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Part 4: Building Bridges/Burning Bridges
See Part 1 for disclaimer, rating, summary, etc. PLEASE REVIEW!
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"What the hell are you doing here? Are you following me? What the hell?" Buffy managed to get out in a jumble of words as she rolled over and sat up. She made sure she still had her purse and stood up, much easier this time, without the aid of his outstretched hand. "Never mind. I'm late."
She tried to brush past him and down the hall to get back to the party but he grabbed her arm. Even though she didn't know who he was and he was a little scary his touch sent shivers down her spine.
"What's your hurry? Things like this happen for a reason, you know? Maybe the Powers that Be are trying to tell us something." He grinned at her.
"Yeah, maybe they are telling me to do this." With that she stomped on his foot, causing him to yelp in pain.
"Bloody hell woman, what did you do that for?" He yelled, hopping up and down on his non-injured foot. For someone so tiny she sure could hurt another. *Course the fact that she's wearing goddamn spikes for shoes helps with that.*
"Leave me alone. I don't know who the hell you are, but if you don't go away I'll be forced to call security." With that Buffy set off down the hall. Spike hobbled after her, not wanting to scare her anymore.
"Wait, please?" He called.
"No, go away!" Buffy was beginning to get a little worried about this man following her. She definitely would have to ask for a room change when she got back the hotel, if she didn't call the cops and have him arrested first.
"Buffy! Wait!" He caught up to her as she got to the door of the meet and greet room. As her hand turned the knob a thought crossed her mind.
"How to you know my name?" She asked as the door turned into the room, revealing an even more crowded room than when she left. He put his arm around her waist and led her into the room.
"Hey, wait. You can't come in h-" Buffy was cut off by a loud voice that effectively cut through the other hums all over the room.
"Spike Giles! So glad you could finally make it! And I see you've met your leading lady." Wesley made it across the room from where he was standing, still with Cordy, with his hand out stretched. Buffy felt her stomach drop as she realized how big of a mistake she had made.
"Well, we weren't properly introduced. 'Allo there, pet. My name is Spike and I will be your on screen lover." Spike threw her a sly smirk as he shook her hand that made Buffy want to sink just a little further into the hole she had dug for herself.
"I can't wait to see you two on camera together. We're all very excited with this pairing. You'll be a hit on screen, just like you are on the stage." Wesley gushed.
"Buffy, I thought that you said you didn't know Spike." Cordy came up beside Buffy and saved her from listening to the two men any longer.
"I don't. We just kind of. ran into each other outside." Buffy told her.
"Isn't he just too sexy? I mean, there's the whole bad-boy attitude he's supposed to have that's enough to make a girl weak in the knees. Then there are those cheekbones and those eyes and that-"
"I get it Cordy." Buffy felt a headache coming on. One that would only be solved by her going back home to Sunnydale and hiding under a huge rock, never to be heard from again.
* * * * *
The rest of the meet and greet went forward without further incident. Buffy met with the man who would be playing Spike's best friend in the movie, Xander Harris and took an instant liking to him. He was funny and not overwhelming, very far from the typical Hollywood man persona. She talked with Tara some more and managed to steer clear of Angel and his new girl, Dru, as he called her. She knew that she would have to come face to face with him again, but that would be for business, this was pleasure. She would have to call and rag out Willow however, for not giving a heads up if she knew.
She also managed to stay away from Spike, worried that he would cause her to end up on the floor yet again or they would have another awkward encounter. She wasn't sure what to think of him yet. She didn't know him yet, but she didn't think that she liked him, despite him being so damn good looking. She would just have to maintain a working relationship with him and keep things moving smoothly between the two of them, especially since they were playing love interests in the movie.
Finally the end of the get together was winding down, at almost seven in the evening. Buffy hadn't realized how long they had been there or how tired she was until she saw people get up to leave. Some of them were going out to the clubs she knew, because Cordy had asked her to go with her and a couple others but Buffy declined, explaining the long day she had had. She heard the basket of bath supplies and her big suite bed calling her.
She got ready to leave, telling Tara and Xander who she had been talking with that she would likely see them on-set in a couple of days when they began shooting. She stopped and said goodbye to Wesley who gave her the final draft of the script.
"It hasn't changed drastically from the copy that you have, but there are some changes, so look it over carefully tomorrow."
"My last day of sort-of freedom, right?" She smiled.
"Oh yes. Then it's all work, work, and work. Have a good night, Buffy."
"You too, Wesley."
