¤
Predictable
¤
"This isn't working!" Calor exclaimed.
"I know that!" Ath yelled back. "Give me the remote!"
"No! You don't know more about these human contraptions than I do, and I'll be damned if I let you take ringside on this!"
Ath furrowed her brow.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I have no idea... Did it sound good?"
"Pretty good," she nodded, both of them calming down just as the front door opened. "Buffy!" she said, a smile on as the Slayer entered.
The blonde smiled back.
"Hey, guys. What're you up to?"
"Afternoon schedule for CBS is a killer, dude. Just wanted to get caught up on the news," Calor replied, Buffy's smile growing a little strained before she gave a nod of approving.
"I'm hungry," she then said, heading for the kitchen.
Calor raised his eyebrows at the look Ath was giving him.
"What!"
"I told you to tone it down a 'little', not go from east coast to west coast in one fell swoop!" she hissed before following Buffy.
"What'd I say?" Calor asked the air where she had been standing.
Ath entered the kitchen where Buffy was getting out the proper supplies for a sandwich. White bread, mustard, two slices of ham, three slices of cheese, pickles, onion and the secret ingredient – olives. She began to fuss with the jars and boxes as Ath took a seat on one of the stools.
"It's good of you to stop by," she said and Buffy shrugged.
"I wanted to see how you're doing. I know I've insinuated that I can show you all the best spots on campus – and trust me, it's not all insinuation – but I get the feeling you're not in Sunnydale to go to the oh-so-fabulous college."
Ath smiled.
"No. My brother and I... We have something in need of tending."
"Sounds like you're gardeners."
"Oh, joy if it was that simple."
Buffy smirked, cutting the olives.
"Your brother... Is he on medication?"
"His problem, and trust me on this, I've lived with him for a ve-hery long time, is his lack of them," Ath stated, having Buffy laugh. Ath observed her for a few moments, the Slayer putting the last touches to her lunch and then bringing it to her mouth, taking a big bite. "You seem at ease," the goddess remarked gently.
Buffy chewed, swallowed and replied:
"I am at ease. First comes blinding, searing agitation – then comes ease. I'm beginning to get good at this stuff. Full guru-status soon to be had."
She smirked at that, then took another bite of her sandwich.
"You've come to a decision," Ath said.
Buffy seemed to pause, her mind seeming to drift before she brought herself back and fastened her gaze in Ath's. The Slayer suddenly had an air of regret about her, which the goddess, at first, couldn't fully comprehend. Then the former smiled, and it was a real smile too.
"I had to, didn't I?" she asked. "And I did," she added.
"And did you choose the mortal?"
Buffy's chewing slowed as her eyebrows rose.
"It's slang where I come from," Ath explained, eagerly awaiting Buffy's reply.
"I did," she finally said and the other felt a huge stone lift from her shoulders.
Thank... herself.
"And what of this Spike? Are you gonna leave him to his fate – without dwelling – and move into that bright, sunshiny future of yours?"
"Oh, yeah. Definitively leaving without dwelling. I know he'll be alright. Everything will be. There's this one small thing that's gonna be settled between us, and now I feel like even that will be okay."
She walked around the island and proceeded into the living room, Ath quickly feeling a heavier stone take the place of the former.
This was in no possible vicinity of good.
She jumped off the stool and again followed the Slayer, who had taken a seat on the couch next to Calor.
"No, press there," Buffy said, showing him the button to push in order to turn the TV on.
"That is so simple," he commented and she smiled, patting his arm comfortingly; something which seemed to make him terribly uncomfortable, something which, in turn, eluded the Slayer completely. "Look," Calor then said to Ath, who had stopped in front of them.
The god began to click the TV on, and then off, on, and then off, on, and then off, on...
"Alright, sailor," Buffy stopped him, taking the remote. "All these lovely digits will take you anywhere you wanna go. Flip through them and you'll find yourself on Hawaii or in New York or even on the moon."
"Amazing. I like this contraption a lot more than the movies. Here you can choose a topic, and not some mindless fairy tale, created solely for the purpose of brain damage and too high ideals."
