Willow and Tara worked around each other in the kitchen with the efficiency and calm of two people used to being around each other, each almost instinctively knowing what the other wanted or where they needed to be without the words being said. Vegetables were chopped and fried, water boiled, rice cooked with no fuss or bother. It was almost peaceful and the ease and intimacy of it gave Willow time to reflect.
It had been a strange few weeks really. The flat hadn't seemed, well, right somehow. It was all different to how it had been. Oz was never in. Okay, so maybe that's not all that different Willow reflected, but then Xander was hardly ever there either these days - the thing with Anya had really taken off and he was spending more and more time with her. Which is a good thing Willow told herself firmly. It was a good thing – when he was around Xander was definitely happier. And as for Buffy Willow thought and mentally sighed to herself.
Buffy had been distant ever since the night she had broken Spike's nose. She'd disappeared early the next morning and Willow hadn't seen her for days, except to say 'hi' to in passing. Willow had been desperate to find out what was going on, but Buffy had just refused to talk about it. There was no mention of Riley or Spike at all and then suddenly, about a week after the 'night from hell' as it had been dubbed, Willow had come home from lectures one day to find Buffy and Riley curled up on the sofa together, watching TV as though the events of the past week had never happened. Buffy was all 'happy smiles' and 'isn't Riley wonderful'. Willow just thought it as all a bit bizarre and wondered just how long Buffy could keep up the pretence that her life was perfect and there was absolutely nothing wrong.
So far Willow mused to herself as she chopped up a red pepper, about three weeks. Not bad going, even for 'denial girl'.
It was now the last night of term and Willow and Buffy were due on a flight home the next day. Bags were packed and everything was ready. Tonight was the last night of term party really. Not that it was really a party – more of a gathering with food. Willow had decided that the Chinese banquet idea that had been being tossed around all term was finally going to happen and had single-handedly organised it. There were a few ground rules: firstly, everyone had to cook a Chinese dish to bring (and take away was not allowed) and secondly, guests were allowed, but only one per house member (they only had enough bowls and chopsticks for eight).
So as the evening drew in it found Willow and Tara in the kitchen of the flat. Buffy was upstairs cooking with Riley, Xander was cooking at Anya's and they would bring their dishes over in a bit and Oz, who knows where he is! Oz would probably turn up at the last minute, like he usually did. Willow wasn't even sure if he was bringing someone.
A couple of hours later saw the table pulled out into the middle of the living room and laid with bowls and chopsticks for people to use. The oven was full of dishes keeping warm and Buffy, Riley, Anya, Xander, Willow and Tara were sitting round, waiting for Oz to appear. He'd phoned earlier to say that he would be back by eight and it was now 7:45. Everyone was getting hungry and hoped that he would be early, so there was almost a stampede for the door when the bell rang.
"I'll go!" Buffy declared racing up the stairs. It did seem a bit strange that Oz was ringing the doorbell – he should have a key after all. Perhaps he lost it. Or perhaps his arms are so full of yummy food that he couldn't reach his keys She thought – brightening at the prospect.
She reached the front door and pulled it open. Her jaw nearly hit the floor. She'd been right about one thing – the figure at the door was laden down with food, and it did smell delicious. But it wasn't Oz. This figure was taller, definitely more blonde –
"Spike." Buffy finally found her voice. She swallowed and smiled thinly, not quite able to meet his gaze, "What are you doing here?"
"What's it look like? Here for the grub. Brought mine." He indicated the several large containers. "An' it's heavy, so if you don't mind?" He moved to enter the building and Buffy instinctively moved out of his way before snapping her mouth shut and following him.
"How did you know about tonight?"
"Oz told me – 'm his guest. This is both of our food and it took bloody ages to cook." He said over his shoulder as he started down the stairs.
When he made it downstairs he made a beeline for the kitchen and sighed gratefully as he deposited his stack of dishes into the oven, flexing his arms to relieve the tension that the heavy load had caused in his shoulders. He turned as he felt a tap on his shoulder. Willow was standing behind him.
"We really need to talk." She hissed at him before beckoning him into a corner of the room.
"What's up, luv?" Spike thought about quipping but he was genuinely confused as to why the redhead was so desperate to talk to him.
