Beer Good

Thank you so much for the reviews I have received. I edited this whole story, wrote a new chapter, loaded edited chappie one and then my net went down…so for all of you who were patiently waiting here is the next installment, please let me know if you like…

Beer Good_7

Growling and seizing the cloaked man by the throat, gently so as not to hurt him and have the chip fire, but strong enough so the man knew Spike meant to keep him in place. Spike tugged his hand off of the door and turned him towards the stunned group. “This who you’re lookin’ for?” He growled angrily pushing him towards Giles.

When Spike grabbed him Ethan’s cloak opened exposing him to everyone. “Ripper old man…” He grinned.

Spike glared at him, turning on his heal he fled the room.

“Ethan. Ethan Rayne I should have known.” Giles snarled taking a step closer to the offending prick.

“You…you did this…” Buffy wailed walking over to him with incredulous eyes. “YOU did this to me.”

“I…I…wanted…” He stammered glancing at the advancing slayer.

“I don’t care what you wanted. You messed with all of us.” She was shaking with anger. “Call the council…they’ll take care of him.” Buffy said angrily walking towards the door.

“Buffy…where are you going?” Willow asked placing her hand lightly on Buffy’s arm.

“I…I just can’t be here right now…I’ve gotta go…” She said with tears already forming in her eyes.

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‘Spike…please don’t shut me out.’ She begged silently.

‘Wot? Like you shut me out earlier? Sod off you crazy bint!’ He mentally shouted.

‘I’m sorry…please…you have to understand…’ She begged.

‘Don’t have to do a bloody thing slayer ’ He growled angrily as his fits tore through the concrete wall of his crypt. ‘It’s over. Leave me the bloody hell alone.’

‘I don’t want it to be over…’

‘And I don’t want to be this good looking and athletic. We all have our crosses to bear.’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘That’s well and fine Slayer, but I’m tired of you playin’ kick the Spike. When you’ve grown up a bit and are ready for a real grown up relationship, you let me know. Till then…stay away from me.’

‘Please…I don’t want to leave it like this…after what happened…’

‘No regrets. Remember?’

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Buffy was crying when she entered the house.

“Buffy? What’s wrong honey?” Joyce asked.

“I…I don’t want to talk about it…” Buffy sniffled, letting her mom hug her tight.

“Would you like some coca?” Joyce asked rubbing her back soothingly.

“No…I…I’m gonna go up to my room for a while…I’m gonna just take it easy…”

“Ok honey…if you need anything you just let me know…okay?”

“Yeah. Thanks mom.”

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Spike sat at the bar nursing his beer. Buffy had been trying to contact him through the claim he placed on her, but he ignored it, ignored her. His body was tense, craving her touch, but his stubbornness was stronger, he’d hold out either until she told every one of her friends that he was her guy or until she told him to leave town.

“Well well, lookie here…Spike…long time no see…guess you’ve been busy with the slayer.

“Sod off Cyrus, and take your boys with you.” He growled not bothering to turn around.

The two of them grabbed him and hauled him off of his chair, holding his arms. “We don’t want you around here. Killing your own kind, protecting humans. What kind of a traitor are you?” Cyrus asked punching Spike repeatedly. Spike could feel the blood on his face, could feel his eye swelling shut.

He grinned evilly. “Not a traitor mate. Just need a spot of violence now an’ then.” Bringing both legs up he smashed him in the face. “Gonna kick your ass now mate, you’re gonna pay for messin’ up my pretty face.”

Spike broke free of the two holding him and advanced on the fallen vampire. He kicked him viciously, sending him flying into the wall. Spike advanced again, pulling a stake from his pocket he plunged it into his attacker’s heart.

Dead silence fell over Willy’s place. Spike turned to face the room. “Anyone else want a piece?” He asked opening his arms wide.

“Spike…I…I think you should go…Don’t come back here for a while…” Willy said nervously.

Spike glared at the twitchy little man. “Fine.” He growled stalking off into the night.

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“Are we gonna go in or just stand here all night?” Xander complained.
“Willow is in there waiting for us.”

“I know…I…” Buffy closed her eyes. She could feel him. She knew he was here. He hadn’t acknowledged her in a week, when she tried to speak to him through her mind he just sent back snippets of lyrics to sex pistols songs.

She stopped by his crypt during patrol every night but he would never be there, and when she tried a couple of times during the day he wasn’t there either. She knew he was avoiding her, and she knew why. She hurt him. ‘Can you feel me? Can you feel how much I want you?

Spike let out a snort. ‘Don’t want me luv. You want you ideals. Your friends.’ He signaled to the bartender for another beer.

Buffy sagged in relief that he actually responded to her. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath. “I’m ready to go in Xand.” She said walking towards the doors.

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“Willow, hi.” Willow turned towards the voice, she was sitting at a table by herself waiting for Xander and Buffy to show up.

