Changing Lives by Mabel Marsters

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Chapter 49

“Are you sure you’re up to having everyone come round for dinner?” Rupert asked mid afternoon.

“Yeah. Honestly, Rupert, I am feeling better after having that sleep,” said Spike, desperate to see Buffy that night.

Rupert gave him a bit of a ‘look’.

“My back’s the worst, okay?” said Spike, “But my head’s not throbbing anymore, so I’ll be fine.”

“That’s all right then. I just didn’t want you feeling ill during the meal and having to put on a brave face,” replied Rupert, putting a hand onto Spike’s shoulder, “Now you two just keep out of the way whilst I get everything organised.”

The boys thankfully retreated to Spike’s bedroom.

“Rich, I need to ask you a favour, mate.

“Wot can I do fer yer?”

“Will yer…um…’elp me to wash my hair please?” asked Spike, blushing a bit.

“Wot? Fancy me now, do yer? Pretty erotic, washing someone’s ‘air,” joked Rich.

“No! It’s just that it’s…well, it’s still soddin’ pink and I’m not allowed to get the sutures wet for another few days,” he replied, grinning.

“’Course I will,” laughed Rich, “Got to ‘ave yer looking yer best fer the love of yer life.”

“Rich,” said Spike seriously, “you won’t say anything to Buffy that’ll make her realise yer know wot we’ve done, will yer?”

“Christ, Spike, wot do yer think I am? ‘Course I won’t. I know she means a lot to yer and if I’m being ‘onest, I envy yer a bit. To be that sure, that certain of someone, well, it’s bleedin’ awesome.”

Spike gaped at his friend.

“I’m not totally heartless, mate. It’s not my fault if I’m still looking fer ‘the one’,” added Rich.

Spike grinned, “I think you’re enjoying the looking part well enough.”

“It ‘as it’s moments that’s fer sure. Now let’s get yer ‘air sorted out, but if yer need a hand in the shower – yer on yer own!”

Ooooooo

Spike and Rich were setting the table for Rupert as they waited for the others to arrive. Spike’s hair was now back to its usual snowy white. He was feeling much better thanks to a long hot soak in the bath and another dose of his painkillers.

Oz was first to arrive. When he saw Spike he gave his friend a hug, which told Spike how worried he must have been; Oz doesn’t normally ‘do’ hugs.

“Man, it’s good to see you.”

“Yeah…well,” said Spike, a little embarrassed, “Anyway, Oz meet Rich, Rich this is the mainstay of the Dingoes, my mate Oz. Not that you two haven’t already gotten to know each other, wot with all the secret e-mailing and all.”

“Hey Rich.”

“Hi Oz, nice to finally meet yer.”

Rich then launched happily into telling Oz of all the bands he’d seen on the Internet. There was another tap at the door and so Spike went to open it, smiling as Rich sat in one of the armchairs. It hadn’t taken him long to suss out how uncomfortable the couch was. Spike opened the door.

“Mom’s just parking the car,” said Buffy before wrapping her arms around him and kissing him soundly. “I leapt out of it hoping I’d have time to do that before she arrived,” she explained just as Joyce walked up to them.

“Great timing, pet,” he said, “Come on in. Hello Mrs. Summers. Thanks for everything yer did for me the other night.”

“That’s okay, I’m just glad you’re looking better already,” Joyce replied, pleased to see he had lost the greyish pallor he’d had in the hospital. “Is Rupert in the kitchen?”

“Yeah, it’s just through there.” Spike nodded in its direction. “Me and Rich have had strict instructions not to go in but I’m sure you’ll be welcome.”

Joyce smiled at them, waved ‘hello’ to Oz and Rich and went to find Rupert. Spike took hold of Buffy’s hand and squeezed it tightly.

“God, I’ve missed you,” he whispered as he kissed her cheek gently. Then his lips found her mouth and he kissed her more passionately.

“Er…are they always like that? Or is it just wot with being injured and all?” asked Rich, grinning at Spike and Buffy’s embrace.

“Nope,” replied Oz, “that’s pretty much normal behaviour.”

“Bleedin’ hell, ‘ow do yer cope wiv it?”

“Because he’s usually doing the same to Willow,” said Spike before Oz could speak.

They all laughed. Spike and Buffy went to sit with them. Rich offered Spike his chair, knowing that sitting on the couch would hurt him.

“Cheers, mate,” said Spike after he’d introduced Buffy and Richard.

