Winters Storm 65 Hello, Goodbye

Chapter Sixty Five.

Hello, Goodbye.

Spike lay gazing up at the bedroom ceiling. Buffy was fast asleep next to him, but he couldn’t seem to find his way to join her. His mind was restless…and he kept thinking about the things she’d said to him earlier.
She’d asked him to walk with her in the garden and he didn’t hesitate in escaping the game room. The scene with Ritt was still plaguing him, despite her reassurances that she was only talking with the assassin. She said, she wanted to thank him for helping to find her and they’d talked about the possibility he might be joining the staff.
Spike snorted loudly at that. Buffy shifted next to him and he glanced at her, fearfully. He didn’t want to wake her. Sleep wasn’t going to happen anytime soon, so he slipped from the bed and went out onto the balcony for a smoke.
He had finally figured out what was niggling him and he wasn’t very happy now that his worries had revealed themselves. Ritt…he was handsome and self-assured, worldly, and for a cold blooded killer, he was charming and he was very capable of turning his charm on, whenever it suited him…and it had suited him too often in the past and won him Drusilla’s affection every single time. What was worse, Ritt wasn’t afraid of him. In fact, he showed a total lack of respect for him. He was a loaded gun waiting to go off.
Spike was determined he wouldn’t get the chance to fire in Buffy’s direction…but how to get out of the awkward position he found himself manoeuvred into without breaking his word or losing face was beyond him.
Luke thought he would be useful and that his presence would add to Spike’s standing as the new force in LA and he wasn’t wrong, but Spike couldn’t shake the image of Ritt and Buffy sitting on the couch in the TV room in full view of everyone talking like friends. When Buffy offered her hand to the killer, Spike felt his blood turn to ice water in his veins. Just witnessing the exchange had made him burn with jealously. She’d offered the killer her friendship after only meeting him a couple of times…where she had fought him for months…and though she was now his mistress, he knew it wasn’t by her choice and she would never offer him her friendship.
Spike wanted the killer as far away from Buffy as possible. He was sick of having to work so hard to keep her attention and he would be damned, if he would share her with Ritt. Sighing, he wondered if it was always going to be like this. Maybe he was letting his past with Ritt colour things…black…when they were really rosy. Was his jealously clouding his judgment in this? The little voice of reason that was whispering in the back of his mind said yes…it said…give Ritt a chance…give Buffy a chance…she wasn’t Drusilla.
Bloody hell! He couldn’t keep doing this to himself. Spike knew his insecurities were his problem and neither Ritt nor Buffy were at fault for the conflict he was suffering. In his heart, he knew it was because Buffy’s heart was free to fall for anyone that really terrified him…she might be his mistress…and he might be the man who satisfied her in bed, but he wasn’t the man who had her heart. Hell! He wasn’t even the man she choose to give her friendship to…and that was the real problem…and he was only making excuses and dumping his fears of losing her attention onto Ritt, because he didn’t like him and the only real reason he didn’t like him was because of his involvement with Drusilla.
Yet, Buffy wasn’t Drusilla…and she had proved that more than once.
Luke’s words in the gym came back to him, and he remembered how cold and fearful he’d felt when Luke had pointed out to him it would be a mistake to make an enemy of Ritt. Buffy needed to be safe and he needed to believe she would be. If he refused Ritt, it would antagonize him and that could possibly put Buffy in danger. Spike knew he couldn’t allow that.
Spike came to a decision. He wandered back into the bedroom and pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Barefoot, he went in search of Ritt.
*****

Spike wasn’t surprised he wasn’t able to slip into the assassin’s room undetected, as he had Wesley’s. Instinctively, he knew Ritt was waiting behind the door.
He held the door partially open, his hand on the handle not attempting to enter the room. No sense in making the assassin feel threatened.
“Suspicious bastard aren’t you?” Spike asked him from his position in the hallway.
“Yeah, well until you tell me I can join you, I’m still a free agent.” He stepped into view, his gun held loosely in his hand. He opened the door wide and moved back so Spike could enter. “Did you want to warn me away from your girl again?” he asked, smirking.
Spike kept his gaze fixed on the other man as he shut the door behind him.
Ritt put the gun in a drawer beside the bed and turned to look at Spike.
“Well…is this about Buffy?”
