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Title: A Perfect Fit. Chapter 7 of 19
Genre: General, Romance, Humor, bit of action
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel: the Series
Pairing: Spike/Other, Buffy/Angel
Rating: R for sexual situations and language.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Buffy and Angel. Candy is my own original character and I do own her. This story is for entertainment purposes only. I'm not making any money off this.
Summary: Begins three months after the final battle in the alley in Angel, Not Fade Away. What's left of Angel's crew has moved back to The Hyperion, including a restless Spike. Someone interesting comes to LA, when Faith suggests that only Angel can help her. Many characters from both shows will make appearances. Angel, Harmony, Gunn, Illyria, Lorne, Buffy, Giles, Dawn, Angelus, Willow and others.
(Previous Chapters Here)
Thanks to my betas![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
leiadiana and especially raynedanser for all the help with POV. I'll get it!
Chapter Seven ~ The secrets out
Candy walked out of the bathroom and put the brush in her bag. She smiled in satisfaction because she was ready before him. Spike was sitting on the bed putting his boots on. They were going to go down at sunset, get something to eat and then be on their way. The last two days had been blissful with the majority of the time spent in relative solitude. They had only been out of his rooms to get a few of her things and get more blood.
They had started to get restless being cooped up inside, so they were going to Caritas. Lorne had insisted that they come by so Candy could sing for him. They had seen him last night. They’d seen everyone last night as they piled into Spike’s living room for movie night. They did it once a month and it had been planned before Candy had come to town, so he couldn’t beg off. He had the biggest TV. Anne brought pizza. Gunn brought the popcorn and beer. Harmony brought the movie ‘Real Genius.'
It was also Spike’s turn to choose a movie, but he wanted Candy to choose one instead. He was sure she’d pick something like ‘Philadelphia Story’ and while she agreed that it was a great movie, she decided to go with something a bit more modern. Her all time favorite movie, ‘Drop Dead Fred.' Spike had an extensive DVD library, but ‘Drop Dead Fred’ was not in his collection. He’d never even heard of it and he told her that the name had an unpleasant connotation to it. She seemed so hopeful and insisted it was hilarious, so he called Harmony and asked her to get it from the rental store. They all had laughed and enjoyed it. Even Illyria, whom she had never seen laugh before.
So besides that four hour movie night, Candy had Spike all to herself for two whole days. He had a wicked sense of humor and magical hands. They fought over who had possession of the remote control. She bleached his hair for him. He even let her paint his nails when she complained about how unkempt they looked all chipped the way they were.
It was sometime during that first day that she realized she was falling in love with him. It was too soon and she tried to push the thought away. She just wanted to enjoy spending time with him. He was probably expecting her to go back to Cleveland when she had her answers. For all she knew, this was just a fun interlude for him. She did catch him looking at her seriously a few times when he thought she wasn’t looking. Candy had hopes that he might feel a little more for her than just a passing fancy. For the time being, she was going to keep her feelings to herself and let the chips fall where they may.
She followed him into the bathroom and helped him with his hair. She had to stand on the toilet to reach the top of his head better. He was not a tall man, but she was a few inches shorter than him. She spread the gel liberally on her hands and combed them through his hair. When she was done, she mussed up the front.
“Hey! Don’t,” he complained. He tried to smooth the now loose curls back.
“Leave it,” she demanded. “It looks good.” She hopped down and gave him a quick kiss, before going to wash her hands.
“Really. It looks good like this?” He touched the curls gingerly.
She dried her hands on the towel and looked at him with half closed eyes. “Really. It reminds me of what you look like after we’ve….”
“Had a bit of rough and tumble? Cause right now, I could go for a little of that.” He stalked closer to her.
“Spike. Not now. We promised Lorne. Plus I’m getting hungry,” she practically whined.
“I know. But you look so hot in those tight jeans and sweater. And now I know what pretties you have under there and ‘m just itchin to get them all off of you.” He put his hands on her hips and kissed her forehead. Her cashmere sweater was not excessively tight but still showed off her beautiful figure and it was driving him crazy. It was a robin egg blue that made her eyes stand out even more than usual. They were the color of antique blue glass. He followed her out of the room and nearly went into a fit when she bent over to retrieve her blue high heels. She was so freakin sexy.
