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"Blind Cadria, lift your veil. Give evil form and break my spell."

The moment Tara finished chanting a flash of light went off, and the demon rushing Tara suddenly became visible. Reacting quickly Buffy distracted it before it could punch the blonde witch again. Despite the Slayer's intervention, the young witch went down, cowering on the floor in fear and guilt.

During the fight between Slayer and demon, Tara's father, followed by Donny and Beth, entered the Magic Box. Seeing an angry demon towering over his daughter's crumpled form, Mr. Maclay called out to her, unintentionally drawing the demon’s attention onto himself.

From her spot on the floor, Buffy tripped the demon, causing it to fall onto the stairs. Flipping upright, she wasted no time in bringing her foot down onto its neck – breaking it instantly.

Scared, Mr. Maclay looked up from where he ended up sprawled on the floor, shocked at how calm everyone else seemed in light of what just happened.

"What in god's name is that?"

Having dealt with his own demon, Spike chose that moment to enter the main-room, calmly answering the confused man's question.

"Lei-ach demon. Fun little buggers. Big with the marrow-sucking."

Unsure of what to make of those people his daughter chose to hang out with, Tara's father started to push himself up just when the doorbell announced a new arrival.

Spotting the dead demon instantly, Riley rushed to his girlfriend's side, needing to make sure she was alright.

Torn between happiness at his obvious concern for her and supreme annoyance that he acted like she needed protecting, in front of strangers no less; Buffy decided to ignore his fussing for now and concentrate on Tara and the Maclays.

Glaring at the girl still huddled on the floor, the Slayer motioned for her to explain about the spell. Tara's guilty stammering about not wanting them to see what she was didn't really shed any light onto the situation. In the end Mr. Maclay explained her actions with his announcement that, like all women in their family, Tara was part-demon.

Before the Scoobies could draw the conclusion that Tara's spell to hide her demon-side from them had resulted in them not being able to see any demons, Riley turned to Mr. Maclay.

"A demon, huh? So what do you propose we do with her now?"

"Well, we came here to take her home. Our family is used to dealing with this problem. We know how to stop her from hurting anyone."

Completely missing the shocked looks from the Scoobies at the disgust he had put into the word ‘demon’, Riley turned excitedly back toward Buffy.

"See honey, he said they could take care of her. Isn't that great? I know how much it would hurt you if you had to slay her. I'd do it for you, of course, but this is so much easier for all of us."

Appalled at her boyfriend's words, Buffy glanced cautiously at her friends trying to gauge their reactions. Seeing her own disgust reflected in their furious faces, she cast her eyes down – ashamed of the man she claimed to care about.

Noticing Riley was about to speak again, she shook herself out of her daze and grabbed his arm to stop him from continuing. Straightening her stance, she tilted her head back, letting him see the anger in her gaze.

"Shut up, Riley! You, me, training-room, now! Move!"

Casting concerned glances from the pair moving across the room to the remaining Scoobies and back again, Giles hastily announced that he'd better keep an eye on his Slayer before she did something she might come to regret later.

"You…" The watcher warned, looking pointedly at the Maclays, "…stay there! Xander, keep an eye on them. I don't trust them not to try anything while we're gone."

Seeing the boy nod, Giles threw one last glare in Mr. Maclay's direction before following his charge into the training-room.

No sooner had the door closed behind the worried watcher, that Anya and Dawn hurried over; pressing their ears against the wood separating them from what was promising to become a major fight.

Xander looked at his girlfriend and the Slayer's sister longingly for a moment before hurrying after them. In his haste to join the eavesdropping, he threw over his shoulder, "What he said, stay there!"

Unfortunately, intimidating someone into following your orders was harder if said person doesn't know you. Mr. Maclay decided to ignore the two men's warnings and use the group's distraction to get what he came for.

Silently, as not to draw the others’ attention again, he approached his daughter who was still huddling on the floor with the redhead, talking softly. And shouldn't her disgusting relationship with another woman be reason enough to warrant them taking her home? Shaking his head in dismay, he grabbed Tara's arm intending to draw her up, while ignoring the other girl.

