Disclaimer: I obviously don't own Buffy…or any related characters…Why? Because Joss is too selfish to share, watch, when I create my own hit show, I won't share with him either. Man, I don't really own the plot either because it's largely based off of the drama, Stairway to Heaven.
Chapter 31
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.
And the voting so far goes like this:
By Moonlight: 3
Caught: 1
Thanks for reviewing: ReiSkye, Mita427, spuffyfan-1, 'Angi', friends205, scruffybunny, Kari, spikegothicchick, goincrzy52, naiya-isis, Shitaka, Nicole, ladymiss, Soulful-Spikes-True-Love, hotspike7, and Anyanka0705.
And just to clarify a few things: Buffy does NOT know that it was Glory who hit her with a car. She just recalls being hit by a car, but she does NOT know that it was Buffy. She will find out later... remember, besides Glory and Darla, Angel and Giles are the only ones who know. That was a spoiler…-- And yes, Buffy is being stupid by not realizing it all, but she isn't trying to analyze right now; she is extremely hurt by 'Spike's betrayal' and doesn't want anything to do with him, and will not try to give him a chance. But the reason why she isn't going away is because she has nowhere else to go, and she still loves Spike, and doesn't want to leave him…that and her running away would be like letting Glory win, and she doesn't want to let Glory get anymore satisfaction from her pain and etc…I hoped I cleared a few things.
Several days had passed since Buffy last had 'dinner' with Spike and Glory. The harsh reality of it all was becoming less harsh. Maybe with time she'd be able to forget Spike. She felt dead sometimes, like she was just living life…she didn't know how to explain it, but she felt hollow?
The feeling was cold and empty all rolled into one or something along the lines of it. Buffy shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket, and strolled through the amusement park. She stopped a ways from the mural that Angel had painted, and smiled. Sometimes she wished that she never remembered; sometimes she wished that she was still Elizabeth Johnson.
Sure, she had been ignorant and living a lie, but it was definitely better than this. She didn't even want to think about the stupid blonde haired git right now. Then, she saw him. Standing in front of the mural. Hope filled her emerald eyes, maybe he could save her…
"Angel!"
Angel whirled around. His dark brown eyes widened as he saw Buffy running towards him. He should walk away, and pretend that he never saw her, but he couldn't move. Buffy…
"Angel!" Buffy cried out. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. "I've missed you so much!" she whispered.
Angel stood there, and let her hug him…and for a split second, he was in paradise. He was happy…but it had to stop. He pushed Buffy away. "Leave me alone." he told her coldly.
"Why are you here?" Buffy asked, ignoring his icy tone. Angel began to walk away, he didn't need this…she would only make it harder…he would make it harder for her. "Why did you come? How come you don't answer my phone calls?" she demanded as she followed him.
"Did it ever occur to you that maybe I don't want to talk to you?" Angel commented in a clipped tone.
Buffy stopped. Was the whole world against her? She then took note of the way he looked. His jacket looked bigger on him…was it just her or had he lost weight? "Are you even eating properly?" she called.
Angel stopped, and turned around. His dark brows furrowed, "Buffy, are you happy?"
A slightly puzzled look crossed Buffy's face. "Well I'm not sick, I have a good job…I'm not dead…I'd say that I'm doing pretty good, so yeah, I guess I am happy."
Angel walked towards her, and placed his hands down on her shoulder, "I asked if you were happy!"
"And I was asking if you were even eating! You're a skeleton now Angel. What's happened to you?"
"ARE YOU HAPPY?!" Angel roared. His dark eyes flashed angrily. Didn't she see that he had to do this? For the both of them?
"Why are you like this Angel? Why? What's wrong with you? What's wrong with your hand? WHY WON'T YOU TELL ME?!" Buffy screamed back.
'Calm down,' he told himself, 'Calm down…' He turned around, and began to walk away, then he stopped, and looked over his shoulder. "By the way Buffy, congratulations on your engagement to Spike. Maybe you should call me later, and tell me what you want as a present." Angel paused, and laughed lightly while scratching his head, "Then again, Spike's the sort of guy who can give you everything you want. I doubt that there's anything that I can get you that he can't…"
"I'm not getting engaged to him." Buffy told him in a forced calm voice.