Downstairs, Angel was sitting in his office when Harmony flew in. “Look boss, I’m going to have to go on a holiday, okay.” She was trembling and her eyes kept darting back to the door. “There’s no way I can work here with the slayer in town.”
Angel stood and his office chair rolled violently into the wall. “The Slayer? Who do you mean? Which slayer?” He went to the window and used a finger to put a bend in the blinds. He didn't see anyone.
“Buffy!” Harmony was ready to run. She looked over her shoulder. “I swear it’s her. I was washing the glass doors when I saw a cab pull up to the curb. Out comes her Watcher and then the Slayer herself. I gotta go. Sorry to leave you in the lurch here boss. Call me when she leaves. I’m going out the back way.” She rushed out of the room and was gone in a flash.
Angel was trying to think fast. He made his way to the lobby, just as Giles opened the door. No time to call Candy on her phone to warn Spike. They hadn’t come out of his suite for days. He hoped they’d just stay put for a few more hours. Then he’d have time to slip away and warn Spike. Buffy came in followed by her kid sister, who was more woman than kid now. Dawn was looking around expectantly.
“Hi Angel,” Buffy said and folded her arms. She didn’t look happy. “Bet you’re surprised to see me here?” She fixed him with her piercing green eyes. Oh shit, she knows Angel thought. In the beginning, he’d pressed Spike to keep his resurrection from the dead a secret because of Buffy. He didn’t want them together. Buffy was his and Spike needed to stay away from her. Later on, he encouraged Spike to stay hidden from her so that he would stay on with his gang. Sure he was a jerk and he made Angel angry most of the time, but he was family. Spike brought a bit of the old days back for him and they were finally starting to get along better.
“Where is he?” Dawn was standing in one spot, but could barely contain herself.
“Where is who?” Angel knew the gig was up, but he had to try. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Bollocks.” Giles said and fixed him with a glare. “You know perfectly well who we’re talking about. Buffy got a call from Faith the other day. She informed us that Spike was alive and living here with you. We’d like to see him.”
Angel was about to speak when their attention was drawn to the stairs. Spike was going down the stairs backward. He was holding Candy’s hands and laughing at something she said. Angel wished he had a girl look at him the way Candy was smiling at Spike. “No really, I promise,” he was saying to her.
Candy was smiling but she said, “I’m serious Spike. I’ve never sung in front of people before.”
“No matter what, you can’t be as bad as Angel and it will sound like music to my ears. I’ll give you a standing ‘O’.” He turned and leaned against the stair railing. He pulled her into a hug and she wrapped her arms around him. He was about to whisper words of comfort in her ear when he looked over her shoulder and saw the audience they had.
He straightened up quickly. Candy was confused and felt the shock coming off of him. He looked as if he’d seen a ghost. She turned to see what had spooked him. Angel was there, but she didn’t recognize the other three. A distinguished older gentleman and two younger girls were looking up at them in shock. Spike held her hand tightly and they made their way down the stairs. She was about to ask him what was going on when the brunette launched herself at Spike. They had just reached the bottom of the stairs. Candy stepped to the side and out of the way.
“Spike!” the girl screeched. “It’s really you! Oh my God. I can’t believe it.” She pulled back and looked at him. She was as tall as he was and had turned into a beautiful young woman.
“Nibblet,” was all he could say. He swallowed at the lump in his throat and gave her a nod. Giles and Buffy stayed where they were silently watching the exchange.
“I just had to come see for myself. I was sure Faith was bullshitting us. I am so glad to see you.” She stopped and frowned, then she proceeded to kick him hard in the shin.
“Ow! That hurt girl!” He bent down and rubbed it. He looked up and locked eyes with Buffy. Her eyes were wide and wet, which was her trademark hurt and betrayed look.
Buffy looked from Spike to Angel and back again. She had a firm grip on the stake that was sticking out of her pocket. “I should dust you both right here,” she ground out.
Candy made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a growl and stepped in front of Spike to address the blond woman. “Come near Spike with that stake and you’ll find yourself flat on your ass, little girl,” she warned.
“Who is this, Spike?” Dawn asked.
