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, Ruthie2, Cho-freak-dragon and tikigirl. Thank you for reviewing hotspike7, and spikesbabyblues. I feel so loved. ^^ 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!!!))
((Shitaka, I apologize for rushing things...hopefully this chapter will be damn...can't come up with a good word...* sigh * less rushed? ^^ By the way, this chapter has spuffy, and Cho-Freak-dragon, it's not very depressing. ^^))
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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.
* * * * * * * * * *
Elizabeth sighed as she went up the elevator to her desk. It had been about a week since Spike had taken her to see Buffy's family...it had been about a week since he'd even looked at her. She had tried to go to him...once, to apologize, but Riley wouldn't let her in, then Glory had come sauntering in. She had given Elizabeth a cheeky little smile, and entered Spike's office. She didn't even know why she was thinking of the egoistical bastard anyways. Shaking her head she walked down the hallway to her office to be greeted by Willow, Anya, and somewhat greeted by Harmony.
Spike strode into his mother's office. He always considered it a small house, considering that she had a lavish parlor that led to her office, which could easily be mistaken for a living room of some sort. Sighing he entered her 'headquarters.'
"William," she said in greeting.
"Mum," he replied.
Mrs. Cornelius set down her porcelain tea cup onto the matching saucer. "After some thought, I think that it'd be better for you to not see that Elizabeth girl again, after all you and Glory are going to be engaged."
Spike looked at his mother, "Does Elizabeth pose as some sort of threat to you?" he asked.
Mrs. Cornelius pursed her lips, "Well no...it's just that..." her voice trailed off as she recalled the conversation she had had with Darla and Glory the other day.
* * FLASHBACK * *
Glory began to cry. "I...I love him so much, and it hurts when I see him with Elizabeth....I just don't know what to do Mrs. Cornelius..."
Darla tried to comfort her incessantly sobbing daughter, "Please excuse her Mrs. Cornelius, she isn't herself today."
Mrs. Cornelius watched with worried eyes, "No, that is okay...and don't worry Glory...I will do something about this."
Glory's wails diminished into sniffles as she looked up from her hands, "Really Mrs. Cornelius? You'd do that for me?" she asked, her face ever so hopeful, but then her face changed to one of concern, "But please do not be hard on William. It's not his fault that he still...still...misses Buffy."
Mrs. Cornelius sighed, "It's alright Glory, I'll fix things."
Darla placed a hand on her chest, "Oh Molly! Thank you so much! This is has been worrying Glory for quite some time now..."
Mrs. Cornelius put a hand up in the air, "Don't worry Darla, like I said, I will take the matter into my own hands," she glanced down at her golden diamond rimmed Rolex, "Oh my, I have an appointment in a little bit, how about we have coffee sometime later this week?"
Darla nodded, "That would be just divine...call me!" she added as she and Glory walked out the door. Just outside the door Darla winked at Glory who smirked back.
* * END OF FLASHBACK * *
"That...it really hurts Glory when she sees you with Elizabeth," Mrs. Cornelius finally said.
Spike groaned, "Bloody hell mum, it's not like I love Elizabeth or anything."
"But you have some sort of feeling for her don't you?" she asked sharply.
"No, I don't." he replied just as sharp.
"Don't lie William, I've had to put up with you for 23 years, I think I know it when you like a girl." Mrs. Cornelius shot back.
"Mum, will you stop with that? I don't like the girl, she just I don't know, I feel comfortable around her." Spike grumbled.
Mrs. Cornelius snorted, "Because she reminds you of Buffy,"
Spike stood up, "Well now, look at the time, I better be going now. Bye Mums." He walked over to the door, and walked out. Not caring that his mother was still yelling at him.
Elizabeth pressed the down button on the elevator, and tapped her foot impatiently as it slowly went down. As fantastic as the view was from her desk, it really was bothersome that it took nearly a minute to get to the bottom floor. Smiling she went out to the amusement park to see Aidan. She stopped while several yards away as she inspected the mural.
The sky was a brilliant shade of blue, the type of blue that you would see only on the most sunniest and gorgeous days. There were several white clouds in the sky. There was a large one on the left where two angels sat looking upward. On the left, there was an even larger one, where God sat with two angels behind him. His hand was held upwards, gesturing to the same spot the two angels on the other side were.
Wondering what was going to be right there she yelled up to Aidan. "Aidan Giles!" she yelled.
Aidan looked down in surprise, "Elizabeth Johnson!" he hollered back in reply. Elizabeth smiled up at Aidan who grinned down at her funnily.
He climbed down the ladder, and jumped down. Elizabeth raised an eyebrow; he seemed to be nervous. "Is everything okay Aidan?" she asked.
Aidan shuffled his feet around a bit, "Well erm...I was going to give this to you after I finished the mural, but erm...well...here..." He pulled out a simple silver ring from the pocket of his pants, and gave it to her.
Elizabeth took it from him, "What's it for?" she asked, giggling.
Aidan grinned at her rather goofily, "Well uh...I was thinking that after I finish this mural that we could you know...get married or something like that..."
Elizabeth pouted, "But this means that I have to get you a ring to,"
Aidan smiled. His smile was much more relaxed, and he seemed relieved. "How about you save it until after I finish the mural eh?" 'That is if she doesn't hate you afterwards...' a voice inside his head told him. 'Hey, she just accepted to the engagement, so leave me alone,' he retorted.