Before she left the room she took a quick glance around to see if Spike had left yet, then cursed herself for doing so.*Who cares if he's here or in Timbuktu? Just don't humiliate yourself around him anymore and keep it professional.* Her gaze fell on Angel, sitting in a corner with Dru, whispering in her ear. She would hold her head high against him as well. She turned and left the room, saying goodbye to a few other people who she didn't remember on the way.
She made her way downstairs to the front entrance to wait for a car to take her back to the hotel, as the studio made sure there were some waiting for them. As she stepped outside she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. of cigarette smoke?
"What the *cough* hell?" She said, looking to her left. She rolled her eyes as her gaze fell on the one person she prayed she would never see again for all eternity.
"Not a fan of second hand smoke, I see?" Spike asked.
"Obviously not." Buffy replied. She frowned at him as he took another drag. Sighing on his exhale he threw the butt to the ground and stepped on it.
"Happy?" He asked.
"Standing here with you? No."
"Thanks luv. It's a bed of roses being here with you too." He leaned against the building, crossing his arms. His duster moved around him, making him look like some kind of superhero.
"You have to be one of the most unpleasant people that I know." Buffy told him.
"Me? You're the one putting me down every bloody time you see me, which could get a bit old when we see each other every day on set and in the hotel."
"At least I don't make a habit of knocking people to the ground every time I see them." Buffy shot back.
"I said I was sorry. I'm not the one stepping out into fast moving areas without looking. Bet you play in traffic too."
"Whatever. This is retarded."
"That it is. So stop it."
"Me? You stop it,"
"For the love of Christ, just shut up." He groaned. Buffy looked like she would throw something back at him, but remained silent, agreeing that was the best way to get around this.
They stood in silence for another few minutes before a limo finally pulled up. Buffy sighed with relief and moved towards the vehicle; not realizing Spike was doing the same. Their hands reached for the handle at the same time, as the driver got out of the car.
"This is my car." They both said at the same time.
"No, it's mine." They said again. They stood; hands still on the door handle, glaring at each other.
"Uh, sir, ma'am? The car is big enough for both of you, as long as neither of you are in a rush to get to your places we can work with this." The driver offered a solution. "Where are you going?"
"To the hotel." They answered at the same time again, eliciting a glare from each other.
"The same one? That's great, no waiting then." The driver clapped his hands together to get them to move, but neither did. They just stood, almost nose-to-nose waiting for the other to make a move. Finally the driver stepped forward and opened the door for them, surprising them both. Buffy muttered her thanks and slid in first, Spike after her then the door shut. They sat in silence at first, both rethinking what had just happened.
*Jesus, what the hell was THAT Buffy? You want to remain on a platonic level, not even recognizing him as a person and you were almost holding his hand! What a jerk he is! What a moronic, stupid jerk with really strong hands and he smells SO good. shut up Buffy.* She frowned to herself as she thought.
*Bloody hell, man. Get yourself together. You've been around plenty of chits in your day, any of them as pretty as her- if not more so! Just because she has warm hands and gorgeous hair and smells like the sweetest vanilla ever doesn't mean anything. Just because she's sleeping in the next suite over to you and you could just.. shut up, you bloody wanker!* Spike shifted on the seat and pulled his duster around him as he took notice of his reaction to his thoughts about her.
"I suppose this is the smartest thing to do." Buffy said, breaking the silence.
"Hmmm? What are you talking about?" Spike snapped out of his haze.
"Taking one car to the hotel. Saves the driver some work, and the environment some hassle and. stuff." Buffy didn't want to be here, in such close quarters with him. When he had bowled her over the first time he was so good looking that she thought he was an angel, then the second time she had known who he was just from his voice and he had given her shivers, and just now when she was glaring at him so intently, toe-to-toe with him she had wondered what it would be like to kiss him. Just once, and quickly, just so she got a taste. That would be interesting.
"Yeah, guess so." He wracked his brain trying to think of something to say so he could keep her talking, especially on something so civil. He guessed that they would soon be arguing again. He wanted to be off the thought of her face being so close to his as well. So close he could feel her breath mingling with his and he could smell the strawberry lipgloss she had on, lipgloss that would feel so good if he were to just reach out and-
"Did you get your script?" He asked, frantically trying to get his mind off things that would make them both uncomfortable if she saw the way they were affecting him below the belt.
"Yes. Tomorrow I'm line girl. I went over my first script pretty good, so I don't think this will be too hard." Buffy relaxed at this nice conversation they were having. Maybe he wasn't so bad.
"Yeah, me too. If you want I'd be happy to go over lines with you, get some stuff ironed out before we even get to set. Plus, this is my first movie, so it would be nice having someone who knows what she's doing help me." Spike internally gave a little yell of success as she turned in her seat to face him better, her face lit up.