Spike didn’t like hearing Ritt call Buffy by her first name. It spoke of a familiarity he felt Ritt didn’t have a right to. Yet he knew he didn’t have the right to complain. Buffy had given her permission for the assassin to address her as Buffy, so Spike kept his feelings to himself.
“No…it’s ‘bout you,” he strode into the centre of the room. “Sit down,” Spike pointed to a chair in the corner of the room next to a table and reading lamp.
“Thanks, but I’m fine right here,” Ritt said. He was standing next to the bed…next to the drawer.
“And I told you to sit down.” Spike gestured at the chair with his thumb, his tone commanding.
Realizing he was being given a direct order, Ritt decided to play along and see where Spike was going with this little impromptu midnight visit. He sauntered over to the chair and sat down.
Spike remained standing, glaring at him. “So you do know how to do as you’re told…I had wondered.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and began to pace up and down the floor in front of the other man. “Tell me why you really want to work for me…and I better hear the truth or I’ll kick you out tonight.”
“You mean Buffy didn’t tell you?”
Spike looked at him sharply as he continued to pace. “Believe it or not, I can usually find better things than you to talk ‘bout when I’m with Buffy…now tell me.”
Ritt didn’t think it was a good idea to goad him. “Because I know there aren’t many places I’d fit in, but this is one of them…in fact…it might be the only one.”
“What ‘bout with Masters?”
Ritt shook his head. “No…to him I’ll always just be a hired man and with Angel going back, I’d be less than that and I don’t fancy spending all my time just sitting around waiting for Masters to point me at something…watching from the sidelines as he reshapes Angel.”
Spike could appreciate that. Who in their right mind would want to play second fiddle to Angel? He thought.
“So why ‘ere…why with me?”
“Because we might not like each other much…but we understand each other. You’re not stupid. You’ll give me the chance to prove myself and the opportunity to really change what I’m doing.”
Spike chuckled and wondered how it was a cold-blooded killer like Ritt could believe he could be something other than what he was.
“You’re a killer…what makes you think you deserve the chance to be anythin’ other than that?”
Anger burned in Ritt’s eyes. “So are you…yet you seem to think you deserve better…isn’t that why you went to such lengths to get Buffy. Surely you don’t think you deserve a woman like her? You’re not so different from me…you just got a lucky break when Masters took a shine to you.”
Spike thought about that and heard the truth in Ritt’s angry words. Masters had taken a shine to him and if he hadn’t, he would have probably ended up working solo just like Ritt…and Ritt was dead right, he didn’t deserve Buffy.
“If you stay, you’ll be workin’ for me…not with me…you’ll take orders jus’ like everyone else…with no questions asked and you’ll mind your place. I won’t put up with any of your smart mouth ways or you tryin’ to wind me up. If you step out of line, there will be consequences and you’ll accept that right now and take your licks like anyone else. I’ll ‘ave your respect willingly or I’ll beat it from you. I’m the boss, and the first time I think you’ve forgotten that will be the last day you work for me.”
Ritt didn’t hesitate. “Understood…boss.”
“And you’ll give me your word of honour in front of the entire crew that you’ll obey and respect me.”
Ritt nodded. “Sure…boss.”
Spike stepped in front of Ritt’s chair, fixing his cold blue gaze on him. “I’ve learned by my mistake with Gilbey never to hesitate or delay in takin’ action…if you become a threat to her or put her at risk, I will kill you. If I think for a second you’re tryin’ to come between us, I will kill you. You’ll treat her with the same respect as the others do and you’ll never, never cross any lines with her.” He leaned down staring into Ritt’s face, menacing and angry. “Buffy’s mine, I’ll never share her with anyone…and I’ll kill anyone stupid enough to try and touch her…do you understand?”
“Yes…Spike.”
Spike studied him for long minutes before finally straightening back up and offering him his hand. “Then I’d like you to join us.”
Ritt stood up and shook Spike’s hand. “I accept…thanks…boss.”
The handshake was brief, but it sealed the deal and Spike moved forward and earned a measure of respect from Ritt, and Ritt earned a measure of acceptance from Spike.
“I’m takin’ Buffy away for the weekend…and while we’re gone, I want you to escort Angel back to New York, but I want you back ‘ere ready to start work on Monday.” He told him as he made his way to the door.
“Yes…boss.”
