Disclaimer: Yes...Joss Whedon owns all of the characters except the ones that
you have never heard of because I created them...I wonder if Joss has ever
heard of a thing called 'sharing'...
Summary: ((Warning: Spuffiness!!! Everyone is human too...the story isn't as lame as the summary...seriously)) Starts off with everyone as young teenagers...Glory and Buffy are step sisters, and Angel is the step brother...blah blah blah ((Sorry, it's too juicy to give away)) And Buffy is hit by a car, loses all her memory...including all recollection of her love...Spike...this is a really vague summary...
((A/N: I WANT TO TELL ALL OF THE REVIEWERS WHO HAVE REVIEWED THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! IT REALLY ENCOURAGES ME TO CONTINUE!!! *muah* LOVE YOU ALL!!! REMEMBER MORE REVIEWES=MORE CHAPPIES!!!))
((A/N: Luv to all my steady reviewers, Shitaka, Cho-Freak-Dragon, Ruthie2, and ekmw511. Thanks for reviewing tikigirl! Your review truly flattered me. Ekmw511, just hang on a couple more chapters...and for a SNEAK PREVIEW OF THE NEXT CHAPTER...Okay, you will all hate me, but Aidan and Elizabeth get a little closer...don't worry, nothing sexual! But then Glory and Spike get closer too...once again...don't freak...nothing sexual!!!))
((I'm sorry for making all these chapters so depressing Cho-Freak-Dragon, I myself was crying when I wrote the last chapter...and uhm...unfortunately this chapter will be depressing too ^^ But don't worry...her memory is coming closer...and I think the chapter after the next one will be happier. Oh and Ruthie2, I considered something like that, you know, Elizabeth trying to get her driver's license, but then I realized that the whole 'drama' that I planned wouldn't work out too well...besides, I'm going to make her hate Aidan for a chapter or two. ^^))
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
If love was meant to be between two people, Then they will always find each other, No matter how long it takes, No matter how far, No matter how many obstacles stand in the way, In the end, they will always end up in each other's arms.
* * * * * * * * * *
It had been several weeks since Spike's birthday, and several weeks since he had approached him. He had stopped offering her rides, but then again; he had been able to offer her rides because he had followed her those times. Little did Elizabeth know that he still followed her, usually parked in his Jaguar, across the street watching her. Spike tried to concentrate on his work, but found it hard to do. He looked up, and smiled as Riley and his other bodyguards played video games in the corner of his large office. Riley and another were standing up, and twisting left and right along with the game. Spike suppressed a chuckle; it was a rather amusing sight. He glanced once more down at the papers again; he skimmed most of it, but thoroughly read the fine print at the bottom. "Good enough for me," he muttered as he signed the line that read 'William Cornelius' beneath it.
"Oy, Riley, come over here, and take this to my mum," Spike called.
Riley held up his hand for a brief second to tell Spike that he had heard, but continued playing the game.
Spike shook his head, "RILEY YOU'RE FIRED!" he barked. Before he had blinked, Riley had dropped the controls, and was at his desk with a bewildered look in his brown eyes.
"What?" he gasped. "Spike...you know that I've been faithful and loyal, we've been best friends since grade school-"
Spike began to laugh until he couldn't breathe, "I ought to try that more often..." he gasped.
Riley brushed himself off as he rose from his undignified position on the ground, "That wasn't funny you know,"
Spike still chuckling spoke, "I beg to differ, but it's quite alright, just take these papers to my mum." He handed the contract to Riley who shot daggers at the other bodyguards who had gotten a kick out the scene as well. As soon as Riley left his office, Glory entered.
Glory was dressed in a lovely black dress with large white squares, and small silver chain was attached to the waist. She set down numerous folders, and portfolios before she smiled at him. "The presentation went well...and it's about time we make connections over in Japan."
Spike nodded, "I already signed the contract," he replied as he shoved the pile of folders and portfolios aside.
Glory began to twirl one of her chestnut ((A/N: Her hair is like red chestnut sorta...isn't it?)) curls around her index finger, "And umm...William? Darla was wondering if you'd like to come over for dinner..." she said slowly, and rather sheepishly which was pretty unusual for Glory.
"Sure, what time?" Spike asked as he leaned back in his black leather comfort chair.
"7:30 I suppose, so you'll come?"
Spike nodded, "See you then pet."
Glory beamed at him, and left his office. Spike sighed, and tried to concentrate on the papers that were in the portfolios that Glory had left him. After an hour he found that it just wasn't possible, and left his office. He motioned his bodyguards to stay, and made his way down to the underground parking lot.
Elizabeth was just walking around to kill time, and to just get away from the office. She was window-shopping when Spike pulled up to the sidewalk in his dark blue Jaguar. "What do you want?" she asked, colder than intended.
"Nothing," he said, smirking slightly.
Elizabeth sniffed, and stuck her nose in the air.
"Just wondering if you wanted a ride back to the office." he finally said.
"I thought I told you not to follow me," she snapped.
"Don't flatter yourself pet, as beautiful as you are, I don't think you're so alluring as to draw a stalker," Spike replied.
Elizabeth glowered at him, "But if you don't want a ride, I'll be seeing you."
