Diclaimer; i do not own any of the buffy/angel characters or universe or anything, it all belongs to Joss whedon sniffs
a/n; ok , here is chapter seven, sorry it has taken a while to update, but i hit a brick wall, i had NO IDEA what to write, then suddenly, writers block is gone and i am up until five in the morning writing!
I hope you enjoy this chapter, i will definitely enjoy writing the next ones...more spuffy soon!
Thanks to all of you who have left reviews, it is very motivating and just gives me the warm, fuzzy feelings inside...Luv to you all, and if i could give James Marsters to you as a thank you present, i would...but unfortunately, he is mine...ALL MINE!
Ok, getting scary...please readn and review!
Chapter seven: Finished baking
Buffy returned home after patrolling with Spike, it had been a slow night and they had only dusted a few vamps, but she didn't care, more time with Spike and less vamps around was definitely of the good. She found the house quiet and everyone was asleep except for Willow who was sitting at the kitchen bench
"Couldn't sleep huh?" Buffy asked, sitting down directly opposite her
"Not exactly" was the witches only reply
"Listen Will, I know what Giles said upset you, but he didn't mean it, he's just worried about me…and you to in fact" Buffy told her, trying to cheer her up
"I know he didn't mean it, he told me that and apologized to me"
"Then, what's wrong?" Buffy asked, interested
"I don't deserve to be forgiven, what I did to you, what I must've taken you away from, Buffy, I know I've told you this, and it doesn't really make a difference, but I am sorry" Willow told her
"I know you are Will, and I forgive you" Buffy said, standing up off her chair and giving Willow a hug which she gladly returned
"Now, no more mentioning of this, ok? I want things to go back to how they were between us" buffy told her
"Ok" Willow said, pulling away from Buffy
"Promise?" Buffy asked, wanting to make sure
"Promise."
"Good, now, I'm going to bed, patrolling kind of wiped me out"
"No worries, I'll see you in the morning?" Willow asked
"You bet, Goodnight." Buffy replied, heading upstairs
"Night Buffy."
Buffy walked upstairs, got changed and got into bed. It took her a long while to fall asleep, and when she finally did, she didn't sleep well.
She was really not looking forward to tomorrow and the one thing she knew was going to happen: Angel's phone call.
Buffy awoke to the sound of an alarm clock going off, she turned and hit the top of it, stopping the sound but also breaking it into a lot of little pieces. She groaned, stretched and dragged herself out of bed. She got Dawn off to school then had a nice, hot, relaxing shower which had succeeded in waking her up. Now, she was sitting at the dinning room table with Anya and Giles. Anya was talking about something involving money and Buffy's unpaid bills and Giles was talking to Buffy, who, unfortunately had not been listening. Giles had picked up on this and let out a slightly irritated sigh.
"Buffy, have you heard a single word that I've said?" he asked
"Yes" Buffy said, then at Giles questioning look, she sighed "well, ok, I haven't. I'm sorry Giles, I've just been a little dis…" she was cut off by the sound of the phone ringing "…tracted, I'll be right back" she told him, before going to answer the phone.
After a few minutes, she returned to Willow and Giles
"Buffy, what is it, what's the matter?" Giles asked, seeing the slightly worried expression on his slayers face.
"Angel. He wants to see me, I have to see him" She told them before grabbing her coat and heading out the door without another word.
"Well, that was strange" Anya commented, and was rewarded with complete silence.
On her way to meet Angel, Buffy had thought about what she was going to say, she had to tell him that she had moved on and had fallen in love with someone else, although she was definitely sure she wasn't going to mention who that someone was.
'Ok, no matter what happens or how awkward things get, there will most definitely, absolutely be no cookie dough analogies' she thought to herself
When the taxi she was driving in stopped, she looked out of the window and saw Angel leaning against his car waiting for her. She paid the driver, got out of the car and walked over to him, he put his arms around her immediately but strangely enough, the was no awkward feeling that she usually got from being around him
'Guess coz I'm not in love with him anymore' she thought, gladly returning his hug
"Oh God, Buffy, I'm so glad you're back, I never thought I'd see you again" Angel told her, pulling away so he could look at her
"Thankyou, I'm glad I'm back to" she told him truthfully, he leaned in to kiss her but she gracefully dodged it and he ended up grazing her cheek. He gave her a confused, somewhat hurt look before shrugging it off and continuing with his line of questioning.
