Chapter 23
"Ow!" Everyone turned as Buffy stumbled and fell to the floor.
The ball was in full swing and they had all been having a wonderful time, but that looked like it might be set to change as they looked down at the shape of their fallen friend.
"You okay, Buffy?" Xander asked, extending a hand to help her up. Buffy took it and started to stand.
"Yeah, I'm. Ow, God!" she screeched as she put pressure on her right ankle. "Okay, so maybe less of the good - I think I've sprained it."
With help from Xander, she hobbled over to a nearby bench and sat down, the gang crowded round her, all asking at once if she was okay, or if there was anything they could do.
"Guys, guys - I've turned my ankle, I'm not dying here!"
"Do you want me to take you home?" Willow asked, concerned.
"No. Look, Will, you're all having a great time. I'll be fine, I can sit here and people-watch. Maybe it's not a sprain - it might clear up in a while," she said, not wanting to spoil her friends' evening.
"I'll stay with her - you lot go on," Spike volunteered.
After a short argument they all left, leaving Spike and Buffy alone on the bench.
"You want to put your feet up?" Spike indicated his lap.
"Thanks." Buffy raised both her feet to rest them on Spike's lap and leaned back against the arm of the bench.
"Y'know - looking at these shoes, I'm not surprised you fell - how high are these heels." Spike asked incredulously, examining the sandals on her feet.
"Look, I'm not exactly the world's tallest woman - I have to use every advantage I can - and I've never fallen in them before," she pouted.
"You sure you just want to sit here - you don't want to just go home?" he asked, anxiously. Buffy looked at him and grimaced.
"It does hurt a little - and this bench is uncomfortable," she admitted
"And you look cold," Spike added. Buffy nodded her agreement. "Look, I tell you what - why don't we go back to mine? It's only round the corner, you can sit down for a bit and you can decide whether you want to call a taxi home, or whether you're ankle's feeling better and you want to come back," he suggested.
"Sounds like a good plan - come on then."
"Well, make yourself at home then." Spike helped Buffy over to the sofa in his living room and she sat down gratefully. He carefully lifted her injured foot and placed it on a cushion on the coffee table in front of her. "Can I get you a drink?"
"I know it's not exactly exciting, and it doesn't go with the dress, but I'd love a."
"Cup of tea?" Spike asked, grinning.
"Yeah."
"Coming right up. Oh, and do you think you'll be up to going back - or should I call you a taxi - it might take a while at this time of night though."
"I think I'd rather not go back, thanks."
"Okay." Spike moved off into the kitchen and returned minutes later with two mugs. He handed one to Buffy before sitting down next to her.
"I was right - apparently there's not likely to be a taxi for a couple of hours, but they'll send one sooner if they can. Looks like you're stuck here, luv."
"Think I can handle that." Buffy took a sip of her tea and sighed.
"Did I mention how beautiful you look tonight, pet?" Spike asked.
"Oh, maybe just once or twice." Buffy teased.
"I mean - you all did. You, Red, Glinda." he quickly amended.
"Don't forget Anya - you know how she hates to be left out," Buffy admonished playfully.
"Of, of course - how could I ever forget Anya?" Spike replied in mock disbelief. Buffy chuckled and took another sip of her tea.
"Why do you call her that?" she asked thoughtfully.
"Call who what?"
"Tara. Why do you call her Glinda?"
Spike was silent for a minute, then shrugged.
"Dunno really. Never thought about it much - probably 'cause she's into all that Tarot nonsense. It just seemed to fit."
"Oh." She took another sip of her tea before putting it down on the table and moving closer to him. She rested her head on his shoulder and looked up at him through her eyelashes. "So, why don't you have a pet name for me?"
"Er, what about 'pet', 'luv'."
"Nope, not good enough - you call other people those," she interrupted. "You must be able to do better than that."
"Goldilocks?" he tried
"That's so lame! Try again."
"Erm, not really being inspired here." Buffy looked up at him, a wicked smile spreading across her face as she realised that she was going to do what she'd been fantasising about ever since their last time together. She'd always held back before, but this was the last night of the year, he was leaving and there was no need for it to come to anything. This seemed the perfect chance to take what she wanted with no repercussions.
"Maybe I could help inspire you." she suggested with a twinkle in her eye. Spike looked down at her.
"What do you mean?" he asked warily.
"Well," she said coquettishly, reaching up and pulling his bowtie from round his neck, where it had been lying undone for most of the evening. "I could." she said slowly as she unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it open. "Start by doing this."
Spike gasped as Buffy lean over and gently took his nipple into her mouth and sucked on it. She smiled into his skin before starting to rain kisses over his chest, moving towards the other nipple. She'd forgotten just how perfect he was and she savoured each kiss, each touch of her mouth against his alabaster skin.
