Chapter Eleven- Do You Even Like Me?
A/N:This chapter was written by Willowzlilsecret.
Everyone was up around eleven, not getting a good or bad night's sleep. Finally Giles and Jenny could both go about their business and not have to watch to make sure Willow and Xander didn't leave. The parents left as soon as they could, going on to either the library or to the store. The gang was still adjusting to the idea of complete freedom, so that sat in the family room while the morning news played in the background. They were still deciding what they should do since they were free. Free of creepy rapists. Free of creepy parents. Free of creepy phone calls. And so on and so forth.
"All the excitement is gone." Xander said as he stuck some left over Chinese in his mouth. That was their lunch. It had also been their breakfast. They still had a surplus of Chinese take out from four nights ago. This was the last of it.
"Oh yeah, now that we're not being hunted down by some serial killer, our lives are boring?" Cordelia asked bluntly.
"We had lives before the bad guy came." Willow said with a small smile. She was nestled in Oz's arms and happy to be there. Everything was ok. They had been through enough drama to last them through the summer…and it was still only June!
"Yeah…it seems like its been weeks when in reality it's only been days." Oz agreed, then kissed Willow on the forehead.
"I'm gonna go change." Dawn said suddenly. Everyone glanced at her and then went back to planning their day.
"Well, why don't we hit the beach? We haven't done that in…well…5 days." Angel suggested.
"Yeah…but we can't do that all day." Buffy said. She was sitting between Cordelia and the empty space that Dawn left. Angel, Xander, and Connor were all on the other couch, and Willow and Oz were snuggled in a big chair.
"True, true." Angel agreed. The gang all looked at each other for a couple minutes.
"Let's go down to the docks! Ya know how we had that idea yesterday? Well maybe we should go through with it…but no Spike…you're the only one who knows him, Buffy." Willow exclaimed finally.
"I mean, I know we're going in a couple of weeks to stay the night, but it would be cool, ya know just get to know our way around. We just have to be home by one."
"Oh no fishing tonight please!" Buffy begged. Everyone agreed, deciding it could wait until they stayed there for that night.
"Well that wastes two hours driving there and back. How long would we stay?" Xander asked.
"Uh, I'd say around four hours." Willow answered glancing around the room. Everyone nodded in agreement.
"So we're there from eight until midnight?" Connor asked.
"Yup." Xander replied.
"And we'd leave at seven?" Angel confirmed.
"Yes sir." Oz said with a small smile.
"Yay! We have plans." Cordelia said clapping her hands. Suddenly the phone rang. Now since the whole rapist thing, the gang had taken a vengeance against the phone. Cordelia finally picked it up.
"Hello?" Cordy asked into the receiver.
"Oh, sure, hold on a minute. Buffy phone." she tossed the phone to Buffy, who caught it in the air. Connor excused himself to the bathroom and Cordelia came and sat back down.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Buffy."
It was Spike. Of course it was Spike.
"Hey, what's up?" she asked.
"I wanted to know if you were busy today." Spike said.
"Uhm, well not until seven." Buffy answered.
Connor had met Dawn in the hall, close to the bathroom door.
"Hey." he whispered.
"Hi." she said back and they immediately started kissing, wasting no time at all. Dawn snaked her tongue into his mouth. Connor greeted it and slowly pushed her shirt up. They backed against the wall, but didn't hit too hard for fear of being caught. He decided he was glad they were keeping it a secret. It seemed to make it sexier. More erotic. He finally took his lips off hers and moved to her neck. She was breathing heavily and felt him start grinding against her. She accepted this and started moving her hips in time with his. She felt his hands creep up into her shirt. She suddenly swung around so that Connor was against the wall. He lifted her up so that she was a little taller then him and he could get at her neck and chest more easily. She used the wall to steady herself as she began feeling dizzy. She was having trouble breathing and she was getting this strange sensation between her legs. It was new. And in some ways she liked it…
"I'll pick you up at two." he said.
"Ok." Buffy replied and the phone line went dead. She looked at the clock. 1:30.
"Shit!" she yelled, jumping up. She had to be ready in half an hour.
"What?" Angel asked.
"Spike's picking me up in half an hour!." Buffy exclaimed. She began running up the stairs. Luckily Dawn heard and pushed off of Connor as he crept into the bathroom. Dawn fixed her shirt and hair and began down the steps when Buffy almost ran her over.
"Watch what you're doing!" she exclaimed, annoyed. She went down to join the rest of the group downstairs.
