Disclaimer: Don't own the characters. They belong to an evil genius named
Joss. Although I don't know if he's evil or not.
Distribution: Go ahead. Ask first
Spoilers: None
A/N: Sorry, sorry, sorry. I know it's been like over a month since I last updated, but bare with me here people. Life is hectic and this had to be the hardest chapter to write. First, there was Writer's Block. Don't you just HATE W.B. then there was the fact that I could only write on the weekends (That was the whole life is hectic thing). Then I had other stories that needed updating. There had to be research for this chapter that I didn't expect and this is a really important chapter according to my outline. Hence the longness of this chapter. I couldn't rush it so I had to keep writing until I knew it could be perfect. Its self-beta'd so don't get too angry if there are a lot of grammar mistakes. Okay enough with my babbling enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 15:
Nervous wasn't exactly a strong enough word for what Buffy was feeling as she got ready for her dinner with Andrew, Warren and Spike. The big butterflies in her stomach jut wouldn't let up. It was supposed to be a regular dinner. Nothing big at all. Just a dinner with Andrew, her stepbrother, and his boyfriend.
It was suppose to be a get to know you with this Warren guy. She should have known that Andrew would pull something like this. This was Andrew after all. Always trying to make her decisions for her. He had objected to Parker and Riley. Of course with both he hadn't been too far off. So maybe she should just let Andrew take over her social life from now on.
It still didn't make tonight any easier. This was going to be a little scary. She had feelings for Spike, that much was evident. Anyone would have feelings for him after spending time with him.
How that Dru lady could even think about cheating on him was beyond her. He was prefect. He had problems, but everyone had problems. Like Willow said it just added to his character. So yeah she had feelings for him. It was kind of hard not to, but that didn't mean anything. Both of them just wanted to be friends.
Then why do you have butterflies as big as bats floating around in your stomach? Buffy thought.
Buffy pushed the thought aside as she got up and examined herself in the mirror. It was a very fancy yet causal blue dress. Spaghetti strapped and silky with a thin sheet of lace on top. The hem of the dress was uneven, but on purpose. It accentuated her curves quite nicely. She wore her hair down and wavy.
She wore a little makeup with pale blue eye shadow. To finish the outfit of she had on strappy blue sandals; a cross necklace with little blue stones and a matching purse. All in all she looked perfect.
"Buffy come one we're going to be late!" Andrew yelled from the living room.
"Just a sec." Buffy said as she grabbed her shawl and made her way to the living room.
Andrew was standing by the door tapping his foot impatiently. He was wearing a brown suit with a blue shirt and maroon tie. Andrew was one of those people that looked like he was born in a suit unlike Spike.
"Where's Warren and Spike?" Buffy asked. She hadn't seen Andrew's boyfriend at all yet.
"He got a hotel room. Can you believe him? The first thing he does when he gets here is ask me to take him to the nearest hotel. Said that he doesn't want to intrude on you and that I could stay with him." Andrew said a little hurt.
"You could stay with him. It doesn't sound like your relationship is all that stable. You should stay with him." Buffy said.
"I'll think about it. I guess all we're doing now is waiting for Spike to show up. Willow and Oz are going to meet us at the restaurant."
"Willow and Oz are coming?" Buffy asked.
"Yeah I thought it appropriate. This should be fun."
"The women will be outnumbered to the guys. It'll be a first."
"Well I'm sorry that I couldn't help you out in that department, but gay here."
"Yeah I know. So will just wait for Spike."
"Yup because he's coming you know."
"Yes I know. You invited him."
"I know. I thought it would be nice to get to know him more."
"Subtle Andrew really subtle."
"I've never been the king of subtlety."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Spike turned off his car. How many times a week had he been in front of this same apartment complex? How come it felt so nerve racking this time? Spike looked through his jacket for a cigarette. It would be a couple of hours before he had another one and he was going to make this one last. He rolled down the window and lit the thin stick. He slowly brought it up to his mouth and inhaled the nasty habit happily. It was one of the only things that could calm his nerves besides coffee and alcohol.
Cigarettes were a safer addiction. Tonight was going to be like any other night or so he tried to convince himself that. It was nothing more then a night out with some friends. It wasn't a date with Buffy. Andrew was the one who asked him to tag along and he knew it wasn't a date with Andrew.
For one he just didn't go that way no matter how nice of a guy Andrew was and for another Andrew was supposedly in a committed relationship. So, no, this wasn't a date with anyone.
Of course his nerves told him different. They told him that things were not just friendly. How could they be when you're deeply attracted to one of you're so called friends? Well the only way to know for sure is to go to the apartment and announce that you're here. Spike opened the door to his car.
His cigarette was half way gone already so he threw it on the ground and snuffed it out. He straightened out his jacket and set the alarm on his car. It was time to make an entrance. He walked up the steps and to apartment six. He took a deep breath before knocking on the door.
Buffy heard the knock and answered the door. There stood Spike. He was a bit more dressed up then he had been earlier, but still appeared to be casual. He was wearing a black suit with a regular long-sleeved cream colored shirt underneath. He had on no tie. On his feet were causal Doc Martins. His hair was tousled like it was earlier. That looked suited him better then the slicked back look he was always donning.
For a moment Buffy wasn't sure that her mouth was working properly. He just looked so good. Spike examined Buffy for a second. Maybe he had gone a little too causal. Buffy was wearing a pretty blue cocktail dress. Although he was wearing a suit it was one of his more casual ones and he wasn't wearing a tie. She looked beautiful. The dressed showed off her figure perfectly.
There was a long silence before Andrew came out into the living room. Buffy and Spike were just staring at each other.
"Oh Spike you're here. Finally. Willow called to ask if we were coming or not. Warren is already there." Andrew said saying the last part sadly.
"Huh? Oi! Right the restaurant." Spike said.
"Yeah the place we were supposed to be over five minutes ago." Andrew said a little annoyed, but he tried to hide it. Spike and Buffy looked like they were having a moment and Andrew cursed himself for ruining that. "
Geez Andy it's only five minutes. Besides it's not like we don't have a reservation and Willow and everyone else are already there." Buffy said just as annoyed.
"I know I guess I'm just nervous."
"What are you nervous about?" Spike asked.
"Nothing it's nothing. Let's just go." Andrew said as he pushed past Spike and made his way outside.
Spike gave Buffy a questioning stare. His head was tilted to the side, one of his eyebrows was cocked and a half smirk tugged on his lips. Buffy noticed that the eyebrow had a small scar on it. She'd have to ask him about that later.
"What?" she said.
"What was with Mister Ball-o-Nerves back there. I thought he was in a relationship?" Spike said.
"He is. He's having problems with his boyfriend."
"Oh."
"Yeah." There was an awkward silence before Buffy said, "We better get out there and get to the car before Andrew gets antsy."
"Gets?"
"Okay so before he gets any more antsy."
"Right let's go." Spike said moving out of her way. She walked out of the door and Spike looked at her.
Yup tonight was going to be a long night. Spike though as he closed the door to her apartment.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Spike was somewhat used to fancy restaurants. He was from England after all and a lawyer. Buffy was not used to fancy restaurant or French ones for that matter. She had barely passed French in high school. Buffy looked to her right. Spike was sitting in the seat next to her and he seemed to be having no problems with the menu. Warren was sitting next to him biting his nails. Andrew sat across from him and Willow and Oz sat on the same side as Andy.
She nervously looked over the menu again. It was all in French. She would have asked for help in deciding what to order, but she didn't want to appear stupid. Almost everyone at the table was fluent in French and Buffy didn't even know how to say one in French.
