Hanging Over
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
Author’s note: This fic is the first in the "Unexpected" trilogy and it takes place towards the end of Season 4, with a couple of exceptions to the timeline. There will be a companion piece to explain the lack of relationship between Tara and Willow, which should probably be read before this one. Riley’s still involved with the Initiative to some degree and Spike has become a bigger part of the group. Apart from that, everything’s the same when the fic begins. Oh, and all of the characters belong to Joss and all the lovely, lovely people who work over on Buffy.
Hanging Over
Spike glanced up at the clock through half open eyes, imagining it was mocking him. The vampire didn’t have a clue what he was doing there… well the immediate reason was that there was nothing better to do. He sighed, realising that it was a dark day when something better to do was help the slayer and her mates fight the forces of evil. But he wondered why he was in Sunnydale at all, sitting in Giles’ apartment, waiting for the Watcher to return.
He suspected that the reason might be deeper than simple laziness or taking advantage of the general pathetic goodness of the whole gang. But he didn’t want to get into that, he was scared the answer might lead into something deep and meaningful.
The sound of the door shutting forced Spike to turn round and regard the man standing in the door.
"Took you long enough. How was England, since you obviously dropped by there on your way home." Spike was met with an icy glare as Giles walked past him.
"You know, I’ve been meaning to check that your implant’s still working. Now just hold still while I pound you to death."
"Ha bloody ha." Spike twisted the other way on the couch to look at Giles in the kitchen. "How is the great and powerful slayer by the way?"
"Occupied." Spike raised his eyebrows and received a disapproving look from Giles.
"With some of your demon friends."
"They’re no friends of mine." Spike slumped down in the sofa. "I’ve been given the cold undead shoulder since I turned away from the dark side."
"Ah yes, of course." Giles nodded "Your exile from the demon underworld."
"Not a whole lot of fun when you’re living in Sunnydale- the location of choice for the non-human."
Suddenly the door slammed and both men turned in fright.
"I don’t think I’ve ever been as scared in my life." Xander, looking dejected, slouched over to the other end of the room and dropped into a chair.
"What is it?" Spike asked excitedly. "Some b*****d demon we can kill a lot?"
"No, it’s worse that that." Xander sighed and shook his head.
"Is everyone ok?" Giles asked anxiously.
"Yeah, no everyone’s fine. It’s not "Danger Will Robinson" or anything like that."
"Well what then?" Giles was getting exasperated.
"Willow, Anya and Tara are spending the evening together." There was a pause and then Spike snorted whilst even Giles couldn’t hold back a smile.
"It’s not funny, Willow doesn’t even like Anya that much and the idea of those two casting spells together gives me more of a wiggins than I can deal with."
"Does Red ever like any of your girlfriends?" Spike asked smirking.
"Apparently not." Giles said before Xander could answer. "Although that could have something to do with your habit of dating the paranormal."
"Or Cordelia." added Spike.
"Well, yeah but Anya’s not a demon anymore and it’s not like Willow’s love life has been 100% human. In fact," something occurred to Xander "I don’t think she’s ever really dated anyone who’s not a supernatural freak. And it’s not like she’s Miss Average Joe herself."
"Well, maybe it’s more to do with the fact that the people you find yourself with are not exactly the… most sensitive of individuals." Giles suggested.
"Anya’s trying, but you go and be a man hating demon for a couple of lifetimes and see how easy it is to be Miss Tactful."
"So basically," Spike said, changing the subject, "we’re all sitting in Giles’ flat with nothing to do, no bad guys to kill and only the three of us for company."
Spike and Xander slumped further into their seats and Giles lowered himself into another one, just as dejected.
"Who would’ve thought that it would come to this?" Xander sighed.
Spike eyed Giles’ liquor cabinet.
***
"I really don’t approve of this you know." Giles objected.
"Listen mate, it’s this or sit around all night watching Wheel of Fortune."
"Yes but Xander’s…"
"Xander is quite capable of holding his drink thank you very much." the boy objected. "I did work in a bar for a while back there."
"Illegally." Giles reminded him. "And during that time four students and Buffy turned into cavemen and very nearly got themselves killed."
