Long Way From Home - Chapter 18

"Your father told me not to." He sounded convincing but Buffy was still hurt.

"You do everything daddy tells you?" Buffy turned away from Spike to try and hide the tears that were welling up in her eyes but she couldn't fool him.

"Buffy?" Angels voice was a distant noise in her ear as Spikes fingers brushed her cheek and he looked at her with a deep concern.

"I have to go Angel." She flicked the phone shut and stood up. "Take me home Spike."

Slipping her shoes and jacket on she didn't wait for an answer, but headed straight for the door. Spike grabbed her bag and his jacket then ran after her.

"Kitten wait." He caught her arm to stop her while he slipped his jacket on and slung her bag over his shoulder. "Sorry."

"I just want to go home." She started off in the direction they had come in.

Spike walked alongside her in silence thinking over their time at the café, he still wasn't a hundred percent sure if she liked him. Angels call had given him the opportunity to test the water by comforting her and she hadn't rejected it. Hailing a cab as they reached the main road he held the door open for Buffy to get in. Sliding in next to her he gave directions to the driver and then looked back at Buffy.

"You okay?" He tilted his head to one side and gave her a gentle look.

"My dad told him not to invite me over and he obeyed Spike, like a dog. He tries hard to make my dad happy but ignores how I feel. That isn't real love is it?" She turned her head and looked at him questioningly.

"Not my definition of it, pet." He leant into the seat and watched her as she stared out of the window, she looked less upset now but still a little too melancholy for comfort in his eyes.

Passing the rest of the journey in silence Spike paid the driver when they pulled up outside the dorms. Buffy walked quietly to the door and turned to Spike who followed her. She took her bag off him and looked to the dorm entrance then back to him.

"I think I need to sleep and think about this tomorrow, you were trying to say something about Christmas earlier?" Buffy tried to smile at him but knew he could see straight through it.

"Come over for Christmas, my place. Oz will be there, along with a bunch of guys you don't know. If you say yes you get to have the spare room, it has a lock." Spike grinned and Buffy managed a small smile. "Think about it. You know where I live if you decide you want to, take a cab though - no walking. It starts tomorrow at around 8pm and finishes sometime on Boxing Day, so I'd bring a bag."

He paused and tilted his head as he looked at her, she was trying hard to smile with feeling but he wasn't fooled. Inside her burned a thousand questions about Angel and how she felt. He hoped she'd come over to his place, no one should be alone at Christmas especially with thoughts like that.

Spike ran his hand softly down her hair and smiled. "Night, try and get some rest kitten." He whispered and turned to walk down the steps.

"William." Buffy called out after him and he looked back at her. "Thanks for an interesting night, sweet dreams."

He smiled broadly and jumped from the last few steps up onto the pavement then turned and walked up the street. Buffy headed in and went to her room, closing the door behind her she curled up on her bed and lay awake thinking over what she was going to do.


Next morning Buffy awoke late and realised she had fallen asleep still dressed. Lying on her back she stared vacantly at the ceiling, she had been dreaming about something nice but couldn't remember enough of it to piece it together.

She stretched as she stood and looked out of the window, the whole of her world was covered in a thick white frost and it looked almost like snow. Turning away from the window and looking around the room Buffy made her decision, she didn't want to be alone over Christmas.

Showered and dressed Buffy pulled her thick red coat on, looking for her keys in the jacket she wore last night she found Spikes gloves and smiled.

Slipping them on she grabbed her keys and bag then headed out into the street below. Walking along the main street she was thankful that there were shops open and she weaved her way through the crowds in some of them. She was in HMV when her phone rang.

"Hello?" Buffy shouted over the noise but the signal was bad. "Hang on."

Pushing through the crowd she made it outside into the street and felt strangely liberated.

"Hello?" Buffy tried again.

"Hey Buffy!" It was Willow. "What you doing?"

"Trying to get some presents, what would you buy Oz?" Buffy pouted at her phone.

"Oz? Well, music is always good. Why?" The voice at the other end sounded confused.

"I'll get him a voucher. Here's the tricky one. I've walked around ten shops already and can't think what to get Spike."

"Buffy?!" Willows voice gained an octave.

"What? If I'm going to spend Christmas with them I have to get them presents."

"You're spending Christmas with them?" Her friend sounded shocked but a little jealous.

"It's better than being alone Willow and Spike invited me over. How's home?"

"Not good, me and Xander broke up and my parents are their usual selves. I'm kinda wishing I was there with you."

"I'm sorry Will. I can't wait for you to come back, want me to say hey to Oz and Spike for you?"

"Yeah. Buffy? I want to come back before New Years." Willow sounded tearful.

"Get a flight and let me know, I'll convince Spike to drive me to pick you up. I want you back here and happy Willow, I'm sure the boys will be doing something on New Years."

"I'll text you when I've got the flight. I love you Buffy, merry Christmas."

"I love you too Willow. I need you here; everything is so confusing without you, I need a Willow hug to make it all better." Buffy smiled at the phone and felt a little sad.

"Bye Buffy." Buffy swore she could almost hear Willow smiling.

"Bye." She clicked the phone shut and looked around her. "Present for Spike."

Buffy wandered up the street and at the cross roads looked down the road to her left, there was a Body Shop and she smiled to herself. "Pamper me time."

With a full basket Buffy pulled out her wallet and looked at her cards, smiling as she spotted the family credit card. The girl behind the counter rang up her purchases and Buffy grinned as she handed the card to her.

Feeling overwhelmingly liberated Buffy felt she needed to exact a little more revenge when she turned to see a music store next to her. Pushing the door open a little bell rang overhead and she looked around. The wooden floor creaked underfoot and there were row upon row of guitars stretched out in front of her.

"You look like you need some help." A guy behind the counter smiled at her.

"You know, I think I need help choosing but moneys no object." Buffy grinned wickedly.

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