"That would be great. I would much rather go over my lines with someone. I don't know how much help I can give, because this is my first big movie, but I can try my best."
"I thought you were great on that demon show." Spike offered, seeing her eyes sparkle as he mentioned her old show.
"You watched that thing? That's funny. I wouldn't think you would have had time."
"Even rock stars get downtime, pet. You've listened to my music, haven't you?" He smiled at her.
"Actually, no. I don't let myself get too much downtime. I hear you're really good though!" She offered, seeing his slightly hurt expression. "I'll have to go out and get your CD. I have been meaning to, especially since I got the part, but this month has been crazy busy."
"I have some copies in my room, if you want. I'll even autograph it for you." He covered.
"Sure, that would be really nice. It's not just you, so you know. I wouldn't know a rock start or movie star from a janitor right now. I just don't keep up to date on that stuff. If my manager tells me to watch or listen to something, then I do, but unless it's on my schedule, I don't even know it's alive. I killed my fish that way." Buffy bit her lip as she heard him laugh a loud rich sound that she smiled at.
"This is really nice, you know? We never would have had this nice conversation and gotten to know each other if you didn't have to take my car. This was fun. Now that we're back at the hotel, do you want to maybe get a drink or something?" He asked.
Buffy just stared at him like he had three heads.
"Wha'? He asked.
"Ok, first of all, it was MY car. Second of all, if I didn't 'have to take' your car? You would have left me on the street all alone in LA, without anything to protect me? You are such an ass! You wouldn't even have let a woman take a car so she wouldn't get mugged unless you HAD to? Spike, you are a pig." Luckily the car had stopped outside the hotel, because Buffy reached over him to open the car door, sending Spike's mind into a tailspin as her breasts rubbed against his chest and he inhaled her sweet smell, but that didn't last long because she pushed him out of the car. He barely had time to catch himself on his feet as he fell outside the car. Buffy climbed out after him, swinging her purse onto her shoulder in a huff.
"Goodnight, Mr. Giles." Buffy stalked off to the hotel, leaving Spike in her wake, scratching his head about what happened.
*I have to work with THAT for the next twelve weeks?* Both blondes thought as they lost themselves in their version of the car ride.
Part 4: Building Bridges/Burning Bridges
See Part 1 for disclaimer, rating, summary, etc. PLEASE REVIEW!
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"What the hell are you doing here? Are you following me? What the hell?" Buffy managed to get out in a jumble of words as she rolled over and sat up. She made sure she still had her purse and stood up, much easier this time, without the aid of his outstretched hand. "Never mind. I'm late."
She tried to brush past him and down the hall to get back to the party but he grabbed her arm. Even though she didn't know who he was and he was a little scary his touch sent shivers down her spine.
"What's your hurry? Things like this happen for a reason, you know? Maybe the Powers that Be are trying to tell us something." He grinned at her.
"Yeah, maybe they are telling me to do this." With that she stomped on his foot, causing him to yelp in pain.
"Bloody hell woman, what did you do that for?" He yelled, hopping up and down on his non-injured foot. For someone so tiny she sure could hurt another. *Course the fact that she's wearing goddamn spikes for shoes helps with that.*
"Leave me alone. I don't know who the hell you are, but if you don't go away I'll be forced to call security." With that Buffy set off down the hall. Spike hobbled after her, not wanting to scare her anymore.
"Wait, please?" He called.
"No, go away!" Buffy was beginning to get a little worried about this man following her. She definitely would have to ask for a room change when she got back the hotel, if she didn't call the cops and have him arrested first.
"Buffy! Wait!" He caught up to her as she got to the door of the meet and greet room. As her hand turned the knob a thought crossed her mind.
"How to you know my name?" She asked as the door turned into the room, revealing an even more crowded room than when she left. He put his arm around her waist and led her into the room.
"Hey, wait. You can't come in h-" Buffy was cut off by a loud voice that effectively cut through the other hums all over the room.
"Spike Giles! So glad you could finally make it! And I see you've met your leading lady." Wesley made it across the room from where he was standing, still with Cordy, with his hand out stretched. Buffy felt her stomach drop as she realized how big of a mistake she had made.
"Well, we weren't properly introduced. 'Allo there, pet. My name is Spike and I will be your on screen lover." Spike threw her a sly smirk as he shook her hand that made Buffy want to sink just a little further into the hole she had dug for herself.
"I can't wait to see you two on camera together. We're all very excited with this pairing. You'll be a hit on screen, just like you are on the stage." Wesley gushed.
