Shared Anger

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When she got back to her room, Riley and Willow were both waiting for her and jumped up when she came in.

“Buffy!” Willow exclaimed as Riley moved towards her.

“Buffy, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

“It’s fine,” she murmured, smiling weakly, “Slayer needs a few attempts to kill her to keep her on her feet.”

“What were they thinking?!” Riley burst out angrily and then softened immediately, turning to her and resting his hand on her arm. She couldn’t stop the hiss of pain as his hand rested over her wounded arm and he stepped back, watching her worriedly.

“Buffy?”

“Just some scratches,” she explained, “They’ll be fine in a day or two.”

She pulled off her bloody cardigan and threw it onto her bed.

“Right now, I really just need to clean up and relax.”

She sank onto her bed, feeling their worried eyes on her as she bent to pull of her boots. Her ribs ached at the movement and she moaned lowly, resting her hand on them.

“Buffy? What is it?”

“Just some cracked ribs. They should be okay soon. All bandaged up and healing nicely.”

“Where did you get bandages from?” Willow asked curiously and her eyes moved to her friend and she hesitated a moment before answering.


“Spike.”

She saw Riley’s eyes fix on her as she spoke and she smiled wryly.

“He sort of came to the rescue.”

“How did he know?”

“I figure he was around and heard the fight.”

“In the sewers?” Riley asked sceptically.

“He does use them to get around sometimes,” Willow commented absentmindedly and Buffy was glad to see her boyfriend relax.

“Yep, so he helped me out and bandaged me up and then I came home.”

She didn’t know why she was setting out all her movements but somehow she sensed Riley wanted to hear it: she hadn’t missed the hint of suspicion in his gaze.

“I can’t believe Professor Walsh did this,” he murmured, half to himself.

“How did you know?” she asked, suddenly curious as to how he had known before she had got home.

“I was at the base. She was trying to...console me.”

She felt a wave of anger flow through her and realised with a jolt that it was Spike’s anger too. She clenched her fists and took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

“I think I’m gonna go shower now,” she got out quietly, rising to her feet.

Riley turned to her and she smiled wryly before grabbing her things and leaving the room to escape to the privacy of the shower.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


She was still sore the next day when she told Giles about the Initiative’s attempt to get her killed.

“It really is extraordinary. I must admit though, I’m glad you are now a free agent.”

She looked to her Watcher in surprise, raising an eyebrow in question.

“I’m not sure I like the Initiative’s way of working. I’d much rather you stick to your own methods.”

“I think I agree. It was all far too organised for my liking.”

“Do you think they’ll try to get to you again?” Willow asked worriedly.

“I’m hoping Riley can persuade them not to. Tell them I’ll quite happily leave them to their business and keep their secret. In fact, hopefully he’s doing that right now.”

“Well, just be extra-vigilant over the next few days.”

“Always.”

“I must say, I’m still surprised that Spike came to your aid.”

“Well, he’d rather have the pleasure of killing me himself, wouldn’t he?” she countered with a smile, but knowing that somehow that wasn’t true. This connection had done something to both of them and had changed their relationship forever.


Suddenly, she felt a wave of anger- not hers this time- and heard raised voices from outside.

“Get out of my way, vampire.”

That was Riley’s voice and she glanced at her friends before jumping to her feet and racing to the door. She flung it open and stared at the two males in the courtyard. Spike was stood up close to Riley, blocking his path, in game face. When he spotted her, Riley shoved the vampire aside and came to her.

“He’s insane. He’s trying to blame me for what they did.”

“Well, you’re one of them!” Spike bit out, still in game face.

“Err, Spike,” she got out softly, waving towards her own face, “Little less grr, please.”

He slipped back into human guise and she turned to Riley.

“Can you give us a minute?”

Riley looked at her in bewilderment and then glanced at the vampire before finally heading into the house. She pulled the door shut behind her and moved towards Spike, sitting on the wall close to him as he pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

“I appreciate the sentiment and everything,” she said softly, “But threatening my boyfriend isn’t going to solve anything.”

“Made me feel better,” he answered with a shrug and the tiniest hint of a smile.

“He could have hit you and you’d be helpless.”

“Could’ve got a hit in before the chip knocked me out.”

She smiled and rolled her eyes, swinging her legs as he took a drag on his cigarette.


“How’s the ribs?” he asked quietly and she turned to him with a smile.

“Better. Thanks.”

“And the cuts?”

“Pretty much healed up,” she explained, just lifting the sleeve of her top to show him her arm.

“And what you gonna do about the soldier boys?”

“Nothing right now. Leave them to do what they do and get back to doing what I do best.”

“Not worried?”

“I’ll be fine. After all, I’ve got my very own handy alarm,” she joked, tapping her head with her finger.

“Anytime you need me, I’m there.”

“Voluntarily?” she asked with a laugh.

“Couldn’t sit around while you got hurt,” he answered lowly, his tone more serious than hers.

“Oh yeah...claim wouldn’t let you, right?”

He hesitated for a moment and she looked to him, meeting his bright gaze. He seemed about to say something else but then lowered his gaze and took another drag on his cigarette.

“Yeah, the claim.”


They fell silent, somewhat awkwardly, and she frowned, studying him silently. There was something off about him but try as she might, she couldn’t seem to read him. He turned to her and smiled ever so slightly.

“Don’t fancy letting you in right now, Slayer.”

She was confused and watched him with a frown as he got to his feet.

“See you around, Slayer. Look after yourself.”

He disappeared out of the courtyard and she shook her head, pushing herself to her feet. Something strange had just happened here and she had no idea what it was. She smiled slightly and headed back into the house.

“Got rid of the vampire then?” Riley asked pointedly as she shut the door behind her and she frowned at his tone.

“Yeah. He was just checking I was okay.”

“Spike was checking you were okay?!” Giles asked in surprise.

“Well, just ‘coz I needed bandaging up and stuff. Doesn’t want me dying before he can finish me off, eh?” she covered lamely.

Her Watcher nodded and she moved towards the sofa, sinking onto it next to Riley. He was giving her a strange look but when she smiled at him, he softened and smiled back.