“And tell Masters you’ll be workin’ for me from now on and if he needs you for anything, he can reach you through me. I’m your boss now, so I’ll say what you do and that includes outside jobs.” Spike thought it best, Ritt knew right from the beginning who was in charge.
“Yes…boss,” Ritt said, smirking annoyingly.
“And stop with the fuckin’ annoyin’ ‘YES, BOSS’ jus’ the way you say it is gratin’ on me already,” Spike snapped.
Ritt chuckled. “Yes…boss.”
Spike glared at him from the open door. “Aaargh…I jus’ know I’m going to regret this. Now piss off and go to sleep.” He shut the door, quickly cutting off a final ‘Yes…boss’ from Ritt.
*****

They moved together in perfect sync, their bodies arching and thrusting as their passion carried them forward. Sweat glistened on both of them and their lustful cries filled the darkened room as they climaxed.
Gasping, Faith flung herself back onto the pillows as Luke released her. “That…was…fantastic…I’m…I’m…exhausted,” She moaned, breathlessly.
Luke collapsed next to her, panting. “Really?”
Faith wasn’t sure what he was asking her, if it really was fantastic or if she was exhausted. “Yeah, I think you wore me out.”
Luke caressed the sweat damp skin of her stomach, chuckling. “Does that mean you’re too tired for another round?”
She turned her head and gazed at him. “That’s quite an appetite you’ve got there…you really want more?”
His hand glided up to fondle her breasts before gliding down to explore her wet folds. Her breath hitched as he rubbed her still swollen clit. “I always want more…of you.”
She chuckled. “I bet you say that to all the girls.” She stretched and shifted away from him. “But if you’ll let me rest up for a bit…I’m sure I could find it in me to be persuaded to think of something to appease your hunger.”
Luke wasn’t sure, but he thought she was making a subtle reference to money. Faith was all about the money. Though he was beginning to suspect she used it as a shield to hide behind, so she didn’t have to allow herself to really feel anything but the stoic business of the sex.
He pulled her much smaller frame into his big embrace. “There are no other girls and if you need to rest up, then go to sleep.”
“What, here?” She was surprised. This was only the second time he’d brought her up to his rooms at the mansion and the first time was just for a couple of hours of hot sweaty sex and then he drove her back to her apartment.
“Yes, here.”
Faith needed clarification. “Are you asking me to stay the night?”
He shrugged. “In case you hadn’t noticed there’s not much of the night left. It seems stupid to get up now just to drive you back to your place. I’ll take you in the morning.”
Faith wasn’t sure about that. “I don’t know…I’ll get a cab.” She tried to ease away from him, but he hugged her close.
“I thought you said you were exhausted…thought I’d wore you out?” She was wriggling in his embrace and he kissed her smooth throat, murmuring against her skin. “Stay…I want you to stay.”
Faith froze. “NO…let go…I want to leave.”
Luke didn’t let go. “Why?”
“Because I want to…now let go,” she glared at him. “Look…it’s not that I don’t appreciate the offer of a stay over…it’s just I really don’t want to.”
Luke let go of her and watched her scramble from the bed. She quickly started pulling her clothes back on. He watched as she hunted for each item. She was rushing back and forth, snatching up random pieces that were scattered all over the floor.
“I’ll pay you double,” he said.
She whipped round and stared at him. “What?”
“I said I’d pay double…if you stay.” He looked at her under hooded lids. She was standing in the middle of his bedroom dressed in her designer jeans and a red lace bra. Her hair was wild from the sex and her luscious mouth was red and swollen. Luke thought she looked as if she was ready to run. In fact, he was sure of it. “What are you scared of…it’s just a couple of hours anyone would think I’d asked you to give up your job and move in with me.”
She blinked at him with startled eyes and backed up to the door, clutching her blouse and boots. She chuckled nervously. “Now wouldn’t that be something…look I’m kinda beat…I’m gonna head back home and get some rest.” She backed up a bit more. “I think I’m supposed to be meeting the girls for brunch…so I really won’t have much time in the morning…so I’d better…er…go.”
Her hand was blindly searching for the door handle behind her and she was still only half dressed. She was about to open the door when Luke threw the sheet back and called to her.
“Faith, wait.”
With the door finally open she froze and turned halfway into his sitting room. “Huh, what?”
“I didn’t pay you.” That seemed to surprise her. He swung his legs over the bed and retrieved his pants from the chair in the corner. Luke pulled the money out of his wallet and offered it to her.