"Buffy, I thought that you said you didn't know Spike." Cordy came up beside Buffy and saved her from listening to the two men any longer.
"I don't. We just kind of. ran into each other outside." Buffy told her.
"Isn't he just too sexy? I mean, there's the whole bad-boy attitude he's supposed to have that's enough to make a girl weak in the knees. Then there are those cheekbones and those eyes and that-"
"I get it Cordy." Buffy felt a headache coming on. One that would only be solved by her going back home to Sunnydale and hiding under a huge rock, never to be heard from again.
* * * * *
The rest of the meet and greet went forward without further incident. Buffy met with the man who would be playing Spike's best friend in the movie, Xander Harris and took an instant liking to him. He was funny and not overwhelming, very far from the typical Hollywood man persona. She talked with Tara some more and managed to steer clear of Angel and his new girl, Dru, as he called her. She knew that she would have to come face to face with him again, but that would be for business, this was pleasure. She would have to call and rag out Willow however, for not giving a heads up if she knew.
She also managed to stay away from Spike, worried that he would cause her to end up on the floor yet again or they would have another awkward encounter. She wasn't sure what to think of him yet. She didn't know him yet, but she didn't think that she liked him, despite him being so damn good looking. She would just have to maintain a working relationship with him and keep things moving smoothly between the two of them, especially since they were playing love interests in the movie.
Finally the end of the get together was winding down, at almost seven in the evening. Buffy hadn't realized how long they had been there or how tired she was until she saw people get up to leave. Some of them were going out to the clubs she knew, because Cordy had asked her to go with her and a couple others but Buffy declined, explaining the long day she had had. She heard the basket of bath supplies and her big suite bed calling her.
She got ready to leave, telling Tara and Xander who she had been talking with that she would likely see them on-set in a couple of days when they began shooting. She stopped and said goodbye to Wesley who gave her the final draft of the script.
"It hasn't changed drastically from the copy that you have, but there are some changes, so look it over carefully tomorrow."
"My last day of sort-of freedom, right?" She smiled.
"Oh yes. Then it's all work, work, and work. Have a good night, Buffy."
"You too, Wesley."
Before she left the room she took a quick glance around to see if Spike had left yet, then cursed herself for doing so.*Who cares if he's here or in Timbuktu? Just don't humiliate yourself around him anymore and keep it professional.* Her gaze fell on Angel, sitting in a corner with Dru, whispering in her ear. She would hold her head high against him as well. She turned and left the room, saying goodbye to a few other people who she didn't remember on the way.
She made her way downstairs to the front entrance to wait for a car to take her back to the hotel, as the studio made sure there were some waiting for them. As she stepped outside she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. of cigarette smoke?
"What the *cough* hell?" She said, looking to her left. She rolled her eyes as her gaze fell on the one person she prayed she would never see again for all eternity.
"Not a fan of second hand smoke, I see?" Spike asked.
"Obviously not." Buffy replied. She frowned at him as he took another drag. Sighing on his exhale he threw the butt to the ground and stepped on it.
"Happy?" He asked.
"Standing here with you? No."
"Thanks luv. It's a bed of roses being here with you too." He leaned against the building, crossing his arms. His duster moved around him, making him look like some kind of superhero.
"You have to be one of the most unpleasant people that I know." Buffy told him.
"Me? You're the one putting me down every bloody time you see me, which could get a bit old when we see each other every day on set and in the hotel."
"At least I don't make a habit of knocking people to the ground every time I see them." Buffy shot back.
"I said I was sorry. I'm not the one stepping out into fast moving areas without looking. Bet you play in traffic too."
"Whatever. This is retarded."
"That it is. So stop it."
"Me? You stop it,"
"For the love of Christ, just shut up." He groaned. Buffy looked like she would throw something back at him, but remained silent, agreeing that was the best way to get around this.
They stood in silence for another few minutes before a limo finally pulled up. Buffy sighed with relief and moved towards the vehicle; not realizing Spike was doing the same. Their hands reached for the handle at the same time, as the driver got out of the car.
"This is my car." They both said at the same time.
"No, it's mine." They said again. They stood; hands still on the door handle, glaring at each other.
"Uh, sir, ma'am? The car is big enough for both of you, as long as neither of you are in a rush to get to your places we can work with this." The driver offered a solution. "Where are you going?"
"To the hotel." They answered at the same time again, eliciting a glare from each other.
