Getting Pumped
 Parts 4-6

Written by: Kaz
 Author's Website





Summary: Buffy and Spike meet at a gas station and they decide to spend the evening together.
Disclaimer: The show Buffy the Vampire Slayer and all of it's characters belong to Joss, Mutant Enemy, & Fox Prod.
Feedback: kazzzrn@cs.com





Chapter 4

And still the waters rise.
Crossing the deeps,
a messenger brings
the promise of new life unfolding.
Oh Ancient of Days,
may the beauty of your intention
show in our faces.

For awhile they just drove in silence. Buffy was struck speechless by the sheer luxury that surrounded her and by the handsome elegant man sitting beside her. Eventually, though, she found her voice.

"I could pretend to not be impressed. Try to act older than I am and all that kind of thing. But I won't. Spike, I'm impressed. I would never have credited you with having this kind of taste."

A smile played at the corner of his lips and he gave her a quick glance before turning his eyes back to the road. The powerful car hummed along with almost no sensation of movement. The car and driver were as one, as he negotiated their route to their destination.

"Listen Spike, I really appreciate the dress, the jewelry, the car etc., but this isn't going to work."

Spike raised his eyebrows questioningly and waited for the Slayer to elaborate.

She didn't disappoint him. "I am serious, this won't work. I think we are forgetting the basics here. I am the Slayer, you are a Vampire.....that makes us enemies! "

"Absolutely" replied Spike. But Buffy was to busy following her train of thought to pay his answer any mind....

"I mean, my mum will blow a fuse if she sees you with me. My friends will disown me. My Watcher will have me certified mentally insane.....hell, I'll have *myself* certified mentally insane." She turned to look at Spike as she tried to gage his reaction to her arguments.

Spike glanced over at her with a small smile playing on his lips. "Please, carry on. I can tell your on a roll here. Get it all out your system."

"Damn it Spike! Did anyone ever tell you that you are the most aggravating man on the planet? I'm trying to be serious here, this WON'T work. My idea of a 'good' date is not one where I may have to kill my date just because he decides to grab a bite to eat!!"

"Look, will it make you feel better if I promise....cross my heart....that I will not eat anything tonight?" he said as he pulled one hand off the steering wheel and used one slim finger to cross his heart.

"Spike! You are not listening to me!" said the frustrated Slayer. Panic was beginning to set in as they neared their destination.

Spike's head dropped slightly and he issued a long sigh before turning and locking eyes with the woman. All signs of amusement had left his face and his eyes were deadly serious.

"Yes, I am listening to you, and you are doing a fine job of convincing *yourself* that this won't work. Funny, I never credited you with being the type that worries more about what other people think than with what 'feels' right."

He turned his eyes back to the road as he negotiated a sharp curve in the road.

"Look, all I'm asking is that you do what feels right. Just for one night, imagine that we are just an ordinary couple out on a date. Do you think you can manage that?"

"I was wrong. I'm not the one who is certifiable. You are." exclaimed Buffy in disbelief. "We are not, and can never be, an 'ordinary couple'. And anyway, why would we want to be a 'couple'.....we hate each other!"

Spike didn't answer her, and Buffy realised that the car had come to a halt. Looking out, she saw that they had reached their destination. The museum was fully illuminated by the outside flood lights shinning up on its majestic exterior, and the grounds were milling with elegantly clad couples making their way towards the grand entrance doorway.

"Time's up Slayer. It's time for a decision." said Spike quietly.

Buffy turned her gaze back to the Vampire sitting beside her. For several moments she said nothing. Spike simply sat there and waited for her to reach her decision.

Finally, she spoke. "OK, I take back what I said. *I* am the one who is certifiable, cause I'm going to agree to this."

A smile began to form on Spike's lips, but the Slayer held up one hand...

"However, there are some ground rules."

Amusement lit Spike's eyes. "OK, lay down your rules."

No amusement was evident in Buffy's eyes as her eyes locked with his. "If you act out or attack anyone, I'll kill you."

Spike nodded his head. "I think we covered that one already."

"All right smart ass. Just want to make sure we have the rules crystal clear."

said Buffy with a glare. "And second, this is a one night event. No matter what happens, this night is over at dawn and will NEVER be repeated. No matter what.

