Life in L.A.: Conversations with Vampires
by Melissa Summers
“So...” Angel said awkwardly.

“So, I need your help.” Buffy finished for him.

“My help?” He asked confused.

“Yeah.” She looked at the floor, and fiddled with a knife on the desk. “It’s kind of...money related.”

“How much do you need?” Angel questioned, ready to give her whatever amount she needed.

“No!” She said looking up. “I mean, I don’t want to be a charity case.”

“Buffy...” Angel started to object, but she shook her head.

“No, just let me explain.” Buffy said. “Dawnie and I were fine for a while in Rome, but the bills were beginning to catch up with us. Even mom’s hospital bills were still there. And would you believe it, even with no hospital left!”

Angel chuckled. The entire town of Sunnydale had gone down in a crater, and yet they were still badgering poor Buffy about their dues.

“Yeah, I know! Crazy, right?” Buffy joked. “Anyways, we were able to get by, but with all the ‘accidents’ we have, and Dawn’s college tuition...”

“You don’t have enough left.” Angel said.

“Right.” Buffy replied. “So, I have a favor to ask.”

“But if it’s not money, what is it?” Angel asked.

“A...a job.” Buffy sighed. “With my abilities, I should be useful around a place like this. And I know what you’re gonna say...” She stood up really straight and spoke in a very serious voice. “...This place is evil Buffy. It changes people. I have to protect you in my overprotective ex-boyfriend way.”

Angel smiled. “Yep, that’s sounds about right. Because it’s true!”

“Angel, you KNOW I can handle it. I can hold my own.” Buffy said angrily. “So, what do you say?”

“I say, you’re hired.” Angel said smugly.

Buffy gave him a big hug. “Thank you!” She said.

“Of course, what did you think, I was just gonna turn away the woman I love the most?” Angel said sarcastically.


Buffy frowned a little. “Angel...”

“No, that was not an obligation. You owe me nothing.” Angel added quickly.

Buffy smiled. “Thanks.”

“No problem. Hey, just asking, but are you cookies yet?” He asked.

“Not quite, still a little doughy.” Buffy answered.

“I like doughy cookies...” He smirked.

“You don’t want to get raw egg poisoning, do you?” Buffy asked slyly.

“Well, it wouldn’t kill me, I’m already dead...” He said.

“Uh huh, well, for the record, I did miss you.” She commented.

“I missed you to.” Angel replied.

For a moment the two just looked at each other, their eyes connected and didn’t break away.

“So...” Angel said again.

“So when can I start?” Buffy finished.

“First thing tomorrow morning.” Angel said. “Do you need a place to stay?”

“Somewhere not a car would be nice. I didn’t know Dawn was coming, she must have bought her own plane ticket and followed me. That girl is crafty.” Buffy laughed.

“Yeah, I didn’t even recognize her when I saw her. She’s grown quite a bit.” Angel agreed.

“You know she’s even starting to act like me? Her first kiss was with none other than a vampire!” Buffy exclaimed.

“A vampire?!” Angel asked surprised.

“A vampire?!” Spike asked Dawn in the Wolfram and Hart Café.

Dawn nodded sheepishly. “Yep, guess I’m turning into a regular old Buffy.”

Spike laughed. “Guess you are Lil Bit.”

He noticed, as she laughed, that her long hair had been naturally highlighted by the sun, and almost resembled Buffy’s now, with a twist of brown. He rather liked the style.

“Ugh, this hair keeps getting in my face!” She said annoyed, brushing a strand out of her face. She flipped the whole mass of her hair in front of her, and then back, pulling it up with one hand, and pulling a hair band off her wrist with the other. She wrapped it around into a messy ponytail.

“Very spunky.” Spike smiled.

“Thank you, thank you!” Dawn said, waving a hand. “I’m a professional stylist, could you tell?”

Spike laughed. “With a sense of humor, too. You have grown up Dawn.”

“Everyone’s been saying that lately, but I don’t feel any different.” Dawn replied.

“Yeah, but you look it.” Spike said. “Trust me, I know. I’ve watched you grow up. Seen you change.”

“If you say so.” She sighed, taking the last sip of her cocoa. “Darn it, it’s all gone! There’s never enough marshmallows.”

“Yeah, very mature.” Spike said as she went back over to the cabinets and snagged the bag of marshmallows.

She dumped a few on the table in front of her and tossed the bag to Spike, who caught it with ease.

“Want some?” She asked.

“Why not?” Spike thought aloud, taking one out. He examined it.

“What’s wrong?” Dawn questioned, looking at her own marshmallow. “Is it all Wolfram and Harty? Oh god, how many did I eat?!”

“No, no, calm down. It’s just...I’ve never had a marshmallow before.” Spike admitted.

“Never?!” Dawn exclaimed. “Like, never never?! And you’ve been alive for HOW long?”

“Never.” Spike said, squishing the ball of sugary goodness softly between his forefingers.

“Oh my god, you have so missed out!” Dawn informed him. “You will FLIP when you see what they do in the microwave!” She grabbed one off the table and went over to the microwave by the coffee pitchers. She placed it inside and set the timer for a minute.

Spike came over and watched with interest. The marshmallow rapidly began expanding, until it finally got so large it exploded.

“Cool!” Spike said.

“That was my reaction exactly.” Dawn informed him, taking out the popped marshmallow and plopping it into her mouth. “Yummy too.”

“Alright, gimme one.” Spike said, holding out his hand. Dawn selected the largest one on the table and put it in his palm. He held it up to his mouth and was about to take a bite when Dawn yelled.

“No, no!” She said, holding his arm back.

“What? What is it?” Spike asked worriedly.

“You have to cram it all in at once.” Dawn replied. Spike rolled his eyes and shoved the marshmallow in his mouth.

He chewed it and thought for a moment before swallowing. His mouth broke out into a smile. “Excellent! Maybe Brood Boy should have some of these, then he wouldn’t be so, well, broody.”

Dawn laughed loudly. Spike smiled too, and Dawn blushed. “Hey!” She said suddenly. “I know a great game we can play with marshmallows!”

Spike raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, you’ve really matured.”

“Thank you! Now, go stand over there!” Dawn ordered.


This story archived at: The Slayer\'s Fanfic Archive
The Slayer\\\\\\\\'s FanFic Archive - http://www.slayerfanfic.com/viewstory.php?sid=9056