Hello Again
Author: enigmaticblue
Rating: PG-15
Disclaimer: We all know the truth. None of these characters are mine, and if I were making money off of them, I could quit my job and go write on a beach somewhere.
Summary: A sequel to my short story, Summer Vacation. After the events of Forgiving, Wesley decides to take action after losing Connor, and finds something he never expected.
A/N: Because there’s quite a bit of time between this story and the last, there’s quite a bit of catching up to do. All will be explained eventually, but you’ll have to hang in there with me for a bit. Also, I’m playing around with time and canon. You’ll see what I mean.
Chapter 9: Saying
Goodbye
“Rise to the rhythm, rise to the call/Come face the music, or be nowhere at all/Go down to the river, no need to fear/Your trials can be over, there are no judges here/There are no judges here./Somewhere east of Eden/Let there be no doubt/No flaming swords of cherubim/To keep you out…Come on back to Camptown/Celebrate the news/No need for a clamp-down/Once you've paid your dues.” ~Kim Richey, “No Judges”
“I wondered where you’d gone.”
Wesley stood on the back porch, hands in his pockets, and wished he’d found a better hiding place. “Just thought I’d get a breath of fresh air.”
“We’re staying in a hotel tonight,” Cordelia informed him. “Well, Angel is staying here, but Buffy doesn’t have room for all of us.”
He nodded. “It makes sense.”
Cordelia came to stand next to him. “He said you’re staying.”
“For now.” Wesley glanced down at her and smiled wryly. “Perhaps I’ll travel as a rogue demon hunter for a while again.”
Her dark eyes were sad. “Wes—”
“You didn’t come to see me once you got back in town,” he observed in a low voice.
Cordy sighed. “Angel needed me.” She hesitated. “If I had been there when you found the prophecy—would you have told me?”
Wesley wanted to give her an honest answer, and he wanted to think clearly about those awful days leading up to that fateful decision. “I don’t know,” he finally said. “I think I might have.”
She laid a hand on his arm but didn’t reply, and Wesley knew they’d said all there was to say. Her first priority had been Angel, and they would never know what might have happened if she hadn’t gone on vacation with Groo. When Cordelia turned to go back inside, she paused to look back at him. “You’ll keep in touch?”
“Of course.” It wasn’t a complete lie. Wesley wouldn’t avoid contact, and he would want to know how Connor was doing in the future.
Her expression indicated that she didn’t quite believe him, but all she said was, “Let me know when you get a permanent address, huh?”
He watched her go inside, then turned back to his contemplation of the darkness, thinking that with as many endings as he was facing now, things still looked considerably brighter.
~~~~~
The house was entirely too full. Buffy had come to realize how nice it was with just her and Dawn—and Spike, more often than not—after a few days of having houseguests. Having Wesley around hadn’t been bad, if only because they hadn’t been in the house much, but now with Angel and his gang, and Connor there as well—
Plus, things with Angel were awkward for any number of reasons. Buffy was more grateful to head to class than she ever thought she’d be. Of course, after having to drop out, then reapply, Buffy was simply grateful to be back in school.
After her last class, she saw
Her friend glanced over at her, and although she waved, she didn’t appear very welcoming. “Hey,” Buffy said as she got closer. “What’s up?”
“I was just talking to Libby about a class,”
Buffy suspected that wasn’t the only thing they had been
talking about, but she let it go. She didn’t want to get into a fight now. Over
the last month, she’d tried to put their differences behind her, but she had
found that she didn’t trust
“Are you going to come over and see Connor?” she asked as they began walking out of the building. “They’re leaving tonight.”
Buffy knew that was a dig to get back at her for not
allowing
“I’ve got something else going on tonight, Buffy,”
She stifled the hurt she felt. “What’s that?”
“There’s a Wicca meeting,”
Buffy frowned. “I thought you’d decided that they didn’t know anything about real magic.”
“Not that group. This is a different one.”
She couldn’t read the expression on
“Okay.” Buffy looked into the face of her friend and wondered when they’d grown so far apart. “Just—be careful, Will.”