Realizing what he was doing Willow jumped up, desperately grabbing her girlfriend’s other arm. In her panic she never even thought about calling out to the others or using her magic to stop Mr. Maclay from manhandling Tara. Her sole focus was the fear visible in the other girl's eyes.

Finally an amused snort from across the room drew her attention.

From his place on the steps, Spike had been using his vampiric hearing to listen in on the conversation in the other room, while at the same time watching the war of tug going on between the stranger and the redheaded witch. More entertaining then any soap, that's for sure. Still, seeing Red's desperate eyes on him had the blonde vampire sigh in annoyance. Damn, if he didn't have a soft spot for the cute little redhead. Oh well, no one else was paying attention; so helping the little witch wouldn't hurt his reputation.

Sighing again, just to show them he was doing this under protest, Spike pushed himself up and confidently approached the trio. Carefully peeling the surprised man's hand of Tara's arm, he pushed the witches behind him – all the while taking care not to set off the chip. Wouldn't do them any good if the git noticed his inability to hurt humans.

Once the girls were relatively safe, the vampire turned to fully face the blonde's so-called family.

"Just what do you think you're doing? Thought the whelp and the watcher both told you to stay put, you having problems listening? Well, try again. You’re not taking the girl anywhere she doesn't want to go."

Tara's father started to protest about being once again ordered around by some freak, but Spike ignored him. Instead he cocked his head and listened to the goings-on in the training-room. Mr. Maclay began to move around the strange man who seemed to have spaced out on him, when a sadistic smirk settled on the punk's lips.

"Oh, this should be fun. Listen you git, you and your lil cronies might as well hoof it; Slayer’s not gonna let you take the witch. An' believe me, you don' wanna piss of the Slayer, I'd know…"

"But, but she's a demon! Surely you can see that she poses a danger to you all. The other young man had the right idea; let the people who know how to deal with it take care of her."

"You think you know better how to deal with demons than the Slayer? Right sure of yourself, aren't ya? Well, seeing as how you're a professional an' all, how’s about ya dealing with a full fledged one?”

While talking, Spike had stepped closer to the confused man until he was right in his face, only then switching into game-face. The frightened yelp had the vampire shiver in delight, proud to smell the stench of fear emanating from the trio in front of him.

"What? Thought you knew all 'bout dealing with demons? Don' tell me t'is too much for you. Funny, people here, they don' seem to have a problem with me hanging 'round. Maybe you'd better let the bird stay here with the guy's who actually have a clue on how to handle a demon. Don' see how she'd be a problem, sweet lil girl like that. Now me, that's something different, seeing as I've been killing my way across the globe up until last year…. An' don' bother coming back!"

The last few words Spike shouted through the open Magic Box door, as Tara's family had been steadily backing away from him during his speech until they had turned tail and ran out of the shop as if all the hounds of hell were chasing after them.

Still grinning, the blonde vampire slipped back in his human face while turning to see the witches' reaction to his little game. For once their lack of fear didn't bother him as he took in Willow's gleeful expression. The redhead was practically bouncing on her toes in delight, and when she left her girlfriend's side to tackle him in a hug not even the usually grumpy vampire could refuse her.

"Wow Spike, that was so cool! Wasn't he great Tara? Did you see how he scared them? And how they ran like big scared-y cats? Doubt they’d be coming back. And you get to stay with me, isn't it great…?"

In her euphoria, Willow failed to realize the other girl wasn't joining in on her happy-dance. Finally recognizing the look of fear on Tara's face, she suppressed her delight and put her arms around her distraught girlfriend.

"Tara honey, what's wrong? They are gone now; you're free. That's good, isn't it? Or, or did you want to go with them?"

"N…no, I do want to stay with you. Don't ever doubt that. It's just… what are the others are going to say? You saw how Riley reacted. I… I don't want to cause problems for you with your friends. And then… you know… still demon; what if they were right? What if I'm dangerous?"