"So what's the game plan?" she asked as she plopped down next to Cordelia.
"Take off your clothes." Xander said.
"Excuse me?" Dawn asked.
"You have to change into your bathing suit." Xander corrected himself. Everyone headed upstairs to change. Buffy got ready and arrived at the door just as the bell rang. She opened it and Spike stood outside, wearing his normal black shirt and blue jeans. She wore a bright little yellow sun dress. He smiled.
"Buffy." he greeted. She smiled back and jumped up to him, hugging him tightly.
"Spike." she replied. He smiled and pulled the door shut.
"Where are we going today?" she asked, holding Spike's hand.
"I thought we could just go out on the beach, or maybe back to that cove." he said.
"Oh lets go to the cove!" Buffy said smiling. She hadn't seen it in daylight yet. Spike agreed and they hopped on his motorcycle and sped off down the road. They finally arrived at the cove. Spike quickly pulled Buffy in and the fell onto the ground together laughing. "Ya know what?" Buffy asked as she rolled on her side, looking at Spike. "What?" he asked, looking at her out of the corner of his eye.
"I think I love you." she said. He turned his head towards her.
"And I know I love you." he replied. He pulled her closer and they looked into each other's eyes. Slowly, cautiously, Buffy leaned in. Spike felt Buffy's soft lips brush against his own. Then again. This time he kissed her back. She opened her mouth a little, letting his tongue slide in. She nipped his full lower lip playfully and he grabbed her by the waist. She giggled as she held his face in her hands, kissing him, pulling away, and kissing him again. He rolled over on top of her and they began kissing again. Buffy couldn't stop giggling. She was giddy and excited. Spike finally stopped trying to be serious.
"What's so funny?" he asked. She shrugged and messed up his hair. He sighed and ran a hand through her hair. She giggled again and he felt her shaking underneath him.
"Stop laughing!" he commanded with mock annoyance. She closed her mouth immediately.
"You're my little Goldilocks." he said, stroking her hair.
"No. I don't like that name." Buffy said pouting.
"Look at that lip." he joked. "Gotta get some." He leaned in and kissed her lower lip, sucking it and nipping it. She burst into another set of giggles. He sighed and gave up. He got off of her and sat next to the water. Buffy pulled herself up as well and scrambled over to him, plopping down in his lap. She took off her sandals and threw them off to the side, putting her feet in the water. Spike slid his arms around her and rested them on her stomach. She leaned back and rested her head on his shoulder, just looking into his perfect sapphire eyes. He looked back into her jade eyes and they kept eye contact, never looking away. Buffy sighed finally looking away.
"What time is it?" she asked offhand.
"Uh…seven thirty." he answered, checking his watch.
"Crap." she muttered standing up. She checked her cell. Two missed calls. Both from the house. She listened to the messages.
"Buffy. It's Willow. We're getting ready to leave and you aren't here. Call me." Willow's voice said. Then the second one: "Buffy, you're fifteen minutes late…we're leaving. I'm sorry. Call me." The message ended. Buffy immediately dialed Willow's cell, and her best friend answered.
"I'm sorry Willow. I'm gonna get there maybe 15 minutes after you." Buffy said and hung up.
"Spike…do you think you could get me to the docks by eight?"
"Yeah, maybe a little later. Why?" Spike asked.
"Remember how I'm busy starting at seven?" she asked.
"Oh…well you're already late!" he said. "Let's go."
He grasped her hand and the two ran out to the motorcycle. Buffy barely had enough time to put on her helmet before he zoomed off. Amazingly Buffy arrived around the same time as her friends. She kissed Spike on the lips before he zoomed off. Angel didn't see. Buffy was very happy. She joined up with her friends and they began deciding what to do.
"Well, let's check out where the restaurants are, maybe order something small so we can find the good spots." Xander suggested.
"Of course his idea would involve food." Connor joked. So they walked around the brightly lit docks testing out different restaurants, trying not to spend too much money.
"Gawd, I think we've been to just about every restaurant in North Carolina!" Cordelia exclaimed as she plopped down on a bench. Dawn went to a nearby restroom followed by Connor…it was a unisex bathroom. They closed themselves in one stall in case any of the gang decided to come in. Connor kissed her needily, slamming her into the wall. She gasped at his strength and at how hard the wall was. She kissed him back letting his tongue enter her mouth. She felt one of his hands snaking up into her skirt. She was so lost in him; she didn't have the strength to make him stop. And plus…she sorta liked it. Suddenly Cordelia came banging into the bathroom. As soon as the door shut she said, "Ok, lovebirds. We're all splitting up into groups. Since you two are in here you guys are gonna be a group. And you guys actually have to go somewhere because Willow had the brilliant idea of 'group discussion' afterwards." They heard Cordelia leave and stood in silence for a couple minutes.
