Buffy and Willow pulled into the hotel where they’d reserved a room for the next two nights and quickly dispensed with the checking in and getting settled.

Buffy flopped back on her bed. "Well, guess I don’t need to shop for something new after all. Damn Angel. I was actually kind of looking forward to getting all dressy and having a night out with everyone. And Spike’s already got a date, I can’t ask him to break it."

Willow rummaged through her bag. "I’m sorry Buffy. But look at it this way - you’re in L.A., you can still do some major shopping and there is a certain blond who you’re looking to impress. Might I suggest we look for some sexy lingerie?"

Buffy grinned. "You know, that’s not a half bad idea. Who needs the formal? I wonder what Spike likes?"

Willow laughed, "Knowing the way he was looking at you the other night at my birthday party when he thought no one was paying attention, probably you in a brown paper bag would do it for him. But I’m going to call Xander and have him sound Spike out, maybe he can get some lingerie preferences out of him as well."

Buffy giggled, imagining a scene where Xander tried to fish for that information without letting on why. "Willow, don’t make him to that!"

"Nope, he already knows about Angel and I told him my suspicions about you guys, he’s all on board with the helping."

Willow flipped out her phone and dialed a number. "Hey Xander? How’s my love muffin?"

Buffy rolled her eyes and grabbed her own phone, deciding to go into the bathroom so she could call Angel and not gag on Willow’s names for Xander. She was happy for them, and suspected she’d be the same way if this all worked out with Spike, but sometimes the sweetness was a little too much.

She pulled out her phone and dialed Angel’s number, waiting patiently while it rang. No answer again. Where was he? Had he been going away for the break? She didn’t remember if he was, but she hadn’t really been paying that much attention to him lately, so who really knew. She disconnected without leaving a message.

Maybe she should call Spike. Just to chat. She could ask him something about the wedding, that’d be a good excuse. She dialed his number quickly before she lost her nerve, then abruptly disconnected before the phone could ring. No, bad idea. She needed to have the talk with him in person. Best to wait. Her finger inched towards redial. Just a ‘hey, how are you’ couldn’t hurt. Might soften him up. She hit the button. It rang and then suddenly he picked up. Buffy felt her breath leave her lungs.

"Hello?… Hello? … Is anyone there? Listen you wanker, speak up or I’m hanging up the phone."

Buffy couldn’t think of a single thing to say, including the obvious, "Hello, Spike, it’s Buffy and I am becoming your own personal stalker." She hung up, cutting off a string of colorful threats on the other end about bleeding prank callers and sighed. She really did like his voice, even if it was unknowingly hurling British expletives at her. She really, really had it bad.

Maybe she should try Angel again. She needed to get that over with. Just as she was about to redial his number, she heard Willow knock at the door.

"Um, Buffy, I really need to talk with you when you have a minute."

Buffy opened the door immediately. "I just wanted you to have some privacy for your call with Xander. What’s up?"

"I think you need to sit down." She gestured to the bed and Buffy sat as directed, puzzled by Willow’s expression.

"Willow, what’s wrong? Did something happen to Xander?"

"No, Xander’s fine and he and Spike are going to play pool tonight at the Bronze. Xander has been charged with finding out about how Spike feels about you, Faith, and lingerie. . . all very delicately of course. I’d love to be a fly on the wall there tonight." Willow grinned in spite of herself. "Actually, I called Cordelia back. Buffy, she told me some stuff, and while I think she’s holding something back, I don’t see any reason not to believe her."

"What did she say?"

"Cordy says that not only has Angel been cheating on you, he was mainly interested in getting with you because he knows about your trust fund. Apparently he had this deranged plan that you guys would get together this year and you’d be so besotted with him after he deflowered you that you’d fall madly in love and agree to marry him. He basically thought you’d make him a nice little sugar mama, Buffy."

Buffy thought if it was possible for steam to rise out her ears, it would be occurring. "Willow, are you serious? He didn’t even really like me? Just wanted money? You know, I guess he really is a man-whore."

She jumped off the bed and began pacing the room. "I can’t believe this. I mean, I had a crush on him for years. Was I completely round the bend? Has he always been this way, Willow? Why didn’t I see this before? Why didn’t you slap some sense into me? I feel like such an idiot."

Willow shrugged. "Buffy, I didn’t know that was why he wanted to date you. I mean, if you didn’t have a dime, I’d still expect Angel to have wanted you. You’re a great person and he’s the idiot. I think you should just be really glad that you do have a wonderful guy who could care less about Buffy Summers, poor little rich girl, and loves Buffy Summers, the girl next door. I’d be willing to bet money that your hair is the only gold Spike sees when he looks at you, Goldilocks."

Buffy smiled at Willow’s use of her nickname. "You really think so?" Willow nodded. Buffy began to pace again. "Willow, how did Cordelia know all of this?"

Willow sighed. She knew Cordy was trying to do the right thing now, and that counted for something, but she suspected she’d severely ruined any chance of friendship with Buffy, because Willow was pretty certain Cordelia had the inside track because she’d been screwing Angel as well. She had to be pretty intimately involved for him to have told her his real reasons for pursuing Buffy.

"Buffy, she wouldn’t really say. She ran into Faith when she went to work out this morning and heard that Spike had asked her to the formal. Cordy apparently talked to Spike last week and had encouraged him to try to start a relationship with you. When she found out that he wasn’t, she said she had to stop things before it was too late, so she called me so I could warn you about Angel."

"Willow, that didn’t really answer the question."

"I know. She really wouldn’t say. I think it’s best if you just leave it Buffy. You probably already have an idea and I think we best just let it alone for now."

Buffy nodded, finally understanding what Willow was saying. Cordy must have been with Angel at some point too. She couldn’t help but feel betrayed. She and Cordy had never been as close as she’d been with Willow, but still, she couldn’t help but wonder why she would do something like that.

"Buffy, I don’t think you should call off your date with Angel just yet."

"Huh? Willow, after that? There is no way I ever want to be around him again, let alone spend an evening playing his fawning girlfriend."

"I think you’re missing the point here. Just dumping Angel isn’t enough. Clearly he’ll just pick up with Gina or some other little bimbette and go right along. What Angel needs is a huge dose of humiliation. You know he loves being the center of attention? Well, what if we turn that around on him and make him the object of derision for the entire fraternity?"

Buffy’s eyes sparkled at the thought of a humiliated Angel. "I’m loving it, Willow. But how? What could we do to embarrass Angel like that?"

Willow nodded. "Tell you what. You just leave it to me. I’m going to make some calls, put Cordy to work doing some penance and I’ll come up with something. You just play along with Angel for now, be all sugary sweet, make him think his little plan is working. Come next Friday night, he’ll regret he ever tried to mess with you or your friends."

Buffy agreed. "Alright Willow, plan away. But what about Spike? I don’t want him to think I’m still with Angel. I really want to explain things to him.’

"Oh, I’d say go ahead and tell Spike. You’ll just have to explain the situation to him. Spike will probably be all for it, once he hears what Angel’s done. Though you’ll probably have to restrain him from just kicking his ass right away instead."

Buffy laughed, "He probably will be pretty mad. He always did want to defend my honor." She swooned back on to the bed. "Oh Willow, I’m so in love." She suddenly sat back up. "Why are we still here? We have dresses to buy and small pieces of plastic to make it possible. Come, Willow, to the stores."

The two friends hastily left to begin their expedition.

<><><><>

The following Wednesday….

Buffy looked furtively around as she and Willow mounted the stairs to Spike’s apartment, armed with several bags each.

"Buffy, stop looking like you’re breaking and entering!"

"Well, Willow, I feel like we are."

"Don’t be ridiculous. You have a key. We aren’t jimmying the lock or anything. And we’re carrying stuff in, not out."

"I know Will," Buffy muttered as she inserted the key in the lock. "But I’m still nervous that something will go wrong, or he’ll show up early."

"Buffy, we watched him go to class. He won’t be back for at least an hour, not before 5:00 tops, probably later."

"I know, but let’s hurry. I think you don’t need to be here when he finally comes home, okay?"

"Agreed. Like I want to watch you two go at it."

Buffy blushed. "Willow, he may not even want to, I mean, this is a little sudden. I haven’t even talked to him since last Tuesday."

Willow rolled her eyes and patted her on the head. "Buffy, as you will very soon learn, they always want to."

"Fine. Just help me get everything ready."

As they hurried around the apartment, Buffy hoped she had done the right thing. She had been tempted to rush over to Spike’s as soon as they returned from L.A., but she’d learned from Xander that Spike was taking Faith out to dinner that night, to try and explain that their little setup was just a casual date and to thank her for going with him.

She’d been freaked at first, sure that he had given up and was moving on from her. But Xander had assured her that wasn’t the case; that Spike had seemed more burdened about the prospect of having to take Faith out than anything else. She’d later gotten the skinny about the date from Cordy, who’d offered her a cryptic apology that Buffy had accepted with as much grace as she could muster. Faith had confided to Cordy the next morning at the gym that Spike had been a perfect gentleman, explaining to her that he was in love with someone else who he couldn’t be with and that he hadn’t wanted to lead her on in anyway.

Apparently Faith had been very impressed with his honesty and more than a little annoyed at Angel for setting them up in what was a somewhat awkward situation, so Cordy had recruited her to be a part of their little scheme as well.

Willow had convinced her that she needed to create a mood and soften Spike up a little, so he’d listen to her big speech. But, in order to do that, she’d been forced to wait until Wednesday night, when she knew Spike would be in class and she could arrive ahead of him to get everything set up. But the wait had been killing her.

30 minutes later, the two stood back and surveyed their handiwork. The mess that was occasionally Spike’s apartment had been tided and in its place, candles now covered most available surfaces.

"You think we went overboard on the candles?" Buffy looked around.

"No, it’ll be romantic when you get them all lit. The bed looks good."

They had replaced Spike’s usual knit sheets with black satin ones that matched the texture of his comforter.

"Willow, where did you put the condoms?"

"They’re in the nightstand."

"Okay." Buffy blew out a breath. "Bed done, check, candles to set the mood, check. Oh, did you put the Chinese in the fridge? Spike never has much food and I thought we might get hungry, after."

Willow laughed. "Yup, all set. I guess that’s it then, now off with your clothes, missy."

"Willow, don’t you think some of that lingerie we got would be better for the occasion?"

"Nope. I think Spike’s gonna take one look at you naked in his bed and totally forget he was ever mad. Besides," Willow winked, "lingerie will just get in the way."

Buffy sighed. "I know I’m ready, I know I want this, but I’m still nervous. Any last minute tips for the quaking virgin?"

"Just do what feel right to you Buffy. It’s not like there’s a manual for the perfect first time. You and Spike have a lot of chemistry and from what you said happened the other night, I doubt you’ll have any problems. Don’t be nervous and be sure you let him know how you’re feeling, okay?"

She nodded and ushered Willow to the door, locking it behind her as she departed.

She looked at the clock in the kitchen. Spike’s class was just about to let out. She raced for the bathroom and pulled out her makeup bag, fixing her lipstick and mascara. She shrugged out of her clothes, folded them and tucked them in the overnight bag she’d packed. She paused for a minute staring at her reflection in the mirror. She thought she looked okay. She still had some remnants of the late summer tan she’d picked up after the return to Sunnydale, so she wasn’t too pale.

She reached to cup her breasts, pursing her lips as she turned to the side for a different angle. She was a little on the smallish side she thought. Would he mind? Of course, he didn’t seem to a few weeks ago. She closed her eyes as she brushed her fingers gently across her nipples, remembering the exquisite sensations he’d pulled from her. She’d been having these incredibly erotic dreams about him ever since that night, reliving the way he’d felt beneath her, the touch of his hands, the look in his eyes, the way he’d made her body sing. She opened her eyes and slid her hands away. She was ready for this.

She grabbed the lighter and quickly made her way around the room as she lit the numerous candles and cut off the lights. She tilted the screen so the bed was shielded from view, then settled under the sheets, modestly tucking them under her arms as she rested against the headboard, mentally rehearsing what she needed to tell him.

She started as she heard his key in the door lock and she found her hands fluttering, fluffing her hair, smoothing the sheet. She could hear the door opening from the other side of the screen and his soft "Bloody hell," as he took in the candles now lighting his apartment.

"Spike," she called softly.

"Buffy, that you? Come out here."

"I can’t Spike, come back here."

She could hear him approach, an angry tread as he came closer. This had been a bad idea. Why had she let Willow talk her into this?

"Buf…" he trailed off as he rounded the screen and took in a sight he’d previously only imagined. The deepening twilight outside let very little light into the room and she was illuminated only by the candles placed on the nightstand, the soft glow highlighting her features. He noted her bare shoulders and the carefully tucked sheet that just barely covered her breasts and realized with a start that she was probably not wearing anything. Spike was thoroughly confused as to why she was here, but his libido had no such questions. He could feel himself growing harder as he stared at the angel in his bed.

He cleared his throat and tried again, his anger softening. "Buffy, what are you doing here? … In my bed? … Wearing what appears to be only a sheet? Luv, I told you, I don’t want to play games with you." His voice broke at the end, his mind refusing to see the good in this scenario.

"Spike, please listen to me." She stopped and steadied herself, trying to find the words that would reach him. "I came here because I really need to talk with you, and you won’t given me a chance. I thought maybe you’d be more likely to listen to me this way."

He walked towards the bed, kneeling at the end, just out of her reach. "Alright, Buffy. I’ll hear you out. But promise me something first?"

She nodded.

"If I ask you to leave when this is over, will you give me the key and just walk away and drop this, leave me in peace?"

She struggled to retain her composure. What if she said things wrong or couldn’t make him understand? She took a deep breath and nodded.

"Very well, luv. Carry on."

She looked him squarely in the eyes as she began to speak, her words jumbling as she tried to get everything out. "Spike, I came here because I needed to explain to you that what you saw with Angel was a mistake. I don’t love him and I never have. I was trying to find a way to break things off with him that night you saw us and it just didn’t work out."

He arched an eyebrow, his voice still cool. "It didn’t work out so you decided to just go to the bloody formal with him?"

She raced on, knowing she needed to be more persuasive, to get past Angel, which after all was the point here. To get him to understand it was about Spike and Buffy, not Angel and Buffy.

"Spike, I never actually agreed to, he just assumed and started talking about in front of Penn and a bunch of your fraternity brothers. I couldn’t find a way to politely tell him that I couldn’t go with him. Why do you think I came over here that night? Spike, I was trying to tell you that I wanted to be with you, that I just needed a little more time to end things with Angel. But you weren’t exactly sober and I thought I could tell you in the morning and then…"

Her words trailed off as she was interrupted by him. "Buffy, what did you just say?"

"You weren’t sober so I couldn’t tell you…"

"Tell me what again? That part."

She smiled. "How much I love you and want to be with you, nobody but you."