'As if that matters, have you forgotten the promise you made? After the mural, you tell her truth...all of it,' the voice smugly shot back. 'Whatever,' he muttered.
He swore the voice inside his head cackled before shutting up.
He blinked to find Elizabeth smiling at him, "Fine, AFTER the mural, okay?" She pushed this hollow feeling to the back of her mind, and wrapped her arms around his neck as they embraced. ((A/N: It's so strange, they're 'engaged' and they haven't even kissed yet...then again, I couldn't bring myself to it...)) Aidan hugged her back, both oblivious that from the railing of another floor, someone was watching them. Spike tore his eyes away from the 'happy' couple. He stalked his way back to his office feeling like his heart had had the life squeezed out of it. Elizabeth didn't know it, but she held his heart in her hand.
* * LATER, AT NIGHT * *
Elizabeth and Aidan strolled out of a pizza parlor with their arms linked. Both were laughing hard with big smiles on their faces. They walked over to a small park by a river. They sat on the bench. Elizabeth looked up at the sky, and sighed, "The sky is so beautiful..." she breathed.
Aidan smiled and put an arm around her shoulder, "But not as beautiful as you," he replied.
Elizabeth looked at him, and wrinkled her nose, "That was cheesy." She had managed to keep a straight face on as she said that, and as soon as she finished she erupted into spasms of laughter. Aidan glared at her jokingly.
Elizabeth playfully punched him in the arm. "You're paying for that!" he yelled as he picked up her petite form and spun her around in the air.
"Aiiidan!" she screamed in glee. He put her down. Elizabeth tottered a bit and collapsed onto the grass.
Aidan sat down next to her. "Are we really going to be engaged?" she asked.
Aidan nodded, "Why?" he asked, his voice slightly mournful sounding.
"Just curious..." she stood up, and helped Aidan stand. "In that case, I'm no one but Elizabeth Johnson, not Buffy Summers or anything, and you're no one but Aidan Giles...okay?" Aidan raised an eyebrow at her, and nodded. "After you finish the mural, let's go somewhere...far away. I'll quit my job, and we'll start a new life together okay?" Aidan nodded again. Elizabeth ignored the image of Spike in her mind and smiled at Aidan. She rested her head on his chest, "And to signify the beginning of our life together...we'll just throw away something old..."
Her fingers gripped the silver chain of her necklace. She ripped it off, and glanced at it before she threw it into the grass. She rubbed the silver heart that had comforted her by its mere touch when she had nightmares...it was the only reminder of her old life, and she didn't want it. She threw it.
* * THE NEXT DAY * *
Spike settled into his chair only to have Riley come in a few minutes later, "Spike?"
Spike looked up from his paperwork, "Yes?"
"The presentations start in fifteen minutes," Riley stated, "Here are the portfolios, and the packets will already be in the room,"
Spike nodded raised an eyebrow at the handful of manila portfolios that Riley had handed him, "Tell them that I'll be right up," Riley nodded, and was about to turn around to leave the room when Spike called him back again, "Oh and Riley mate, why don't you take these while you're at it?"
Riley gave Spike a sullen look, he knew that he should've made a dash for it when he heard Spike call him 'mate,' but alas, he was too stupid. "I better get a raise for this," Riley grumbled as he walked out of the room.
"Or no job..." Spike mused out loud. Riley growled, and closed the door behind him. Spike chuckled to himself as Riley left. He then smiled at himself; it had been quite a while since he'd laughed. He rubbed his forehead, and glanced at his specially made stainless steel, silver trimmed Rolex. "I guess the soddin' meeting's already started," he muttered. He shrugged, and left his office. He walked down the hallway into a large conference room. It was a large rectangular table, and at each spot there was a large packet, and a laptop. A large white screen was set up at the front, and a large stack of manila portfolios told him which seat was his. He slipped into his seat, and smiled in greeting to the people around him.
The first several presentations went by uneventfully. The nice redhead girl, Willow, had gone first. She had suggested the company start a new line, one that specialized in vintage clothing. Spike had given her props for coming up with something original, and approved of it immediately, and put her in charge of that line.
The blonde girl that Wesley kept hitting on, had gone after her, proposing a new and better economy efficient, and money-saving way of buying out other companies. Spike had considered her an airhead until now. He nodded to Riley who was sitting in a corner and scribbling furiously in his notepad. Several others like Harmony and Wesley updated the group on their progress, and Glory did a short presentation on the net profit of the company.
Elizabeth was last. Spike refused to meet Elizabeth's eyes as she stood up. Elizabeth was the only one who was actually presenting a 'product.' She had presented a scarf, a woolen scarf that had a zipper on one side so that one could put items into the 'empty' scarf. "It's basically a pocket, a very very long and warm one," she said. She held up the red demo scarf, and unzipped it. Several people clapped in approval. Elizabeth glanced at Spike who had a bored look on his face, and was now tapping his pen on one of the portfolios.
"The theme of my product was love, and just like love, it's warm, and different, and that is what the pocket scarf brings." Everyone in the room except Spike applauded, even Glory had to admit this was a wonderful idea. Everyone looked at Spike who looked up from his laptop.
"No." Everyone raised an eyebrow, and shot each other confused looks.
"What do you mean no?" Glory hissed. As much as she hated to say it, Elizabeth had done an excellent job.
"I mean no, as in no."
"What's wrong with it?" Anya demanded.
