Chapter 17

“I gave Willow a call, she and Tara will be here shortly,” Giles said as he entered the living room. “Oh, did Spike leave?”

“Yeah,” Buffy answered, locking the front door. “He didn’t want to wait round. He gets pretty antsy, but then he doesn’t mind sitting in front of the TV for hours and hours…”

“I hope I didn’t upset him; that was not my intention.”

“You upset him? When? Giles,” Buffy scolded, “I thought you were going to make an attempt to get along with Spike?”

“I am making every attempt,” he insisted. “I just suggested that due to the fact he can fight only demons…I believe Spike may have a higher purpose.”

“Higher purpose?” Buffy repeated, letting the words sink in. “You mean like Angel—oh God, you didn’t mention Angel while you were ‘suggesting,’ did you?”

“Only as an example--.”

“You can’t do that! Spike doesn’t handle being compared to Angel very well; it makes him jealous and a little insecure…”

“Buffy--.”

“Alright! I admit it—but you wouldn’t believe the baggage between those guys—it makes Spike very jealous and very, very insecure to be compared—and not that it’s a bad thing, I like that there’s a hole to all his conceit and when he’s vulnerable…especially since I’m the only one that sees that side of him,” Buffy sighed dreamily, her chest swelling with love. “Um, what were we talking about? I think I got a little sidetracked.”

“Spike’s destiny.”

“Right. So what do you mean by a ‘higher purpose’? If you mean continuing to fight for the sake of good, I think he has one. He probably gave you his speech about changing sides only because of me, right?” When Giles nodded, Buffy let out a laugh, “He’s so predictable and actually since he’s so predictable I think it’s safe to say that, in the future, as long as he loves me, he’ll have a higher purpose. At the moment he’s fighting just because it’ll make me happy, but who knows, maybe later he’ll surprise us all, including himself by realizing that being a white hat is just the better thing to do.”

Giles opened his mouth to respond, but the sound of the doorbell ringing cut him off.

“I’ll get the door, it’s probably Will and, uh, don’t worry about Spike. He’s still uneasy with his switch to the un-dark side. He still needs time to adjust.”
***

I know she’s expecting something special, Spike thought as he sat in front of the television set. Our crypt was supposed to be her big surprise, but that got shot to hell because I was unconscious.

Spike flipped through the home shopping channels for the umpteenth time and sighed in frustration when he still failed to find inspiration for Buffy’s birthday gift.

I had to go overboard with our date. Now candy, flowers and even jewelry are out of my options. Got to do something bigger…better.

“But what?” he asked the empty room.
***

“Are you going to help us with the bippidi-boppidi-booing, Buff?” Willow asked cheerfully.

“Nope, I’m going to watch. Think we can speed the spell-casting up a little?”

“Oh, do you have birthday plans?”

“Maybe. It depends on what Spike has up his sleeve,” Buffy answered as she followed Willow and Tara through the hallway. “He always keeps me guessing.”

“H-how is he?” Tara asked quietly.

“He’s much better, thanks for asking. You haven’t officially met him, have you? I think we’re going to have an open house soon--.”

“He found a place?” Willow asked.

“Yup and you won’t believe where we’re living,” Buffy began, stepping into the bathroom where Giles was questioning Riley for the last time.

“What you are willing to forget can have to do with a number of things, one being the Slayer and another, the organization that you are working for, am I correct?”

Buffy froze, listening to Giles clear his throat.

“Your loyalty must be strong to one of these factors and after seeing your reaction to Spike’s misfortunes, I’d say that Buffy and her feelings are not high on your list of priorities.”

“I’d rather forget everything than have to lie because I’m being blackmailed. The Initiative—Professor Walsh alone—would see through the lies and then we’d all be in more trouble. More trouble than it’s worth,” Riley mumbled. “I don’t want anything to do with Buffy and her vampire boyfriend, make me forget that I ever met her. Erase what I know; I’ll go away and stay away.”
***

Buffy felt as if she had been slapped in the face by Riley’s words. He really doesn’t like me anymore, she thought as she stared at the man she had once thought of as her friend. It shouldn’t bother me, but…

“Um, we have the supplies,” she announced softly, letting her presence in the room be known. “I guess the erasing can start now.” She uncomfortably looked around the room before setting the paper bag of magical odds and ends that she was carrying on the bathroom sink. “I’ll be…not in here until everything’s finished. Good luck with the spell, guys.”
***

“What are you buying her?”

