Optional:
1. A tipsy looking cat
2. Someone saying "Get me horny and do it NOW!"
3. A cookie
Disclaimer: I don't even own my house, much less multi million dollar TV shows.
Joss is God.
Distribution: Anything I okay, FFN, various lists…
Feedback: Feed my addiction and I'll be your friend forever.
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"How much longer do you think we'll have to hide out here?" Willow
asked, breaking the heavy silence that covered the room.
"I really don't know, Willow. Cordelia said she'd called when she Wesley,
Gunn, and Fred had them all wrapped up. Until then, she said lay low here so
we aren't targets," Buffy replied, her eyes staring at the comforter at
her feet. She hadn't even been back three weeks, and now this. My life is
a joke. One great big joke that somebody is laughing really hard at, she
thought.
Spike looked at the Slayer, scrunched up on the bed, knees to her chest, as
if shielding herself from the pain he could feel radiating from every pore.
He knew she was having enough trouble reconciling with her resurrection, and
now his stupid, poofy headed Sire had to go rescuing some git who ended up switching
bodies with him. He growled under his breath. Of course this guy had to let
Angelus out to play. Why not just hang about being a cool vampire? But nooooo…
And then he had turned that pretty lawyer bitch and now they were on a rampage.
Part of him hoped the Prom Queen and her friends staked Angelus once and for
all. Spike was bloody tired of him losing his soul like other people lose their
car keys.
Buffy looked up at him when he growled and she saw his face soften. He didn't
have to come with them. She knew Spike could protect himself against Angelus
and his newest bitch. But he had insisted that they needed his protection, so
she had relented. He'd been a really calming influence over lately anyway. He
was the only one who didn't treat her like china since her return. Her eyes
washed over the whole room.
Giles was sitting on the couch in the front room, carving stakes with watching
Masterpiece Theater. Xander and Anya were playing gin rummy at the kitchen
table.Willow and Tara were poring through magick books on the bed next to Buffy,
hoping to figure out how to banish the extra person from Angel's body so his
soul could take over again. Dawn was petting Miss Kitty, whom the witches had
brought along, and peeking over their shoulders. And Spike was sitting on the
edge of their bed, obviously dying for a cigarette.
When Cordelia called the Magic Box, she had told them to find a hotel just
outside of LA and enclose everyone in a suite of rooms so no one had to leave.
So the gang had packed up their things and an enormous amount of food, and headed
to a Mariott. Giles had paid for the incredibly expensive suite with four adjoining
bedrooms, and Buffy had wanted to question it, but his tone had brooked no arguments.
All the rooms had two double beds in them except one, which meant having to decide on sleeping arrangements. Giles had stated early on that he and Dawn would take one bed each in one of the rooms. He had seen all the alcohol Spike had stashed in his bags, and he was not going to allow Dawn to sit in on any drunken antics.
Dawn had started to argue until the Ripper, not Giles, told her, in no uncertain
terms, the conversation was over.
Willow and Tara had taken the next room, and Xander and Anya had reluctantly
taken the other room with double beds. Anya had complained quite vocally about
it, but Giles had stepped in once again, saying Buffy needed to sleep on her
own with all the weapons, since she was the biggest target. It might just keep
the others out of harm's way. No one had said anything to Spike about where
he would sleep, so assumed either the couch or the floor in the Slayer's room
if the Watcher didn't skin him first.
Now everyone was sitting around, trying to amuse them selves while they waited
for Cordelia to call. No one wanted to admit that if she didn't call after a
few days, it might mean that she, and the others, were dead. And they all might
have to go on the run again. Glory wasn't even gone three months, and now another
huge evil was specifically looking to kill them.
"Buffy, why did Cordelia ask us to hide out instead of help?" Dawn
asked quietly.
"Because you remember what Angelus did when he came back before. He hunted
my family and friends to get to me. Now he'll be looking to kill me and Willow
especially since we cursed him and sent to Hell then trapped him under the soul
again. Everyone else will just be a bonus for him. Except Spike, who helped
me beat him. Spike would get something super special for that, I'd imagine,"
she replied tonelessly.