“This is my-”
Angel jumped in, “This is Candy. She’s the one I was telling you about Giles.” He paused for a moment and motioned for Candy to stand with him. Spike and Candy moved away from the staircase towards Angel. “Candy, this is Giles, head of the Watcher’s Council.”
“Hello,” Giles said.
“And this is Buffy the vampire slayer and her sister Dawn.”
“So you’re the other vampire with a soul?” Dawn moved closer to her, titled her head slightly and frowned in concentration. "You look...familiar."
“Candy, it's a pleasure to meet you, really,” Giles said. “When we get settled, I’d love to sit down with you for a few moments for an interview.”
“That would be fine Mr. Giles.” Candy smiled at the man.
“Candy, can I see your phone, please?” Spike asked. “Looks like I need to call Lorne and ask for a rain check on karaoke night, yeah?” He glanced quickly at Buffy.
She dug through her purse and handed the phone to him. “Tell him how very disappointed I am,” she remarked. Spike smirked at her and stepped away from the group to make his call.
“So Angel, you want to tell me why almost two years have gone by and I’m just learning now that he’s alive?” When Faith had called her, she didn’t believe it, but Faith insisted that this Candy chick had seen Spike at Angel’s and that Candy had described him perfectly. She told Dawn and Andrew about Faith’s call over dinner that night and Andrew looked guilty as hell. He confessed to having seen Spike about two years ago living with Angel at Wolfram and Hart when he’d gone to collect the crazy slayer.
“It’s a long story and I promise to tell you all about it.” He was searching for any way to change the subject. “Let’s find you guys some rooms. I’m sure you are all tired from your travels.” He stopped for a minute and when no one had anything to say he continued, “My help just up and quit a little while ago so I’ll have to set the rooms up myself.”
“I’ll do it,” Candy interjected. “I know there are two rooms across from mine that are in decent shape. Just point me to the linens.” Candy pleaded with Angel with her eyes. She looked at Buffy quickly and then back at him.
“I’ll help, too. Anything to get out of a room full of angry Buffy,” Dawn piped in.
Spike handed Candy her phone and moved her off away from the others. “While you’re at it, why don’t you move your stuff to my suite?” When she looked surprised he continued. “You’re not using it anyway. Give it to one of our guests.”
Candy looked over at the group. They were all talking at once, but Buffy had her eye on them. “Look, I don’t want to be a problem for you. Your ex is here and she obviously still has a thing for you even if she did threaten to end you.”
“You’ve got this all wrong, luv. Buffy and I were never really together. It was all one sided on my part. Further more, I was going to help you move your stuff to my suite after we got back from Caritas tonight.” He bent down a little so that they were truly eye to eye. “I want you to and if I don’t find your stuff cluttering up my room by the time we retire tonight, I’m going down there and moving it all myself.” He tilted his head and smiled at her.
“Okay Spike.” She touched his face before walking away with Dawn.
Angel called out to them, “We’ll be in my suite by the time you’re done. Meet us in there. Room 301.”
“Okay,” Dawn said.
They made it up one flight of stairs before Dawn started in. “So how long have you known Spike?”
“Not long. We met about a week ago.”
“You know, Buffy and Spike had a thing way back when.” Dawn looked her over. She might be a vampire, but she had class. Buffy had competition now.
“So I’ve heard. Seems like you were really close to him, too,” Candy said.
“Well in a big brother kind of way. I always thought he was cool; even when my sister hated him. We had a bad spell where we weren’t speaking to each other for awhile. Even so, he took care of me one summer when my sister couldn’t. He’ll always be family to me.”
Candy handed her some linens and towels and showed her to the room across from hers. “The room to the right is also in good shape. They both need a good dusting and airing out though.”
“We’ll do what we can. It’s not like we gave Angel any notice.” Dawn started stripping the bed.
“Well, I’ll be in the room across the hall for a bit if you need me.”
“Thanks.” Dawn dismissed her with that and got down to business.
Down in the lobby, things were a little tense. Giles and Angel were huddled together by the office already talking business. Spike was pacing back and forth glancing at Buffy now and then. Buffy stood there frowning as she watched him.
