." She smiled teasingly at Xander as his head whipped round, trying to see who she was talking about.
"Over there," she gently took hold of his chin and pushed his head round to the girl who was standing by the bar, eyes fixed firmly on him. His eyes bulged slightly as he realised just who it was.
"What? Anya? You're wrong Buff – she's not looking at me, she, she's probably looking at all of us. You know, us busily chatting away. No way she's looking at me, Nuh'uh!" He declared firmly.
"She's looking at you, you dolt. The way she always is, you just can't see it. Now, why don't you go over there and talk to her. Try something original – buy the girl a drink, just put us all out of our misery. Please!"
"What? What are you talking about?" Xander looked perplexed.
"Are you totally stupid or something?" Buffy shouted over the noise, then flinched slightly at the slightly pissed off face Xander made at this statement. "You're all she talks about to any of us these days."
"But, how am I supposed to know – she's never said anything to me."
"That's because I'm saying it – just go and talk to the girl!"
"Fine, fine – I'm going." He declared and started to push his way through the ever-swelling crowd towards where the girl was standing at the bar.
"Here you go, one diet coke." The plastic glass filled with dark brown liquid appeared in front of her with this comment and she took it gratefully, taking a large sip to sooth her throat which was by this time slightly hoarse from shouting over the music.
"Thanks." She smiled up at Riley. "Do you know what time they're due on?" She indicated the still empty stage at the front.
"They should be setting up at any time now, I guess, but things tend to be fairly flexible here, so who knows?"
Buffy scanned the crowd once more.
"I'm just going to take a walk around, see if there's anyone else here we know, okay?" She said, almost having to shout directly into Riley's ear to make herself understood.
"Want me to come with you?"
"No, it's okay – too crowded, I'll be able to get through better on my own." She indicated the now packed out venue and Riley nodded understandingly.
Buffy wandered around the club, scanning the face of every new person who came into view. She wouldn't admit it to any of her friends but she knew exactly who she was looking for and her face lit up as she saw him.
He was standing alone in one dark corner of the club, dressed totally in black – worn, tight fitting black jeans, fitted black t-shirt and long, black leather duster He could have almost faded into the background if it were not for the shock of bleach blonde. He was leaning nonchalantly against the wall of the club, nursing a pint to his chest as he watched the activity around him.
Hot, isn't he? The little voice in the back of her mind spoke up and she suddenly wondered if going over to talk to him was such a good idea after all. Maybe she should just turn around and forget him. Maybe it would be easier – less complicated.
No. I'm going to go over. This is silly. He's just a friend, nothing more. People can think that their friends are hot. It doesn't mean anything, she told herself firmly as she made her way towards him.
Seemingly oblivious to her approach he looked totally at home in the loud and crowded environment of the club. She stopped in front of him and stood there for a second, frowning slightly as he seemed to totally ignore her presence.
"Hi!" She called at him. He turned his head to her almost casually and slowly raised an eyebrow.
"Hello, pet. Fancy seeing you here." He turned back to his pastime of scanning the crowd for who-knew-what.
Buffy took a deep breath and tried again.
"Look, I..." She got no further.
"Did you want something in particular? Because you're blocking my view." She frowned as she looked at him.
"Spike, I'm 5' 2" – I block no one's view. I can't even block the view of," She thought, "er, somebody really small. Damn it! I had a really good comeback then and it just slipped right out of my mind!"
Spike laughed as he saw the irritation pass across her face, but then schooled his expression back into the carefully maintained 'pissed off and bored' look he'd assumed as soon as he noticed her approach.
"I saw that you know." She smirked up at him.
"Saw what?" Spike's face was a picture of innocence.
"The laughter. Look Spike, I know you're mad at me. Could you just let me explain?" She was almost pleading with him now. He looked down at her face and almost gave in, but he had promised himself that he would be mad at her tonight. She'd ignored him for weeks and he had no idea why. If she wanted to talk, then fine. But not tonight – tonight was the night that he was mad at her and he wasn't backing down on this one. Even if she does do that pout-y thing with her bottom lip.
"Sorry luv – can't hear you!" he shouted.
"I said, I'm sorry. If you would just let me explain..." She stood on tiptoe and shouted into his ear.