"The...the...zipper will get stuck in the bloody material. It might work great a few times, but it's likely to get stuck in the scarf, and then we'll have tons of defective items being sent back." Spike replied casually. "I don't like it, and it's a definite no, and if you wish to stay employed, I suggest you come up with something by tomorrow." Spike stood up as Riley turned on the lights, "As you have all heard, tomorrow at 2:30pm sharp, we'll have a mini-presentation from Miss Johnson." With that Spike strode out of the office. Elizabeth glowered at his back.
People gave Elizabeth sympathetic looks. As soon as they all got back in the office, people exploded with comments. "I don't believe the guy!" Willow began, "He's so full of himself. I can't believe that he rejected your great scarf!"
Anya nodded, "I thought that he was smart guy, but he obviously isn't. Do we really have to write, 'MONEY' on the scarves? The scarves will be a hit!"
"What are you going to do now?" Harmony asked Elizabeth who was sitting at her desk with a sketch pad out in front of her.
Elizabeth looked up and shrugged.
"I'll tell you guys what she should do," Anya declared, "She should go back to Spike's office, and DEMAND that he accept her idea. The scarf is pure money!"
Elizabeth sighed as the whole office began bickering, "YOU GUYS!" she yelled. "You have to admit, he had a good point though. The zipper is liable to get stuck and jammed."
Willow gave Elizabeth a sad smile, "I suppose you're right..."
Riley peeked into Spike's office. "You ready to go?" he asked.
Spike looked up from his paperwork, "Bloody hell...now that you mention it, I'm not even close," he rubbed his hair a bit, mussing it up. "You can go first. I'm going to be taking a while anyways."
Riley nodded, and left. He smiled knowingly to himself. On his way down to the elevator he peeked into another room, and saw Elizabeth at her desk, scribbling, and scratching away. He shook his head, Spike was relentless in his pursuit. He stepped into the elevator and disappeared behind closed doors.
Elizabeth felt her head involuntarily bobbing up and down. "Will not doze off...will not doze off...gotta finish this..." She angrily ripped off the page with the sketch she had been working on. "Mmmf...theme is love..." Elizabeth's head nodded and she did a face plant on her sketchpad, she mumbled and turned her face so that her cheek was against the sketchpad and was soon asleep.
Spike slapped his face. "At least I'm awake...bloody hell, what time is it anyways?" he muttered as he glanced at his watch. It was about 9 o' clock. He got up from his desk, and quietly walked down the hallway. He looked inside the room, and saw Elizabeth, asleep at her desk. He smirked, and walked inside. He eyed the overflowing wastebasket curiously and picked a random ball of paper, and opened it. He smoothed it out, and studied it. A disgusted look crossed his face, "Teddy Bears and cupids? The theme was love...not some soddin' Valentine's Day..." He scrunched the paper back up and threw it at the wastebasket.
He missed, but it didn't make much difference since there was a sea of papers outside the wastebasket anyways. He sighed, and took off his black jacket of his brand new Armani suit. He draped it over the petite figure of the sleeping Elizabeth, and made his way back to his office. Elizabeth woke with a start. She looked around the empty room, and groggily squinted at the clock on the wall.
It was 10, and she STILL didn't have an idea. She furrowed her eyebrows as she felt something on her back and shoulders. She pulled it off her back, and with one sniff of the light cologne she knew it was Spike. She sniffed the jacket again, and was about to let out a content sigh, but stopped herself in time. "What am I thinking?" she grumbled as she stood up. Curious, she carefully trodded her way to Spike's office to find him sprawled on one of his black leather couches. She smiled, and blanketed him with his jacket, and left the room. Spike awoke as soon as she left his office.
"Hmmm...she must be awake now," he commented with a smile. Elizabeth was starting to doze off again when Spike appeared in the doorway. She looked at him in surprise, "Follow me." ((A/N: I considered stopping here, but I haven't updated in a long time, so I figured that I should probably make up for it. ^^))
A smile lit Elizabeth's face as they stepped out onto the ice rink. "I know it sounds stupid, but this is so exciting!" she squealed.
Spike chuckled, "At least it's keeping you awake."
Rather than glowering in response, Elizabeth smiled, "You're right, but what am I doing out here?! I have to finish my idea...!" She turned to make a mad dash to the building, but slipped on the ice, and fell. "Ooof..."
Spike burst into peals of laughter. While he was sprouting tears and about to collapse from laughter, Elizabeth had gotten up, and was now hurtling towards him.
"AAAHHHH!" She let out a wild whoop, and jumping on his back, threw her arms around his neck. Spike let out a grunt and toppled over. He did a lovely face plant on the ice and Elizabeth landed nicely on his back.
"Bloody hell, are you TRYING to break my nose pet?" Spike asked as he flopped over onto his back, groaning.
"No...just trying to pay you back." Elizabeth replied as she got up and brushed herself off.
Spike smirked, and got up. "Race you to the other end!" he yelled as he began running across the ice.
"You're cheating!" Elizabeth shrieked as she ran after him. She had been wearing boots today, and was struggling across the slick ice. She slipped again, but caught herself, and was now waving her arms about wildly in an attempt to keep herself standing. It was a strange, but successful attempt. She looked at Spike who was halfway across now, she noted that he was wearing stiff, black dress shoes that probably hurt a lot more than her shoes. 'I wonder how he runs in them...especially across ice...' she thought as she began to run after him.
By the time she had reached the other side, Spike was straightening the collar of his jacket, and brushing his pants off. "You finally decided to arrive," he commented with a straight face, his blue eyes sparkling.