"Ah I give up. I don't care if I look like a totally retard I have know idea what this gibberish says." Warren said. Buffy let a little smile grace her face. She wasn't the only one who didn't know what the menu said.
"Oh good we aren't pretending to be grown up now. That's great." Buffy said.
"Yes I was also about to ask for help." Andrew said.
"Ditto." Oz said.
"I thought you knew French, Andy." Warren said.
"I know how to speak enough to get us around Europe that one time, but it's been awhile." Andrew said honestly.
"Then why are we here?" Buffy asked.
"It's fancy and some of us know French." Willow said.
"Stop showing off, Wills. This place may be fancy, but let's hope they have a translator because I thought you took Latin in high school." Buffy said.
"She's right." Oz added.
"I know some French. Besides this place has good reviews." Willow said trying to defend herself.
"What are you getting?" Warren asked Andrew. Andrew could have laughed at the helpless look on his boyfriend's face.
"I was thinking the chicken, but it would appear that there is more then one chicken plate on this menu." Andrew said.
"Great so we're going to starve. We could have just gone to an English speaking restaurant." Warren said.
"With you there Warren. This place only has things in French." Buffy said.
"Well it looks like number thirteen is chicken something. Stay away from anything that says escargot." Willow said.
"Number thirteen isn't chicken, it's steak and not a very good choice. And snails can be good when cooked properly." Spike said not taking his eyes off of the menu. All eyes went towards him and Spike looked up at the five people staring at him.
"What?" Spike said shrugging his shoulders and placing out his hands.
"You know French." Warren said.
"Well yeah, British here." Spike said.
"So you let us panic for nothing?" Willow asked.
"It was sort of fun. Watching you lot figure out what you were going to do without looking stupid. I remember Xander tried to do that once, but at a Spanish restaurant. He asked the waiter for a to go box and they came back with ice." Spike said laughing a little.
When he saw the angry faces of the people he was eating dinner with he stopped.
"Guess you had to be there." Spike said looking at his menu again.
"Okay so you can cook and you know how to speak all these different languages. Tell us oh smart one what to get." Buffy said with sarcasm in her voice.
"Why don't you let me do the ordering." Spike said.
"I'm cool with that." Oz said not really wanting to test his French. High school was a long time ago for all of them and if Spike wanted to order he was happy to go along with it.
"Yeah whatever gets the food the fastest." Warren agreed.
"Sure as long as you don't order snails." Willow said.
"I already told you they aren't that bad." Spike said sighing.
"I don't care. It's icky." Willow said.
"A professional psychiatrist and you use words like icky." Spike said.
"She's right though. No snails or frog legs for that matter." Buffy said.
"Then why come to a French restaurant?" Spike asked.
"I thought we cleared that up. It's fancy and high priced." Andrew said.
"Personally give me a hamburger and a good football game and it's the best dinner ever." Warren mumbled.
"Ditto." Oz said.
"Well I wouldn't agree with the hamburger part and the football thing is okay, European that is." Spike said.
"Oh right like soccer is better then good ole' American football." Warren said.
"Well it's like rugby really only for less dangerous guys." Spike said.
"Football happens to be a very dangerous sport." Warren said.
"Yeah right I have my views and you have yours. Although American football isn't all that bad."
"See. I guess soccer isn't either." Warren said.
"Any sport is better then some sissy drama."
"Ditto." Oz said.
"Is that all you know how to say?" Warren asked Oz.
"No." Oz said simply.
"Guy's not a talker." Spike said.
"So do you have a favorite 'American' football team?" Warren asked Spike.
"Probably the Raiders, but it might be the 9'ers soon."
"The 9'ers suck this year. Stick with the Raiders. That's my team." Warren said.
"Why would you have to be a fan of the 9'ers soon? Are you moving somewhere?" Andrew asked. He wasn't really sure where the niners played or who they were, but he thought he should say something.
"Excuse Andy's total lack of anything to do with sports. The forty-niners play in San Francisco." Warren explained to Andrew.
"It's okay. I barely know anything about sports myself." Spike said.
"Well there isn't any time for sports ever. Besides, not to be stereotypical or anything, but I just don't see the point." Andrew said taking a sip of his water.
"Are you planning on going to San Francisco?" Buffy asked.
She couldn't believe that Spike was moving to San Francisco and not tell her. What hurt more was the fact that she didn't want him to move.
Spike looked over at her.
"Well I was thinking about it. Giles offered me a job at his new defense firm in San Francisco." Spike said looking at Buffy.
It wasn't even on his mind that much, but he just had to go and open his mouth. Sure he was thinking about taking the job somewhere deep down. He knew that he would probably end up turning it down what with everything that was going on. It still didn't keep the thought from resurfacing every once in awhile.
"So you're going to take it?" Buffy asked.
"No probably not. It'd be a good career booster though." Spike said.
"Why wouldn't you take it if it is such a good job?" Warren asked.
"Because my brother is going through some stuff and I already have a life here in Sunnydale. I've lived here since I was seven so I'm attached." Spike explained.
"Yeah that makes sense. Sunnydale seems to rope you in after awhile." Andrew said.
"It's really quiet quaint." Willow said.
Though she in Oz technically didn't live in Sunnydale they were always here and she liked this town.
Warren snorted.
"What?" Willow said.
"Quaint is a word people use to describe boring one Starbuck's towns. I prefer a big city." Warren said.
"Yeah I work in L.A and it's nice enough, but it's not the place for me. More of a small town guy myself." Spike said.
"Warren has a fear of small towns. I think that he thinks all the people that live in small towns are like in those low budget horror films." Andrew said.
"I do not. I just don't see room for growth in a small town. I mean sure nice place to raise a kid and have a family, but for a single person it would be torture or at least that's what I thought." Warren said.
"Spike isn't your regular single guy." Buffy said.
"I'm a regular bachelor. Look in my fridge and you'll find nothing but half empty Chinese food containers." Spike said trying to defend himself.
"I think Buffy meant to attack that which is holy to the single male. She was just making an observation." Willow said. "What's not regular about me?" Spike asked Buffy.
"Well for one I don't know of a single man who is so devoted to his family and friends like you. And there's the whole thing about you wanting a big family. Then the actual wanting commitment thing. There's just things about you that don't scream bachelor." Buffy said.
"Yeah I guess you're right."
"That I am." Buffy said.
"Oh the waiter's coming." Andrew said.
"Okay let's get ready to let Spike order for all of us." Willow said.
"Yeah leave the hard tasks up to me." Spike mumbled. The waiter made his way to the table and looked at the group.
"Hullo folks, what can I do for you this evening? Shall we start of with drinks?" The waiter asked.
"Yes can I ask you what your best wine is?" Spike asked slipping into his more sophisticated side.
"Well we have a 65 Amontillado."
"Is it breathing?"
"We can open it to breath."
"But it's been kept chilled?"
"Of course."
"Okay then bring that out and a Coca Cola please."
"Would you like to order?"
"Sure." Spike said and then started talking French. His words were so precise and fluid that anyone who walked by would have thought that that was his natural language, which in a way it was considering he was from Europe.
He held up his fingers as he talked indicating exactly how many of each thing he wanted and the waiter seemed impressed. "Well thank you sir. I'll be back with your drinks in a minute." The waiter said as he scampered off.
"Move back for Mister Cultured." Oz said sarcastically.
"Well I try." Spike said trying very hard not to look to proud of himself.
"It sounded like that was your natural language." Buffy said.
"Well it kinda is. I learned how to speak French and Spanish while learning English. It's in all the parenting books or just something my grandfather made up." Spike said.
