=Part Five=

Buffy wiped the chalkboard clean with slow, measured strokes of the eraser, staring through the gray slate.

Her mind was still reeling from her earlier encounter, and she'd purposely stayed late this evening to try and distract  herself with the little odds and ends of her preparations for tomorrow's class.

But she couldn't concentrate on anything but him...couldn't see anything but his blue eyes as they moved over her  body...couldn't hear anything but his voice tell her exactly what he wanted from her....his voice...

"Well, well, well...if it isn't Miss Buffy. Still at school, and so late at night."

She spun around in shock, clutching the eraser to her breast like a shield. There he was...the man she'd been trying so hard not to think about.

He was wearing another pair of snug jeans, fraying at the knees. His boots were soft, scuffed leather, and he had on a blue button down shirt....the exact color of his eyes.

"Tell me, teacher," he said, pacing slowly towards her with his hands tucked into his front pockets. "Have you ever been made love to...on your desk?"

She shook her head, no.

"Now that's a bloody shame," he added, stopping directly in front of her. Before she knew it was happening, he had his hands under her arms and was pulling her forward.

And then his mouth...that beautifully sinful mouth...was on hers, devouring her like a hungry animal. His lips coaxed hers apart, and his tongue slid sinuously between them, finding and stroking hers.

Buffy's knees turned to water, and she clutched at him to keep from falling to the floor.

Without lifting his mouth from hers, he walked her backwards a few feet and sat her bottom down on the edge of her desk. Then, with one sweep of his hand, he cleared it of the books and papers, the pens and pencils, and all the other minutiae that cluttered up her work space.

All of it landed on the floor in a messy pile.

"Oh, teacher," he whispered hotly in her ear. "Can you teach me what you like? What gets you hot? Where you want to be touched?"

He pushed her legs apart and stepped closer, easing her down onto her back.

Of their own volition, her fingers slid from his shoulders up into the silky mass of platinum curls. Curving inwards, they held him to her.

"And then," he murmured, his lips traveling down her throat, "I'll teach you what I like...where I want you to touch me...taste me."

His right hand began to unbutton her blouse. He pressed slow, hot kisses to the skin he exposed.

Buffy was panting as she stared at the ceiling, fondling and caressing his soft hair, holding him to her breast.

Spike Devlin wasted no time. With one hand, he easily undid the front closure of her bra, then peeled the cups away from her overheated flesh.

"God, you're beautiful," he breathed against her skin. "And I want you so much."

She was through trying to resist this. Stubborn she might be, but she wasn't stupid.

"Make love to me," she whispered, begging shamelessly. "Please..oh, please. I want you..."

"And I want you, darling." He straightened up and pushed her skirt up around her thighs. "Lift up," he directed her, then pulled the scrap of satin and lace between her legs down and off.

Reaching for her hand, he lifted it to his lips and pressed a tender kiss into her palm, then guided it down to the top snap of his pants.

Without a second thought, she unfastened it, watching in delight as his zipper began to slide down on it's own, helped along by the intense pressure from the other side.

"So big," she said, meeting his eyes. He smiled, pleased that he was pleasing her.

"Touch it," he demanded. "Wrap your little fingers around it and squeeze a little...ahh...perfect."

His head dropped back a little as she stroked and caressed him.

"Miss Buffy," he moaned. "You have the sweetest little hands."

She smiled. "I think you're going to be a very good student."

"Mmm...tighter, darling...yeah, that's it...slide it up and down....good girl..."

Buffy parted her legs further. "Do you have something for teacher?" she asked teasingly, tugging on his hard shaft, aiming it where she wanted it to go.

Spike fell forward onto his hands. "Something better than an apple," he promised.

She rubbed the cleft of her sex with his glans. "I do believe...that's anA+ you have there."

"Lift your legs a little," he instructed, as he slid the head of his cock inside her. "Fucking tight," he groaned, his hips beginning to move back and forward in a rhythm that made them both happy.

"Faster," she pleaded. "Harder....now....I want more..."

"Yes, teacher," he panted, pounding into her like a jackhammer. "I'll give you all you can take."

Buffy ran her hands up his arms and dig her nails into his biceps. The pleasure he was giving her was beyond anything she'd ever imagined.

With no effort whatsoever, he was bringing her to a cataclysmic orgasm. Her own hips began to rise and fall, harder and faster, meeting every slam of his pelvis into hers. "Oh...oh, yes....yes..."

"Say my name," he begged. "Please, teacher...say my name."

"S-Spike....oh, yes, Spike....I'm...oh....oh....Spike...Spike...SPIKE!"

As her body began to calm, she looked up into his lovely blue eyes, and wanted nothing more than to drown in them.

"You're so beautiful," he said, still sliding smoothly in and out of her. "You're soft...and warm...and so pretty...you're a five car pile up on the interstate...with multiple injuries."

Buffy frowned. "Huh?"

"Ground fog...visibility...watch your speed..."

"What....what do you mean...."

"And in other news..."

***************************************************************

Buffy's eyes flew open wide as she shot up in bed. Shaking her head, she reached over onto her nightstand and slapped off the clock radio, then collapsed back onto the pillows and placed one hand over her wildly racing heart.

"Damn."