"Oh, look – the band are setting up. Can't wait to see them play." He looked directly at her for the first time that night. "You see that's why I came here tonight – to see my mate's band play. Now why don't you run along? Go back to your friends. That's where you seem to want to be." With that he turned back to the stage, intently watching the band prepare to start their set, jaw clenching slightly.
Buffy stated at him intently for a moment as she registered what he'd said to her. Even in the racket of the club she'd heard him perfectly and had winced slightly at the emphasis on the word 'friends'. She had known that she had hurt him, but she suddenly realised just how badly he'd taken her disregard. She turned on her heel and made her way directly to the heaving bar, forcing her way to the front.
"What'll it be?" The barman hollered to her.
"Double vodka and coke – two of them." she shouted back and handed over her cash. She wasn't usually big with the alcohol, but tonight she suddenly felt the need to get totally wasted.
Three hours and countless vodkas later Buffy lent against the back wall of the club for support. The room just wouldn't keep still – she was sure that it wasn't meant to move like that. And there was only one band playing a minute ago – now there seems to be two. She raised a finger towards the stage and tried to focus properly, with little success.
Even in such a small club she'd managed to lose all her friends. She couldn't understand it – she'd known exactly where they were when she went to the bar but somehow, after downing four vodkas in quick succession, finding her way back had been a little harder. Now the main band - whatever they were called she thought – were just finishing their set and Buffy had made really good friends with this piece of wall. Really good friends. In fact, she didn't think she ever wanted to leave this piece of wall. Except, maybe to slide down it slightly to sit on the floor.
"Oh dear. Someone looks like they've had one too many." Buffy looked up at the sound of the voice, trying to focus on where it was coming from. She broke into a grin as she recognised the form standing in front of her.
"Spike! No, no, you're wrong!" She slurringly declared. "I have not had one too many – I've had a hell of a lot more than that!" She sounded quite pleased with her assertion, but then her face suddenly fell. "I don't feel very well."
"No, I don't suppose you do. Come on," he hauled her to her feet. "We have to find Red – she can take you to the ladies and you can get all that out of your system."
"No! I'm not going anywhere!" She pulled herself out of his grasp and the momentum propelled her back into the wall as she desperately tried to find her balance.
"What the bleeding 'ell are you talking about? Come on!" He tried to take her arm again, but she avoided him rather agilely for someone in her condition.
"No!" She waved a finger under his nose and looked at him seriously. "I am not going anywhere with you until you promise me something."
"Right, whatever – I promise." He sighed and reached for her arm again.
"I'm serious! You have to promise that you'll let me explain."
"Fine, whatever, you can explain – but not now. These are new boots and I really don't want them covered in your puke!"
"Tomorrow night – I'll come round. I'll explain. Right?" She pushed herself off the wall and clung onto him, holding herself up.
"Right, fine – tomorrow night. Just let's go and find Red – please?"
"Willow." Buffy suddenly looked green. "Willow would be a good idea."
The taxi pulled up outside of the flat and its occupants tumbled out, Buffy clinging to Riley as though she couldn't stand without him. Which she reflected fuzzily is quite possibly true.
Riley helped her up the few steps to the front door of the main building and into the hallway. She raised her head from his shoulder and looked at him.
"I'll be fine from here. Willow and Tara will look after me, and anyway, I'm fairly sure that I can stand up by myself now." She pushed off from his chest and, whilst wobbling slightly, managed to remain upright without help. "See!" she declared happily.
Riley was a little taken aback, "Don't you want me to help you?"
"No. I just want to go inside and crawl into my own bed, okay?" Buffy sounded exhausted.
"Oh, okay then. I know, how about we go to the cinema tomorrow night – just you and me?"
"Sure, whatever." Buffy frowned, trying to remember something. "Oh, no, I mean, I can't – I'm going to Spike's tomorrow night." She nodded her head, pleased that she had managed to remember, but that set the room spinning and she fought again for the control to remain on her feet. Riley seemed oblivious.
"Spike's? Oh, I'm sure he won't mind if you don't go," he dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand. "It's just that there's this film out that I've been dying to see..."
