Chapter 18: Cloudy With A Chance of Rain
Spike entered the hospital waiting room as casually as possible. He and Buffy had spoken in passing before he left the Summers’ residence for his own crypt. Things had been awkward between the two of them, neither of them certain of where their relationship was headed or what the next step might be. The Slayer had mentioned going to the hospital with Joyce when Spike asked what she was doing the next day, but she hadn’t asked him to come.
He hadn’t offered, either.
Thinking about it later, Spike had realized that it might be a good idea to join Buffy. She could probably use some company, and he didn’t know whether anyone else would be there. Besides, if they were going to do this relationship thing, Spike knew he ought to at least attempt to get along with her friends and family.
It was for that reason alone that he had dispensed with the usual black on black ensemble. He would be changing as soon as he got back to his crypt, of course, but to show respect for Joyce, Spike thought he might try dressing up a bit. She’d been remarkably kind to him, and he wanted to demonstrate his appreciation in some way.
If that meant looking more like a “normal” boyfriend, he’d do it. Occasionally.
Buffy was the first to spot him. She came over to his side immediately. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
Spike blinked, trying to figure out if he’d done something wrong by showing up. “Thought I’d keep you company,” he replied uncomfortably. “Where’s your mum?”
“They just took her back,” Buffy replied, making a face. “Of
course, she was scheduled to start the tests two hours ago.” She glanced around
and then dragged him away, and Spike could see Giles,
“You don’t want me here?” Spike asked.
“No,” Buffy replied. “It’s just—” Frowning, she finally noticed that he wasn’t dressed in his usual black jeans and black t-shirt. Instead, he was wearing dark gray pants and a dark blue shirt. “What are you wearing?”
Spike scowled. “Somethin’ wrong with it?”
There was nothing wrong with it. Quite the opposite, in fact, and Buffy decided she did not want to jeopardize the chance that Spike might dress more up-scale in the future. “No, it’s just—I’ve never seen you in anything like that before.”
He shrugged uncomfortably. “Well, you know, since I thought I’d visit your mum…”
Spike wasn’t prepared for Buffy’s reaction. She launched herself at him, shoving him back up against the wall, her lips locking to his, and her tongue coming out to play. After a split second, he got over his surprise and began to respond. Buffy finally pulled back to breathe, and Spike just stared at her. “Luv?”
“You are so sweet,” Buffy exclaimed. It meant even more coming from Spike, since getting him out of his black jeans was something along the lines of a miracle. That he would willingly dress a little differently for her mom’s sake—well, that said something.
For a moment, Spike contemplated arguing about being called “sweet,” since that was definitely not an adjective he wanted applied to the Big Bad. On the other hand, as Buffy started kissing him again, it might not be such a bad thing after all.
“I can stay as long as you like, Buffy,” Spike said quietly.
She smiled at him. “Good. It’s going to be a while before Mom’s done. If you could stick around…”
“That’s why I’m here.”
Buffy took a deep breath, realizing that this relationship thing might work after all. Spike was willing to give a little. It boded well for things to come. Sure, she had to make some changes as well, but they might actually meet in the middle.
“I’m glad.”
~~~~~
It wouldn’t have taken a genius to know what was going on. Giles recognized the signs immediately. Spike was dressing differently and showing up in unusual places. Buffy was standing close by him, almost touching, the knuckles of their hands just brushing together.
Of course, the signs were subtle enough that the Watcher
might have missed them—had he not already harbored suspicions.
Giles decided just to be grateful that his Slayer wasn’t indulging in public displays of affection, since there was no corresponding blindness to protect him.
“I wanted to talk with you, Spike,” Giles said.
The vampire’s expression turned from slightly uncomfortable to suspicious. “Why?”
“It’s about Drusilla and her visions,” Giles replied. “Not to mention what happened with the lawyers. I’d like to know what they offered you in return for your cooperation.”
Spike shrugged. “We didn’t get that far. They made threats, I told them to shove off, an’ then they made more threats. An’ then they left me in a sunny room. Not the best day I’ve ever spent.”
“I dare say not.” While Giles didn’t particularly want to, he could put himself into Spike’s shoes and at least comprehend the discomfort. “I think I’m going to get a cup of coffee. Would you like something, Buffy?”
She hesitated, knowing exactly what Giles was planning and not being too keen on the idea of her Watcher cornering Spike. “I wouldn’t mind a soda, but I can get it.”
Giles ignored her looking at
“A soda would be great,”
The Watcher looked over at Spike. “Spike? Would you mind helping me?”
Spike actually minded a great deal. On the other hand, this seemed to be one of those things that would be required of him if he wanted to be with Buffy. As much as he wouldn’t mind just getting the Slayer, she came with friends and family.