=Part Six=

Three days went by, with no sign of Spike Devlin.

Buffy wasn't sure whether to be relieved or disappointed, or a combination of both. After her rather vivid dream, she had actually considered calling in sick at work, afraid he might show up. She wouldn't have been able to even look him in the eye, and she had a terrible feeling that he would know why just by looking at her.

But her students were counting on her and, as always, they were the ones who really mattered. For some of them, the only stability they had was found at Willow Tree Preschool.

As the days passed, Buffy began to relax and to believe that her experience with Devlin was a one shot deal. He'd probably just been bored in their bucolic little town, and needed something different to do to fill in his time before he left to go wherever it was he was going.

Then, Friday afternoon rolled around.....

*********************************************************

"Miss Buffy? Tanner took the straw from my juice box!"

"Tanner...give Melody her straw back... NOW...please Tanner! Thank you... Michael, do you need help with your thermos?... No, turn it the other way...Be careful when you...It's all right...Go inside and ask Miss Willow for a towel...Don't get upset...It's only apple juice...Megan, your mother wants you to eat some of those carrots...No, BEFORE the cookies, not after...Because you'll be too full to eat them...You may save one for the bunny, but that's all...David, bring me your orange and I'll peel it for you...How about if I get it started?...Kyle, sit still...Because when you bounce up and down that way, you shake the whole bench...Just pick it up and throw it in the trash can, Mia...Not when you drop it outside, no...Tyler, that's NOT what your sleeve is for. Please go inside and get a tissue..."

"Miss Buffy?"

"What, Samantha?"

"Your boyfriend's here."

Buffy's head whipped around so fast that her neck
popped unpleasantly.

**************************************************

Her heart lurched in her chest. Half of her was thrilled that he'd returned, wondering if he had actually meant the things he'd said the other day.

But the other half, the sensible Buffy, was scared witless at the whole idea.

She turned around. "If you're finished with your lunch, you may throw away your trash and play for the rest of the hour."

The children seemed to be in no hurry to leave. Normally, they would have taken off before she could utter the final word.

Today, sensing that something was up, their little butts appeared to have been hot glued to the bench. Trying to make a good show of things, they fiddled with the remains of their lunches, remains that had been destined for the garbage only a moment ago.

Crusts of bread, some squishy raisins at the bottom of their bags, the four or five drops of juice left in their drink boxes and thermos bottles...even the granola bars that they universally detested...all of this was being consumed slower than an arthritic snail as they methodically went about qualifying for membership in the "clean plate" club.

She closed her eyes tightly, deciding that he was an illusion brought on because she'd been thinking about him so much...much more than was actually good for her.

Opening her eyes, she turned around again.

The "illusion" smiled and waved.

With a look of grim determination, she rose to her feet and, once again, headed across the play yard.

Several of her students started to follow after her, but she turned on them and stopped THAT misguided notion with a look that meant business.

*****************************************************

She halted five feet from the fence he was leaning on. "What part of 'private property' and 'you'll  have to make an appointment' was I unclear about?"

Spike Devlin smiled and shrugged. "How do you I didn't?" he challenged.

**Yeah, right!** she scoffed, inwardly. **Like Willow would be able to keep THAT to herself!**

"Fine. The main office is over there," she said, pointing in it's direction. "Goodbye."

"All right, all right," he said when she began to leave. "I'll tell you the truth."

The words stopped her in her tracks, and she waited.

"I lied."

Buffy turned and faced him.

"I wanted to see you again," he confessed. "Is that a bloody crime...Miss Buffy?"

"Yes," she answered tartly. "When I asked you to please leave, it became trespassing."

Devlin chuckled. "Good luck getting THAT one to stand up in court."

She was just about to give him his walking papers yet again, when the office door opened and Willow stepped outside with a piece of paper in her hand.

"Buffy?" she asked absently, not looking up. "Do you know when the supplies for the copier came in? I think I've been billed twice for the same..." Finally raising her head, she was startled into silence when she saw who Buffy was talking to.

"Oh!" she said, when she found her voice. "You're him! You're Spike Devlin! Buffy!" she turned to look at her. "This is Spike Devlin! Here! In our school!"

"Will wonders never cease," Buffy muttered.

"Wow," Willow continued to gush. "I can't believe this. I am such a fan of Blue Eyed Devil. I mean...I went to see you guys at Union Jack's but I had this...stupid emergency and I had to leave. But, you're here!"

Sighing in disgust as she watched her employer de-evolve into a teenage groupie right before her eyes, Buffy made the introductions. "Willow Rosenberg...Spike Devlin," She paused for a moment, then crossed her arms over her chest and gave him a look. "Who is interested in the school."

Willow gasped. "Really? In MY school? I mean...OUR school? I mean...THIS school?"

Spike Devlin smiled charmingly. "It's nice to meet you, luv," he said. "This is a real sweet little place you're running here."

Willow blushed, her cheeks turning the color of her hair.

"Well, thank you!" she said. "What a nice thing to say."

"Yeah," Buffy added. "Nice." She looked at Willow. "You should take him into your office, Wils," she suggested pointedly. "Show him our curriculum."

Willow seized on the words. "Sure! Great! How old is your child?" she asked giddily.

"To tell you the truth, pet," he answered. "I don't have one...just yet."

