11753/Secrets left unkept

Secrets left unkept
Date of Scene:	10 July 2020
Location:	Spike's Sub-Basement, Hugo Building
Synopsis:	Buffy brings Spike up to speed on the current situation, and asks him to keep a secret.
Cast of Characters:	Buffy Summers, Spike

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Buffy Summers has posed:
It's a rainy, cloudy afternoon when Buffy, Wil and Nick have finished scoping out the warehouse that Carpe Noctem has taken over, and Buffy is on her way back to her apartment for a change of clothing and a much needed nap. But...As she heads up the stairs, she realizes there is some unfinished business between her and Spike, and if he's gonna help them on this rescue mission she needs to clear one teeny little thing up.

She pauses halfway up the steps then retraces her steps, heading back down, knocking on the blonde vampire's door. "Spike. You home?"

Spike has posed:
     He doesn't come to the door just right off. Instead he waits for a moment. Hey...evil. He makes his way over to the door and opens it. At least he's dressed.

     Spike eyes you for a second and then steps aside to motion you insider,"Hello pet. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company. It isn't for a beating because you didn't kick in the door."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers was just about ready to kick the door open, because she's pretty impatient, especially when it comes to Spike. Why she does that, not even Buffy knows. Fortunately he eventually answers, opening the door to a soaked Buffy, dressed in her red leather pants and black leather jacket, battle axe all dripping wet with blood.

"Firstly, I'm not your pet, and secondly.." she shrugs out of the jacket, wringing out her hair and wipes her axe blade on her scarf til it's clean. The rain helped a lot. "What, bearing? Cmon, Im not that bad.." she draws a deep breath, "Gimme a sec, it's been a crazy day.."

Spike has posed:
     There is a smirk. He really can be annoying that way. Shutting the door he sizes you up. It might be a leer to annoy you, but it also might just be him seeing your current state.

     "I see you've been off playing. You didn't even invite me." he taunts a little maybe. Regardless, he lets you get youself settled and closes the door. Walking back into the main area he lets you decide to make yourself at home or not."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers rolls her eyes, squeezing out the rainwater from her jacket, glancing at the sofa for a moment thoughtfully. Ahh, she could really use the rest but..With Spike there..Maybe not a good idea. "Trust me, you wouldn't wanna be there. Just some recon and magic deconstruction by Nick and Willow. Doubt you would have enjoyed riding the back of a raven as a rat." she shrugs and smirks.

"Then again, might have been an improvement." yeah, she's pushing buttons again. Baaad Buffy. "Anyway, that's nit why I dropped by.." she pauses for a moment, as if hesitant to tell him why she really dropped by.

Spike has posed:
     Tapping a cigarette on the kitchen counter he packs it to let it settle. Placing it in his mouth and lighting it, his eyes dance with the fire. Danger always in his face. Some people's kids.

     A slow drag and he lets you get the nervous speaking part of the 'you suck' conversation out. See, almost considerate. After he exhales he nods and comments,"Here I thought I was a big enough rat for you already." If you're going to tempt fate with him, might as well play along,"What's on your mind tonight? How can I fail to be useful for anything for you?"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smirks. Always matching him for cynical quips. That's Buffy for you. But looks who she's messing with. "Okay fine, so, you're not totally useless. I...I actually need you. I need muscle Spike, once we go into Armastus' lair, it's gonna be pretty intense. Heck, if I need to bribe you with money or blood, fine, whatever. I'll do it."
Her expression is more serious now, no more messing around. "But..I.." she draws a deep breath. "I need to be on the same page as you first.."

Spike has posed:
     Another drag from the cigarette and exhales as he considers you,"I'm always here for your poison darts." He shakes his head and sits on the edge of the counter,"I'm always good for money and blood you know that."

     He frowns and ashes the cigarette,"You want a fight? I'm spoiling for a chance to hit something that doesn't make my head explode." He narrows his gaze a little and cocks his head to the side a little,"So...tell me about your page."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers shrugs and sighs, and after a moment, flops down on the edge of his sofa. Boy she's beat. Doesn't help that she's soaking wet or that she knows he's right...She treats him terribly. But...He's evil, isn't he? She shrugs again, "Sure, I got cash, blood in my room, I'll grab it later. But right now, I just..." she sighs, "You know that time..When I was super drunk, super hung over? When you walked me home? Before you..You took off again..?" she bites her lip, looking away.It was a super awkward part of her life, not the least of because Spike got to see her at her lowest. But also because..Her face reddens a bit..

