Unknown Factors (Book One)

Ch.7: Hot Temptations

  "Hey, Pops?" I watched as he was putting his shoes on and got ready to leave.

  "What is it, Aud?"

  "I was wondering if I could go out tonight-" He looked up at me immediately. "Willow and the guys invited me to come with them to a place called The Bronze."

  "Oh." He smiled. "Oh, yes, of course." Pops went back to his shoes. "Good to know you're also getting along with everyone."

  "Cool." I smiled. "So, what's our plan for today?" Putting my hands into my pockets, I leaned against the back of the couch.

  "First, we'll have to....uh, stop by Spike's new crypt, then go grocery shopping, followed by visiting the public library."

  "Oh, right. Those books are due back by now, huh?" Walking over to the table, I looked at the books Pops had checked out for me. He didn't want me to only be snacking and eating microwave food all the time, so he had gotten some cookbooks of various types for me to look over.

  "Yes. Are you ready to head out now?" Giles asked while rising to his full height.

  "Sure." I grabbed the books before following Pops out the door.

~

  At the cemetery, Pops cautiously entered a crypt, making sure not to open the door too much due to the sunlight.

  "Hey, wipe your feet when you enter a person's home." Spike sounded irritated as we walked in.

  "Ah, yes, careless of me. Tracking dirt all over your, uh...." Pops trailed off while looking at the ground.

  "Dirt." I finished as Spike walked over.

  "I'll admit, it's a bit of a fixer-upper ." Looking around, I wandered off to get a closer look at the statues and concrete vases. "Needs a woman's touch. Care to have a crack at it?" Spike asked Pops.

  "While I'd love to go on trading jabs with you, Spike, perhaps I'll come to the point." Giles sighed. "Much as it pains me to say it, I owe you a debt of gratitude for the help you provided me in my recent....metamorphosis."

  "Stuff the gratitude. You owe me more than that, mate." I sent a short glare back at Spike before wandering to another statue.

  "Yes, um....three hundred. Count it if you....like."

  "I'll do that." And I heard the money being unfolded and counted. Pops then began to wander around like I was, but I came to a stop in front of the largest statue in the middle of the crypt. It was sun-bleached and weathered, but the craftsmanship was still present enough to be appreciated.

  "Um, thinking about your, uh, affliction and your newfound discovery that you can fight only demons, it occurs to me that-" Pops was cut off by his own laugh. "I realize this is completely against your nature- but, ah, h-has it occurred to you there may be a higher purpose?"

  "Ugh." Spike sounded irritated again. "You made me lose count. What are you still doing here?"

  "Talking to myself, apparently."

  "Well, piss off, then. Both of you." I turned to look at the vampire. "This bit of business wraps up any I got with you and your Slayerettes." He raised the money for emphasis. "From here on, I want nothing to do with the lot of you." He waved his hands.

  "Your choosing to remain in Sunnydale might make that a little difficult." Spike turned towards Giles while dropping his hands to his sides.

  "Well, you and yours will just have to show a little restraint is all. Now get out." He gestured towards the door with his head. Glancing at Pops, we headed to the exit as Spike went back to counting the money. "And I don't want you crawling back here, knockin' on my door, pleading for help the second Teen Witch's magick goes all wonky or little Xander cuts a new tooth. We're through. Got it?" Spike ducked to the side away from the sunlight when Giles opened the door. "Honeymoon is over." He added as Pops gave him a look before he walked out.