Elizabeth glared at him, "Okay, fine then mister, let's play a little game," she grabbed his hand and pulled him out to the center of the rink. A surprised look crossed Spike's face, but he soon realized that she had grabbed his hand. He smiled to himself, and squeezed her hand. Elizabeth hadn't really absorbed the fact that she had grabbed his hand, and that he had just acknowledged it; she was too busy thinking of how warm his hand was, and how happy she was right now...she also hadn't registered that she was having fun with Spike. "Ready? 1...2....3!" Elizabeth and Spike circled each other.
Then Spike went in for the kill. He smacked his hands against Elizabeth's hands, but Elizabeth had been expecting it and remained standing.
"Haha!" she taunted, "It's going to take a lot more than THAT to beat ME."
Spike rolled his eyes, "You're so full of talk Johnson..." He smacked her hands again, and this time she fell onto her butt.
"Oooowww....that hurts..." she pouted. "You didn't have to be so rough Spike, I'm not a guy like you, you know."
Spike looked at her with mock disbelief, "Very funny Liz."
"Seriously...I think I have a bruise on my butt," she wailed.
"Would you like me to check for you luv?" Spike asked with a mischievous look in his eyes.
"You wish. You're such a pig. Now hurry and help me up, my butt's going to get wet too." Spike chuckled and helped her up, and found himself on the ground next to her. "Hahahaha. That's like the oldest trick on earth, and you fell for it...you're a lot dumber than I thought!" she gasped between her peals of laughter.
"You're paying for that one!" Spike growled. Elizabeth laughed, and jumped up. She began to run for the exit. Laughter and yells filled the cold and chilly air of the ice rink. Spike glanced sideways and Elizabeth who was sprawled on the ice next to him. Her blonde hair was tousled, and messy, but she was still gorgeous as ever. Her cheeks were glowing, and her eyes were shining. He smiled, and pulled something out of his pocket. It was a wooly red beanie with a white bunny stitched onto it. It was very feminine, but he had his reasons. "How do I look?" he asked. Elizabeth looked at him, and snorted, "Did you steal that from some little five year old?" she asked. "Hey! Not funny. Don't make fun of my bunny beanie. It's extremely special." Spike retorted. Elizabeth was trying to suppress her laughter, but was having a hard time. "Explain." Spike nodded, "This hat, was made by Buffy," Elizabeth's smile grew smaller, "She gave it to me when I was ten..."
* * FLASHBACK * *
Buffy and Spike piled into the backseat of the limo. "I'll see you tomorrow William!" Mrs. Cornelius yelled as they drove away. Buffy and Spike stuck their heads out the window and waved vigorously until she was out of sight. Spike smirked and scooted closer to Buffy who merely smiled at him.
He casually draped his arm over her shoulder. "You know, tomorrow's my birthday..." he began.
"I know," Buffy replied, "I made you something," she added sheepishly.
"Is it another scarf?" he asked. Buffy shot him a hurt look, "I like your scarves...that's why I asked." he added hastily.
Buffy grinned, "I know." She knew that Spike had stopped wearing the numerous scarves she had made, but he did continue to wear a black one that she had given him two years ago. "Hmph, well...anyways, here." She withdrew a bright red beanie out of her backpack.
Spike raised an eyebrow as he took it from her. "A white bunny? I'm a guy Buff."
Buffy smile, "I know, and you better wear it. It took me several months to make that."
Spike grinned, and pulled onto his head. "Well?" Buffy looked him up and down. Several of his tawny brown curls spilled down his forehead, bordering his piercing blue eyes.
"I like it on you."
Spike nodded, "As long as you like it, I'll wear it."
* * END OF FLASHBACK* *
Spike took off the hat, and held it up to Elizabeth, "Take a good look at it," Elizabeth tentatively took it from him, and fingered it. She studied it, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't find anything special about it. Spike seemed to have guessed what was running through her mind, "That hat, is one of a kind pet. A token of true love...each love is different from another because there are no two loves that are alike."
Elizabeth nodded in understanding, "Love is unique..." she murmured. Spike nodded, "Exactly. Each love is one of a kind...think about that," He winked at her, and helped her arm. With palms brushing they made their way back to the building, leaving the cold and serene looking ice rink behind...and it was 11 o' clock.
* * THE NEXT DAY * *
Elizabeth came into the room panting. Spike had had Riley take her home so that she could freshen up, and she was going to be late for her presentation if she didn't hurry. She had also been late because the shop that was making the demo had still been working on it when she stopped by. 'Two minutes till 3....' she thought exasperated. She ran into the room at exactly 3. She had looked at Spike once, and had blushed when he winked at her while Glory watched, glaring. Elizabeth held up a white and feathery looking scarf.
Spike raised an eyebrow. "This is the couples' scarf," Elizabeth began as she showed the scarf to everyone. It was white and woolen, and had thick braids going down the middle, and there were feathers bordering the sides, and some in the middle. "Just like love...it is unique, each scarf is different, and is special..." she paused, and turned to Willow, "Willow," Willow nodded dutifully, and turned off the light.
'Ooo's and 'aaahhh's filled the room as the scarf began to glow in the dark. Elizabeth's emerald eyes met Spike's blue ones. Elizabeth blinked, and continued her presentation, "As I was saying, each scarf is different, just like love. Each is unique and special, and it's long enough for both to wear." Laughter and applause filled the room. Elizabeth's eyes had never left Spike's as he nodded in approval.
((A/N: Okay...will post as soon as fanfic starts working...))
