A/N: Hi everyone! Thanks to quitesirius, SpikeBuffyTryst, Chofita, VaRuka, Trinity Cloud, lolagirl, Once More With Feeling, LuckyStarz, In Silent Lucidity, Lynsey, Inspired, c[k]m, Ultrawoman, spikeandangel4eva, j26 lttl angel, she, The Bloody, BrownEyes, SpIkEs AnGeL, Jessyca, and Dee for your reviews and suggestions! I really appreciate it! *hands all of you Spike-shaped cookies.* (Btw, scroll down to the end see the answer to my question from the last chapter!)
Well here's Chapter 2 and I'm hoping it's okay?! I'm biting my nails nervously hoping you'll like it (or at least be mildly amused)! Just a warning but there won't be any Spuffy interaction for probably another 5 chapters, but I promise it'll be well worth the wait. Sorry this took so long, but I was on vacation -- I was in France for a week actually so I didn't have internet access. Plus school just started up again this week, sigh a student's work is never done. Thank you all for being so patient, I appreciate your stopping by and reading this! I'll try to update sooner next time. *ice cream and life sized Spike's for all (per previous requests, hehe)* (Thanks for the beta-ing, Mars!)
Summary: Just an addendum from the summary posted in Chapter 1. I think most of you had it figured out, but just in case – this is a Fantasy type fic. Everyone's human. No vamps, no Slayers, no Watchers, no witches, etcetera. But still the same lovable ol' BTVS/Angel characters! :)
Chapter 2 – Making the Band
"Right this way, messieurs. We have our premiere table ready for you in by le Jardin des Fleurs Exotiques, right next to our enchanting replica of the Fontaine de la Concorde!" the very snooty and impeccably dressed owner of Chez Francois said as he escorted Spike Edwards, Wes Edwards, Xander Harris, and Riley Finn to their table for lunch.
Riley leaned over and whispered to his Vampires in Love bandmates, "Guys, this is really nice, but does anyone know what the hell he's saying?"
Xander replied, "We're in a French restaurant, so I'm going out on a limb here, but my guess is he's saying something -- oh I don't know, French?"
Riley rolled his eyes at Xander's ill-fated joke and said, "Thanks, I didn't quite get that."
"He said we're going to be sitting in the Garden of Exotic Flowers next to a replica of the Fountain in Place de la Concorde in Paris. You two had better brush up on your French before we plan a European tour!" Wesley supplied, grinning at the two.
The proprietor of Chez Francois turned and motioned the four to their table. "Please have a seat, gentlemen. As you already know I am Francois and may I say 'Welcome to Chez Francois!' We are honored you have chosen to join us pour dejeuner. Your server will be joining you in a moment. But please feel free to let me know if you need anything, we are here to make your dining experience as wonderful as possible. Bon appetit!"
"I'm guessing pour dejeuner probably means 'for lunch?'" Riley added after the owner of Chez Francois walked away.
"Well aren't we smart, Captain Cardboard!" Spike said, clapping his hands with mock amazement.
Riley shot him a dirty look and said, "Shut up, Spike!"
"Hey, did you guys just hear that?" Xander said.
"Hear what?" Riley and Spike said at once.
"He called us gentlemen! Us -- gentlemen! Can you believe that?" Xander said in amazement.
"I know! Four months ago we wouldn't have even been allowed to wash the dishes here," Wes agreed.
"Pffft, are you kidding? I don't even think they'd have let us look through their soddin' trash bin!" Spike replied sitting back in his chair and folding his arms behind his head. He paused to look around before he said, "This place is rather posh, isn't it? I wonder if they got any onion blossoms. Those things are bloody fantastic, all doughy and fried!"
The boys sat back admiring the decadent ambiance created by the richly decorated red tablecloth, the gold-rimmed plates and matching flatware, the crystal wine goblets, the brilliant flora of the garden, and the string quartet in the corner adding a hint of Vivaldi to the background. Star treatment everywhere, international recognition, uncountable wealth, in short the life of a rock star -- this is what life at the top meant, and the Vampires were finally getting their taste of it, quite literally.
A server came by, quickly filling up their glasses with mineral water and leaving a basket of freshly baked rolls on the table. The foursome picked up their menus and started to examine the specials du jour. It turned out that dining was quite a serious affair to the French. Even a simple meal such as lunch could consist of several courses including salads, soups, cheeses, breads, the main course, and of course the essential French wines and desserts.
"Hey Riley, the menu's in French too. Think you can handle it?" Xander asked with mock concern.
Riley rolled his eyes in reply. "Thanks, Xander. But I think I got it."
"Ustedes son locos! Es solamente un idioma extranjero, no es la ciencia del cohete!" Wesley said to them in Spanish, showing off his flair for all things bookish.