Buffy raised her eyebrows.
"Not a big fan of the entertainment industry, huh?"
"It's an industry!"
"Drop it!" Ath stopped him, as he was clearly on the track of another rant, and he muttered as he turned his gaze on the TV.
Buffy noticed the worried expression on Ath's face.
"Something wrong?"
Ath teetered on the brink of wanting to tell the Slayer all about what had been foretold. What the Seventh would mean... But the future was something best left unspoken. Prophecies were never on the nose, things changed and went wrong; you could never put your whole faith into them. Then again... this one had been proclaimed so many centuries ago... and by the goddess' own father.
"Nothing's wrong," she smiled, her exterior changing in the blink of an eye as she took a seat. "I know what you are," she then said, Buffy's face now utterly perplexed. "I know you're the Slayer."
"Ath!" Calor said, flabbergasted. "What are you doing?"
"Oh, hush. We can't sit in this house any longer. And I want to meet her friends. I know you want to, too. You have to excuse my brother; he's somewhat of a groupie."
"Ath!" Calor repeated, this time angrily.
Buffy smiled at his outburst, then met Ath's gaze again.
"I don't understand."
"We have waited for longer than you can imagine to meet you."
Buffy raised her eyebrows.
"Me?"
"Someday all your questions will be answered, but for now do you accept the only explanation we have?" Ath wondered, catching Buffy's gaze and holding it.
Buffy stared at her, then smiled again.
"Yes," she replied. "We're having a meeting tonight. I'm sure it's okay if you come along."
Calor gave Ath a look dark with dislike, but she merely smiled.
"We wouldn't wish to intrude. But tomorrow evening? Jonathan was talking about a club," she said.
The Slayer nodded.
"Sure, Thursdays are always hopping. We'll go scream over loud music and dance till our feet hurt."
"Wonderful," Ath replied.
¤
"Are you insane?" Calor exclaimed moments after Buffy had left the house.
"Quite on the contrary, a concept I know you have trouble grasping..."
"Yeah, 'cause it's in the same context as you!"
"Cale, we need to break out of the confinement of this house."
"Ath, we can do that without having to resort to drastic measures."
"Too late."
He glared at her.
"You shouldn't have made that decision without consulting me first. I was the one sent down here to make this right."
"And I was sent down to help you. This is me helping."
"You're really not."
"And what are you doing, that's so useful? Have you even had one conversation with the girl since we got here?"
He searched for a good comeback, but wasn't sure what it should be. Finally he just replied:
"We had a nice moment when she showed me how to work the television. Or so I thought."
"Yes, and then you went on like an idiot that's never seen a TV before."
"It so happens I am an idiot that's never seen a TV before," he shot, then realized what he'd just said; his countenance growing glum as Ath giggled.
"I like how you're getting perspective on things."
"Shut up."
"Ah, brother, what am I to do with you?"
"Just tell me, why now? Why did you choose this moment to reveal us to Buffy?"
"I revealed nothing. She doesn't know who we are. She doesn't know why we're here. But we, dear Cale, need to work our magic swiftly, because I realized something today. Something... I had barely wanted to consider."
Calor frowned, and Ath continued:
"Spike will have his chip removed. And when he does, he will leave. And he won't return. You know what that, in itself, means. But here's what I realized, his leaving will take a toll on Buffy. Not just because he won't be here anymore; or because he won't be the punching bag she seeks or the confidant she needs or the understanding she craves or even the lover she refuses to acknowledge. His leaving will damage her, Cale. Because he's supposed to be here. And what you did has taught her the lesson, alright. That's what I saw today."
Calor stared at her, uncomprehending.
"I believe my best laid plan has backfired... I managed to get those feelings inside of her straightened out, but I never imagined it would include her feelings for the vampire. I made a mistake."
Calor's eyes were widening.
"Ath..."
"I'm sorry," she murmured. "We need to stop it. It's too soon."
"I don't believe she will give into it. She's not in the mindset to give into it."
"You're wrong," Ath said silently. "Things are very different now, and you made them that way."