Willow decided to come straight to the point, "Do you hate Buffy?"
"What? No! Where the hell did you get that, quite frankly, bloody ridiculous idea from?" Spike was astonished at the idea.
"From the mouth of the lady herself – she's convinced that you hate her."
"Ah – that'll be the reason for the less than joyous reception I got from her then."
"I think that's also left over guilt from the whole nose-breaking episode. Looking good by the way." Willow looked at his nose, trying to see any sign that it was different than before – she failed.
"I know – I was lucky." Spike shrugged.
"Anyway, enough of that! You have to talk to her. She won't believe anyone else – she can be a little bit stubborn at times."
"No kidding – I had noticed! Fine, I'll go talk to her." He shook his head and wandered off in search of the girl who was almost more trouble than she was worth. Almost he thought with a grin.
She was standing alone on the far side of the room, fussing over which CD to play.
"Tough choice?" he asked, standing directly behind her. She jumped slightly and turned to face him.
"Not really – thought that the old fall back of the compilation would be the best. Something for everyone." She smiled at him, but he noticed that it didn't quite reach her eyes.
"You okay, luv?" He asked, concerned.
"Yes, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?" She turned to put the CD in.
"Just…" he sighed and decided to let it lie - for now. "A little bird told me something rather disturbing just now." He tried.
"Oh, what was that?" she asked over her shoulder. He leant down and whispered in her ear.
"That I hate you."
Buffy nearly knocked Spike to the floor as she straightened up suddenly, all the colour draining from her cheeks as she heard the words that she'd been telling herself over and over again for the past few weeks. Suddenly there wasn't enough oxygen in the air as she tried to concentrate on the fact that he was still speaking.
"Wh-wh-what did you say?" she managed to get out.
"I said that I don't know where someone would get that idea from. I don't hate you pet." He said kindly and smiled genuinely at her. She looked up at him, brows furrowing slightly.
"You don't hate me?" she asked quietly.
"No, luv" he blushed ever so slightly. "In fact, just the opposite." He looked down, now he was the one unable to meet her gaze and part of him was cursing himself as a complete idiot for saying that.
"What…?" Buffy seemed confused for a minute as she tried to grasp what he said and then realisation dawned on her face. "Oh. Oh!" She bit her lip, unsure of what to say. "Spike, I mean, you're a really nice guy and all, but, well, Riley and, and…"
"I didn't tell you for that Buffy." Spike interrupted. "What kind of a tosser do you take me for, anyway? Just wanted you to know that I don't, have never and will never, hate you." He smiled sweetly. She returned his smile and it reached her eyes for the first time that night. He opened his mouth to say something when he noticed her eyes flicker over his shoulder.
"Riley!" she said as she turned towards her boyfriend who had walked up to the pair. Riley put his arm possessively round his girlfriend's shoulder.
"Spike," he said, smile ghosting across his lips.
"Riley." A nod of the head.
Buffy cringed slightly as the testosterone levels in the room seemed to suddenly rise sharply as the two men eyed each other up – Riley's posture and positioning clearly screaming "mine!" Spike just stood there nonchalantly as if Riley hadn't just walked in on him professing his feelings for the other bloke's girlfriend – he was fairly sure that Riley hadn't overheard what they had been discussing anyway. This attitude seemed to faze Riley slightly and they stood there for a few minutes, each waiting for the other to speak first in what seemed like some kind of game of mental chicken.
Riley lost.
"Haven't seen you around here much lately," he said, trying to sound casual.
"Yeah, well, better things to do," Spike replied
"Like what?"
"Know a guy who can get United tickets, so been up at Old Trafford a lot lately." Spike shrugged as if it were nothing.
"Really?" Riley suddenly dropped the casual tone and actually sounded interested. "Any more going round?"
Spike looked surprised. "Didn't have you down for the football type mate – y'look more of a rugby guy to me." Riley shrugged
"I am, but, I mean, come on! We're talking about United here – the tickets are like gold dust and who's gonna pass up the chance to see possibly one of the best teams in the world play at their home ground?" Spike smiled.