"Well, then go with your friends or wait to see it another time because I'm busy tomorrow night." Buffy said impatiently, really, really wanting to get to bed now.
"But I told you – Spike won't mind..."
"Well, I do!" Buffy shouted. Willow, Xander and Tara looked at each other at this and decided that now was a very good time to make themselves absent, so they slipped into the flat.
"God, what is the matter with you? Don't you understand? I've spent every night with you this semester – one way or another! I just want to spend sometime with my friends!" Riley stared at her in amazement. His girlfriend never talked to him like this.
"Fine, fine," he calmly said. "I'll just come with you. Spike's a nice guy. We'll have fun."
"You just don't get it, do you? I don't want to see Spike with you. I don't want to go shopping with you. I want to spend time with my friends, alone, without you."
She wasn't shouting anymore, there didn't seem much point. Something that was confirmed when she felt Riley patronisingly pat her on the head and say, "I understand. You've just had too much to drink. You just take yourself off to bed and we'll talk about this in the morning, okay?"
Buffy didn't even grace that with an answer. She simply turned on her heel and marched into the flat, slamming the door in Riley's face.
Strains of heavy rock music hit Buffy's ears as she entered the club. She looked around at her surroundings. Oz has been right when he said the club was small – after climbing up what seemed like impossibly steep stairs to pay the required entrance fee she now found herself looking down a short, narrow passageway which obviously opened up into the club proper. The walls were painted black and the floor was that dark wood colour that only came from countless years of spilt pints of beer and muddy shoes.
She followed the others into the club. The bar ran down the length of the room on the left hand side. The stage area was directly in front of them and the room opened up to the right, leaving a dance area of about 15" square in total. Definitely a small club and it was filling quickly, mostly with students from one or other of the universities.
"You want a drink?" Riley shouted over the music.
"Yeah, I'll have a diet coke!" Buffy hollered back. It might not be live, yet, but it was definitely loud in here. She could hardly hear herself think as she scanned the crowds to see who was here.
The whole 'marriage' thing hadn't come up again in the past couple of days. Riley hadn't brought the subject up and Buffy decided that it was wise to just keep quiet. She hadn't mentioned the proposal, or her rejection of it, to any of her friends either. She just wanted to forget all about it – it was just too much to think about with everything else.
"I can't believe that Oz finally got a real gig!" Willow gushed excitedly in her ear. Buffy looked at her and raised an eyebrow.
"And this from you, the girl who has been saying all year 'I can't believe that the Band hasn't got a real gig yet'."
"Yes, well, that was different – that was showing moral support, the way that friends should. This is different. This is real!" Buffy laughed slightly as Tara took hold of her girlfriend's hand in an attempt to stop her from getting too excited.
Buffy scanned the room once more. She smiled and turned to Xander.
"Hey!" She shouted into his ear, making him jump and spill his beer down the front of his shirt.
"God, Buff! Scare a guy much?" He growled back, frantically rubbing at his top.
"Sorry." She shrugged apologetically. "Just thought you'd like to know that I see a certain someone giving you the eye. And not for the first time." She smiled teasingly at Xander as his head whipped round, trying to see who she was talking about.
"Over there," she gently took hold of his chin and pushed his head round to the girl who was standing by the bar, eyes fixed firmly on him. His eyes bulged slightly as he realised just who it was.
"What? Anya? You're wrong Buff – she's not looking at me, she, she's probably looking at all of us. You know, us busily chatting away. No way she's looking at me, Nuh'uh!" He declared firmly.
"She's looking at you, you dolt. The way she always is, you just can't see it. Now, why don't you go over there and talk to her. Try something original – buy the girl a drink, just put us all out of our misery. Please!"
"What? What are you talking about?" Xander looked perplexed.
"Are you totally stupid or something?" Buffy shouted over the noise, then flinched slightly at the slightly pissed off face Xander made at this statement. "You're all she talks about to any of us these days."
"But, how am I supposed to know – she's never said anything to me."
"That's because I'm saying it – just go and talk to the girl!"
"Fine, fine – I'm going." He declared and started to push his way through the ever-swelling crowd towards where the girl was standing at the bar.