"But..."
"We need to stop it."
He stared at her, then nodded slowly.
"How?"
¤
Spike was nearing Giles' apartment. It was twenty minutes passed seven and he hated the fact that he was so early, but knew instinctively that he shouldn't be late. Self-control. That was all he needed to practice. Last night it had worked its magic and he had seen Buffy smile more than once thanks to it. Granted that nothing had actually come up to make him furious enough to lose his head. He had such a vicious tongue, and if he opened his mouth in an opportune moment it would form the words he was thinking without actually checking them first. He knew he had harmed her the other night, and himself even more, and it had been the last straw. He either had to give her up, or fight for her. He had never backed down from a fight. Okay, a few times he had, but then he had been severely outnumbered. Or he had just been hit in the head with an axe. Point was: this was different.
It was a fight hopefully not entertaining any form of heavy weaponry... And for the first time he felt his nerves tingling.
He didn't bother to knock, merely stepped through the door. Giles was interrupted in the middle of a sentence, having Spike smirk. Then his eyes landed on Buffy, who looked challenging, and he sobered up, killing the smirk, properly closing the door, cursing himself for being a wanker for this woman, and still feeling terribly soothed by being in this close a vicinity to her once more.
"Spike, how good of you to join us," Giles said.
"Overslept," Spike shrugged, seeing a hint of amusement on the Slayer and smiling at her.
She grew self-conscious, still returned it tentatively, then looked away. He had a seat on the stairs, bringing out a pack of smokes and receiving such a scorching glare from Giles that he felt he didn't even need to light one.
"Well, as I was saying..." Giles started up again.
Buffy hated how fidgety she was. She kept her eyes on Giles by force as he was sitting at the desk and thus providing her with a perfect angle of shifting her gaze to the vampire behind him. She could feel blue eyes on her, watching her in a silence so outspoken it almost hurt. Last night had been... something else. She had had fun. And to have had fun with Spike was a thought still so very unfamiliar to her. But she couldn't keep down a small smile at it. And with that her control slipped and her eyes landed right in his, making such a ravishing, free-falling sensation occur in her stomach that she drew a careful breath.
Then there was a knock at the door, it opening to let Riley in.
"Heard there was a meeting," he said with a trying smile.
Buffy saw the different emotions on Spike as though they were written in a bubble above his head. Realization. A flare of indignation. A touch of glee, which made her heart beat a little bit faster. And then the intense questioning. Of her. All of this in a few seconds, registering with her right before she fastened her gaze in Riley's.
"You got my message," she said, smiling in return of his lingering one.
He came into the room, saying hi to everyone and then noticing Spike, his face growing tight as Spike's merely unfolded a crooked smirk.
"Adam made contact, that's why he's here," Buffy explained hurriedly, rising and walking up to the mortal, ignoring the rising eyebrows of the vampire. "He can help."
Riley suppressed a huff, then looked at Buffy and his stern exterior slowly melted.
"Hi," he said and she smiled again.
"Hi," she replied. "How was home?"
"Like always, which was just what I needed," he said.
"Well, it's good to have you back."
Spike gritted his teeth.
Self-control. Level head.
But the pain was extraordinary. The sense of losing her had never been more real and it hit right where he could feel it. It put everything into perspective and wiped away any doubt he might still have had of exactly how deep into this he actually was. What he had said two nights ago hadn't been a line, and now he knew it – if she said the word, he would walk away from the killing, from the hunt, from the core of his being and the essence of his nature. How strange, in the blink of an eye there can come a change so massive it shifts the pattern of the very world you live in.
And all for a girl, he muttered, glancing at her as she walked with Riley back up to the couch she had been seated on before, sitting down with the mortal next to her.
No, he then corrected himself. The girl.
"Yes, so shall we get started?" Giles asked.
¤
"Pizza's here," Willow said, jumping up and running up to the door.
It was two hours later, and the subject of Adam had been tossed around for half of that. Now it had moved into less dark topics. Buffy and Riley were still seated on the couch, Giles had pulled up his chair and Spike had moved to sit on the floor by one of the armchairs. Xander and Anya occupied the other and Willow sat next to Tara on the floor between them and Giles.
