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SUMMARY: Buffy is forced into a prophecy involving Spike. Can they both survive it?
DIST/ARCHIVE: Ask first
DISCLAIMER: Buffy, Spike, and co. don't belong to me, they belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: This version has been toned down from it's original NC-17 version for the purpose of posting it on this site. However, it still uses bad language and mature subjects and so is rated PG-15, please read at your own discretion.
"Summers, Chapman. In my office. Now," Principal Snyder said to the duo seated in the waiting room. Most of their injuries had disappeared, the fading black rings under their eyes the only visible reminder.
"Try to look sorry," Buffy hissed at Spike as they followed Snyder. Spike flashed her a mischievous grin. *Oh no,* she thought. *Why didn't I stake him when I had the chance?*
"You two are in serious trouble," Snyder began. "What I saw in the library constitutes reason for expulsion."
"I'm sorry," Buffy said meekly.
"There's nothing to be sorry about, pet," Spike said.
"Mr. Chapman, you are not helping her case," Snyder pointed out.
"If your gonna blame someone, mate, blame me. All she did was get beat up, then faint. I was the one kissin' her," he stated, sticking to Giles' story.
"You two seem awfully buddy buddy for kids who only met a few days ago," Snyder said.
"That's because we were, um…pen pals," Buffy supplied.
"Is that right? For how long?" Snyder asked.
"Oh, years. Isn't that right, Spike?"
"It seems like forever," Spike added. "Why do you think she calls me Spike?"
Snyder looked at the two suspiciously. Buffy and Spike put on their best 'we're innocent' faces. Finally, the principal spoke. "Very well. Ms. Summers, you're free to go. Mr. Chapman, you have detention every night for the rest of this week. I do not tolerate public displays of affection in my school, especially on the library floor. This is a place for learning, not a place for procreation."
With that, the bonded pair left the office in a hurry. Buffy leaned up against the wall outside and banged her head repeatedly. "Why, why, why, why?"
"Stop that, luv. You're denting the lockers," Spike said to her.
"How come I am the one who always gets punished for what others do?" Buffy asked as they headed for their next class.
"Luck?" Spike supplied. She shot him an evil glare. "What do we have next?"
"Gym," Buffy answered. "My oh-so-favorite class, next to math and science. Oh, and history, too."
"Hey, Buffster. Junior," Xander greeted, coming up next to them. "All ready for another day of sweaty fun?"
"Joy," she said sarcastically.
They broke off at the locker rooms, only to meet again on the other side, this time with Willow, as well. The three friends sat on the bleachers together, chatting amicably, while Spike sat near the floor, surveying the other students, trying to decide who to have for lunch. The gym teacher blew his whistle to call the class to attention.
"Ok, class. Today as part of physical fitness week everybody shall participate in the obstacle course set up before you." Collective groans filled the gym. "It will be timed, and the top male and female will get a ribbon, just like in the other events."
"Are you going to be meek female again?" Willow asked Buffy as the class began.
"I probably should," Buffy answered. "I wouldn't want to make the guys uncomfortable by trouncing them."
"Care to put a wager on that, pet?" Spike asked from below them.
Buffy arched an eyebrow. "What kind of wager?"
"I win, I get to smoke in our room," he said. The night before Buffy helped Spike move the mattress from the spare room to her floor because of the bond. "And listen to my music whenever I want."
"I win, it's pre-packaged meals for you," she responded to the challenge.
"You're on. We'll see who's top man around here," he replied.
The teacher called Spike's name, and he rose slowly, like a tiger starting the hunt. The obstacle course was set up using gymnastics equipment. A row of two-inch mats stretched out before two horses. The competitor was then to turn and run back, swinging over a fake pit on the high bar, then climb over a wall made from two ten-foot safety mats propped over the uneven parallel bars and other supports. The final part was a short run back across the gym to the finish line.
With the grace of a predator, he flew through the course, stunning the other students with his speed. He ran right up the 'wall' and down the other side, not struggling like the others before him. As he crossed the finish line, the teacher stopped the timer, and he sauntered back to the bleachers as if he did nothing at all.