Spike allowed his gaze to linger on Buffy for a moment longer, his expression making it clear that he knew exactly what she was about.

Oh, GOD...he was going to enjoy this! Pursuing little Miss Buffy would be wildly exciting...and definitely worth the chase....

=Chapter Seven=

Buffy could feel his eyes on her in a way that was almost palpable. The lovely blue of his iris seemed to have deepened, and they snapped with pent up energy.

He made her so nervous that she actually had to take a step back.

"So," Willow spoke up. "You don't have any children?"

Spike Devlin shook his head, his eyes still pinned on Buffy. "None of my own," he replied. "I have a niece and nephew," **In England** he added silently, mentally crossing his fingers. "My sister's kids."

"Oh...and you're checking out the available preschools for them?"

"What?" He pulled his gaze away from Buffy and addressed himself to Willow. "Oh...yeah. Yeah, they're...about the right age and....so on."

"I see." Willow glanced at her watch. "Well, it's almost time for the children to go in and have their quiet time. If you'd like to come into the office, I'd be happy to show you how we operate here at Willow Tree."

Buffy sighed with relief. An escape opportunity presenting itself at exactly the right moment. Her out-of-whack stars must be moving back into alignment.

"Excuse me," she murmured, then walked out into the play yard and clapped her hands.

The children knew the drill, and they left what they were doing to form a slightly disorderly line.

Buffy waited until all her ducklings were in a row, then marched them inside. The children followed along, going straight to their cubbyholes and pulling out their rest mats and stuffed animals.

She read to them for fifteen minutes, turned off the overhead light, then sat down at her desk to
begin cutting pieces of colored construction paper into different shapes and sizes for their afternoon art project, and NOT think about Spike Devlin.

**********************************************

Spike was having a far more difficult time not thinking about Miss Buffy.

He had willingly followed Willow into her office, and taken a look at her curriculum and the goals she set for the children attending her school.

During a lull in the conversation, he was struck by a sudden inspiration.

"You know," he said sincerely. "All this looks just great, and I'll definitely clue my little sister in...but I was just thinking that maybe I could visit one of the classrooms. Watch how things work. That be okay, luv?"

This was a common and reasonable request, so Willow didn't find it strange. "The children are having their quiet time right now," she informed him. "But you're more than welcome to sit in on the afternoon session."

"Fabulous," Devlin murmured, trying hard not to look too eager.

But Willow just smiled and pulled out her attendance sheets. "Everyone has a full class today," she said, scanning the list. "Since you already know Buffy...maybe you should start there." Looking up, she closed her ledger and put it away. "I assume you've told her what you want?"

He nodded. "Oh, yes," he said firmly. "She knows EXACTLY what I want."

"Great," Willow said, standing up. "I'll show you where her class is."

****************************************************

Buffy was beginning to think that someone had it in for her in a major way.

As if she didn't have enough on her mind, the children were continuing to act up. Kyle needed to go the bathroom. Jason needed a drink of water. Keiko needed to get her stuffed 'sleep buddy' out of her cubby. Andrew just enjoyed making noise. Nina had sand in her shoes.

By the time she had attended to each one, Jason needed to go to the bathroom, Kyle was thirsty, and she was back at square one.

Even when she finally had them down on their mats, they couldn't seem to be still and rest. They giggled, they whispered, they kicked their legs, they hummed tunelessly, they flopped around like a school of beached goldfish.

Then, when she was already on her last nerve, it got worse.

****************************************************

"That's enough!" Willow stood in the doorway and clapped her hands sharply, twice. "Now," she added, when all of the children were lying as stiffly and silently as planks of wood, "we have a guest today."

Buffy, who had her back to the door, clapped one hand over her eyes. She knew, without even having to look, exactly who the mystery guest would turn out to be.

"This is Mr. Devlin," Willow said. "He's here to see how we do things at Willow Tree, and I KNOW that you want to show him what good boys and girls you all are. Do you think that's what you were doing a moment ago?"

Twelve heads wobbled from side to side.

"Then I expect you all to quiet down," she said firmly. "Buffy...?"

Heaving a sigh that came all the way from the soles of her shoes, Buffy turned around and saw Willow wave her over.

She smiled weakly, her suspicions confirmed. Standing beside Willow, with a smirk on his face that she could have cheerfully slapped right off, was Spike Devlin.

**Help me, someone. Anyone?**

Buffy approached the pair at the door, pushing her hands into the side pockets of her denim skirt.

"Willow...I'm having a hard time settling them down," she murmured. "Maybe this isn't a good idea...today. Why don't you try Carolyn's class."

Her friend stared at her as though she'd lost every last one of her marbles. She honestly couldn't believe that Buffy was turning down a visit from Spike Devlin.

But, before she could say anything in reply, he cut her off.

"I'd actually rather observe YOU, Miss Buffy. Watch how you...handle yourself," he double entendred in
silken tones. "When the children aren't minding their P's and Q's, I mean."

Trapped. Trapped like a caged ferret.

*************************************************

The instant that the door closed behind Willow, Buffy dropped her smile and returned to her desk without speaking one word to her unwanted guest.

As calmly as she could, she picked up her scissors and continued the task of cutting out shapes of construction paper.