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, Ruthie2, Cho-freak-dragon and tikigirl. Thank you for reviewing hotspike7, and spikesbabyblues. I feel so loved. ^^ 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!!!))
((Shitaka, I apologize for rushing things...hopefully this chapter will be damn...can't come up with a good word...* sigh * less rushed? ^^ By the way, this chapter has spuffy, and Cho-Freak-dragon, it's not very depressing. ^^))
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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.
* * * * * * * * * *
Elizabeth sighed as she went up the elevator to her desk. It had been about a week since Spike had taken her to see Buffy's family...it had been about a week since he'd even looked at her. She had tried to go to him...once, to apologize, but Riley wouldn't let her in, then Glory had come sauntering in. She had given Elizabeth a cheeky little smile, and entered Spike's office. She didn't even know why she was thinking of the egoistical bastard anyways. Shaking her head she walked down the hallway to her office to be greeted by Willow, Anya, and somewhat greeted by Harmony.
Spike strode into his mother's office. He always considered it a small house, considering that she had a lavish parlor that led to her office, which could easily be mistaken for a living room of some sort. Sighing he entered her 'headquarters.'
"William," she said in greeting.
"Mum," he replied.
Mrs. Cornelius set down her porcelain tea cup onto the matching saucer. "After some thought, I think that it'd be better for you to not see that Elizabeth girl again, after all you and Glory are going to be engaged."
Spike looked at his mother, "Does Elizabeth pose as some sort of threat to you?" he asked.
Mrs. Cornelius pursed her lips, "Well no...it's just that..." her voice trailed off as she recalled the conversation she had had with Darla and Glory the other day.
* * FLASHBACK * *
Glory began to cry. "I...I love him so much, and it hurts when I see him with Elizabeth....I just don't know what to do Mrs. Cornelius..."
Darla tried to comfort her incessantly sobbing daughter, "Please excuse her Mrs. Cornelius, she isn't herself today."
Mrs. Cornelius watched with worried eyes, "No, that is okay...and don't worry Glory...I will do something about this."
Glory's wails diminished into sniffles as she looked up from her hands, "Really Mrs. Cornelius? You'd do that for me?" she asked, her face ever so hopeful, but then her face changed to one of concern, "But please do not be hard on William. It's not his fault that he still...still...misses Buffy."
Mrs. Cornelius sighed, "It's alright Glory, I'll fix things."
Darla placed a hand on her chest, "Oh Molly! Thank you so much! This is has been worrying Glory for quite some time now..."
Mrs. Cornelius put a hand up in the air, "Don't worry Darla, like I said, I will take the matter into my own hands," she glanced down at her golden diamond rimmed Rolex, "Oh my, I have an appointment in a little bit, how about we have coffee sometime later this week?"
Darla nodded, "That would be just divine...call me!" she added as she and Glory walked out the door. Just outside the door Darla winked at Glory who smirked back.
* * END OF FLASHBACK * *
"That...it really hurts Glory when she sees you with Elizabeth," Mrs. Cornelius finally said.
Spike groaned, "Bloody hell mum, it's not like I love Elizabeth or anything."
"But you have some sort of feeling for her don't you?" she asked sharply.
"No, I don't." he replied just as sharp.
"Don't lie William, I've had to put up with you for 23 years, I think I know it when you like a girl." Mrs. Cornelius shot back.
"Mum, will you stop with that? I don't like the girl, she just I don't know, I feel comfortable around her." Spike grumbled.
Mrs. Cornelius snorted, "Because she reminds you of Buffy,"
Spike stood up, "Well now, look at the time, I better be going now. Bye Mums." He walked over to the door, and walked out. Not caring that his mother was still yelling at him.
Elizabeth pressed the down button on the elevator, and tapped her foot impatiently as it slowly went down. As fantastic as the view was from her desk, it really was bothersome that it took nearly a minute to get to the bottom floor. Smiling she went out to the amusement park to see Aidan. She stopped while several yards away as she inspected the mural.
The sky was a brilliant shade of blue, the type of blue that you would see only on the most sunniest and gorgeous days. There were several white clouds in the sky. There was a large one on the left where two angels sat looking upward. On the left, there was an even larger one, where God sat with two angels behind him. His hand was held upwards, gesturing to the same spot the two angels on the other side were.
Wondering what was going to be right there she yelled up to Aidan. "Aidan Giles!" she yelled.
Aidan looked down in surprise, "Elizabeth Johnson!" he hollered back in reply. Elizabeth smiled up at Aidan who grinned down at her funnily.
He climbed down the ladder, and jumped down. Elizabeth raised an eyebrow; he seemed to be nervous. "Is everything okay Aidan?" she asked.
Aidan shuffled his feet around a bit, "Well erm...I was going to give this to you after I finished the mural, but erm...well...here..." He pulled out a simple silver ring from the pocket of his pants, and gave it to her.
Elizabeth took it from him, "What's it for?" she asked, giggling.
Aidan grinned at her rather goofily, "Well uh...I was thinking that after I finish this mural that we could you know...get married or something like that..."
Elizabeth pouted, "But this means that I have to get you a ring to,"
Aidan smiled. His smile was much more relaxed, and he seemed relieved. "How about you save it until after I finish the mural eh?" 'That is if she doesn't hate you afterwards...' a voice inside his head told him. 'Hey, she just accepted to the engagement, so leave me alone,' he retorted.
