GOING ONCE (21/?)
 

"So, what did you do last night?" Buffy asked the redhead, watching the small
smile leave Willow's face as her friend looked up at her.
 

"Um, nothing much. Just hung around," Willow said, hoping that Buffy would
drop it. The night before had been date number two between her and Spike. The
lavish date. It had included a dinner at a very expensive French restaurant
and had ended with a carriage ride through the park. She had enjoyed it,
being with Spike always a treat, but personally thought their walk along with
the movie and burgers had been more fun. They'd spent that entire night
talking and holding hands, ending it with him kissing her hand at her front
door. Last night he had walked her to the door and brushed a chaste kiss
against her forehead.
 

"With Spike?" Anya asked, watching the redhead closely.
 

"Yeah," Willow said, feeling guilty again for helping him with the auction.
She knew she shouldn't be, it wasn't fair to Anya and Buffy for him to have
the safety net like that. But, she couldn't tell him no.
 

"Riley and I were out patrolling last night," Buffy explained, smiling
slightly, "and I saw you and Spike in the park. Riding in one of those
carriage things."
 

"You saw us?" Willow squeaked, her face blushing softly. How was she going to
talk her way out of this one without mentioning research?
 

"You two were so absorbed in each other I'm not surprised that you didn't see
us. Even my shouting your name didn't draw you away from him," Buffy said
with a smug smile.
 

"So, is he good in bed?" Anya asked, laughing as Willow turned even brighter
red.
 

"I uh I don't know," Willow stammered, glaring at her friends' amusement.
"You two need to stop! Spike and I are nothing more than friends. He had a
problem that he needed some help with last night. I am not fucking him, Anya,
so stop asking!"
 

"Someone's grumpy," Anya said, "and frustrated. Poor Willow. Is he doing all
the teasing and none of the follow through?"
 

"Yes, no, I mean, just shut up," Willow said crossly, plunging her fork into
her french fry.
 

"Uh oh, someone's getting violent," Buffy whispered to Anya with a wink.
"Willow, we don't mean to tease. It's just so cute, you and Spike."
 

"Adorable, really," Anya added with a friendly smile.
 

"There is no me and Spike," Willow said, sighing as she put her fork down. "I
told you, we're just friends."
 

"But you want there to be more, don't you?" Buffy asked seriously, hating to
see her friend so wistful.
 

"Maybe," Willow whispered, speaking her thoughts aloud for the first time. "I
might be feeling something for him that goes beyond friendly."
 

"He wants you," Anya said, scowling. "Why can't it work if you both want the
same thing, each other?"
 

"It just can't," Willow said, shaking her head. "Besides, you're nuts. He
doesn't want me. We're friends."
 

"Did I tell you that Riley found the perfect suit for the auction?" Buffy
said, deciding that Willow deserved a break from their pestering.
 

"Does it cover his face?" Anya asked sweetly, watching as Buffy glared at her.
 

"No, it molds his muscles perfectly. He looks absolutely yummy, I must say.
Last night, when he tried it on, well, I couldn't keep my hands off of him,"
Buffy admitted with a smile.
 

"I'm still trying to find Xander the right look," Anya said, frowning. "I
only have five days until the auction. I hope I find something before then."
 

"If you don't, he could always parade around naked. Hell, it might make his
bid higher and you'd win this stupid bet," Willow said sharply, hating the
auction and the bet and herself for having fallen in love with someone she
could never have.
 

"If Spike doesn't fuck you soon, I might have to kill you," Anya said sweetly
though her eyes were narrowed in annoyance. Her Xander was not going to be
naked in front of anyone but her. Hell, she'd find him a turtleneck to wear.
Cover every inch of his flesh from those women's eyes.
 

"Just make it fast," Willow said, knowing that Spike would never be fucking
her so that made it seem more likely that Anya would just be killing her.
 

"Why don't we finish our lunch before any blood is shed," Buffy suggested,
sighing as she looked at Willow. Yep, something had to be done there. Her
friend was unhappy. She did not like that. Not at all.

next