"How are you doing? Are you ok?" he asked her
"I'm fine Angel, really, 100 good"
"I'm glad" he said with a slight smile
A few minutes passed in what was an uncomfortable silence for Buffy, she knew what she had to say, but had no idea how to say it, she was getting more nervous about how he would take the news by the second and when she opened her mouth, she couldn't stop the words from coming out
"Angel, I'm finished backing" she blurted out in a rushed voice before slapping herself in the head after realizing what she had said
'I thought we had agreed to stay away from the whole cookie thing? Stupid brain' she mentally scolded herself, Angel was just staring at her
"Um, what?" he asked confused
Buffy sighed; she started with the whole cookie thing, AGAIN, may as well finish it
"Angel, when we were together, I loved you, more than anything, you were everything to me and when you left me, it hurt so much, but I continued to love you for a long time after that. You were the first person I ever loved, and you know I'll always love you in that way, but back then, I was cookie dough, I wasn't ready to settle down and think about the future, I wasn't sure I was even going to have a future, let alone what I wanted to have in it. At the time, all I wanted was you and when you left, it hurt" Buffy told him, Angel tried to interrupt but Buffy quickly continued "I get why you did it, I did then to, but it didn't make it hurt any less" Angel nodded his head in understanding
"And now, are you still, um, dough?" Angel asked, Buffy smiled at the look on his face at having to use the cookie analogy
"No, I'm not dough anymore, I've finally finished baking, it took a while and I had to go through a lot of stuff to realize it, but I've found the person I love and he loves me more than anything and I'm going to make it work this time" She told him, confidence and determination evident in her voice
"You know I love you Buffy and I always will, but I'm glad that you've found someone who you want to spend your life with, you deserve it and you really look happy" he told her, giving her another hug
"I am happy Angel, really happy"
"Good, just as long as he never hurts you, he's in my good book" He told her, Buffy doubted he would be as understanding if he knew the person she was referring to was Spike, but she didn't care, she leant forward to give him another hug
"Thankyou Angel, that really means a lot to me" she whispered
"You're welcome" he told her
They spent the rest of the night together, laughing, talking and reminiscing about old times. Buffy was really happy that they could be friends and act this way without any weirdness between them. As the sun got close to rising, they said goodbye and Angel headed home as did Buffy. She went straight home feeling like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders and couldn't wait to see Spike.
She decided to bypass the chicken shop and headed straight home instead.
Buffy walked in the back door, chicken free, and just as before, Giles, Tara, Willow and Dawn were sitting on the table just finishing dinner.
"Hey guys, I'm home, how was dinner?" Buffy asked, pointing to the empty plates on the table
"It was good, we're sorry, we didn't know when you'd be back" Tara apologized
"That's ok, no big deal, I'll just get something out of the fridge later" Buffy told them, sitting down at the table
"So…?" Dawn began in anticipation
"What so?" Buffy asked, although she already knew what was coming
"So, how was it? Seeing Angel, him seeing you? Was it weird?" she asked, looking sympathetic
"Um, it was, good actually, we talked about some stuff, but that's in the past and if you guys don't mind, I'd rather keep this one to myself" she told them
"Sure, whatever" Dawn said, shrugging it off, but Buffy had seen the look of hurt she had tried to hide
"Buffy, there was some discussion in your absence about, um, what you're going to do now, your plans" Giles said as he handed serviettes out to everyone
"Oh, um, I've been giving that a lot of thought actually" she said
"You have?" Giles said, sounding proud
"Yeah, I figure, I'm going to need money, and it's to late for late registrations at college, so I've been thinking that I would try and get a job" she told them 'anywhere but the double meat palace' she added silently
"That's a splendid idea Buffy; we could always use extra help at The Magic Box, if you're interested" Giles said
"No" Buffy replied, way to quickly, but worrying she may have offended Giles, quickly back tracked "I just mean, I thought I would try and get something on my own, you know, do the independent thing, not that I don't appreciate the offer though"
"That's quite alright, I understand, but, if you are unable to find something, there will always be a spot for you" Giles said
"Thanks Giles, I'll keep that in mind"
Buffy had helped to clear the table and clean up the dinner dishes and the group had sat around for a while talking, mainly about where Buffy was going to apply for a job.
