Rebound Ch. 06-08

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he was choking.

Angel was not amused. He wasn’t exactly sure what those two had been talking
about but he was pretty sure that he was the butt of their little joke. Xander stood up.
He glanced at Angel and then hugged Willow. He mouthed, “Are you okay?” She
nodded and touched his cheek to reassure him.

“Good. How about if I walk you out, Angel?”

“Who said I was ready to leave?”

“Sorry, mate. All the extra room in her bed is taken.” Spike said firmly. Xander
and Angel both turned violent eyes on him. “By her teddy bears.”

“It’s okay, Angel.” Willow said.

“As you wish.” He brushed his lips against hers, shivering at even that small
contact. “Goodnight, darling.”

Both Xander and Spike were having a hard time controlling their temper. Angel
smiled sardonically at both of them. “Goodnight, boys.” He walked out the door and
into the night. A few seconds later, they heard an engine start.

Xander stood looking at both Willow and Spike. He didn’t like the idea of leaving
Willow alone with the vampire. But, the idea of Angel sneaking back over here after he
and Spike had left turned his stomach. Xander also knew he would never get Willow to
agree to come to his house, not with Anya there. The ex-vengeance demon was
expecting him home soon. Given his options, Xander picked Spike. Willow wasn’t
interested in the demon anyway. Angel was the real threat.

“Goodnight, Wills. Call me if you need anything.”

“I will.”

He pulled her into another brotherly hug, giving her a silent assurance of his love
and support. At the doorway, he paused. “Spike?”

“What?”

“You had me at hello.”

*******

“Care to share the joke?” Willow asked as she and Spike stood in her bedroom.

“I doubt you’d find it funny, luv.” Spike had just recovered from yet another
bout of hysterics. “So,” he said casually. “You and the poof have fun?”

“Yes, ANGEL and I had a lovely time. He took me to this great little place and
then we talked-“

”I think you did a bit more than ‘talk’ to Peaches.”

“It’s all part of the bet, Spike.” She said with false innocence. “ You told me I had
to kiss him. It’s not my fault if he enjoyed himself.” Willow was enjoying paying him
back for the embarrassment he had caused her.

Spike was furious. “It’s not like it’s that hard to get the poof’s attention. He
hasn’t been with a woman in two years. Hell, he’d probably shag Xander if the idiot
offered. And where’s that cat of yours? Let’s just say that I wouldn’t leave the poof
alone in a room with it.”

Willow just stared at Spike. Was he hinting that Angel . . . eww! She forced her
thoughts to what he had said earlier on. She put her hands on her hips. “What are you
saying? That I’m not desirable?” She walked over to him and trailed a hand down his
chest. “I can remember a certain blond vampire who was VERY interested in me.”

“This isn’t about me! This is about you. Why are you so hot and bothered over
Soulboy? It’s not like he’s got the goods, Red.” He said pointedly.

“Maybe ‘the goods’ are overrated. The way he spoke to me. . . it made me feel. .
.well, I can’t expect you to understand that.” She walked around Spike and thrust open
the door. “I’ve had enough of you for tonight. Go sleep in one of the other rooms or go
to Xander’s house. I really don’t care where you go, as long as you’re not in here.”

“But-“

”Go.”

Spike stalked out of the room and she slammed the door behind him. He wished
there was some bloody alcohol in the house. He put his hands in his jeans pocket and
pulled out some money. He smiled to himself, he had ‘liberated’ it from Angel’s coat
the other evening when he’d picked it up to throw it at him. It was time for a midnight
shopping spree.

*******

The sounds of frying and the smell of coffee roused Willow from a deep sleep.
“Mmmm,” she murmured. It smelled like her Mom was making breakfast. Her eyes
flew open. Her mom was out of town. As was her dad. So who was in the kitchen?

“Ouch! Bleedin’ gas stoves!” Spike? Spike was cooking? Willow heard a metallic
clang. She rolled out of bed and pulled on her fuzzy robe. This could not be good. She
rushed down the stairs to stop him before he burned her house down. The sight that
greeted her stopped her in mid-scold.

All the curtains had been pulled to block the light from the normally sunny little
kitchen. On the table were two lit taper candles, two mugs of coffee, two paper plates
and a vase with dandelions and daisies, obviously plucked from the lawn. Spike stood
at the stove, an apron tied about his waist, flipping french toast, a determined look on
his face. “Spike?”

“Wha-bloody hell! Red, you almost made me flip that onto the floor. You
shouldn’t sneak up on the undead!” He grimaced. “You weren’t supposed to wake up
until I was finished.”