"No, no, there aren't going to be any problems. Did you not see how everyone looked at Riley when he said that? Such a sick thing to say. And if you're a demon, we'll just, we will…."

"Now listen here Glinda, Slayer already told the soldier-boy what to do with the shit he was sprouting earlier. They all wan' you to stick around. Don' look all confused now, vampire remember, I could hear every word they were saying in there. An' as for you being a demon, your lil gang here can handle it; although I doubt those fuckers were telling the truth 'bout that anyway. Hey, here, easy solution!"

Since Tara had calmed down somewhat during Willow's and later Spike's reassurances, she was caught completely unawares when the vampire suddenly hit her arm - hard.

"Ow, oww, what did you do that for?"

Unlike her girlfriend, the redhead almost immediately realized what had happened. Delightedly she pointed to the blonde vampire holding his head, the chip having obviously fired. Coming to terms with the pain in her arm, Tara finally understood what had happened and repeated her girlfriend's earlier actions, giving the stunned vampire another hug.

That was the image that presented itself to the other Scoobies, who had hurried back into the main-room upon hearing Tara's pained cries. Before any of them could ask why Tara was hugging Spike, they were distracted once again by a loud bang. When seconds later a fuming Slayer and an equally angry watcher entered the room, it was easy to guess that the noise had been Riley leaving through the backdoor.

"Ok, what's going on here guys? Where are the Maclays? Giles, didn't you say you told them to stay? And please, no questions about him…" Buffy waved in the direction of the training-room, indicating she was talking about Riley "… I sooo don't wanna talk about that right now. And why are you hugging Spike, Tara?"

Realizing that Buffy and Giles were looking at him for answers, Xander started stuttering uncertainly. He was unwilling to confess that he abandoned the girls in favour of getting the newest gossip on Buffy and Riley first hand.

Willow on the other hand had no such qualms. Sure, she was usually one of the first people to jump to her friend's defence, but his actions had nearly resulted in her losing Tara, and in that regard she had her priorities straight.

"Those three…" the witch pointed an accusing finger at the three eavesdroppers, "scurried off as soon as Giles closed the door behind him. Obviously listening in on your fight is more important than Tara. Mr. Maclay took the opportunity to grab Tara. I tired to stop him. He would have taken her anyway, if Spike hadn't stepped in. He scared them off. And, and then he proved that she's not a demon at all. 'Coz he can do that, chip, you know.” Looking at Spike, she added, “Although you could have warned us you were going to hit her!” Turning back to her friends, “Anyway, that's why the huggage. Not that it's any of your concern who we want to hug! So there!"

"Whoa Wills, clam down. No one said she couldn't…." Before Buffy could say more, she was interrupted by Giles furious demand for Xander to explain what in hell he had been thinking to leave the girls alone like that.

Still drained from her row with Riley, the Slayer decided to leave them to fight it out on their own. With a wave at Dawn to follow her, they left the Magic Box.

With Buffy gone and Giles and Xander fighting, Tara turned away from the others to once again look at her unusual saviour.

"Hey Spike, wanna come to my party at the Bronze tonight? It's my birthday, but you don't have to bring a present…."

"Yeah, you should come! Drinks are free, it will be fun!"

Cocking his head at the two girls curiously, Spike considered their expressions carefully. Once he surmised that they were sincere and weren't trying to set him up, he nodded his head slowly. After all, who was he to turn down free liquor? And there is the Slayer to consider as well. If he couldn't get rid of those pesky feelings he had for her, it might be a good idea to start on working up to acting on them. And if he knew anything about her, getting along with her friends was key if he ever wanted a chance. Since the witches were offering him an in, he'd have to be a complete wanker not to take it.

"Sounds like a blast. Count me in."

"Great, see you this evening."

And even if he never got any closer to the Slayer, the bright smiles now directed at him felt good regardless.




The party was already in full swing when Spike entered the Bronze. Quickly taking in the room, he made his way over to where the blonde witch was opening her presents. Grinning at Dawn who was presenting the older girl with a broom, he slipped his hand into his duster, removing a bottle of red wine and dangling it in from of the blonde's face.

