TITLE: Cheater

AUTHOR: Me, who else? Wink

DISCLAIMER: I own none of the characters. Everything that happens in the story in real-time (not flash backs) is my made up plot; however the flashbacks are all based off of my own personal life. Yep, this is a 75 true story Kiddies. Brace yourselves ;)

CONTENT: S/B with some minor S/Dru, S/other and some minor B/Ang in the chapters to come.

TIMELINE: This is AU; therefore, there is no set timeline. However, all of the 'present' scenes are meant to take place in 2003. So just keep that in mind. There are years listed though on the flashbacks.

FEEBACK: If I could live off it I would. So come on, feed me. wink

DEDICATION: This is dedicated to anyone reading this.

SUMMARY: Buffy and Spike have known each other since Junior High, while on her way to his house she think back over the years about their rocky start and even rockier relationship.

WARNING: This is not fluffy. This is like real life and as we all know life isn't always happy. I warned you. So no flames that you want me to write something fluffier because I don't do that.

MARCH 27, 1998

Back on the beach, Buffy groaned and gasped as she struggled to align her canoe with the others. Somewhere along the way, it had decided to fill itself with water and was now about 50 times heavier than before. Sighing and giving up she turned and was met with an amused pair of ice-blue eyes.

"Aww, just when I was enjoying watching you struggle…" Spike taunted her with a grin as he easily picked her canoe up and set it in place.

Buffy crossed her arms and gave him a mock-glare. Spike laughed and grabbed her hand to lead her back to camp. Buffy fell into step beside him and laid her head on his shoulder. As they neared the camp Buffy saw Amy, Willow and Darla head into Amy's tent. Intrigued, as Willow couldn't stand Darla, she pecked Spike on the cheek and opened the tent flap.

Willow flashed a guilty look and stared at the tent floor while Amy and Darla glared at Buffy.

"Hey guys what's…" Buffy paused catching their hostile faces, "…going on? Are you guys ok? Did I interrupt something?"

Amy was the first to speak, "Actually Buffy, yes you did. We were telling stories. It'd be nice if you left."

Buffy blinked in surprise. What in the hell is going on here?

"Are you mad at me or something?" Buffy raised an eyebrow at Amy and noticed Willow nervously wringing her hands. "I can't think of anything I've done to piss you off Amy, if you have a problem with me I'd like to think you'd be upfront about it."

Amy sighed and gave her a look full of contempt, "Don't play innocent, you know what you did. I mean it's not fair that he picked…" She trailed off as though she'd said too much and pursed her lips. "I'd like you to please leave my tent now."

Buffy looked from Amy to Darla, to Willow and back to Amy. "Fine. Willow do you want to stay with them?" Willow looked like she was gonna cry and in a small voice said yes.

As Buffy was about to leave Darla's voice rang out, "Yea, why don't you go parade Spike around some more!"

Buffy stopped and slowly turned around; Amy was glaring at Darla and gestured for Buffy to leave. Buffy laughed and walked out, nearly running into Tara outside the tent.

"Oh! Sorry Tara I didn't see you there…" She gave Tara a thoughtful look, "Did you hear what happened?"

Tara nodded, "I don't know why they're being like that. I mean I know Darla likes Spike but other than that…"

"What!" Buffy burst out, surprised. "Darla likes Spike? How come she never said anything?"

Tara winced and shrugged, not willing to further betray her sister. Buffy slowly nodded in understanding and walked to Spike's tent. I can't believe this; I've lost three friends in one day. Buffy ran her fingers through her hair and ducked under the opening to Spike's tent. Spike glanced up from his sketchpad and saw the look on her face.

"Luv? Are you ok?" He put his drawing aside as she sat down and her eyes filled with tears. "What happened?" He caught a tear with his fingertip as it made it's way down her cheek.

"It's just girl stuff. Drama, you know how we are." She bitterly laughed and leaned into his touch. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and gently stroked her hair. She sighed and settled into his embrace, at once feeling safe and comforted. "I just don't understand why it all has to be so difficult. Getting older sucks." He laughed at her choice of words and tilted her chin up with his fingers.

"I can think of one thing that's not difficult sweet bit, us." He winced at how mushy he sounded, and it was her turn to laugh.

"Yea, we're pretty simple. Except for me hitting you, I'd imagine that's confusing…" She laughed as he grumbled.

