Business As Usual by Lilachigh

Sunnydale After Dark

Summary: What if Spike had been telling the truth when he made his sarcastic remark about visiting a nice tea-room at the garbage dump during Season 5’s The Replacement? This is the story of Agnes Pringle, an English woman coping with life in America, a friend like Spike and oh yes, being a vampire. Which, as she always said, Was Not Her Fault!

Categories: Season 5, Season 6
Characters: Buffy, Ensemble - BtVS, Original Characters, Spike
Genres: Drama
Warnings: None
Completed: Yes Chapters: 43
Word count: 98,160 Hit Count: 73,976 ePub Downloads: 40
Published: 07/12/22 Updated: 07/13/22

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Story Notes: Posted on behalf of and with the express permission of Lilachigh.

I have hesitated in the past to submit this story to Spuffy archives, because the Spuffyness is in the background, but it does colour the whole story. The character of Agnes is in canon, as is the whole story. It is about friendship, love, making the most of whatever life (or death!) throws at you, oh and cooking! I've always believed that not all vampires are the same, evil creatures. Some of them are just trying to get along, make a living, keep their friends out of trouble. Business as Usual has never been my most read story, but definitely the most fiercely loved.

1. Tea And Comfort by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,258 Hit Count: 1,956 Published: 07/12/22

Agnes' story began a long time before we first meet her. We find out more as the story progresses - but we start here, Season Five, a few days before Fool for Love. Enjoy!

2. The Other Customer by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,920 Hit Count: 1,853 Published: 07/12/22

Agnes is worried that the Slayer dislikes Spike so much. She is scared that Buffy Summers will stake him. What he needs, she decides, is a nice love potion so that the Slayer will like him more.

3. Faults and Foibles by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 3,435 Hit Count: 1,974 Published: 07/12/22

Agnes' plans to help Spike make friends fail drastically and she finds herself in great danger.

4. A New Friend by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,722 Hit Count: 1,942 Published: 07/12/22

Agnes has been disappointed by Spike's treatment of Harmony, but he is not uppermost in her thoughts as she searches for her supper one night.

5. A Good Idea - Perhaps? by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,574 Hit Count: 1,946 Published: 07/12/22

Spike comes to Agnes for advice and she meets yet another Englishman visiting Sunnydale!

6. The Nasty Shock by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,078 Hit Count: 1,938 Published: 07/12/22

Agnes is about to learn a piece of information that could put her in great danger. And Spike's troubles get more troubling.

7. Recipe for Disaster by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,260 Hit Count: 1,965 Published: 07/12/22

In which Agnes meets a hell god, is tempted to tell a secret and dabbles in oatmeal and honey.

8. Parenting by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,660 Hit Count: 2,064 Published: 07/12/22

Agnes meets a strange, dark-haired vampire and is very worried by her behaviour.

9. Friendship by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,263 Hit Count: 1,970 Published: 07/12/22

Warning! Character death. We knew it was coming! Agnes' happy day doesn't end that way.

10. Dust to Dust by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,526 Hit Count: 1,926 Published: 07/12/22

In which Agnes tries to come to terms with Joyce's death and give some comfort to a distraught Spike.

11. A Friend in Need by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,547 Hit Count: 1,891 Published: 07/12/22

In which Agnes attends a funeral and offers the Slayer some help!

12. Buyer Beware by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,953 Hit Count: 1,958 Published: 07/12/22

In which Agnes becomes violent with big consequences.

13. Quiz Time. by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,618 Hit Count: 1,961 Published: 07/12/22

In which Agnes learns more about Spike and becomes even more confused by his feelings for the Slayer.

14. Rose-coloured Spectacles by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,042 Hit Count: 1,907 Published: 07/12/22

In which everything begins to change for Agnes and Spike. How do you cope when you realise a friend isn't really the person you've always believed them to be? Will you stay friends or move on? A decision we've probably all had to make at some time in our lives, or will do if you are very young! This is that time for Agnes and Spike.

15. “Have Cakes – Will Travel” by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,831 Hit Count: 1,911 Published: 07/12/22

In which Agnes receives a gift and remembers what friendship is all about - and what it can cost you, too.

16. A Cottage in the Country by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 3,308 Hit Count: 1,777 Published: 07/12/22

Agnes has received a terrifying visitor and news that will change her life for ever - although, actually that happened back in Los Angeles a few years ago!

17. No Looking Back by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,401 Hit Count: 1,876 Published: 07/12/22

So Agnes is going to escape from Sunnydale and miss the Glory apocalypse! Hurray! Oh, but.........

18. Aftermath by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,950 Hit Count: 1,773 Published: 07/12/22

Buffy is dead, her friends and family busy arranging the funeral. But what is Spike doing? How is he coping?

