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Date Posted: 15:52:29 12/19/03 Fri
Author: Kuzibah
Author Host/IP: 208.59.89.53
Subject: Re: New Holiday Fanfic (part 2)
In reply to: Kuzibah 's message, "New Holiday Fanfic (part 1)" on 15:51:25 12/19/03 Fri

When Shelby had finished, Spike dressed again and returned to the lobby. He felt he owed Shelby a substantial tip, if such a thing was allowed.

“How was it?” the receptionist asked.

“Very nice,” Spike said, and, truthfully, he felt more calm and relaxed than he had in some time.

The receptionist pulled out an appointment book. “Now, I know this first session was paid for by Mr. Pryce,” she said casually, “but did you want to schedule a session next month?”

Spike stood mute for a moment, startled by the casual revelation of his benefactor. Of all of them, Wesley had been the last one he would have imagined to have given him this gift.

“Not right now,” Spike murmured, taking a brochure from the Lucite stand on the desk. “But let me call you in a day or two.”

- - - - -

Spike stared at the ceiling, unable to sleep. He was still shaken by his experience in the massage chamber, and still unable to believe the ex-Watcher, his most outspoken critic, had come up with it.

On the other hand, Spike reflected, Wesley was the one most familiar with his history, aside from Angel, and maybe he had surmised a distinct lack of tenderness in Spike’s vampiric existence. Perhaps he had extrapolated from Angel’s experience as a souled vampire (though Spike was loathe to admit this possibility.)

Or maybe, Spike thought, the man was himself acquainted with loneliness. Spike knew all too well how propriety and discretion could conceal a quiet desperation. It was practically the cornerstone of the British National Character. And sometimes, when he thought no one was watching, Wesley’s eyes showed a glimpse of inner pain. The others might not see it, but Spike had seen a lot in his tenure as resident ghost.

Maybe Wesley, far too proper to pay for companionship of a more carnal nature, indulged himself with this platonic but caring laying on of hands.

Perhaps this had been an olive branch of sorts, a little glimpse of understanding between them. An offer, if not of friendship, at least of mutual amity.

Pondering these thoughts, Spike resolved to speak to Wesley the next day, and let him know the offer was appreciated and reciprocated.

- - - - -

Spike watched from the doorway of Wesley’s office as he carefully explained various declensions of the Veerstad demon language to a bespectacled Watcher-type leaning on the edge of his desk. He seemed oblivious to the woman’s attempts at flirtation, or perhaps he was just being coolly professional, Spike mused.

After a few minutes she left, carrying her tome, and a silence broken only by the scratching of Wesley’s pen descended on the dim room.

“I know you’re there,” Wesley said after a moment. “You’re not exactly invisible anymore.”

“Sorry,” Spike said. “Didn’t want to bother you.”

“Now that you’ve bothered me,” Wesley said, not looking up, “what do you want?”

“I…” Spike hesitated. “I know it was you gave me the, uh, you know, the Secret Santa thing.”

Now Wesley did look up. “Oh,” he said. “And how was it?”

“I liked it,” Spike said. “And I…” He hesitated again, trying to read Wesley’s expression, but the ex-Watcher bowed his head over his work again.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Wesley said. “I really had no idea what to get you, and one of my staff suggested a massage as a good neutral gift.”

Spike said nothing.

“Seemed a bit California to me,” Wesley went on, “but as long as you liked it.” He glanced up again. “Was that all?”

“Yes,” Spike said stiffly. “Be sure to thank whoever it was.” Then he turned and stalked down the hall. As he passed one of the office Christmas trees he pulled off a silver ball and crushed it in his fist. The slivers of glass cut his palm.

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Replies:

[> Terrific story. -- wwolfe, 20:11:08 12/19/03 Fri (209.179.51.222)

Excellent insight into Spike's reality as a vampire, and a good rendition of Spike's analytical abilities. He's always been great at that, so it's enjoyable to see the process from the inside, rather than only seeing the results when he makes his pithy observations.

I took the ending as at least somewhat ambiguous, as far as whether Wesley really did or didn't choose Spike's present. If he did, it would be in character for him to be uncomfortable with admitting it to Spike. If he didn't, it's a nicely ironic undercutting of the meaning which Spike had read into the present.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the stories and I'm very glad you've continued this tradition.


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[> [> Thank you -- Kuzibah, 14:01:56 12/20/03 Sat (208.59.89.53)

As for the ambiguity... I noticed that, too. :)


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