"Here you go, one diet coke." The plastic glass filled with dark brown liquid appeared in front of her with this comment and she took it gratefully, taking a large sip to sooth her throat which was by this time slightly hoarse from shouting over the music.
"Thanks." She smiled up at Riley. "Do you know what time they're due on?" She indicated the still empty stage at the front.
"They should be setting up at any time now, I guess, but things tend to be fairly flexible here, so who knows?"
Buffy scanned the crowd once more.
"I'm just going to take a walk around, see if there's anyone else here we know, okay?" She said, almost having to shout directly into Riley's ear to make herself understood.
"Want me to come with you?"
"No, it's okay – too crowded, I'll be able to get through better on my own." She indicated the now packed out venue and Riley nodded understandingly.
Buffy wandered around the club, scanning the face of every new person who came into view. She wouldn't admit it to any of her friends but she knew exactly who she was looking for and her face lit up as she saw him.
He was standing alone in one dark corner of the club, dressed totally in black – worn, tight fitting black jeans, fitted black t-shirt and long, black leather duster He could have almost faded into the background if it were not for the shock of bleach blonde. He was leaning nonchalantly against the wall of the club, nursing a pint to his chest as he watched the activity around him.
Hot, isn't he? The little voice in the back of her mind spoke up and she suddenly wondered if going over to talk to him was such a good idea after all. Maybe she should just turn around and forget him. Maybe it would be easier – less complicated.
No. I'm going to go over. This is silly. He's just a friend, nothing more. People can think that their friends are hot. It doesn't mean anything, she told herself firmly as she made her way towards him.
Seemingly oblivious to her approach he looked totally at home in the loud and crowded environment of the club. She stopped in front of him and stood there for a second, frowning slightly as he seemed to totally ignore her presence.
"Hi!" She called at him. He turned his head to her almost casually and slowly raised an eyebrow.
"Hello, pet. Fancy seeing you here." He turned back to his pastime of scanning the crowd for who-knew-what.
Buffy took a deep breath and tried again.
"Look, I..." She got no further.
"Did you want something in particular? Because you're blocking my view." She frowned as she looked at him.
"Spike, I'm 5' 2" – I block no one's view. I can't even block the view of," She thought, "er, somebody really small. Damn it! I had a really good comeback then and it just slipped right out of my mind!"
Spike laughed as he saw the irritation pass across her face, but then schooled his expression back into the carefully maintained 'pissed off and bored' look he'd assumed as soon as he noticed her approach.
"I saw that you know." She smirked up at him.
"Saw what?" Spike's face was a picture of innocence.
"The laughter. Look Spike, I know you're mad at me. Could you just let me explain?" She was almost pleading with him now. He looked down at her face and almost gave in, but he had promised himself that he would be mad at her tonight. She'd ignored him for weeks and he had no idea why. If she wanted to talk, then fine. But not tonight – tonight was the night that he was mad at her and he wasn't backing down on this one. Even if she does do that pout-y thing with her bottom lip.
"Sorry luv – can't hear you!" he shouted.
"I said, I'm sorry. If you would just let me explain..." She stood on tiptoe and shouted into his ear.
"Oh, look – the band are setting up. Can't wait to see them play." He looked directly at her for the first time that night. "You see that's why I came here tonight – to see my mate's band play. Now why don't you run along? Go back to your friends. That's where you seem to want to be." With that he turned back to the stage, intently watching the band prepare to start their set, jaw clenching slightly.
Buffy stated at him intently for a moment as she registered what he'd said to her. Even in the racket of the club she'd heard him perfectly and had winced slightly at the emphasis on the word 'friends'. She had known that she had hurt him, but she suddenly realised just how badly he'd taken her disregard. She turned on her heel and made her way directly to the heaving bar, forcing her way to the front.
"What'll it be?" The barman hollered to her.
"Double vodka and coke – two of them." she shouted back and handed over her cash. She wasn't usually big with the alcohol, but tonight she suddenly felt the need to get totally wasted.
Three hours and countless vodkas later Buffy lent against the back wall of the club for support. The room just wouldn't keep still – she was sure that it wasn't meant to move like that. And there was only one band playing a minute ago – now there seems to be two. She raised a finger towards the stage and tried to focus properly, with little success.