Spike rolled up the window of his car, and waved to Elizabeth. "Ooo...he's such a pig..." she muttered as she walked over to the passenger door. Spike smiled, and opened it.
Elizabeth settled into the comfy leather seat as Spike drove away, "Actually can you drop me off by the amusement park?" she asked.
Spike nodded, "Why?" he asked.
"I need to go see someone," she replied, "And who it is, is NONE of your concern."
Spike scowled, and pulled up to the entrance of the amusement park. "Um...remember how I can ask one more favor from you?" he began as he ran his fingers through his hair. Elizabeth smiled inwardly to herself, 'So he does that when he's nervous...' she thought. Elizabeth nodded as she bit her lower lip. "Well, I am going to take you to Buffy's house tonight...come to my office at 6:45 pm."
Elizabeth nodded again, and without another word slipped out of the car, and headed for the amusement park. She shuffled over to the scaffold where Aidan was. "Aiiidan!" she yelled in a sing-song voice.
Aidan looked down as he stopped painting the majestic and fragile looking wings of an angel. He wiped his slightly paint-dotted hands on his already paint-streaked pants and climbed down. "Hey there," he said as he put his arm over her shoulder, and gave her arm a squeeze.
Elizabeth smiled at him, and looked up at the mural "It's beautiful...this might be your best piece of artwork yet..." she breathed. Aidan grinned, "By the way, I might be late in coming home tonight ok?"
Aidan's face fell, "Why?" he asked eying her suspiciously.
Elizabeth wrung her hands, and led him over to a bench, "Do you remember that man who thought that I was some girl named Buffy Summers?" she began.
"Yeah and he turned out to be your boss?" Aidan interjected glumly.
"Mmhmm...and well, he...he wants to take me to meet her family..."
Aidan's eyes widened, all of the sudden he felt cold, and his hands felt clammy as the impact of her words hit him. "He wants to take me to meet her family..." Her voice sounded hollow as she continued on.
"Which I find pointless and very stupid. It makes me wonder if he enjoys causing her family more pain with a look-a-like, so I'll be in a little late...okay?" Elizabeth turned her face to look at Aidan, and raised her eyebrows in a mixture of confusion. "Aidan?"
Aidan felt as if he wasn't in his own body...her voice loudly echoing in his ears. He could hear what she was saying, but all he 'heard' was, "I'm leaving...and I'm never coming back..." He knew that this day would come; he knew it was wrong to lie to her, but he had been doing it out of love right? He shook his head, no he was being selfish, 'But I will tell her, after I finish the mural,' he told himself as he ignored the other voice that continued to say, 'But then it might be too late.'
"AIDAN!!!" Elizabeth yelled into his ear.
"What?!" Aidan yelled back in surprise.
Elizabeth snorted, "Well you wouldn't wake up after I punched you, so I yelled in your ear...you're lucky, I was afraid that I was going to have to resort to kicking you."
Aidan offered her a weak smile, "Well...okay then..." All of the sudden he hugged her. He hugged her so hard that he was afraid that he had crushed her. He held her as if there was no tomorrow.
Elizabeth let out a surprised yelp as he embraced. "Yeah, love you too Aidan, but erm...I can't breathe..." she mumbled into his shoulder.
Aidan ignored her, and continued holding her.
Elizabeth growled, and punched him in the stomach.
"Oof...what was that for?" Aidan wheezed.
"For suffocating me you jerk." Elizabeth snapped. She glanced at her watch, "Oh crap! I better be going...see you later...tonight." She quickly got up, and began to run.
Aidan watched her blonde hair stream out from behind her petite form. He sighed, "That's what you think..."
Elizabeth peered inside the first glass door of Spike's office. She bit her lip, and opened the second one, and found Spike sitting at his desk, and scribbling away. "Oh, sorry...should I come in later?" she asked nervously, "Riley told me that you weren't busy right now so I-"
Spike put a hand in the air, "Don't worry luv, I'm not busy. Just give me a sec."
Elizabeth nodded, and looked around his office. Ever since his birthday; she couldn't help but feel guilty and nervous around him. Spike raised an eyebrow at her; she seemed tense. Not saying another word, he turned the lights off, and led her out and down to the underground parking lot. As they drove away toward Glory's house ((A/N: And what used to be Elizabeth's house...and yes, Glory still lives with her parents. She likes living it easy in the rich lil' house of hers. You can't really blame her. ^^)) "Are you nervous?" Spike asked after a while. The silence had been getting on his nerves, and he really didn't feel like listening to music.
Elizabeth shrugged; she too had been uncomfortable in the silence, but hadn't really known what to say. "Sort of..." she mumbled.
"Why are you so tense?" Spike asked, "Loosen up pet, I promise they don't bite."
Elizabeth gave him a half-hearted smile as they pulled up by the gate. Spike escorted Elizabeth in, both oblivious that a pair of eyes were watching them. Aidan watched them from across the street. He had been waiting for them. Under the shelter of the dark and shadows; he had been watching.
Spike led Elizabeth up the stone stairs to the door. Elizabeth looked around the place, the landscaping was lovely, and seemed vaguely familiar. 'Maybe my house looked like this before it burned down...' she thought to herself.