He stared at her as the words began to sink into his consciousness, still not fully registering.

"Say it again for me, please pet."

"I love you and want to be with you, William."

Suddenly he was on the bed beside her, enclosing her in a tight embrace. "You mean that Buffy? Really?"

She gave him a shy kiss as she returned the hug. "Absolutely. I’m sorry for all the fuss, I just wanted to make sure how I felt." She squeezed him harder. "And now I’m sure."

He pulled back and gazed at her with adoring eyes before dropping to her lips for a longer kiss.

"Buffy, I love you too. I’d do anything in the world to make you happy."

She nuzzled against him, before whispering in his ear, "Well, there was this one thing I was hoping you might be inspired to do?"

He looked down at her, then back to her face.

"Are you sure Buffy? You know we don’t have to rush into this. You don’t have to do this to prove anything to me."

"Spike." She paused and gazed directly into his suede blue eyes. "We aren’t rushing. I haven’t before now because I wanted the first time to be special, with someone I really cared about, someone I loved. I’ve found that someone and I don’t want to wait any longer. Unless you do?"

Spike smiled and leaned in to graze her lips tenderly, the lightest brush against her mouth before whispering in her ear, "Buffy, luv, I’ve been dreaming about making love to you for longer than I care to admit. I just don’t want you to feel pressured, because I can wait."

She pulled him close again and kissed him, her tongue sliding against his lips as she teased him into opening for her. The kiss escalated until both broke away panting for breath. "Does that answer your question?"

Spike slipped away from her and stood up. "Oh yeah..."

"So where you going?"

"Well, if I’m not mistaken about what’s under that sheet, one of us is a little overdressed here. I thought we’d level the playing field." He pulled his shirt over his head and she felt her mouth grow dry as she looked as his lean, chiseled chest. He noticed her appreciative gaze and smirked a little as he reached for his belt, then paused.

Buffy frowned as he failed to continue the impromptu striptease. "Spike? Is something wrong?"

"No, was just wondering if you might reciprocate?"

Buffy realized what he wanted. "Oh, you’d like a peek?"

She returned the smirk that played across his face and slowly let the sheet drop and pool around her waist. She felt a little thrill of satisfaction run though her as she watched him ogle her breasts. She resisted the urge to cover herself under his intense gaze and instead leaned back, thrusting her breasts higher and watching him from under her lashes.

"The hell with this." Spike hastily unbuckled his belt and lost his pants and boots quickly, returning to the bed and Buffy. Her eyes widened as she got her first good luck at Spike in the buff. He reached her and slowly drew the sheet away that covered the rest of her body, drinking in the beauty of her form as he followed the revealing path of the satin with his eyes. He knew that there were probably women more beautiful than Buffy somewhere, but in his eyes, he’d never seen such a goddess. Suddenly, the urgency that had gripped him faded and he knew he wanted to make this last, make things special for her by showing her just how gorgeous she was.

He slowly drew her down and lay beside her, staring into her eyes as he stroked the side of her face. She felt as though she was drowning in his gaze as he lay stretched beside her, propped on one elbow, seemingly content to simply drink in her features and maintain the small rhythmic contact which lulled and excited her at the same time. She felt almost hypnotized by the slide of his fingers as they caressed her cheek and the butterflies that had danced through her earlier began to slowly fly away.

"Do you have any idea of how exquisite you are, kitten?" Spike asked as he continued his caress, slowly trailing his fingers down her neck. She found herself arching into his touch like the feline he had called her, seeking to extend the light petting. He moved in closer and she felt her heart began to race as he sprinkled kisses across her face and down her neck.

"Goldilocks, you are so very desirable." He ran his hand through her hair, bringing the long flowing strands to his face and rubbing its softness against his cheek. As he gradually let the ends drift through his fingers, he murmured, "You have the most amazing hair, it shimmers in the light like a thousand strands of gold."

He drew a few strands that had fallen around her face through his fingers again and gently tucked them behind her ear, then turned her face so she was staring straight into his eyes.

"A man could get lost forever in the green pools of your eyes. They shift, you know. Sometimes they’re green, sometimes almost brown, sometimes this amazing mix of flecks that look like a forest with sunlight filtering through it on a summer day."

Slowly he drew his thumb down her cheekbone and across her full lower lip.

"You have the softest skin. It feels like satin. And you have the sweetest little mouth, just begging to be kissed."

Spike slowly dropped to her lips and the kiss deepened between them as she tried to convey to him the emotions she was feeling but couldn’t express in the same way he had. As they pulled away, Spike framed her face in his hands.

"But you know why I love you, Buffy? It’s because of how special you are inside. You aren’t just a pretty package. You aren’t some vapid airhead. You care about people, about those in your life and you try to make things better for them. And that makes you far more desirable than the most beautiful supermodel, because there’s something underneath the glitter and shimmer of your beauty, there’s substance. And I would love to spend the rest of my life getting to know the woman you’ve become."

She stared at him, entranced by his words, suddenly feeling more desirable than she’d ever felt in her entire life. Then her eyes slowly drifted shut as he began to work his way down her body, abandoning words for action.

Buffy gasped as she felt Spike nuzzle the curve of her neck, nibbling the sensitive spot where her shoulder began. His teeth grazed her skin lightly and she shuddered at the contact as he continued his slow progression downward to her breasts. He slowly enclosed one rosy nipple between his lips and savored the feel of it hardening into a tight bud in his mouth. Buffy clutched his head to her as she moaned softly at the contact, feeling the slow pulls and light sucking begin to set up a circuit of energy that increased the throbbing need between her legs with every tug of his mouth.

Soon he had moved to the other breast, lightly teasing the abandoned bud with his fingers. Buffy was awash in the sensations pouring through her - the feel of his tongue as he teased her further, the erotic sight of him at her breast, the way his fingers kneaded her, the hardness she could feel pressed against her thigh as he lay half across her. She was sure she was about to experience sensory overload and he seemed to be only getting started.

He softly released her breast and looked up to find her watching him, her pupils dark and dilated with the desire he could feel radiating between them. He felt like he was lost in the passion that was Buffy - the taste, the smell, the small breathy moans he wasn’t sure she was even conscious of making. He reached for her mouth again and she responded with enthusiasm, rubbing her hardened nipples against his chest as she traced the muscles in his arms while their mouths mated. She opened her eyes to find his open too, and the intimacy of watching him as they kissed shook her.

Slowly he broke away and began to slide down her body, relishing the feel of her skin and the shivers that reverberated between them from the contact. She fought the butterflies in her stomach that seemed to return as he began to place a series of soft open-mouthed kisses, interspersed with small nips, along her upper thighs. She slowly relaxed as he parted her legs and rested his head against her thigh, stroking her belly down almost to her mound, but never quite touching her sex.

He stared at the beauty of her laid out before him, glistening with her excitement, and slowly began to trace her lower lips with one finger only, giving her time to become accustomed to the light sensation before he explored her further. Buffy watched entranced as he spread her legs wider and settled between them, her shyness dissipating as her anticipation grew. Their gazes locked as he slowly began to lick her with broad strokes from bottom to top and she could feel an orgasm building as he hit her clit on each upstroke.

Her body began to flush and tingle and she stiffened as he slowly inserted his tongue inside her, teasing her slightly as she gasped at this new sensation. He continued to tantalize her, bringing her to the edge over and over as he alternated with long strokes and small licks until she was writhing beneath him. Spike inserted one finger inside her, carefully watching her face and the flush of her body as he stroked softly, curving against her inner wall until he found the spot that soon had her quivering against him. He was entranced by the sight of her expressions, the way she bit her lip, how her eyes fluttered open and shut as she arched into him. She buried her hands in his hair, needing to touch him somehow, to make him understand what he was doing to her.

"Spike, Spike, please, please, please…" She knew she was babbling incoherently, but she was so on edge she couldn’t seem to express lucid thoughts.

Spike raised his head and grinned as she locked onto his eyes again. "What do you want, kitten? Tell me what you need. Is it this?"

He inserted a second finger and she thrust against him as he found her clit again and began to tap his tongue against her rapidly until she exploded around him and screamed his name. He slowly pulled back, nuzzling her softly as she began to come down from the incredible high he just pulled from her body. She reached for him and he cradled her in his arms as he lay between her legs and listened to the rapid beating of her heart, knowing that his was pounding as well. He waited, not sure if she was ready to make the next move or not.

Buffy held tightly to his body as she slowly ran her hands over his back, feeling the muscles jump under her fingers. She felt so incredibly good, almost languid, as she shivered from the aftershocks that still rolled through her. But she wanted more, she needed him inside, needed to know what he would feel like joined with her completely. She knew he was giving her a chance to back away if she wanted, to be sure. So she’d just have to show him she was ready. She pulled his face to hers for a deep kiss and urged him closer between her parted legs until she felt the head of his cock nudge her opening. Slowly she curled her legs against his waist and urged him to her as Spike drew back from the kiss.

"Are you ready, luv? We can still stop. I just want to make this perfect for you."

She nodded and thrust her hips against him harder. "I’m sure. Please, Spike, please, now."

He started to enter her and froze, stilling her hips with his hands. "Buffy, wait, luv. I almost forgot." He started to pull away from her and roll towards the nightstand, where he hoped the condoms that had been resting there for a while were still good, when she stopped him.

"Spike, you’ve been tested right?" He stopped and looked down at her.

"For STDs?" She nodded. "Yeah, we get tested when we have our physicals before the season starts. I’m clean, luv, I promise. I haven’t been with anyone since my last physical, actually, not for a long while before that."

She pulled him back towards. "Then it’s okay. I’m on the pill, we don’t need a condom."

"You’re sure sweetheart?" She nodded again, sliding her legs around his waist again and urging him back towards her. She felt him slide his length against her, teasing her still sensitive flesh slightly and she growled with impatience. She didn’t want to play anymore. He smirked slightly at her and kissed the tip of her nose as he slowly guided the tip inside her, allowing her to become accustomed to him before he slowly edged further in.

Spike buried his face against her neck and gritted his teeth as he fought to keep himself under control. It had been a long time for him and the sights and sounds and feel of her coming against his mouth alone had almost been enough to send him over the edge. That had been nothing compared to the tightness of her passage that gripped him like a perfectly fitted glove. He slowly rocked until he was firmly seated within her and pulled back, staring into her face.

"Okay, love? Any pain?"

She stared at him with passion-glazed eyes. "No, just a little at first, but I’m okay now." She wanted to say more, wanted to tell him how incredible it felt just to be this connected to him, as close as they could be, their bodies merged together. She was a little sore, but that didn’t seem to register as much as the overwhelming desire that bubbled up within her for this beautiful man who loved her.

He pulled her to him for another kiss, giving her time to adjust as he slowly reached between their joined bodies to stroke her softly. He fought to keep his hips from thrusting into her depths as she began to gasp into his mouth and he could feel her fluttering around him as her second orgasm washed over her and she began to rock against him. He looked into her eyes and she nodded as he began to slowly withdraw and thrust against her, deliberately trying to keep the pace slow and deep. Buffy clutched his shoulders and tightened her legs around his waist, locking her heels against the small of his back as she sought to draw him in closer.

Their bodies moved together and he could feel his orgasm approaching rapidly as the friction with her body drove him to the edge. He shifted so his pelvis provided more stimulation for her and Buffy arched wildly against him as his thrusts grew faster. Her head thrashed on the pillow as she felt the warmth in her belly explode and the fire that raced between them electrify her body. With a shout, Spike followed and collapsed against her as she drew his head down to her breast and held him tightly against her in the aftermath of their lovemaking, wanting to prolong the closeness.

He curled his arms around her and simply lay, relishing the sparks that continued to hum between their bodies as they remained intertwined. Buffy ran her fingers through his hair, watching the soft curls that sprang up under her ministrations. She wasn’t sure she was capable of coherent thoughts at the moment, just jumbled bits and pieces that tumbled through her mind, like how soft his hair was, that she thought her legs might not work any longer and how she didn’t think she would die of a heart attack at 20, but she couldn’t be sure with the way hers was currently racing. She bent to kiss his forehead and he slowly turned his face up to hers.

"You alright luv?" She nodded and wondered if she could translate how she felt into words to make him understand how good he had made this for her.

"Spike?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

She smiled softly. She liked that pet name. "Thank you. I would say I wonder now why I waited for something so amazing, but I know why. This wouldn’t have been as incredible if it hadn’t been you."

"The pleasure was all mine love, all mine."

He cuddled her close again and they drifted off to sleep, finally content in knowing they’d found what they’d been looking for.

<><><><>

Buffy awoke and rolled to look at the bedside clock. 11:00PM. She realized that she was alone in the bed and she sat up with a start. Where was Spike? Suddenly she became aware of noises on the other side of the screen and she crept out of the bed, twining the sheet around her as she made her way towards the kitchen.

Spike was bent over, peering into the contents of the refrigerator and rummaging around as he hummed some tune she didn’t recognize. Buffy silently commented to herself on the cuteness of his bare backside and made a mental note to explore that when she got him back to the bed.

"Spike? What ya doing, honey?"

He turned and peered at her over the fridge door. "Hey, sweetheart. I woke up and realized all I had for supper tonight was you." He waggled his eyebrows at her and she found herself blushing, despite herself. "Stomach was a bit rumbly, as was yours, you were making all kind of cute little growling sounds. So I went to find us some food options and encountered this lovely Chinese takeout that some magic food fairy left in my refrigerator."

She laughed as he pulled the other cartons out and shut the door, drinking in the sight of him. Her only regret so far, not that she had any complaints, was that she hadn’t really had a chance to explore him yet, but she expected to remedy that soon enough. She let the sheet drop entirely and moved into the kitchen, pinning him against the counter as she greeted him with a kiss and rubbed against his body. He growled as she shimmied against him and began to stroke his hardening member that was rapidly growing in length. "Sweetheart, wait, I had a plan...."

Buffy continued her caress with a firmer stroke, circling his stiff tip with her fingers. "So do I...." His head fell back and he was pretty sure the whimpering noise must have come from him as she brought her other hand into play, softy teasing the skin right below his family jewels. She latched on to his neck and began to suck and lick the veins as he thrust into her fondling hands. Spike gathered his last remaining ounce of sanity as she drove him out of his mind and managed to disengage her fingers.

"Buffy, luv, pet, wait just a minute."

She cocked her eyebrow in imitation of his look and leaned in again as he swatted away her questing hands and swept her up in his arms. "Give me five minutes and you can play all you want, alright?"

She pouted at him, that lower lip he could never resist. "All I want?"

"Trust me sweetheart, I’m your sodding love slave for eternity if you keep that up." He strode towards the bathroom, nudging the door open with his foot as he entered. She was amazed to see that some of the candles she and Willow had earlier set up around the apartment were now burning brightly on the edge of the large tub, which had been filled with steaming water. He carried her over and deposited her on the edge. "Here you go, luv. I thought you might be a little sore when you woke up, so I drew this bath and was getting us a snack before I woke you."