This time,
Buffy nodded, then watched as her friend slipped into another building. She was beginning to wonder if their friendship would ever be like it was.
~~~~~
It worried her, but she knew that there was nothing she
could do;
She hurried to catch up to Buffy, wanting to know how the meeting with Angel had gone, and how Connor and Wesley were doing.
“Hey,
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, sure. Why?”
“I just saw you with
“She’s meeting with some Wicca group tonight,” Buffy replied. “I get the feeling that I may not want to know what they’re up to.”
“That’s pretty much how I feel about it.” Buffy shrugged, as though putting it to one side. “Do you want to come back to the house with me? Angel’s leaving with Connor tonight.”
“I’d love to.”
“Other than Angel nearly taking Spike’s head off for daring to touch his son, and scaring Connor half to death? It went great.”
“And Wesley?”
Buffy gave her a strange look. “I think he’s okay. He’s staying for a while. Angel basically told him that he didn’t want him to come back.”
“I don’t think Angel is very good at forgiving people,” Buffy replied.
“That seems strange for a person who needs so much forgiveness himself,” she observed.
Buffy snorted. “You said it; I didn’t.” She hesitated. “Is
something going on between you and Wes,
“There’s chemistry?” Buffy suggested slyly.
“He’s a really good guy.” Buffy nudged her gently. “And I know you don’t swing that way, but he’s pretty easy on the eyes, too.”
And just because she preferred women, didn’t mean she’d completely ruled out men.
~~~~~
Xander put down the phone with a sigh of relief. He’d felt the need to offer his services and support, but Buffy had essentially said that the house was full enough as it was, and there was no point in him being around Angel any more than absolutely necessary.
“And, no offense, Xander, but once they’re gone, I don’t want to see anyone for a while,” she’d told him.
“Has Angel been driving you crazy?” he asked.
He could almost hear her shrug. “Not really. I had classes today, and Spike and Wesley have been making themselves scarce. Why is it that none of the men I know can get along?”
Xander hated to admit it, but he didn’t have a problem with Wesley, and Spike had grown on him, and he said as much to Buffy. “Although, I still don’t know about you hanging out with him, Buffy. You’ll give him the wrong idea.”
“Xander, I’m not giving him the wrong idea. I’m dating him.”
“What?!”
“Don’t,” she warned him. “I know what you’re going to say, and I don’t want to hear it. This is my decision, and Spike has proven himself.”
“I think you’re making a big mistake, Buffy.”
“Noted, but I’m going to do it anyway. I don’t want to hear any more about it.”
He sighed. “I suppose you could do worse.” Xander was willing to admit to that much; Angel would have been worse.
“A lot worse,” she reminded him. “At least I don’t have to worry about Spike frequenting vampire ‘hos.”
“There is that,” he agreed. “I guess if you don’t need me, I’ll see you soon.”
“I’ll call you,” she promised. “Just as soon as I’m recovered.” There was a pause, and she asked, “Have you talked to Willow lately?”
“Not since she and Anya had it out,” he admitted. “I don’t think she was happy about me not defending her.”
“Yeah.”
“She’ll be okay, Buffy,” Xander said, feeling helpless to do
or say anything else. He wanted things to be like they had been, but that was
clearly impossible. He and Buffy had made their choices, and
He just wished that they had ended up on the same side in the end.
When Xander hung up the phone, he found Anya watching him. “So, we’re not going over there?” she asked, sounding hopeful.
“Buffy said she’s got too many people in the house as it is,” he replied. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, I think a night of orgasms is what we need,” she
replied. Then, in one of her moments of acute perception, she added, “Thank
you. For not defending
Xander sighed. “You were right, An. She’s being unreasonable about this whole thing.” Pausing, he added, “And can we just forget about the rest of the world for tonight?”
“I was hoping that’s what we would do.”
~~~~~
“Hey, Spike?” Dawn asked.
He took a deep drag of his cigarette. “Yeah?”
“If I asked Buffy for a kitten, would you back me up?”
“And why would I do that?”
