Chapter 35
He flipped the covers and let his feet slip to the cold floor as his gaze drifted towards the connecting door. ‘What’s taking her so long?’ He wondered running his fingers through his ruffled locks. Two hours had passed since his slick move out in the hall. Was she actually taking it seriously?

~+~

She hugged her legs, bringing them closer to her chest and rested her chin on her knees as she sat on the bed staring at the door. ‘I’m not moving, not moving, not moving.’ She repeated the mantra in her mind as she slightly rocked back and forth. She wasn’t about to give in. ‘Nope. Not giving in.’

~+~

He sighed audibly before pushing himself off the bed and shuffling his way out of the room and into the hall.

~+~

Buffy jumped to attention at the metallic sound of a lock snapping open and frowned when she looked back at the connecting door and found it still closed. In a flash, she was up, hissing when her bare feet came into contact with the freezing floor. She hopped her way to her corridor door resting her ear on the wooden surface, straining to hear. ‘Where’s he going in the middle of the night?’ She questioned silently. The muffled sound of rushing water being flushed gave her the answer.

~+~

He pressed his fingers over the bridge of his nose as he walked out of the bathroom, stopping in the middle of the hall to look at the door that lead… to her. He struggled with the option as his gaze drifted from one door to the next. Eventually, he opted for his own room. Dragging his feet towards his bed he grumbled something unintelligible under his breath, slipping in between the thick covers and turning on his side in a meek attempt to find sleep.

His eyes drifted shut as he tried to erase the images floating about in his mind. God, she could find a way to creep into his thoughts at anytime of the day, or night! He flung his arm over his head as if trying to protect himself from the myriad of pictures that flashed behind his closed lids.

He froze, his eye snapping open, when he felt the covers move from behind him and soon a soft, petite shape spooned up against his back. Her perfume suddenly registered in his nostrils as a small arm curled around his waist to rest on his stomach.

He wanted to say something witty and smug but the feel of her body pressed tightly against him, the way she nuzzled her face between his shoulder blades, inhaling his scent, caused his brain to short-circuit. As her small hand glided under his shirt to caress his bare stomach and make its way up and down his chest, her mouth trailed long kisses up his back until she reached the crook of his neck.

He held his breath, his eyelids suddenly feeling extremely heavy when he felt her tongue sluggishly trace the contours of his ear.

“What…” He swallowed hard, squeezing his eyes shut as her hand drifted lower on his abdomen. “…are you doing?”

“What does it feel like?”

She heard him gasp when her fingers slipped under the waistband of his shorts.

“Buffy, I-“ He stopped in mid-sentence when her small hand encircled him.

“I didn’t really feel like sleeping alone tonight.” She whispered as she nibbled on his earlobe. “Do you mind?”

It took a while for her question to register as her fingers began to move up and down his cock but, eventually, he was able to meekly shake his head.

“Didn’t think so.” She mumbled, pressing up against him.

She let out a small shriek when she suddenly found herself laying on her back, his hard body draped over hers, effectively trapping her as his hands pinned her wrists against the mattress over her head.

“What took you so long?” He asked hoarsely.

Trying hard to ignore the fact that she was actually naked under him, he dove for her neck, causing her to bite back a moan as his tongue assaulted the sensitive skin there.

“I thought you didn’t feel like having company tonight.” She managed to breathe as he moved between her legs and thrust his pelvis against hers.

“Changed my mind.” He whispered reaching her earlobe while his hand abandoned one of her wrists to glide down her side and massage her thigh.

“So… that mean I’m forgiven?” she questioned running her fingers through his thick hair as she arched her neck into against his mouth.

Suddenly, he pulled away to stared down at her.

“I’m not sure yet. You were a very, very naughty girl.” He mocked as he rolled off of her.

“Oh, come on!” She pouted, wrapping the sheets around her and laying on her side to look at him.

“You should have thought about the consequences, pet.” He continued to tease her. The smug grin on his face made her blood start to boil and she quickly sat up straight and swung her legs out of the bed.

“Fine. Goodnight then.” She grumbled. She was about to jump off the mattress when his arm wormed around her waist and pulled her into bed.

She giggled as her body collapsed between the fluffy sheets and she found him hovering over her once more.

“Close your eyes.” He asked.

She frowned, but did as she was told. She felt the weight shift on the bed as he moved and after a few seconds, he was back.

“Open them.”

When she did she saw him sitting up straight, handing her a small box.

“What’s this?” She questioned propping herself up on one elbow as she reached for it.

“Merry Christmas!”

Her hand quickly covered her mouth as she shrieked:

“Oh, my God! I didn’t get you anything. I mean, there was the whole hating you thing and I didn’t think there would be any gift exchange. I’m sorry. I didn’t think that-“

“Buffy?” He cut her off. “Relax. Just open it.”

“But I didn’t get you anything.” She pouted again.

“Just open the bloody thing.” He said with a smile, anxious to see her reaction.

She sighed and began unwrapping the present. Her eyes went wide when she opened the box to find a small chain inside. In regular intervals the metal twisted to form the outlining of petals at the centre of which there was a small amber stone. The end result was a thin, silvery string with six or seven individual flowers.

“It’s beautiful.” She whispered staring at the necklace.

“Turn around and let me put it on.” He urged her.

With a huge smile on her face she handed the necklace back to him as she sat up and turned her back to him. She fingered the delicate string as he struggled with the lock.

“There.”

Slowly she turned around to face him.

“What do you think?” She asked.

“It’s gorgeous.” He breathed, staring as her finger lingered on the chain.

“Thank you so much.” She repeated leaning in and giving him a soft peck on the lips.

“You’re welcome.” He smiled back as the two lay back on the bed.

“Why’d you buy this if we were broken up?” She questioned, turning in his arms to face him after a moment of silence.

“I knew I’d win you back.” He answered smugly, earning a feeble swat across the chest from her. “I’m just kidding.” He chuckled when he saw lower lip jut out. “Truth is I bought it before we broke up.”

“Oh…” She said as she snuggled against his chest, but frowned when realisation came. “Wait a second. We fought on homecoming.”

“Yeah, so.”

“That was like a month and a half ago.” She stated.

Spike stared blankly at her and repeated: “So?”

“So, you bought me a Christmas present a mouth in advance?” She questioned.

“Yeah.” He replied with a shrug.

She propped herself up on one elbow looking wide eyed at him.

“Did I do something wrong? Cause I really don’t see what I did.” He asked nervously.

He felt his body relax when a smile crept over her lips.

“You are the sweetest boyfriend ever.” She said.

He felt his heart skip a beat at the use of the word ‘boyfriend’, but he masked his surprise with a smug grin and muttered:

“So it’s official, huh?” At her frown, he added: “You, me. Boyfriend, girlfriend?”

She swallowed hard as she became aware of her Freudian slip.

“I-I don’t know. Maybe.” She stuttered, anxiously waiting for his reaction.

His smirk crumbled in an instant as he lifted his hand to trace the outline of her face.

“Maybe?” He repeated hoarsely.

Hearing the nervousness in his voice seemed to have a calming effect on her.

“Definitely maybe.” And, without warning, her mouth was on his.

At first, he was taken by surprise, but soon he was responding with as much fervour as she. He rolled over her and the kiss became deeper and more hectic as the desire between them grew. They moved erratically, both struggling for dominance, pulling, biting and nibbling at each other’s lips. In the middle of the ongoing battle, she hooked her thumbs on the waistband of his shorts, pulling them downwards until they were wrapped around his knees. As her hands travelled upward and proceeded with tugging at his t-shirt, her feet pushed the rest of the boxers down, until they were discarded somewhere between the mountain on sheets they lay in. She gave him a satisfied smile when she was finally able to get his t-shit off and his naked body came into contact with hers. They stared at each other for a few seconds and then, suddenly, Spike felt the wind get knocked out of him when, with one swift move of her hips, she managed to roll them over. He quickly found himself on his back, her golden body hovering over his, her legs spread to accommodate his hips, her mouth attacking his chest.

He gasped at the desperation and desire that marked her every move. He closed his eyes and arched into her touch as her tongue glided from one hardened nipple to the other. He was so caught up in the feel of her mouth that he didn’t even notice her hand worming its way down his body to reach for his cock.

His eyes snapped open and he stared down at her as her small fingers wrapped around him and slowly started moving up and down. His hand reached for her head, interlacing with her blonde strings and forcing her to abandon his chest and look up at him. The moment she did, he attacked her lips, seemingly trying to devour her. She continued to pump him and he let out a strangled moan into her mouth; his grip on her hair becoming stronger as he instinctively thrust his hips against her hand.

Slowly, in the middle of the haze of his mind, he felt something soft and slippery sweep across the tip of his cock.

“Fuck!” He breathed when he realised what it was.

He abandoned her mouth and opened his eyes to see her manoeuvre her hips over his, her damp warmth brushing against his swollen shaft, inviting him inside. He gasped when she dipped her pelvis and he felt his cock push between her folds. In a fleeting moment of clarity, his hands grabbed her hips, keeping them at bay as he tried to speak:

“Wait… the condom…” He couldn’t believe he was actually stopping her.

“No need for one.” She breathed as she pushed downwards but he held her fast.

“Wh-what do you-“ He swallowed hard and squeezed his eyes shut as she continued to move, brushing up against him. “What do you mean?” He finally asked.

“I mean there is no need.” And she leaned down to kiss him, her fingers finding his and pulling at them.

“Buffy… we can’t… cond-“ He babbled.

“Shhhhh. Trust me.” She coaxed him, finally able to free herself.

“But what abou- Oh, Fuck!” He gasped when she suddenly sat up straight and let her weight fall. His eyes snapped open as he found himself buried inside of her. “Christ, Buffy you’re so…”

He wasn’t able to put it into words. The softness of her inner walls clamping around him, the heat, the tightness, he felt like he would come at that very minute if she dared to move.

Buffy held her breath as she truly felt him inside of her for the first time. No condom, no barrier, nothing between them and it felt amazing. She remained frozen for a second, adjusting to his size as she watched his face contort in pleasure and then she began to move. Slowly, resting her hands over his chest for leverage, she slid up and he moaned, his hands immediately grabbing her hips, forcing her to stop.

“Wait, wait.” He begged, closing his eyes for a moment as he searched for control.

“You ok?” She asked between pants.

He simply nodded and released her from his grip. A second later she moved again and he clenched his teeth trying to ignore the feel of sliding in and out of her, but it all seemed to crumble when he opened his eyes to see her. She soared over him; her breasts exposed, bathed in moonlight, the small necklace lingering around her neck as her head lolled back, her hair cascading down her sides to frame her body.

“God, Buffy, you’re beautiful.” He hissed as he felt her growing tighter and tighter around him.

Her hands reached for his, finding them resting over her hips and guided them upwards to cup her breasts.