She slid into the water, which felt heavenly and sniffed the bubble bath he had added before looking back to find him gazing at the vision of her swathed in mounds of snowy bubbles.

"You are joining me, right?"

"Oh absolutely, just getting the food and I’ll be right back. Then you can explore me to your heart’s content." He started to turn away, then knelt beside the tub again. "Luv, would you do me a favor?" As she nodded, he held out an arm. "Pinch me."

"You want me to pinch you? What on earth for?"

"Because I’ve had at least three or four of my favorite fantasies come true tonight and this has to be a dream."

She pulled him closer and kissed him instead, then reached around to pinch his derriere. As he yelped and almost fell into the tub from the unexpected jolt, she patted him softly. "See, it’s real. Now hurry back with the food, I’m hungry!"

She giggled as he exited the bathroom and sank down into the water beneath the bubbles. She had felt a little achy from earlier and the water soothed her muscles as she picked up a washcloth from the edge of the tub and began to rub soap into it. She was a little puzzled by Spike’s choice of body wash, it was her favorite scent, but didn’t really seem like his thing.

"Goldilocks, that’s my job," Spike told her as he sank in the tub behind her. He placed the cartons he’d been carrying on the wide ledge of the tub and slowly drew the washcloth from her hands.

"Spike, I love this bubble bath and body wash. How did you know?"

He smiled shyly as he continued to lather the cloth and then began to run in it small circles across her shoulders and back.

"Lean forward sweetheart. You remember how much you liked the tub when you first saw the apartment?" She nodded. "Well, I hoped you’d take me up on the offer to use it, so I went to the drugstore and sniffed every bleeding bubble bath they sold until I found the one that smelled like you."

Buffy laughed at the thought of Spike in the bath aisle, furtively sniffing to find her favorite. "You mean you remembered how I smelled?"

He pulled her back against him as he ran the washcloth over her front, seemingly very concerned with the cleanliness of her breasts. "Of course, pet." He nuzzled her hair momentarily. "I’m like a junkie. I used to come in here and take a whiff of the stuff every now and then because it smelled like you."

She felt her breathing increase at the continued caresses and his words. "You know, I used to sniff your shirts when I’d snag your laundry cause I liked the way they smelled like you."

He hugged her tighter. "Well, now we both have the real thing. Buffy," his voice trembled a little and he paused to steady it, "I don’t now how to tell you how happy you’ve made me tonight. I know I acted like a right wanker the last few weeks, refusing to talk with you and I’m sorry for some of those things I said. I just was so excited at that thought that you maybe felt something for me too, that when I saw you with Angel that night, I overreacted. I’m sorry I didn’t give you a chance to explain."

Buffy swiveled in his arms until she was facing him. "Spike, don’t apologize. It’s okay now. I should have said something to you earlier, so you’d understand about me going to dinner with Angel. I was just so scared by what happened between us that I needed time to works things out."

He looked into her hazel eyes and didn’t see fear or hesitation reflected there, but he had to ask. "You aren’t afraid now?"

"No, well mostly no. Spike, you aren’t my father. I trust you. What happened between my parents was between them and what happens between us is entirely up to us. Sometimes it still scares me a little, because of how incredibly important you are to me. I could make you my entire world, like Mom did with Dad, very easily. But I’m willing to take the chance that what we have can be good and healthy and make us both better for it."

She leaned in and kissed him softly. "We have a good foundation, Spike. We’ve been friends for a very long time, and I know who you are. I watched you grow up from a teenager who wasn’t ashamed to be kind to a sad little girl who couldn’t stop crying, to a man who still goes out of his way to help others out. You’re what I’ve been looking for and I’m just sorry it took me so long to wake up to that fact."

She hugged him quickly and then revolved in his arms before he could see the tears of emotion in her eyes. "Now, what was that about being my love-slave? I’m getting pretty hungry up here." She waved her arm airily in the direction of the take-out. "Feed me, honey?"

He laughed, and the mood lightened as he picked up a carton and they shared the meal between them, feeding each other. By the time they were done, the water had grown cold and Spike helped Buffy out of the tub as they teased each other as they toweled off.

She stifled a yawn. "Spike, what time is it?"

He slid to the door of the bathroom to see the clock in the kitchen. "Bugger, it’s 1:30. I have swim practice at 5:00AM. Luv, what time do you have class tomorrow?"

She stretched and wrapped the towel around her to ward off the chill in the air. "Ummm, 11:00. Thursday’s my late day."

His face lit up. "Mine too. How about I come back here after practice and make you breakfast before you have to go home and get ready for class?"

Buffy laughed, "I came prepared Spike, I brought everything I need to get ready for tomorrow, it’s in that bag over there."

"Great, then we’ll have breakfast and I’ll walk you to class?" She nodded and followed him back to the bed. She briefly thought about pulling on a t-shirt, but decided against it as she curled against the warmth of Spike’s skin and felt him tighten his arms around her. Their arms and legs wrapped around one another and they slowly drifted off.

When Buffy awoke the next morning, the apartment was quiet. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and glanced at the clock. 7:00AM. Spike would probably be back from practice in a few minutes. She shuddered at the thought of swimming at 5AM. She had no idea how he did that. Buffy tossed back the covers, sighed and dragged out a T-shirt and boxer shorts from his dresser to put on. She couldn’t stalk around naked in his place all the time after all. She stretched, realizing the bath last night must’ve helped quite a bit - she wasn’t all that sore, just a little tired.

She puttered into the kitchen, looking through the shelves for the pancake mix and measuring out enough for the two of them. She had just poured the first batter into the heated pan when she heard the key in the lock and looked up to see a smiling Spike come through the door, carrying the newspaper he’d grabbed off the steps on his way in. "Morning sweetheart, you sleep alright?" She nodded and he came round the counter to kiss her on the cheek. She turned to meet his lips and the greeting lengthened until the smell of burning pancakes caused Buffy to break away with a yelp.

"Oh no, I’ve burned it!"

Spike laughed and took the spatula away from her as he pried the incinerated flapjack from the pan. "My fault luv, I distracted you." He threw another pat of butter in and poured a dollop of batter into the pan as she set the small table and poured juice for both of them. Soon they settled down to eat.

"Want to help me with the puzzle, sweetheart?"

Buffy watched as Spike unfolded the Sunnydale Times to the crossword puzzle and laid it out before pouring syrup from its bottle and cutting his pancakes. She was suddenly struck by the utter domestication of the scene, it felt as comfortable as if they did this everyday. She pondered for a moment as she watched him put the first bite in his mouth, and realized he’d caught her staring.

"Something the matter?"

She smiled back at him. "Not at all… I was just thinking about how much I like this." She motioned back and forth across the table between them with her fork. "It’s….homey, I guess. I don’t really know the word for it, but it makes me happy."

He smiled at her. "So, you’re saying you like having breakfast with me?"

"More that I just like being here with you, breakfast is just a bonus. Sharing the paper, doing the puzzle," she gestured to the pages that were spread out between them, "and playing footsie under the table." She smirked as she ran her foot up his leg and rested it in his lap.

He reached under the table and caught her foot in his hand, tickling it unmercifully until Buffy was in hysterics. "Spike! Stop it, stop….honey, stop!" He winked at her and released her foot with a pat.

"Teach you to ambush me under the table, luv."

She recovered from her giggles and sobered up. "Do you like it? Us, together like this?"

Spike nodded, pondering whether to continue or just agree with her. He didn’t want to frighten her with just how serious his feelings were, after all, last night had been their first together, and they hadn’t even been on a real date yet. On the other hand, he doubted two people could know each other better then they did, it wasn’t as though they were strangers after a one-night stand. He decided to speak his heart. "Buffy, if I could have you here every single morning, I would." His eyes met and held hers. "I’m not just saying that, sweetheart. As far as I’m concerned, I’d be in heaven if you wanted to become a permanent resident."

Buffy’s eyes grew wide as what he’d just said sank in. Had Spike just invited her to move in with him? She felt her breath catch. That was big and something she didn’t think she was quite ready for, at least not right this minute. She sat frozen like a deer in headlights, unsure of what to say, but before she could utter a word, Spike continued.

"I know we’re not at that point yet, sweetheart, don’t panic. I just want you to know that’s an open option if you ever want to exercise it. You can come and go as you please, just like you have before." He smiled. "Though I am hoping you’ll be a little more inclined to overnight visits from now on."

She nodded. "Absolutely. And thank you for the other…offer. I like knowing that you want that with me."

He leaned across the table for a syrup-tinged kiss and the moment passed as they resumed their breakfast in quiet conversation as they worked the crossword together.

<><><><>

After they finished and tossed the dishes in the sink, Buffy pulled him over to the couch. "Spike, there is one thing I still need to talk to you about." Her serious expression made his stomach flip, despite all of the reassurances of last night and the coziness of the morning. He took a deep breath to steady himself and pulled her onto his lap, wanting the closeness of contact to reassure him.

"Alright pet, what is it?"

She kissed him, ruffling his hair with her fingertips as she snuggled further onto his lap, feeling his reaction to the friction she was causing. He’d distracted her last night, but the next time she had him alone - without a class coming up in, she glanced at the clock, not much more than a hour - she was going to tie him to the bed and explore to her heart’s content. She was tempted to start right then, but figured they’d never make it out of the apartment if she did.

He stared back at her, wondering what was going on in her head as she eyed him with a speculative gaze. "Buffy? He waved a hand in front of her face. "Luv, what’s going on in there?"

She sighed. "I was just trying to decide if I had enough time to tie you up and have my wicked way with you before class."

He swallowed hard. Not what he’d been expecting. "Yes?" he ventured and she laughed at the hopeful look in his eyes.

"No. I need more time than we have and I still have to shower and get ready for class." He pouted and she soothed him with a slow kiss that quickly began to race out of control, until she pulled back. "Alright, mister, you’ve got to stop that, I really need to tell you something."

Spike mock muttered under his breath about bossy females and she tucked her head back under his chin as she curled back against him.

"Spike, first you have to promise me something."

"What?"

"Promise you’ll listen and not interrupt until I’m completely finished, and then that you’ll discuss this with me and not run off like a crazy man."

"I’m not going to like this, am I pet?"

"Well, I think ultimately you might, but not initially. Just promise?"

He grudgingly gave his word.

"Okay. When Willow and I went to LA, I found out some things about Angel. Let me start by saying that none of them had any influence whatsoever on my decision regarding our relationship. You can ask Willow if you want, I poured my heart out to her about you before he ever came up, okay?"

He nodded but maintained his silence.

"So, long story short, Angel was apparently sleeping with some other girls while we were dating. We know of at least one person he was with, Willow heard them though the door at the frat house the other night, and we think there might have been others."

He started to speak and felt her hand softly cover his mouth. "No, you promised to hear everything first."

He nodded and she continued. "So anyway, I was ill when Willow told me, but to be honest, I was a little relieved. I had felt so guilty about falling for you and somehow hurting him and that simplified matters greatly, you know? I didn’t have to worry anymore. But then it got worse. It turns out Angel was just interested in dating me because he thought I’d be a source of cash for him."

This time she couldn’t stop his exclamation. "That wanker! He cheated on you and he was using you for your trust fund?!"

She effectively stopped his by kissing him. "Shhhh…you promised to just listen until I was done." He stopped talking, but she could tell he was going to have some choice things to say when she was done.

"I totally agree with your sentiments, Spike. I could have dealt with him sleeping around, because we never really became intimate and I didn’t think our relationship was that serious. And I was looking for a way to nicely tell him I was interested in you. But knowing he was just using me because he thought he could get money from me, that he didn’t care about me as a person as all, just infuriated me. So Willow and I came up with a plan to get back at him."

Spike raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued at this.

"What do you think would embarrass Angel the most?"

Spike thought for a moment. "Publicly humiliate him. That poofter loves being number one no matter what, and being shown up or knocked down off his high horse a notch or two is the thing he hates most. I remember he got benched some his first year, and he was furious, a real asshole to the coach and his teammates, because he was so used to being the star in high school. He almost got kicked off the team. If it hadn’t been for the senior in his position getting injured and Angel being the only decent replacement, I think they would’ve booted him after that season. Course, he turned his act around after he was playing again and managed to win everybody back over, but he was more furious then than I’ve ever seen him."

"Exactly! That was the conclusion we came to. So here’s what we want to do, Angel thinks he’s Mr. Stud Puppy and he’s all convinced he’s going to win me over by his prowess in bed. So we decided that the best revenge would be to make him work for that, then use it against him."

Spike pulled back, eyes expressing his concern. "Buffy, you are not going to sleep with that wanker!"

She reached for him to soothe him, but he eluded her, catching her hands and holding them in his. "Luv, listen to me. Please. Don’t do this."

She took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "Spike, listen until I tell you everything and don’t jump to conclusions, okay?" He loosened his grip on her hands and she pulled one free to force him to look into her eyes. "I have no intention of sleeping with Angel. I love you, Spike. I just want to lead Angel on a little bit longer so we can embarrass him and then hasta la vista Angel. And I promise, we’ve thought this through."

Spike rested his forehead against hers, staring into her hazel depths as he tried to stay in control of his emotions. He understood her need for some payback, Angel had been a bastard in trying to use her, but he felt decidedly uncomfortable with her using sex for revenge, even just as a teaser. But trust was part of the whole relationship gig, so he’d give her the benefit of the doubt - at least until she unfolded the entire plan.

"Alright, give me the details, and don’t leave me with any surprises."

She beamed at him and he realized once again how much of a grip she had on his heart as he felt himself begin to melt under the glow that was Buffy.

"Okay. Willow and I brainstormed for hours on the way back from L.A., about how to pay him back. Well, Xander got in on the action via cell phone and happened to mention that he had a list of all the e-mails addresses for your frat."

Spike stopped her as the mention of Xander suddenly brought a realization.

"Goldilocks…did you and Red set Xander up to pump me for information the other night at the Bronze?"

Buffy giggled and nodded.

"So does this mean that I might be seeing you in a sexy little black teddy in the near future?"

Buffy blushed and nodded again.

Spike grinned. "Well I gotta admit, I though Xan was on something that night, the way he was rambling on about lingerie, but I’ll have to thank him I do believe." He leaned in for a kiss that managed to divert both of them from the topic at hand for several minutes. When they finally came up for air, Buffy glanced over at the clock. "Spike, look at the time, I have to get ready!"

"C’mon sweetheart, you can finish telling me while you shower." She eyed him suspiciously as he pulled her towards the bathroom. "Spike, I really do have to get ready and I don’t think us showering together will promote that."

He nodded. "I’ll be a perfect gentleman - well, aside from leering at you. I already took a shower after practice. I’m just going to watch." He gave her his wicked little grin and she raced for the shower, discarding the borrowed clothes as she went.