A look of wild panic filled Angel's eyes even though his body language did not show it. "Buffy Summers, you have to get engaged. If you don't…" Angel tried to swallow, but the large lump in his throat wouldn't go away. "I should go now." He turned around, and ran off, disappearing into the crowds.
"ANGEL!" Buffy sat down on the bench. She wanted to cry. Angel had been her hope to happiness, maybe he could take her away, but she was so confused; she didn't want to leave him.
Spike walked into the amusement park with his usual arrays of body guards around him. Then he saw her, sitting on the bench near the mural….and she was crying. A sudden urge to go over there washed over him. He wanted to sit there next to her, kiss her tears away, tell her why he was doing this… "Riley…how 'bout you finish the inspection for me mate…I've got some business to take care of."
Riley raised an eyebrow, but one glance towards the direction Spike was staring off towards, and he knew what it was all about. "Come on boys." Spike was soon alone. He slowly walked towards her. Tears should never come to her eyes. It should be a soddin' sin, but God only knew how many times she had cried because of him, and it hurt him like hell to realize that.
She was so beautiful. Even 70 years from now, when she was old and wrinkled, she would still be beautiful in his eyes. She was his piece of heaven. He approached her slowly as if she were some 'essence' that would blow away with the wind if he walked too fast towards her. "Crying doesn't suit you luv, you're much prettier when you smile." he whispered into her ear.
Buffy didn't say anything. She was just relishing the sound of his voice. How she loved it! She didn't meet his gaze though, she was afraid to look at him because every time she did, her heart would break. She felt someone take her hand, and squeeze it. "At the engagement ceremony," he continued, "I promise to make you the happiest and luckiest person in the world…alright?"
Buffy nodded, almost numbly. Spike was her only hope now. Maybe he really could keep his promise. Maybe he really did love her, maybe he really could make her happy. He had told her that he would find a way…and maybe he had…sniffling, she rested her head against his shoulder. "So you'll come…right kitten?"
Buffy nodded again. Spike smiled slightly, so his hard headed love had finally figured it out…at least he hoped so. "Come on, I can't stand sitting here, and watch you mope all day. The beginning of your happiness, is going to start today luv, today!" Spike grinned, and grabbing her hand, pulled her up from the bench, and through the masses of people.
"Spike! Let me go you pig!" she yelled. She was still in grieving mode, and didn't feel like exercising. As a matter of fact, she felt like eating. Spike pulled her up stairs, and through doors, and down more stairs, finally she gave up trying to figure out where they were.
Spike opened the last door, and Buffy was greeted with the sight of a large and empty ice skating rink. "It's not open to the public until November, so be thankful that I'm the big honcho around here." Spiked told her.
A small smile lit Buffy's face as Spike pulled her out onto the ice skating rink. "I'm ever going to let go of this hand again," Spike murmured as he kissed her knuckles. Buffy rolled her eyes, trying to dismiss it despite the blush that rose to her cheeks. Hand in hand, they began to slide around the ice skating rink in their shoes, unfortunately Buffy was wearing her black high heeled boots again, and ended up falling.
Spike who was serious about not letting go of her hand fell down with her. "Ow! Get off of me Spike. You're so heavy." Buffy whined.
"I don't understand why you're complaining Buff," Spike replied, "After all, you're the one who pulled me down," Spike paused, and quirked an eyebrow, "Am I thinking what I think you were wanting and implying?"
Buffy snorted, "You wish!" She shoved Spike away from her, but not before he kissed her nose. "Catch me if you can!" Buffy quickly got up, and began to run across the ice.
"That's cheating!" Spike yelled as he stumbled after her.
"Whatever!" Buffy yelled back as she attempted a twirl. She fell to the ground again. Laughing, she sat up and shoved her hair out of her eyes. She saw a hand in front of her. She looked up at Spike, and smiling again, she gave him her hand, and allowed him to pull her up to her feet.