Are we clear."

"Good. I'm glad we got all that crystal clear stuff out of the way. Now we better get in there" said Spike as he reached for the door handle. But Buffy reached out and grabbed his arm.

"Not so quick Spike. You didn't answer me. One night, and one night only."

Blue eyes locked with blue eyes, as unspoken messages flashed between them.

"I hear you Slayer" said Spike quietly, and before Buffy knew what had happened, he leaned towards her and quickly laid a gentle kiss on her lips. Buffy's chin hit her chest in shock, but before she could retort, he was out of the car and walking round to open her door. As her door swung open, he extended his hand to assist her from the car. Buffy stared at the hand as if it was a rattlesnake sent to bite her, but then she took a deep breath and laid her hand in his. Briefly she felt his hand give her's a gentle squeeze of reassurance.

With a feeling of fantasy and a distinct lack of reality, the Slayer turned and prepared to heave herself from the low slung automobile. As she moved she felt the fabric of her dress groan in protest.

Immediately, she relaxed sensing that further movement in that direction would result in a very unladylike ripped dress. 'OK, lets try another way,' she thought to herself. Turning slightly she tried again....but again, the dress screamed protest.

"Oh hell" she muttered under her breath.

Spike's head descended and he looked into the car. "More problems Slayer?"

Buffy glared up at his smug look. "This dress is not exactly made for getting in and out of cars.....and who in the hell designed this car so low to the ground anyways!"

Spike ignored her tirade. "Take my hand, then put that foot out onto the ground." he directed. Buffy did as instructed, but with several muttered curses issuing from under her breath.

"Now swing round slightly and take my hand." he continued. As Buffy moved to comply with his instructions, one shapely leg extended through the slit in the skirt almost to the top of her thigh. She took Spike's hand again, and waited for him to pull her up.... but nothing happened.

"Spike?" she asked as she stuck her head out of the car to see what was holding him up. It seemed the 'view' of the Slayer's bare leg was what was holding him up.

"SPIKE!" hissed the Slayer.

Spike looked at her an offered a sheepish grin. "Can't blame a bloke for lookin." he said before gently pulling her up from the car.

"Just as long as you remember that it is 'look but don't touch." replied the Slayer, as she struggled to adjust the dress to its proper place.

"Now, you can't go adding rules all night" said Spike with a smile.

"What?"

"You had your chance in the car to set down your rules. Touching was never mentioned."

Buffy glared at him. "Keep your hands to yourself or else!"

His next statement shocked her to silence. "OK Slayer, I'll make you a deal. I won't 'touch' unless you want me to." With that said, he turned and offered her his arm.

Buffy didn't move.

He glanced over at her. "Coming?" he asked gently.

Another moment passed in silence before the Slayer moved to take his arm, but before he could move off, she grasped his arm to restrain him.

Her eyes looked up into his. "That will never happen Spike. I'll never 'want' you to touch me." she said quietly.

Knowing eyes looked down into her's. "We'll see" was his equally quiet response.

Together they turned and began to walk towards the brightly lit museum entrance.

As they walked heads turned to follow them. They made a striking elegant couple, that looked so right together. The intensity between the two was almost palpable to those watching them pass.





Chapter 5

Fire is Heaven's light
in its palest hue.
That fiery branch
burning at the heart's center
claims its kinship
with the sun.
What hid itself in shadows
is clear to me now

As they walked toward the museum entrance, Buffy began to feel increasingly uneasy. She just knew her mum was gonna pitch a fit when she saw her daughter's date for the evening.

Beside her, Spike sensed her unease. "What's up?"

"Just thinking about how I am going to explain this to my mom. She is gonna freak when she sees you!"

"Don't worry Slayer, your mom will cope fine. Anyway, telling your mum that you are on a date with a Vampire should be pretty minor compared to the time you told her you were the Slayer."

"Yeh, that's easy for you to say. You're not the one who has to do the explaining!"

"Well it looks like we are about to find out what your mum's reaction will be,"

whispered Spike.

Buffy dragged her eyes upward and found herself looking into the Great Hall of the museum. Ceilings stretched upward supported by great stone pillars, and the floor shone in what appeared to be polished marble. Buffy and Spike joined the queue of people waiting to file past the dignitaries and VIPs who had formed the welcome line. At the end of the "welcome" line stood Mrs. Summers busily shaking hands and greeting her guests. As yet, she had not spied her errant daughter.