"Yes but I can pull a pint without a mistake." Xander grinned at the older man. "Don’t worry Giles, I promise not to get too drunk."
***
"You know, of all the things I ever wanted to do of a Friday night, drinking with you two was not a major option, particularly since I’m obviously the only one here who takes more than two tequila slammers to get legless." Spike frowned. "Here, gimme that bottle, I’m playing catch up."
"Shhhhhh." Xander laughed "S’ok Spike, we don’t mind if you’re sober."
Giles began to laugh too "Don’t want you getting all sloppy and sucking our necks Spikey boy." They both laughed uncontrollably. Spike just pulled harder at the bottle.
"More alch… alchy… beer." Xander giggled and stood up clumsily. He started to stumble over to the kitchen but tripped over his own feet and landed on his face.
"Hello Giles’ floor." He mumbled into the ground. The two other men burst out laughing.
"He fell…that’s really holding your liquor Xander." Spike managed to get out.
"Ugh." Xander groaned and began to crawl towards the bottle of whisky instead, sending Spike and Giles into further fits of laughter. Xander took a long pull at the bottle and nearly choked.
"Ow, bad drink." Xander said.
"Give." Spike said and grabbed the bottle. "S’easy." he told Xander and chugged from it.
"My turn." Giles said and took the bottle from the vampire. Whisky spilt down Spike’s front and Xander fell over in tears of laughter.
Spike watched Giles drinking and said accusingly "M’all wet."
"Good." Giles said and then continued to drink.
"When’s your Anya and Red coming round?" Spike asked Xander. He realised that the boy was still lying on the ground so he pulled him up and asked "When’s your Anya and Red coming round?"
"Dunno." Xander giggled "All the witches are gone. All the little witches." Xander laughed again and Spike joined in.
Giles watched them over the bottle and lowered it. "Least you have a girlfriend." Giles’ tone was accusing "I’ve not got anyone."
"Me neither." Spike let go of Xander and sank down next to him. "Don’t have anyone. Dru’s all gone. Don’t even have Harmony." Xander snorted. "What?" Spike asked.
"Harmony." Xander managed to get out before collapsing in laughter again. Spike shook him and he said "Was the worst vampire in the world ever." Giles started to laugh too.
"S’not true." Spike protested. Xander nodded at him.
"Yes she was." he teased.
"Ok, she was." Spike began to laugh along with them. "Least she was a girl though. Don’t have one of those anymore."
"You know what I think?" Xander asked Spike. He looked at Giles who nodded at him and laughed.
"What?" Spike asked.
"I think Spike has a crush." Xander teased.
"Do not." Spike protested. "On who?"
"M’not telling."
"Giles," Spike whined "make him tell me."
"Nope. Sealed lips." Giles and Xander giggled like children.
"C’mon" Spike moaned. "S’not fair."
"Kay, I’ll tell you." Xander said. "You love…"
"Who?"
"You love… Willow."
"Do not."
"Yes you do." Giles told him. "You love her."
Spike sat back amazed. "You think so?" he said.
"Yup." Xander said "You love her."
"I do." Spike said wonderingly.
"Huh?" Xander and Giles said in unison.
"But… we were just teasing." Xander said protestingly.
"No, you’re right, I love Willow."
"But… oh." Xander said.
"Gosh." added Giles.
"S’not fair, telling me things like that. You shouldn’t have told me. Now what m’I going to do?"
"You could tell her you love her." Xander suggested. Giles snorted.
"No, cos then she won’t love him and he’ll be all depressed.
"Yeah, he’ll turn into Angel." Xander cried. "Don’t tell her you love her, you’ll turn into Angel. Bad thing. Prefer Spike."
"You’re not still in love with her are you?" Spike asked.
"Me?" Xander cried. "Nope, never loved her like that. Only friendly between Wils and me."
"He’s in love with Anya anyway." Giles said. Xander spun round and looked at him.
"That’s not… true." Xander looked stunned.
"You haven’t told her yet have you?" Giles said and pointed his finger at Xander. Spike began to laugh. Xander hit him and smiled at the pain on Spike’s face when he tried to retaliate.
