Call Me Irresponsible

Home : Stories by Author : Stories by JodyorJen : JodyorJen- Happyverse Series : Call Me Irresponsible

Happyverse Series: Part 9/15

AUTHOR: JodyorJen
EMAIL: jodyorjen@yahoo.com
PAIRING: Buffy/Spike, Xander/Willow, Dawn/Other
DISCLAIMER: All hail Joss Whedon, UPN, the WB, FOX , Mutant Enemy and 20th Century Fox Film Corporation. GO team!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Part 9: Call Me Irresponsible

Buffy and Tara bent over a map on the table in Dawn's room. "Do you see the Luxor? I can't find it," asked Buffy.

"There it is," said Tara. She pointed to the spot on the map. "We need to go this way." She traced a path with her fingernail.

"How much time do we have before the movie starts?" asked the other girl as she checked her small gold wristwatch.

"It's at 4:15," said Tara. "We should get going."

"I think that I'm going to stay here and go for a swim," said Dawn. "I've seen `Beauty and the Beast' already."

"But this is in an Imax theater," said Buffy excitedly. "The screen is seven stories high. It's going to be amazing."

"No thanks," replied Dawn. "I, for one, have outgrown my Disney phase." Buffy and Tara exchanged looks.

"Fine," said Buffy, "but if you're just going to stay here, you have three chapters of `The Great Gatsby' to read over the weekend. Take the book down to the pool with you."

Dawn gave her a big plastic smile. "That's a great idea. I'll be sure to do that."

"If you need anything Spike and Xander are in the casino playing roulette and Willow and Anya are at the spa," said her sister. "We'll be back by six thirty. Don't forget that we have the rehearsal in the chapel at seven." The girls left as the door slammed behind them.

Dawn lifted her suitcase from the closet and placed it on the bed. Hurriedly she discarded her shirt and pants. She moved aside piles of clothes in her suitcase, and pulled out a folded red dress and a plastic bag. Carefully she stepped into the dress and slipped the thin straps over her arms.

In the bathroom, she applied her makeup and dumped the bag on the counter. A tangle of jewelry, cosmetics, sunglasses and other small items, most with store tags, scattered. She swept up her hair into a
loose chignon, slid on a bangle and gold chain and stepped into tall red heels. She dabbed on a little more red lipstick and a touch more mascara. She put her hand on her hip and struck a pose. "Yes, I'm 21," she said as she looked in the mirror. "Here's my ID." She held up a shiny card in her hand.

Dawn took the elevator down to the lobby and made her way to the casino. The bouncer checked her ID and waved her inside. She strode over to the token booth, confident in her tall heels as she swiveled her hips with newfound sensuality. Men turned their heads to watch as she passed the rows of slot machines.

"There's something different about you," said Spike.

Xander turned to look at him. "Huh?" he said nervously.

"You seem preoccupied," said Spike.

"Nope. I'm right here, in the moment, losing money," replied the other man as he watched the roulette wheel spin.

"Something's bothering you," said the vampire firmly. He paused. "Are you still upset that Buffy and I are getting married?" he asked.

Xander thought for a moment. "Well, the idea of it is still kind of weird. But I have to admit that you're good together."

Spike smiled and sipped his drink. "In love, being loved in return, having a child. It's unbelievable." He looked over at Xander seriously. "You're in the same place as me. Marrying, becoming a dad. But you're not a happy man."

Xander looked away. "Sure I'm happy," he said. "Why wouldn't I be? I'm a lucky guy." He placed two chips on the table on number seven and watched the ball turn around the roulette wheel. The ball dropped on number thirteen. The croupier whisked away his chips.

Anya soaked in a tub of milky water. Her face was covered in a blue mask, cucumbers over her eyes. Willow was in a tub next to her, equally slathered in gunk. "I can't believe that Spike and Buffy are
getting married," said the ex-demon. "Xander and I have been engaged longer than they have been a couple."

"Well, you just can't fight the power of true love," replied Willow.

"Well, I love Xander," said Anya. "And he's persisted in being annoying, dragging his feet about our wedding. Fortunately I used my head and got him to move up the wedding date."

"What do you mean, used your head?" said the other girl drowsily, her head thrown back in relaxation.

"I felt that Xander was drifting away from me, that he didn't love me any more. So I kind of." she paused. "I kind of didn't tell him that I stopped taking the Pill."

Willow took the cucumbers off her eyes and looked at Anya. "Wait a minute. So you're saying that you."

"Lied to him. Maybe manipulated him a tiny bit. But it was for his own good, really," said Anya matter-of-factly.