Everyone was starved and the pizzas were overly welcomed with cheers and whistles as Willow set them down on the table in the middle of the group. Everyone grabbed a slice.
"Now this is the stuff," Xander sighed.
"And what stuff is that, mate?" Spike asked.
"The stuff dreams are made of."
"Your dreams are made of ham and mushrooms?"
"Pepperoni, my friend," Xander replied, showing the slice he was devouring.
"It is the American way, Spike, don't try to understand it," Giles muttered, making the vamp smirk.
"America has its charm," he remarked, glancing at Buffy, who met his gaze and then quickly looked away.
"Yes, with their deep-fried tomatoes and double-double-triple meals," Giles huffed.
"Home country of Slayer. Do not taunt Slayer," Buffy warned.
"No, of course, there are the charming traditions you indulge in."
"And all I have to say to that is – sombrero," she shot.
He gave her a look, then took another bite of his pizza.
"And last Thanksgiving was pleasant," Willow chimed in. "If you don't count the rage and the vengeance."
"And the arrows," Spike added.
"And the bear," Buffy smirked, meeting his gaze once more as he smiled as well.
"What happened?" Riley asked.
"Indian attack," Spike replied. "Disturbed spirits and that whole bit... Buffy saved the day. Or evening, I suppose."
She still had traces of the smile on, then took her eyes out of his as she turned her head to Riley.
"She always does," Riley said, smiling gently at her and she returned it.
"Makes you wonder," Spike remarked, having them both look at him, Buffy a little alarmed. "When does she rest?"
"When I sleep," she answered.
"And when you can't?"
"Is this going somewhere?"
"No, stopping right now, it seems," he said, voice smooth as honey and eyes soft as silk.
She swallowed, then smiled to cover the stir within, shaking her head.
"Where in Iowa are you from?" Willow changed the subject, making Riley look at her instead of keeping with his ongoing study of the vampire.
"A small town not even shown on the map," Riley replied. "I like it there. It's quiet and open. Gives you space to think. At night all you can see is sky, and all you can hear is wind... It's beautiful. The smells. It gives me peace."
Spike held down a smile, contending to rolling his eyes before reaching for another slice of pizza.
"Sounds lovely," Giles stated.
"Regretting the slander?" Spike asked, another smirk now on.
"I was directing it at the chosen national dishes, not the country itself," Giles bit back. "I have seen my share of nice places," he added.
"Yes, and all of them had 'Home on the Range' as a lead motif."
"Is there a problem?" Riley asked, Spike stopping mid bite and looking completely innocent.
"Was I talking to you?"
"You were talking about me."
"Was I? I believe the topic was 'nice places' and so far you look to me as at the best mediocre. Slayer, tell your boy to grow thicker skin if he wants to join this crowd, and even thicker if he wants to sit next to you."
"Spike," Buffy grumbled, "that's enough."
He glared at her, then sighed.
"Fun's up, eh?" he asked, throwing the last of his pizza back in the box as he stood. "I'll bid my leave."
And with that he walked up to the door and through it.
She clenched her jaws together, restraining herself from going after him. He had just behaved like a jerk! He had no right to talk like that. He had no respect for her whatsoever. She stood.
"Well, if he thinks he can just walk out of here..." she huffed, looking around at the others with stern-face on before heading after him. "I'll be right back."
And then she went up to the door and through it as well, closing it behind her. She came out onto the street, saw him and called:
"Stop!"
He did, then faced her.
"What?" he asked as she came jogging up to him.
"Make that as in 'what the hell do you think you're doing?'! Judging Riley like that?"
"It was the truth."
"It wasn't. You don't know him. You don't know where he's been or where he comes from."
"Thought he just told me; the land of the wind and the corncob."
"Shut up," she said, smiling none the less.
"Does he do that?" he asked quietly. "Make you smile, even when you're this annoyed?"
"I'm not annoyed," she disagreed. "And it's not like that between us. He makes me smile all the other times."