“Wait, no…” He mewled as everything seemed to be too much for him. But her response was completely opposite to what he had asked. She increased the pace, contracting her inner muscles, causing them to clamp around him. “Buffy, please wait… I’m not… Oh God!” he stopped in mid sentence as she twisted her hips and let out a soft moan. “Don’t… please, stop!” He pleaded urgently. “God, Buffy… I-I’m gonna come if you don’t…”

Her hands tightened around his, forcing him to grab her breasts harder and that was it, the last shred of control was lost and he found himself thrashing under her as he came. His back arched slightly off the bed as the waves of pleasure slammed against him causing his eyes to lose focus for a few moments. Seconds later he lay dully on the bed, a peaceful numbness coursing through every inch of his body as everything seemed too heavy to bare, even his own eyelids.

When he finally opened his eyes he gazed at her laying on top of him, her head resting on his shoulder as a single drop of sweat traced down her cheek.

“God, that was…” He started but it was still too soon for words.

“Merry Christmas.” She said, giddily sitting up straight.

“That was one hell of a present, luv.” He mumbled, pausing for a second to contemplate her.

“You’re welcome.” She smiled down on him.

Slowly, a sinking feeling crawled its way into his chest.

“Did you…” He tried to hint. “Was it… um… good for you?” God, he couldn’t believe he had just asked her that! It sounded so… bloody stupid.

“It was.” She continued to smile, but he could tell she wasn’t being completely honest.

“It didn’t seem like it was.” He grumbled.

“It was nice.” She insisted.

“Great! In two seconds we’ve gone from good to nice. That’s an improvement!” He mumbled sarcastically.

“It was very nice.” She smirked, leaning down to kiss him, but before she had a chance to he met her half way and forced her to sit up straight.

“I guess we’ll just have to remedy that now, won’t we?” He said smugly.

“Really?” She replied cocking up an eyebrow.

He simply nodded and leaned in to capture her lower lip into his mouth, his arms wrapping around her small waist.

She mewled into his mouth as she felt him harden inside of her. After a few seconds his hands gripped her hips, guiding them upwards and then back down, causing him to slide in and out of her. Trading soft and long kisses, they sat on the bed, her legs wrapped tightly around his waist as they moved in unison at a slow, torturous rhythm, building up the pressure with each stroke. Spike’s fingers abandoned her hips to glide over her back, reaching her head and slipping between the long, golden strings of her hair. He tugged lightly at them, forcing her to arch her neck and expose her throat to his mouth. She gasped as the combined sensation of his tongue sweeping across her skin and the feel of him slipping in and out of her became too overwhelming.

His mouth moved in a dawdling pace, tracing a secret pattern from her neck down to her left nipple. His tongue sluggishly drew circles around it, occasionally stopping to suck it into his mouth or nibble at it.

“Ah, Spike…” Buffy moaned; her nails digging into the back of his neck as his teeth scrapped across the sensitive flesh.

She felt completely overwhelmed as the feeling inside of her built up. She had never experienced anything like this. All the other times had been so frenzied, so hurried, the desire between them too strong to be able to control, hold back or take the time to make it last. Her eyes went wide when one of his hands wormed between their bodies, finding its way to her clit.

“Oh, God!” She mewled as the rough texture of his thumb brushed against the small bundle of nerves.

Suddenly, every single feeling in her body seemed to be sharpened as her senses concentrated on the spot where their bodies came together. Unconsciously, she bit her lower lip, the sensation inside of her building to heights she had never thought possible.

“Oh, God Spike, I’m gonna-” She managed to breathe between harsh pants.

He smiled. He loved the way she always announced her impending orgasms. Suddenly, he thrust hard upwards, burying himself inside of her to the hilt with one long, rough stroke and everything seemed to crumble around her. Her mouth went wide as the energy that had been growing inside of her flooded her entire body, every single inch of her vibrating with the force of her orgasm. Spike felt she was about to scream and pulled her down for one ravenous kiss, swallowing her cry as his tongue invaded her mouth.

She wrapped her arms around him, shaking as she continued to ride out her pleasure. Her inner muscles contracted wildly around him, causing him to quickly follow her over the precipice.

After a few moments they sat spent, in a bundle of limb, gasping for breath, leaning on each other for support as their bodies became completely limp. It took a long while for them to be able to speak, but eventually Buffy seemed to mumble something.

“What’s that, luv?” He asked.

“Cold.” The word tumbled out of her lips.

He smiled and lay back on the bed, bringing her down with him and wrapping the sheets around them.

~+~

The sound of a door being slammed closed snapped him out of his daze. Spike grumbled under his breath as his gaze fell on the sleeping form spooned against his side. Her head rested on his outstretched arm, her leg was flung over his stomach. He smiled as he realised just how perfectly they fit together. His eyes drifted toward the alarm clock on the nightstand. The red lights read: “7:30”.

“Oh, bloody hell.” He cursed when he realised they had dosed off. “Luv?”

The small creature lying next to him stirred, but refused to wake up.

“Luv, you need to wake up. My da’s up.”

“Mhm…” She mumbled.

“Buffy, you gotta wake up.” He insisted, running his fingers through her hair.

“Wha’?” She finally asked, her eyes still closed.

“It’s seven thirty, my da’s gonna come in here any second.”

“It’s too early.” She protested, snuggling closer to him.

“Buffy…” He continued to call, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. “Wake up.”

“Just five more minutes.” She tried to bargain, but he would have none of that.

“Wake up.” He shook her slightly and she finally opened her eyes.

“You’re evil.” She grumbled pouting.

“I know, but you gotta get up.”

Reluctantly, she rolled onto her back, her arms outstretching over her head as she yawned audibly. Slowly, she managed to sit up. She turned to see him lying on the bed and leaned in to place a chaste kiss on his lips. Her fingers reached for the chain around her neck as she whispered:

“Thanks for the present.”

“No, thank you.” He replied, watching her as she prepared to get out of bed. “Wait, Buffy.” He stopped her as he suddenly realised something. “About last night…”

“Yeah?” She frowned a bit.

“You know… the condom. Are you sure everything’s… um… safe?” He wondered a bit embarrassed.

“Absolutely. I’ve been on the pill for almost a year now.” She reassured him.

“Huh?”

“Since Angel.” She explained.

He simply nodded, his stomach turning in disgust at the thought of *him* touching her. She was about to leave when his next question stopped her again.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Well, the first time we… It was kind of unexpected and I didn’t really know if you had… you know…” She trailed off, hopping she didn’t have to elaborate, but his frown forced her to continue: “Condoms don’t just protect you from unwanted baby making.”

Slowly, realisation sunk it.

“You thought I had some sort of STD?” He asked a bit outraged.

“No!” She immediately answered. “I mean, I didn’t know. How could I? You had been sleeping with Dru and, apparently, Dru isn’t too enthusiastic about the whole monogamous part that comes with a relationships-“

“Neither was Angel as I recall.” He retorted.

“Are we gonna fight about this?” she sighed. “It was just once and I didn’t know you all that well.”

“What about yesterday?”

“I tried to tell you, remember? You weren’t really paying much attention.” She replied.

There was a moment of pause as he pondered what to do.

“When you make up your mind, let me know.” She muttered getting off the bed.

Suddenly, one strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling at her and causing her to tumble onto the bed. She gasped as she looked up to find Spike hovering over her.

“You’re forgiven.” He smiled down on her.

“Am I, now?”

“But only because of the incredible Christmas present.” He added before leaning down to kiss her.

Chapter 36

Author's Note: Thanks to the wonderful Ali for betaing this so quickly! You're the best BETA mom!

He let his head fall to the crook of her neck, lightly nibbling his way down to her collarbone when the sound of footsteps just outside, in the hall, snapped the two teens back to reality. Panic filled them as they heard the doorknob turn.

“Oh, my-“ Buffy wasn’t even able to finish her sentence as Spike grabbed her by her arm and pushed her down to the floor while he stood up and watched the door open.

“Spike, have you seen-“ It was Mrs. Summers’ turn to be cut off as the door opened to reveal a stark naked Spike standing behind his bed. Unfortunately, it wasn’t very tall, reaching only up to his knees and thus failing to conceal any of the important body parts that he would have preferred to have remained hidden from his father’s girlfriend.

“Oh, god!”

“Bloody hell!” The two shouted in unison.

One of Joyce’s hands immediately flew to cover her face, the other clumsily reaching for the door in a desperate attempt to grab the handle while the bleached teen, equally surprised, fumbled with the sheets, pulling them against his abdomen, frantically trying to cover himself. After a few very awkward and disturbing seconds, the older woman managed to close the door.

“Bloody hell, you’re mom just saw me naked.” Spike hissed at the girl lying at his feet.

She was about to answer when a faltering voice carried through the bedroom door.

“Um… Spike… Um… I-I’m sorry. I-I didn’t…

“It’s ok Mrs. Summers.” He said, frowning when he suddenly realised he had reverted back to calling her Mrs. Summers.

“Well... H-have you seen Buffy?”

The lines over his eyebrows grew deeper as he and Buffy exchanged looks.

“Um… No, not really. Isn’t she in her bedroom?” That earned him a swat across his calf. “What?” He whispered to the girl sitting at his feet.

“She’s gonna go and check now.” She explained.

“Or maybe she’s-“

“I’ve already been to her room. She’s not there.”

“… already checked.” Spike finished his sentenced with a look that screamed ‘duh!’, then, turning to stare at the closed door, continued: “Maybe she went out for a walk.” Another smack. “Bloody hell will you stop doing that!” he hissed at Buffy.

“What am I supposed to do now?” She asked, despair evident in her wide eyes.

“Go to your room and get dressed.”

“But I’m all yucky and sticky! I need to take a shower!” She protested in a babyish tone.

At her frown he ordered: “Now!”

As silently as she could she opened the connecting door and started looking for clothes.

“…going out?”

The sight of Buffy, bare naked, squirming her way to her room caused Spike’s brain to short circuit and by the time he had all the wiring reconnected he had only managed to hear the last few words of the sentence.

“Sorry, Mrs. Summers I didn’t hear what you said.” He tried to control the hoarseness in voice as he watched Buffy frantically go about her room, urgently looking for something to wear. God, she was beautiful!

“I asked if she told you anything about going out.” Joyce repeated, the awkwardness of what had happened just seconds before still evident in her tone.

“Um… I… Um…” ‘Naked Buffy! Naked Buffy! Naked Buffy!’ His brain insisted on chanting as he watched her putting on her jeans. “I think she said something… um…” Finally, as she slipped her thick sweater on, he was able to finish: “… something about going out for a walk. Um… Enjoy the clean air of Nature.”

A deep frown settled on Buffy’s eyebrows as entered the room mouthing: “Clean air of Nature?”

At that Spike simply shrugged, lifting both his eyebrows apologetically.

“Buffy woke up early? For a walk?” Joyce wondered out loud.

“Yeah, go figure, huh?”

“Well, did she tell you when she was coming back?” Joyce continued to question on the other side of the door.

“Around eight or something.” Spike blurted out.