Glory came bounding down the stairs like a little girl wearing a soft white fleece turtleneck and tight black dress pants. A beautiful golden chain was around her neck with pearls woven into them. "How do I look?" she asked Darla when she arrived into the kitchen.
Darla turned away from the stove top, and smiled. "You're gorgeous! He'll be yours in no time," she exclaimed as Glory did a little turn for her. "Oh, and the necklace...where'd you get this?"
Glory smiled, "Just a little something I found while shopping today?"
"Let me guess, it's Giovanni?"
Glory nodded as she and Darla giggled like little schoolgirls. "You're good mother." Just then the doorbell rang. "I'll get it!" she yelled to Xander and Mrs. Cornelius who were conversing in the living room. Darla winked at Glory and went to join her husband, and Mrs. Cornelius. Glory stopped right in front of the door, and smoothed her sweater before opening the door. "Hey Sp-" Her joyous tone ended as soon as she saw Elizabeth. "ike..." She sniffed, and opened the door to let them in. "What are YOU doing here?" she asked, her voice laced with venom.
Elizabeth glanced at Spike, and bit her lip, unsure of how to answer.
Spike came to her rescue, "She just came with me...I hope you don't mind pet," he said, winking at Glory.
Glory smiled back at him for a second. Her smile was soon replaced with a frown. Glaring daggers at them both, she led them to the living room. Mrs. Cornelius, Xander, and Darla were all laughing at a little joke, but the laughter began to die out as Spike came.
Mrs. Cornelius was the first to speak, "William! So you ca-" Her eyes widened in shock as Elizabeth appeared from behind him. "Oh my..."
Xander's dark eyes widened in shock as well. Darla seemed to be the only one who wasn't surprise, 'So THIS is the bitch...oh rather...this is Buffy...' Darla blinked, and realized that she hadn't reacted yet. "Buffy!" she shrieked as she ran from the couch to embrace her. "Buffy!!!" she began to sob to a much surprised Elizabeth.
Glory who stood behind Elizabeth smirked at her mother who slyly winked back. Glory knew her mother was a wonderful actress, but this was too much. Mrs. Cornelius's jaw had dropped open, and she was trying very hard to compose herself...by closing her mouth, but it continued to drop open, making her resemble a fish. "Bu..bu...Buffy?" she gasped.
Xander furrowed his eyebrows, and glanced at Spike who was busy watching Elizabeth.
"Buffy! Where have you been all this time? Oh Buffy..." Darla continued to wail.
"I'm...I'm not Buffy..." Elizabeth whispered much to Glory and Darla's glee, and Mrs. Cornelius's surprise. Spike just looked away now, his eyes full of hurt, anger, and sadness. In a way he had been hoping that this was all some joke, and that Elizabeth would give in, and finally admit that she was Buffy. Every time he heard her laugh or smile; he couldn't help but think how he'd be hearing or seeing a lot more of that if she was still around.
"Oh stop playing!" Darla exclaimed, "Buffy do you know how worried we've been?" She had released Elizabeth now, and ushered her to the couch.
Mrs. Cornelius was still in shock, "Buffy? Oh my...well...this is quite a surprise..."
Elizabeth pursed her lips, and spoke again, "I'm sorry, but I'm not Buffy..."
Everyone looked over at Spike was still standing with his hands shoved into the pockets of his gray pin-striped suit. "What?" he asked rather rudely.
Mrs. Cornelius shot him a disapproving look, "Is she telling the truth?" she asked.
Darla and Glory looked at him with feigned hope while Xander and Mrs. Cornelius looked at him with genuine hope. Spike sighed inwardly, gawd how he wished that she was lying. He cast his sky blue eyes down to the ground before speaking, "She's Elizabeth Johnson...she's one of my employees."
Darla and Glory glanced at each other from the corner of their eyes, a triumphant spark in her eyes. Xander and Mrs. Cornelius's face fell.
Spike ran his hand through his hair, "How about we show her around the house?" he suggested quickly. "Maybe we ought to show her where Buffy's things are..."
Glory looked at Darla pleadingly. Darla gave her a sharp look, "What are you looking at? GO." Glory glowered, and led a reluctant Elizabeth and sighing Spike up the stairs. She mad a left, and opened the door of the attic for them. Elizabeth hesitantly went in followed by Spike and fuming Glory. Glory grudgingly and obviously angrily pulled out a large, boxy and old suitcase. She opened it, and then crossing her arms over her chest, rested on her knees.
The suitcase was full of pictures, sketches, and papers. Elizabeth furrowed her eyebrows and began to sift through them. She lifted up several of the thicker canvases, and pulled out a handful of crumpled up papers. She smoothed them out, and holding them up to the light looked at them. They were each of presumably Buffy, doing laundry. Elizabeth examined each one, "These are almost as good as Aidan's..." she whispered.
Glory flinched, and found it hard to swallow. Spike watched her intently, 'Please...please...' he thought fervently. 'Please tell me you're Buffy...' Elizabeth placed them back in, and sorted through the remaining, and pulled out the last picture. It was a water coloring of a gray house in a secluded field with several trees around it. It was a very plain picture, but there was something about it that made it beautiful. She furrowed her eyebrows, and studied it. The paper was slightly wrinkled...very as a matter of fact, it seemed that someone had tried to smooth it out.