“Well, I picked up a few things that she’s been eyeing at the stores. Mostly clothes.”

“I guess I could buy her some underwear since I ripped that pair…”

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing, Joyce. Just thinking out loud.”

Joyce nodded, sitting across from Spike at the kitchen table. “Buffy’s never been picky, I’m sure she’d be delighted with anything that you give her. Have you thought about making her something?”

“I only have a few hours till she’ll be done romping with the Scoobies. Besides, what could I make?”

“I don’t know; you seem like you’d be a pretty artistic man to me.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that, pet. I’d hate to disappoint you,” Spike chuckled. “Maybe I should just run to the store. It’s still cloudy out and--.” He stopped speaking once the cell phone in his jacket started to ring. “I should be on my way. Thank you for the ideas, Joyce.”

He flashed her a smile before heading out the backdoor. “Hello?” he said, answering the call. “This is, uh, Buffy’s phone. Can I take a message?”

“So polite. Good job.”

“Buffy, how are you? Are you finished?”

“I don’t think so, but then I’m not sure because I’m hiding.”

“Hiding?”

“Riley hates me.”

“So? I hate him and you should too. There’s nothing better than a mutual hate-hate relationship. ”

“But…I guess you’re right.”

“Buffy--.”

“We were friends once, Spike, and he wanted to date me. I find it sad that after I tie him up in a bathtub he decides to hate me. He won’t even look at me without making a disgusted face—I know I shouldn’t care, but I can’t get over it. Yesterday we were pals…”

“You tied me up and look at the good it led to, pet.”

“True,” Buffy said with a weak laugh. “Are you watching TV? What shows am I missing?”

“There isn’t much on.”

“Too bad you couldn’t come back here and keep me company…”

“It is too bad,” Spike said, sneaking around the side of the apartment courtyard and spotting Buffy outside of Giles’ front door. “I hate to cut our chat short, but I’ve got things to do, sweetheart.”

“Oh,” Buffy pouted. “I won’t keep you then. I love you—hey! Did he hang up on me?!” She shook the phone, hearing nothing but silence where Spike’s voice used to be. “That stupid, no good vampire--.”

“Love you too, Slayer.”

Buffy turned, startled by his low voice. “You didn’t tell me you were so close, you brat!” Smiling, she ran to him with a bounce in her step.

“Thought it’d be nice to take an afternoon stroll with the sun not being out and all.” Spike looked up to the sky and squinted. “It’s going to pour soon.”

Buffy nodded, not caring about the weather, and giving him a hug. “Riley hurt my feelings,” she mumbled with her cheek pressed against his chest. “He wishes that he never met me. Why is it bothering me so much, Spike?”

Spike wondered the same thing, but bit his tongue. “No one wants to hear that they’re disliked, I guess and ah, to lose a friend—even a lunk-head like Riley—that’s not something most people enjoy…”

A smile tugged on Buffy’s lips and she stood on her tiptoes to kiss the side of Spike’s face. “We should go inside before the rain starts.”

“Wait, you’re better now?”

“I think so.” She continued to kiss downward until she reached his lips. “Thanks to you.”

“What did I do?”

“You—you just make me happy,” she said after giving him a slow deep kiss. “You understood where I was coming from.”

“I only said one sentence though.”

“One very good sentence,” Buffy corrected, leading Spike to the entrance of Giles’ house.
***

“Hi.”

“Hello,” Spike said, cocking his head to the side. “And you are?”

“Tara’s a really powerful witch,” Willow answered proudly. “She wants to meet you because Buffy’s been talking about you so much.”

“I’m not really that powerful,” Tara said modestly. “Will’s the powerful one…I just help out and…I’m not powerful.”

“Alright, whatever you say, pet.”

“Buffy told us you were living in a crypt.”

“Yes, we are. I’d say you could stop by and take a peek, but we aren’t ready for visitors.”

“But we’ll be ready for the house warming party. It should be potluck. Tara and I can conjure up some of our now-famous cupcakes. We make some mean cupcakes, don’t we?”

“I think they’re rather nice,” Tara answered with a grin.

