Title: Best Laid Plans 11/16
Author: Forsaken2003
Pairing: Spike/Xander
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I own none; all belong to Joss Whedon
Comments: Always welcomed!
Summary: Xander decides he wants to help Spike and Buffy get together. What better way than to pretend they are dating?
Warnings/Spoilers: Season 5
Beta'd by: Whichclothes
Part Eleven
It took over a week for Spike to corner Xander to have their little talk. Every time he tried Xander would stammer, make some excuse and literally run away from him. It was confusing and unnerving. At first Spike thought Xander was still playing the scorned lover, but even when they were alone he acted odd around Spike. It was disconcerting since Spike thought they had become friends.
"Xander, what is your problem?" Spike was always straight to the point.
"What? Nothing," Xander said as he did inventory for Giles.
Spike snorted. "Then why have to been avoiding me?"
"I've just been busy," replied Xander. "I mean I've fallen behind on a couple things after the last few weeks because of the whole planning and scheming. Let me tell you that took up a lot of my time! But now everything can go back to normal."
"So what that means we hate each other again?" Spike asked with a frown.
Xander wanted to say no. To tell Spike that he wanted to continue spending time with him but that wasn't possible. "I don't know," Was what he finally went with. "You're with Buffy now. It would be weird if we still hung out."
"I'm not with Buffy," Spike said. Xander's head whipped around, possibly causing him whiplash. "Well, not yet. We're spending more time together though. We went to the movies last night," Spike said with a smile. "It was nice." His eyes flickered to the door. Buffy must be coming soon. "She feels bad. I think she's waiting for the fallout."
"I'll talk to her," Xander promised. "We didn't have much of a talk and I know Willow has been avoiding her a bit too. I'll talk to both of them, don't worry."
Spike smiled, happy that Xander was still helping him out. "Great. Buffy's been upset, you know. She just wants her friends back. I think maybe you're a better actor than I originally thought."
Xander grunted in reply.
Spike sighed and sat down beside Xander. "I don't want things going back to how they were," he admitted quietly. "I haven't had a friend, well ever. It's nice."
"But Buffy?" Xander asked looking at Spike.
"Do you really think she'd want us going back to the way things were? Doesn't she deserve a relationship where her best friend and boyfriend aren't constantly at each other's throats?" Spike saw Xander's face darken. "Pouf of course deserved it, I know that, but it hurt Buffy, didn't it?"
Xander slumped in defeat. "Yeah, she does. And you're right. It's nice having a guy friend."
Spike smiled and lightly punched Xander on the arm in a friendly sort of way. "I was starting to think you wanted me out of your apartment." He had been sleeping on Xander's couch since Xander talked to Buffy.
"No, but you might want to start looking for your own place," Xander said and saw Spike's face fall. "No offense, but I really don't want you bringing Buffy back to my place for a 'night cap' on my couch. I also don't think she'd be interested in going back to your crypt."
"Oh, right. Didn't think of that." Spike stood up. "You were wrong you know."
Xander looked confused. "About what?"
"You don't just have one good idea a year." The bell chimed in the front room indicating Buffy arrived. "Thanks." He turned to go and greet Buffy.
"You're welcome," Xander replied to Spike's retreating back. Once Spike was gone Xander smacked his head against a shelf.
Buffy sat awkwardly at the round table; she chewed on her manicured nails when Xander came from the backroom. "Hey, Xan."
"Hey, Buffy," Xander said with a forced smile. He wasn't mad at her. This was his fault; she had just been a pawn. "I think you, me and Willow need to talk."
"I think so too," Buffy replied quietly. "I miss my friends."
Xander patted her arm. "Everything will be fine," he promised. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Spike smile.
The door opened and everyone saw Tara and Willow come in. Tara's hand was on Willow's arm as if she were afraid Willow would make a mad dash out there. "Willow, you have to talk to them," Tara insisted. From the frustration in her voice it wasn't the first time she'd said that.
Xander smiled at Tara. She was a good friend. "She's right, Wills. Look why don't Tara and Spike go get us some donuts and coffee and we'll talk?"
Spike looked horrified that he'd been volunteered to go get donuts. Vampires didn't fetch donuts! He was about to object when he remembered why he was being asked to leave. "Fine, me and Glinda will go get the donuts." He sounded put out.
"Her name isn't Glinda, it's Tara!" Willow snapped. She was upset about the whole situation.
Tara nudged Willow gently. "Baby, calm down. Glinda isn't too bad. She was a nice witch and is an iconic character. Besides Wizard of Oz was my favorite movie as a kid."
Willow took a deep breath. "Yeah, sorry." She kissed Tara. "You guys go and when you get back our talk will be over."
When Tara and Spike left, Willow, Xander and Buffy all sat in silence. Obviously Xander would have to be the one to get the ball rolling. "Look Wills, I know you are just looking out for me doing the best friend thing and I appreciate it but I'm the one who broke up with Spike not the other way around."
"But he would have broken up with you! That's the point!" Willow said, upset.
Buffy sat slouching down in her chair. "I never meant for any of this to happen."
"I know you didn't," Xander said trying to reassure her. "You can't help how you feel."
"Don't you care that she stole Spike away from you? They both betrayed you!" Willow said angrily.
"Of course I care! I love Spike too!" Xander became irrational. "But in the end he doesn't feel the same way about me. It wouldn't be fair to make him stay with me because of guilt. Please, don't be mad at Buffy."
Willow was mad for Xander but what had her distressed the most was that it brought back the betrayal by Oz. It wasn't the same, she knew, but Oz wasn't there for her to be mad at. Buffy was. "It just sucks," Willow said softly. "You two looked like you were meant for each other."
"It does but life isn't fair. We move on. You found Tara; I'll fine someone one too." Xander didn't believe the words that were coming out of his mouth.
Buffy stood up. "Willow, I'm sorry about all of this. I really am. But Xander is okay with it, can't you be?" She begged.
Willow looked at Xander. "Are you sure about this? I mean you and Spike could try…"
"Willow, no," Xander interrupted. "It won't work. We're still friends, I have that."
Willow nodded and spoke to Buffy. "I'll try. It's just Xander is my best friend I don't like to see him hurting," she tried to explain.
"I know Wills, and trust me when I say I hate being the one to do it. I know I can be selfish and a jerk sometimes…okay a lot, but I never mean to hurt you guys."
"We've faced down vampires, demons, evil mayors and crazy government organizations. Heart break is a piece of cake," Xander told them as a tiny voice in his head chanted lies, lies, lies.
Warning: Next chapter is Spuffy-ish. Nothing naughty cause that would give me nightmares!