Unknown Factors (Book One)

Ch.33: Infiltrating through (P.1)

  "~I'm amused by the overwhelming choices. Guess the hardest part is knowing when to stop. Yeah, I'm confused and I think I'm hearing voices 'cause you're happening so fast, gonna save the best for last.~" The band on stage was going full blast at the multiple grand reopening of The Bronze. Apparently, the place gets trashed quite often.

  Willow, Tara, Anya, and Xander were all on the dance floor while I sat around a small, round table with Buffy. The chairs were more comfortable than the former ones, so I guess not all bad had come from the troll incident. Buffy and I just watched the guys dancing- Buffy because she was still sort of hung up on Riley, and me because I simply wasn't going to dance.

  "Bleedin' crime is what it is." Glancing up, I watched Spike sit next to me while putting his beer on the table. "Jackin' up the bar price for fixin' up this sinkhole." Instead of wearing all black and that long coat like he usually did, the vampire was shockingly wearing 'normal' looking clothes. It was weird on its own and even weirder with how he was wearing a brown leather jacket instead of his prize from killing the Slayer in New York. "Not my fault the insurance doesn't cover 'Act of Troll.'" He said while looking around.

  "Gee. Maybe it's time you found a new place to patronize." Buffy told him.

  "I've half a mind to," Spike scoffed while leaning back in his seat. "especially since the flowering onion got remodeled off the soddin' menu." He pointed to the back where the menu was hung up. "That's the only thing this place had going for it."

  "What?" I looked back. "Oh, now that's just lovely...." Grumbling as I saw it was really gone, I slumped in my seat. "That thing was good."

  "What are you doing?" Buffy asked.

  "What do you mean, what am I-" Spike furrowed his brows as he cut himself off and leaned forward.

  "Here....at this table, talking to us like we're some kind of talking buddies."

  "Well," He put a hand on his lap. "I saw you two sittin' here alone. Thought, I don't know, you could maybe do with a bit, of, uh, you know, company." Spike replied. Buffy just gave him a look.

  "We're providing each other company." I pointed at Buffy and myself.

  "Suit yourself." He said after a pause. The vampire got up, took a few steps, then came right back. "Well....it's just, we took on that Glory chippie together." Spike sat back down. "I was right there with you, fightin' the fight."

  "Actually, you were sleeping the sleep of the knocked unconscious." I popped off.

  "Yeah. Still, points for intent. You'd think that would be enough to cut me a sliver of slack, earn me a little consideration, respect." Spike pointed.

  "Hey, uh, Evil Dead, you're in my seat." Xander spoke up as he and Anya walked over. The bleached blonde looked back, made a face, then shook his head.

  "Bugger it." He accidentally knocked over his beer when he went to pick it up, having to quickly grab it, and then he stood and left.

  "Xander, I think you may have hurt his feelings." Anya said as they sat down, and I watched Spike leave.

  "You should never hurt the feelings of a brutal killer." The human male nodded. "You know, that's, uh, that's actually some pretty good advice. So, who's up for some more liquid refreshments?" He asked as Tara and Willow came over. "I'm buying, for I am Payday Man."

  "Uh, I could use some water." Willow said as she was getting more of her headache medicine.

  "Water poses no challenge for Payday Man, for I have-" He cut himself off as his eyes went wide. "Hey, where's my change?" Xander looked around the table. Rolling my eyes, I looked at the bar and saw Spike buying another beer. "Spike, you diabolical fiend." He got up and went to the bar. 'And you wonder why you don't get respect....'