"Ok, so, we have our groups picked out?" Willow asked. She was holding hands with Oz, her partner. Buffy and Angel were together so that left Cordelia and Xander. Well, at least they'd get a chance to talk. They hadn't been doing much of that.
"Yep." Everyone answered. And they were off. Going their separate ways. Cordelia and Xander just stood there a minute.
"So…" Xander said, kicking a rock.
"Xander, do you like me?" Cordelia asked; very straightforward.
"Yeah sorta." he answered, totally focused on the rock he was kicking. He didn't want to look at Cordelia, even though she was inches away from him.
"I like you. And I don't know…everyone is getting boyfriends. And I kinda want you to be my boyfriend." Cordelia said, rather shy for Cordelia.
"I like you too but I'm not sure if I want you to be my girlfriend yet. I'll…tell you later." he said and began walking. Cordelia sighed and was about to run and catch up when someone grabbed her shoulder. She spun around, fearing the worst. It was Mike.
"Hey Mike!" she said enthusiastically.
"Is that your boyfriend?" he asked, pointing to Xander.
"Nah, he's just a friend. Actually he's my friend's cousin." Cordelia said, putting on her best smile. Xander stopped and waited for Cordelia, wondering what was taking her so long…and if he had hurt her feelings. She seemed like the type to bounce back from rejection, but you never know.
"Oh…so what brings you all into the docks?" Mike asked.
"Just wandering, we're going to be staying here a night in a week or two." Cordelia said.
"I could show you a good place to dance." Mike suggested.
"Sounds good. Come on Xander, Mike is gonna show us a place to dance!" Cordelia said as she linked arms with the man. Xander sighed as he realized he had lost his chance. He had said no to Cordelia and she had already moved onto the next guy. He shrugged and trailed behind them.
Angel and Buffy walked along a pier that jutted a mile out into the ocean. The sun had just set and the ocean was a beautiful blue-green color. They two hadn't talked much the whole time…just spent their time thinking. 'Why do I feel the same around both Angel and Spike and not feel like I'm cheating on the other?' she wondered. Suddenly she felt Angel slip an arm around her waist. She glanced up at him. They continued to walk in silence. Every now and then they stole glances at each other, but didn't speak.
Connor and Dawn finally emerged from the bathroom, deciding on a small ice cream shop. It was called 'Lindy's Ice-Cream' and it was old fashioned. Inside there was a mural of a little bar and a girl and boy sharing their milkshake. There was black and while tile and pinks walls. Even the lights were old fashioned. This made Dawn smile. For some odd reason, all the Summers girls were addicted to old fashioned restaurants. Why? No one knew.
"Oh! What should we get?" Dawn asked her fingers laced through Connor's.
"I want a scoop of bear tracks." Connor said to the lady behind the counter.
"Is that all?" she asked. Connor shook his head no and the lady began scooping out the ice-cream.
"I want that Cake thing." Dawn said pointing to the white ice-cream with sprinkles through it. The lady nodded, handed Connor his ice cream and began scooping Dawn's. They paid and went to eat their ice cream outside on a bench.
Willow and Oz walked along the beach, holding their sandals and letting their feet get wet. Oz kept his arm around Willow's waist and she did the same for him. Oz suddenly stopped and stood in front of Willow. She smiled.
"What are you doing?" she asked gently.
"Kissing you." he said and cupped her chin with one hand.
"Oh…proceed." she smiled. He leaned in and they kissed. Willow never wanted the moment to end.
Cordelia was dancing with Mike as Xander watched from a table, sipping a coke. The song turned to a slow one and the two returned to the table.
"I need to use the restroom, I'll be right back." Mike said. Cordelia flashed him a smile as he left.
"Cordelia." Xander said and grasped her hands in his.
"What I really meant to say was…I like you…a lot…and I wanna go out with you. I want to be your boyfriend." A small smile crept onto Cordelia's lips.
"Well…I guess that could be arranged." she smiled. He also smiled, and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Dance with me?" he asked. She nodded and led him onto the dance floor. As they danced a slow song played.
