"Hey Willow. You're late. Where did that smile come from?" Buffy asked, trying to keep her voice at a normal tone.
"You'll never guess." Willow said, sitting down. "I met him."
"Him?" Buffy repeated. She noticed Spike straighten up. He had taken the bait.
"HIM!" Willow said. "My shadow man. Well, I think it must be him."
"Tell me" Buffy demanded. She kept her eyes fixed on Spike's back.
"Well, I was at the bookstore. I felt someone watching me and turned. There was this guy standing there smiling at me. He came forward and introduced himself. Told me he had been watching me for awhile now."
"Wow....why do you think its your mystery man?"
"He was so cute...blushing and all. He said something about realizing it was time step out of the shadows and into the light."
"That is pretty convincing." Buffy watched as Spike put his hand against the glass. His fingers tapping steadily faster as Willow spoke. It was working.
"I know. It can't be a coincidence. Oh Buffy, I can't believe I finally met him. He makes me feel so special. I know that I'm falling in love with him. Seeing him, meeting him, I'm sure that will make it all the more real."
"Did he give you a name?" Buffy asked. She hoped Willow came up with something. She wanted to see Spike's reaction to a name.
"Parker" Willow said, dreamily. Buffy looked at her, fighting a laugh.
"Really? Is he that guy that lives in Hatcher?"
"No....the dorm next to it. I have a date with him tomorrow at 8:00. I think he might tell me then..."
Willow and Buffy watched as Spike suddenly turned and left. The door slamming behind him.
"Well, that went well." Buffy said, smiling.
"You think?" Willow asked, not convinced.
"Parker?"
"He was the first name to pop out. Do you think it's Spike?"
"Hell yes. I thought he might break the glass. Now, sit back and wait. He'll tell you now. He won't want to lose you to someone else."
"I hope you're right..." Willow said softly.
* * * * *
Parker was heading into his dorm when he heard someone call his name. He turned around, smiling. A fist socked him in his nose. He heard the bone break. Another fist hit his left eye. He fell to the ground in pain.
"If you ever even look at Willow again, I'll kill you..." the words were whispered in his ear. He sat up but his attacker was gone.
"Willow? Fuck, he broke my nose."