“Because I’m your favorite Summers?” Dawn suggested, batting her eyes at him. When he snorted, she shrugged. “It’s been fun to have Connor around, and kitties are cute.”
“You could get a babysitting job if you like little ones,” Spike suggested.
Dawn gave the suggestion some consideration as Spike experimented with smoke rings. “I could, but I still want a kitten. I’m old enough to have a pet.”
“Ask your sister,” he advised. “If she asks me, I’ll tell her I think you’re old enough.”
“Thanks. And Spike?”
“Yeah?”
“Have you guys had sex yet?”
She knew it wasn’t any of her business, and she knew that Spike wouldn’t tell her, but she wanted to see the look on his face when she asked. His expression was totally worth it, too, because he choked on his cigarette smoke. “Dawn!”
“What?” she asked innocently.
He glared. “How is it any of your business?”
“It’s not,” she replied cheerfully. “But I’ve been throwing you guys together for a year now, and I wanted to know if there had been a payoff.”
“Why you scheming little—” Spike stared at her as though he didn’t know whether he was angry or admiring, but his half-laugh told her it was probably the latter. “Should have known. Buffy an’ I ended up alone together a little too often for it to be by chance.”
“Only at the beginning,” Dawn advised him. “After a while, I didn’t even have to push her.”
Spike smirked. “Who could resist yours truly?”
Dawn snorted, but she didn’t disagree. “Aren’t you going to say goodbye to Connor?”
“Is that what you came to get me for?” Spike asked.
“No, but I thought I’d let you know they’re leaving soon.”
Spike nodded. “I’ll go in just before. No sense in giving Angel another shot at me. Thought he would have tried to catch me alone, but I guess that’ll have to wait until he comes back to town again.”
“He’s been too busy with Connor,” Dawn said wisely. “But I bet he’ll try to say something before he leaves.” She grinned at him. “Unless I can do something about it.”
Spike raised an eyebrow. “An’ what would that be?”
“I’ll think of something.”
~~~~~
Wesley had made himself scarce during the day, preferring to leave Angel alone with Connor, rather than forcing his presence. He didn’t think they had anything else to say to one another.
He’d especially wanted to avoid Fred and Gunn, who appeared to be attached at the hip. Fred wouldn’t even meet his eyes, but he supposed that wasn’t surprising given the last time they had seen one another.
It would have been easier if he had something to do—anything to do; Wesley would have been happy to clean up the dinner dishes, but they had ordered out and used paper plates. Spike was out on the back porch, and he felt as though he would be intruding if he went out there.
“Hey.”
Wesley turned to see
“Are you hiding out?”
“Is it that obvious?”
Wesley raised an eyebrow. “You mean that no one else has noticed that I’m not there.”
She shrugged. “They’re all busy watching Connor. I think they’re leaving soon anyway.”
“Yes, well, I imagine he’ll be glad to get back to
“When will you move?”
Wesley hadn’t thought about the logistics of the move yet. He knew that he couldn’t stay with Buffy much longer; he would have to see about a new place to live, as well as work on drumming up business. Or perhaps he’d find a different job.
“I don’t know,” he finally admitted. “I can’t stay with Buffy forever, or much longer, really. I’ve likely overstayed my welcome already.”
“If Buffy hasn’t kicked you out yet, you’re probably okay,”
Wesley shrugged. “I’d like to leave before she feels the need to get rid of me.”
“Have you thought about what you’re going to do yet?”
“Other than trying not to starve?” Wesley asked. “No, not really.”
He sighed. “No, not really. I have a nest egg, and—” This wasn’t something he liked talking about, but Wesley thought he could trust her. “I had an aunt who was very fond of me. She didn’t have a lot of money, but what she did have she left in an irrevocable trust.”
“So, you wouldn’t have to work?”
Wesley shook his head. “No, but it allows me to live on less money.”
“Which is why you could work for Angel.”
“And why I have a little time.”
Wesley read the circled ad. “A bookstore?”
“They can’t get anyone to keep it open after sunset,”
He found his curiosity piqued. “And you know this how?”