Willow and Tara had gone off to bed and Giles had decided to 'retire' as he so brutishly put it, and now Buffy and Dawn were the only ones awake, sitting on the couch together and watching television.
"Dawnie?" Buffy asked
"Hm?"
"It's getting late, you should be going to bed soon" Buffy told her, Dawn sighed and tried to suppress a yawn
"Yeah, you're right, Goodnight" she said, leaning over to kiss Buffy on the cheek
"Hey, I'll come up with you, I want to sit with you and tell you about what happened with Angel" Buffy told her
"What? I thought you said you wanted to keep this one to yourself?" Dawn asked shocked
"I don't want the others to know, it's kind of personal, but I don't mind telling you, I want you to know stuff" Buffy told her, relishing the bright smile that appeared on Dawns face
"Really?" Dawn asked, bouncing up and down on her seat
"Really" Buffy confirmed "You're my sister and I want to share things with you, now come on and we'll go up stairs"
Dawn jumped up from her position on the couch, all previous tiredness forgotten and bounded up the stairs, Buffy trailing closely behind.
They sat together on Dawns bed, Dawn tucked nice and snugly under the covers and Buffy sitting on the end with her legs crossed and hands in her lap.
"So, what happened?" Dawn asked, Buffy smiled at her enthusiasm, she knew she would make things good between her and Dawn this time round, she would pay more attention to her and Dawn wouldn't feel as shut off from the group as she had last time
"Well" Buffy began, taking a deep breath "When I got there, he was already there, I got out of the taxi and we hugged each other, he sort of went to kiss me but I dodged it" Buffy told her
"Why?" Dawn asked, confused
"Would you let me tell the story?" Buffy asked, smiling as Dawn did the 'zip lip' motion and continued
"I turned my head and he kissed my cheek, it just didn't feel right kissing him anymore, you know?" Buffy asked, Dawn nodded that, yes, she did know but refrained from saying anything
"We just talked and stuff, I told him that even though some part of me will always care for him, I've moved on from the relationship we had, it was good though, he understands and is happy that I'm happy and it wasn't as awkward as it usually was" Buffy finished
"Are you finished?" Dawn asked, Buffy nodded
"Can I talk now?" again, Buffy nodded
"Oh my Gosh, Buffy, I'm happy for you, I liked Angel and everything, but he hurt you so much, I'm glad that you've finally moved on and put that behind you, it'll do you good" Dawn told her, Buffy was amazed at how grown up and wise her sister had become, although last time she really hadn't taken any notice, she had been to wrapped up in herself to notice her sister Not this time Buffy vowed, this time she would take time to make time for Dawn
"Now you'll be able to go into a new relationship completely free with no past problems to continue haunting you" Dawn told her "Anyone in mind?" Dawn asked teasingly, Buffy blushed and decided it was time for her to leave
"Goodnight Dawn" Buffy said, getting gup from the bed
"Night Buffy" Dawn giggled
"Hey Dawn, will you be ok here with Willow and Tara? I just want to go out for a little while and see Spike…about patrolling" Buffy asked
"Sure" Dawn said, burying in deep under the covers, Buffy was about to walk out the door when her sisters head shot up from under the covers, a shocked looked on her face
"OH MY GOD!" Dawn exclaimed
"What?" Buffy asked cautiously
"It's Spike" Dawn said
"Its Spike what?"
"Spike, the guy…the new relationship guy…it's him isn't it?" Dawn asked, and without giving Buffy a chance to answer, continued on her rant
"You two have been kind of close since you got back, patrolling together, and even you have to admit, you don't seem to hate him as much as you did, it's him, am I right?" Dawn asked, Buffy sighed and chewed her lip
"What gave you that idea?" She asked
"It is him, I knew it" Dawn said
"Dawn, ok, yes, I have been, friends with Spike of late, but you can't say anything to anyone ok? Least of all him" Buffy warned her
"Buffy has a crush" Dawn sing-songed, Buffy rolled her eyes; she knew Dawn was happy and wouldn't say anything to anyone
"Goodnight Dawn" Buffy said, rolling her eyes again and leaving the room and Dawns annoying singing behind.