* * FLASHBACK * *
Buffy walked into Angel's room to find him painting again. She looked at the other painting on the ground. It was of a little house in a field of flowers with several trees by it. It was almost dry. "Oh wow! This is amazing!" she exclaimed as she picked it up. "I had no good you were this good!" she added. Buffy frowned to herself, so she was sounding rather hyper, but hey, if she could get Angel to talk like this, then why not?
Angel didn't even turn around.
"Can I have this?" she asked.
That's when Angel whirled around to snatch it from her hand. He wrinkled it into a ball, and threw it across the room. "Throw it away."
"Hey! That wasn't very nice." Buffy snapped angrily as she picked it up. She marched out of his room, and proceeded to iron it out. She had succeeded in doing so, you could hardly tell it had been wrinkled unless you looked closely. She had framed it in a home made frame, and had hung it up. She had just hung it up when Angel walked by.
"I thought I told you to throw it away," he growled.
"Well maybe I don't want to," she retorted.
Angel came hurtling at her. Buffy yelped, and looked in surprise, as Angel ripped the picture from the wall and threw it across the room. He then stormed out. Buffy watched him leave. She couldn't blame him for being so angry...16 years with Darla...must've damaged the poor boy's brain.
* * END OF FLASHBACK * *
Elizabeth blinked, and put the picture back. 'That was strange...' she thought to herself. Glory and Spike had both been watching her. Glory afraid that Elizabeth was remembering, and Spike hoping at she was remembering. Glory and Spike both sighed when she closed the suitcase. Glory sighing out of relief, and Spike sighing out of disappointment.
Glory shoved the suitcase into a random corner, and ushered them out.
Mrs. Cornelius, Darla and Xander all stood up when they came walking out. "Well?" Mrs. Cornelius asked.
Glory shook her head. They all sighed. "Are you sure you're not Buffy?" Darla asked dramatically.
That was when Mrs. Cornelius spoke after noting Elizabeth's facial expression. "You shouldn't have brought her here," she said to Spike, "No offense young lady, but as you can see, it's causing her family more pain." She turned back to Spike, "Do you have feelings for this girl?"
Spike who had been looking down at the ground again looked up at his Mom, "Why shouldn't I have brought her here?" he asked coldly.
"Because it simply isn't appropriate, Buffy is dead, and we must all get over it."
"BLOODY HELL MOTHER!" Spike roared, "You act as if she was nothing, you loved Buffy, didn't you? So why are you acting like her dying was NO BIG DEAL?!"
Mrs. Cornelius shot Darla an apology, "I never once said that, besides, you and Glory are dating, is it appropriate of you to be taking this girl around?"
Spike glared at her. He really didn't have the heart to say that he wasn't really 'dating' Glory. "Maybe I do like her." "William!" Mrs. Cornelius said in shock.
Glory exploded. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU HAVE FEELINGS FOR HER? IT'S BECAUSE SHE LOOKS LIKE BUFFY, ISN'T IT? ARE YOU SAYING THAT I'M NOTHING TO YOU??!!"
Elizabeth stood there, in the midst of all the yelling feeling torn. Why did she agree to come here? Why? But the yelling soon quieted down. "We're leaving." Spike announced as he grabbed Elizabeth by the wrist.
Elizabeth pulled it back. She really didn't want his mother to hate her anymore than she already did, but continued to follow him out the door. He unlocked the doors, and they got in. Aidan watched them drive away. He let out a sigh of relief, "Don't worry Liz...I'll make everything better..." he whispered as he trudged on home.
"Aidan! I'm home!" Elizabeth yelled, trying to sound cheerful. No one seemed to be home...since the house was empty. "I wonder where he is..." she muttered.
She was brushing her teeth when she heard a loud crashing noise outside. She quickly rinsed her mouth, and ran outside. It was Aidan, he had thrown an empty beer bottle at the ground. "Aidan! Aidan! Are you okay??" she asked in concern as she rushed to him.
Aidan looked at her drunkenly. Elizabeth wrinkled her nose, the stench of alcohol was heavy on his breath. "Elizabeth....I'm a dumb ass...you know that? I'm a dumb ass..." he stated, his speech slurred.
Elizabeth looked at him questioningly, and then smiling spoke, "You're right, you ARE a dumb ass."
Aidan dazedly smiled at her, "Heh...I'm bad too...you don't even know how bad I am...I'm really bad...I'm a liar too...heh...I'm really really bad..."
Elizabeth gave him a reprimanding look, "Well of course you are. You just got yourself drunk..."
Aidan hugged her before she could finish. "Please don't go...." he pleaded, "Don't leave me Liz..."
Elizabeth gave him a surprised look, "I won't Aidan...you know I wouldn't." she assured him as she hugged him back.
From across the street, from the shadows, a pair of sad blue eyes watched...yearning to be the one in the arms of the petite blonde with shining emerald eyes.