She hid her smile. She knew she should still be angry at him, but the sight of him
in an apron, making her breakfast was irresistible. “Can I help?”

“No. You’re not to lift a finger. However, I couldn’t find your syrup. Can you
tell me where it is?”

“It’s on the top left shelf.” He removed it and set it before her. Then he rushed
back to the stove, concerned that the toast would burn.

“You do like french toast, don’t you, luv? I wasn’t quite sure, but it’s the only
breakfast food I know how to make well. Everytime I try to make pancakes, I get
fascinated by the bubbles and let the bleedin’ things burn on one side.”

“Spike–“

”Now, now just sit down, there.” He brought the skillet over and flipped the
bread onto her plate. Then to her astonishment, he sprinkled a mix of powdered and
brown sugar over them. “How’s that?”

“I didn’t know you could cook.”

“I learned when I lived with Angelus. Dru and the rest of them, they didn’t like
to eat. But I was always fascinated with it. We stayed in a hotel in New Orleans once. I
was about to eat a chef when he offered to teach me how to make a few things. French
toast. Beignets. That sort of thing. So I let him live.” He flashed her a grin. “Anyway, I
thought anyone who had spent a whole evening with the great poof, would be a little
cranky, and I should forgive you for being so rude last night. And I made you breakfast
to call a truce.”

She gave him a look that said she didn’t quite buy what was going on. She
decided to let the ‘rude comment’ go. “Or you’re desperate not to stay with Xander.”

“That hurts, pet. I don’t make breakfast for just anyone, you know.” He sat
down across from her. “Now, take a bite and tell me what you think.”

She found to her surprise that it was better than any she had ever tasted. And
Spike was being unusually charming. “Mmmm,” she said mumbled as she savored a
bite. She swallowed, then looked at him. “This is so good!”

Spike gave her an arrogant look that said he had known that. Then he smiled and
leaned forward. “All’s forgiven, then?”

“Yes.” He was irresistible. They finished in companionable silence. When the
meal was over, Spike carried the plates to the sink, and rinsed the syrup off them. Then
he opened the window a crack and lit a cigarette, being careful to avoid the sunbeams.
As he smoked, he gazed at her thoughtfully. “What are you thinking?”

“That I could get to like mornings if I keep spending them with you.” He smiled.
“Care to make another bet?”

She worried her lower lip with her teeth. She had promised Angel that she
wouldn’t make another bet with Spike. “You don’t have anything else I want.”

“Umm, I think you’re confusing me with Dark and Dork-ish, luv. I am perfectly
capable of giving you everything you need. I wouldn’t even go on a killing spree
afterwards or dig up big rock demons to try to end the world.” He took one last inhale
and put out the cigarette. His grin was enticing.

“Hmm, I suppose it does take more than a thirty second event to bring the world
to an end.” That slid the grin right off of his face. She clapped her hand over her mouth.
“I can’t believe I said that.”

“Take that back!” He growled.

“Make me!” She giggled. Then realizing what she had just said, she clapped her
hands back over her mouth. This is getting out of hand. She looked up to see how Spike
had taken the comment. Uh-oh. Willow, I don’t think that was the right thing to say to a
vampire. His eyes had narrowed, and as they met hers, he began walking very
deliberately toward her. Run! She nearly knocked her chair over as she bolted upstairs,
toward her room. He was barely a foot behind her.

She threw open the door and was about to slam it in his face when he stretched
out an arm to prevent her. He was in full vamp face and looked decidedly angry. She
punched him on the shoulder. “I’m such a kidder! Ha ha. Well, my class starts pretty
soon. . .I’d better be getting dressed. . .and, um, going. So. . .uh. . .thanks for breakfast.”

He ignored her stammering and walked into the room, backing her up as he did.
“Thirty seconds, you say? Is that what the puppy considered a long go at it?” His voice
had lowered, his eyes were glowing.

“I was kidding!”

“And I’m not laughing.” He continued walking her back until her knees hit the
bed and she went down. He went down on top of her. “Do you feel like laughing?”

“I’ll tell Angel.”

“So what?”

“Hey, I know you can’t bite me.”

“Luv, did I say anything about biting?” He shook his head and his human
features reappeared. “Now, this is much better.”

Willow was considerably less nervous. She tried to persuade him to let her go.
“Really, Spike. I have to go to class.”

“Hmmm. . .class. Well, I agree that you are in need of an education. And I’m an
expert in this particular field.”

Willow shivered, and not in fear. “I have to go!”

“Alright. After we discuss something first.”