"S'not like I'm bloody afraid of that wanker, luv," he said, munching
on a Oreo he'd taken from the kitchen. "I don't want the Nibblet to get
hurt, is all." He smiled at Dawn and she grinned.
No, he doesn't want Buffy to get hurt either. But he can't say that because
Giles and everyone will act all stupid again, she thought. I heard Giles say
something about booze when he was arguing with Buffy about the rooms. Maybe
if I go to bed, they'll all have some and loosen up. Buffy always talks about
things she shouldn't when she's drunk. Unless she singing 'All By Myself', which
she did all the time after Riley left. Dawn giggled, and the Witches looked
at her strangely. "Sorry. Guess I'm getting a little slaphappy. It's been
a long day. I think I'll go to bed," she said, faking a yawn. "You
guys should take a break, too." She hugged everyone good night and escaped
to her room, quickly changing into her pajamas. Then she took up a place by
the door, listening intently.
Suddenly the cell phone rang and everyone jumped. Buffy picked it up and answered.
"Hello? Cordy?"
"Buffy? Are you guys all hidden and okay?"
"Yeah. How're Wes, Gunn and Fred doing? Did you find him yet?"
"No. We're headed for Sunnydale. Our friend the Host read Fred's future
since she was the last one to see him, and he said to head for Sunnydale. Also,
he mentioned something about a soldier needing his own chip now? Does that mean
anything to you?"
Buffy's face turned white as a sheet, and she fell to the bed in a faint. Spike
ran over and grabbed the phone, growling into it. "What the bloody hell
did you say to her, cheerleader?"
"Spike, what the hell are you- Nevermind. You wouldn't be there unless
Buffy brought you. I told her our friend reads futures and he said something
about a soldier needing his own chip now. Does it mean anything to you since
Buffy has apparently still not honed her social skills enough to reply?"
"Bloody Christ. Yeah, it means something to me. It means you have another
vamp to stake along with Angelus and his new woman. It's a boy, blond and stocky,
about Buffy's age. He answers to the name of Riley. He used to be Buffy's boyfriend.
He must have been back from South America and the Poof found him. Fuck,"
Spike said, rubbing his temples. "Keep your guard up, pet. He's building
an army of people who he has a grudge against. Any of you gits could be next
since you were friends of the souled Angel. And don't hesitate to kill him if
you have to."
"We'll call again after awhile Spike. Take care of them," she said
before hanging up.
After he hung up, Spike looked at the Witches and jerked his head toward the
door. Surprisingly, they complied, filing out into the living room to break
the news to the others. He closed the door and knelt by the bed next to the
still prostrate Buffy. Bracing himself for the pain, he smacked her cheek with
enough force to jar her awake. He clutched his head and gritted his teeth against
the pain, only keeping one eye open to see if it had worked. Slowly, Buffy's
eyes fluttered open, and she groaned.
"Ow. What the hell was that for?" she muttered, holding her jaw.
"You fainted, Slayer. Had to wake you up somehow."
"Ever heard of cold water? Jeez," she complained.
An image of splashing the Slayer with cold water filled his head and he noted
her white shirt. Bugger, he thought. Now that would have been a sight
to behold. Leering at her, he replied, "That anxious to have me peeking
at your wet tee shirt, are you?"
"Pig," she mumbled. Sitting up slowly, she gazed around the room.
"Where are Willow and Tara? Why are you the only one in here with…
me…" Suddenly, she remembered what Cordy had said before she fainted.
Riley was a vampire. Her Riley, well not her Riley anymore, but still…
She knew why Angelus had chosen him to turn; that was a no brainer. Buffy's
ex, demon hunter, already marked by vamps… pretty easy to put two and two
together and get revenge. She looked up at Spike, who was watching her to make
sure she didn't faint again.
"You can beat up on me all you like, Slayer. You've earned it. Come on,
have at me," he said, spreading his arms out wide.