"That’s not fair. Not allowed to do that, I’m in shock." Spike said in protest.
"Me too. Don’t laugh."
"What?" Spike said derisively "Didn’t you know you loved her?"
"Whoops." Giles sniggered.
"S’not funny. Feel stupid now."
"You are stupid." Spike told him.
"Well you are too." Xander said.
"You’re both stupid. I’m the only intelligent one." Giles smiled smugly at the two of them.
"Yeah, Mr Mensa." Spike said.
"Giles is Super Librarian!" Xander yelled.
"Not any more." Spike grinned nastily at Giles. "He’s been all fired."
"You two don’t have jobs either." Giles retorted.
"Hey! I have a job" Xander complained.
"What is it this month Xander?" Spike asked "You got to the window cleaning stage yet?" Xander looked sheepish and hid behind a bottle of tequila. "He has!" Spike cried triumphantly "Xander’s washing windows!"
"S’not that bad." Xander lied.
"When are you going to give up and go to college?" Giles asked.
"Nah, not going to college. Too stupid." Xander frowned whilst Spike nodded in agreement. "Only course could pass is demonology."
"Maybe Giles should teach and you lot could be the only pupils." Spike suggested before dissolving into giggles.
"S’a point Giles," said Xander "You could be school guy again."
"Nope, Buffy doesn’t need me n’ymore." Giles said dejectedly.
"Me neither." Xander hit Spike.
"Hey!" the vampire protested.
"Sorry, nearest thing." Xander apologised before continuing. "She does need you Giles, can’t do the research thing without you. She really doesn’t need me."
"Bet she needs me less than you."
"Nope, s’me"
"Me."
"Me!"
"She bloody well needs the both of you lame asses." Spike yelled. "It’s true," he continued more quietly under their disbelieving gazes "she can’t cope without her little special circle of supporters." Spike chugged at his whisky. "You," he pointed in the general direction of Giles "are practically her father and you’re like her anchor type thing. And you." Neither man was sure where Spike was pointing to now but they assumed it was to Xander "may be the comic relief but you’re like her second in command- if a little redundant right now- and her and Willow…" Spike paused then said "Why didn’t you tell me about her? I could’ve stopped liking her if I’d known earlier."
"Lame!" Xander called gleefully. "What about Buffy and Wils?"
"Oh, well first of all, they’d fall apart if they didn’t have you for support. Second of all," Spike giggled then looked confused. "Why m’I laughing?" Xander shrugged. "Point is that you’re like cogs in the slayer machine. She can deal without her precious Angel but she’d fall apart without her little support system thingy. So quit your whining and help me figure out what I’m gonna do."
"S’easy." Giles told him. "Nothing. Don’t tell Willow and then you’ll forget about her and then you’ll move onto some nice undead girl."
"And don’t go thinking about making Wils undead, cos she’s a whole different person. Thing. What do you call you guys?"
"Quiet." Giles commanded. Xander stopped rambling.
"I can’t just not tell her. It’ll make me all broody and depressed." Xander opened his mouth to yell something derisive about the other undead good guy but Giles shook his head and Xander stopped himself.
"Gotta do something… think she’ll feel the same way?" Xander snorted at Spike’s hopeful tone.
"Know what?" he said "I think I might black out right about now." He promptly followed through on this statement, leaving the vampire and the ex-watcher looking at each other.
"I think that looks like an awfully good idea." Spike said "More alcohol first though." He grabbed a bottle of gin and held it to his lips.
"I’ve had an idea. I’m going to ask Buffy to get the Council to give me my job back."
"As a librarian?" Spike asked.
"No, stupid. As a watcher. Then I can make Buffy do what I tell her again."
"You could be a librarian again too. Make the council get you into the uni."
"Nope, better idea. Going to be a professor. Make Xander go to school. It’ll be like old days."
"Good idea." Spike agreed. "And you can make him move out of that basement too."
"Yes." Giles said, a little too firmly. Spike tried to hold back a smirk. Unsuccessfully.
"Know what I’m going to do?"
"Tell Willow you’re in love with her."
"Noooo." Spike said. There was a pause as Giles waited for the continuation.