"They are great, aren't they? I was there last week when…"
Buffy decided that this was her cue to leave and deftly extricated herself from under Riley's arm. He didn't even notice, so engrossed was he in conversation with the guy who, only moments ago, he seemed willing to start with. She wandered over to Willow who was fretting over the table.
"It looks fine," she laughed.
"I know, but I guess I wanted something to do. Typical Oz, always late" she referred to their still-absent friend with a laugh before turning to her friend, "So?"
"So what?" Buffy asked innocently
"So, you and Spike, whispering in the corner… spill!" Willow demanded.
"You just want me to admit that you were right and I was wrong – as usual."
"Yep."
"Fine," Buffy sighed. "You were right, it was all a big misunderstanding."
"He doesn't hate you?"
"No." Buffy felt herself start to blush and ducked her head, hoping her friend wouldn't notice. But she did.
"Buffy – you're blushing. What aren't you telling me?"
Buffy looked frantically around the room for a way to avoid the question – Spike would not be happy if she when blabbing what he'd said to her friends, she was fairly convinced it had been for her ears only. Her saviour was just coming down the stairs.
"Look! Oz is here!" Buffy exclaimed in a voice that was slightly too vivacious, but it did the trick. Willow turned and smiled before scooting off towards the kitchen to play hostess and grab the food.
Everyone congregated around the table as the food was brought forth. They were all of varying abilities when it came to cooking, so everyone was a little surprised that it all looked, at the very least, edible and, in some cases, mouth-wateringly delicious. They all sat eagerly down at the table, apart from Spike who wandered into the kitchen and returned moments later with a slim, black, glass bottle. He smiled devilishly as he offered it round the table.
"Sakè – anyone up for it? Never tried the stuff meself, but figured there's a first time for everything."
The bottle was passed around the table and tried by everyone – and rejected straight away as foul by most. In the end only Spike and Riley were willing to drink the strong Oriental liquor.
"That's it! That's enough – this can't go on any longer!" Spike declared from his position slumped on the living room floor, back against the sofa.
The only people left in the room were Riley, Spike and Buffy. Anya and Xander had been the first to leave, Anya declaring that she had better uses for Xander that night, surprising everybody with her use of something that might just pass as tact and discretion. Willow and Tara had made their excuses soon after and Oz had melted back into his room quietly at some point later in the evening – nobody was quite sure when.
It had become some kind of competition between Spike and Riley – who could drink the most. It couldn't be described as who could drink the other under the table because, well, Riley was sitting under the table for some unknown reason that was probably highly amusing if you'd had stupid amounts of alcohol. But then again, Spike wasn't much better, having decided at about the same time as Riley that the floor was the best place to be.
Buffy would have gone to bed hours ago – she had a plane to catch the next day after all – and sitting watching two men get steadily drunk wasn't really her idea of a good time - though I do get to laugh at them - but neither of them had shown any sign of wanting to quit and so she had decided that someone had better stay to make sure it didn't all go horribly wrong. Have to admit, I didn't think Spike would be the one to quit first.
"H've t'go t'bed. No' drinkin' anymor'!" Spike hauled himself up onto the sofa and Buffy went over to him
"Come on you, up – I'll get the bed out properly for you." She tried to pull him up but failed.
"No pro'l'm luv, 'm 'appy like this. Jus' gimme a duvet 'n'll be jus' fine," he slurred sleepily. She smiled and carefully tucked the spare duvet which had been behind the sofa round his already sleeping form before sighing and turning towards the table, hands on hips.
"Don't make me come under there after you!" She threatened jokingly, bending down to look at the figure under the table. He sulked a little and then crawled out.
"He might have drunk me under the table, but that didn't stop me! And it paid off – he gave up first – the wuss!" he staggered upright and Buffy groaned slightly as he leaned his weight against her.
"Yeah, yeah – you're just great," she moaned sarcastically as they staggered up the stairs. "But I'm still kicking you out. I have a plane to catch tomorrow. Or, actually, later today, and you snore when you're drunk, so go sleep in your own bed." Buffy stood holding the door open.
Riley did the usual moaning and complaining about having to leave, but he eventually did and Buffy made her way back to her own bed to grab a few hours sleep before she had to be at the airport.