Title: Wolf Pack
Chapter Title: The Friend
Author: Baby Blues
E-mail: purely_blissful@hotmail.com
Rated: NC-17
Disclaimer: Not mine, but the story is.
Summary: Buffy talks to Spike right after breakfast, certain things are revealed and comfort is given and offered.
Dedication: To Brooke, who was in the movie ‘Max Keeble’s Big Move.’ Congrats, babe!
Excerpt:
~Buffy: I’ll always love you, Spike.
~Spike: But you’ll always love *him* more . . . Right?
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"Stop," Buffy giggled as Angelus’ hands came around her slim waist, capturing her in a solid hold.
The handsome pack leader laughed lightly at her weak attempt to end his constant handling of her, and pulled her to him, clutching at her stomach as he kissed her neck. "I can’t stop. Not when you look good enough to eat."
"That’s what breakfast is for, Mister," she scolded playfully, trying to pull away from his strong clasp and at the same time, not wanting to either. It was so warm and safe in his embrace, and she couldn‘t leave it, not when it felt this good. "Come on! We’re going to be late if you keep ravishing me like this," she said, tugging him down the staircase.
He growled and nipped at her neck. "We’re already late, my love."
They had been in the bedroom for hours, and had finally managed to shower and dress. They were at least a half hour late, and there was no doubt that the rest of the clan would wonder about them.
Angelus’ hands worked up her red top so he could caress the smooth skin beneath the intruding piece of cloth.
"They’ll all drop dead if they see us all giggly like this," she moaned when he placed a firm kiss on her lips.
He raised one dark brow. "Excuse me? I do *not* giggle," he insisted.
Buffy rolled her eyes.
Angelus grinned. "I chuckle, I laugh . . . I grunt."
"A lot," Buffy added.
"You weren’t complaining last night," he whispered suggestively in her ear.
Buffy blushed and pushed him away when they finally reached the entrance of the dining room. "Behave yourself," she muttered in warning, his eyes still glinting in mischief.
Everyone stopped mid conversation as the enchanting pair walked casually to their seats, holding hands and fighting hard to keep from laughing at pack’s shocked expressions.
Silence permeated the dining room, the ticking of the grandfather’s clock right by the window the only sound that could be heard.
"Morning," the two of them muttered in unison.
Angelus held Buffy’s hand more firmly in his own, squeezing it with reassurance as he slightly fingered the ring on her left hand. Everyone’s eyes quickly gazed at the glittering diamond with awe and a sense of cheer through the stillness.
Willow, Cordelia, and Kendra gasped and stared at Buffy in shock and horror. Buffy smiled at them and winked as Angelus led her down the narrow space of the dining room and helped her sit on her usual chair next to the head of the table.
She smiled up at him, not breaking the silence as he kissed her crown before sitting on his own seat.
Angelus cleared his throat, but realized it was futile when he noticed that they already had everyone’s attention. "We have an announcement to make," he said, grinning at Buffy as they continued to hold hands.
"Ahhhhh!" Cordy was the first to scream out her shock.
Willow and Kendra soon followed as they ran towards a very surprised and blushing Buffy and started blabbing on with excitement.
"Oh, my god!"
"I can’t believe it!"
"It’s beautiful."
"I know."
"You slut!"
"You didn’t even tell us!"
Angelus gazed at the giggling girls and laughed in amusement. "We’re engaged," he told everyone.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Buffy was on cloud nine as she washed the dishes in the kitchen, a smile playing on her lips as she hummed a tune she had learned from her father when she was a young girl.
Everyone had wished her and Angelus the best of luck, offering their best wishes. Joyce had cried, threatening Angelus with tears in her eyes and motherly pride on her shoulders.
Her baby girl was getting married.
The twins rejoiced and presented Buffy with hugs tight enough to take her breath away. And while Cole shook Angelus hand like a grown up, Dylan had whispered, "I’m still your favorite guy, right?"
Buffy had laughed, kissed his smooth cheek, and nodded. "Wouldn’t have it any other way."
She was so gone that she didn’t even notice Spike standing by the kitchen doorway until she turned to leave for Angelus’ study room for some one on one make out session.
"Hey, Spike," she greeted cheerily, drying her hands with a towel.
