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CHAPTER 3: Unlikely ally

They were all gathered around the table at the magic shop doing some research over the latest big bad. All except Buffy who was pounding her tiny fists into the poor innocent punching bag in the back room. Even Spike was there, sitting on the counter, looking as bored as ever. Anya was spraying Windex on the counter around him and cleaning vigorously, trying to get the message across that she wanted him to get off. She finally lost it.

“Spike! That coat is filthy. You’re getting my beautiful counter all dirty. It’s not very attractive to paying customers.”

“S’not bloody dirty.”

“Oh really? When’s the last time you had it dry cleaned?”

“…”

“Weren’t you covered in demon guts last night when you walked in here after killing that thing?”

“Well, I…”

“See? Dirty. Get off.”

Spike huffed, but got off the counter anyway. “Bossy chit.”

Xander lifted his head from the book he was reading to give Spike a sympathetic look. “Now, try to imagine this: I LIVE with her.”

“I feel for you, mate. Really.” Spike seemed surprised by Xander’s sudden friendliness towards him, but decided it was better not to comment.

That’s when Buffy walked into the room. She looked tired and winced when she flexed her right wrist. She sat at the table without a word and started removing the tape wrapped around her hands. Xander discretely watched Spike who was watching Buffy.

“If you want, I can patrol for you, Slayer. You could have the night off, go home, and spend some time with the Little Bit.” Spike suggested, concern obvious in his voice.

“What is it, Spike? You think I can’t do my job anymore?” She snapped at him.

“That’s not what I meant…”

“The Slayer is losing her touch, might as well take the opportunity to step in and show everybody that Spike the Great can save the day?” She said derisively.

“No, you stupid bint. I know you can bloody well do your job. I just thought you needed a break.”

“You don’t know shit about what I need Spike. Wanna know what I need? I need to kick some demon ass. Oh, look,“ she said, looking pointedly at him with a cold smile and dark eyes, “a demon.”

Xander didn’t look up from his book, but couldn’t help commenting. “That was harsh, Buff.”

Buffy turned sharply to face Xander, giving him a disbelieving look. “Excuse me?”

“I‘m just saying--you didn‘t need to be a bitch about it. He just wanted to help.”

Xander saw something passing in her eyes. She blinked several times. But her face remained cold. The slamming of the front door made them all jump. Buffy looked back, only to confirm that Spike was gone. She went back to looking at Xander.

“Since when are you member of the Spike fan club, Xand? What, you guys are best pals now or something?”

“No. I'm just saying that was kinda mean.”

“I’m always mean to Spike.” She said in a voice that sounded almost resigned, as if she was stating a truth that couldn’t be changed. Her face was blank of any expression.

“You don’t have to be that way.” Xander tried to say, but she was already half way to the door.

Willow, Tara, Anya and Dawn gave each other curious looks, then decided it was better not to ask. They went back to reading and dusting, pretending nothing happened.

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“Xaaaannnder!!” Anya bellowed from the bedroom, obviously tired of waiting for him.

Xander poked his head through the bathroom door. He tried to speak with the tooth brush in his mouth. “Sham comshing.”

She frowned. “What?”

He took it out of his mouth. “I’m coming.” He repeated, more clearly this time. “I just have to go turn off the computer. Give me a sec.”

Anya crossed her arms over her chest and pouted while he went back to the bathroom to spit out a mouthful of toothpaste. “Stupid computer! Why don’t you marry it if you love it this much. You spend more time with that stupid machine that you do with me. What do you do with it that’s so interesting anyway?”

“Nothing!” Xander quickly replied from the bathroom. “Games and stuff. You wouldn’t like it.”

“Is it something geeky again? Cause I don’t mind. I love you anyway.”

“Yes. That’s it,” he said, turning the bathroom’s light off. “It’s really geeky.”

“All right then. But hurry up. I’ve had a hard day. Sexual pleasure would be a nice way to relax before going to sleep.”

“I’ll be right back, baby.”

Xander went to turn the living room’s light off, then made sure the front door was locked. He then went to switch the computer off. Before doing so, he decided to take one last look to see what they were doing, hoping that Buffy had stopped brooding.

He had checked earlier while Anya was watching some stupid dating reality show. He wanted so see if Buffy was all right after their little altercation at the Magic Box earlier tonight. He’d checked the crypt first, but all he found was Spike laying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He wasn’t looking too cheerful, but Xander couldn’t blame him. He then looked at the image from the camera in Buffy’s bedroom. He rarely looked at this camera. Strangely, it didn’t feel right. As if watching them have sex was right! But it wasn’t the same. Except that tonight, he felt like it was justified. He just wanted to make sure she was ok. She was there. She was on her bed too, fully clothed. Her eyes wide open.

That was two hours ago. Xander opened the two windows again to check on his friends. They hadn’t moved an inch. The only difference was that Spike’s crypt was darker, now that some of the candles lighting it had burnt out.

Wishing he could do something for them, Xander sighed and turned the computer off. There was nothing he could do.

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