Chapter 18
Anger started to boil up in her veins as she watched the black-clad girl bluntly make her move on *her* Spike. All she felt like doing was striding over to her and ringing her neck until it snapped in two while screaming off at the top of her lungs: GET AWAY FROM MY BOYFRIEND! Yeah, that would teach her.
Then, suddenly, she realised: ‘He’s not my boyfriend. This is all a trick to get them back together’ she reminded herself as she watched Dru suggestively run her index finger over the lapels of Spike’s duster. Buffy had to inhale deeply to force the blood rage down. ‘And apparently it’s working. Good for him.’ She closed her eyes, shaking herself off before she resumed walking towards Willow, Xander and Oz who sat around a table.
“Hey, Oz!” Buffy said with fake enthusiasm.
The redhead simply nodded and gave her his version of a smile, which was pretty close to anyone else’s idea of a non-smile.
“Loved the show! You guys did great!” She continued.
“I’m amazed you saw anything, considering the major grope fest you and Spike put up on the dance floor.” Cordy mumbled. Never giving a chance for Buffy to answer she turned to Xander and whined: “I’m thirsty.”
Unfortunately, her boyfriend didn’t seem to be taught in the fine art of subtlety so she let out a loud grown before uttering:
“Xander, get me a soda.”
“Huh…? Oh, ok.” He said as he clumsily got off the stool. “You guys want anything?”
Everyone shook their heads except for Buffy who spoke up:
“A Daiquiri.”
Xander froze and everyone in the table turned to look at her.
“Are you sure?” Willow asked.
“Buffy you know how you get when you drink alcohol.” Xander muttered.
“Plus it’s illegal.” Willow piped up nervous and wide-eyed, sticking her index finger into the air.
“All the more reasons to do it.” Buffy said with a smile. “Come on Xander, I know you know the bartender tonight. Please, for me…” She begged, with a pout and batting her eyes lashes at him.
He couldn’t resist it. Somehow, after all those year of knowing her and working on getting over his crush on her, he still couldn’t say no to her when she asked him something. So he turned around and headed for the bar to make his order. Soon after he was back with a soda and a colourful glass with an umbrella sticking out of it in his hand.
“What about you’re no alcohol policy?” Cordy snorted as she saw Buffy tilting the glass into her mouth, taking huge gulps of the liquid inside.
“To hell with it.” She answered with a peppy smile before letting out a small hick-up. “Oops.” She giggled; placing her hand over her lips as her cheeks quickly became red.
“In my entire life, I have never seen alcohol have such a fast effect on anyone as her. You should be in the Guinness Book of Records.” Xander pointed out as he took his seat.
Spike ran his hand through his hair, trying hard to focus on what the girl standing in front of him was saying. He didn’t know why, but suddenly, Dru’s conversation just seemed plain and dull. Her half nutty routine he used to find gripping and enthralling now just seemed plain loony and boring. Pretty soon, he found her voice growing farther and farther away until it died out, being completely engulfed by the buzzing sound of the background. All he saw was a girl looking at him with hooded, pseudo-seductive gaze, moving her mouth in an excruciatingly slow pace.
“Huh?” He blinked a couple of times when he noticed she had stopped talking.
“I asked if you were going to the homecoming dance.” She repeated as she brought her body closer to him, her arms circling around his neck.
He instinctively took a step back, but she held a tight grip on him.
“I-I don’t know, Dru.” He answered as his eyes scanned the room for a certain blonde. ‘Where is she? What is taking her so long?’ He kept asking himself.
“I thought you hated that sort of thing. Said it was boring and…” She brought her lips closer to his ear as she whispered: “I’m sure we can find more interesting things to do. Couldn’t we, daddy?” She growled at the end of her question and ran her tongue over his earlobe.
“Um… Dru… What are you doing?” Spike asked, never moving, neither cheering nor discouraging her actions.
“What do you think? Grrr… You’ve been a very bad boy, going around playing with that little girly. Mommy doesn’t like it.” She said in a childlike tone, as her lower lip jutted out for a pout.
~+~
Buffy’s eyes grew wide and she felt every single muscle fibre in her body contract at the sight of Dru curling her arms around Spike and licking his ear. Without a word she tilted the bottle again and drank from it.
“Buffy, you shouldn’t be doing this.” Willow warned a bit concerned.
“And why not?” For some reason her words were coming out a bit slurred. Buffy smacked her lips together as if trying to get her tongue to untie.
“Because pretty soon you’ll lose all ability for coherent speech and you can’t go home to your mom like that.” Willow tried to rationalise.
“My mom’s not coming home. She’s gonna stay out all night boinking some stranger.” She pressed her lips together and nodded wildly, her hair coming to partially cover her flushed face.