"So" whispered Spike, "What is this event in aid of anyway?"

Buffy leaned towards him and whispered back. "Mum got hooked up with some guy in Egypt, some kind of archaeologist, and they decided to put on an Egyptian artifact type show. Tonight is the grand opening of the show and the money raised is going to aid some charity."

"Sounds thrilling" drawled Spike.

"Look, I didn't ask you along. You invited yourself, now live with it!" hissed the Slayer.

Before Spike could get a chance to answer, the pair found themselves at the head of the queue and they spent the next few minutes shaking hands with various VIPs and working their way slowly along the line. Buffy was still three or four VIPs away from her mother, when her mother spotted her. Anger was evident in her eyes as she looked at her exceptionally late daughter. But then the anger turned to confusion as she took in her daughter's attire. It was as Buffy drew even with her mother, that Joyce got a good look at her daughter's date. Her jaw dropped open and she looked to her daughter for an explanation.

"Hi mum" tried Buffy with a sheepish grin.

Joyce didn't reply as she raised her eyes to Spike's.

"Mrs. Summers." nodded Spike in way of a greeting.

Joyce still didn't reply. Instead she leaned over to the person beside her in the welcome line. "Excuse me for a moment, I need to speak with my daughter." The person nodded their understanding, and Joyce reached out an took her daughter's arm. "We need to talk. NOW," she hissed to her daughter. Quickly, Joyce pulled her daughter towards a quiet corner.

"What is that boy doing here. He is a Vampire or something, isn't he" began Joyce. She was careful to keep her voice low, so as not to attract undue attention.

"Yes mum, he is a Vampire but I wouldn't exactly call him a boy. He is over 200 years old."

"Buffy! I told you I didn't want you going out with any boys who were older than 20. Buffy, he is ten times to old for you!. He is even ten times to old for me!" her mum paused to catch her breath. "Oh dear, I think I need to sit down."

"Mum....mum....calm down. I'm not 'dating' him. He is just escorting me tonight and he has promised to behave himself." Buffy glanced back over her shoulder and looked for Spike. He had backed off to allow them time to 'discuss' his presence, and he was currently leaning against one of the pillars smoking a cigarette. He was staring in their direction and from the grin on his face, she could tell that his acute hearing was picking up every word of the conversation.

Buffy glared at him, before guiding her mum to a nearby ornate chair. "Here mum, sit down here." Mrs. Summers gratefully sank into the chair, and tried to think of something to say which would make her daughter see sense.

"Mum, I am going to take Spike and disappear into the crowd. You don't have to worry, I'll make sure he behaves himself and stays well out of your way." said Buffy with a resolve that she didn't feel. Mrs. Summers raised her eyes and looked at the daughter that she often felt she did not know at all. Ignoring her daughter's statement, she asked the questions on her mind.

"Buffy, where are the clothes I bought you? And where did you get those clothes? And why are you late? And how did that Vampire boy come to be with you?"

Buffy offered her mum a small smile. "Look, why don't we save those questions till later. Look mum," she said as she pointed back towards the welcoming committee, "I think they are calling for you" she lied. Joyce stood and looked in that direction, and as soon as her attention was turned away, Buffy took the opportunity and hauled ass. Quickly reaching Spike, she didn't pause in her flight as she reached out and grabbed his arm jerking him from his reclined position against the pillar. "MOVE IT" she hissed over her shoulder to him.

"Jeez Slayer, wait up will ya!" he managed to exclaim as he struggled to keep his balance as the fleeing Slayer dragged him behind her with all her strength.

"......and don't call me Slayer here. People will ask questions!"

Behind her, Mrs. Summers spied her fleeing daughter just before she disappeared into the crowds.

"Buffy, come back here. I want to talk to you." she tried to call over the crowds of heads. Buffy heard her but didn't stop her flight. Behind her several people had turned to look at Joyce. Sighing in frustration, Joyce decided that she would just have to catch up with her daughter later and get some answers. For now though, she had no intention of causing a scene. With one last glance towards her daughter's last location, Joyce turned and rejoined the welcome line. She would take payment for this one out of Buffy's hide! Meanwhile, Buffy and Spike slowed their dash to a hurried walk.