"Well?" he asked finally.
"Oh. I’m going to… I don’t know. But I’ll make her like me too. Then I’ll tell her."
"Good." Giles said before slipping into unconsciousness.
"Yes." Spike agreed. "It is." Then he too fell asleep.
Hanging Over
Spike glanced up at the clock through half open eyes, imagining it was mocking him. The vampire didn’t have a clue what he was doing there… well the immediate reason was that there was nothing better to do. He sighed, realising that it was a dark day when something better to do was help the slayer and her mates fight the forces of evil. But he wondered why he was in Sunnydale at all, sitting in Giles’ apartment, waiting for the Watcher to return.
He suspected that the reason might be deeper than simple laziness or taking advantage of the general pathetic goodness of the whole gang. But he didn’t want to get into that, he was scared the answer might lead into something deep and meaningful.
The sound of the door shutting forced Spike to turn round and regard the man standing in the door.
"Took you long enough. How was England, since you obviously dropped by there on your way home." Spike was met with an icy glare as Giles walked past him.
"You know, I’ve been meaning to check that your implant’s still working. Now just hold still while I pound you to death."
"Ha bloody ha." Spike twisted the other way on the couch to look at Giles in the kitchen. "How is the great and powerful slayer by the way?"
"Occupied." Spike raised his eyebrows and received a disapproving look from Giles.
"With some of your demon friends."
"They’re no friends of mine." Spike slumped down in the sofa. "I’ve been given the cold undead shoulder since I turned away from the dark side."
"Ah yes, of course." Giles nodded "Your exile from the demon underworld."
"Not a whole lot of fun when you’re living in Sunnydale- the location of choice for the non-human."
Suddenly the door slammed and both men turned in fright.
"I don’t think I’ve ever been as scared in my life." Xander, looking dejected, slouched over to the other end of the room and dropped into a chair.
"What is it?" Spike asked excitedly. "Some b*****d demon we can kill a lot?"
"No, it’s worse that that." Xander sighed and shook his head.
"Is everyone ok?" Giles asked anxiously.
"Yeah, no everyone’s fine. It’s not "Danger Will Robinson" or anything like that."
"Well what then?" Giles was getting exasperated.
"Willow, Anya and Tara are spending the evening together." There was a pause and then Spike snorted whilst even Giles couldn’t hold back a smile.
"It’s not funny, Willow doesn’t even like Anya that much and the idea of those two casting spells together gives me more of a wiggins than I can deal with."
"Does Red ever like any of your girlfriends?" Spike asked smirking.
"Apparently not." Giles said before Xander could answer. "Although that could have something to do with your habit of dating the paranormal."
"Or Cordelia." added Spike.
"Well, yeah but Anya’s not a demon anymore and it’s not like Willow’s love life has been 100% human. In fact," something occurred to Xander "I don’t think she’s ever really dated anyone who’s not a supernatural freak. And it’s not like she’s Miss Average Joe herself."
"Well, maybe it’s more to do with the fact that the people you find yourself with are not exactly the… most sensitive of individuals." Giles suggested.
"Anya’s trying, but you go and be a man hating demon for a couple of lifetimes and see how easy it is to be Miss Tactful."
"So basically," Spike said, changing the subject, "we’re all sitting in Giles’ flat with nothing to do, no bad guys to kill and only the three of us for company."
Spike and Xander slumped further into their seats and Giles lowered himself into another one, just as dejected.
"Who would’ve thought that it would come to this?" Xander sighed.
Spike eyed Giles’ liquor cabinet.
***
"I really don’t approve of this you know." Giles objected.
"Listen mate, it’s this or sit around all night watching Wheel of Fortune."
"Yes but Xander’s…"
"Xander is quite capable of holding his drink thank you very much." the boy objected. "I did work in a bar for a while back there."
"Illegally." Giles reminded him. "And during that time four students and Buffy turned into cavemen and very nearly got themselves killed."
"Yes but I can pull a pint without a mistake." Xander grinned at the older man. "Don’t worry Giles, I promise not to get too drunk."
