Taking The Hard Way Out
PART: 13/?
AUTHOR: Paula
FEEDBACK: iluvnaac@yahoo.com
______________________________________________________________________________
Buffy and Spike climbed out of the trapdoor, one at a time,
looking around the room they had just entered.
Expecting to see her friends waiting on them, Buffy gasped.
"Spike, this is NOT the lobby!"
Spike continued looking around at the oddly decorated room as if
he might be able to discern an explanation for their presence
there from something on the brightly colored walls. He ignored
Buffy completely as he studied their surroundings.
"UGH!" Buffy wailed, throwing her arms up in the air. "WHAT NOW?"
she yelled. "What do you want from us, damn it?"
Complete silence was her answer.
Realizing she was freaking out, Spike grabbed her by the arms and
shook her. "Get a grip, pet! I need you to focus. . . This is
some sort of game, a test of sorts. That's all. You can do this;
you're the bloody Slayer."
Buffy heaved a sigh of resignation and nodded her head. "Spike,
there's no door. How do we get out of here?"
"We have to roll the dice to proceed, I expect." he said
sarcastically.
"What. . . dice?" she asked, confused. She didn't see any dice.
What the hell was he talking about?
"Just a joke, pet. The door in the dungeon wasn't visible until
the vision came, so maybe we've got another one in store. That's
how we're able to find our way out," he explained, looking around
as he replied. He let go of her arms and started feeling around
the walls, trying to find where another door could be.
"Spike, I don't think this some computer game where we can solve
puzzles and move to the next room. The ghosts seem to be in full
control here. Maybe we should ask them?"
"Do YOU know how to contact ghosts, luv?" he retorted, still
feeling around.
"No, but it's a better idea than feeling walls like you're in a
Scooby Doo movie."
He glared at her, stopping his search momentarily. "Since you
know everything, then YOU figure it out. Bitch," he muttered,
pulling his smokes out to calm his nerves.
"You know, below, you were different. Especially concerning
Drusilla. What happened to you? You switch personalities at the
drop of a hat, Spike. One minute you're all soft and tender and
the next you're trying to prove you're still the Big Bad. I don't
buy that you were always bad after what I just saw."
Spike sighed, a deep sadness washing over him as he looked into
her eyes. "I was very different when I was alive." He looked
away, deciding whether he wanted to share this with her. He'd
never even shared some of it with Dru.
"I had a family: a sister whom I loved dearly and a mother who
doted on us. I was quite the dandy in my day. My father passed
away when I was a lad, and my mother, bless her soul, never
remarried. She never wanted another, said none could take my
father's place and their love was made in heaven. I, like my
mother, had the heart of the poet and the mind of a fool." He
smiled wistfully. "I was in love then, and she didn't love me;
she thought I was beneath her."
Suddenly, Buffy didn't hate Spike so much anymore. In fact, she
was having a hard time not wrapping her arms around him and
giving him a huge hug. He looked so forlorn and upset that she
couldn't imagine ever telling him he was beneath her. **What kind
of person says something like that anyways? Could she be more
full of herself?** An intense dislike formed in her mind for the
girl who had broken Spike's heart, and she couldn't bring herself
to ask why.
After a moment of silence, he rubbed his eyes, and continued.
"Dru turned me and I didn't have to be a weak fool ever again.
The end." Looking into her eyes, he saw the tears there. Reaching
out, he touched her cheek, his thumb catching a tear as it fell.
As his head bent toward hers, a door became visible.
"I guess we passed the test then. Shall we proceed?" he asked,
taking her hand.
They walked through the door just as Xander was walking by.
Xander stopped, looking confused. Staring at their entwined
hands, he mumbled, "You're not there; this door is not here.
You're not holding her hand, and I'm going now."
Buffy stepped forward. "Xander?"
Xander continued to mumble to himself as he walked away.
Buffy shook her head ruefully. "Xander!"
Xander stopped walking and slowly turned around, looking at Buffy
closely. "Buffy? Real Buffy or non-Buffy?"
"Xander, what are you talking about? It's me, Buffy. The ONLY
Buffy. Are you feeling okay?"
"Well, you were there, and now you're here. Giles is worried, and
obviously, I'm not feeling very well."
