Chapter Four
Spike held the door to The True Love Bar &Grill open for Buffy, ushering her in with a sweep of his arm.
"Thank you." Buffy gave a small smile. He was going all out tonight acting the part. This was their first date. Though, it would more accurately be called a fake date, or putting on a show, or playing make-believe, or, whatever. This was definitely not a real date.
Then, why was her stomach doing cartwheels like it was the Cartwheel World Championship?
Get a grip, Buffy chastised herself. This was only a mission to figure out what type of madness they'd been sucked into now. If Spike was right, they'd fallen into a rabbit hole to a parallel universe that had at least two television characters walking around carefree and fancy-free.
Petey and Sam aka Pacey and Joey.
Pacey and Joey. Why did those names sound dead-on? Buffy wondered. She hoped to get some answers from the TV couple —No, scratch that, Pacey and Joey were flesh and blood people in this alterative reality, Buffy reminded herself. What was the real couple's connection to the Entertainer? And why did Buffy meet Spike at Pacey's restaurant? What was the significance of the time and place?
What was the purpose of this clusterfuck?
And then there was Spike.
Why was he even here when he hadn't been at her birthday party? She was almost certain all this had started at that party after she found out that Spike was alive.
That seemed to be the only link.
This was all she'd thought about last night—Spike—not on catching The Entertainer or finding the portal to go home like a rational person. Spike made her antsy with a war of conflicting emotions. It had been a bad, bad idea deciding to get some sleep before creating a plan of action. All Buffy had done was toss and turn. Spike had been just on the other side of the wall lying on the sofa while she listened and watched Dawn and Willow snore in the bedroom.
"Good evening." The hostess smiled at them. "Do you have a reservation?"
"Afraid not." Spike replied. "Is the owner, Pacey, in?"
"I'm sorry, Pacey has taken the night off, but he may stop in. Do you know him?"
"You could say that." Spike muttered, then said, "Uh, we met last night, here."
"Wow, this place must have had quite impression for you to be back so soon.
"It did." Buffy laughed, lightly slapping Spike's arm. "I think he wants to impress me tonight. This is our first, real date, and by real date, I mean, no Reese's Cups as a main course."
"Hey." Spike's eyes snapped to her. "I'm not that bloody—. "
"Relax." Buffy grabbed his hand and patted the back of it. "It's okay, Sweetie. I agreed to a second chance, didn't I?"
Spike scowled.
Buffy turned to the other woman and smiled. "Do you have a table free?"
The hostess looked back and forth between them, seemingly trying to keep a straight face. "We do have a few free tables. Right this way."
After they were seated and handed menus, the waiter came and took their drink orders. Buffy absorbed the out-at-sea ambience of the restaurant. Last night she'd been focused on Spike that she hadn't paid much attention to the place. The dancing lights and the soft background sounds of ocean waves ebbing and flowing put her body at ease despite all the uncertainty swirling around her head. Maybe this was what she needed. Maybe this was what they needed.
Spike chuckled.
Her eyes met his. "What?"
"Cute, what you did back there, love." Spike gestured behind him with his thumb. "We're auditioning for The Odd Couple remake, are we now?"
She smiled. "I was just having a bit of fun. Being on a date is a foreign concept, at least for you and me.'
His face became impassive. "Maybe for you."
Stupid Buffy, she scolded herself. So much for being at ease. She had been hoping to put their baggage to the side for tonight, but instead she'd flashed a big beam of light right on it, center stage. Buffy sighed. "I just meant that our relationship has never been conventional."
His blue gaze warmed a bit. "I know that, pet. I'm just not a cheap bloke. I can afford to get you more than sodding peanut butter cups."
Buffy laughed. "Good to know" She tilted her head and tried to explain her complex feelings once again. "Look, I'm sorry for my bipolar reaction to you. I just, I just don't know how to be here, with you, and especially now. Are you here because you want to be? Or are you here as some master joke by a big bad?"
"I always wanted to be with you," he replied resolutely
She looked at him hesitantly, but laughter sparked in her eyes.
"Despite my actions, that is."
"Yeah, despite those." Buffy smiled and then whispered. "I know."
His lips slightly lifted.
After what seemed like a long silence, Buffy clear her throat, "Uh, but you know what I mean, though, Spike. We don't know anything Will you go poof as soon as we step through the portal? Our memories of this place may be wiped out as soon as we're home."
"Well, yeah, I know. Let's hope that Pacey—."
"Hey, man, you're back!"