"Buffy." he breathed as he let his head roll back against the back of the sofa and his eyes slid shut.
"Mmm, you inspired yet?" she said as she began her journey downwards.
"Er, n-no, not yet." he gasped.
"Well, that just won't do, will it. Guess I'll just have to try harder." Her hands came up and started to undo his belt. She looked up at him as she felt him sit up slightly to look at her.
"What about your ankle?" he said.
"Oh, it's feeling much better now," she grinned, raising an eyebrow at him. He frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I have to admit - it was never that bad in the first place." She grinned in triumph as she undid his belt and slid it from round his waist before tossing it to the floor. Her hands quickly returned to him and started work on the button and zip. Spike put one of his hands on top of hers, stilling them.
"Then why did you say it was?"
"Silly man - why do you think?" she asked coyly, shaking his hand off and deftly unzipping him. She reached a hand inside and he gasped again, losing all coherent thought for a minute.
He shook his head, trying to grab hold of his thoughts. He stopped her hand again.
"So, all of this was to get me alone and away for your friends?"
"Of course. I'm not going to see you again for the rest of the summer. Thought we could have some.fun.before we had to go," she teased.
"So, you thought that you could just get me back here and have your wicked way with me?" he asked. Buffy caught the un-amused tone in his voice and frowned.
"I thought this was what you wanted," she said.
Spike sighed and stood up, walking to the other side of the room to pour himself a drink.
"This isn't what I want. I mean, the only reason you're here at all is because your friends don't know you're here."
"They do - they know I'm with you." she protested.
"Yes! Yes, they know you're with me, but they don't know you're with me," he gestured to his bare chest and unzipped trousers. "Look, Buffy, this isn't the way I want this to be. If I can't have all of you, then I." he took a mouthful of his drink and turned away from her. He heard her stand up and walk towards him.
"You don't mean that, Spike. I know you want me." her hands slid round his waist from behind and ran along the length of his body, before finally settling below his waist. "I can feel that you want me, and I want you too. What's wrong with that? It doesn't need to be anything more, does it?"
Spike felt his breathing quicken at her touch and fought to maintain control. It was a losing battle as her hands moved and he relaxed under her touch as his eyes drifted closed.
"That's cheating." he panted.
He was brought back to reality by the sound of the horn outside. He took a deep breath and pulled away from her, turning to face her.
"Luv, that's your taxi." he said, taking a step away from her. She stepped back up to him and tried to put her arms round his shoulders to pull him back to her.
"Who cares, I'm not in a hurry to go anywhere."
He pulled back out of her embrace and looked at her seriously.
"I care. This is a bad idea. You need to go." He indicated the door, eyebrow raised. She shot him a dirty glare and walked out, ankle troubling her not at all.
Spike moaned and rolled over as the shrill ring of the telephone woke him from his sleep. After Buffy had left, he'd returned to the ball and spent the rest of the night steadily drinking himself into a stupor, asking himself time and again why the hell he'd turned her down.
Am I really that stupid? For Christ's sake - I've been dreaming about shagging the girl again ever since the first time and then, when it's handed to me on a plate, I go and turn it down. I'm a bloke - I'm meant to live for casual sex. It's meant to be me that's commitment-phobic, not her. It's just not meant to work like this. The thread of thought continued for most of the night until he'd stumbled into bed and into sleep.
And now the phone was ringing.
Who in hell rings at. he looked at the clock, 11 o'clock in the morning. He frowned as a little voice in the back of his head reminded him that that wasn't really that unreasonable. But the little voice was the part of him that wasn't anticipating the hangover that was guaranteed to pay a visit any minute now.
"Hello!" he snapped into the receiver.
"Um, hi. Spike?" Buffy's voice rang out nervously from the other end. "Did I wake you?"
"Yeah, actually, you did."
"Sorry," she took an audible breath and Spike waited to hear what was coming next. "I wanted to apologise for last night. I shouldn't have, I was, it was." she struggled to find the words. Spike decided to put her out of her misery.
"Forget it pet. Never happened."
"Thanks."
"That's okay."
"Look, I'm gonna have to go - we're at the airport and Willow's coming."
"And we can't have her knowing that you're phoning me now, can we?" Spike asked, unable to keep the hint of sarcasm out of his tone. Buffy missed it completely.
"Exactly. So, I'll see you next year?" she asked hurriedly.
"Yeah, whatever - next year."
"Have a great summer, Spike."
"See ya." He hung up the phone and sighed.
So, that's how it's going to be then, is it? he thought. I can have her, but only if I don't want too much. Fine, well, if that's the way it's gonna be, then that's the way it is. No strings attached. I can cope with that.
