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[watcher_pryce]

Continued from HereShe likes Cheerleaders? I cannot help but blink at that as I try not to stare. I-I never knew Buffy was into girls. I would’ve never guesses. Oh my, there had been some rumors about Willow, but I never knew Buffy… Not-not that this is a bad thing. Though, if It’s not a bad thing then why do I feel so bad? But she likes men too

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[slayerbarbie]

Wow, so I was really going to cook for them. And Wes wasn't allowed in the kitchen? I grinned at that, but didn't say anything. Putting more things on the conveyor belt, I sighed as he told me he hadn't had a home cooked meal in quite a while. Well, I didn't know how much of a home cooked meal this was going to be, but hey, I'll try to do good. "Well, I'll try my best."

Once we were out of the store, we put the bags in the back of Gunn's truck and we started to pile inside the cab, but then I saw a woman and a man fighting. "Wait, don't go anywhere yet," I said and scooted back out, watching and that's when it happened. He totally just hit her. "Did you see that?"

Tossing my bag back down in the truck, I walked over to where the couple was and raised an eyebrow. "I think you just messed up. Really bad," I said and looked at the girl. "Are you alright?"

She sniffled and looked up at me, "It's okay, I can handle this."

Um, hello, he just smacked you in broad daylight, but yet, she can handle this? I think not.

"Yeah, why don't you go and mind your own business."

"No, I really don't think so. Now, if you were to hit her in the privacy of your own messed up home, that would be one thing but you're in public. It's the public's business and well, I am the public."

[watcher_pryce]

“I’m sure it’ll be wonderful,” I told Buffy as she said she’d do her best. Gunn nodded and grinned from ear to ear, obviously looking forward to this already. He must’ve learned that from the time he was with Fred. Eating copious amounts food without bursting and then still wanting more. I just watched them with fond amusement as they grabbed the bags of groceries, without a minimum of bickering and we made our way to the car.

Just as we were about ready and about to leave, Buffy told us to wait and then took off. Gunn and I shared a look and quickly followed her. We were just I time to see some chap hitting a girl. Now, I’ve no idea what’s going on there and usually stay out of these kinds of things. But it looked to me as though the fellow was just another bully who was hitting his….wife, from the looks of it. They were both wearing a wedding ring.

Buffy got right in his face as I walked closer as well. Just the face of the man made me growl, as well as his tone of voice. Buffy most certainly wasn’t having any of it, and I knew Gunn’s hands must be itching as well.

“No really,” the woman said timidly. “There aint nothing wrong. We-we were just having a bit of a-a fight.” She looked scared to death as she said that, making me frown at the fellow. Buffy turned to say something to the woman, no doubt trying to convince her to drop this bastard like a ton of bricks.

The bastard glared at his wife, girlfriend, whichever and lifted his hand again to strike her. I’ve no idea what happened, it was over in a flash. But the next thing I knew my fist hurt somewhat en the bastard was on the floor, clutching a bleeding nose. “You out of your fuckin’ mind!” he yelled at me.

I grinned at him and raised an eyebrow. “Why don’t you just leave, my dear fellow. Because compared to her,” I pointed at Buffy who was glowering menacingly over him, “I seem like a walk in the park.’

[watcher_pryce]

I really just wanted to grab that fellow and give him a good trashing myself. But then I’d be no better off then he is and I’d not stoop to such a level. I noticed Buffy was glowering at him rather angrily, perhaps even more angry then Gunn and I would ever be capable of doing. And yet, the chap still had the nerve to talk back to her. Bastard.

But the woman was finally strong, perhaps because she had a back-up this time, and walked away. Patting Buffy’s arm as she looped hers through mine, I glared at the man one last time. “If I see you near her again, you’re going to regret it,” I told him in a low voice. He flinched, opened his mouth several times but nothing came out. Not that it would have mattered, Buffy and I has walked away at that point.

We met up with Gunn and the girl at the car, where Gunn was trying to calm down the poor women. We climbed into the truck at which point the girl asked softy if she could come with us. Well, my apartment isn’t all big. And with Gunn on the sofa, and Buffy in the guestroom, there’s no more room at the inn, pardon the pun.

“Well,…err…” I started hesitantly, glancing over at Buffy. Weren’t there places for women like her to go to? I’ve no real idea, which bothered me more then I thought.

[watcher_pryce]

That Buffy wanted the woman to stay wasn’t that much of a surprise. I’d seen the look she’d given both Gunn and I. It did surprise me that Gunn agreed as well. He was the one who was going to have to give up his sofa and sleep… wherever it is he’ll be sleeping. I doubt we can conjure up another mattress or some such. He’ll have to take the floor. I wasn’t about to kick Buffy out of the guestroom and….

…I suppose I could give up my bed and let this unknown woman sleep there. Well, that’s just wonderful, I’ll probably be the one ending sleeping on the floor, in my *own* house as well. Bloody marvelous. Sighing, I rubbed my face and gave Buffy a small smile when she mouthed an apology. Though, what she was apologizing for was beyond me. Sometimes the girl is a real mystery.

Resigned, I climbed back into the truck again, listening to the conversation. My brow furrowed when the girl started to defend the arsehole and I was once again reminded that fear was a very good leash. No matter how much slack you get from time to time, they still haul you back in without much effort.

“I very much doubt that, Miss Nadia,” I said quietly, giving her a thoughtful look. “And I think you know that.”