Even in such a small club she'd managed to lose all her friends. She couldn't understand it – she'd known exactly where they were when she went to the bar but somehow, after downing four vodkas in quick succession, finding her way back had been a little harder. Now the main band - whatever they were called she thought – were just finishing their set and Buffy had made really good friends with this piece of wall. Really good friends. In fact, she didn't think she ever wanted to leave this piece of wall. Except, maybe to slide down it slightly to sit on the floor.
"Oh dear. Someone looks like they've had one too many." Buffy looked up at the sound of the voice, trying to focus on where it was coming from. She broke into a grin as she recognised the form standing in front of her.
"Spike! No, no, you're wrong!" She slurringly declared. "I have not had one too many – I've had a hell of a lot more than that!" She sounded quite pleased with her assertion, but then her face suddenly fell. "I don't feel very well."
"No, I don't suppose you do. Come on," he hauled her to her feet. "We have to find Red – she can take you to the ladies and you can get all that out of your system."
"No! I'm not going anywhere!" She pulled herself out of his grasp and the momentum propelled her back into the wall as she desperately tried to find her balance.
"What the bleeding 'ell are you talking about? Come on!" He tried to take her arm again, but she avoided him rather agilely for someone in her condition.
"No!" She waved a finger under his nose and looked at him seriously. "I am not going anywhere with you until you promise me something."
"Right, whatever – I promise." He sighed and reached for her arm again.
"I'm serious! You have to promise that you'll let me explain."
"Fine, whatever, you can explain – but not now. These are new boots and I really don't want them covered in your puke!"
"Tomorrow night – I'll come round. I'll explain. Right?" She pushed herself off the wall and clung onto him, holding herself up.
"Right, fine – tomorrow night. Just let's go and find Red – please?"
"Willow." Buffy suddenly looked green. "Willow would be a good idea."
The taxi pulled up outside of the flat and its occupants tumbled out, Buffy clinging to Riley as though she couldn't stand without him. Which she reflected fuzzily is quite possibly true.
Riley helped her up the few steps to the front door of the main building and into the hallway. She raised her head from his shoulder and looked at him.
"I'll be fine from here. Willow and Tara will look after me, and anyway, I'm fairly sure that I can stand up by myself now." She pushed off from his chest and, whilst wobbling slightly, managed to remain upright without help. "See!" she declared happily.
Riley was a little taken aback, "Don't you want me to help you?"
"No. I just want to go inside and crawl into my own bed, okay?" Buffy sounded exhausted.
"Oh, okay then. I know, how about we go to the cinema tomorrow night – just you and me?"
"Sure, whatever." Buffy frowned, trying to remember something. "Oh, no, I mean, I can't – I'm going to Spike's tomorrow night." She nodded her head, pleased that she had managed to remember, but that set the room spinning and she fought again for the control to remain on her feet. Riley seemed oblivious.
"Spike's? Oh, I'm sure he won't mind if you don't go," he dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand. "It's just that there's this film out that I've been dying to see..."
"Well, then go with your friends or wait to see it another time because I'm busy tomorrow night." Buffy said impatiently, really, really wanting to get to bed now.
"But I told you – Spike won't mind..."
"Well, I do!" Buffy shouted. Willow, Xander and Tara looked at each other at this and decided that now was a very good time to make themselves absent, so they slipped into the flat.
"God, what is the matter with you? Don't you understand? I've spent every night with you this semester – one way or another! I just want to spend sometime with my friends!" Riley stared at her in amazement. His girlfriend never talked to him like this.
"Fine, fine," he calmly said. "I'll just come with you. Spike's a nice guy. We'll have fun."
"You just don't get it, do you? I don't want to see Spike with you. I don't want to go shopping with you. I want to spend time with my friends, alone, without you."
She wasn't shouting anymore, there didn't seem much point. Something that was confirmed when she felt Riley patronisingly pat her on the head and say, "I understand. You've just had too much to drink. You just take yourself off to bed and we'll talk about this in the morning, okay?"
Buffy didn't even grace that with an answer. She simply turned on her heel and marched into the flat, slamming the door in Riley's face.