If I Knew Then... Ch. 6
Title: If I Knew Then...
Author: Shade
Pairing: S/X
Rating: PG to NC17
Disclaimer: All assorted characters belong to Mutant Enemy and Joss which is fine, because I suspect Buffy's high maintenance anyway.
Summary: AU-The African demon in Grave grants Spike's wish in a way he never planned. Flung back in time, he has to relive the previous three years with all the knowledge of what's to come.
A/N: Originally beated with heartfelt affection by blinding_sight. Certain bits of dialogue are taken from the following BtVS episodes:
4:12 A New Man
Chapter 6: "A New Man"
"I don't see why I'm not invited to her sodding birthday party."
He watches Xander dig around for a clean shirt and mumble to himself about annoying vamps. Finally, the boy turns to look at him and Spike waits for the explanation.
"Look, Spike, It's not you-Well, okay, it is you, but a bunch of Riley's buddies are going to be there too. Do you really want to get nabbed again?"
"No," he says and internally winces when it comes out sounding petulant.
"Something horrible always happens on Buffy's birthdays. Willow and I just want to give her a nice surprise party like normal girls have."
"Why can't I go stay with the Watcher then? It's boring down here!"
"Because Giles is going to be at the party too. Just, relax okay? I'll bring you some cake."
"And blood. We're about out."
Xander pulls on his shirt and then proceeds to ruin it by pulling on the ugliest sweater vest that Spike has ever seen. He checks his pockets before heading toward the stairs.
"Yes, yes, cake and blood. God, my life is messed up," Xander mumbles as he stomps up the stairs.
Spike sulks for a few moments before he realizes what he's doing. Instead, he snatches up the remote for the TV and starts flipping channels. He shouldn't be surprised really. It's not like he's one of them. They never consider his feelings, the little bastards.
A couple of hours later, Xander comes tromping back down the stairs with demon girl behind him. They're apparently in the middle of another argument. It seems like any time Spike sees them together they're arguing, and as usual he's the main topic.
"I don't see why we have to ruin our whole evening just for him," Anya says giving him a dirty look.
"Anya, we talked about this. It's just this one time. I have to do this so he'll quit whining and maybe we can spend some more time together, okay?" Xander says tiredly. The boy sounds like he's been repeating the same thing all evening, and Spike doesn't doubt it one bit.
"When? You're always working and when you're not, you're helping Buffy. Now you want to waste our valuable alone time with a vampire! If you have better things to do, then so do I. I'll see you later, Xander," she says and flounces back up the stairs.
The boy sighs and hands him a piece of cake as promised. Spike follows him over to the kitchenette to get a fork. He watches Xander unload blood containers from a large grocery bag into the fridge.
"Ooh, leave one of those out. I'll drizzle some over the cake."
"You are disgusting on levels that humanity has yet to fathom," Xander complains, but hands over one of the bags.
"So what was that all about?"
"What?"
"You and demon girl."
"That? Nothing. Just eat up your cake. We have somewhere to be."
"Please tell me there is something horrible that needs ripped to pieces."
Xander rolls his eyes and replies, "Yes, it's a nasty monster called boredom. I'm hoping you'll slay it permanently and leave me alone."
Spike is confused by this, but decides to just eat his cake and wait. The suspense will hopefully be a refreshing break from the sum of his dull day. It doesn’t take him long to finish, and in no way does he regret that Buffy didn't bring him the slice personally.
Xander sits on the couch with his head bent back and his eyes closed. He is always quiet after a fight with Anya. In a way, it's a blessing, but in another it's kind of annoying. To Spike's unease, he is getting used to the banter he and Xander share. It isn't really a friendship, because none of the Scoobies would ever consider a vampire a real friend, but it is comforting and a lot less lonely than what Spike is used to. If it wasn't for Clem, Spike would have gone nuts most nights back in his old crypt. He wonders if that is why he hasn't bothered to go back there yet. In fact, he hasn't even mentioned it to Giles or the others.
"Done," he says to break the silence.
"Let's go."
Spike follows the boy out into the night. It's a nice one as far as Sunnydale is concerned. They only have to dust two vamps to reach the brightly lit two story building on the backside of Main Street. Spike has never been in the building before, and it's not until he sees the sign that he knows why.