"Anya! That's horrible. How could you betray the person you love by having unprotected sex?" Her voice trailed off. She bolted upright in the tub and splashed a giant wave of water to the floor. "Oh my God."

Dawn put a token in the slot machine and pulled down the lever. She watched the symbols spin in the window. Three red sevens rolled up and coins began to pour out of the slot. She giggled to herself as
she scooped up handfuls of tokens. The flood continued until they lapped around her ankles and covered her shoes.

Across the room, a man watched her. A tendril of her hair had slipped out of her chignon and fell down over her shoulder. Her red silk dress accentuated her curves and revealed the tops of her pale breasts. She turned towards him and laughed as she waged a losing battle with the coins at her feet. He hadn't seen anything so beautiful in a very long time.

"I wish Dawnie had come with us to the movie," said Tara. "I bet she got bored hanging around by herself." She held up a white garter decorated with wedding bells. "How about this one?"

Buffy shook her head. "I need something blue for tomorrow, for luck."

Tara spun through a rack. "How about this one?" She held up a sky colored one decorated with lace and ribbons.

"Perfect!" said Buffy, as gave she gave the other girl a quick hug. After Buffy paid for the garter, they left the boutique.

"We have an hour before we have to be there for the rehearsal," said Tara. "We have just enough time to shower and change." They continued through the concourse to the lobby and entered the glass elevator.

"I'm really glad that you and Willow have made up," said Buffy happily. "It's so great having you both around again."

"I missed you all too," said the witch with a smile. "I hated having a bad breakup, and not being on good terms with Willow. I just wanted us all to get along and be friends again."

"We all love each other," said Buffy. "And we're all here together. Well, almost all of us. It's nearly perfect. This wedding is going to be just the way I planned."

Xander lay on the couch in his suite as he stared at the ceiling. A knock sounded on his door and he opened it. A frantic Willow rushed in, her hair wet and wild. "How could we have done that?" she said
anxiously.

"Oh, Will, I'm so sorry," he said to her. "I totally took advantage of you and I understand if you hate me."

"I thought it was a dream. I kept thinking funny thoughts at breakfast when I looked at you. But it wasn't just a dream. We really had sex last night," said Willow hysterically.

"I feel so bad about it," said Xander. She turned her back to him, and her shoulders shook as she cried. "Please, please don't cry. I'll do anything to make it up to you."

She turned to him. "I love Tara," she said painfully.

His heart ached for her. "I know you do. And I do too." He reached out to her and stroked her cheek.

She looked up at him, naked emotion on her face. "I love you," she said brokenly. "I love you too." She leaned in close to him and stared deeply into his eyes.

He put his hands gently on her shoulders. "God, I love you, Willow. I have always loved you." He dipped his mouth to hers, and the fire flared up between them again. She slipped her hands underneath his shirt, desperate to feel him. He ran his fingers through her hair and hungrily kissed her neck. She gasped and slipped her hands inside his pants to rub him against her.

Buffy slammed shut the door to her suite and threw off her shoes. She stripped off her clothes and started the shower. She hummed to herself as she stepped in and leaned forward, letting warm water cascade over her. She smiled to herself as a pair of strong arms grabbed her from behind. "Hey baby," she said.

"Couldn't you humor me and let out a nice Hitchcock movie scream? It's no fun sneaking up on you in the shower if you won't even shriek a little," Spike grumbled.

She turned around and grabbed his cock with two soapy hands. "Let's make you shriek a little," she said, working his shaft up and down with long, hard strokes.

"Oh, Buffy," he moaned as he buried his face in her shoulder.

A very handsome man stood in front of Dawn. "Miss?" he asked. "Can I help you?"

She smiled up at him. He was nicely dressed in a gray suit with a blue tie. His eyes were warm and brown. "Sure, just grab a cup and help me scoop these up."

"Let me take care of it," he said. He turned and gestured, and two men swooped in and placed all the coins into zippered cloth bags. They handed them to her. She made a noise and buckled under the weight. "Can I carry this to the bank for you so you can cash them out?" he asked. She nodded, and he took them from her and held them effortlessly.

"Thanks," she said. "It's very nice of you to help me." She followed him through the casino. He watched her from the corner of his eye, and took in the smoothness of her pale skin and the delicate shape of her mouth. She eyed him as well. His silky black hair fell over his shoulders, and she thought it was really sexy. The man was tall, taller than Spike, but moved like him, a sleek dangerous stride.

He placed the coins on the counter of the bank and smiled at the cashier. "Do you want fifties or hundreds?" he asked Dawn.