Smiling and holding each other for warmth, the two made their way out of the skating rink…both never wanting to let go of the other.
The Next Day
"This Angel, is the solution to all of our problems!" Giles said excitedly as he tapped a hard case silver suitcase.
"What's in there? A gun?" Angel replied lamely as he put the paintbrush into the cup of water.
"No you idiot! Money! Lots and lots of money! We can pay off the loan sharks now…" Giles' voice trailed off. "Sorry there, didn't mean to remind you. By the way, I thought that you might want to see this." Giles handed Angel a newspaper.
It was a prestigious newspaper that was read nationally…and it had a picture of Glory and Spike, the headline screaming, 'Richest bachelor in the world is getting engaged.' Angel grabbed the newspaper, and threw it. He then picked it up, and began to rip it to shreds. This wasn't how it was supposed to be, this wasn't what he had promised Buffy.
He forgot about the suitcase of money, and that his father had probably sold another one of his 'imitations' or the fact that if anyone ever found out that he was the one painting them; he could go to jail. Right now, Angel saw nothing but red.
Glory and Darla were sharing their 'afternoon' gossip. They both sipped on tea and ate pastries. Then the phone rang. "I'll get it." Glory told her mother as she stood up, and walked over to the phone on the kitchen counter. "Hello?"
"I thought I told you to return everything that you stole from Buffy."
Glory's face paled, and her eyes widened. "A-a-a-ngel…" she stammered.
"DIDN'T I WARN YOU?! I TOLD YOU TO GIVE IT ALL BACK. YOU CAUSED HER ENOUGH PAIN GLORY."
Glory's began to shake with fear. Darla set down her tea, "Glory, who is it?" she demanded. Glory didn't reply. "Glory!" Darla grabbed the phone from her and listened.
"And I am going to come to the engagement ceremony tomorrow, and I am going to tell Buffy WHO hit her with the car, and I'll not only tell Buffy, I'll tell everyone. Tomorrow, I am going to arrive not as Aidan Giles, but as Angel Summers."
"Go ahead, come!" Darla yelled into the phone, "Your sister is getting engaged to William Cornelius. I was going to invite you know, but then again that would merely degrading myself. SEE YOU TOMORROW." Darla slammed the phone down, and resumed drinking her tea, her eyes no longer stormy.
Glory looked at her mom with frightened eyes. "Mom…do…do you think that it will all be okay?" she asked, whimpering.
Darla smiled, and placed her hand over her daughters. "Of course. Don't worry about a thing. Besides, stress is bad for your skin. So just relax."
Later that day, Spike dropped Buffy off home from work. "You have to come tomorrow. You have to….you have- "
Buffy flicked Spike on the forehead. "I got it. I'll come tomorrow." Buffy gave Spike a quick kiss on the cheek, and left the car. She stood outside, by the iron gates as Spike drove away. She was about to go inside when Spike's car stopped, and came back towards her in reverse.
Spike stuck his head out of the window. "I'll see you tomorrow right?" he asked again.
Buffy rolled her eyes, "YES. BYE Spike." She couldn't help but grin as he drove off…would tomorrow really be the beginning of a long life of happiness between them? She had waited for years…and she couldn't wait.
The Engagement Day
Buffy sat on her bed, staring at the dress that Spike had bought her. She was starting to feel nervous now…she tried to convince herself that everything that Spike had promised her would happen. She could leave Glory and the devil's spawn…and she could bring her father with her. But why was she so nervous?
Maybe it was because she was scared…scared of what might happen…what if it didn't work out? She was scared…and now that she thought about it, she could remember Mrs. Cornelius telling Spike that he couldn't marry her…
Luckily, Glory came in and interrupted her thoughts. "What the hell Buffy? Why aren't you even ready yet? And why are you wearing such a nice dress? It's not even your engagement…argh, hurry up, you're going to make us late you know, and if we are late, you will pay. HURRY UP FOR GOODNESS SAKE! We can't be late!" After her rant, Glory left as quick as she had come.
Buffy sighed. She had promised Spike as well…she couldn't go back on her word now could she? Buffy slipped on the dress that didn't fit her properly, and the shoes that were a size too big on her, and went out to the car.