"The library? You brought me to the library?"
"Yup. You keep complaining that you're bored. You said that at least Giles' place had books. Well, I may not have books, but I have a library card. We're going to get you something to read so you'll quit whining like a little kid."
Spike is surprised to say the least. He's not sure if it's because the boy actually cares enough to do something to help Spike out, or the fact that he chose the library of all ways to do it. Xander has to all but shove him through the door. Inside an older man, that in no way resembles Giles, greets them. Xander pulls him past the brightly colored kid's section into the main stacks.
"They stay open later on Thursdays because they show free movies in the little theater over there and a couple of book clubs meet here too. Get whatever you want, as many as you think you can read. You will--and I can't stress this enough--take care of the books we borrow because I am not paying any damage fees for you. They also rent videos over there so you can get some movies if you'd rather do that, but they don't have that great of a selection it's mostly PBS stuff." He pauses as he realizes that Spike is staring at him as if he had two heads. "What? Surely reading won't ruin your evil rep more than hanging out with us does."
He snaps out of his surprise. "Right, yeah, okay." He goes to pick out some books while Xander sits down to one of the computers to look up jobs on a local bulletin board.
That night when Xander goes to sleep, he leaves the lamp behind Spike's chair on so that he can read if he wants. It's just a small thing, but it makes Spike smile... for all of two seconds until he realizes what he's doing and stops.
The following evening is uneventful. Spike reads off and on during the day and is actually glad for the boy's thoughtfulness. Because of the brush off from the night before, Anya drags off Xander that afternoon almost as soon as he gets in from work and he doesn't return until quite late. He watches Harris flop on the bed exhaustedly. Xander smells like sex and Spike tries not to remember the last time he got laid. He knows how wild the demon bint usually gets, so he takes pity on the boy and flips off the light to let him rest. Spike lies back and listens to the contented snores that slowly fill the room. He dozes off before he knows it.
It's the scream that wakes him. In a fraction of a second he's on his feet growling in game face. Xander is cowering over in a corner in his underwear throwing objects at a Fyarl demon. The demon is calmly trying to explain its situation. The whole thing is so hilarious that Spike ends up sprawled across the foot of Xander's bed howling with laughter. The other two stare at him dumbly, which just sets him off again.
"Spike! Will you quit laughing and kill that thing already!" Xander bellows once Spike has finally calmed into chuckles.
"Oh yes, slay the nasty demon. Don't even try and understand what's going on." Giles says dryly.
Spike laughs a little more before looking over at Xander. "It's Giles! The meekest Fyarl demon known to man."
"Giles?" Xander asks in shock.
"Yes, that's what I said, if you'd have stopped to listen to me."
"He can't understand you, mate. You're speaking Fyarl. That's why he didn't know it was you."
"Oh dear."
The usual Gilesian quote coming from the beast's mouth causes Spike to snort.
Xander for some reason looks even more upset than when he thought a random demon was attacking him. "What happened?"
"This is all thanks to Ethan Rayne. You have to help me find him. He must undo this and then he needs a good being killed."
Xander looks confused and then looks over questioningly at Spike.
"Ethan Rayne did this to him and we have to track the guy down. We'll just hop on down to the Sunnydale Motor Inn just as soon as the sun goes down."
"Wait! You know where he is?" Giles asks.
"Well, that's where he was the last time. Don't see why he'd be somewhere else."
Giles gives a deep growl and closes his eyes. "You knew this was going to happen, and you didn't tell me."
"Oh terribly sorry, Ethan Rayne's going to turn you into a demon, Giles. There. It's your own fault drinking with him. What sort of idiot trusts an old enemy anyway?" The pair stare at him a moment. "Right, strike that last bit."
The afternoon is filled with tension while they wait for the sun to go down. Xander pulls on some clothes and tries to be a good host, but he's skittish around Giles. Spike gets fed up with playing translator quickly and after the third time of telling Xander something innuendo laden instead of what the Watcher actually says, Giles gives up trying. Spike goes back to his chair and pulls out one of his books.
"What did you get at the library anyway, Spike?" Xander asks in the silence. "I wasn't paying attention."