“You want some scotch or something, Watcher?” Spike asked.
“That would be fine,” Giles said and went right back to conferring with Angel.
Spike made his way to the kitchen. Buffy followed and when the doors swung shut, she started in on him.
“What the hell is going on Spike?” She got in front of him so he couldn’t move.
“Where do I start?” He looked down at her shoes. It was hard to be this close to her again. Turbulent emotions were rushing through him. This was the girl that had taken his life and turned it upside down. She was the reason for his soul. For years she had been his everything and he ached inside for the past and what had never been.
She backed up and sat on the island counter. He mirrored her and hopped on to the counter across from her. He could think better this way, with a little distance.
“Why don’t you start with how you ended up in L.A. and not at the bottom of what was once Sunnydale.”
“I’d rather discuss those details up in Angel’s room with everyone present. I’m not telling that story more than once tonight.” He wasn’t backing down from that. This was all very unpleasant and he didn’t want to have to go over it twice.
“Okay, then let's get down to what really matters.” She looked him straight in the eyes. “Why didn’t you let me know you were alive or undead or what ever you want to call it?”
“Well part of it has to do with details you’ll hear soon enough. But mostly, I just wanted to go out a hero, right? It wasn’t my choice to come back and I know you, of all people, can understand that.” When she nodded and gripped the island so tight that he could see her knuckles going white, he continued. “I found out that you’d moved to Italy and for a time there, it was impossible for me to leave L.A. Then when I was ready to leave and get away from Angel, a life or death situation came up and I was needed to help a friend. Giles might remember Angel’s plea for help to save our friend Fred.” He looked at her pointedly.
“Giles and I rarely talk now. We check in once a month or so, but we aren’t usually in the same country,” she said quietly.
It was obvious that she knew nothing about it. He was glad to know that she had nothing to do with that snub against Angel that furthered the demise of Fred. “Some time back before our big blow out with Wolfram & Hart, we got an assignment in Italy.”
She sat up straight. “You were in Italy and you didn’t even come to see me?” she asked quietly.
“Actually we did. Ask Andrew. We saw him. We also made bloody fools of ourselves, we did. We kept missing you. I did see you once though.”
“When?”
“You were dancing at this club with The Immortal.” He tried not to accuse her with his voice. She was a free woman and could see who she pleased. “You still with him?”
“I was never with him,” she said indignantly. “He was my assignment. He still is my assignment.”
“Wha-”
“Short version. Giles thought I was the perfect slayer for the job since, as he put it, I have the uncanny ability to attract master vampires.” She rolled her eyes.
Spike chuckled, but he was relieved to know she hadn’t fallen for that pillock.
“This under cover work is not my forte and it's taking a really long time.” She sighed. “You know, I grieved for you.” She looked down but he could tell she was frowning.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think-”
“That’s your problem, Spike! You don’t think.”
“You can say what you like, slayer, but what I thought was that you’d say a few nice things about the vamp who turned white hat and saved the world. But you’d go on being the slayer and all would be well with you.” He shrugged.
She jumped off the counter in agitation. “Was I the only one there at the end when we said our last words to each other?”
“I was there, Slayer.” He sighed with that and hopped down. “I know you cared. I know we were close there at the end, but you didn’t mean what you said.”
“Now you’re starting to piss me off. Don’t tell me what I meant.” She was in his face and her familiar scent was assaulting him.
“It’s starting to feel like old times now, but I don’t want to fight with you.” He backed away with his hands up in a protective gesture. Turning to collect the scotch and glasses, he felt her eyes on his back. He was going to need a drink now, too, but would wait to pour when they were up in Angel’s room. His hands were shaking too much now so he held the tray out to her. “Would you take this up for me? I need to get some blood warmed up. Candy must be ravenous by now,” he finished almost to himself.
“Wait! Are you telling me you let my sister go off alone with a hungry vampire?” she asked in outraged disbelief.
“You know she has a soul like Angel and I.”
“So.” She folded her arms.
“She rose with her soul intact, Buffy. She hasn’t roamed this earth leaving a path of dead bodies like some other vamps you know. As a matter of fact, as far as I know, she’s only ever eaten off one man when she first rose.”
“Oh,” was all she said.