'As if that matters, have you forgotten the promise you made? After the mural, you tell her truth...all of it,' the voice smugly shot back. 'Whatever,' he muttered.
He swore the voice inside his head cackled before shutting up.
He blinked to find Elizabeth smiling at him, "Fine, AFTER the mural, okay?" She pushed this hollow feeling to the back of her mind, and wrapped her arms around his neck as they embraced. ((A/N: It's so strange, they're 'engaged' and they haven't even kissed yet...then again, I couldn't bring myself to it...)) Aidan hugged her back, both oblivious that from the railing of another floor, someone was watching them. Spike tore his eyes away from the 'happy' couple. He stalked his way back to his office feeling like his heart had had the life squeezed out of it. Elizabeth didn't know it, but she held his heart in her hand.
* * LATER, AT NIGHT * *
Elizabeth and Aidan strolled out of a pizza parlor with their arms linked. Both were laughing hard with big smiles on their faces. They walked over to a small park by a river. They sat on the bench. Elizabeth looked up at the sky, and sighed, "The sky is so beautiful..." she breathed.
Aidan smiled and put an arm around her shoulder, "But not as beautiful as you," he replied.
Elizabeth looked at him, and wrinkled her nose, "That was cheesy." She had managed to keep a straight face on as she said that, and as soon as she finished she erupted into spasms of laughter. Aidan glared at her jokingly.
Elizabeth playfully punched him in the arm. "You're paying for that!" he yelled as he picked up her petite form and spun her around in the air.
"Aiiidan!" she screamed in glee. He put her down. Elizabeth tottered a bit and collapsed onto the grass.
Aidan sat down next to her. "Are we really going to be engaged?" she asked.
Aidan nodded, "Why?" he asked, his voice slightly mournful sounding.
"Just curious..." she stood up, and helped Aidan stand. "In that case, I'm no one but Elizabeth Johnson, not Buffy Summers or anything, and you're no one but Aidan Giles...okay?" Aidan raised an eyebrow at her, and nodded. "After you finish the mural, let's go somewhere...far away. I'll quit my job, and we'll start a new life together okay?" Aidan nodded again. Elizabeth ignored the image of Spike in her mind and smiled at Aidan. She rested her head on his chest, "And to signify the beginning of our life together...we'll just throw away something old..."
Her fingers gripped the silver chain of her necklace. She ripped it off, and glanced at it before she threw it into the grass. She rubbed the silver heart that had comforted her by its mere touch when she had nightmares...it was the only reminder of her old life, and she didn't want it. She threw it.
* * THE NEXT DAY * *
Spike settled into his chair only to have Riley come in a few minutes later, "Spike?"
Spike looked up from his paperwork, "Yes?"
"The presentations start in fifteen minutes," Riley stated, "Here are the portfolios, and the packets will already be in the room,"
Spike nodded raised an eyebrow at the handful of manila portfolios that Riley had handed him, "Tell them that I'll be right up," Riley nodded, and was about to turn around to leave the room when Spike called him back again, "Oh and Riley mate, why don't you take these while you're at it?"
Riley gave Spike a sullen look, he knew that he should've made a dash for it when he heard Spike call him 'mate,' but alas, he was too stupid. "I better get a raise for this," Riley grumbled as he walked out of the room.
"Or no job..." Spike mused out loud. Riley growled, and closed the door behind him. Spike chuckled to himself as Riley left. He then smiled at himself; it had been quite a while since he'd laughed. He rubbed his forehead, and glanced at his specially made stainless steel, silver trimmed Rolex. "I guess the soddin' meeting's already started," he muttered. He shrugged, and left his office. He walked down the hallway into a large conference room. It was a large rectangular table, and at each spot there was a large packet, and a laptop. A large white screen was set up at the front, and a large stack of manila portfolios told him which seat was his. He slipped into his seat, and smiled in greeting to the people around him.
The first several presentations went by uneventfully. The nice redhead girl, Willow, had gone first. She had suggested the company start a new line, one that specialized in vintage clothing. Spike had given her props for coming up with something original, and approved of it immediately, and put her in charge of that line.
The blonde girl that Wesley kept hitting on, had gone after her, proposing a new and better economy efficient, and money-saving way of buying out other companies. Spike had considered her an airhead until now. He nodded to Riley who was sitting in a corner and scribbling furiously in his notepad. Several others like Harmony and Wesley updated the group on their progress, and Glory did a short presentation on the net profit of the company.
Elizabeth was last. Spike refused to meet Elizabeth's eyes as she stood up. Elizabeth was the only one who was actually presenting a 'product.' She had presented a scarf, a woolen scarf that had a zipper on one side so that one could put items into the 'empty' scarf. "It's basically a pocket, a very very long and warm one," she said. She held up the red demo scarf, and unzipped it. Several people clapped in approval. Elizabeth glanced at Spike who had a bored look on his face, and was now tapping his pen on one of the portfolios.
"The theme of my product was love, and just like love, it's warm, and different, and that is what the pocket scarf brings." Everyone in the room except Spike applauded, even Glory had to admit this was a wonderful idea. Everyone looked at Spike who looked up from his laptop.
"No." Everyone raised an eyebrow, and shot each other confused looks.
"What do you mean no?" Glory hissed. As much as she hated to say it, Elizabeth had done an excellent job.
"I mean no, as in no."
"What's wrong with it?" Anya demanded.