"You took him to the library?" Giles asks, of course it comes out in a series of burbling grunts, but Xander seems to understand his tone.
"Yeah the library. He was driving me nuts, so now he has something to do."
"What sort of books does a vampire read?" Giles wonders aloud.
Spike easily ignores their conversation, but he can feel their eyes on him and it drives him up the wall. He drops the book onto his lap with a sigh and stares back at them. They both just wait patiently.
"A couple of horror books for the sheer amusement factor, several classics, and three or four mysteries. Now quit bloody staring at me!"
Spike is grateful when the sun finally goes down. He explains that it'll be safer to move around in Giles' car, and after some arguing he gets the man's keys. He uses the walk over to have a smoke and clear his head. The Citroen is parked next to the curb and Spike grumbles at it. He drives it back to Xander's house where the boy and Giles are waiting out front. Xander climbs in the back and is promptly squished by the seat as Giles settles his larger frame into the passenger side.
"I still don't see why Xander can't drive," Giles says grumpily.
"I don't see why we can't just tell the Slayer."
"No. When I find Ethan I can clear all this up without Buffy ever having to find out that anything happened to me at all."
Xander jostles around a bit until he can pull his long legs around to sit Indian style in the pathetically small backseat. He leans forward and asks, "What did he say?"
"He said we could clear it up on our own. What he means is he's as embarrassed as all hell and doesn't want Buffy to find out."
"Oh."
"Spike, do shut up, and for god's sake if you can't find third gear don't try for third gear!"
The car makes a horrible wrenching sound again as he jerks on the gears. "Let me drive. Oh, and if you get any bright ideas about jumping out and scaring someone, leave it. Last time we had the whole bloody Initiative chasing us."
"I did no such thing! You're making that up!"
Xander leans up with a grin and asks, "Did he really?"
"You should have seen it. Watcher decorum right out the window. He was snarling and everything. Did my dead heart good, it did."
Giles gives a low growl and Xander leans back again. Spike just smirks and heads toward the edge of town where the highway leads into Sunnydale. They find the motel quickly. Spike recognizes it.
"You know, I think I killed someone here before. Seems familiar."
Xander and Giles stare at him. He ignores the looks and waltzes into the office to ask about Rayne. The smelly woman behind the counter doesn't want to give him the number at first, but some soft words and a few smiles have her eating out of his hand. They march down the sidewalk and Giles kicks in the door before Spike even lifts his foot. He and Xander exchange a surprised glance. Giles bursts in, ignoring Rayne's pleas and grabs the sorcerer by the throat.
"No! No! Don't kill me! I can't undo you if you kill me!" Ethan manages to choke out.
"Giles! Let him go!" Xander yells and pulls ineffectively on the Watcher's scaly arm.
"He's lost it, mate!"
"Do something! Spike!"
Suddenly, Giles drops Ethan and grabs the boy by the shirt. He tosses Xander across the room. There's a nasty thunk as the lad hits the wall next the bathroom and slumps to the floor. Spike shakes his head and kicks Giles hard in the side. It only knocks the new demon back a few steps and quickly he's all over Spike. A couple of punches to Spike's face have him reeling and he can barely manage to get in a couple of blows to the Watcher's torso. Giles grabs his coat much like he grabbed Xander and tosses him across the room. Spike ends up in a heap on top of Harris as the boy is trying to get up.
"Oof! Get off me!"
"Oh, like it's my sodding fault!"
They pull themselves up to their feet ready to take Giles on again when Buffy runs into the room. Xander gives a gasp and shoves Spike backwards into the bathroom. He stumbles and trips over the toilet landing hard on his wrist.
"Ow! What the..."
Xander marches in after him and quickly shuts and locks the door. "Shut up! Riley's out there with Buffy."
"The soldier boys probably have this place surrounded!"
Xander yanks open the tiny frosted window next to the bathtub-slash-shower and then looks back at him anxiously. Spike stares at the pint sized window then stares at the boy.
"You've got to be kidding me."
"You're skinny, now move!"
Spike can hear the fight escalating in the other room. He looks at the window again and groans. Sticking his head out shows no commandos, but it's only a matter of time before they start doing a thorough search. He gets his shoulders wedged a bit but with some wriggling they finally pop through. His waist is another matter all together. He's always been slim and normally it would be no problem if his shoulders fit, but his duster bunches up and jams him in good and proper.