She hadn't bothered doing her hair in some elaborate style; she had put it up in a bun. Buffy saw Spike outside, turned out that he was the one giving everyone a ride, but they had to make a detour to the hair salon first. Buffy almost smiled, she could only guess why Spike had volunteered to chauffeur everyone around.
At the hairdressers while Glory was getting her hair done, Spike without warning, grabbed Buffy, and set her down in a chair too. "Make sure you get her hair done too." He told the hairdressers.
"No! I don't need to get my hair done." Buffy insisted as she tried to get up. Spike would've pushed her back down, but instead that was done by the three hair stylists.
"Yeah, you should get your hair done too…you need to look your best for my engagement." Glory told her with a sly smile. Glory's hair was let down, curled to perfection, and a few rhinestones were placed in her hair as well.
Darla sat in the VIP lounge room, and pulled her cell phone out of her purse. She dialed 9-1-1, and cleared her throat. "Hello?" she said in a high and squeaky falsetto. "Yes I would like you to arrest someone…"
….
"Yes, his name is Angel Summers, but he goes under the name of Aidan Giles as well."
…
"Yes. What charges? Oh yes, in the art gallery…yes, on an account of fraud or imitating art and selling it."
…
"Mmmhmm, thank you, and have a nice day." Darla finished, smiling into the phone. It didn't matter that he hadn't sold the paintings, as long as he didn't make it to the engagement ceremony. Humming a little song to herself, she went inside the salon. "Oh! My precious baby is simply gorgeous!" she cooed. She smiled at Spike, and shot a quick glare at Buffy.
Buffy's hair was up in an elaborate style with a single pink flower pin holding it all together. Buffy was having second thoughts again…why was she scared? He had promised her…she wanted to close her eyes, tap her heels and find herself somewhere far away, with Spike. She didn't know how to explain what she was feeling…a feeling of dread? Maybe she was just afraid that Spike would betray her again…well, it hadn't really been betrayal…
Buffy wanted to scream. She was so confused; she didn't even know how she felt! She felt someone placed a hand on her shoulders, "It's time to go Buff." Spike walked behind Buffy; he was still finding it hard to breathe, he didn't realize that the shoes and dress didn't fit; he just saw her.
Angel ran out of the house, and put on his tie as he ran. He wore a dark blue suit with a white shirt and blue tie, so maybe it wasn't exactly stylish, but it didn't matter, he just had to make it in time, and tell everyone. Then Buffy could be happy. She deserved it; she had endured so much pain and lies…sweet, innocent Buffy had been the victim too many times. "I'm coming Buffy," he muttered through gritted teeth, "I'm coming…"
Buffy sat in her seat, frozen in fear. The room was bustling and crowded with people. She began to fidget in her seat when Spike and Glory walked in, arms entwined. "Don't run away luv." Spike whispered as he passed her. Buffy looked up in time to see the wink Spike sent her way. Rileyy followed them from behind with the two rings.
Angel skidded through the sliding doors of the hotel where the ceremony was being held. He saw the room in front of him; he was almost there, but someone grabbed him from behind. It was a police officer. "Are you Angel Summers?" the man asked him. Angel didn't reply. "You're under arrest for- " Angel wrenched himself free and ran for the room again. "STOP HIM!"
The room fell silent as Spike pulled a ring out of his pocket. It was the 3 carat heart shaped ring that he had put on Buffy. "Today, I will put this ring on the one I love." Mrs. Cornelius's mouth opened in shock, Glory froze in fear, a smile still plastered on her face, and Darla looked ready to kill. Then people began to whisper as Spike turned around, and walked towards someone who wasn't Glory.
Buffy couldn't hear anything; she could only see, her heart was pounding too loud. She saw Spike walk towards her, but what if he wasn't walking towards her? Of course it was stupid to have these thoughts; Spike loved her, but she couldn't think right now…she was scared? She quickly looked down, to hide her disappointment if he didn't end up offering the ring to her. A shadow cast over her. She slowly looked up, and found herself staring at his hand…with the ring in it.