Slowly, she came back into the bedroom, her eyes firmly fixed on the money in his hand. “Thanks.”
He caught her hand as she reached for the money. “Do you really have to go, or are you just running off?”
She looked at him, her eyes cool and remote. “I told you, I’m meeting the girls for brunch.”
He knew it was a lie. “And if you weren’t meeting them…would you stay then?”
She sighed and tugged her hand from his. “Probably not…look we had fun…dinner was great and I really appreciate you bringing me back to see Buffy…and the last couple of hours was good too…right? But let’s leave it at that,” she angrily pushed the money into her jeans pocket. “Call Glory and we’ll do this again some time…but now I have to go.”
She turned quickly and marched to the still open bedroom door. Quickly, Luke pulled on his pants and grabbed his shirt and followed her. Stamping into his shoes, he caught up with her at the elevator.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I’m driving you,” he answered, dryly.
She shook her head. “That’s okay, I can get a cab,” She said, pulling her phone from her purse.
Luke snatched it from her. “And I said I was driving you.”
She knew there was no point in arguing with him. He was as stubborn as a mule and she could see from the expression on his face he was mad.
They stepped into the elevator together and Faith began to finish dressing. Luke watched her as she slipped into her blouse, taking her time doing the buttons up in an effort to avoid looking at him. He waited patiently for her to pull her boots on before speaking.
“It’s because of the first time…isn’t it?” He knew she had thought of it as rape, until he paid her that is. Though she’d called it unpaid business until then, but when he paid, she seemed to put it behind her…but now he wasn’t so sure.
Faith looked at him and smiled. “Don’t be stupid. I told you it didn’t matter…besides, you paid up and I got a new dress…what more could a girl like me ask for?”
Luke knew there was a lot more to it than that. “I don’t believe you.”
Faith shrugged. The doors opened onto the ground floor and she quickly headed towards the garage. “Well, that’s up to you…now, if you’re going to drive me home, let’s not argue all the way there. I’m beat and in no mood for a fight with you.”
Luke unlocked his car and opened the door for her. She avoided looking at him as she got in. He settled himself behind the wheel and started the engine and pulled out of the garage.
“Do you like being a whore?” he asked, sharply.
Dave was manning the gates and he waved them through.
Faith closed her eyes for a moment, gathering her strength. “Sure…what’s not to like? I’ve got a great apartment with no bills to pay, fantastic clothes and jewels…a big fat savings account and usually Glory leaves me alone to live my life anyway I see fit. As long as she gets her cut, I can pretty much do as I please.” She looked at him with a big smile on her face. “I get to date lots of guys and they treat me like a queen and I don’t have to deal with all the crap their wives and girlfriends have to put up with…so yeah, I like it a lot.”
Luke thought her answer sounded too rehearsed. “So how long do you think you can keep doing it?”
She shrugged. “Don’t know…I think I’ve got a few more years in me yet. I can’t complain…this life has been good to me. God knows where I’d have ended up if I hadn’t met Glory…and although she can be a bitch, she’s not as bad as some. I figure another five to seven years and I’ll have come to the end of the game.” She laughed, humourlessly. “No one wants to fuck an old whore…right. The John’s will always go for the younger models. But by then, I’ll have earned enough to never have to worry about money again, so why should I care.”
“And is that all it’s about…money,” he snapped.
She snapped back. “What! You think I like fucking all those different guys?” They had pulled up outside her apartment block. She unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to face him in the gloom of the car. “YES…it’s about the money. I fucking hate them, hate them all…sometimes when they’re fucking me, I think I’m going to vomit I hate it so much, but I promised myself a long time ago I’d make any man who touched me pay. So I make them pay…not in the way I’d really love to make them pay, but I settle for their money because I don’t give them any part of myself when I’m with them…it’s all an act. One day when I’ve got enough money, I’ll never have to let any man fuck me unless I really want them to.” Quickly, she threw open the door and jumped out. She leaned down and glared at Luke. “And that includes you,” she said, slamming the door and rushing off.
Luke watched from the car as she fumbled with her keys at the main entrance. He contemplated going after her, but decided against it. Now was not the time to force the issue. The weekend would be a better time to confront her. Spike and Buffy were going away for a few days and Ritt was taking Angel back to New York and since things were a good deal more settled on the business front, he could afford to spend a bit of time on more pleasant things. He glanced back at Faith. She’d managed to open her door. She rushed through without a backward glance. He hadn’t really expected her look at him. He started the engine as the door swung shut. Making his mind up, he drove back to the mansion determined to call Glory and get her to cancel all of Faith’s clients for the weekend.