"I think that's enough with the college-talk for now, Wes. I'll have to show you up with my knowledge of Spanglish later on," Xander joked once more.
"Hey now, where's the waitress? I'm feelin' a bit peckish!" Spike interjected, rubbing his stomach absentmindedly.
Just then their server appeared, eyes widening as she realized whom she'd be waiting on. Obviously she'd heard of them. She smoothed her apron with one hand, and then nervously tucked away a strand of hair behind her ear. Quickly regaining her composure she said, "Hi! My name is Amy, and I'll be your server today. Our specials today are canard a l'orange, pastilla au canard, and poached salmon with potatoes. For dessert I'd highly recommend you try the red fruit soup with vanilla custard, the chocolate tarte with coffee sauce, or our famous creme brulee. Can I start you off with something to drink as well?"
"Amy, luv, do you think you could recommend a good wine for me and my buddies Xander and Riley? Bite-sized over there'll take a Coke," Spike said in the dutiful role of an older brother as he pointed to Wesley.
"I'd like to suggest a 1998 Bordeaux. How does that sound?" Amy replied.
"I don't know. How does it sound? I've never actually heard wine talk. I've heard wine make people talk, but never the wine itself," Xander quipped, giving her a boyish grin.
Amy laughed. Between Spike's use of the word "luv" and Xander's smile, she was having a hard time keeping herself from jumping up and down and screaming like a little girl. She reminded herself to thank Marco later on for calling in sick, otherwise she'd have been enjoying a very boring day off. She quickly jotted down their lunch orders and went on her way. Two servers came out a few moments later with a course of salads, soups, and cheeses.
"My God! Would you look at this food? This is enough to feed an army of werewolves," Xander surmised.
"Forget the food, did you seen who else was here when we walked in? I could've sworn I saw Jennifer Aniston and What's-his-name in the corner, at the table next to Ozzy and his kids!" Riley exclaimed.
"Hey look over there, isn't that Gwenyth Paltrow and Cameron Diaz walking in?" Xander said, trying to be discreet.
All of a sudden Wes piped up, "Brad Pitt?" Xander and Riley turned to look at him, slightly confused. "What? You said Jennifer and What's-his-face -- I can only assume you mean her husband, Brad Pitt."
"Oh that Jennifer! I thought you were talking about Jennifer Lopez, uh I mean, J.Lo or something like that? Jen and Brad are here, where?" Xander said, craning his neck for a better view.
"Doot, deedly doot, deedly deedly doot doot doot!" Their stargazing was interrupted by the noise of a cell phone. All four reached for their phones, trying to decipher whose was ringing insatiably. Spike came out the winner. It was none other than the essence of his existence, the lovely, temperamental, and slightly psychotic Drusilla Rayne. He excused himself from the table and headed for a more private corner of the restaurant to take the call.
"Hello? Drusilla! How are you pet?" Spike exclaimed.
"I am… what am I, Spike? Perhaps… perhaps I am, effulgent? Yes? Yes! That is it! I am effulgent," Drusilla said in her characteristically elusive speech. Spike had long ago become accustomed to her roundabout way of talking and actually found it rather charming.
"Splendid! Now tell me, to what do I owe the honor of this call? Shouldn't you be in front a camera right about now?"
"I'm taking a break. They're filming someone else right now, someone rather ghastly, hideous even," she pouted. "But anyways, Mummy has splendid surprise for Daddy!"
"Oh, a surprise? What is it then, luv?" Spike asked.
"No, no, no! Naughty boy! I can't tell you just yet. First you have to tell me how much you miss me, my dark prince," Drusilla said. All of a sudden Spike heard giggling and another voice. He heard Drusilla said, "Get off me! You're absolutely impossible, I'm on the phone!"
"Of course I miss you, Dru," Spike said a little on his guard, very curious as to what was making Dru giggle like that in New York City. "What was so funny just now, pet?"
"Hmm, that? That was just Ms. Edith. She's being wicked and naughty," Drusilla explained.
"Your agent is being naughty?" Spike asked, very confused.
"Not that Ms. Edith, the other one! My doggie! Silly, silly bad dog!" She replied, eager to change topics.
"But I could have sworn I heard another voice in your --" Spike began.
Drusilla cut him off, "So you do miss me then? Good. I'm coming to LA this weekend, and I'll be able to see your next show!"
"Really? That's bloody fantastic! I can't wait to see you, pet. If you're lucky I might just shag you silly," Spike said, immediately lighting up at the prospect of seeing Drusilla. He listened a few minutes more, getting all the details from him girlfriend. "Uh-huh. Okay, got it. I'll see you this weekend, luv. Okay, mmm-hmm. I love you, too. Bye!"