”Harmony, hey. I haven't seen you since…”

”Since graduation. Big snake huh?” Harmony giggled.

”Yeah. So, how was your summer vacation?”

”Well I was gonna go to France. But I didn't. I was dying to see the stores.”

”Yeah, and the museums.”

”Museums?” Harmony asked taking a step closer to Willow.

”Yeah, I heard they have them. You know, just a rumor you pick up on the streets.” Willow glanced around, a little uncomfortable with how close Harmony was standing.

They both laughed, though Willow’s was slightly forced.

”You were always so funny Willow. You haven't changed a bit.”

”No, you neither.” Willow said backing up as far as her seat would allow.

”Oh, maybe a little.” Harmony said, fangs descending and ridges forming.

”Oh no…” Willow whimpered trying to push past her.

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Spike was sitting at the bar, his back to the crowd. He felt her enter, and he turned to scan the crowd. His eyes stopped on a sight that angered him more than he thought possible. There was a vampire leaning over Willow, pressing her fangs into Willow’s pale flesh.

With a roar of anger Spike moved. Within a blink of an eye he grabbed the vampire and hauled her off of a stunned Willow. Holding the Vampire by the throat he glanced at the red headed witch. “You ok Red?” He asked.

“Uh…I think so…Harmony bit me but I’m still…Yeah…I’m okay…” She was staring at Spike. “Did you just save me?” She asked?

“Suppose so…” He glanced at the blonde that was dangling from his outstretched hand. “Gonna go get rid of this…you be okay till the scoobies get here?” He asked feeling Buffy approaching.

“Yeah…they’re coming…” She glanced at her approaching friends. “Thank you…” She called out after the retreating vamp.

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Buffy saw Spike sitting at the bar. Suddenly he was gone, her eyes found him seconds later at Willow’s table, holding Harmony by the throat. As she started towards the table he took off. “Oh my god Will you’re bleeding…” Buffy said grabbing a napkin from the table she held it against the wound.

“Harmony bit me.” Willow glanced at Buffy. “Did we know she was a vampire?”

“Harmony?” Xander asked.

“Yeah…you know..ditzy blonde?”

“What happened Will?” Buffy interjected.

“Well Harmony came over here and…we were talking…then she vamps and bites me. I was so…shocked…I mean…it’s Harmony …you know? Well then Spike was there…and he got her off of me.”

“Spike saved you?” Buffy asked incredulously.

“I’m not surprised…he’s been doing that for a while now.” Xander grinned. “I can’t believe Harmony is a vampire. I betcha he’s gonna stake her.”

Buffy turned to Xander clearly shocked. “What do you mean he’s been doing it for a while?” She asked in a way to squeaky voice.

“Saving people? He…well one night we were here playing pool and…these three vamps came in…they were gonna lock the doors and eat everyone inside…Spike took em’ all on. Dusted them.” He grinned, admiration shining in his eyes.

“When was this?” Buffy asked.

“Remember the night you got all drunk at the Collage bar?” At her nod he continued. “It was a couple of nights before that.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” She asked.

“I…I donno…I guess with all the weirdness that’s been going on lately it just…slipped my mind.” Xander shrugged. “Anywho…there he is…I’m gonna go see if he wants to shoot a game of pool.”

“You’re like friends with him now?” Buffy asked, her hand on Xander’s arm.

“Yeah…kinda…” Xander shrugged. “Why?”

“He…I…we…” She glanced at Spike out of the corner of her eye. He turned his head from her gaze and continued on towards the pool tables.

“You what? Want to date him?” Xander asked. “Now that he’s a good guy?”

“Something like that.” She murmured. “We kept getting thrown together cause of those spells…and…feelings developed…I…I want to act on them…” She glanced at them gauging their reaction.

“If he makes you happy Buff…go for it. And hey no curse so no pesky soul to lose right?” He grinned.

“I…I…Willow?” She asked turning to her.

“Did I ask you for permission to date Tara?” She grinned at her friend. “What are you still doing here? Go. Talk to him.”

With a sigh of relief Buffy walked over towards the pool tables.

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“Hey.” She said softly. “Can I play with you?”

Spike choked on his beer, spitting it everywhere. “Pardon?” He asked.

“Pool.” She grinned. “Wanna have a game with me?” She picked up a pool queue and took a few steps closer to him, noticing his black eye. “Harmony get a little violent?” She asked.

“What this?” Harm didn’t do this…” Spike said softly.

“A demon then?” She asked, wanting to run her fingers softly over the bruise.

“Was a friend, didn’t like me getting all snuggly with the slayer.” Spike shrugged racking the balls.

“What happened?” She asked placing her hand on his arm to still his movements.

“I kicked his arse and dusted him. Got no friends left.” He glanced towards Willow and Xander.

“Yeah you do. Xander said he’s friends with you. Even after I told him I wanted to date you.” She grinned at his shocked expression.

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TBC…