“Oh, okay. Well, Rupert and I are downstairs. Breakfast is almost ready and just as soon as Buffy comes home we’ll start opening the presents, ok?”

“Ok, Mrs. Summers.” Spike shouted back. He was about to say something to Buffy when Joyce’s voice reached them again:

“Oh, Spike?”

“Yeah?”

“M-merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Summer!”

The two teens waited a few moments in complete silence. Suddenly, Buffy’s hand flew towards Spike, smacking him across his arm.

“Bloody hell Summers, Will, you stop hitting me?” Spike hissed rubbing his arm.

“I’m sorry, that’s what I do when I get nervous.” She said apologetically.

“You hit people?” He asked cocking up a scarred eyebrow.

She simply shrugged as she questioned:

“What now, Einstein? Our parents are downstairs, how am I supposed to leave the house without them seeing me, huh?”

“Through the window.” He replied matter-of-factly.

“The window? Are you insane?! We’re on the second floor!” She noted.

“Actually, we’re on the first floor.” Spike corrected.

“First floor? What are you talking about? We’re on the second floor. Or do you think the kitchen and the living room are underground?” Buffy quipped rolling her eyes.

“Depends on your point of view, I’m English; therefore *I’m* on the first floor.” Spike replied haughtily, while Buffy simply stared wide eyed at him. He let out a long sigh and explained: “The floor underneath us is the ground floor; the floor above it, the one we’re on, is the first floor, the one after that is the second and so on and so on.”

“Huh?”

“Oh, Forget it.” He gave up. “You Yanks have it your way. It’s the second floor.”

“Huh…?” She repeated before shaking her head and adding: “Whatever… Still doesn’t explain how you’re planning on getting me out of the house without our parents noticing.”

“I’ll lower you down.” He explained.

“Ok, I’ll repeat this. It’s seven thirty in the morning, your brain is probably not able to catch all these little subtleties this early in the day but – We’re on the *second* floor.” She spoke as if she was talking to an eight year old.

His response was a forced smile which crumbled in seconds: “Do you have any other ideas? Sarcasm not included?”

She narrowed her eyes and made her way to the window with Spike trailing right behind her.

“See, there are bushes there to soften your fall and everything.” Spike pointed out.

“Yeah, rose bushes!” She stared up at him.

“What? I’ll swing you.”

“Oh, not only do I have to jump off the second floor but I’m gonna be swung over a rose bush while I’m doing it?” She asked incredulous.

“Oh, Come on Buffy!”

Once again she dangerously narrowed her eyes at him as she swung one leg over the window ledge.

“This is all you’re fault.” She grumbled.

“My fault? You’re the one who came into my bed in the middle of the night.” Spike replied, but seeing the murderous look she was giving him decided to change strategies: “Ready?” He questioned grabbing a hold of her wrists.

“Yes!”

He was about to push her out when she grabbed his arms.

“Wait!”

“What?”

“What about our parents? They’re downstairs, they are gonna see me fall if they look through the window.” She noted.

After a moment of thought he said:

“I’ll swing you diagonally so you’ll be able to jump over the bushes and fall where there is no window.”

“Are you sure?” She questioned doubtful.

“Seems pretty simple.”

“Yeah, cause you’re not the one doing the jumping.” She grumbled.

“Just relax. Take deep, long breaths.”

She closed her eyes and inhaled.

“That’s it. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale, inha-“

“Ok, I’m getting kinda dizzy here. I don’t think it’s working.” She mumbled.

“Sorry.”

“You better be.” She pressed her lips together, inhaling one last time.

“Ready?”

She nodded and pushed herself off the window ledge as he held her by her arms.

“Ok, I’m gonna swing you over now.” He announced as he began to move his arms. After a few long motions he let go of her and she went flying over the brush, landing on the grass with a loud thud.

“Ouch!” She protested as she rolled off the ground and clumsily stumbled onto her feet.

“Are you ok?”

Buffy wasn’t able to answer as Giles came rushing around the corner.

“Buffy?”

“Hey, Giles!” She greeted weakly. “Merry Christmas!”

“Um… Merry Christmas! A-are you ok? What happened?” He asked helping her as she limped her way to the front door.

“I kinda tripped.” She lied and threw an evil glance at Spike. The teen stood at the window, watching as his father and Buffy rounded the corner, trying hard to keep from laughing.

~+~

The rest of the day went by uneventfully and mostly centred on the gift exchanging. They sat around the fireplace, each making their way through the wrappings of their respective presents.

“Oh! It’s beautiful!” Joyce exclaimed gazing at the twin sapphire earrings. “Thank you so much!” She breathed still overwhelmed, leaning in to give Giles a kiss when she thought the ‘kids’ weren’t looking.

Buffy and Spike merely decided to ignore the sight, focussing on their own presents.

“Bridget Jones’ Diary?” Buffy asked inspecting the cover of the book she held in her hands.

“It’s a real grabber according to a friend of mine back in London.” Giles explained.

The petite blonde smiled and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

“Thanks, Giles!”

“It was actually William’s idea.” The older man corrected adjusting his glasses.

Buffy tried to suppress a chuckle at the sound of Spike’s real name, but said nothing about it, merely nodded and replied: “Thanks, William.” This earned her a glare from the bleached teen but it soon faded away when he glanced at his gift, finally unwrapped.

“Oh, cool!” Spike piped up as he turned the CD to see its cover. “The greatest hits of the Sex Pistols!”

“You’re father told me you liked them. I don’t really know much about the punk movement. Is it any good?” Joyce questioned a bit worried. “You can exchange it for something else if you like.” She quickly added.

“No, no! It’s perfect! Thanks Mrs. Summers.”

“Spike, we’ve been over this. Call me Joyce.”

“Right… Joyce. Sorry.” He apologized. Somehow, after the ‘incident’ that very morning, calling her by her first name just seemed… wrong.

“Oh, my God! A Kattar dagger. Where did you find this?” Giles asked, gawking at the watered steel curved blade he held in his hands.

“I pulled a few strings.” Joyce answered smiling at him.

“T-this is unbelievable. I-I’ve been looking for this since… forever.” He stuttered, his eyes never leaving the dagger as he occasionally fumbled with his glasses, nervously trying to adjust them.

“I know.”

“Thank you, thank you so much.” He said, bringing one arm around her waist and pulling her close for a long kiss.

“Yew! Can you guys get a room or something? Minors present, remember?” Buffy protested giving them a disgusted look, quickly seconds by Spike:

“Yeah! Please don’t scar us for life.”

At this, the couple pulled away, rolling their eyes at each other.

“Well, I guess we should get working on the Christmas lunch, huh?” Joyce suggested clapping her hands together.

“We’re gonna cook? All of us together? Again? I don’t think that’s such a hot idea, mom.” Buffy said pulling her eyebrows together for a doubtful frown.

“No, we are going to cook.” Her mother corrected pointing at herself and Buffy.

“What? And what are they going to do? Lie around, belly up, picking their teeth? ” Buffy asked outraged while Spike and Giles spread out on the couch.

“No. They are going out to chop some wood.” Joyce explained.

“What? We already have wood.” Giles said sitting up straight.

“The logs we have down in the basement are too big. We ran out of the small ones and the ones left don’t fit in the fireplace. You guys are going to have to chop them in half.”

“We’re leaving today anyway. Why chop all the wood?” Spike asked.

“But it’s so cold.” Buffy pouted, batting her eyes at Spike

“Yes, you don’t want us helpless little women catching a cold, do you?” Joyce added, mimicking her daughter’s actions as she eyed Giles.

“But…” Spike tried to protest as he watched the women stand up and head for the kitchenette.

“No buts. Go. Be manly!” Joyce shushed them.

~+~

Buffy mewled letting herself drop on the bed with a loud thud.

“I don’t feel so good.” She grumbled holding her stomach as she stared up at the ceiling.

“No wonder. With the amount of food you gobble up.” Mrs. Summers said shaking her head disapprovingly. “I told you not to eat that third slice of pie.”

“Erg! Don’t mention food. Pleeease!” The teen begged, rolling onto her side, her hands still resting protectively over her swollen stomach.

“That’s what you get for being a glutton.” Joyce continued.

“It’s Christmas Day. There is no such thing as gluttony.” Buffy countered barely able to speak.

“Come, get off the bed and help me pack.” Mrs. Summers replied ignoring her daughter’s ‘suffering’.

“I still don’t understand why we have to go home so soon. I mean, it’s Christmas Day!” Buffy noted closing her eyes as she felt another strong spasm lurking.

“I told you, I have to go back to the gallery and Rupert wants to have the bookshop open tomorrow.”

“Who buys art or books the day after Christmas?” Buffy inquired holding up her hands and frowning.

“For someone who didn’t even want to come here in the first place you’re not too keen on leaving, are you?”

“Oh, my God! You said ‘keen’. Maybe we have spent too much time with the Giles family.” Buffy grumbled, forcing herself into the sitting position.

“Lets see.” Joyce took in a deep breath and opened her daughter’s wardrobe.

“Can’t we just wait a couple of hours?” Buffy asked dragging her feet on her way over to where her mother stood.

“It’s four o’clock. By the time you’ve packed it’ll be six. I don’t want to be driving down the mountain at night. That road is really tricky, especially if it rains.” Joyce explained as she began taking the clothes from the wardrobe and putting them into the luggage.

~+~

Within an hour they were all packed, the truck of the car was already full and the four prepared to leave.

“Are you certain you didn’t leave anything behind?” Joyce asked for the fourth time.

“I’m positive mom.” Buffy mumbled as she entered the vehicle.

“Just making sure.” Mrs. Summers said buckling her seatbelt.

“Even if you’ve forgotten something, it’s just a half an hour’s drive away. We can always come back and get it.” Giles explained as he turned the keys and the engine roared.

Slowly and evenly the small car set to the road, taking each tortuous curve at a time. In the backseat, Buffy swung her legs over Spike’s, their hands secretly intertwined.

Joyce’s gaze glided over the landscape and finally fixed, for a few seconds, on the man driving the car. An unconscious smile settled over her lips when she glanced over her shoulders to find Buffy slowly drifting into slumber, her head resting over Spike’s shoulder as he looked out the window. As her returned to the road, she let out a content sigh and she let her mind drift over the events of the last few days spent up at the cabin.

~+~

“Well, this is our stop, I guess.” Joyce announced as the car pulled up to the familiar driveway. Turning to face Giles she smiled: “Thanks again for a wonderful holiday. It was one of the best Christmas by far.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. We should go up there during the summer. It’s actually warm enough to swim in the lake.” Giles said as he opened the car door for Joyce.

“We’ll think about it.”

In the meantime, the two teens stood on the other side of the car staring at each other, silently saying their goodbyes.

“Buffy, are you coming?”

Her mother’s voice seemed to snap her out of her daze.

“Coming.” She shouted back before turning to Spike and saying: “I’ll see you later.” She was about to leave when she felt him grab her hand.