Chapter Eight: Excuses
Genre: General, Romance, Humor, bit of action
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel: the Series
Pairing: Spike/Other, Buffy/Angel
Rating: R for sexual situations and language.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Buffy and Angel. Candy is my own original character and I do own her. This story is for entertainment purposes only. I'm not making any money off this.
Summary: Begins three months after the final battle in the alley in Angel, Not Fade Away. What's left of Angel's crew has moved back to The Hyperion, including a restless Spike. Someone interesting comes to LA, when Faith suggests that only Angel can help her. Many characters from both shows will make appearances. Angel, Harmony, Gunn, Illyria, Lorne, Buffy, Giles, Dawn, Angelus, Willow and others.
(Previous Chapters Here)
Thanks to my betas
leiadiana and especially raynedanser for all the help with POV. I'll get it! Chapter Seven ~ The secrets out
Candy walked out of the bathroom and put the brush in her bag. She smiled in satisfaction because she was ready before him. Spike was sitting on the bed putting his boots on. They were going to go down at sunset, get something to eat and then be on their way. The last two days had been blissful with the majority of the time spent in relative solitude. They had only been out of his rooms to get a few of her things and get more blood.
They had started to get restless being cooped up inside, so they were going to Caritas. Lorne had insisted that they come by so Candy could sing for him. They had seen him last night. They’d seen everyone last night as they piled into Spike’s living room for movie night. They did it once a month and it had been planned before Candy had come to town, so he couldn’t beg off. He had the biggest TV. Anne brought pizza. Gunn brought the popcorn and beer. Harmony brought the movie ‘Real Genius.'
It was also Spike’s turn to choose a movie, but he wanted Candy to choose one instead. He was sure she’d pick something like ‘Philadelphia Story’ and while she agreed that it was a great movie, she decided to go with something a bit more modern. Her all time favorite movie, ‘Drop Dead Fred.' Spike had an extensive DVD library, but ‘Drop Dead Fred’ was not in his collection. He’d never even heard of it and he told her that the name had an unpleasant connotation to it. She seemed so hopeful and insisted it was hilarious, so he called Harmony and asked her to get it from the rental store. They all had laughed and enjoyed it. Even Illyria, whom she had never seen laugh before.
So besides that four hour movie night, Candy had Spike all to herself for two whole days. He had a wicked sense of humor and magical hands. They fought over who had possession of the remote control. She bleached his hair for him. He even let her paint his nails when she complained about how unkempt they looked all chipped the way they were.
It was sometime during that first day that she realized she was falling in love with him. It was too soon and she tried to push the thought away. She just wanted to enjoy spending time with him. He was probably expecting her to go back to Cleveland when she had her answers. For all she knew, this was just a fun interlude for him. She did catch him looking at her seriously a few times when he thought she wasn’t looking. Candy had hopes that he might feel a little more for her than just a passing fancy. For the time being, she was going to keep her feelings to herself and let the chips fall where they may.
She followed him into the bathroom and helped him with his hair. She had to stand on the toilet to reach the top of his head better. He was not a tall man, but she was a few inches shorter than him. She spread the gel liberally on her hands and combed them through his hair. When she was done, she mussed up the front.
“Hey! Don’t,” he complained. He tried to smooth the now loose curls back.
“Leave it,” she demanded. “It looks good.” She hopped down and gave him a quick kiss, before going to wash her hands.
“Really. It looks good like this?” He touched the curls gingerly.
She dried her hands on the towel and looked at him with half closed eyes. “Really. It reminds me of what you look like after we’ve….”
“Had a bit of rough and tumble? Cause right now, I could go for a little of that.” He stalked closer to her.
“Spike. Not now. We promised Lorne. Plus I’m getting hungry,” she practically whined.
“I know. But you look so hot in those tight jeans and sweater. And now I know what pretties you have under there and ‘m just itchin to get them all off of you.” He put his hands on her hips and kissed her forehead. Her cashmere sweater was not excessively tight but still showed off her beautiful figure and it was driving him crazy. It was a robin egg blue that made her eyes stand out even more than usual. They were the color of antique blue glass. He followed her out of the room and nearly went into a fit when she bent over to retrieve her blue high heels. She was so freakin sexy.