((A/N: I know...depressing. ^^ And yeah, Spike's mum is a bitch. Later on, you'll see why...hell...I'll just tell you, it's because she is more concerned of the benefits of a marriage coming. Well not benefits, but she wants Spike to marry Glory because it will not only look good, but you know, it'll be good because Glory's stepdad, Xander, is a pretty important man too...oh and she likes Glory...who sucks up to her a lot. But later things will change. ^^))
Summary: ((Warning: Spuffiness!!! Everyone is human too...the story isn't as lame as the summary...seriously)) Starts off with everyone as young teenagers...Glory and Buffy are step sisters, and Angel is the step brother...blah blah blah ((Sorry, it's too juicy to give away)) And Buffy is hit by a car, loses all her memory...including all recollection of her love...Spike...this is a really vague summary...
((A/N: I WANT TO TELL ALL OF THE REVIEWERS WHO HAVE REVIEWED THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! IT REALLY ENCOURAGES ME TO CONTINUE!!! *muah* LOVE YOU ALL!!! REMEMBER MORE REVIEWES=MORE CHAPPIES!!!))
((A/N: Luv to all my steady reviewers, Shitaka, Cho-Freak-Dragon, Ruthie2, and ekmw511. Thanks for reviewing tikigirl! Your review truly flattered me. Ekmw511, just hang on a couple more chapters...and for a SNEAK PREVIEW OF THE NEXT CHAPTER...Okay, you will all hate me, but Aidan and Elizabeth get a little closer...don't worry, nothing sexual! But then Glory and Spike get closer too...once again...don't freak...nothing sexual!!!))
((I'm sorry for making all these chapters so depressing Cho-Freak-Dragon, I myself was crying when I wrote the last chapter...and uhm...unfortunately this chapter will be depressing too ^^ But don't worry...her memory is coming closer...and I think the chapter after the next one will be happier. Oh and Ruthie2, I considered something like that, you know, Elizabeth trying to get her driver's license, but then I realized that the whole 'drama' that I planned wouldn't work out too well...besides, I'm going to make her hate Aidan for a chapter or two. ^^))
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If love was meant to be between two people, Then they will always find each other, No matter how long it takes, No matter how far, No matter how many obstacles stand in the way, In the end, they will always end up in each other's arms.
* * * * * * * * * *
It had been several weeks since Spike's birthday, and several weeks since he had approached him. He had stopped offering her rides, but then again; he had been able to offer her rides because he had followed her those times. Little did Elizabeth know that he still followed her, usually parked in his Jaguar, across the street watching her. Spike tried to concentrate on his work, but found it hard to do. He looked up, and smiled as Riley and his other bodyguards played video games in the corner of his large office. Riley and another were standing up, and twisting left and right along with the game. Spike suppressed a chuckle; it was a rather amusing sight. He glanced once more down at the papers again; he skimmed most of it, but thoroughly read the fine print at the bottom. "Good enough for me," he muttered as he signed the line that read 'William Cornelius' beneath it.
"Oy, Riley, come over here, and take this to my mum," Spike called.
Riley held up his hand for a brief second to tell Spike that he had heard, but continued playing the game.
Spike shook his head, "RILEY YOU'RE FIRED!" he barked. Before he had blinked, Riley had dropped the controls, and was at his desk with a bewildered look in his brown eyes.
"What?" he gasped. "Spike...you know that I've been faithful and loyal, we've been best friends since grade school-"
Spike began to laugh until he couldn't breathe, "I ought to try that more often..." he gasped.
Riley brushed himself off as he rose from his undignified position on the ground, "That wasn't funny you know,"
Spike still chuckling spoke, "I beg to differ, but it's quite alright, just take these papers to my mum." He handed the contract to Riley who shot daggers at the other bodyguards who had gotten a kick out the scene as well. As soon as Riley left his office, Glory entered.
Glory was dressed in a lovely black dress with large white squares, and small silver chain was attached to the waist. She set down numerous folders, and portfolios before she smiled at him. "The presentation went well...and it's about time we make connections over in Japan."
Spike nodded, "I already signed the contract," he replied as he shoved the pile of folders and portfolios aside.
Glory began to twirl one of her chestnut ((A/N: Her hair is like red chestnut sorta...isn't it?)) curls around her index finger, "And umm...William? Darla was wondering if you'd like to come over for dinner..." she said slowly, and rather sheepishly which was pretty unusual for Glory.
"Sure, what time?" Spike asked as he leaned back in his black leather comfort chair.
"7:30 I suppose, so you'll come?"
Spike nodded, "See you then pet."
Glory beamed at him, and left his office. Spike sighed, and tried to concentrate on the papers that were in the portfolios that Glory had left him. After an hour he found that it just wasn't possible, and left his office. He motioned his bodyguards to stay, and made his way down to the underground parking lot.
Elizabeth was just walking around to kill time, and to just get away from the office. She was window-shopping when Spike pulled up to the sidewalk in his dark blue Jaguar. "What do you want?" she asked, colder than intended.
"Nothing," he said, smirking slightly.
Elizabeth sniffed, and stuck her nose in the air.
"Just wondering if you wanted a ride back to the office." he finally said.
"I thought I told you not to follow me," she snapped.
"Don't flatter yourself pet, as beautiful as you are, I don't think you're so alluring as to draw a stalker," Spike replied.
Elizabeth glowered at him, "But if you don't want a ride, I'll be seeing you."
Spike rolled up the window of his car, and waved to Elizabeth. "Ooo...he's such a pig..." she muttered as she walked over to the passenger door. Spike smiled, and opened it.