As soon as she was safely in the shower and away from his groping hands - which had been more than happy to help her in disrobing- she continued with her story as he leaned against the vanity and listened.

"So here’s the plan. Cordy’s putting out the bait. She’s getting together with Angel tonight to really push the money thing, how much I have and how I’ll have total access to it all in a just a few years, whet his appetite, so to speak. She’s also feeding him a poor little Buffy line, about how what happened with my parents really screwed with my head and that I’ve had to see a therapist because I got issues about sex and relationships."

She popped her head out of the shower to look at him. "I kinda do you know, have some trust issues, but not quite that serious."

He nodded, "I know luv. But you know I’m never going to do that to you."

She smiled at him. "I know." She returned to her showering and the plan.

"So, Angel’s all primed, here’s crazy Buffy, ready for the formal. You guys have that block of rooms at the hotel, in fact it turns out the senior guys have the place nearly booked solid. So we figure it’ll be the place everyone moves to after the formal gets under way. I’m going to be coming on to him at the dance, really getting him worked up for afterwards, which you are going to have to be cool about for this to work."

Her head popped out again. "Can you do that?"

Spike had that concerned, hurt look again. "I’d really rather not. Buffy, I don’t like this. Are you saying you still plan to go to the formal with that prat and that you’re going back to the hotel with him? I think that’s a bad idea." He looked away again. "I was hoping you’d be going with me now. I think Faith would understand. I told her about you, you know, well not who you were, but that I had someone I loved, but couldn’t be with."

Buffy sighed. She had been pretty sure Spike wasn’t going to be on board with this part of the plan. "I know… Cordy talked to Faith and she mentioned what you said. Faith’s actually much nicer than I originally thought; she’s turned out to be pretty decent about all of this. And the plan was for her to keep you reined in at the formal. She was also going to get Angel alone and come on to him as well, and then plant some lacy underwear in the pocket of his jacket for me to "find" later on in the evening when I go all irrational on his ass."

She popped her head back behind the curtain to finish shampooing her hair.

Spike’s eyes widened. He was beginning to suspect that Buffy, Faith, Willow, Cordy, and who knew how many other birds were involved, were all crazy. "Um, Buffy…what are you planning to do to him when you get him alone?"

"Oh, that’s the best part. We get back to the hotel, I’m going to go into this whole routine about how much I want to be with a man but I’ve always been afraid to go all the way. Then I’m going to explain my ‘therapist’s’ solution to my control issues and see if he’ll go for it."

"And what would that be?"

"That I need my lover to let me be in control and to be non-threatening. So I’ll need for him to wear…" Spike heard her start to snicker, "…some women’s…‘underthings’…for me."

"You’re going to ask Angel to wear ladies’ knickers?"

"Oh yeah, and then I’m going to blindfold him and handcuff him to the bed. And then I’m going to take pictures."

"Buffy, there’s no way in hell he’ll go for that."

Buffy turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. "Maybe. Maybe not. But if it works, as soon as I’m done, I’m going to find those planted underwear, pitch a fit and march off and leave him for his frat buddies to find. And the next day, every member of KET is going to have a charming e-mail inviting them to check out Angel’s ad for a special someone to play dress up with him, complete with pictures at this website Willow found called alt.com."

Spike was waiting with a towel and began to leisurely dry her off. "Buffy, he’ll go postal on you when he finds out. I really think this is a bad idea."

She shook her head. "I don’t think so. He can’t afford to do anything too crazy, ‘cause he’ll get kicked off the team. But I’m thinking he’ll think twice the next time, once he knows what it feels like to get played by someone."

He finished drying her and was starting to caress her curves that were now glowing from the hot shower. She arched against him for a moment, before pulling away despite his pout, to finish getting dressed. "So, what do you think?"

"Buffy, if I asked you not to do this, would you?"

Startled, she turned around and stared at him. "Would it really mean that much to you? I mean, does it really bother you that much?" He nodded slowly. She paused for a minute then replied, "If you asked, I would forget the whole thing. You’re way more important than he is and if it means that much to you, then I won’t."

He looked at her, his eyes glowing as he realized she was serious, and in two steps had crossed to take her in his arms, and grip her in a shattering hug. "Thank you sweetheart, you have no idea how much that means to me. But, how about if we just modify your plan a little?"

Buffy looked up him, amazed at the twinkle in his eye. "Are you serious?"

"Oh yeah…Angel’s going to pay. But I think we can set this up so he comes out as the total bad guy and is even more embarrassed. It will mean speeding up this little plan to tonight though."

Buffy’s brow puckered as she tried to figure out what he wanted to do. "Ok, honey, fill in the blanks for me here."

He picked up her comb and began to run it through her hair as she finished fastening her bra and buttoning her shirt. "Alright, the way I see it, if you get Angel in that room and leave him for the brothers to find there, those little pictures on the net won’t impress anyone. They’ll know where they came from and they’ll just think it was you, getting revenge, right?"

Buffy nodded, realizing she hadn’t thought about it that way. Spike picked up the blow dryer and began to dry her golden locks, raising his voice so she could still hear him.

"So, what I’m thinking is that you give Angel a ring this morning, and tell him you want to come see him tonight. That way, if you’re at the frat, Xander and I can be within calling distance and there’s a master key to all the rooms, so we can get to you if we need to - in case anything goes wrong and he doesn’t play ball. I’d be more comfortable with that."

She watched him in the mirror as he ran his fingers through her damp hair and lifted it to dry, enjoying the attention as he aided in her grooming.

"You get him in his room. Talk him into the knickers, get him all chained up, take your shots and then freak out. We’ll plant some underwear in his room while he’s not there today, you can do the same little routine."

She nodded. "But won’t there be the same problem? If everyone finds him, they still will think the ads a prank."

"Nope…You leave in a fluster and Xan and I will happen along very shortly after to ‘find’ him to play a game of hoops. We’ll be all discreet and unlock him, chastise him for his cheating and tell him to write you off. You and Red get you little ad up and we’ll send out the link to just a few select people on Friday morning…let the news spread through them. They’re a gossipy bunch, it won’t take long to get around and then it’s not such a public announcement, it looks like someone stumbled across it.

He reached for her brush and smoothed the ends of her hair as he completed the drying process.

"If I know Angel, he’ll have a date, whatever bint he was shagging likely, before the day’s out, and then the games can begin when he walks in the door that night. He’ll be a total laughingstock. No one will know that it’s you who took those pictures but Angel and it’ll be his word against yours. He may deny it, but he’s going to have rumors flying about him for months. And the best part is, I bet he won’t even see it coming."

Spike chortled at the thought of Angel’s face when he found out he’d gained a reputation as a closet transvestite…This was going to be good.

"So pet, can you deal with that? Satisfy your need for revenge?" She nodded. "Excellent. Then that means you can be my date for the dance."

Buffy gasped. "But Spike, what about Faith?"

"I think Faith will understand. ‘Sides, if she just wants to go to get dressy and such, Jonathan still doesn’t have a date and would be head over heels to take a babe like Faith. If she’s willing…"

Buffy arched an eyebrow as she stared at his reflection in the mirror. "Babe? I may yet revise my opinion of her."

He backpedaled as he rubbed his cheek against her now dry hair. "Nothing compared to you Goldilocks - she doesn’t even hold a candle."

She grinned and turned in his arms. "Well, you call her and Xander and run this by them and I’ll call Willow and Cordy. Then, if everything works out, I’ll make the date with Angel."

Spike paused for a moment. "Sweetheart, you’re not going to actually do anything to convince him to cooperate…right?"

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye as she began applying her makeup. "Well, my goal is to do as little as possible and just talk a lot. I’m hoping he’ll be convinced that I can’t go through with the deed otherwise. From what Cordy’s told him and what he’s seen, I think he might think I’m a little frigid. We’ve never done more than kiss a little and she told him I was a virgin first off.

Spike watched as she applied her lipstick, fascinated at the process of her preparations for the day. He couldn’t remember the last time he watched a woman apply her makeup, probably his Aunt Jenny when he was much younger. "Frigid, hmmm. Guess I was right about that passion thing after all."

She smiled at him in the mirror. "You knew you were right. So can you deal? I was hoping I could run my little seduction routine by you and see if you think it’s effective, only maybe with a different outcome..."

He quirked an eyebrow at her. "You already have the ‘cuffs?" She nodded. "Well, alright then." He stopped. "I don’t actually have to wear the knickers do I?"

She laughed. "No, we can skip that bit if you want. How about at lunch today?"

"Definitely a date, luv."

<><><><>

Spike daydreamed through most of his class, as he found his thoughts drifting back to the night before with Buffy and the promise of their lunch time tryst. He was fairly certain he had a goofy grin on his face, but he simply couldn’t help himself. She loved him; she’d really said she loved him. Waking up next to her had been incredible this morning and he wondered what it would take to convince her to make it a regular habit. She’d looked more than a little spooked by his comments this morning. He had to remember to pace himself, new relationship, couldn’t expect everything to happen at once.

"Mr. Calandar? Could I speak with you for a moment at the end of class?"

Spike gulped as he realized he must have missed a question on something while he was zoned out in Buffyland. And to make it worse, Professor Link was not only his Advance Bio professor, he was his landlord as well - and good friends with Giles. He cleared his throat. "Yes, Professor Link."

He focused on the lecture for the remainder of class, then gathered his books before making his way to wait by the lectern in the small seminar room, while Link expounded on a point to another student. He then turned to Spike as the other student exited the room.

"Well William, you appear to be quite cheerful this morning."

Spike was a little baffled at this intro, but he nodded. "I am. Sorry sir, about being less than attentive today, I’m afraid I had a lot on my mind."

"Yes, I suspected you might. Now, William, you are a top-notch student, today notwithstanding and an excellent renter, really one of the finest students I’ve ever had stay in my apartment, but I have to say there were some highly irregular noises coming from up there last night, some squeaks and moans if my ears heard correctly."

Spike swallowed. Link had heard them last night? Had he seen Buffy? Did he know she was related to Giles? The consideration of what Giles might say in response to learning Spike was shagging what was, in effect, his only daughter, had not even crossed his mind.

"Um, yes, about that. A…. uh….a friend of mine, she saw a mouse, which of course made her squeak and then we had to chase it and kill it and she was very upset, hence the moans."

"So, killing mice is what young people are calling it these days?"

Spike realized he was busted. "Yes, I suppose you could say that. I’m very sorry sir, about the noise. I… well, she’s very special and I don’t want you to think…"

Link patted him on the shoulder. "I’m not criticizing you, William. I was going to offer my congratulations. It’s the little blond girl who’s been coming and going the last few months, right? She’s a pretty little thing, and you’ve been by yourself too long, if the lack of mice killing noises coming from your apartment is any indication. Glad to see you’ve found someone special."

Spike realized the beaming grin was back on his face. "Thank you sir…And we’ll try to keep the, er, extermination sounds down in the future."

He sauntered out of the classroom. Now to find Buffy…He was supposed to meet her outside her class building, but his chat with Link had put him a little behind. He hurried across the quad.

<><><><>

"Buffy!"

She turned quickly at the sound of her name, and felt her face fall when she realized it was Angel, not Spike, who was hailing her. She realized this was the perfect opportunity however. She’d confirmed the change in plans with Willow and Cordelia, so now she just had to lay the trap for Angel.

"Angel, hey, how are you?" She tried to inject sincere enthusiasm into her tone, knowing she needed to work on her little act if she was going to pull this off. She faked a smile as she peered up at him and batted her eyes.

"Good Buff. I’ve been wondering where you were, I haven’t seen you since we got back from break. How’d that shopping trip go with Willow?"

"Oh, it was great. I found a gorgeous dress, way expensive but hey, it’s only money right?" She thought she might be laying it on a little thick, so she switched gears. "And we also found some pretty things for," she reverted to the eye flutter again, sure he’d get her drift, "after."

It worked. Angel smirked and slung an arm around her. "Well, that certainly sounds like something I want to see. I will get to see it, right?" Buffy nodded, trying to look eager and uncertain at the same time. "I hope so." She looked down, going for shy. "It’s just…I’ve never exactly…."

He squeezed her tightly. "I know Buff, but don’t you worry your pretty little head. Angel will make everything good for you."

She rolled her eyes and fought to control her laughter. This was going to be so good. "Actually, about that…I was wondering if you had any plans for, say, tonight?" She tilted her head to the side and looked up at him, trying for her most come-hither expression. "I was hoping I could maybe come over to your place and show you a few special things I picked up while we were in L.A."

She could almost see the wheels turning in his head, knowing he must be thinking she’d finally succumbed to his irresistible charms.

"Well, you’re a lucky lady," he winked at her, "I had some plans, but they got rescheduled this morning. Did you want me to come get you?"

"Sure, that’d be great. I just thought it’d be nice for us to have some alone time, just you and me. I don’t think I’ve ever spent much time in your room before. It seems so….private."

"Oh it is. We’ll be all alone…About 7 ok with you?"

"That’s sounds wonderful, I can’t wait," Buffy breathed in relief. She felt like she was channeling a porn star the way she was getting all husky, but it seemed to be having the desired effect, judging by the tightness she was observing in Angel’s trousers. Perfect.

Suddenly her eyes fell on the toes of a pair of dark boots that she instantly recognized and she looked up swiftly into Spike’s stormy blue eyes.

"Well, if it isn’t Spike. Long time no see, man. How’s that thing going with Faith? Quite the hottie, eh?"

Spike nodded, continuing to stare at Buffy for a moment, before raising his eyes to Angel’s. "That she is mate…Took her out last week, had quite a time. Should be a memorable night for us all; big formal, senior year…one for the yearbooks."

Angel smiled. "Yep, I think we’ll all be making some special memories." He gazed down at Buffy, "Won’t we, babe?"

She smiled sweetly. "Oh yes, we really will. Angel, I’m sorry to have to run, but I actually was supposed to meet with Spike at lunch today, you know to tutor me for that math class? We missed a night and I’m a little behind, so Spike was going to give me a little extra practice during lunch. Thanks for coming and finding me Spike, I almost forgot."

Spike tried to control his laughter as he watched her neatly extradite herself from under Angel’s arm and move towards him. He resisted the urge to grab her to him and away from the hulking sod who wouldn’t know a good think if it hit him in the face. Angel seemed a little taken aback at her abrupt dismissal, but she gave him one of her charming full-blast smiles and a little wave as she pulled Spike away and he seemed mollified.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Buffy blew out her breath. "You think he bought it?"

"Yeah love, think so. I’ll be glad when you’re done with him, Buffy, I don’t like to see him pawing you."

"Spike, he wasn’t pawing me. He just had his arm around my shoulder, that’s all. And we’re all set for tonight. Now, how about we head back to my dorm room so I can get that practice in, hmmm?"