***
"You know, of all the things I ever wanted to do of a Friday night, drinking with you two was not a major option, particularly since I’m obviously the only one here who takes more than two tequila slammers to get legless." Spike frowned. "Here, gimme that bottle, I’m playing catch up."
"Shhhhhh." Xander laughed "S’ok Spike, we don’t mind if you’re sober."
Giles began to laugh too "Don’t want you getting all sloppy and sucking our necks Spikey boy." They both laughed uncontrollably. Spike just pulled harder at the bottle.
"More alch… alchy… beer." Xander giggled and stood up clumsily. He started to stumble over to the kitchen but tripped over his own feet and landed on his face.
"Hello Giles’ floor." He mumbled into the ground. The two other men burst out laughing.
"He fell…that’s really holding your liquor Xander." Spike managed to get out.
"Ugh." Xander groaned and began to crawl towards the bottle of whisky instead, sending Spike and Giles into further fits of laughter. Xander took a long pull at the bottle and nearly choked.
"Ow, bad drink." Xander said.
"Give." Spike said and grabbed the bottle. "S’easy." he told Xander and chugged from it.
"My turn." Giles said and took the bottle from the vampire. Whisky spilt down Spike’s front and Xander fell over in tears of laughter.
Spike watched Giles drinking and said accusingly "M’all wet."
"Good." Giles said and then continued to drink.
"When’s your Anya and Red coming round?" Spike asked Xander. He realised that the boy was still lying on the ground so he pulled him up and asked "When’s your Anya and Red coming round?"
"Dunno." Xander giggled "All the witches are gone. All the little witches." Xander laughed again and Spike joined in.
Giles watched them over the bottle and lowered it. "Least you have a girlfriend." Giles’ tone was accusing "I’ve not got anyone."
"Me neither." Spike let go of Xander and sank down next to him. "Don’t have anyone. Dru’s all gone. Don’t even have Harmony." Xander snorted. "What?" Spike asked.
"Harmony." Xander managed to get out before collapsing in laughter again. Spike shook him and he said "Was the worst vampire in the world ever." Giles started to laugh too.
"S’not true." Spike protested. Xander nodded at him.
"Yes she was." he teased.
"Ok, she was." Spike began to laugh along with them. "Least she was a girl though. Don’t have one of those anymore."
"You know what I think?" Xander asked Spike. He looked at Giles who nodded at him and laughed.
"What?" Spike asked.
"I think Spike has a crush." Xander teased.
"Do not." Spike protested. "On who?"
"M’not telling."
"Giles," Spike whined "make him tell me."
"Nope. Sealed lips." Giles and Xander giggled like children.
"C’mon" Spike moaned. "S’not fair."
"Kay, I’ll tell you." Xander said. "You love…"
"Who?"
"You love… Willow."
"Do not."
"Yes you do." Giles told him. "You love her."
Spike sat back amazed. "You think so?" he said.
"Yup." Xander said "You love her."
"I do." Spike said wonderingly.
"Huh?" Xander and Giles said in unison.
"But… we were just teasing." Xander said protestingly.
"No, you’re right, I love Willow."
"But… oh." Xander said.
"Gosh." added Giles.
"S’not fair, telling me things like that. You shouldn’t have told me. Now what m’I going to do?"
"You could tell her you love her." Xander suggested. Giles snorted.
"No, cos then she won’t love him and he’ll be all depressed.
"Yeah, he’ll turn into Angel." Xander cried. "Don’t tell her you love her, you’ll turn into Angel. Bad thing. Prefer Spike."
"You’re not still in love with her are you?" Spike asked.
"Me?" Xander cried. "Nope, never loved her like that. Only friendly between Wils and me."
"He’s in love with Anya anyway." Giles said. Xander spun round and looked at him.
"That’s not… true." Xander looked stunned.
"You haven’t told her yet have you?" Giles said and pointed his finger at Xander. Spike began to laugh. Xander hit him and smiled at the pain on Spike’s face when he tried to retaliate.
"That’s not fair. Not allowed to do that, I’m in shock." Spike said in protest.
"Me too. Don’t laugh."
"What?" Spike said derisively "Didn’t you know you loved her?"
"Whoops." Giles sniggered.
"S’not funny. Feel stupid now."