“Oh, Buffy.” Willow’s eyebrows came together over the bridge of her nose as she watched the pain in her best friend’s eyes. So that’s why she was acting so strange. “Don’t you think we better get you home?”
At that Buffy violently shook her head, causing her hair to fan out around her.
“I like it ‘ere.” She mumbled. “It’s nice in ‘ere.” Her face lit up as she remembered something. “I get everything for free.” Singsonged and a wave of childlike giggles followed while Willow simply frowned in confusion.
Oz soon came to her aid:
“It’s the lyrics from one of K’s Choice’s songs.”
“Oh.” Willow raised her eyebrows for a second as realisation came.
~+~
Spike felt like he was suffocating. He couldn’t breathe. She was too close, clinging to him, making him feel like there was no room, not enough space. He just needed space. And to know where she… His eyes widened and a small sigh of relief escaped his lips as he saw her. She was sitting around the table with Oz and the rest of the gang. Well, it was more of a slouching over the table and occasionally standing up straight to wave her arms in the air like a mad woman sort of routine than actually sitting but, he’d found her. Dru continued to stick to him as she yapped on and on, while he absentmindedly watched the effusive blonde girl giggle and shout like a little girl. What was she holding in her hand? What was…
“Bloody hell…” He breathed. “Hum… Dru?” He began trying to pull himself out of the girl’s death grip, but it turned out to be a Herculean task. “Dru… Luv… Let go now.” She wouldn’t let go. “Dru!” He finally shouted and she stepped back; a look of amazement and pain on her face. “Look, pet, I’m sorry, but I gotta go.”
And he was off crossing the room with ground-eating footsteps until he reached his destination.
“Spike! Thank God you’re here.” Willow breathed in relief.
“What’s going on?” He questioned with a frown, looking at Buffy who now seemed to be sleeping with her head resting on the table, her arms dangling to the floor at her side. The moment he reached for her, she jumped up to attention.
“Hum… what? Where? Oh… Spike.” She drooled the words out as she plastered on a goofy smile. “The reunification didn’t go well? Do we need to pretend a bit more?”
Everyone around the table frowned, except for Spike, whose heart immediately jumped to his throat. He tried to ignore her questions and turned to face Willow.
“How many of these did she have?”
“Just that one.” The redhead pointed at the empty glass.
“And she’s drunk?” Spike asked in disbelief.
“Buffy’s body is not very alcohol-friendly.” Oz piped up.
“I can see that. Come on, luv, let’s get you home.” Spike said picking up her coat and putting it over her shoulders.
“What? So soon? I thought you’d want to stay and work on the plan and-“
“Alright, you need to go home… Now!” He noted, bringing his arms around her numb form and pulling her to her feet.
The moment he made a move to let her go, she began tumbling to the floor, but he quickly grabbed a hold on her and lifted her off her feet.
“Are you sure you can take her?” Xander asked.
“I’m fine, mate. See you later.” He answered as he made his way out of the busy club.
~+~
As they reached the car, consciousness seemed to dawn on Buffy. Her stomach turned as she felt herself being carried. She opened her eyes to meet black leather. Blinking a couple of times her gaze focussed on Spike’s face.
“We’re here, luv.” He said as he lowered her to the ground.
She stumbled a bit, but eventually was able keep standing long enough for Spike to open the car door for her. With a loud sigh she plopped down on the front seat; her legs still sticking out of the vehicle. Spike shook his head as he picked her feet up and pushed them into the car before closing the door.
They remained silent most of the drive home, with Spike occasionally throwing a worried glance at the slumbering blonde sitting next to him. He smiled as he heard her mumble something incomprehensible, while frowning and making a series of odd faces. She was just so strange.
Coming to a full stop in front of her house, he turned and gently ran his fingers over her exposed shoulder.
“Pet… we’re home.”
“Hum…” She grumbled opening her eyes and glancing up at him with a glassy stare. She swallowed dryly before looking around and frowning. “Where are we?”
“Home. Remember?” He answered with a soft smile before exiting the car to open the door for her.
He held out his hand and Buffy stared at it. The fresh images of what had happened at the Bronze flashed before her eyes – Dru… and him… snuggling. She felt her stomach turn and something inside her snapped. She stood up abruptly; dismissing his outstretched hand and trying to walk proudly over to her front porch. The task seemed simple enough, except her alcohol soaked brain seemed to have something to say about it and pretty soon she was sprawled out on the grass, face down.
“Buffy!” He called out, slamming the car door shut and coming to her aid, but as soon as he made a move to help her up, she pushed him away and scrambled to her feet.
“I’m fine.” She retorted.
“You’re drunk, luv.” He stated the obvious as he watched her zigzag her way to the front door eventually reaching her destination. Now… sticking the itsy bitsy key into that stupid lock… that was a serious mission.