"Looks like you got away with it luv, there is no posse in pursuit as far as I can see" said Spike with a grin and a quick glance over his shoulder.

"No. You are wrong. I got away with nothing, only managed to postpone the inevitable for a short period of time." replied the Slayer.

Coming to a halt, the pair stopped to take in their surroundings. They found themselves in a large hall which sported a long buffet table heaving with foods of various kinds. On the other side of the room was a large arched entrance way with a sign that announced the Egyptian exhibits. In one corner of the room stood four musicians playing a selection of classical music as background noise to the chatter of the elegant and rich patrons milling around the hall.

"Oh wow" said Buffy.

"Boring" said Spike.

"What do you know you heathen! Look at this place, its beautiful."

"Boring"

"Look, why don't you try, for just one minute, to enjoy the ambiance of this place. I know you are alittle out of your depth here.....after all, it's not your usual rock bottom social class style.....but just try to fit in and appreciate the luxury for awhile."

"Whatever you say Slayer," said Spike "You stay here and enjoy the 'ambiance' while I go and find the Champagne."

Spike started to move off in the direction of what appeared to be the beverage bar, but before he had taken more than a few steps, a voice hailed him out of the crowds.

"William? William, is that you old chap?"

The crowds parted and a middle aged gentleman detached himself and headed straight towards Spike. For a second, Spike's face showed annoyance at the interruption, but then a mask of geniality settled across his face and he reached out his hand to the new comer.

"Lord Argyle, it is a pleasure to see you again." said Spike. All evidence of his usual accent was gone. All that remained was an upper crust English accent.

"How long has it been my boy. At least five years, I'd hazard" said Lord Argyle as he pumped Spike's hand in obvious pleasure.

"At least, your Lordship" smiled back Spike.

The Lord was looking at Spike somewhat quizzically. "You know William, I'd swear that you haven't changed one little bit in the ten years I have known you!"

"You are to generous my Lord. Here, may I introduce my companion for the evening."

Smiling, Spike turned and held his hand out to Buffy. With a weak smile she took his hand and allowed herself to be introduced to Lord Argyle.

"Delighted to meet you my dear" gushed the Lord before turning back to Spike. Leaning towards Spike he whispered, "Excellent filly William, but then you were always one for the ladies, what."

Behind him, Spike felt Buffy stiffen as she overheard herself referred to as a 'filly'. Lord or no Lord, Spike knew that Buffy was about to tell this Lord what she though of his description of her. Quickly he moved between them and took hold of the Lord's upper arm.

"I was just going to get the lady a drink, would you do me the honor of walking with me your Lordship. I have another business proposition that I would like to discuss with you."

A smile lit up the old Lord's face. "Certainly my boy. I would love to hear your proposition. The last business deal we had netted me a tidy sum you know."

Spike smiled at the Lord and headed them off in the direction of the bar.

Glancing over his shoulder, he sent the stunned Slayer a cheeky wink.

Buffy stared after them feeling completely stunned by the transaction. What, how, when, did Spike come to move in the circles of upper crust English society! This was not the Spike she knew and hated! For several minutes, Buffy was incapable of putting rationale thought together. The weirdness of the evening threatened to overwhelm her. Then suddenly she became fully alert. There was danger most wicked near by, her sense were screaming at her to run for cover. Quickly she raised her eyes and scanned the room looking for the source of the danger. Suddenly she spied it. It was moving toward her quickly, nothing was standing in its path as it forged a path to her side.

"Oh God no! Anything but this. ANYTHING!" Buffy moaned to herself.

Coming towards her was Larry the Lizard! Larry was a young man who had fixated himself onto Buffy since her arrival in Sunnydale. Hell, fixated was to mild a word....stalked was more like it! He wasn't particularly good looking, nor was he bad looking. It was his attitude which was insufferable. Statements such as "I shall be attending Harvard and I will definitely make my first million by age thirty, you know," were Larry's stock type of statements during conversation. He truly believed that the way to a woman's heart was by impressing her with his own importance in life. Buffy and the Slayerettes had nicknamed him the Lizard, due to his tenacity. Once he got his teeth into you, he never let go! With another moan, Buffy turned on her heels and searched wildly for a route of escape. Quickly she discarded thoughts of escaping into the entrance hallway...her mother waited there ready to pounce. Swinging her eyes round, they came to rest on the French Doors opening onto the patio. Without pause, Buffy plunged into the crowds and headed towards the doors. Glancing over her shoulder, she could see the lizard's head bopping up and down over the crowds as he struggled to follow her route.