"Come on, Xan, you need to lie down," she said, taking his arm as
they walked towards their rooms. "Where's Giles?"
Xander looked at her strangely. "Oh Giles, he's in the-- We're
supposed to meet in Giles' room in a few minutes to go look for
you and Junior."
Buffy nodded and motioned for Spike to follow her. Surprisingly,
he did, opening the door to the Watcher's room for her so she
could steer Xander in more easily.
Giles stood up as they walked into the room. "Oh, Buffy, there
you are! We've been quite worried."
"Sorry, got a little detoured. This place is one big maze, and
someone has a yen for me. Doors are there, and then they're not."
"Sit down. I've been thinking, and I believe this place is a
puzzle of sorts."
Spike harrumphed. "A kewpie doll for the Watcher. Of course it's
a bloody puzzle! Then again, you'd know that if you'd been
traipsing around like the Slayer and I have."
Giles gave Spike a curious look, then continued on as if he
hadn't spoken. "The puzzle is yours, Buffy, and you must fit the
pieces together. If not, we may all be doomed."
Buffy groaned. "Bearer of bad news much? Why is it always me who
has to do these impossible tasks in order to save everyone?"
"Well, you are the Slayer," Giles started to say.
"I know. The Chosen One, the one girl throughout the world who
has no life." She rolled her eyes. Buffy walked towards the door.
"I'm tired. I'll be in my room if the puzzle requires a new piece
or something," she grumbled. Turning to face the vampire, she
asked, "Coming, Spike?"
He nodded, surprised at her invitation. "Sure, pet." He turned to
the other men, a smug smile on his face. "Watcher. Whelp." With
that, he followed Buffy to their room, leaving the two remaining
men in shocked silence.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PART: 14/?
AUTHOR: DivaDelilah
FEEDBACK: divadelilah@aol.com
______________________________________________________________________________
Xander looked at Giles and cleared his throat. "When did Spike become one of
Buffy's girlfriends?"
Giles sighed, turning his attention back to the young man. "I don't know,
Xander. I'm not sure it's entirely safe, either, but we both know how far my
advice on such things goes with Buffy."
The door opened and Drusilla floated in, her long white dress swishing along
the stone floor as she whispered to the doll in her arms. "Miss Edith tells
me you are in need of guidance, Rupert." Her dark eyes danced as she draped
herself on the bed, looking up at the two men.
"Giles, what in the name of all that's holy is she doing in here?" Xander
asked incredulously.
"Well, I-she's." he sputtered.
"The moaning ones have asked me to help him. He was looking for my Angel,
but his head was full of the Slayer, and that made Rupert burn like the sun
inside. Now I get to turn the words for him so he can help us go home. So
Daddy will come back," she trailed off, her eyes straying to a point just
above their heads. She seemed to be listening to something.
Giles, who had grown quite used to her insane ramblings at this point,
turned back to Xander. "She's helping me translate the prophecy papaers.
Amazingly, she speaks a multitude of languages fluently, having learned
them, despite her insanity, during travels with Spike and Angel."
"Okay, mega creepy that you're macking on the whacko. But all things
considered. with Spike painting Buffy's toenails, she has to have someone to
ramble to. Where's Angel in all this?"
"I haven't seen him much. Drusilla seems to think he's obsessing over Buffy,
but for some reason, he rarely approaches her."
"It's kinda hard for him to spend time with her lately. What with
babysitting Drusilla, and Buffy disappearing with Spike to puzzle rooms,
neither of them have been very available. Oh!" Xander exclaimed, remembering
what he'd wanted to tell the Watcher. "The other night, a ghost came into
mine and Cordy's room. It said.it said something about the Slayer and the
vampire must join as two. Like Cordy and I were." He realized what he'd just
said, and blushed furiously.
Drusilla jumped up and clapped her hands. "Uh-oh! Naughty Slayer isn't
getting her toenails painted. Rustle, rustle, smack," she said gleefully.
Her eyes darkened, and she screamed. "It's not. Oh, my Angel. The dark wants
to blend with the light, and the spirits are singing with joy. Now there are
two, and I'm alone in the darkness," she sobbed.
"O-Okay. Well, on that note, I would normally leave," Xander said, watching
Giles escort the vampiress back to the bed and hand her Miss Edith. "But I'm
wondering if you think I should tell the Buffster and her pet vamp about
this."