"Still very impressive. What did you order me?" Warren asked.
"I ordered a roasted chicken plate for you and Andrew, the Steak Sauce Bordelaise for Oz, the Pork Chops Dijonaise for Willow, and the Scallops in Champagne Sauce for Buffy because she said she likes fish." Spike said.
"Wow I think he got us head on." Willow said.
"Yup I'm big on the steak." Oz said.
"I think that waiter was pretty impressed. I'd say he wanted to do more then take your order." Andrew said.
The table looked at him with questioning stares.
"You can tell that sort of thing?" Spike asked.
"Call it Gay-dar, but yeah I know. That and the way that he was looking at you like you were a nummy treat." Andrew said.
"Well I'm not sure whether to be flattered or freaked out." Spike said a little perplexed.
"Who's the Coke for?" Warren asked.
"Um. me." Spike said getting a little nervous and hoping that he didn't have to answer any questions of his past.
"Not a heavy drinker. I get that. Give Andy two drinks and he can go out like a light." Warren said.
"Hey just because I can't drink like a fish doesn't mean anything. I just don't enjoy drinking like other people. Job prevents me from doing that." Andrew said.
"Yeah well sometimes you can enjoy it a little too much." Spike said quietly trying to make sure no one heard him. No one but Buffy had. The table was going on about there jobs now.
"It's okay that you don't drink. I don't really drink that much either. Besides you have an exception." Buffy said to him quietly.
"Yeah well I should have never started drinking in the first place. It was a bad, bad idea and something I'll never go back to. My life was a complete mess back then." Spike said.
"Have you ever slipped up?"
"Once or twice or maybe more then that. I remember one time I drank myself silly because I was terrified of flying. I hate flying." Spike said.
"Where were you going?"
"Back to England to visit my grandmother. I was about twenty-six at the time. They didn't allow smoking on the plane so I restored to drinking. Luckily Angel was there to keep me from drinking too much." Spike said.
"You really need to quit smoking. It isn't healthy." Buffy said.
"Let's just keep it at one bad habit at a time. Not totally over the alcoholic thing just yet."
"Things will heal with time."
"Yeah I know."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Warren took another drag from his cigarette. He had started the habit up again and hadn't told Andrew. He was a big freak about those sorts of things being a doctor and having seen damaged lungs before. Warren was supposed to be in the bathroom, but decided to make a beeline for the sanctuary that was outside and light a cigarette.
He knew that cigarettes were bad. He had seen homes and lives destroyed because of them in his line of work. An unattended cigarette could lead to a fire was one of the first things he learned as a firefighter. He had been a smoker for most of his life. He had started in high school and just stopped a couple of years ago when he met Andrew. Now things in his life were so stressful that he turned back to his thin nicotine filled friend.
He loved Andrew. He knew that. It was just so hard to tell that to everyone else. He had told his family and they had been less then pleased. Some still thought that it was some sort of elaborate joke even after bringing Andrew to the Meers family dinner and kissing him in front of everyone.
And why shouldn't they think that. Warren had never displayed any gay qualities in his life. He was football star in high school and had been Prom King along with his Prom Queen girlfriend, Katrina. He went on to get a scholarship for football to Stanford.
He attended the college for awhile before deciding that he wanted to become a fireman. There were no desires to play with Ken dolls when he grew up and he never held a flamboyant grace to him. He hated school like any normal kid and always chased after girls in his high school years.
So no he didn't act like the stereotypical gay man, but he has gay. He knew it just by the fact that when he looked at Andrew his heart expanded in his chest. The dinner had been going on rather nicely and Buffy and Willow seemed like nice women.
He found himself talking to Spike and Oz constantly throughout the dinner and actually bonding with them. They talked about sports and stuff like that. That was another thing that made Warren doubt his gayness.
e was a guy like any other guy. Of course then Andrew would do that cute little thing when he was giggling and his face would scrunch up and he would know he was gay.
Things with Andrew were hitting a hard place. He knew that Andy deserved someone who was open with their lifestyle, but Warren wasn't quiet ready to do that and he wasn't ready to let Andy go. And apparently Andy wasn't ready to give up on him.
Warren had met Andrew's dad. The man was pretty excepting to the idea of his son being gay. Andrew had a close relationship with his father. Warren had even met Andrew's mother who was less then thrilled that her son was gay, but knew it was coming. Then there was Joyce, Buffy's mother and Andrew's step mother, who was very pleased with him.
Now he had met his friends and his stepsister who he treated like a real sister. If that didn't scream committed then Warren didn't know what did, but he couldn't help feeling like he should let Andy go so that he could have a guy who would be honest about everything.
Warren just didn't have the strength to let someone that important in his life leave him. He threw down his cigarette which was merely ashes and snuffed it out. He was walking back inside when he bumped into Spike.
"Oh sorry." Warren said.
"I thought you were in the bathroom." Spike said.
"Came out here for a smoke. What about you."
"Same." Spike said.
"Oh I didn't know you smoked." Warren said.
"Like a chimney. Horrible habit I know, but I can't shake it off. That and caffeine. How about you?"
"Oh I'm a smoker from way back. I quit for awhile, but some times life throws you a whole lot of lemons and you can't make lemonade quite that fast if you know what I mean." Warren said.
"Yeah I get it. I've never quit actually. Tried once, but I became all mean so now I'm just content to die with a cigarette in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other." Spike said.
"Well I could get in trouble for smoking so don't tell anyone." Warren said.
"Ah the Missus doesn't know." Spike said.
"Not as of yet. I want to tell him, but he gets all irrational when it comes to smoking. Seen one too many black lungs not to I guess."
"Look I know it's not my place what with being as new to the gang as you are, but I heard that you and Andy are having some problems." Spike said.
"Yeah a little. He's just mad at the fact that I won't admit to being gay to everyone. I'm not fully out of the closet I guess."
"Why are you letting that get to you?"
"I'm not. He is. I'm not exactly model gay guy. Add that to the stress of his job and the fact that he hates big cities and you got one stressed out guy. I try to be the best boyfriend I can be, but it's been a stressful year."
Spike took out a cigarette and played with it a little before putting the thin stick between his lips and lighting it.
"I get that. It's kinda been a stressful life for me." Spike said then took a long drag from his cigarette.
"Sometimes I wonder if maybe we just aren't meant to be. Relationships shouldn't be this hard." Warren said sitting back down on the bench he had previously been sitting on.
"They shouldn't be, but they are." Spike said.
"Yeah I think maybe we would all be better off alone."
"So do I, but as people we can't live alone."
"Stupid human characteristics."
"It sounds like you two just need to sit down and talk things out."
"You don't think I've tried. Whenever we sit down and talk it turns into a yelling match. He's like a clam when it comes to opening up." Warren said.
"Who says he has to be the one to start the conversation. Corner him if you have to. If you really care about him as much as you say you do then do everything you possibly can to keep him."
"Ah the up front approach. I don't have to literally corner him do I? As much fun as that sounds I think I should be a little more subtle."
"To each his own."
"You're right though. I can't always expect him to make the first move." Warren said standing up and getting ready to leave.
"Thanks." He said and then walked off.
Spike threw his cigarette on the ground and stomped it out.
"You're welcome now if I would only follow my own advice."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I wonder what's taking Warren saw long." Buffy said a little bit after Spike excused himself to go have a cigarette.
"He's probably outside having a cigarette." Andrew said in a melancholy voice.
"Warren smokes?" Willow asked.
"Yeah we quit for awhile, but he used to smoke like a chimney. He just recently started up again. He thinks I don't know about it." Andrew said.