"Ow!" Everyone turned as Buffy stumbled and fell to the floor.
The ball was in full swing and they had all been having a wonderful time, but that looked like it might be set to change as they looked down at the shape of their fallen friend.
"You okay, Buffy?" Xander asked, extending a hand to help her up. Buffy took it and started to stand.
"Yeah, I'm. Ow, God!" she screeched as she put pressure on her right ankle. "Okay, so maybe less of the good - I think I've sprained it."
With help from Xander, she hobbled over to a nearby bench and sat down, the gang crowded round her, all asking at once if she was okay, or if there was anything they could do.
"Guys, guys - I've turned my ankle, I'm not dying here!"
"Do you want me to take you home?" Willow asked, concerned.
"No. Look, Will, you're all having a great time. I'll be fine, I can sit here and people-watch. Maybe it's not a sprain - it might clear up in a while," she said, not wanting to spoil her friends' evening.
"I'll stay with her - you lot go on," Spike volunteered.
After a short argument they all left, leaving Spike and Buffy alone on the bench.
"You want to put your feet up?" Spike indicated his lap.
"Thanks." Buffy raised both her feet to rest them on Spike's lap and leaned back against the arm of the bench.
"Y'know - looking at these shoes, I'm not surprised you fell - how high are these heels." Spike asked incredulously, examining the sandals on her feet.
"Look, I'm not exactly the world's tallest woman - I have to use every advantage I can - and I've never fallen in them before," she pouted.
"You sure you just want to sit here - you don't want to just go home?" he asked, anxiously. Buffy looked at him and grimaced.
"It does hurt a little - and this bench is uncomfortable," she admitted
"And you look cold," Spike added. Buffy nodded her agreement. "Look, I tell you what - why don't we go back to mine? It's only round the corner, you can sit down for a bit and you can decide whether you want to call a taxi home, or whether you're ankle's feeling better and you want to come back," he suggested.
"Sounds like a good plan - come on then."
"Well, make yourself at home then." Spike helped Buffy over to the sofa in his living room and she sat down gratefully. He carefully lifted her injured foot and placed it on a cushion on the coffee table in front of her. "Can I get you a drink?"
"I know it's not exactly exciting, and it doesn't go with the dress, but I'd love a."
"Cup of tea?" Spike asked, grinning.
"Yeah."
"Coming right up. Oh, and do you think you'll be up to going back - or should I call you a taxi - it might take a while at this time of night though."
"I think I'd rather not go back, thanks."
"Okay." Spike moved off into the kitchen and returned minutes later with two mugs. He handed one to Buffy before sitting down next to her.
"I was right - apparently there's not likely to be a taxi for a couple of hours, but they'll send one sooner if they can. Looks like you're stuck here, luv."
"Think I can handle that." Buffy took a sip of her tea and sighed.
"Did I mention how beautiful you look tonight, pet?" Spike asked.
"Oh, maybe just once or twice." Buffy teased.
"I mean - you all did. You, Red, Glinda." he quickly amended.
"Don't forget Anya - you know how she hates to be left out," Buffy admonished playfully.
"Of, of course - how could I ever forget Anya?" Spike replied in mock disbelief. Buffy chuckled and took another sip of her tea.
"Why do you call her that?" she asked thoughtfully.
"Call who what?"
"Tara. Why do you call her Glinda?"
Spike was silent for a minute, then shrugged.
"Dunno really. Never thought about it much - probably 'cause she's into all that Tarot nonsense. It just seemed to fit."
"Oh." She took another sip of her tea before putting it down on the table and moving closer to him. She rested her head on his shoulder and looked up at him through her eyelashes. "So, why don't you have a pet name for me?"
"Er, what about 'pet', 'luv'."
"Nope, not good enough - you call other people those," she interrupted. "You must be able to do better than that."
"Goldilocks?" he tried
"That's so lame! Try again."
"Erm, not really being inspired here." Buffy looked up at him, a wicked smile spreading across her face as she realised that she was going to do what she'd been fantasising about ever since their last time together. She'd always held back before, but this was the last night of the year, he was leaving and there was no need for it to come to anything. This seemed the perfect chance to take what she wanted with no repercussions.
"Maybe I could help inspire you." she suggested with a twinkle in her eye. Spike looked down at her.
"What do you mean?" he asked warily.
"Well," she said coquettishly, reaching up and pulling his bowtie from round his neck, where it had been lying undone for most of the evening. "I could." she said slowly as she unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it open. "Start by doing this."
Spike gasped as Buffy lean over and gently took his nipple into her mouth and sucked on it. She smiled into his skin before starting to rain kisses over his chest, moving towards the other nipple. She'd forgotten just how perfect he was and she savoured each kiss, each touch of her mouth against his alabaster skin.
