Pike was nearly aglow as he parked his bike and swaggered into his apartment. He'd just dropped Buffy off at her house (and received a lovely goodnight kiss) and now he was ready for a night of… well, probably doing nothing. It would be better doing nothing with Buffy, but she was a good girl. Unfortunately.
He flipped on the light and plopped onto his ratty couch, which he'd thriftily found in a dumpster. Not only was it already broken in, but it also served as an anti-theft device. Anyone who saw that thing would know this place wasn't worth his time.
He turned on the TV and half-heartedly flipped through the channels. Nothing as good as Buffy was on.
Enough moping, already. Pike thought. There is more to life than Buffy, though she is a knockout. There are motorcycles, all your other friends she didn't stake, food…
Food. Now there was an idea. Might as well get something to tide him over until it was midnight snack time. He went to the fridge and started assembling the type of sandwich only a bachelor could eat: leftover crusty pieces of bread, bologna, leftover chicken, mayonnaise and mustard, olives, and various other things that didn't smell too icky. He grabbed a bag of chips to go with it and slumped back onto the couch.
As Pike started to realize that late night professional wrestling was far more interesting than he'd ever guessed, the doorbell rang.
Who could that be this late? Pike thought. Not Benny, he's dead. Really dead. Did I forget to pay the electric bill? No, the TV still works. Oh… hold it. It's Buffy, isn't it? She wants another helping of the Pike-man! Well, for her I'm open 24 hours.
He leapt up and brushed some crumbs off his pants. "Come in!" He called as he went to open the door.
What greeted him wasn't Buffy. But it was a knockout.
Buffy POV
Buffy sat on her bed, studiously pretending to study. She was still wearing her riding jacket, since it was totally slimming. She glanced up at the clock, not bothering to actually read the time.
Well, no use staying up all night studying. Don't you have to sleep, like, nine hours a night or whatever anyway? I'm just being a good student.
As she unzipped her jacket to change into her pajamas, she noticed she was still wearing the flannel shirt Pike had given her earlier when she'd pretended to be cold. It smelled like asphalt and leather, just like Pike- so manly.
Oh, shoot! Buffy thought. Guess I'll have to give it back tomorrow. Or maybe never.
Hold on… what if I just went over tonight and offered it back? Wouldn't Pike like to see me so late. He might even say for a kiss or two I could keep it.
It wasn't that far to Pike's apartment, even if he did live on the other side of the tracks. Good thing Buffy's mom was totally oblivious or she'd go ballistic.
Ugh, such a bachelor pad. Buffy thought as she reached Pike's door. This place needs a woman's touch.
She knocked on the door. There was no answer.
"Hey, Earth to Pike!" She called out. Still no answer.
She grabbed the doorknob and twisted. The door was open.
Pike should be more careful. You never know what kind of freaks are around.
A disaster area met Buffy as she stepped inside. A coffee table in front of the couch was upended. A lamp lay smashed against a wall. A couch cushion flopped in the middle of the floor. And there was mayonnaise, lunch meat, bread, and olives scattered across the apartment.
What on earth? Did he have a rave here? Buffy thought. And where is he? Did he go home with some girl? I'll KILL that skank!
It was then that she noticed a note placed neatly on the upended table. It was handwritten in regal Gothic script.
My lovely Buffy,
You knew you wouldn't be rid of me that easy. And I know you're eager to meet me, so I'll be at the cemetery. Your inferior paramour will be there as well. Don't worry, he's unharmed as yet. I await your presence.
Lothos
Oh, heinous.