It had always been one of her most irritating qualities.
“Yeah, why not?” he muttered in reply, following Giles through the hospital corridors towards the cafeteria. Once they were far enough away from the girls, Spike asked, “So you goin’ to give me the speech ‘bout how I’m not good enough for her? Joyce already tried it, an’ I’ll give you the same answer I gave her.”
“Did I say that?” Giles asked. “What happens when the chip stops functioning?”
Spike cocked his head. “What?”
“What happens when the chip stops functioning?” Giles repeated. “You’re not stupid, Spike. You must have thought about it.”
“I’ve thought about it,” Spike replied slowly. “Why are you askin’?”
“Because I want to know what we can expect you to do should the chip cease to function,” the Watcher replied. “If we were to have another Angelus on our hands, I would much prefer to know so that I can make preparations.”
“You mean so you can stake me in my sleep,” Spike replied sarcastically, knowing exactly where this was going.
Giles smiled coldly, sensing that they understood one another quite well. “Buffy seems to be growing fond of you, for some unfathomable reason. If we need to take you out, I’d rather do it before she’s head over heels.”
“She may never get there,” Spike pointed out. “She hasn’t said anythin’ about a relationship. All she’s done was rescue me from a bunch of lawyers, an’ she might have done that for anybody.”
“Perhaps,” Giles allowed. “But the fact remains that she did it for you. So what happens when the chip comes out?”
Spike suddenly found himself pressed up against the wall, and unable to fight back without giving himself a migraine. The man would have his question answered, and he knew when it was time to give in. “Nothin’ happens, Watcher.”
“What do you mean by nothing?”
Spike looked away, unwilling to let his discomfort show. “If what you’re askin’ is if ‘m goin’ to pull an Angelus, you needn’t worry. I don’t want to hurt Buffy. I wouldn’t hurt her.”
“What about the rest of us?” Giles insisted.
Spike rolled his eyes. “Weren’t you listenin’, old man? I said I wouldn’t hurt her, an’ she likes the rest of you. That means you’re safe too.” He glared. “Before you ask, I’d say the same goes for the rest of the population. If I starting munchin’ on the populace, Buffy’d have to stake me, an’ I’m not interested in a dusty endin’.”
Giles was inclined to believe him. If there was anything he’d learned about the vampire, it was that Spike was often ruled by his emotions, his passions. If Spike truly did love Buffy, Giles had no doubt that Spike would remain true to his word.
The question, of course, was whether or not Spike really did love her.
“Vampires aren’t supposed to fall in love with humans,” Giles pointed out.
Spike grimaced. “Yeah, well, I’ve never been normal. Can we leave it at that?”
“No,” Giles said simply. “But we can leave it there for now. Just know, that if you hurt her—”
“You’ll stake me,” Spike said. “I know.”
Giles shook his head. “No, staking would be too quick. I’ll make sure you beg for death before it’s all over.”
Spike looked over at him with new respect. From the expression on the Watcher’s face, he was inclined to believe Giles meant it, and that he would carry out his threat. “Fair enough.”
~~~~~
“So, spill,” Cordelia said after the guys had finally gone home. Angel had moved out the night before, and Wesley had dropped Drusilla off the next morning. Cordy wished she’d had a little more time in between guests, but she also wanted details. There was no way that Dru had spent a couple of days in a hotel room with Wesley without something going on.
Drusilla gave her an arch look. “Spill what?”
“Details!” Cordelia exclaimed. “I know something happened between you and Wes. So? Has he improved as a kisser?”
The light in Drusilla’s eyes turned dreamy, but not from one of her visions. “Mmm.”
Cordelia glared. “Share!”
“It’s not just kissing that he excels at,” Drusilla finally replied.
Cordy’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding! You and Wes? I never thought he’d get laid. And he was good?”
“Better than good.” The other woman was obviously going off into a happy place. “He was so—right.” In an abrupt change of subject, Drusilla asked, “What does one wear to the beach?”
Cordelia was still trying to process the fact that Wesley was actually good in bed. “Better than good?” she muttered. “Why couldn’t he have shown a little skill when we kissed?”
“You kissed?” Dru asked in surprise. “Are you—”
Cordy waved her hand dismissively. “It was a really long time ago. Ancient history, actually. It’s just—he slobbered on my chin. I don’t get it. When did he practice?”
“Perhaps it wasn’t meant to be?” Drusilla suggested. “Your future may lie with someone else.”
Cordelia frowned. “Someone else?” She looked at Dru sharply. “Do you know anything I don’t?”
“No,” Drusilla hastened to assure her. “I haven’t gotten any visions concerning you.”
