Only While You Sleep
Hallucination
"I'm not bloody going!"
"Spike - ''
"Save it, whelp, nothing you say or do could possibly
change my mi - hey watch it you wanker!!" Spike yelped
as strong arms yanked him out of bed.
Xander glared at him with exasperation. "Look this
shouldn't have to be so hard - "he began, only to be
cut off by an extremely annoyed Spike.
" I. Do. Not. Bloody. Want. To Go. That's it, and
that's all. It's NOT hard, I could very easily go over
to Giles's place whenever I effin' felt like it -"
"So?"
"So bloody what?" Spike snapped irritably.
" Why won't you go?" Xander asked quietly. He had a
sneaking suspicion he knew the answer, and when Spike
stared at the floor sulkily, pursing his lips, Xander
knew he was right.
" Spike," Xander sighed. " It's okay. It'll be fine.
No one's going to needle you-"
Spike flinched visibly.
"Sorry bad choice of words," Xander cleared his
throat. " I mean....look I don't know why Giles wants to
see you so suddenly ok? But I do know that it's
probably because of something important and NOT
because he wants to make fun of you. Giles is too
honourable a person to do such an immature thing. No
one's going to attack you because of your chip. Not
Willow, not Giles, ......not even Buffy. She'd never admit
it to you, but she thinks it's unfair too......what's been
done to you."
Spike jerked up his head in anger and resentment. "
I'm not fuckin' frightened of The Scooby Gang." He
spat out. " I'm just as great as the next God, ask
anyone. I am William The Bloody, a most revered master
vampire, I'm not afraid of anything and I don't
fuckin' care what anyone thinks and I CERTAINLY do not
need Slutty's effin' PITY!" Spike stood up
immediately, squaring his shoulders.
" Right then, off we go."
*******************************************************
The walk to Giles's house was quiet, with only the
sounds of passing cars breaking the silence. That was
fine with Xander. He needed the time to think.
He glanced at Spike fleetingly, hoping he wouldn't
notice. But Spike felt Xander's eyes on him, and
stopped in his tracks.
"Alright dickhead. What?" Spike demanded. " If you
have something to ask me then I suggest you get it off
your chest now , if not then stop that idiotic staring
of yours, you've been looking at me funny all night- "
"I haven't been looking at you like anything, Spike."
Xander rushed in nervously.
Spike smirked, suddenly enjoying the boy's discomfort.
" Yeah. Right. You were practically-"
"DROP it, Deadboy." Xander said flatly. He quickly
walked away, wanting to get as far away from the
obnoxious vampire as he possibly could. Spike
snickered to himself, and resumed an easy pace behind
the boy. He could get used to this. The whelp made him
feel like the omnipotent overlord he once was. He
sighed contentedly, glad to be feeling a little more
like the old Spike.
Xander, on the other hand, was far from glad. He was
absolutely mortified with himself. Spike must think
I'm a total moron, he thought miserably. Was I really
staring at him all night? I can't believe I did that.
I can't believe he KNEW. I really am a moron. And what
the hell is Spike's problem anyway? What happened to
Spike from yesterday night?
Xander was confused. Yesterday had been wonderful.
Spike's normally surly character had taken on a whole
new identity, and he had been a joy to be with.
Instead of being sour he had cracked jokes that made
Xander double up with laughter. Instead of cowering
with fear he had proudly retold many stories involving
his bravery and skilfulness. Instead of being
world-weary, he had sparkled with the liveliness of a
young boy, and he had shined with a friendliness that
practically radiated from his body. They had spent an
hour underneath the veil of stars, exchanging cheeky
banter with one another. The evening had been full of
promise, but now it was like Spike just didn't wanna
know.
And he's acting like his old self again, Xander
realized with a shock. Or maybe he's just plain
acting. Arrghhh forget it. In this mode it's not like
he'd answer any of my questions anyway.......
"Oi! Wake up! We're 'ere!"
Xander sighed.
*******************************************************
What the hell is wrong with everybody? Xander thought
tiredly. Giles and Buffy had been at each other's
throats since they arrived, and after an hour and a
half of screaming Xander still had no clue as to what
they were yelling about.
"Giles I absolutely forbid it!" Buffy yelled at the
top of her lungs.
" And I say that it is absolutely necessary that we
perform it!" Giles yelled right back.
Xander looked concerned.
Spike looked impatient.
Willow looked embarrassed.
Xander cleared his throat. " Um, guys?"
"Giles you have no idea what your dealing with-"
Xander tried again. "Buffy?"
" I know exactly what I am dealing with thank you very
much Miss Summers-"
"Giles?" Xander pleaded.
" Sarcasm accomplishes nothing Gi-"
"BLEEDIN' HELL WILL YOU PEOPLE SHUT THE FUCK UP?"
Spike roared.
The room was silent.
"Okay then," Xander laughed nervously. " Sorry we had
to break up that moment of complete happiness but you
didn't you guys say you had something important to
tell us?"
Giles glared at Buffy. " Yes, as a matter of fact we
do." He strode purposefully toward Spike, who inched
away uneasily.
"Spike I feel that we must tell you something- "
"Giles...." Buffy warned.
Giles ignored her. " Spike we have found a way- "
"Giles don't!"
"- to remove your chip." he finished.
For a long while the room remained in stunned silence.
Giles looked weary.
Buffy looked pissed.
Spike looked ecstatic.
Willow looked embarrassed.
Xander looked away.
End pt 3