Buffy burst free of the crowds, and quickly crouched down as she hustled through the French doors and onto the wide stone patio. Ducking to one side of the doors, she leaned up against the cold stone wall and struggled to catch her breath. Around her, several people who had been enjoying the night air on the patio, stared at her curiously. She offered them a weak grin. "Needed some air" she offered by way of explanation. As her watchers turned back to their cocktails and conversation, Buffy hazarded a quick peep round and into the room.

"Oh God, doesn't he ever get the hint!!!" she hissed as she saw the Lizard break free of the crowds and head unerringly in the direction of the patio doors.

With a shove of her hands, Buffy launched herself from the wall, and hauled her tight long skirt up round the top of her thighs. Without further pause, she lifted her legs and ran flat out along the patio. Ducking and diving around the couples standing on the patio, she headed for the second set of French doors further down. Her aim was to make those doors before the Lizard made it onto the patio and saw her flight.

With one final skid and burst of speed, Buffy rounded the corner and dived back into the ballroom. Again she found several pairs of curious eyes turned her way. With another small grin, she let go of her skirt and allowed it to fall back down. Using her hand to push her hair back into place, she endeavored to ignore her audience as she sedately moved into the crowds.

Once in the crowds, she attempted to get her bearings and head back to where she thought she had left Spike. Pushing through the crowds, she finally managed to make her way back and she broke free of the crowds to find Spike waiting patiently. holding two champagne glasses.

"Glad you could make it Slayer. I thought you had ditched me."

"Not you, but there was someone I needed to ditch that's for sure." Buffy glanced worriedly back over her shoulder just in time to see the Lizard's head appear over the crowds. Briefly his eyes made contact with her's and his arm extended above the crowds and waved in her direction.

"Oh no, here he comes" said Buffy in total dismay.

Behind her she felt strong arms encircle her waist. "Seems like you have more than one admirer Pet."

"Look, don't start on me now Spike. I need to deal with the Lizard right now."

"Lizard? A very descriptive name that." said Spike with an evil grin.

Just at that moment, the Lizard broke free from the crowds and headed toward them with a triumphant smile. Buffy merely moaned in misery.

Spike chuckled at the look on her face, and then spun her round to face him.

"Let's give the Lizard something that is bound to slow him up" he murmured, before lowering his lips to hers. Strong arms encircled her and pulled her into his kiss. For a dizzying instant, Buffy was taken off guard, and that was the only moment her senses needed to take her over. With a groan she sank into his kiss and allowed her body to be assaulted by his lips and his hands......hands that roved over her back and hips constantly urging her closer into him.

It took several seconds for the Lizard's polite sounding cough, to make its way into Buffy's aroused brain. With a groan, she tried to ignore the cough and sink further into Spike's embrace, but it seemed that Spike had other ideas. Gently, with a final small kiss to her swollen lips, Spike raised his head and smiled at the young man waiting behind Buffy.

"Can I help you?" Spike asked with exaggerated politeness.

Buffy tried to turn round to look at the Lizard but found that Spike was still holding her securely.

"I'd like to speak with Buffy if I may." replied the young man.

Spike glanced down into Buffy's eyes and a smile played at the corner of his lips. Buffy glared at him silently telling him that he better not throw her to the Lizard.

"Sorry mate, but Buffy and I were just doing some serious 'making out' and in a few minutes I am going to take her from this place to a more private location and make wild passionate love to her. OK?" Spike spoke the words like he was ordering a meal, and the young man's indrawn breath did not phase him in the least. "So, I suggest you talk to Buffy later, cause I am not in the mood to share right now. Run along now, there's a good lad."

Spike glanced down at the Slayer and saw the anger shining from her eyes, but before she could have a go at him, the Lizard spoke up.