Following the black-clad arm, Tara turned and smiled at the vampire.

"Hey, you came. And you got me a present, you shouldn't have; I meant what I said…."

"An' I didn', get you a present that is. Had this lying around. An' it's not 'xactly my taste, too sweet. Thought you two birds could have yourselves a nice romantic evening with it."

Sensing that her girlfriend was about to say something else and that further acknowledgement of his gesture would only serve to embarrass the vampire; Willow carefully nudged her into the ribs and accepted the bottle with a smile.

Present delivered and having only narrowly avoided looking like a ponce, Spike made a beeline to the bar. Really needed something strong now. Stupid bird, making me feel all shy-like.

From his place at the bar, he surveyed the room once again. Witches? Still with the unpacking, check. Whelp and his demon-bird? Dancing, or what the git thinks is dancing anyway, check. Dawn? Running around like an excited puppy, check. Slayer? Wait a moment, where's the soddin' Slayer?

Looking more closely, he finally discovered a lone figure sitting in the darkest corner of the room. Not really thinking about what he was doing, Spike grabbed a bottle of something from behind the bar, snatched two shot-glasses and made his way over to the moping blonde.

Watching Spike suddenly plop down in the chair across from her, only to ignore her and proceed to pour two small glasses of something, Buffy briefly considered making him leave. Still even his company beat sitting in the dark all alone. At least he wasn't part of a the happy, glowy couples whose mere presence only drove the point home that Buffy Summers would be soon returning to single status.

Pushing one of the glasses into her hand, Spike finally addressed the gloomy Slayer.

"So Slayer, gonna tell me why you're moping in the corner? At your little friend's party no less?"

"Why would I tell you of all people, Spike? So you can make fun of me? Yeah, sure…"

"Not gonna make fun of you, pet. An' you're gonna tell me cos you need to talk 'bout it, an' I'm listening. Now drink up, an' tell ol' Spike 'bout your sorrows."

Unable to suppress a grin, Buffy decided to believe him for now – he did help Willow and Tara after all, maybe he wasn't as bad as he wanted everyone to think – and downed the drink in front of her. Making a face at the taste, she gnashed her teeth and held up the glass, silently demanding a refill.

The second shot didn't taste any better, but the warm feeling exploding in her belly helped her collect the courage to speak. Or maybe it just makes me not care about the consequences, whatever.

"Riley showed up here earlier, acting as if nothing was wrong. He’d heard from Xander that Tara's not a demon and to him that made everything alright. Willow kicked him out, threatening to turn him into a toad if he got near Tara again. He was shocked, didn't get that what he said was pretty much unforgivable."

She fell silent, only moving her arm to down another shot. And for once Spike managed to keep a tight reign on his mouth. Oh, he had a few choice words to say about the git but realized that it would be better to wait for the Slayer - who was obviously not finished yet, but filling up on liquor-courage before she continued.

Sure enough, after three more shots, she paused and started speaking again.

"And it is, you know. Unforgivable. How can I expect them to trust him after he was willing to sell her out just coz she might be a demon? An' he was acting like he was doing me a favour for god's sake! Like I should be grateful he wasn't expecting me to slay her right away. She's a friend dammit; Willow loves her. So what if she’d been part-demon? It's not like that'd change who she is, would it? And where does he go off telling me how to do my job anyway? I'm the one who decides who gets slayed, not some idiot ex-soldier who didn't even notice his boss was playing Dr. Frankenstein before it was too late."

"Got that right, pet. Soldier-boy telling you how to do your job, that'd be like someone who's been watching ER telling a doctor how to perform a brain-surgery."

Waving her once again filled glass in the air, Buffy smiled sadly at him.

"See, that's what I keep saying. He just doesn't get it. And now to say something like that in front of the others, I really should have told him to be more careful. It's my fault I'm gonna have to break up with him now…."