"How can I compete with that?" he mumbled and she wanted to touch him, just briefly, to show that it wasn't like this didn't affect her at all.
"Stop," she said instead. "Please."
"I can't," he denied her. "Not when you look at me like that."
"Then I won't look at you," she stated, turning and heading back to the apartment.
¤
She met Riley as he was leaving.
"Where are you going?" she asked with a smile. He didn't return it and hers died away. "I couldn't let him get away with..."
"Buffy," he bit off.
She shook her head, stepping up to him and gently putting her hands on either side of his face, making him meet her gaze.
"I've made my choice," she said.
"Felt like you made it when you went after him," Riley replied stiffly.
"I missed you."
He held her eyes with his steadily, then moved a hand up to her cheek.
"I missed you too," he murmured.
¤
Willow smeared lotion on before pulling the covers up. They had left Giles' later than planned and she was as tired as Buffy looked. The Slayer put the book she was reading down with a huff and then threw it unceremoniously on the floor.
"I don't like Walt," she grumbled.
"Disney?"
"Whitman. All these words make my head spin."
"It's twelve-thirty at night, you shouldn't be tackling anything but light comics or short quotes."
"Right, 'cause otherwise the Buffy brain will have a melt down."
"You know that's not what I meant."
"I know."
"Can I admit I was happy to see you with Riley tonight?" the Wicca asked carefully.
"Wasn't that what you just did?" Buffy asked back, then smiled. "And I was happy to be seen. I missed him when he was gone. It felt strange not having him here. But I think I'm getting back to... me."
Willow smiled, lying down and making herself comfortable as Buffy switched off her bedside lamp and did the same. There was stillness for a little while, then Willow said:
"Spike was a real hoot tonight."
Buffy felt her mouth grow dry. There was so much she hadn't told Willow. Couldn't tell Willow.
"He said he loved me."
Oh, well, maybe she could.
There was a long pause, then Willow's light clicked on. Buffy turned her head to her friend, who looked absolutely staggered.
"Did you believe him?"
The fact that Buffy didn't immediately reply in the strongest negative sense, made Willow rise and come over to her.
"I'm not stupid," Buffy stated.
"I know you're not stupid, Buffy. You have the SAT's to show for it," she said, smiling a little and making Buffy feel a lot more at ease. "But this isn't healthy. It isn't normal behavior for him. What is he thinking! My God. He hates you and all of a sudden he loves you?"
"That's what I said," Buffy nodded.
"So that's what tonight was all about."
"It's over, so it doesn't matter."
"But I thought the only thing it was about was some form of... well, frankly I don't wanna have to spell it out, and don't think I should have to, since you probably know what I'm talking about; but this..."
"This is nothing."
Willow eyed her for a moment, then asked:
"So why'd you tell me?"
Buffy grumbled before replying:
"'Cause I don't wanna keep things from you."
"Okay, so then, do you believe him?"
Buffy sighed.
"Part of me does," she answered. "But another chunk goes aaaaahhhhh!"
Willow smirked, taking her friend's hand in hers.
"Which one is loudest?" she asked.
"Riley is," Buffy replied. "The other stuff isn't important."
¤
"I think you are thoroughly insane," Calor stated as he walked with Ath into the Bronze the following evening. "This won't work."
"We need to get as much information as we can. Besides, you never know who might show up," Ath replied simply, smiling at her brother's lack of enthusiasm.
It was nearly eight-thirty, the time the Slayer had set for their casual meeting.
"The mortality has risen to your head, as well as the oxygen and the food. Oh, God, the food. How can you enjoy sticky buns? They're nothing but sticky!"
"Tomorrow I'm trying brownies," she smirked.
"Chocolate is highly overrated."
"You've never tasted chocolate, Cale," Ath remarked. "But I'm about to offer you a taste of your first beer."
"Hallelujah."
"There they are," Ath said, spotting Buffy and Willow at a table.
Buffy raised one arm, giving a wave.
The twins came over, Willow offering them a smile.
"Will, this is Ath and Cale – guys, this is Willow."