*****

Spike woke to the sound of the shower running. Groggy, he lifted his head and saw the empty space beside him. Realizing Buffy must have woken early, he groaned and rolled over in the bed, intending to order breakfast for her, but when he rang the kitchens, he was told Ms. Summers had already placed their breakfast order.
Spike hung up and propped himself up on the pillows, resting with his eyes closed as he waited for Buffy to finish up. He didn’t get much sleep after his visit with Ritt and he thought it would be quite some time before he relaxed well enough to sleep peacefully with the assassin living under his roof. Still, it was done now and there was no use complaining. He would have to talk to Buffy and let her know Angel was going back to New York this weekend. That wasn’t a conversation he was looking forward to and he would have to call Masters to let him know Angel was on his way back and that Ritt was now working for him.
The sound of the running water cut off and he glanced at the bathroom door under sleepy lids. Quickly, he closed them and pretended to be asleep as Buffy opened the door and hesitantly entered the room. Covertly, he glimpsed at her. Her towel was wrapped tightly around her and she was slowly moving closer to him. She stopped beside the bed and looked down at him. Spike held still, aware she was just standing there gazing at him. He felt the bed dip and she placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. He smiled.
“I knew you were awake…you big faker,” she laughed, softly.
His arms wrapped around her and he pulled her in for a better kiss. “Good mornin’ beautiful,” he kissed her lips gently and smiled up at her. “You’re up early.”
“Not really, it’s gone on nine,” she told him.
Spike looked at the clock, surprised to see she was right. “Well if that’s the case then I’ve slept in…I was s’posed to join the men for breakfast.”
“I know…Luke called…I told him you were still sleeping and I told him to skip breakfast and bring everyone up here by ten o’clock for a brunch meeting.” She looked at him a bit sheepishly. “So unless you want to conduct your normal breakfast meeting from our bed, I suggest you hit the shower.” She kissed his cheek again and slipped away.
He stared at her as she walked away, surprised at hearing her refer to the bed as theirs.
“I phoned the kitchen and ordered enough for everyone…I hope that’s okay? Luke said something about going into the city to talk to someone called Fatty Friday. He said he’d take Ritt with him and to start without them if they weren’t back when you were ready to start.” She was rummaging in the wardrobe for something to wear.
Spike smiled at her from the bed. He watched her take out different items and reject them one at a time. She skipped over a lemon sundress and pulled out a pair of blue jeans and a dark green top and tossed them on the bed.
“Wear the yellow dress luv.” She glanced at him over her shoulder. “Please.”
Slowly, she retrieved the jeans and top and placed them back in the wardrobe. Buffy hadn’t worn the yellow dress before. It was one Spike had bought for her. She pulled it from the wardrobe and viewed it with a critical eye. It was a lightweight soft lemon, sleeveless sundress with a scooped neck. Spike had chosen it for her and she could see from the expression on his face he really wanted to see her in it. Gently, she placed it on the bed and went to select fresh underwear from the chest, aware of Spike’s eyes following her around the room.
She glanced at him. He was still lying in the bed as if he had all the time in the world to waste. Hesitantly, she made her way back to the bed and sat down with her back to him. He gasped softly as she let the towel fall away from her breasts and slipped on her bra. She didn’t turn to look at him when she felt him shift on the bed as he moved towards her. His warm hand caressed her back and he kissed her shoulder as he helped her fasten the hooks of the snowy white bra.
“We’ll drive down to the marina tonight and spend the weekend on the boat…I’ll call ahead after breakfast and get the staff to stock the boat with enough food for a week.” He kissed her neck and pulled away slightly as she slipped her white panties up her legs. “Would you like that?” She nodded her head and smiled at him over her shoulder. Spike slipped the yellow dress over her head and helped her wriggle her arms through the openings. “Good, we’ll hug the coast…take time to finally really relax…swim in the ocean…sunbathe, and I’ll even teach you how to fish.”
She frowned and laughed. “Well, if we’re to do any of those things, I suggest you begin with a shower and clothes.”