“I’ll call you tonight.” He whispered.

“I’ll be waiting.” She flashed him a quick smile before running up to the house. “Thanks again, Giles.” She shouted waving her hand as she watched the car drive off.

~+~

“Well, I better go now Willow. He said he’d call me tonight.” She announced twirling her finger around the plastic cord. “Ok, bye then.” She said before putting down the receiver.

She let out a deep sigh, staring up at the ceiling and letting her eyes drift close for a second. She had just finished an hour-long telephone conversation with Willow, detailing everything that had gone on up in the cabin. Actually, it had been more of a monologue with occasional interrupting ‘uh’s and ‘ah’s coming from the other side of the line.

She felt her limbs get number and number, her eyelids heavier and her breathing slower as she drifted into sleep. Suddenly, the sharp sound of a phone ringing snapped her out of her thoughts. She was about to grumbled something when she realised who it was. Quickly, she rolled onto her side and reached for the receiver.

“Hey! I thought you’d never c- Giles? Is that you? Oh, sorry, thought it was… someone else.” She couldn’t help the disappointment evident in her voice. “Yeah, I’ll call my mom. Mom!” She shouted, but there was no answer. Reluctantly, she stood up and made her way to the hall and down the stairs. “Mom?”

“Yes, honey?”

“Phone. It’s for you. Giles.” Buffy grumbled stomping her way upstairs and putting the receiver back into place before coming back down the stairs. Since she was up, she might as well have something to drink. Drink, no eating. Eating was definitely out of the question for the next two days.

She walked about the kitchen getting a glass and pouring herself some orange juice when she heard her mother come in.

“That was Rupert.”

“I know mom, I picked up the phone, remember?” Buffy mumbled taking a sip of her drink.

“You’re in a good mood.” Joyce noted.

“I’m just tired.” She excused herself as she sat on a nearby stool.

“Well, he wanted to know if we were going to the Chase’s this year, for New Year’s Eve.”

“Isn’t that what we always do?”

“Yes, it is. I was trying to get him to go.” Joyce said leaning on the counter as she sipped from her own glass. “He never goes. Thinks it’s too official.”

“Can you blame him?”

“I guess not.”

“It’s just so dull and boring. All of Sunnydale is there. Plus it’s a black tie event,”

“Exactly!” At her daughter’s frown, Mrs. Summers elaborated. “Black tie means Rupert in a tuxedo.”

‘Which means Spike in a tuxedo.’ Buffy realised. Suddenly, the thought of going to the Chase’s New Year’s Even party was actually *very* appealing.

Chapter 37

Buffy sighed in frustration as she nervously twisted her hair in front of the mirror. She eyed the clock for the fifth time in the last half hour.

“Buffy, you better hurry! They’ll be here any minute.” She heard her mother shout from the hall.

“I’ll be there in a sec.” She yelled back as she turned in front of the mirror. “Oh, I give up.” She hissed at the white walls, stopping to check the way she looked one more time before leaving.

She nearly bumped into her mother as she exited the bathroom.

“Wow! You look amazing!” Buffy breathed.

“You don’t think the red lipstick is a little too much?” Mrs. Summers asked a bit doubtful.

“You look great, mom. Giles will be left picking his chin up off the floor.” She reassured her with a smile.

“Speaking of which…” Joyce trailed off when she heard the doorbell ring.

The two quickly made their way down the stairs and Mrs. Summers inhaled deeply before opening the door to reveal Giles and Spike, both wearing black tuxedos.

“Happy New Year’s E-“ Giles stopped in mid sentence when he saw the woman holding the door open for him. He stared blindly at her, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

“Wow!” Spike finally said, raising an eyebrow and giving his father a light push.

“Oh, s-sorry! You just look… um… beautiful!” He finally managed to say.

She wore a long black evening gown which crossed over her left shoulder leaving her right one exposed.

“Thank you.” Joyce replied blushing furiously. “You two look quite handsome yourselves. Come in.”

Spike rubbed his hands together as the two men walked in from the cold.

“Where’s Buffy?” He asked trying to mask the anxiety in his voice.

He hadn’t seen her since they had come home from the cabin. The last week had been extremely hectic, with him helping his father at the bookstore and Buffy at the gallery, there hadn’t been any time to spare.

“She was right behind me.” Joyce frowned looking around as she walked into the kitchen. “That’s odd.” She noted when she failed to find her there.

“Maybe-“

“Hey, guys.”

The three turned to see Buffy coming down the stairs. She wore a simple light blue dress which fitted tightly around her breasts and drift freely around the rest of her body. Twin strings travelled over each exposed collarbone to reach the back of the dress, while a long scarf was wrapped around her thin neck to complete the outfit. Her blonde locks tumbled over her bare shoulders, floating lightly as she took each step at a time.

It was Spike’s turn to gawk. He stood at the end of the staircase looking up at her, his mouth partially open.

“Buffy, you look beautiful.” Giles complimented with a smile as he adjusted his glasses once more.

“Thank you.” She replied, a light flush taking over her cheeks when she realised how intensely Spike was staring at her.

“Where did you go?” Joyce asked when the young girl finally reached the hall.

“I forgot my bag.” She answered, waving the small item she held in her hands, her eyes never leaving the bleached teen standing next to her.

“Shall we then?” Giles asked offering his right arm to Joyce, who gladly accepted, worming her hands around it.

It took a while but, eventually, as the older couple exited the house, Spike seemed to snap out of his daze.

“God, you are so beautiful.” He managed to gasp in her ear as she locked the front door.

The feel of his breath on her neck sent shivers down her spine and she had to shut her eyes tightly for a second before turning to face him with a smile:

“Thanks.” She tried to look as nonchalant as possible and not sound like a giddy teenager with a crush as she continued: “That tux really looks good on you.”

“It’s the same from Homecoming.” He replied, his eyes still fixed on her.

“What?” She questioned as they made their way to the car.

“You look…” He struggled with the words. “God, I missed you so much.” Without thinking, he suddenly moved closer to her, preparing to wrap his arms around her, his mouth dangerously close to hers.

“What are you doing?” She hissed, pressing her hand against his chest.

He shook his head slightly, closing and opening his eyes a couple of times before uttering:

“What?”

“Our parents.” She whispered as they came closer to the vehicles.

“Oh, right.” He grumbled as he opened the car door for her.

~+~

Giles stepped out and handed the key to one of the young men dressed in a black uniform who stood in front of the house. In all farness, it resembled more a mansion than anything else.

“Ready?” He asked with a plastic smile, offering his arm to Joyce as he held the car door for her.

“You really hate this, don’t you?” She questioned, trying to stop from chuckling.

“With every fibre in my body.” He replied as they stepped into the majestic hallway where a few other couples gathered to greet the hostess.

“Come on. Be nice.” She whispered just as a woman in a flaming red dress approached them.

“Oh, Joyce, you made it!” Mrs. Chase shouted gleefully as she crossed the hall towards them, a huge grin on and arms wide open to embrace Joyce.

“Joanne, it’s good to see you. Happy New Year’s Eve!” Joyce greeted, wrapping her arms around the tall brunette.

“Happy New Year’s Eve!” She replied gingerly. “Oh, Mr. Giles, you finally came! I’ve been trying to get you to come to our party for years now!” She continued as she turned her attentions to the shopkeeper.

“It’s nice to be here. And please, it’s just Giles.” Rupert replied putting on his most cordial smile as he took the hostess’ hand and lightly brushed his lips over it.

“Oh, you Brits are *such* gentlemen!” Mrs. Chase gushed bringing her free hand to cover her mouth.

In the meantime, the younger couple stood behind them, exchanging looks of longing when suddenly...

“Oh! William! You’re here too.” Joanne shouted coming to hug him. “Look at you! You look so handsome.” She continued giddily.

“Hey, Mrs. Chase.” Spike mumbled lowering his head slightly embarrassed.

“And Buffyyy!”

The blonde teen flinched at the piercing shriek the older woman let out.

“Oh, are you two a couple? You look so cute! So sweeet!”

The two teens felt their hearts stop for a second, their eyes going wide as they searched for an answer.

“Well, we…” Buffy started.

“We’re… um…” Spike tried.

Thankfully, Mrs. Summers came to their rescue:

“Where’s Michael?” Joyce cut in a bit abruptly, but still with a wide smile on.

“He’s probably by the pool area.” Mrs. Chase replied, her eyes quickly returning to land on the tall shopkeeper now standing in front of her. “It’s so nice to have you here Giles.” She said eyeing the Englishman from head to toe and back up again.

As a result, Giles nervously fidgeted with his glasses, adjusting them for the millionth time as he was about to say something.

“Well, we’ll just go over to say hi then.” Mrs. Summers interrupted, wrapping her arm around Giles’ and practically dragging him away.

As soon as they were out of earshot she tugged at his sleeve:

“No need to be *that* nice.” She mumbled with a frown.

“Oh, Willow’s over there.” Buffy noted and the two teens slipped away from the overly peppy hostess before she had a chance to make any more awkward questions. “Mom!” She shouted after her mother. “We’re going to go over to talk to Willow, ok?”

Mrs. Summers nodded and turned towards the pool area.

“Hey, Wills!” Buffy greeted as she moved through the crowd, Spike trailing behind her.

“Buffy! Hey!” Willow replied when the couple reached her. “Spike.”

“Red.” He said with a slight nod. “Where’s the whelp and Oz?”

Before Willow could answer, Spike felt someone pat him on the shoulder.

“Spike, long time no see.” Oz spoke as he handed Willow a glass of soda while taking a sip from his own.

“Haven’t seen Xander yet. He’s probably in full make out mode with Cordy.” Willow answered Spike’s question.

“I don’t think so.” Buffy chuckled, spotting Xander across the room.

The teen stood next to Mr. Chase, looking terrified; a plastic grin plastered on his face as he pretended to be listening to the tall man ramble on about something apparently very dull.

“I think Mr. Chase caught him.” Buffy continued as the four now leaned back and watched the sad spectacle.

“Oh, poor thing! Mr. Chase is probably giving him the famous ‘kill or be killed’ speech.” Willow lamented.

“Kill or be killed?” Buffy asked with a frown, looking around and feeling very much out of the loop when she saw Spike shake his head and throw a pity glance in Xander’s direction.

“Yep. Mr. Chase’s theory. According to it, the law in the world today is kill or be killed. It’s a battle for survival in which we all have to choose if we’re gonna be hunters or… lunch.” Willow summed up.

There was silence once again as the four observed the brunette be mercilessly tormented with the older man’s gruesome perspective on life. Xander fidgeted nervously, widening his silly grin and nodding enthusiastically every time Mr. Chase’s eyes fell on him.

“He’s doomed.” Spike piped up. “That speech could take hours.”

“How do you know?” Buffy glanced at him.

“Um... I… um… I” The stuttered as she struggled to find and answer.

“It’s common knowledge.” Oz stepped in.

