Usual disclaimer…no infringement intended, I make no profit from this story or these characters (which I do not own)
A/N: I'm really trying to get this story moving and I apologize for the lack of updates. First I got a severe case of block then my computer crapped out. I'm going to try and do better, but I'm a graduating double major/working fulltime college student, so finding writing time isn't easy. Thanks for understanding and taking the time to submit a review. I really read them and I appreciate them a lot.
Chapter 7
Buffy absolutely adored their room. It was large and…well, sumptuous was probably the word, Buffy thought. The walls were dark oak and the ceilings were high and airy. In the very center of the room was a large crystal chandelier. Tiny rainbows were refracted all over the room. There were two king sized beds against one wall opposite a gigantic fireplace. Above the beds was a large bay window. Ornate sconces with varying sized candles were interspersed on the walls along with large paintings.
Buffy and Willow ran into the room and vaulted onto the beds, squealing like little girls. They jumped up and down until they were breathless with giggles.
"How very mature of you," said Anya dryly.
Willow rolled her eyes. "Whatever Anya. It's fun..you know, fun can be had outside of the bedroom."
Anya's nostrils flared and she opened her mouth. "Okay girls, lets all calm down," said Joyce before Anya had a chance to reply.
Buffy meanwhile had wandered around the room and located the balcony that was perched outside the room. "Guys, look at this," she called out.
The girls ran toward the balcony. Joyce continued to wander around the room, picking things up and looking at the works of art hanging on the wall. Having a lifelong love affair with the art world and owning an art gallery made Joyce quite the expert, and she was shocked to discover that many of the paintings were real, not copies.
"Who hangs priceless works of art on the wall of a motel?" she murmured to herself.
The trio of girls had moved from the balcony to the bathroom when Joyce caught up with them. The large Jacuzzi tub was Anya's focus while Buffy was admiring the vanity mirror.
Willow flitted around, picking up the little bottles of lotion and shampoos. "This place is so cool," she said.
"Yes. Kudos to your speedy phone fingers Buffy," Anya said.
Buffy grinned. "That's me, queen of the phone."
Joyce was forced to agree. "And we have the phone bills to prove it."
"Well, should we start getting ready?" Willow asked.
"Sounds like a plan," Buffy said.
"Dibs on the tub first," Anya yelled.
"Damn Da, this place is really something," Spike saw when the three men pulled up to the Mansion.
"Yeah Giles, you really outdid yourself," Xander chimed in.
"Erm, yes. Well, I did do some through research before making the reservation. I must say, I'm rather pleased with the results," Giles said.
"Leave it to you to take the fun out of vacation," Spike said.
"I hardly think being prepared qualifies me as boring," Giles said, a bit miffed at Spike's comment.
"I didn't mean it like that," Spike said. "I just meant that you are the only person I know who actually researches where he's going."
Giles couldn't disagree there so he remained silent. He put the car into park and the trio stepped outside.
Spike sighed and tried to realign his spine. Xander followed Spike's lead. He stepped from the car and tried to push his body back into place. It was no easy task. Two hours of sitting on his wallet had almost permanently damaged his butt. It was a great relief to finally stand upright.
Much like the ladies, the men were accosted by the staff and relieved of their luggage as soon as they stepped foot onto the Mansion soil. And Eamon was also on hand to greet the men.
Spike's reaction to Eamon was far less favorable than Buffy's. "Poofter," he muttered under his breath when Eamon had given his instructions to the servants and taken his leave.
Rupert halfheartedly reached over and slapped Spike on the head. "Manners," he whispered. Truthfully, Rupert agreed with Spike. Something about Eamon raised his hackles.
A small redheaded girl stepped forward with a flirtatious smile on her face. "Follow me," she said.
Spike and Xander looked at each other and grinned. "Maybe this place won't be so bad after all," Spike said. This earned him another light smack from his father.
"People are going to think that I raised you in a barn if you persist in such rude behavior," Giles said.
Spike's reply was a grin and a shrug.
Xander began laughing and tried to cover it up with a cough. Giles was not amused and he threw Xander a dirty look. "You are supposed to be the good influence here."
Before Xander could answer, the maid reached their room and threw the doors open. Xander and Spike ran into the room and, in a perfect mimic of Willow and Buffy, began to jump up and down on the two king-sized beds
Giles smiled at their antics and tipped the maid. She curtsied and left before her amusement at the boys showed through. Sometimes, she thought, this job has its perks.
After the beds were thoroughly destroyed, Spike and Xander flopped down and began to wrestle.
"Boys," Giles called out. "Not now. We need to get dressed for dinner. I do not wish to be late."
"Good call G-man," Xander said. "Where's our stuff?"
"Xander, if you call me that again, I will be forced to throw you out the window. Now if you heathens had paid any attention, you would see that the luggage is here next to the bathroom," Giles said.
Spike jumped up. "I get the shower first."
"Over my dead body," Xander replied and the two began to wrestle again. Giles sighed at their behavior and stepped into the bathroom, making sure to lock the door behind him. By the time the boys realized they'd been had, he was cheerfully using up all the hot water.