"Time: 30.3 seconds. Fastest time ever recorded," the teacher said, astonished. The next closest time had been 41.8 seconds, set sixteen years before the current class of seniors. Students applauded Spike, who ignored them, focusing solely on the Slayer. He gave her a mocking bow with a smirk on his face. Buffy only rolled her eyes.
No one wanted to follow after the vampire's performance. Xander managed to get a decent time under a minute and Willow slightly over, due to the fact that they were always running for their lives during battles with the various Hellmouth creatures.
Buffy's turn was two students after Willow. With a pat on Spike's bleached blond hair as she passed him, she went to the starting line. Several of the boys laughed at her obvious concentration, but were soon amazed, as were the others once the teacher said 'go.'
With the speed and skill that comes with being the Chosen One, Buffy tore through the course, leaping over the horses without touching them. She went up the side of the fake wall in two steps, flying down the other side and to the finish line at an incredible pace.
"Time: 28.6 seconds."
Tongue in her cheek, Buffy ambled over to Spike and gave him a look that read 'I am a Goddess.' She leaned forward to whisper seductively in his ear. "Now who's on top?"
With that, she rejoined her friends, leaving a speechless vampire behind.
*****
"Hey, Giles," Buffy said entering the library after school.
"Buffy, hello," Giles replied. "Where's your..."
"Worse half? Annoying bloodsucker? Pain in my side?"
"I was going to say books," Giles said. Buffy looked sheepish. "But since you mentioned it, where is Spike?"
"Detention," Buffy answered. "I'm just glad he's within 100 feet, or I'd have to be in there, too. As it is, I only have an hour before I get 'pulled' to his side."
"100 feet?"
She hopped up onto the table. "Yup. Any farther than that, the distance pain starts."
"Then why do you only have an hour?" Giles asked.
"Time pain," Buffy answered. "It's different from the distance pain. I have to get within five feet of him every hour. Let me tell you, it sucks having him sleep on my floor."
"Interesting," Giles said. He took off his glasses and cleaned them absently. "How else has the, er, prophecy effected you two?"
"I wanted to tell you about that, anyway," Buffy replied. "Last night, Spike tried to feed, but couldn't. His face wouldn't go 'grr'."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Go vamp," Buffy clarified. "No fangs, no game face, no change, nothing."
"Does he still need to-to...have blood?" Giles asked.
"Far as I can tell."
"Hmm." Giles put his glasses back on and retrieved a book from his office. "Let me see if-if I understand. Spike can go in the sun and lost his demonic features, yet he retained his vampiric strength and healing capabilities."
"Yup."
"On the negative side, you two need to stay within 100 feet of each other and every hour be within five feet of-of each other," he continued. "Am I missing anything?"
"Not that I know of," Buffy said. "So, have you found out any more about this 'child' that I'm suppose to die for?"
"N-no," Giles replied. "I am afraid I have not."
"Bummer," she said. Willow and Xander arrived at library before she could say anything else. "Hey, guys!"
"Hi, Buffy," Willow greeted, moving directly to 'her' computer. "Did you hear? The school is going to have an awards assembly because you and Spike broke the school record!"
"And this is good how?" Buffy asked.
Giles looked sharply at his Slayer. "Buffy, what did you do?"
"She only ran the obstacle course in 28.6 seconds," Xander said. "Beating Spike's 30.3 seconds by...um..."
"1.7 seconds," Willow completed. "The school record was 41.8 seconds."
"Buffy, how many times have I told you it-it-it is imperative that you keep your Slayer abilities a secret," Giles admonished.
"He started it," Buffy defended.
"But you carried on with it," Giles stated. "And now the whole school will know that you a-a-are different."
"But it's an awards ceremony," Willow said. "Their names will be added to a plaque and there'll be pictures and..."
"Pictures?" Xander said. He started to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Willow asked her oldest friend.
"Uh, reality check," Xander said. "Vampires, pictures, they don't mix."
"Oh...oh!" Willow said. She looked at Buffy. "What are you going to do?"
"Kill myself," Buffy stated. "He'll go, too, so it will be a sweet death."
"Buffy, do...do you really think you should joke about it," Giles asked.
"If I don't, I'll go nuts," Buffy replied. "I don't want to die, but I didn't want to shove a sword through Angel, either. Dying will be a piece of cake compared to that."