"You two really need to communicate." Oz said.
"I know, but communication just isn't one of the things we do best. Fighting and arguing is though." Andrew said.
"Really cause tonight you guys seemed like a great couple." Willow said. She hadn't picked up on any negative vibes at all.
"Yeah we can be at times, but I don't know lately things haven't been all sunshine and puppies."
"Well maybe you two just need to talk. Every relationship hits rough spots. Communication is the best way to get through them." Buffy said hopefully.
She really hated seeing Andrew this depressed he was always the more happy of the bunch. The optimist while she was the pessimist and Willow was just Willow.
"Sure I mean we haven't called it quits yet so there's a definite possibility that things will end well." Andrew said gather some of that optimism he stored in the back of his mind for special occasions.
"See and this weekend is the perfect time to start. You're away from all that big city smog and you can have a clear head." Willow said.
"You're right. Excuse me for a moment." Andrew said getting up and walking over to the entrance of the restaurant.
Warren came in through the doors and they face each other.
"We need to talk." They both said at the same time. Warren smiled at Andrew and Andrew massaged his forehead.
"Look I know that things haven't exactly been the best these days, but that has nothing to do with you. I mean sure I'm annoyed that you won't tell your friends about us, but I knew that going into the relationship that you weren't exactly open about being gay yet. So that isn't it. It's just with work and all that I feel trapped sometimes. Not trapped with you just trapped. I'm too young to be this stressful. I just. . ."
"Shh, Andrew I get it." Warren interrupted.
"I was babbling wasn't I. See I try not to, but sometimes I can't help it. I've tried to stop and I'm doing it again." Andrew said looking down at something that caught his eye on the ground.
"I think it's cute. And you're right. We do need to talk. Maybe this free weekend will give us time to do that." Warren said.
"So is the invitation to stay at your hotel room still open?" Andrew asked not looking up from the ground.
"I don't think we'll get that much talking done that way." Warren said.
"I promise to behave. If I stay at your hotel then this will be the perfect opportunity for Buffy and Spike to have some alone time." Warren gave his boyfriend a questioning look.
"You aren't trying to play matchmaker are you?"
"So what if I am."
"Andy people need to start relationships on their own. Pushing them into something won't help."
"Sometimes people need a push." Andrew said.
"It's not your place to push."
Andrew pouted at little then said; "They need to hurry it up already."
"Oh not the puppy dog face. You know how much I hate that."
"Yes but you still love me."
"God help me I do."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Buffy shifted nervously in her seat. She was happy that Andrew and Warren were working things out, but she would give anything for him to be in the car right now. She was alone with Spike.
Tonight was great. There was laughing and fun times. Spike fit in so perfectly with anyone. He was a people person. The silence in the car was deafening. She wasn't sure if she should talk or remain quiet.
If she talked he was bound to say something so darn cute that she would want to jump him right there. If she didn't the tension would get so high that she would feel like bursting. No one was at her apartment. She would be all alone.
"So I talked to Dawn." Spike said trying to break the silence that had settled between them. He was fine with it, but when he looked over at Buffy he could see that she was nervous.
"Oh." Buffy said happy that he had been the one to break the silence.
"Yeah and I got her to agree to testifying." Spike said not taking his eyes off of the road.
"That's good. Maybe when she gets older you could talk to her about curfew too." Buffy said jokingly.
"No I think that's something you'll have to do on your own." Spike said shifting in his seat. Buffy took a deep breath and then resumed looking at the window. Silence again.
After a minute or two Spike tried his hand at conversation again.
"Can you believe are friends talking about us like we aren't standing right there. I'm sorry about how blunt Anya can be at times. I'm used to it, but others find it a little scary." Spike said slipping into his friendly conversational voice.
"Yeah it was a little scary at first. You get used to it after awhile. It's nice though." Buffy said.
"Nice?" Spike said looking in her direction with a questioning stare on his face.
"Nice that they care so much." Buffy said clarifying herself.
"Oh yeah I guess."
"It is. I don't have any siblings so I don't really know how that feels."
"You have friends." Spike said.
"Yeah, but with family there's this difference. I don't know what it is."
"Yeah I guess. Although it should be the other way around considering I'm the older one."
"I'm sure there were times when you looked out for her and look at how you are with Angel. Brothers and sisters tend to care of each other." Buffy said as they pulled up to her apartment complex.
"Well I guess I should get going." Buffy said as she opened the passenger door.
"You know it's very dark. Why don't I walk you to your door." Spike said.
What the hell was that? Walk her to her door? She lives in an apartment complex. You're playing a dangerous game mate.
Spike thought. Buffy looked at him for a second.
Say no. Say you can get to your door without his help. If he goes up then he might not go back down for awhile and you can't have that.
"Sure." Buffy said betraying the little voice in her head that was telling her not too.
"Okay."
They made it up to Buffy's apartment without talking. They were at her door and Buffy took out her keys. She unlocked the door and then turned around to find that Spike had moved closer to her. Spike hadn't expected her to turn around so suddenly.
When she did her face was buried in his chest. She was too close. They both knew it and the thought rang in both of their heads. Buffy looked up and tried not to stare at his chest. That was when she saw the scar again.
"Where'd get that?" Buffy said outlining the scar with her forefinger sending little jolts through Spike's whole body.
"There was a time when I would have said bar fight, but I'm past that stage." Spike said closing his eyes and gulping. Buffy's finger was betraying her as it kept outlining the scar over and over again.
"So what do you really get it from." Buffy asked.
"Um. . . I was in New York once and I got mugged. Told all my friends it was from a fight so I didn't look weak." Spike said realizing that she was the first person he admitted that to. Wes even thought that the scar was some old battle wound.
"So you lied to keep up your bad boy image." Buffy said. It came out a little throaty and her finger trailed down his cheek.
"Yeah I guess." Spike said still keeping his eyes closed. Was she even aware of the affect she was having at him?
"Lying is bad you know."
"I wager I've learned my lesson." Spike said his accent shining through. He opened his eyes and looked down at her. Before either knew how it happened there lips were touching.
Like their kiss before it was shy and more of a brush then a kiss. Spike felt like he was going to spontaneously combust if the kiss wasn't deepened. His tongue darted out and outlined her lips as if asking for permission to deepen the kiss. Buffy's lips parted immediately and joined Spike's tongue in a tango.
Tongues battled for dominance and hands started to roam. Spike's hands ran up and down Buffy until they finally rested on her hips. Buffy's hands rapped around Spike's neck and started to run through his hair. She liked it tousled and disheveled.
It was like no kiss either had ever had in their life. Spike pulled Buffy as closed to him as he possibly could. Her body against his was making him feel dizzy and lightheaded. The same thing was happening for Buffy.
If Spike wasn't holding her so tight she feared that she would have been reduced to a puddle on the ground. After a minute or so of nonstop making out, Buffy pulled away slightly.
"You want to come inside."
A/N: Evil, evil cliffhangers. I know it's cliffy, but I couldn't help it. If I kept going this thing would have never ended. Besides I have a plan and I hope you don't hate me for it. This chapter might have been hard to write but it was enjoyable. That whole part when they didn't know what they were going to order actually happened to me once. Oh and the part where he says Xander ordered a to-go box and got ice happened to me as well.
That'll teach me to try and show off my Spanish skills. And I'm Mexican for Pete's sake. Oh please review. I'm considering taking a break from this story if it gets hard to write or no one shows that much interest. I have two other stories people and I'm killing myself with them. I probably won't take this story away, but it's always an option. Please review telling me that I would be stupid to take this story away. I really need to know if that's what you think.
