GOING ONCE (9/?)
 

Willow sat at the table, a scowl on her face. She saw Buffy about to speak
and narrowed her eyes, daring the blonde to intrude on her bad mood.
Buffy just shut her mouth and looked at the redhead with a puzzled
expression. Satisfied, Willow reached for her soda, her angry thoughts
directing themselves at the bleached hair nemesis that had ruined her day.
 

"Why is Willow killing her ice?" Anya asked as she took a seat at the table,
her eyes watching Willow.
 

"Shhh," Buffy said, "She's in a mood."
 

"Uh oh," Anya rolled her eyes as she ordered her drink and looked at the
slayer, "a mood huh? Is it already that time of the month?"
 

"Actually, nope," Buffy shook her head. "She and I are on the same cycle and
it ended a little over a week ago. She's just pissy."
 

Willow had paused in her inner stewing to glare at them both, her straw
moving more rapidly in the glass as she listened to them continue to discuss
her. She cleared her throat, "I am sitting here, you know."
 

"I know," Buffy said with a large smile," but you want us to leave you alone.
That was what the glare said when I tried to greet you wasn't it?"
 

"Oh, just shut up," Willow muttered, hating that Buffy knew her so well.
 

"See? Pissy," Buffy shook her head. "She's been that way all day. Damn near
bit my head off when I asked how she was this morning."
 

"Did not," Willow said, her words slightly weak because she knew Buffy was
telling the truth. She had been on edge ever since the night before when
Spike had taken her shopping. Change that. When he had kidnapped her and
forced her to humiliate herself in the men's store. She frowned, knowing that
he hadn't actually forced her into that little episode with the silk shirt,
but in a way he had so she could blame him. It certainly wasn't something she
made a habit of doing that was for sure. What really bothered her the most
was that he hadn't said anything. Just gotten into the car and taken her for
ice cream like her faking an orgasm in a clothing store was normal. Damn
stupid idiot. She had expected some rude comment or at least sarcasm, but
nothing? That had been worse than any laughter. He had just ignored it.
 

"Hello?" Anya said, looking from Willow to Buffy. "I wonder if it's nice on
what planet she's on."
 

"It must be," Buffy said, laughing. "She seems to enjoy being there."
 

"Still here listening," Willow said curtly.
 

"So, what has you so upset?" Anya asked, getting straight to the point after
the waitress took their order.
 

"I'm not upset," Willow clarified.
 

Buffy snorted, "Oh, yeah. Distracted maybe?"
 

"I just woke up grumpy. Is that a crime?" Willow asked, failing to mention
that she hadn't actually been asleep. No, instead she had laid on her bed
thinking about Spike and how he had looked without his shirt and how he must
have looked without his jeans. Then she'd felt her body grow hot and her
stomach tensed and sleep had been the farthest thing from her mind. Shagging
the vampire that had again fallen asleep on her couch had pretty much been
the consuming thought in her mind. Of course, she hadn't dared go down
stairs. She had already given in to the temptation of being daring at
Martin's, so she'd stayed in bed. Not that she ever would have done anything
anyway. Her lips still tingled from that brief kiss days before.
 

"Grumpy?" Anya questioned with a snicker. "Will, I've never seen you so..."
 

"Yes?" Willow asked, arching her brow and narrowing her eyes on the ex-demon.
 

"Full of life?" Anya said with a smile. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you
were frustrated....."
 

"Oh, really?" Buffy leaned forward, a smile crossing her face. "Is that it,
Wills? Are you horny?"
 

"Buffy!" Willow felt her face flame as both girls looked at her. "Anya, can't
you get your mind off sex for even an hour?"
 

"Hmm...." Anya paused as if in serious thought, "Nope. I doubt it. It's too
much fun. Besides," she tossed a piece of her napkin at Willow, "I talk about
things other than sex."
 

"I know," Willow said with a smile. "I didn't mean that...."
 

"So, is she right?" Anya asked, wriggling her eyebrows. "Is Willow in need of
some lovin'?"
 

"No, she is NOT right," Willow said, not noticing the speculative gleam that
had entered Buffy's eyes.
 

"We missed you last night at the Bronze. Thought you were meeting us," Buffy
said, watching Buffy.
 

"Something came up," Willow said with a grimace though her eyes had taken on
a sparkle.
 

"Really?" Anya said in a measuring tone. She nodded then looked at Buffy,
deciding that Willow had had enough for the day. "So, where's Soldier Boy?"
 

"He's at the track," Buffy said with a large smile. "Running six miles. He
has to be in shape for the auction after all."
 

"You're making him run?" Willow asked, having to laugh.
 

"What about Xander?" Buffy asked, ignoring Willow.
 

"I made him go to the gym," Anya said with a smile. "He'd gotten a bit flabby
and I decided he needed to shape up."
 

"You managed to get Xander to the gym?" Willow asked, shocked. "What did you
threaten him with?"
 

"What do you think?" Anya asked with a smirk. "Guys will do anything for sex."
 

"I can't believe you two are taking this auction thing so seriously," Willow
muttered, realizing that she could actually blame both Anya and Buffy for her
fiasco with Spike too since it had been their challenge that had gotten him
involved in the first place.
 

"Xander is going to win that damn bet," Anya said, nodding forcefully.
 

Buffy snorted, "Yeah, second to Riley."
 

"God, can we please discuss something other than that damn auction?" Willow
asked.
 

Buffy frowned, wondering what Willow had against the auction then deciding
that the redhead was in no mood to explain, she just nodded, "Sure. No need
to rub Anya's nose in the fact that she's going to lose."
 

"You little slut," Anya said, having to laugh. She just shook her head, "Did
you guys see the Tonight Show last night? All I can say is Yum-my."
 

"Oh God yes," Buffy nodded. "Freddie Prinze Junior is just delish, even if
Riley has a better body."
 

Willow rolled her eyes as the girls began to compare the actor with their own
boyfriends. She was just thankful that they had left her alone and quit
talking about the auction. She had to hear enough about it every night from
Spike.
 

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