Buffy turned her head to see the guy in question. Pacey walked toward their table all smiles. The same woman from the night before, who Buffy knew now was Joey, was at his side. Buffy still didn't recognize them, although there was a familiarity, like struggling to remember a name on the tip of your tongue.
"Hey, mate." Spike shook Pacey's hand. After introductions were made all around, Spike said to him, "I just thought we'd come back here to try more than your beer."
"Well, I'm glad you guys are back here together again." Pacey looked at them like a proud papa who was seeing his baby for the first time.
How much did this guy know about them? Buffy mused. How much had Spike spilled to him? All Spike had told her was that Pacey advised him to be open and honest with her. What exactly was said?
She decided to change the subject before the guy started handing out cigars or toasted to their future. "We, um, we actually just saw your TV interview on the Internet."
While spending the day coming up with a game plan, Spike and Buffy had come up with a cover as to why they would be so fascinated in Pacey and Joey. Luckily, Willow had stumbled across the E! True Hollywood Story interview clip online. It was a reel verses real comparison. Pacey and Joey were asked how alike and how different they were to their alter egos of The Creek.
Spike took her cue. "Yeah, how did that happen?"
"It's nothing." Pacey tried to laugh it off. "It was only fifteen minutes of fame."
Joey smiled slightly at her fiancé "And you loved every minute of it."
"Maybe just a little." Pacey grinned.
Joey laughingly rolled her eyes.
"I wager it's good for business," Spike said.
Pacey chuckled. "Well, having your adolescence recreated for national TV does have some perks, ya know."
"When it isn't a little embarrassing, "Joey quickly added, tucking some of her hair behind her ear.
"Is it that bad?" Buffy asked noticing the other woman's vulnerability. What would it be like seeing a dramatization of your most awkward years play on the small screen? Buffy wondered. Her most awkward years had included vamp boyfriend troubles and repeatedly saving the world. She shuddered to think of it watched by millions for entertainment.
"It's just a bit strange, sometimes, you know." Joey explained. "But that's to be expected when your friend's the creator of a TV drama."
"But Dawson does take many creative liberties." Pacey replied.
"Like what sort of liberties?" Spike asked. "Petey shagging his teacher or Petey buying Sam a wall?"
Pacey's eyes widened, and he laughed. "Ahem…uh, yeah, both actually happened to an extent, except I just rented the wall for Joey." He kidded. "I suppose you can say I had a unique high school experience." He turned directly to Spike and said, "You seem to know a lot about a teen soap."
Spike shrugged. "Yeah, well, it's a good show."
"Oh, Spike, don't be modest." Buffy smirked at him. "Under all that leather and bleach, he's The Creek's biggest fan," she told the other couple.
"I wouldn't go that—."
"Really?" Pacey cut Spike off and looked at him thoughtfully.
"What?"
"I was just thinking, I'm having a poker game tomorrow night and you'd liven up the game. How about it?"
Spike raised his brow. "Poker?"
Pacey bobbed his head. "Yeah, yeah, uh, it's a tame version of a bachelor party, but Dawson's my best man. He always likes to meet fans of his show. What do ya say, man?"
"Yeah, alright."
"Wait." Buffy jumped in. "Bachelor party? The wedding's soon, then?"
"This Saturday, actually," Joey replied.
"Congrats!" Buffy smiled at her before looking at Spike. His knowing gaze met hers. Bingo. They still didn't know the specifics of The Entertainer's agenda, but something apocalyptic was going to happen at that wedding. Buffy just had a gut feeling. She was ninety-five percent certain of it.
But the question was, what would they have to do about it?
There wasn't much time to figure it out
"T-minus three days and counting." Pacey echoed Buffy's thoughts as he teased his fiancée. "And you'll officially be my old ball and chain."
Joey gave him an Oh please look before addressing Buffy. "You're welcome to come to my bachelorette party while the guys do their thing. I don't know what type of debauchery my sister has planned, but it should be interesting, to say the least."
"I don't know." Buffy shook her head, acting hesitant. "I mean, if you really don't mind a stranger crashing…"
"Not at all."
"Okay, sounds fun."
If only fun would make everything alright and take them back home.
…..
"Well, it's so good to be home" Joey said to Pacey as she stood in front of the bathroom mirror and pulled her hair up into a ponytail.
He nodded while brushing his teeth.
It had been a long night. After they stopped in at the restaurant, they'd picked up Bessie from Grand Central. Joey didn't want her sister— and her matron of honor—to rely on a cab alone. Unfortunately, Bessie had mistakenly given Joey the wrong arrival time. Joey and Pacey had to wait over an hour in the crowded and stuffy station. Then, there had been a traffic jam on the way home. Not a fun start to the wedding craziness that was sure to continue right up to the exchange of vows.