Distribution: Go ahead. Ask first
Spoilers: None
A/N: Sorry, sorry, sorry. I know it's been like over a month since I last updated, but bare with me here people. Life is hectic and this had to be the hardest chapter to write. First, there was Writer's Block. Don't you just HATE W.B. then there was the fact that I could only write on the weekends (That was the whole life is hectic thing). Then I had other stories that needed updating. There had to be research for this chapter that I didn't expect and this is a really important chapter according to my outline. Hence the longness of this chapter. I couldn't rush it so I had to keep writing until I knew it could be perfect. Its self-beta'd so don't get too angry if there are a lot of grammar mistakes. Okay enough with my babbling enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 15:
Nervous wasn't exactly a strong enough word for what Buffy was feeling as she got ready for her dinner with Andrew, Warren and Spike. The big butterflies in her stomach jut wouldn't let up. It was supposed to be a regular dinner. Nothing big at all. Just a dinner with Andrew, her stepbrother, and his boyfriend.
It was suppose to be a get to know you with this Warren guy. She should have known that Andrew would pull something like this. This was Andrew after all. Always trying to make her decisions for her. He had objected to Parker and Riley. Of course with both he hadn't been too far off. So maybe she should just let Andrew take over her social life from now on.
It still didn't make tonight any easier. This was going to be a little scary. She had feelings for Spike, that much was evident. Anyone would have feelings for him after spending time with him.
How that Dru lady could even think about cheating on him was beyond her. He was prefect. He had problems, but everyone had problems. Like Willow said it just added to his character. So yeah she had feelings for him. It was kind of hard not to, but that didn't mean anything. Both of them just wanted to be friends.
Then why do you have butterflies as big as bats floating around in your stomach? Buffy thought.
Buffy pushed the thought aside as she got up and examined herself in the mirror. It was a very fancy yet causal blue dress. Spaghetti strapped and silky with a thin sheet of lace on top. The hem of the dress was uneven, but on purpose. It accentuated her curves quite nicely. She wore her hair down and wavy.
She wore a little makeup with pale blue eye shadow. To finish the outfit of she had on strappy blue sandals; a cross necklace with little blue stones and a matching purse. All in all she looked perfect.
"Buffy come one we're going to be late!" Andrew yelled from the living room.
"Just a sec." Buffy said as she grabbed her shawl and made her way to the living room.
Andrew was standing by the door tapping his foot impatiently. He was wearing a brown suit with a blue shirt and maroon tie. Andrew was one of those people that looked like he was born in a suit unlike Spike.
"Where's Warren and Spike?" Buffy asked. She hadn't seen Andrew's boyfriend at all yet.
"He got a hotel room. Can you believe him? The first thing he does when he gets here is ask me to take him to the nearest hotel. Said that he doesn't want to intrude on you and that I could stay with him." Andrew said a little hurt.
"You could stay with him. It doesn't sound like your relationship is all that stable. You should stay with him." Buffy said.
"I'll think about it. I guess all we're doing now is waiting for Spike to show up. Willow and Oz are going to meet us at the restaurant."
"Willow and Oz are coming?" Buffy asked.
"Yeah I thought it appropriate. This should be fun."
"The women will be outnumbered to the guys. It'll be a first."
"Well I'm sorry that I couldn't help you out in that department, but gay here."
"Yeah I know. So will just wait for Spike."
"Yup because he's coming you know."
"Yes I know. You invited him."
"I know. I thought it would be nice to get to know him more."
"Subtle Andrew really subtle."
"I've never been the king of subtlety."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Spike turned off his car. How many times a week had he been in front of this same apartment complex? How come it felt so nerve racking this time? Spike looked through his jacket for a cigarette. It would be a couple of hours before he had another one and he was going to make this one last. He rolled down the window and lit the thin stick. He slowly brought it up to his mouth and inhaled the nasty habit happily. It was one of the only things that could calm his nerves besides coffee and alcohol.
Cigarettes were a safer addiction. Tonight was going to be like any other night or so he tried to convince himself that. It was nothing more then a night out with some friends. It wasn't a date with Buffy. Andrew was the one who asked him to tag along and he knew it wasn't a date with Andrew.
For one he just didn't go that way no matter how nice of a guy Andrew was and for another Andrew was supposedly in a committed relationship. So, no, this wasn't a date with anyone.
Of course his nerves told him different. They told him that things were not just friendly. How could they be when you're deeply attracted to one of you're so called friends? Well the only way to know for sure is to go to the apartment and announce that you're here. Spike opened the door to his car.
His cigarette was half way gone already so he threw it on the ground and snuffed it out. He straightened out his jacket and set the alarm on his car. It was time to make an entrance. He walked up the steps and to apartment six. He took a deep breath before knocking on the door.
Buffy heard the knock and answered the door. There stood Spike. He was a bit more dressed up then he had been earlier, but still appeared to be casual. He was wearing a black suit with a regular long-sleeved cream colored shirt underneath. He had on no tie. On his feet were causal Doc Martins. His hair was tousled like it was earlier. That looked suited him better then the slicked back look he was always donning.
For a moment Buffy wasn't sure that her mouth was working properly. He just looked so good. Spike examined Buffy for a second. Maybe he had gone a little too causal. Buffy was wearing a pretty blue cocktail dress. Although he was wearing a suit it was one of his more casual ones and he wasn't wearing a tie. She looked beautiful. The dressed showed off her figure perfectly.
There was a long silence before Andrew came out into the living room. Buffy and Spike were just staring at each other.
"Oh Spike you're here. Finally. Willow called to ask if we were coming or not. Warren is already there." Andrew said saying the last part sadly.
"Huh? Oi! Right the restaurant." Spike said.
"Yeah the place we were supposed to be over five minutes ago." Andrew said a little annoyed, but he tried to hide it. Spike and Buffy looked like they were having a moment and Andrew cursed himself for ruining that. "
Geez Andy it's only five minutes. Besides it's not like we don't have a reservation and Willow and everyone else are already there." Buffy said just as annoyed.
"I know I guess I'm just nervous."
"What are you nervous about?" Spike asked.
"Nothing it's nothing. Let's just go." Andrew said as he pushed past Spike and made his way outside.
Spike gave Buffy a questioning stare. His head was tilted to the side, one of his eyebrows was cocked and a half smirk tugged on his lips. Buffy noticed that the eyebrow had a small scar on it. She'd have to ask him about that later.
"What?" she said.
"What was with Mister Ball-o-Nerves back there. I thought he was in a relationship?" Spike said.
"He is. He's having problems with his boyfriend."
"Oh."
"Yeah." There was an awkward silence before Buffy said, "We better get out there and get to the car before Andrew gets antsy."
"Gets?"
"Okay so before he gets any more antsy."
"Right let's go." Spike said moving out of her way. She walked out of the door and Spike looked at her.
Yup tonight was going to be a long night. Spike though as he closed the door to her apartment.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Spike was somewhat used to fancy restaurants. He was from England after all and a lawyer. Buffy was not used to fancy restaurant or French ones for that matter. She had barely passed French in high school. Buffy looked to her right. Spike was sitting in the seat next to her and he seemed to be having no problems with the menu. Warren was sitting next to him biting his nails. Andrew sat across from him and Willow and Oz sat on the same side as Andy.
She nervously looked over the menu again. It was all in French. She would have asked for help in deciding what to order, but she didn't want to appear stupid. Almost everyone at the table was fluent in French and Buffy didn't even know how to say one in French.