Devlin strolled leisurely around the room, pausing to study different displays of the children's work tacked to the walls, slowly working his way towards her desk.

Buffy ignored him, concentrating on cutting the paper and not herself. In the state of mind she was in, she had no doubt whatsoever that she would slice a finger off.

"What are you doing?" he asked, perching on the side of her desk.

She stopped cutting and looked up at him. "Baking a cake," she replied sarcastically, with a dead-pan expression.

The children snickered, and she could have kicked herself. "Quiet!"

Devlin just smiled. "Need any help?" he whispered.

"No, thank you."

"You sure?"

"Completely."

He was silent for a few seconds. "I don't mind helping."

"No, thank you," she said doggedly.

"My triangles are a bit lopsided, but my circles are works of art. Just ask my mum."

Another wave of giggles swept through the room.

Buffy flung her head up and smacked her palm on the desk. "THAT'S ENOUGH!" Looking up at Spike,
she scowled. "I'm sorry...but if you can't refrain from disrupting my class, then...."

"ME?" he asked, pointing at himself. "YOU'RE the one yelling at them."

She stared at him, her lips slightly parted. He was absolutely right. HE had been whispering. SHE was the one with the volume control problem.

The children's eyes bounced back and forth between the two adults, like tiny spectators at a really intense
ping-pong tournament. It wasn't long before they began fidgeting and whispering again.

*********************************************

Spike could see that the imminent loss of control over her class was agitating Buffy. Since he didn't want to be the cause of this problem, which would certainly not endear him to her, he decided to take some action.

Leaning over, he spoke quietly to her. "I'll be right back, luv."

Watching him walk out the door, Buffy was momentarily tempted to lock it.

His car, the black Mustang she'd seen the other day, was parked at the curb. He unlocked the trunk and reached inside, bringing out a .....

"Oh, no," she said beneath her breath. This was the last thing on earth that she needed at that particular moment.

Jumping to her feet, she intercepted him as he came through the door. "No. You can't do that in here," she
said curtly. "I absolutely forbid you to...zip that back up! I mean it...do NOT take that out in my classroom."

"Calm down," he said quietly. "I'm going to help."

"How?" she demanded. "By damaging their hearing?"

Spike opened the inner lining of it's case and removed a guitar. "Do you see any electrical outlets on this instrument?" he asked. "This, my lovely, is an acoustic guitar. It has a red cedar top and rosewood back and sides, mother of pearl inlay on the headstock, and a rosewood fret board."

He looped the strap around his neck. "My first guitar," he informed her. "I take it everywhere, but I rarely play it except when I'm alone...because it's very special to me."

Buffy was quite unable to say anything.

"Today," he added, running his fingers lightly up and down the neck of the instrument. "I want to play it...for you. And for the little ones." He smiled at her, a genuine and open smile, with no hidden meanings. "That all right with you, lovely?"

After a moment, she returned his smile. "Yes," she said softly. "It's all right with me."

Actually...it was so VERY all right with her...that it scared her.

Just a little......

****************************************************

Spike Devlin spent the next fifteen minutes of his life enchanting twelve children...and their teacher.

Sitting on the edge of Buffy's desk, he moved his fingers over the strings of his guitar, drawing out lovely melodies designed to calm the wildest heart.

Then he left the desk and began to wander through the room. It made Buffy smile, remembering how he prowled the stage at Union Jack's. It must be a habit so deeply ingrained that he did it without even thinking about it.

"Hush a bye, hush a bye
Go to sleepy little baby
When you wake, you shall have
All all the pretty little horses,"

The children never took their eyes off him, but they remained as quiet as it was humanly possible for them to be.

"Blacks and bays
Dapples and grays
All the pretty little horses."

His voice was every bit as beautifully tuned an instrument as the guitar itself. He kept his tone low and soft.

"Hush a bye, don't you cry
Go to sleepy little baby
When you wake, you shall have sweet cake
And all the pretty little horses.

A black and bay, a brown and gray
All the pretty little horses

All the black ones, and all the white ones
All the calm ones, and all the wild ones
All the pretty little horses.

All the pretty little horses."

He stopped singing, but continued to play softly. Five minutes later, every child in the room was sound asleep.

Then he turned and smiled at her, and Buffy knew that she was in danger of completely losing her heart if she
wasn't careful.

Problem was, she wasn't sure she wanted to be careful anymore.

=Part Eight=

Devlin placed the guitar back in it's case and propped it up against the wall, then turned his penetrating blue
gaze on Buffy.

When their eyes met, he smiled and she blushed...which only made his smile widen. He approached her with
slow, measured strides, resuming his seat on the edge of her desk.

He said nothing, but took the extra pair of scissors out of her pencil box, then picked up a sheet of red construction paper and began cutting out the circles she had traced on it earlier.

The room was quiet, and they worked in a surprisingly comfortable silence with nothing but the soft sound of
the scissors to mar the peace.

When the chore was finished, Buffy stacked the different shapes in neat little piles, and tossed the scraps into her waste basket.

"Thank you," she murmured.

"My pleasure, Miss Buffy."

She could tell that he was waiting for her to make the next move. "Listen," she began. "I was...I mean...I
know that I was a little...rude to you...before. But...it's just that...that I'm not used to...."