"Bugger."
He hears Xander's excited voice behind him. "Hurry up! Hurry up!"
"I'm stuck."
"What!?!"
"Do you speak English? I'm stuck!"
Spike kicks his legs uselessly. He hears Harris grumbling under his breath about stupid useless vamps and then, a strong pair of hands grab his rear end and start to push.
"Watch it!"
"Quit bitching and start helping!"
Spike plants his hands on either side of the window and pushes with all his might. Meanwhile, Xander's hands are replaced by something more solid, his shoulder perhaps and the pair grunt and strain trying to get him the rest of the way through. The fight going on in the main room suddenly gets quiet and he can distinctly hear Buffy yelp Giles' name. There isn't much time. Spike thinks he hears the thump of boots coming toward the bathroom door and before he can yell, the duster slides a bit and he's tumbling out onto the ground right onto his head.
"Riley! What are you doing here?" he hears Xander say from the window above. Spike scuttles until his back is against the wall. He looks up and hopes that Captain Cardboard doesn't want to take a look outside.
"Xander?" Riley's voice asks full of confusion. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm with Giles. Did you get him calmed down? Is everyone all right?"
"Yeah, Buffy stabbed him, but he seems okay. She's threatening Rayne right now. What are you doing in the bathroom?" The last question is asked dangerously close to the window. Spike flinches and wishes there were more shadows to hide in.
"Uh! I was going to yell for help. But you're here... so, now I don't have to. Maybe we should go HOME!" The outburst causes Spike to cringe. He rolls his eyes and reminds himself to make the kid look up the word subtle later.
"Why are you yelling?"
"It's all the excitement. I think I hear Buffy calling we'd better go back in. Coming Buff!"
"I don't hear anything..." Riley's voice says distantly as the lad ushers him back into the main room.
Spike takes the hint and slinks back toward Harris' basement while keeping an eye out for any soldiers. He hopes to hell that this little incident will be swiftly forgotten. His rep is already frayed enough.
Author: Shade
Pairing: S/X
Rating: PG to NC17
Disclaimer: All assorted characters belong to Mutant Enemy and Joss which is fine, because I suspect Buffy's high maintenance anyway.
Summary: AU-The African demon in Grave grants Spike's wish in a way he never planned. Flung back in time, he has to relive the previous three years with all the knowledge of what's to come.
A/N: Originally beated with heartfelt affection by blinding_sight. Certain bits of dialogue are taken from the following BtVS episodes:
4:12 A New Man
Chapter 6: "A New Man"
"I don't see why I'm not invited to her sodding birthday party."
He watches Xander dig around for a clean shirt and mumble to himself about annoying vamps. Finally, the boy turns to look at him and Spike waits for the explanation.
"Look, Spike, It's not you-Well, okay, it is you, but a bunch of Riley's buddies are going to be there too. Do you really want to get nabbed again?"
"No," he says and internally winces when it comes out sounding petulant.
"Something horrible always happens on Buffy's birthdays. Willow and I just want to give her a nice surprise party like normal girls have."
"Why can't I go stay with the Watcher then? It's boring down here!"
"Because Giles is going to be at the party too. Just, relax okay? I'll bring you some cake."
"And blood. We're about out."
Xander pulls on his shirt and then proceeds to ruin it by pulling on the ugliest sweater vest that Spike has ever seen. He checks his pockets before heading toward the stairs.
"Yes, yes, cake and blood. God, my life is messed up," Xander mumbles as he stomps up the stairs.
Spike sulks for a few moments before he realizes what he's doing. Instead, he snatches up the remote for the TV and starts flipping channels. He shouldn't be surprised really. It's not like he's one of them. They never consider his feelings, the little bastards.
A couple of hours later, Xander comes tromping back down the stairs with demon girl behind him. They're apparently in the middle of another argument. It seems like any time Spike sees them together they're arguing, and as usual he's the main topic.
"I don't see why we have to ruin our whole evening just for him," Anya says giving him a dirty look.