"Ah I give up. I don't care if I look like a totally retard I have know idea what this gibberish says." Warren said. Buffy let a little smile grace her face. She wasn't the only one who didn't know what the menu said.
"Oh good we aren't pretending to be grown up now. That's great." Buffy said.
"Yes I was also about to ask for help." Andrew said.
"Ditto." Oz said.
"I thought you knew French, Andy." Warren said.
"I know how to speak enough to get us around Europe that one time, but it's been awhile." Andrew said honestly.
"Then why are we here?" Buffy asked.
"It's fancy and some of us know French." Willow said.
"Stop showing off, Wills. This place may be fancy, but let's hope they have a translator because I thought you took Latin in high school." Buffy said.
"She's right." Oz added.
"I know some French. Besides this place has good reviews." Willow said trying to defend herself.
"What are you getting?" Warren asked Andrew. Andrew could have laughed at the helpless look on his boyfriend's face.
"I was thinking the chicken, but it would appear that there is more then one chicken plate on this menu." Andrew said.
"Great so we're going to starve. We could have just gone to an English speaking restaurant." Warren said.
"With you there Warren. This place only has things in French." Buffy said.
"Well it looks like number thirteen is chicken something. Stay away from anything that says escargot." Willow said.
"Number thirteen isn't chicken, it's steak and not a very good choice. And snails can be good when cooked properly." Spike said not taking his eyes off of the menu. All eyes went towards him and Spike looked up at the five people staring at him.
"What?" Spike said shrugging his shoulders and placing out his hands.
"You know French." Warren said.
"Well yeah, British here." Spike said.
"So you let us panic for nothing?" Willow asked.
"It was sort of fun. Watching you lot figure out what you were going to do without looking stupid. I remember Xander tried to do that once, but at a Spanish restaurant. He asked the waiter for a to go box and they came back with ice." Spike said laughing a little.
When he saw the angry faces of the people he was eating dinner with he stopped.
"Guess you had to be there." Spike said looking at his menu again.
"Okay so you can cook and you know how to speak all these different languages. Tell us oh smart one what to get." Buffy said with sarcasm in her voice.
"Why don't you let me do the ordering." Spike said.
"I'm cool with that." Oz said not really wanting to test his French. High school was a long time ago for all of them and if Spike wanted to order he was happy to go along with it.
"Yeah whatever gets the food the fastest." Warren agreed.
"Sure as long as you don't order snails." Willow said.
"I already told you they aren't that bad." Spike said sighing.
"I don't care. It's icky." Willow said.
"A professional psychiatrist and you use words like icky." Spike said.
"She's right though. No snails or frog legs for that matter." Buffy said.
"Then why come to a French restaurant?" Spike asked.
"I thought we cleared that up. It's fancy and high priced." Andrew said.
"Personally give me a hamburger and a good football game and it's the best dinner ever." Warren mumbled.
"Ditto." Oz said.
"Well I wouldn't agree with the hamburger part and the football thing is okay, European that is." Spike said.
"Oh right like soccer is better then good ole' American football." Warren said.
"Well it's like rugby really only for less dangerous guys." Spike said.
"Football happens to be a very dangerous sport." Warren said.
"Yeah right I have my views and you have yours. Although American football isn't all that bad."
"See. I guess soccer isn't either." Warren said.
"Any sport is better then some sissy drama."
"Ditto." Oz said.
"Is that all you know how to say?" Warren asked Oz.
"No." Oz said simply.
"Guy's not a talker." Spike said.
"So do you have a favorite 'American' football team?" Warren asked Spike.
"Probably the Raiders, but it might be the 9'ers soon."
"The 9'ers suck this year. Stick with the Raiders. That's my team." Warren said.
"Why would you have to be a fan of the 9'ers soon? Are you moving somewhere?" Andrew asked. He wasn't really sure where the niners played or who they were, but he thought he should say something.
"Excuse Andy's total lack of anything to do with sports. The forty-niners play in San Francisco." Warren explained to Andrew.
"It's okay. I barely know anything about sports myself." Spike said.
"Well there isn't any time for sports ever. Besides, not to be stereotypical or anything, but I just don't see the point." Andrew said taking a sip of his water.
"Are you planning on going to San Francisco?" Buffy asked.
She couldn't believe that Spike was moving to San Francisco and not tell her. What hurt more was the fact that she didn't want him to move.
Spike looked over at her.
"Well I was thinking about it. Giles offered me a job at his new defense firm in San Francisco." Spike said looking at Buffy.
It wasn't even on his mind that much, but he just had to go and open his mouth. Sure he was thinking about taking the job somewhere deep down. He knew that he would probably end up turning it down what with everything that was going on. It still didn't keep the thought from resurfacing every once in awhile.
"So you're going to take it?" Buffy asked.
"No probably not. It'd be a good career booster though." Spike said.
"Why wouldn't you take it if it is such a good job?" Warren asked.
"Because my brother is going through some stuff and I already have a life here in Sunnydale. I've lived here since I was seven so I'm attached." Spike explained.
"Yeah that makes sense. Sunnydale seems to rope you in after awhile." Andrew said.
"It's really quiet quaint." Willow said.
Though she in Oz technically didn't live in Sunnydale they were always here and she liked this town.
Warren snorted.
"What?" Willow said.
"Quaint is a word people use to describe boring one Starbuck's towns. I prefer a big city." Warren said.
"Yeah I work in L.A and it's nice enough, but it's not the place for me. More of a small town guy myself." Spike said.
"Warren has a fear of small towns. I think that he thinks all the people that live in small towns are like in those low budget horror films." Andrew said.
"I do not. I just don't see room for growth in a small town. I mean sure nice place to raise a kid and have a family, but for a single person it would be torture or at least that's what I thought." Warren said.
"Spike isn't your regular single guy." Buffy said.
"I'm a regular bachelor. Look in my fridge and you'll find nothing but half empty Chinese food containers." Spike said trying to defend himself.
"I think Buffy meant to attack that which is holy to the single male. She was just making an observation." Willow said. "What's not regular about me?" Spike asked Buffy.
"Well for one I don't know of a single man who is so devoted to his family and friends like you. And there's the whole thing about you wanting a big family. Then the actual wanting commitment thing. There's just things about you that don't scream bachelor." Buffy said.
"Yeah I guess you're right."
"That I am." Buffy said.
"Oh the waiter's coming." Andrew said.
"Okay let's get ready to let Spike order for all of us." Willow said.
"Yeah leave the hard tasks up to me." Spike mumbled. The waiter made his way to the table and looked at the group.
"Hullo folks, what can I do for you this evening? Shall we start of with drinks?" The waiter asked.
"Yes can I ask you what your best wine is?" Spike asked slipping into his more sophisticated side.
"Well we have a 65 Amontillado."
"Is it breathing?"
"We can open it to breath."
"But it's been kept chilled?"
"Of course."
"Okay then bring that out and a Coca Cola please."
"Would you like to order?"
"Sure." Spike said and then started talking French. His words were so precise and fluid that anyone who walked by would have thought that that was his natural language, which in a way it was considering he was from Europe.
He held up his fingers as he talked indicating exactly how many of each thing he wanted and the waiter seemed impressed. "Well thank you sir. I'll be back with your drinks in a minute." The waiter said as he scampered off.
"Move back for Mister Cultured." Oz said sarcastically.
"Well I try." Spike said trying very hard not to look to proud of himself.
"It sounded like that was your natural language." Buffy said.
"Well it kinda is. I learned how to speak French and Spanish while learning English. It's in all the parenting books or just something my grandfather made up." Spike said.