Elizabeth settled into the comfy leather seat as Spike drove away, "Actually can you drop me off by the amusement park?" she asked.
Spike nodded, "Why?" he asked.
"I need to go see someone," she replied, "And who it is, is NONE of your concern."
Spike scowled, and pulled up to the entrance of the amusement park. "Um...remember how I can ask one more favor from you?" he began as he ran his fingers through his hair. Elizabeth smiled inwardly to herself, 'So he does that when he's nervous...' she thought. Elizabeth nodded as she bit her lower lip. "Well, I am going to take you to Buffy's house tonight...come to my office at 6:45 pm."
Elizabeth nodded again, and without another word slipped out of the car, and headed for the amusement park. She shuffled over to the scaffold where Aidan was. "Aiiidan!" she yelled in a sing-song voice.
Aidan looked down as he stopped painting the majestic and fragile looking wings of an angel. He wiped his slightly paint-dotted hands on his already paint-streaked pants and climbed down. "Hey there," he said as he put his arm over her shoulder, and gave her arm a squeeze.
Elizabeth smiled at him, and looked up at the mural "It's beautiful...this might be your best piece of artwork yet..." she breathed. Aidan grinned, "By the way, I might be late in coming home tonight ok?"
Aidan's face fell, "Why?" he asked eying her suspiciously.
Elizabeth wrung her hands, and led him over to a bench, "Do you remember that man who thought that I was some girl named Buffy Summers?" she began.
"Yeah and he turned out to be your boss?" Aidan interjected glumly.
"Mmhmm...and well, he...he wants to take me to meet her family..."
Aidan's eyes widened, all of the sudden he felt cold, and his hands felt clammy as the impact of her words hit him. "He wants to take me to meet her family..." Her voice sounded hollow as she continued on.
"Which I find pointless and very stupid. It makes me wonder if he enjoys causing her family more pain with a look-a-like, so I'll be in a little late...okay?" Elizabeth turned her face to look at Aidan, and raised her eyebrows in a mixture of confusion. "Aidan?"
Aidan felt as if he wasn't in his own body...her voice loudly echoing in his ears. He could hear what she was saying, but all he 'heard' was, "I'm leaving...and I'm never coming back..." He knew that this day would come; he knew it was wrong to lie to her, but he had been doing it out of love right? He shook his head, no he was being selfish, 'But I will tell her, after I finish the mural,' he told himself as he ignored the other voice that continued to say, 'But then it might be too late.'
"AIDAN!!!" Elizabeth yelled into his ear.
"What?!" Aidan yelled back in surprise.
Elizabeth snorted, "Well you wouldn't wake up after I punched you, so I yelled in your ear...you're lucky, I was afraid that I was going to have to resort to kicking you."
Aidan offered her a weak smile, "Well...okay then..." All of the sudden he hugged her. He hugged her so hard that he was afraid that he had crushed her. He held her as if there was no tomorrow.
Elizabeth let out a surprised yelp as he embraced. "Yeah, love you too Aidan, but erm...I can't breathe..." she mumbled into his shoulder.
Aidan ignored her, and continued holding her.
Elizabeth growled, and punched him in the stomach.
"Oof...what was that for?" Aidan wheezed.
"For suffocating me you jerk." Elizabeth snapped. She glanced at her watch, "Oh crap! I better be going...see you later...tonight." She quickly got up, and began to run.
Aidan watched her blonde hair stream out from behind her petite form. He sighed, "That's what you think..."
Elizabeth peered inside the first glass door of Spike's office. She bit her lip, and opened the second one, and found Spike sitting at his desk, and scribbling away. "Oh, sorry...should I come in later?" she asked nervously, "Riley told me that you weren't busy right now so I-"
Spike put a hand in the air, "Don't worry luv, I'm not busy. Just give me a sec."
Elizabeth nodded, and looked around his office. Ever since his birthday; she couldn't help but feel guilty and nervous around him. Spike raised an eyebrow at her; she seemed tense. Not saying another word, he turned the lights off, and led her out and down to the underground parking lot. As they drove away toward Glory's house ((A/N: And what used to be Elizabeth's house...and yes, Glory still lives with her parents. She likes living it easy in the rich lil' house of hers. You can't really blame her. ^^)) "Are you nervous?" Spike asked after a while. The silence had been getting on his nerves, and he really didn't feel like listening to music.
Elizabeth shrugged; she too had been uncomfortable in the silence, but hadn't really known what to say. "Sort of..." she mumbled.
"Why are you so tense?" Spike asked, "Loosen up pet, I promise they don't bite."
Elizabeth gave him a half-hearted smile as they pulled up by the gate. Spike escorted Elizabeth in, both oblivious that a pair of eyes were watching them. Aidan watched them from across the street. He had been waiting for them. Under the shelter of the dark and shadows; he had been watching.
Spike led Elizabeth up the stone stairs to the door. Elizabeth looked around the place, the landscaping was lovely, and seemed vaguely familiar. 'Maybe my house looked like this before it burned down...' she thought to herself.
Glory came bounding down the stairs like a little girl wearing a soft white fleece turtleneck and tight black dress pants. A beautiful golden chain was around her neck with pearls woven into them. "How do I look?" she asked Darla when she arrived into the kitchen.
