Chapter Five

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A couple of days later, she bounced down the stairs with a smile, dressed in her smartest clothes ready for the interview she had that morning. She paused when she spotted an envelope by the door and went to retrieve it, turning it over to find her name in a scrawling script. She opened it and gave a little gasp as she saw the wad of money inside. She found a slip of paper inside and pulled it out to read the message on it:


Little over six hundred, just like I said.
Spike


She clutched the envelope to her chest and smiled widely, sending a silent prayer of thanks to the vampire as she skipped into the kitchen. This money would tide her over for now and hopefully, the interview would go well today and she would be getting her own money pretty soon. She smiled again and sat at the counter, peeling a banana. Things were starting to look up in the world of Buffy.

Her sister dragged herself into the kitchen then and plonked herself down on a chair.

“Hey, Dawnie!”

“What are you so happy about?” Dawn murmured, pouring her cereal out almost mindlessly as she let out a little yawn.

“Nothing. I’m just psyched about this interview.”

“Why are you getting a job anyway?”

“Well, I can’t sit round the house cleaning up your mess all day,” she answered glibly, ruffling her sister’s hair as she went to the fridge and pulled out the orange juice. She poured herself a glass and quickly drank it as she set the carton down next to Dawn.

“Don’t be late for school.”

“Yes, Mom,” Dawn answered sarcastically as Buffy gave her a little wave and pulled on her jacket as she left the house.



“Frankly, Miss Summers, I think you’re overqualified for this job,” the manager said seriously, regarding her across the table, “Someone with even the start of a college education really exceeds what we look for in a receptionist.”

“I know, I just…I need the money and I-“

“Despite that,” he remarked, interrupting her, “You’re really the best candidate I’ve seen. When can you start?”

She was silent, blindsided by the unforeseen swing in her favour.

“Huh?” she got out, looking at the manager in confusion.

“I said, when can you start?” he repeated, smiling, “We could use an intelligent girl like you on board.”

“Oh, wow. Erm...Monday?”

“That sounds excellent. I’ll get the forms sent to you and as long as you bring them along on Monday, we’re good to go.”

He rose to his feet then and she got to hers somewhat clumsily, still reeling from the shock. She had a job!

“I look forward to it,” he remarked, holding out his hand.

She shook his hand and mumbled a ‘thank you’ and then made her way out into the corridor.



She got out into the fresh air and let out a hesitant laugh, skipping down the steps of the office front onto the pavement. Things were definitely looking up! She made her way slowly back through Sunnydale, enjoying the sunny day, but slowed as she began to pass Restfield. On a sudden whim, she turned on her heel and made her way into the cemetery, weaving her way around the gravestones before finally coming to a halt in front of one. She crouched and ran her hand over the smooth stone of her mother’s grave.

“Hey, Mom, guess what?! I got a job!” she spoke, tracing the letters of her mother’s name before continuing softly, “Everything’s going to be okay now. I’m going to look after Dawnie and the house.”

She smiled and brushed away a wayward tear before getting to her feet again, her fingers lingering for a moment on the cool surface. Her eyes were drawn towards the crypt just across from her and with another smile, she made her way towards it.


She knocked lightly on the door of Spike’s crypt and went in, scanning the dimly-lit space for any sign of the vampire. He didn’t seem to be about, but it was the middle of the day so she doubted he was out. She suddenly heard a low sound from somewhere below her and her eyes went to the hole that led to the caves below the crypt. With some hesitance, she approached the hole and looked down into the dark cavern, lit only by a few flickering candles. She made her way down the ladder slowly, hit with the memory of being down here once before: when Spike had chained her up to declare his love.

Grimacing, she moved onwards, eyes scanning the darkness as she made her way through the small corridor, her hand on the rock. She rounded the corner and stopped, eyes taking in the scene before her. There were candles dotted around the place, lighting up the shadows of the cave and revealing what looked to be a halfway-decent bedroom. There were a few pieces of furniture, covered in random bottles, clothes, books and right in the centre, a large bed.

Her eyes moved now to the bed and more specifically to the vampire sprawled in the middle of it, one hand tucked under his head, the other resting on his bare chest. He was fast asleep, his eyelids twitching as he dreamt, his lips curled into a slight smile. Never had William the Bloody looked so harmless and she almost laughed out loud at the thought.


Her eyes were drawn of their own accord to the sculpted muscles of his chest and she swallowed hard, her cheeks flooding with colour. Her eyes drifted lower, to the edge of the sheet that was slung over his hips and she found herself licking her lips unconsciously. Suddenly realising what she was doing- and embarrassed by her body’s reaction to a half-naked Spike – she turned and was already halfway to the ladder before she was halted by Spike’s sleepy, uncertain voice.

“Slayer?” he called, “Buffy?”

She froze and turned back to him slowly, crossing her arms over herself almost instinctively.

“Err, hi,” she got out weakly, avoiding his gaze as he propped himself up on his elbows.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice still husky with sleep. A little tingle went through her at his low voice and was followed immediately by a shudder. This was Spike, for God’s sake! She raised her eyes to his hesitantly – and immediately wished she hadn’t. He was watching her with a tiny smirk, almost as if he knew what she was thinking and she frowned.

“You know what?! I’m not sure.”

She turned back to the corridor but before she had got very far, Spike’s hand was on her arm, halting her.



“Come now, love, what’s the rush?” he asked and she turned back to him reluctantly. It didn’t exactly help that she realised then that his other hand was holding the sheet around his waist. She looked down and frowned.

“Please tell me you’re wearing something under that,” she got out, raising her eyes to his once more.

He laughed and released her arm, moving back to the bed and sitting on it, holding the sheet firmly around his waist.

“Sorry to disappoint,” he answered with a smirk.

She rolled her eyes, fidgeting on the spot as he got out a cigarette and began to smoke.

“So, what’s up?”

She raised her head but was unable to meet his eyes, strangely uncomfortable with this situation.

“I, err, well...I got a job. So I can pay you back...for the kittens.”

“There’s no need. You just worry about them bills,” he answered lowly and she forced herself to meet his eyes, biting her lip slightly.

“Where you going to be working then?” he asked amiably, leaning back on one arm as he took a drag on his cigarette.

“A little office in town. Receptionist job, but hey,money.”

“Things looking up then.”

“Looks like it, yeah,” she answered, meeting his eyes briefly once again, “Anyway, I should get back to Dawn. Tell her the good news.”

“Sure,” he got out, getting to his feet to conduct her to the door – but she held a hand out, halting him.

“I’ll walk myself to the door,” she remarked with a little smile and a glance at the sheet that was still draped around his waist.

“Fair enough,” he replied with a smile, “See you later for patrol?”

“Probably.”

“See you, Slayer.”

She moved to the opening of the corridor and paused, glancing back at the vampire.

“Thanks again...for everything.”

“Anytime. I mean it.”

She met his eyes and they shared a small smile before she nodded and turned, making her way out of the crypt.