AN: As promised, here is the next chapter already!
Revenge 6
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It didn't take Angel long to get acquainted with the possibilities of the job. Little to no people recognised him as the cap he had to wear was pushed far over his eyes. He was friendly but short and kept to the kitchen as much as possible. After his meeting with Buffy he had become more careful, he didn't want to give himself out just then and there.
"You've done good for your first week."
"Thanks, boss."
He left towards the old, shabby motel which was his home from the moment he had set foot in Sunnydale. It was all he could afford, but he didn't complain, he was close to the one he wanted.
Buffys resolve to give all her love to Spike was tested early the next morning. They had gone to Buffys house together and Spike stayed with her, but it was not like the day before, when they were so happy to see each other. Spike almost seemed afraid to touch her or say anything wrong. As she arrived on the campus Riley was the first person she saw.
"Oh no…"
He hadn't seen her yet and she hoped she could keep it that way. If Riley spoke to her, she would feel lost again between him and Spike. Buffy knew she loved Spike, she was sure of it… but Riley was someone new and refreshing.
"Hello, Buffy… Ready for class?"
"I'll pay more attention this time."
Good, so the guy had a gorgeous smile, and he didn't look like Spike in the slightest. Why was she so attracted to him? Buffy really couldn't say.
"You're not doing very well, if you are not even listening to me here."
"I've heard all you said. Now, on to class."
"My lady."
She hooked her arm in his and they walked to class together. It was just a bit of unharmful fun, but it made her heart skip a beat. Oh god, what am I doing? Buffy wondered to herself as she walked into the class. She daydreamed all the hour long.
Afterwards she felt incredibly guilty about it. Her boyfriend was back for only two days and she was looking at other guys. She sighed and walked to her house, where she thought Spike would wait for her.
"Spike!"
No one answered. When she entered the kitchen there was a note on the counter. 'Sorry I'm not there, pet. Will and Tara asked me out. Give me an hour or two, 'kay? Love, S.'
"They didn't even wait for me." She whispered.
"Why did you come back then, when you were feeling so good at Oxford?"
It was one of the questions Spike didn't expect from Willow. She knew practically everything about him, although there were of course secrets between them.
"You know that, pet."
"Buffy? I didn't realise you loved her that much. I mean, you have been through a lot together, but lately…" Willow clamped her mouth shot as Tara gave her an alarmed look. She tried to wave it away, but Spike would have none of it.
"Lately?" He questioned as he looked his friend in the eyes.
"It's just… She used to talk about you all of the time, you know. Be glad you were friends with us, because we would have sent her after you by mail otherwise. Our ears practically fell of our head with her nagging… and a few weeks ago it stopped. But… But we don't know why."
"Sure."
Spike was not buying it, but he let Willow get away with it. Until a few minutes later, when Tara had to get to the bathroom.
"This is your chance, pet. Now you don't have to be afraid that I will hurt Tara's soul by yelling and so on. Tell me."
"I can't, Spike, I promised."
"Willow."
Spike almost hissed the name and although Willow wasn't frightened of him, she knew his reputation all too well. He had always kept training in karate, having earned a black belt several years back. He would never do anything to hurt her, but the suppressed anger was enough for her to give in. Plus, she didn't like it when one of her best friends suffered, she wasn't sure this would do much to help him.
"There's a guy at university, an assistant. There is nothing going on between them, Spike, I'm sure of it. She loves you."
"Yeah." He answered shortly. He grabbed for his faithful duster and walked out of the diner, saying goodbye to Willow with a small lift of his hand. From the kitchen Angel had watched the entire scene play out. He had to take and give the orders through a window, which made it easy for him to hear.
"Second place again, Englishman. That has to hurt." He whispered with a grin, before going back to work.