"The...the...zipper will get stuck in the bloody material. It might work great a few times, but it's likely to get stuck in the scarf, and then we'll have tons of defective items being sent back." Spike replied casually. "I don't like it, and it's a definite no, and if you wish to stay employed, I suggest you come up with something by tomorrow." Spike stood up as Riley turned on the lights, "As you have all heard, tomorrow at 2:30pm sharp, we'll have a mini-presentation from Miss Johnson." With that Spike strode out of the office. Elizabeth glowered at his back.
People gave Elizabeth sympathetic looks. As soon as they all got back in the office, people exploded with comments. "I don't believe the guy!" Willow began, "He's so full of himself. I can't believe that he rejected your great scarf!"
Anya nodded, "I thought that he was smart guy, but he obviously isn't. Do we really have to write, 'MONEY' on the scarves? The scarves will be a hit!"
"What are you going to do now?" Harmony asked Elizabeth who was sitting at her desk with a sketch pad out in front of her.
Elizabeth looked up and shrugged.
"I'll tell you guys what she should do," Anya declared, "She should go back to Spike's office, and DEMAND that he accept her idea. The scarf is pure money!"
Elizabeth sighed as the whole office began bickering, "YOU GUYS!" she yelled. "You have to admit, he had a good point though. The zipper is liable to get stuck and jammed."
Willow gave Elizabeth a sad smile, "I suppose you're right..."
Riley peeked into Spike's office. "You ready to go?" he asked.
Spike looked up from his paperwork, "Bloody hell...now that you mention it, I'm not even close," he rubbed his hair a bit, mussing it up. "You can go first. I'm going to be taking a while anyways."
Riley nodded, and left. He smiled knowingly to himself. On his way down to the elevator he peeked into another room, and saw Elizabeth at her desk, scribbling, and scratching away. He shook his head, Spike was relentless in his pursuit. He stepped into the elevator and disappeared behind closed doors.
Elizabeth felt her head involuntarily bobbing up and down. "Will not doze off...will not doze off...gotta finish this..." She angrily ripped off the page with the sketch she had been working on. "Mmmf...theme is love..." Elizabeth's head nodded and she did a face plant on her sketchpad, she mumbled and turned her face so that her cheek was against the sketchpad and was soon asleep.
Spike slapped his face. "At least I'm awake...bloody hell, what time is it anyways?" he muttered as he glanced at his watch. It was about 9 o' clock. He got up from his desk, and quietly walked down the hallway. He looked inside the room, and saw Elizabeth, asleep at her desk. He smirked, and walked inside. He eyed the overflowing wastebasket curiously and picked a random ball of paper, and opened it. He smoothed it out, and studied it. A disgusted look crossed his face, "Teddy Bears and cupids? The theme was love...not some soddin' Valentine's Day..." He scrunched the paper back up and threw it at the wastebasket.
He missed, but it didn't make much difference since there was a sea of papers outside the wastebasket anyways. He sighed, and took off his black jacket of his brand new Armani suit. He draped it over the petite figure of the sleeping Elizabeth, and made his way back to his office. Elizabeth woke with a start. She looked around the empty room, and groggily squinted at the clock on the wall.
It was 10, and she STILL didn't have an idea. She furrowed her eyebrows as she felt something on her back and shoulders. She pulled it off her back, and with one sniff of the light cologne she knew it was Spike. She sniffed the jacket again, and was about to let out a content sigh, but stopped herself in time. "What am I thinking?" she grumbled as she stood up. Curious, she carefully trodded her way to Spike's office to find him sprawled on one of his black leather couches. She smiled, and blanketed him with his jacket, and left the room. Spike awoke as soon as she left his office.
"Hmmm...she must be awake now," he commented with a smile. Elizabeth was starting to doze off again when Spike appeared in the doorway. She looked at him in surprise, "Follow me." ((A/N: I considered stopping here, but I haven't updated in a long time, so I figured that I should probably make up for it. ^^))
A smile lit Elizabeth's face as they stepped out onto the ice rink. "I know it sounds stupid, but this is so exciting!" she squealed.
Spike chuckled, "At least it's keeping you awake."
Rather than glowering in response, Elizabeth smiled, "You're right, but what am I doing out here?! I have to finish my idea...!" She turned to make a mad dash to the building, but slipped on the ice, and fell. "Ooof..."
Spike burst into peals of laughter. While he was sprouting tears and about to collapse from laughter, Elizabeth had gotten up, and was now hurtling towards him.
"AAAHHHH!" She let out a wild whoop, and jumping on his back, threw her arms around his neck. Spike let out a grunt and toppled over. He did a lovely face plant on the ice and Elizabeth landed nicely on his back.
"Bloody hell, are you TRYING to break my nose pet?" Spike asked as he flopped over onto his back, groaning.
"No...just trying to pay you back." Elizabeth replied as she got up and brushed herself off.
Spike smirked, and got up. "Race you to the other end!" he yelled as he began running across the ice.
"You're cheating!" Elizabeth shrieked as she ran after him. She had been wearing boots today, and was struggling across the slick ice. She slipped again, but caught herself, and was now waving her arms about wildly in an attempt to keep herself standing. It was a strange, but successful attempt. She looked at Spike who was halfway across now, she noted that he was wearing stiff, black dress shoes that probably hurt a lot more than her shoes. 'I wonder how he runs in them...especially across ice...' she thought as she began to run after him.
By the time she had reached the other side, Spike was straightening the collar of his jacket, and brushing his pants off. "You finally decided to arrive," he commented with a straight face, his blue eyes sparkling.