"Not used to what?" he asked, softly. "Not used to a man being interested in you? Being attracted to you?" His voice dropped into a lower register. "Wanting you?"

These words sent a pleasant shiver up and down her spinal column, but what he said next would have buckled her knees had she been standing.

"You'll need to get used to it...Miss Buffy."

**Oh, help....**

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

She expected him to pack up and go, but he surprised her yet again by showing no such inclination. Instead, he waited until the children began to wake up, then sat at the back of the room and watched as they did their "wake up stretches" on the interlocking rubber mats in the middle of the floor.

Buffy was acutely aware of his eyes following her as she moved around the room, and she couldn't forget the sound of his voice telling her that she'd need to get used to being wanted...by him. She wasn't quite sure this was something she'd be able to do.

She'd had her share of male admirers throughout high school and college, and had dated a few of the young men in Sunnydale when she'd first arrived. Riley Finn had made no secret of the fact that he most certainly was interested in more than casual friendship.

But she had no experience with the sort of situation she was in now. She'd never even met a man like Devlin before. He was cocky and confident, completely sure of himself, and she had the feeling that he usually got pretty much anything he wanted.

Spike Devlin lived in a totally different world, a world she had no knowledge of, a world she could never belong in or fit into.

He had aspirations far beyond her scope, and probably wanted much different things out of life. She was a small town girl, and always would be. He was big city, born and bred, destined for stardom, for fame and fortune.

These were things she had no interest in. Her goals in life were much simpler. She loved her job, and couldn't imagine doing anything else. Eventually, she wanted to be married and have some children of her own. Being an only child, she'd grown up lonely and so had planned to have at least three kids when she found the right man to settle down with.

Spike Devlin wasn't the "settling down" type. How could he be? His career was just getting up and running, and he would have to be moving at a fast pace to keep it going in the right direction.

Buffy couldn't hope to keep up with someone like that.

And yet....

**He wants me...Spike Devlin, who could no doubt have any girl he chose...wants me**

Yes, but for what? And for how long? Until the novelty wore off?

He seemed interested now...but was it just the love of a chase that was turning him on? If she stopped running...would he still be there afterwards?

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

"All right, munchkins...this is called a command performance." Spike sat on the bench beneath one of the
weeping willows and smiled at the children gathered around him on the grass. "That means your wish is my command. You tell me what you want to hear... and if I can, I'll play it for you."

The entire faculty and miniature student body of Willow Tree Preschool was present for this particular performance. They all sat, grouped in their individual classes, giggling and excited.

Buffy had to smile. Giggling and excited was a perfect description....and the children were enjoying it as well.

The afternoon play period was almost over when Miss Willow came outside to see what everyone was watching. Within five minutes she decided that since it was such a nice day, and they had such a special guest, the period could be extended for a while.

The children's taste in music was fairly simple, and well known. Standards like 'Old McDonald's Farm' and 'Pop goes the Weasel' were requested and granted.

Devlin had a way with children that was very appealing. Not a lot of men had such a natural rapport, or could be so completely relaxed and at home in such a setting.

He not only played and sang the children's song requests, he led them along with him, encouraging them
to sing at the top of their lungs, to make sure "the people way in the back of the concert hall" would be able to hear them.

"He's really something," Willow said quietly.

Buffy nodded. "He's definitely a surprise," she agreed.

There was a pause. "I get the feeling that you're a little better acquainted with him than you let on," Willow said, giving Buffy a speculative look. "You don't act as though this is the first time you've met him...and I don't mean just sitting and listening to him at Union Jack's either."

Buffy stared at her shoes for a moment. "He was here the other day," she finally admitted. "We....talked."

"But how did he..." Willow gasped. "Something happened the other night, didn't it? That's why you were so strange when I asked you about the concert!"

"Willow..."

"You'd better tell me," her friend warned, a wide smile on her face. "This is NOT something you can keep to yourself."

Buffy's cheeks were bright red, she could literally feel them heating up. She didn't have the faintest idea in the world how she could explain to Willow about what had been going on between her and Spike Devlin.

She avoided the situation by glancing at her watch. "It's getting late," she said quickly. "I have to go get the snack together."

"Buffy..."

"Later, Wils." Buffy said, making a promise of full confession with her eyes.

Willow Tree provided a daily afternoon snack to all it's students, and each day it was a different teacher's turn to prepare it.

Today was Buffy's responsibility. She was turning to  go to the kitchenette in the main building when the kids  all began to applaud the end of Devlin's performance. Some  of them scrambled to their feet, jumping up and down in excitement.

When they all scattered for a few minutes in the play yard, Spike put his guitar back in it's case and walked over to where Buffy and Willow were standing.

The owner and operator of Willow Tree was effusive in her gratitude. "This has been such a treat for all of us," she said, smiling up into Devlin's eyes. "Thank you so much."

"Don't mention it, pet," he said, returning her smile. "I enjoyed it, too. They're a great group of kids." He looked at Buffy. "Which isn't surprising, since they seem to have great teachers."

Buffy was momentarily caught in his intense blue gaze, but said nothing.

"Well," Willow said, sensing the the spark of electricity that seemed to be zinging back and forth between Buffy and Spike, "you have a whole new fan club now. The kids, I mean. It's nice to have you around."