They shook hands, exchanging pleasantries. Then Xander and Anya came back from the dance floor and there were more of the greetings exchanged. Riley was going to be late, having to do some catching up with what he had missed since he'd been gone.
"Not too late, though," Buffy assured Ath, who was eager to meet him.
"How did last night go?" Ath wondered.
"Fine. We did the Scooby thing, got caught up. Formulated the plan... Which is resting entirely on the shoulders of a vampire right now, so maybe I shouldn't use the word 'fine'," she said, Ath smiling. "Think I'm joking? Just wait and see what way he chooses to screw me over." She caught herself, and then blushed, smirking. "That's what he does," she stated, not saving face and laughing at herself.
"He's had practice, I'm sure," Calor cut in.
Buffy swallowed the sip she'd taken of her soda, then smiled again.
"Lots and... lots," she replied.
"And on that happy note," Ath said, rising and heading to the bar.
"How old is she?" Buffy wondered as she watched her friend easily order a few beers from the bartender.
"She acts as though she had the wisdom of a billion," Calor muttered, then returned Buffy's curious smile. "She's not quite that old," he assured.
"What brings you to the Sunny side?" Xander asked across the table.
"Unfinished business."
"Really? Would that be the bone-breaking or the money-bringing?"
"Neither. My sister and I are here to meet the Slayer; and make sure that her future is secure."
Buffy raised her eyebrows.
"Really? You can secure my future? I did not know that."
Calor smiled hesitantly, then shrugged.
"We can but try," he said modestly.
"Did Jonathan say he'd stop by?" Buffy changed the subject.
"No, he had a dinner he couldn't get out of. But I believe he's meeting with Ath tomorrow afternoon. They are baking."
"Baking?" Buffy wondered.
"I always thought Jonathan had a sweet side," Willow smiled. "Are we invited?" she added.
"Trust me, you will want to stay as far away from that kitchen as possible. When my sister is in there she is on a mission."
"And tonight I'm on a different one. To make you loosen up, big brother, and enjoy yourself. This chance we have here comes but once in eternity. Savor it!" Ath instructed, putting down two beers on the table and then twirling around. "Who wants to dance?"
"Well..." Xander began, but Anya stopped him by saying:
"With the beautiful, dark, mysterious stranger? I think not."
Ath laughed.
"I'll dance with you," a voice said behind her and Buffy felt every single nerve stand on end, goose bumps spreading over her shoulders and arms as Ath turned around and faced the bleached vampire.
The goddess looked at him, then smiled, giving a nod in agreement and heading toward the dance floor with Spike in tow. Buffy shifted in her seat, keeping her gaze on her glass, licking her lips to make them deliver a smile at the Gang, glancing at Willow who was watching her.
Ath tilted her head back, looking up at the vampire as he circled her with strong arms. She could see what would have Buffy so excited. His eyes spoke a language entirely their own.
"So this is the elusive Spike," she said.
"Hardly elusive, pet," he replied, looking her over before he asked: "Who are you? What're you doing here?"
"Those questions aren't always the easiest to answer. Can't you ask me my name and then we'll go from there?"
"I'm not interested in your name," he answered very patiently. "I'd like to know what the hell makes you think you can fool me. You seem to have Buffy wrapped up in whatever blanket was your choice, but I can see there's something not right about you. You're... shimmering."
She smirked.
"I'm impressed. Most eyes are too untrained to notice any disturbance. Almost all of me is fully human, after all." He furrowed his brow. "Don't bother thinking what you're thinking. Buffy won't listen to you. And it's not that she won't believe you, it's just that she won't hear you."
"What are you?" he got out, his eyes beginning to grow cold.
"I'm not here to harm her, Spike," she said. "I care about her more than you will ever be able to fathom."
"So do I," he murmured, his grip on her tightening.
"Gotten," she said. "But you should see that's a lost cause, being so perceptive and all."
He looked irritated, and wondering; and she nodded towards the table hosting the Slayer. He turned his head nonchalantly that way and felt everything darken as he watched Riley just joining them, Buffy looking terribly glad.