"Twenties," she said.

"You're a real high roller," he said with a gleam of white teeth.

"ID, miss?" asked the cashier. She handed it to him. He counted out the bills in tall stacks, and zippered them into the bags.

"You should put that cash somewhere safe," said the man.

"I think I can ask for a safety deposit box at the front desk," she said.

"You're staying here? How do you like the hotel?" he asked curiously.

Dawn turned to him. "It's really beautiful, what I've seen of it so far. I've only seen the lobby, my room and the casino."

"Well, maybe I could show you some more of it," he offered. He looked at her appreciatively, his eyes warm. "Would you care to have dinner with me tonight?"

She blushed as she realized he was interested in her. "I really can't," she said apologetically. "I have a wedding rehearsal at seven."

He checked his watch. "Well, you're missing it then," he said. "It's seven fifteen now, you're late."

She blanched. "Oh crap!" She turned on her heel and ran.

"Wait! You didn't take your money," he said to her back. He turned to the cashier. "What kind of girl runs away from ten thousand dollars?"

"A girl named Buffy Summers," said the cashier, holding up her ID.

"We're late, Spike," said Buffy, as she struggled to work the clasp of her necklace. "Everyone is going to wonder where the hell we are."

He slipped behind her and fastened the strand of pearls. "We're the bride and groom," he said as he gently kissed her neck. "They'll wait."

"How do I look?" asked Buffy. She wore a flowing blue chiffon dress, the halter-top revealing her white shoulders. Matching high heeled sandals and a wide pearl bracelet completed her ensemble.

"Perfect as always, baby," he said as he pulled on his shirt. He frowned at his flapping cuffs. "I must have left the cufflinks back in my room."

"Well, go and get them and then get your ass downstairs," said Buffy teasingly. He walked her to the elevator and pushed the button for her. She kissed him on the cheek as she got in. He walked on down the
hallway, used his keycard and pushed open the door.

Xander was braced against the opposite wall, a pair of very white legs twisted around his waist. The muscles of his naked back clenched as he thrust in and out. Pale fingers wrapped over the tops of his
shoulders, the fingernails embedded in his flesh. "I love you, I love you," he moaned. "This is magic," a feminine voice replied breathily.

Embarrassed, Spike retreated. "Good for him," he said to himself. "Guess he's found a little happiness after all."

"Spike!" said Anya loudly as she strode down the hallway. "Do you know where Xander is?"

He gaped at her, but quickly recovered. "He's downstairs in the chapel waiting for us," he said as he took her arm. "Let's get down there."

She pulled her arm away. "I've been there for a half hour," she said. "He's not there."

"You must have crossed paths," he said. "I'm sure I just saw him." She looked at him oddly, but put her arm back in his as they walked down the corridor.

Buffy hurried into the ornately decorated chapel. "I'm sorry I'm late," she said. Tara sat alone in a blue cushioned pew, absently braiding her hair. "Where is everyone?" she asked.

"Dawn, Willow and Spike are missing in action," replied the witch. "Anya went upstairs to get Xander."

"Where's the officiant?" said Buffy as she furrowed her brow.

"She went to grab a Coke," said Tara, "She said she thought she was losing her voice."

Buffy sat down on a pew. "Typical. We can't seem to get everyone in the same room lately."

"Well, you have me," said a soft voice from the doorway. Giles stood in the doorway, holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Giles!" Buffy ran to the door and threw herself at him. They collapsed to the floor in a heap. "I'm so sorry," apologized Buffy. "Did I hurt you?"

He laughed. "No more than usual." He sat up and adjusted his glasses. He grabbed her hand and they both stood up. "How about you? I didn't hurt the infant?" He looked down at her belly.

"We're both pretty resilient," smiled Buffy. She gave him a large hug, and they held each other for a minute. "What are you doing here?" she said. "You told me you couldn't come."

"Your fiance and I conspired against you," he replied. He peered out at her over his glasses. "Spike thought you could use a pleasant surprise."

"I'm so glad you're here," she said, her face aglow. "This makes everything perfect."

"You look perfect," said Xander to Willow. She smiled at him as she twirled around in her strapless green dress. "We have to get going, Will, we are so late it isn't even funny."

"Let me just get my shoes." She crouched on the floor under the four-poster bed. She slipped on her shoes and grabbed his hand as they exited the honeymoon suite. They held hands as they walked to the elevator, swinging them between them.

"We need to tone down the happy, Willow," said Xander seriously.

