In Her Hands
A/N:
CHAPTER TWO
'Dead To The World'
*I have died a hundred times before, your words have ripped out my insides, I've found revenge within my soul, I've tried a thousand times before, to leave my demons behind me for good, I'm trapped with no escape to find*
Sacramento, CA
Dawn nudged Buffy "Wake up sis" she giggled
Buffy opened her eyes slowly; she'd fallen asleep on the couch in front of the TV "What time is it?"
Dawn checked her watch "A little after one"
"Oh" Buffy said carelessly, she sat up as Dawn flopped down beside her
"You really should've come tonight the band was awesome" said Dawn excitedly "some really cute guys too" she teased
"Maybe next time" Buffy smiled
"Y'know you really should get out more, see your friends"
"I know but with all this homework I'm kinda swamped" she grumbled
"I know you wanna do well Buffy but you can take a night off" Dawn smiled "In fact you're taking the night off! Tomorrow night we're heading to Voltage and we're gunna dance the night away, I think I could twist Willow & Xander's arms to tag along. They miss you"
"I miss them too… okay I'll go but now it's bedtime I've got class early tomorrow"
Dawn nodded and followed her up the stairs.
XXXXX
Buffy looked through her closet 'it's definitely time to update' she thought to herself she settled on a pair of black jeans with an emerald satin sleeveless top teamed with her trusty pair of heel and black leather jacket she was ready to hit the town.
"Buffy are you ready yet?" asked Dawn from the bottom of the stairs
"I'll be down in a minute" she called back whilst putting in a set of earrings
"Hurry up, Willow and Xander are waiting for us" Dawn huffed
"I'm coming, I'm coming…" she Said as she made her appearance
"You look great, c'mon lets go" Dawn said practically pulling her down the stairs
XXXXX
Dawn and Buffy made their way through the crowd to the table that Willow and Xander had reserved for them. "Hey guys" Buffy greeted
"There she is" smiled Willow
"Sup stranger" said Xander
"Sorry I've been a little busy with homework and my new job I'm just neglecting the social life right now" Buffy shrugged
"It's okay, we get it… it's the life of normal gal now. So drinks?" asked Xander
"Perfect! Vodka tonic" smiled Buffy
"Same again Will?"
Willow nodded
"And for you Dawnie?" asked Xander
"Just an ice tea" She smiled gratefully
"So Buff, how's the new job?" asked Willow
"Meh… it's okay I mean it's just an office job, pays the bills until college is over"
"But a software company… that's so cool" Willow beamed
"I'm a receptionist Will not a big wig" she smiled at her geeky friend
"But everybody has to start somewhere right?" Willow smiled back
"Exactly I'm proud of you Buffy" Said Dawn "Okay enough of the talky talky it's time for dancey dancey the band is about to start up"
"Oh yeah I heard about these guys they're really good" said Willow slipping off the stool and joining Dawn to dance.
"I'll sit this one out and wait for Xander to come back with the drinks, see you in a few" said Buffy
With that the redhead and brunette sailed out onto the dance floor as the band played their version of 'Billy Idol – Dancing With Myself'.
"Hey these guys are pretty good huh?" said Xander placing the drinks on the table
"They're alright I guess…" Said Buffy not really focusing
"Y'know it's funny…" Xander trailed off
"What is?" she asked
"Whenever I hear this song I think of Spike"
Buffy smiled briefly "me too"
"I know I wasn't the guy's biggest fan"
Buffy looked at him skeptically
"Okay I didn't like the guy… But it doesn't mean you can't talk about him"
"Why would I do that?" she asked
"Buffy I know how you felt about him, you loved him right?"
Buffy thought for a moment "Yeah I did"
"Look I know I kinda ruined that whole thing for you"
"No Xander-"
"I did, you were too worried about what we would think to even give the guy a real chance"
"Amongst other things…" she smiled a little "it's not like it matters now"
"No but it doesn't change the fact that you're still hurting. See usually you shut us out because there's some evil afoot but now it's for what? Homework? I get it Buffy and so does Willow. We've all lost somebody we loved at one point we wanna help you but we can't do that if you won't let us" he said
"I know, I just wanna keep myself busy, and better myself" she smiled "But I do appreciate it. I love you Xan" she hugged him tightly
"Love you too Buff"
XXXXX
Somewhere on the I-10.
Spike sat in the car with his feet on the dash "so where are we headed"
"Vegas… and get your feet off the dash" Angel snapped
Begrudgingly Spike did as he was told "Vegas eh? So this bloody monastery we're looking for just so happens to be in the gambling capital of the world" he chuckled "This trip might actually be worth it"
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Angel
"Well put it this way if it turns out that it is you that gets the Shanshu, I can drink and gamble myself into oblivion"
"You really think it's you?" Angel asked seriously
"I don't bloody know, I gotta try haven't I?"
"Yeah I guess so"
Spike started fiddling with the radio. after hearing a few lines of Justin Bieber's new pop hit, Spike quickly turned the radio station until a familiar song filled the car 'On the floor of Tokyo, Or down in London town to go, go…'
"I'm in hell" Angel groaned as he drove on