"Oy, you looney chit, what's all that about? Smacking me and such…" He smiled at her to show he was teasing and slowly leaned back on the bunk, her still in his arms. She settled her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. He cleared his throat. "Ya know I never really thought we'd be together." He glanced down at her upturned face to see if she was listening. "I mean I knew I loved you from the first time I saw you, but I never would've dreamed Princess Goldilocks felt the same." He grinned at her frown upon hearing her nickname.

"Hey for all you know I'm just using you for your body." She wiggled her eyebrows at him and he laughed.

"Yea, I can see it now, Buffy Summers, pimp mistress extraordinaire!" He laughed as she playfully socked his arm. Buffy sat up and stretched, exposing a slice of skin to him from under her shirt. He gently ran his fingers across the small of her back, giving her goosebumps and causing her to shudder. She shot him a look and leaned over to kiss him. The chaperones' voices shouted at them from the main campsite to grab a jacket and get going to the Cafeteria. Spike growled at their timing and nipped her lips before reaching over to grab his jacket. Buffy sighed and exited the tent at the same time Amy and Darla left Amy's tent, followed by Willow. They noticed her flushed face, saw Spike and proceeded to glare at her. Buffy gave them a glare in return and turned around to grab Spike. He raised his eyebrows at her as she seized a fistful of his shirt and tugged him toward her. She kissed him full on the lips and lightly ran her nails downs his neck. He shuddered and his eyes darkened before he pulled her closer to him and deepened the kiss.

Buffy could hear Amy tell the others that they should leave. And just as she was rejoicing in her triumph, her and Spike were interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Buffy turned to meet the disapproving eyes of Amy's mother Catherine Madison, who was one of the Chaperones. Spike and Buffy nervously laughed and ran off in the direction of the Cafeteria. Buffy could feel Ms. Madison's eyes on her back as she and spike slowed to a walk and sorrowfully wondered if she'd just made another enemy.

Buffy and Spike joined the others in the Cafeteria and were immediately greeted with the smell of raw fish. Buffy wrinkled her nose and sat down next to Tara at one of the tables as Spike joined his friend Jesse on the other side. Buffy turned to Tara and was about to ask her what they were doing when three of the camp counselors walked out of the back room with tray upon tray of dead squid. Buffy's jaw dropped and she couldn't help but laugh when she heard Darla scream.

"Ok kids," the red-haired male counselor began, "today we're dissecting….Squid!" He grinned and clapped his hands as some students recoiled and some bounced in excitement. "Now I want you all to know that we'll be guiding you through this process and that these poor little squidies didn't die in vain. In fact, when we're done cutting them up, we're gonna fry them for dinner!"

Tara's face whitened and Buffy patted her soothingly on the back, "I'm sure you don't have to eat it, it's probably optional…" Tara weakly nodded in reply. Buffy watched the counselors pass out napkins and knives, and trays of squid. She watched the little squid wobble on his tray and she laughed. "I think I'll name him spike." Spike laughed from across the room. Buffy glanced up, thinking he heard her, but instead he wasn't looking at her at all. Amy had sat next to him and was telling him a joke while casually flirting. Buffy noticed the way her top gaped open in the front and how Spike's eyes were drawn downward, and how he flirted right back. She was taken aback by her former friend's betrayal. Spike began to look disinterested as Amy pressed her chest against his arm while she laughed. He shot Buffy a pleading look and Buffy just shrugged. He got himself into that mess, he should get himself out. She began to diligently cut into her Spike-squid and before she knew it, the counselors were coming around with plates to collect the pieces to be cooked. Buffy yawned and stretched before looking over at Spike. He was trapped between Darla and Amy on the bench and looked like he'd stopped paying attention to them awhile ago. He glanced around the room and his eyes landed on Buffy. She smiled and he returned her grin before swiftly getting up from the bench and walking over to her. Darla and Amy watched him walk with jealous eyes, but Buffy didn't care. Spike joined Buffy at her table and gave her a look of immense relief.

"Cor, if I had to listen to those silly bints go on about how hot accents are for five more seconds I think I might've had to shoot myself." He shook his head and Buffy laughed before kissing his cheek.

"Well Spike, they have a point, accents are mighty attractive…" She trailed off and caught his eye, "…'Course, I had to land the one brit with a tiny...ego." She nodded at his hips and his jaw dropped.