She slowly continued looking up, and finally met his eyes. The beautiful and light blue colored eyes looked her with love and hope. Those were the eyes that she had dreamed of, even when she was Elizabeth Johnson. She still couldn't hear anything, and the pounding only got louder. 'Go…give him your hand…be happy with Spike forever…' her mind screamed at her. But it was so hard to move…
She began to stand up when she heard something other than the pounding of her heart. Everyone in the room and Spike looked up to see a man running towards them with several cops hot at his heels. "BUFFY!" he yelled as they grabbed him, and began to drag him away. "BUFFY!" Spike looked at Buffy, fear in his eyes. Buffy turned back to face Spike, her emerald eyes looking glassy with tears. She didn't say anything, and ran after Angel.
As she whirled around, she had hit his hand, and the ring had been knocked out of it. When the ring hit the ground, Spike's heart did too…except that his shattered into a million pieces. The media went wild as Buffy ran out of the room, cameras and lights flashing everywhere. Tomorrow's headlines would scream, 'William Cornelius's love runs from him for another man!' This time Spike was the one who couldn't hear, all he could hear was the sound of her heels as she ran away…from him.
'Why?' Spike screamed in his mind. He was in shock…her running away would fully hit him later. "Buffy…" Tears fell from Buffy's eyes as she ran after Angel and the cops. Her heart told her she shouldn't be doing this, and that she should be back there, getting engaged to the man she loved. What was she doing? Why was she doing it? It was simple to her mind; she had been afraid in the first place…going after Angel was an easy way out. She couldn't wait for her future with Spike; she was just scared to take the road it took to get there.
But it wasn't just that…she also cared for Angel…deeply. Not as she did for Spike, but more as a brother. She still remembered all those times he had been there for her when Spike couldn't… 'But it was still an easy way out…' her conscience told her. "But he'll wait for me." Buffy whispered to herself.
'But I messed it up…there won't be a next time…' she thought sadly. Her heart broke as she exited the hotel, running after the cop car. A small part of her had hoped that he'd come running after her, but why would he? She had just humiliated him by running away when he offered her his hand and the ring. 'But Glory will make a better wife anyways,' she continued as she ran across the street to keep up with the car. 'Besides, everyone wants them to get married…even his mom does…Spike's mom means a lot to him, I can't just come in and break the bond…'
Buffy was soon forced to come out of her thoughts when one of her heels broke. Now crying tears of anguish, sadness, and frustration she tore off her shoes, and began to run again, with her shoes in her hands. Spike's mind was numb as he slipped the ring on Glory's finger. He still couldn't hear anything…he couldn't see anything, he had withdrawn into himself. All he could see was Buffy running away, and the tears falling from her eyes as she glanced back at him. All he could hear was the sound of her heels hitting the ground.
The ring that Glory put onto his finger felt cold…like ice…The ceremony was over, and the cameras were clicking like crazy again. Glory was smiling widely, and waving for the crowd. Spike wasn't there with them in that room; he was somewhere else…or at least he wished he could be. There was a blank look on his face as he left the room. "Buffy…" he whispered.
A glowing Glory turned around, and looked at him, "Did you say something William?" she asked.
Spike automatically shook his head. "Nothing pet…nothing…" But he had, and he wanted to say it again…loud…he wanted to scream and cry…just like that night she was taken away from him, not to be seen for another year. His heart had felt like this…but this time he wasn't sure if it would…or could be mended again.
At the Police Station
Buffy followed closely behind the police officers who had Angel tight in their grip. "Angel! Angel! Just talk to me damn it! What's going on?" she pleaded. Her worry for her brother helped her forget the incredible chance she had just thrown away…anything…anything to help her forget.
"Send her away. I don't know who she is." Angel requested to the police officers rather gruffly.
"Angel!" Buffy followed them to the desk where Angel would have the whole situation explained to him, interrogated, and etc.
"Miss…may I ask what your relation to this man is?" One of the police officers asked as he took a seat across from Angel, behind the desk.
"Yes, I'm his sister," Buffy told them. "Can you please tell me why he is here?"