“I’m not making another bet with you, Spike. I just can’t. ”

“We won’t make it bet, then.” He took an unneeded breath. He hoped she went
along with this. “You’re a little confused about your feelings right now, aren’t you?”
She nodded, impressed with his insight. “Have you thought about why the poof is so
appealing to you all of a sudden? Have you ever dated another vampire?”

“Of course not. I was too busy running and screaming-“

”Yes, well. Why not date another vampire? Compare notes. Y’know shop
around a bit. You should see if your feelings are true.”

“Spike, I’m not dating any of your undead buddies. When I get taken out to
dinner by a guy, I don’t want to be dinner!”

“I’m talking about me, Red. Dating me. Just three dates. It’ll help you make an
informed decision. You might have been taken in by the whole “creature of the night”
thing.”

Willow digested this. She looked at the vampire in front of her. No, Willow
didn’t have any illusions about vampires. But one thing that this little venture would
give her was a chance to sort out her feelings for both vampires. “Alright.”

“That’s it? No refusals?” He had been looking forward to ‘convincing’ her.

“Nope. Gotta go now. Let me up.”

“Hang on then. Let’s think about what one would consider a date.”

“Ok . . .”

“Let’s say a bloke went out, bought food, and cooked his lady a meal. Y’know,
candlelight, just the two of them, conversation, banter–“ He wiggled his eyebrows. “An
invigorating chase to the bedroom?”

She ignored the last comment. “So, you’re saying we already had a date?”

“Not exactly. The date’s not over yet.”

“Oh no? And why is that?”

“I haven’t gotten my goodnight kiss.”

“Spike–“ His mouth covered hers, his hands cradling her head.

“Patience, luv.” He whispered against her mouth. “Even a good kiss takes longer
than thirty seconds with me.”

*******

Spike whistled as he headed down the stairs to finish the dishes. Everything
seemed to be going well. Willow was a little late to class, and his plans were right on
schedule. Peaches didn’t have a shot. Spike was so lost in his plotting that when the
phone rang, he didn’t think twice about answering it.

He picked up the powdered sugar bag as he reached for the phone. He was just
about to say “Allo”, when some of the sugar got lodged in his throat. Instead of
speaking, all he could manage was a strangled cough. “Willow, is that you?” Came the
voice from the other line.

Bloody hell—the slayer! He coughed again and affected a falsetto. “Buffy?”

“Willow?” Buffy sounded confused. “You sound funny. Are you coming down
with something?”

“Ohh, umm, yes. I am very sick.” Spike rolled his eyes and gave a nasty cough. It
sounded like he was hocking up a lung. That ought to gross her out! “Haven’t been to the
dorm in awhile.”

“ Wills, have you seen a doctor? That sounds kinda serious. And I know you
haven’t been at the dorm, that’s why I called. I was worried about you. “ She continued.
“Well, listen. I have an idea. If you don’t feel well, why don’t I come over and entertain
you? I’ll pick up some videos, some Nyquil, some ice cream, some clothes for you, and
keep you company tonight.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea!” Spike started to panic. “I might get you sick
and that would be really bad, you being the Chosen One and all. . .”

“Nonsense. Supernatural constitution, remember?” Buffy continued speaking
over the muffled protests. “I’ll be over after I have dinner with Riley, ‘kay? See you
then!” And she hung up.

Bloody. Everlasting. Hell.

******

Spike was watching the rainstorm from the living room window. A flash of
lightning illuminated Angel’s car as it pulled past the house. Angel and Willow were
home. They had decided that he should not park in her driveway, in case her neighbors
saw and told her parents she was entertaining guests while they were away.

“The bloody poofter’s got a parasol.” Spike mumbled to himself as he watched
Angel and Willow walk up the driveway. Because of the storm, there was a lack of
sunlight. It allowed Angel to be outside, even though it was still daylight.

Evidently, he had picked Willow up. She had been obligated to stay later than
usual on campus for a study group she lead. Spike opened the door for both of them.

“Hello, Peaches. Or should I say - Mary Poppins?”

Angel folded up the enormous umbrella and unwrapped his bulky coat from his
body. He tossed both items at a stunned Spike and sauntered off to the living room.
“You make a very good butler, William.”

“So, I’m a butler, eh? Hmm. . .I feel like more of a landscaper.” Spike opened up
the front door and threw them out onto the rose bushes. He hoped a colony of Japanese
beetles took up residence in the damned coat. Spike joined them, frowning at the way
Angel was hovering over the red head as she sat on the couch.