Buffy finally broke eye contact with Devlin. "Excuse me," she said softly. "I need to go inside and get their snacks
ready."

"Go ahead," Willow nodded. "I'll bring your class over to the benches for you."

As Buffy turned and walked away, she heard Willow asking Devlin whether Blue Eyed Devil would be playing
anywhere in the area before they left on their tour.

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

Buffy stood in the darkened kitchenette, breaking graham crackers along their dividing lines and  placing them in small baskets. There was one basket for each table, and she made sure that there was enough for each child to have two full crackers.

She was slicing apples onto paper plates when the bat wing door creaked open behind her. Her
heart began beating at twice it's normal pace, and she knew who was standing there.

Devlin crossed the small room and stood directly behind her, so close that she could feel the heat of his body.

"What about you, Buffy?" he asked quietly, dropping the appellation 'Miss'.

She swallowed nervously. "What about me?" she echoed, reaching for another apple.

He placed his hands over hers, making her stop cutting up fruit. "Do YOU think it's nice to have me around?"

Buffy closed her eyes for just a moment as he turned her around to face him. "Wh...what?" she stammered, looking up at him.

"Do YOU think it's nice to have me around?" he asked again.

Giving her no opportunity to reply, he put his hands on her waist, then slowly...so slowly...he lowered his head and captured her mouth in a kiss that was both tenderly sweet and madly passionate at the same time.

**Oh, God.....help...**

=Part Nine=

He kissed her until she felt herself becoming light headed. With a technique that was truly
amazing, he alternated between firm pressure and light touches, just barely running his tongue along
the closure of her lips, until they parted and invited him inside to play.

After an initial moment of uncertainly, Buffy allowed her tongue to tentatively touch his. He tasted of
coffee and a faint trace of peppermint, probably from toothpaste.

When he drew back, he leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Miss Buffy...has anyone ever told you that you kiss like a dream come true?"

Her eyes opened halfway, and they were slightly unfocused. "Mm...no, not really."

Devlin chuckled softly. "Good, then I'm the first."

A cacophony of childish voices from outside cleared her scattered mind, and she suddenly remembered exactly where she was.

Placing her hands on his chest, she pushed him away. "I...I have to finish this. It's...it's  time for the..."

"Afternoon snack?" he offered.

Buffy nodded. "Yes. That." She turned away and resumed working on the apples.

He watched her in silence for a moment. "We're playing at Union Jack's tonight," he finally said. "Will you come?"

She kept slicing apples, and didn't reply.

"Buffy...will you come to Union Jack's tonight?" he asked again.

Still, she said nothing.

"Buffy!"

"I don't know!" came bursting out of her. "I don't think I can."

Spike placed his hands on the counter top on either side of her, caging her in. "You don't think you CAN?"
he asked bluntly. "Or...you don't think you SHOULD?"

"What's the difference?"

"Oh, there's a big difference, luv," he said softly. "You don't think you CAN means you're too busy to come. You don't think you SHOULD means that you're afraid to."

Buffy tried a weak laugh. "I'm definitely NOT afraid," she replied. Which of them she was trying to convince,
she wasn't quite sure.

"Yes, you are." He nuzzled the side of her neck. "And it's exciting, isn't it?"

She shook her head. "Hardly."

Devlin's mouth traveled up until he was once again speaking in her ear. "It makes the hot blood race
through your veins like wildfire. Your heart beats harder, 'til you think it'll just explode if you can't have
what you want...what you need. Tell me, Buffy," he whispered. "Tell me what you want...and I'll move
heaven and earth to give it to you."

If she knew the answer to THAT complex question, she wouldn't be in the predicament she was in now.

Impatiently, he put his hands on her shoulders and forced her to turn around. "Say you'll come tonight," he said, taking a handful of her hair and tugging on it until her head dropped back and her neck arched invitingly. He pressed his lips to the place where the blood was visibly throbbing, his breath hot on her skin. "Say it!"

Every ounce of her resistance drained out of her. "I will," she said, almost inaudibly. "I'll come."

Devlin pulled back and looked into her eyes. "Promise me," he demanded.

However hard she tried, Buffy couldn't break away from that laser blue gaze. "I promise."

He nodded and smiled, satisfied. "Now," he said. "It's gonna be a long time before I see you tonight, so
kiss me again. Give me a kiss that'll last me until then."

Helpless to do anything else, Buffy complied.

Devlin was the first to break away. "See you tonight, luv," he said, pinching her cheek, then heading out the door to say goodbye to the children.

****************************************************

Hours later, Buffy stood in front of her full length mirror.

She'd decided to wear a cream colored tank top, covered with a blouse made of the same colored lace. It had a V-neckline, and the sleeves were snug all the way to her wrists where they ended in a bell of lace that covered half of her hands.

Her skirt was a black leather wrap around, it's hem just skimming the tops of her boots.

After applying her make up, she'd had a twenty minute internal debate over how to wear her hair. Up in a loose chignon, or tumbling down
her back?

She'd compromised by leaving it down, but pulling it back and securing it with a gold barrette.

When there was nothing more she could do, she grabbed her car keys and purse, and headed out
the door, still wondering what in the name of god she thought she was doing.