"Buffy are you going to let this man talk about you in such a way?" he said indignantly.

Buffy glanced round and took in the blustering young man. Then evilness overcame her. She couldn't help it. She gave the boy her most sultry grin. "You better believe it." she said huskily before turning her mouth back to Spike's and using her hand to guide his head back down to her lips.

Behind her the Lizard offered up a startled "Well really!", before turning and exiting into the nearby crowds.

For several minutes Buffy and Spike continued the kiss. The threat was gone. There was no need for the kiss, but neither one made any effort to stop. Lips parted and Spike plundered her mouth. Buffy wrapped her arms around him and held onto him like her very life depended on it. She was totally lost in his embrace. All thoughts of Slayers and Vampires were gone from her mind. All that existed was Spike and the sensations that he was evoking in her willing body.

Eventually Spike broke the kiss and raised his head. He waited a moment for the Slayer's eyes to clear, and then gently brushed one finger across her swollen lips.

"How about we get out of here, I know somewhere that we can go?" he said quietly.

The words were like a splash of cold water. The anger started in the pit of her stomach and quickly worked it's way to her mouth.

"You insufferable bastard!" she hissed at him.

Spike looked at her with a resigned sigh. "OK, what did I do wrong now?"

"OH YEH! Just stand there all innocent and pretend like this all isn't just a game to get me into bed. Then what will you do Spike, run and tell all your little Vamp friends that you bedded the Slayer. Do you think I was born yesterday!" as the Slayer talked her voice began to rise in anger.

"What are you talking about?" tried Spike.

"You know 'somewhere we can go.' I'm sure that 'somewhere' involves a bed....or were you just planning on having sex with me in some alleyway!" Now she was virtually screeching. Several pairs of eyes turned their way.

"Will you shut up. I meant nothing of the kind. I was talking about taking you to club I know. Somewhere slightly more romantic and exciting than this joint, but certainly not as exciting as a bed." he added with a small grin.

Buffy stared at him for a few moments. Honesty shone out of his eyes.

"Oh. Well. I'm sorry then, I guess." she offered apologetically.

"No problem. So, what about it? Want to try the club?"

"I don't think so Spike. I don't think we ought to go off together. Perhaps you should just take me home and we'll call it a night before anything else happens."

"Nope, can't take you home. You promised to stay with me till dawn. One night you said, remember? If I take you home now, you'll have to allow me to stay with you till dawn in your bed." he said with an innocent grin.

"That is not going to happen and you know it." laughed Buffy. "OK, I guess we'll just have to stay here then."

"Don't think you want to do that either Luv." Spike gestured first to the right and then to the left. Buffy followed the direction of his gestures.

>From the right the Lizard was approaching at a brisk trot. He must have seen their argument and decided that there was room for him to move in on Buffy. But what was approaching from the left, was much worse, coming full steam ahead was 'the mother'.

"Oh God NO!!" exclaimed Buffy in horror. "I'm surrounded!" Wild eyes turned to Spike. "Get me out of here, and do it NOW."

"Your wish is my command" grinned Spike as he grabbed her hand and they both ran towards the patio doors.....




Chapter 6

Where is the boundary
between Earth and Heaven?
After all, it is Love
that loves through us,
is it not?

The powerful engine roared to life, and Spike immediately stomped on the gas. Response from the engine was immediate, but it took a few seconds for the tires to catch up with what was being demanded of them. The result was a loud screeching of tires and a slight shimmy of the back end as the car shot out into the night.

Buffy swung round in her seat, just in time to see her mother and the Lizard burst onto the stone patio. For a moment they both just stood and looked after the fast disappearing automobile, but Buffy's last sight of them before the car rounded the corner, was of the Lizard and her mother conferring.

"Oh no, it looks like they might be ganging up on us" she managed to pant, still out of breath from their flight from the posse.

Spike glanced in the rear view mirror. "Well, I must say Slayer, that I have been chased by the best, but your mother and the Lizard certainly make the top five 'chasers' category."

Buffy laughed, and turned back around in her seat.

"So where are we going then?"

"Impatience. Just wait and find out."

The smile stayed on Buffy's face as she looked at the man sitting beside her. Feeling her gaze, Spike looked over and smiled at the look that was on her face.

