Chapter 7
One Month.
One month had passed since Buffy had disappeared. She had called Xander and Spike like promised but had only told them that she needed time. Both men had offered to send her money to either get her back home or just to help her survive. She laughed and told them both where they could stick their money. She also told them that she was in a very safe environment and that both she and the baby were going to be going to all the needed checkups. Over the duration of the month, the two males had formed and unlikely friendship. Xander had confessed why he was so adamant about getting Buffy out of her home. He told Spike about the abuse and neglect the two had suffered. Spike began to understand why Buffy was so defensive about the baby. He vowed to help her in anyway. Spike’s father was a board member at both Sunnydale U and UCLA. His whole family came from old money. Spike knew his parents would be more than willing to give Spike trust money for his child. All he had to was find her.
Spike was sitting at the same restaurant that he taken Buffy the morning after he found out about the baby. ‘I cant do this anymore. I have to find her, make her understand that I am not mad. I just want to be there for her.’ Spike had called Xander and Willow the night before to meet him here. He had showed early to collect his thoughts. As he stirred a packet of sugar into his bitter coffee he fought to control the urge to bum a smoke of the waitress. After founding out he was about to become a father he tried the patch, that didn’t work so he tried the gum. The gum didn’t really work so now he was on both. It made him a little sick but he was willing to do anything to be able to be around Buffy during her pregnancy and of course the baby after he or she was born.
Finally after waiting twenty minutes the two old friends walked to the restaurant. Xander had an arm slung over the red heads shoulder in a friendly manner. They were both laughing at an inside joke. It was obvious to Spike that the two had been close for a long time. Spike found himself wondering if he would ever have a friend of the opposite sex like that. Close without having to worry if a touch or hug would cause a sexual response. Spike was no stud, he didn’t sleep around, that night with Buffy being the exception. Once a girl found out who he was and how much money his father had they seemed to try for a place in his bed immediately. Spike had always hated girls like that. Dru was the only woman he could trust in that respect. Her parents had money also. Not old money likes Spikes but her father was a CEO of a worldwide computer shopping network. Spike could admit now, that was part of the attraction. Spike never had to worry about her only being with him for his money. They never even talked about finances. Of course that might have been because they were always too busy having sex to talk much. Spike knew that he didn’t have to worry about money with Buffy. Oz never told Willow about his wealth so he knew that before Buffy came to his parents house she didn’t know about the money. Funny thing was Spike wouldn’t mind if she called for money. ‘Just so she tells me they both are fine.’
Xander and Willow sat sown across from him. Spike motioned for the waitress to grab two more cups of coffee. “So Spike how are you.” Spike smiled at Willows politeness.
“Its Ok Red. This is going to be one of those times when I know” Spike pointed to himself “that you know “He pointed to the girl across him “that I know you know something that I need to know… So if I have you confused enough tell me where I can find Buffy.” He smirked as Willow began to squirm.
“Man I have no idea what you said. But I agree. She has been gone a month. That is plenty of time to figure out what she wants. I don’t want to start apartment hunting until Buff’s back. I know she would want a say about where we live.” Xander said as he picked up the menu.
“Hey my Da owns some complexes by the college he could set you up in a nice three bedroom, if you want.”
“That would be cool, but I think Buff would like something a little quieter. Close to campus would mean lots of college kids. I was thinking somewhere on the West side. Not to far from the bus station.”
“I could get her a car. It would be a hassle to try and travel on the bus with a child. Plus no car seats. How do babies travel on a bus?” Spike asked.
“Usual in a carrier thing. I don’t know how she would feel about you buying her a car. Plus Buffy and cars are unmixy things. She is more of a permanent pedestrian. Wills remember Buffy in driver’s ed?” Xander began to chuckle. Not noticing the redhead was fuming in the seat next to him. “So Wills where is she?”
“Not tellin’.” She said quietly.
“What!” Xander almost choked on his coffee. “Willow she has to come back. I understand she needed some space, but come on.”
“This is exactly why she left! Xander you always try and take care of her. You need to understand that she is an adult. Did you ever think she doesn’t want you to take care of her?” Willows face had begun to match her hair. She sat in the booth staring at the untouched cup of coffee.
“Willow I love her, I am just trying to help.” Xanders face was contorted in his confusion.
“You know how you can help her Xan? Get a life! One that is not little sister shaped. Call Cordy, Go to college. Stop using Buffy as an excuse. The poor girl has always thought she had to be perfect to make you happy. She knows everything you have given up for her. Buffy has never been stupid. She knew you worked at the pizza place to buy her cheerleading uniforms and her formal dresses. She knows you lied when you said Darla gave you the money. She knew Darla was lying when SHE said she gave you the money. Do you think Buffy wanted that? Remember what you told her when she wanted to get a job? You criticized her for thinking she could still keep up her grades.”
Willow paused when she realized she was spilling family problems in front of Spike.
“God Xander I am so sorry. I know you always wanted the best for her. But Buffy needs to figure some stuff out on her own. And she cant do that with you always telling her what to do.”
Willow turned to Spike.
“As for you, Mister. You proved to me the first moment I sat down you’d be the same way.”
“What did I do?”
“I hate coffee.” Willow smiled at his ashamed look. “And please don’t buy her a car. Cause Buffy is a really really bad driver.” Spike and Xander both chuckled at that. “Against my better wishes I do think both of you are right. But I can’t tell you where she is.” Willow had one eyebrow cocked and her mouth formed a determined line.
“Oh no Spike, I know what that face means.”
“What?”
“Willow resolve face.”