She grumbled a string of curses as she scratched at the wooden door but was never able to get the key into the lock.
“Stupid lock.” She moaned letting the key fall to the floor. “Keeps moving. Stand still, damn it!” She ordered with a serious tone as she bent down to pick up her key.
Spike had to repress a growl as her miniskirt hitched up at her motion, exposing her thighs to him.
“Let me get that, pet.” He immediately shook himself out of his daze snatching the key from her hands and quickly opening the door before she could say anything. He entered the room while she stood in the threshold for a few more seconds.
“I could’ve done it.” She mumbled as she walked into the hall.
Clumsily, she tried to take off her coat, pushing and pulling at it, to no avail.
“Here, let me get that.” He made a move towards her and she jumped back.
“No! I’ll do it.” She insisted as she glared daggers at him.
“Are you ok?” He questioned raising a scarred eyebrow.
“I’m…” She struggled with the piece of clothing; it seemed like a straight-jacket. “Stupid… A-ha!” She said triumphantly as she found herself free from her restraints, letting the coat drop to the floor. She nervously pulled her hair out of the way and looked up at him with an arrogant sparkle in her eyes and a defiant little chin jutting out. “I’m fine.”
She crisscrossed her way to the living room and thanked whatever gods there were that the couch was right there.
“Good couch, nice couch.” She sighed, plopping down on it and caressing it.
“Buffy, you need to go to bed.” Spike explained coming to sit next to her.
She instantly jumped away from him, sitting on the opposite side of the couch.
“Don’t tell me what to do.” She growled.
“Are you mad at me?” He finally asked.
“Mad? I’m not made. I’m just…” She couldn’t find an explanation so she resorted for the feeblest of excuses. “You’re annoying and I don’t like you.”
Spike gave her a weak smile and they remained in an awkward silence for a few moments.
“So… Can we stop the plan already?” Buffy suddenly blurted out.
“What?”
“You and Dru are back together, right? We can quit pretending.” She tried to seem as unfazed as possible by the topic of conversation and was pretty successful in her attempt.
Her questions took him by surprise. It was true, Dru had come back to him, or at least was drooling all over him again, which was a positive sign, but they weren’t together yet.
“Me and Dru aren’t together.” Spike explained.
“Right, cause the whole bumping and grinding on the dance floor is just soooo normal amongst ex’s.” Buffy snarled, clumsily standing and making her way to the kitchen.
“We weren’t bumping and grinding.” He protested as he followed her.
“Whatever…” She said uninterested as she opened the various cabinets in the kitchen.
“We were just…” He stopped, looking for the right word.
“Dry humping on the dance floor?” Buffy offered with a hint of anger.
“I-“
“I don’t care Spike. You got what you wanted, Dru pawing all over you. Now can we please put an end to the stupid farce?” She asked raising her eyebrows as she found what she was looking for.
She reached for the bottle and took out the cork before quickly taking a big gulp from its content.
“What are you doing?!” He questioned as he grabbed the bottle from her hands. He turned it in his hands to read the label. “What is it with you and alcohol all of a sudden? I thought you hated this stuff.”
“Not anymore.” She grumbled snatching the bottle back from his hands and drinking from it.
Spike made a move to retrieve the object, but she clenched it against her chest as if clinging to dear life itself.
“It’s mine.” She grumbled, frowning and pouting at the same time.
God, she looked to cute, flushed and… angry? She was angry. Why was she…
“Are you jealous, pet?” He asked with a cocky smirk as realisation came to him.
Her eyes instantly widened as if he had said the greatest of blasphemies. Her mouth opened and closed a couple of time before she was able to stutter:
“J-jealous? Me? Jealous? Of what?”
“Of me and Dru.” He continued with that annoying smirk on his lips. Oh, how she hated that stupid smirk.
“Dream on, Brit-boy.” She snarled, gulping from the bottle.
“You’re jealous…” He singsonged.
“And you’ve lost it pal.” She drooled out.
He smiled and tilted his head sideways as he came closer to her.
“Just admit it, luv. You’re jealous… It’s only normal. I mean, being so close to me these last few days… touching… kissing…” He had to stop to take in some air as his own words started to bring back the memories of the past week.
Buffy stepped back and he continued to close the distance between them until she felt the edge of the kitchen counter rub against her back. She stared up at him and felt her heart race as he set both hands on counter on either side of her, successfully trapping her.
“Admit that you felt jealous when you saw me and… Dru-“
The simple mention of her name made her skin curl and gave her renewed strength. She quickly pushed him away and stepped away from the counter.
“You’re full of yourself, you know that? I would never, ever feel jealous of you. What I don’t want is for people in school to think that my current boyfriend is going behind my back to boink that skanky ho. Again!” She managed to word out even though the room seemed to start turning around her.