“Then why don’t I know about ‘the speech’.” She asked still looking up at Spike.

“Cause you’re not common, luv.” The Brit whispered in her ear.

The feel of his strong body pressing against her side seemed to fog her mind and she soon forgot about the subject as she stared back at the Xander.

~+~

A glimpse of hope seemed to flash in the teen’s eyes when he saw the small group gathered across the room from him.

“Help me.” He mouthed while Mr. Chase wasn’t looking.

“So, you see, in the corporate world we live today young people like you have to fend for themselves. It’s a jungle out there.” The older man paused bringing the cigar back to his lips for a few seconds before recommencing: “I’m telling you it’s kill or…” He turned to look at the teen standing next to him who immediately stood up straight.

“Or be killed.” Xander completed the sentence with false enthusiasm.

“Exactly!” Mr. Chase practically shouted as he patted the teen’s back nearly causing him to choke on his own saliva. “You’re a bright young man! I knew my Cordy-poo knew how to pick them.”

Xander grinned weakly at the plump man, praying to all gods to be saved when Mr. Chase continued:

“Have I told you about that one time my company took over…”

‘Oh, God, not again! Please! Not again!’ He begged in his mind.

“Oh, honey! There you are!” A high pitched voice came out of nowhere. “I’ve been looking all over for you. Hello, Xander!”

“Hi, Mrs. Chase.” Xander greeted with a hint of hope.

“You don’t mind if I borrow my husband, do you?”

“Not at all!” He replied a little too enthusiastically.

“Joanne, does it have to be now? I was just about to tell him about the McKinley take over.” The cigar-smoking man protested.

“Well, you’ll have to save that for later. I need you now. The mayor just got here.” Mrs. Chase explained as she guided her husband into the crowd.

Xander let out a long sigh of relief and quickly made his way across the room to meet up with the rest of the gang.

“Hey!” He said meekly.

“Hey. How was the torture?” Oz asked.

“Torturous.” Xander quipped.

“My sentiments.” Willow said giving him a friendly pat on his shoulder.

“Where’s Cordy?” Buffy questioned.

“Probably still upstairs getting dressed.” Xander answered shrugging. “Wants to make a big entrance, as always.”

“What’s with the jazz fad?” Spike asked, his index finger pointing upwards as another Billy Holiday song came on.

“It’s Mrs. Chase’s thing.” Buffy explained, casually leaning against Spike when the room scan for their parents came out negative. “Every year she picks a decade and only plays music from that period. This year’s the 30’s.”

“No New Year songs?” Spike frowned.

“Nope.” Willow replied, popping the ‘p’.

“That’s odd.”

“Better odd than painful.” Xander intervened.

At Spike’s confused look Willow stepped in:

“Last year’s decade was the 70’s.”

“Very, very 70’s.” Buffy added.

“There are only so many times you can hear ‘Staying Alive’ before the inevitable urge to kill the DJ take over you.” Willow cringed at the memory.

“Hey, the 70’s weren’t all disco, you know? Remember punk?” Spike argued.

“Believe me, for Mrs. Chase, it was disco all the way.” Xander retorted.

“I can’t believe I was actually sighing in relief every time they played Elvis.” Willow noted as Oz wrapped his arm around her.

Buffy eyed the couple and felt a knot start to form in her stomach. She wanted to be able to do that with her boyfriend and not worry if her mother caught them. She gulped when she felt Spike secretly caress her back, their bodies ‘casually’ pressed against each other as the two hungrily grasped any opportunity to touch each other. Buffy shook her head slightly, trying to concentrate on the conversation. What was the subject again? Oh, right - Disco’s the devil’s music. ‘God, we really have to tell our parents the truth!’ Buffy thought when Spike’s hand drifted south brushing over the soft curve of her buttocks.

“I mean, the Bee Gee’s were…” Xander trailed off when he realised the sudden silence that invaded the room.

He turned around to see Cordelia entering; every single person in the room went silent and stared at the red-clad brunette. With extreme elegance and poise, apparently oblivious to the effect she had on the crowd, she crossed the great hall heading towards the familiar group. Slowly, the background murmur returned to normal as she reached the gang.

“Hey!” She greeted.

“Cordelia, you look amazing!” Willow complimented.

“I know.” She simply replied eyeing her boyfriend who was still picking up his jaw off the floor.

Buffy smirked at her smug attitude. It was just so Cordy-like. Her smile soon faded as she looked over her shoulder to find Spike staring at the brunette, his eyes slightly widened. Something in her stomach twisted painfully but she didn’t say anything, simply continued to listen to the conversation.

Spike frowned when he felt her step away from him. He moved closer and once again she inched away.

“Something wrong, luv?” He leaned in to whisper in her ear.

“Parents.” She replied calmly.

“They’re outside.” He frowned, trying to wrap his arms around her but she pulled away discreetly.

“Don’t want to risk it.” She said, her eyes never meeting his as she looked on.

“You were fine about it a minute ago.” He pressed on.

“Well, I changed my mind.” She continued nonchalantly.

She smiled and turned to say something to Willow when she suddenly felt his hand around her arm.

“Excuse us.” He said to the group with a forced smile and, before she knew it, Buffy was being dragged through the crowd and soon found herself in a fairly secluded hall.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, letting go of her arm after he had turned her around to face him.

“Nothing’s wrong.” She insisted, letting out a long sigh as she leaned on the wall with her arms crossed over her chest.

“Buffy…” He tilted his head sideways, waiting for an explanation.

“It’s nothing.”

He looked at her from under a furrowed brow, clearly not convinced.

Buffy pouted as she slowly realised how ridiculous she was being.

“It’s just… the way you looked at Cordy back there.”

“What?”

“You were all…” She widened her eyes trying to imitate his look. “…salivaty.”

“Salivaty?” He frowned.

“Yeah. Salivating a lot… salivaty.” She explained awkwardly.

“I don’t think that word exists, pet.” He smirked at her as she fidgeted nervously with the strings of her bag.

“Fine. It doesn’t exist.” She murmured. “Can we go now? I don’t wanna get caught back here.”

He said nothing, simply continued to smile as he leaned closer to her. She moved backwards and felt the cold wall against her back.

“What are you doing? Someone might walk by.” She whispered when he continued to inch closer to her.

“Do you have any idea just how cute you look when you’re jealous?” He asked ignoring her questions as his lips brushed over hers, his hands travelling over her hips.

“I wasn’t jealous!” She piped up a little too loudly. Hers eyes widened and she scanned their surrounding. “I wasn’t jealous.” She repeated, this time a mere whisper. “I was just-“

She was cut off as he suddenly attacked her mouth, his hand grasping her neck below her ear to cup her cheek and bring her closer to him.

Buffy moaned into his mouth, eagerly responding to the kiss, her arms worming between their bodies to pull him by the lapels of his tux.

They battled furiously, their hips crushed against each other in a desperate attempt to be closer, hands erratically gliding over their bodies, trying to touch every single inch of the other at once.

“God, I missed you…” He managed to breathe between urgent kisses.

“Missed… hum…” His mouth covered hers, preventing her from completing her sentence.

Spike pressed his body against hers, crushing her against the wall as the kisses grew hungrier and more desperate.

“Are you sure you left it in your room, Maria?”

Mrs. Chase’s high-pitched voice snapped them out of their daze.

“Oh, my God!” Buffy whispered breathless as she heard the sound of footsteps coming closer.

Without a word, Spike grabbed her hand and once again they were racing down the hall.

“Here.” Buffy hissed pointing at a nearby door.

“No, that’s the housekeeper’s room. Here’s better.” He said opening the nearby plantation shutter to reveal a small storage room.

The moment the door closer behind them, Mrs. Chase and Maria rounded the corner to find the hall empty.

The two teens stood quietly in the closet, holding their breaths until they were sure the women were gone.

“That was close.” Spike breathed taking a step closer to Buffy and wrapping his arms around her waist. “Now, where were we?”

He frowned when she pulled away from him.

“How did you know?” She asked.

“What?” He questioned.

“How did you know it was the housekeeper’s room?” She repeated.

“Well, um…” He paused for a second then blurted out. “Mrs. Chase asked about something being in ‘Maria’s’ room. I assumed Maria was the housekeeper a-and that they were going to her room.”

“There are at least three other door’s in this hall. How’d you know *that* one was the room?”

“I… Um… I-it was during Homecoming while I was looking for you and…”

“Spike, you were here before, weren’t you? Before homecoming?” Buffy questioned.

“No… I just-“

“Don’t lie to me.” She narrowed her eyes at him in the shadows of the room.

He let out a long sigh in defeat.

“Fine! Yes, I’ve been here before. Lots of times actually.” He mumbled as she stared wide eyed at him.

Chapter 38

Author's Note: Thanks to the wonderful Ali for betaing this so quickly! You're the best BETA mom!

“How…? W-when?” Buffy hesitated as her mind quickly came up with a series of answers, none of which she liked too much. “Did you and Cordy…”

“What?! God, no!” He immediately denied shaking his head vehemently.

“Then…”

“It’s… um…” He looked at her before sighing audibly and blurting out: “ItutoredCordelia.”

“Huh?” That was definitely not the explanation she was expecting.

“I tutored Cordelia.” He repeated. “In English, last year.” He grumbled lowering his head.

“You tutored Cordy?”

“Yes.” He sighed heavily.

“You tutored someone?” She continued to question incredulous.

“Surprised, luv?”

“Very.” She nodded.

“We’ll she was kinda slipping and Mrs. Kennedy asked me to help her out. So, I ended up coming here every Friday afternoon. That’s how come I know this house so well.” He explained.

“Wow.”

He rolled his eyes before pressing his fingers over the bridge of his nose.

“Why didn’t you tell anyone?” She asked still baffled by the revelation.

“What?! And let everyone label me as a geek? No way. It took me too long to get my badass rep over here. I wasn’t about to lose it.” He shook his head as he walked around in small circles in the confined space. “Plus, Cordy wasn’t too keen on letting everyone know that she needed tutoring.”

There was a moment of pause in which Buffy looked like she was doing a slow-motion imitation of a fish out of water, opening and closing her mouth repeatedly.

“Actually, Oz and Red know about it too.” He said, trying to break the awkward silence.

At that Buffy looked up and frowned.

“It kinda slipped during Homecoming while you were…” He swallowed hard and decided to avoid the subject. “…gone.”

“You told them and didn’t tell me?!” A hint of disappointment was evident in her voice.

“I told you. I wasn’t planning on telling anyone at all. It just slipped.” He mumbled, leaning against the wall, opposite her.

“That’s how come everyone knew about the ‘speech’ but me, huh?”

“Sorry.” He said in a weak voice, tilting his head sideways.

Buffy crossed her arms over her chest in silence before uttering:

“H-how? You never pay attention in class in English. You’re always scribbling away in you notepad.”

“That’s cause most of what the teacher’s teaching I already know.” He replied smugly.

