XLVI - video;

[breakmychest]

[GUESS WHO'S SMIRKING VISAGE IS ONCE AGAIN GRACING THE BARGE? That's right, it's Spike! He's back! And he's...actually not wearing black. Well, there's still the coat, of course, but his shirt's brown. His room's changed too. It's got pipes and metal all around, like it's something off of some awesome steampunk spaceship. Which, to be fair, it is.

He gives the Barge a lazy wave.]

So. What'd I miss?

[Filtered to Fred.]

You still here, pet? How've you been? And how long was I gone?

[Filtered to Buffy]

Told you I'd be back.

[Please still be here.]

Comments

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

There was a flood. It was horrible. Par for the course, really. Where did you end up going?

[bigbad]

Back to Los Angeles. Then Vegas. Then space. Then London.

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

I'm gathering that you're being sarcastic with the reference to space?

[bigbad]

Actually no. Been an interesting year.

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

I was about to ask whether you seriously thought I'd ever believe that you went to space, but then I looked out my window.

[Spike]

[http://users.livejournal.com/_fredless/]

Where else did you think I would've run off to?

[There's a pause]

And not long, really. All things considered.

[She doesn't answer his other question yet]

[bigbad]

Yeah, it was real. I almost didn't believe it myself, but then I remembered all the other things I'd done and realized it was just another Wednesday.

[Fred]

[bigbad]

I didn't know how long it's been. You could have gone home.

[He notices, and he falls silent, looking at her seriously. It may have been a while ago, but he remembers how they left things.]

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

Was it a particularly good Wednesday or a fairly average one?

[sharpememory.livejournal.com]

Oh hey. Weren't you one of those vampire guys?

[most_feared]

Nice digs.

[There's something funny about this man saying digs.]

[bigbad]

Not that great, really. I liked space, though.

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

Why would anyone like space?

[bigbad]

And funny thing? I still am.

[bigbad]

[There really is and Spike gives him an appropriately funny look about it.]

Thanks, mate.

[bigbad]

...well, I wasn't turning into a cat or anything like that every few weeks. And I liked my crew.

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

I can see how you'd enjoy that. Being back on the barge must be upsetting for you.

[bigbad]

Not particularly. I wouldn't have come back if I didn't want to.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Mr. Spike! Welcome back.

[bigbad]

Still just Spike, mate. No Mr. But thanks.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Right. Yes. Sorry. Have you been gone long? From your perspective, that is?

[bigbad]

Yeah, it's been about a year.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Did you remember having been here?

[bigbad]

[Have a level stare and a deadpan voice.]

No, not a bit. Can't you tell by how lost and confused I am?

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

I meant did you remember having been here when you were back home.