"Enjoying yourself Slayer?" he asked quietly.

Buffy nodded her head. "I never would have believed it, but you have given me one of the best nights of my life. I haven't laughed so much in....I can't remember when."

"Good. But remember, the night is not over yet. It has only just begun."

Buffy turned her attention back to the road, trying to figure out where they were heading. The car hummed along, taking the road with ease.

"You know, this really is a great car. Maybe I'll live long enough and finally get a job where someday I can have a car like this." said Buffy wistfully.

The reference to her typically short lived Slayer existence caused a frown to appear on Spike's face. But it was short lived. A smile spread across his face, and with another shriek of protest from the tires, he quickly brought the car to a halt at the side of the road.

"What?" said Buffy in confusion as Spike opened his door and leapt from the car.

Quickly, he skirted the car and threw open her door and pulled her from the car. Pulling her into his arms, he briefly placed a soft kiss on her lips and used his hand to gently push her hair back from her face.

"Not someday....now." he said with a grin.

"I don't understand"

"You are going to drive" he said, taking her hand and dragging her round to the driver's side.

"NO. I can't."

"Course you can"

"No, you don't understand. I can't drive a stick shift."

"No time like the present to learn."

"But I might wreck it."

"You won't"

"But I might."

"It doesn't matter. It's just a car. I can get another one if I need to....but I won't. You'll do fine."

Doubt stayed on Buffy's face for a few moments, but the magic of this night began to steal over her. The smile started on her lips and quickly made its way to her eyes. Sparkling eyes looked up at Spike.

"Fasten your seatbelt Sunshine, you're in for the ride of your life." she said as she dived behind the wheel.

"Of that I am certain" grinned back Spike, before slamming her door shut and jogging round to the passenger side. Quickly he got in, and he *did* make sure to fasten his seatbelt.

"OK, what do I do," said the Slayer as she examined the dashboard and stick shift.

"Nothing to it. Push that middle pedal in, and then feel your way through the gears, just like this." His hand covered hers on the gear shift and guided her through the five gears.

"OK, got that. Now how do I make it go?"

"Put it in first gear, and then let up on the clutch slowly. At a certain point, you'll feel the car start to roll, then just press on the gas pedal lightly."

"Got it." The look on the Slayer's face was pure concentration as she moved to follow his distructions. Of course, the inevitable happened. She missed the bite of the clutch, pressed on the gas too hard. There were several sharp jumps and the car stalled.

"Oh!" said Buffy in dismay.

Beside her, Spike had a grin that stretched from ear to ear. He had one hand firmly on the door rest and the other firmly on the arm rest. "No problem. Try again. But this time slow and gentle. Feel the clutch, don't anticipate it."

Buffy took in the look on his face. "You're enjoying this aren't you? You like seeing me struggle."

"Absolutely Slayer. I have a feeling this is going to be more fun than a rollercoaster ride."

A grin spread across the Slayer's face. "You better believe it."

That said, she turned her attention back to getting the car underway. Once again she depressed the clutch and tried to catch the bite. Again she missed, and the car gave several violent shudders and stalled.

"Dam it!" said Buffy in frustration.

Beside her, Spike was now openly laughing at her frustration.

"OK Slayer, try this. Close your eyes and feel for the clutch."

"You're not serious"

"Just trust me" he laughed back.

Buffy gave him a doubtful glare, but did as he said. This time, her senses fully concentrated on the sense of feel, she caught the clutch and the powerful car leapt forward.

"I did it! I *did* it," the Slayer shrieked in delight, as she guided the car back onto the road and laid down on the gas pedal. The response for the engine was immediate and the powerful car shot down the highway. Moving through the other gears was easy compared to the rolling first gear.

"Congratulations" smiled Spike.

Buffy glanced over at him briefly. "Do I make you nervous?"

For a moment he didn't reply. Then quietly, "Are we talking about you or your driving Buffy?"

Buffy glanced over at him again, but all she saw was the back of his head. He was staring out the side window into the blackness of night. Buffy felt a lump form in her throat. She understood the subtle meaning of his question, it was one that had been playing in the back of her mind for awhile now. It was a question that had no answer, and to try to examine it now, would only lead to the ruin of this magical night. She was not ready to let the night go, not yet, so she pretended not to have understood the question.