19. The Night Before by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,113 Hit Count: 1,850 Published: 07/12/22

In which Agnes and Spike visit Buffy in her coffin and we discover the answer to a question that has puzzled readers for years.

20. Plans by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,502 Hit Count: 1,875 Published: 07/12/22

In which Agnes meets a grieving father and a man with mustard on his shirt.

21. Just Like Home by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,248 Hit Count: 1,809 Published: 07/12/22

In which Agnes opens her new tea-shop and wonders why Spike has a hatred for angel cake, Dawn gets a job and brings trouble with her.

22. Business Women United by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,711 Hit Count: 1,840 Published: 07/12/22

In which Agnes has a narrow escape, Dawn gets a job and Anya makes an alarming discovery.

23. The Visitor by Lilachigh - Likes: 0 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,980 Hit Count: 1,809 Published: 07/12/22

In which Agnes visits a grave and tackles two vampires!

24. A Purrfect Night by Lilachigh - Likes: 2 Like! Comments: 2 Word Count: 1,467 Hit Count: 1,752 Published: 07/12/22

Well, she had to know sometime! Bad Spike!

25. The Power of Cake by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,919 Hit Count: 1,722 Published: 07/12/22

In which Agnes discovers who has been spying on her and decides how to deal with the problem.

26. Changing Sides by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,575 Hit Count: 1,671 Published: 07/12/22

In which Agnes begins to realise that Spike is no longer head of the Sunnydale vampire community.

27. Choices by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,228 Hit Count: 1,616 Published: 07/12/22

In which Agnes meets an old foe and Dawn and Spike buy a motor-bike! Season Six is coming closer.

28. Everything Changes by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,623 Hit Count: 1,661 Published: 07/12/22

In which Agnes' world is shattered in more ways than one. Hey,Season Six begins!

29. Not Human by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 1 Word Count: 1,760 Hit Count: 1,659 Published: 07/13/22

In which Agnes meets a dying girl and buries a Slayer.

30. Goodbyes by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 1 Word Count: 2,485 Hit Count: 1,615 Published: 07/13/22

The Slayer is back in Sunnydale and once again, life changes for Spike and Agnes.

31. Chapter 31 by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,373 Hit Count: 1,521 Published: 07/13/22

In which engagement rings are discussed and Agnes remembers a certain night in Los Angeles.

32. A Different Path by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,115 Hit Count: 1,595 Published: 07/13/22

In which Agnes begins to realise that Spike's feelings for Buffy are going to have a big effect on her life.

33. Growing Pains by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,854 Hit Count: 1,516 Published: 07/13/22

The younger inhabitants of Sunnydale, human and vampire, are having a difficult time.

34. Life was Beautiful Then by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 3,010 Hit Count: 1,538 Published: 07/13/22

In which a certain singing demon arrives in Sunnydale and Agnes is tempted.

35. Family Matters. by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 3,139 Hit Count: 1,484 Published: 07/13/22

We all have our own idea of the perfect family and while Agnes is still working this out, life is moving on because Spike has kissed Buffy, the debt collectors are in town and oh yes, rabbits!

36. Can We Change? by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,218 Hit Count: 1,438 Published: 07/13/22

In which Agnes and Spike wonder if there is any future in being a vampire.

37. Let Them Eat Cake by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 3,039 Hit Count: 1,440 Published: 07/13/22

In which Agnes lies to Clem, visits Rack, meets a dark stranger and is nearly dusted by a falling building!

38. A Special Day by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,725 Hit Count: 1,334 Published: 07/13/22

In which several problems that have worried people for a long time are solved!

39. Hidden Secrets by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,802 Hit Count: 1,382 Published: 07/13/22

In which Agnes begins to realise just how far Spike has travelled from his vampire friends.

40. Leaving Home by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,839 Hit Count: 1,377 Published: 07/13/22

In which the aftermath of "Seeing Red" intrudes into Agnes' world as she tries to help Spike cope with his big decision.

41. "It won’t be me!" by Lilachigh - Likes: 0 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,629 Hit Count: 1,312 Published: 07/13/22

In which Agnes has an unexpected visitor.

42. Victims by Lilachigh - Likes: 0 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,055 Hit Count: 1,299 Published: 07/13/22

In which Agnes tries to finish her packing and is badly, badly tempted by Rupert Giles!

43. Miles to Go.... by Lilachigh - Likes: 1 Like! Comments: 0 Word Count: 4,405 Hit Count: 1,273 Published: 07/13/22

In which we come to the end of Agnes' time in Sunnydale, but not before she has a final "tidy-up" after the Unturneds.

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