“That’s you’re problem?”
“You bet it is. Everyone at the Bronze saw you and her doing… whatever you were doing and I don’t really care. Except that everyone thinks that you’re my boyfriend and I so don’t need the entire student body to give me the pity look. I had enough of it last time. So you know what, Spike? This whole arrangement we had going? “ She pointed at herself and then at him. “It’s over.”
“But-“ A hint of desperation started to build up inside of him.
“No buts, you wanted Dru back, you’ve got her.” She snarled.
“I don’t have her back.” He answered without thinking and Buffy felt her blood start to boil.
“I don’t care! That’s your problem; I’m not going to be made the fool. Forget it.” She yelled as she tried to turn on her heels, but suddenly she seemed to lose all balance and stumbled to the floor.
With instant reflexes, he was able to grab her before she fell. His arms kept a tight grip around her waist crushing her against his chest; the bottle of wine, still in her hand, spilling against his shirt at the abrupt movement.
“Are you ok?” True concern echoed in his voice.
She shook her head slightly, closing her eyes for a brief second and then scrambled away from him.
“I’m fine.” She insisted, trying to keep her distance.
“Look, Buffy… I didn’t mean to… Dru was just there…”
“I don’t want to hear it. I told you, I’m out.” She insisted as the anger returned in full force at the mention of the black-clad teen.
“But-“
“Just leave, Spike!” She yelled slamming the bottle on the nearest available surface.
“I-“
“I’m not gonna continue this stupid charade just because your ex is playing hard to get. Get someone else to do it, cause I’m tired of it.”
“I didn’t do anything.” He insisted raising his voice.
“You were practically doing it on the dance floor!” She cried out as she waved her hands in front of her.
“We were just dancing.”
“Ok, next time, I’ll ‘dance’ with Angel like that, see how it makes *you* feel.”
Buffy never knew what hit her. She was being slammed against the refrigerator, Spike’s angered body crashed against hers as her hands were pinned at her side, near her shoulders.
“You don’t go near him.” He hissed.
“Or what?” She said breathless with a cocky tone, but deep inside she felt her heart skip a few beats as she felt his left leg pushed between hers. “You’re gonna do what?”
“Stay away from him.” He warned her as anger flashed in his eyes.
“You know what? I think I’ll go over there right now. I still look kinda cute, I doubt that Angel would say no.” She grinned as she made a move to leave, but he tightened his grip around her wrists.
“Don’t…” He growled.
Raising her chin and looking up at him she asked:
“Don’t what? You gonna stop me?”
“Damn right I am.” His voice was low and filled with rage.
“Doesn’t feel good when you’re on the other side, does it… William?” She mocked cocking up a perfectly shaped eyebrow as she instinctively rubbed her pelvis against his. Her grin crumbled in a flash, eyes widened for a second as she felt something hard pressing against her lower abdomen and before she could say anything else he smashed his lips against hers in a bruising kiss.
Caught by surprise, Buffy let out a muffled cry as his tongue pushed its way into her mouth, forcing it open. She struggled for breath as his hands let go of her wrists and started to frantically move over her entire body, pulling and pushing at her clothes as he thrust his hips into hers. She felt his fingers finally settle under her thighs, gripping them and pulling her up, her legs instinctively wrapping around his waist. Her arms came to drape around his neck, pulling him closer as she tilted her head to deepen the urgent kiss. They’re tongues battled for dominance, a series of hungry moans escaping the two as they erratically tugged at each other.
She felt him move, effortlessly carrying her with him. He settled her over the counter and stretched his hand over the cold surface, sending its contents to the floor. Buffy ignored the crashing noises as Spike spread her over the counter, his body coming to hover over hers as they never stopped kissing.
Her small trembling fingers curled around the lapels of his duster, pulling at it until it was scattered on the floor. Her hands ran through his dishevelled hair and she wrapped her legs around his hips, drawing him closer as she continued to hungrily kiss him. She gasped as she felt his fingers slide over the outside of her thighs pushing her miniskirt higher, until it was bunched up around her waist.
He pressed hard against her, forcing her to lay back down, while her legs dangled off the counter. His lips left hers to trace ravenous trails down her neck, over her collarbone and down between her breasts where he nuzzled his face, taking in her scent.
“God…” He heard her mutter.
He looked up to find her head thrown back, her neck exposed, her cheeks flushed; her breath coming in rapid urgent pants. He stared blindly at her when a sharp ringing sound pierced through their combined haze. She immediately looked up.
“What…?” Her gaze alternated between the phone and the breathless boy still trapped between her legs.
She felt her heart race as realisation came to her. Without a word, she pushed him out of the way, jumped off the counter and ran to the phone, picking it up.