He allowed himself to be convinced as she dragged him along and made it to her room. She locked the door and gently pushed him over to the bed. "Did it make you jealous to see me with Angel?"

He nodded. "A little."

She began to unbutton her shirt. "So, can I make it up to you?"

He smirked. "You can try, luv."

Buffy harrumphed at that. "You’ll be begging me before this is over, mister. Remember, I have the handcuffs."

Spike felt his libido begin a steady climb. The combination of the increasingly naked Buffy, the prospect of her dominatrix side coming out to play a little, and the sheer amazement he still felt at the realization that the object of his affections returned his love, were serving to make him perpetually horny.

"I’m all yours, luv." He held out his hands. "Cuff me."

Buffy turned to her desk and rummaged around for the handcuffs she and Willow had found at the novelty store they’d visited. She found them and turned, shedding her bra as she crossed to him. She pulled his shirt off, then urged him to stand so she could undo his pants, and slide them to his ankles. She marveled again at how incredibly hot he was. And he was all hers to play with. She was a very lucky girl she decided, as she tentatively began to lick his chest, experimenting with little swirls around his nipple. She mentally catalogued each little moan and jerk as he reacted to her touch, relishing the power she had to make him respond. She ran her hands slowly down his arms, exploring the lean muscles until she reached his wrists.

"You sure you want the handcuffs? We don’t have to use them."

He looked down into her open face. "Totally up to you, sweetheart."

Buffy tossed them over her shoulder. "Maybe later…I think I’d like you to be able to fully participate."

He smiled as her mouth met his and he fell back on the bed, pulling her on top of him as their tongues danced together. As they broke apart, he felt her begin to kiss her way down his body again. He wove his hands through her hair, loving the way the silky strands fell across his chest. She continued to descend and Spike groaned as her mouth suddenly encased his rigid member.

"Buffy luv, you’re so good, so hot, such a sweet little mouth."

Buffy hummed her response to his ramblings as she continued to lick and suck her way as far down as she was able to comfortably go. She wrapped her hand at the base of his cock and massaged him as she focused her attention on the sensitive area behind the head. She peered up at him, meeting his eyes as he watched enraptured at the sight of her red lips sliding over him.

She continued to work him for a few more minutes then slowly slid up until her breasts were surrounding his now glistening hardness. She cupped herself and began to slowly slide up and down, licking the tip as it emerged every so often from between her breasts. She stifled a groan at the friction his skin created against her skin and realized she probably should have finished undressing, because she knew her panties were totally soaked by now.

Spike had managed to lift his head when he felt her shift position and he almost came from the gorgeous view of her sweet little mounds around his cock. He groaned as he felt her tongue caress him again.

"Fuck, Buffy, luv, you are so good….sweetheart, ughh…I’m going to come." She felt him stiffen and she swooped down to suck him back into her mouth. She hadn’t really thought about the whole spit or swallow issue until the split second when it became a necessity and she instinctively swallowed, realizing after a moment that it wasn’t that bad. She continued to lick him softly until he was clean, then kicked off her jeans and slid back up on the bed to lie beside him.

"Did you like that?"

Spike emerged from the post-orgasmic haze she had put him in to grin at her sleepily. "Buffy, that was incredibly, mind-blowingly good and I’m so afraid to ask if you’ve had much practice."

"Not really, just many discussions on what makes a good blow job. Girls, and guys, do talk you know." She snuggled closer, relishing the feel of his skin against hers.

"Well, you’re an amazing listener then, luv. Now come up here."

"Spike, we have class in just a few minutes."

"I can do fast. Now come here. You wanted me to participate, didn’t you?"

He tugged her up on her knees and pulled her forward until she was straddling his chest. She looked at him, slightly confused. "No luv, up here." He urged her further until she was straddling his face. Buffy blushed slightly, feeling incredible exposed as she gripped the headboard of her bed for balance. Her thoughts fled as she felt his talented tongue begin to explore her soft flesh and she realized he was right, he could be very fast, as an orgasm ripped through her in only a few minutes. He refused to let her go and continued to toy with her until she felt a second quake ripple through her, then he released her as she fell backwards on her now quivering legs.

"Spike, I don’t think I can walk anymore."

He laughed and pulled her back to him. "Give it a minute luv, then we’ve got to find a way to sneak me into the showers. I’m thinking we both might need to freshen up a bit before we make our afternoon classes." Buffy laughed and snuggled close for a few minutes before the rest of the world intruded again.

Buffy drifted through her remaining classes, her emotions soaring at the remembrance of the past 24 hours with Spike and the trepidation of the upcoming evening with Angel. She was going to be glad when this was over and she could put it behind her, but she wanted Angel to learn that he couldn’t just toy with women and expect no consequences.

She hurried back to Stevenson as her last class finished and wasn’t surprised to find Willow waiting when she unlocked the door.

"Buffy!" Willow bounced up from her desk where she had been unsuccessfully studying for the past 30 minutes as she waited for her friend to return and dish. "How are things? I’m assuming the plan worked?"

Buffy dropped her bag beside her desk and flopped back on her bed. "Oh yeah, it worked." She rolled to her side to face Willow. "It was absolutely the best night of my life. Willow, it was so incredible. Spike was, well, he was perfect. And then," Buffy blushed slightly, "we met back here at lunch again today."

"You did not? Buffy, you aren’t wasting any time, girl! You two are going to be like rabbits for the next few months." Willow laughed as Buffy nodded, then ducked under her pillow.

She reemerged after a moment. "Okay, no more kiss and tell here. I don’t make you tell me all the details about Xaaander, now do I?" Willow laughed again and nodded.

"Alright, so what’s the new plan? I got your message this morning - Spike wants to make some changes, do it tonight?"

"Yeah, he made some good points, but…it may require some creative computer stuff on your part."

"Like what?" Willow inquired.

"Is there any way, once we set up a profile for Angel at that website, that you can send an e-mail to this guy named Lorne’s account so that it looks like spam, but contains a link he’ll be sure to investigate? Spike says he the biggest busybody in the frat, always knows and tells everyone’s business. There’s no way he’ll be able to resist telling about this one. So, can you do it?"

Willow stared at Buffy for a long minute before cackling gleefully. "That is classic. It’ll be a total whisper campaign and no one’s going to believe that Angel’s not a closet transvestite this way. I can so do that, I’ll set up a dummy account and send the e-mail to Lorne that way. So are you ready for tonight?"

"I guess so. I can tell Spike’s kinda nervous, he’s worried about how, well persuasive, I’ll have to be with Angel. He’s going to hang out in Xander’s room tonight until it’s over. You want to come?"

"Sure, why not. What are you going to wear?"

"Well, I was thinking that I’d wear just a nice skirt and top, datish, you know. But I’m packing a bag, and I’m going to take that long white negligee. It’s pretty covering, but virginal, I think it will fit the image Angel’s got. I’m going to ask if I can change after we get there, let him know I’m wanting to do the deed, but then get all weepy and nervous and give him the psycho-babble line to get him ready for the shots. If all goes well, I’ll be in and out of there in 30 minutes or so."

Suddenly there was a knock at the door, startling Buffy from her plans. She hurried over and peered through the peephole, spying Spike in the hallway. She quickly wrenched open the door.

"Spike, come in." She dragged him in, and shut the door behind him. She leaned up to kiss him lightly, but found herself getting a little more involved than she’d planned with the simple peck. Willow’s wolf whistle caused the two to break apart.

"Well, so much for the floor show. Hey Spike, I hear you had a nice night." Willow winked as both of the pair blushed slightly.

"Yeah, I did. And thanks Red, I hear you assisted in that little scheme."

"No problem, you two were meant to be together."

Willow couldn’t help but smile as she caught the looks of utter adoration passing between the couple at her last comment. Yep, those two were definitely meant to be. She really was pleased to see Buffy find someone who made her happy.

Buffy pulled Spike over to sit by her on the bed. "So, you just drop by to say hey?"

He smiled, "Well, I actually brought you a present."

Buffy realized he had been carrying a bag when he entered. He reached inside and pulled out a small black device.

"A walkie-talkie? Spike, why do I need a walkie-talkie?"

"Well, pet, I want you to take this with you tonight. See," he put the small device in her hand and showed her the proper buttons, "you can set it to an open-channel and then I can hear what’s going on in the room."

Buffy stared at him. "You want to mic me tonight?"

Spike beamed. "Well, I guess you can look at it that way, yeah."

Buffy glared at him. "Spike, this is going to be hard enough to pull off without an outside audience. Don’t you trust me?"

Willow jumped up. Clearly this was headed towards a serious ‘talk’ and much as she’d like to observe, she was pretty sure they needed some privacy for this. "Hey guys, I’m going down to the snack machine, see you later." She hastily exited, realizing that the pair had barely acknowledged her leaving.

Spike jumped up as Willow pulled the door shut and began to pace up and down in front of the bed. "Buffy, I just thought it would be better for you to be able to alert us if something happened, or Angel got too pushy or tried to force you or something."

"So you don’t think I can handle this? Spike, I know what I’m doing. You said you were cool with this. Don’t get all super-possessive on me now."

Spike stopped and stared at her. "Super-possessive? Bloody hell, woman, if I were super-possessive you wouldn’t be setting foot in Angel’s room. Do you think I like the fact that you are being picked up for a date in a few hours by another man who plans to try to sleep with you tonight? Do you think it makes me happy to know you’re probably going to be kissing and touching him soon? I don’t care if it is an act Buffy, it doesn’t make me leap for joy to think about it."

He held up his hand to shush her as she started to protest.

"I know why you’re doing this sweetheart. I understand the reasons and I agreed to it this morning." Spike stopped and dropped to his knees in front of her on the bed. He took her hand in his. "All I’m saying is that I want this to be over and you to be safe, okay? So will you do this, for me?"

Buffy looked down at Spike and breathed deeply. "So you trust me? And you aren’t going to be weird afterwards about what I may say to him, or what it may sound like? Cause you know this is all gonna be an act tonight Spike. It’s not real."

He nodded. "Promise Buffy. It’s not that I don’t trust you. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be helping. I just want you to be safe." He paused and look down for a moment. "And I don’t like that wanker touching you." He looked back up at her. "Buffy, I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be so possessive, I know we’re just getting started, but, well I’ve spent the last few months thinking he was the man you wanted. I just haven’t quite moved past that yet." He dropped a kiss on her hand that he held still. "I’m trying, pet, I really am. Just bear with me?"

Buffy looked into his eyes, darkened now with his emotions, and realized he was sincere. She thought she could understand where he was coming from. She knew he’d been burned badly with the whole Drusilla thing, and in some ways, he was probably more sensitive about the thought of her with another man than she had been when she learned of Angel’s infidelities. As hard as it had been to experience her parents’ problems second-hand, it was nothing compared to walking in on the woman you loved in your bed with someone else, as he had. Angel’s little flings hadn’t really touched her the same way, other than some righteous indignation that he wanted to use her like that. She nodded. "Okay. I’ll take the walkie-talkie. Show me how it works?"

He smiled up at her and pulled out the matching device so they could coordinate the channels. Once they had everything set up and the walkie-talkie safely stored in her bag, Spike prepared to leave so she could finish getting ready.

"Buffy, would you like to come by tonight after this is all done? Maybe we could catch up on our Passions?" He tried to be nonchalant with the invitation, tried not to seem pushy. Just because he wanted to spend every minute with her didn’t mean she was ready for constant companionship.

"Yeah, actually, we were thinking Willow could set up her laptop there and we could all see the final product when she’s done."

"Oh, so you and Willow will come by then?"

"Uh-huh, and Xander, if that’s okay?"

Buffy had to suppress a laugh at his thinly disguised disappointment as Spike nodded, "That’s great. The whole gang, well some of the gang."

"And then they thought they’d take advantage of the empty dorm room."

She did giggle then as Spike perked up suddenly. "This empty dorm room? As in a Buffyless dorm room?"

"Yep, I thought I’d take advantage of your open offer of hospitality this morning, I’m thinking I’ll need someone to erase the images I’m going to be getting of Angel in red satin panties. Hmmm, you think you can help me out with that, big boy?" Buffy batted her eyes as she sashayed over to where he stood by the door. After all, he did look like he needed a little reassurance.

Spike snorted, both at her over-the-top antics and the thought of Angel’ s attire. "Oh I can definitely help you out. Red satin? Luv, let me take a look at them."

Buffy giggled and ran over to her dresser drawer, where she pulled out a pair of large women’s underwear in a shocking red lace and silk combination. Spike doubled over in laughter. "Sweetheart, I’m gonna need copies of those pictures for long-term blackmail. You really think you’re going to get Angel to put those on?"

"He’s a greedy bastard, if he thinks that’s the only way he’s gonna get me, I think he will."

Spike peered past Buffy into the overflowing lingerie drawer. "Um pet, is there any lingerie in there that’s say, more your size? Like, I don’t know, a black teddy? Or maybe," he tried to scoot past her to explore further, "something in a leopard print?"

Buffy slammed the drawer shut before he could explore. "Yeah, Xander mentioned your Tarzan/Jane fantasy. Guess you’ll just have to wait and see, now won’t you dear?" She kissed him lightly, resisting the urge to run her fingers down his toned chest and explore him further. Their little nooner had left her hungry for more and she definitely couldn’t wait to be in his bed tonight. Hopefully he'd catch on that she was really, really enthusiastic about being with him, while the thought of Angel simply left her cold. Now, the only question was what to wear, since he was so excited about seeing some of the lingerie she’d bought. She broke her train of thought as she realized she was leaning in for more Spike touchage and firmly anchored her hands behind her back.

"Go, shoo, I have to get ready and it’ll totally give stuff away if you’re here. I’ll turn the walkie-talkie on after we get to Angel’s room, ‘kay?"

Spike gave her one last kiss and moved to leave just as Willow reentered the room, carrying a bag of chips.

"Later Red, you want me to pick you up to take you over to Xander’s for the Buffy and Angel theater?"

"Sure, but how about I come over to your place as soon as Angel picks her up?"

"It’s a plan, see ya."

As the door shut behind him, Willow dropped to the bed beside Buffy. "So, first fight? How’d it go?"

Buffy grabbed for a chip. "I don’t think it would qualify as a fight. More a light tussle? He’s just worried and he wants me to carry this walkie-talkie thingie so you guys can hear what’s going on."

"That should be entertaining. It’s probably not a bad idea."

"I know, that’s why I agreed," replied Buffy. "It’ll just be weird to have to be all sex kittenish with you guys sitting there listening."

"Hey, just forget about us. You got everything together?"

"Almost. I’ve got the negligee, the handcuffs, the underwear, the digital camera, the blindfold and the massage oil. Wasn’t that everything? Oh, and I thought I’d try to find something special to wear for Spike later - he’s all excited about that."