"Buffy." he breathed as he let his head roll back against the back of the sofa and his eyes slid shut.
"Mmm, you inspired yet?" she said as she began her journey downwards.
"Er, n-no, not yet." he gasped.
"Well, that just won't do, will it. Guess I'll just have to try harder." Her hands came up and started to undo his belt. She looked up at him as she felt him sit up slightly to look at her.
"What about your ankle?" he said.
"Oh, it's feeling much better now," she grinned, raising an eyebrow at him. He frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I have to admit - it was never that bad in the first place." She grinned in triumph as she undid his belt and slid it from round his waist before tossing it to the floor. Her hands quickly returned to him and started work on the button and zip. Spike put one of his hands on top of hers, stilling them.
"Then why did you say it was?"
"Silly man - why do you think?" she asked coyly, shaking his hand off and deftly unzipping him. She reached a hand inside and he gasped again, losing all coherent thought for a minute.
He shook his head, trying to grab hold of his thoughts. He stopped her hand again.
"So, all of this was to get me alone and away for your friends?"
"Of course. I'm not going to see you again for the rest of the summer. Thought we could have some.fun.before we had to go," she teased.
"So, you thought that you could just get me back here and have your wicked way with me?" he asked. Buffy caught the un-amused tone in his voice and frowned.
"I thought this was what you wanted," she said.
Spike sighed and stood up, walking to the other side of the room to pour himself a drink.
"This isn't what I want. I mean, the only reason you're here at all is because your friends don't know you're here."
"They do - they know I'm with you." she protested.
"Yes! Yes, they know you're with me, but they don't know you're with me," he gestured to his bare chest and unzipped trousers. "Look, Buffy, this isn't the way I want this to be. If I can't have all of you, then I." he took a mouthful of his drink and turned away from her. He heard her stand up and walk towards him.
"You don't mean that, Spike. I know you want me." her hands slid round his waist from behind and ran along the length of his body, before finally settling below his waist. "I can feel that you want me, and I want you too. What's wrong with that? It doesn't need to be anything more, does it?"
Spike felt his breathing quicken at her touch and fought to maintain control. It was a losing battle as her hands moved and he relaxed under her touch as his eyes drifted closed.
"That's cheating." he panted.
He was brought back to reality by the sound of the horn outside. He took a deep breath and pulled away from her, turning to face her.
"Luv, that's your taxi." he said, taking a step away from her. She stepped back up to him and tried to put her arms round his shoulders to pull him back to her.
"Who cares, I'm not in a hurry to go anywhere."
He pulled back out of her embrace and looked at her seriously.
"I care. This is a bad idea. You need to go." He indicated the door, eyebrow raised. She shot him a dirty glare and walked out, ankle troubling her not at all.
Spike moaned and rolled over as the shrill ring of the telephone woke him from his sleep. After Buffy had left, he'd returned to the ball and spent the rest of the night steadily drinking himself into a stupor, asking himself time and again why the hell he'd turned her down.
Am I really that stupid? For Christ's sake - I've been dreaming about shagging the girl again ever since the first time and then, when it's handed to me on a plate, I go and turn it down. I'm a bloke - I'm meant to live for casual sex. It's meant to be me that's commitment-phobic, not her. It's just not meant to work like this. The thread of thought continued for most of the night until he'd stumbled into bed and into sleep.
And now the phone was ringing.
Who in hell rings at. he looked at the clock, 11 o'clock in the morning. He frowned as a little voice in the back of his head reminded him that that wasn't really that unreasonable. But the little voice was the part of him that wasn't anticipating the hangover that was guaranteed to pay a visit any minute now.
"Hello!" he snapped into the receiver.
"Um, hi. Spike?" Buffy's voice rang out nervously from the other end. "Did I wake you?"
"Yeah, actually, you did."
"Sorry," she took an audible breath and Spike waited to hear what was coming next. "I wanted to apologise for last night. I shouldn't have, I was, it was." she struggled to find the words. Spike decided to put her out of her misery.
"Forget it pet. Never happened."
"Thanks."
"That's okay."
"Look, I'm gonna have to go - we're at the airport and Willow's coming."
"And we can't have her knowing that you're phoning me now, can we?" Spike asked, unable to keep the hint of sarcasm out of his tone. Buffy missed it completely.
"Exactly. So, I'll see you next year?" she asked hurriedly.
"Yeah, whatever - next year."
"Have a great summer, Spike."
"See ya." He hung up the phone and sighed.
So, that's how it's going to be then, is it? he thought. I can have her, but only if I don't want too much. Fine, well, if that's the way it's gonna be, then that's the way it is. No strings attached. I can cope with that.