Her mind switched to a less stressful subject. "Spike and Buffy seem like interesting people."
"You've already said as much," Pacey mumbled with a toothpaste filled mouth.
He was right. Joey did mention Spike and Buffy as they'd waited for Bessie. Something about the couple was just familiar. "They just seemed different tonight than yesterday."
On his side of the vanity, Pacey rinsed and then asked, "How so?"
Joey clicked off the bathroom light and they went into their bedroom. "It's just the way that she was teasing him tonight about being 'the biggest fan'—I don't know—. It was just completely opposite from the intense vibe I got from them last night, you know." Joey remembered how Spike caressed Buffy and how she'd turned away as if she was cautious and wanted to keep her distance.
"Well, you and I weren't exactly bosom buddies for a long time. You moved to a whole different state, but our bantering and teasing resumed as if no time had passed when we saw each other again." Pacey smiled at Joey, walking toward her.
Tossing a pillow off the bed, she gave a lopsided smile. "Good point." It was still unbelievable how she'd gone five years without really seeing or speaking to Pacey. Joey knew that they'd both needed to figure things out. She may have needed the time a little more than he did, but now looking at him, she wondered why she stayed away so long.
"So, put your overanalyzing mind at rest, Jo." Pacey pulled her in his arms. "Let's just hope some of our happiness rubs off on them."
"Is that why you invited Spike to your bachelor party?" She looked at him pointedly.
Pacey nodded and shrugged. "It just seemed like a fun idea."
"You just want to be a shining example of fun and happiness, huh?" Joey asked, her arms wrapping around his shoulders, bringing her body closer to his, her eyes looking straight into his.
"Why do you think I'm marrying ya, Potter?" Pacey smiled as his gaze dipped to her lips. The humor of the moment fading into something more palpable.
"Nice," she whispered back before his mouth captured hers in a slow, sensual kiss that quickly intensified.
All conversation was forgotten as they fell onto the bed.
….
The apartment was pitch black and silent when they returned well after midnight. Buffy walked toward the bedroom to check on Willow and Dawn. Empty. "Nobody's here," she told Spike as she came back into the living room.
Spike flipped on a side table lamp and picked up a Post-it. "We need to clear our heads. Went to a midnight show." he read then held it out. "Maybe they'll meet our big bad at the movies" he said dryly.
Buffy rolled her eyes and took it. "They should've called my cell." She really couldn't blame Willow and Dawn for wanting a breather after being cooped up here for more than twenty-four hours, but nobody knew what The Entertainer truly intended. All of them needed to be vigilant and to keep each other informed. Buffy brought her cell out of her jacket pocket and checked it. "Duh, right, I shut off the damn thing during our so-called patrol."
After they left True Love, Buffy had decided that she and Spike should assess what sort of low-lives of the demon variety this alternate Manhattan produced. It could be concluded after a few hours of patrolling the streets that the city had plenty of wacky loons, but all were of the human variety.
"If you kept it on," Spike replied, "think we could've spooked away that drunk git." He shuddered, referring to the guy who'd stumbled out of a costume shop and right into them. "His bloody plastic fangs nearly did you in, Slayer."
"Hey," Buffy said in a feigned defensive tone. "He made me break a nail when I lightly shoved him away." Even though the patrol was pathetic by slaying standards, it hadn't been a total lost cause. It'd given Buffy a chance to chat with Spike, to confide in him without any renewed expectations. They'd talked about The Entertainer and speculated about how Pacey and Joey and their wedding fit into his agenda, but mostly their chat veered toward the missing years when Buffy had thought that Spike was dead.
Without judgement or gripes, she'd listened to Spike relay how he teamed up with Angel to fight the good fight against evil. Despite some expected insults toward "the big forehead," Buffy could tell how passionate Spike was about his alliance with Angel, making her wonder if Spike planned to go back to work with her other ex. That was, if and when, they got back to their own realities.
"Your light touch has always caused trouble, love," Spike said softly, staring deeply into her eyes, not trying to shy away from the double meaning.
It would be so easy to forget about the past and the future, Buffy thought as she lost herself in his blue depths. It would be so easy to give in, to take the here and now for what it was worth. They'd done it before and it was thrilling and overwhelming—and it had ended in pain. Buffy blinked. "You, uh, you know what?" She forced a smile. "I'm tired and we have a big day tomorrow with those parties and all."
Confusion and disappointment flashed in Spike's eyes. "Yeah, uh, right."
"Goodnight, Spike."
"Night, Buffy."
She turned and walked away from him.