Angel jumped up from his seat, and with his hand cuffed wrists; he grabbed the binders, folders, and papers on the police officer's desk and threw them on the ground. "WHY ARE YOU HERE?" he yelled. "YOU'RE DRIVING ME INSANE BUFFY! ARE YOU THAT STUPID? DON'T YOU GET IT? WHY ARE YOU HERE?! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE GETTING ENGAGED!"
"Violent nature eh? It's straight to the cell for you." One of the police officers told him as they grabbed him before he lunged at Buffy. They dragged him off to the jail cells.
"Stupid?" Buffy replied. "Well last time I checked caring for someone's well being was an act of unselfishness and consideration!"
"IT'S YOUR ENGAGEMNT." Angel hollered as the police officers took him away.
"Wait! Angel! Why won't you just tell me what's going on?!" Buffy asked angrily, on the verge of screaming.
"IT'S YOUR ENGAGEMENT!" Angel yelled again before he disappeared from Buffy's sight.
Buffy stumbled back outside, and sat on a bench in the white hallway. Lately she seemed to be crying everyday…her life was like a stupid soap opera…she almost laughed at the idea of the story of her life rivaling Passions on TV. She'd call it…her thoughts wandered off, and the image of a certain blonde haired blue eyed man entered her mind. She fell asleep on the uncomfortable and cold wooden bench, crying herself to sleep.
After downing another glass of champagne, Spike motioned Riley over. "Riley…I want you to do a check up on Angel…Aidan, whatever the bloody hell his name is, and find out why he was arrested. After you find out, tell me immediately."
Riley nodded. "Be right back." He walked out of the dining room where the reception continued, leaving Spike alone at the table. Riley came back a few minutes later, "Looks like he was arrested for selling imitations of rare art pieces. The bail for him is $500, and he has to go to court- "
"I'll pay for all of it…" Spike replied. He stood up, and with Riley left the reception. Glory who was chattering with her friends and acquaintances saw Spike leave.
"Excuse me." She told them with a fawning smile. She set her glass of wine down on a random table and ran after him. "William!" she called. Spike never turned around or acknowledged her calling him. Finally she caught up with him. She grabbed onto his arm. "Will, where are you going?" she asked.
"I have to go somewhere- " Spike began.
"What? On our engagement? Can't it wait?!" Glory screeched in disbelief. "What can be more important than our engagement?"
"Look luv, I wouldn't go if I didn't need to…"
Glory glared at him after letting of his arm. Tears began to well up in her eyes, "Why are you making this so hard for me?" she asked him, her voice bitter. Spike didn't reply, and exited the hotel with Riley at his side. Glory began to cry as she sat down on some stairs that led up the floors of hotel rooms.
Then Darla came out, looking for her daughter. "Glory! The people are asking where you and William are. What are you- what's wrong?" she asked, her voice full of concern and worry. She knelt down so that she was level with her daughter.
"I'm never going to forgive Buffy for ruining my engagement," Glory sobbed. "She's the problem. She keeps taking William away from me!"
Darla's eyes grew stormy. "Did I just hear right?" she demanded. "Did I just hear you say that you love William Cornelius? Don't lose your focus!" she scolded Glory. "You love the ring, not William." Glory didn't reply as her mother wiped away her tears with a silk handkerchief. "Good thing you wore water proof mascara. Don't forget who you are my darling. You are not William's fiancé; you are the fiancé of Global Fashions! Just think," Darla gushed, "You'll be one of the most powerful women in the world! Just think of all the power you'll have!"
Glory tried to steady her quivering lip by biting down on it. A look of resolution crossed her face as she stood up. "You're right…I better go in."
Darla smiled beautifully. "That's my daughter!"
Buffy awoke from her doze, her cheek still damp with tears. She sat up on the bench again, trying not to fall asleep. She resolved to stay here until Angel came out…she didn't have the guts to go back yet. Spike and Riley walked up the stairs that led to the part of the police station where Buffy sat and where Angel was jailed. They were nearing the top of the stairs when Spike saw her.
