Tough Love

Chapter 2: It's about violence

It was 3 a.m. and Buffy was lying in bed,staring at the ceiling.
The room was small and smelled of smoke and some manly scent she couldn't put her finger on. Probably mr. passive aggressive guy she thought. Spike’s remarks didn't bother her so she convinced herself it was his know it all attitude that had made her so cross. She didn't believe for one moment that her dad had changed. People never change, you know that Buffy,she thought. Especially men…they always let you down. Her thoughts moved to Angel and their last encounter, after which he’d left her standing and walked away without looking back.

He hadn't given her lengthy explanations. He didn't have to, she know goodbyes well. She knew even without having to hear the actual words. It was a given in her life, and she new when it was forever. But at least Angel had a reason for leaving, lame as it was. Riley hadn't even said goodbye, he’d just betrayed her. Made her feel bad for not being there. For not giving him enough. And then he’d made her choose. Thinking about it again made Buffy’s blood boil and it made her feel angry,frustrated and furious. But most of all she felt guilt.

Maybe I'm not enough, she thought. Maybe I'm one of those people who aren’t capable of loving or being close to those who love them. She sighed and closed her eyes. I guess you and me have something in comment after all Hank.

***

Spike was standing in the doorway. He’d never seen Hank so worked up as this before.

Hank held the phone with a strong grip and talked low, but harshly.

"He'll be ready, I'm telling you Jim, he can fight anyone, anytime. He's ready dammit!" Hank tried to keep his cool "yes, yes…okay…bye"

Spike entered the room as Hank put the phone down.

"Problem?" he asked, worried.

Hank turned his gaze from the phone and looked as if he’d just notice Spike's presence. He shook his head and sighed.

"Have you seen Buffy?" he asked suddenly.

"Didn't know she was here." Spike was still concerned, he knew Hank was hiding something.

"Who was on the pho-"

"I need to go somewhere." Hank cut him off and walked quickly to the door.

He turned to him just before he left.

"Find Buffy, tell her I'll be back at noon."

"Hank-" Spike tried to stop him but he'd already left.

***

Bugger! I don't have time for this. Spike looked for Buffy but didn't see her anywhere. She wasn't in the back yard or the office. So where the bloody hell could she possibly be? He decided to look in the storeroom. It was a long shot but what choice did he have?

He entered the small room and noticed her, standing with her back to him, unaware he was near. After taking a few steps he saw she was holding something. A photograph? He leaned closer and now he could tell it was a photo of her mother. Hank had showed it to him once, he really didn't know how he could remember that, but he did.

Spike didn't know how she'd react to his presence, considering their last ‘conversation’.

"Hey pet," he said simply.

Buffy turned quickly and saw Spike staring at her. She looked agitated, like she'd been disturbed from some deep thoughts.

"Sorry...didn't mean to startle you."

"You didn't," she said firmly and put the photo in the back pocket of her jeans.

They looked at each other for a few seconds, Spike trying to remember why he was there.

"Hank had some business, said he'll be back at noon."

"Oh….okay." Buffy looked a little relieved.

Anther pause, both blonds just looked at each other.

"Are you alright?" Spike asked. He knew when a girl was crying, and he could tell she was one of those people whose faces turned red when they cried. Must be a bitch being tough as she is and in such a vulnerable state. And not being able to hide it.

"I'm fine," she shrugged.

"You just look a little shaken."

"What are you, some shrink?" she snapped, in a low voice.

Spike smiled at that.

"What?"

Buffy looked at Spike puzzled, but he said nothing. He shook his head and took a step back, as if he was going to leave.

"Wait." Buffy stopped him.

He looked at her and saw she wanted to say something important. He also saw a brief flicker of hesitation in her eyes, but then it was gone and she was cold again. Obviously trying hard to hold back her emotions.


"I-I was thinking about last night…I might have been a little harsh…I don’t usually act like that. I'm…"

"Apology accepted."

"I wasn't apologizing." Buffy crossed her arms angrily.

"Oh?" Spike wiggled an eyebrow. Sounded like a bloody Apology to me he thought.

"I still meant what I said about you butting in." She frowned.

Spike sighed and looked around. The room wasn't so full of equipment, just a few mattresses on the floor and enough space for training.

"You know what you need pet?" It was a simple statement.

"No, but I'm sure you're going to tell me," she sighed, irritated.

"A bit of the good old rough and tumble."

"Huh?"

"A little struggle, appease the aggressiveness, rush the blood a bit. Good for the soul too."

Spike looked at Buffy's face and then took a step back, looking around pointedly.

"I don't think so."

Buffy turned to leave but Spike blocked her way, moving closer.

"You’re missing a good opportunity here pet. It's not every day I let someone hit me just for the sake of it."

"No thanks." Buffy looked at his face. "I don't like violence."

"What if someone attacks you in the street, you won't fight back?" Spike looked in her eyes, pitching his voice soft and low. What’s happening to me? he thought.

"I can take care of myself."

Buffy turned to leave again, but before she could take another step, Spike was holding her in her place, both arms wrapped around her, her back pressed to his chest, her own arms locked . She held her breath.

"Show me" Spike whispered close to her ear.

"What are you doing?" Buffy came to her senses and started moving trying to free her self.

"Let me go!"

"Come on pet. Show me how you defend yourself,"
Spike said calmly.

"You're crazy." Buffy was actually frightened. She knew he was just trying to make a point, but his strong arms made her feel so helpless. And she really hated that feeling.

Spike turned her around quickly to face him tightening his grip before she could move. Such a tiny body.

"See luv, that's what I was talking about. What are you going to do now?"

"Get off, you jerk!" Buffy tried to twist her body but it didn't seemed to make any difference.

"Maybe later," Spike grinned and kept holding her tight.

"This is L.A luv, not good old Sunny- D. I could be a rapist or a serial killer. Snappy insults won't cut it."

Buffy stopped moving, looking more upset than angry. Spike noticed her expression change and loosened his grip but before he could let her go completely she’d already made her move. He dropped to his knees in pain, holding his groin.

"Bloody hell!"

Spike closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again the room was empty, but despite his agony he couldn't help laughing.



tbc