Persuasion


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

Buffy was soon reverted to her usual visible self and Riley could not help noticing that some of her good mood seemed to have stayed behind. Even as she thanked her friends for their help, she seemed quieter than she had been all evening – certainly a lot less cheerful than she had been on their trip all the way to the shop.

She had spent the entire journey chatting away happily and, despite the seriousness of the situation, he had been glad of it. Glad of the distraction, because he would have given anything not to be forced to dwell on just what Buffy had been doing in Spike’s bedroom. With an obviously naked Spike. That was something he would deal with at a much later time.

Right now, he had something more important to focus on anyway and his pace sped up as he crossed town, headed for the Magic Box. He didn’t presume that anything he said would have an effect, but he was determined to talk to Giles, to find out why he was ready to abandon his Slayer and fly back to England. If there was anything he could do to prevent this, and the inevitable pain it would cause Buffy, then he was going to act now.



He found Anya and Willow in the shop, Anya counting the contents of the till and Willow determinedly reading a history book. After he had greeted them – glad to see the witch looking better and better every day– he asked them where he could find Giles.

“He’s in the stock room,” Anya replied, “It’s inventory time and it’s so boring I could kill someone. He likes it though.”

She gave a little shrug and he smiled, thanking her and moving round to the door leading down into the stock room. He shut the door behind him and moved to the top of the stairs, pausing when he heard voices.

“You’re not listenin’ to me, Rupert. The girl needs you.”

He heard a distinct sigh from Giles and then the Watcher replied to Spike.

“It’s been a long time since Buffy really needed me.”

“Bloody hell, man! Stop wallowing in self-pity and wake up! Buffy needs you here.”

He crept forward a few paces, to the top of the stairs, and spotted the two Brits just across the room. Giles sat on a chair, looking tired and slightly harassed as Spike paced in front of him. Spike stopped and turned to the Watcher seriously.

“If you leave, I don’t know what she might do.”

“She’s coping just fine,” Giles commented, “I have no doubt she will continue to be fine in my absence.”

Spike barked out a laugh and shook his head.

“You’re a blind idiot!”

“Spike, I really-“

Giles had looked ready to finish this discussion and leave but as soon as he got to his feet, Spike cut in angrily.

“What exactly is going just fine in her life?!” he bit out, “The fact that she hasn’t got a job yet?”

“She’s at an interview-“

“Or maybe the fact that her best friend is still twitching with magic overload and living in her house rent free?”

“Willow-“

“Oh, and I’m sure looking after a fifteen-year-old is just a walk in the bloody park!”



Spike seemed to have run out of steam and stood a few paces away in silence, obviously attempting to calm himself down.

“I’ve been helping Buffy financially as much as I can.”

Spike laughed bitterly and turned to face the other Brit.

“You don’t get it, do you? It’s not just about the money. She needs someone she can rely on, someone who can help her do some of the grown-up stuff her mum used to do.”

“She has friends who are more than willing to help.”

“Yeah, real useful, they are. One’s a recovering addict and the other one’s shaking in his boots about this wedding.”

There was a pause and then Spike let out a sigh, raising his head to meet the other man’s eyes.

“I’ll tell you something I once told Buffy. The only reason she’s still here is because she’s got ties to the world. Friends, family and all that. If she loses that connection… well, you and I both know how long a lone Slayer usually lasts.”

Giles seemed to be genuinely considering this and Spike watched him intently before continuing in a low voice.

“Already lost her once, Rupert. Can’t let it happen again.”

There was another pause and then Spike continued.

“I’m sure Soldier Boy agrees.”

The vampire turned and met his gaze as Giles looked up in surprise. Riley descended the stairs then and moved to join them.

“So you’ve come to join the attack as well?” Giles asked with a wry smile.



Riley considered his words for a moment, glanced at the vampire, and then spoke up.

“I don’t think you leaving will help Buffy at all. She still relies on you.”

“Maybe she shouldn’t.”

“Maybe she shouldn’t,” Riley repeated, holding up a hand as Spike went to protest, “But, considering the circumstances, it’s understandable. She lost her mom. Then she was… gone. She needs some stability now.”

“If it’s old Blighty you’re missing, she’s not going anywhere,” Spike added, “But Buffy needs you right now. That’s a bit more important, eh?”

Giles replaced his glasses and looked between the two of them with an unreadable expression.

“I find I don’t have the energy to fight both of you,” he said with a tiny smile, “And certainly not to face Buffy if I did decide to leave.”

“So you’re going to stay?” Riley asked as the Watcher rose to his feet.

“It looks like I must,” he replied softly, “If Buffy needs me so desperately.”

He moved past them but paused at the bottom of the stairs, turning back to them.

“Although, I’m not sure how much more help she needs with you two fighting her corner.”

He regarded them for a moment longer and then made his way back up the stairs to the shop.



They were silent for a moment and then he turned to the vampire with a half-smile.

“Well, that was a success, I guess.”

Spike took a moment to light up a cigarette and take a long drag on it, but then he finally answered.

“One less thing for Buffy to worry about.”

“Yeah… And Giles said she was at an interview?”

“It’s at a bloody fast food place,” Spike said with a scowl, “Told her she could do better than that but she said she needed the money.”

“At least it could be something temporary,” Riley suggested, “Until she finds something better.”

“Told her I’d get her money,” Spike mumbled, blowing out an angry stream of smoke.

“She wants to stand on her own two feet. That seems like a good thing.”

Spike shrugged and took another drag. He looked to the ceiling and then met Riley’s gaze.

“I should get going.”

“Sure.”

“Thanks for the timely back-up.”

“It was nothing.”

Spike nodded and headed for the back of the stock room, disappearing into the darkness. Smiling wryly, Riley turned on his heel and headed for the stairs, making his way up into the shop.