Oz, Buffy and Rich all stared at him as he gingerly lowered himself in it.

“Yer can stop soddin’ lookin’ at me like that any time yer like,” he grumbled, “it’s not so bad.”

“Don’t talk crap,” said Oz, “It’s a soddin’ miracle yer movin’ at all today,” mocking Spike’s accent which was getting more ‘English’ the more he talked to Rich. “I’m going to cancel the gig.”

“Yer can’t!” said Spike and Rich in unison.

They glanced at each other and laughed.

“I know why I don’t want him to cancel it but why don’t you?” asked Spike.

“It’s because I’m going to video yer when yer play. It’ll ‘ave to be at the sound check though; ‘cause we don’t want any crowd noise; we just want people to ‘ear yer music.”

Spike ogled at him. “But yer ‘aven’t even ‘eard us play yet.”

“I don’t care. I know yer can sing, mate, I ‘ave ‘eard yer before. You tell me that Oz’s songs are good and Oz tells me that your songs are good so wot’s the ‘arm?”

“Have you got a video camera?” asked Oz, starting to feel excited.

“Ah,” said Rich, “therein lies the problem. No, I don’t, but I bet we could hire one.”

“You won’t need to,” said Buffy, “I’ve got one you can use. It’s a good one - my Dad sent it to me for Christmas a couple of years ago.”

“Great, that’s it then; we’re sorted,” said Rich.

Oz and Spike grinned at each other.

“We’d better make the sound check a good one,” said Oz.

Ooooooo

The meal was relaxed and happy. Buffy insisted that Rich tell them a few tales of him and Spike when they were younger, laughing at how uncomfortable Spike looked. Only Rich knew the real reason his friend was feeling like that and swiftly changed the subject.

Halfway through, Joyce suddenly remembered something.

“Oh, Spike, don’t let me forget to give you your guitar and bag before we leave. They’re in the trunk of the car.”

Spike’s face lit up, “I won’t! I can’t wait to show her to Rich.”

“Her?” queried Rich.

“Don’t ask,” replied Buffy with a smile.

“So you like her then?” asked Oz.

“Yeah, she’s great. Thanks for helping Rupert pick her out for me,” said Spike, “Now all I’ve go to do is learn to play her properly.”

“You’re not so bad now and you’ve only been playing a few months. You’ll be able to play on stage soon.”

Spike pulled a face, “In a couple of years maybe?”

Towards the end of the meal Rupert noticed that Spike was getting a bit quiet. He guessed that he was starting to feel his injuries once more. He glanced at Joyce and saw that she’d noticed it too.

“Well, Buffy, we’d better go and leave these good people in peace. Can I give you a ride home, Oz?” she said once the meal was over.

“That’d be great, Mrs. Summers,” replied Oz. He looked at Spike, “Shall we get to the Bronze at about midday tomorrow for the sound check? That’s if you’re sure you’ll be okay?”

“I’ll be all right,” said Spike, crossing his fingers under the table. He was feeling terrible at the moment.

“They’re not open so we can take our time,” said Oz.

Oz brought Spike’s guitar and bag in from the car as Buffy was a little busy giving Spike a goodnight kiss, which certainly perked him up a bit.

So are yer gonna show me it?” asked Rich after they’d all left.

“Her,” said Spike automatically, “Um…yeah, okay.”

Rupert glanced up sharply as he heard the distinct lack of enthusiasm in Spike’s voice. He was being to look pale again.

“Oh, no you don’t, Rich,” said Rupert quickly, “You’ve got to help me with the washing up first.”

“Oh, okay Mr. G,” said Rich, “Don’t tell me yer ‘aven’t got a dishwasher?” He followed him into the kitchen.

Spike sighed with relief and went to sit in an armchair. He’d had to sit on the edge of his dining chair all evening, unable to tolerate leaning against its wooden back. He closed his eyes as a wave of pain hit him.

“Mate?”

He opened his eyes to see Rich standing in front of him with a mug of hot chocolate and, more importantly, the last dose of his painkillers for the day.

“Cheers, Rich,” he said as he swallowed them down.

“Why don’t yer go to bed? I’ll be quiet if yer asleep when I turn in.”

“I think I will.”

He took Rich’s offered hand and let him help him to his feet. Rich returned to the kitchen as Spike made his way to the bathroom before going to his bedroom. He got himself comfortable on his left side and was fast asleep when Rich looked in on him a half hour later.

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