“Oh, aren’t you funny? Spike, isn’t she--.”

“She’s a riot. How’d the spell go?” he asked, changing the subject. “Should Buffy be in there with him?”

“Everything went smoothly if I do say so myself. Riley can’t remember anything that happened in the past week or so.”

“You’re positive?”

“Yup, he doesn’t even know about our spat with ‘city-wide laryngitis’,” Willow said using air quotes. “He’s back to good ole kept-in-the-dark Riley.”

“And the soldiers can’t reverse the memory wipe?”

“No, only we can do that and doing so would be dangerous,” Tara answered. “His family and friends will think he got amnesia.”

Spike nodded, staring at the closed bedroom door and still not liking that Buffy was alone with Riley.
***

“Buffy…what?”

“Hey there, stranger.”

“What happened? Where am I?”

“You’re at my friend’s house. I found you and you were knocked out cold,” Buffy lied. She sat on the edge of the bed and held up two fingers. “How many fingers do you see?”

“Uh, what happened?” Riley tried to sit up, but he collapsed back in pain. “Why does my nose hurt?”

“Good question.”

“You don’t know?”

“I just found you,” Buffy shrugged. “What do you remember?”

“I remember…you kissing some guy outside of the bridal store and telling me that you were getting married. Please tell me that didn’t happen,” he said with a confused laugh. “Did I dream that up?”

“I think so. I’m not getting married, Riley.”

“But that guy? Who was he?”

“Just a friend who was visiting, nobody important. He’s long gone and won’t be back anytime soon,” Buffy said, batting her hand. “But if that’s the last thing you remember, you’ve missed out on a ton.”

“Oh,” Riley said, looking lost. “Would you mind filling me in? I can’t believe…can I use a phone? How long have I been here?”

“A few days. Should I call Maggie for you?”

“Maggie?”

“You must’ve been hit really hard if you can’t remember Professor Walsh. Maybe she can send Forrest or another commando buddy to--.”

“Commando? Buffy, what are you talking about? I have no idea--.”

“Hey, hey, cool down.” Taking a deep breath, Buffy touched Riley’s hand. “I know, Riley.”

“But—what do you know?”

“You hunt demons and are a member of the Initiative.”

“How do you know that?”

“Yesh, inquisitive much?” Buffy laughed. “I’m the newest member of your chain of command. I was recruited yesterday and you’re supposed to give me a tour of the lab tomorrow.”

Riley searched her face and looked in disbelief. “Wow. This is all news to me. Very, eh, unbelievable news.”

“You missed a lot, Mr. Amnesia.”

“You’ll help me figure things out, right, Buffy?”

“Sure, Riley.” Swallowing, Buffy held his hand and gave it a squeeze. “What are friends for?”
***

“Nobody important?” Spike demanded the second Riley left in the care of the Initiative. “Just a visiting friend? Nice to know that I’m loved here,” he grumbled, brushing lint and dust off his leather coat. “Damn, Watcher, when was the last time you cleaned in there?”

“You were hiding in the closet?”

“It was there or under Giles’ fucking bed,” he answered bitterly. “And you’re being friendly with him even after he was an idiot a mere hour ago?”

Buffy looked at the concerned faces of her friends as Spike ranted and raved. “I think I should get him home. Uh, Tara, Willow, Giles, thanks for the help.”

“Just what do you think leading him on is going to accomplish?”

“Call me later, guys!” Buffy said, pulling Spike out of the house and into the rain.
***

“Is that your teeth that I hear chattering?”

“You had no problem hearing me as I talked with Riley.”

Spike narrowed his eyes as he and Buffy trudged in the heavy downpour. “We’ll be home soon.”

“And then I’ll freeze there.”

“We have blankets.”

Buffy said nothing and continued to shiver. Her clothing and hair were drenched and she struggled to leap over all the puddles that were standing in the graveyard. “If I fall in the freaking mud, Spike…”

“What? You gonna melt, princess?”

“Yes. Why can’t we have a car like normal people?”

Spike slowed the pace of his walking and reached for Buffy’s hand. “Where would I park it? In our garage?”

“Shut up,” Buffy pouted.

“I’m just saying--.”

“I know what you’re saying, Spike.”