"The same one? That's great, no waiting then." The driver clapped his hands together to get them to move, but neither did. They just stood, almost nose-to-nose waiting for the other to make a move. Finally the driver stepped forward and opened the door for them, surprising them both. Buffy muttered her thanks and slid in first, Spike after her then the door shut. They sat in silence at first, both rethinking what had just happened.
*Jesus, what the hell was THAT Buffy? You want to remain on a platonic level, not even recognizing him as a person and you were almost holding his hand! What a jerk he is! What a moronic, stupid jerk with really strong hands and he smells SO good. shut up Buffy.* She frowned to herself as she thought.
*Bloody hell, man. Get yourself together. You've been around plenty of chits in your day, any of them as pretty as her- if not more so! Just because she has warm hands and gorgeous hair and smells like the sweetest vanilla ever doesn't mean anything. Just because she's sleeping in the next suite over to you and you could just.. shut up, you bloody wanker!* Spike shifted on the seat and pulled his duster around him as he took notice of his reaction to his thoughts about her.
"I suppose this is the smartest thing to do." Buffy said, breaking the silence.
"Hmmm? What are you talking about?" Spike snapped out of his haze.
"Taking one car to the hotel. Saves the driver some work, and the environment some hassle and. stuff." Buffy didn't want to be here, in such close quarters with him. When he had bowled her over the first time he was so good looking that she thought he was an angel, then the second time she had known who he was just from his voice and he had given her shivers, and just now when she was glaring at him so intently, toe-to-toe with him she had wondered what it would be like to kiss him. Just once, and quickly, just so she got a taste. That would be interesting.
"Yeah, guess so." He wracked his brain trying to think of something to say so he could keep her talking, especially on something so civil. He guessed that they would soon be arguing again. He wanted to be off the thought of her face being so close to his as well. So close he could feel her breath mingling with his and he could smell the strawberry lipgloss she had on, lipgloss that would feel so good if he were to just reach out and-
"Did you get your script?" He asked, frantically trying to get his mind off things that would make them both uncomfortable if she saw the way they were affecting him below the belt.
"Yes. Tomorrow I'm line girl. I went over my first script pretty good, so I don't think this will be too hard." Buffy relaxed at this nice conversation they were having. Maybe he wasn't so bad.
"Yeah, me too. If you want I'd be happy to go over lines with you, get some stuff ironed out before we even get to set. Plus, this is my first movie, so it would be nice having someone who knows what she's doing help me." Spike internally gave a little yell of success as she turned in her seat to face him better, her face lit up.
"That would be great. I would much rather go over my lines with someone. I don't know how much help I can give, because this is my first big movie, but I can try my best."
"I thought you were great on that demon show." Spike offered, seeing her eyes sparkle as he mentioned her old show.
"You watched that thing? That's funny. I wouldn't think you would have had time."
"Even rock stars get downtime, pet. You've listened to my music, haven't you?" He smiled at her.
"Actually, no. I don't let myself get too much downtime. I hear you're really good though!" She offered, seeing his slightly hurt expression. "I'll have to go out and get your CD. I have been meaning to, especially since I got the part, but this month has been crazy busy."
"I have some copies in my room, if you want. I'll even autograph it for you." He covered.
"Sure, that would be really nice. It's not just you, so you know. I wouldn't know a rock start or movie star from a janitor right now. I just don't keep up to date on that stuff. If my manager tells me to watch or listen to something, then I do, but unless it's on my schedule, I don't even know it's alive. I killed my fish that way." Buffy bit her lip as she heard him laugh a loud rich sound that she smiled at.
"This is really nice, you know? We never would have had this nice conversation and gotten to know each other if you didn't have to take my car. This was fun. Now that we're back at the hotel, do you want to maybe get a drink or something?" He asked.
Buffy just stared at him like he had three heads.
"Wha'? He asked.
"Ok, first of all, it was MY car. Second of all, if I didn't 'have to take' your car? You would have left me on the street all alone in LA, without anything to protect me? You are such an ass! You wouldn't even have let a woman take a car so she wouldn't get mugged unless you HAD to? Spike, you are a pig." Luckily the car had stopped outside the hotel, because Buffy reached over him to open the car door, sending Spike's mind into a tailspin as her breasts rubbed against his chest and he inhaled her sweet smell, but that didn't last long because she pushed him out of the car. He barely had time to catch himself on his feet as he fell outside the car. Buffy climbed out after him, swinging her purse onto her shoulder in a huff.
"Goodnight, Mr. Giles." Buffy stalked off to the hotel, leaving Spike in her wake, scratching his head about what happened.
*I have to work with THAT for the next twelve weeks?* Both blondes thought as they lost themselves in their version of the car ride.