"No, I don't think you should tell Buffy and Spike just yet," Giles answered
distractedly, trying to remember what he'd said when he'd ordered Drusilla a
cup of blood tea the other day.
"Um, G-man? Buffy and SPIKE? I think you meant to say Buffy and Brood Boy,
right?"
Giles' looked at him in befuddlement, then shook his head. "Of course I did.
Did I say Spike? How very strange," he murmured.
Drusilla sat up and looked at the Watcher. "Poor man. The ghosties are
whispering to you now, too. I think I'd like a cuppa tea again," she said,
talking to the empty air in front if her. And like that, a small tea cup
with reddish tinted tea appeared in her hands.
Giles smiled at her almost fondly, and went back to his books. "Is that all,
Xander?"
The dark haired teen looked at him uncertainly, then nodded. "Yeah. I guess
so. Tell no one; take a hike. Got it," he grumbled, leaving quickly. **Maybe
Cordy's right. Maybe I AM imagining things. Still, gotta wonder what the
loon meant about Buffy not getting her toes painted and being naughty.** he
thought.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PART: 15/?
AUTHOR: Shelby
FEEDBACK: tonka_toy7@hotmail.com
______________________________________________________________________________
Buffy threw open the door to her guest room angrily. Spike followed
close
behind, admiring the way her hips swayed in those tight jeans she was
wearing.
**Dru never walked like that. Slayer's even more arousing when she's
brassed
off.**
Spike's eyes snapped up quickly to see Buffy's face right in front of
him,
ranting about her duties. Lucky for him, she didn't notice what the
blonde
vampire was gawking at.
**Whoa, that was a close one mate. Let her catch you looking at her ass
and
you're in for a broken nose.**
"Chosen one. Blah blah. Meant to fight the forces of evil. I mean
broken
record much? That's all I hear from him. So what if the puzzle is mine?
According to all his moldy old books, the puzzles are always mine! I
always
lost the pieces when I was little anyhow."
Spike continued to watch her pace back and forth, waving her arms as
she
rattled on. **This is nearly as amusing as the telly.** Spike dug in
his
pocket for his smokes and lit up. Out of nowhere a glass ashtray
appeared on
an end table.
**Accommodating little spooks aren't they?**
Buffy disappeared into the bathroom to change. Spike flopped down on
the
loveseat, arching his neck for a possible glimpse of a naked Buffy.
"So you're what, tired of this whole slayer gig? Not that I blame you.
Who
wants to play the goody two shoes all the time?"
Buffy came out of the bathroom wearing a pink tank top and gray sweats.
**He
understands me. How is that possible? Evil Spike understands good
little
Buffy. It must be the house.**
"Yeah, I guess that's sort of what I mean. But if I get tired of it,
innocent people die. I can't get tired of it." **It's my duty, I know.
My
duty to kiss Spike. Why does he have to look so sexy sitting there? Why
would it be so wrong if we kissed? Bad Buffy bad!**
Spike smirked. "All work and no play, makes for a very bitchy slayer."
"I'm not bitchy." Buffy told him matter of factly.
"Are so."
"Are not! Spike!" Buffy wailed. "You are so not right! I happen to play
all
the time."
Spike raised a disbelieving eyebrow at her. "When was the last time you
went -- oh, let's say -- dancing? Eh, Slayer?"
"Dancing? I uhm -- I went dancing just the other -- Oh shit. You're
right.
I've been on patrol every night since forever."
**On patrol with quiet, broody Angel. There's a lovely bunch of
coconuts for
ya.**
"Sure, on patrol with Peaches. I'm sure that's a hoot. C'mon, luv, you
need
to relax."
Spike rose to saunter towards her. He took Buffy's hands in his own and
gave
her a warm smile. Buffy smiled back, blushing slightly.
**He's holding my hands. Be calm Buffy. Be calm. My cheeks are on fire!
How
can I be calm?**
"Let's you and me do a spot of dancing pet. It'll make you feel better,
get
your mind off all the parlor tricks and spooks." His blue orbs danced
merrily into her hazel ones. Spike caught a glimpse of a woman,
desperate
for some fun.
As though it was always there, a phonograph appeared by the door.
Immediately it started pumping out a 19th century waltz.