I have a smile stretched from ear to ear to see you walking down the road
Cordelia wasn't sure if she should look at him. She was still so happy that she finally had a boyfriend as well. It just felt so right. She was so happy in Xander's arms.
we meet at the lights I stare for a while the world around us disappears
She finally looked at Xander just to see him staring back at her. They had eye contact and looked at each other long enough for it to be considering staring.
it's just you and me on this island of hope a breath between us could be miles
Xander held her tightly and protectively. Glad not to be the last to have a girlfriend. Glad that Cordelia didn't like some middle aged man that had been following them around. Oh so casually bumping into them wherever they went.
let me surround you my sea to your shore let me be the calm you seek
Cordelia felt herself smiling and wanted to say something cute. But nothing would come out. She and Xander danced in silence, lost in each other's eyes.
oh and every time I'm close to you there's too much I can't say
and you just walk away
Xander loved looking into her eyes. Loved holding her. And realization hit him. He loved her. And he wanted so badly to say it. But for some reason he couldn't make his lips move. But he knew that she understood.
and I forgot to tell you I love you and the night's too long and cold here without you
I grieve in my condition for I cannot find the words to say I need you so
And the song finished.
The two walked back to the table where Mike was waiting. He looked a little…well…jealous.
"I have to tell everyone about this place! It's hott!" Cordelia exclaimed and pulled out her flip-phone.
Buffy felt her butt vibrating. It was a strange sensation, really, but she figured out what it was. She pulled her phone out of the hidden pocket in the back of her jacket, which was kind of awkward to reach.
"Hello? Where is it? Ok we'll be right there." Buffy said into the phone and closed it, deciding it would be better just to keep it in a normal pocket.
"Ya wanna go clubbin'?"
Willow and Oz stood on the beach, arms wrapped around eachother, just watching the waves in silence. Willow's phone broke the silence when it rang, bursting with beach melodies. She pulled it out of her purse and answered.
"Ok…we'll be there in like fifteen minutes. ok. bye." Willow said and hung up the phone.
"Who was that?" Oz asked.
"Cordelia…and she wants us to meet her at the club."
Connor and Dawn had moved on to actually doing something productive. (No not what you're thinking you perverts!) They were walking hand in hand down the streets. Suddenly Dawn's phone rang. She-still being a little cautious around phones- answered with a weak:
"Hello?"
"Hey, Dawn its Cordelia! I'm at a great club. You should join." Cordelia said over the blaring music in the background.
"Where?" Dawn asked relieved that it was just her friend and not some psycho rapist.
"Ok, yeah we're out of the bathroom. Ok, I'll see ya then." She hung up the phone and she explained to Connor what was going on. Then they started towards the club.
Everyone arrived at the club within five minutes of eachother. As soon as Connor and Dawn saw Mike they both got tense. They were immediately greeted by Cordelia bouncing up and down excitedly.
"He's my boyfriend." she exclaimed. Dawn felt her insides sink and felt as if she was going to throw up. She leaned on Connor for support. Cordelia, realizing what she was thinking, cleared up the situation.
"Not Mike! Xander!" she announced. Dawn visibly recovered and smiled.
"That's great!" she glanced at Mike who was sitting at the table, watching Cordelia. His brow was furrowed and Dawn saw something…strange…not subtle strange, but noticeably weird. He kept looking Cordelia up and down and shifting as if he were agitated or anxious. Dawn squeezed Connor's hand and sat down at the table next to Mike.
"So did you hear the good news?" Dawn asked smiling.
"About Cordelia?" he asked, sounding annoyed.
"No, about the rapist. Being captured?" she asked slowly. Realization dawned on his face.
"He was?" Mike asked, suddenly paying attention to her.
"Yeah, this morning when he was dumping the body." Dawn said raising one eyebrow.
"Oh. I hafta go. I'll talk to you guys later." Mike said suddenly leaving.
"Bye?" Dawn said a little concerned as she watched the older man leave.
By midnight everyone was ready to leave so they loaded themselves into their cars driving off towards the home. As soon as they got home they went to bed, glad to be able to sleep easy.
The man stood in his basement, pacing. He growled in annoyance and turned towards his punching bags, slamming it with his fists. He makes crying sounds and falls to the ground. He lays there, his whole body shaking with his sobs. He picked his head up and said softly to no one, "I'll finish what he started. Those girls will get killed."
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Dun, dun DUUUUUUN! Heh. NOOOOO! Please don't hit us with rotten fruit and/or mexican food! Meep. Say the word and we'll update...Just...Don't...Hit us...lol