Willow snorted as she crunched another chip. "I love that men are so easy. Wear the little black number, ohhh and take those killer heels too - he should like that."

Buffy giggled as she pulled out the second outfit, some clothes for the next day and her makeup bag. "I’m going to have to get two sets of everything if I keep going over there so much. This lugging stuff around is a pain." She packed the second bag. "Will you drop this off at Spike’s for me Will?"

"No prob."

Preparations completed, Buffy sighed and pulled out her Calc textbook. Not the best way to soothe her nerves, but she had a while before Angel showed up.

<><><><>

Xander looked furtively up and down the hall as he used the master key to unlock Angel’s door. He knew the big guy was at practice, but it wouldn’t do for any of his brothers to see him slipping into the room. Most people were out at this time of day, so he made it in safely.

Xander pulled the lacy thong Cordelia had passed along to him earlier in the day out of his pocket and looked around the room. He needed to plant it somewhere Buffy could easily "stumble" over it, but not somewhere too obvious that Angel would notice. He snapped his fingers, "Under the bed."

Mentally patting himself on the back, he pulled the comforter back slightly and laughed out loud. There, two inches under the bed where he’d planned to plant the evidence, lay a lacy black thong next to a crumpled empty condom wrapper. Xander dropped the comforter, made his way back to the door and after listening for sounds of anyone in the hall, made his way back out, carefully relocking the door. He hurried back down to his room three doors down and grabbed the phone.

"Hey Will?"

"Hey, sweetie! Did you get it done?"

Xander starting laughing again. "Didn’t have to. I was going to put them under the bed, and low and behold, there lay a pair already, next to a empty Trojan wrapper."

"No way! Well, I’m thinking this was meant to be then. I’ll pass the word on. Spike’s going to bring me when he comes. We’ll be over just a few minutes after Angel picks up Buffy." Willow paused. "Thanks, Xander, for doing this. I know Angel’s been your friend for a long time."

"It’s okay, Will. We haven’t been close for a while now. I’m glad I can help. I’ll see you soon babe, love you."

"You to."

Willow hung up and turned to the waiting Buffy. "So? What happened?"

Willow rolled her eyes. "You are not going to believe what Double O Xander found."

<><><><>

Buffy slammed her book shut, satisfied no further school work was going to get accomplished at this point. She glanced at the clock, realizing she’d managed to kill a few hours. It was now after 5. She should probably start getting ready. Willow glanced up as Buffy started to gather her shower stuff and changed into her robe.

"You getting ready?"

"Yeah, thought I’d shower, then get prettied up. Kinda Angel’s thing you know. He likes the eye candy."

Willow nodded and turned back to her book as Buffy left the room and entered the hall bathroom, deserted at this time of day. She hung her robe on the hook, turned on the shower and stepped inside, letting the warm water soothe away the tension from the study and the nagging thoughts that had been whirling through her head as she’d pondered things since Spike had left.

Why was she doing this again? It made her nervous. She wasn’t all that comfortable with the plan they’d devised. It was clearly bothering her boyfriend. It might backfire and make them look stupid and vengeful.

She shook her head as she picked up her razor and began to shave her legs. Angel was wrong, clearly. But was what she planned to do right? Spreading lies about him behind his back? She was pretty sure Angel wasn’t a closet transvestite, he was just a blatant womanizer who gave little thought to anyone’s feelings and emotions other than his own. From what she’d heard, he rarely went after girls who didn’t want him, he just never made emotional commitments, took what was offered and moved on when he was no longer satisfied. She suspected his little scheme with her was a first for him, a new low. Cordelia’s comments really made it sound like he’d been serious, he’d actually thought he could make her fall in love with him, get married, do the whole white picket fence thing, except with her money he was probably planning on a lot more than a picket fence.

Buffy felt her anger start to rise again as she began to shampoo her hair. That had been pretty low. Angel obviously had no conception of what a supremely unhappy marriage would be like. If he thought he could marry someone just for their money and expect it to work, then he just didn't have a clue. Her thoughts jumped back to the night’s plan. Would this really teach him a lesson? He’d probably just get mad and put it down to her hurt feelings that she hadn’t been his one and only, that he hadn’t been all about Buffy from the start. She doubted it’d slow him down that much, other than the rumors.

Her thoughts flipped to the other man this affected as she opened a bottle of her body wash and squirted some out, remembering how he’d gone and tracked down this scent for her, just because he knew she liked it. Spike was clearly not okay with tonight’s events, even though he was trying very hard to be supportive. She wished the timeline had been different, that this hadn’t all crashed down at once. It did seem a little cruel to show up, declare her love for him, sleep with him, then drop the bomb on him the next morning that she wanted to plan a seduction of her ex to get revenge. She doubted she’d have been so understanding if the events had been reversed. And the fact that it was Angel just made things so much worse. They had always been a little competitive. Angel always needed to one-up Spike in stuff and that just made things a little worse here. Was she asking too much of Spike to just blindly trust her after all that had happened, the mix-ups, the jealousy, the confusion between them?

Buffy stared at the shower wall, watching the drops of water as they splashed and slowly slid down the tiles. Somehow, it just wasn’t clear. She wished she knew what she should do.

<><><><>

Angel knocked on Buffy’s door a few minutes after 7. He’d rushed home after practice, set up some candles, picked out some mood music, and generally straightened up. So the little vixen just couldn’t wait. If he’d been reading her right this afternoon, Buffy was very much ready to fall into his arms. He whistled as he waited for her to unlock the door. Cordelia had warned him today that Buffy was seeing a therapist and had really been working through her childhood issues. He could deal with that. He’d lay on the tenderness and understanding, be gentle with her, lots of hearts and flowers. He’d even picked up a bottle of champagne, he figured a little alcohol might help loosen her up. In some ways, this might be better, get past the first time tonight, really lay on the romance the next night.

Buffy opened the door. "Hi Angel, how are you?"

He smiled. "Good." He produced a single red rose from behind his back. "A rose for the rose."

Buffy smiled politely as she took the flower. "Thanks, Angel, that’s very sweet." She laid the rose on her desk as she gathered her bag to take with her.

"Do you mind if we stop by the lounge, I just need to tell Will something before we leave."

"Sure, no problem. Are her and Xander going out tonight?"

Buffy nodded. "Later I think. They have plans."

Angel waited as she ducked through the door into the lounge.

<><><><>

"Hey Willow, I’m leaving."

Willow looked up from the sitcom rerun she was idly watching.

"Angel’s here?"

Buffy nodded. "Yeah." She dropped her voice. "Hey Willow, can you do something else for me?"

Willow quirked an eyebrow. "Sure, what?"

"If the walkie-talkie gets cut off, don’t let Spike coming charging in, okay? I’ll scream if I need some help."

Willow looked at her for a minute, then slowly nodded. "You’re sure?"

"I’m sure."

"Alright then, see you after. You’ll come to Xander’s room?"

"Yeah. Wish me luck."

Willow gave her a quick hug and Buffy exited the lounge to rejoin Angel.

<><><><>

Angel looked up as Buffy re-entered the hallway.

"Girl talk?"

"Something like that."

They made idle chitchat as he drove them back to the frat, and Buffy realized that, had this not all occurred, she would liked to have been friends with Angel. He definitely had his downsides, but they’d had some decent times when they were just hanging out. There just had never been the spark, well it was a lot more than a spark really, that she’d found with Spike.

They entered the frat at the rear and took the back stairs up to Angel’s room, entering only moments before a agitated Spike and slightly flustered Willow came up the front to Xander’s room.

They knocked on Xander’s door and entered.

"Xander, tell Spike to calm down. He’s been pondering all these doomsday scenarios all the way here and getting all worked up over nothing. Spike, she’ll be fine. Buffy’s not stupid, she’s had self-defense classes."

Xander patted Spike on the back. "Calm down man. It’s cool. She took the walkie-talkie, right? I’ve still got the master key. Buffy’s fine."

Spike quickly switched on his receiver to pick up what was happening a few rooms down.

<><><><>

Angel watched as Buffy moved around his room, checking out the layout, taking in the candles, etc. She’d been a little distant since he’d picked her up, refusing to meet his eyes. He decided she must be feeling a little shy, now that they were here.

"Can I take your sweater, Buff? It’s a little warm in here."

Buffy nodded and shrugged out of the light sweater she’d worn over a sleeveless top, silently handing it to him. Her mind was racing as she tried to decide what she needed to do. She’d continued her internal dialogue on the pros and cons of this plan as she gotten ready for Angel’s arrival, but had yet to reach a conclusion.

"Did I mention how beautiful you look tonight Buffy? I love your hair when it’s curled and falls down your back like that."

Angel stepped closer to where Buffy was somewhat nervously picking up various objects on his desk and drew her over to sit on the bed, still clutching the bag she’d brought with her. "You know, I’d love to see what you looked like with all that hair spread out on my pillows. I bet you’d be even more gorgeous then." He ran his hand down her bare arm, "You have such soft, smooth skin." Buffy looked away, and he caught her chin in his hand and slowly turned her to him. "Buffy, it’s okay, you don’t have to be nervous." He gazed at her with his soulful brown eyes. "I think I’m falling in love with you. I want to be with you, baby. I promise I’ll make this good for you." Buffy stared at him wordlessly as he leaned in closer, his lips skimming along her jawline as he crooned into her ear, "Don’t you want to be with me?"

Buffy suddenly pulled back from Angel and he jerked his head up, surprised by her sudden skittishness. She grabbed the bag she’d been clutching and began pawing around until she found what she was looking for. Then she straightened up, moved away from Angel, and seated herself in his desk chair.

"Angel, I think we need to talk."

<><><><>

"Don’t you want to be with me?"

The words hung in the air as the walkie-talkie suddenly went dead, the sound no longer carrying. Spike grabbed the small device and began frantically pushing the buttons, to no avail. The other walkie-talkie had clearly been cut off.

The other couple watched as Spike leapt up and made for the door, grabbing the key off Xander’s desk. Willow made a small eep as she realized that Spike was headed to Angel’s room. She jumped up and threw herself in front of the door to bar the determined man from his mission.

"Xander, stop him."

Spike stopped. "Willow, get out of my way, I have to get to Buffy."

Willow shook her head vigorously. "Spike, no. Buffy asked me to not let you come in there if she cut it off. She, she was nervous, Spike. She didn’t need an audience. She told me she’d scream if there was a problem, but she was pretty specific."

Spike stared at Willow, then slowly sat back down in the desk chair as Willow moved away from the door and back to sit beside Xander on the bed. She turned to see Spike make a second dash for the door. Just as he reached for the knob, Willow’s words made him pause.

"If you go in there, she’s never going to forgive you for not trusting her Spike."

He stopped, his hand poised as her words sank in. He knew in the back of his mind she was right. This was all a setup. No matter how seductive Angel’s little play, she wasn’t in there to cheat on him. He closed his eyes as the image of Drusilla smirking at him flashed through his mind for the hundredth time that day, almost gleeful that he’d walking in to find her being fucked by another man in his bed. Buffy wasn’t like that. She’d told him she loved him just last night. She wasn’t Dru, she didn’t want to hurt him. He owed her this, to show her his trust in her and what they could have. Slowly he turned around and plodded back to the chair, sighing heavily as he dropped his face into his hands.

"Spike, you okay?" Xander looked worriedly at Willow as he watched his friend run his fingers though his bleached hair.

Slowly, Spike lifted his head. "Yeah. Willow’s right. I have to let it go. She’ll let us know if she needs help." He sighed. "It’s just so bloody hard."

Willow jumped up and walked over to give him a hug. He gingerly returned it as she squeezed harder. Willow pulled back. "Spike, Buffy’ll probably kill me for this, but how about I tell you all the ways I knew Buffy was in love with you from way back when?"

His face softened as Willow began to tell him about how Buffy used to react when she’d get news from him and the way she describe her "friend" William to the girls in the hall they’d lived in during boarding school. He slowly began to lose some of the tension that had been gripping him since Buffy had told him of this little plan this morning.

<><><><>

"Angel, I think we need to talk."

Angel looked at Buffy in surprise. The shy, unfocused girl who’d entered the room and had barely met his eyes suddenly was looking at him directly, with a grave expression on her face. He was confused, this wasn’t the normal reaction to his seductions.

"Angel, can we just cut the bull and be honest here?"

"What bull? Buffy, I thought…."

"Angel, you thought wrong. I’m sorry. I have some things to say to you, so please listen, because I don’t want to go through this twice."

Angel stared. Was this some weird technique that the therapist had suggested? Whatever, he’d play along. "Sure, Buff, go right ahead. I’ll be happy to listen."

Buffy sighed. Clearly Angel still hadn’t caught on, but he was about to.

"Angel, we haven’t been entirely honest with each other. Let me tell you some things that I haven’t been honest about. Aside from a stupid schoolgirl crush, I don’t think I’ve really ever felt anything for you, other than maybe as a friend, and I really don’t even feel that for you now. I don’t want to see you anymore and I’m not going to the formal with you. I mistakenly thought I was shielding your feelings to not tell you this a few weeks ago, and I regret that now. Angel, I’m in love with someone else and they love me as well."

Angel jumped up and stalked over to where she was sitting, towering over her. "What are you talking about? You’ve been cheating on me? How dare you? It’s Spike, isn’t it? I always knew that brother-sister routine was a load of crap. What, have you been doing him since high school, Buff? Playing the little innocent virgin routine while you screw your big brother?"

Buffy marched over to his bed and reached under to where Xander had indicated the underwear was. She found the wrapper and thong and pulled them out. "For your information, Angel, I am in love with Spike, who’s a better man than you’ll ever be. And, no, I was not screwing him in high school. I came back here and started dating you because I really thought we might have something. If I’d had a clue what a prick you were in high school, I might have realized what I was missing with Spike a long time ago."

She waved the items she’d retrieved from under the bed in his face. "Angel, I know all about you. I know about you and Darla." She almost laughed as his startled look. "I also know about you and Cordy." Bull’s eye. She’d been right, Cordelia had been sleeping with him too. "And I know about your sad little plan to make me your cash cow. Angel, I’m sorry. I’m sorry you are so self-centered that would think up such a plan. I’m sorry you are so conceited that you’d think you could pull it off. But you know what I’m the sorriest about? I’m sorry that you are so clueless that you have no idea what love is about, and I’m not sure you ever will."

She stepped away from as she saw the rage growing on his face. "Angel, I came here tonight because I wanted to get revenge on you. I wanted to do something really mean and nasty and embarrass you. But you know what? I don’t need to do that because you are enough of an embarrassment to yourself." She tossed the underwear and condom wrapper at him and reached for her bag.

"Little Miss High and Mighty. You think you can just tell me off and walk out? Oh, it’s not that easy, sweetheart. I’m going to tell everyone what a frigid little loony bitch you really are, with all your therapists and psycho problems. Spike deserves what he gets with you. Hope he has better luck prying apart the thighs of an ice princess like you."