Elizabeth glared at him, "Okay, fine then mister, let's play a little game," she grabbed his hand and pulled him out to the center of the rink. A surprised look crossed Spike's face, but he soon realized that she had grabbed his hand. He smiled to himself, and squeezed her hand. Elizabeth hadn't really absorbed the fact that she had grabbed his hand, and that he had just acknowledged it; she was too busy thinking of how warm his hand was, and how happy she was right now...she also hadn't registered that she was having fun with Spike. "Ready? 1...2....3!" Elizabeth and Spike circled each other.
Then Spike went in for the kill. He smacked his hands against Elizabeth's hands, but Elizabeth had been expecting it and remained standing.
"Haha!" she taunted, "It's going to take a lot more than THAT to beat ME."
Spike rolled his eyes, "You're so full of talk Johnson..." He smacked her hands again, and this time she fell onto her butt.
"Oooowww....that hurts..." she pouted. "You didn't have to be so rough Spike, I'm not a guy like you, you know."
Spike looked at her with mock disbelief, "Very funny Liz."
"Seriously...I think I have a bruise on my butt," she wailed.
"Would you like me to check for you luv?" Spike asked with a mischievous look in his eyes.
"You wish. You're such a pig. Now hurry and help me up, my butt's going to get wet too." Spike chuckled and helped her up, and found himself on the ground next to her. "Hahahaha. That's like the oldest trick on earth, and you fell for it...you're a lot dumber than I thought!" she gasped between her peals of laughter.
"You're paying for that one!" Spike growled. Elizabeth laughed, and jumped up. She began to run for the exit. Laughter and yells filled the cold and chilly air of the ice rink. Spike glanced sideways and Elizabeth who was sprawled on the ice next to him. Her blonde hair was tousled, and messy, but she was still gorgeous as ever. Her cheeks were glowing, and her eyes were shining. He smiled, and pulled something out of his pocket. It was a wooly red beanie with a white bunny stitched onto it. It was very feminine, but he had his reasons. "How do I look?" he asked. Elizabeth looked at him, and snorted, "Did you steal that from some little five year old?" she asked. "Hey! Not funny. Don't make fun of my bunny beanie. It's extremely special." Spike retorted. Elizabeth was trying to suppress her laughter, but was having a hard time. "Explain." Spike nodded, "This hat, was made by Buffy," Elizabeth's smile grew smaller, "She gave it to me when I was ten..."
* * FLASHBACK * *
Buffy and Spike piled into the backseat of the limo. "I'll see you tomorrow William!" Mrs. Cornelius yelled as they drove away. Buffy and Spike stuck their heads out the window and waved vigorously until she was out of sight. Spike smirked and scooted closer to Buffy who merely smiled at him.
He casually draped his arm over her shoulder. "You know, tomorrow's my birthday..." he began.
"I know," Buffy replied, "I made you something," she added sheepishly.
"Is it another scarf?" he asked. Buffy shot him a hurt look, "I like your scarves...that's why I asked." he added hastily.
Buffy grinned, "I know." She knew that Spike had stopped wearing the numerous scarves she had made, but he did continue to wear a black one that she had given him two years ago. "Hmph, well...anyways, here." She withdrew a bright red beanie out of her backpack.
Spike raised an eyebrow as he took it from her. "A white bunny? I'm a guy Buff."
Buffy smile, "I know, and you better wear it. It took me several months to make that."
Spike grinned, and pulled onto his head. "Well?" Buffy looked him up and down. Several of his tawny brown curls spilled down his forehead, bordering his piercing blue eyes.
"I like it on you."
Spike nodded, "As long as you like it, I'll wear it."
* * END OF FLASHBACK* *
Spike took off the hat, and held it up to Elizabeth, "Take a good look at it," Elizabeth tentatively took it from him, and fingered it. She studied it, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't find anything special about it. Spike seemed to have guessed what was running through her mind, "That hat, is one of a kind pet. A token of true love...each love is different from another because there are no two loves that are alike."
Elizabeth nodded in understanding, "Love is unique..." she murmured. Spike nodded, "Exactly. Each love is one of a kind...think about that," He winked at her, and helped her arm. With palms brushing they made their way back to the building, leaving the cold and serene looking ice rink behind...and it was 11 o' clock.
* * THE NEXT DAY * *
Elizabeth came into the room panting. Spike had had Riley take her home so that she could freshen up, and she was going to be late for her presentation if she didn't hurry. She had also been late because the shop that was making the demo had still been working on it when she stopped by. 'Two minutes till 3....' she thought exasperated. She ran into the room at exactly 3. She had looked at Spike once, and had blushed when he winked at her while Glory watched, glaring. Elizabeth held up a white and feathery looking scarf.
Spike raised an eyebrow. "This is the couples' scarf," Elizabeth began as she showed the scarf to everyone. It was white and woolen, and had thick braids going down the middle, and there were feathers bordering the sides, and some in the middle. "Just like love...it is unique, each scarf is different, and is special..." she paused, and turned to Willow, "Willow," Willow nodded dutifully, and turned off the light.
'Ooo's and 'aaahhh's filled the room as the scarf began to glow in the dark. Elizabeth's emerald eyes met Spike's blue ones. Elizabeth blinked, and continued her presentation, "As I was saying, each scarf is different, just like love. Each is unique and special, and it's long enough for both to wear." Laughter and applause filled the room. Elizabeth's eyes had never left Spike's as he nodded in approval.
((A/N: Okay...will post as soon as fanfic starts working...))