"Anya, we talked about this. It's just this one time. I have to do this so he'll quit whining and maybe we can spend some more time together, okay?" Xander says tiredly. The boy sounds like he's been repeating the same thing all evening, and Spike doesn't doubt it one bit.
"When? You're always working and when you're not, you're helping Buffy. Now you want to waste our valuable alone time with a vampire! If you have better things to do, then so do I. I'll see you later, Xander," she says and flounces back up the stairs.
The boy sighs and hands him a piece of cake as promised. Spike follows him over to the kitchenette to get a fork. He watches Xander unload blood containers from a large grocery bag into the fridge.
"Ooh, leave one of those out. I'll drizzle some over the cake."
"You are disgusting on levels that humanity has yet to fathom," Xander complains, but hands over one of the bags.
"So what was that all about?"
"What?"
"You and demon girl."
"That? Nothing. Just eat up your cake. We have somewhere to be."
"Please tell me there is something horrible that needs ripped to pieces."
Xander rolls his eyes and replies, "Yes, it's a nasty monster called boredom. I'm hoping you'll slay it permanently and leave me alone."
Spike is confused by this, but decides to just eat his cake and wait. The suspense will hopefully be a refreshing break from the sum of his dull day. It doesn’t take him long to finish, and in no way does he regret that Buffy didn't bring him the slice personally.
Xander sits on the couch with his head bent back and his eyes closed. He is always quiet after a fight with Anya. In a way, it's a blessing, but in another it's kind of annoying. To Spike's unease, he is getting used to the banter he and Xander share. It isn't really a friendship, because none of the Scoobies would ever consider a vampire a real friend, but it is comforting and a lot less lonely than what Spike is used to. If it wasn't for Clem, Spike would have gone nuts most nights back in his old crypt. He wonders if that is why he hasn't bothered to go back there yet. In fact, he hasn't even mentioned it to Giles or the others.
"Done," he says to break the silence.
"Let's go."
Spike follows the boy out into the night. It's a nice one as far as Sunnydale is concerned. They only have to dust two vamps to reach the brightly lit two story building on the backside of Main Street. Spike has never been in the building before, and it's not until he sees the sign that he knows why.
"The library? You brought me to the library?"
"Yup. You keep complaining that you're bored. You said that at least Giles' place had books. Well, I may not have books, but I have a library card. We're going to get you something to read so you'll quit whining like a little kid."
Spike is surprised to say the least. He's not sure if it's because the boy actually cares enough to do something to help Spike out, or the fact that he chose the library of all ways to do it. Xander has to all but shove him through the door. Inside an older man, that in no way resembles Giles, greets them. Xander pulls him past the brightly colored kid's section into the main stacks.
"They stay open later on Thursdays because they show free movies in the little theater over there and a couple of book clubs meet here too. Get whatever you want, as many as you think you can read. You will--and I can't stress this enough--take care of the books we borrow because I am not paying any damage fees for you. They also rent videos over there so you can get some movies if you'd rather do that, but they don't have that great of a selection it's mostly PBS stuff." He pauses as he realizes that Spike is staring at him as if he had two heads. "What? Surely reading won't ruin your evil rep more than hanging out with us does."
He snaps out of his surprise. "Right, yeah, okay." He goes to pick out some books while Xander sits down to one of the computers to look up jobs on a local bulletin board.
That night when Xander goes to sleep, he leaves the lamp behind Spike's chair on so that he can read if he wants. It's just a small thing, but it makes Spike smile... for all of two seconds until he realizes what he's doing and stops.
The following evening is uneventful. Spike reads off and on during the day and is actually glad for the boy's thoughtfulness. Because of the brush off from the night before, Anya drags off Xander that afternoon almost as soon as he gets in from work and he doesn't return until quite late. He watches Harris flop on the bed exhaustedly. Xander smells like sex and Spike tries not to remember the last time he got laid. He knows how wild the demon bint usually gets, so he takes pity on the boy and flips off the light to let him rest. Spike lies back and listens to the contented snores that slowly fill the room. He dozes off before he knows it.
It's the scream that wakes him. In a fraction of a second he's on his feet growling in game face. Xander is cowering over in a corner in his underwear throwing objects at a Fyarl demon. The demon is calmly trying to explain its situation. The whole thing is so hilarious that Spike ends up sprawled across the foot of Xander's bed howling with laughter. The other two stare at him dumbly, which just sets him off again.