Downstairs, Angel was sitting in his office when Harmony flew in. “Look boss, I’m going to have to go on a holiday, okay.” She was trembling and her eyes kept darting back to the door. “There’s no way I can work here with the slayer in town.”
Angel stood and his office chair rolled violently into the wall. “The Slayer? Who do you mean? Which slayer?” He went to the window and used a finger to put a bend in the blinds. He didn't see anyone.
“Buffy!” Harmony was ready to run. She looked over her shoulder. “I swear it’s her. I was washing the glass doors when I saw a cab pull up to the curb. Out comes her Watcher and then the Slayer herself. I gotta go. Sorry to leave you in the lurch here boss. Call me when she leaves. I’m going out the back way.” She rushed out of the room and was gone in a flash.
Angel was trying to think fast. He made his way to the lobby, just as Giles opened the door. No time to call Candy on her phone to warn Spike. They hadn’t come out of his suite for days. He hoped they’d just stay put for a few more hours. Then he’d have time to slip away and warn Spike. Buffy came in followed by her kid sister, who was more woman than kid now. Dawn was looking around expectantly.
“Hi Angel,” Buffy said and folded her arms. She didn’t look happy. “Bet you’re surprised to see me here?” She fixed him with her piercing green eyes. Oh shit, she knows Angel thought. In the beginning, he’d pressed Spike to keep his resurrection from the dead a secret because of Buffy. He didn’t want them together. Buffy was his and Spike needed to stay away from her. Later on, he encouraged Spike to stay hidden from her so that he would stay on with his gang. Sure he was a jerk and he made Angel angry most of the time, but he was family. Spike brought a bit of the old days back for him and they were finally starting to get along better.
“Where is he?” Dawn was standing in one spot, but could barely contain herself.
“Where is who?” Angel knew the gig was up, but he had to try. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Bollocks.” Giles said and fixed him with a glare. “You know perfectly well who we’re talking about. Buffy got a call from Faith the other day. She informed us that Spike was alive and living here with you. We’d like to see him.”
Angel was about to speak when their attention was drawn to the stairs. Spike was going down the stairs backward. He was holding Candy’s hands and laughing at something she said. Angel wished he had a girl look at him the way Candy was smiling at Spike. “No really, I promise,” he was saying to her.
Candy was smiling but she said, “I’m serious Spike. I’ve never sung in front of people before.”
“No matter what, you can’t be as bad as Angel and it will sound like music to my ears. I’ll give you a standing ‘O’.” He turned and leaned against the stair railing. He pulled her into a hug and she wrapped her arms around him. He was about to whisper words of comfort in her ear when he looked over her shoulder and saw the audience they had.
He straightened up quickly. Candy was confused and felt the shock coming off of him. He looked as if he’d seen a ghost. She turned to see what had spooked him. Angel was there, but she didn’t recognize the other three. A distinguished older gentleman and two younger girls were looking up at them in shock. Spike held her hand tightly and they made their way down the stairs. She was about to ask him what was going on when the brunette launched herself at Spike. They had just reached the bottom of the stairs. Candy stepped to the side and out of the way.
“Spike!” the girl screeched. “It’s really you! Oh my God. I can’t believe it.” She pulled back and looked at him. She was as tall as he was and had turned into a beautiful young woman.
“Nibblet,” was all he could say. He swallowed at the lump in his throat and gave her a nod. Giles and Buffy stayed where they were silently watching the exchange.
“I just had to come see for myself. I was sure Faith was bullshitting us. I am so glad to see you.” She stopped and frowned, then she proceeded to kick him hard in the shin.
“Ow! That hurt girl!” He bent down and rubbed it. He looked up and locked eyes with Buffy. Her eyes were wide and wet, which was her trademark hurt and betrayed look.
Buffy looked from Spike to Angel and back again. She had a firm grip on the stake that was sticking out of her pocket. “I should dust you both right here,” she ground out.
Candy made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a growl and stepped in front of Spike to address the blond woman. “Come near Spike with that stake and you’ll find yourself flat on your ass, little girl,” she warned.
“Who is this, Spike?” Dawn asked.