She was still wearing the dress, her shoes were set on the bench next to her, and she was about to fall out of the bench the way her head was nodding. Her eyes and nose were puffy, but she still looked like a princess. Riley tried not to laugh at how his boss was gaping, and quietly left.
Spike pulled out his cell phone, and dialed her number. Buffy sat up with surprise as she heard her cell phone ring. She opened the small cell phone bag that had been attached to her wrist, and pulled it out. "Spike?" she said softly.
"The one and only," he replied sadly although he was smiling.
"Congratulations…"
"Buffy…luv….I'm real sorry, it wasn't supposed to turn out this way- " Spike began.
"No…it's alright. It wouldn't have worked out between us anyways." Buffy replied, her voice almost cracking as tears began to stream down her face again. Buffy covered her mouth with her hand to prevent any sobs from being heard. Little did she know that Spike was watching her from a little ways away.
"I guess you're right. I never would've been able been able to keep you by my side. I really want to be with you now. I'm sorry Buff…I really am…"
"No, I'm fine. Really!" Buffy said, trying to sound cheerful.
"You were drop down dead gorgeous today," Spike told her with a smile, "You were the prettiest one there today."
Buffy began to shake with sobs. "You were really…handsome too…" she managed to whisper. Keeping the phone to her ear, she turned her head away so that he couldn't hear her sobs again.
"Where are you?" he asked her.
"I'm with…Willow. Something urgent came up." Buffy told him quickly.
"So it was that important," Spike said with a sigh, "I wish I were your friend too," he joked, "Do you want me to come get you?"
"No…don't…" With that Buffy snapped her cell phone shut, and began to sob freely. Her whole body shaking as she cried into her hands. She had never cried this much before…and the tears flowed so easily. Spike remained in his spot, watching her, unaware that tears were slipping down his own cheeks.
A few hours later, Spike woke up from his uncomfortable position on the bench. Buffy had fallen asleep again, and he had silently joined her. He looked up as Angel was being led out of the jail. Gently he set her head on the bench, and tapped her shoulder before he hurried out. Buffy sat up with a jolt. "What…?" She rubbed her eyes, and then spotted Angel. "Angel!"
Buffy hurriedly stood up, and walked towards him. But as soon as the handcuffs were taken off of his wrists, he roughly brushed past her. "What the hell are you doing here Buffy? Why didn't you get engaged today?" he demanded angrily through gritted teeth.
"Me?" Buffy asked in disbelief, "More like why are you doing this to me!" Buffy then spotted a silver ring hanging on a chain around his neck. "Do you still love me?" she asked quietly.
"No. I've forgotten you already." Angel replied.
"Then care to tell me why you're still wearing that ring?" Buffy asked him.
Angel turned around, and grabbed her by the shoulders, "WHY DIDN'T YOU GET ENGAGED?!"
Buffy shoved him away, "You think I didn't want to?" she screamed, the tears flowing once more. "I was going to! Spike was going to put the ring on my finger. He was! Everything was planned. He even told me! But then you came along and ruined it all!"
Angel looked as if he had been slapped, but the look was quickly replaced with a dark scowl. He tore the chain off of his neck and threw it. Without another word he ran out of the building. "Yeah, just run Angel, just run! And this time stay away for good, just go away!" Buffy began to pound at the wall, and threw her shoes against it. She heard someone coming down to check up on the noise, and quickly left the building.
Buffy stumbled outside, and threw her shoes to the ground while sobbing. She picked up the necklace that Angel threw, and beat at the ground with her shoes angrily, the tears gone. "ANGEL!" she screamed into the darkening day. "YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO TAKE ME WITH YOU!"
Spike felt the broken pieces of his heart get ground up as he watched Buffy from across the street from his car. He slowly followed Buffy, his headlights off, as she made her way to a deserted bus stop. Soon she stood up, and began to walk around, then she began to shiver. Spike smirked slightly as drove up alongside the bus stop, "Buffy, hop in!"