"No," Buffy replied quietly. "It doesn't solve my problems to
beat on you, Spike. I'm beginning to realize that. And it certainly won't change
the fact that the Riley I knew is stuck in a demon's body, watching him wreak
havoc with 'hostiles'." She put her head in her hands and started to cry
softly.
Not knowing what else to do, Spike came over and sat next to her, holding her
while she cried. He ran his fingers through her hair, patted her back and any
other thing he could think of that was comforting. As much as he was enjoying
holding her, he hated that it was because she was in pain, not to mention that
it was over that wanker Captain Cardboard. He kept his exterior calm, though,
not letting his warring emotions show on the outside, not wanting upset her
even further. He still shuddered when he remembered her breakdown after Glory
took Dawn. He never wanted to see that again.
Buffy finally began to calm down, her sobs reducing to great sniffles, and
then to small sighs. She recognized faintly that she was being held by someone,
and it was wonderful. Strong arms and a hard chest encircled her, making her
feel small and safe. She was startled to realize it was Spike. This should
not feel this good, she thought. I shouldn't want to curl up on
his lap and go to sleep.
So she sat up, swiping at her eyes with her hands, and looked up at Spike.
His eyes were soft and depthless, and her breath caught in her throat. Oh,
big mistake, Summers. I never really looked at how pretty Spike's eyes were.
Or how much they say about what he's feeling. Danger, Buffy! Look away! she
told herself. Remember that because of your last vampire lover, your whole
family is hiding out, Jenny is dead, and so is your ex boyfriend, Riley. Doesn't
that teach you anything? She wanted to argue with herself that Spike wouldn't
do that, that he never had when he could have before, but found that she didn't
have the heart to think about that right now.
Spike watched her intently, wondering what was going on in her head as she
looked at him. He decided it was his job to help her, and her friends, relax
tonight. There was nothing they could do from this bloody hotel about Angelus
and his playmates, so they might as well do something fun rather then sit around
and mope. He cleared his throat and Buffy snapped out of her trance. "Luv,
I have an idea. I brought a bloody ton of liquor with me. Let's break it out,
and we'll all get silly drunk and karoake or something. Forget about the great
poof and Captain Cardboard. Let the cheerleader and the Watcher take care of
them. No good sitting around and crying all night, right?" he asked gently.
Buffy smiled a little bit. The Big Bad, indeed. He's as soft as the marshmallows
he likes in his cocoa so much, she chuckled to herself. Considering it for
a second, she nodded. "Sounds like a plan. Good thing Dawn went to bed,
because well, Buffy and booze don't always mix well," she grinned. Spike
quirked up an eyebrow, and she shook her head. "That's all your getting
out of me, Mister. I'd never live it down if I told you."
He shrugged, knowing by the end of the night, she'd tell him. Drunk people
can never keep their bloody yaps shut, he grinned to himself. He stood up
and offered her hand, hauling her up off the bed. "Well, let the debauchery
begin, Slayer. Round up the mates, and I'll bust out the hooch," he replied,
grinning evilly. This is going to be so very interesting, he thought.
I'll get enough material tonight to torment them for another six months!
Buffy walked out the door, sighing as they all looked at her compassionately.
Taking a deep breath, she asked, "Have Willow and Tara told you the news?"
At their nods, she continued. "Spike and I have decided that instead of
moping around here, unable to do anything to help Cordy and her crew, we're
going to relax. I know it sounds awful, but I need to put some space between
me and all this drama. Spike's gonna get the booze he brought and we're all
going to just get drunk and chill. I figured I'm not the only one who could
use a little release." She looked at everyone, waiting for their reactions.
Xander was the first to speak. "Well, Buffster, for once I agree with
Junior. I could definitely use a few cold ones and some QT with the Scoobies.
Ahn? What about you?"
"I've heard that some very interesting situations can arise from drunken
slumber parties. So if we can play some games, I'd be very eager to participate,"
she said excitedly.
"Y-yeah. It might actually be f-fun," Tara piped in. She dug her
elbow into Willow's side, urging her to say something.