"Still very impressive. What did you order me?" Warren asked.
"I ordered a roasted chicken plate for you and Andrew, the Steak Sauce Bordelaise for Oz, the Pork Chops Dijonaise for Willow, and the Scallops in Champagne Sauce for Buffy because she said she likes fish." Spike said.
"Wow I think he got us head on." Willow said.
"Yup I'm big on the steak." Oz said.
"I think that waiter was pretty impressed. I'd say he wanted to do more then take your order." Andrew said.
The table looked at him with questioning stares.
"You can tell that sort of thing?" Spike asked.
"Call it Gay-dar, but yeah I know. That and the way that he was looking at you like you were a nummy treat." Andrew said.
"Well I'm not sure whether to be flattered or freaked out." Spike said a little perplexed.
"Who's the Coke for?" Warren asked.
"Um. me." Spike said getting a little nervous and hoping that he didn't have to answer any questions of his past.
"Not a heavy drinker. I get that. Give Andy two drinks and he can go out like a light." Warren said.
"Hey just because I can't drink like a fish doesn't mean anything. I just don't enjoy drinking like other people. Job prevents me from doing that." Andrew said.
"Yeah well sometimes you can enjoy it a little too much." Spike said quietly trying to make sure no one heard him. No one but Buffy had. The table was going on about there jobs now.
"It's okay that you don't drink. I don't really drink that much either. Besides you have an exception." Buffy said to him quietly.
"Yeah well I should have never started drinking in the first place. It was a bad, bad idea and something I'll never go back to. My life was a complete mess back then." Spike said.
"Have you ever slipped up?"
"Once or twice or maybe more then that. I remember one time I drank myself silly because I was terrified of flying. I hate flying." Spike said.
"Where were you going?"
"Back to England to visit my grandmother. I was about twenty-six at the time. They didn't allow smoking on the plane so I restored to drinking. Luckily Angel was there to keep me from drinking too much." Spike said.
"You really need to quit smoking. It isn't healthy." Buffy said.
"Let's just keep it at one bad habit at a time. Not totally over the alcoholic thing just yet."
"Things will heal with time."
"Yeah I know."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Warren took another drag from his cigarette. He had started the habit up again and hadn't told Andrew. He was a big freak about those sorts of things being a doctor and having seen damaged lungs before. Warren was supposed to be in the bathroom, but decided to make a beeline for the sanctuary that was outside and light a cigarette.
He knew that cigarettes were bad. He had seen homes and lives destroyed because of them in his line of work. An unattended cigarette could lead to a fire was one of the first things he learned as a firefighter. He had been a smoker for most of his life. He had started in high school and just stopped a couple of years ago when he met Andrew. Now things in his life were so stressful that he turned back to his thin nicotine filled friend.
He loved Andrew. He knew that. It was just so hard to tell that to everyone else. He had told his family and they had been less then pleased. Some still thought that it was some sort of elaborate joke even after bringing Andrew to the Meers family dinner and kissing him in front of everyone.
And why shouldn't they think that. Warren had never displayed any gay qualities in his life. He was football star in high school and had been Prom King along with his Prom Queen girlfriend, Katrina. He went on to get a scholarship for football to Stanford.
He attended the college for awhile before deciding that he wanted to become a fireman. There were no desires to play with Ken dolls when he grew up and he never held a flamboyant grace to him. He hated school like any normal kid and always chased after girls in his high school years.
So no he didn't act like the stereotypical gay man, but he has gay. He knew it just by the fact that when he looked at Andrew his heart expanded in his chest. The dinner had been going on rather nicely and Buffy and Willow seemed like nice women.
He found himself talking to Spike and Oz constantly throughout the dinner and actually bonding with them. They talked about sports and stuff like that. That was another thing that made Warren doubt his gayness.
e was a guy like any other guy. Of course then Andrew would do that cute little thing when he was giggling and his face would scrunch up and he would know he was gay.
Things with Andrew were hitting a hard place. He knew that Andy deserved someone who was open with their lifestyle, but Warren wasn't quiet ready to do that and he wasn't ready to let Andy go. And apparently Andy wasn't ready to give up on him.
Warren had met Andrew's dad. The man was pretty excepting to the idea of his son being gay. Andrew had a close relationship with his father. Warren had even met Andrew's mother who was less then thrilled that her son was gay, but knew it was coming. Then there was Joyce, Buffy's mother and Andrew's step mother, who was very pleased with him.
Now he had met his friends and his stepsister who he treated like a real sister. If that didn't scream committed then Warren didn't know what did, but he couldn't help feeling like he should let Andy go so that he could have a guy who would be honest about everything.
Warren just didn't have the strength to let someone that important in his life leave him. He threw down his cigarette which was merely ashes and snuffed it out. He was walking back inside when he bumped into Spike.
"Oh sorry." Warren said.
"I thought you were in the bathroom." Spike said.
"Came out here for a smoke. What about you."
"Same." Spike said.
"Oh I didn't know you smoked." Warren said.
"Like a chimney. Horrible habit I know, but I can't shake it off. That and caffeine. How about you?"
"Oh I'm a smoker from way back. I quit for awhile, but some times life throws you a whole lot of lemons and you can't make lemonade quite that fast if you know what I mean." Warren said.
"Yeah I get it. I've never quit actually. Tried once, but I became all mean so now I'm just content to die with a cigarette in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other." Spike said.
"Well I could get in trouble for smoking so don't tell anyone." Warren said.
"Ah the Missus doesn't know." Spike said.
"Not as of yet. I want to tell him, but he gets all irrational when it comes to smoking. Seen one too many black lungs not to I guess."
"Look I know it's not my place what with being as new to the gang as you are, but I heard that you and Andy are having some problems." Spike said.
"Yeah a little. He's just mad at the fact that I won't admit to being gay to everyone. I'm not fully out of the closet I guess."
"Why are you letting that get to you?"
"I'm not. He is. I'm not exactly model gay guy. Add that to the stress of his job and the fact that he hates big cities and you got one stressed out guy. I try to be the best boyfriend I can be, but it's been a stressful year."
Spike took out a cigarette and played with it a little before putting the thin stick between his lips and lighting it.
"I get that. It's kinda been a stressful life for me." Spike said then took a long drag from his cigarette.
"Sometimes I wonder if maybe we just aren't meant to be. Relationships shouldn't be this hard." Warren said sitting back down on the bench he had previously been sitting on.
"They shouldn't be, but they are." Spike said.
"Yeah I think maybe we would all be better off alone."
"So do I, but as people we can't live alone."
"Stupid human characteristics."
"It sounds like you two just need to sit down and talk things out."
"You don't think I've tried. Whenever we sit down and talk it turns into a yelling match. He's like a clam when it comes to opening up." Warren said.
"Who says he has to be the one to start the conversation. Corner him if you have to. If you really care about him as much as you say you do then do everything you possibly can to keep him."
"Ah the up front approach. I don't have to literally corner him do I? As much fun as that sounds I think I should be a little more subtle."
"To each his own."
"You're right though. I can't always expect him to make the first move." Warren said standing up and getting ready to leave.
"Thanks." He said and then walked off.
Spike threw his cigarette on the ground and stomped it out.
"You're welcome now if I would only follow my own advice."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I wonder what's taking Warren saw long." Buffy said a little bit after Spike excused himself to go have a cigarette.
"He's probably outside having a cigarette." Andrew said in a melancholy voice.
"Warren smokes?" Willow asked.
"Yeah we quit for awhile, but he used to smoke like a chimney. He just recently started up again. He thinks I don't know about it." Andrew said.