“I talked to the owner,”
“You didn’t want the job?”
“He wants someone who can stay past the summer.”
“I’ll think about it,” Wesley promised. “I don’t suppose you have a suggestion for a place to live?”
She smiled. “Actually, I do.”
~~~~~
Spike thought that he might actually get away without a lecture from Angel, but his luck wasn’t that good. In the midst of saying goodbye, Angel grabbed his arm and pulled him aside. “I wanted to talk to you.”
It looked like Dawn hadn’t come up with a way to distract him. “What do you want?”
“Thanks.”
Angel sounded as though he was choking on the word, and for a moment, Spike was tempted to make him repeat it. “Don’t worry about it. Didn’t do it for you anyway. I did it for the boy.” Spike’s eyes strayed to Connor, who had wrapped chubby arms around Buffy’s neck. “He is blood.”
The older vampire looked even more disgruntled, if that were possible. “Yes, well, about Buffy—”
“Angel!” Dawn called. “They’re waiting for you.” She was by his side, tugging on his arm, just a moment later. “Connor doesn’t want to let go of Buffy.”
Spike caught the conspiratorial wink she sent him, and he winked back. Angel was easily distracted by Connor’s name, and he headed for the front door without a backwards look at Spike.
“I think you may have your hands full with her soon,” Wesley observed.
He glanced over his shoulder at the ex-Watcher, who had just emerged from the kitchen. “You’re not going to say goodbye?”
“I already have,” Wesley replied.
Spike nodded, understanding what he meant. “Yeah. Angel never was very good at lettin’ things go.”
“I should go say goodbye to Connor,”
Spike raised an eyebrow. “You an’ Tara seem to be friendly.”
“She’s been very kind.”
He raised an eyebrow. “An’ that’s it?”
“You can’t really work magic with someone and not gain an understanding of their character,” Wesley explained. “She’s a kind woman.”
“That she is,” Spike agreed. “She’s been a friend to both of us, although Buffy an’ I probably haven’t been as good to her.”
“What do you mean?” Wesley asked, the sharpness of his tone
telling Spike that the man had quickly become protective of the gentle witch.
Not that he blamed the man;
He shrugged. “Just that since her breakup with
“She could cause problems down the road,” he observed.
“You’re tellin’ me,” Spike said. “Guess that’s a bridge we’ll cross when we come to it. Could be that she’ll just drift off. It happens often enough.”
“I suppose it does.”
Spike realized that he’d touched a sore spot without meaning to, but there wasn’t much he could do about it. Wesley would be bruised for a while as a result of his treatment at the hands of his friends.
Not that he didn’t understand why they had acted as they did; he’d grown rather fond of Connor himself. Still, intentions had to count for something. As far as he was concerned, it was a good idea to have someone in your corner who could make the tough decisions.
All he did say was, “Want a beer?”
“That would be nice.”
Saying goodbye was always painful; Spike knew that from personal experience.
~~~~~
Buffy had a destination in mind, and it had nothing to do with patrol. Of course, she hadn’t let Spike in on the plan yet. She wanted to surprise him, since he’d been such a good sport about Angel being in town.
“Uh, Buffy?”
“Yeah?”
“Restfield is clear. I checked it.”
“I know.”
“Then what are we doing here?”
She glanced over at him. “Use your imagination.” Buffy kept walking, stopping only when she realized that Spike wasn’t by her side. “What’s wrong?”
He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I must have heard you wrong.”
Buffy raised her eyebrows. “Okay, Spike. Your crypt is twenty yards away, and that’s where I’m heading. Feel free to join me whenever you want.”
He was by her side in the next moment. “You’re serious.”
“Very.” Buffy smirked. “I got a taste of my future the other night, and now I want the whole meal.”
Spike’s eyes darkened. “Oh, I can give you the entire feast, Slayer.”
“Really?” she asked archly. “Because it’s been a long dry spell, and I’m pretty hungry.”
“You won’t be disappointed,” he promised.
Buffy just smiled; she had never thought she would be.