“Then what is it you are constantly writing?” She inquired with a half smile as she narrowed her eyes at him.

At that there was a renewed silence. Spike pulled at the black bowtie around his neck, loosening it a bit. He tried to hide his face as he stared down at the floor; the light coming through the shutters destroying his effort.

“Spike…?”

“It’s poetry, alright?” He replied a bit snippy, dropping his arms limply at his sides in defeat.

“Poetry?!”

“Yes.” He hissed while she closed the small distance between them. “I write poetry and Mrs. Kennedy helps me with it. So, there you have it, I’m a geek. Happy now?” He grumbled, daring to look up at her for the first time since they had started the conversation.

He felt his breath catch in his throat when she was suddenly pressed against him, her lips crushing into his for a demanding kiss. It took a few seconds for him to respond but, eventually, he did. His arms quickly wrapped around her, one hand buried itself in her hair as he opened his mouth to welcome her in. The two stumbled backwards and soon Buffy found herself pushed up against a wall with Spike leaning on her.

He gasped as her small hands reached for his shirt, hurriedly pulling it out of his pants before snaking her fingers under it to run over his abdomen. It wasn’t long before those same fingers found their way down south, practically tearing the black sash of his tux as they reached for the waistband of his pants.

“What are you- Ah!” He mewled as her hand roughly cupped his erection through the black fabric.

She moved her palm up and down as her teeth attacked his earlobe.

“God, Buffy… wha…” He swallowed hard as her hand wormed into his pants to brush over the dark curls there. “Wha’ are you doing?” He managed to ask, resting his forehead on the wall over her shoulder, squeezing his eyes shut, his teeth clenching and unclenching as he searched for control.

She never answered him, trailing harsh kisses up his neck to capture his lips. Her arms flew over his shoulders and before he could react, her legs were wrapped around his waist, her light blue dress hitched up over her thighs.

His mouth instinctively searched for the tender skin of her neck, lightly nibbling at it as she thrust her pelvis against his, causing him to let out a strangled cry.

“Buffy…” he gasped.

“I want you.” She breathed as her fingers wrapped themselves around his dishevelled curls and forced him to look up at her.

Without warning she smashed her mouth over his for another bruising and urgent kiss, while her hand dipped between their bodies and slipped into his pants to encircle his cock once again.

“God…” Spike moaned as her small hand wrapped around his cock and began gliding up and down.

“I missed you.” She said between ragged breaths.

“I missed you so much.” He replied, his lips returning to their previous task as he placed a series of open-mouth kisses over her neck.

“I tried to get… ah!” She groaned as he reached the sensitive spot below her earlobe. “… get away from… t-the gallery…” She panted, while her hand continued to pump him. “… but the place was swamped… a-and…” She stopped in mid sentence when she felt him grab a hold of her wrist and pull her hand from between her bodies. She frowned and looked down at him.

“You keep that up and I’m not gonna last.” He answered her as he drew shallow and quick breaths from his lungs. He stared up at her for a few seconds before asking: “Are you sure you wanna…” He tilted his head downwards. “…here? Someone might…”

Another frown settled over her perfectly shaped eyebrows.

“Y-you don’t want me?” She choked.

“What?” He asked in disbelief.

“It’s just that…”

He ground his hips against her and growled in a low voice as he suggestively narrowed his eyes at her: “Does it feel like I don’t want you?”

She felt a flush take over he cheeks and shook her head.

“Just wanted to make sure you wanted…” He whispered in her ear. “Don’t want you working me up and then changing your mind, is all.”

“Since when do I do that?” She mocked in false indignation.

“Since always.” He replied simply as he continued to lick his way up and down her neck, making it hard for her to concentrate on the topic at hand.

“I…” gasps “…never did…” swallow “that.”

He immediately abandoned his ministrations to look up at her.

“What about that day in the cabin?” At her frown he continued. “The time I told you the truth about Andrew and Angel. Remember?” He continued in a high-pitched voice, mockingly trying to mimic hers: “No! Not now! Tonight. When they’re asleep.”

“They could have heard us.” She defended herself, adding a pout.

“They can bloody well hear us now too.” He contoured.

“Oh, come on. There is a party going on out there. No one will hear.” She argued.

“They will if you scream.”

“I won’t scream.”

“Are you doubting that I can make you scream?” He pulled his chest away from hers, while her legs stayed wrapped around his waist, and cupped her backside.

“No. I just won’t.” She explained, rubbing herself against him and causing him to roll his eyes back in their sockets for a second.

“It’s not really your choice, now is it?” He asked in a deep, husky voice leaning closer to her. “Sometimes you just *have* to scream.” He said suggestively running his tongue over his lips.

“Ego much?” She asked, raising a perfectly shaped eyebrow at him, but it quickly fell back into place as he thrust his pelvis into hers. “There’s loud music no one-“

“Stupid kids! Keep running around and bumping into people.”

Buffy and Spike froze as they heard Snyder’s familiar voice coming from the hall.

“I-I’m really sorry Mayor Wilkins. I didn’t mean to spill my drink on you.” He continued to babble. “It’s just that idiot Harris ran into me and-“

“It’s ok, Snyder.” Mayor Wilkins creepily peppy voice reached the teens in the closet. “Now, which door was it? Second door on the right or left?”

“I-I think Mrs. Chase said the bathroom was the second door on the left.”

Buffy stared wide eyed as the two men stopped in front of the shutters. Her eyes practically fell out of their sockets when she felt one of Spike’s hands abandon her hips to slither between their bodies. Her frightened gaze alternated frantically between Spike’s face and his hand. She swallowed hard when she heard the distinct metallic sound of a zipper sliding open.

“What are you doing?” She uttered soundlessly.

She froze when one finger brushed over her panties and pushed them to the side.

“No!” She mouthed trying to pull the intruding hand away without making any noise.

The sound of running water reached her ears and when she turned to look through the shutters she realised only one of the men remained in the hall – Mr. Snyder. Behind him, directly opposite to the plantation shutters, was an open door that revealed a bathroom. As the principal nervously walked in circles in the corridor, Buffy was able to spot that the mayor was inside the other room, leaning over the sink and struggling to clean his trousers.

Her attention flew back to Spike when she felt something hard press against her entrance.

“No!” She breathed, a mixture of fear and excitement rushing through her veins.

“No one will hear.” He whispered, leaning against the side of her face, his eyes closed as he ran his tongue over her ear.

“Wait, Spike…” She whispered.

“And you won’t scream, remember?” He asked in a husky voice before slowly thrusting his hips forward and entering her.

Buffy’s eyes flew open as she felt him sluggishly slip between her folds, stretching them. She held her breath, biting her lower lip with all her strength as she struggled to keep from moaning out his name, her nails digging into the padded shoulders of his tux.

He refused to enter her completely, pulling out and pushing in only the tip of his cock with excruciatingly slow movements.

“Spike they’re…” She trailed off for a moment when he lightly nibbled at her earlobe. God, she loved that! “T-they’re gonna… ah… hear.”

He let his face slide over her neck, his nose nuzzling against the soft skin as he reached her collarbone. In the meantime, his hips continued to move, slightly pushing forward, teasing her mercilessly as he pulled back out.

“Spike…” She breathed; her voice practically inaudible.

“I want you so much…” He silently growled in her hear, suddenly slamming into her.

“Ah!” She gasped, her mouth going wide, mimicking her eyes.

In the hall, Mr. Snyder came to a halt.

“What was that?” They heard Mr. Snyder ask.

“What was what?” The mayor questioned, not really interested as he continued to stare down at the stain on his pants.

Buffy felt her heart skip a beat and Spike froze inside her, his face still buried in the crook of her neck.

“I think I heard something.”

“It was probably just the music.” The mayor offered, rubbing a piece of wet toilet paper over the black fabric.

“No, it was-“

“Darn it!” Mayor Wilkins suddenly hissed, dropping the paper into the nearby waste bin. “Pesky little stain won’t come out!”

“Well, Mrs. Chase should be here any second with the stain remover. I’m sure it’ll come right off. Be good as new.” Mr. Snyder spoke in a fast pace, rubbing his hands together while the other man picked another piece of toilet paper and resumed his task.

Buffy’s eyes were still fixed on the two men in the corridor, when she felt Spike move inside her. Without warning he pulled out of her and pushed back in, causing her to bite back a moan as she held her breath.

His hands cupped her ass, holding her up against the wall as he started to set a slow, steady rhythm. His mouth worked her neck, his tongue hungrily licking every inch of her exposed flesh as he drove in and out of her.

“We have to… stop… We-Oh! God! We need to…”

“Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor? Oh, here you are!” Mrs. Chase’s painfully squeaky voice pierced through Buffy’s blinding daze. “I thought I told you to use the bathroom in the office. It was closest. I’ve been looking for you all over the house. Now, let me see that nasty stain.”

With a foggy gaze Buffy turned to the left to see, through the shutters, Mrs. Chase spraying something on the Mayor’s trousers before rubbing it in.

“See Mayor Wilkins, I told you it would…”

Mr. Snyder’s eager whine seemed to fade into the background along with Etta James’ soulful voice as one of Spike’s hands abandoned the curve of her ass to slip between their bodies and find her clit. His thumb pressed small circles over it, while his pelvis continued to thrust into her at growingly faster and more urgent pace.

“Spike… don’t… Christ!” She hissed arching her neck, further exposing it to him.

But he had already focused on something else. In the midst of their hard grinding, the strings on one side of her dress had fallen over her shoulder, causing the blue fabric to skim down over her chest, partially exposing her pale breast. His mouth eagerly trailed down, his chin working to push the gown further until one perfectly erect nipple was peeking out. His lips immediately parted to take the small pebble between them, letting his tongue roll around it before pressing against it.

Buffy couldn’t take it anymore, the combination of having him kissing and nibbling at her nipple, one rough thumb brushing and massaging her swollen clit while he drove hard into her was just too much.

“That’s it luv! Come for me… Come for me…” He secretly coaxed, never abandoning her breast as he looked up to see her face contort in pleasure.

Her eyes were tightly shut, her eyebrows marred by a painful frown, her mouth closed, but her lips parted to reveal her clenched teeth as she fought her rapidly approaching orgasm.

“Well, I think the stain’s out.”

“Well Mrs. Chase, you are a miracle worker indeed.” Mayor Wilkins said with a plastic grin as he exited the bathroom. “We better hurry then, only five more minutes till midnight.”

“Oh, God, Spike.” She hissed, gasping over and over again, swallowing hard, gulping for air as she felt the pressure ready to explode inside of her.

“Please, Buffy… Come for me. Don’t fight it.” He begged her with soft whispers, finally leaving her breast to attack her mouth. “Fuck! I’m so close.” He mumbled between desperate kisses as his hand abandoned her clit and returned to cup her ass.

“Well, we better go back to the party then.” Snyder offered as they continued walking down the hall.

