Chapter 4
October 1999
Buffy trudged home after her last class of the day. She had started college at the end of summer, and already, she felt drained of all her energy. Today alone, she had two tests and was assigned a research paper to do.
“Buffy, wait up, luv!”
Buffy turned around and smiled at Spike jogging towards her, down the sidewalk. He had graduated college in May, and most of his time was spent with the band, working on their songs. They signed a recording deal a few months ago, and one of their songs was already climbing the billboard charts.
“What are you doing here?” she asked with a smile.
Spike greeted her with a long, hard kiss before responding, “I had to see you. I got the greatest news today, and you were the first person I wanted to tell.”
“Well, what is it?” she asked excitedly.
“We’re going on tour!”
Buffy’s smile faltered a little before she put it back in place. She knew this was always a possibility- it was all Spike could talk about since they signed the deal.
“When is it?”
“We leave the beginning of January. It’s over right before Christmas,” he said, nearly jumping up and down like a little kid. Buffy felt her heart freeze. A year? He was leaving for over a year?
“Congratulations, honey. I know this is what you wanted.”
Spike stopped his celebrating to look at her closely. “You’re not happy.”
“No, I mean it. It’s great news.”
“What’s wrong, Buffy?”
“It’s just… it’s a long time for you to be away.”
“I know, baby, but it’ll be fine. WE will be fine.”
She smiled at that. “Hey, maybe I could go with you. You know, take a little time off school and see the country.”
Spike smiled, reaching out to stroke her cheek. “I’d love for you to, luv, but you need to focus on school. I’m about to live my dream- you should work on yours.”
“I don’t even know what mine is, other than being with you.”
“I know, pet, and that’s why you need to stay and figure it out.” He pulled her into a hug and buried his face in her hair. “I’m going to miss you like crazy, you know that, right?” he asked with a strained voice.
“I know, I’m going to miss you, too. Maybe whenever you’re on the west coast, I can take some time off and come see you.”
Spike pulled away and smiled down at her. “Sounds perfect, luv.”
* * * * *
January 2000
Buffy made her way to the parking lot that the band would be leaving from. It was early in the morning and still gray and hazy outside. She walked into the parking lot that held the tour bus with a heavy heart. Spike, noticing his girlfriend’s arrival, went running over to her. As he reached her, his arms wrapped around her waist, and he picked her up and spun her in a circle.
Setting her back on the ground, they looked at each other with tear-filled eyes before he pressed his forehead against hers. “I’m holding you, and I already miss you,” he whispered.
“I know how you feel.”
“And I’m gonna miss your birthday.”
“Buy me something pretty,” she said with a watery smile.
“Anything and everything.”
Buffy let out a small laugh at that.
“I missed you last night,” she said.
“I know, but I left packing till the last minute, you know that.”
“Yeah.”
The horn on the bus sounded, and they both turned to stare at it before returning their eyes to each other.
“Buffy, I needed to tell you.” he paused, taking a deep breath. “I needed to tell you that…I’m so in love with you I can’t think straight.”
Buffy froze, hearing the words she had dreamed about over and over again for the past year, before a dazzling smile settled on her features.
“Me too,” she whispered, fresh tears coming to her eyes. She wrapped her arms around him and held tight, knowing it would be a long time before she could do it again.
“I love you, baby,” he whispered.
“I love you, too.”
Kissing her gently before slowly pulling away to head to the bus, Buffy turned away with a silent sob.
“Hey, Summers!”
She turned around to see Spike leaning out one of the windows.
“You’re one in a million!” he yelled, blowing her a kiss.
She laughed and waved at the group as the bus pulled away. Giles came over to stand next to her. “How are you doing?” he asked gently.
Buffy sighed before turning to face her surrogate father. Giles had embraced her even more when he discovered she was dating his son, stating more than once how he could see the two of them growing old together.
“I miss him already.”
“I don’t doubt it. Would you care for a ride home?”
“Thanks, Giles.”