****************************************

Union Jack's was at maximum capacity when she arrived. Certain that there was no way she'd
be able to get in, she was ready to turn around and go home when someone tapped her on the shoulder.

"Are you Miss Summers?" The boy was wearing black pants and a shirt with the club's namesake on the back. His name tag read "Tim."

Buffy nodded that she was indeed Miss Summers, and the boy beckoned her to follow him.

He led her around the building and through a side door that opened directly into the main room. Every
table in the place was occupied, save one in the middle, close to the stage.

Tim seated her at the small table, then asked if he could bring her something to drink and if she needed a menu.

Buffy declined the menu, but ordered a glass of white wine. Feeling ridiculously conspicuous, she didn't allow her eyes to wander around the room.

Five minutes crawled by before the house lights darkened slightly and Blue Eyed Devil hit the stage.

Spike Devlin's eyes zeroed in on her immediately, and he grinned broadly at her as he picked up his guitar.

Determined not to let him rattle her, she lifted her chin and met his gaze with hers.

He was delighted with this response, and he winked at her, adjusting his microphone.

"Well, hi there Sunnydale," he said, looking out over his audience. "Didja miss us?"

The crowd applauded wildly, some of them releasing whistles that only a dog should be capable of hearing.

"I guess that means yes," the bass player said when the noise died down.

Devlin laughed and looked at him. "S'nice to be wanted, innit?"

The drummer gave them the down beat, and the band began making the walls shake once again.

Devlin stepped up to his mic.

"Watch closely now," he said.

"You'll observe a curious exchange of energies."

Deliberately, he looked at Buffy.

"Are you a figment of my imagination....or am I one of yours?"

"Watch closely now
Are you watching me now?

Your eyes are like fingers
They're touching my body
And arousing my soul
Riding the passion arising inside me
How high can I go?

You're coming with me, girl
I'm gonna show you how

When it's scary...don't look down."

Buffy couldn't take her eyes off him.

"Watch closely now
Are you watching me now?"

The song had a fast, hard beat, and the words brought back the memory of the last time she'd sat in this room and listened to him sing, the night he'd made her promise to watch him.

"I see the hunger arise in your eyes
And it's urging me on
Higher and harder
And faster and farther
Than I've ever gone

We're coming closer, lady
Don't you leave me now
We're gonna make it
Don't look down.."

Was he promising her something...or warning her?

"Maybe I'm taking me too many chances
With no net at all
Baby, I'll teach you at least
That you've gotta be free when you fall"

Taking chances was not something she was good at. After a lifetime of safe and secure, how could she even begin to take this particular chance?

"Watch closely now
Are you watching me now?"

But if she didn't, would she regret it for the rest of her life?

"I'm the master magician
That's setting you free
From the lies you've been told

When you're breaking your back
Bring your last straw to me
I turn straw into gold"

Would it be worth it? Taking the chance...risking the possibilities...

"I'm gonna need you later
Will you be around?
And I can take it
Don't look down

Watch closely now
Are you watching me now?

**Yes...I'm watching you...I am**

=Part 10=

"Let's bring it down a little, okay? How about something soft and sexy?"

The applause was enormous, and went on for some time.

Devlin grinned. "God, I love this crowd."

The bass player nodded. "They're something special, all right."

The band's lead singer turned and looked straight at Buffy. "Very special," he said softly.

"Well just look at that girl
With the lights coming up in her eyes
She's got to be somebody's baby
She must be somebody's baby.."

Her cheeks turned pink, but she kept her eyes on him.

"All the guys on the corner
Stand back and let her walk on by
She's got to be somebody's baby
She must be somebody's baby
She's so fine..."

Actually, she was nobody's baby...not yet.

"She's probably somebody's only light
Gonna shine tonight
Yeah, she's probably somebody's baby, all right."

He smiled and winked at her. She reached for
her glass and drank the rest of the wine.

"I heard her talking with her friend
When she thought nobody else was around
She said she's got to be somebody's baby
She must be somebody's's baby."

A waiter appeared at her table, and she ordered another glass of Chardonnay.

"Cause when the cars and the signs
And the street lights light up the town
She's got to be somebody's baby
She must be somebody's's baby
She's got to be somebody's baby
She's so fine."

The room began to feel somewhat hot.

"She's gonna be somebody's only light
Gonna shine tonight
Yeah, she's gonna be somebody's baby tonight."

A new glass of wine was placed in front of her.

"I try to shut my eyes, but I can't
Get her out of my sight
I know I'm gonna know her
But I gotta get her over her fright."

Once again, the waiter left without requesting payment.

"Well, I'm just gonna walk up to her
I'm gonna talk to her tonight."

The unaccustomed alcohol was starting to make itself known, giving her a warmish glow all over.

"Yeah, she's gonna be somebody's only light
Gonna shine tonight
Oh, yeah..she's gonna be somebody's baby tonight."

Lacing her fingers together, she threw all of her caution away and gave him the most dazzling smile she had as she met his gaze.

"Gonna shine tonight, make her mine tonight."

He stared at her, a slow smile forming on his sensuous mouth.

"Mm-hmm...she's gonna be somebody's baby tonight."

This time, she managed to control her blush.

Barely.....

****************************************************

Thirty minutes later, the band took a break.