Spike has posed:
     While the cold doesn't really bother him too much, he knows the living sorts suffer from the cold. He sighs and gets up again. A slow drag on the cigatette again and he walks over to get two towels and a blanket. Tossing them in your direction he replies,"The shower is through there. The water is hot if you don't take an hour. Get warm I don't want you dying on my couch from hypothermia."
     He's less than charming, more matter of fact in his tone,"Whatever you're preaching tonight will wait. I don't need to be anywhere." He taps his head,"There's nothing to do."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers blinks at the towel and blanket but doesn't hesitate to use it to dry off before wrapping the warm blanket around her body. A small smile tugs at the corner of her lips. "I just can't figure you out sometimes.." she glances towards the shower room but slowly shakes her head. No, she doesn't trust him that much, but.."I'll be okay...Thank you. I just..Just need to get this out into the open. Tell me. What happened that night? My mind's a blank.."

Spike has posed:
     He offers a shower, but doesn't seem to care one way or another. Another drag and then he exhales thoughtfully,"Nobody figures me out love. That's the charm of being me." He considers what you ask and takes a moment to remember. The joys of an almost perfect memory.

     The question sparks the memory back to him and he poker face settles instantly. Ashing the cigarette he considers your question a little longer, letting you wonder and what he is remembering,"That night. The joys of alcohol." he comments, holding a bottle of bourbon up for her to see,"Let me see. There was the practically carrying you home...." he starts out.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers frowns, wrapping the blanket tightly, protectively around her soaking body. The leather jacket will probably take longer to dry out but she'll worry about that later. His words..Trouble her and she blinks up at him in confusion. "Wha...You..Carried me home? But.." she swallows, "Why? Was I that messed up? Geez...What else do I need to know about that night?Did we...?" she swallows. No. Buffy, don't even go there. Even though she's painfully attracted to him, could she have ever gone that far? Yes, there is fear in her eyes...

Spike has posed:
     Oh did he mention? Evil? Spike takes another drag, exhaling and putting the cigarette out. He laughs softly and shakes his head,"Did we what love?" he asks almost innocently. Can he do innocent? Not really.

     "Let me see. Helped you home because some of my less than savory kin were milling around. You lucked out that your mother wasn't home. The fun that could have been if she had been home."

     He leers at you for a moment and adds,"Let me see. What is the best way to say this?" He looks towards the bathroom and back at you,"You wouldn't have to worry about me peeking in the shower anymore now would you?"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers frowns, shivering a bit under the covers. Was it the cold and wet that made her shiver or something else? "...Nothing. It's nothing! I just..Well why'd you carry me home? That's just.lI don't know.." she sighs. "Just forget it.." she's sure the was more to it than that. Buffy remembers a bit, brief flashes, of cuddling up to him, touching his lips..Saying stupid drunken things.

She sighs, shaking her head again, rubbing her eyes. It wasn't the first time she'd dropped her guard around him, but she was drunk so she's not totally responsible..Is she? "Sorry, but I don't think I trust you still. It wouldn't be the first time something...Funny happened between us."

Spike has posed:
     There is a shake of his head and he groans,"You need help Slayer. A lot of it. Psychological in nature I think." Looking at you for a long moment he finally tells you,"I helped you home. We talked. You weren't in the best of shape. You probably would have let me do whatever, but I put you to bed and left."

     The 'big bad' label really does start to tarnish all things considered. Crossing his arms he continues,"I wanted to of course, but then we'd have to have the actual conversation you thought we were about to have just now." Sometimes he's an ass, but he's good at it.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers blinks and looks away again, trying to compose herself. "That's ridiculous. There's no way I would have let you have your way with me, drunk or no. I'm not that crazy!" help? Psychological help? Heh...Actually not a bad idea in her line of work..

She frowns, glancing up at him. "So..That's all then..That's all that happened? Am I to believe you were the perfect gentleman when I was a mess..?" no really, it's a genuinely honest question. For once she's not being cynical or threatening him.

Spike has posed:
     "Keep telling yourself that love. You were trashed and had already made a bad choice earlier. You were pretty much ready to make another." he replies and doesn't pursue any of it. Oh look, bottle of bourbon. He opens the lid and takes a drink, putting it on the counter again, and closing the lid.