Buffy turned at the door. "Whatever, Angel. I don’t see a therapist and I’m not a ‘frigid loony bitch’. I can only hope you’ll get what you deserve. I had hoped we could be civilized here, but I guess not. Have a nice life."

She walked out the door, not surprised when she heard something crash against it as she pulled it shut. She refused to look back as she walked the short distance to Xander’s room and knocked softly. The door opened and there stood Spike, apprehension and love written across his face. He smiled as he saw her.

"Honey, will you take me home now?"

Spike nodded as he pulled her into the room and guided her to a chair. He didn’t think she realized it, but she was white as a sheet and shaking like a leaf now that this was through. He sat down and pulled her into his lap as she held onto him tightly.

"Buffy, you okay?" Willow was relieved when Buffy slowly raised her head, looking tired but oddly content as she curled against Spike.

"Yeah. I didn’t do it Will. I just couldn’t. I mean, I thought about it a lot this afternoon, and really, it just makes me as scummy as him to start that kind of rumor. So I told him the truth. I tried to break it gently, but well, apparently Angel doesn’t take rejection well. He got pretty nasty, then we screamed at each other some. I told him I knew all about him. It was kind of cathartic. I don’t think we’re going to be friends anymore."

She turned to Spike, kissing him softly on the cheek. "Oh, honey, I think you better be prepared. Angel intends to tell everyone what a frigid bitch your new girlfriend is."

Spike turned red until he realized that she had calmed considerably. He nuzzled against her neck. "Well, I think I could dispel that notion pretty quickly, luv, but I’m a gentleman."

She laughed softly and looped her arms around his neck. "How about we call it a night then?"

He nodded and stood up, carrying Buffy in his arms. "Right then, we’re off. Xander, thanks for your hospitality. Willow, thanks for the advice." He nodded in her direction. "We’ll see you both tomorrow. Xander, we’re picking the ladies up at 7:30 for dinner, right?"

Xander nodded. "Yeah. I guess we should just consider Angel out of the dinner group. Did you say Faith was going with Jonathan now? How ‘bout I give him a buzz, see if they want to fill in?"

Spike nodded, slightly distracted by the warm bundle snuggled in his arms.

"I’ll see you tomorrow Willow, thanks guys," Buffy called as they exited the room.

She laughed as Spike continued to carry her as he made his way down the stairs and out the main exit of the KET house to his car. They passed several of the brothers on their way out and Spike called greetings and smiled, but kept on going.

Penn watched as the blonde couple exited the front door, watching as the girl began nibbling on Spike’s ear as he hurried to his car.

"Damn, she’s a hottie. Lucky man." He looked again, faintly puzzled. "Wonder who she is? She looked familiar."

Lorne stared at Peen as though he were nuts. "Man, don’t you know who that was? The little chickie Spike just strolled out of here with was Angel’s girlfriend, well, I’d say ex-girlfriend now. Whew, we should see some fireworks tomorrow night."

<><><><>

Angel stared at the shards of glass that now littered his floor from the remains of the shattered paperweight he’d thrown as she’d walked out. He could not believe this. She’d dumped him. He’d never been dumped in his life. He let girls know when things were done. Aside from Cordelia walking away, of course, but they’d had an agreement. Suddenly his eyes narrowed. Cordelia. She’d ratted him out, she must have. There was no way that Buffy could have known otherwise. Well, she’d pay too. But first, he needed a date for tomorrow night. His eyes fell on the lace thong still lying at his feet. Darla, she’d do, even if she was a little slut.

He reached for the phone and grabbed his little black book, flipping though until he found her number.

"Darla, hey baby, it’s me, Angel. How are you?"

Darla bit her lip and struggled to regained her composure as she steadied the tremor in her voice. "Angel, hey, I’m good." There was a pause before she continued, "I didn’t really expect to hear from you. I thought you said you were trying to work things out with Buffy again?"

"Yeah, that really didn’t work out. I finally realized there’s no point fooling with a little girl like her. What I need is a real woman, like you, Darla. I’m sorry about giving you the brush-off, baby. That was so stupid. I just needed a few days to come to my senses, you know? So I was wondering, would you be my date to the formal tomorrow night?"

Darla gasped. She hadn’t seem that coming. He actually wanted to go out with her? Not just screw her? Maybe her luck had changed. And she hadn’t gotten those test results back yet. The doctor could be wrong. They were probably negative. "Angel, I’d be delighted," she purred. "When will you pick me up?"

"About 7:30?" How about I take you to that little French place in town, very quaint, for dinner."

"Sounds wonderful. See you them." Darla hung up, smiling and humming. Angel had asked her out. Now, if those syphilis tests just came back negative, everything would be great.

Spike parked the car beside the stairs to his apartment and looked over at the obviously tired Buffy. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, the confrontation with Angel really seemed to have upset her and he wished he knew of some way to make this all go away for her. She’d been quiet on the drive over, her momentary euphoria as they’d left the KET house evaporating as she seemed lost in thought.

Buffy started as she realized they’d arrived. She opened the car door and followed Spike up the stairs. She wasn’t sure why she’d suddenly felt so down. Maybe the adrenaline had started to wane from screaming at Angel or something. She watched Spike’s back as he unlocked the door. She remembered their earlier teasing and the lingerie she'd packed that Willow had transported, along with the rest of her belongings, over to Spike’s earlier. Somehow, all she wanted to do was curl up in one of Spike’s worn t-shirts, the cotton smooth against her skin, the faintest essence of his scent she loved so much clinging to it, and just have him hold her for awhile.

Spike ushered her in and watched as she drifted across the room to drop the bag she carried next to the bed. "Buffy?"

She turned as he put his keys in the usual place on the counter and watched as he held his hand out to her. "C’me here sweetheart."

He gently tugged her down beside him on the couch and she rested her head on his shoulder as he wrapped strong arms around her. She sighed contentedly, feeling some of the tension from earlier begin to ebb away.

"Do you want to talk about it, or would you rather not?" he asked softly.

Buffy was quiet for a long moment before replying, "A little bit, I guess. You probably need to know what he said, I’m sure he’s going to say stuff to you at some point."

She felt him nod, then kiss her forehead. "I haven’t said it yet, and I know there were probably many reasons why you didn’t go through with it luv, but thank you. I’m so glad you just called it off."

She smiled as he pulled her a little tighter. "You were a pretty major factor. I kind of like you being a little jealous, you’re cute when you’re possessive." She raised her head and smiled at him.

"You got one of these streaks too, missy. All claws out over a little comment about Faith," Spike smirked back.

She pecked him lightly on the lips, then dropped back to lay against his chest. "Just making sure you know you’re my guy."

He chuckled. "No doubt of that Goldilocks. So what happened tonight? Last thing I was heard was Angel using some pretty lame come-on lines."

She snorted softly. "Yeah. I’m guessing some girls must fall for that, or maybe it was just cause I knew what was coming, but by the time he got to the, ‘I think I’m falling in love with you,’ I knew I couldn’t stand it. Anyway, I tried to just be straight-forward with him, explain to him I wasn’t in love with him, I was in love with someone else, and we’d never really had that much between us. He apparently doesn’t handle rejection well, cause he just lost it. He figured out it was you right away, accused us of carrying on back in high school, maybe some comments on us being incestuous."

She sat up and stared him straight in the eye. "And them I told him you were a better man than he would ever be."

Their gazes locked as they drew together for a soft kiss that soothed Buffy’s jangled nerves. As they slowly pulled apart, he traced one finger down her face, outlining her jaw as he watched her changeable eyes.

"Spike?"

"Yes, luv?"

"Would you mind much if we don’t…we just…"

"We’re good just like this."

"You sure?"

"Uh-huh. Now, how ‘bout we get comfortable and catch up on our Passions?"

Buffy agreed and jumped up in search of the shirt she’d been fantasizing about earlier. She wasn’t sure why, ‘cause she was well aware he’d seen it all last night and earlier today, but she still felt a little shy about just stripping off her clothes in front of him, so she exited into the bathroom to change.

When she reemerged shortly thereafter, she found Spike lounging on the couch in a pair of loose-fitting track pants that rode low on his hips and reminded her again that he seemed to have a preference for going commando. She swallowed as her eyes traveled up his tight abs to his chest until she realized he’d been watching her ogling the whole time.

"See anything you like pet?" He smirked as she blushed slightly.

"Oh yeah."

"Well, come and get it, luv."

Buffy laughed as he held his arms open wide and she tumbled over the couch to snuggle up on top of him. After she had arranged herself comfortably, he clicked the remote and the two settled in to watch the fictitious lives that at time seemed less dramatic than their own.

As the final show on the tape ended, Spike nudged the drowsy Buffy as he hoisted her up.

"Alright Goldilocks, time for bed."

"Yes, Papa Bear."

He smiled to himself as he laid her down, and then snuggled in next to her, after double-checking the alarm. He sighed. Rising early for practice had never really bothered him before, but it was bloody hard to roll out of bed when he had a warm, soft, adorable Buffy curled next to him.

"Spike?"

"Yes?"

"You got everything worked out with Faith, right?"

"Mmhmmm. She said she was happy for us. Turns out she and Jonathan were lab partners in Intro Chemistry and she’s thinks he’s, to quote her, ‘a hoot and a half’. I think they’ll have fun."

"You don’t think she’ll be mean to him do you?"

"No. But Faith is by far the hottest woman who’s ever gone out with Short Stuff, so I’m thinking he’ll be falling all over himself to keep her happy. She’s gonna love that."

Buffy giggled. It should be an amusing evening, as long as Angel was cool. She wasn’t sure he would be. Still, she was going with Spike and her closest friends, she had an awesome dress, and they’d even get their first coupley picture made. Suddenly Buffy gasped. Pictures!

"Spike?"

"Yes, Gum Drop?"

"Gum Drop?"

"I get silly late at night, Sugar Plum, and you’re very sweet."

Buffy shook her head and snapped back to her previous thought. "We’re going to get pictures done, right?"

Spike stared at the back of her head as she lay spooned against him. "Well, yeah, had planned to. Be kinda nice, having some shots of us."

"But don’t you remember? You promised Jenny some pictures? Of you and your date?"

"Yeah? She’ll like some shots of us."

"But…then they’ll know we’re a couple!"

"Oh…hadn’t thought about that. You think they’ll mind?"

"I don’t know. I mean they know I’ve been dating Angel and you were going with Faith, so there’s that whole mess to explain. Then there’s the sex."

Spike rolled Buffy over.

"The ‘sex’? Wasn’t planning to share that with old Rupes, luv. I think , ‘Hi there, I’m shagging you daughter’ won’t go over very well with him."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Well obviously. But, Spike they’ll know. What if they ask if I spend the night here? Or you stay with me?" She covered her face with her hands. "Giles will know I’m not a virgin anymore!"

"Honey Pot, you’re 20 years old. And I don’t think that’s one of those things you announce to the pater anyway. Besides, pot, kettle. Giles is sleeping with my aunt at this very moment. You know they’ve practically moved in together. So how’s he gonna say anything about you staying with me?"

"I don’t know Spike. Maybe we should just wait a few weeks to tell them. You know, get past the break-up stuff. I don’t really want to give them all the sordid details."

"Whatever you want, Lollipop." Spike was quiet for a moment. "You really think Giles will be weird?" He suddenly felt nervous. He pulled Buffy close and blocked out images of Giles chasing him with an axe for violating her.

<><><><><>

Across town, another couple lay intertwined.

"Giles, I’m worried about Buffy and William. Something’s not right between them."

Giles ran his fingers through her silky dark hair. "You mean how huffy they were at dinner last week? Maybe Buffy doesn’t like that new girl William’s seeing. What was her name, Faith?"

Jenny shook her head slowly. For such a bright man, he could be very dim sometimes.

"No, I think there’s more than that. I think they may be dating, or at least dancing around the idea. But I think their road to romance may be proving as rocky as ours."

Giles contemplated that for a moment. "Well, William’s a fine young man. I’d rather see Buffy with him than that Angel fellow."

Jenny smiled, "I’ll be happy to see them get together finally. I hated seeing him so mopey after she first left. I suppose he looked a lot like I did when you left the next year." She snuggled closer. "Guess this means we’ll have to learn to live with them being all grown up."

"I suppose so," Giles replied absentmindedly as he trailed his fingers down her spine. Suddenly he paused, his brow creasing. "What exactly does that mean?"

"Well, Rupert, it had to happen sometime, you know. I’m surprised it hasn’t before now, but I suppose between you and William, she’s barely had a chance to be alone with boys, let alone have a serious relationship."

"Jenny, what are you talking about exactly?"

"Why Buffy sleeping with William, of course."

Giles suddenly sat up, dislodging Jenny onto the pillow beside him. "She’s just a child. William would never take advantage….I’ll have a talk with him…" He trailed off as Jenny started to shake with silent laughter at the incongruity of his naked pacing around the room.

"Rupert, come back to bed. You know you aren’t going to talk William out of anything. He’s not taking advantage of Buffy, she’s twenty years old. Besides, you don’t have much room to talk." She arched an eyebrow at him as he slid back beside her under the warm covers.

Giles sighed. "I suppose not. It’s just, sometimes I still see that scared little girl, all bug eyes and pigtails who gave me the chance to be a dad. I suppose no father likes to think about some man being with his little girl."

Jenny snuggled against him. "I know sweetie. Part of me feels the same way. I see William now, and he’s so mature. He doesn’t really need me anymore, hasn’t really for several years, but then I blink and he’s that little guy in those big glasses who wouldn’t back down no matter what. We can’t stop them from growing up, but we can be proud of the children we raised. And after all, how often do you get the chance to help shape you child’s significant other? I think we’re pretty lucky."

"You’re right. You seem awfully sure something is going on with them though. Has one of them said something to you?"

Jenny contemplated the question. "Neither has actually said anything. But when I’ve talked to Buffy at the gallery about Angel, she’s always very unenthusiastic. But, ask her about Spike and her face just lights up. Same thing with him, well up until about two weeks ago. I’d mention Buffy and he’d get this look on his face. I don’t think he has any idea how revealing his eyes can be. And with their recent spats, I’d say they’re having a lover’s quarrel. I give it two weeks, tops, before they tell us they’re dating."

Giles reflected back on when he’d seen them together. He hadn’t actually noticed anything, but then he’d never been quite as perceptive on that front as Jenny. She’s even had to tell him that Willow was seeing women, though she now appeared to be seeing men again, if the glimpse of her making out with Xander in the driveway of his parents’ house last weekend had been any indication. He rubbed his head. Bloody hell, he just couldn’t keep up with the children these days.

"So should we act surprised?"

Jenny smirked. "Nope. They weren’t surprised when they walked in on us. But we’ll let them do it in their own sweet time. You won’t be strange now will you?"