"Oh is that how it is? You saucy chit..." He grabbed her midsection and rapidly tickled her sides as she laughed. Buffy squealed and tried to get away but he held her firmly in his grasp. She was just about to yell Mercy when he playfully slapped her rear and walked back to his now empty table. She frowned at his retreating back and watched him sit down. He gazed at her from across the room and slowly licked his lips. All at once the mood shifted from playful, to something else. Buffy watched his tongue snake out and was shocked when he began to play with his tongue ring. Buffy smiled and shook her head. I am going to rape that boy…

The counselors returned from the kitchens with plates of sizzling Calamari and Buffy was surprised at how good it smelled. The students were excused to go wash their hands and Buffy rushed with Tara to the girl's bathroom. On the way out a hand grabbed her shoulder, and Buffy looked up to see Ms. Madison.

"Buffy I need to talk to you." Ms. Madison gave her a serious look and steered her back into the restroom. Buffy cringed; more drama was definitely not what she needed. "Now Buffy, I know you and Spike have a…'thing'," she said, making quotation fingers, "But that doesn't give you license to spend unwarranted amounts of time in each other's tents, and public displays of affection are not allowed." She held up a hand before Buffy could protest.

"I want you to remember that this is a School-sponsored trip, not your own personal romantic getaway. That said, I also want you to know that I'm aware of Amy's actions and am going to speak to her about it. I want everyone to enjoy this trip, but I need to make sure the rules are obeyed." She gave Buffy a small smile, "I personally think you and Spike are cute, in a sophomoric way. However I'm also aware of the trouble your little fling is causing with the other students. If you can promise me that you'll cut back on the kissing, at least in public, I'll make sure Amy and Darla play nice. Deal?" She held out her hand for Buffy to shake, and Buffy was struck with a new sense of respect for the older woman. She grasped her hand and smiled before heading back to the cafeteria. Well that wasn't so bad…

As she sat down next to Spike and commenced to eat her Calamari, she wondered how to get approach Willow about Darla and Amy, with them hanging around Willow like vultures. As she was just finishing her food, the counselor's announced that they had a special Eel feeding 'party' planned for them on the beach. A few students groaned in protest and the counselors relented and told them to just go ahead and hang out on the beach, but that they couldn't go swimming and they couldn't leave the area. Spike grabbed Buffy's hand as they walked out and led her to a secluded section of the beach. Amy came running after them and announced breathlessly that she needed to talk to Spike, alone. Buffy glared at Amy and gave Spike a peck on the cheek before leaving to find Willow. She glanced back at them and saw Spike's clenched jaw and the way he crossed his arms at what Amy had to say. Well at least she isn't trying to be charming…

Buffy saw Willow next to the Eel tank, cooing to the fish and she laughed. Only Willow would find them cute. She made a beeline for her and grabbed some eel food. Willow saw her and moved to make room. Buffy glanced at her guilty face and sighed. "You know Willow, I hate to see us stop being friends over something as silly as a boy…" Willow looked up at her and hope flashed across her face. "I'm so sorry Buffy! I just didn't know what to do, I mean I felt like a third wheel and Darla and Amy were so nice at first…" She trailed off and Buffy seized her in a hug. "Oh Willow, I never meant to make you feel like that, I'm sorry, it's just Spike's my first boyfriend…" Willow hugged her back and nodded that it was ok. Buffy disentangled herself from Willow's jumper and noticed she'd spilled eel food everywhere. "Come on girly, let's get outta here, these eels are creeping me out." She grabbed Willow's arm and led her out into the beach.

Buffy laughed as Willow blew goodbye kisses to the eels and noticed with mild shock that Amy and Spike were still talking. They had taken a seat on a bench where most of the other students were gathered and Spike was gesturing angrily to her. Buffy wandered over in time to hear Spike say, "…You don't think she would notice? Are you mad? She watches me like a hawk all the time!" Buffy recoiled in shock. Is he talking about me? Buffy hesitantly sat down next to Jesse, who took notice of her and loudly exclaimed 'Buffy!' She winced as Spike and Amy looked at her and ended the discussion. Spike gestured for Buffy to join him as Amy walked away and Buffy reluctantly got up and sat next to him.

"So…" she began, "What were you and Amy talking about?" He laughed to himself and held up his arm. "Can you believe it, she wants to try and give me a tattoo! She says her uncle has a tattoo parlor and that he'd do it for free. I told her she was crazy and that there's no way my mom wouldn't see it…" Buffy sighed in relief and the counselor's came out to tell the students to return to camp as the tide was coming in.

