Long Way From Home - Chapter 29

"Willow!" Buffy waved her hands frantically at her friend and Spike wore a look that said 'please shoot me before I die from embarrassment'.

Willow smiled when she spotted them, heading over she wrapped Buffy in a tight hug and made a small choking noise when she was hugged back even tighter.

"Spike." Willow waved a little 'hello' to Spike as Buffy held her securely.

"Red." Spike nodded and gathered up her suitcases to put them on the trolley they'd been looking after.

"I'm so glad you're back, I missed you." Buffy pouted at her, then stood on the back of the trolley.

Turning to Spike, she grinned like a kid and he rolled his eyes before placing his hands firmly on the handles either side of her, pushing the trolley along with her stood on it.

"Good Christmas?" Willow looked to both of them and Buffy went the colour of beetroot, while Spike averted his eyes. "I see."

"How about you Red? Not so happy holidays?" Spike gave her a concerned look and she shrugged.

"Knew it was coming, still doesn't prepare you for it." Willow gave Buffy a knowing look and she visibly sagged under the invisible pressure of Angel.

"Lets get you ladies home so you can have a nice long girly chat." Spike smirked at them both; Willow smiled at Buffy who tried to smile back but faltered.

Picking up on her falling back into miserable thoughts, Spike gently rubbed his thumbs against her hands where they rested on the handles. Willow noticed the tender touches Spike was giving to Buffy and looked up at her friends face, Buffy looked a little brighter as she watched the small contact between her and Spike. Willow smiled inwardly over the way he seemed to know just the right things to cheer her friend up, after what she'd been through with Xander she was wishing that Oz had been there to pick her up too.

"Oz wanted to know if you would be in the mood for coffee tomorrow afternoon, after you and kitten here have caught up with each other." Spike smiled at Willow as his thumbs continued to caress Buffys hands.

Willow looked up at him with a slightly shocked expression--maybe it wasn't just Buffy he could read like a book. "Sure, it would be great. I mean, I'd love to."

Buffy watched her friend beaming and it warmed her heart a little, she was glad Willow was back, she had a feeling she was going to need some major girl time before this thing was over.

Trying to reach over and grab her friend in a hug as they walked, she only managed to make the trolley swerve and almost hit a passer by. Spike stopped with a sigh and lifted Buffy down; she immediately wrapped Willow into a big hug. He couldn't fool himself; she was going to need a lot more from her friend than just hugs to get her through this.

Spike started walking again and felt warm inside as Buffy caught hold of him, slipping in between his arms she stepped up on the back of the trolley again. Not letting him set off she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tightly.

"I'll get through this, I'm strong like you said but most of all, I can't be without you." She whispered in his ear and felt his arms wrap around her in a warm embrace, he kissed her neck softly then set her back down on the trolley.

Willow gave them both an embarrassed look but couldn't help thinking that Buffy never showed this much emotion around Angel.

"Let's get you two home, before these raging female hormones kill me. They cause my testosterone levels to drop and before you know it I'm doing girly things." Spike grinned at Buffy and Willow, both smiling at him.

"Like painting your nails?" Buffy poked at his hands and he raised one for inspection, chipped black nail varnish adorned his fingernails.

"Bloody hell, it's begun…" He ran for the exit with Buffy still standing on the trolley, turning back he looked at Willow running along behind them and smiling. "Keep up Red, I have to escape the clutches of evil oestrogen."

Willow and Buffy both giggled as he slowed down by the car then opened the doors for them, ushering them into the back seat like it was a limousine.

The journey home saw Buffy and Willow laughing at all the cracks Spike made. He was thankful that the little red head always managed to make his kitten happy. When they arrived at the dorms, he unpacked the trunk and as Buffy carried her bags to the entrance hall, he took the opportunity to talk to Willow alone.

"Red, do me a favour?" He smiled nervously at her as he locked the trunk.

"Sure." She smiled back at him.

"Look after her." He nodded towards Buffy who was walking back towards them.

"Don't worry, I will." She touched Spike's arm and gave him a warm smile--he was exactly the kind of guy she wanted for Buffy, someone who showed more emotion than Angel ever would.

"So." Buffy stopped in front of Spike as he leant against the driver's door of his car.

"Anytime you need me, just call." Spike stroked her cheek and tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Anytime?" She pressed her cheek against his chest and held him close so she could hear his heart beating.

"Anytime, for any reason." Spike kissed her hair and breathed in her scent. "Better go."

She pulled herself away from him and watched him get into the car, leaning into the window she kissed him chastely and smiled. Buffy felt like she was losing the battle against the overwhelming tide of emotion, tears were welling up and she didn't know how long she could hold them back.

Spike clenched his jaw and put his foot down on the gas, promising himself he wouldn't look back, as he turned the corner he couldn't stop his eyes from roaming back up the street to where she still stood.

As his car went out of sight Buffy felt the floodgates open and let her head fall forward as the first sob pushed its way out of her. She felt Willows arm slip around her shoulders and she was being guided into the dorms.

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