"Spike! Will you quit laughing and kill that thing already!" Xander bellows once Spike has finally calmed into chuckles.
"Oh yes, slay the nasty demon. Don't even try and understand what's going on." Giles says dryly.
Spike laughs a little more before looking over at Xander. "It's Giles! The meekest Fyarl demon known to man."
"Giles?" Xander asks in shock.
"Yes, that's what I said, if you'd have stopped to listen to me."
"He can't understand you, mate. You're speaking Fyarl. That's why he didn't know it was you."
"Oh dear."
The usual Gilesian quote coming from the beast's mouth causes Spike to snort.
Xander for some reason looks even more upset than when he thought a random demon was attacking him. "What happened?"
"This is all thanks to Ethan Rayne. You have to help me find him. He must undo this and then he needs a good being killed."
Xander looks confused and then looks over questioningly at Spike.
"Ethan Rayne did this to him and we have to track the guy down. We'll just hop on down to the Sunnydale Motor Inn just as soon as the sun goes down."
"Wait! You know where he is?" Giles asks.
"Well, that's where he was the last time. Don't see why he'd be somewhere else."
Giles gives a deep growl and closes his eyes. "You knew this was going to happen, and you didn't tell me."
"Oh terribly sorry, Ethan Rayne's going to turn you into a demon, Giles. There. It's your own fault drinking with him. What sort of idiot trusts an old enemy anyway?" The pair stare at him a moment. "Right, strike that last bit."
The afternoon is filled with tension while they wait for the sun to go down. Xander pulls on some clothes and tries to be a good host, but he's skittish around Giles. Spike gets fed up with playing translator quickly and after the third time of telling Xander something innuendo laden instead of what the Watcher actually says, Giles gives up trying. Spike goes back to his chair and pulls out one of his books.
"What did you get at the library anyway, Spike?" Xander asks in the silence. "I wasn't paying attention."
"You took him to the library?" Giles asks, of course it comes out in a series of burbling grunts, but Xander seems to understand his tone.
"Yeah the library. He was driving me nuts, so now he has something to do."
"What sort of books does a vampire read?" Giles wonders aloud.
Spike easily ignores their conversation, but he can feel their eyes on him and it drives him up the wall. He drops the book onto his lap with a sigh and stares back at them. They both just wait patiently.
"A couple of horror books for the sheer amusement factor, several classics, and three or four mysteries. Now quit bloody staring at me!"
Spike is grateful when the sun finally goes down. He explains that it'll be safer to move around in Giles' car, and after some arguing he gets the man's keys. He uses the walk over to have a smoke and clear his head. The Citroen is parked next to the curb and Spike grumbles at it. He drives it back to Xander's house where the boy and Giles are waiting out front. Xander climbs in the back and is promptly squished by the seat as Giles settles his larger frame into the passenger side.
"I still don't see why Xander can't drive," Giles says grumpily.
"I don't see why we can't just tell the Slayer."
"No. When I find Ethan I can clear all this up without Buffy ever having to find out that anything happened to me at all."
Xander jostles around a bit until he can pull his long legs around to sit Indian style in the pathetically small backseat. He leans forward and asks, "What did he say?"
"He said we could clear it up on our own. What he means is he's as embarrassed as all hell and doesn't want Buffy to find out."
"Oh."
"Spike, do shut up, and for god's sake if you can't find third gear don't try for third gear!"
The car makes a horrible wrenching sound again as he jerks on the gears. "Let me drive. Oh, and if you get any bright ideas about jumping out and scaring someone, leave it. Last time we had the whole bloody Initiative chasing us."
"I did no such thing! You're making that up!"
Xander leans up with a grin and asks, "Did he really?"
"You should have seen it. Watcher decorum right out the window. He was snarling and everything. Did my dead heart good, it did."
Giles gives a low growl and Xander leans back again. Spike just smirks and heads toward the edge of town where the highway leads into Sunnydale. They find the motel quickly. Spike recognizes it.
"You know, I think I killed someone here before. Seems familiar."
