Away From It All
Chapter 11: Surprise!
By: Rogue-Slayer13
Summary: See pervious chapters.
Disclaimer: The characters of Btvs and Ats belong to Joss Whedon. Spike's family members and other character you've never heard of before are mine.
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"Group Therapy."
"Something we all need," said Spike.
"No, for the band name," said Xander.
"Why Group Therapy?" asked Angel, who was finally starting to hang out with the group more.
"I dunno, I was just brain storming."
"I kind of like it," said Gunn.
"Snot bad," said Spike.
"It's okay." Oz sat down on the couch.
"So, is that what you're gonna call yourselves?" asked Angel.
"Guess so," said Xander.
Gunn nudged Spike in the ribs, which caused Spike to turn and glare at him.
"Do it," whispered Gunn.
Spike glared at Gunn a while longer before turning to Angel.
"Peaches, has your singing gotten any better since you became human?"
"Why?" asked Angel.
"Gunn wants you in the band."
"I guess I could."
"Great, you're in," said Gunn.
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Buffy walked into her mother and Giles' room to find her mom packing a suitcase.
"What are you doing?" asked a more then slightly panicked Buffy, as she remembered the last time she was in this situation and what it lead to.
"It's nothing like that," replied Joyce as if she could read minds. "We're going to England."
"Oh," said Buffy with a sigh of relief. "Why are we going to England?"
"Well, Thanksgiving is soon and Rupert and I thought it'd be nice to visit his family."
"Do the British even celebrate Thanksgiving?"
Joyce was quiet for a moment.
"Honestly, I'm not sure."
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"He kissed you!?"
"It was just a little peck on the cheek," said Fred.
"Still, it's a huge leap toward coupledom, which is exactly where we want you two," said Cordelia.
"I'd like to see the scale in which a peck equals a leap," said Fred.
"You have to admit, it's more then a friendly thing," said Faith.
"It could lead to many nights of incredible shagging," said Anya.
"New rule." Fred pointed at Anya. "We don't talk about me shagging Spike. Got it?"
"Fine, but can we talk about shagging Spike in general?"
"Ugh, no!"
"What's the big deal?" asked Faith. "I mean, it's not like you two are a couple or anything."
"I know what you're trying to do," said Fred.
"What's that?" asked Willow.
"You're trying to get me to go out and do something stupid to get Spike to be my boyfriend."
"Can't pull the wool over your eyes," commented Cordy.
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"So, where does your family live?" asked Dawn.
"Bath," replied Giles from his seat on the plane.
"And that's where?"
"About two hours from London."
"Oh! Can we visit Spike?"
"I don't know," said Joyce.
"Please mom!" begged Dawn. "It's only two hours away."
"It might be fun," said Buffy.
"We'll see," replied Joyce.
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"Anybody want to go to the movies tonight?" asked Xander.
"I'll go," said Spike.
"Are you going to invite Fred?" asked Gunn.
"Maybe," replied Spike.
"You should, I'm gonna invite Faith."
"I figured Anya would come," said Xander.
"Cordy and I'll go," said Angel.
"Count me and Will in," said Oz.
"Great, now we just need to check with the girls we've so graciously spoken for," said Xander.
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"I'll get it." Cordelia got up and answered the door to reveal Xander and the other guys standing outside. "Why hello there."
"Hey Cordy," said Xander as he stepped inside the apartment.
"To what do we owe the pleasure?" asked Cordelia as she shut the door behind the last guy.
"We wondered if you fine ladies would do us the honor of going to the movies with us," said Gunn.
"What are ya gonna see?" asked Faith.
"I'm gonna take a huge risk and say . . . ladies' choice?" said Xander.
"Are you sure you guys are man enough for such a bold move?" asked Willow.
"Yeah, we could ask to see something really crappy," said Fred.
"This is a leap of faith here," said Xander as he sat down on the couch next to Anya.
"We could go and see The Grudge," suggested Fred.
"I've been wanting to see that," said Oz.
"Do we all agree?" asked Xander.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"The Grudge it is then."
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"That was a good one," said Xander as the group came out of the theater.
"Yeah," said Spike, who had his arm around Fred. "A lot better then I thought it would be."
"It's still early, you guys want to come back and hang out?" asked Gunn.
"Sure, why the hell not," said Faith.
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"So, have you guys thought of a band name yet?" asked Willow.
"So far our only idea is Group Therapy," said Xander.
"It's cool," said Anya.
"Have any plans for a show yet?" asked Faith.
"We should be able to pull something off in a couple of weeks," said Gunn. "We have to try out our new singer." Gunn motioned toward Angel.
"Don't tell Lorne, he'll never come to a show," teased Cordelia.
"We're hoping he only slaughters Barry Manilow's stuff," said Oz.
Angel was about to respond, but there was a knock on the door.
"I'll get it." Spike hoped up and went to answer the door.
Fred looked over at the door just in time to see Spike almost get knocked down by someone throwing their arms around Spike's neck.
"Spike! It's so good to see you!"
"Same 'ere Nibblet," replied Spike as he untangled himself from Dawn.
"Hey everyone," said Buffy as she stepped inside the apartment.
"Oh my god! Buffy!" said Anya.
"Surprise."
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To Be Continued . . .