Summary: They were just a bunch of kids about to start summer vacation, before returning to Sunnydale High as seniors. Buffy Summers wasn't in the Cordelia Chase elite group, but she had a good circle of friends. William Pratt had no one: bullied mercilessly, bookish, quiet and a straight 'A' student. One day, fate steps in and a decision he makes changes his life forever...
Author's Notes: Thanks as ever to Carol for betaing it and to Jo in NY for previewing it for me until I could get it posted.-------------I wrote this for my pal Kirsten who is not a fan of the Buffyverse so I set them in my universe instead so she could read it without the back story of the series!!
Rating: PG-13
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Chapter Forty-Two
Spike didn’t get the chance to take Buffy out anywhere with just the
two of them until the following Sunday. They’d seen each other at
school and at the tutoring sessions. Not that they’d gotten much work
done during them; they seemed to spend more time just gazing into each
other’s eyes and trying to resist the urge to kiss. Spike had been
invited to join the friends in their regular Friday night out at the
Bronze. He was rapidly losing his shyness around them, joining in with
their banter. The highlight of the evening for Spike was when he and
Buffy danced several times to slow songs. He’d thought it was absolute
bliss to be holding Buffy in his arms. He’d walked her home and they’d
kissed for what seemed like hours before he could drag himself away
from her.
Now he was busy in the kitchen preparing a picnic for their date.
Rupert kept hovering to see how the food was looking as he recalled
Spike’s attempts at cooking with a grimace. He needn’t have worried as
Spike carefully made sandwiches, added some potato chips, some fruit
and put in some bottles of orange juice and cans of Coke.
Rupert had bought a picnic hamper for Spike to use when he had told him
of his plans. He got one that was like a knapsack rather than a
traditional wicker basket thinking it would be easier for Spike to
carry it on his back, correctly guessing that he would refuse a ride to
the park.
“Okay, I’m going now,” called Spike, picking up his duster and the hamper.
“Have fun.”
“Thanks. See yer later,” replied Spike.
Spike walked along to Buffy’s house where he’d insisted he’d meet her.
He knocked on the door and was surprised to see it opened by Buffy and
not her mom.
“Wow, are yer ready?” asked Spike, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes, I’m ready. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Um…well, I’m early and you’re never on time,” replied Spike, tilting his head on one side and smiling.
“That is so not true!” exclaimed Buffy.
“Oh, honey, you know it is very true,” laughed her mom, walking up behind her, “Hello, Spike. How are you?”
“I’m great, thanks, Mrs. Summers,” said Spike, “If you’re ready, shall we go?” he added to Buffy.
“I’ll just grab my purse,” said Buffy, disappearing from view.
“Are you sure you don’t want a ride, Spike? That bag looks heavy,” asked Joyce.
“No, it’s alright. It’s not very heavy, thanks,” replied Spike politely.
“Okay, I’ve got it,” said Buffy, reappearing, “See you, Mom.”
“Have a nice time,” smiled Joyce as she closed the door.
Spike gazed at Buffy, took her small hand in his and they walked away.
It wasn’t until they were halfway to the park that Spike realised that
the route they were taking would mean that they passed his former home.
He found his footsteps slowed involuntarily as it got nearer. Buffy
noticed his change in pace and saw that they were near William’s house.
“Are you okay?” she asked quietly, “I’m sorry, I forgot that we’d go by
William’s house if we took this route.” She glanced up at him and saw
his eyes were bright with unshed tears.
Spike didn’t look at her afraid the tears pricking at his eyes would fall.
“I’m okay,” he whispered, but his grip on her hand got tighter the nearer they got.
He knew the house had been sold but had avoided going near the place
since the night he’d been arrested. They both paused when they got to
it.
“They’ve mended the fence,” said Spike.
The whole place already looked better. The fence was painted white, its
garden was tidy and windows were clean and shiny. They heard a giggle
and a little boy of about three years old came running into the front
yard, followed by his mother.
“Billy, some back here,” she laughed, scooping up the wriggling child into her arms and kissing him.
She spotted the teenagers on the sidewalk.
“Lovely day, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is,” replied Buffy.
Spike couldn’t speak; he was lost in his thoughts. He could see himself
running into the yard much as little Billy had just done - his mom
picking him up and taking him to the back of the house where his dad
was tending to the barbecue. He’d hugged his wife and child. It had
been before his dad had lost his job and started to drink heavily. It
was one of Spike’s few happy memories of his father.
Spike felt a little tug on his hand; he quickly wiped his hand across
his eyes before turning to Buffy. She was looking at him with concern.
He smiled and dropped a kiss on her cheek.
“’M okay,” he said. He smiled at her and they carried on along their way.
Ooooooo
At the park they found a shady spot under a tree as far away as
possible from other people. Spike shrugged off both the hamper and his
jacket. He laid the jacket on the floor and gestured for Buffy to sit
on it. She did so with a smile. He carefully unpacked the food.
“So what do you want first?” he asked.
“This,” said Buffy, leaning over and kissing him.
All thoughts of food were forgotten as they made out. Spike moaned as
he felt Buffy’s tongue brush his lips. She really was the most amazing
kisser. He followed her lead and quested with his tongue to meet hers.
They slowly lay down, each lost in the other.
“God, Buffy, I love you,” whispered Spike.
“Bloody hell, did I say that aloud?” he thought in panic as he felt Buffy tense up in his arms. “Um…I’m sorry…it…er…I…” he stuttered.
“Spike,” said Buffy seriously.
He said nothing – just stared deep into her eyes.
“I really like you…”
“But,” added Spike, “Oh Christ, there had to be a bloody but!”
“But,” smiled Buffy, “I don’t think I love you.”
Spike heart sank. He dropped his eyes and started to sit up, “Yeah, um…too soon…stupid…”
Buffy put her hand on his shoulder and pulled him back down.
“I’m teasing,” she said softly.
“Wot?” Spike met her gaze.
“I’m joking.”
“Not funny,” interjected Spike, a touch sulkily.
“No, I realise it now,” replied Buffy. She’d regretted the words as
soon as she’d seen the hurt on Spike’s face, “Spike, I don’t think I
love you – I know I do.”
“Really? ‘Onest?”
She kissed him instead of answering.
“Please don’t do that again,” said Spike when they’d parted.
“Kiss you? I thought you liked me kissing you?”
“Not that. Joking about your feelings for me. I couldn’t bear it, okay?” said Spike quietly.
She could see his lack of self-confidence come to the fore once more and she silently cursed herself.
“I won’t, Spike, I promise,” she said sincerely.
In that instant she knew. Knew that he was ‘the one’. The one she’d be with always.
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