He gave her a small smile. "Congratulations," he said, nodding towards her left hand, where the glittering diamond surrounded her ring finger perfectly . . . like it had been made to be there.
"Thank you," Buffy smiled genuinely, lifting up her hand to admire the engagement ring once again.
"Angelus is a lucky man," Spike stated, shoving his hands in his jean pockets.
"I’m a lucky woman," Buffy cleared.
Silence fell upon them, not something that often happened between two very good friends.
"Do you love him?" Spike asked.
Buffy looked up at him, surprised. "Of course I do," she answered truthfully.
"Then I’m happy for you," Spike said, forcing a smile.
Silence.
Buffy finally realized what this was all about, and her heart quietly broke for Spike. It wasn’t pity that surged through her insides, it was the fact that she had found her true soul mate in Angelus while Spike continued to believe that she was still his.
For most of their life, they had both believed they were destined. But this wasn’t so. The Moon and the Shadow both had different plans for them, and Buffy knew that Spike couldn’t accept that until he found who *he* was meant for.
But for now, Buffy could only give him her friendship, and the familiar comfort it usually presented to both of them. It was all she can do . . . for now.
"I’ll always love you, Spike," Buffy said.
Blue eyes stared up at her, pain written clearly within them. "But you’ll always love him more . . . right?" he asked bitterly.
"I can’t help what I feel," she said desperately, and then placed a hand against her chest, right above where her heart stood beating, "He healed my soul . . . he filled the void . . . and I fell in love with him because of it."
"I could’ve done that for you, Buffy . . . " Spike said, tears glazing his eyes, "I could’ve bloody been there for you . . . you know I would’ve."
Buffy smiled sadly and walked up to him, placing a tender hand against his cheek. He closed his eyes and leaned against it, desperate for more of her touch . . . because he knew that if she touched him again, it wouldn’t ever be the same. She would be married, and he would be alone with only the memories.
"Don’t do this to yourself, Spike," she pleaded.
He placed his hand over hers and knew that this was the end . . . that he couldn’t do anything about it any longer. She belonged to Angelus, the Moon and the Shadow made sure of that when the poofter won the rights of the pack . . . and when Buffy gained the position as his queen.
"I can’t help but love you," Spike told her, "And I can’t help but want you to be in love with me."
Buffy’s lip quivered in distress, the truth and despair in his voice causing something in her heart to clench. This was truly the end of the Buffy and Spike saga. She threw her arms around his neck and began sobbing. "You’ll always have me as your friend, Spike," she said, "But I’m not the one for you."
"You are, luv," Spike said frantically, holding her closer as he fought the tears, "You are the one for me. I‘ve always known that. Everybody bloody knows that."
"Spike . . . please," Buffy begged.
"I’m really loosing aren’t I?" he laughed bitterly.
It was over.
It was all over.
"Don’t say that," Buffy said, taking his face between her hands and making him look at her, "I’m still here aren’t I?"
"But you won’t be mine," he whispered.
"Spike . . . "
"I’m sorry, pet . . . " he said, shaking his head and laughing away his pain, "This is supposed to be your perky day. I’m just bloody ruinin’ it for you."
Buffy embraced him again, more fiercely this time. "You’ll always be a part of me, Spike. Don’t ever doubt that."
He closed his eyes. He just had to accept this. This was meant to be.
"Just promise me one thing, luv," he said, holding her tightly and more intensely as the tears of loss quietly cascaded down his face.
"Tell me," Buffy urged softly.
"That I’ll always have a place in your heart," he said.
"That wouldn’t be a promise, Spike," Buffy smiled against his neck, "That’s a fact."
Spike smiled and pulled away. "C’mon, pet," he said, eyes pleading, "How bout a walk in the gardens. For old time’s sake."
Buffy nodded and kissed him on the cheek before clasping his hand.
If the Goddess and the King said it was the end, the two of them could only make the best of it. The bond between Buffy and Spike was strong, but it didn’t hold the blessing of the Powers.
"Buffy?"
"Yeah, Spike?"
"You’re not gonna tell anyone that I bloody cried, right?"
Buffy just chuckled.
Continue to Chapter 27: The Betrayal
Back to Chapter 25: The Morning