She stood up to smooth the dress down her legs. Spike gazed at her. “You look beautiful luv,” he kneeled up and kissed her softly on the lips. “Thank you.”
Buffy wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. “You’re welcome.”
*****

Luke and Ritt arrived back at the mansion with five minutes to spare. They’d paid Fatty Friday an unexpected visit and Luke made it clear to the little man, while Spike was grateful for his help in tracking down Gilbey’s car, his boss wasn’t willing to overlook the business he was conducting down at the docks. Fatty, choked and spluttered as he turned several shades of purple and assured Luke he was more than willing to cut Spike in on his profits. Luke gazed at him coldly and told him Spike wanted to see him and his books in exactly a week’s time at the mansion and he better be prepared, to reveal all his dockside dealings or Spike might forget the fat man had helped Ritt.
Ritt patted Fatty on the back and told him not to worry as long as he didn’t try to hide anything, he would put in a good word for him with Spike.
Fatty didn’t look very reassured.
Luke and Ritt made their way upstairs to Spike’s private quarters. Ritt was surprised when Luke informed him Buffy had arranged the meeting while Spike slept in, missing the usual breakfast meeting.
“Buffy said Spike was gone from their rooms for at least an hour last night. You wouldn’t know anything about that would you?” Luke asked the assassin.
Ritt kept his eyes forward. “Maybe Spike went for a walk.”
Luke snorted. “And maybe his walk took him in your direction.”
The elevator doors opened onto the top floor saving Ritt from having to make up an answer. Luke knocked on Spike’s door and it was opened a few moments later by Buffy.
“Oh, you’re right on time…they’re all on the balcony.” She stepped out of the way and allowed them through.
Luke nodded and greeted her with a polite. “Good morning.”
Ritt greeted her with a friendly smile, which Buffy returned before leading them to the balcony.
Cooper, Marti and Dixon were already sitting at one of the two tables that were pushed together to make one big table. Spike was leaning against the stone railing, talking and laughing with the others as Buffy stepped into the sunlight followed closely by Luke and Ritt.
Spike frowned slightly as he caught sight of Ritt. Luke took a seat next to Dixon, but Ritt hesitated and decided to wait for Spike to let him know he could join the others.
Buffy watched the silent exchange. Ritt stood waiting for Spike to speak and Spike didn’t look like he was in any rush to break the silence that had descended on the men gathered on the balcony. She frowned, wondering if she should intervene, but she caught sight of Luke looking at her. He arched a brow at her and she thought better about getting in between the two men. Quietly, she took a seat next to Luke and waited.
Keeping his gaze locked on Ritt, Spike spoke to his gathered men. “From today, Ritt will be joinin’ us. He’ll be takin’ over Gilbey’s duties with Marti and since he’s already informed Masters he won’t be workin’ as a hired artist, I told him he…was…welcome to…work for me.”
Everyone could tell Spike was having a certain amount of trouble with his speech. His jaw was clenched as he told them about Ritt joining them and he looked as if he was going to start yelling at the tall dark haired assassin. Buffy glanced towards Ritt and noticed his smirk. No wonder Spike is getting annoyed, she thought.
Spike caught sight of Buffy giving Ritt an exasperated look and suddenly his annoyance at the other man slipped away. “Thankfully none of us need introductions to him and for those of you who don’t know him as well as the rest of us…that’s Buffy and Marti, let me take this opportunity to tell you…it won’t be long before you find him to be as irritatin’ as the rest of us do.”
The others laughed, nodding their heads in agreement. Cooper looked pained and he shared an anxious look with both Luke and Dixon. Spike knew it would take a while for the others to accept Ritt as one of the team, but he was sure they would find a way to deal with the changes. Gilbey was gone and he now had three new members to his team, though Wesley would probably need a lot more time to recover from his injuries before returning to work. Luke had arranged a long holiday for him and his girlfriend as soon as the doc gave his consent, and Marti was keen to fit in as a full-fledged member. Spike glanced at him. The young man was whispering to Buffy behind Luke and Dixon’s backs. He must’ve been saying something funny because Buffy was smiling and laughing.
Spike looked back at Ritt. He was still waiting to be given permission to sit. Spike shirked his head indicating to Ritt he could sit. The hum of conversation died down as the assassin took a seat at the other end of the table next to Cooper. Reluctantly, Cooper offered the assassin his hand in congratulations and welcome. Next was Marti to offer his hand followed by Dixon and lastly Luke.