Spike stood up and saw Buffy shiver with the cold. "You cold Summers?" She shook her head no and stumbled a reply through blue lips. "Jesus Babe, here..." He shrugged off his sweater and held it out to her. She shook her head no. "If I wear that, then you'll be cold..." He raised his eyebrows at her and lifted her arms into the sweater. She smiled and pulled it the rest of the way, noting at once how his scent clung to it.

He looped his arm around her waist as they walked back to camp. She looked up at the stars, and thought to herself that this was another perfect moment. It seemed like every star in the sky had come out to watch her and Spike. She sighed and smiled in contentment. Spike grabbed her hand and broke her out of her daze by twirling her around in a circle while humming to himself. She laughed as he dipped her and gently kissed her eyelids. She objected when she saw all the dust and dirt they were kicking up. Spike just mock-growled at her and whispered in her ear, "Hey shut up, we're dancing." She laughed again and smacked his arm.

The rest of the way down the path had him humming and occasionally twirling her and Buffy grinned to herself at what an adorable boyfriend she had. When they got back to camp Buffy heard the squeals of amused teenagers and saw what had to be the biggest game of hide and seek she'd seen. Roughly 20 boys and girls scrambled around the camp for a hiding place, and then proceeded to run when caught. It was utter chaos, and it looked like a lot of fun. Buffy was tagged by a giggling Willow and separated herself from Spike to go count by a tree. She counted to 30 and went in search of the other students. The first person she found was Tara who she tagged to help her find the others. Pretty soon, everyone had been found, with the exception of Amy and Spike.

Buffy ignored the sinking feeling that was building in the pit of her stomach. They're probably just off in their tents, tired of the game or something. But a search of the tents proved useless, and pretty soon, the entire camp was going around the campsite with flashlights, trying to find them. Eventually they stumbled back into camp laughing, and when questioned on where they'd been they just said they were visiting the other camps. Buffy tried to ignore the smug look Amy gave her, and quickly stripped Spike's sweatshirt off and handed it to him. He accepted it with a cautious look. "Problems pet?"

Buffy gave him a hurt look and walked to her tent to grab her own sweater. Spike followed her in and halted her movements by guiding her to her bunk. "Buffy you know I love you." She nodded and looked away. He grabbed her chin and turned it towards him. "I would never do anything to hurt you luv. Amy's my friend and I figured it shouldn't matter if I hung out with her. Does it?" Buffy sighed and shook her head. "Babe, come on talk to me."

Buffy raised her wet lashes and he gently kissed the tip of her nose. She closed her eyes and cleared her throat. "It's just…I don't understand." Spike gave her a confused look. "Understand what luv?" She traced patterns on her sleeping bag and tried to collect her thoughts. "I don't understand why you love me. I'm not the prettiest girl you know, or the smartest, or the fittest, or funniest or anything. You're a punker and I'm practically a hippie." Spike laughed at her generalization of things. "I'm being serious! I can't figure out why you even want to be around me, and you and Amy seem to have so much in common, I guess it makes sense that you might," Spike put a finger on her lips, silencing her. "No. It doesn't make sense. I love you, and Amy is a friend. That's all. End of discussion. I would never, ever cheat on you. Ever. Alright sweet bit?" Buffy nodded in resignation and kissed his cheek. He got up and wished her a goodnight. As Buffy settled into her sleeping bag and drifted off to sleep, she couldn't shake the feeling that things weren't what they appeared. I just hope this is the end of it…I'd hate to have to constantly question his motives. I mean he does love me, doesn't he?

PRESENT

Buffy shook her head as Cordelia pulled out of the gas station and onto the freeway. The memory that she'd been worried about cheating because he disappeared with a female friend was almost laughable, considering what he was doing now. As Cordelia turned her music up, Buffy closed her eyes and pictured Spike before the drugs, before the girls. When they were both just kids and everything was so much simpler.

At least the next day of the trip was free of tears. They ended up having to scuba-dive and since it was the day they all went home, and consequently the last time her and Spike would see each other for a month because of Spring break, they had as much fun as they could before the day was over. Buffy grinned to herself at the image of Spike in his over-sized scuba gear and giant duck flippers…

TBC

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the first time I've picked up the pen with this story in 2 years. I'm sure the writing style has changed, hopefully for the better. Any constructive criticism you have would be a great help to me, as I'm trying to get back into the flow of writing. Thanks for reading :)