In the utility room, Spike pulled out of Buffy and suddenly rammed into her with all of his strength and that did it. She grabbed a fistful of his hair, trying to hold onto anything and screamed into his mouth as a powerful orgasm slammed into her.

Spike’s own moans mixed with hers inside their joined mouths when he felt her inner muscles spasm around his cock, clamping down and milking him as he came with her.

“What was that?” Mr. Snyder stopped dead in his tracks.

“What?” Mrs. Chase and the major asked in unison.

“That sound.” The bald man insisted.

“I don’t hear anything.”

“No. Just now. There was a-a… muffled sound… something.” He insisted.

“Snyder. I think you’re in need of a little more time away from the kids. You’re starting to hear things.” Mayor Wilkins said as he continued to walk toward the party.

“B-but…” Snyder stuttered after him.

In the closet, Buffy and Spike slumped against the wall together, ending up in a puddle of numb limbs on the floor.

“God! That was… God!” Buffy was the first to speak, between ragged pants.

“Christ, I missed you so much, Summers!” Spike mumbled against her hair, his eyes closed as he inhaled her scent.

“Summers? After what we just did, you’re back to calling me by my last name?” She teased.

“You’re amazing. You’re…” He struggled to find the words, but every single one that came to mind seemed cheap and puny compared to what he was feeling at that moment.

She smiled proudly, beads of sweat dripping down the side of her face as her fingers playfully twirled around his bleached curls.

“I missed you so much.” He finally said, after a moment of silence, looking up at her. “When I saw you at the house all I wanted to do was touch you…” He ran his finger over her shoulder and down her arm. “…feel you close to me, take in your scent…” He inhaled sharply against her cheek. “… kiss you.” He finally ended his sentence brushing his lips over hers. “You look beautiful tonight.”

“Just tonight?” She smiled.

The look on his face made her heart stop her a second, her stomach twist and her breath catch in her throat. The way he stared at her, the painful turmoil of emotions in his eyes frightened her for a split second. It was just so intense.

“Always.” He breathed. “There is no one else but you and if you don’t know that by now-“

She cut him off by placing two fingers over his mouth.

“I know.” She whispered, then leaned in and placed a single kiss on his lips.

They stared blindly at each other for a few moments, their fingers lazily tracing strange patterns over each other’s bodies.

“We better go.” Buffy broke the stillness. “My mom’s gonna be looking for me.”

Reluctantly, he nodded and was about to move when she exclaimed:

“Oh, wait! I’ve got something for you.” Without leaving his lap she reached for her small bag and opened it.

She took out a clumsily wrapped present from inside and handed it to him.

“What’s this for, pet?” He questioned with a frown as he took the gift.

“Merry Christmas!”

“I thought you had already given me a Christmas present.” He said suggestively as he started to unwrap the paper.

“This is extra.”

He opened it to reveal a pair of boxers with red hearts scattered over a dark blue background. A smile crept over his lips.

“Like it?” She asked.

“Love it.” He replied bringing her in for another kiss.

The music in the background came to a sudden halt to be replaced by a loud chorus:

“Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five…”

The two teens remained sitting on the floor, gazing at each other in the dark closet, the only light coming from the shutters.

“Four, three, two, one! Happy New Year!”

“Happy new year, pet!”

“Happy new year!” Buffy replied as his hand cupped her cheek and brought her in for a long kiss.

Chapter 39

“Miss Summers!” Mrs. Finch’s high-pitched voice bounced off the classroom walls.

“Sorry.” Buffy meekly apologized with her head bowed.

“I will not warn you and Miss Rosenberg again.” The history teacher threatened for the third time that day.

For the next ten minutes the two teens managed to keep quiet but soon Willow was nudging the blonde haired girl that sat next to her

“So, what happened next?” She asked with a sparkle in her eye, anxiously waiting for the rest of the story.

“Well, Mrs. Chase came into the hall…” Buffy continued telling the events on New Year’s Eve, leaning towards Willow while occasionally throwing a quick glance to check on the teacher. “And then…”

“Miss Summers!”

Both girls jolted in their seats, sitting up straight and staring terrified at the grey-haired woman.

‘I’m so busted.’ Buffy thought as she watched her history teacher adjust her glasses as she started reading the slip of paper she held in her hands.

“Well, Miss Summers I guess you get to skip my boring lecture after all. The new guidance counsellor wants to see you.” She explained glancing up from the paper to stare at girl in question.

“New guidance counsellor?” Buffy frowned looking at Willow for some kind of explanation, but found none.

“Come on Miss Summers! I don’t have all day.” Mrs. Finch exclaimed turning to the black board.

Awkwardly, Buffy picked up her things, quickly shoving them into her backpack before leaving the classroom.

~+~

With a powerful sigh and the same frown still marring her eyebrows she knocked on the door.

“Come in.” she heard someone answer.

“You wanted to see me?” Buffy asked entering the room.

Behind the desk sat a brow-haired woman, with pale skin and a nice plastic smile plastered on her red lips.

“You must be Buffy.” She spoke, standing up and shaking the teen’s hand over the desk. “I’m Halfrek Addams your new guidance counsellor.” At Buffy’s frown she added with a sigh: “I know, Halfrek... bad huh? Let’s just say my parents had very… *original* ideas. Just call me Hallie!”

“Hey!” Buffy greeted awkwardly as she took her seat, mimicking the motions of the woman standing across from her. “A-Am I in trouble?” She asked after a few moments of nerve-racking silence

The only answer she got was a light giggle from the brown-haired woman.

“No, you’re not in trouble. I’m just trying to meet all of you guys, since I’m new around here. You know, get to know you better, so I can help you out.” She explained after a while.

“Oh!” Buffy replied, lightly nodding as she allowed her body to relax into the chair.

“So…” Hallie started as she looked at the file she held in her hands. “Buffy Anne Summers.” She read, then, putting down the papers she looked up at the girl sitting in front of her. “What do you want out of life?”

“E-Excuse me?” Buffy questioned a bit startled.

“What do you want to do? What are you goals? Your passions? What drives you?” The woman continued to inquire, enthusiastically waving her hand in the air.

Buffy’s eyes widened at the roll of questions thrown her way.

“W-Well, I-I don’t really know yet.” She stuttered.

“You’re a senior, right?” Hallie asked picking up the file and burying her dark brown eyes in the papers once more.

“Yes.”

“Well, you should have some idea of what you want, right?”

“Not exactly.” Buffy replied a bit nervous.

There was a moment of paused in which the Hallie sighed audibly before putting down the file and closing it.

“I see that you aren’t involved in any extra-curricular activities.” She started. “No sports, no clubs, no groups.”

“Not really into those things.” Buffy tried to explain raising the corner of her mouth as she shrugged and melted into the chair.

“What are you into, Buffy?” Hallie asked with a pseudo-compassionate smile.

“I don’t really know.”

“Have you ever wondered if the reason you don’t know what you like is because you have never really been involved in anything? You have never tried any sport, or any other sort of activity. Maybe, if you tried, you would find that you actually like some these things.” Hallie argued.

“Makes sense.” Buffy spoke meekly.

“It does, doesn’t it?” Another bubble-gum smile was thrown Buffy’s way. “What about…” Hallie stood up, picking up another large file from the stand next to her desk and started looking though it. “… Chess club?”

“No!” Buffy immediately sat up straight in her chair, shaking her head. “I-I mean, I don’t know how to play.”

“Oh! Well, then… what about… Cheerleading?”

Buffy frozen as suddenly the image of herself in one of Cordelia’s skimpy cheerleading outfits invaded her mind.

“Nooo, thank you.” She replied.

“Why not?”

“Just not a football fan. Don’t think I have what it takes.” Buffy explained as she silently prayed for the guidance counsellor to change her mind.

“Ok then…” She flipped through a couple more pages, suggesting a series of other activities that just made Buffy want to hurl. “I guess the only choice left then is theatre.”

“Theatre?”

“Yes! Like drama class?”

“I-I can’t act.”

“Nonsense. Of course you can!” Hallie said with a dismissive wave of her hand as she leaned on the desk, standing in front of Buffy.

“B-But…”

“Oh, it would be a perfect way of going through all that pent up teenage frustration… pouring your heart and soul into your role.” Hallie continued clapping her hands enthusiastically.

“I don’t have any pent up frustration.” Buffy piped up, but the brown-haired woman would have none of it.

“Of course you do! You’re a teenager!”

“No, I-“

“That settles it then! You’ll be auditioning for the next play. And you’re just in time actually. Auditions start today, after school. Isn’t that great?”

“Yippie!” Buffy muttered to herself, shrinking into her seat.

~+~

“Hey, Wills, Xander.” Buffy greeted dragging her feet to the table and dropping her tray on it.

“That’s the way to face the New Year - wrinkled forehead and deep pensive sighs.” Xander piped up sarcastically.

“What happened? You in trouble?” Willow asked, clearly concerned.

“No.” Buffy replied shovelling her food around in her plate.

“Heard you got a free trip to the guidance counsellor today.” Xander said as he glanced over Buffy’s shoulder to find Spike coming towards them. “Hey, bleach-man!” He greeted as the boy took his seat, giving Buffy a quick peck before replying:

“Hey, whelp.” Turning to Willow he added with a slight nod: “Red.” His attentions went back to the girl sitting next to him. “What’s wrong, luv?” He asked running, his hand over the small of her back.

“She got called to the guidance office.” Willow replied in a low voice.

“Got the play too, huh?”

Everyone at the table turned to see Oz setting his tray next to Willow’s, Cordelia trailing right behind him.

“You got tagged too?” Buffy inquired with a little more life in her voice as she looked up from her plate for the first time since sitting down.

“Yep. Not enough commitment to school life.” Oz continued, after giving Willow a kiss.

At that Buffy sighed audibly and returned her attentions to her food.

“Would be nice if someone explained what’s going on.” Xander exclaimed with a goofy grin.

“Oz and Buffy are one of the few chosen ones to be in the new school play.” Cordelia explained, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“You’re gonna be in a play?” Spike asked frowning at Buffy.

“The new guidance counsellor said I don’t get involved in extra-curricular activities enough and that I should open my mind to new experiences, so I can discover my inner self and what I *need* to be happy in life.” Buffy mumbled, dropping her fork and leaning back into her seat.

“Same speech with me.” Oz said.

“You like theatre?” Spike questioned still a bit thrown.

“No. But it was either that or cheerleading.” Buffy sighed, crossing her arms over her chest and pouting.

“And you chose theatre?”

The blonde girl nodded, twisting her mouth in disgust.

“I don’t know. I might have liked seeing you in those nasty, tight, little outfits.” Spike said with a smirk, suggestively running his tongue over his teeth as he tilted his head towards her.

“Yeah! Me in nasty, tight, *little* outfits cheering for *Angel*.” Buffy replied with a plastic smile.

At that Spike’s smug grin crumbled and was replaced with a deep frown.

“I guess you’re right. I always thought you’d be great in… what play is it?”

