MAYBE NOT (1/1)
 

Buffy watched Willow and Spike closely, glad that neither had noticed her
scrutiny. As her best friend watched the dancers, her blonde nemesis watched
said best friend. When Willow turned to glance at Spike in a shy manner, the
blonde was always scowling at the dancers. Who would ever imagine two smart
people being so damn stupid? Sure, she wasn't that fond of Spike. He was her
enemy after all. She wasn't supposed to welcome vampires to the core of her
family without some reservation, was she? Being a slayer, she knew she should
have staked him long ago. But, after the Initiative had put that chip in him,
she could admit that she had felt sorry for him. He'd always been so strong,
so powerful. She knew what it was like to lose the strength and power,
remembering her birthday when Giles had 'tested' her. It had been a
nightmare. And hell, her's had only been a few days. Spike had had that damn
chip for over a year now. She would never admit it, but she respected him.
She also could say that he was probably the strongest person she knew. Sure,
he couldn't fight humans at the moment, but there were many types of strength
to possess.
 

So, she had let him live. Figured at the time it would turn out to be a
bigger mistake than falling in love with Angel. Over time, Spike had helped
them quite a bit. She knew it was his way of surviving. Help the slayer, keep
his ass alive. But, the past few months, he'd done it just to help. She'd
never accuse him of getting soft or becoming weak, knowing that in one split
second he could break her neck with or without the chip. She was still a bit
scared of him, though that was something else that would remain in her own
mind. This fear had forced her into seriously considering whether she would
want him with her best friend. Would Willow be making the same mistake that
she had by falling for Angel? True, Spike and Angel were far different
people. She couldn't really even compare the two so she didn't bother. All
she really knew was that Spike seemed to have genuine feelings for her
friend. He'd helped the slayer to stay around the redhead after all. For
Spike, that was a huge proclamation of his emotions even he never spoke of
them. She also knew that if anything ever happened to her, he could protect
Willow. He would probably protect Xander and Anya as well, because Willow
loved them. Riley would be on his own but he could take care of himself. It
was a rather nice feeling to know that your best friend would always have
someone to look after her, to keep her safe.
 

Of course, Buffy scowled, if the two idiots refused to open themselves up to
the possibility that their feelings were returned, all it did was make her
annoyed. She had been so sure that Spike was the type to shout out his
feelings. He had never failed to show Drusilla just how much he cared. Buffy
couldn't believe it, but, after watching him with her friend for the past two
days, she had begun to see that he was scared. She wasn't stupid. Even if the
others believed she was a bit self absorbed, she could recognize his fear.
She had felt something similar when she had first met Angel. She laughed
softly, wondering if her thoughts would surprise those around her. She
figured they would. No one would ever guess that she wanted Spike to be with
Willow. They all thought she hated Spike. And she had, at one time. Now, she
was glad to know he was on her side, albeit a bit reluctantly.
 

She had spent many a night patrolling with the blonde. She had to say that
she knew quite a bit about him. He'd become something more than a monster
over the past year. Something more than an enemy. He'd become a friend. Even
if he would loudly disagree with that statement. He liked to pretend that he
hated them all, couldn't stand being with them and was always there under
protest. But, he was always there when they needed him, without being called
or forced into helping. Since Tara had left, he'd been hanging out with them
even when there was no big bad evil to fight. He'd been almost nice a few
times, speaking to Xander without some wisecracks. Always when Willow was
around of course, she recognized now. Poor guy had probably been hung up on
her friend for months. She would never tell Willow, but she had been glad
that Tara had left. There had always been something about the little witch
that Buffy hadn't trusted. Maybe she just had known Tara wasn't the perfect
person for Willow. But was Spike?
 
 

Watching them continue to watch each other, she had to smile. Yeah, somehow
Spike seemed a perfect match for Willow. Now if she could only get them to
both realize it. She was never really one for matchmaking, so she wasn't sure
what to do. She couldn't suggest a double date, knowing that even for Willow,
Spike would not put up with her and Riley for hours on end. Well, he would
but it would be under protest. It had taken Willow being sick for her friend
to realize she was in love with the vampire. What on Earth would it take for
them to both speak of those feelings and get together?
 

"What are you planning, slayer?"
 

Buffy turned, smiling easily at Anya. She had finally gotten to know the
ex-demon and could honestly call her a good friend now. "Me? Planning?"
 

"Don't give me that innocent dumb blonde look," Anya chastised. She took the
stool next to Buffy and smiled, "What are you planning? And do you need some
help?"
 

"Anya, I was merely sitting here lost in thought," Buffy began.
 

"While studying Willow and Spike as if they were under a microscope," Anya
continued with an easy smile.
 

"Isn't it funny how easy that rolls off your tongue?" Buffy had to ask.
"Willow and Spike...."
 

"So, the slayer finally has seen that they want to shag each other like
crazed animals," Anya noted with a satisfied little smile, "Bout damn time."
 

"You knew?" Buffy asked, wondering if maybe she really was a bit too self
absorbed.
 

"Honey, I got a thousand years more experience than you at spotting people in
love or lust or both," Anya said, leaning down. "So, what are we gonna do to
help them out?"
 

"Well, I have some ideas," Buffy said with a smile.
 

"Will any of them work?" Anya asked, knowing the slayer was not really well
known for thought out plans that succeeded.
 

"Maybe," Buffy said with a sly grin, "maybe not. But it doesn't hurt to try
right?"
 

"Right," Anya agreed as both girls began to discuss possible ways of getting
their friend hooked up with the vampire she loved.
 

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