"Ow. Squeezing. Hard," Ath pressed out, Spike loosening his grip.
She observed him, amazed at how evident his hurt was. It blended with the azure of his eyes so perfectly. Perhaps it even made him more beautiful, more profound. All his suffering was a part of him and it made him grow. The deeper in love he fell, the more there was for him to understand about himself. She smiled a small smile.
"It's how it's supposed to be now."
He caught her gaze; his burning as he asked:
"Says who?"
The song changed and she stepped away from him before proceeding passed him, walking back to the group of chatting people. He stood still for another few seconds, then turned and searched the room for an undisturbed spot. Finding it, he leaned against the wall and looked through the movements of the dancers toward the spot where Buffy sat.
Hypocrite, he thought to himself, glaring at her. Liar. You frightened little...
He clenched his jaws together. And then her eyes met his. There was a swirl of pleasant stirrings within him, but she looked away.
Buffy swallowed for the fifteenth time, reaching for her glass, which was now empty.
"I'll get you some more," Riley said, rising.
She smiled her thanks, feeling incredibly self-conscious as she could sense Spike's watchful gaze resting on her. Finally she couldn't keep her eyes from checking, and they met his again. When Riley had returned and she had repeated the glancing up and then away three more times she thought to hell with this stalker-creepy-irritating behavior and rose, excusing herself and heading toward the ladies, breaking off the beaten path to head up the stairs instead. Reaching the mezzanine she stayed in shadow, and waited.
The vamp stepped up not many moments later.
"God, you're so predictable," she said. "What are you doing?"
"You never said I couldn't look at you."
"You're not looking. You're staring. It's freaking me out. Stop it."
He smiled a little; approaching her and having her slowly back up.
"Got you here, didn't it?"
She was about to open her mouth, but then closed it.
"God, I'm so predictable," she cursed and he smirked.
Her back connected with a wall and soon he was right before her.
"What're you doing with him?" he asked. "You know you don't wanna be there."
"That's not true," she disagreed.
"So you're aiming for the happy-happy? For the ever after, live together, raise fat grand-kids in love and prosperity?"
"Sounds good."
"Sounds... boring."
"No."
"Buffy, you think you need him... That he'll keep you steady. But all he does is hold you back."
"You're so wrong."
"Yeah?" he wondered. "Does he think it's bloody fun that you're about a thousand times stronger than he is? Think that's easy for him to deal with? And you think you can't feel he's not dealing? Sooner or later it'll make you feel the need to strangle your abilities. You're gonna set yourself back. You're gonna stop evolving. Can you handle that?"
"He knows me. What I have to do. He supports me," she stated.
"You support him, love, you don't need support. And you're capable of more."
"Wasn't the tune you hummed when we were getting married," she shot. "Then it was all giving up my job and having you holding your non-protective hand over my bitsy blonde head. And I loved you then, but nothing was different. We fought and disagreed and..."
"Nearly shagged in that crypt with all your friend's watching," he filled in. "Passion doesn't come cheap, Slayer. And I can scent it pulsing through you... Can you honestly tell me you've ever felt a high that can compare to wanting what you can't have... and taking it?"
"That's what this is about, isn't it?" she hissed, feeling trembles go through her of anticipation as he slowly leaned into her. "You only like the chase."
"I like it," he admitted, his eyes glinting in the soft darkness around them. "But definitively not 'only'."
His face inched closer and she put her hands up against his chest, pushing him away with an effort that was so great it made her eyes almost tear up. She bit it back.
"What do you want from me?" she asked, voice quavering.
"Nothing you can give," he murmured.
"So don't ask for it," she said, moving away from the wall.
Away from him.
"Maybe I just like watching you squirm," he said, though the warmth in his gaze made every urge of agitation be suppressed within her.
"You're a pig, Spike," she stated, a smile drawing over her features before it faded.
"And you're the truffles, doll. I'm sorry if I can't resist you."
"Well, if there's no resisting, I guess you'll just have to learn to live with it," she said, turning and leaving.