Seeing her sad face, Spike was glad he had managed to keep from insulting the tin-soldier yet. She wouldn't have been sitting here and listening to his opinion if she thought he was just out to make the boy look bad. Not that I don't want exactly that, but she seems well on her way to discover Finn's shortcomings on her own. Or she would be once he got her to understand that she wasn't responsible for her boyfriend – hopefully soon to be ex-boyfriend – being an idiot.

"Now listen here, Slayer, what good would that have done? He'd still be thinking the same, just not say it out loud. An' if it came down to it, he'd prolly still act the same too. So in the end you still couldn't trust him, you jus' wouldn't know you couldn’t trust him. Know you like doing the denial thing, pet; doesn't mean it's a good thing though. Stuff happens whether you acknowledge it or not, living in denial just means you won't be prepared when it happens."

"Like you never did the denial thing yourself. Can I say Dru!"

"Jus' cos I know it's a stupid thing to do doesn’t mean I'm immune to it. I try though."

Downing another shot, Buffy pouted at her companion. It really sucked that he was so perceptive where she was concerned.

"I'm really gonna have to break up with him, aren’t I?"

This time, Spike had to bite his tongue to avoid jumping at the opening just given him and telling her exactly what he thought she ought to do with the pillock. Calm down Spike ol' boy. If she thinks you're trying to influence her she's gonna be off like a shot.

"Your decision Slayer, can't say you seem to be too upset 'bout the idea though."

"No, I guess I'm not. Pathetic huh? Here I've been telling myself he's the perfect guy for me, but when I'm forced to wake up and face the facts, I realize I can't even pretend to be sad he'll have to go. Maybe you're right about that denial thing; might have been better for everyone if I had accepted that he just doesn't fit into my life, long ago."

Understanding that she didn't really expect an answer, Spike downed the last shot before nodding at the now empty bottle in question. Upon seeing her agree, the vampire got up to get them another. For quite some time after that, the two former enemies just sat in companionable silence; drinking and watching the other couples dance to the slow beat. The two witches presented an especially mesmerising sight, as they swayed in the air above the dance-floor.

"Aren't they pretty together? Why can't I find someone who fits me that well? Being the Slayer really sucks. I don't think I even really want another human boyfriend. I mean, Riley had the whole enhanced strength thing going on, but I still had to be careful not to hurt him. Do you know how hard it is to always be careful in bed so you don't injure your partner? Huh? Well, it is, believe me. And it's not like I could just walk up to someone and say ‘I'm the Slayer’ anyway. Have to be all secretive-like."

Eying the vampire who had only been halfway listening to her slightly slurred rambling, Buffy suddenly perked up.

"Hey, Spikey, you're pretty strong, aren't you? And you already know I'm the Slayer and all. Besides, we sorta agreed when we're not trying to kill each other we even kinda like each other. How about you? Do you wanna be my boyfriend?"

At her last sentence the slightly buzzed vampire suddenly snapped to attention.

"Wha'? What did you jus' say Slayer?"

"I asked if you wanna be my boyfriend. Coz of the mutual liking and all. Plus you're strong - and kinda cute too. So what d' ya think?"

"You're pissed Slayer. Shouldn’t make jokes ‘bout stuff like that, s’not funny."

"Am not! I'm in a really good mood actually, this stuff is great." Buffy denied, waving once aging her glass in the air to explain.

"Pissed as in drunk, luv. An' you wouldn't be saying things like that if you were sober."

"Would too. I just didn' coz of you being a vampire. Otherwise I'd have asked you out the first time I saw you. An' if you had been listening, you'd have heard me saying how human boys are too weak for me anyway. So maybe the whole vamp-thing isn't so bad. Now stop stalling an' tell me if you're interested, coz I really wanna make out."

Luckily – or unluckily, he'd decide which in the morning - after the majority of two bottles of Tequila, Spike wasn't sober enough to think much further than the fact that the object of his affections had just asked him to be her boyfriend, and sounded completely sincere while doing so. So he really couldn't be held accountable as he scooted next to her and proceeded to do as she asked, now could he.