“This is my-”
Angel jumped in, “This is Candy. She’s the one I was telling you about Giles.” He paused for a moment and motioned for Candy to stand with him. Spike and Candy moved away from the staircase towards Angel. “Candy, this is Giles, head of the Watcher’s Council.”
“Hello,” Giles said.
“And this is Buffy the vampire slayer and her sister Dawn.”
“So you’re the other vampire with a soul?” Dawn moved closer to her, titled her head slightly and frowned in concentration. "You look...familiar."
“Candy, it's a pleasure to meet you, really,” Giles said. “When we get settled, I’d love to sit down with you for a few moments for an interview.”
“That would be fine Mr. Giles.” Candy smiled at the man.
“Candy, can I see your phone, please?” Spike asked. “Looks like I need to call Lorne and ask for a rain check on karaoke night, yeah?” He glanced quickly at Buffy.
She dug through her purse and handed the phone to him. “Tell him how very disappointed I am,” she remarked. Spike smirked at her and stepped away from the group to make his call.
“So Angel, you want to tell me why almost two years have gone by and I’m just learning now that he’s alive?” When Faith had called her, she didn’t believe it, but Faith insisted that this Candy chick had seen Spike at Angel’s and that Candy had described him perfectly. She told Dawn and Andrew about Faith’s call over dinner that night and Andrew looked guilty as hell. He confessed to having seen Spike about two years ago living with Angel at Wolfram and Hart when he’d gone to collect the crazy slayer.
“It’s a long story and I promise to tell you all about it.” He was searching for any way to change the subject. “Let’s find you guys some rooms. I’m sure you are all tired from your travels.” He stopped for a minute and when no one had anything to say he continued, “My help just up and quit a little while ago so I’ll have to set the rooms up myself.”
“I’ll do it,” Candy interjected. “I know there are two rooms across from mine that are in decent shape. Just point me to the linens.” Candy pleaded with Angel with her eyes. She looked at Buffy quickly and then back at him.
“I’ll help, too. Anything to get out of a room full of angry Buffy,” Dawn piped in.
Spike handed Candy her phone and moved her off away from the others. “While you’re at it, why don’t you move your stuff to my suite?” When she looked surprised he continued. “You’re not using it anyway. Give it to one of our guests.”
Candy looked over at the group. They were all talking at once, but Buffy had her eye on them. “Look, I don’t want to be a problem for you. Your ex is here and she obviously still has a thing for you even if she did threaten to end you.”
“You’ve got this all wrong, luv. Buffy and I were never really together. It was all one sided on my part. Further more, I was going to help you move your stuff to my suite after we got back from Caritas tonight.” He bent down a little so that they were truly eye to eye. “I want you to and if I don’t find your stuff cluttering up my room by the time we retire tonight, I’m going down there and moving it all myself.” He tilted his head and smiled at her.
“Okay Spike.” She touched his face before walking away with Dawn.
Angel called out to them, “We’ll be in my suite by the time you’re done. Meet us in there. Room 301.”
“Okay,” Dawn said.
They made it up one flight of stairs before Dawn started in. “So how long have you known Spike?”
“Not long. We met about a week ago.”
“You know, Buffy and Spike had a thing way back when.” Dawn looked her over. She might be a vampire, but she had class. Buffy had competition now.
“So I’ve heard. Seems like you were really close to him, too,” Candy said.
“Well in a big brother kind of way. I always thought he was cool; even when my sister hated him. We had a bad spell where we weren’t speaking to each other for awhile. Even so, he took care of me one summer when my sister couldn’t. He’ll always be family to me.”
Candy handed her some linens and towels and showed her to the room across from hers. “The room to the right is also in good shape. They both need a good dusting and airing out though.”
“We’ll do what we can. It’s not like we gave Angel any notice.” Dawn started stripping the bed.
“Well, I’ll be in the room across the hall for a bit if you need me.”
“Thanks.” Dawn dismissed her with that and got down to business.
Down in the lobby, things were a little tense. Giles and Angel were huddled together by the office already talking business. Spike was pacing back and forth glancing at Buffy now and then. Buffy stood there frowning as she watched him.
“You want some scotch or something, Watcher?” Spike asked.