     He consideres the question and the joke just isn't fun anymore. A shake of his head and he snorts,"There's no such thing as a perfect gentleman in this world. Especially not me. Regardless you didn't give me anything. I might have stolen a kiss, but you raged on me about that until I left you to yell at the wall."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers draws a deep breath, glancing back at him, thoughtfully. "Yeah...I suppose you're right." wait what? she climbs slowly to her feet, letting the blanket fall as she crosses over to join him. The bourbon is eyed and as much as she'd enjoy a nice stiff drink, Buffy isn't about to make the same mistake twice.

"Okayy..." she sighs, "Suppose I believe you. Think we can keep this between the two of us? I just want to focus on the task at hand, and I don't need any distractions." Okaay, so that's a lame excuse but it works. Right?

Spike has posed:
     He offers the bottle towards you,"One drink won't kill you." he comments, but leaves it up to you,"I'm not willing to share more that that tonight. I'm running low." Is he posturing or just being obnoxious is anyone's guess.

     He considers the question about keeping it between the two of you,"You know...." he starts. There is a look of annoyance, but it dies down and he comments,"...your secret is safe with me Slayer. Besides, who would believe me? I can only take so much self flagellation at one time." he finishes, hands out to his sides as if to indicate there is nobody around.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers considers the bottle for a long moment and shrugs. Why not? Living in the moment and all that. In her line of work, one doesn't live long. "Sure.." she shrugs, pours herself a glass, hands the bottle back. "Riiight, wouldn't wanna waste your precious liquor.." she smirks as she slowly sips the drink. No need to get drunk again. In front of him.

That would be embarrassing.."Thanks. I appreciate it.." she shrugs, lifting her glass to him as if to make a toast..But changes her mind, lowering it again, taking another sip. Wow this stuff is strong.

She glances at him thoughtfully for a moment as if pondering something else, and smiles faintly. "And..Thank you..For, for not taking advantage of me..Walking me home..All that stuff." Buffy smiles weakly, but she seems maybe a bit guilty at his last comment. "Cmon, I'm not all that bad.."

Spike has posed:
     Once you are done with the bottle he caps it and places it back on the counter,"Waste isn't my first thought that comes to mind." he comments and shrugs. Settling against the counter again,"As far as the drink. You're welcome. The lack of taking advantage. Well what can I tell you? It was a moment of weakness."

     He will let you wonder about whether you are all that bad. Placing his hands on the counter top he tells you,"So OK. You need muscle, what is the situation? I get the general idea. The devil's in the details as they say."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers frowns, wrapping her arms around her stomach as he calls her on her 'moment of weakness'. She has no comment on that. She knows he's right, and it's kinda frustrating but..It is what it is.
rRight, best to focus on business. "Well I can't say exactly without scoping out the place, but I have a contact that can give me more I formation. Hopefully. Safe to say they're holding a bunch of prisoners inside a heavily renovated warehouse. Suffice to say that at least Armastus has some magical knowledge, hence he magic field we broke down today, but it won't be long before he realizes what we did and builds reinforcements so we have to act quickly. As for a plan, guess we gotta work on the fly. Best guess? We'll need a distraction and a party to go in and grab the prisoners.."

Spike has posed:
     He considers her words, not talking about that night anymore. More interesting things to deal with now. Beating up things that won't make the chip go off? Good times for sure. He shakes his head and lets her do that sort of heavy lifting in the plan thing.

     "I could try and go in and have a look around, but you have to consider that it might cause them to look for issues if I did." For the one that lives by his blood and things lower down than his brain, he does have a good grasp on certain things.

     He looks at you for a long moment, not some lustful thing, which is probaly more uncomfortable to her in the long run. It's likely easier to deal with the lost puppy act,"How many hitters in the party? You, me, and who else?"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers hmms, "You, me, Katsumi...Thomas if he shows up though he's been really busy with work lately.." she sighs, running a hand though her hair. That's a sensitive spot. She quickly moves on. "Hmm. Harry, when I can can ahold of him is a pretty tough wizard. Albeit cranky. Nick is more defensive but good for recon. And you know Willow.." she rolls her eyes, muttering something about puppies and her baking cookies with Spike, whatever the hell that was about.
r"Dunno much about Castiel yet. I do have a computer hacker contact whim I might be able to get internal info in the building.."