Buffy knocked lightly on Spikes crypt door and walked in, it was late, so she didn't know if he was still awake.
She walked in and noticed that there were still a few candles burning low, but there was no Spike around. Deciding he must be in the lower level of the crypt, she lifted the door and descended the steps.
Spike was lying on his back on his bed with the sheet draped oh so low on his hips. Buffy's mouth went suddenly dry and she found herself remembering just how well she knew that delicious body of his. When her and Spike were together, Buffy didn't make a habit of worrying about his pleasure to often, just in case he mistook it for a sign of affection, but when she did bother to learn the pleasure spots on his body, she did a damn good job at doing it!
He looked so peaceful in his sleep, so innocent, and Buffy really didn't want to disturb him. She walked over and stood beside his bed and leaned down to lightly kiss his forehead. She began to walk away when she heard him growl in his sleep. She walked over, standing close to him again and he growled once more before awakening and sitting up in bed. He seemed confused for a moment before he noticed Buffy's presence.
"Buffy, what are you going here?" he questioned
"Uh, I, I just wanted to come and see you, but I came down and you were asleep so I was gonna go" she explained lamely 'Yeah, I so wasn't ogling you in your sleep she denied silently
"What's with all the growling? Were you dreaming?" she asked him, sitting down on his bed next to him, he scooted away nervously and raised the sheet to cover more of his body
"No, you, uh, you smell like peaches" he told her, head down and not looking at her
"But I haven't had any peaches" Buffy replied confused, at that, Spike chuckled and looked up
"That's good to know pet, but I was talking about your sweetie bear" He told her receiving another confused looked telling him she had no idea what he was talking about, he sighed "Angel" he told her, flinching slightly at the name. Buffy's eyes widened, she had forgotten about the gross vampire smelling thing Oh No was Buffy's first thought
"Uh, yeah, he called and I just got back from going to see him" She told him carefully
"Right, well I hope you had fun" Spike said shortly
"Nothing happened, Spike" she told him "we talked about some stuff and we've both moved on, that's all that happened, I swear" she promised him, he turned to look at her then, head tilted to the side in a way that only Spike could do
"Why are you telling me this?" he almost whispered
"Because I want you to know that there is nothing between me and Angel anymore." she shrugged, hoping he got the point she was trying to get across. Spike just nodded, unsure of what he could say.
They sat there in silence for a few more moments before Buffy finally decided to speak up.
"Spike, I know I haven't been the nicest person in the world to you, but I want us to try and be friends, can I be your friend?" she asked him timidly. Spikes mouth opened and closed in a perfect impersonation of a fish. This was it; this was the crumb he had asked for last year when he had first confessed his love for her. His eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion; did she really want to be his friend? Or was she just playing him? Making him think she was serious before coming out and saying he should no better, that she could never feel something for him.
Buffy must have sensed his inner battle, last time, before she had kissed him, they had been friends and he had been fine with that, but she had never voiced the fact that they were friends, it must have come as a shock for him this time.
"I'm serious Spike, if you don't want to be my friend that's ok, but I want to be friends with you" she told him honestly
"Ok, I can be your friend" Spike told her, it was a start at least. Buffy smiled, one of those big, bright, make you weak in the knees kind of smiles that Spike thought would never be directed at him and he found himself smiling back at her.
"I'll go and let you get some sleep" Buffy told him, rising from her position on his bed, any other time he would've asked her to stay, but it was late and he knew she was tired, so he let her go with the promise that they would patrol together tomorrow.
Spike flopped back down onto his bed and flung his arm over his eyes. When he woke up to find Buffy in his room, the broody ones scent covering her, he had no idea what her visit had in store for him. She had given him her friendship, which was more than he ever expected from her, although he doubted it would ever evolve into anything more.
He had her friendship and he was happy with that.
Buffy was walking home. She felt happy and free. Not only had she cleared things up with Angel and Dawn, but she had made her first step in coming closer to Spike. It wasn't a full relationship yet, but they were friends, and that was a start, more would come later.