"I know we do," said Willow, "But I'm just so full of bliss. I want to sing and dance and shout out our love to the world." He smiled at her and they kissed as the elevator opened.

"Think serious thoughts. War, famine, bad hair days, stomach flu," he said.

She frowned. "I know this is kind of a weird question. But did I throw up on you last night?"

Anya and Spike walked into the chapel. "I told you he wasn't here," she said, annoyed.

"But look, there's Giles," said Spike quickly. "Go on over, talk to him about how much money you're making now that he's not holding you back." She gave him a weird look but walked over to Giles and Buffy, who were deep in conversation. "Tara," he hissed. The blonde looked over as he gestured out into the hallway. She followed him out.

"Tara," he said in a low voice," something has gone horribly wrong. I think Willow has fallen off the wagon."

Her eyes widened. "What? Why do you think that?"

He paused as he searched for the right words. "I saw her upstairs, and she was very happy, but acting unlike herself, and she said something about magic."

Her eyes brightened and she smiled. "She was happy? That's great."

Spike closed his eyes. "No, not great. Tara, sweetheart, she was with." He trailed off, unable to say it.

She looked at him searchingly. "Was she with someone else?" she asked. "Like in a love way?" she said hesitantly.

His head jerked up and he looked in her eyes. "No, more like a shagging like mad up against the wall way." She looked away, not seeming shocked. "You know what's going on! You did a spell, didn't you?" he said in disbelief.

The officiant walked past them into the chapel. Buffy walked out the door. "We need to start now. Can you please check one more time for the rest of the gang? They must have gotten lost." She looked worried. "What if something bad happened to them?" Her voice trembled and she bit her lip.

He kissed her brow. "Everything is fine," he said soothingly. "I'll find them, pet." She smiled weakly and went back inside. He grabbed Tara's arm. "Now you bloody well tell me what you did," he hissed, "because I am not going to let some little magick trick ruin this wedding for Buffy."

"You're hurting my arm," she squeaked. Immediately, he let her go.

"I didn't mean to do that," he said earnestly. "I'm just getting a little upset. Can you please explain to me what is going on?"

She took a deep breath. "I want to break up with Willow. But I didn't want to be the one to do it, not again. So I did a spell, so that she would find someone else. I wanted to be able to stay friends."

"You did a love spell?" asked Spike.

"Well, not just a love spell. It had to be a love that was strong and mutual," she explained.

Spike glared at her. "Xander and Willow were going at it like rabbits upstairs. They love each other. They have for years, as friends. Did it occur to you to specify romantic love, and to throw in your `and it hurt none' business?"

"Oh, no. Poor Anya. I was very specific that it had to be free will," said Tara in dismay. "It wasn't a compulsion."

"God, woman." He paced back and forth. "What do you need to do a counter spell?"

"I need candles, rose petals, salt and honey," she said. "And a needle."

"Well toddle off to the front desk and get them to bloody well find everything," he said angrily. "Then get your bum up the stairs and fucking undo it!" She hurried off. He stomped down the hall, turned out of the wing that held the chapels and walked into the lobby.

Dawn rushed towards him, dressed in skintight red silk. She looked like a pinup girl, her breasts large and full and her waist tiny. Her face was perfectly made up and drew the eye to the sexy red pout of her lips.

"Dawn!" said Spike, shocked. Xander and Willow ran around the opposite corner from the elevator, breathless.

"Dawnie, you look so nice," said Willow.

"You look ridiculous, Dawn," said Spike impatiently. "Now go upstairs and change into something appropriate."

Dawn's jaw set. "No."

"What did you just say to me?" he said, incredulous.

"I said no. No, no, no. You can't make me," she said distinctly.

"You look like a hooker," said Spike, furious. "All tarted up, showing off way too much…everything," he gestured.

"I don't look like a hooker," said Dawn. "I look like a woman. A grown up, desirable woman." She walked away jauntily. Spike roared and stomped off to follow her.

Xander grabbed his arm. "Let her go," he said. "Just chill for a minute."

"When Buffy sees her dressed like that, it's going to ruin her whole evening. Which was nearly ruined already, thanks to you two," said Spike angrily.

"She's not a little girl anymore, Spike. You and Buffy can't just wrap her up in cotton and protect her from the world. There's one baby in your family, and it's not her," said Willow calmly.

"Put a sock in it, Red," he said. "Now get your asses in gear. We have a wedding to rehearse for."

These authors spend lots of time to write these stories. If you took the time to read this PLEASE take the time to give them some feedback. Happy writers write more ;-)

JodyorJen - jodyorjen@yahoo.com