Cordy heaved a sigh of relief. “That’s good. I mean, in some ways it would be nice to know my future, but in other ways, it might be kind of weird. Who knows what’s going to change between now and whenever?” She finally caught up to Drusilla’s question. “Why do you need a swimming suit?”
Dru shrugged. “Wesley said he’d take me to the beach.”
“Wesley?” Cordelia was trying to picture Wesley in swim trunks, and was having a very difficult time of it. “Really? He said he’d take you?” She shook her head wonderingly. “You know, I think you might be really good for him. I think we should get you something that’ll curl his toes.”
Drusilla smiled a purely feminine smile. “That would be perfect.”
“We’ll have to go shopping later today, then,” Cordelia decided. “It’ll be fun.”
She might have said something else, but her words were cut off by a short shriek as she clutched her head. “Cordelia?”
Cordy shook her head. “I see—a demon. A big one.” Once the vision had passed, she could talk more normally. “You have to call Angel. We’ve got to stop this thing.”
Dru nodded. “I’ll take care of it. You just lie back now.” Once she’d turned away towards the phone, she grimaced in pain. She was disturbed by the flashes she’d seen of Cordelia being sick—dying, in fact. Killed by her own visions. It wasn’t something she had the cure for, but Drusilla wanted to do something.
She needed to do something.
~~~~~
The summer months were a time of productivity for Xander. He was making twice as much money working construction as he had at his last minimum wage job. Plus, there was overtime, which put him into the happy camper range.
Xander figured the only real drawback to working such long
hours was that he rarely got to see his friends. Not that they didn’t spend the
odd day together here and there, but he felt much more out of the loop than usual.
Witness the recent trek up to
Now, with Joyce in the hospital, Xander wouldn’t have minded spending the day there with Buffy and lending his support. Mrs. Summers wasn’t immediate family, however, and that meant he hadn’t a chance at getting the day off.
Xander was stunned to see Spike as he entered the hospital
waiting room, with Anya at his side. Not only was the vampire seated next to
Buffy, the Slayer actually seemed to be enjoying his company. Even Giles and
“What’s he doing here?” Xander demanded.
The others looked at him in surprise. Well, everyone except for Spike, who had a smirk on his face now that he was fairly certain of his welcome. “What are you talking about, Xander?” Buffy asked with barely concealed impatience.
“Spike.” Xander’s tone was flat. “What’s he doing here, Buffy?”
Buffy gave him a hard look and then leaned back in her chair. “I don’t know, Xander. Why don’t you ask Spike? He’s sitting right there.”
Spike glanced over at her, amused, and then looked at Xander, eyebrow cocked. “Well, Harris?”
If at first you don’t succeed, ignore the irritant. “What is this? You rescued Spike, Drusilla isn’t in danger. Isn’t he supposed to be back in his crypt.” Looking directly at the vampire, Xander clearly enunciated. “We don’t want you here.”
“Who said you could speak for me?” Buffy asked.
Xander blinked. “What—”
Anya put her hand on her boyfriend’s arm. “Xander, let it go.”
“No!” Xander retorted, staring at first Anya then Buffy. “What is it with you and vampires, Buff? I used to think it was just Angel, but apparently you really do like your men undead.”
Before either Buffy or Spike could retort to that rather inflammatory comment, Anya gave Xander a smack on the arm. “What about me?” she demanded.
“Wha—Anya! This isn’t about you!”
“Isn’t it?” Anya gave him a very dirty look. “Every time Buffy gets a new boyfriend, you get upset. Only a stupid person would think you didn’t have some kind of sexual attraction to her.”
Xander took the piece of her statement that he felt he could respond to. “Spike isn’t Buffy’s boyfriend.”
“Yes, he is.”
You could have heard a pin drop in the waiting room after Buffy’s quiet affirmation. Even Spike was knocked speechless, which was really quite a feat. “Buffy—”
“Don’t,” Buffy said quietly. “I’m not going to change my mind just because you disagree.”
A full blown argument might have erupted right there in the waiting room, but the doctor came out and interrupted. “Miss Summers?”
“Yeah?” Buffy said, standing, Spike close behind her. “Is Mom—”
The doctor pulled her away slightly, even though Spike still acted as the Slayer’s shadow. “We’ve found a tumor. They’re taking Mrs. Summers back now in order to do a biopsy. Once we have the results from that, we should know more.”
Buffy took a deep breath, feeling Spike’s arm come around her shoulders. She leaned into him slightly. “When will you know?”
“In a few hours,” the doctor replied in a sympathetic tone. “If you want to go home—”
“I’ll wait,” Buffy replied stubbornly. The voices of her friends behind her seemed muted, and only Spike’s strong arm anchored her. “Spike—”
“Not goin’ anywhere,” he assured her, and felt Buffy lean into him. He had no plans to go anywhere at all.