[watcher_pryce]

I was more then a little annoyed that neither Gunn nor Buffy was helping convince this woman that she shouldn’t go back to that bastard. Actually, I was disappointed that Buffy at least wasn’t helping me out. She was the one who ran to her rescue, she was the one who interfered and yet I was the one who was left when it came talking.

God, her and Gunn are so alike. If you can’t beat it into submission, then it’s hardly our concern. No, let Wesley handle that. Well, Wesley isn’t some almightily walking Britannica who holds all the bloody answers. I’ve no idea what to say or do to convince this woman. I was, in fact, very close to saying that if she wanted to go back to that wanker so bloody much, not to waste our time anymore.

Thoroughly, annoyed I followed the others up to my apartment. Gunn and Buffy were whispering with each other which annoyed me even more. No doubt I was the one who was going to end up the grumpy old spoil sport, but at the moment I didn’t really care. I held the door open for this woman and then gave both Buffy and Gunn a look. “Thank for your help,” I said sharply. “I’ve a headache, I’m going to lay down for a bit.” Turing on the balls of my feet, I stalked into my bedroom and very carefully did *not* slam the door.

[watcher_pryce]

God that was just tiring. Trying to argue with a girl who didn’t want to listen and actually was thinking about going back to that-that *bully* . What do you say to a women with two black eyes? Nothing you’ve not already told her twice before. Sinking down on the bed, I winced at the memory. That’s what I told Fred when I chased her through the hotel under the influence of Billy Blim’s blood. That’s what my father told my mother on more then one occasion. That’s what he told you even more.

After pulling off my shoes, I stripped down to my boxers and laid down on the bed. The sheets halfway up my legs. Was it me, or was it really much to hot in here? Probably that blasted air conditioning not working. I was babbling in my own mind, I noticed. But that didn’t seem to stop me from realizing that this man, this bully, could’ve very well been me. After all, I’d done it before. Under the influence of blood, that’s true. I’ve always realized that Billy Blim woke up a side of me that was usually dormant, and under control. I wasn’t a fool though, I knew that it wouldn’t just take the influence of evil blood to get that side out of me.

I pulled the sheets a bit up and threw my arms over my eyes. Sod it, what I wanted was a good nights of sleep, the visions gone and a somewhat normal life. But I guess that’s not possible. And on top of it all we have a woman here whom doesn’t want to be saved. Bugger all. I was just letting out a deep sigh when the door opened. From under my arm I noticed Buffy coming into the room.

Giving her a tired look, I mustered up a small smile as she sat down on the bed. “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for asking, though,” I told her, running a hand through my hair. God, if I grew any more tense, my bones might snap. “How is our new friend? Still wanting to go back to that bastard?”

[watcher_pryce]

She sat down on the bed and I noticed her looks. I slowly reached for the blanket and pulled them up a bit higher. Not that I was self conscious about the fact that I was wearing my boxers, or that scars were covering about half my torso, but she obviously was. I must be a hideous sight to look at for someone as beautiful as her. It’s surprise she’s manage not to bolt from the room with some flimsy excuse to go and throw up somewhere.

“Oh,” I say, my eyes darting back to the door where she indicated the girl was now, watching the telly with Gunn. “Perhaps you can try to talk her out of that. She really ought not to go back to that fellow.”

Shifting a bit in the bed, I suddenly find myself frozen at her question. I stare at her, the rest of the lines she utters going unheard as her first one runs though my mind. Why on gods not so green earth does she constantly think I’m angry with her? It’s getting to the point of becoming annoying. It’s almost as though she *wants* me to be angry with her. Why? I just don’t understand it one bit. What’s going on in her head? What kind of insane things does she come up with in regards to me?

“Buffy,” I start, before she can get up and give her a serious look. “Why do you think I’m mad at you? Better yet, why would I be mad at you?”

[watcher_pryce]

A vibe? I’m sending out a vibe that I’m angry with her all the damn time? Where is this coming from? Maybe in the beginning I did, because let’s face it shall we? Buffy and I didn’t get off to a very good start in Sunnydale, so we were both on our guard when we met again. But since then I’d like to think we’ve become friends. I worry about her, was nearly frantic when I had that bloody vision about her. Hell, I still fear for her whenever I see those images which I’ll never get rid off. God, how *did* Cordelia manage all those years?

I give her a confused look at her words, trying to figure out where she may have gotten such a vibe. There’s laughter from the other room and Buffy winces. Then she kicks off her shoes, goes around the bed and lays down as though it were perfectly normal. Me in bed, with only my boxers on, and she on top of the covers fully clothed as though we do this every day. The odd thing is though, I find I don’t really mind one bit. It feels normal, comforting to be honest.

I turn around and look at her, then back at the door when there is more laughter. “So you’ll talk to her and I’ll talk to her and hopefully Gunn will talk to her as well.” And if she still wants to go back after that, then it’s her choice. A bad one, but still hers to make. She’s an adult and should be capable of making her decisions, bad or good.

“Now can we get back to this vibe you seem to be picking up from me?” I ask carefully, not wanting her to withdraw back into the defense chair as seems to be her habit. “Because I assure you, I’m not angry with you. I may be annoyed at times, but you’re annoyed with me and Gunn as well at times and I’m sure Gunn is annoyed at either of us sometimes as well. We are after all only human.” It’s rather sad she thinks I’m constantly mad at her, and it hurts a little as well.