“You that cold, pet?” Spike asked as Buffy’s body shook. “Fuck, I don’t want you to catch your death on your birthday, or on any day really.” He stopped and quickly took off his jacket. “I doubt this’ll help, but it’s something.”

“Thanks,” Buffy said, wrapping his leather tightly around her shoulders.

“Buffy, about Riley--.”

“Can’t it wait until we’re home? Please? I really want to talk just not right now.”

Spike nodded, “Think you can run, sweetheart?”
***

“I’m really going to freeze,” Buffy announced once they arrived at their crypt. “Am I turning blue yet?”

“Hold on,” Spike said, walking around as if looking for something. Each step that he took left a dirty puddle on the cement flooring.

“Don’t track your dirty boots on the rug.”

“I won’t. Why don’t you go downstairs and get out of those clothes?”

“What are you going to do?”

“Warm you up. I just need to gather a few things.”

“Okay,” she said, hugging her chest and heading to the ladder. “I’ll be back.”
***

“To have a hairdryer...” Buffy muttered as she tied her damp hair in a tight knot. She was dressed in the warmest clothes Spike had brought to the crypt and was making a mental list of all of the things she needed to bring to their new place.

Buffy tossed her dripping wet clothing into the shower and looked up with a jerk, a burning smell filling her nostrils.

“Oh, fuck!”

“Spike?!”

“Don’t worry, everything is under control!”

“Why do I not believe you?” Buffy yelled, running to the second level at full speed. “Spike, are you sure that’s safe?” The crypt had an eerie glow and whatever Spike was burning in the metal trashcan was making soft popping noises.

“Just had some problems with starting it, but now we’re good to go.”

“But there’s a bonfire in our living room…”

“No, it’s a heater,” Spike said from where he was sitting on the couch. He picked up a bag of marshmallows from his lap and dangled them in the air. “Come on, pet. Let’s go camping.”

“It is toasty, huh?” Buffy commented, making her way closer to the fire. “And I see you moved the rug, that’s good.” She sat next to him and spread the blanket that was in her arms to cover them both even though Spike wasn’t phased by the temperature. “I’d move closer, but you’re kinda damp, honey.”

“An excuse to shed my clothes?”

“If you want to,” she laughed, “but don’t expect me to join your nakedness just yet.”

“Still mad about Riley?”

“I was never mad. You were, remember?” Buffy watched as he undressed, captivated by the golden hue of his skin. “I was sticking to the plan. I mentioned that I needed to be nice to him before and with his memory loss, I can start over and go at everything with a new approach.”

“Would this approach involve dating him or at least pretending to?”

“It could,” she admitted quietly. Spike resumed his place on the sofa and Buffy curled into his side. “But I’d like to avoid that.”

“It won’t last long, right?”

“No way. A few days, tops.”

“Right. Guess you’ll just have to do what you can to get the job done.”

“And you don’t have a problem with that?”

“I do, but then I’m reminded of how much you trust me and…it’s about time that I return the favor, don’t you think?”

“Spike,” she said warmly, wrapping an arm around his waist. “I won’t let you down. You have my word, baby. I’ll stay on my best behavior.

“You’d better,” he snorted. “I’m putting a lot of faith into you, missy.”

Moved by his words, Buffy gave him a loving squeeze as she kissed his chin. “Can I have a marshmallow, Spike?”

“Sure and I found these skewer-things for roasting them…”

“You’ve thought of everything.”

“Impressed?”

“You always manage to impress me.”

“Oh really? What if I told you that I’m a sod and that I haven’t bought you a birthday gift yet?”

“You don’t have to buy me anything--.”

“Yeah right, tell me another, pet.”

“I’m not joking. It sounds corny, but you’re giving me exactly what I wanted as we speak.” She causally brushed her fingers up and down his chest. “I haven’t had to slay a thing today. There wasn’t any blood or gore and nobody died and you didn’t get hurt—well, the headache aside. Now, we’re settled in for a romantic evening in our new place with our campfire…this is really nice. No other presents are needed.”

“But if I got you something tomorrow you wouldn’t turn it down?”

“Oh, of course not.”

“That’s my girl,” Spike chuckled. “But as long as you’re happy, if you don’t think that you’re birthday was a bust--.”

“I’m very happy. Extremely.”

“Alright,” he said, pulling Buffy into his lap. “Happy birthday, pet.”
***