An evil grin spread across her face, and she reached out and poked his arm to get his attention. He turned and looked at her.

"My driving doesn't make you nervous?" she said effectively trying to redirect the conversation to it's former lighter tone.

"No, it doesn't make me nervous. Remember, it's highly unlikely that I could die in a car wreck." he said.

"Ah, the immortal card." said Buffy nodding.

"If you've got it flaunt it" he grinned.

"WHAT! *You* flaunting yourself and showing off. Never happen. You're such a shy, retiring type of person." said Buffy with a look of horror.

"What can I say, I'm just 'that' type of guy" he replied blinking his eyelashes up and down wildly at her.

Buffy burst out laughing. "Well, lets see if I can make you nervous," and without giving him time to anticipate her action, she leaned across and kissed him. The car veered wildly and she was forced to break the kiss and turn her attention back to the road.

"Did that work? Did it make you nervous?" inquired Buffy with a grin and a glance in his direction.

His reply was not what she expected. "Thank you," he said quietly.

Buffy looked at him questioningly, but Spike turned his head from her and gazed back out into the night before answering her silent question.

"You initiated that kiss Buffy. That....eh..." he took a deep breath, "That means alot to me."

'Oh no,' thought Buffy to herself. The serious tone again. Her mind urged her to make light of his words...to crack another joke, but her heart stopped her. Instead, she said quietly, "You're welcome Spike."

At her words, he turned and looked back at her briefly, before turning his eyes to the highway.

"Our exit is coming up in a minute. If I were you, I'd try slowing down. I might not die in a car wreck, but even with your Slayer healing powers you might find yourself knocked around abit if you try taking the exit curve at this speed!"

"What?" said Buffy in confusion as she glanced down at the speedometer. The car was humming along so easily, that it felt like she was doing about 70mph. Then her eyes focused on the speedo.

"Oh shit!" she uttered, immediately letting up on the gas.

Beside her Spike grinned. "This car has a way of fooling you."

"I was doing 130mph and you didn't say anything."

Spike shrugged. "One more experience for ya."

"Yeh right, this night is overloaded with experiences" was her strangled reply.

Spike didn't respond. Instead he pointed to the exit sign that was coming up on them. It led to the downtown city area. "Take this exit." he instructed.

The next twenty minutes or so, we the most frustrating of Buffy's life. Driving the car on the highway had been a piece of cake. The insufferable clutch was not needed there, but driving on the city streets was another matter. Spike directed her through the streets and tried in vain to keep his laughing to a minimum as Buffy struggled to control the powerful car. Car horns beeped in protest, angry drivers yelled curses, and tires screeched as Buffy tried to get a grip on the frequent stops and starts. The car frequently shuddered and stalled, or leapt off in a squeal of tires as Buffy tried to overcompensate on the gas. Several times, she tried to give up and turn the driving back over to Spike, but he was having none of it. As far as he was concerned, she was going the distance.

Just when Buffy thought she was finally getting a handle on the damnable clutch and gears, Spike gestured to a nearby skyscraper. "There, pull up to that front entrance."

"Just pull up in front? Don't we have to park somewhere?" asked Buffy as she angled the car towards the building.

"Valet Parking. They'll take care of it."

Buffy glanced over at him. "What exactly is this place. It looks more like an office building than a club?"

Spike nodded. "The first 40 or so floor are office buildings, but the top floor is not."

Buffy looked at him warily. "Are you sure?"

"Trust me Slayer."

Further conversation was made impossible as she brought the car to a halt at the entrance way. The stop was not a smooth one. The car jumped and shuddered to a halt, but the elegantly clad doorman showed no expression on his face as to their abrupt arrival, as he approached her door and opened it for her.

"Good evening Madam" he said as he extended his hand to assist her from the car.

On the other side, another doorman was opening Spike's door.

"Good evening Sir. It has been along time, and the club has missed your presence."

Spike nodded to the man but made no comment. Instead he walked round the car and took Buffy's arm.

Smiling down into her eyes he said, "Ready to have some fun lady?"

Feeling slightly apprehensive, Buffy nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Curling her hand into his, they strolled towards the entrance to the building.....

 


TBC...


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