Their luck stayed, as the Scoobies were too caught up with their own significant others to notice the Slayer's continued absence in their midst.

Hours later, with lips bruised by kisses and clothes in slight disarray, the two former mortal enemies made their way out of the Bronze as stealthy as possible in their intoxicated state. Arms wound tightly around each other, partly to keep upright and partly to just feel the other close, they swayed their way towards Buffy's house. Fortunately, Joyce and Dawn, who had been taken home by her mother hours earlier, were fast asleep, so neither saw Buffy's state nor their unusual guest.

Earlier during their tryst, both blondes decided that nothing more than kissing and maybe a bit of cuddling would occur tonight. Both had felt the pain of being cheated on and were unwilling to be ever again involved in something similar – no matter the circumstance.

So Spike merely stripped down to his jeans before slipping into the bed, instead of sleeping naked as usual. From his position on the bed, he took great pleasure in watching Buffy go through her nightly routine with the precision drunks sometimes display if they are trying to prove themselves that they are not in inebriated.

A startled gasp from Spike told her that maybe changing into her pyjamas in front of him might not have been the best idea she ever had. But when he made no move to break their promise, she simply finished up before joining him in the bed.

Snuggling close together, the two blondes soon fell asleep.




The next morning Buffy awoke to the foreign situation of being sprawled across a hard – and most confusingly cold - chest.

Hmmm, ok, definitely not my boyfriend. No, make that soon to be ex-boyfriend, coz last night…. Oh! Last night! Well that explains to whom this very yummy body belongs. Now what to do about that? Mmmm, staying like this comes to mind – no, bad Buffy, no drooling on the sexy vamp! Need to make a decision, like now. Ok, so far what I told him last night still sounds pretty convincing. Just call me honest-drunk-Buffy – and what the hell was that stuff anyway? A truth serum? I can't believe I said all that stuff out loud. No, bad brain, back on track! Maybe I should just go with it, wonder if he was being all with the honesty too….

At the last thought Buffy finally raised her head, only to find herself looking into a pair of anxious blue eyes.

Looks like he's not sure what we ought to do with this either. Is it just me, or does he look a bit frightened? Wonder when I got so good at reading him….

"Morning stranger…."

At her sleepy but friendly greeting, a bit of the fear in Spike's gaze retreated. Maybe someone, somewhere decided it was time the recently chipped had a bit of luck too.

"Morning sleepy-head. So, we, uhm…."

He's not being mean, and he's not running from you; just go with it Summers!

"Yup, we got drunk and decided we'd make a good couple. Sooo … still wanna be my boyfriend?"

The last part she uttered so fast it was nearly unintelligible, only his accurate hearing enabled the vampire to make out what he was being asked.

Watching the Slayer's expression closely and taking in her slightly uncertain smile, a broad grin erupted on his face; telling her his answer before Spike even opened his mouth.

"I'd be honoured, luv."

"Cool! So where are we going?"

"Huh? We're going somewhere? Why? Been hoping we might stay here a bit longer actually; my head’s still smarting, and you're all warm and soft."

"Not now you jerk! On our date! If you're gonna be my boyfriend, you have to take me out!"

Remembering how holding his tongue last night had worked for him, Spike nearly bit the offending appendage off, trying to keep from making a smart-ass remark about her teen-like behaviour. Girl prolly just wants to see if you can have fun outside a cemetery without getting drunk. An' if her head is feeling as bad as yours, you can't blame her for acting a bit silly. So shut up and go with it, you idiot!

"Oh, that! Seven-thirty alright with you?"

Wow, he caught on really quick-like, this might just work out.

"Sounds perfect!"

Sharing another grin both slowly closed their eyes, preparing to get some more sleep now that all the important questions had been answered.

Sleep some more on top of sexy vamp; break up with Riley; go on date with said sexy vamp – sounds like it's going to be a good day….
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Disclaimer:
All Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel The Series characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, WB, and others. I am in no way making any money off of these original creations.