“I’m going upstairs to change. Can I leave you two alone without fear of
bloodshed?”

“I don’t think so, luv. I’d better come with you, help you get dressed.”

“We’ll be fine, darling.” Angel said. He bent over and kissed her quickly on the
mouth.

Spike bristled. As Willow walked by him, Spike’s hand shot out to pull her down
onto his lap. He caressed her shoulder through her soaked shirt. “You’re drenched
clear through to the skin, luv. Better put on new underthings. How about that lacy
leopard print set you stashed in the back of your knicker drawer? “ Willow opened her
mouth to protest. “I know, I know. You didn’t buy it. Belongs to Xander, right?” Spike
spoke to Willow, but his eyes challenged Angel.

Angel’s expression darkened for a moment, then he gave the dazed Willow a
suggestive smile. “Yes, you should do that, darling. I’d love to see you in that tonight.”

Willow was incensed. She faked a coughing fit. “Sorry. Must have choked on
the fog-like testosterone in here,” She explained. “Do you know what you two remind
me of? Dogs fighting over a juicy bone. If I stood still, would you both try to pee a circle
around me to mark your territory?” She stared at each of them in turn until they looked
down, shamed. “I am going upstairs and when I come back, I hope you can both
pretend to be the gentlemen I thought you were.” She stomped upstairs, muttering
something about ‘chauvinism’ and trading one kind of ‘animal’ for another.

Spike and Angel glowered silently at each other. Angel, offset enough to have
slipped into his old brogue, spoke first. “Now, see what you’ve done?”

“Shut up, poof.”

Angel was about to reply when the doorbell rang. They both jumped up and
raced for the door. Angel shoved Spike back. “They’re less likely to be suspicious of
me!”

“Right. Even though I live here in near custody of the Scoobys, and you live in
L.A. like some smelly hermit, I’m more suspicious.” Angel relented with a look of
disgust. “Oh, what is that? A dramatic glower for effect? I’m so scared.” Angel just
sighed.

“Hello? Why is the door locked?” When there was no answer. “Umm. . . It’s
raining out here.” Xander called from outside the door. “Wills? Spike? I brought a
pizza!”

“Oh, it’s just you.” Angel and Spike spoke in unison, then glared at each other.
Spike stepped forward when Angel looked less than forthcoming and opened the door.

“Come on in, the more the merrier.” For some reason, that phrase struck Spike.
There was something he was supposed to remember, but what was it . . .oh well. He
would have to figure it out later. Right now, he had to concentrate on getting rid of the
poof.

Xander put the pizza down on the coffee table in the den. Spike grinned and
brought out the paper plates and a six-pack of diet coke. “What’d you bring me?”

“Meat-lovers!” Xander settled down to eat.“ What’s with the diet coke?”

“Figured the great poof would want to fit into his favorite coat. Needs to watch
his girlish figure.” Spike shrugged. Xander smiled, holding back his laughter.

Angel looked at the greasy cardboard box with disdain. “You could at least wait
for Willow,” he admonished, then as an afterthought.”If she’s willing to eat that.”

“Oh, and Denny’s food is gourmet cuisine?”

“You took her to Denny’s?” Xander said around a mouthful of bread and cheese.
“Wow, no wonder Buffy went wild for you. What a classy guy.”

“I like you better every minute.” Spike paused with the pizza mid-way to his
mouth. “That was very gutsy. Remember, I’m chipped. The poof is not.”

“Yes, but he’s a soulled poof. Same difference.”

“Arghhh! Take it back!” Spike was appalled. “It is NOT!! Do you see me
skulking around like the great poof, just because I can’t bite as I choose?”

Before the inevitable fight could erupt, Willow stepped into the room. She was
dressed in a midnight blue velvet tunic, belted with a delicate silver chain, over her best-
fitting blue jeans. She had the front of her hair clipped back, and small silver hoops in
her ears. The pendant now hanging from her neck was a pentacle. Both vampires
stopped to admire the petite redhead. Xander kept stuffing his face.

“Hey Wirrow.” he mumbled.

“Pet, you’re a vision.” Spike started to stand, but Angel was already by her side.

“You look stunning, Willow.” Angel lifted her hand and brushed a kiss across her
knuckles.

Spike muttered something unintelligible to Angel and Willow, but Xander almost
blew soda out of his nose. Spike reached for another piece to console himself when the
doorbell rang again. Who could that be–uh oh! Ding-dong, slayer calling! “Uh, Willow, I
forgot to tell you something!”

Angel crossed the room to look out the peephole. “This isn’t good.” He said