Stripped: Dreaming, New York City
by Willes
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Buffy was dreaming. She walked out into the sunshine of a sand covered beach to see Spike jogging toward her in his long black leather coat, black clothing, and black boots. “Spike?” Buffy said in surprise. “What are you doing here? You’re dead and it’s daylight!”
“Oh, just out for a lovely mid-eternal-damnation jog,” he answered with a smile, sweat glistening across his face. He reached down and picked up a water bottle of blood from the sand.
“Hmmm,” he said, taking a large gulp. “Nothing like the blood of the innocent to quench your thirst after a long jog. Want a swig, luv?” he asked, offering the bottle to Buffy.
“A thousand times no, and very much with the ewww!” she said, a disgusted look on her face.
“Come on,” he coaxed with a seductive smile. “Try it, I know you’ll like it,” he said in a singsong voice. “I know how you want what you shouldn’t.”
“I can’t drink that, Spike! I am the Slayer,” Buffy whined.
“You were the Slayer, Hun,” Spike said. “Now you’re just like us!” he added, thrusting the bottle into her hand. “Just try it, I know you’ll like it.”
Buffy took the bottle from Spike and studied it. It didn’t look so bad. She smelled it and then tipped it to her lips taking a drink.
“See, Buffy, it’s not so bad. It tastes like evil and guilt, but I guess you always knew that, didn’t you?” he said coldly. “Always so high and mighty, but you always knew, always wanting what you can’t really have.”
“No, Spike, that’s not true! That’s not how it is!” Buffy cried. Blood was on her hands and running down her chin.
“Hey, Buff,” Xander said, coming up behind Buffy holding a large ice cream cone. “You got a little dirt on your hands,” he said, motioning to her bloodied hands.
“I can’t get it off,” she answered, wiping her fingers frantically on her dress.
“Well, you were always stuck with what you didn’t want,” he said with a shrug, licking his dripping cone.
“Ha, ha, well said, brother,” Spike said, smiling. He was now wearing a brightly colored Hawaiian shirt that looked suspiciously like something Xander owned.
“Brother?” Buffy asked, confused, still trying to clean her hands. “But, you don’t even like each other.”
“Nonsense,” Xander answered. "We're comrades, brothers. We do everything together now.”
The scene changed and the group was in an amusement park. Xander and Spike were buying cotton candy at a nearby booth.
“It’s true,” Anya said. “It’s disgusting, they do everything together now, you made sure of that.”
“Anya!” Buffy exclaimed. “Where have you been? What are you doing here?”
“Well Buffy, I thought you knew. I’ve been dead. Being dead does put quit a crimp in your social life. I thought you would notice I wasn’t around. Not that I blame you, since I’ve been dead Xander never takes me anywhere. I think he is ashamed of me, because I’m a corpse,” Anya pouted.
“That's not true sweetie, I love your corpse! You’re so cute when you’re dead,” Xander said, coming over with Spike not far behind. “And I take you everywhere,” he said looking at Buffy. “I keep her in my back pocket.” He said nonchalantly.
“Oh, that’s right,” Anya replied. “I forgot, I fit perfectly in there,” She added, going over to Xander and hugging him tightly.
Buffy looked bewildered by the scene around her.
“What’s wrong, luv?” Spike asked. “ You never ridden in a person’s back pocket before? You should try it, it’s just like ridding in a car only bumpier!” He took a large bit of cotton candy.
“Since when do you eat cotton candy?” Buffy asked.
But before he could answer, Xander interrupted him. “Hey Buff, do you want some?” he asked, holding out his cotton candy.
“It does look good,” she answered, reaching her hand out for a piece.
“Not that one, it’s mine!” Anya said indignantly, yanking it away before Buffy had a chance to take any.
“Sorry,” Xander said, nodding. “She’s right, it is hers you know.”
“I’d give you some of mine, but it’s all used up,” Spike added, showing Buffy his empty hands.
Buffy looked at him sadly.
“Hey guys,” Kennedy said, waving them to her. “Come see what I found!”
“Yippee, I love the theater!” Spike said excitedly, clapping his hands and skipping over to Kennedy.
Then they were all in the Summers’ living room in Sunnydale. Everyone from the old gang was there: Giles, Xander, Kennedy, Faith, Spike, Anya, and Dawn. They were all sitting on the couch eating popcorn and watching Willow convulse on the floor.
“What are you doing? Someone help her!” Buffy exclaimed.
“Shhh,” Anya said. “you are going to make us miss the best part. It’s my birthday and I have a surprise. I hope it’s money, or large diamonds. Xander loves me, you know.”
“But she’s in pain!” Buffy yelled.
“Seriously. Buffy,” Kennedy said. “If you are not going to sit here with us then you should go. Willow is fine, just enjoy the show.”
Everyone nodded in agreement. “Yeah, Buffy, you should go. If you aren’t with us, you shouldn’t be here,” Dawn added.
Hurt, Buffy left her house. Walking onto the porch, she moved to the window and looked in, watching the scene inside. She saw Willow get up and join everyone on the couch. There was laughter and Anya got up on the coffee table to take a bow. Giles brought in a birthday cake with a number two on it and set it in front of her. With everyone laughing, Anya blew out the candle.
“Excuse me,” Buffy heard a gruff voice say from above her.
“Huh!” Buffy woke with a start. Where am I, she thought. Ok, think. You were walking, you wanted to think, you sat down on a bench in the park and I…Right! I fell asleep!
“Excuse me!” She heard the voice again.
“What?” she said, annoyed by the interruption in her thought process. She stood up to meet the very large man, face to chest. “What do you want?” she spat at him, craning her neck to meet his eyes.
“I have this,” he said, taking a note out of his pocket and thrusting it at her.
She looked at it. “I hope you write better than you talk,” she sighed, taking the note.
It was made from cut out letters of various magazines and read as follows:
Dear Blonde Slayer:
We have your friend, the one with the eye patch
If you do not meet us at 6 am this morning by the tire yard we will kill him horribly
Much Thanks and Best regards,
The kidnappers of your friend (with the eye patch)
P.S. Come alone and unarmed, or you will regret it. (This is not a joke, we are serious)
Buffy stared at for a moment at the note. “What the?” she said, turning around the face the note deliveryman, but he had vanished. This has been a strange night. Buffy thought. I guess it’s off to the tire yard I go. At least it will be nice to see Xander. I finally know where to find him, she smiled to herself as walked out of the park.
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