Chapter 8: House, Heart, and Soul Warming
Knocking on the apartment’s door, Dawn could barely contain her excitement. This was going to be so cool! She had managed to convince everyone to come and see Spike’s new home. Even Giles and Xander, and these two really had been hard to persuade. But she was sure it was a great opportunity to try to make things better. After all, Spike had changed. He had written all these letters and apologized, and even Buffy wasn’t mad anymore. Everyone had received a letter and apologies actually, except Xander.
The vampire opened and gave her a big smile as she stepped in. However, the grin soon disappeared when she was followed not only by Buffy and Willow, whom he had invited, but also by Anya, Giles and Xander.
“Is the whole bloody town coming?” he asked, sounding annoyed.
“Come on Spike, this is a housewarming party. You know, new home, friends, gifts, party? Please?”
The gang had warned her beforehand. This was her idea, she had to convince him. And if he wasn’t agreeing, that was the end of it, everybody was out of there. But she knew he wouldn’t refuse. She had a secret weapon he could not resist.
“Don’t you dare make your sad puppy eyes at me, Nibblet. It won’t work.”
“Please pretty please? We got pizza. And gifts.”
He threw his hands up in the air, and she knew she had won.
“Oh, suit yourself. If you people have nothing better to do than annoy me to death.”
He didn’t sound so mad any more. She knew him, he was just pretending.
“How about we leave all the goodies on that slightly cracked but otherwise fine coffee table and you show us around?” Buffy finally suggested.
The visiting part was over rather quickly. The apartment wasn’t big – living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and a couple of closets. It wasn’t much furnished either, the few pieces of furniture that had filled the crypt being completed by some obviously second-hand articles such as a big but battered sofa.
Dawn realized he seemed almost embarrassed as they were back in the living room after the ‘grand tour’.
“It’s great,” she assured him.
“Yes, real cool,” Willow said, almost managing to sound convinced.
“I like the carpet,” Anya announced.
They all looked down at the said carpet. It was alright as far as Dawn was concerned, but it looked like burnt in a few spots. She noticed Buffy was staring at it, shaking her head lightly.
They all sat by the sofa, or next to it, as it was not large enough for all of them. After some prompting, Spike opened the gift box, taking out a dozen mismatched candles.
“You always had so many candles at the crypt, we thought you’d need some more here.”
That hadn’t sounded right at all. She was going to rephrase it better when he nodded, a smirk on his lips. “Thanks,” he said simply, avoiding looking at anyone in particular.
The pizza boxes were opened, and as they all started eating, they started talking too. Dawn was glowing. She had known it would be a great party.
Come on, Xander. You can do it. For Buffy. Think about Buffy. It won’t kill you. Hopefully.
Talking to himself under his breath, Xander left the girls and Giles in the living room to follow Spike into the kitchen.
“Hey Evil Dead. Nice home.”
The vampire just ignored him, nursing a beer.
“Did I mention lately how much I hate you?”
“The feeling is mutual, whelp.”
Think of Buffy. Play nice. Do it quick and you won’t need to think about it anymore.
Xander sat down on a stool at the kitchen island, just across from Spike, who raised a scarred eyebrow at him.
“OK. For reasons I cannot begin to understand, Buffy likes you and.”
“I still don’t understand how she can like you,” Spike interrupted.
“Would you just shut up? It’s difficult enough without you. being. so. you!
“Oh, forgive me for being me in my own house!”
Scowling at the sarcasm, Xander got to his feet and started walking away. After two steps, he was returning to the stool he had just left, taking a deep, calming breath.
“As I was saying, Buffy likes you. She’s my friend. And since she won’t let me tell her how wrong she is not to dust you once and for all, there’s only one thing left for me to do.”
“And that would be? Killing me? I’m so scared!”
The vampire laughed, flashing his game mask for just an instant. This was mad. This was crazy. This was. necessary.
“Not kill you. Though it’s not by lack of motivation, I assure you. I’m going to do something even worse. I’m going to be courteous to you. I’m going to treat you like the human being you are not. And for Buffy’s sake, you will be just as courteous to me.”
“I will?”
Spike sounded amused, but Xander replied very seriously.
“You will. If you care about her, you will.”
The brunette watched as the vampire tossed his empty beer bottle in the trash and retrieved another one from the fridge. Two other ones. He placed one in front of Xander, and said: “You got yourself a deal, whelp.”
“Glad to hear, Soulboy.”
They both took a long gulp from their bottles before returning in the living room with the rest of the gang.
There, it wasn’t that hard. Just a little deal. A deal with the devil. Does the devil have a soul?
“Everybody, listen, Spike has an announcement to make.”
“I do?”
What in the hell is the Slayer talking about?
“Yes you do,” she nods. “Remember, that little change in your life?”
Oh. That.
“Some of us already know,” she continues, “but you should tell everyone since we’re all here.”
Oh joy.
“As you command, Schlayer.”
I get to my feet. Hmm, a bit unsteady there. I shouldn’t have had these last two or three shots of vodka. Make that the last dozen.
“OK people, here’s the announcement. You have in front of you a brand new Spike. ‘Got rid of the chip!”
I give them all my best smirk, but my effects are spoiled by an agitated Buffy.
“Your soul, idiot. That’s the announcement.”
Did she just call me idiot? Nah. I must have heard wrong.
“Oh yeah, that. People, I now have a pretty new soul instead of the soddin’ chip.”
I look at her expectantly. Why is she shaking her head?
At least the Nibblet seems happy. But then, why is she trying to crush my ribs?