Three of them jumped down and headed straight for the bar.

One of them headed straight for her.

"You came," Devlin said, leaning on the table.

Buffy shrugged and finished her fourth glass of wine. "I told you that I would."

"Well, that's true." He gave her a speculative  look. "Did you have some dinner tonight before you came here?" he asked.

She had to think for a moment. "I...yes. Yes, I did," she nodded. "Why?"

"Nothing, luv," he replied. "It's just that you've been drinking, but I haven't seen you order anything to eat."

"I wasn't hungry. I ate before I left my house."

The band was heading back to the stage for their next set. Devlin stayed where he was.

"Umm...I think they're gonna start without you,"  Buffy pointed out.

"They can't start without me," he said. "It's my band." Leaning a little closer, he lowered his
voice. "I want to kiss you so badly I can hardly stand it."

Buffy's heart lurched in her chest. She had no idea how to answer such a provocative statement.

The bass player twanged a discordant note, and Devlin looked slightly irritated.

"Shit," he swore softly. "I have to get back up there."

"Okay," Buffy said agreeably.

"Listen...I'm gonna drive you home tonight, luv."

No, no, no....bad idea.

"But my car is here," she protested.

"I'll drive you home in it. I have someone who'll come and pick me up." He started to return to the stage, then turned back to her. "Do NOT try and leave without me. Got it?"

Buffy had to smile at her reference to what she had done the night they'd met. "Got it."

Devlin returned her smile. "That's my girl," he  murmured.

** Your girl? **

***********************************************

"Okay...this is the last one. We need..."

The air was peppered with cries of "No!"

"Oh, come on," Devlin laughed. "We're beat. Just look at us....you've worn us out...and I have plans for the rest of the night!"

Buffy had one elbow on the table, holding her chin in the cupped palm of her hand, resting her slightly fuzzy head. His announcement snapped her back to full alert.

Plans? He had plans? He had plans for....THE REST OF THE NIGHT?!

Instinct told her to run and not stop until she got home. If he had plans with some girl, she didn't particularly want to know about it.

Buffy was surprised at how unpalatable the thought really was. She would have to start getting her defense mechanisms up and running again. No way would she allow these feelings to show.

Sighing deeply, she listened to him sing for what she was determined would be the very last time.

"Friday night I crashed your party
Saturday I said I'm sorry
Sunday came and trashed me out again."

The song was fast paced and loud. Not what she would have chosen to hear for her final time.

"I was only having fun
Wasn't hurting anyone
And we all enjoyed the weekend
For a change."

He couldn't have sang something soft and sweet, something just for....

"I've been stranded in the combat zone
I walked through Bedford-Stuy alone
Even rode my motorcycle in the rain
And you told me not to drive
But I made it home alive
And you said that only proves
That I'm insane."

Buffy couldn't take her eyes off him....again. He was sweaty and smiling, obviously having a wonderful time.

He suddenly pointed at her, and sang...

"You may be right,
I may be crazy
But it just might be a lunatic
You're looking for
Turn out the light
Don't try to save me

You may be wrong for all I know
But you may be right."

What the hell was he doing? Buffy turned around and looked to see if he was perhaps pointing at someone behind her.

"Remember how I found you there
Alone in your electric chair
I told you dirty jokes until you smiled."

The only people behind her were definitely already paired into couples. There were no single girls to be
seen.

Confused, she looked back and found his eyes on her.

"You were lonely for a man
I said take me as I am
'Cause you might enjoy some madness
For a while.

Now think of all the years you tried
To find someone to satisfy you
I might be as crazy as you say.."

Out of the blue sky, she remembered him
telling her he would drive her home, and have
someone pick him up. His "plans for the rest of
the night" girl, no doubt.

"If I'm crazy, then it's true
That it's all because of you
And you wouldn't want me any other way."

Well, she was completely sober now, so there was no reason for him to delay his stupid plans.

"You may be right
I may be crazy
But it just might be a lunatic
You're looking for

It's too late to fight
It's too late to change me
You may be wrong, for all I know
But you may be right."

The song ended, and the audience clamored for more.

But Devlin just smiled as he unclipped his guitar strap.

"Gotta save something for next time," he  said. "You've been great, though. G'night."

Everyone in the place got to their feet and rattled the silverware with their applause. It went on and on,
but there were no more encores forthcoming.

The band left the stage, and someone killed the spotlights. Buffy waited for a break in the crowd as they
all headed for the exits.

"Did you like the music, luv?"

Spike Devlin hadn't followed his band mates offstage into the rear of the club. He had jumped down from
the stage again, and headed straight for Buffy,  stopping only to thank anyone who praised the band.

"Listen, honey," he added, shaking his damp curls back from his face, "I smell like a wet pony right now.  Would you mind waiting while I grab a quick shower?"

Buffy's lips parted slightly in surprise. "Wh..what?"

Devlin grinned. "I want to take you out for something to eat, but if I get in a car with you like this...you'll
find it pretty offensive."

She looked at him. Ohhhhh....plans. He'd meant plans with her.

Before she could say anything, he reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. "Promise I'll be quick, luv," he said softly. "Wait for me?"

"Yes," Buffy nodded, feeling ridiculously happy. "I'll wait.".