Spike bowed graciously at his dance partner who was fighting not to
burst
into giggles. "Oh, Spike, I can't do these dances," she protested.
Spike shook his head no. "It's easy, luv. Just follow my lead." Spike
whirled Buffy around and around as the music played on. Much to her
surprise, her feet were her own, and Spike was a marvelous dancer.
"You're actually good at this." **Who would have thought he could
dance?**
"Yea, but then I'm good at everything I do." He grinned. **She's not so
bad
herself.**
Buffy laughed as Spike threw her into a dip when the song ended. **OMG,
he's
going to drop me.**
Spike's eyes were sparkling with laughter. "I'm not going to drop you,
pet."
Spike yanked her upright; Buffy smacked him in the arm.
"Quit that!" Buffy demanded.
"Bloody hell! I didn't do anything to you!"
"Yes you did! You keep reading my thoughts."
Spike let out a sigh. "I did not. Drucilla is the one that does that.
It was
the look in your eye that told me what you were thinking."
"Oh. Uh, sorry?" Buffy's lower lip pouted sexily at Spike.
"See how you are, Slayer? I try to help you, and you hit me." Spike ran
a
hand through his blonde locks, tousling them slightly.
Buffy reached out for Spike's hands. "I'm sorry. I really was having
fun.
You want to try again?"
Spike was hesitant to accept her invitation. **It's that lip. I can't
resist
that lip of hers. Drucilla was right. I'm going soft.** Spike let out a
sigh
and stuck out his hand. "Fine, I'll dance with you, Slayer. Just lay
off the
arm, eh?"
As Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata begins to play, their simple guestroom
transformed into an elegant ballroom. Polished hardwood floors met deep
mahogany wainscotting, which gave way to cream colored walls. The
chandelier
hung beautifully in the center of the room, the crystal shining tiny
rainbows all over the room.
No words were spoken as they took each other hand in hand. It was like
a
dream beyond imagination. They danced together flawlessly: each step
precise, each twist and turn bringing them closer to each other. Moving
in
tune to the melody, their bodies melded to each other slowly,
sensually.
Buffy leaned her head on Spike's chest.
**He's not so bad. Evil vampire and all. Angel -- think about Angel.**
Nothing she could do would drown out the images they'd seen in the
dungeon.
Just the way Angelus held that riding crop in his hand gave her the
chills.
**Angel's different now. Quiet and brooding. Spike is fun, sexy, and
loving.
Whoa -- sexy?**
**What am I doing? I can't tell her how much I fancy her. What about
Drusilla? C'mon now, Spike, get a grip. You can't like the Slayer.**
Spike enclosed Buffy in his arms, holding her tightly to his body as
their
feet glided around the dance floor. Time was irrelevant for what seemed
like
hours as they danced, the music playing over and over.
"Don't you do much dancing like this?"
"No, not like this. I don't have anyone to dance with." Spike smiled.
**Angel, mate, you've been mistreating your lady.**
"Doesn't Angel take you dancing?" he asked.
"No, we never really do anything fun. He just stares at me with those
sad
eyes. It's kind of creepy sometimes." **I can't believe I just told him
that! But I think I can tell him anything. He's listening to me, like
he
cares.**
Spike chuckled. "I'm sure he's just mezmerized by those pretty little
eyes
of yours. Makes a man speechless."
"Spike, that's so not like you. What's --"
"It's the house. Making me all gentleman-like," he told her quickly.
**What if she never sees me as anything but a killer?**
**I'm not ever going to stop dancing with him.**
Spike inhaled the scent of her hair; a satisfied smile crept upon his
lips.
**I've got to tell her I like her.**
The music stated to fade; the lovely ballroom faded with it until Buffy
and
Spike were left standing once again in their guestroom. Spike gazed
down at
her hazel eyes.
"Music's over pet. We should stop dancing right?" Spike's arms stayed
firmly in place, his fingers locked together around her waist.
"Well, we don't have to. Unless you want to. Buffy's arms clung to the
vampire, her fingers laced in the belt loops of his jeans." **Please
say
yes, please say yes.**
"Oh sure, I mean if you want to keep dancing, I'll --" Spike's eyes
suddenly
were wide with shock.
**Lips! Lips of Buffy.**
Parts 16-18: To be announced