"Sure, Buffy. A little Scooby fun could be just what we all need, right
Giles?" Willow said, smiling a little. "But not too much… we
don't want Cave Buffy back."
Giles pinched the bridge of his nose. Most of the time, he forgot that his
charge and her friends were only in their twenties, but at times like this,
he marveled at their ability to completely ignore crisis' and have fun. He supposed
it was their way of dealing with the pain. "Well, yes, I certainly could
use a drink. But I'm not playing any silly games. I'll sit in the kitchen and
work on the weaponry while you all…relax," he said stubbornly.
Spike came in just then, his arms full of bottles of all sizes. Sitting them
all on the table carefully, he turned to the gang. "Okay, kiddies, the
fun has arrived. Have at it!" He grabbed a liter of Cuervo for himself,
and settled into the big comfy armchair.
"No, no!" Willow said suddenly. "If it's a slumber party, we
all have to get into our pajamas and get blankets for the floor and stuff!"
"Great idea, Wil!" Buffy said enthusiastically. "Everyone go
change, and grab blankets then meet in front of the television." When Spike
didn't move, she stomped her foot. "Come on Spike, this was your
idea. Get your undead butt in gear."
"Pet, I'm a bloody vampire. We don't wear jammies and have slumber parties.
I'm not going to look like a idiot in front of you gits." He set his jaw,
and looked up at her defiantly.
"Spike, you have three seconds to go get whatever you sleep in, that's
decent for public viewing," she added, seeing his smirk, "and get
your ass on the floor or I'll-"
"You'll what? Spank me? I might like it," he said growling softly.
Buffy felt her heart hammer and her throat go dry at the thought of spanking
a naked moaning Spike. Damn him! Why does he have to be all sexy and growly
and.. stop it, Buffy! Concentrate, she commanded herself. "You're a pig,
Spike. Just do it or you'll fit in a Dustbuster." Stalking off to the bedroom,
she pressed her hand against her chest, willing her heart to slow down. He knew
exactly how to get to her, and he did on purpose, especially since she'd been
back. It was as if he'd sensed that she was more vulnerable to him after what
he'd done for her and Dawn with Glory.
Sighing, she rooted through her suitcase, picking out a tank top and ratty
old shorts, suddenly wishing she'd brought something frilly and pretty. Shaking
her head, she chastised herself for caring what Spike thought of her bedtime
attire. This is the only time he'll ever see it anyway, she thought.
She shimmied out of her clothes and pulled the shorts up her legs, then reached
for her tank top.
The door swung open and she heard a soft gasp. Spike stood in the doorway,
his jaw hitting the floor as he stared at her naked back. He felt rooted to
ground, like he couldn't move even if he wanted to. Not that he was going anywhere
with Buffy standing in front of him half naked. Not a bloody chance,
he thought.
Buffy squealed when she heard him growl, willing her body not to respond to
the noises he was making unconsciously. "Spike, what are you doing? I'm
getting dressed here!"
"I, uh, I came to get my bloody pajama pants if you really must know,"
he fumbled.
She pulled the shirt over her head quickly, adjusting it and turning around.
"You could have knocked first, you know. Just get them and go- you wear
pajama pants?" she asked incredulously.
Spike knew if he could have, he would have blushed right then. "Well only
when nosy gits make me go to slumber parties," he grumbled.
"That so does not fit with the Big Bad vampire image, Spike. You better
hope no one ever tells the demon population of Sunnydale that wear jammy pants,"
Buffy joked, a glint of mischief in her eye.
"Hey! They're black! They have skulls on them, I'll have you know,"
he grumbled.
Buffy shook with silent laughter, walking out the room shaking her head. "You
are one strange vampire, Spikey."
Spike rolled his eyes at her back then grinned. Good thing I even brought along
something to wear to bed. Normally I sleep nude, though I doubt the Slayer
would appreciate me goin out there like that. Well, maybe she would…
He grinned again. Or maybe he'd make her appreciate it. Leaving his shirt off,
he grabbed a pillow and headed into the front room.
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