Not to be left out, Buffy reached across the table to offer her hand and Spike felt the familiar stab of jealously as Ritt’s hand enveloped hers. She glanced at Spike and arched a brow. He could see she was reading him and since he was the only one who hadn’t offered Ritt his hand in welcome, he stepped forward and shook his hand.
Smirking at the killer, he glanced at Buffy. “Welcome to the Guard Dogs…or as Buffy refers to the lot of you ‘The Goonies’.”
“SPIKE!!!” She practically yelled. She blushed brightly, turning a very pretty shade of pink with embarrassment.
Everyone laughed, except Ritt who looked slightly puzzled. “Well you do,” Spike chuckled at her blushing face. He had missed seeing this particular reaction in her and was glad he could still provoke her into it.
Jonathan arrived with the food saving her from more embarrassment. Spike sat down next to her, smiling and chuckling. She reached for his hand under the table and squeezed it gently as she smiled back at him, shaking her head. Luke, sitting next to her, caught the gesture and smiled. Spike shrugged at the big man’s amusement and turned back to Buffy.
As soon as Jonathan retreated, Spike began the usual breakfast meeting and everything slowly began to flow as normal. By the end of brunch, Spike had a feeling of near contentment swelling inside him and the men seemed more relaxed and at ease. Maybe he should arrange with Buffy to do this more often. Her little impromptu brunch might just be a good way to help the new members settle in more quickly.
“Does anyone ‘ave anythin’ else to add to what we’ve already discussed?” Spike asked the table.
A chorus of head shakes and murmured no’s rippled along the table and Spike nodded.
“Good, I’m takin’ Buffy away for the weekend. Luke will know how to reach us if necessary and since everythin’ seems to be in order, I suggest everyone take time off over the weekend to relax, but let Luke know where you are if you plan on being away from the mansion overnight.” He looked at Ritt. “I’ll expect to see you back some time on Monday.” Ritt nodded and Spike looked at Marti. “And you need to get your gear moved up to the first floor. Cooper or Dixon will help you get settled.” Marti nodded grinning. “Right, I think that’s everythin’ then…if anyone needs me, I’ll be ‘ere until four.”
The meeting broke up and the men shifted from their chairs getting ready to leave. Luke approached Spike, who was beside Buffy at the stone railing.
“I’d like to have a word with you some time before you leave,” Luke said.
“Sure…give me an hour and I’ll come and find you,” Spike replied.
Luke nodded and offered Buffy a polite goodbye before following Dixon and Marti out. Cooper was lingering at the table, pouring himself another coffee and relaxing back, in no hurry to go anywhere.
Ritt rose from the table and headed towards the sitting room. “I have a few checks to do before I leave…did you need to see me before I go?”
Spike was pretty sure Ritt was asking if he needed to see Angel before he left. He glanced at Buffy from the corner of his eye. She’d picked up on the conversation and he could tell she knew they were talking about Angel. She turned to him and placed a gentle hand on his arm. He could see the questions in her eyes, but he wasn’t sure what they were.
“I’ll come and find you when I’ve spoken to Luke,” he said.
Ritt nodded and left. Buffy seemed relieved somehow and he wondered what she wanted to say. She looked at Cooper and smiled a small smile.
Cooper, seeing the little smile on her face, froze with the coffee cup halfway to his mouth. “Is this one of those ‘leave…now’ moments?” he asked her. Buffy laughed and nodded. “Okay, I can take a hint.” He rose from the table. “See ya Spike.”
Buffy waited until she heard the outer door close before turning back to Spike. He was looking at her with a mildly worried expression on his face.
“Ritt’s taking Angel back to New York today…isn’t he?” she asked.
“Yes luv.” She frowned, biting her lip. “You knew this day would come Buffy and it’s for the best.” She gave a tiny nod, gazing sightlessly into the garden. Spike was torn. “Do…you…” he swallowed and tried to start again. “Do you want to see him before he leaves?” He prayed she would say no.
Slowly, she shook her head still gazing off into space. “No…but you should.” She looked up at him. “You need to…and when you see him, will you tell him I said goodbye.”
Spike swallowed painfully and nodded not trusting himself to speak at that moment. She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tight, snuggling into him. Closing his eyes, Spike wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.
“I will luv.”
“Promise,” she mumbled into his chest.
“I promise.”