Darla turned away from the stove top, and smiled. "You're gorgeous! He'll be yours in no time," she exclaimed as Glory did a little turn for her. "Oh, and the necklace...where'd you get this?"
Glory smiled, "Just a little something I found while shopping today?"
"Let me guess, it's Giovanni?"
Glory nodded as she and Darla giggled like little schoolgirls. "You're good mother." Just then the doorbell rang. "I'll get it!" she yelled to Xander and Mrs. Cornelius who were conversing in the living room. Darla winked at Glory and went to join her husband, and Mrs. Cornelius. Glory stopped right in front of the door, and smoothed her sweater before opening the door. "Hey Sp-" Her joyous tone ended as soon as she saw Elizabeth. "ike..." She sniffed, and opened the door to let them in. "What are YOU doing here?" she asked, her voice laced with venom.
Elizabeth glanced at Spike, and bit her lip, unsure of how to answer.
Spike came to her rescue, "She just came with me...I hope you don't mind pet," he said, winking at Glory.
Glory smiled back at him for a second. Her smile was soon replaced with a frown. Glaring daggers at them both, she led them to the living room. Mrs. Cornelius, Xander, and Darla were all laughing at a little joke, but the laughter began to die out as Spike came.
Mrs. Cornelius was the first to speak, "William! So you ca-" Her eyes widened in shock as Elizabeth appeared from behind him. "Oh my..."
Xander's dark eyes widened in shock as well. Darla seemed to be the only one who wasn't surprise, 'So THIS is the bitch...oh rather...this is Buffy...' Darla blinked, and realized that she hadn't reacted yet. "Buffy!" she shrieked as she ran from the couch to embrace her. "Buffy!!!" she began to sob to a much surprised Elizabeth.
Glory who stood behind Elizabeth smirked at her mother who slyly winked back. Glory knew her mother was a wonderful actress, but this was too much. Mrs. Cornelius's jaw had dropped open, and she was trying very hard to compose herself...by closing her mouth, but it continued to drop open, making her resemble a fish. "Bu..bu...Buffy?" she gasped.
Xander furrowed his eyebrows, and glanced at Spike who was busy watching Elizabeth.
"Buffy! Where have you been all this time? Oh Buffy..." Darla continued to wail.
"I'm...I'm not Buffy..." Elizabeth whispered much to Glory and Darla's glee, and Mrs. Cornelius's surprise. Spike just looked away now, his eyes full of hurt, anger, and sadness. In a way he had been hoping that this was all some joke, and that Elizabeth would give in, and finally admit that she was Buffy. Every time he heard her laugh or smile; he couldn't help but think how he'd be hearing or seeing a lot more of that if she was still around.
"Oh stop playing!" Darla exclaimed, "Buffy do you know how worried we've been?" She had released Elizabeth now, and ushered her to the couch.
Mrs. Cornelius was still in shock, "Buffy? Oh my...well...this is quite a surprise..."
Elizabeth pursed her lips, and spoke again, "I'm sorry, but I'm not Buffy..."
Everyone looked over at Spike was still standing with his hands shoved into the pockets of his gray pin-striped suit. "What?" he asked rather rudely.
Mrs. Cornelius shot him a disapproving look, "Is she telling the truth?" she asked.
Darla and Glory looked at him with feigned hope while Xander and Mrs. Cornelius looked at him with genuine hope. Spike sighed inwardly, gawd how he wished that she was lying. He cast his sky blue eyes down to the ground before speaking, "She's Elizabeth Johnson...she's one of my employees."
Darla and Glory glanced at each other from the corner of their eyes, a triumphant spark in her eyes. Xander and Mrs. Cornelius's face fell.
Spike ran his hand through his hair, "How about we show her around the house?" he suggested quickly. "Maybe we ought to show her where Buffy's things are..."
Glory looked at Darla pleadingly. Darla gave her a sharp look, "What are you looking at? GO." Glory glowered, and led a reluctant Elizabeth and sighing Spike up the stairs. She mad a left, and opened the door of the attic for them. Elizabeth hesitantly went in followed by Spike and fuming Glory. Glory grudgingly and obviously angrily pulled out a large, boxy and old suitcase. She opened it, and then crossing her arms over her chest, rested on her knees.
The suitcase was full of pictures, sketches, and papers. Elizabeth furrowed her eyebrows and began to sift through them. She lifted up several of the thicker canvases, and pulled out a handful of crumpled up papers. She smoothed them out, and holding them up to the light looked at them. They were each of presumably Buffy, doing laundry. Elizabeth examined each one, "These are almost as good as Aidan's..." she whispered.
Glory flinched, and found it hard to swallow. Spike watched her intently, 'Please...please...' he thought fervently. 'Please tell me you're Buffy...' Elizabeth placed them back in, and sorted through the remaining, and pulled out the last picture. It was a water coloring of a gray house in a secluded field with several trees around it. It was a very plain picture, but there was something about it that made it beautiful. She furrowed her eyebrows, and studied it. The paper was slightly wrinkled...very as a matter of fact, it seemed that someone had tried to smooth it out.