Xander and Giles stare at him. He ignores the looks and waltzes into the office to ask about Rayne. The smelly woman behind the counter doesn't want to give him the number at first, but some soft words and a few smiles have her eating out of his hand. They march down the sidewalk and Giles kicks in the door before Spike even lifts his foot. He and Xander exchange a surprised glance. Giles bursts in, ignoring Rayne's pleas and grabs the sorcerer by the throat.
"No! No! Don't kill me! I can't undo you if you kill me!" Ethan manages to choke out.
"Giles! Let him go!" Xander yells and pulls ineffectively on the Watcher's scaly arm.
"He's lost it, mate!"
"Do something! Spike!"
Suddenly, Giles drops Ethan and grabs the boy by the shirt. He tosses Xander across the room. There's a nasty thunk as the lad hits the wall next the bathroom and slumps to the floor. Spike shakes his head and kicks Giles hard in the side. It only knocks the new demon back a few steps and quickly he's all over Spike. A couple of punches to Spike's face have him reeling and he can barely manage to get in a couple of blows to the Watcher's torso. Giles grabs his coat much like he grabbed Xander and tosses him across the room. Spike ends up in a heap on top of Harris as the boy is trying to get up.
"Oof! Get off me!"
"Oh, like it's my sodding fault!"
They pull themselves up to their feet ready to take Giles on again when Buffy runs into the room. Xander gives a gasp and shoves Spike backwards into the bathroom. He stumbles and trips over the toilet landing hard on his wrist.
"Ow! What the..."
Xander marches in after him and quickly shuts and locks the door. "Shut up! Riley's out there with Buffy."
"The soldier boys probably have this place surrounded!"
Xander yanks open the tiny frosted window next to the bathtub-slash-shower and then looks back at him anxiously. Spike stares at the pint sized window then stares at the boy.
"You've got to be kidding me."
"You're skinny, now move!"
Spike can hear the fight escalating in the other room. He looks at the window again and groans. Sticking his head out shows no commandos, but it's only a matter of time before they start doing a thorough search. He gets his shoulders wedged a bit but with some wriggling they finally pop through. His waist is another matter all together. He's always been slim and normally it would be no problem if his shoulders fit, but his duster bunches up and jams him in good and proper.
"Bugger."
He hears Xander's excited voice behind him. "Hurry up! Hurry up!"
"I'm stuck."
"What!?!"
"Do you speak English? I'm stuck!"
Spike kicks his legs uselessly. He hears Harris grumbling under his breath about stupid useless vamps and then, a strong pair of hands grab his rear end and start to push.
"Watch it!"
"Quit bitching and start helping!"
Spike plants his hands on either side of the window and pushes with all his might. Meanwhile, Xander's hands are replaced by something more solid, his shoulder perhaps and the pair grunt and strain trying to get him the rest of the way through. The fight going on in the main room suddenly gets quiet and he can distinctly hear Buffy yelp Giles' name. There isn't much time. Spike thinks he hears the thump of boots coming toward the bathroom door and before he can yell, the duster slides a bit and he's tumbling out onto the ground right onto his head.
"Riley! What are you doing here?" he hears Xander say from the window above. Spike scuttles until his back is against the wall. He looks up and hopes that Captain Cardboard doesn't want to take a look outside.
"Xander?" Riley's voice asks full of confusion. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm with Giles. Did you get him calmed down? Is everyone all right?"
"Yeah, Buffy stabbed him, but he seems okay. She's threatening Rayne right now. What are you doing in the bathroom?" The last question is asked dangerously close to the window. Spike flinches and wishes there were more shadows to hide in.
"Uh! I was going to yell for help. But you're here... so, now I don't have to. Maybe we should go HOME!" The outburst causes Spike to cringe. He rolls his eyes and reminds himself to make the kid look up the word subtle later.
"Why are you yelling?"
"It's all the excitement. I think I hear Buffy calling we'd better go back in. Coming Buff!"
"I don't hear anything..." Riley's voice says distantly as the lad ushers him back into the main room.
Spike takes the hint and slinks back toward Harris' basement while keeping an eye out for any soldiers. He hopes to hell that this little incident will be swiftly forgotten. His rep is already frayed enough.