“That would be fine,” Giles said and went right back to conferring with Angel.
Spike made his way to the kitchen. Buffy followed and when the doors swung shut, she started in on him.
“What the hell is going on Spike?” She got in front of him so he couldn’t move.
“Where do I start?” He looked down at her shoes. It was hard to be this close to her again. Turbulent emotions were rushing through him. This was the girl that had taken his life and turned it upside down. She was the reason for his soul. For years she had been his everything and he ached inside for the past and what had never been.
She backed up and sat on the island counter. He mirrored her and hopped on to the counter across from her. He could think better this way, with a little distance.
“Why don’t you start with how you ended up in L.A. and not at the bottom of what was once Sunnydale.”
“I’d rather discuss those details up in Angel’s room with everyone present. I’m not telling that story more than once tonight.” He wasn’t backing down from that. This was all very unpleasant and he didn’t want to have to go over it twice.
“Okay, then let's get down to what really matters.” She looked him straight in the eyes. “Why didn’t you let me know you were alive or undead or what ever you want to call it?”
“Well part of it has to do with details you’ll hear soon enough. But mostly, I just wanted to go out a hero, right? It wasn’t my choice to come back and I know you, of all people, can understand that.” When she nodded and gripped the island so tight that he could see her knuckles going white, he continued. “I found out that you’d moved to Italy and for a time there, it was impossible for me to leave L.A. Then when I was ready to leave and get away from Angel, a life or death situation came up and I was needed to help a friend. Giles might remember Angel’s plea for help to save our friend Fred.” He looked at her pointedly.
“Giles and I rarely talk now. We check in once a month or so, but we aren’t usually in the same country,” she said quietly.
It was obvious that she knew nothing about it. He was glad to know that she had nothing to do with that snub against Angel that furthered the demise of Fred. “Some time back before our big blow out with Wolfram & Hart, we got an assignment in Italy.”
She sat up straight. “You were in Italy and you didn’t even come to see me?” she asked quietly.
“Actually we did. Ask Andrew. We saw him. We also made bloody fools of ourselves, we did. We kept missing you. I did see you once though.”
“When?”
“You were dancing at this club with The Immortal.” He tried not to accuse her with his voice. She was a free woman and could see who she pleased. “You still with him?”
“I was never with him,” she said indignantly. “He was my assignment. He still is my assignment.”
“Wha-”
“Short version. Giles thought I was the perfect slayer for the job since, as he put it, I have the uncanny ability to attract master vampires.” She rolled her eyes.
Spike chuckled, but he was relieved to know she hadn’t fallen for that pillock.
“This under cover work is not my forte and it's taking a really long time.” She sighed. “You know, I grieved for you.” She looked down but he could tell she was frowning.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think-”
“That’s your problem, Spike! You don’t think.”
“You can say what you like, slayer, but what I thought was that you’d say a few nice things about the vamp who turned white hat and saved the world. But you’d go on being the slayer and all would be well with you.” He shrugged.
She jumped off the counter in agitation. “Was I the only one there at the end when we said our last words to each other?”
“I was there, Slayer.” He sighed with that and hopped down. “I know you cared. I know we were close there at the end, but you didn’t mean what you said.”
“Now you’re starting to piss me off. Don’t tell me what I meant.” She was in his face and her familiar scent was assaulting him.
“It’s starting to feel like old times now, but I don’t want to fight with you.” He backed away with his hands up in a protective gesture. Turning to collect the scotch and glasses, he felt her eyes on his back. He was going to need a drink now, too, but would wait to pour when they were up in Angel’s room. His hands were shaking too much now so he held the tray out to her. “Would you take this up for me? I need to get some blood warmed up. Candy must be ravenous by now,” he finished almost to himself.
“Wait! Are you telling me you let my sister go off alone with a hungry vampire?” she asked in outraged disbelief.
“You know she has a soul like Angel and I.”
“So.” She folded her arms.
“She rose with her soul intact, Buffy. She hasn’t roamed this earth leaving a path of dead bodies like some other vamps you know. As a matter of fact, as far as I know, she’s only ever eaten off one man when she first rose.”
“Oh,” was all she said.
Chapter Eight: Excuses
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