Chapter Sixteen

Two weeks after Spike had left Buffy confused about her feelings and heartbroken, she received a call from Mr. Giles asking whether she knew what had gotten into Spike.

"What do you mean?" Buffy had asked.

"Well, he's gone off to London rather abruptly. Jenny and I thought you might have an idea why he's left. We know that you too have been somewhat closer lately. I'm so sorry about you and Angelus my dear. If there's anything we can-"

"He's gone? When did he leave? Mr. Giles, can you tell me-"

"Buffy, Jenny and I aren't sure when he left. He called to let us know he would be staying in London with his ex-fiancé.

"Drusilla?! You have to be joking!"

"No. I'm afraid not, though perhaps it's for the best. Sometimes I think he needs to get away and think. Well, I best be off, Buffy."

"Okay. Bye Mr. Giles."

He had left her. He must have known she didn't mean what she said, but he took off anyway. Buffy realized that she had probably gone too far when she rejected Spike yet again, but she had no idea he would just pack up and leave the country. She felt so alone. And it was all her fault, wasn't it? All because she couldn't come to terms with her true feelings for Spike. He was more of a friend to her than Angel had ever been. He also made her feel things that Angel never did. She felt stupid. Get over it, Buffy. Spike is gone. There's nothing you can do about it. But for once, Buffy ignored that irritating voice in her head. She wasn't about to let the potential love of her life walk out of it--not if she had a say. Buffy sat at her laptop and Googled "flights from Manhattan to London."

"One ticket to London," she mumbled to herself, then added "I hope I'm doing the right thing."

Getting to the airport took what was left of Buffy's energy, so she slept most of the flight. When she awoke, she was an hour from London and she was starting to feel uneasy. Perhaps she had been to rash in her actions to seek out Spike in London. What was she going to say when she saw him? I lied about not loving you might be a start, perhaps. What if he no longer wanted her? Could he have moved on so quickly? He was living with his ex after all. What did that mean? She pulled a compact out of her purse to examine her face and cringed at what she saw. Her eye makeup had been smudged and her hair was a mess. If Spike took her back looking like she did now, she would be surprised. She did what she could to improve her look by wiping off the smudges and applying some strawberry lip balm--the closest thing to lipstick that she could find in her bag.

Unfortunately for Buffy, the moment she stepped out of the airport in London Heathrow Airport, it started raining. And by the time she arranged for a taxi, she was soaked and more mascara was running down her face. She had hurriedly copied down Spike's current address on a crumpled napkin and shoved in her pocket. Now sitting in the taxi, she cursed silently as she struggled to pull the napkin out with her cold, wet hands. Finally succeeding, Buffy read the address to the taxi driver and they pulled away towards their destination.

It was a small flat, but looked like a cozy little place--the perfect residence for a couple. Buffy hesitated at the door. Should she turn back?

Before she even worked up the courage to knock, the door opened and Buffy found herself face to face with a delicate-featured woman with long dark hair. Drusilla. She stared at Buffy quizzically for a moment until finally she spoke.

"Can I help you with something?"

Buffy couldn't speak. The woman was breathtaking. No wonder Spike had fled Manhattan and moved in with her. Why would he ever want to be with anyone but her?

"Uhhh..."

Dru's facial expression went from quizzical to impatient.

"Well?"

"Ummm...nothing! I mean, I think I have the wrong address. Sorry!" Buffy stuttered incoherently.

And the door was slammed in her face.

"Nice going, Buffy," she mumbled to herself as she turned away.

Buffy felt pathetic. She had flown all the way to London to tell Spike that she loved him and wanted to be with him. Then, one look at his ex had her running in the opposite direction wondering why Spike would ever want a girl like her when he had his dark-haired goddess. The more Buffy thought about her actions, the more she mentally chided herself for being so rash. Flying to London to chase after the man she loved? It was right out of some cheesy romance film, where the guy would take her in his arms, kiss her passionately and a jaunty tune would start up as the credits started rolling. Did she honestly expect that to happen?

Buffy trudged along the sidewalk until she reached a park with a small pond. The place seemed deserted, so Buffy took the opportunity to sit down and think about what she was going to do. She'd have to go home, obviously--back to the lonely apartment she had once shared with Spike for a brief period. She'd find a new place and try to get on with her life. Maybe she would get a puppy, so she wouldn't be completely alone. Thinking of her lonely future brought tears to Buffy's eyes. Why didn't she just tell Spike how much she loved him when she had the chance?

Buffy shivered. It had stopped raining, but a light mist was falling and Buffy felt chilly. She watched a little boy chase after a squirrel then run back to his mother's arms. The two disappeared over a small hill on the other side of the park.

A warm jacket was placed on her shoulders, startling Buffy from her reverie. And before she turned around, she already knew whose it was.

"What are you doing her, Love?"

"I…well…um…"

The words seemed to be locked up somewhere, unable to make their way past her lips.

"Buffy?" Spike continued with a concerned expression on his face. "Did something happen? Are you alright?"

"Yes, Spike. I'm fine. I kind of met your ex today. She's pretty," Buffy muttered.

"Yes."

"I'm not sure why I'm here. I'm sorry I came. I have to go."

As she got up and began to walk away she felt strong arms on her shoulders, stopping her from moving further.

"Buffy, stop."

"Spike--"

"Why can't you just tell me?"

"What?"

"I know why you're here. I know you a lot better than any of your mates do and twenty times better than Angel ever did. Tell me."

"I'm sorry I hurt you, Spike."

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"I--"

"Right," Spike responded.

He turned to leave, but Buffy reached out and took his hand.

"I love you."

"What was that?"

"I love you," she repeated.

"Huh?"

"What? Have you suddenly gone deaf? I said--"

"I heard."

"I thought so."

"Can we go somewhere and talk about this? About us?" Buffy asked.

"I can't," Spike responded in a serious tone.

"What?"

"Dru's expecting me for dinner tonight."

Buffy's heart sank.

"Oh. Dru. Right. I'll just go then."

She turned and was yanked back for the second time.

"Bloody hell. You give up to easily."

"But I thought--"

"Can't a bloke play hard-to-get?"

"Well, she is very attractive and I would be surprised if you never wanted to see me again."

He pulled her against him and she felt the heat of his body against the cool air that.

"I'm in love with you, Summers. Not Dru. Not anyone else. Plus, I knew you'd come," he stated with a smirk.

"How?"

"I'm just that irresistible."

"You're certainly deluded. So where do we go from here?"

"A hotel?"

"You're a pig, Spike."

But she didn't protest when his lips brushed against hers.

-The End-