“Romeo and Juliet.” Buffy spat.

“Yeah. You’d make a great Juliet.” He smiled before nuzzling against the crook of her neck.

“I’m not auditioning for Juliet. I’m reading for the Nurse.” Buffy explained.

“Even better.”

“That’s what you get for having no school spirit.” Cordelia said smugly. “I can’t wait to see Oz in those pathetic costumes. Thank God I actually have a social life around here. I don’t have to be subjected to that sort of public humiliation.” Her chuckle was cut short when she felt a hand over her shoulder.

“You’re Cordelia Chase?”

The cheerleader turned to face a dark-haired woman standing next to her.

“Yes.”

“Hi. I’m Hallie Addams. I’m your new guidance counsellor.”

Cordelia remained silent as she waited for the woman to continue.

“Could you please come by my office after lunch? I really need to speak to you.” And with a smile she left the room.

In horror, Cordelia turned to see the gang looking back at her, a vengeful smirk on Buffy’s face.

~+~

“Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake.” Cordelia mumbled unenthusiastically as she rolled her eyes.

“Ow, you just managed to sound more monotonic than Oz!” Xander noted.

“I hate this.” Buffy piped up, plopping down on the stage, her legs dangling off it.

“Come on girls, I’m here for support.” The brown-haired boy exclaimed with a wide grin. “I’ll help you guys with the lines and all.”

“I already know all the lines by heart.” Buffy mumbled, letting the papers drop to the floor.

“Yeah, but not all of us developed a freakish crush on Leonardo DiCaprio when Romeo and Juliet came out.” Cordy grumbled as she continued to go through the text. “Then have my lips the sin that they have took. God! Can this get any more complicated?” She finally let a frustrated sigh in defeat as she joined Buffy on the stage. “Where is this drama teacher anyway?”

“Oh! Sorry I’m late!” A breathless voice was heard right before a heaving woman entered the room.

“Miss Addams?” Cordy exclaimed.

“Should have guessed.” Buffy grumbled.

“I got caught up talking to one of your classmates and guess what? He seems to have a secret passion for theatre just like all of you.” She babbled with a huge grin as she adjusted her hair. “Meet our newest cast member!” She announced turning around but was surprised when she failed to find anyone behind her. Turning back to the group of students on stage she threw them a quick smile before leaving. “Just a second!”

“Probably another one conveniently diagnosed as a social outcast.” Oz finally spoke.

“Why do I get the feeling that this whole problem about us not getting involved in school activities is directly connected with the fact that Miss Addams is directing a play in a school where everyone hates theatre?” Buffy asked rhetorically, narrowing her eyes.

“I don’t know why *I* have to be here. I’m not socially handicapped like the rest of you guys!” Cordelia noted then, seeing the look on everyone’s face, she added: “What?”

“Gotta love her total lack of a clue!” Xander said with a smile as Buffy rolled her eyes.

“You probably got picked to draw in the crowd. Otherwise, I doubt it anyone would voluntarily come to see the impending disaster that is this play.” The blonde explained.

“There you are! No need to be shy!” Miss Addams said as she returned to the room, pulling someone with her.

“Angel?” Buffy exclaimed as she saw the star quarterback being dragged onto the stage.

“Guess we needed more star quality to draw in the crowd.” Xander said under his breath.

~+~

Hallie Addams pressed her fingers against the bridge of her nose as she listened to the pathetic dialogue being played out in front of her.

“I take thee at thy word / Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized / Henceforth I never will be Romeo.” Angel said dramatically waving his hands in the air.

“What man art thou that thus be…be…” Cordy stuttered as she struggled with the word.

“Bescreen’d.” Oz whispered from behind the curtains.

“Bescreen'd in night” Cordelia managed to blurt out, her eyes glancing up at the quarterback as she continued: “So stumblest on my counsel?”

“By a name / I know not how to tell thee who I am / My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself, / Because it is an enemy to thee; / Had I it written, I would tear the word.” Angel overacted.

“My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words / Of that tongue’s utterance, yet I know the sound… um…” Cordy panicked as she tried to recall the next line. Throwing a glance at the sheet she held in her hands, she squinted to read: “Ah” She said triumphantly as she remembered: “Art thou not Romeo and a Montague?”

“God, Shakespeare must be rolling around in his grave.” Miss Addams mumbled before taking a long breath: “That’s great, you guys! I think that’s enough.” She said with a weak smile.

“Are you sure? Cause I can-“

Angel’s rambling was quickly cut short: “No-no! No need to go on. I got it! Great job!”

The two teens quickly jumped off stage.

“That wasn’t that bad.” Cordy said with a wide smile.

“No, not bad.” Xander apparently agreed. “It was more bordering on refined torture.

“Hey!” Cordy protested, swatting him across the chest.

“Ouch! Honey, you gotta admit, you’re no Laurence Olivier.” Xander insisted.

“I’m not a man!” Cordy protested, crossing her arms over her chest.

After a few seconds the cheerleader mumbled:

“Was it *that* horrible?”

“Painful, *very* painful!”

Cordy’s gaze went from her boyfriend to the shorter boy now sitting next to him, waiting for his opinion.

“It was… um… unique?” Oz offered.

“Ok, so it sucked.” The brown-haired girl grumbled, plopping down on a chair and crossing her arms over her chest.

“Oh! Buffy’s on now!” Xander piped up as he glanced at the stage.

The petite blonde seemed even more minuscule standing alone on the large wooden surface. She cleared her voice and squinted as the lights hit her eyes.

“Um… I-I’m gonna read for the role of the Nurse.”

“Ok!” Miss Addams agreed with absolutely no hope in her voice as she kept massaging her temples. ‘This is going to be a disaster! Why did I choose to be a teacher? Why? Why!?” She asked herself over and over again. “What scene are you reading?”

“Scene three from act one.” Buffy piped up.

“Ok…” She turned around and glanced at the audience and pointed: “You and… you!”

“Me!” Xander and Oz asked in unison.

“Yes. You read Juliet and you read Lady Capulet.”

“B-but I’m not auditioning.” Xander noted nervously.

“I just want you to read so she can say her lines.” Hallie explained.

“Oh, ok!”

Miss Addams let out a sigh as Xander started reading Lady Capulet’s lines and Buffy replied. A minute into the scene her tired eyes shot open.

“Wow, someone who actually *knows* the lines.” She thought.

“Even or odd, of all days in the year, / Come Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen. / Susan and she--God rest all Christian souls!-- / Were of an age: well, Susan is with God; / She was too good for me: but, as I said, / On Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen;” Buffy spoke loud and clear as the movie she had watched a hundred times, during her early teens, played out in front of her eyes. “That shall she, marry; I remember it well. / 'Tis since the earthquake now-“

“That’s enough.” Miss Addams’ voice snapped Buffy out of her semi-trance. “How do you know all the lines?” She asked a bit curious.

“I guess I watched the movie one too many times?” Buffy offered.

Miss Addams didn’t say a word; merely nodded, signalling that Buffy could step down.

~+~

“Wow! That was amazing!” Xander exclaimed as they exited the theatre room.

“You think so?” Buffy asked with a goofy grin on her face.

“Absolutely!” Xander insisted, earning a deadly glare from his girlfriend.

“Very Shakespearian.” Oz noted.

“Thanks guys. I don’t know what got into me. I just went up there and it just… clicked, you know?” Buffy spoke flushed.

“I guess you’re a natural.” Cordy huffed in defeat.

“Thanks, Cordy. Do you guys know when the list of the cast is posted?”

“I don’t know. Probably tomorrow.” Xander offered, shrugging.

~+~

The day seemed to drag on forever and so did the night. Buffy practically jumped out of bed when the alarm clock finally rang.

“Honey, you better- You’re up!” Mrs. Summers noted a bit surprised when she found her daughter fully dressed and ready to go.

“Morning, mom! I gotta go!” She blew her mother a kiss and was out the door in a flash.

~+~

“Hey!” Buffy greeted with a wide grin, throwing her arms around Spike and giving her boyfriend a quick peck on the lips.

“Hey, yourself!” He replied startled. “What’s with the peppiness?”

“Hey, Willow, Xander!” She continued spreading her uncanny good mood.

“Ok, who are you and what have you done with my girlfriend?” Spike asked with a suspecting frown.

“What? Can’t a person be in a good mood?” She questioned back, flashing him a smile as she walked down the hall.

She came to a halt when she turned the corner and saw the small crowd gathering in front of large board.

“The list of the cast for the play is posted today.” Willow explained.

“I thought you hated having to be in the play.” Spike continued surprised.

“Ha, but apparently our little Buffy here has a secret natural talent!” Xander replied, serving to further confuse the bleached teen.

As the conversation continued Buffy remained frozen in place, her stare fixed on the board, while her heart slammed against her chest.

“Well, pet? Aren’t you going to go check the list?” Spike finally asked, running his hand over her back. “I’m sure you got the part.”

“I-I’m going.” She stuttered as she took a step towards it. She glanced at Willow, then Xander and finally her eyes landed on Spike who gave her a reassuring wink. With a long intake of breath, she made her way to the board.

Her eyes scanned the list for a few seconds. Spike felt his heart sink when he saw the distraught look on her face.

“Look, luv, it’s just a play…” He started.

“I-I know.” Buffy mumbled as she walked back to the gang.

“So, who got the part?” Willow dared to ask.

“Cordelia.” Buffy muttered, her eyed never leaving the floor.

“She’s playing the Nurse? Then who’s playing Juliet?” Willow questioned with a frown.

But Buffy didn’t’ even care as her best friend turned to check the small piece of paper. She was snapped out of her pathetic pouting by the redhead’s loud, piercing scream.

“Ahhhh! You-You got it!” She shouted pointing hysterically at Buffy.

“Willow?” Xander whispered a bit concerned.

“You got it! You-you, you’re Juliet!” She finally managed to explain.

“What?” Buffy exclaimed.

“You got the part of Juliet!” Willow repeated.

“You’re kidding!” Buffy refused to believe, making her way through the small crowd to reach the board again. Her eyes widened when she read her name. “Ahhhh!” it was her turn to scream as she ran and threw her arms around Spike for a suffocating hug. “I-I got the leading role! Ohmygod, ohmygod!”

“Ahhh!” Willow’s new yell snapped the two lovers apart.

“Willow, you should really consider therapy to deal with your hysteria attacks.” Xander mumbled as he rubbed his ear.

“You’re in the play!” She shouted.

“Huh? I didn’t audition.” Xander explained.

“Well, you’re playing Lady Capulet.” Willow insisted, tapping the glass as the brown-haired teen came closer.

“What? No! I don’t-I… I can’t act!” He stuttered. “And I’m playing a *woman*?”

Buffy and Willow giggled at the desperation on the teen’s face. Spike, on the other hand, didn’t join in on the celebrations as his eyes scanned over the rest of the list. He felt his stomach twist painfully when he read: Romeo --> Angel O’Neill.