"You are stupid." Spike told him.
"Well you are too." Xander said.
"You’re both stupid. I’m the only intelligent one." Giles smiled smugly at the two of them.
"Yeah, Mr Mensa." Spike said.
"Giles is Super Librarian!" Xander yelled.
"Not any more." Spike grinned nastily at Giles. "He’s been all fired."
"You two don’t have jobs either." Giles retorted.
"Hey! I have a job" Xander complained.
"What is it this month Xander?" Spike asked "You got to the window cleaning stage yet?" Xander looked sheepish and hid behind a bottle of tequila. "He has!" Spike cried triumphantly "Xander’s washing windows!"
"S’not that bad." Xander lied.
"When are you going to give up and go to college?" Giles asked.
"Nah, not going to college. Too stupid." Xander frowned whilst Spike nodded in agreement. "Only course could pass is demonology."
"Maybe Giles should teach and you lot could be the only pupils." Spike suggested before dissolving into giggles.
"S’a point Giles," said Xander "You could be school guy again."
"Nope, Buffy doesn’t need me n’ymore." Giles said dejectedly.
"Me neither." Xander hit Spike.
"Hey!" the vampire protested.
"Sorry, nearest thing." Xander apologised before continuing. "She does need you Giles, can’t do the research thing without you. She really doesn’t need me."
"Bet she needs me less than you."
"Nope, s’me"
"Me."
"Me!"
"She bloody well needs the both of you lame asses." Spike yelled. "It’s true," he continued more quietly under their disbelieving gazes "she can’t cope without her little special circle of supporters." Spike chugged at his whisky. "You," he pointed in the general direction of Giles "are practically her father and you’re like her anchor type thing. And you." Neither man was sure where Spike was pointing to now but they assumed it was to Xander "may be the comic relief but you’re like her second in command- if a little redundant right now- and her and Willow…" Spike paused then said "Why didn’t you tell me about her? I could’ve stopped liking her if I’d known earlier."
"Lame!" Xander called gleefully. "What about Buffy and Wils?"
"Oh, well first of all, they’d fall apart if they didn’t have you for support. Second of all," Spike giggled then looked confused. "Why m’I laughing?" Xander shrugged. "Point is that you’re like cogs in the slayer machine. She can deal without her precious Angel but she’d fall apart without her little support system thingy. So quit your whining and help me figure out what I’m gonna do."
"S’easy." Giles told him. "Nothing. Don’t tell Willow and then you’ll forget about her and then you’ll move onto some nice undead girl."
"And don’t go thinking about making Wils undead, cos she’s a whole different person. Thing. What do you call you guys?"
"Quiet." Giles commanded. Xander stopped rambling.
"I can’t just not tell her. It’ll make me all broody and depressed." Xander opened his mouth to yell something derisive about the other undead good guy but Giles shook his head and Xander stopped himself.
"Gotta do something… think she’ll feel the same way?" Xander snorted at Spike’s hopeful tone.
"Know what?" he said "I think I might black out right about now." He promptly followed through on this statement, leaving the vampire and the ex-watcher looking at each other.
"I think that looks like an awfully good idea." Spike said "More alcohol first though." He grabbed a bottle of gin and held it to his lips.
"I’ve had an idea. I’m going to ask Buffy to get the Council to give me my job back."
"As a librarian?" Spike asked.
"No, stupid. As a watcher. Then I can make Buffy do what I tell her again."
"You could be a librarian again too. Make the council get you into the uni."
"Nope, better idea. Going to be a professor. Make Xander go to school. It’ll be like old days."
"Good idea." Spike agreed. "And you can make him move out of that basement too."
"Yes." Giles said, a little too firmly. Spike tried to hold back a smirk. Unsuccessfully.
"Know what I’m going to do?"
"Tell Willow you’re in love with her."
"Noooo." Spike said. There was a pause as Giles waited for the continuation.
"Well?" he asked finally.
"Oh. I’m going to… I don’t know. But I’ll make her like me too. Then I’ll tell her."
"Good." Giles said before slipping into unconsciousness.
"Yes." Spike agreed. "It is." Then he too fell asleep.