Dru was coming to see him this weekend! He was on a high as he walked back to his table and took his seat. Spike returned in time to hear Riley say, "No way, Ben Affleck was way better off with Gwenyth than he is with J.Lo!"
"I'd have to disagree, Riley. Jennifer Lopez is much hotter than Gwenyth, she sings, she dances, she acts, plus she's got her own clothing line and fragrance collection. And she's funny; she worked with Jim Carrey on 'In Living Color.' Did Gwenyth ever do a comedy show?" Xander disagreed.
"Okaaaaayyyy. I think someone's been watching a little too much 'Entertainment Tonight!'" Wesley joked.
"I have not! I'm just saying that … hey look, is that Will Smith and Jada?" Xander said, craning his neck once again.
"Xander! Sit down before you hurt yourself, Droopy Boy!" Spike said, grabbing his friend's arm and dragging him down into his seat. "And what's with you all anyways? Can you stop being all googly-eyed over those bleedin' movie stars for a second? It's pathetic!
Wesley spoke up, "As I recall Spike, wasn't it just last week you yelled at the mailman because your copy of Soap Opera Digest was a day late? You could've just gone online to see what was happening on 'Passions.' You've got the website listed in your Favor--"
Spike quickly clapped a hand over his brother's mouth, hastily saying, "Ha! Yeah, bloody good joke, Wes! You got me! You know I don't watch that soddin' excuse for television."
Riley turned to Xander and said, "You know, Xan, I just don't get it anyways. Julian should never have gotten Teresa pregnant. Why would Teresa every sleep with him in the first place? How stupid a storyline is that?"
"Are you daft, man?! That wasn't the story at all! They were both drunk! Julian was the great poofter who got Teresa hammered, married her, and then shagged her which was worse since she was engaged to Julian's son Ethan when…" Spike trailed off, embarrassed at being caught red-handed by his little outburst as his bandmates burst out laughing.
"Oh Ethan!" Wesley said to Xander, very melodramatically.
"Oh Teresa!" Xander replied, equally melodramatic, as they fell into a mock soap opera hug. Spike burst out laughing and threw a roll at them.
"Shut up you, wankers! Anyways, I've got news! Drusilla's coming to LA this weekend and she's going to be at our show," Spike said.
"Drusilla?" Xander said, uneasily. She may have been Spike's girlfriend, but she was not an easy creature to get along with.
"Hey that's great! Sam said she might be in town this weekend, they can sit together at the show," Riley said, trying to be helpful.
"Drusilla's coming to the show, is that right? Great, great, that's just splendid! Well that is if she actually makes it this time. What was her excuse last time? Oh that's right, her dog got sick again. And what was it before then? Her car broke down so she couldn't get to JFK and catch her flight. I can't wait for her to get here. We'll have such a marvelous time," Wesley commented rather dryly. It was no secret that Wes wasn't as fond of Dru as Spike thought everyone should be. Drusilla didn't have a reputation for being a very agreeable or very kind person for that matter, especially when she and Wesley were near each other.
"Wesley," Spike warned.
"What? I said I can't wait to see Ms. Bloody Sunshine and Dead Roses!"
"Wesley Wyndham-Pryce Edwards, you're being nice to her this time or else. No more throwing water on her or holding crosses and shouting 'Back! Creature of the night!' She's not a bloody vampire, she's my girlfriend! Understood?" Spike said, pointing a threatening finger at his brother.
"Yeah sure, whatever you say big brother." Wesley said, as their main courses arrived.
"Wahoo, Dru's coming. Great news. We're all happy for you, Spike!" Xander said, "Now I don't know you guys, but this food is getting cold and I'm getting -- what's that word -- um, peckish. Yeah, peckish. Now shut up and eat!"
"Best idea you've had all day, Xan!" Spike agreed.
"Hey guys, my midterms aren't for another week, can't I have just one glass of --" Wesley began.
"No!" came the simultaneous response from all his bandmates. The 4 friends laughed and started to eat. They'd finally made it to the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous stage. Life was good, the food was great, and Xander, Wes, Riley, and Spike were on top of the world.
A/N: Hey all, reached the end I see? Yay! Thanks! Finally, in response to why I named the band Vampires in Love: I was just wondering if anyone else had tastes for obscure music. Inspired and Chofita and SpikeBuffyTryst guessed right; it is because of a song called "Vampires in Love" by the Marvelous 3. They also sang "Freak of the Week" a few years back, but split up a year or two ago. And check out the fan video set to "Vampires in Love" if you can find it on the web, I don't know who made it, but it's so cute! But thanks to everyone else who ventured a guess! *more Spike-shaped cookies for all* :)
And thanks for everyone's opinions on who I should pair Willow with. You'll see in the next chapter, and I'm sure it'll make everyone very happy! :D