Giles, shook his head. "No, I’ll try not to be too nosy about their," he sighed heavily, "private lives."

<><><><><>

Buffy woke to the sound of the alarm clock. As she stretched and rolled over, she found a note propped on Spike’s pillow. Smiling, she opened it and read his early morning missive.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Good morning Goldilocks,

Have I ever mentioned how sexy you make my T-shirts look? You make leaving this bed so hard to do, luv. I’ve got to go the lab after practice this morning, so I won’t see you again until Xan and I come to pick you ladies up for dinner tonight. I’ll get ready over at his place so you and Willow (and Faith, if you want to invite her) can get ready in my big bathroom, as you requested. See you tonight at 7.

Love,
Spike

PS - I peeked in your bag this morning. If you’ll wear that little black lacey thing I found in there with those heels, I’ll be your slave for eternity.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy giggled. Bad Spike for going through her things. She’d just have to punish him later. She rolled out of bed and headed for the shower, ready to get her classes out of the way, and excited about the formal for the first time.

<><><><><>

Cordelia sat nervously at the quiet table near the rear of the small restaurant she’d asked Wesley to meet her at. She bit her lip to keep from crying. She’d already redone her mascara twice this morning and she didn’t wanted to be all raccoony when he finally showed up. She stared at the table. Angel was going to figure out who’d given him away, she knew he was, and there was no way he wouldn’t tell Wes. So she needed to explain things first.

Things had been going so well. Wes was different from a lot of the guys she dated, quieter, more academically inclined. But he’d seemed to like her, the real her, not the cheerleader, not the prom queen, not the sorority girl, just Cordelia. She’d given up playing hard to get with him a long time ago and had just let things progress naturally. They still hadn’t slept together, and she hated herself for giving in to Angel a few weeks ago, that just gave him more ammunition. She had been so wrong and now it was time to pay up. But losing Wes was going to be one of the hardest things she’d ever had to do.

Wesley entered and saw her, waving as he headed for the table.

"Good morning, Cordelia." He smiled at her, then paused, "Cordy, what’s wrong?"

Cordelia drew a ragged breath as she fought to keep her voice steady. "Wes, I have some things I need to tell you."

She poured out the story, trying to be completely honest with him, while still communicating how much she cared for him now, and how much she regretted her actions. When she was finally done, she paused, searching his face. His expression had barely changed since she’d begun to talk.

"Wesley, I really, really care for you. I, I think I’m in love with you. I messed up so badly, but I can make it right if you’ll just give me a chance."

As he continued to stare at her silently, she finally dropped her gaze. "Or I’ll understand if you walk out of here and never want to talk with me again.

Slowly, Wesley rose from his chair, turned and walked from the restaurant without another word.

And Cordelia let the tears begin to flow.

<><><><><>

Spike stood in the department store aisle, staring at the cosmetics counter nervously. Somehow, just being surrounded by all of these polishes, lipsticks and perfumes made him feel decidedly unmanly. He glanced over at Xander, who was firmly planted in men’s shoes, having refused to join Spike in his cosmetics quest.

"Can I help you sir?" The perfectly coifed sales woman raised her carefully waxed eyebrow at the bleached blond man in front of her. "Do you need directions?"

"Oh no. I need make-up," Spike blurted nervously.

The eyebrow arched higher.

"Yeah, your kind, er brand, I think. I have a list of the colors and stuff. So," he recovered his equilibrium slightly as he peered at her name tag, "Lydia, if you could help me, I’d be most appreciative." Spike smiled the most charming smile he could muster under the circumstances and relaxed as he watched Lydia’s frosty exterior thaw a bit. Oh yeah, he still had it, even if he didn’t plan to use it on anyone but Buffy.

"Well, yes sir, I believe we can help you." Lydia took the list and slowly ran down the type of foundation and powers he had listed. She glanced back at the young man with the brilliant blue eyes and shockingly pale hair. He had such lovely cheekbones and a beautiful ivory tone to his complexion. She imagined he did look quite pretty in drag. He must be new at it though, if he was buying this much makeup. She glanced back at the list. This foundation was really going to be too dark for him.

"Sir, might I suggest we consider another tone? I have some samples here. I really think this shade wouldn’t suit you at all."

Spike’s eyes widened as he suddenly realized what she was suggesting. "Oi, no, no, it’s not for me, it’s for my girlfriend, those are her stuff, er, colors. I bloody well do not wear makeup."

Lydia noticed a second young man hovering at the edge of the shoe department now doubled over in laughter.

"I’m so sorry sir, your girlfriend, of course. You say these are her usual shades?"

"Yeah, I wrote them all down."

"Very well." Lydia rapidly began to assemble the various items, managing to talk Spike into an additional lipstick, which she assured him would look wonderful on Buffy and some perfume she was sure to like. When Spike finally escaped from the counter, looking dazed and with a considerably lighter wallet, he was rejoined by Xander.

"So, Wilhemina, will you be wearing a shocking red or a subtly pale pink lipstick tonight?"

"Bugger off Xan."

Xander slapped him on the back. "You are seriously whipped, man, but I gotta say, I’m betting she’s going to be real happy when she sees this stuff. And a happy Buffy will make a very happy Spike."

"That’s the idea mate, that’s the idea."

The two entered the tux shop to pick up their formal wear for the evening.

<><><><><>

Spike finished arranging the items on the countertop. He though he might have gone a little overboard., but Buffy did seem to lug a small army of luggage when she came to stay and he wanted to encourage her to come as often as possible, to feel like it was her place as much as she wanted to make it. So, new hairdryer, make-up, toothbrush, even made himself look like a bloody poof by buying some curlers. But, he thought he’d managed to duplicate everything she seemed to cart around. He’d even cleared out some closet space and emptied a drawer for her, just in case she wanted to leave a few things. Taking a final look around, he grabbed his tux and headed out, leaving the apartment to the women.

<><><><><>

"Hey Wes, wait a minute man, I’ve got something to talk with you about." Angel jogged to catch up with his friend as they came off the practice field.

Wesley stopped and stared as Angel silently. "Yeah, man, about Cordy, I know I set you guys up and all, but I really thought I should tell you, she’s been coming on to me hard the last few weeks. I mean, I don’t know if you guys are having problems or what, but she showed up at my place a few weeks ago, looking to party, if you know what I mean. I’m sorry man, I really am."

Wesley stared at him with cold, dead eyes. "Did you sleep with Cordelia?"

Angel shook his head, "No, of course not, man. I wouldn’t do that to you." And then the punch landed squarely on his jaw and he found himself laying on the concrete.

"Don’t you ever lie about her again. In fact, don’t ever go near her again, or you’ll have to deal with me. I know what Cordelia’s done. I know what you’ve done. But you’d best leave her alone from now on. She has her own sins to pay for, so don’t drag her into yours."

Angel lay stunned as he watched Wesley stalk away.

<><><><><>

Buffy, Willow and Faith mounted the stairs to Spike’s place, carrying their dresses as they chattered. Faith had accepted the invitation to join them, and after getting their hair done, they were ready to put on the finishing touches.

"So this is Spike’s pad, huh? Cute little nook," Faith commented as they stepped through the door.

"Mmhmm. His landlord’s Professor Link, who seems pretty cool. He’s a little weird today, though. He passed me on the path that cuts across the main quad this morning, was really friendly and said hi, but then he asked me if Spike was still having problems with mice."

"Spike has mice?" Willow looked around concerned, not wildly excited about uncaged rodents frolicking freely around her.

"That’s the thing. He’s never mentioned it and I’ve never seem any. And Link did this odd little wink thing when he said it, like it was a joke."

"Strange."

"So, can I get the grand tour B?"

"Pretty much what you see’s what you get. Bed’s behind the screen over there, that door goes to the closet, and the other goes to the big bathroom." Buffy opened the door as she spoke, but stopped as something caught her eye. She’d left all her stuff here this morning, since she’d planned to come back, but she though she’d packed it all up and left her makeup in her bag. She walked over to the vanity counter and began picking up things.

Willow had followed her in. "What’s the matter Buff?"

Buffy smiled, "Nothing." She began opening drawers and soon uncovered her second set of everything she needed to stay at Spike’s. "Willow, Spike must have gone and bought me stuff for here, look, all this is new."

"Oh Buffy, that’s so sweet."

Buffy nodded. "A little scary, but very sweet. Willow, this is all happening so fast." She slowly sank down onto the bathroom floor.

"You okay?" Willow settled down beside her best friend, watching her breathe deeply.

"Yeah, I am. It’s just, every time something like this happens, I realize how serious this is, how serious he is about me. Which is good, it means he really cares, he’s not going to use me like Angel, but it’s scary, ‘cause I think I feel exactly the same way and I’m not sure if I’m ready." Buffy drew in another long breath. "Woo, from a boyfriend who couldn’t care less to one who’s so committed even I’m a little freaked. Amazing the difference a couple of days makes."

Willow nodded and pulled Buffy in for a quick hug. "It’ll be okay. Just keep talking it out with Spike, you know? If you feel overwhelmed, let him know. Don’t not talk to him about it though."

"You’re right. Okay, enough of this. Let’s get into those gorgeous dresses."

<><><><><>

Darla paced the room. The doctor had said the test results would be in by today. She knew she could always call the clinic and double-check if they’d had any news. Somehow, not knowing meant it wasn’t so. They’d call if there was a problem. Besides, she’d probably just had the flu. She’d felt better today already.

She glanced at her watch. 4:30. She needed to leave if she planned to make her appointment for hair and nails. She’d barely been able to get squeezed in, she really needed to run.

Just at that moment, the phone rang. Darla grabbed for the receiver. "Hello?"

"Darla Harmon?"

"Yes?"

"This is Winifred Burkle, from the Student Clinic?" Fred made a frantic grab as the papers at her desk started to slide off. Could her day get any worse?

"Yes?" Darla felt her stomach drop. They had called. This couldn’t be good.

"I have your test results back, it says here," Fred sighed as she squinted at the paper now on top of her reshuffled stack. She couldn’t believe she’d forgotten her glasses, today of all days. "It says you’re results are negative."

Darla almost jumped for joy. "Really?"

"R-really, that’s what it says." She squinted harder to make sure. Yep, that was definitely an N.

"Thank you Winifred, you just made my day." Darla slammed down the phone and raced out the door.

<><><><><>

Dr. Walsh re-entered the room. "Did you finish the calls, Fred?"

Fred nodded. "Boy, that Darla was sure happy to get her results. Course, I guess everyone wants that to be negative."

Dr. Walsh stopped. "Fred, no, Darla tested positive."

Fred grabbed back up the papers, squinting again at the name at the top of the stack. She had picked up the wrong paper to read the results to Darla. "Oh, Dr. Walsh. I’m so sorry."

"Well, call her back immediately. She needs to begin treatment with penicillin very soon before the disease progresses in severity. It’s your responsibility to right this error."

Fred immediately redialed Darla’s number, but only got the answering machine. After several attempts, she left a long message explaining her mistake and profusely apologizing.

Gathering her bags, she clocked out and headed out the now darkened entrance. As she exited the doors, she walked straight into a tall figure.

"Oh," she squinted up, "Lorne, hey, how are you?"

"Doing good, sweet pea, how about you?"

Fred sighed. Lorne was so easy to talk to, he always understood. Maybe he could give her some advice. "I don’t know what to do. I just gave someone the wrong test results, and now I can’t get them on the phone and Dr. Walsh said I have to fix it. But I’m suppose to leave for L.A. tonight to go to this conference and I’ll miss my ride if I’m not there in a few minutes. I don’t know what to do."

"Oh, that’s a tough one. Was it something serious?"

Fred nodded mournfully. "Syphilis."

Lorne’s eyes widened. Now this was some juicy news. "Really, Fred, who is it?"

Fred’s eyes grew big. "Lorne, I can’t tell you that. Confidentiality and all," she paused. "Of course, I guess you’ll find out soon enough."

"Now, Fred, would I spread false rumors?" She gave him a disbelieving look. "Sweetie, I’m just trying to help. Maybe I could give them the message for you, then you could go on to L.A. and not worry about it. How about that?" He stopped for a minute. "Wait, why would I find out soon enough?"

Fred paused. Should she tell him? "Well, you were sort of on her list."

"Her list?"

"Yeah, it’s a new thing. We ask people getting tested for STDs to fill out a list of their sexual partners on campus, so that we can alert these people to possible problems and see if we can determine where things started. It’s voluntary, but Darla agreed to do it. She was pretty scared." Fred suddenly stopped with a squeak, realizing she’d just revealed who it was.

Lorne turned a peculiar shade of green. "Darla Harmon. Oh shit, I did sleep with her." He mentally started to count back, "but it’s been a while, maybe two years ago. Way to much to drink that night." He tried to remember the last test he’d had done, yep, it had been after that little incident. "Well, I’ve been tested since then, so I should be fine, right?"

Fred nodded, "Yeah. Listen, can you tell her though, since you know?"

Lorne nodded, "I’ll try to find her. Have a good trip Fred." Lorne sauntered off, breathing a sigh of relief that he was out of the woods. So Darla has finally caught something. She was a trashy little thing and had been fairly bitchy the morning after as he recalled and since then as well. He wondered if he’d see her at the formal tonight. He rubbed his hands together. He was going to have fun with this.

<><><><><>

By quarter of, Faith, Buffy and Willow were charmingly attired and awaiting their escorts. Xander, Spike and Jonathan arrived and were nearly struck speechless by the sight of their dates.

Willow had chosen a bronze dress shot thorough with metallic highlights that shimmered as she moved. Tiny straps held the fitted bodice on her shoulders and the nearly floor-length gown was granted mobility by a high slit in the back.

Buffy had gone with a traditional black. The fitted bodice had no straps and hugged her form down to her hips, where the skirt flared slightly. A thigh high slit ran the length of her leg, offering the barest glimpse of her nylon encased thigh and showing off her strappy high heels.

Faith had chosen a short jade green dress with a twenties feel, complete with a fringe trim that shimmied as she moved. She smiled as she watched Jonathan’s face as she waltzed to greet her date. "Hey Johnny, we gonna have fun tonight?" Jonathan swallowed hard and nodded as he took her arm to lead her to the waiting car.

<><><><><>

Darla smiled as Angel came to the door. She twirled around for his approval, her skin tight red dress leaving very little to the imagination.

"You like?"

He grabbed her and pulled her in to nibble on her neck. "Very much. You look so hot, Darla. Let’s go show these losers a thing or to, shall we?"

She nodded. Suddenly she looked closer. "Angel, what’s wrong with your jaw?"

"Oh, that? Nothing, just a little scuffle at practice today, you know, gridiron injury?"

She nodded, grabbed her purse and wrap and the two left as the answering machine light continued to blink quietly in the corner of the room.

CONTINUED...