* * FLASHBACK * *
Buffy walked into Angel's room to find him painting again. She looked at the other painting on the ground. It was of a little house in a field of flowers with several trees by it. It was almost dry. "Oh wow! This is amazing!" she exclaimed as she picked it up. "I had no good you were this good!" she added. Buffy frowned to herself, so she was sounding rather hyper, but hey, if she could get Angel to talk like this, then why not?
Angel didn't even turn around.
"Can I have this?" she asked.
That's when Angel whirled around to snatch it from her hand. He wrinkled it into a ball, and threw it across the room. "Throw it away."
"Hey! That wasn't very nice." Buffy snapped angrily as she picked it up. She marched out of his room, and proceeded to iron it out. She had succeeded in doing so, you could hardly tell it had been wrinkled unless you looked closely. She had framed it in a home made frame, and had hung it up. She had just hung it up when Angel walked by.
"I thought I told you to throw it away," he growled.
"Well maybe I don't want to," she retorted.
Angel came hurtling at her. Buffy yelped, and looked in surprise, as Angel ripped the picture from the wall and threw it across the room. He then stormed out. Buffy watched him leave. She couldn't blame him for being so angry...16 years with Darla...must've damaged the poor boy's brain.
* * END OF FLASHBACK * *
Elizabeth blinked, and put the picture back. 'That was strange...' she thought to herself. Glory and Spike had both been watching her. Glory afraid that Elizabeth was remembering, and Spike hoping at she was remembering. Glory and Spike both sighed when she closed the suitcase. Glory sighing out of relief, and Spike sighing out of disappointment.
Glory shoved the suitcase into a random corner, and ushered them out.
Mrs. Cornelius, Darla and Xander all stood up when they came walking out. "Well?" Mrs. Cornelius asked.
Glory shook her head. They all sighed. "Are you sure you're not Buffy?" Darla asked dramatically.
That was when Mrs. Cornelius spoke after noting Elizabeth's facial expression. "You shouldn't have brought her here," she said to Spike, "No offense young lady, but as you can see, it's causing her family more pain." She turned back to Spike, "Do you have feelings for this girl?"
Spike who had been looking down at the ground again looked up at his Mom, "Why shouldn't I have brought her here?" he asked coldly.
"Because it simply isn't appropriate, Buffy is dead, and we must all get over it."
"BLOODY HELL MOTHER!" Spike roared, "You act as if she was nothing, you loved Buffy, didn't you? So why are you acting like her dying was NO BIG DEAL?!"
Mrs. Cornelius shot Darla an apology, "I never once said that, besides, you and Glory are dating, is it appropriate of you to be taking this girl around?"
Spike glared at her. He really didn't have the heart to say that he wasn't really 'dating' Glory. "Maybe I do like her." "William!" Mrs. Cornelius said in shock.
Glory exploded. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU HAVE FEELINGS FOR HER? IT'S BECAUSE SHE LOOKS LIKE BUFFY, ISN'T IT? ARE YOU SAYING THAT I'M NOTHING TO YOU??!!"
Elizabeth stood there, in the midst of all the yelling feeling torn. Why did she agree to come here? Why? But the yelling soon quieted down. "We're leaving." Spike announced as he grabbed Elizabeth by the wrist.
Elizabeth pulled it back. She really didn't want his mother to hate her anymore than she already did, but continued to follow him out the door. He unlocked the doors, and they got in. Aidan watched them drive away. He let out a sigh of relief, "Don't worry Liz...I'll make everything better..." he whispered as he trudged on home.
"Aidan! I'm home!" Elizabeth yelled, trying to sound cheerful. No one seemed to be home...since the house was empty. "I wonder where he is..." she muttered.
She was brushing her teeth when she heard a loud crashing noise outside. She quickly rinsed her mouth, and ran outside. It was Aidan, he had thrown an empty beer bottle at the ground. "Aidan! Aidan! Are you okay??" she asked in concern as she rushed to him.
Aidan looked at her drunkenly. Elizabeth wrinkled her nose, the stench of alcohol was heavy on his breath. "Elizabeth....I'm a dumb ass...you know that? I'm a dumb ass..." he stated, his speech slurred.
Elizabeth looked at him questioningly, and then smiling spoke, "You're right, you ARE a dumb ass."
Aidan dazedly smiled at her, "Heh...I'm bad too...you don't even know how bad I am...I'm really bad...I'm a liar too...heh...I'm really really bad..."
Elizabeth gave him a reprimanding look, "Well of course you are. You just got yourself drunk..."
Aidan hugged her before she could finish. "Please don't go...." he pleaded, "Don't leave me Liz..."
Elizabeth gave him a surprised look, "I won't Aidan...you know I wouldn't." she assured him as she hugged him back.
From across the street, from the shadows, a pair of sad blue eyes watched...yearning to be the one in the arms of the petite blonde with shining emerald eyes.
((A/N: I know...depressing. ^^ And yeah, Spike's mum is a bitch. Later on, you'll see why...hell...I'll just tell you, it's because she is more concerned of the benefits of a marriage coming. Well not benefits, but she wants Spike to marry Glory because it will not only look good, but you know, it'll be good because Glory's stepdad, Xander, is a pretty important man too...oh and she likes Glory...who sucks up to her a lot. But later things will change. ^^))