"You two really need to communicate." Oz said.
"I know, but communication just isn't one of the things we do best. Fighting and arguing is though." Andrew said.
"Really cause tonight you guys seemed like a great couple." Willow said. She hadn't picked up on any negative vibes at all.
"Yeah we can be at times, but I don't know lately things haven't been all sunshine and puppies."
"Well maybe you two just need to talk. Every relationship hits rough spots. Communication is the best way to get through them." Buffy said hopefully.
She really hated seeing Andrew this depressed he was always the more happy of the bunch. The optimist while she was the pessimist and Willow was just Willow.
"Sure I mean we haven't called it quits yet so there's a definite possibility that things will end well." Andrew said gather some of that optimism he stored in the back of his mind for special occasions.
"See and this weekend is the perfect time to start. You're away from all that big city smog and you can have a clear head." Willow said.
"You're right. Excuse me for a moment." Andrew said getting up and walking over to the entrance of the restaurant.
Warren came in through the doors and they face each other.
"We need to talk." They both said at the same time. Warren smiled at Andrew and Andrew massaged his forehead.
"Look I know that things haven't exactly been the best these days, but that has nothing to do with you. I mean sure I'm annoyed that you won't tell your friends about us, but I knew that going into the relationship that you weren't exactly open about being gay yet. So that isn't it. It's just with work and all that I feel trapped sometimes. Not trapped with you just trapped. I'm too young to be this stressful. I just. . ."
"Shh, Andrew I get it." Warren interrupted.
"I was babbling wasn't I. See I try not to, but sometimes I can't help it. I've tried to stop and I'm doing it again." Andrew said looking down at something that caught his eye on the ground.
"I think it's cute. And you're right. We do need to talk. Maybe this free weekend will give us time to do that." Warren said.
"So is the invitation to stay at your hotel room still open?" Andrew asked not looking up from the ground.
"I don't think we'll get that much talking done that way." Warren said.
"I promise to behave. If I stay at your hotel then this will be the perfect opportunity for Buffy and Spike to have some alone time." Warren gave his boyfriend a questioning look.
"You aren't trying to play matchmaker are you?"
"So what if I am."
"Andy people need to start relationships on their own. Pushing them into something won't help."
"Sometimes people need a push." Andrew said.
"It's not your place to push."
Andrew pouted at little then said; "They need to hurry it up already."
"Oh not the puppy dog face. You know how much I hate that."
"Yes but you still love me."
"God help me I do."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Buffy shifted nervously in her seat. She was happy that Andrew and Warren were working things out, but she would give anything for him to be in the car right now. She was alone with Spike.
Tonight was great. There was laughing and fun times. Spike fit in so perfectly with anyone. He was a people person. The silence in the car was deafening. She wasn't sure if she should talk or remain quiet.
If she talked he was bound to say something so darn cute that she would want to jump him right there. If she didn't the tension would get so high that she would feel like bursting. No one was at her apartment. She would be all alone.
"So I talked to Dawn." Spike said trying to break the silence that had settled between them. He was fine with it, but when he looked over at Buffy he could see that she was nervous.
"Oh." Buffy said happy that he had been the one to break the silence.
"Yeah and I got her to agree to testifying." Spike said not taking his eyes off of the road.
"That's good. Maybe when she gets older you could talk to her about curfew too." Buffy said jokingly.
"No I think that's something you'll have to do on your own." Spike said shifting in his seat. Buffy took a deep breath and then resumed looking at the window. Silence again.
After a minute or two Spike tried his hand at conversation again.
"Can you believe are friends talking about us like we aren't standing right there. I'm sorry about how blunt Anya can be at times. I'm used to it, but others find it a little scary." Spike said slipping into his friendly conversational voice.
"Yeah it was a little scary at first. You get used to it after awhile. It's nice though." Buffy said.
"Nice?" Spike said looking in her direction with a questioning stare on his face.
"Nice that they care so much." Buffy said clarifying herself.
"Oh yeah I guess."
"It is. I don't have any siblings so I don't really know how that feels."
"You have friends." Spike said.
"Yeah, but with family there's this difference. I don't know what it is."
"Yeah I guess. Although it should be the other way around considering I'm the older one."
"I'm sure there were times when you looked out for her and look at how you are with Angel. Brothers and sisters tend to care of each other." Buffy said as they pulled up to her apartment complex.
"Well I guess I should get going." Buffy said as she opened the passenger door.
"You know it's very dark. Why don't I walk you to your door." Spike said.
What the hell was that? Walk her to her door? She lives in an apartment complex. You're playing a dangerous game mate.
Spike thought. Buffy looked at him for a second.
Say no. Say you can get to your door without his help. If he goes up then he might not go back down for awhile and you can't have that.
"Sure." Buffy said betraying the little voice in her head that was telling her not too.
"Okay."
They made it up to Buffy's apartment without talking. They were at her door and Buffy took out her keys. She unlocked the door and then turned around to find that Spike had moved closer to her. Spike hadn't expected her to turn around so suddenly.
When she did her face was buried in his chest. She was too close. They both knew it and the thought rang in both of their heads. Buffy looked up and tried not to stare at his chest. That was when she saw the scar again.
"Where'd get that?" Buffy said outlining the scar with her forefinger sending little jolts through Spike's whole body.
"There was a time when I would have said bar fight, but I'm past that stage." Spike said closing his eyes and gulping. Buffy's finger was betraying her as it kept outlining the scar over and over again.
"So what do you really get it from." Buffy asked.
"Um. . . I was in New York once and I got mugged. Told all my friends it was from a fight so I didn't look weak." Spike said realizing that she was the first person he admitted that to. Wes even thought that the scar was some old battle wound.
"So you lied to keep up your bad boy image." Buffy said. It came out a little throaty and her finger trailed down his cheek.
"Yeah I guess." Spike said still keeping his eyes closed. Was she even aware of the affect she was having at him?
"Lying is bad you know."
"I wager I've learned my lesson." Spike said his accent shining through. He opened his eyes and looked down at her. Before either knew how it happened there lips were touching.
Like their kiss before it was shy and more of a brush then a kiss. Spike felt like he was going to spontaneously combust if the kiss wasn't deepened. His tongue darted out and outlined her lips as if asking for permission to deepen the kiss. Buffy's lips parted immediately and joined Spike's tongue in a tango.
Tongues battled for dominance and hands started to roam. Spike's hands ran up and down Buffy until they finally rested on her hips. Buffy's hands rapped around Spike's neck and started to run through his hair. She liked it tousled and disheveled.
It was like no kiss either had ever had in their life. Spike pulled Buffy as closed to him as he possibly could. Her body against his was making him feel dizzy and lightheaded. The same thing was happening for Buffy.
If Spike wasn't holding her so tight she feared that she would have been reduced to a puddle on the ground. After a minute or so of nonstop making out, Buffy pulled away slightly.
"You want to come inside."
A/N: Evil, evil cliffhangers. I know it's cliffy, but I couldn't help it. If I kept going this thing would have never ended. Besides I have a plan and I hope you don't hate me for it. This chapter might have been hard to write but it was enjoyable. That whole part when they didn't know what they were going to order actually happened to me once. Oh and the part where he says Xander ordered a to-go box and got ice happened to me as well.
That'll teach me to try and show off my Spanish skills. And I'm Mexican for Pete's sake. Oh please review. I'm considering taking a break from this story if it gets hard to write or no one shows that much interest. I have two other stories people and I'm killing myself with them. I probably won't take this story away, but it's always an option. Please review telling me that I would be stupid to take this story away. I really need to know if that's what you think.