Buffy looked at the car and rolling her eyes she walked off. Spike put the car in reverse and followed her. Buffy huffed, and began walking the way she came from. Chuckling, Spike put the car in drive and followed Buffy forward again. And so the game of 'Follow Buffy' ensued until Spike parked the car, and got out of it. He grabbed Buffy and opening the passenger door for her, made her get in the car.
Buffy who had tried to be angry, couldn't help but smile at him. "Since when were you here?" she asked him as he got in on the driver's side.
"About an hour," Spike said with a smirk.
Buffy's eyes widened in disbelief, "And you just let me freeze to death out there?!" she exclaimed.
"I WAS going to tell you get in before," Spike continued, unhappy that he had been interrupted, "But I waited until you got cold…I knew that you would've agreed a lot easier." He explained. Buffy tried to glare at him while Spike looked at her innocently. Then the corners of her mouth twitched…then they both exploded with laughter.
"I suppose we won't ever get engaged again, will we?" Spike commented as he held up the ring that would've, 'Should've' Spike thought, Buffy's engagement ring. He sat down on the cold metal of the merry-go-round, the bright lights shining down on him and Buffy. "You know pet, I've given this a lot of thought," he began as he glanced sideways at her, "Friendship is probably a lot better than love. Love can always hurt like hell, and it doesn't always last, but friendships are forever."
Spike held out his hand for Buffy. Buffy smiled up at him, and gave him her hand, and they shook on it. With a cheeky grin, Spike threw the ring behind him, and it hit the ground with a soft clatter somewhere on the ride. He wanted to hold onto her hand forever, but knew that he had to let go. He leaned back on one of his hands, and with the other, ran his hand through his hair.
"Friends can miss each other, and call each other at those soddin' annoying hours, sneak out the house and meet up. Friends are always there for you when your bloody heart feels like someone ripped it out of your chest, and they'll comfort you…and they've always got a good shoulder to cry on…where did I put that ring?"
Buffy smiled slightly, "You threw it."
"I what?!" he yelled as he stood up. "I just wasted a hella lot of money there!"
"Then why did you throw it away?!" Buffy asked.
"It felt right. I was trying to make it go like those movies you know? I was making a bloody scene, going with the moment. Damn. Don't just sit there on your arse, help me look for it!"
Soon Buffy and Spike were both crawling on all fours, searching desperately for the ring. "Have you found it yet?" Spike called from the other side of the merry-go-round.
"Be patient! Sheesh!"
"I found it!" Spike announced triumphantly as he jumped off of the merry-go-round, waving the ring in the air. He walked to Buffy as if he had won a medal of some sort, "This is a friendship ring, and since friends give each other presents, this is my gift to you Buff." Spike grasped Buffy's hand, and slid on the ring.
He found it hard to swallow, and reminded himself that it was a friendship ring. He watched the way the diamond sparkled on her hand, oh how he wished that it was much more than that! Buffy bit her lower lip, not sure of what to say next. "Now that we're standing in here awkward silence, we might as well play a game, eh?"
With a cheeky grin on his face, he pinched Buffy's cheeks, and made a mad dash for the ice skating rink. They both stood on the ice skating rink, both of their eyes full of happiness, and red cheeks. "Ok, this time I am definitely going to win." Buffy warned him. "One…"
"Two…"
"Three!" Buffy braced herself for falling onto the ice, but found herself in Spike's arms. Buffy's eyes widened, alarmed to find Spike holding her tightly. She found herself relaxing in his arms, and hugging him back. She smiled to herself, so maybe this was what heaven felt like…
"Buggers. Almost forgot to do something," Spike said, interrupting the state of bliss that Buffy had been in. Before she could ask what, Spike kissed her with an exaggerated 'smacking' noise on her forehead. Buffy smiled widely, and giggled. Then he placed his hands on both sides of her face, and kissed her on the lips.
((A/N: Sorry I did that to you guys…yes, the fates seem to be tearing and ripping them apart…no wait…that's me…heh…hope you guys don't wanna kill me…I had trouble portraying everything that Spike and Buffy were feeling…I know, you're saying how could Buffy go for Angel and not Spike?! But yeah…going after Angel was an easy way out…Anyways, sorry if it was confusing!))